Kids gig At a Wedding

I'm writing this at very near 1 AM. The gig kicked off at 6 and went on until 11. I'm SHATTERED but very happy and content . The kids, and their parents loved it. I've done kids gigs before, but they were either close up  small gigs, or attached to a wedding  gig. This was a case of me keeping  a GROUP of kids occupied and happy for hours.  I decided I needed more kids props  AND balloon animals.
New Props

Diminishing Milk, Auto Milkgo,  Okito Glass, Mirror Glass Pro, A Magic Change Bag with Zipper, and a Vanishing Coke Bottle. I also took some old props, My Combo Cup and Balls, MY trust Crystal Tube a Silk Vanish, 3-way colouring book  and deck Prepped with Wee Wee Mentalist and The Four Card Trick . I also got some Modelling Balloons, A DVD, Balloon Magic Made Easy, and A mentalist routine using balloon animals, The Balloon Detective.

I began by forming a routine centred around a magical fluid. This fluid could shrink and grow. I demonstrated this using the Diminishing Milk cups. This fluid then solidifies into a silk handkerchief which is then shrunk and teleported via party popper into someone's shoe. Traditionally milk is used in these effects, however I opted for red juice. This was in part because I knew I'd be in one spot for a long time and didn't want the milk to smell, but also I had red silks and so wanted to  keep the colours consistent. This routine lasted for around 15 minutes with a LOT of ad-libbing.

However we have the thorny subject of balloons. I spent a few days working on them, and I'm no grand master but I can do them ow, great:). A magazine article said to leave the balloons until last as the kids will go crazy when they see them and  you'll be doing balloons for ever. I made the mistake of giving a boy a monkey before I set up. He was upset and his dad had to take him out of the speeches until he stopped crying. Good deed yes, but it meant every kid hommed in on me and wanted balloon animals at the start. My Magic show was a balloon show for an hour! The Balloon Detective went out the window, the kids were too hyper to focus. Afterwards things calmed down and I went into the magic, doing my fluid routine. Then the Crystal tube. This involves tying knotted in handkerchiefs just by blowing through the tub, Brilliant. Using the information from Seriously Silly by David Kaye and his DVD Seriously Silly Live this can be a VERY funny routine. However inspiration hit RIGHT before my first attempted. Why blow through the tube when you can BLOW A RASPBERRY! AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!

I settled the kids down on the floor and performed "Once Upon A Time" by Guy Hollingworth. Wow. all the kids were enchanted and every grown up was looking on, smiling and in awe. That routine got BOTH photographers wanting my card so they could recommend me to other weddings. The grown ups were enraptured by the story and the magic as well.

Over all My performances were loved by kids and grown ups. the grown ups marveld at how well I hand;led the kids. This sounds very unmodest I know but words can't convey just how often parents and staff came up to me to tell me this, and how they thought the greatest magic was the ability to enchant their kids. It made me realize this is the right path for me, not just the kids magic, but all magic. The Magician for the grown ups was great. I rung him before hand to chat and make sure I didn't step on his toes. I was worried he'd be arrogant or awkward but he was lovely. He is a member of the Magic Circle and told me just by chatting that he thought I'd be good enough. I hit him  with Wee Wee Mentalist and Twilight Angels. He loved them and assured me I'd meet the standard all ready. He also made a big deal of how well I handled kids and grown ups. He liked me so much he booked me:)

So What have I learnt.
As I knew before I have a knack for magic and can enchant ANY audience.

LEAVE THE BALLOONS TILL LAST IF I CAN

Kids grab stuff (I knew this) I REALLY need to sort out a way of having things on hand without the kids grabbing them

For a moment I thought I busted my balloon pump. I fixed it but it shows I need a spare.

I have the skills and knowledge to keep kids occupied for 4 hours! I don't need more stuff, I just need to hone hat I have :)

My ability to ad-lib is one of my strongest assets.