Lecture

Who knew that my lecture would turn into a 5 hour docudrama of magic as seen through the eyes of a street performer. Life the universe and everything was thrown into this discussion. Performance, Stories, Theory, & Pain all told in an inappropriate and irreverent way that only I have the poor taste to deliver. For example, one of the youngsters (a kid of 12 or 13) asked about the coin falling up. I asked him if he knew how to classic palm a coin. I went off on a riff about crawling before you can walk, and taught him about the classic palm of a coin. I demonstrated how to get a coin in classic palm and told him that by developing the muscle at the base of the thumb he would not only learn to palm but he would be on his way to learning the coin falling up. He asked me how to build up the thumb muscle. I said, "You have to masturbate. . . A LOT!"

I think everyone there had a good time and hopefully learned something. I know I had a GREAT time and was humbled and honored that anybody showed up at all. I think there were around 20 men, women and children.

I started out with a 45 minute performance. High energy opening with the cups and balls, followed by cards,silks, coins, the dean's box & the rings.

I talked about my start in show business, working the Kings Island Amusement Park as a 15 year old. I made $250 a week, working six 20 minute shows a day. I was on break more than I worked. The next year I made $300 a week. It ruined me for the rest of my life.

I told stories of meeting Cellini, dropping out of high school and moving to New York City to be a street performer. I shared my adventures working Comedy Clubs and working the corporate market. We discussed marketing for 30 - 45 minutes. I showed all the promo pieces I had brought and discussed ways to measure their effectivness. "If you can't measure it. . . you can't manage it". I demonstrated my sales pitches during the "retail years in the magic shop business" section. We talked about selling magic after your show.

All in all a good time. Special thanks to Kim "Max" Long. The Magic Artists Guild is his idea. He has specific ideas about community building in magic in his area. This is very exciting! I know what it's like to bring magicians together and the power of that. Congrats Max on taking the first step!!! Now remember what I said about getting a weekly session going. I have a feeling a few of the guys from Spokane will come in for it!