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Hi All, Ive got my 1st "Paid" gig coming up on Aug 6th, at a wedding reception. Roughly 6 or 7 tables with 8 people to a table. Obviously im quite nervous, ive been practising and practising like hell! There are going to be a few children there, im just wondering what i can show them to keep them amused? Something relatively quick to learn, i thought of TT and hankie, but im guessing alot of laymen would already know how its done. Im thinking of getting "Fibre Obtics" by Richard Sanders. Ive got roughly 3weeks to learn it? Would u say its worth it? Im guessing kids wont really appreciate card tricks, which most of my work is mainly based on. Im planning to do 3-4 tricks per table, and maybe a bit of walkaround stuff depending on the venue. Any ideas and opinions wouldnt go a miss?

Thanks!
Sean

Hey Sean

Firstly congratulations! you will have a blast, I personally love house parties the most but very closely followed by weddings. I had two gigs in the first weekend the first time I ever got paid, one of each type and I think I wrote about it on here. It's one of the stickies in a help (support?)section I think.

Anyway, 3 weeks you could learn that routine for sure if you spend a fair bit of time at it but I would stick with what you know, have and are very comfortable with this for this first gig. You'll hear it loads but your stuff needs to be bullet proof really and performing the things that you know inside out will allow you to relax and not worry so much if something goes wrong or someone interupts part way through. Both are likely to happen, especially the later.

You don't need more than about 6 to 8 tricks either in total, others might not agree but your audience changes all the time not the tricks when working. They don't even need to be routined as such but they should at least flow.... And of course the more you perform the tricks in a "live" situation the the better you become at performing them in the same situation. It's quite probable you have something in your current tricks that kids will love anyway.

I still get nervous, a natural reaction I would say though I've stopped shaking a long time ago so don't worry if you are highly charged on the day.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

Wedding Gigs seem to be the current hot topic - see http://www.talkmagic.co.uk/ftopic39611.php&highlight for more advice.

Learn a good sponge ball routine.

Best tip?
Make sure you ask for your cheque/money before you start, and before they get drunk. Know WHO is actually handing you the money!

Bruce

Just a little advice for the kids. I've done a few gigs where kids have been present and I do straight mentalism - not a winner for the kids!

However, when I'm at a table for them I pull out a pair of D'Lites and have a little fun with them, the adults present always appreciate the fact that I've not excluded them and have taken the time to do something a little fun.

It doesn't really matter whether the adults are aware of the tricks you do for their kids, their appreciation that you did something for them will be plenty on its own.

For what it's worth, if a parent asks about the D'Lites I always tell them where to pick up a pair so they can have fun with them themselves.

ace of kev wrote:Learn a good sponge ball routine.

I think that would probably be a safe bet.
Ive never met anyone of any age who hasnt thouroughly enjoyed (and been mysyfied by) the sponge balls. I personally love the spongeball toolbox by Steve Dacri.