How To Hire A Magician In Calgary: 7 Steps From A Mentalist and Magician
Jeff Newman shares how to hire a magician in Calgary for your public and private events.
Are you planning a corporate event in Calgary and looking for entertainment that'll leave your guests in awe? There's no better way to do that than hiring a magician or mentalist to amaze your guests at your next event in Calgary!
Hiring a magician is a great way to add an element of surprise and delight to your event. But how do you find and hire the right magician in Calgary? Luckily for you, I am a magician in Calgary who specializes in corporate event entertainment and offers a variety of performances, including close-up magic and stage shows, so I may know a thing or two that can help you out. So, I put together this handy guide to walk you through the steps to ensure your event is nothing short of magical.
STEP 1: FIND YOUR MAGICIAN
The first step in hiring a magician is to find the right one for your event. If you're searching for a Magician or Mentalist in Calgary (or anywhere else, for that matter), you want someone who can captivate and entertain. Most people's first stop is Google and a good number of my own inquiries.
Keywords to Search:
Hire a Magician in Calgary
Corporate Magician Calgary
Alberta Magician
Event Entertainment Calgary
Once you've found a couple of magician options, check out their websites. There are a couple of hallmark things you can look for when reviewing your Calgary Magician options, such as:
Experience: Ensure the magician has experience performing at corporate events, or whatever type of event you're planning. Corporate events require a very different type of performance compared to other events you may hire a magician for, so you want someone who knows how to entertain adult audiences.
Specialty: Some magicians specialize in close-up magic, while others prefer stage shows. Determine what type of performance would work best for your event and look for magicians who excel in that area.
Reviews & Recommendations: Check out online reviews or ask your network if they've hired a magician before. Personal recommendations can go a long way in finding the right fit for your event.
Videos of Past Performances: Most magicians post video footage of their performances on their websites or social media pages. This will give you a good idea of their style, stage presence, audience engagement, and what kind of groups or crowds they usually perform for.
That being said, because "magician" isn't exactly a common job title, there could only be a handful of options (if any) in your area or for your event. This is why I do events all over Western Canada. Because I only really perform for corporate events and adult crowds, I service an area much, much larger than just Calgary.
Once you have a list of potential magicians, it's time to move on to the next step.
STEP 2: CONTACT YOUR MAGICIAN
Contacting your magician is crucial in determining if they're the right fit for your event. When reaching out, make sure to provide details about your event, such as the date, location, and the type of performance you're looking for. This will help the magician determine their availability and give them an idea of what you're expecting from them.
One important note here: good performers (and I don't mean adequate; I mean performers who are full-time, experienced, and will put on an incredible show) will have limited availability. A good magician or mentalist will have a reputation that precedes them, and they're likely in high demand. For example, it's not uncommon for the "Jeff Newman: Mentalist, Magician, Trickster" schedule to be full months in advance, and I regularly book shows a year in advance. This is especially true around the holiday season when corporate events and groups are looking to hire a magician in Calgary for the same few dates in November and December.
STEP 3: EXPECT A DISCOVERY CALL
Once you've contacted your magician, the next step is the discovery call. This call is an opportunity for both parties to get to know each other better and, more importantly, know the event better.
What to Discuss:
Event Details: Date, location, time, venue, itinerary, technical setup, and audience size. The more information you can provide, the better.
Venue Details: Is it indoors or outdoors? What is the setup like? Are there any specific rules or regulations the magician should be aware of? Does the venue have adequate A/V tech for the magician's needs?
Type of Performance: Is this a stage show or close-up magic? Are there any specific themes or requests for the performance?
Audience: Who will be attending the event? Is it primarily adults? Old? Young? Does it need to be family-friendly? Is it a casual or formal event?
Budget: It's essential to discuss your budget upfront with the magician. This will help them determine if they're the right fit and also avoid any surprises later on.
Of course, these details could just be the tip of the iceberg. It's entirely likely that (at least for me) there will be a lot of other questions that come out of the call. But it's a great way for both you and the magician to know if you're a good fit for each other and your event.
STEP 4: CONFIRMING YOUR MAGICIAN
After discussing all the necessary details and agreeing upon a fee, it's time to officially book your magician!
This part is easy; you only need to say YES. Email, call, or whatever you need to do to let the magician know that your event in Calgary is a go.
Another note here: because good magicians have limited availability (like we previously discussed), the sooner you can confirm, the better. Dates fill up quickly, and many top-tier magicians and mentalists (myself included) usually have a "no holds" policy, so it's entirely possible that if you take too long to confirm, you could lose the magician's availability for that date. We try our best to make it work, but filling our calendar is a high priority.
STEP 5: PAPERWORK AND PAYMENT
Once you confirm, you'll receive a contract outlining the terms and conditions of the performance. This document will include things like:
Performance Details: Type, duration, and special requests.
Payment Terms: Deposit, balance, and payment methods.
Cancellation Policy: Terms for rescheduling or cancellations.
Ensure you read through the contract carefully and clarify any doubts before signing. Good quality magicians will be happy to work with you to address any concerns and, generally, are quite flexible.
As for payment, more and more performers are asking for full payment upfront. This is because a) it can be inconvenient or downright difficult to arrange two payments for a lot of organizations, and b) it means that you don't have to worry about being chased by the magician on the night of your event to finalize payment. You can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!
STEP 6: PRE-EVENT PREP
In the days leading up to the event, there are a few things you'll need to prepare to ensure the performance goes smoothly.
Checklist:
Performance Area: Ensure there's enough space for the magician to perform.
Audience Arrangement: Set up seating or standing arrangements for optimal viewing.
Technical Requirements: Microphone, lighting, and any other technical needs.
Most professionals will likely provide a detailed list of requirements (called a rider) to ensure a flawless performance.
Once everything is in place, it's time for the show! To ensure everything goes smoothly:
Start on Time: Ensure the magician has enough time to set up and prepare before the performance. Each magician is different, so confirm the details beforehand.
Introduce the Magician: Let your audience know who they're about to see perform. Most performers will have something for you to use, and will likely send it (and any additional instructions) to you before the event.
Sit Back and Enjoy: Relax and enjoy the show, knowing that you've done all you can to make it a success!
STEP 7: HAVE A BLAST!
The big day is here, and it's time to sit back and enjoy the show! Then, after your guests get their socks knocked off, you can bask in the success of putting on a great event!
Hiring a magician for your corporate event in Calgary is a surefire way to create an unforgettable experience. From finding the right magician to enjoying the performance, each step is designed to ensure your event is a hit. If you're in Calgary (or anywhere else in Alberta), and you want to add some magic to your next event, get in touch with me today!
Happy planning!
WHO IS JEFF NEWMAN?
Jeff Newman isn't just any magician; he's a master entertainer whose unique blend of mentalism and magic will leave your audience stunned. Whether it's influencing thoughts, predicting what you'll do before you do it, or reading your mind Jeff's performances have wowed crowds around the world at corporate events, cruise ships, and theatres for over a decade.
Email or call Jeff today to find out more about how to add his incredible show to your event!
