THE DAILY ADVENTURE

OF THINGS YOU FIND

2012-02-03T09:01:00.000+10:30

From the Desk of James James
Friday 2nd February 2011 08.31

Im an old git...well not really, but at at 49 years old, I tend to marvel at technology that is available now. Technology that sits in the palm of your hand in the guise of a telephone.

Smartphones as in iphone, android and others...

Gone are the days that a mobile phone was just that. A device for communicating with others after dialiing a number...no! Now they are mini computers, powerful mini computers that do so much more.

Its now possible to video a film, providing you have a script, plan, actors etc, all on your phone.

Seriously...check THESE GUYS OUT

You can even edit, add music and add special effects...

One such app (their very presence have got names...like you didn't know), is 'Action Movie'...

Good Morning TV UK

Can be downloaded over wifi to your pone, used in a video, then uploaded straight to YouTube...all from your phone...

I marvel at this, as I am 49 years old, and I can still remember the old bakerlite phones. I can remember the black and white TV with programmes that shut off at 11.30 at night. I remember when we had no breakfast TV

So for one coming from that background...yes what is available now is amazing. Probably not so much to younger folks...but for me.

Im gobsmacked..

If you have an iphone...youve got to have Action Movie...it's free...

Live it

James

It Dont Get Done Unless Its Done

2012-01-31T09:14:00.003+10:30

From the Desk of James James
Tuesday 31st January 2012 08.56

Sh*t...we are at the end of January already. How on earth am I going to find the time to get an episode of MagicNews TeleVision out before this months done.

Truth is. I'm not.

A great idea, coupled with good intentions and a thought process that says...'I'll get it done tomorrow', will get you absolutely nowhere.

Whatever your great plan is, whatever your main idea is, and whatever you dream of it accomplishing, will all be like a fart in the wind...unless you take ACTION.

Yes I know that's a doozer...coming from me. But from right now, I am going to take BIG action. I'll listen to my words and make sure that the fruits of my labour will be there fo all to see and enjoy.

Plan my work and work my plan.

thelittleappfactory.com/evom

It started yesterday or the previous night to be exact. There were things I wanted to do online and kept on putting them off with the thought I could do them later...later never came.

After seeing that horrid woman snatch that T shirt from the arms of another on TV I thought to myself...'James, this is going to be another one of those video bites that grow virally. You really should get a YouTube downloader for your mac...download that vid, alter it, play with it, and repost to see what what happens.

I did, and to date its had over 350 views...not much, but as an experiment in taking action it worked a treat...so I've shown to myself that I can take action, and with posting every day, I'm proving it to myself constantly...

Mural

So the mural (oops) moral of this is to get up off your arse, take action, learn from mistakes, get it out there, and make it bloody well fricking work. Whatever it is, wherever it is, and for however long...

Sermon over

Live it and love it...

James James

PS Preparations are underway for the trip to Melbourne...YAY

GREED GREED GREED

2012-01-30T10:27:00.001+10:30

From the Desk Of James James

So we have just had the Mens Finals of the Australian Open 2012 here. Ive never been one to watch tennis, or much sport for that matter, but something about this gargatuan battle intriqued me, and after watching it for just 1 minute...I was hooked.

I couldn't just go to bed, but stayed up for the whole 6 hours (ish to watch it). Truly an awsome battle.

Pity they had to hang around for so long, at the end when the speeches were trawled out...still got to give the sponsors their time in the sun...

Anyway, I was gobsmacked at what happened when DJokovic, the winner...threw his T shirt into the crowd. It was aimed specifically at one woman.

As the T shirt flew in her direction, another woman ( I shall refrain from expletives) stretched over and grabbed it. It was quite obviously not meant for her...but that didnt stop her...GREED spurred her on.

She just wanted it for herself, and I have to ask, should any other meaty morsels fall within her purview, would she just grab at them as well.

The other yonger woman was quite clearly perturbed and probably a mite pissed off...

I can't say whether the woman who snatched at it would generally be like that, but in this instance, she obviously showed no sign of composure. Or respect for herself. And others.

This is the crux of what ails society to some degree Im sure. The want for more and more and more...I know Im not inured to it, but to see it blatantly shown is quite disgusting.

Anyway, let me know what you think...Ill be reading...

Love and peace

James James
www.magicnewstelevision.com

OF DOING THE RIGHT THING

2012-01-29T09:12:00.000+10:30

From the Desk of James James
Sunday 27th January 2011 08.47

Life and work is always about money. Filthy lucre...sure we need it survive and live, and a whole bunch of it would make it possible not to worry about putting a roof over our heads.

But sometimes you do things you would normally get paid for, and just do it for the craik, the help it will give someone, and the overwhelming feelings of 'Oh my G**'.

Well I did that yesterday.

I was approached by an aquaintance to help his friend propose to his girlfriend in the mall, during one of my busking shows.

A simple enough task, but did take some forward planning. We figured out a way to make it all come together, with his girlfriend being none the wiser all along the way, right up until the reveal...

We planned for me to pick her out of the audience (she was primed to be there as her sister wanted to go shopping and 'noticed' that I was performing') This worked a treat. I blindfolded her, as I was going to perform some amazing new effect where the audience would have disappeared upon removal of the blindfold.

When it came off and upon counting her down from 3, she was to open her eyes and not see the audience.

What she did see was her boyfrined kneeling down in front of her in the classic 'Will You Marry Me' pose.

It all went really well, and to find out if she said yes, make sure you bookmark my wee blog to see for yourself. (Hint...Ill be posting a video)

Now...those of you who have read, taken interest, and got involved, would know that one of my ideas for the internet, was to have a membership site centered around magic.

You know the sort of thing...for a minimal subscription fee you would be taken through a learning process on how to do some cool magic, learn performance and presentation, and so on.

www.encyclopdediaofmagic.com

Im pretty slow off the mark when it comes to actuation...

These guys however are not Encyclopedia of magic...

Ive looked at their site, and am wow...thats pretty darn cool. Great layout, great promo, and Ill bet its a raging success...

An old part of me may have thought...aaaaaarghhh someone beat me to it. But NO...

I have it lined up to interview these guys for MagicNews TeleVision in a coming episode, which is back up and running by the way by the end of this month...

Anyway, let me know what your thoughts are about Julia Gillard losing a shoe...

Love and peace

James

OF FINDING THINGS YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD LOST

2012-01-27T18:07:00.000+10:30

From the Desk of James James
Friday 27th january 2012 17.45

What a day.

For the past few days Anna had thought she had lost, had stolen, or was just soooooo frickin frustrated that something she wanted to find, could not be found.

For some, it may not be such a biggie, but for others it is a very frustrating experience. I suffered the pain of frstration as well, possibly because being a man (and from Mars) I wanted to be able to solve the problem.

I tried to be empathic and understand that my finding it would not be the main path to follow, but to be understanding and be sympathetic to her plight.

I think I was to mostly, but shit, did I not want what was lost to be found.

Anna had searched the whole house and shed (as I had early this morning) and it just would not be found. Lost forever we had thought...and so now, how was I going to deal with it.

Those feelings though became moot, when we happened on a place that we both had not looked before. And e'voila...there it was. Under a bookcase all along.

The feelings of joy for both of us are palpable....and for me its so good to see and hear my wife smile.

Patience, for those who know me, is not one of my virtues, and I need to address that, but when there is a resolution, it lifts so much weight off both of our shoulders, albeit for slightly different reasons.

We are having a wine to celebrate.

Now if we could only find that ruby ring...

Oh and one other thing. Paul Zenon, a great magician and well known celebrity in the UK is being sued by some (alleged) charlatan who does psychic shows, connecting dead and gone relatives with people that come to see her shows.

Its a huge thread on Facebook, that is getting a lot of comments...heres the thread for you to join in.

And here is my wee video I did...all from my iphone.

Live it and live it hard

James

IT'S AUSTRALIA DAY

2012-01-26T11:13:00.001+10:30

From the Desk of James James
Thursday 26th January 2012 10.37

AUSTRALIA DAY

Yes boys and girls...Its a big hoo ha over here in Australia. A public holiday (and those that work are paid more than double time), a day for enjoying the fact that we live in a beautiful country, with freedom.

Well, as free as the choices that we know of allow.

But this isn't a day for grandstanding or soap box rhetoric...NO. It's a day of rest for some, a time to be with family, and for some a day to drink and eat way too much. Such are a few of the choices that we have...

Anyway, Australia Day marks the commemoration of the landing of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove on January 26th 1788...228 years ago.

It was originally caleed 'First Landing Day' and the governor of that time ' Governer Maccquarie ' declared it a holiday in 1818.

Not all inhabitants of Australia see it as a commemoration though, the indigeonous population.

Not being born and bred an Australian and only emigrating here around 4 years ago, I do not feel I have the right to really comment on the whole issue, but do know thatt it is called 'Invasion Day' by some and found a great post here which explains it all a lot better than I ever could.

So whats my plan for today. Well I was going to take the day to be with my wife Anna, but we have just heard that there are to be about 30, 000 people shopping in the Mall today.

The first time the mall has been open for trade on January 26th.

Therefore I shall be out plying my trade and producing oranges under cups and the ususal schtick...

Its going to be a hot one, but Im sure to help make folks smile.

Now...in the run up to my heat on Australias Got Talent, Ill be sharing the journey here, as well as prepartions for MagicNews Television, to come out with fresh episodes from the end of january.

Lots to tell, lots to see, and lots to get your teeth into.

Whoever you are and wherever you be...have a great day today and realise that not everyone is as happy in celebrating today, as it has so many different connotations.

Live it and love it

James James

I'm Back. I'm Here. With A Vengence...

2012-01-24T14:46:00.004+10:30

From the Desk of James James
Tuesday 24th January 2011

Shit...its been a long time since I actively managed my blog. I was doing so good.

Posting every day for around 3 months, then it all sort of tailed off...my tenacity did in fact know some bounds. Ah well... anyway!!!

I have decided that enough is enough, procrastination that is, and what with an eventful 18 months I feel that there is now something more to say and share. Whether you choose to read it or not, is moot...I'm here and you can read or not...

So what has happened in the past 18 months.

Well, Ive been busking, thats for sure, and although I love it, I also hate it, as with it being my main source of income, I really have to pull the stops out at times, even when I would rather be at home with Anna. Work is work though, and the bed I've made for myself has to be lain in.

I have had some great comments from my peers around my blog, and they ay that they miss my musings (I never really thought I had much to say, or would be listened to, but hmmmmnnn, that's seemingly not the case).

The big thing that has happened most recently, is that I got through to the televised heats of Australias' Got Talent.

WOW!

For a new and younger act, I'm sure it would be dead exciting, but for me, its just another opportunity to perform on a large stage, with a hopefully appreciative audience.

I have no allusions of getting through and of winning...(magicians never do...unless of course you are Charlie Caper and living in Sweden )...but I'm sure it will be quite a ride. Heck I get flown to Melbourne, accomodated and have the opportunity to catch up with some of the pack there...Im sure there will be a few beers thrown in for good measure.

MagicNews TeleVision has had a hiatus of sorts also. Its that damn procrastination thing again...my aim, desire and goal though is to ensure that there is a new episode every month...starting from the end of January.

I have learned a great deal about certain tools on the net, certain shortcuts, and certain growth ideas, and will be using them to good effect in making sure MagicNews TeleVision is where and what I want from it...so keep posted.

Oh and let me know if, my being back, has made you smile or given a warm fuzzy feeling in your belly...

More tomorrow...

Live it and love it...

James

PS...

MY BUSKING GEAR

2011-08-23T09:16:00.001+09:30

From a bar in Brisbane. 09.37 Tuesday 22nd August

After plying my trade with the same gear for 6 years, I'm giving it all away in a blatant attempt to increase awareness of MagicNews TeleVision, when it rolls out in September...

MagicNews TeleVision has been on hiatus for the past few months due to, well... Work!

I had a bit of an epiphany whilst Busking here in Brisbane. I was bought a new tie, yes I know, I've got good friends. Anyway

I decided not to dispose of it, but package it all up with my WHOLE KIT, and competition it off.

Not that I'm giving up you understand, just that it's a BRILLIANT OPPORTUNITY for aficionados to get hold of some real quality props.

Here is the link for an early notification

I look forward to your being in board

Thanks

James James
http://www.mntvplus.com/competition

BUSKING IN THE MALL

2011-07-19T10:11:00.000+09:30

From a Mall Bench Tuesday morning 10.29am

I've been off blogging, as you'll know, for some time, directing my energies towards other projects, one of which is

BUSKING IN THE MALL

A book written about my show, written as if you were there. Videos of which are great, but the book, BUSKING IN THE MALL, delineates what works, and why.

A ream of insights from your truly shares my thoughts on what you see during the show.

How do I generate a LARGE audience?
Why the caustic barbs?
What is the show raisin d'être?
Do I make a living from stopping folks in the Mall?

These and more are covered eloquently by Peter Russell, who captures the essence of it all perfectly

Here is the link

http://www.mntvplus.com

There is a FREE preface for those who can 'tweet'

2011-02-18T18:13:00.000+10:30

The Rain in Spain didn't stay on the plain...it came over to Adelaide and is possibly going to screw up the parade. With no signs of easing off, only the die hards will be out there, kicking up the merriment.

As a busker it's doubly frustrating for me, as I can't get out there and make the most of the thronging crowds. And our electricity is off, just to add insult to injury.

Great thing Bout technology though is that I can write my frustrations on my iPhone...CNht upload any pictures though, as I would like, letting a picture tell a thousand words...

Anyway.

Time for a banana and a glass of beer.

So if your caught in this rain here in Adelaide, and wondering what to do... Check out my new and improved MagicNews TeleVision. It's getting beter and better.

http://www.magicnewstelevision.com

Certaily beats standing in the rain in Adelaide South Australia waiting for a float drenched in rain.

Whatever you're doing..have a great one

James James

www.magicnewstelevision.com

MY JV PRESS

2010-11-11T07:20:00.000+10:30

From the Desk of James James Thursday 11th November 2010 06.49

JV PRESS HAS SOME SERIOUS MOJO

Hi, Ive been away again, with my life taking me on a different route or path to what it has been on before.I'm still passionate about performing and the internet, I think they are good bedfellows actually...anyway, just thought I'd write a few words about something new I came across...I think it's awesome.

JV PRESS

Don't know if you have ever heard of them, as a budding Internet Marketer, I know I haven't, but then again I would have no reason to.

JV Press, a company in the U.S. have launched earlier this week a wordpress theme, that has some serious mojo. that is to say has some very strong elements in its make up.

CHECK OUT MY SITE HERE

MY JV PRESS PREMIER MULTIMEDIA WORDPRESS THEME

Its called Premier MultiMedia WordPress Theme, bit of a mouthful, to type, let alone say!so what's so good about a wordpress theme. ts just a theme for crying out loud. Yes it is 'just a theme', but then that would be like calling 'The Beatles' just another band.

Do yo remember the propgation of Hotmail, and how it came about. Starting off with one, and then advertising it as emails spread///over 50 million users and subscribers...it went huge.

Well that's what believe the kernel of this theme is...that is to say, with it being so powerful, and with life time updates, with anyone adding to the mix, JV Press, I think will have a behemoth on hteir hands.

Or maybe I'm just excited.

MY JV PRESS ROCKS

I have bought it and set up a wee site using the program. Please take a minute out to go and visit it, and leave a facebook comment or tweet it...heck you may even look at it and go "Holy Cow'...just gotta have it. That aside, watch out for the 'call to action' button just under the video player...timed to come in at a predetermined spot.

Hope yo like it, and thanks for taking the time to read tis way differnt post.

Live it...

