Originally posted by capt. mike
maybe in baja - like at the pyramid or some place, limit it to say 8 to 10 1st sign ups, charge a FEE to cover your expenses plus a reasonable
stipend for your self, and show HOW to do this and other entry level stuff. I know i'd go. Maybe Keri would discount a block of rooms. Quote: |
Yes, a course in the Baja this coming winter. Last year in February and March I put on a small no fee course (on the beach and at my camp) for over
15 people to teach them in the beginnings of magic, mostly streetmagic. I taught 7 of my mexican friends to perform about 6 street magic routines and
they really enjoy it. They were able to entertain their frends and 2 even went to their kids schools to show off their new magic. Now they are right
into it. Most of the other 7 were people I met while traveling, or who parked near my camp and a few real talented young mexican children.
Does Magic belong in the Baja? Maybe some don't tink so, but from how popular it was in the Baja, then probably more than any other place. I have
found that the local mexican population enjoys magic much more than Canadians or Americans. They don't try to figure it all out, they just enjoy it.
Whether on the streets of Todos or Mulege, or the malacon of La Paz, it was always gathered a huge crowd. And after the little impromptu shows, I
would always get some enthusiastic locals (mexicans) asking me if I would teach them. So I taught a few of them some basic routines. They wanted to
learn as they worked in restaurants etc.
During the weeks leading up to XMas 2002, I taught 2 young mexican kids magic and they put on a show right at the beach in front of their campsite
just before dark on XMas day. There were 3 families that had driven down to camp for the holidays, from Tiajuna and they parked near me at El
Requeson.
One of the kids (very shy young girl) was orphaned 2 years earlier when her parents were killed in a car accident, so she was brought into her aunt
and uncle's family. The aunt and uncle (parents) told me she hadn't spoken since the accident. She was very fascinated with magic and her cousin and
her would come over to see me everyday to watch me practice at my camp.
They wanted to learn, so I went to ask their parents if it was okay to teach them. Well, it was a very enjoyable and rewarding experience for me, and
their family. The real Magic. The two kids put on this great show and they bowed for their audience as I taught them and the day after this real great
magic show the parents and the boy showed up to my camp and told me the young girl had something for me. The boy could communicate with her as they
were real tight and the same age, and usually he did the talking for her. I had tears rolling down my eyes when this young girl said "Thank you." to
me for teacing her and her cousin magic. The parents said she started talking that morning. and it was something else to see her beaming.
She was showing people her street magic all day.
Real nice families and they gave me their addresses in Tiajuna (spelling?) and said for me to drop in to see them on my next trip south to Baja from
Canada.
I've known for a long time that magic can be used as a therapy tool to help build self esteem. There is a group called Project Magic started by David
Copperfield, and where I'm from it is called Project Magic Canada. Magicians go to hospitals etc and help to teach magic to people with all kinds of
illnesses and disabilities, and it has proven to be magic.
I rarely performed in bars in the Baja, and mostly performed in villages and on the streets of Baja and always impromptu performances. Much like David
B.
While in the Baja, I had more grandparents and people about your age (Capt. Mike) that wanted to learn some street magic so they could show their kids
and grandkids, or entertain their friends etc. So a taught a few of them some magic over a period of a week off and on and they have sent me emails to
tell me how things went.
Magic is a useful tool to have when travelling and as you mentioned David Blaine, I do believe he travelled alot in Mexico and all over the world
before he became a huge star, and his street magic has amazed many. I do most of the routines he does and many others.
So when I come down to Baja next winter, I would consider putting on a small (no-fee) course for maybe 6 or 8 people at a time. Maybe one course every
two months. I never charge for magic, as I only do it as an amateur for the smiles and don't plan on doing it on a professional basis. I get as much
out of it as the audience and that's enough for me.
It's cool to see young kids perform the famous leviation routine where they levitate themselves off the ground. Kids learn it easier, cause they are
lighter. I watched those two young kids at XMas practice it on the beach, and after a while they got it down pat, and it really amazed their family.
And to answer the previous post, why teaching some magic in this section of a Baja board? (See above). But perhaps I can ask Doug to move it to the
off-topic section if some feel that is more appropriate there. I don't expect this thread to become a big forum and populated with magic geeks that
clogs things up, just a little forum so some of the Baja Nomads can learn and pick a few routines here and there so they can entertain when the travel
in the Baja. I have found it goes a long way to bridge the gaps between generations, and cultures etc. It's a form of communication.
RandyMac
[Edited on 5-22-2004 by RandyMac] | |