End of the School Year Magic

I'll be finishing up the end-of-school year magic shows at several schools in the Milwaukee area over then next week and a half. So if I'm heading toward your school, it'll be a fun show. Lots of laughs and new things this year.

If you missed out on the opportunity to have me come and entertain at your school, then now is the time to contact me about next year. Dates are already scheduled for 2013. Of course, as an individual you can come see me at one of the many library programs I'll be performing at this summer. You'll find me traveling around Wisconsin and Illinois primarily.

The Magician -- How It All Got Started

People ask me how I got interested in magic. Well back in the early 1970's (when I was a young lad) there was a show called The Magician starring Bill Bixby. It was a short run series that hardly anyone remembers anymore. But I do. You can actually watch the pilot to The Magician on YouTube -- in 9 parts of course.

This TV show spawned a little merchandising -- and the Bill Bixby The Magician  magic set was born. That's the one I received for Christmas one year. I just happened to find a few pictures of one being sold on ebay.

Memories!!  If the price tag wasn't $150 I might be tempted to make a purchase.

Fortune Smiles on Magician

Fortune cookies -- we  all get them, read them and then leave them on the table. But when you get one this perfect, you smile, take a picture and post it on the internet.

And then when you get this one as a follow up a few weeks later. . .

you smile . . . and post it to the web as well.

Library Video of "Clue Into Your World"

Last year I performed at several dozen libraries presenting my "Clue Into Your World" magical program. It was tons of fun. In fact, I've used a slightly modified version in Elementary Schools throughout Wisconsin and Illinois to emphasize Reading and Geographical literacy. Kids seem to love the mystery and mayhem involved. And the teachers love that kids are learning something while having fun.

The reason I bring this up now is that I found an article posted on the Wauwatosa Patch regarding my performance last year at the Wauwatosa Public Library.

It appears a photographer named AJ Randall  photographed the show and put together a wonderful montage set to magic-land music.

You can read the article entitled Magical Message Lights up Library Crowd . That was a fun crowd. I did two performances with approximately 350 in attendance at each show.  In fact, here is a letter sent by the Children's Services Librarian about the shows.

Look for me at your library this summer. If by chance I'm not scheduled to come, feel free to drop my name to the librarian. They always listen to their patrons. I'd love to bring my show to as many libraries as possible!

Party in Milwaukee

This blog is called Milwaukee Magician. But I actually travel around Wisconsin and Illinois performing at parties year round. I thought it would be fun to share a few ideas that I've seen over the years at parties. I'm at more than a hundred birthday's each year. So that's what I'll concentrate on here. In future installments, I'll tackle other events -- like corporate banquets,  or civic club events.

Birthday parties are a ton of fun. You do need to do some planning though--especially when the kids are younger. The typical party nowadays that I get invited to has between 10 and 20 guests. I've performed at parties with up to 35-40 children though. Making the party special for the birthday child is the most important aspect of the day.  So don't worry about the number of kids. If you have some planned activities that incorporate everyone, you can handle a larger number of kids.

Do have some help though. Ask a few of the parents if they can stay. Many like to have a few hours to run a few errands during the party, but there are always a couple of moms (typically) that love helping out. So ask. You'll be glad you did.

Decorations are fun. You' don't need to go overboard though. Just do what is comfortable. Over the years I've seen some great ideas -- many of them magic related for obvious reasons.  One mom baked each of the children a package of cookies with a star, playing card and rabbit in a hat. Of course you want to involve the birthday child in some way with this type of thing. That's part of the fun and special memories.

Another mother made a Rabbit-in-hat cake for the party. You can google that phrase and see lots of examples. Another one is rabbit in a hat cupcakes. These look really fun.

Recently, I was at a home, and the birthday girl wanted a balloon arch. That takes a special skill to create, but this mom was creative (as most moms seem to be). She used a few helium-filled balloons to support an arch made from paper streamers.

I also had a return engagement at a home a while back. That's not unusual, except that this family set up a theater-style curtain for me to perform in front of -- sort of like the one on the right. Very cool -- actually. 

