I'm Back...Kinda

Tip Toeing Through the Pandemic

 "Don't spike the ball on the five yard line." I don't suppose I need to tell you who to attribute that quote to? I believe it's good advice.

Honestly, if your not a little anxious during these times; you ain't got blood running through your veins. This past year we have seen over a half million deaths to a virus. A crash of the economy, food lines, business closings...you get the picture. Anxiety? We no longer need fluoride in our water supply, but a good dose of Prozac might be a good idea.

On the personal side, I had two live Magic shows in Boston in the past two weeks. As a courtesy, I used the recommended precautions to ensure my audience's comfort. A year ago, this would not have occurred.

This is by no means, normalcy...but we don't expect "normal" by a flip of the switch.

I would love to work with anyone, and will accommodate your needs with your local guidelines.

I'm ready for your wedding, graduation and more. Hopefully we will have a "total celebration" on December 31st. 

For the Very Best in Close Up and Parlor Magic in Mass. and New Hampshire, contact...

The Magic of Joe Ferranti 339-927-4710   ferrantimagic.com

New Hampshire Wedding Magician

February 1st...Magic with the Mask

 Boston's Best Adult Birthday Magician

Joe Ferranti 339-927-4710 

ferrantimagic.com

So, here we are...February first. 2021. The pandemic is still a menace to the globe. I like many other entertainers am "running in the red." It's been a year without income, it will be the first time in years that I will not be sending a large check to the IRS in April. my expenses, even with serious cuts far out weigh the miniscule income. But don't feel bad for me, my retirement income, along with my wife's keeps a roof over our head with enough left for food.

Currently, two vaccines have been approved, with at least a couple more approaching on the horizon. I can hardly contain myself, but I must wait for my "turn". You can see in the picture, I am using two masks. No one is really sure if this is beneficial. I come form the "more is better" school of thinking.

Last week I received a request for an adult Birthday performance. My response was to the point and succinct. "I perform with a mask and follow all guidelines of the State of Massachusetts." the client assured me they take this virus seriously, and the number of guests would be below the limit. so we proceeded forward.

On January 31'st we were in the cross hairs of a Nor' Easter, a major stumbling block for driving. This party was in jeopardy. The client contacted me and asked if it would be better to start early...I said, "yes, yes, yes!"

Honestly, the driving was not good...I took the back roads and drove very slowly. I made it there with only two minor skids.

what a pleasure to perform, it's been so long. I don't think the rust showed. We all had a good time, and I headed home. This time only one minor skid. I got in the door to the delight of my wife and dog.

I got changed out of my suit and relaxed in front of the TV. About an hour after I got home, the phone rings...guess who? It was Mike, the client. He was checking in to make sure I made it home safe. Wow, what a good human being. They are still out their. thanks Mike, you made my day. (Thank you for your more than generous tip as well.) I believe we will meet again.

Sincerely,

Joe Ferranti

The Miracle Finale performed by Massachusetts' Magician Joe Ferranti

Happy New Year 2021

Happy New Year from Boston Mass. Magician Joe Ferranti

Most often we welcome a New Year with immediate expectations of turning the page and moving "onward and upward." Unfortunately, we are unable to shake 2019,2020 of their impact on our lives. I certainly do not need to tell my story of how my business is on hold. Everyone on the planet has their own story to tell.
I am fortunate, I've lost some income and dearly miss human interactions of my magic performances throughout Boston Mass. So many have lost everything, there are no words that can convey the sadness we feel for the less fortunate.

In 2021, I look forward to performing at Weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and 2021 Holiday parties. I want to shake hands, hug, (when appropriate)
I am ready for my vaccination and will continue to cooperate until it is safe for everyone to move about freely without fear of harming my fellow humans.

I am ready to provide the Very Best in Close Up Magic and Parlor for your events. Let us reacquaint and celebrate whatever portion of 2021 is left for us to celebrate.
Best Wishes for a Safe and Healthy 2021!
Sincerely,
Joe Ferranti
Boston Massachusetts Close Up Magician
339-927-4710

www.ferrantimagic.com 339-927-4710

The Year Without Christmas...(parties)

www.ferrantimagic.com

Magical Wishes from,
Massachusetts Magician
Joe Ferranti

 One year ago, the season had already begun. businesses big and small gathered together to "celebrate."

Celebrate the season, Christmas, Hanukah...celebrate their friendships, their accomplishments of the previous year.

They shared food and drink, and comradery. Things were going well from my observation point. the CEOs made speeches recognizing individuals for their contributions. Handing out gifts to one and all.

In retrospect, 2019 was a good year. many of us just didn't know the correct perspective to see it as the blessing it was.

I hardly had time to appreciate my  fortune...busy performing, scheduling as many bookings as possible, meeting hundreds of new "friends". Feeling the warmth of appreciation for magical performances, the laughter, the screams of delight.

2020 is quiet, no inquiries for the intimate walk around magic I provide. No calls for the magic comedy Parlor Show.

I miss it dearly, I'll be O.K. The rent is always paid, no meals missed. But to be honest, I am a little sad. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be human, that's O.K.

I wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season...If you are having serious symptoms of depression, please reach out. I expect we will celebrate next year.

I am part of a service industry that is suffering...I look forward to exchanging stories of survival, soon.

Peace to all,

Joe Ferranti

Boston Magician

Walk Around Magic and the Intimate Parlor Show

The Masked Magician

 

New Meaning…The Masked Magician

Contact Boston Wedding Magician

Google search…masked magician, I’m quite sure you won’t find me in the results. Yet there I was September 6^th 2020, providing entertainment at a wedding reception at the Inn at Woodstock Hill in Connecticut. Wearing a Mask!

