Close-up Magicians, Strolling Magicians

Close-up Magician / Strolling Magician:

Are you thinking about hiring a Close-up Magician / Strolling Magician for your trade shows, corporate dinner events or wedding?

Close-up magic is a type of magic that doesn’t require a lot of equipment. A close-up magician or strolling magician usually brings all of his or her magic tricks in their pockets: like a deck of cards, coins, sponge balls, pens, etc. 

I’ve put together several pointers to help you when making a decision about hiring a Close-Up – Strolling Magician for your event.

What types of events are good for hiring a Close-up magic show / Close-up magician - Strolling Magician?

Some events work perfectly for a close-up magic show and hiring a strolling magician to walk around doing magic tricks: cocktails parties, corporate dinner events, trade shows, weddings, quinceneras, Sweet 16 parties, restaurants, dinner events or fundraisers, etc.

The close-up magician walks around showing magic tricks to the guests, spending about two to five minutes with each cluster or group of people. Other events – such as corporate trade shows, expos, trade fairs, are great, too. They require that the close-up magician performs at one specific spot, like a booth – using magic tricks to interact with attendees, pulling them over to the booth or table as they walk by.

Why is hiring a Close-up magic show: Strolling / close-up Magician a good idea for my event?

Hire close-up or strolling magicians are great for events where you want to keep your guests entertained and also help break the ice, leaving your guests comfortable and having fun during lapses of time between activities.

This waiting time is critical for guests and the event. Imagine you are preparing the most important day of your life or hosting an event, and you invite friends, family and /or customers, and you don’t have the time at the event to be with them, all at the same time. All of the guests don’t know each other and you want to provide some entertainment to loosen things up. 

A close-up /strolling magician creates a buzz and environment of fun and laughter, moving from table to table, for instance at a wedding during lapses of time between the ceremony and dinner – perhaps when guests are waiting for the bridal party during the taking of pictures, or waiting for dinner to be served.
Close-up magic show is also great when guests are spread out over a large area or their attention is divided. Strolling or close-up magicians move seamlessly between clusters of people at cocktail parties – livening up conversations and drawing people together.

At corporate trade-shows or trade fairs, a close-up magician works wonderfully to pull people to your booth and make your product or service stand out from all the others. Also, close-up magic show is another way to market your product: a close-up magician can perform tricks that promote your product – including putting your logo on a deck of cards or handkerchiefs, or doing tricks with your product.

What types of events do not work well for close-up magic? 

It is not recommendable to hire a close-up magician if you’re having an event with a large, seated audience (anywhere from 20 to 500 people), where all the guests’ attention is focused at the same time, it is better to hire stage magic show, illusions – or a full Comedy Magic Show. This is the case whether this is on an actual stage or in front of seated family and guests at your home, country club, office party or dinner party. Kids’ parties also work best with a Magic Show, not a close-up magic show.

What qualities should I look for in to hire a close-up magician or strolling magician? 

A strolling close-up or magician needs to do more than perform amazing card tricks. Spectacular magic is a must, of course. But the close-up magician or strolling magician also has to have the ability to interact well with guests and know how to time each encounter – usually around two to five minutes – so that all the guests are provided entertainment. Because the interactions are so up-close, the magician has to have a great sense of humor, knowing how to spontaneously respond to any situation, including when guests decline a magic demonstration. 

The close-up magician needs to have experience in order to quickly read the audience and make fast decisions to ensure that everyone feels comfortable and has fun. The magician should be a charismatic person, funny, outgoing and – importantly – professional.

What are the professional characteristics of a reputable close-up magician / strolling magician for my event? 

Now that you have decided that you would like a close-up magician / strolling magician for your event, here are some more professional characteristics to consider:

Magic Tricks:
a. Amazing tricks and style. The presentations of the tricks are like jokes: they can be the same jokes, but comedians deliver them differently. Same with magicians and tricks. Check his or her style to be sure it’s what you like. 
b. Right equipment: Check what types of elements the close-up magician uses: it could be cards, coins, handkerchiefs, sponge balls or more, but it should all look amazing!

