Saturday, June 18 of 2011
You might be wondering why I’m not wearing any underwear. Maybe not, but you might wonder what I’m doing at daylight. Hmm... that sounds like I’m a vampire or something. Anyways, by day I’m preparing my magic for that night, help the manager out with errands, and have a powernap. You have to know that every time I do my set, it absorbs a lot of energy. So it’s important to eat healthy and keep hydrated throughout the day. Plus I go to bed really late because of hanging out with the staff afterwards. I think this is very important when you work at a magic bar. You have to know your team players because you are part of the team.
Saturday nights are the best nights. Good crowd, fun atmosphere, but this Saturday it wasn’t. You do your best, but no reactions whatsoever. I could pull an elephant out of my pants and they still had their poker face on. It was like performing on a cemetery. Even the other magicians I was working with had the same experience. It’s a frustrating feeling that you know your magic and jokes are good, because last night they were laughing, clapping, and throwing money. But that feeling of putting up a magnificent show and not getting the response that it deserves can very disarming. Then again, what can you do? I have to accept that this can happen and just remember the ones that were great.
Luckily, my last two sets were great! Even though two guys kept discussing to each other how I did it, it got a stronger response than the folks who were comatized. I met some amazing people from Canada, Cyprus, France, and USA and as a remembrance of a special night we had a picture together. Now I always go talk afterwards with my audience. Some magicians don’t do that, but I want to get some feedback on my show and answer questions they might have. How long you’ve been doing magic? Are you really from Amsterdam? How does Derren Brown do his tricks? Do you really don't wear any underwear? Once those questions are answered I’ll make sure it’s not about me anymore but about them. I'm a people's person, so I have a genuine interest in what they do for a living, what their interest are, and what they are plans are for the weekend. I believe that’s more important, because then you make it very personal and therefore memorable.
Like I said in a previous entry I always try to learn as much as possible. What? You didn’t read that one? Shame on you and do it now! Besides seeing the other magicians’ shows and getting inspired, we also sit down and try to come up with new tricks and presentations. These sessions always go on til very late.
Oh and thanks to the person who tipped me with Latvian coins. I can buy that Ferrari now.
Fritz with a Z is a professional magician, residing in the capital of The Netherlands, Amsterdam. He has performed all over the world for lay audiences as well magicians. His specialty is close up magic and you can find him on www.fritzmagic.nl He likes it when he hasn't have to wear underwear and he hates coins from Latvia.
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