Of course, you know where this is going, and I don’t mean to “make light” of the global pandemic. But this is where we are. We still celebrate life’s important occasions; some weddings have been postponed and others go on with some changes.

The Bride was making preparations many months ago and I was contacted for availability…availability? Oh yes, at that time my calendar was empty, and I was happy to get on board.

As a vendor I always want my clients to be stress free when working with me, especially weddings. Look up stress and you’ll find a picture of a bride. It is by nature a beautiful day, with potential stress points laid out like landmines.

I was working with a lovely young woman, and I didn’t want to add any stress. Knowing the future was uncertain I let her know, that she should feel free to cancel my service at any time, no penalty and no explanations necessary. At the time of hire, no one had any idea of what size gathering would be permissible at an indoor facility months down the road.

So, we kept in touch as time passed, and we never needed to change anything.

I arrived and was supplied with a very nice mask/ face covering, as all the guests were.

My job was to entertain during the cocktail hour, and as usual I shared a special effect with the Bride and Groom, which they enjoyed while being surrounded by their guests.

The Cocktail period continued in the dining area and the guests enjoyed some hors d'oeuvres along with their cocktails…of course they were able to remove their masks at this time.

Honestly, I never thought I would/could entertain while wearing a face covering…I am so glad to say I was wrong. Everything proceeded well, the guests enjoyed the magic, and I had the opportunity to finish with a few more pieces for the Bride and Groom.

I know many magicians are testing the waters with “virtual entertainment” …That’s not for me.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me for a performance by “The Masked Magician.”

Stay Safe,

Joe Ferranti

BostonMassachusetts’ Finest Wedding Magician

A Magic Surprise for the Bride and Groom!

 

 

 

Street Magic, a brief history…The Buskers and David Blaine

Boston Massachusetts Close Up Magician  https://ferrantimagic.com

Street magic has a long history, but most people understand it from a TV Special...

David Blaine:Street Magic 1997

Many viewers thought David was the first Street Magician. We’ll get to the buskers in a moment.

David took to the streets and performed close up magic for every type of person he encountered. From the homeless, to the everyday man. Notably the “Show” highlighted the reactions of the spectators as much as the magic itself. This was a novel approach for a television magic special.

 

David Blaine’s “Street Magic” inspired a new generation of magicians. Many took to the streets and performed for anyone who would stop to see their tricks. I benefit from the popularity created for a “new form” of magic…” Close Up Magic.” (close - up magic has been around since the beginning of time.)

For the first time on television a magician showed the impact of close - up magic in the “real world.” Of course, magic has been on television since variety shows hit the airwaves, but no one had shown it from this perspective.

However, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that street magic has a long history.

Long before David hit the streets, buskers were performing magic in a different capacity. (Buskers include all types of street entertainment, provided for gratuities.)

 

As I mentioned, busking was income (gratuities) for the “Street Performer.” So, this affected the style as well. The professional busker is talented in more than one way. Of course, they are great entertainers, beyond that they are responsible for building their crowds and convincing them to drop a little money in a “hat”. These skills are just as important as the technical skills.

Note on Crowd Building: It is likely all readers have witnessed a street performance, by the time most of us arrive there is a good size crowd. This does not happen on its own. The performer captures the interest of a few and sustains it as he/she adds to the crowd without losing the first to arrive. If you have an interest in this craft, there are books written on the subject…an internet search will turn up quite a few.

 

The style of magic as a busker is also different from what David brought to the streets, back in “97.”

The busker needs to entertain a large crowd, so the magic is designed to entertain a sizable audience. It’s a simple equation, more people equals more money.

 

Street Magic created a wave/tsunami of enthusiasm for magic. A heightened interest is good…very good for the working magician.

Magic, the most unique form of entertainment.

Joe Ferranti

Boston Street Magician...almost. 😉

Close Up Magic in Boston MA. | MASS.

Finding the Right Magician...part two

https://www.ferrantimagic.com

 

I left you with solid information to enable you to search the internet and make an informed choice to assist you in choosing a magician. Continuing…

The Agent/Agency

agent.: a person who does business for another person: a person who acts on behalf of another.

There was a time when individuals worked hard on behalf of entertainers, securing them steady work. Of course, the agent received a fee/percentage for his work. (Well-deserved too.) How nice would it be to just do what I enjoy most…. entertaining with magic, and not spending time with the business end. From where I sit, those days are long in the rear-view mirror.

 there’s a new agent in town.

I must admit, it was a brilliant idea, and well marketed.

In the field of Magic entertainment, do a search and you’ll find the agents. “Gig this, Gig that...Party Time, Woof, Thumbs Up, Bish Bosh, World Entertainment.” I’ve changed the names to avoid conflict.

What do you get?

 As a consumer you receive a list of magicians that you may contact. You get their promo info etc. Sounds good? For the most part, but the listing of magicians is not all inclusive. The only contacts you will see are from “paid members”, that’s us the magicians.

Competition? Touted as benefitting the consumer. Not necessarily, you’re not buying canned soup. All magic entertainment is not equal. Recently a potential client asked if I could meet the same fee as another magician had quoted. As much as I want to accommodate my clients, I had to politely decline with best wishes and hoped their event was a success. Moments later I was contacted again, and they were happy to pay my fee.

What does the Magician get?

We receive details about your event, and are able to contact you with a quote for our services. This is nice...contact info with a motivated client, but there is a price.

The part that you don’t see is the fee we pay to be included on the list of available magicians for your event. Or the additional fee if we choose a “Top List profile.”

Or the fee we pay if we are hired by you. Yeah, there are a lot of fees. Do we pass on the costs? (A topic for another day.)

 

There you have it...how to find the right magician for your event. Go back and look at part one again.

 

All Best Wishes,

Joe Ferranti

Boston Magician