As I mentioned in my previous post, last weekend I was performing at the Doc Seaton Street Magic Side Show during Austin’s Pecan Street Festival. This is the first time I had ever performed Street magic or done any type of busking. (more on busking later) There were several opportunities to perform and one was on the main stage. I had been given several time slots on the main stage. One of the routines I did was a chain escape. It is suppose to be humorous escape. But the last performance I had a first time experience. At the start of the routine I talk about how Houdini would have people bring their own chains and locks. That way everyone would know they weren’t gimmicked. I then ask,”Okay who brought the chain?” There usually is no reaction and so I say “Yeah that rarely happens in my show” It usually get a small laugh. But this time when I asked “Okay who brought the chain?” A biker in the back yells “I did.” He had this big long chain attached to his wallet. I was not sure it would work. So I was playing with it. It was barely long enough. I looked at the biker and said, “I am not sure this will work. Is it a real chain?” He responds, “Yeah I made it myself.” Then a magician friend of mine, who was sitting on the front row, yells, “Go for it.” Thanks Chris! So I pull out my lock and the links in the chain are too small to have the lock go though it. I am now thinking I am out of this awkward situation a young girl suddenly tosses a small lock onto the stage. There is now no where to go! They chain me up. I complete the routine with all the comedy bits thrown in plus some obvious extras. Everyone was amazed I escaped. But not as amazed as I was that I actually had a lock and chain from the audience. Houdini, eat your heart out!
A lesson in gratitude
Sunday, I was performing street magic at the Pecan Street Festival in Austin. This was in conjunction with the Doc Seaton Magic Side Show. This was also my first time performing street magic. I had just finished a set, when a lady came up to me and said I was the best magician she had seen all day. Then she gave me a 10 cent tip. (two nickels). I smiled and thanked her. Later, I was tell this story to some friends and we were all laughing about how I was the best but only worth 10 cents. Then all of a sudden my friend Ray Anderson stops laughing and say, “That may have been a lot of money to her.”
My mind immediately went to the story in the bible where Jesus commented that the window who gave only two small coins had given more than all the rich people. They gave out of their surplus and she gave out of her poverty.
Thanks Ray for putting this in the proper context for me.