This fundamental economic truth doesn ’ t even take into account that contemporary audiences currently really enjoy being up close , and experiencing their magic as an “ in your face ” event .

This freedom resulting from the downsizing of magic venues has allowed magicians around the country to create their own showrooms , often in unusual places , and fill them with enthusiastic audiences . Even more exciting is that performers can do this in the town where they live , and not have to spend the time , effort and expense of traveling . I consider this an outstanding development and opportunity for the average magician who wants to move from hobbyist to professional performer . The only way to improve as a performer is to keep on performing until you get it right and then go right on developing it until it can ’ t go wrong .

Over the years I have produced shows in many locations , ranging from nightclubs , comedy clubs , hotels right up to Las Vegas showrooms . However , I have never had the experience of staging a show to the kind of small audiences that I am describing in this article . I figured that it was time to give it a shot , and I am currently launching a new monthly 40 seat magic show in Austin , Texas . It is a combination of parlor and close-up magic employing video assist and a few other surprises to sweeten the deal . There is no similar show in our hip little city , and I am excited to see how quickly we can get it off the ground and flying . Will it be an instant success ? I doubt it , but my guess is that it will fairly quickly build into an excellent show that will allow me and my guest performers to have a lot of fun , make some cash , and create a forum that will result in some lucrative private bookings . I strongly suspect it will quickly build to becoming a weekly event and that is my ideal scenario . You could do the same in the city in which you live — we live in exciting times now that we can explore magic without feeling that you need a truck full of expensive illusions to guarantee an audience . Besides , in honesty , some of those deceptive bases don ’ t look quite as deceptive as they once did .

This scenario is the latest way that I plan to ride the waves of the latest trends in magic . For over 50 years I have enjoyed performing magic for my livelihood and don ’ t expect to stop any day soon . I love the entire process of studying magic , perfecting tricks and then delivering them to an audience , but it is especially helpful to control the circumstances in which present your show . I am intrigued by the way lay audiences are now viewing the role and repertoire of a magician , and I am fascinated to see how this response to the current magical zeitgeist will play out . If there is one thing I have discovered in my career , it is that if you allow the current trends to carry you forward , then you are letting the Universe do the heavy lifting for you . A tremendous amount of energy in the magical world is spent in trying to re-create what happened in another era . By keeping your eyes and ears open to what contemporary audiences are enjoying you pave the way for ongoing success . As my old friend and Zen master , Jack Goldfinger observes , “ It is easier to wear carpet slippers than carpet the world .” I am not entirely sure exactly what he means ( you never are with these zen masters ), but I am pretty sure it fits in exactly with what I am saying here !

PARLOR AND CLOSE-UP MAGIC EMPLOYING VIDEO ASSIST AND A FEW OTHER SURPRISES TO SWEETEN THE DEAL .”

VANISH MAGAZINE www . VanishMagazine . com

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