1. Attire:
   The way a magician dresses is very important. Some strolling magicians on TV do close-up magic in jeans, shorts and sandals to differentiate themselves from the classic magician. Street magicians performing close-up magic can be dressed to look very sporty, however for a formal event; a magician needs to appear classy and very presentable – preferably in a tie if the event is very elegant. Other times, you can request that the magician dress in character. For instance, once a customer asked me to dress like a modern hipster – and it was fun!:-) 
2. Professional & Legal Company:
   Ideally, a professional magician is going to have his or her own company, and it will be registered with the state. The more time that the magician has had an established company, the better – it reflects stability and a serious commitment to the career. Here are some other elements a professional magician will offer through his or her company:
   a. Contract: A professional magician should be able to respond quickly in writing with a form of contract or invoice that outlines the services to be provided and other details, such as payments, deposit requirements, policy on cancellations, etc. Avoid headaches and people who take too long to send invoices, contracts or information. It could be a sign of unreliability.
   b. Paperwork – Insurance: An experienced entertainer and professional magician knows what is required by many clients and should be able to quickly send upon request copies of insurance, background checks, fingerprints, and worker’s compensation waivers. 
   
3. Punctuality: This is crucial! A professional magician always always always has to be on time! Preferably, the magician arrives even earlier than what the customer is expecting. But the magician should have a policy stated on the invoice or contract about arriving ahead of the show start time in order to set up and be prepared. For close-up magic, that could be at least 15 – 20 minutes before the estimated performance start time. 
4. Flexibility: You want a magician who understands that the event is not about the magician, it is about the audience. PICK A MAGICIAN FOR YOUR EVENT WHO IS CAPABLE TO HANDLE UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS.
   a. Delays at the event: In some cases, the events can be delayed and other unexpected situations may arise that may delay his or her start time for hours. You need a magician who is professional and flexible, someone who responds calmly in a stressful situation – who is part of the solution, not the problem.
   b. Long hours of work: In some cases the magician needs to work for 2-3 hours non stop. The magician needs to understand to be prepared for those long hours.
   c. Set-up: In some cases the set-up is not as the customer described. For example, the magician was told there would be dinner tables for 5 people each and indoors. But at the event there actually are long tables of 15 people each, and the event is outdoors. The magician needs to be prepared to change gears quickly without complaint and drama, and still perform a great show. 
5. THE MOST IMPORTANT: Experience: It is very important when choosing a strolling magician for your event to ask about experience. Just because a magician does stage shows does not mean that he or she has experience doing close-up magic. Also, check on the type of close-up magic the magician has done. It is not the same to do close-up magic at a casual dinner fundraiser event than a wedding or trade show or a carnival or cruise. The different is enormous and the magician needs to have the right experience and offer the specific show for the specific event.
   

Finally: Now how do I find a close-up magician / strolling magician? 

1. Visit the magician’s website to know more about him or her. Carefully read the background information as well as references and feedback from past customers. Watch videos if available to check out the magician’s style. Look for lots of pictures of the magician performing close-up magic in the type of event that you’re planning. 
2. Be in direct contact with the magician by email or phone. 
3. Ask questions about how to make your event even better. This is a good way to see if the magician has experience and his or her level of professionalism. Based on experience, the magician should have his or her own suggestions. 
4. Try to hire the magician directly. Know exactly who and what you’re hiring and paying for. 
5. If still you are not sure what magician is good for your event, seek advice and feedback from family, friends or colleagues by sharing with them the websites of the potential magicians you have in mind.

Knowing that there is a lot of information out there about entertainers, I hope this blog can be helpful when you are deciding about hiring a magician for your event. 

The tips and information I present through this blog are based on more than 20 years of experience as a professional magician, understanding that each event is special and unique – and that every client and their guests deserve the best. 

I believe that with a little preparation and forethought, you will find that hiring the right Professional Close-Up Magician / Strolling Magician for your event can help transform it into an unforgettable occasion.

Hire Close-up Magicians / Strolling Magicians

Read More

Masters of Illusion 

Experience Magic like never before!

Get ready to experience impossible escapes, vanishes, and levitation, while witnessing the greatest sleight of hand live in front of your eyes. Masters of Illusion is the largest magic tour show of the world. Forget about watching appearances on TV; nothing beats magic shows in person. No camera tricks, no CGI graphics – experience the best illusions of your life.
If you love magic and want to see real magicians, illusionists perform in a way that can change how you think about magic tricks. Even if you don’t believe in magic come to the live show and see how these jaw-dropping, mind-bending magicians will take you away from reality into someplace different.

The Masters of Illusion show will make you question what you believed to be ordinary objects. The props in the shows are simple, but all the magicians make them look like something special.

