I have done many strolling/walkaround/table hopping gigs and one of the strongest effects I have found is my use of loops. For example, I will approach a restaurant table and ask if anyone has had problems with the paper napkins. They say no, and then I levitate the napkin. It is a great opener and the reactions are awesome.
Great review as always. I grew up near Glasgow where Roy Walton ran the famous Tam Shephards Trick Shop for many years. I purchased Card Warp and Rainbow Cascade from the man himself with the added bonus that he taught me how to perform them. One of the nicest people you could hope to meet (in magic or in life).
Thank you! Your tips and advice are the most valuable help I have ever seen about strolling magic. It really removes the anxiety about wondering what I should be doing to be professional (besides performing effects).
All very useful tips and effects. I do invisible deck as a 4 person trick in walk around to engage more than one person in the effect. I use a crystal, and get them to hold it and pass it among themselves to determine, a card's color, suit, odd/even, finally the value. then produce that card from the deck.
Rubber Band Tricks. Packs small, plays big. For larger audiences, use elastic headbands you can get at the Dollar Store. A sponge ball routine is also a must. Learn several so you can switch them up while strolling.
In my limited experience I've found that the key for good walk around routines are quick visual tricks, borrowed objects from the spectator, and souvenirs. Good way to get people talking and break the ice plus then there's tangible proof you performed for everyone. My set right now is: Greg Wilson Pointless (I frame it as a sobriety test) Hancock effect (any money magic will do but this one tricks alot of boxes) Garrett Thomas banded + ring in string routine (ending with a ring to impossible location is fun. I use nest of wallets) ACR or Anniversary waltz (I don't like doing both in the same set as I generally don't stay on cards to long)
Thanks for the review. Totally cool! For references, if wanting to work restaurant / walk around, I don't know if it's still in print but Morrissey Magic had a book called "OUT OF YOUR POCKET" by By Merlyn T. Shute. Chapters include Getting Started: tips on starting in restaurant magic No! Mr. Manager: dealing with management Getting On: dealing with customers Close-Up: advice on presentation What A Name: choosing your persona How About Cards?: thoughts on presenting effective card tricks Packet Tricks: discussion of Wild Card, and the Glide, and some tips Quick and Easy Pocket Chop: short and commercial. The Paddle: the "move" and a Traffic Light routine Sing For Your Supper: a discussion of magic with finger rings The Party: ideas for larger groups, torn & restored newspaper Just a String: Sid Lorraine's cut and restored string Pockets and Servantes: ideas Boxes, Tubes, and Cases: for carrying your performance pad and equipment Costumes: what to wear Wands: uses for. There is also Kirk Charles' Manual of Restaurant Magic.
Yeah it's my go too. Top tip from me: After the count quickly name the cards and miscall the selection I then place each card down individually and have them place their hand on top or over mine to see if I get the vibe. I name the selected card and do a run a dub vanish. Found these little bits really.elevated my reactions. 👍
great tips! As an opener, if you work in a restaurant, you can consider the thorned and restored sugar packet signed by a spectator. Justin Miller explains it on the live at the jailhouse dvd. 😃
I have gotten good reactions to a metal ring passing through a knotted rope. And oddly, the disappearing knot. Perhaps one of the trapdoors in "Machination" Your list is very helpful. And tips are spot on. Establishing that you are working for the host and your job is to create a pleasurable experience for them allows you confidence to approach. Thanks.
Keep making those videos I been slacking and need a kick in the ass sometimes. Some of the inquiries I get for gigs have good intentions to want me but want me one minute change their minds and cut me loose the next gets very disappointing at times especially after you put the time in to practice.
Great list! I need to look into all of them. I was also thinking about useful clothing for holding all your walk around tricks and gear. I remember when I was in college some clothing company had all sorts of internal pockets.
I bring a box on stand that locks with a shock cord wrapped around it, this has never been a problem and I can just run over and grab more tricks any time!
great list David 👍🏻👍🏻 … nice variety … Kyle Purnell’’s “Hancock Effect” and pencil thru bill are excellent … would also include Vanishing Silk and other TT effects
Thanks!! Scotch & Soda needs to be reset each time, so unless you have multiple sets or an eager assistant, this is not one I would feature. A folding c. is better and /or the old coin under silk is great. Switching out a Silver Dollar for a large penny in the spectators hand is fun and novel.
