Harry Potter might not be available for your child's next birthday, but you can still give the celebration a magical air by hiring a professional party magician.
Start with a quick Internet search for "party magicians in (your city or town)" or "children's magicians in (town)." Then check out the websites of two or three good-looking candidates. Look especially for magicians who post online videos of their shows. It's particularly helpful when choosing a children's magician to view his or her show in advance. You'll be able to see the act, the costume, and possibly even some of the audience reactions. You also will be able to hear the "patter" that the magician uses to accompany his or her magic acts. This way you'll get a better idea of whether the magician is right for your child and his or her age group.
Next comes the fun part: checking out magicians' websites. There's hardly a professional magician worth his or her wand who doesn't have a website these days. What's more, many of these websites include videos of the magicians performance, so you can actually see what you're getting. This is especially good if you're looking for a magician who's good with smaller children.
Pick two or three likely candidates and give them a call. The first thing to ask is whether the magician is available on your party date. You might be surprised to find that many local magicians are often booked up well in advance. If the magician is already engaged on your date, then you'll have to move on to your next choice.
If the magician is available on your party date is available, then you can start discussing the details of the engagement. At this point it's especially helpful if you've seen an online video, because you can ask the magician specific questions about his or her act, such as:
* Would you like to check out the available space before you perform?
* What is the total cost for your magic show, including any extra charges for time or props?
Ask how much space the magician needs for his act, and if he needs to survey the party space ahead of time. Then ask for the total cost of the show, and whether there are any additional charges for things like overtime or special props.
Another good question to ask is whether the magician can also do "roving magic" for the adults who will be present. Being able to adapt to audiences of different ages is the mark of a genuine professional.
Definitely ask for references and check them out. A genuinely professional magician will be happy for you to talk with his or her business references and ask any questions you want. If your magical candidate checks out, call back immediately and set the date. The magician will tell you whether you need to pay a deposit to hold the date, or perhaps fill out and sign a contract. Respond promptly to either request in order not to lose your party entertainment.
Be as professional as your
party magician about your hiring process, and you'll have worked your own party magic.