Masters of Illusion, first performed in September 2011, is now in its seventh season, amazing people with its awesomeness. The tour has done 225 shows in 147 venues. The duration of each magic show is around 2 hours and 15 minutes, including intermission. Each show consists of various magicians, and every time the live show delivers beyond expectations.

The cast – which currently includes Greg Gleason, Farrell Dillon, and Tommy Wind – changes some of its members from year to year. Regardless of the cast, the show leaves people spell-bound, returning the following year to see the show again.

Greg Gleason - Masters of Illusion

Greg Gleason has been performing in the show since 2014. Born and raised in Helena, Montana, Greg is famous for his sleight-of-the-hand tricks. His act, ‘The Wizard’s Secret’ has been performed at more than 9,000 shows. Greg has been awarded “Magician of the year” in World Magic Awards. Greg’s signature illusion is “The Helicopter Illusion” – producing a full-size helicopter on stage. It’s the perfect blend of fun, jaw-dropping illusions and sleight-of-the-hand tricks, which will leave you baffled with amazement.

Farrell Dillon - Masters of Illusion

Farrell Dillon is a Los Angeles-based magician. Farrell blends comedy with mind-bending magic. He is celebrated for his stand-up comedy in between his magic performances. He claims to ‘keep the kids off drugs’ from his flavor of comedy in his shows. Farrell has been nominated for Stage Magician of the year by Magic Castle. His signature trick is a floating-chair trick, where he uses magic to float a chair in the air right in front of you. Farrell’s style makes him a hit for people of every age. The blend of comedy makes his magic worth watching. 

Tommy Wind - Masters of Illusion

Tommy Wind is a magician from Staten Island, New York. Tommy combines illusions with music, with each show consisting of daring tricks. He is well-known for his dangerous acts. Every trick combines music with magic, sending shivers down viewers’ spines. Tommy plays the musical instruments himself – the drum and piano – incorporating them into his mind-boggling magic tricks. In the Magic World Awards, Tommy has won “Best Teen Magician of the year” award. The best thing about Tommy is his versatility – his skills range from close-up magic to mentalism. From the grand escape to seamless illusions, Tommy will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Last year -2018, along with these magicians, there were two other performers: Joseph Gabriel and Naathan Phan.

Joseph Gabriel - Masters of Illusion 2018

Born and raised in New Jersey, Joseph Gabriel is famous for his bird illusions. A multi-faceted magician, his ‘Magic on Broadway” broke many records. His sleight-of-the-hand illusions leave the audience amazed. His magic shows are a favorite in Las Vegas, and people come from miles around to watch his live performances.

Naathan Phan - Masters of Illusion 2018

Naathan Phan, born in California to Vietnamese immigrant parents and raised in Scotland before returning to his birth state for high school, is the self-described “Magic Asian Man.” Naathan – a multi-talented entertainer who has appeared in films like Superbad – uses magic, comedy, singing, writing, and improvised storytelling to make his shows stand out from other magicians. He has amazed audiences around the world with everything from stand-up comic routines, opera singing, close-up magic and grand illusions.

Florida Shows: Masters of Illusion visit Florida each year around January.

Lakeland, FL. - Youkey Theatre
Coral Springs, FL.  - Coral Springs Center for the Arts
Jacksonville, FL. - Florida Theatre Jacksonville
Daytona Beach, FL. - The Peabody
The Villages, FL. Sharon L. - Morse Performing Arts Center 
Clearwater, FL. - Ruth Eckerd Hall

For upcoming shows in your area visit Masters of Illusions website. 

Masters of Illusion

Website: http://mastersofillusionlive.com

Masters of Illusion - Live Shows and TV Series

Read More

Discount Tickets Dinner Shows Orlando

Buy Discount Tickets for dinner shows and attractions in Orlando and save money! (But beware of the scams!)

Orlando has many attractions to visit. Besides the parks, Orlando offers visitors and local residents plenty of other things to do – such as live shows, magic shows, dinner shows, water parks, aquariums, and more!  

Vacations or day trips in Orlando with family and friends promise to be great fun! But they can be expensive, too – especially if you don’t plan ahead. With a little planning, you can find great deals, but be aware of scams and websites offering discount tickets or free tickets. 

