Marty and Brenda Hahne: Summer Magic ShowsInside MagicMagic News Updated Daily for the Professional Magician

Brenda Hahne

Marty and Brenda Hahne are the owners and prime movers behind the wonderful Dazzling Magic.
Marty has kindly allowed us to republish some of his columns here on
Inside Magic. In Michigan, where we are based, this is actually time
for outdoor magic shows; so his advice is timely.

Do yourself a favor and visit Dazzling Magic. See how how two people who truly care about magic, demonstrate their dedication with style and originality.

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drop us a line. We're always looking for thoughtful insights or the
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The summer
season is rapidly approaching, which means it's time to get ready for
the company picnic season. Kid show and family entertainers of all
types will soon be performing outdoors at a wide variety of functions.

These outdoor
shows can be lots of fun and a big success, or they can extremely
taxing and frustrating. I'd like to share a few outdoor show tips that
have helped make my life easier.

The biggest
factor to deal with at outdoor shows is, not surprisingly, the weather.
Rain, wind, bright sunlight and hot temperatures are just a few factors
to take into consideration when planning an outdoor show.

When a client
calls about an outdoor show, I always inquire about the show
performance area. Is there a stage? Does the stage have a canopy? Is
there power nearby? If there's a covered stage, consider yourself lucky!

Many times,
the client will want you to work out in a grassy area, or even on a
parking lot. This type of setting can really present a lot of problems.

Marty Hahne

If there's no stage, try to define a performance area. I use a rope
line to indicate the stage area. I also try to find an area where I can
have several trees or a wall behind me. Having people standing behind
you during the show is distracting to both you and the audience. I
don't use my portable backdrop system outside, since the curtains are
blown by windy conditions.

I always try to
get permission to pull my vehicle up close to the performance area. I
want to have the van close by, in case I have to quickly get my props
out of a sudden rain storm. Keep in mind, that if you do pull your van
into the performance area, you many not be able to get it back out
until the event is over and the crowd has left. I have even parked my
van just behind the performance area, to provide a sort of back wall.

Finding a readily
accessible power supply can also be difficult outdoors. I used to carry
several long extension cords to deal with this problem. However, two
years ago I found a better solution to the lack of power: a battery
operated sound system. There are many types to choose from. I, as well
as many other performers I know, have had excellent success with
systems made by Anchor Audio. Check their web site for details.

I also bought an
inexpensive battery operated cassette recorder to provide background
music. Now I have a complete sound system that can work anywhere, even
without a power outlet.

It is a good idea
to pack several plastic drop cloths in case you can't get all the props
out of the rain quickly. These plastic sheets can be thrown over
equipment and secured with masking tape if necessary. Also, when
working outdoors, pack extra towels. When you're soaked, and the props
are getting wet, you can never seem to find enough dry towels.

Besides rain, the
wind is another big factor when trying to perform magic outdoors. The
delicate, sophisticated type of magic has to be sacrificed in favor of
more durable pieces of equipment.

When deciding on outdoor show material, try to find props that are wind proof, angle proof and and can be seen by a big crowd.

My favorite
outdoor show trick is the linking rings. It meets all of the above
criteria, and the sound of the clanging rings helps to draw a crowd.
The only slight drawback is that on hot days, when my hands start to
sweat, the rings can be a bit difficult to handle.

Other tricks that
I have used successfully outdoors would include an arm chopper or
guillotine, most rope tricks, a rabbit production from some sort of a
box or tube, the fraidy cat rabbit, and other durable props. [This was written before the horrible beheadings in Saudi Arabia – ed.]

Silk magic is
difficult to do outdoors. However, a routine with silks and a change
bag, where the silks aren't set down to blow away, would probably be
fine.

One I tried the
mis-made flag routine outdoors. When I dropped the blue silk, a gust of
wind came up and blew the silk into the audience. Another time, I tried
the crystal tube, where three separate silks are placed into a clear
tube, and come out knotted. At the climax, when the silks are blown out
of the tube, another gust of wind came up and blew these silks into the
audience.

You'll find that
for some strange reason, even on calm days, when you try silk magic
outdoors, the wind will suddenly come up at the most critical time.
Sponge ball magic can also be difficult if the wind is blowing.

Be careful if
you're doing any type of trick where you place a large card against a
display stand. These large, lightweight cards will be blown away with
just a light wind.

Working outdoor
shows requires several compromises. You may have to eliminate some of
your best material, and instead substitute something that works better
in outdoor conditions.

With bright
sunlight, check your production boxes and other tricks that use the
black art principal. With strong light overhead, your square circle
gimmick tube becomes painfully obvious. Strong light behind you may
also expose hidden packets or devices.

The warm, bright
outdoor conditions also are a factor in my choice of costume. I usually
wear a more casual type of costume when working outdoors. I want to
look "showy," but I also want to be comfortable. I normally wear more
formal attire for indoor shows, but outdoor picnic shows can really
take a toll on tuxedos and patent leather shoes.

For outdoor
shows, I like to wear a colorful vest, black trousers and black tennis
shoes. The vest is comfortable, draws attention and is easy to clean.
The tennis shoes are also comfortable and don't get ruined from parking
lots full of stones and gravel.

You'll find that outdoor shows require a good deal of thought and
planning. If you try to present an indoor-type of show outside you'll
quickly encounter several major problems. However, with a little
planning and a few changes, you can present an entertaining and
effective show outdoors.

I hope these
suggestions will help you to have a successful summer show season. I
must admit, I'm happier doing my shows indoors, but sometimes we have
no choice but to perform outdoors. Our audiences are waiting to have a
good time, so it's up to us to deliver even though the conditions may
be far from ideal. I wish you the very best this summer!