event magician

Magician Singapore performance updates

October was a busy month. I was performing mainly close up at various corporate events. One event was a marketing event from Zenith Watches. They invited existing and potential clients to further establish the brand in Singapore. As a special guest, they invited Felix Baumgartner the man who did the free fall from outer space – the motto of the event was achieving the impossible. It was hosted in the warehouse which was nicely set up. Below is a picture of the setup at the entrance.

Zenith

Next was performances for the Visa award night at the Gardens by the Bay. Somehow my suit and tie matched the overall event…

corporate entertainment idea

Then I was working for Neuberger Berman at Boathouse and at an NTUC Income client event. I finished that week at the Hyatt Sunday Brunch performance. I guess I most have done 10 hours of card tricks that week… but I am not complaining… 😉

event magician

Performance update – corporate event ideas

Last night I was performing for Wacker Chemie Singapore at the Paulaner Brauhaus. It was the companies 100 year anniversary. Prior to the show the Client and I had a session to come up with corporate event ideas for this special occasion that included Wacker Chemie and the occasion. In the beginning they only wanted me to do close up magic prior and during the dinner at the tables. We decided to have also a quick 5 minute performance on the platform right after the CEO’s introduction speech. I came up with an effect whereby I handed out a sketchpad to the CEO. I borrowed then an iPhone from an audience member who opened the calculator app. Various people in the audience added multiplied subtracted numbers finally one person hit the equal sign. This person read out the number and it matched the number written on the sketchpad. However the number 13101914 also was the date of the foundation of Wacker Chemie 13. October 1914.  The picture below shows the reveal of the number.

corporate event ideas

event magician

corporate entertainment idea

Corporate entertainment idea – Visa Awards Night 2014

This week I was engaged to entertain at the Visa Awards Night at Waterview room at Gardens by the Bay. I only performed during the cocktail and photo taking session prior to the dinner for about 1.5 hours. Since the crowd was about 400 people I had to make sure to cover as many as possible. This doesn’t leave much time for each group. I tried to focus on groups of 6 or more and build a crowd during the performance. When a company is looking for a corporate entertainment idea for an event like this they usually require a performer that doesn’t need time to set up or that needs a lot of space. I believe that close up magic is one of the best options since you still have the interaction with the audience and it can be personalized for your company. The picture below was taken at the beginning of the event I think it was my first group.

corporate entertainment idea

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

event magician

German Magician Singapore

Last Saturday I performed close-up magic at the Association of Dutch Business people’s annual Gala Dinner. It was hosted at the Tamarind Hill restaurant.  The group consisted of about 150 guests most of them from the Netherlands. One might think that a German magician in Singapore isn’t a good match for a dutch event but even at football matches the 2 groups can celebrate together – just look at the last world cup. The setting for this event was very nice and the guests were receptive to the performance. I like venues where people are seated at big tables from 10-15 this doesn’t feel anymore like a close-up performance but rather a parlor show in a living room. If you are interested in information on how to get the most out of entertainment you hire for your corporate event please check out this article:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

event magician

conference entertainment

10 Tips for a successful engagement of conference entertainment Singapore

Part 3 of 3 on tips how to get the most out of corporate entertainment that you hire for your conferences

7. Never Have the Show after the Lucky Draw
This applies especially for Asian events where it is common to have a lucky draw as part of the event. From experience we know that people will leave after it because it is a natural end to any event. Save time and money if you cannot find another slot.

8. Be Aware of the Sequence of the Acts
If you have more than one act during your event make sure to speak with the respective performers regarding the sequence. It is not good to have a local favorite actor or comedian as an opener since he or she will hype up the audience and makes it tough for a follow on performer to regain the attention.

9. Place The Stage Show Before Any Speeches and Awards
It’s no secret that people switch off during the speeches and awards. This is especially true if food was served just prior to them.
You need to make sure that your guests are charged up, alert and listening to the speeches and awards; too much time and effort has gone into them to just to let them fall on deaf ears.
By having the entertainment before the speeches, you give people a chance relax, re-vitalize and become excited. At the end of the performance they will be amazed and feel alert, ready to hear your important messages.

10. Can the People at the Back see and hear the Stage Show?
When dealing with groups larger than fifty people, a stage or a riser should be used. Most acts can and will perform on the same level as the tables, but this stops a large number of people from seeing what is happening.
The same applies for the sound and lighting. Without either, the audience will have a difficult time understanding what is going on. Ask the performers regarding their requirement they should provide you with a technical rider

In Closing
When you hire an entertainer for a stage show, it is in your best interest to make use of him, or her, as best as you can. Great entertaining acts can become dull if the above tips are not applied. As the event organizer it is within your power to take care of these variables which could make your carefully planned event begin to unravel.
Always remember that when you hire a venue you have the right to ask for things to be done the way you would like them. Don’t allow the venue to stipulate things that will make your event dull, boring, or lose cohesion. If they baulk against your request, make sure to put your foot down.

event magician

hospitality suite entertainment

Hospitality suite entertainment at the F1 Last weekend was again the F1 in Singapore. A lot of companies, especially banks take this opportunity to connect with their most important clients and invite them to a hospitality suite with great food and usually access to the race or the pre-qualifying. I have in the past provided […]

event magician

Corporate Entertainment Singapore

10 Tips for a successful engagement of corporate entertainment Singapore

Part 2 of 3 on tips how to get the most out of corporate entertainment Singapore that you engage for your events.