James James
http://www.myjvpress.org/

THE DAILY ADVENTURE: 5 weeks & 3 days to fringe

2010-10-29T13:21:00.000+10:30

THE DAILY ADVENTURE: 5 weeks & 3 days to fringe

www.howtowinatfarmvillereview.com

THE DAILY ADVENTURE: 6 weeks and 4 days

2010-10-29T13:19:00.000+10:30

THE DAILY ADVENTURE: 6 weeks and 4 days

www.howtowinatfarmvillereview.com

THE DAILY ADVENTURE: 6 Weeks and 5 days till Edinburgh Fringe

2010-10-29T13:16:00.000+10:30

THE DAILY ADVENTURE: 6 Weeks and 5 days till Edinburgh Fringe

http://www.howtowinatfarmvillereview.com

GIGS GIGS AND GIGS

2010-10-28T07:20:00.001+10:30

From the Desk of James James Thursday 28th October 2010 06.20

One Helluva Sucker

You know, there are gigs and there are gigs. Not all are the same, and that’s not just the difference between, stand up, close up, strolling, and such. You can do the same material for a different audience and kill in one, and die in the other. Obviously the comparison would be between a similar demographic. This brings me to believe that some audiences suck. Not that I’m any different, but some audiences just suck.

Not just as in crap, but literally suck all of your energy out of your body, leaving you drained, bereft, and hating the world. The last bit is just me then…okay, I can live with that.

I dont hate as much as this bloke though!

Two gigs, back to back last night. One killed, the other sucked. Same material, same delivery, same, same, same. Completely different reactions. From one, a ‘holy cow’, and the same trick in another elicits an Uhuh! Same effect in one gig gets a f*cking hell, and in another, ah, that’s nice.

Bollocks.

Why do I bother so much. Well I want to make sure that I do the best job I can. Entertain the most people in a gig that I’ve been booked for and try to get rebooked for the following year. It’s a long hard slog. Maybe I'll go and dig ditches for a living, or find a regular job!

Or find a job at Maccas

It has been said that a performer is only as good as his audience, (hah! And tonight ladies and gentlemen you’ve been awesome…just a wee joke). Nope. Sometimes an audience can be shite. Can I say that, oops I just did.

Looks like my day to have a wee rant. Nothing like a wee rant in the morning to get the juices flowing.

Before heading off yesterday, I managed to get some filming done for the content of The Magic Hub, we are some time off from the launch but, it is coming and I reckon it will be good, but then again I’m biased.

That's Ross, floating on the screen shot

It will be full of effects, lessons, courses, theory, forum, a different blog, reviews, and a whole lot more. Free downloads, recommendations, history, essays, (shit, sounds like school! Which it will be to some extent…where you can WATCH: LEARN: PERFORM. A tall order, but one that is within our grasp.

An exciting project.

I have a few loose ends to tie up, in getting some other material out there to those who have shown an interest , and send them their downloads, and this will be formalised soonest.

So, with gigs, filming, designing, shooting content, gigs, downtime and so on, James is going to be a busy boy. Stay tuned, tell your friends and leave a comment.

Live it and make it happen…whatever that may be.

James James

http://www.themagichub.com/

http://www.magicnews.tv/

AS TO THE LAST NIGHTS OF MARIA DE BUENOS ARIES

2010-10-27T09:38:00.000+10:30

From the Desk of James James Wednesday 27th October 2010 08.45

Hey, I managed to sleep longer this morning, and have done so for the past 4 nights. Must be something to do with drinking way too much, after the last night of Maria De Buenos Aries.

It’s a bit of a bugger, really. In the past I’ve had nights drinking, swearing never to do it again, come the morning after. But there I was, chugging down such a mix, beer, wine, champagne, whiskey sours…all a bit bloody stupid really. Got to remember that Im 48 and not 18. Not that drinking so much is good at any age, just that recovery at a younger age is quicker.

Still, all in fine fettle now, and surging forward as they say.

What’s next on the agenda. The streets, the streets. Well not so much at the moment, as The Magic Hub is requiring some heavy duty work. That is to say, content. We have worked out the structure, and path it is going to follow, and now need to make sure that the required content is there. We have the skills, abilities, tools, and talent to pull it all together. I’ve just got to get my finger out. Have no clue where it’s been hiding, but I need to rediscover it.

You should see what it’s like here, with the bright mornings, and sunshine, with birds chirping in the trees; and Izzy, our cat behaving like a fiend, trying to stalk anything and everything that lands in our garden. Needless to say he doesn’t catch anything, not that he is hungry, just that he is a cat.

You will see from my last post, it was all words, and no photographs. I tried a new app on my iPhone , that allowed me to post here. Helpful, when I’m on the move, but no allowance for paragraphs, pictures or links and such. Not something I’ll use on a regular basis, only when I’m in the gutter somewhere, after drinking too much.

Which is where I came in, more or less. So a word to the wise. Don’t drink. Don’t drink.

There, that’s you told!

Live it and love it, always.

James James

http://www.themagichub.com/

http://www.magicnews.tv/

MARIA DE BUENOS ARIES (FINAL PERFORMANCE)

2010-10-23T17:49:00.001+10:30

En Route To The Theatre Saturday 23rd October 2010Tonight is the final performance of the Opera Maria De Buenos Aries. It's been a wonderful experience and journey. One which I would love to do again. To be cosseted within a talented group of people, all working toward a shared goal...to bring about a very memorable opera, for a paying audience. So different on so many levels, from working the streets with my usual schtick. Having said that, it will be the streets that I turn to, for my daily bread on a mire regular basis.Leigh Warren, our Director, alongside our musical & lighting directors, have really pulled together a fantastic piece of theatre. There is talk of the whole show touring to Brisbane and , or New Zealand .Exciting stuff.Having the new iPhone 4 is a boon too. I'm blogging this en route...I'm sure tonights performance will ROCK. No reason to expect otherwise, as it has been successful up till now. I don't feel ad if I have been discovered, but do realize that working the steers, gets me in a lot of peoples faces. That's how I landed this gig, so I won't be dismissing the streets any time soon.Life, as you can plainly see, is for living. So live itJames Jameswww.themagichub.comwww.magicnews.tv LIVE LIFE & LOVE IT...LOVE LIFE & LIVE IT

2010-10-22T08:25:00.000+10:30

THE STREETS BECKON From the Desk of James James Friday 22nd October 2010 07.27 Yes I was up again before the sparrows could emit a fart, or the tweeting birds could clear their throats. A cats arse has a way of doing that, but I returned to bed (after letting Izzy out and putting some dead kangaroo in his bowl). Still…bloody tired though. fabulous voice Maria De Buenos Aries is still flowing, and it behoves me to point out that the principles, are really rather, well brilliant. If I was watching as a ’punter’, I would be swept away by the spectacle of it all. Mark Oates has a beautifully haunting timbre to his voice. Baritone, base, heck I don’t know, all I do know though is I could hear him sing for hours. Wonderful voice. so damn commanding on stage Maria, the main character, played by Cherie Boogaart, has such a transformation. From party girl, to whore, and finally a misunderstood beauty, where everyone just wants a piece of her without caring about her for herself. Cherie plays all the nuances so fricking well. Alirio Zavarce, the narrator and character that I play off against, makes my job so much easier. Lovely bloke, commanding stage presence, and you can just see the love his character has for Maria, putting up with all of her dalliances and whoring, in the hope that she will come back to him. powerful performance And Im not being biased, check out a review here . It would seem that my whole day is taken up with either thinking about the piece, or rehearsals, prior to performance. Well it is, and having been involved in plays as a younger man!(sh*t I feel old), I know that there is a big anticlimax the day following the last night. Hopefully the streets, will sort that out for me. Oh and helping looking after our home, our cat, our car, and more importantly my wife. Im sure Anna does put up with a lot from me, as I get so narrow in my focus, that I don’t see past the tunnel I am in. Okay, so I don’t multitask, but I could, if I tried…. Anyway, such is life as has once been said. Attack it and you will bear fruit. So the streets. It would seem that I haven’t been on them for such a long time, and they are beckoning me with their outstretched finger. Come and work on me, they say, lets do some business. I tell you though, there are times that I can’t be bothered. Thankfully though, that’s not often, so no doubt I shall be out there this weekend plying my trade, strutting my stuff, and kicking arse. Either that or just playing with 3 cups and 3 balls, berating people and collecting money. Who can say. Life…live it…for it’s the only one you’ve got. James James http://www.themagichub.com/ http://www.magicnews.tv/ LIVE LIFE & LOVE IT...LOVE LIFE & LIVE IT

OH WHAT A NIGHT…

2010-10-21T06:23:00.001+10:30

From the Desk of James James Thursday 21st October 2010 05.13

the clothes maketh the Magician!

Playing the part of an actor, playing the part of a magician, is not just weird, its making my mind buzz so much that Im up early enough to hear the birds clear their throat, before singing. Yet again!

Still, its worth it. Last night I felt really comfortable in the skin of the character I was playing. Over a beer after the show, other cast members said the same thing of themselves. Every night has been fun, but last night was a turning point. Every night has been good, and not just down to the talent, but everyone involved in it also, from ASM to Director. But last night… sh*t, it looked and felt like warm treacle flowing down an ever steepening gradient, picking up small increments of speed till it came to rest with its story being told. And understood.

Yummy, but no hill!

A strange analogy I know, and one which may leave a quizzical sweetness on your tongue. But hey, my brain does weird things and conjures up strange images…

So yet again Im up at 05.00. I must admit though, its not just my mind racing with the show, its our Ragdoll cat, Issy. Its hard to keep sleeping when you have a cats purr, literally 1 inch from your face. Its either a purr, or a hairy arse. Which isn’t so bad (our cat is very clean), but there are times when he misses a bit.

(Yeurgh!)

If you have a cat, do you keep it in the garden and never let it out? Anna, tells me that Issy is not streetwise, and would most likely perish, if left to roam the streets and do what cats do. I have to agree, and for such, have tried to ‘cat proof’ our garden. I think we have finally done it, as he has not been able to climb over the our neighbours garden recently.

But he is a tenacious wee sh*te. He will try, and keep on trying. In the past (pre Colditz), he was getting over a high fence quite regularly. When I was away in Edinburgh, there were times that Anna would catch him just as he was about to get over the wall. All well and good, but when you’re dripping wet and naked from the shower, first thing in the morning…hmmmmn!

Suffice to say, we have had the security experts in, high grade accoutrement purchased, skilled engineers to install, and high grade batteries to power it all. Bo**ocks, its just a contoured piece of wire. And it works.

Once more unto the breach1

Speaking of which, (work, that is),Im out on the streets today, the sun is shining, or it will be.

Live it, Live it large

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/
http://www.themagichub.com/

THE LAST RADIO SONG AS WELL AS SHERLOCK HOLMES

2010-10-20T06:40:00.000+10:30

From the Desk of James James Wednesday 20th October 2010 06.30

The crack of sparrow fart has nothing on me, its now 05.30, and will take me an hour to post, hence the 06.30. Sparrows are sleepy heads.

Anyway, who gives a sh*t.

As I left the theatre last night, humming the last few bars of the last song, and as I woke up (mind! give me peace), I am thrown back to my school days.

Well, just the bit where I would leave for school, humming the last song I had heard on the radio, before heading out. Do schoolkids experience that now, or do they just take their music to school, digitally reproduced on the latest gizmo, probably their phone.

How things change, and its my contention that things are changing even more rapidly. Just like a ball rolling down a hill, that picks up momentum ( yeah, and then smashes into something at the bottom!) The advances of technology are hurtling along and life will never be the same again.

Nuff said.

Anyway, what’s this got to do with anything, bugger all really. Just what I was thinking and wanted to share. Gives you pause for thought though…huh!

I don’t watch much TV, even with a 52” flat screen panel, hanging from our living room wall. But I do get hooked at times to some banal stuff, and not so banal. I remember when I was still a kid, watching for the first time, ‘Starsky and Hutch’. My dad and I just new that it was going to be big, that it would be the show everyone talked about. And it was. Kudos to me and my dad.

Okay... So its Benedict Cumberbatch

Now there is a new series on TV here in Adelaide, ‘Sherlock Holmes’, and I for one think it is going to be very popular. Its set in the 20th century, and is very well played, and edited. Martin Freeman (he of the office) plays Dr. Watson, and its such a change of pace for him as I see it, and he is good. The eponymous Sherlock is played by some guy, who’s name I cant recall, and cant be bothered doing a Google…maybe you can and will though. And again, played very well. This show will get big. Its really really REALLY good.

Another show tonight playing tricks, drinking sangria ( raspberry cordial), and letching over whores. Yes another night in Maria De Buenos Aries.

Love Love Love…and live it.

James James

http://www.magicnews.tv/

http://www.themagichub.com/

NEW DAY, NEW WEEK, NEW MONTH AND NEW YEAR

2010-10-19T09:05:00.000+10:30

From the desk of James James Tuesday 19th October 2010 08.20

Okay so its not a new year, calendar wise, but it is now into Anna’s and my 3rd year of being married. We had a petty sedate evening last night, a meal in a Greek restaurant , which got me thinking that I really would love to treat us to a real Greek experience in Greece…next year, and with a renewed focus, yup I think it will happen.

Anyway , suffice to say we had a nice time, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.

Maria De Buenos Aries, the opera that I am in, hasn’t really taken up much of my time, my rehearsal schedule wasn’t as long, or as hard as the principals, but it’s now a matter of performing every night until this Saturday. Its so different from just performing gigs, and I must say, more rewarding. Maybe a new avenue is opening up, who knows. It could just be a one off, but hey, to stand centre stage and do a silent piece with an orchestra, and an audience of 400 plus for the next 5 nights, is such a buzz, and I get paid for it. Not bad for a boy from Bonnyrigg.

Bonnyrigg Circa 1950's

I am hoping that I will get the footage to share with the world, so to speak, and maybe even use it for my website, when I get one organised. Fame and fortune you can keep, but long term solid work is a plus. I suppose the streets provide me with that, but I must admit, I’m a bit jaded. No one else’s fault but myself for that, but with a renewed focus I will win!

Gigs are, however, coming in, leading up to the Christmas period. Is it just me, or does everyone feel that Christmas advertising is coming too early. Earlier each year, so it would seem. I mean, Santa Claus on your TV in October. All a bit much methinks. Am I being too cynical, or am I despairing of the manipulation that we see in regard of Christmas.

Bah Humbug.

I won’t be buying presents until nearer the time, and want to enjoy October and November, free of any manipulation, as much as possible. Jaded, maybe not, just a concerned voice pissing in the wind.

Big things afoot though. The Magic Hub is going to be a big part of my life. As a new business, it will provide much for budding magicians, in the form of a solid foundation, good teaching, and great magic. So much is online now, and I must admit, it angers me to see how the noble art of magic is being trod on. Just scour You Tube and you will see what I mean.

Oops, Im being a grumpy old man…

Or am I. If you think otherwise, or agree…leave a comment, Id enjoy hearing it.

Love Live Life

James James

http://www.magicnews.tv/

http://www.themagichub.com/

Maria De Buenos Aries

2010-10-18T09:59:00.000+10:30

From the Desk of James James Monday 18th October 2010 09.06

I’m back. Where have I been… well tis a combination of lazy and overloaded. Lost my wee mojo, for online expounding, and making excuses for being, well…offline. So why now, why today…hmmmn good one that. Ultimately it was down to one of my readers, emailing me through The Magic Café, asking where had I gone and when was I posting anything new…and here’s me thinking that I was just a lonely old sot, pissing in the wind.

Seemingly not so.

So here I am, and what’s been happening, I hear you all cry. Well, after the slouch that was Edinburgh Fringe Festival, I went straight into working 2 Royal Shows, back to back, with The Magic Hub, a new venture for me and my business partner, setting up stall, and selling a variety of magic tricks.

It went quite well, and the future does look bright for it, as this retail arm, will only be a part of the whole picture, and we shall be growing online with downloads and such.

Before heading off to Edinburgh, I was contacted by a director of plays, and theatre, Leigh Warren, to be a part of a new opera he was putting on at the Dunstan Playhouse at the Adelaide Festival Centre, Maira De Buenos Aries.