Nothing is more frustrating than losing your money to a scam or finding out that you’ve wasted precious vacation time tracking down “discount” event tickets that end up costing the same as those at the door! 

So let’s say you want to go see your favorite magician who is in town, or buy tickets to a dinner show in Orlando. But you don’t want to pay full price for the ticket. Understandable, with all the expenses involved with vacations – from plane tickets to hotel rooms. Many attendees are resorting to scrounging out discount tickets from third-party online vendors, buying tickets at a reduced price. But in doing so, they are opening themselves up to the risk of being tricked. Unsecure websites, identity or credit card theft, computer viruses, and fake tickets that might not even exist are just the beginning of the problems that might crop up.

There is true value in buying tickets straight from the source and paying full price to see the show. And there are also ways to get a discount on your ticket without resorting to an unknown, untrustworthy source. Here’s how:

- Buy your tickets months / days ahead of the show: Sometimes shows offer discounts for attendees who buy their tickets in advance. If you know you’re going to want to see your favorite show, park, attraction, magician or entertainer in Orlando, plan ahead and buy your tickets months in advance of the show and you might receive a hefty discount! Different shows have different rules and pricings, but most offer a discount for attendees who make advanced purchases.
- Buy your tickets in a package. Lots of shows have package deals where you pay for tickets, dinner, and drinks, and then receive a discounted deal on the total price. Cons of this option? You might not love the food options, but choose the deal just because it’s attached to the great ticket pricing. The show might also not be great, but dinner can be amazing. It’s a gamble that you can consider taking if you want that discount. 
- Memberships: Sometimes, venues and shows offer discounted prices for audience members who are veterans, public service workers, or members of other groups who are coming to watch the shows. Check their websites or social media pages to see if you might qualify for a discounted ticket before you buy yours!

Buy Discount Tickets online for shows in Orlando, FL is good deal?

Overall, buying a discounted ticket online really depends on the source. If you’re buying from a person or website that you’ve never heard of, never visited, and doesn’t appear to be secure, you might want to rethink your decision. Saving a few dollars on a ticket is not worth having your credit card information stolen, or your computer compromised. Or ruining an otherwise perfect vacation!

Buy Discount Tickets Orlando, FL

Read More

Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows - Orlando, FL

Looking for a place in Orlando that offers a variety of shows? From Magic, Stand-up Comedy Shows, Dinner Shows and Mystery Dinner Shows?

The mystery is solved!

Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows located in Orlando, FL is the place!

One of my passions in my free time is to go see shows, especially if they are shows about magic or comedy. One of my friends at the gym recommended this place and I tried it. Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows offers a fun mix of comedy, magic, and delicious food and drinks that makes it an all-inclusive experience. And, the location hosts several different shows, including Nick’s Parlor Tricks, Mama’s Comedy Show, and more.

Sleuths Mystery Dinners are more than just your average dinner and a show – experience the conundrums of the puzzling storyline where you become a guest in an outrageous comedy mystery, all while enjoying a dinner with family and friends. This show is nearly 2.5 hours of fun and wild performances, and you’ll feel like you’re a character in the storyline who is able to discover the mystery ending and solve the crime along with the characters!
The mystery dinner ticket prices are all inclusive, meaning your dinner and unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are all included in the price of the show. 
They have a variety of shows, some for the whole family and others just for the adults. For those family friendly shows kids and parents can enjoy a delicious meal and a fun show. And don't forget it! If you are planning on bringing the whole family, ask about the specials on discounted pricing for kids!

The Dinner show place has different shows on the same day and different days. A few of the most well-known shows are: The Magic of Nik’s Parlor, Mama’s Comedy Show, Stand-up Comedy and the Great Mystery Show, which varies time to time depending on the theme.

Nick’s Parlor Tricks - Magic Show

Happy to see more and more great magicians performing in the Orlando area! Nick’s Parlor Tricks is a magic show for all the ages. The magician, Nick Comis, is an experienced showman with a knack for illusions and mind reading, which he’ll demonstrate in these intimate, 45-minute evening shows. This amazing experience is fun for the whole family, and you won’t believe your eyes as Nick performs disappearing tricks, reads the minds of audience members, and performs impossible physical feats. It’s a show you don’t want to miss if you’re in the Orlando area.