4. Remove Tall Centerpieces on the Table
While tall center pieces look beautiful , they can also obstruct the view of your guests. This is also a barrier for inter-table communication. When your guests cannot see what is going on at the stage they will lose interest and start talking among themselves and this will have a negative impact on the performance.  If tall centerpieces cannot be avoided then make sure that you ask the banqueting staff to place them to one side before the show and return them after the show has ended.

5. Stop the Service During the Show
Whether it is a free bar or not, people at events enjoy drinking. But people moving around during a stage show are disruptive to everyone in the room. The best way to handle this is to have the bar closed during the stage show. We recommend covering the bar with a table cloth, allowing people to see at a distance that the bar is currently closed. Furthermore don’t have the bar at different location than where the show will take place. Especially after dinner your guests will be there instead of watch the performance that you paid for.

Also announce the temporary closure at least half an hour before the show begins, it allows your guests the chance to grab a drink or two to keep at the table.

For a western style dinner the show should begin either after the main course or after dessert when service has concluded.

In case of a Chinese style dinner the show should begin after the dishes and main course (rice and noodles) and when the fruit has been served. The service should stop at this time.

In general keep in mind that when people are eating they will not pay any attention to what is taking place on stage. If you don’t want to interrupt the service it might be better just to have live music instead of an audience participation act like a comedian, magician, juggler etc.

6. Never Have a Break Immediately Before the Show
Some people will lose track of time during the break and not return on time. People arriving part way through the show will disturb the enjoyment for the other guests. If people need a break to use the facilities they will do so as and when they need to.

stay tuned for part 3

event magician

magic show

10 Tips for a Successful Stage Magic Show

Part 1 of 3 on tips how to get the most out of the corporate entertainment you pay for.

You are the organizer for an event that needs stage show entertainment. The venue is booked, the guest lists have been sent out, the entertainment has been hired…and there is nothing else to do, or is there?
Many times, stage shows that incorporate the audience, such as comedians, magicians and mind readers, can be destroyed by a few little things. However, a lot of organizers are not aware of them and that they can make or break a show at an event.
If you are thinking of booking a stage magic show or other stage entertainer, or you have booked one for your next event, here are tips that will make your event and the magic show even better:

1. Keep Your Audience Close

A stage show can be extremely interactive, this is especially true of comedians, comedy magicians or mind readers. This means that the audience should be as close as possible to the stage.
The event manager at the venue will often place a dance floor between the tables and the stage. If you notice this, ask the banqueting staff to move all of the tables closer to the stage. You are in charge so you can demand this!

2. Fill The Front Tables First

This is the follow up to ‘keep your audience close‘. People naturally tend to stay away from the very front tables, and as a result, if there is a deficit of guests, the front tables will be inadequately populated. This creates another empty zone between the tables and the stage, limiting audience interaction and slowing down the flow and pace of the performance.
A good trick is to place ‘Reserved’ signs on the tables furthest away from the stage until the tables closest to the stage are full.

3. Keep People Together

Hotel, restaurant, conference center staff will always try to fill the room by spreading out the tables and chairs to use up the space. This type of distancing might utilize the space but doesn’t build a connected room for a show. In a theater or comedy club people feel connect thru the proximity to the other audience members. It is better for your event, and the entertainment, if there is an atmosphere of intimacy. This is true not only for theaters of comedy but for small or large function rooms in hotels or other venues.
You are the customer and the venue staff are there to ensure that you get what you require. Not the other way around!

Stay tuned for part 2

event magician

magic show Singapore

Magic show Singapore – how to handle repeat customers

Last Sunday I was back to do a magic show Singapore at the Sunday Brunch at Mezza9. Since I have been there over a year I get quite a lot of repeat customers. The question that I am asked by other magicians what to do if they have seen all your regular tricks. Well I see myself at the Hyatt as a magician but more importantly as a host. Regular guests I welcome back and have a talk with them what they have been doing, travel etc. Most often then not I don’t perform at all. If they request something I will, especially if they brought a friend or relative and then I just ask what  I did last time and do an effect they don’t remember.  My objective is to make them feel welcome at the brunch and to have a good time, the magic is only the icing on the cake and I am rather remembered as Stefan than as a guy who does tricks…

 

event magician

Close up magician Singapore

Close up magician Singapore

Last week I was hired as close up magician Singapore at a private birthday party at the Grand Hyatt. The person who hired me had seen me before at the Mezza9 Sunday brunch. It was a small group of 10 people in a  function room at the Hyatt. I decide to do 30 min Parlor Show. This type of show is ideal for a smaller function that is hosted in a restaurant or at your home, like a private party or a company dinner event. The show is a mix of close up and effects that can be played for audience up to 80 people. I can be played almost any environment and the client does not have to prepare anything. The show went well and I had a great time with my audience.