I was to play a magician, entertaining the customers (drunkards and whores) with magic tricks, with a small vignette about half way through. I intimated that I would be interested and a couple of meetings later, I locked it in my diary.

I didn’t hear anything for what seemed ages and thought I had been dropped, but then closer to the opening night, (which was Friday 15th October) I was called for rehearsals, dress fitting and such.

It was on.

Over the past few weeks, I formalised my shtick, practised and rehearsed, and came up with some goodly stuff. Having been on stage with my wee show for over 6 years, I don’t really get what’s called first night nerves, as my first night is always my last, as its just a one night gig, usually.

The first night of Maria De Buenos Aries though, had my stomach turning cartwheels. All tense, all nervous, and all fricking scared. But in a good way. You see, any performance I do with my wee show, its all down to me. If it goes wrong, I can and do get out of it, without too much of a worry, but when what you are doing on stage is part of a larger ensemble, with lighting, music, and all sorts of other cues, you do tend to get a bit aaaaaaaaaargh.

All good stuff though..

The theatre is dark for two nights, with tonight being the second. So it’ll be back in harness again on Tuesday. I for one, cannot wait. The smell of greasepaint, the energy of performance, and the camaraderie of the cast.

But I would like today to take forever though. Its our second wedding anniversary. Yup 2 years now and still loving it, and Anna.

Till tomorrow, and I may tell you of what our night was like, but then again, probably not.

Love life and live it…

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/
http://www.themagichub.com/

SLEEPING WITH GAZZO

2010-09-08T06:59:00.000+09:30

From the Desk of James James Wednesday 8th September 2010 05.52

A day late I know, and how I hate being late. I also hate feeling like Im working a regular job, and what with running a stall at the Adelaide Royal Show, which means very early mornings and very late nights, something has to give…the blog…just for a few days here and there…

Anyway, apologies over…

Imagine if 'Bowie' had coming knocking

When I was a kid, so many years ago, I always wondered what it would be like to have a famous artist, knock on my parents door, and ask to stay for a wee while. Im not talking about the fly by night celebrities that are borne of crap such as Big Brother, Immaculate Gardens , or some other moronic manipulative sh*te that pulls us into believing what is seen is what it purports to be. Im talking about dyed in the wool hard workers, who have climbed the ladder to such a degree, that celebrity within their niche is a given.

I’m talking about people with such a spark that it ignites you to watch their talent on stage, be around, and have a desire to be part of their ken,…not as in Barbie, but as in their aura, and personal space.

How would you deal with it? How would you actually converse and connect with such a person, would it depend on the pedestal you have put them on, the spark you can see, or your own personal agenda in having them there…that could rub off onto you…right?

No.

Having such personal contact with one who is so revered within a particular niche, is inspirational, so low key ( especially when on is doing what one was taught… and living the life borne of it), is the stuff made of mana, or karma.

It doesn’t behove one to make a big deal of the spark that is within that person, and yes there may be that “What can I do to ride the shirt tails of” , but the longevity of any connection is that , whilst so much has gone before to view that person as the BIG I am, that is not what that ‘celebrity’ is about.

People are people, (as Depeche Mode once sang) and should be treated as such. Be they good people, or so up their own arse that any reality is solid gone, lost in their own press and yes men hangers on that surround them. Celebrity and fame are such fickle machines.

This years Fringe Festival I had bunked down with Gazzo. Not in the same room, obviously, but in the same flat. It was a last minute thing, and I was grateful for it. It was an inexpensive room in a flat not so far away from the pitch, and I had my own privacy.

Any thoughts of what my younger self would have made of sharing a space with one so well known in the ‘community’ only came to consciousness when putting this post together. And you know what, it really is no biggie.

Childhood recollections are interesting, are they not? Interesting to look back on and put yourself in that space once again, and envisage how your younger self would have behaved and reacted.

As an adult, things change so much. So very much. So many adults said when I was growing up that ‘Your school years, are the best years of your life’. I have written of this before, detrimentally, but for now I see the wisdom in it…yup, working, paying bills, carving out a life…all takes its toll, and sometimes we miss, or forget, what our childhood was like. I know, as adults, we have responsibilities, but once in a while, it is interesting to remember what it was like to be a kid.

I was going to expound on what it was like sharing space with Gazzo, but you know what, as an adult, it was a room in a flat, that I slept in. It was a space I occupied.

If I were a child again, I would be beside myself…But NO!

My adult self, has long ago eschewed any notions of being phased by celebrity and being enamoured by being around it.

For the magicians reading this though, I will say this. A sh*t load has been written about Mr. Osborne. Some of it good, some of it bad. Some of it sycophantically, and some of it disdainfully. Work, cups and balls aside, and all that sh*te that rages on, in online forums, listening to the man, and sharing a pitch with him, has brought new insight into the organisation of ones own work practices.

Our pitches (‘The Alcoves’) could have been run better, had more respect from those that organise it. Any lack of, is the fault of those who have worked it for the past 6 years. And that would mean me…as well as a few others.

Anyway, Gazzo has strong opinions, and it is the mark of a man, that he keeps them, when faced with confrontation. Which happened on so many occasions during this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Nuff said.

The Adelaide Royal Show, has me by the proverbial balls, so finding time to post is a beatch. I will when I can, and expound what I will…so make sure you keep on tuning in, and leave comments, you duffers.

Very Best…and love

James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

FRINGE, GERMANY, AND ALL THAT’S FIT TO PRINT

2010-09-06T05:05:00.001+09:30

From the Desk of James James Monday 6th September 2010 04.15

Up with the lark, or the crack of sparrow fart, jet lag is a bitch.

No sooner had I arrived home in Adelaide, am I on point, helping my colleague Ross (co- founder of ‘The Magic Hub’) finish off preparations for our sojourn into being carnies at The Royal Adelaide Show. That is to say, setting up our stall, selling inexpensive magic tricks to the thousands of people that will pass through this 9 day show.

Whilst I have been gallivanting over Europe, (well, Scotland and Germany) working the show on the streets, Ross has been organising the stock, putting together all of the packaging, ferrying it to the site, and arranging it all on site, to make us ready for this show. A very big task’ and ask, for us, as business partners to make our way in a new direction.

Hats off to him, as I know it wasn’t an easy task.

But let me take you back to last week, the final dying embers of the BIGGEST Fringe Festival in the world…Edinburgh.

Billy Kid

I had said that I was sharing a flat with Gazzo, Billy Kid, and a few others. An arrangement that suited us all, as it kept our costs down. The flat itself was minimalist, as it was only a place to sleep, rather than a home from home. My lack of organisation skills, led me down various paths. Not having a bath towel was one of them, meaning that for a few days, I was air drying, after getting showered, not buying any groceries, not having a blanket, and beavering away on my laptop in the early hours to make sure I kept up with my blog.

It wasn’t for some time, did I take the leap into buying a dongle, so I could have a net connection, preferring to carry my musings on an SD card to the nearest internet café. Lack of organisation meant some dropped days and disjointed ramblings.

I never did get that interview with the stewards.

Anyway, it was with that set up I ventured forth to make my fortune. Ha! Fortune he says, financially it was the worst Fringe Festival for me ever. I won’t go into details, suffice to say I covered costs with a bit to spare. My whole raison detre almost fell apart.

Almost five weeks away from Anna, with hardly the profit to show for it, to make it worthwhile. There were other benefits to make it a beneficial trip though, and I’ll be coming to those as the light is shone on them throughout this week.

Working the smaller pitches, sublimely called ‘The Alcoves’ with a multitude of acts, was an experience. Some were strong, some were not. Some were good, some were not. Some were worth watching, some were excruciatingly not, and some were just taking the right royal piss.

I wont mention any names, but one act thought that they could do it. They had seen other acts making a killing on these cobbed stones, and ventured forth to make some waves themselves. Suffice to say, their eye was most definitely not on the ball. Dismal failure was their reward, to such a degree that tears followed.

Now I’m pretty magnanimous, and good of heart, but at times to see an ill formed ‘act’ take to the streets on a very busy day, use up a valuable space, and not even grab an audience, does make me wince. Any money that was available from a well formed audience, was left on the streets. Money that I, or another strong act could have made.

Yes, I would have liked it to be me, but after saying that, if it was another, that would have meant free space would have been made earlier, and I would have been able to work more shows.

I could have set up stall almost anywhere outside of the royal Mile, but you see, the Mile is where the traffic is. The traffic that is more ready, willing, and able, to pay for some quality entertainment.

Ce la vie.

Gripe over, I mean, you don’t want to hear me wax lyrical about money, money, money! But hey, this is my blog, and I’ll cry if I want to.

Seriously though, gripe over and tomorrow, I shall tell of ‘Sleeping with Gazzo’. The worlds most eminent street performing magician. The one who changed the paradigm, and the one who spawned countless other street performing magicians.

Until then…

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

IT CAME, WENT, WAS EXPERIENCED, AND HIT HARD…

2010-09-03T06:32:00.000+09:30

From the Desk of James James Friday 3rd September 2010 05.47

So much has happened over the past few days, what with the trailing off of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, flying into Germany for the St. Wendel Street Magic Championships, flying out back to Edinburgh, and hitting the pitch straight from the flight, to finish off the Fringe.

So much has happened, enough to fill a whole weeks worth of writing, so much to fill your boots with shtick, schlock, and reverie.

What was the Edinburgh Fringe really like this year, what was St. Wendel like, what did hanging with some of the worlds best street magicians do, and a host of other stories to whet your appetite in wishing to live my experiences vicariously?

The Eponymous Monkey Opera

From sleeping with Gazzo, hanging with Eric Evans, being inspired by Monkey Opera, bitching with Paul Nathan, chewing the fat with Mario Morris, laughing with Chris Cross, to working hard, playing hard, and at times losing touch with what was and is important.

The following week will be a multitude of exposition and introversion. I may have dropped the ball in writing every day, but will more than make up for it with the juice that will be screaming from my fingers, and fertile mind.

What was it like sharing a place with one of the worlds best, what were the crowds like, what it was like pitching up alongside a troupe of 4 contortionist from Ghana with loud music, what was the best on the streets, and where do the Fringe Stewards actually come in.

Yes.

A whole load of, well experiences. Me I’m looking forward to putting it all down so that you can live ( and me relive) it as if you were there.

I returned home after a 28 hour journey, jet lagged and with missing luggage, to my wife, who missed me so much. I too missed Anna, and have come home reinvigorated to start life afresh. Although this trip was a whirlwind of experiences, the reality is, home. Yes…home!

They say that there is no rest for the wicked, and although I ‘m not a wicked man, there is no rest. I along with my Ross, (co - founder of ‘The Magic Hub’) are straight into ‘The Royal Adelaide Show’, which will bring it’s very own experiences…which will be expounded upon after your sated with Edinburgh and Germany…so much to write, so much to say, and quite a few days to let it all out.

So stay tuned and be ready to laugh, smile, be aghast, and enjoy what is to come. I will have a great time in the telling, and hope you have a great time in the reading…

Starting Monday, it all comes to pass.

Tell your friends, tell your enemies, well heck… tell everyone. I will be sure not to disappoint!

Till Monday.

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

THE PHOTGRAPH AND THE PHOTOGRAPHER

2010-08-25T17:37:00.001+09:30

From the Desk in a wee flat Edinburgh Fringe Festival 25th August 2010 07.57

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is almost coming to a close for me, I’m off to Germany for another street festival in St. Wendel on Friday, then back to Edinburgh for one night before heading home to Anna.

Being away from my wife is not so easy, as you can imagine, and I do look forward to being home.

Working this festival has been a 6 year journey for me, starting out with no idea how to busk, to the present where I would like to think I have a good idea. Edinburgh is the place to be for the month of August, as it’s not only the money, but also the regeneration, performing for people who are not just shoppers in a mall.

I do miss home though, and most certainly my wife, Anna.

Keeping in touch is easy, even though there is a time difference to negotiate, and Skype is such a great idea. There is one other way that Anna keeps in touch with me though, is through the photography of a guy, who has the friendship, respect, and love of so many of the performers here, who have been coming to Edinburgh for years.

Andy Brown.

Whilst there are sh*t loads of people snapping away, getting in your face, wanting to hang around you like a stick of smelly salami, there is only one Andy Brown.

Whilst there are obnoxious tw*ts who think it is their right to invade your space and take a picture, there is only one Andy Brown. Even after being told to bugger off, in no uncertain terms, for being so intrusive with their cameras, there is only one Andy Brown.

Andy Brown. Camera shop salesperson throughout the year, and come August…he dons his array of cameras, treads lightly out there and takes some absolutely brilliant photographs. Not ‘snaps’ of the weird and wonderful, but photographs of the weird and wonderful in a different light, from a different angle, and with a different purpose.

Certain periodicals here in Edinburgh give prizes for the best snap, Andys’ photographs could win hands down, but that’s not his mitre. At the end of the Festival, there is a big stramash, with all the performers that are left in attendance, to watch an amazing slide show. To come together, reminisce over the past few weeks, laugh, drink and let their collective hairs down.

Andy makes that happen.

He is the only, (and anyone else who tries, is given short shrift),photographer any of us allow to come into our shows and take photographs. He understands how we work, and we in turn understand what he needs to get that all illusive picture.

How do all these photographs keep Anna and I connected, well, apart from our phone calls, she can see what goes on in this town during the worlds biggest festival. She can feel involved, part of, and connected to me through my photographs, and those of others.

Andy makes that happen.

He goes to amazing lengths to get the shot. He works out ways to capture the moment, and with a bucket load of tenacity, he manages to get it done. Last year he had an idea to get up to he highest point on the Royal Mile. The steeple of St. Giles Cathedral. This would have afforded him a massive panoramic view of the mile, how busy it was, and would be a phenomenal picture. Planning it out and speaking to the right people, took some effort, and timing had to be looked at. How long would he have, where exactly would he be able to hunker down in, and what space would be afforded his equipment. Needless to say it all came to pass, and that shot was taken.

Andy made that happen.

With the Fringe Festival coming to a close, his party tonight is always an opportunity to say thanks to those who helped make it happen, to let off a little steam, and to look at some fantastic photographs, and remember what we are here for, to some degree at least. Also it is a time for goodbyes, as others will be leaving soon after, to other festivals, back home or being the ones who stay. It is an evening mixed with laughter, sorrow, and joy. With some great memories.

Andy makes that happen, and for that I am happy. My wife is happy.

Andy is happy.

James James

http://www.magicnews.tv/

RAIN SHOWS AND PETE DOBBIN

2010-08-24T18:06:00.000+09:30

From the wee Flat Tuesday 24th August 2010 08.52

What a day yesterday. Really, what an awesome day. It started out like any other, after staying over at a friends, the weather was, shall we say, sh*te, and it didn’t look to be getting any better. It was raining. That sort of rain that just flicks at your cheek to annoy you and make you just the wrong side of uncomfortable.

Not the best environment for doing street shows…and that’s what it was like all day.

Ah yes, but…the weather kept away all the other guys, and meant that there were so many shows to be had, all throughout the day. I managed to crank out 9 shows. Yes NINE shows. Each of them was a fun time. The people on the street were hardcore, braving he rain to be entertained, and I did it in spades…

No sooner had I finished a show, I was up and at it again, and again, and again. The cups and balls table show I work is designed specifically for this type of environment and usage. I played the shows, low key, as it would have been difficult to get an soaked audience to be on the edge of their seats, clapping and cheering, in the drizzle…

When some of the other buskers turned up, I managed to find a break and went in search of the mighty roar I heard from Parliament Square. I knew it would have come from a performer, but which one…

It turned out to be Pete Dobbing. A London based juggler, performer and busker. I had seen his show rock in Covent Garden, but now witnessed the breadth and scope of where he was now. And remember, this was all in the rain. Drizzly, ugly, annoying, shi**y bloody rain. He had been doing 20 minutes by the time I had heard his audience roar, and therefore was quite obviously soaked to the skin. The next half hour sped by like a train on steroids. Funny isn’t the word. Now you will here that phrase from others and about many, but in Pete’s case, it is truly deserved. The strength of character, set ups, call backs, comedy, skill, sheer bloody minded tenacity, and a host of other warm and magnificent skills, meant that no one gave a shit about the rain. Least of all him.

