Whoa! I just did the first street magic gig in a long time without having a puppet. Bummer! I couldn't get kids to stop, let alone their parents! I tried lots of lines... "Want me to make your child disappear?" "Want me to make your parents disappear?" (Just kidding. But perhaps I SHOULD have tried those.)

I realized quickly that most people probably thought I would expect a tip. It wasn't that type of a show, so I would announce, "Free magic show for the kids!" People would avoid it! I'm not used to that. When they finally did pause I could hand them a prop to start a trick and then they would be impressed with a couple of tricks.

The next time I am definitely going to bring a puppet. I can draw them over and then do a trick after letting the puppet rest if I want. Or I'll just keep the puppet on and pose for photos. What a difference!

What street were you working? Was it part of some sort of sidewalk bazaar or something? I've never had trouble stopping people -- maybe it's because I look like Santa*<:o{0}}

Dear Santa:

You asked what type of street I was working. It was a dark alley last night about 9:30 pm. It was a little difficult to see because of the flashing red lights from nearby windows. I couldn't get anyone to stop!

Actually, it was a beautiful day in the old shopping district of the city. They have lots of vendors (who also couldn't get people to stop unless they were selling food.) And my magic club had several magicians doing street magic.

Now I now there are introverts and extroverts, and it would have helped if I were an extrovert. It is one of those uncomfortable venues that I will have to do 5 or 6 times to feel comfortable. Can you remember your first gig as a street magician? How did you feel then?

-Tony

Unfortunately, I'm one of those extroverted, self centered, egomaniacal types who love being "on." Most people find it quite irritating unless I'm in character... I'm never nervous about performing, only about doing well. The only after effect is coming down from the adrenaline rush of performing. I'm exhausted and down for hours after a show.

When an introvert tries to convert to an extrovert, he comes across as a pervert. So it's best that we stay within our own temperament.

Tony, I heard about your show.  Someone said they saw you walking down the street and turn into a bar...

Do you "play" with a prop or accessory as you approach people? I've found that works in attracting an audience... i.e. playing with a silk, or a wand or some other item. Egg bags or change bags are especially good for this.

That's a good idea. The way I set it up was to have a little stand with a sign, "Now perfoming". I didn't approach people, which may have worked better than trying to get them to stop walking and to come over to me. If I did just street magic again (no vent) I will plan on using a balloon belt, made for holding balloon pumps and balloons and carrying magic in it. There were a few lines of people waiting for food that I could have gone down doing magic.

I have yet to try walk arounds and attract people, I have done walk arounds and attracted flys, but they weren't interested in a ventriloquist act, just stale old food. So I guess I must remindf them of some stale old food.