My Magic partner has managed to score us a new gig. This time we were performing at the same gay wine bar that gave us our first ever gig. The Pride Wine Bar, Colchester . This was to celebrate their first anniversary. However seeing as their grand opening came a month AFTER they opened their doors this means it's still only been 11 months since our first gig. I approached the gig with a certain degree of confidence as it came pretty close to the last very successful wedding gig. I was starting to feel the nerves right before hand though as I had not managed to dedicate enough time to practice in my mind. However I was sporting a lot more effects than the first time they had seen me and a new waistcoat!
This rather funky paisley waistcoat has a lovely metallic gleam and more importantly 4 internal pockets for stashing packet tricks and decks. THe left pocket is extra deep for storing cards and makes a good home for the "Wee Wee Mentalist". Aremed with a more organised storage system than last time, knowing I could be a lot more graceful getting to my effects meant I was much happier about the fluidity of my performance.
The night did have the initial trouble of our first gig, a low turn out. In the first hour we had already performed for 3 groups of people and that's all that was there. THe night soon picked up and I am delighted to say I found 2 groups of people who loved the higher mentalism effects in my routine. I find all magic a joy to perform with and the wonderment of a quick colour change or the ambitious card is great to share with people but for me the deep emotional connections made with Cartomancy, Out of this World, Dark side and other rapport effects simply can't be beat.
This night I faced a demon of mine. Coolness. Blaine is Cool, Brown is Cool, I am not initially straight way instantly Cool. Most people who take the time to know me rank me as a 'cool and groovy' person and ironically for a fat ugly guy I have no fear approaching women, or groups with women in them. It's the group of LADS on their own that gave me some concern. How do I relate to a bunch of Cool guys when I'm a fatty in a waistcoat. There is nothing cool about me, interesting yes, intriguing, maybe, but not Cool. Whilst having a breather outside I came acroos one of the group of young men. He was feeling a little down and so I forgot about the magic for a moment and switched into my normall caring human being mode. We chatted for a while and he seemd to take comfort in my company. I began running through the more slight of hand routines I had explaining that I needed to look busy. HE seemed genuinely impressed before we headed back in and I went to reload and reset (after 2 hours I might add). WHen I came out again I suddenly realised HOW impressed he was./ HE was waxing lyrical about this Cool Guy doing Magic who people Had To See. Thus i went into y slight of hand set and gabling set. By now others were joining in. People were leaving thier tables to atch the specticale of the performing fatty. As I began exhausting my repitore I asked about who believes in real magic, or the mind and soul. Everyone was still interested and so I sat down and took my time as I went into my rapport routines, at my own pace, commanding attention, not demanding it. Suddenly I felt like a real magician again, doing the magic I loved AND making others love it.
So what have I learnt.
1)Do as I do is still a good effect, provided you have a table handy
2) There is intreast in the mentailsm/rapport style of effects
3) the Ambitious card is universally loved. It's worth working on
4) the slight of hand effects can naturally lead into mentalism/rapport
5) People were genuinely in wonder and fascinated. I appear to be a good magician. This is worth the time and effort and I must continue the work.
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