Clap and cheer, clap and cheer. Staple diets of a street show to elicit group reactions and draw attention to the performer and his show (clap and cheer attract people). Pete did this, all in good time, but he did something else that I have never EVER seen anywhere else…EVER!!! At a certain point, he withdraws 3 machetes from their scabbards, and gets the audience to react by drawing their breath. Much like the sound you would make if surprised by a man in a dark alleyway with a knife…a sort of gasp.

I’m sure that this ‘piece’could not be done anywhere else but Parliament Square due its unique acoustics.

It was and is a moment to remember, hence me telling you here…truly inspirational, truly original, and truly bloody awesome.

I’ve still to get these bleeding interviews from the stewards, hopefully today…

Lets hope the rain holds off…

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

SUBLIME TO THE RIDICULOUS

2010-08-22T18:03:00.000+09:30

From the wee Flat in Edinburgh Sunday 22nd August 2010 08.16

It would be complete if I had managed to parlay or imbue what the it is actually like working the Royal Mile during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. But as yet I don’t think I have. You’ve read about the dynamics of how and why what works, works. I’ve let you into the back door to see some of the mechanics, and told you of the unsecure (or is that insecure) of it all.

But working the Royal Mile, alongside other strong acts that have been scheduled, makes what you do, so very much more difficult. To get your show out there, grab an audience, make them stop, stay, watch , and pay, is so much more difficult, when there are other shows happening just 5 feet away.

Yes 5 feet.

It’s not that I’m complaining, just stating fact. I wish it wasn’t so, but working the alcoves, at the side of St Giles, means that you have to be the strongest act out there, to get the job done. I’m not saying I am the strongest, there are others that kick ass on a HUGE basis. ‘Fanti’ for one. They are a four person acrobatic troupe from Ghana, and they pull massive crowds. Heck, I would watch them if I were watching shows.

One might ask why work the alcoves, when you could go in for the big pitches. Line up with your name in the hat, and take a chance on having one (albeit big) show at prime time. The downside to that is, you may not get a show one day, what with 70 performers squeezing into 60 places. Even if you get a show, the weather may turn on you and rain on your parade…

No, even with the inequities of ‘the alcoves’, as a busker, these pitches, with all their inherent problems, are the best place to grind out many shows, to make book. It does take a toll on your voice, and I sorely need to rest it, but with only 6 days to go, I reckon Ill soldier on (all say awww).

Sometimes, however, its like ‘from the sublime, to the ridiculous’, though with a strong act up against one who you wouldn’t consider as strong.

Take ‘Ben’ and Paul Nathan (see video). Both of them are strong performers, and both make a good living from working the alcoves. But the inequities are so plain to see. Young Ben is a virtuoso violinist, brimming with talent, and Paul Nathan, is a curmudgeonly world travelled performer, who has total command of his environment.

Both of them make money, sharing their talent with an audience, they both work many shows, and they both make money. But I’m sure you can see the inequity of it all.

Still, its work, and another day looms, so I had better get out there and apart from rack out the numbers, get that interview with the Fringe Stewards, like what I said I would…

James James
www.magicnews.tv

MY SCHEDULE

2010-08-21T17:35:00.002+09:30

From the Wee Flat in Edinburgh Saturday 21st August 2010 07.17

Socialising plays a large part of working a festival like this. Whether that’s a night on the tiles, a sedate meal, or a coffee near the pitch. Yup, apart from working ones tail off (doing 5 or 6 shows a day), it’s good to catch up with other performers who you know from around the world and just chew some fat.

But there is work to be done.

With doing 4, 5 or 6 shows a day, it means hanging around on pitch all day waiting to get a free slot. Sometimes you could be waiting for 2 hours, just to get a half hour window to earn $60, and sometimes, you could do 2 in one hour and walk away with $???. When you take this career on, you work hard and smart to maximise the potential that is out there.

Okay, so I get up in the morning, have a shower, write my blog or edit one done earlier, post it, publicise it, get my tie and hat on and then catch a bus into town where I start the waiting game. Before I start work I phone Anna in Australia, and (well you don’t want to know the details) and then its show and wait, show and wait…till 9pm when I go and have a well deserved beer, catching up on all the gossip and ‘fat’ that the day has brought my colleagues.

Glamorous…no not really!

A lot of sh*t can happen in one day though. As I was walking to the pub, for my well deserved beer, (you really cant beat a cold cold beer, after talking all day and expending so much energy), I bumped into Derek Derek, and Todd Various, and would have spilt my drink, had I had one in my hand, after what I heard.

Derek is working 'in' a new show. A Chinese pole, which is a single 5 metre pole, supported by long nylon webbing straps held by volunteers from the audience. The tenor of the piece is that he climbs to the top, and cracks out some amazing stunts. Really pushing the envelope in terms of danger and spectacle.

Anyway, he was doing a show, and was at the top of the pole about to affect some crazy shtick, when a ned, a mealy mouthed scrap of a guy, rushed out, grabbed the pole and started really shaking it back and forth. He managed to be on the pole for about a minute before security grabbed him away, whereupon Derek slid to safety, and showed remarkable restraint in helping deal with the situation. He could have fallen, broke his back or even worse, been killed.

It was that serious.

Needless to say, he will be dealt with harshly by the judicial system and be sentenced to 4 days community service, or bound over at least. Yup that would seem about right. If I were judging him, he would be charged with attempted murder, or manslaughter, and sentenced accordingly, then taken round the back and had the proverbial sh*t kicked out of him...(oh, am I being too harsh!!!).

Oh, but he was drunk, or had been taking drugs, and was incapacitated, not having full comprehension of what his actions were. Bo**ocks, if he was on either, that was his personal choice and anything that comes out of that, he would be entirely responsible. Surely there can be no pussy footing, political correctness, when it comes to frickiing idiots like this guy.

Rant over.

So you see, although my schedule is the same every day, there are topics to discuss and chew fat over.

Tomorrows spotlight is on the stewards, those that can make our time here good, or indifferent…but mostly good.

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

ST GILES…OH! ST GILES!

2010-08-20T16:54:00.000+09:30

From the wee flat Edinburgh Friday 20th August 2010 07.57

I’ve performed in many places around the world, many towns and many cities, heck I’ve even performed on a bus for German tourists…and yes they did laugh.

In Greece I’ve done children’s parties (at the local ‘Goodies’) where the kids were well behaved but the parents were not. Stuffing their faces with baklava, smoking, drinking and all talking at the same time…

I’ve heard 3000 people gasp when a levitation I was performing under the shadow of the Parthenon, segued into the girl disappearing. I’ve worked Bar mitzvahs, where the kids would try and go into my pockets, be obnoxious and stroppy, all done out in finery reeking of money, with no social graces. And I’ve worked corporate gigs, where I am just a moveable piece of wallpaper, whoring myself out for the money.

Yes I have worked a lot of different situations.

This month, due to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, I am of course busking, and with a monolith of a Cathedral behind me…St. Giles!

It’s a huge building, very old, and as austere as it is from the outside, its even more so on the inside. Went to a service there once, and found it so repressing, so disconnecting and very authoritarian…”The lesson for today” the pastor/vicar/clergyman would intone. Shit, if I wanted lessons I would go to College, or read a book…I was there to be enlightened (yes I was, and now, no I’m not…quite vociferously so).

Anyway, it is a beautiful building, and working in frot of it, allows so much comedy or bits of business, due to what it is, what it stands for and when it was built.

Lenny Bruce

You see, observational, situational, and topical humour play a large part in how I like to present the show. Like a fledgling Lenny Bruce I am a bit too out there at times, but I mostly hit the mark and get the nods of agreement and understanding from the majority of my audiences.

I read the late Bob Monkhouses autobiography a few years ago, and learned that before he arrived at t anew city or town to perform, he would have read up on the local news and segued it into his repertoire. This insured that he was remembered and thought highly of. Not a bad example to follow…

Anyway, back to the pitch, working up alongside this monolithic structure, does give the show a different ambience, and lets face it ambience is food for the hat. Money, people…money! The downside to working this area, is that there are 3 shows going at any one time, and unless you are a strong performer, you will get no audience, no show, and no money.

Yes of course, we do it for the love of the job!

As difficult as it is, this in itself allows for a very tight playoff with the act working next to you. With two acts working so close together, it can just seem like one homogenous mass, although each performer has control over his own audience, and retains his audiences focus. A good performer that is!

So it’s all fun and games here in Edinburgh at the moment, woking a tight pitch, socialising, and looking forward to getting back home to Oz and Anna…after all, this is ultimately just a job.

A great job though.

Don’t forget, interviews being racked up and coming soon.

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

DANGEROUS JOBS

2010-08-19T17:05:00.001+09:30

From the Wee Flat Edinburgh 19th August 2010 08.17

It never ceases to amaze me what you will find happening on the Royal Mile during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Weird huge balls being thrown around, painted ballerinas, pushy photographers, world class buskers at the top of their game, and a painter who has a death wish.

For 4 days now, this guy has been painting the outside windows of a second story flat. With no harness, no netting, no scaffolding, and no fricking idea of what would happen if he, or his paint bucket fell. Actually I’m sure he does know, but decided to let it pass as for sure he wont fall…hmmmmnnn

On the other hand, we have ‘Gilli 2’,(who resembles Billy Zane) a street performer of some merit scaling a drainpipe (he went up 4 story’s, I only managed to catch him on the way down) to chat with some woman who was at her window….dangerous. Yes. Stupid. Most certainly. Funny. You betcha.

The downside of course is that he got into trouble with the police, there must be some bylaw which they can hang a charge on him for, and if not, they will probably make one up! Now don’t get me wrong, Im not slagging the police off, just making a wee joke. Politicians, on the other hand are another story…

I wonder if the police would be banging on the painters door…don’t think so.

Anyway, we are almost 2 weeks in and its been a bit of a struggle at times, what with the rain and so many performers. The stewards this year, always start out not fully understanding what and how it really works best for us, but now they rock. Its like a light has gone off, and they make everything slide along easily. Well, for the most part. I am to interview some of them about their experiences this year…I must admit though, I really do feel like an old git standing next to some of them.

I’ve also managed to get some more magic interviews in the can and will be pulling out all the stops to get them edited for MagicNews.TV

More tomorrow, from this most interesting of places in this balmy month of August (balmy…? It pisses down sometimes!)

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

STREET VERSUS CORPORATE VERSUS THEATRE

2010-08-18T17:24:00.000+09:30

From the Wee Flat in Edinburgh Wednesday 18the august 2010

Having just watched Sam Wills in ’Boy with Tape on His Face’ and been truly inspired, made jealous, haunted by inadequacies , and vowing to throw my shtick out of the window, I woke up this morning feeling well, invigorated and defined.

Let me explain.

I have been working the same show for 5 years or more, I’ve gotten good at it and acquired a certain cache. But my contemporaries have moved onto bigger and better things, and I feel I have let myself down, which leads me to examine the very nature of street, versus indoor. Whether that be corporate or stage, (although they can be synonymous, that’s not a given).

Working the street, gives you the freedom, like no other job or career I have ever been involved in. The very idea of turning up to a bit of concrete in some city or other, set up a show, bang it out, and make some money, is truly a wonderful thing. Yes I know, it is a grind sometimes, but on the whole, doesn’t just fill the pocket book but fills the soul(or whatever you take to be that most ethereal of entities!)

Taking the corporate Dollar, Pound or Euro, is just that. Taking!

We all work corporate jobs and gigs at times, and you know what, it makes me feel icky sometimes. Not that I do many, but those that I do work, have at times made me feel inconsequential. It could be an ego thing, but when one is working a room, you are not the main attraction, you are there to be just chewing gum for the ears. Approaching folks with a few tricks, playing the clapping monkey, and defiling, or debasing yourself, for the sake of money. Shame on me! But the money is good, and hey, I can still enjoy it. One BIG difference though is that whereas on the street, you can just turn up, with corporate you have to be there on time…(aw! shame).

Now take working a theatre, it’s a bit like street, in that you bring people to your venue through marketing and word of mouth, you charge a fee, and you do a show. The audience are there to see you. You are their reason for being there. The big difference between street and theatre, is that once you get a ball rolling, that’s to say, make waves in the theatre circuit, you will get noticed by those ever so gracious commissioning editors, and they will want to rape your talent for their own ends. Oh there will be money involved, and it will be very nice thankyou, but that’s a story for another day!

THE Sam Wills, is one of those guys. He has a street show, he works corporate, and he has two theatre shows, and is an icon in the making. He works bloody hard to make sure that not only his material is top notch, double AA, but that his marketing and networking is up where it belongs also. Seriously, watching Tape Boy (a colloquial paraphrasing)was a true, died in the wool inspiration.

My own personal journey of rediscovery starts here. Lets get this menagerie of the Fringe over with first, get home, work the Royal Adelaide Show, and then take a break to reassses and come out of my cocoon like a flaming red butterfly.

I only hope that the change doesn’t die after 3 days, (like a butterfly…do you see the analogy?)

Im busy reaping interviews with some of the performers here, and these will be shown on MagicNews.TV

Till then

James James

http://www.magicnews.tv/

GROUPIES

2010-08-17T17:21:00.000+09:30

From a Wee Flat in Edinburgh Tuesday 17th August 2010 08.17

So there you are, on pitch, banging out your liivelihood, earning a sheckle, making some money, keeping the wold from the door (oh and entertaining some people along the way!). Your just coming off pitch after a rocking show, and wanting to find a bit of space for yourself, to calm down, level yourself and just be a normal juman being, when you are inundated by some guy who always hangs around and feeds off your energy.

Blood Sucker

Im not talking about audience members coming up to you to talk about the show and how they enjoyed (or didn't) it. Im talking about those who hang around, because they see this energy that is being generated, and they want to be a part of it, by feeding off yours. They may be photographers, they may be street people, they may be a host of other things, but what I and my fellow buskers know is that they are most definitely a pain in the bloody arse.

You may think me unkind, but consider this. There you ae at your place of work, and there is someone who you sort of, well, know. They sit silently beside you at your desk, waiting for you to finish whatever task you are doing and then WHAM, they start in with their inane questions, try to engage you in their lives, have no understanding that although you are not phisically doing a task now, you are at work and need to gather your thoughts and chill ( I know, that word is so hammy!!!).

It would piss you off.

Now multiply that by 3, 4, or every show, every day, every week, every month. Now you're getting angry.

Any large festival such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, acquires its fair share of groupies...and certain performers have their own ways of dealing with it.

Ive talked to several of them and will be making a special page to let them at it...I was to have talked to the fringe stewards yesterday but unfortunately dind't get around to it.Soon though soon...

Tonight Im off to see The Boy with Tape on his Face, by Sam Wills. I saw it in Adelaide with Anna, earlier this year. This is a must see show, a 67 star exposition of pure fun entertainmnet happiness and joy, played out by one of the best, and Im lucky enough to call him a friend.

And NO! I'm not a Sam Wills Groupie!!!

Till tomorrow and some more from the biggest showcase in the world that is called The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

THE PITCHES

2010-08-16T21:22:00.000+09:30

From a Wee Flat in Edinburgh Sunday 16th August 2010 08.17

The spots of concrete that I work are beside St. Giles Cathedral, on the Royal Mile, regulated by Fringe Stewards, who do a great job mostly. There are always issues to deal with; not enough slots, not enough shows, acts going overtime, statues that are allocated a 3 hour spot right next to where we’re only allowed 30 minutes, people handing out fliers for their indoor shows in our audiences, lots of noise from students with a show to sell…and on and on and on…

So yes, it’s tough. Very tough. And very noisy. There are 3 HUGE pitches on the Royal Mile, where things a vastly different for the performing busker…and those are ‘Parliament Square’, ‘Mid High Street‘, and ‘Hunter Square’(although not technically The Mile, its close by).

