talkmagic.co.uk

Hello to all on Talkmagic (and esp. to the few lady magicians out there!). This is my first post.

I am enthusiastically trying to learn a few bits and pieces of magic to perform (for fun only) at formal functions, parties, pubs and the like and I am looking for some help.

You see, at most formal functions women's evening gowns do not have pockets!! Arrggghhh! Yes, I could be bold and wear a suit, or else carry things in a bag but it makes the set up slightly harder. So I am looking for suggestions for easy, yet impressive tricks that, ideally, require no pockets.

So far, all I have got is a few mentalist tricks etc. and a set of D'Lites (great fun), and some floating ideas (I reckon I could get away with it somewhere on my person!) But anything else spring to mind?

Are finger ring tricks any good or do they require additional props too?

I suppose I can borrow coins etc. from nearby punters etc. I can tie a piece of 'string' in my hair or around my wrist etc. and disappear to the ladies to set up a trick but I can't pull anything bigger than a silk out of most of my outfits!

Any advice/ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I am practising but, for now, I am pretty rubbish at sleight of hand stuff too I am afraid.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Becky (aka Pootle)

Learn how to do ring-off-string or ring penetration effects. Theres one where u knot a large ring onto a cord then slide a smaller ring onto the cord and then knot the cord around a spectators neck. You can take off the smaller ring without disturbing the other one( undercover of ur hands). Dont know what the effects called sorry, but its great and all items can be borrowed (or wear a necklace with a cord).

Is this like the Jardin Ellis/Gemini ring stuff?
Or can it be done with any ring?

"Loops".

You can wear them round your wrist and float/move objects.

Is there scope for a glittery male assistant carrying a deck or two for you?

Is there scope for a glittery male assistant carrying a deck or two for you?

Ha! If you/he comes complete with a smile and bunny outfit, I'll certainly consider it.

Sounds like you need to learn some impromptu magic using props gathered from around you. I.e napkins, cutlery, matches, Rubber bands ect.

Things you would expect to find in any bar/resturant or general working enviroment.

I would reccomend (as i do in most cases) Mark Wilson's Complete Course In Magic Probably the best value for money purchase you can make in magic.

Also if your happy with d'lites look into some TT (hope you know what that is) effects.

Hope that helps.

Pootle wrote:

Is there scope for a glittery male assistant carrying a deck or two for you?

Ha! If you/he comes complete with a smile and bunny outfit, I'll certainly consider it.

Hmmm, these legs'll need a shave first...

If I were in a position to not have a pocket, my preference would be for completely clean mental effects.

Pockets - I don't think that you'll build much of a repetoire without them, unless you do just card work with a normal deck. You even need a pocket to ditch a TT when not in use.

Can you not wear a sort of evening jacket or wrap with a hidden pocket in which to keep some props or perhaps you'll need to discreetly dip into a handbag which may be too suspicious.

Pockets are also good for some misdirection as well as for keeping your props in.

Difficult one this..... us blokes perhaps have it rather easy

I'm a big fan of Gregory Wilsons Ring Leader routine which is available on DVd and has plenty of material that only requites you to carry around a "quite classy" foot long length of velvet rope which can always be tucked somewhere accessible.
You can do a good few minutes of material with this and a borrowed ring.

Get yourself a nice book/DVD about impromptu magic (some may be called "party magic"), that way you don't need anything but yourself and stuff that already lay around every where to do some really amazing magic with things that just lay there.

For more complex things you can go for animations and levitations with some IT, EIT or loops (you can use your own body as main anchor for all three).
PK ring is great, not cheap but great, just be careful on which finger you put it or people will jump into conclusions

Actually D'lite (especially when used in a pair) isn't so great without pockets because the stealing and ditching is kind of hard to be performed with a purse. On the other hand a single TT is something nice to have in your purse, because the ditching doesn't have to be so immediate, and actually you can steal and ditch it as an excuse to take something out or putting something into your purse.

But I wouldn't suggest going so far, personally if I go to a party where I'm expected to do some magic "on the spot" I leave it to a pack of cards and impromptu magic, and once in a while some IT.

This is great guys - thanks so much - some good ideas coming.

At the risk of sounding a dumb ass, can I ask - Can you not use D'L.s for TT effects? Or is there not enough free-space?

I was thinking that that way I might just be able to go with this great idea of keeping one until I find a subtle way of ditching it to a bag. Or must you always ditch TT's before doing another trick? (I wonder if I could sit on them.)

Best I just experiment and see what works and what doesn't, I guess.
I'm also liking that Magician's shawl idea more and more - we got any budding inventors out there?

D'Lites would probably light up if you used them as regular TTs - which is a bit of a giveaway ! There used to be a colour changing scarf, a nice silky thing ideal for ladies, it changes from black to rainbow colours (and back again if required!) Ah yes, it's available from http://www.emagictricks.co.uk/product_i ... ts_id=2641 but no piccy, sorry!

Oh! Oh! Me, Miss! Me!

My Haunted Key just arrived from NUMS. Surely you'll have keys on hand, so I'd get one. In under a minute I learned how to move it at just a few milliletres a second and stop it whenever I want. A bit of meaningful pantomime and the job's a good 'un.

It's definitely being added to the list of barmaid shockers... and my keyring!

Keyed up by Anthony Miller? Put your keys, for example your Haunted Key, on to it, and you can easily carry the necessaries around. Two in one!