The Magicanada Project

Michael Kras

This is something that constantly gets on my nerves... in fact I sometimes struggle to maintain composure when a situation like this comes up.

For example, let's say I'm doing something for an adult woman... not THAT, I mean a card trick or two. She's giddy about it and after the first effect or two remarks "My two year old niece would LOVE this!"

AHEM? I've just performed an Ace Cut and YOU THINK I do this for the kids? What's up with THAT???

This is my big problem and it almost makes me sad to think about... the CONSTANT connections made by adults that what we do is juvenile trickery suited to toddler's birthday parties... that we are all practitioners of a neat hobby for which the sole purpose is to go up behind a grinning child's ear and extract pocket change.

Of course, countless magicians DO cater to children (and, God bless them, some ONLY to children) but what about those of us who really do not? What about the card guys, the coin guys, the mentalists, who all use material directed primarily to those in their teens, adult years, or senior years? My problem is this: How is it magicians can show a few 40-somethings a poker deal routine and some heavy sleight of hand work and STILL be associated with the little ones? Are people really this blind?

What do YOU think reasoning behind this could be? What ways do you think it can be helped? How do you feel about the issue in general? My feelings could be stronger than yours, but please do chime in Smile

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Michael Kras
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Reuben The Great · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 245

I'd say you have to see it coming before you do it. Performing for a lady with children or a lady that you can tell may have kids around, you wouldn't show her a kiddylike trick or anything that wouldn't absolutely mindrape her. Thats where you have to choose your material, nobody gives a damn about ace cuts when you can put a cellphone in a balloon or levitate a deck of cards.

Other than that, I really don't get those kinds of reactions. I mean the odd time it happens, but realistically people who see you do a gambling effect or something that I named above dont say those things. Just remember, if someone asks you to do a trick, or lets see some magic, if its only ONE trick destroy them. If its magic, then you can do whatever ace cuts you like as long as you finish with a bang-- and im sure they wont ask to perform at slumber parties or whatever anymore. Just my opinion.
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LIVR · Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 52 Location: Ontario

I would wager part of it has to do with your own age. Even though the magic itself may be sophisticated, there are most likely parts of your script, humor, wardrobe and general attitude which lead them to think in that direction.

Michael Kras · Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 3:51 pm Post subject:

That's my worry... despite how professional I try to be in performance, it's likely my age that may have something to do with it. Now that you bring it up, appearance IS probably something that has an affect as well. But what sort of appearance could you take on that screams "I don't do kids parties!"?

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Michael Kras
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