These are the pitches that run 15 minutes longer than our wee busking slots. The acts that run here are the unicycle guys, the jugglers, pole acts, and so on. The Big Boys, such as Space Cowboy, The Flash, JP, The Sam Wills, Herbie Treehead, et al. Their work environment is vastly different from ours up in the wee spots. Any students passing out fliers in their crowd are stopped, any loud bands or others promoting their indoor shows with loud music, are told to be quiet, they are allowed to use amplification, the Fringe Stewards help the acts off with their accoutrement, and basically they are looked after much better than us wee people.

Its all bollocks really.

We are all street performers, some of us having shared pitches all over the world, with no demarcation placed upon us by any authority. I’m not having a gripe, you understand, just that its all a bit unfair.

I reckon that we are all the same, but because the Fringe Office see these ‘bigger’ acts as headliners, they get special treatment, or different at least.

There is a downside to working those pitches though, you have to attend a draw, every morning at 10am and with over 67 acts, vying for 60 spaces per day, someone is going to lose out. Us wee people by St. Giles Cathedral, will always get at least 1 show done a day, and at times it can be many more.

Working the alcoves (as we call it) can be as, if not more, lucrative that working the big pitch. For sure the help and assistance that these ‘bigger’ acts get, is ‘better‘, but when you’re taking to a regular pitch outside of any festival, you wont have Fringe Stewards managing the pitch, so you learn to get on with it, and get the job done.

I have worked the big pitch before, but realise for my show, the smaller, and tighter pitches work best. On these hallowed pieces of concrete, I have done an average of 4 shows a day for 30 days, during previous festivals, yes, a lot of shows…some have been good, some freakishly awesome, and some absolutely crap, but I always have fun.

And there is the key, I could piss and moan about the inequities between the large and small pitches, I could grind my teeth in frustration about how we may be hard done by, and I could throw hissy fits about why we can’t use amplification, but no!

That would take too much energy, plus the fact, I know how to make those alcove pitches work really well, and do make a killing there. Financially at least.

Tomorrow, Ill be chatting to some of these Fringe Stewards and getting their lowdown on the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Experience.

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

'I'LL HAVE A SHOT OF PROCRASTINATION WITH A WHISKEY CHASER

2010-08-14T17:23:00.000+09:30

From my wee flat in Edinburgh Saturday 14th August 2010 08.22

I did a boo boo, not a major one you understand, where peoples lives and relationships are at risk, but a boo boo none the less.

I went out for one beer after work on Thursday night and ended up after 5 pints of Guiness and a whisky, vry inebriated. Drunk is another word for it. I vaguely remember talking shite into the wee hours, politics, religion and putting the world to rights. All bollocks stuff really. I am a loquacious drunk.

Anyway, this sequed to gettting back to the flat late, not getting a video project finalised, and procrastinating the hell out fo the day.Hence no new post.However, I am saving some great stuff up for over this weekend to make up for it...interviews and the like. Got some in the can (no, not the toilet, you muppet) so to speak.

I know I am a procrastinator, I can see how I don't get things done, and leave a lot to the last minute, none of it is condusive. Do you know of any remedies...? I would give up procrastinating but cant be bothered..ha ha, a wee joke...I can hear you laughing now!

The only justification I can give, m'lord! for getting pished, is that I was happy. Yes happy. I had worked hard on Thursday, and made some good money, when Anna called me around 7pm UK time. A good friend, Cathy, had arrived for a 4 day visit from Victoria, and there they both were, pie eyed, phoning me at 3 am from home in Adelaide. I think I have mentioned, that The Royal Mile has a webcam on it, and I asked Anna to log onto it, so there we were, on SKYPE (free calls) with my gorgeous wife, being able to see me through this wee portal. I was happy...well I still am, but you know what I mean.

Yup, happy enough to procrastinate about getting a video project done and using drink as a displacement activity...ce' la vie. I did punish myslef by working all the next day on the video,got it done and now I have only one more piece to film.All will be revealed soon. As long as I don't procrastinate, and go out for a drink.

Keep tooned and see if I ond't make good. And yes, if you could tell me how to stop procrastinating, I would appreciate it...

James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

PISSED OF EDINBURUGHONIANS

2010-08-12T08:01:00.000+09:30

From the Small Wee Flat in Edinburgh Thursday 12the August 2010 07.30

Edinburgh, as you can guess, comes alive for 4 weeks and a few days, with literally thousands of people descending on it, filling out the bars, restaurants, makeshift theatre venues and The Royal Mile.

An infused energy of fun, entertainment, happiness, and joy, with all and sundry going on, and not just on The Mile. Venues spring up, to massage the egos of would be performers, make money from stalwarts, and launch the careers of a chosen few.It really is an absolutely wondrous time, for indoor performers and street buskers alike.Plenty of variety for those that want to seek out the unusual,party, watch some great acts and so on! So many people, I'm not one to say 'punters', as I truly appreciate the patronage of those that stop, watch and play!

But...there are those who regard the Festival as a royal pain in the neck. With so many people, working shows, visiting to see shows, and flocking to popular places, there are always bottlenecks at peak periods of the day, and for some, the inability to move freely without a barrage of young prepubescent kids thrusting fliers into their hands, is too much to bear.

Stop and desist would be a common cry, should they actually voice it, instead of getting angry and bolshy.You can sense that I have little or no sympathy for those that hate it.

Why?

Well, this massive influx of people, who bring such a vibrant energy to this beautiful city, also bring one more important thing for those that do the majority of their business here...

Money!

Yes that filthy lucre. That smell of paper money, and coin.The Festival generates so much money, you could purchase a small island with it, if you didn't have to pay costs and the like. Maybe what these grumpy people are pi**ed off about is the fact that, unless they are involved in it somehow, making money, they don't want to know.

I do agree though, that any regular journey down the Royal Mile, does take 20 minutes longer, due to the size of the crowds that are here. Literally thousands of people, crammed into one street, for over 5 hours, ebbing and flowing, changing ace, and at times being so thick with folk, that if you were claustrophobic, you would be taking extra medication or something.

Thankfully those people are in the minority.

You can see them coming, their eyes are saying,'Don't come anywhere near me, lest you get your flier shoved so far up your arse', and 'Why are you picking on me' to any street performer who uses the in like.

It's not that I am sorry or apologetic for this wonderful array of people, just that they should get over it.

Did I say that this festival is the biggest in the world. Ill say that again...THE BIGGEST IN THE WORLD! Period!!!

No other festival comes anywhere close to matching Edinburgh in size and scope. Others may try, but fall woefully short on several levels.

BITCHES

Today, for me, its been a bit of a bi*ch, with the rain (well it is Edinburgh) and having to work on various other projects... I'm still trying to get my technology working the way I want it too..and hopefully tomorrow, Ill have some new footage for you.

All part of the service, for those who cannot make it.

Live, yes live..and well.

James James

www.magicnews.tv

TECHNOLOGY

2010-08-11T17:42:00.000+09:30

From A Wee Flat in Edinburgh Wednesday 11th August 2010 08.43

Waiting Around

One thing about busking a pitch that Ive not gone into, is the waiting around you have to endure, before being able to trot out there and (as it would feel the past couple of days) to grind out shows...yes GRIND them out. Okay there are some shows that seem to fly and it does what it is supposed to, but sometimes its a grind.

Not that Im complaining, Edinburgh during this time of year, is the place to be...to busk!

NO, because of the way its all organised, thereis a lot of time waiting in the wings to do a show. What is one to do with that time....sit around and jaw, sit around and eat, sit around and drink some fluids(not alcohol...)or, actually film some stuff, do some interviews, phone my gorgeous wife and utilise the time constructively.

That was my idea, to do some fimlming, use Skype to phone Anna, and so on...but technology and me are strange bedfellows. They dont bleeing well work.Yes I can press a button, flip a switch, but anything more than that just passes me on by.

You see, its all about maximising ones time whilst on the pitch, don't get me wrong, its great to catch upwith all and sundry, but as this is a work trip, work does come first, well a close first to keeping in touch with my wife.

More and more workers are rocking into town, so there will be much more to explore here, via the next few days, so stay on point and find out what it is really like to work the biggest festival in the world, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

WORKING FOR TIPS

2010-08-10T18:19:00.000+09:30

From the Flat in Edinburgh Tuesday 10th August 2010 07.38

You may think that all of this busking, and street performing is a bit of ‘fly by your pants’ and just make some money for the day. To the uninitiated it may seem that there is no career path, no growth, and no future in this most oldest of professions.

As far as I’m aware it’s the second oldest profession with prostitution being the first, it does seem that busking sometimes though, is the first, as some audiences metaphorically f*ck you

What I mean is, there you are, the audience loves the show, they are having a thoroughly good time, and the performer has made it all happen. Through their skill in bringing together a disparate bunch of people, and forming them into an audience (a skill, all by itself), they have created an oasis of fun, entertainment, happiness, and joy.

At the end, some folks just turn on their heel, and walk away. Not even a gracious thankyou. Not even an attempt to show their appreciation. Not even a soupcon of appreciation. Just phtttt!!!gone! I know that there are so many draws on peoples money these days, and that you cant give to every busker you watch, but you can at least say thanks. And guess what? It pi**es me off. But it’s part of the ‘job’ I, and others, have taken on and have to deal with it. At least prostitute gets paid, and most likely before any service is performed. So you could say that we get metaphorically raped. A bit strong, I agree, but it sure does really make me angry.

I have a friend who says that any audience could walk away, time after time, after time, and you would not make any money at all. I say that this could never happen, but he is adamant that it could. Yes I do agree, that busking for a living is a bit insecure, but none more so than any self employed business man owning a corner shop. Any shop, has to wait till a customer walks in the door, buskers, are adept at the art of building a crowd out of where people are…this prospective audience doesn’t have to go into any venue, or shop, and can just stop walking, to enjoy a good show.

But they had better bloody pay!

This could be the Granny Flat!!!

What s the biggest tip I had? Well, the biggest tip I have heard of would be in Adelaide, where a Canadian performer had rocked up to work the Adelaide Fringe Festival, and hadn’t got his accommodation sorted out. He mentioned this fact in his show, and some friendly family came forward to say the had a ‘granny flat’ with a swimming pool in the garden, and that he was free to stay there for as long as needed.

Now that’s a tip. It turned out to be a beautiful wee house, very well appointed and comfortable. Although this family asked for no payment, any busker worth their salt, would have given something commensurate with the graciousness of this act, as did this Canadian performer.

So working for tips can seem a bit scary, but when you know what you’re doing, know your shtick, and have the confidence to know you will get paid, you can rock the house.

Every time you go out.

Tomorrow, I should have a wee interview with one of these busking folk…and let them give you the low-down on what their thoughts are about life, love, and liberty…

James James
www.magicnews.tv

ON MAXIMISATION

2010-08-09T18:38:00.000+09:30

From The Edinburgh Flat Leith Walk Monday 9th August 2010 07.39

The weekend is over, the shows have been done, and now it’s a weekday, with only the tourist to play with. I don’t actually like the word tourist, thinking it a bit derogatory, but none the less, locals who came out to play at the weekend are now ensconced in work. Will the crowds be as big.

Hell yes!

Edinburgh is a magnet for thousands of people during this biggest of festivals, why do you think so many street performers congregate here…money, money, money…?

Which brings me to explore what’s to be done to squeeze as much out of these 3 weeks as is possible. Apart from the great times to be had, reconnecting with friends, colleagues, and peers, its time to put ones sales and marketing through the wringer, so as to maximise the financial return, as it would be so foolish not to do so.

Over the past few festivals, and years working the streets, I have been hawking DVDs’, and it proved to be quite successful. There is a big downside to that though, having to carry them to the pitch, and then of course you have to produce them( the video production is a passion of mine, but the buying of DVDs’ and burning them is not) , which can be a pain!

Nope, business cards, and fliers (extolling the virtues of gong to a link for a free download, with an up sell) are the way to go now. The benefits are obvious, no stock to carry around, no product to make, other than for digital download, the freedom to change its content, make it topical, and no concern about stock depletion.

NO!

Online downloads are the way to go, a bit incongruous you may say, a street performer mountebank type, being involved so much with computers, internet marketing and all its attendant paraphernalia, and yes it is, but the internet is the way forward, and anyone can do it.

So, arriving today, I will have 5000 fliers, advertising a link to how to work and perform, one of my staple effects, and also the opportunity to buy a great wee card trick. Business cards too, and a banner for the back of the table.

Sales and marketing people, sales and marketing. Oh! And a rocking show too.

I find that we live in interesting times, this internet has, and will continue to change the way we buy and connect with others, but then again, as you’re reading this, you know that already!

Time to get out there and make some people happy…yay!

Love, just love today.

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

RECONNECTION

2010-08-08T20:13:00.000+09:30

From my Festival Flat Sunday 8th August 2010 11.23

I finally found a room sharing with another performer. I finally found somewhere to unpack. I finally managed to get myself sorted out and have my own space to carry on with my wee bubble. Obviously I now have to buy groceries and stuff! but at least I can now be self reliant and sufficient.

I enjoy staying at my mums, but now being all ‘growed’ up, I get a bit, well you know. Anyway, I’ve moved, and am in a fair sized room about a 10 minute bus ride away. Previous years I’ve managed to find accommodation almost on the pitch, but that was not to be, this year.

Without going into too much detail, Id like to tell you a wee story. Something that I have learned, and although forget it at times, it really is conducive to a good and happy life. And its this!

Don’t carry a grudge, don’t hash and rehash what may have been bad in life up till now, let whatever got to you go. Don’t hold on to the bad feelings. Yes you may have felt slighted, but there is a good chance that you helped engender it.

Just let go! Great things can happen when you just let go. I know. Boy do I know.

Anyway, just thought Id let you know.

Working a festival is a completely different entity from just working the streets. There are a lot more performers for a start. Some of us working the cups, albeit with a slightly, not much mind you, but slightly different feel to them. As of yesterday there were nine magicians working. As of today there may well be eleven or twelve.

Weird huh!

Not as weird as this though. The flat I am in is above a ‘pizza hut’. Not just any ‘pizza hut’, but one I used to work in when living in Edinburgh circa 1997. There is even a guy who is still works there, and vaguely remembers me. That was in 1997...just thirteen years ago. Bleeding heck.

What ambition!

I could have stayed at my mothers for the duration, it may have saved me money, but getting out to Bonnyrigg, late at night, either on the last bus, or by taxi($45) really is a non starter. Yes Im having to pay for rent, and all that’s needed, but hey, Im an adult…I should be self sufficient. So I have no qualms about paying just a wee bit, to have my own space.

Anyway, Ill be in profit by Tuesday, with 21 days to go, all long and all hard graft. Okay, it’s not digging ditches, but you get the idea.

Check out the new page today regarding the Fringe out with me, and get another taste…

Charlie Caper comes into town today, or so I hear…and Ill try to tie him down to get that interview.

Love it

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

THE HARD MILE

2010-08-07T16:18:00.000+09:30

Still from my Mums’ Saturday 7th August 2010 07.33

The Biggest Festival in the World, got off to a flying start for some, and a whimperous splodge for others. Me…I was somewhere in the middle. Not having sorted out my accommodation in Edinburgh, and staying with at my Mums’ and being a bit disorganised, meant that the actual start, the first day, for me was a bit of a shaky one.

I had done a couple of good days prior to the opening day, so money had been made, but I was hoping for a better financial day yesterday, but no.

I did however manage to secure a room with a legend in the world of street magic, Gazzo, and we are holed up in a flat with 2 others, about 15 minutes walk from the pitch. And its not at an inflated price, as others are during this time in Edinburgh.

