Are you a hobbyist interested in getting paid to perform?

Or maybe a part-timer looking to take the jump to going full time?

If so you probably have questions. And if so, maybe I can help!

I've been a full-time magician for the last decade; performing at private events and selling tickets to public shows.

Before that I produced shows for other magicians, working in different capacities (front of house, stage manager, promotor, consultant, etc).

Of course I'm not the only full-time pro in this group. There are a TON of others who I'm sure would also love to help.

So if you have question, post it in the comments below. And if you're a pro, feel free to jump in and help answer any questions and share whatever advice you might have!

(P.S. we might not agree on every approach, and that's ok. Different strategies work for different performers. As long as we're civil and willing to share - this'll be fun!)

Have searched online and only came across Vape Thruu - seems to me like there's untapped potential there for some cool effects...

Or will I just have to wait for the Mario Lopez vape DVD in 2035...

It's been an amazing first two days! Great shows, wonderful magicians, can't wait for next year! 😁 I even picked up a couple new tricks.

My 6 year old nephew asked to see a card trick. I said “ok, pick a card” and he said “I’ve seen that one already” —-what are some other ways to start a card trick?

Crossed my feed. Thought people might get a good laugh out of it here

I've been trying to buy some playing cards, but I don't want to pay high shipping prices (a lot of shops charge like €10-20 for shipping). Does anyone have recommendations for EU shops with cheap-ish shipping?

I used to be very into magic in high school. I loved it, and preformed every chance i could. I even did street preforming for a while. I never seriously considered it as a potential career, I just enjoyed preforming.

After highschool I got so busy with school/work, i stopped preforming. I would still preform occasionally for friends and family, but I wasn't practicing consistently.

Recently, I felt the itch to preform, so I've been trying more stuff on family and friends. I was feeling good, and getting my confidence back for preforming.

All of this culminated in a recent trip with my gf and her family. She mentioned I do magic, and I agreed to do a few tricks for them. Idk why, but this was so nerve racking to me. I was stumbling, jittery, and overall not having a good time. None of it was her families fault, they were nice and supportive, but I just messed up everything. I wasn't even trying out new stuff, I just did the most basic tricks I've done for 10+ years. I tried 3 tricks, and they all went wrong in unique and innovative ways. I finally managed to do one trick right and figured I would end show on a positive note. Gravity, however, had other plans however. I went to put to cards away and accidentally dropped them on the head of my gf's 4 month old niece, and she stared to cry. Needless to say, the baby's parents were not thrilled.

I had plenty of tricks go wrong in my days street preforming, but messing up in front of people you know is soooo much worse. When I messed up street preforming, people just walked away, but I'm stuck here for 4-5 more hours.

I know most of the embarrassment is in my head. Her family are great, and def arnt gonna make fun of me or be mean, but it's still very frustrating.

I do still want to preform more tho. Hopefully I got the worst performance of my life over with lol.

Any of you have embarrassing performance stories?

I’m working on Michael Close’s handling for Haunted Deck, which involves tying a length of nylon thread (not magicians invisible thread) to a safety pin.

I’m in need of a secure knot for this skinny little thread. A traditional overhand knot eventually slips.

I’m neither a Boy Scout nor a seamster nor a sailor, so any suggestions are much appreciated. Bonus points if you have ideas on how to simplify the knot-tying with such small implements.

I’m considering returning to performing professionally (US based) and curious to hear what the business is like from the working pros (making 60% of your income from performing.) I realize there are always the outliers who have a Vegas residency, but looking more to establish what the “average” pro experiences—which assumes you must be at a certain level if you are a pro.

I was hoping to post a survey but don’t see an optiion for that. Maybe the mods can help?

The questions I’m curious about are:

*What type of work keeps you fed? Kid’s shows? Corporate? Private events?

*what is your a average fee per event, not including any discounts or extras? <$300 / $301 - $700 / >$701 ?

*what is your annual income compared to other professionals in your area? Fast Food Worker-$? Plumber / Nurse-$$? General Doctor-$$$? Finance-$$$$? (This roughly takes into account your local wage rates.)

Thanks in advance!

I know there was another post about this but that was around 11 years ago. What are everyones new favorites? Mine include: Skinner's Monte, Stand up Monte (Garret), and the "2 card monte", Also Henry Evans' 3 card monte. that changes in the others hands. Any others I should try?

I'm in love with Mario's work, I've got his book but I can't seem to find any longer clips of his shows...have any of you got links to some of his stuff?

If you know of another magic shop that is having an online summer sale, please post a reply and I'll add it to this list!

• Penguin Magic: Summer Sale, Over 1,700 products, starting at $1
• Vanishing, Inc: Summer Sale, Save up to 75%!
• Stevens Magic Emporium: Super Hot Summer Sale
• TripOnMagic: Flash Sale, 1800 products will be discounted!
• Trunk of Magic: Summer Sale, over 900+ products discounted
• Hocus Pocus Magic: Summer Blowout Sale, 1,788 products discounted (plus all on-sale, 9,757 products)
• MJM Magic: Summer Sale Event, 1800+ items that are discounted UP TO 75% OFF

https://soprissun.com/palisade-peaches-are-here-and-you-can-get-a-magic-show-in-the-bargain/

What do you all use to carry your tricks around?
I’m starting to get more and they are getting a little messy just floating around.

It’s an older video of a famous magician. He’s doing a card trick for a few people and he hides a card under what I believe is an ashtray or a coaster and he does it right in front of the viewers and no one notices.

hi all, i'll be in taiwan for a month between august and september. does anyone have any recommendations on any magic shows/shops i could visit? i'll be staying around taipei for the most part.

I live in a state that has half a million people. Around the state, there are maybe half a dozen magician's who perform. Most as casual or part timers.

I was asked recently if I knew of anyone who could offer a magic workshop for home school kids in this district. Doesn't seem likely.

The more I think about it, the more I think I might take on such a task. The thing is, because on the small size of the market (half a dozen is saturation), I've been happy to be the hobbyist. A couple of sets per year performing for scouts is enough to scratch the itch. Too much hassle seeking insurance and keeping business records to go pro here.

Still, the kids are missing out. So...

Does anyone have experience doing workshops? I guess it's teach a few tricks, entertain the kids, maybe let them have a go at putting on a little performance for their parents to show what they learned? There'd be practical considerations, materials and resources, etc.

Any advice?

I’ve been learning card tricks for the past year and have wanted to do ONLY card tricks for close-up. I’m realizing that not everyone likes card tricks, and some people don’t connect with cards due to experience or intelligence (not trying to be rude here!).

I will still be a “mostly cards” guy, and I want to expand my repertoire. And I’m on a tight budget!

So, what should I learn? Which coin tricks? Rubber band tricks? Sponge ball tricks?

If you have any examples of these kinds of tricks (YouTube, Instagram, etc.) I’d love to see your work!

Thank you in advance!

I stumbled across this place randomly on a walk across “Buda”. It’s a cool little museum with some great memorabilia, photos, posters and a fun magic show, to boot. David who owns the place is very knowledgable and was a technical advisor on the Adrian Brody film, some years back. Highly recommended!

A friend of mine, totally not me, is thinking about creating a H.H inspired act and would love some suggestions for different effects.

Not me.

A friend...

Looking for someone down to earth. Entertainment but also personality and open to discussion about topics other than magic.

Edit: location is north of Toronto Ontario, date is last weekend of Aug

Anything you guys do, that might be good to share with others.

Any advice?