Don't know how many of you are familiar with these... they are basically "clubs" for senior citizens, places to hang out during the day and take classes and do stuff. A lot of these are run by local recreation and park departments, which means they are civic agencies instead of run privately, and depend a lot on volunteers.

I'm only mentioning this because I happened to be in one yesterday. What I saw was very active seniors laughing, dancing, taking exercise classes, and so forth. Not a nursing home atmosphere at all.

Might be interesting to see how some of these respond to a volunteer show, like maybe during lunch or after a dance class.

George, I would encourage you to do this show. Seniors will love your show. Remember we will be seniors one day and would it not be grand to have a magician come in and perform for us. Someting new, instead of cards games and music. I have been doing this for years and now these centers pay me, although not much but enough for food and gas and some time. What I am trying to do is set a precedent for when I get older. Plus I love the seniors. I also do shows for the mentally/physically challenged and it makes their day. Sometimes the seniors are worse than children always asking when is the magician coming. I get so much joy out of these types of performances.

Rodney Palmer

Thanks for your comments, Rodney. If I were still performing, I'd love to offer my services to a few of these places... they just look like so much fun!

And like you said, one of these days we'll be in the audience too!

Senior Centers are a great place. They are a great place to try out new routines and to gain experience.

The groups are really appreciative (including the staff members charged with arranging programs) and uncritical.

Jon

I have been doing kid shows here in my home town and I am being asked to perform for senior centers here in my area but I keep turning them down as all I have is kid show magic and I have no idea what to use to entertain the seniors. Could someone suggest suitable tricks and how to present the show as I am good with kids and am reluctant to perform for this really adult crowd.

If I can't change the patter for the trick, I just say I'm a dad and when I practice my own kids and get a couple of people to get and play my kids. Once you have then up with you. SAY - first yes you have to help me and no I'm not paying you. Tell the people, to help me feel at home, ask me a couple of times if I'm done yet and can you go play. (Everyone just laughs it up)

Seniors love all tricks. A magic coloring book is GREAT they love it. Get 3 coloring books and get three people to help you and do a 3 card monte trick.
Kids all know this trick from clowns, but I've had adults stop me after a party and tell they loved that trick.