No, the money wasn’t good, but it was great to catch up with those I haven’t seen for a year, the last festival being the last time. Big Al Catraz, a rotund (hence the name Big) guy with a great energy and relationship with his audiences, Paul Nathan, an acerbic witty, witty, guy, who makes me laugh, Pocket Fox, two ukulele rock gods…to see them thrash out heavy metal riffs, and tunes, from two wee ukuleles, with all the attendant poses and such, is freaking genius.

Tomorrow, Charlie Caper comes into town, and it will be another round of socialising. And so it goes.

All of these performers are ready to go, we are geared up, champing at the bit to be let loose amongst the throng, our engines are all revved up. BUT! There is to be a parade of over 2500 bagpipers marching down The Royal Mile, as a celebration for the opening of the Festival. Great! It will be such a spectacle, but you know what; it will really screw with our day. We cant work, until its all over.

You could say that our engines will have to be idled, and our feet will be off the accelerator. But then again, the forecast isn’t too good, and I could use this day to move in, get myself squared away and organised. Yup, that sounds like a good idea. I would like to take some footage of the march though, to help make you guys smile and wait for the kilts to flail up…just for the ladies you understand.

On a bugger of a note though, my wee pen cam has let me down and is broken, doesn’t work. Bit of a shit as Ill have to buy a new one and take the old one back in for a refund…it sucks.

Let’s see what today brings and Ill tell all tomorrow, and remember, special Fringe Reports will be expounded up on, in the new topical page Fringe Festival.

Have a great one.

James James

http://www.magicnews.tv/

JE' ARRIVE et DU MAIN (I’ve arrived and it’s today)

2010-08-06T16:12:00.000+09:30

From my Mothers House Bonnyrigg Midlothian Scotland Friday 6th August 08.17

My schoolboy French is sheeeeeeeeite, my German is slightly better, but my Greek…its conversational. My reasoning is that as the Fringe kicks off today, with such an eclectic mix of different nationalities, I thought I’d get into the schwing, by displaying some bon chonce.

Anyway, yes, yay,…it’s today.

The English Gents

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival starts today. The biggest arts festival in the world, kicks off today and Im going to be slap bang in the middle of it. Oh deep joy. I’ve worked it may times, but this year will be the best its been. I just feel that there is something in the air, and that the camaraderie and shows will be on the side of ‘wow… that was awesome’.

Maybe that’s because Im now blogging every day and have this wonderful outlet for my creativity…oh! how grandiose it sounds. Either way, it will be a great one.

Having arrived 2 days ago, I have been a busy wee bee, looking for accommodations in Edinburgh and may have found something inexpensive and right on the miles doorstep. Maybe, but then again, maybe not. Got to make a call today to follow up on it. But if it does come off, it will reinforce my idea that as my brother Fred says, I can fall in a pile of shite, come up smelling of roses, find a $20 note and have an invite to the society ball. Very astute my brother Fred is…very astute.

Its not true, obviously, but I do wonder. Enough of that introspection though, and lets just get it on. There are now at a rough count, 67 ‘circle’ performers (circle performers, work the big pitches with juggling, unicycles and the like) all vying for 60 spots per day to work, and there are more coming in today. There will be at least 5 people a day who will not get a show, and it will grow. The Fringe office who regulate us, are on point, and proactive though, working with everyone to ensure that there is a fair and proportionate disposition of shows and such. Not an easy task when you consider the amount and level of egos, that are there for 3 weeks. No, not easy!

Ill make sure to video, post, interview, and do what I can to bring you a soupcon of this most wonderful of festivals over the next 3 weeks.

Bon chonce indeed.

Love it

James James
www.magicnews.tv

SINGAPORE SCHMINGAPORE - The Journey continues…

2010-08-05T17:48:00.002+09:30

From my Mums’ Home Bonnyrigg Midlothian Scotland 8.57a.m.

So there I was, on the moving footway ( a flat escalator), when who should I bump into. I mean, there I am, thousands of miles away in Singapore, at the airport when another magician I know and respect, is travelling the other way on the next escalator…none other than Nicholas Tweedy

I first met Nick in Key West, Florida, at Frank Everharts ‘Schooner Bar’ Not his bar actually, but a magic bar within a bar, that he performs at nightly, entertaining the patrons with some bloody good magic. Nick moved to Adelaide, where I met up with him again and e’viola, there we are, both travelling to London on different flights, departing within 35 minutes of each other.

I mean…what are the chances.

It was interesting, jawing with him, as to where life has taken us both. He works mostly indoors with me, predominantly on the streets. Both of us doing more than okay.

Nick does some amazing magic with a very eclectic persona, and has amassed a vast array of followers and fans. He sports a long dangly ‘dreaded’ beard, more like a long goatee…and for him, it works. He is huge in the corporate field…

But it didn’t stop there…

On walking together to catch our respective flights, he bumps into his manager, coming back from the UK. Weird, and it really enforces that old chestnut…’It’s a small world’

And it is.

The second leg of the journey was really uneventful, save for the fact I dozed off, knackered. There we were, taking off and then zap. Nothing. Asleep for 3 hours. Missed one of my meals…shit, can I get a refund. No big loss really, because lets face it, in flight meals, for me anyway, all taste the same. Bit of protein slung in with a bit of carb…there is a reason you know, that they ply you with alcohol, this is to make the food taste better….hmmnnn

Tomorrow, the BIGGEST arts festival IN THE WORLD kicks off, The Edinburgh Festival. Ill have a new page set up for it so that you can keep track of all that goes on and what yours truly is up to…pics, video, and more episodes of Magic News.TV with a ream of interviews to keep you smiling.

So if you cant make it to this most wonderful of events, you may be able to live it vicariously through my scibbings…Pulitzer Prize…here we come. Yeah! Right.

Love, always love

James James
www.magicnews.tv

SINGAPORE SHMINGAPORE

2010-08-04T20:44:00.000+09:30

Singapore Airport Tuesday 3rd August 2010 7.17pm

Oh how some service personnel lie, ‘Yes James, I’ll block off the seats around you so that you can have room to spread out, love your show by the way, seen it many times in Adelaide, and during the Adelaide Fringe’. Did I get a while row to myself ? Not bloody likely. I don’t however think that the guy checking me in lied, he wanted to pull out the stops, but I reckon other passengers needed a seat as well. Bleeding cheek. Still with the plane not full I managed to literally grab a seat at the back, a double, and managed to do some editing, before my battery gave out.

An uneventful flight, and just 2 Jim Beam and cokes, with a couple of films thrown in for good measure.

Cinemas used to have warning shorts, about how viewing pirated films on the small screen ruined your enjoyment of the film, and there we are, viewing some film on the back of the seat in fronts headrest. I’m not advocating pirating films mind you, just making an observation on what we are told NOT TO DO, an how we are not to do it, yet those in power do it anyway.

I’ve passed through Singapore Airport quite a few times, and today it’s a hive of activity, not just with passengers, but with workmen, drilling and pummelling away with pneumatic drills and such, renovations. Must cost a bleeding fortune, I reckon it was all okay to begin with and did what it did. No need for improving. But that’s just me. I’ve not pulled myself away from the airport at all, ever, to visit this wonderful country, and for that I’ a tad ashamed, as there may come a time that I may not be travelling as much. We shall see!

Airports are such impersonal places though, full of transients (myself included) and ‘stuff’ you wouldn’t buy on a general level. Although after having said that, I did buy Anna a beautiful necklace and matching earrings on my last trip through here. Come to think of it, I don’t remember her wearing either of them much, if at all…must be getting old!

I have heard that chewing gum is illegal here, because wherever it is available, there are always people who litter and sticky messes are everywhere. Sh*t I hate it when someone leaves chewing gum on a seat and sitting on it can ruin your trousers. Bast*rds!

Ive been trying to get a net connection but to no avail, and my flight is about to be called, so Ill be uploading this from me mams house in Bonnyrigg, just outside Edinburgh, along with some wee video, shot from my newly acquired pencam. Bleeding brilliant it is, got great plans for its use during the Fringe in Edinburgh…so look out for some candid footage…

Till then,

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

P.S. All throughout the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, i shall be endevouring to bring you the best that there is on the streets and indoors. Magic News TV will be hosting a few interviews also, and Ill even make a special page for the Fringe when it all kicks off on Friday, a busy time no less, but what fun we shall have....JJ

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

2010-08-03T11:28:00.001+09:30

From Adelaide Airport Tuesday 3rd august 2010 11.37

And so the journey starts, with stress and pressure, did I leave the kettle on, did I close up the house, did I spend enough quality time with Anna..did ,I did ,I did I? I'm sure you can all relate to that. Especially when the night before was to be about quality time with those that you love, before leaving for a month.

Our cat Izzy got out again, but this time it was the worst its been...we thought he had somehow gotten out of the front door, and scarpered away, roaming unusual streets and such. But no, he was quietly exploring the gardens around our home. Anna went to bed as 2am is long enough, and then I saw him on an adjoining roof...argh..shouted for Anna to come and we spent 2 hours trying to coax him back over the fence, after he had taken a leap of faith towards the wall and landed in the garden next door..so not a good night.

Anyway, Im on my way, and will be boarding in about 20 minutes, so Im desparate to get this off.

I have a 5 hour layover in singapore so Ill be able to be a bit more lucid, and hey...there will be video...yay

See you then.

Love and Life, but make sure your cat is safe...

James James

http://www.magicnews.tv/

INCEPTION

2010-08-02T09:25:00.000+09:30

From the Desk of James James Monday 2nd August 2010 09.47

I’ve just had my mind blown, ripped apart, expanded upon and been so excited, that my heart was pounding like a woodpecker on a piece of balsa wood. What I saw, last night, has affected me deeply.

What I saw, has changed the way I am creating my magic, well some of it anyway, and will hopefully resonate much better with my audiences when I work in close up environs.

What did I see, what did I experience, well surely the title of todays post says it all. INCEPTION!

Anna and I went to see the new Chris Nolan film of that title. Yes it has its star, Leonardo Di Caprio, and you may think that ‘Here we go again’ another Hollywood Blockbuster, with all the attendant hoo ha! But you know, all thoughts of cynicism evaporated like ice in the desert.

Apart form the film being beautifully made, and exemplary performances by its cast, the whole concept of INCEPTION has really left an indelible mark in my psyche. I love watching a Baz Luhrman film, he is a great auteur, and now I find that Chris Nolan is even more so. Seriously, don’t take my word for it, ask any of your friends who have seen the film. Im sure they will enthuse over it, as much as me.

I was so inspired by INCEPTION that I thought of a great new presentation for that old whorey chestnut of a effect, ‘The Three Card Trick. As I was filming late into last night, I was tripping over my words and moves, to make sure that I could get it all down, and not miss any of the finely tuned nuances I was thinking of. Im sure you have had your mind think of something faster than you can write, take action, or express that thought in a cohesive way.

I know I have, and one of those times was last night.

Now you may think, that Im just trying to ride the wagon that is unrolling due to this film, and yes, the look and feel of my wee promo does have certain elements from the film, but if you have been reading up till now, you’ll nod in acknowledgement that this is not the case. Inspiration for many of the arts, comes from what has gone before, and last night at the movies watching this story unfold, gave me a completely fresh outlook on an old trick.

Im due to fly out tomorrow for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and wanted to spend some quality time with Anna, but late into last night, there I was, my head swirling with a gazillion ideas and concepts, working on putting together something that I truly believe to be awesome.

I will be releasing it in the next few days, and hope if you like what you have read, magician or not, go to my new page INCEPTION and leave a comment, name and email address, so that I can let you know when its been edited and is ready.

Busy, busy. Busy ..I was going to spend my time on the 28 hours in transit, drinking Jack Daniels and coke, watching some great films, as well as catching up on some sleep, but no…I shall be beavering away on this laptop, forging a new beginning on what I consider to be a wonderful exposition of magic, one that you will be able to use as well..

I will find time to post daily, on the chaos that is the biggest arts festival in the world.

The Edinburgh Festival…see you there.

Live…yes LIVE.

James James
http://www.magicnews/.

P.S. Check out my new page...INCEPTION...leave a comment, and if you want to make sure you get the download, leave your name and email...Thanks

CATS AND CAGES

2010-08-01T09:41:00.000+09:30

From the Desk of James James Sunday 1st August 2010 08.47

We have a cat, we have a very beautiful cat, we have a very weird rag doll cat who likes to try and escape from his gilded cage. What’s indicative of this breed of cat is that they are supposed to be quiet, docile, and content with mostly being a lap cat. Our cat most certainly is not indicative of the breed. No, not at all.

Before we moved, our back garden was like Colditz, with wire mesh over the tops of fences, and blocks underneath, where the fence didn’t meet the ground. We even has a cat guard half way up the tree. A nice Mulberry tree it was, shed sh*t loads of berries though when they were ripe. Messy, very messy!

We moved earlier this year, and looked at our back garden, thinking that it was safe enough, plastered walls, with a stretch of decorative bamboo fencing on the back wall. Izzy, our cats name, and yes he does come when called (may not stay long, but he gets it) thought otherwise…

Needless to say that wasn’t the case. He found a way up, and over, several times. We put up a wee shelf, with plants and schlock, but he still finds a way. We think we have solved the problem now, but we reckon he is going to learn how to handle a spade one day and dig his way out.

If he did that though, we would be rich. Imagine that, a cat with such cognitive ability that it understood the concept of holding a spade, digging, freedom from another angle, etc, etc, etc…

I say he doesn’t have any cognitive ability, but Anna says otherwise. I mean, you tell me, if when he gets over, whines and gets worried (that he cant get back) why would he carry on doing it, if he knew what was going to happen when he got to the other side. You tell me! It shows a complete lack of any ability to have a fuller understanding of what happens when you repeat a process, expecting the a different result, only to find…nope, same sh*t.

A bit like the electoral process, don’t you think? You think voting is going to change how we all live our lives and how society is going to change…so we ruminate over who would be best, not for the country, but for our own self interest, and hey, nothing really changes.

I digress.

So we have this cat, he is a beautiful cat, but he sure is a royal pain in the proverbial arse. No doubt we will find a way to keep him caged, and his soul will cry and yearn for freedom…bo**ocks, he doesn’t have cognitive ability…remember! But he will be safe. Or is it that we will be safe and not have to worry about him roaming the streets, and have to spend time searching for him, and be bereft, should something happen to him. I mean, who is the cage really for. Hmmmmmnnn interesting.

Off to Edinburgh Scotland next week for sure, and got my ticket. So expect a daily report with some shenanigans thrown in on a daily basis, with video (got me on one of those pen cam things…yay) several episodes on Magic News TV (phew) and interviews with those who work, and busk.

Oh and here is a wee 20 second video of our wee ball of mischief...

Till then, and don’t forget to try and decipher the quote below

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/
…“Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules“.

IT WAS ALL GRAVY

2010-07-31T07:56:00.000+09:30

From the Desk of James James Saturday 31st July 2010 07.26

It can be a bit precarious at times, working the streets, relying on what goes in the hat for a living. To pay ones bills, rents (yes plural…on tour I have to pay for my own accommodation!) and anything else that we all must fork out for. I’m not complaining, just pointing out that it can be a bit on the scary side. What makes the journey easier though, are gigs, which do come in on a regular basis, and the more you do, the ‘safer’ becomes, ones financial security.

One such oasis was several months in Dubai at ‘The Kempinksi Mall. Six days a week for 2 and 3 hours a day, meandering around the dining tables, performing close up magic to the patrons and customers. It was a very good gig, and the agent I went through had a contract to supply several magicians a month, therefore I managed to be booked for 4 separate months.

After a few years of working the streets, and not much else in the way of indoor gigs, I really had to spruce myself up, after having let myself go to some degree. There was a gym and swimming pool, so 3 times a week I was there working physical jerks, and laps of the pool. I think I may have lost a few kilos, but more importantly managed to flush out all of those toxins, mental and physical, that I’d let into my wee bod.

