Let the Right One In

Not all parties are created the same. As a comic magician I perform for many different types of functions. Each one requires its own show. I may perform some of the same tricks in two different shows but I don't know if I've ever performed the same trick in the same way twice. Even when I was doing the run of my show at the Gorilla Tango Theatre, I never had the same show two nights in a row. Each audience, each volunteer, each room requires a different show.

So, if you hire an entertainer and they start asking you a bunch of noisy question it's not because they are trying to get fresh, it's because they are trying to do the best show for you. If they don't ask you questions about what you are looking for, run, run like the wind. Which actually doesn't run. So, run, run, like a gazelle being pursued by a cheetah.

Even two company Christmas Parties aren't the same. I have performed at Christmas Parties for an accounting firm (very nice but very quiet people), an engineering firm (very nice but very analytical people), and even a trucking firm (very nice very, but how do we say, very boisterous people). Each show had to be tailored to fit the tone of the party and the personality of the group.

If you are planning an event and hiring an entertainer, here are some questions you should ask yourself:

1. What do I want the entrainment to accomplish? Do you want to just have fun? Do you want to motivate the audience? Do you want to get a message across?

2. What is the feel of the event? Is it high energy? Low key? Elegant? Casual?

3. What are the capabilities of the venue? Can you fit what you want to do in the space allotted.

The entertainer you are hiring should ask you these questions to decide if they are the right fit for your event. If they don't, you can ask them the questions but I would be on guard. If you don't like the answers no body should have to tell you to move on.

If you have any party planning questions please feel free to email me at edd@wizardofsorts.com

About the Author: Edd Fairman is a magician for corporate events who specializes in making you look good. He lives in Chicago and travels through out the US performing.