Bar Mitzvah Magicians: A step by step guide of what you need to know.

So many things are involved in the overall setup and ambiance of your typical bar/bat mitzvah. Some of the obvious features are the music, the food, the guest list/invitations, and especially the venue. Over the past 5 years or so there has been a significant increase with live entertainment - particularly with -magicians. This is largely due to the wonderful talent shows on TV and such as America’s Got Talent, and Penn and Teller’s Fool us.

Magic at a Bar-Mitzvah has become so popular these days that it has pretty much become a staple at every event. Whether it be geared for the adults, the kids, or both, the child in all of us loves to be fooled, entertained, and experience that rare sense of wonder. Magicians come in all shapes and sizes. Some do visual magic, some do the mentalism thing, while others perform the grand illusions. These professionals are trained to fool people and the more they fool us, the more we succumb to the little child in all of us believing that anything is possible.

Here are a few key points to consider when booking a magician for the Bar-Mitzvah:

Decide on what genre of magic you want performed.

Determine the type of magic that would work best. Yes, that is up to you- and not the magician. Would you like the performer to perform a grand illusion and perhaps make the Bar-Mitzvah boy appear on stage? (I was involved in a bit recently where the Bar-Mitzvah boy appeared on stage on a Harley Davidson!) Or would you opt for the more traditional “strolling magic” option? This is where the magician, would roam around in a very casual manner and do close up magic at the cocktail hour or table to table in-between courses. Or perhaps you want to do this after dessert as a special treat for the guests?

Who is the target audience?

Who is the target audience? Do you want the magic to be focused on the adults or the kids, or both? Keep in mind, kids these days are super smart-many times much more than the adults, so when choosing someone for the job, make sure they have the experience specifically in performing magic for young teens. Its not always just about the magic but also about the engagement factor and getting the guests involved in the routines. Kids are the most honest critics, so if they enjoy what they will see, they will run around telling the world, Facebook and snap chatting for all to see. The same is true if the performance wasn’t so entertaining.

Credentials. Do your research!

Credentials: Like in most industries, what you pay is what you get. I’ve seen price ranges from a couple hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.- Its a wide spectrum. People don’t hire live entertainment every day so if you want this to be memorable, try to go with quality as much as possible. Do your research, see their promo materials first, speak to references, and make sure you feel comfortable before booking. It may seem like its not the biggest priority of the evening but keep in mind that this person is going to be entertaining your guest and will be directly involved in their overall experience!

Whether this is your first or last child's simcha, as parents we always strive to give our kids the best. Performing Magic is now more popular than ever. It creates and intimate and interactive connection that puts smiles on faces and makes us feel like kids. Adding magic to your upcoming Bar/Bat-Mitzvah is a fun way to ensure your guests have an engaging, enjoyable and “magicial” experience.

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about…

Professional magician and mentalist Coby is based out of Toronto Canada. He has performed for many heads of state including Prime Minister Harper and for the Prince of Morocco. He has been invited to perform by world renowned illusionist David Copperfield. Coby performs over 500 magic shows a year -more than any other magician in Canada. His blend of magic and mentalism intertwined with his charm and charisma make him the perfect choice for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Trade Shows, and Corporate events. For more details please visit www.MagicianToronto.com