Mama’s Comedy Show - adults only

Laugh – be amazed and laugh again! Often compared to “Whose Line is it Anyway,” Mama’s Comedy Show is a late night comedic masterpiece that will have you doubling over with hysterics within the first few minutes the comedians step up to the mic. The 90-minute shows feature Orlando’s most hilarious performers who encourage audience participation in the completely improvised comedy. Be aware that this show is not appropriate for the whole family - adults only for this one (you never know what the performers will let slip!).
Mama’s Comedy Show is the perfect solution for a night out with friends, or date night with your partner. Tickets are only $10, and available at a discounted rate if you have the Sleuth’s admission package. You can also purchase late-night appetizers and drinks at the full bar as you sit back, relax, and enjoy the jokes.

The Garden Room – Stand-up comedy at Sleuths

If you can’t get enough of the uproarious shows, join the Saturday nights for the stand-up comedy specials! Featuring up-and-coming comedians as well as professional showmen, this show is perfect for those seeking late-night comedic entertainment. Tickets are free if you purchase a drink inside, which, let’s be honest – you will! It’s a knee-slapping, bent-over-laughing event that you won’t want to miss, and you might just find yourself returning every weekend to check out your favorites from the week before! 

Website: www.sleuths.com 
8267 International Dr. Orlando, FL 32819, USA

Sleuths Mystery Dinner Shows - Orlando, FL.

Read More

I don’t believe in magic!

Do you believe in magic? Is magic real or is magic just a trick?

Courtesy Pixabay.com

During the 35 years of my career as a magician, I often have had the experience of someone from the audience come up to me before or after the show to say: "I don't believe in magic." My response to them is always the same: "Good, that makes two of us!" Some will turn to me and ask, "If you don’t believe in magic, why are you a magician?"

The reason is simple. According with Wikipedia we have two types of magic: magic (paranormal) the use of paranormal methods to manipulate natural forces and magic (Illusions) the art of appearing to perform supernatural feats. 

I understand that for some people the word magic can appear as something mysterious (paranormal) -- something they are afraid of. For others, magic doesn’t exist at all because magic is a manipulation of the reality and they call it a trick. 

We magicians have a different idea about magic. 

We use the concept of magic like we own the word. For many of us (magicians) the magic is art. It may include the study of acting, music, mathematics, body expression, lights, engineering, etc. 

I don't believe in magic, the song says. If we talk about the classic concept of magic, the dark one, as opposed to the philosophical perspective, we can see that the ones who really don’t believe in magic are the magicians. 

Again you might say, What? Why?! Because magicians create illusions to show the people something impossible, but in the end anyone who commits themselves with dedicated practice and study can reach the goal of doing illusions and presenting them as magic. 

Anybody can learn how to do a trick. But it is only when you learn how to combine magic as mystery, and magic as art that you become a magician, a professional magician. As a true magician, you do more than perform tricks: you create an atmosphere of entertainment.

So, you don't believe in magic?

Courtesy of Pixabay.com

Sometimes people from the audience who say they don't believe in magic are just trying to give the magician a hard time. Or they connect magic to a metaphysical belief. Really they need to re-consider the concept and relate the word MAGIC with entertainment.

Let me correct this: For me, Yes - I really believe in magic 

But not the common understanding of magic. Instead, I believe in the magic and power of entertainment, the magic of love, the magic of peace and the magic to reach your goals in life. But that type of magic is not possible just by moving a magic wand. They are concepts but they become real when we work for them. Then we will understand that magic is more than an illusion; magic is something that each of us can do if we truly believe in what we want and we believe in ourselves. 

The trick is how you develop and approach that goal in your life

Pixabay.com

Magicians are dream makers -- and that is what you need to start the process: a dream. DREAM OF SOMETHING, DREAM OF WHAT YOU WANT, and DREAM ABOUT YOUR PASSION IN LIFE! After that we need a plan, then we need education, then we need action, then we need to learn from mistakes, correct the errors and perfect them in order to move forward for that dream. 

The Magicians believe in art - the real magic!

The magicians you see doing a trick probably don't believe in that dark concept of magic. But those magicians believe that the trick can be done and that they can make it very magical in front of your eyes. They believe in the magic as an art, in themselves and trying to perfect that trick through hard work and constantly learning how to bring to the audience the best act, delivered with love and passion. Then if the magicians are able to surprise and entertain, the audience's applause could be the return of the happiness that the magician – the performer – the actor - the human being, has given to them. It is this connection that we call the real magic. And in that magic we most certainly believe.

Read More