Regarding walk around magic I would definitely recommend real secrets of magic with David Stone 2dvd set. He also has a book with a lot of theory. Has a lot of tips as to how to approach, what tricks to do etc.
There are a lot more, but for now , Tornado by Rick Lax, Eraser by Rick Lax, Vortex, and Since easy enough to have 2 decks, Quantum Deck, by Craig Petty, and of course "Collassal Killer" (if you can work out your setup)
Great list and advice!! I have a question though, if you have a nice messenger bag, is it really unprofessional? It's handy if you need to secretly set up some tricks inside a messenger bag that's hanging up on your side.
Great review and tips. I love Jeff Prace's Mon-Key. The recently reviewed Gaff Lighter Project. So many more but be personable and be careful about telling jokes, what you think is hilarious might be offensive to some. Thanks again David.
I always try to use jumbo index cards , as most older people in low light can not see too well. Oh, and forget trying card magic on kids, they just don't get it!
Amazing list no complaints except for one trick I think all magicians can attest to being insanely good that’s not on here: DOUBLE CROSS by Mark Southworth.
Great list uncle David! Watched one of your videos the other day and today I went to Penguin and picked up 1$TNR! And I have to say, I bought that for a dollar! What a great deal! Thanks for recommending it! And as far as paddle tricks go, what are your thoughts on Chatelaines Pen or pencil? I think it looks awesome! I recently got the color sticks download and I find that the sticks that are used are a little awkward for me. I used to do Mark Jenest's #2 pencil and loved it! So much easier than the color sticks! Thanks in advance for any help you can pass on! Brian.
Whatever reason I thought of a sound machine when you said no one likes a rude magician. So when walking up to spectators, to grab their attention in mid conversation, to make a bunch of weird farting and burping sounds. I just wanna see the reactions as I look them straight in the eye and say " Wanna see some magic!?" I'm looking for a "YES!"
@@Danny451 It's good to have a sense of humor theses days.U know I would just blame the other person for the farting and then pro-form a magic trick. You'd be surprised after the laughing is a good icebreaker. I can't afford a sound device anyways but food for though. Thanks the referral I'll look it up.
If you have Destiny Deck by David Gonzales, there are very simple tricks with it that WOW during walk-around. Another potential fun one is Joshua Jay's "Inferno" (if lighting matches is appropriate in the venue). Thanks for the suggestions and tips!
Great list, great advice. The only thing I find really difficult is performing at night when the party really gets started and the music is very loud. Even the wallflowers can't always hear me so lots of "good" tricks I do (that require some form of spoken communication) don't get the impact I want. Any tips on that? Don't want to run around with only D'lites and burning wallets the entire evening... ;)
I was thinking the same thing... What happens when the atmosphere gets too loud. But then I was trying to think of what would work with just visuals. You already included Ignition, which is very visual. I was thinking of Misled by Timothy Wenk. Or Miser's Miracle by Jerry Andrus (which also consumes cards). As always, great insights David!
Great list, one question, any tips on how to get hired as a walk-around magician? Who should I contact, and also should I market myself online, in-person, or both? Any thoughts. Thanks
start performing in your area as much as possible - get practice anywhere you can - offer to perform for free - just to create a reputation and then pass out business cards while you work - have a social media presence where people can return to. Buy some books on marketing and running a small business
@@magicorthodoxy Thank you so much, David? Is that your name? ahahah, anyways I have two more follow up questions if you don't mind: 1. What are some good venues to offer to perform for free, I was thinking bars, clubs, restaurants, lounges, and etc. but any other places you could think of? And 2. Any marketing and running a small business books that you could recommend to get started?
Hey David! Do you know of any good sources that help with the writing aspect of magic? I'm currently stuck on writing an introduction to a parlor act that I like.
you had extreme burn and hundy 500 on your list as seperate entries.... But arent extreme burn and hundy 500 basically the same exact effect? Just different handlings?
Cups & Balls with cocktail shakers and olives, anything with fire, tricks with borrowed items, torn and restored napkins, Chink-a-chink with bottle caps
@@magicorthodoxy right now I'm practicing change an object into another, for example barspoom into jigger, I would like to make appear bottle opener, vanish small bottles, something specific that I can do with my tools, any other suggestions? Thank you very much for answering
