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.

Birthday Bonanza in and Around Milwaukee 

It certainly was a month for birthdays. I should know. It seems like I performed at most of them. But that's a good thing. Birthday parties are so much fun. The kids are excited, the parents are excited (but for a different reason it would seem), and I'm always excited to walk through the door and be greeted with smiles and cheery faces.  This month saw me in living rooms and hotel conference rooms around southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois-- basically my back yard!

While the kids love the show, I'm pretty sure the hit is always Max. He's a monkey. He's  a puppet. But he's OK with that! Actually, Max is a hit with everyone from the toddlers to Grandma and Grandpa. The text phrase "lol" never fit better than on Max. People really do laugh out loud at his antics. Truth be told, he's my favorite as well.

Of course the kids love getting into the act too. And that keeps things fresh for me. I get to work with different children in every show. Each one is unique and brings something new to a routine that I may have performed hundreds of times. In fact, don't tell anyone, but I've gotten some great ideas for my shows from the people that have helped me out. Funny lines; bits of schtick-- its amazing what happens when someone new comes up 'on stage' to help. Sometimes its a great comic moment that will never happen again. But every once in a while...comedy gold happens, and I find a way to make it happen in every show.

But wait! It's not just for kids anymore. I've been getting more and more calls to entertain at adult birthdays. Usually those special numbers like 40th or 50th birthday. Some folks think its funny to invite a 'birthday magician' to the party for someone a bit more mature. But that's what I do then--something more mature. I still have fun with the audience, but I get a chance to break out the sophisticated stuff (like groucho glasses -- just kidding!). My motto is Always Family Friendly, Always Good Clean Fun! So, the show isn't filled with blue material, just a lot of eye-popping, mind-bending magic and laugh-out-loud fun. Like a big kids magic show should be!

Anyways, feel free to call if you want more information about any of these shows. But try to call at least 6 weeks in advance. Weekends book up faster than most, and I hate disappointing people when they had their hearts set on a Great Scott magic show.