These past few weeks, in-person events have returned. They have been eye-opening.
Events have been mainly private ones but they can be some of the most rewarding. As a professional magician, after a year of doing online shows for people, the thrill of these in-person events (every event is a ‘live’ event) has been intoxicating!
Since engaging with people in-person again I have noticed a few changes since Covid took over the world. Here’s a few tings I’ve discovered:
- While many don’t care for the vaccine, venues do. People are put at ease when told I am fully vaccinated. It’s also a good way to break the ice.
- More people are not carrying cash. It used to be that I could borrow a note and have it change at fingertips to another note, or have it vanish and re-appear in an impossible location. I would say that the number of people carrying cash has dropped by 80% or so.
- People are eager to have have fun. There are many ways a close-up magician can present magic. In a party situation, being able to engage with guests in a fun way is paramount. It was uncertain how people would react to a performer in close proximity, touching props or lending items. Thankfully, at the in-person events at which I have been booked, this has not been a problem.
- I have created a stand-up magic show in which nobody needs to be on stage with me or needs to touch any props. The magic show flows better without choosing volunteers and them coming up to help. The audience are still engaged and integral to the magic; they just do so without the pressure of being on stage. I also don’t need to remember people’s names! There are other stand-up magic routines with one or two people on stage with me or a prop needs to be handled. Most people are okay with this level of interaction.
- There was a worry of forgetting all the presentations I worked on and honed over many years and thousands of performances. After all, it was close to 15 months between my last event before Covid and my first one since events came back in June. I need not have worried. To hear the laughter, gasps of amazement and comments, along with seeing stunned faces was quite an emotional experience. It reinforced the fact that what I do for people goes further than just tricks. People want enjoyable experiences shared with others, especially after being in their own bubble for so long.
More bookings will come in. The festive period is coming large. People want entertainment. Events will bounce back and I look forward to helping add to their enjoyment.