Trade show magic.

Well its been a little while since I lasted posted on the Blog so what have I been up to recently. Well February turned out to a better month than I was expected. First gig was up in Birmingham at The Belfry for a small Trade-show dealer day. The client was http://www.cashmarkllc.co.uk/ and the event was for the Olivetti dealer day.

I was hired to create a buzz around the 'cashmarkllc' stand and generally send people in the direction of the company director Shawn Cashmark. I adapted several tricks in my repertoire to contain key company logo's and information which is a great way generating potential leads at the event.

Its something different and really breaks up the standard sales pitches that are often very similar at these events. The client noticed a considerable buzz around his stand for the duration of my performance.

Trade-show work and product promotion really benefit from creative pitches and promotion strategies so please check out www.darrencampbellmagic.co.uk for further ideas for entertainment at any event.

Photobox Party London

Well Thursday evening I found myself venturing into London to perform at the Millennium conference centre and Hotel in Kensington for 'Photobox's Christmas Party'. A few companies tend to wait until the busy December period is over before they have their festive celebrations. It was in one of the suites at the top of the building and it really was quite stunning. They had opted for a Vegas theme so other entertainment included a casino and Vegas backdrops with a photographer.

I was performing for an hour during their champagne reception and then another hour during around the tables between courses. I have been working on some new material for my mix and mingle magic so I showcased a couple of these routines and the response was great so these will now be added to the repertoire from now on.

Also a question that I get asked very often after performances is 'How far are you willing to travel for an event?' The answer is I will always travel to where ever I am needed. Living in Bristol now I still find myself travelling to London quite frequently and sometimes either further Brighton, Cornwall and Birmingham.

Anyway thats all for now, I have a couple of wedding fayres lined up in February along with the first weddings of the 2011 for me.

New years eve in January

New years eve is always a busy evening for performers and this year I has the pleasure of working for two hours doing close up magic around the tables at Boca Bar in Bristol. The event was fantastic other performers on the bill included two jugglers one stilt walker and a caricaturist. I got around all the tables in the time frame and had some fantastic responses to my work which is always nice. I managed to get hold of a couple of photographs......

After the Boca Bar event I headed straight to the 'Tabacco Factory" where I was performing walk around magic throughout the entire venue. Although certain areas where slightly easier where the music wasn't quite so loud. Again this was a fantastic event with a Circus theme and various circus performers scattered throughout the building.

It was certainly an exhausting evening but fantastic at the same time.

Next gig is in London on Thursday and it looks like it will be an entertaining evening.

More Christmas season parties.

Following on from the women in management event late on that week I found myself at the Cotswold water park conference centre. I was booked to entertain during the meal between the courses. The event was for BP's christmas party and there were around 250 guests. There was plenty of entertainment with a couple of caricaturists and after meal casino and bucking bronco.

Myself and a another close up magician worked the room splitting the tables so we had 12 tables each. Everyone seemed in great spirits and there was a really party buzz and atmosphere in the air.

The next night I was performing at 'The

assembly rooms' located in Bath. This is a very grand venue and tonight I was performing for Scisys who are a large Business and technology solutions company. Again at this event I was working with a fantastic caricaturist and a silhouette cutter. We were all working mix and mingle before the dinner and then again round the tables between the courses. Another receptive crowd which led to me having a fantastic evening speaking to the event manager after I was finished they thought it was just perfect for the event and she mentioned she could see everyone enjoying my performance from across the room.

My last gig of the week was another christmas party but at a golf club. It was for a bathroom and tile company who are based in Tewkesbury. Another receptive crowd and similar style event where I performed walkabout magic before the meal and then between the courses of the meal.

Had a great week and now Christmas is over we're onto the new years eve gigs. Will post again soon.

All the best and I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

Darren.

Christmas Parties.

Well since that wedding on the 4th there have been many christmas parties. Firstly performing at a christmas dinner and seminar forwomen in management. This event was held at the Queens hotel in Cheltenham although only a small event ( around 25-30 ) I performed for an hour between the tables and whilst they had their drinks reception, this was at the start ofthe evening. It just goes to prove however small the event magic can provide quality intimate entertainment.

Everyone seemed to really enjoy the entertainment and I was very happy with the way the gig went. Hopefully when they are next planning a party or event they will bear me in mind.

I managed to get a couple of photos of the evening thanks to my partner who was taking photographs for the event.

I'll post again soon about the other gigs during the season.

December Wedding.

A few nights ago I found myself navigating the icy roads out to Grittleton in Wiltshire. I was booked to perform after the wedding breakfast as guests mingled before the evening reception kicked off. The wedding was in the stunning Grittleton House which is an extremely large manor house which operates as a private school during the week and as an exclusive event space in the evenings.

For this wedding I was a surprise for the Groom as the Bride had organised me as her wedding present to her new husband who loves magic. So he was obviously over the moon when I walked up to him and introduced myself.

I love performing the strolling mix and mingle style of magic because you can go from group to group and spend 5-10minutes with each group and then move on. Its quite interesting because you may have some people standing some seating. At one point I was surrounded my a group on all sides which means you've got to keep on your toes with keeping everyone involved in the effect your performing.

I also tried out a new coin effect that I ve been thinking about for awhile but was yet to perform live for a real audience. I'm glad to say that it went down well so I think I'll be using that again soon.

Thats all for today.

Christmas Parties.

Well the 1st of December saw the first of the Christmas parties that I have booked throughout December. It was after dinner entertainment for Comstor communications company. The event was held at the stunning Manor House hotel in Castle Coombe. I provided some table magic after the meal and then joined everyone in the bar for some more mix and mingle magic. The clients seemed to really enjoy the entertainment and it was a fantastic gig to start to festive season.

Having a close up magician at any company party can be the perfect addition to the evening and will be great entertainment for guests and employees alike. Often when I perform at this type of event the booker doesn't tell anyone I'll be there so its a real surprise for the guests.

Over and out for now expect a few more posts this month as its a busy time for us Magicians.