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Hi, I hope to spend the next year practicing a wide variety of magic (Cards, coins, mentalism etc)

Afte that, I am going to hit the street to do some walk-around magic for the public (and hopefully earn some pocket money on the side)
Can anyone give me any advice on this?

Resources for street magoc/performing; their favourite magic tricks for the street; how to politely ask for tips and how to get into and out of a performance.

What I am doing is NOT busking - I am not putting on a big show, I am simply sharing my magic for enjoyment, If someone wants to tip me, then that is up to them.
Cheers, Jamie

An idea someone else mentioned on here that I liked was to try performing to queues going into cinemas and similar. It's a captive audience and you can move down/up the queue if it's not going well.

For family films that have a magic theme, you'd stand a good chance of an enthusiastic crowd.

Busking doesn't necessarily mean having a big show. Buskers can do anything from cut and restored turbans with the cups and balls to a couple coin tricks and a color change. The three basic styles are circle acts-- being surrounded/the largest type; half-circle acts-- have a street or wall behind you/medium sized material; and doorway acts-- close-up magic on the streets. It sounds like you wish to do the latter.

Now, know that you won't be performing for friends or family. Strangers won't tolerate slow pacing, dead time, or dull magic. And, since you're doing close-up stuff, you'll probably want to do ten minutes, tops. Keep this in mind, especially since it's very easy to get overenthusiastic and try to do 30 minutes. Limit your set.

On that point, have a set. Pick out the best tricks you do and know how you're going to transition. Avoid tricks that require reset. I can start my act again from the beginning 15 seconds after having finished the previous show. Don't have fillers, just use the very best stuff you have. Finish with something shocking and astonishing.

To get attention, make noise. You can do this with your voice, a bell, or by smacking your wand against something. Have something very quick, very visual, and instantly resettable available for people who glance over to see what you're doing (I produce a coin or do the muscle pass). Never ask people if they want to see a show as they walk by; if nothing else, tell them to "watch this trick". If someone stops walking or turns back after your flashy demo-trick, urge them over and chat with them. Don't instantly go into tricks, instead introduce yourself, get their name, and tell them what your act consists of (e.g. "I do a few coin tricks, 2 of the best card tricks in the world, and a trick with this cup. The cup here is my finale; it's the best trick I do. You're going to want to stick around to watch this cup trick").

Mention tips, money, or being poor in a humorous way a couple minutes into the act. You want hat lines that are funny, witty, emotionally appealing, etc. Entertain the people with everything you do, but make sure your hat lines have extra sparkle. At the very end, after you blow them away with your finale and they finish applauding (let's hope they are...!), define how much you think you deserve. I ask for 3-5 dollars. Then take your hat and walk up to someone who you see has paper bills in his hands. This way, the first person to throw in money won't be someone with coins. If this happens, you'll get a hat full of coins for the performance, and that is always a drag.

Now, as I stated earlier, despite your previous definition, you will be busking! So research busking thoroughly, then go out and do it. You don't need to have a crystal clear plan or act ready when you go out; time and repetition will make you good whether you like it or not. Be ready to adapt, have a notebook of lines and ideas that you get during your performances (your early improvised material may very well end up becoming your workhorse presentations), and work hard.

Resources for busking/street magic:
"To Lure With Spectacle" by Jimmy Talksalot
"The Art of Krowd Keeping" by Gazzo and Danny Hustle
Anything by Jim Cellini-- he is the late god of street magic
"The Secret Art of Magic" by Eric Evans-- this has very practical advice on hecklers on the streets (hint, you don't throw "heckler-stoppers" at them) as well as a breakdown of misdirection.
Study any videos etc. you can of Sonny Holliday-- he was Cellini's #1 student and is the current god of busking with magic.

Being in Europe, you will have a major advantage over me; I live in California. California is just about the worst place to busk and Europe is supposed to be amazing. Best of luck, if you want any more advice before going out, consult my list of resources or shoot me a PM.

I have a great coin vanish that I have made up myself. this is great for street magic. I did not perform this well but tell me what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZmT9M1u33k

never saw this thread before....... some great advice there sleightly......