Unlike myself booking a tour, gigs like this paid for accommodation, flights and food, it’s a ’given’ actually. And the fee reflected the amount of work one did, which did make me smile.

Dubai itself, is lauded and sold as a great destination, a shoppers paradise, and haven of eclectic tastes. If you have money, I suppose it can seem like Nirvana, but if you’re an Asian man or woman, working 14 hour days, in the heat, getting paid sh*te, and living in a hovel, Dubai, I’m sure, takes on a wholly different experience.

Me, apart from the work and what it paid, could well leave the place alone. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed the gig, the work, and meeting some great folks, we were paid well enough, the agent was great, and we were looked after. What I mean is, I don’t hold with their customs, their religion and the way they treat those that they look on as inferior. You may think me hypocritical, but no...I idnt just look at the new shiny toys, but had an understanding of how they got there.

Yes I was in their country, and did abide by their laws, and so on, but it is an outwardly oppressive society, one where money speaks. If you are from the Philippines, India, Pakistan, et al, you’re perceived status was several rungs lower down the ladder.

Whilst I enjoyed going out there, I really enjoyed getting back home.

My views on Dubai are just that…what do you think, have you been there yourself and had experience of it, if so, let me know?

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

P.S.

Oh and today’s quote is…“Life is a game, boy. Life is a game that one plays according to the rules“.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS…THE AFTERMATH

2010-07-30T07:09:00.001+09:30

From the Desk of James James Friday 30th July 2010 07.37

In typical 'Ocha' pose (No shrimps)

I may not have gotten my wee pressie on the day from Anna, I may not have gotten reams of cards from family and friends, and I may not have gotten sloshed…but I had a really beautiful, sedate, and introspective evening with a good bottle of wine, a sumptuous meal, and great company from my wife. Not that Im being proprietary in calling Anna MY wife, but she is…well, you know what I mean.

I did however receive shed loads of Birthday greetings from so many friends on face book.

Ah yes the Facebook phenomena. Is it just me, or do you get pi**ed off with messages in your email account, saying you have a message or something written on your wall, on Facebook, when those who know you, probably have you email address and can write directly. This would cut out one level of action that you need to take, if you understand my point.

But then again, that’s the whole idea, isn’t it. Facebook gets all the traffic, which makes them grow, which increases those that wish to advertise, which makes their market share much MUCH bigger, which makes them almost as big as Google some days, which earns those that own it a small (actually a fricking HUGE) fortune. And its only a few years old. Hotmail grew exponentially, through the value of free user accounts, heck it’s my main email ‘supplier’, but Facebook now, is becoming the social and structure norm for interacting (I was going to say worldwide, but that’s a given …isn’t it?).

Do you remember ‘Friends Reuinited’? I do! I used to be on there, and even paid $10 for the year to access what it was doing. It was a revolution in its own time, hooking up old forgotten friends, destroying marriages(or so some would have you believe…sh*t, there is such a thing as personal responsibility), and generally allowing you to interact online within certain parameters.

Now we have FACEBOOK!!!

I don’t profess to delve into how its changing the way we interact with each other, but I will say this, it’s a monolith, screaming down the road, destroying (or building) all in its path towards world domination. The vacuum, left in its wake, sucks all there is into blindly falling in behind. It takes a very creative and forward looking individual (or group) to see what’s ahead of the curve, step out from behind the comfort of a free ride, and scream further ahead, to take it in a new and different direction.

Or is Facebook the quintessential model, and cannot be improved upon. Hey, why look to improving, just come up with a completely different paradigm. They did! I’m not saying ’Friends Reunited’ was a starting point, but look at how what we want(or think we want) changes, in relation to what is available.

What do you think, is it a blessing, or is it a curse...you be the judge, let me know. Hasn't it become part of the human zeitgeist now...hmmmmnn
Leave your comments below.

Facebook, I love it.Well, sort of...

Now don’t get me started on ‘Twitter’

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

P.S.

Still waiting for someone to let me know the answer. .Fermahs Last Theorem is nothing compared to how important you commenting on this quote is.

‘I many not be a smart man, but I know what love is”

CELEBRATIONS…ITS MY BIRFDAY!!!

2010-07-29T08:56:00.000+09:30

From the desk of James James Thursday 29th July 2010 07.37

Yes you read right, its my birthday today. All of 48 years old and starting to look it, although those that love me, would question that and say NO NO NO…but I say YES YES YES.

I’m not one for overly celebrating this day, as it’s a day that everyone who has ever been born has. Strange that huh! No, it will be another great day with some work planned (filming a DVD series) and an evening out with Anna. Yes I shall have some wine to go with a nice meal, and will raise a glass to my dad, who passed away in 1999, on this very day.

I’ve never been good with dates, other peoples birthdays’ and the like, but one day I shall always remember is the day that my Father died. I was living in Tenerife at the time and out celebrating with friends, when my mum called to tell me. So many emotions, which still come back to me on occasion. I still cry!

I reckon I’ve been so very freaking lucky, to have 2 wonderful parents that have supported me, understood what I do, and have total faith in me. Of course, growing up had its’ pitfalls, wanting to keep certain things from them, as one does when going through adolescents. Did they know of my first cigarette? My first beer, drank behind the garage at too early an age? First ever marijuana joint? My first sexual encounter?

Well, if my mum didn’t then, she certainly knows now. Still, Im 48 years old now and can see the folly in some of the exploits that I involved myself in then.

I say ‘lucky‘, but I don’t believe in luck just dropping into your lap. I’ve been told by good friends over the years though, that I am lucky, however, my take on it is this…What my friends have seen, when I managed to be in the right place at the right time, thereby gaining a foothold on or in something, and moving forward, is not what has happened due to LUCK! Behind any success has always been so many trials and tribulations, so many failures, and quite a lot of disappointments. In order to be ‘lucky’ so many times, I have had to be ‘UNlucky’ even more. No, LUCK, plays no part in creating success.

Sure, Im not lucky to have lost my dad, but as we all die, unless you put faith in cryogenics…it is good to remember the date when those you love leave, and as said, he died on my birthday, and not being good with dates, I shall obviously remember when he left.

I am starting to think that I am so like my father, we both travelled extensively, we both had, and have great aspirations, and both smoked, giving it up and starting again, we both have a wry sense of humour, we both are impatient, we both are, and were, slightly autocratic, and we both have had a modicum of success in our chosen paths.

So if you want to wish me a HAPPY BIRTHDAY, please leave a comment below, Ill make sure I respond with some glib remark or thanks.

Here’s to your day, my dad, and a rollicking good piss up!!! Oops, no! Hnagovers at my age are so difficult to get rid of, and Im still busy filming, preparing for Edinburgh and have to keep my sh*t together.

Live it and love it.

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

P.S. Ive just found out that I share my birthday with Benito Mussolini...and no one cares! Still, there is this quote to source...come on, you know you want to...

'I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is'

DAYS WHEN NOTHING GOES RIGHT

2010-07-28T10:04:00.000+09:30

From the Desk of James James Wednesday 28th July 2010 09.47

‘The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry’.. John Steinbeck had a wonderful sense of pros that would take you to another place, and I use that quote to tell of life in the not so fast lane of yesterday.

Edinburgh Last Year

There I am, setting up for my first show of the day, putting out my table, unpacking my props, making my presence known, and starting to generate a modicum of interest. In Brisbane, it would take two minutes to start generating an audience, but back home in Adelaide it does take a wee while longer. Sometimes a whole while longer. But it does happen. That’s what’s so good about a table show. I can even work a smaller crowd and audience, treating it like a close up performance, unlike Edinburgh during the Fringe Festival, where my audiences can be up to 300 people five rows deep.

Anyway , as I was saying…There I am setting up and starting to generate an audience and start harnessing the energy that is building when OH MY GOD!, a sparrow literally drops from the sky, right onto my table.

Seriously. A sparrow just fell from the sky with its entrails hanging out , and lay on my table drawing its last final breaths. I could do nothing but look on in disbelief. This poor creature was in its’ death throes, its small beak opening and closing, ever so slightly, with its eyes glinting like black stones, and then just laying there still and motionless.

DEAD!!!!

What would you do? Obviously the show about to happen was now dead. As dead in fact as a dead sparrow, laying on my table being dead. It’s wasn’t just a matter of disposing of its lifeless body, it behoved me to lay it to rest as it were, made all the more weird with 35 pairs of eyes watching me, judging me, and being as taken by what happened, as I was. I suppose you could say, that all of us were in the same boat at the same time, but I had to row the damn thing!

Thankfully I had some tissues with me, due to having a sniffling nose, put some together, slowly picked up this poor wee bird, and wrapped it up carefully, before chucking it in a nearby bin. Well, not so much of a chuck, but showing some reverence, placed it in the bin near the pitch. I couldn’t very well produce a pneumatic drill, dig up the concrete to get to the earth below, place it in there, and re-concrete the patch over. Nope, its final resting place had to be a bin, which ultimately will go to landfill somewhere, so yes it may probably have ended up under ground.

It did take me by surprise, as it did my audience, but whatever thoughts and feeling I had, beared nothing in comparison to what surprise this sparrow must have felt to die in such a way.

Do sparrows’ have cognitive thought.? Do they feel as we do? Do they feel pain as we do? I’m sure some pain must have been felt, but as to its understanding of its’ own demise, would not have been a cohesive thought.

Needless to say, that show was a crock.

So, yes, ‘The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men, Often Go Awry’…and that’s all I’m going to say on that.

Preparations are being made as I speak, for the big tour, Edinburgh and Europe (well Germany). The low-down, to be dragged into my blog, the interviews to be shared on Magic News TV, and the chaotic maddness that is The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

But poor wee sparrow. Okay I mentioned it just one more time, well it was a living breathing being, and deserves some respect…or is that just wrong? Seriously, tell me, leave your thoughts below.

James James

www.magicnews.tv

P.S. the quote by the way, I first heard it from the Moulin Rouge. That wonderful film by Baz Lurmahn, and was spoken by another great Scot, Ewen McGregor. Here is another…

‘Im not a smart man, but I know what love is’

THOSE THAT I MEET, WORK WITH AND ENJOY!

2010-07-27T09:33:00.001+09:30

From the Desk of James James Tuesday 27th July 2010 09.37

When I first started out on the road of busking, as a newbie, I would look upon those that had their moxy together, had rocking shows, and were an integral part of the busking community. I knew I didn’t really belong, I knew I was seen as a ‘fledgling streety’.

I also knew that I admired some of these guys.

One in particular that seemed to have so much sway and stood out as the epitome of what I aspired to, had the respect, had the tools, and more importantly had an amazing grace.

His name…

Suitably 'SEXY' pose

J.P. McKendrick.

‘Japes’ to his friends. I remember so many years ago, watching him turn a huge crowd of strangers into a unified, smiling, and ecstatic audience, who basically sat in the palm of his hand and would hang onto his every word. So many light bulbs went off in my head and let me know that THIS is what I wanted to do for the main part of my living, and life.

His show is very simple, well it looks simple, and if you have been reading up till now, you will know what I mean. He throws knives, clubs, cracks a whip, lobbing the head off a toy koala bear called Kenny, and for a finale, throws a freakishly huge battleaxe over his head during an inspired juggling routine.

To say he has worked hard on what he does is an understatement.

But he makes it all look so easy.

After years performing literally thousands of shows, he is one of the authority figures on the street, and has such a commanding presence off and on stage . Does he have an inflated ego around all of this, well no? Its just part and parcel of what he does to make a living, look after his family and keep what he does real.

Over the years that I have come to know him, and value time spent in his company, I can now see what makes what he does work. But that’s just a small part of it. He stands tall amongst those who are already tall, yet, as said, for him, it’s all just part of the job.

There is one part in his show, when he whips a cigarette out of this poor, misbegotten toy Koalas’ paws ( he would put the cigarette in its mouth, but the Koala doesn’t have one, doesn’t have a hole, he doesn’t eat…it’s a toy!) In doing so, he manages to crack just a centimetre off the cigarette, and in wanting to go further, tries again, succeeding in lobbing its head off, to which he remarks, ‘Well that puts paid to the question (with reference the eponymous ‘South Park’) who killed Kenny. The Koalas name is ‘Kenny’.

Cue uproarious laughter and applause. Works every time.

He is almost Messiac, as he resembles Robert Powell’s characterisation of Jesus Christ, and even has a caring routine that he bases that on, with deference to any religious sensibilities.

Off stage, to wind down, he does enjoy a pint of Guinness, and over a couple a few years ago, I asked him to be my best man at my marriage to Anna. Ever gracious, and wonderfully loquacious, he is an absolute joy to be around. Yes, he can talk for hours on so many topics and has such a wonderful karma.

As I write, he will be over in Canada, working his show around several festivals. He wont be at Edinburgh this year, which will be its loss, but hailing from Sydney, Im sure we will catch up and be able to share another Guinness or two.

My mum loves him, and I guess I do to.

Oh and you can watch him right here...tried to put the video on here but not being to tech savvy, all I have is the link HERE

James James

www.magicnews.tv

P.S. No one seemed to get the quote I put in yesterday so here it is again…if you know where it is from, let me know. JJ

‘The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, is to love and be loved in return’

A TRIP, A WEDDING, AND SOME FUN

2010-07-26T09:30:00.000+09:30

From the Desk of James James Monday 26th July 2010 09.17

Paid gigs come in when you least expect it. By that I mean, with not having much or many marketing threads out there, its always a nice surprise when an inquiry comes in which results in a quality booking, with a great host, and a wonderful audience.

One such occasion was just a couple of weeks ago, whilst I was in Brisbane.

Jimmys' New iPhone

There we were, Jimmy and myself driving back to his home after working hard on the pitch in Brisbane. He got a call from a friend, who had a friend, who was getting married and asked Jimmy if he knew of any magicians who could provide some roving magic, followed by a ‘stage set’?

His answer…

“Well, as luck would have it, Im sitting next to one of Adelaide’s best magicians, hold on Ill see if he is free on the date required’.

His recommendation to his friend segued to the prospective groom being told that I came highly recommended. Phone numbers were exchanged, I got the call, and e’voila, a trip over to Coffs Harbour was planned on the hoof.

It meant a very early start, to fly over to Coffs Harbour with a stop over in Sydney, and thence to a full afternoon being on hand to stroll, and rove, finishing off with a powerful set on a wee stage. I’ve performed at a few weddings, in the UK, and had a great time, but his engagement beat all of them hands down. What made it really special is that there were just a few youngsters, two or three actually, who behaved, enjoyed the magic, and were always smiling.

One of them, a wee lassy, even got to be the assistant, and not only was she beside herself with glee!, her parents thoroughly enjoyed her moment ‘on stage’.

As said, its not very often I perform at a lot of weddings, but I thoroughly enjoyed my hosts company, his friends, and the audience. Its hard to realise sometimes, that I get paid well for having such a great time doing what I love. Instant gratification at times, what with an audience, all with you, being amazed and laughing all through the show.

And I got paid. A double whammy. I can see how some highly popular performers heads can be turned by all of this. It can be its own drug. Being at the centre of all the fun that is going on, and getting paid well for my efforts. I like to think though that my feet are firmly planted on the ground , and I don’t start believing my own press, as it were.

One thing to note though, is a note to self…don’t go out drinking the night before having to get up at 4am to catch a flight. A beer or two yes, but not a bucket full.

The trip over to Coffs, was fraught with some pain. Thankfully my head cleared up just before I got my sh*t together to do what I was asked to do.

Paid gigs are great, and it’s a different paradigm from the streets. On a gig, you have to be there at a set time, and then DELIVER! With the street, you are your own boss, hitting the pitch when you want, and trying out new material, with no concern if it works or not.

PLEASE FEED A STARVING MAGICIAN

There is a massive plus to busking, and that is, it makes what you do in these paid gigs, all that better. Pumping out so many shows over so long, you get to learn pretty fast, how to work to keep your audience, because if you don’t…you starve. Well not starve, but you know what I mean.