Also, if this seems like too much to do at your own home. Look around for an off-site location that might work. Hotels usually have conference rooms that they will rent out. You might check with your local library as well. Depending on the availability, they might rent out their conference room for the party. In the summer-time parks are very popular. However, it does rain sometimes, and you want to have a good contingency plan in that event. See if an area park has an indoor pavilion that can be reserved. 

Those are just a few fun ideas. I'm certain that you can dream up more.
You can always contact me via my web address above for a list of great party games for kids as well. Have fun!!!

Magic Magic Magic!!!

Birthdays, Corporate meetings, Proms, Church services, Sunday school, Daycare centers, Day camps, Libraries, School assemblies, Fund raiser, Cub Scout meetings, Girl Scout meetings, Civic clubs, Assisted Living centers,  Family reunions. 

What do all these things have in common?  These are all actual events that I've performed at since January 1 of this year. They speak to the versatility that I bring to each and every event. They also let you know that I am certainly qualified to entertain your group. After all, this is what I do -- full time -- every day.  Go to my website and you'll see more about what I have to offer. Watch the video; read the testimonies of people just like you that are now content clients and friends.

I perform hundreds of shows each year. So take a few minutes and investigate. Poke around my site and then give me a call. I'd love to hear from you!!  

Great Scott "It Must Be Magic!"
www.wisconsinmagician.com
262-364-6524

Don't Forget to Vote

Today is a primary here in Wisconsin. Don't forget to let your voice be heard and cast your vote!

Great Place in Milwaukee for Children

I performed a show this past weekend for a group of children and their parents at the Betty Brinn Children's Museum in Milwaukee. This is a fun place for kids, but what impressed me was that each party room was set up like a mini theater. Very nice space for a party. The kids get to sit on padded seats. There's a professional lighting system and sound system as well. I have no idea the cost of renting a room like this, but it's worth checking out.

Of course, you can always just invite me to your home to perform as well.  -- Just a thought.
Visit my website to see more www.wisconsinmagician.com.

Back From School

I just got back from performing an end-of-year program at an elementary school. This is an annual event where the grandparents are invited in to enjoy the day with their grandchildren. The age was Kindergarten through 2nd grade. And I had a blast. This is such a fun age. They love getting silly and just having fun. Plus the grandparents love watching the kids laugh and enjoy themselves. It made my day.

Topping off the experience, the organizer asked me to come back again next year. I love it when that happens. It means I did my job well and my work here is not finished! (If I dare call what I do --work). As the saying goes "love what you do, and you'll never work a day in your life." I truly love what I do for a living.

There's work to be done for sure though. I'm currently putting the finishing touches on my summer reading program that launches in June in libraries all over Wisconsin and Illinois. If your library needs a fun program why not visit my website to see what's happening. This year we'll be Dreaming Big!!

End of Year School Shows

Here we are with only 5 weeks left in the school year. The trees are filled out; the flowers are up; the lawn needs mowing -- again! Plus, my son is finishing his first year of high school. Where did the time go?

Soon summer will be full upon us. Though this year we've already had a taste of that weather--and I like it. In the mean time, I've been busy during the week days performing programs in elementary schools around Wisconsin and Illinois. Most of these are educational programs presented in a fun way. However, when the end of the year comes, a lot of schools just want to give the children something to merely enjoy. Sort of a congratulations on a year filled with hard work and learning.

These are fun -- can you tell I like to have fun? I do. The educational programs are fun as well, but they require a certain balance of laughter with the serious imparting of core educational content. However, at the end of the year, I  get asked by many schools to just entertain the kids.  So, in May and June I do quite a few just-for-fun magic shows in elementary schools. These shows are my unique combination of magic, ventriloquism and puppets along with lots of audience participation. We will laugh, and it will be amazing. The children will enjoy every minute -- actually, I will too. It's a great way to wrap up the year. Who knows, I might be coming to your school. If not, you can always call and ask.