Day Care Center Magical Field Trips

I just got back from a day of performing for some of the best audiences I could hope to have. I'm talking about preschoolers. It's great fun to mystify the high school crowd at the the prom, and its refreshing to perform for my peers in a business setting, but these groups don't hold a candle to the enthusiasm of a room filled with 3, 4 and 5 year olds (sometimes even younger!)  This group is so gratifying to entertain. I get to be a big silly kid for 45 minutes and experience the laughter and giggles coming from a crowd of happy children.

Children's shows certainly have their challenges, and not everyone is cut out for entertaining this age group. But I love doing it. I love seeing eyes wide with astonishment when the magic happens and tearing up from laughter when it all "seems" to be going wrong. I'm a playful guy and full of energy, and performing for preschoolers keeps me active for sure.

This summer, along with a host of other shows I do, I'll be performing at a lot of child care centers around the Milwaukee and Madison areas. If you'd like to see me come to your child's center, have the director give me a call. I always have room for a few more preschool shows!

Prom Night is Magic

Do you remember going to the prom? All dressed up and looking good. Excitement in the air. All that and more. I read today that the average prom goer spends over $1000. Ouch! I know things are more expensive these days, but that sounds a bit steep.

So, the costs are up --way up -- from when I was in high school. One thing that has changed, and probably for the better, is the 'after party'. More and more high schools sponsor a lock-in type of party. As long as you stay within the designated area within the building, you can stay all night. Once you leave, you can't come back in though. This seems to give everyone a reason to stick around and enjoy a fun evening...together.

That's where I come in. Every year a few schools bring me in to entertain the students during the prom. Sometimes its a full stage-show. Other times its strolling close-up magic for smaller groups. These are fun events, and I really like performing at these. So, its prom season, and once again I'm going to the prom. For me the purpose is a bit different now. Though I must admit --I'm still having fun.

Christian Magician

I've had the opportunity to minister at a couple church's in the past few weeks. In fact I spend quite a few Sunday mornings in church services other than my own. Sometimes I am invited in to present my gospel illusion show as a special "treat" for the children. Other times I'm given the sermon portion of the service for the entire church. Either way, I feel honored and pray that what I have to offer is a blessing to everyone in attendance.

The term "magician" brings some negative connotations with it in the context of a church service. So, I make it clear from the start that it is only tricks and illusion. That may not be necessary, but I want everyone to feel comfortable and free to laugh and be amazed. I also want everyone to take something of substance with them as they go. So my gospel illusion show is more than mere entertainment. It's an opportunity to share some truth -- in a very unique way. Maybe I'll come to your church some day and you can see what I mean.

Character Shows

I was out at a couple schools in Wisconsin today doing my "Bee Your Best" character program. I love doing this show for children. It's a fun way to impart a positive message. One of the PTA mom's had seen me at a library program last summer and liked what I did so much that she invited me to her child's school. Great bunch of kids! Thanks Yvonne. While at the second school, I met two children who saw me at a birthday party a few months back. I'm starting to have that happen quite often at just about every show I perform now. . . fame :).

Catching Up!

Busy, Busy this past week. Spent time in the office catching up on paperwork. I've also been practicing my new show for libraries this summer. This will be a fun summer.

By the way, if your company is having a gathering, give me a call. Company picnics or banquets are wonderful places for some magic.

Magic Around Wisconsin and Illinois

I'm getting ready for next week. Though I love just entertaining people, the opportunity to inspire, motivate and teach while doing something fun is highly appealing to me. This coming week allows me to do all of that. Tomorrow morning, I have a birthday party for a student at his school. Top that with a Corporate banquet in the evening where I will be entertaining folks with Close-up magic. Then on Saturday, I have three more birthday parties - in Illinois and the Milwaukee area. Plenty of driving.

Sunday, I drive north to perform two gospel illusion programs for a church in Sheboygan. This allows me to both entertain and present the Gospel at the same time-- a passion for me. And on the heels of that, I drive across the state to present a program for a cub scout pack in Mt Horeb. This program is a fun way to celebrate the scouting experience and highlight the achievements of each scout in the past year.

Monday, finds me back in Illinois presenting my "Clue Into Your World" program to two different school groups. This again is a fun show, but primarily has the dual emphasis of promoting reading and library use as it reinforces key elements in the school's world geography curriculum.

Wow. All of that, and it will only be Monday! But that's my life, and I love it. I also love my family, so I do have some down-time scheduled for them as well.

Fund Raising Magic Show

March 18 I'll be presenting a magic show open to the public. This is a fund-raiser and a great way for schools to raise money for some particular item. See the press-release below for an idea of what can be done. Plus information about this magic show can be seen at the Patch (an online newspaper).

Lake Country Magician Uses Skills to Raise Money for Students

Eighth grade students at Lake Country Christian Academy in Nashotah (a neighboring town west of Milwaukee) are planning their annual class trip to Washington DC in May. Each student must raise enough money to fund the airfare and other expenses involved in making the three day trip possible. In an effort to help students raise the needed funds, Great Scott, an area magician, will perform his amazingly fun comedy magic show for families on March 18th starting at 7:00pm.

“Parents and many of the students going on the trip are helping to organize this event and it should be a great show”, said Scott Obermann (aka Great Scott). “The trip is a great opportunity for students to see our country’s roots up close. That’s worth helping out with.”

The show itself is an hour of fun magic and ventriloquism followed by an ice cream social. Tickets are available in advance from the school office at W329 N4476 Lakeland Drive Nashotah, WI . Prices are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Tickets will also be available at the door for $6 for adults and $4 for children 12 and under.

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