Anyway, it’s to be a very busy week, preparing for Edinburgh, planning the trip, working the pitch, putting all my ducks in a row, so that this will be the best Edinburgh fringe for yours truly. So, keep reading and I hope you are looking forward to living my days on the street during ‘The Biggest Festival in the World’ vicariously at least.

“The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return“.

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

P.S. the above quote…I know what film its from…do you, leave your answers below? No prizes, but it would be interesting to see what your answers are.

ON BEING ‘ON TOUR’

2010-07-25T08:03:00.000+09:30

From the Desk of James James Sunday 25th July 2010 08.47

It’s a hard life, as the late Freddie Mercury once intoned. But not all the time. My life sometimes feel like two separate worlds. Home life, responsibilities, chores, and well…stuff! Away at times for large tracts of time pitching the show in different cities, different states, and different countries.

Thankfully I have moderate tastes and don’t go all ‘Keith Richards’ and trash hotel rooms, or throw televisions out of hotel rooms. (Or take class A drugs and have groupies)..

It does involve some late nights with Jack and Jim (‘Daniels and Beam') , conversation with colleagues, about shows, hats, audiences, life, politics, and laughter. Its none too glamorous, but working the streets can be like taking your job with you when you’re on holiday. Except you’re not on holiday, visiting places of interest and the like(time away from the pitch means no money is earned).

Although I push hard on pitch, 5, 6, or 7 shows a day, it is like a busmans holiday at times. Due to the fact that it’s a new environment, or at least one that hasn’t been visited for a year. Its also time to catch up with other buskers and find out what has been happening in their world.

It really is quite amazing, this community of street performers and entertainers. Although we may not see each other for over a year, we are all like the feel of a good glove, and its an easy fit, hanging around with each other.

After a whole year of working the same pitch, it can get to feel like working a regular job. Not that I disrespect those that do, no really, I don’t, but the feeling of a regular job, is enough to strip away at my soul.

(Oh how very dramatic James…bo**ocks)!

As I was saying, hanging out with other buskers, sharing a beer and a laugh, is what makes touring bearable. Of course, with my life having been changed, I am also away from Anna, which is not easy, for either of us. But like the big caveman, I come home bearing fruit. That’s $$$ to you and me!

Why would you wish to know all of this, well…Im about 10 days away from flying over to Edinburgh for THE BIGGEST FRINGE FESTIVAL IN THE WORLD…I shall be away for 28 days (thence to a smaller festival in Germany), before heading back home and the Adelaide Royal Show.

It is my intention to fully document this huge experience, with pictures, interviews, video, and a whole lot more. It will certainly be a monument us journey, and if you’ve gotten used to reading my shtick every day, soon you will have more meat to go with this gravy.

Live it and love it. Life of course.

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

P.S. Tomorrow its up to Coffs Harbour for a wedding. Or the telling of it anyway…

A FINAL WORD ON AUDITIONS AND THOSE WHO WOULD BE JUDGE

2010-07-24T11:22:00.001+09:30

From the Desk of James James Saturday 24th July 2010 09.31

It would seem that one of those who sat in judgement on whether or not to give out a busking licence, at my latest audition, was most certainly not fit for purpose, a bit of a loser…(think of that character in glee and the how she enunciates it…).

Why would I say that? Well read on…

Prior to that Saturday audition, the previous night, this would be arbiter of what is allowed, was smashed drunk…pi**ed, inebriated, intoxicated, drunk, and yes…had been drinking. As to her level of drunkenness, I cant say, but on good authority I was told she was very drunk. I believe it, as for what she did, she could have only done, if she was pished.

What did she do?

I’ll get to that in a minute, but what we need to understand prior to that is what her role was in the audition process itself. Remember, she was not just sitting in judgement of those who would busk, giving out permits, like one would give treats to a clapping monkey.

(OOOH matron, I think my slip is showing!)

No, she was also there to ensure that those with fire shows, juggling with fire torches and such, knew how to manage their fire, their environment, and be SAFE! Apart from the fact that those who perform with fire on the streets have been doing so for some time and know how to be safe, to have someone who doesn’t 1) Work in that environment, and 2) Hasn’t ever juggled fire before, tell you what’s safe and what’s not is like a celibate priest talking about sex education.

I really can’t imagine any other work environment, where the injustices that we face, are common place. Maybe Im getting to be a grumpy old man, maybe Im being too autocratic (you could tell me by leaving a comment), or maybe, just maybe, I’m hitting this proverbial nail on its proverbial head.

So what did this all mighty controller of who is to get a licence do. Being drunk wasn’t it, heck I have been worse the wear(okay legless) before. No, that’s not cause for concern, but what is, is this.

A fellow busker, a unicycle fire juggler was starting his show and in order to start attracting a crowd, he (as others do) lit a fire torch, and placed it on the ground . This is a well known technique in drawing an audience. Even the caveman was drawn to fire. As it did this woman.

Now you may think its irresponsible to leave a fire torch lying around on the street, and yes it would be, if it were not part of a structured, safe show, where the performer knows what he is doing, manages the crowd, and keeps all, at a safe distance. That’s what was happening here, and he has been doing this for long enough to be safe. If you still think its not safe, sheesh, think about demolition experts raising a high rise to the ground…they make sure you’re not near it when it blows.

Anyway, back to what I was saying.

There we are, fire torch on the ground and just for a second Mr. Busker had his back to the flame, turning around to bring out another prop, when this would be judge, walked through his tightly forming edge of an audience, bent down and tried to light a cigarette off the flame. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Pie eyed as she was, she could have injured herself, there would have been a fracas, maybe even an ambulance, and more importantly, would have been taking the focus away from the performer.

You may say, well it’s the performers fault?

IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR

NO! It would have been, had he walked up to her with the torch and lit her cigarette himself, but there comes a time when responsibility has to be taken. And he could not be responsible for her actions. In making his show and fire safe, he follows certain rules, and makes his crowd/audience, aware of where the limits of his stage are. Sensible people get it. Pissed up, council official losers most certainly do not.

He did spot it in time, and made it right, because he knows what he is doing.

So during the audition, there is this woman sitting in judgement on his capability to manage his environment, show and safety aspects. Pathetic. Really bloody PATHETIC

Oh and on a footnote, the fact that she walked across the edge of his show, into his stage, whilst he was working, shows a complete and utter lack of respect, and they want us to respect their processes…hmmmmnnn.

Just thought Id give you a great start to your day.

Love and peace

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

A WORD ON AUDITIONS!

2010-07-23T09:33:00.000+09:30

From the Desk of James James Friday 23rd July 2010 08.29

To be ‘allowed’ to work on some pitches, you have to sit an audition. Run, held and officiated by council officials, who don’t have any, and I mean ANY, idea of what is involved in working the streets.

Yes, of course you do them, as to not do so means you don’t get to work a prime pitch, where the flow of traffic is great, and that ‘traffic’ has money in their pockets. Mostly shoppers at a relatively small tourist area, where there is a street market. Where watching a good busking show, is part and parcel of their day out.

Whilst I have a total ambivalence towards any bureaucracy, I do realise that at certain times, rules and regulations need to be followed. Lets face it, if there were no rules in the world, we might all just turn into rabid dogs. As a side bar though, don’t those in power(as they call it)tend to see themselves above the rules that they lay down? Methinks yes, but that’s a story for another time.

Back to my point!

At times though, the bureaucratic, dictatorial, fascist, pathetic, imbecilic, and flat out di**heads, of those in power, do not show any largesse, towards an obviously qualified professional busker. They say they are there to help regulate the pitch, so as not to have undesirables stinking up the place, so that those with money, can spend it in a ‘clean’ environment.

CRAP!

They are there to serve themselves, as regulation of any pitch, can be done by those professional buskers that are there, in them securing the pitch, warding off those who would bring it down, and providing quality entertainment, in a safe and secure environment. I have been busking for over 7 years and like to think of myself as professional, knowing what to do, how far I can take my shtick, and tailor my show to the audience I have in front of me.

If I offend too many people in my show, heck, I wont get paid, and what have I said about working the streets for a living…the payment in the hat is what I live on, and I sure as hell do not wish to mess with that, maximising it as much as possible, with any given show.

As posted earlier, I have just come back from Brisbane NSW, and had to sit one such audition. With gritted teeth, I kept my views and opinions in check and sailed through it, thinking I would be able to go from there to the pitch and at least bang out a show or two. This was not to be the case, as they didn’t receive my photograph, although I had emailed it to them. (They could have emailed me back with not receiving it, but no…to much like hard work)

Im not writing from a position of sour grapes, but this instance did throw into stark relief, how banal these council officials are. No bend, no largesse, no acquiescence, no care, and no f*cking brains(Okay I am a bit p*ssed off). And it’s not just here…its everywhere.

Personally, I have seen it time and time again, and can speak from authority, that those that hold these ‘auditions’ just do not get it. They have never looked outside of their rabbit hutch to see what is going on in the world, with their lives, preferring to lock themselves away in pensionable security.

Just to finish my wee tirade…it should be noted that this audition I attended was on a Saturday. Hmmmmmnn, this meant that my prime day was cut into, but they paid themselves double time…at least I can come home with my head held high, that Im don’t construct my life along petty paltry lines.

Did I go to far, if you are a council official reading this, well, get back to work, that’s what the taxpayers of your country are paying you for.

Makes you think doesn’t it? Well it does me!

I meant to write about various performers I have had the opportunity to work with, soon though…very soon.

Love Life Live but Love…

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

PS Don’t suppose I showed much love in railing on those who would rail on me HUH!

ALCHEMY OF A STREET SHOW (part 5 of 5)

2010-07-22T08:49:00.000+09:30

From the Desk of James James Thursday 22nd July 2010 07.15am

Life sometimes takes you where you don’t want to go, and yesterday was one of those days, hence no new post. Finishing off this wee exposition of how it all works, is an interesting one, as it does go some way to exploring a bit of the minutiae of a street performance…

Manipulation is the backbone of any street show formula. It ultimately is one of the main reasons that the required formula works. Where it comes from, who created it I’m not sure, but it works, and works well.

What I and my fellow buskers do, during any given show, is drive people in large numbers towards putting money in our hats.

Manipulation.

Through laughter, applause, cheering, talent and skill, we generate an audience from nothing, and create a desire to stay for more until the end is reached and the giving of money is an acceptable norm.

Manipulation.

I suppose the actual skills are found in any film, play, book, or quality advert. We have all heard the phrase in regard of a good book. ‘It’s a page turner’. The narrative of the book is such that it keeps you hooked, until the very end, and if you don’t finish it, you will feel unfulfilled.

First of all you have to make your presence known, and this could be by being noisy, barking out dialogue, playing music (which a lot of strong performers think is the cheats way out). But getting your presence known is a must. See yesterdays blog about Jimmy (one third of The International Mini Bike Stunt Team) and how he, by just bringing his case and tall unicycle out to ’the pitch’ created interest.

After gaining some interest, it’s a plus if you keep those who have stopped a reason for doing so, by starting with a small routine, making them comfortable, and having them see the value in staying. By the small act of being out there and having some people interested, it creates a crowd, one that grows and grows, to such an extent, it soon comes time to manage the space you are in.

Also, at this time, a good performer will step up his ‘game’ and move on to the ‘real beginning’ of the show. A bit like some snazzy opening credits of a film. Look at any James Bond film, you will have the opening pre title sequence, where our protagonist is involved in some extreme action, and then WHAM!. Title credits…how that cheeses me off at times. I mean, surely the only people interested in who the ‘Best Boy’, Rigger, or ‘On Site Caterer’ is, are those folks themselves…just get on with the bleeding film.

Guess what, there are some buskers (good ones!) that take such a long time to get to the main event…but heck, they still get paid…a different psychology methinks.

Once a crowd has been gathered, it comes time to form them into an audience. A committed and qualified group of people that will stay, watch and more likely than not…pay! There are many techniques to accomplish this. A really simple on is, and I know this sounds daft!!, to run out a line of water on the ground, marking out your stage, and asking those that are interested to walk forward to the water line. This you say is so as not to block off the road or pavement behind…

This is partly true, but more importantly, its to get this group of disparate strangers to start behaving as a unified group. A large well formed crowd, immediately becomes a well formed AUDIENCE.

If a performers show has height, i.e. a unicycle, their show can grow to huge proportions due to everyone being able to see them. Me, I have a table show, so in order to maximise my audience size, I play out the edge of the show a lot bigger.

Different shows, different techniques, but all with the same formula.

Now you have an audience, and you work out your show, using as many ways to tie your audience in as possible. Obviously this isn’t accomplished carte blanche, you build, build, build on previously layed down foundations.

Not looking so easy now huh?

Suffice to say, that a sh*t load of thought, trial, error, and practice goes into making a street show work.

Oh and you’ve got to want to do it. Its not just a ‘J O B’, it’s more than a passion, it’s a way of life.

Hope you’ve managed to glean something from this trip into what makes a street show, and if you have any comments, please do so below, Ill be more than happy to read them.

Until tomorrow, when new moves are afoot…

Love Live Life

James James
http://www.magicnews.tv/

ALCHEMY OF A STREET SHOW (PART 4 OF 5)

2010-07-20T09:23:00.004+09:30

From the Desk of James James Tuesday 29th July 2010 08.36

Last week I was in Brisbane, and whilst on ‘pitch’ I had an epiphany of sorts…here is where my scribings took me…

I’m sitting here on the pitch, watching one third of ‘The Mini Bike Stunt Team’ work his solo show in Queens Street Mall, Brisbane.

He took to the pitch and in six, yes 6, minutes he has over 150 people who have stopped to watch his show.

Now that’s not just 150+ people standing idly by, wondering what is going on, they are 150 odd audience members who are hanging onto Jimmys’ every word.

In starting his show, by taking his regulation Samsonite (a prerequisite for many street performers) case, his 7 feet unicycle to the centre of the pitch, getting attention, and juggling from three to five balls, his crowd grew. Whilst viewing this ‘crowd’ he chose the optimum moment, at which to bring ‘them in’, by laying down a line of water, and asking them to walk up to this makeshift stage.

To witness, first hand, over 150 people move forward as one unit, towards a line on the ground, to become a copasetic, audience, was a fantastic exposition on how a good, nay, great street show, works. All of these strangers, to him and to each other, were now part of a unified group.

An AUDIENCE.

Awesome!!!

A truly wonderful exposition of structure and formula combining to make what he does, what works, and what pays…work. A true professional.

It may seem like a glamorous life and we have the freedom of life to explore possibilities beyond what is regarded as a regular job (9 to 5...as it were), but the reality is that we, he, and others still need to make a living, need to pay our bills, and need to save for that ubiquitous rainy day. Its how we choose to do it, that is different. Still, the work needs to be done, shows need to be ‘banged out’ and any thoughts of a glamorous life, left well and truly behind.

Jimmy has such a control over his show, he can, and does, just get on with the job at hand. He is, from my knowledge of him, and what I just saw, one of the top performers working on the streets today. I am truly lucky to count him as a good friend.

With more than one performer working the same pitch, we take turns, to get out there with our show. Yes there are other pitches in the Mall, but working by yourself can be a bit soul destroying, and anyway, the pitch he chooses to work, is the best place there. This means one can do bigger shows, which makes up for not doing 10 in a day on a smaller pitch.

Watching Jimmy at work, turning that crowd into an audience, having them hang on his every word, clap and cheer all at the same time, and walk away with big smiles, even after depositing a bunch of money in his hat, really is an inspiration.

Surely an icon in the making. Either that, or I’ve just witnessed one of the best shows of the day.

I know I have been a bit vaque as to this formula and structure, but with the aid of a realy cool advert, I propose to finally get to the ‘nuts and bolts of it all tomorrow. Who knows, I may even inspire others to take up this weird, wonderful and fulfilling carrer choice.

Maybe, just maybe, it could be you.

Live Love Life

James James

http://www.magicnews.tv/