opening trick for close up

[Andrew Martin Portala]

What is a good opening (non-card trick)for close up walkaround?
Thanks

[Guest]

Try Dan Fleshman's ruse of approaching the spectator with a purse frame and inquire as to whether anyone lost a 'purse'. When they laugh and reply 'no', reach into the purse and produce a sponge ball to begin your routine. You might also pull out a coin to begin a coin effect. Another good opener is color changing knives. Ask if they dropped a knife and go into the routine. These should do for starters, pun intended!

[Guest]

1) Produce a coin using flash paper, turn it to a jumbo coin.

2)Produce a bottle or glass with liquid in it.

3)Sometimes I start off with Jon Allen's Double back- great hands on baffling card trick. Ends clean in their hands and resets automatically. I forgot, you said no cards. I still like it for an opener. I call it my training deck.

4) Produce a sickl from a borrowed dollar.

5) Chameleon silks.

Anything short, visual and that requires little patter is great for an opener.

[Guest]

Producing a sickle from a borrowed dollar! Boy, that will definately get their attention...

[magicgolfer]

I've always felt that the best opening was not to do anything until building up a little rapport with the group. Then tell them who you are and what you are doing at the function and then ask them if you could show them something special with a little bit of money. This is done as I produce a coin or shake a coin purse.

I always open my strolling magic with coin magic as currency is immediately recognized by the patrons and suspicions are disgarded. This has been a very reliable opener for me. Hope it helps.

[Jeff Eline]

Welcome Michael! I've always enjoyed your book Miracle Material.

[magicgolfer]

Thanks for the kind words Jeff. If we've met at one of my lectures at Denny's shop I'm sorry that I can't put a face with the name.

Hope we can meet up sometime in Charm City.

Michael


PS- to keep on the topic of the thread, another great way is table tents or lobby signs that announce your presence..people will be requesting you and you won't have to break the ice so to speak. Just start with some common object magic not your latest die box routine!

[Pete Biro]

I ask to borrow a penny... then do a copper silver with a silver dollar and wind up with the Giant penny in speckies hand.

Or the Edward Victor Bat Trick (I'll start again version). :p