Click on a Question to Go to the Answer
    What do you do for children’s birthdays?
    Did you say a live rabbit?
    Do we get to keep the rabbit?
    How long is your show?
    Do you wear costumes?
    How much space do you need?
    What do I need to provide?
    Will adults enjoy your kids' show?
    Do you do shows for adults?
    There may be some kids at our adult show. Is that a problem?
    Why don't you have some half-naked women in your show?
    How much is all this going to cost me?
    Are there any additional fees?
    What forms of payment do you accept?
    How much do you charge for adult shows?
    Do I need to give you a deposit?
    How far ahead do I need to book the show?
    How do I know you're any good?

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What do you do for children's birthdays?

     We'd like to work with you to make your child's birthday extra special. If you have some idea of what you'd like us to do, let us know.

    If, like most parents, you simply want a fun show for the kids - and perhaps the adults, too - we have developed a program that has proved very popular with both parents and kids. It consists of two parts, a comedy magic show, followed by balloon sculpture show or workshop.

    In the first part of the show, I do magic and comedy while my accompanist plays a keyboard, makes sound effects, and generally adds to the comedy. The tricks depend on the ages of the children, and other conditions. But there is always lots of audience participation, sometimes involving all the children. The birthday child (age permitting), gets to be the magician's helper and even gets to do some of the magic. All of the kid help me make my rabbit, Trixie, appear ny magic!

    In the second part of the show, Pam and I make balloon sculpture for the kids. We do not merely hand out the balloons, the children actually get to see us make the balloon sculpture, and there are jokes and gags.

    It's quite a show by itself. Or, I can teach the kids (from about eight-years up) to make their own balloon animals.

     Of course, if this is not what you want or need, we will be glad to work with you in putting together another program - or help you find somebody who can. Return to List of Questions

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Did you say a live rabbit?

    Yes. And, yes, all the kids get to pet the rabbit. And, yes, you can take a picture of your child holding the rabbit in a top hat. Return to List of Questions

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Do we get to keep the rabbit?

    No. Return to List of Questions

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How long is your show?

    The length of our kids' the show depends on the package you purchase and the number of children.

    Our Gold Program, for up to 30 children, runs about 90 minutes. This includes a 40- to 45-minute comedy magic show plus balloon animals (or hats, flowers, swords, etc.) for all the children. The Gold Program also has some extras, including one of my mini magic sets for the birthday child.

    Our Silver Program, for up to 20 children, runs about 75 minutes. This includes a 40- to 45-minute comedy magic show plus balloon animals (or hats, flowers, swords, etc.) for all the children.

    We also have a budget program, for up to 10 kids, which includes a 30- to 35-minute interactive comedy magic show and balloon sculpture for all the kids.

    For walk-around magic (or strolling magic or table hopping) each "show" is only a few minutes long, but you can book us for an hour, or several hours, depending on your needs.

    For adult stage or parlor shows, we usually recommend a half-hour to forty-five minutes, depending on what other activities and presentations there will be, but we can present a longer show if that is what you want. Return to List of Questions

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Do you wear costumes?

    Yes! We'd like to say "of course," but there are many magicians out there these days who don't wear special costumes. We think that costumes add to the fun of the occasion. We arrive at your location in costume. For the younger crowd, I usually dress in colorful pants, vest, and an old-fashioned tie. Sometimes I wear a morning coat or tail-coat.

    I sometimes wear the same costume for older children and even adults. If you prefer, however, I can wear a tasteful tuxedo or even white tie and tails. Return to List of Questions

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How much space do you need?

    How much space do you have? We can work in an area as small as four feet by eight feet, with the closest audience members about two foot away. A little more space, however, is better. We often do shows for fifteen or more kids in a living room.

    For stage shows, the amount of space we need depends on the size of the show. Return to List of Questions

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What do I need to provide?

    An audience, a space to work in, access to one AC outlet (ordinary household current), to power the keyboard - and our sound system, we need it, and, for children's shows, at least one adult. Also, for outdoor shows, in warm or hot weather, we need some shade in which to make the balloon animals. We bring all the necessary props and provide all the supplies we need for the show. (It would be really neat if you could also run a heavy-duty extension cord from the outlet to the place where you would like for us to perform; however, we also bring our own extension cords, which we can use, if needed.) Return to List of Questions

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Parents of the guests or adult relatives of the birthday child will be there. Will they enjoy the show?

    Yes. Frankly, we think that adults get twice the enjoyment. They enjoy the show and enjoy watching the kids enjoy the show. In fact, many -- although not all -- of the tricks in our children's shows are the same tricks we do for adults. Some of the jokes are aimed at the grown-ups. (These are not in any way 'blue' or 'X-rated.'). Of course some of the jokes that the kids think are hilarious, may get groans from the adults. Return to List of Questions

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How much is all this - the comedy magic show, the balloon show, the live music, the balloons, the wonderful memories - going to cost me?

    That depends on the number of children and the package you order.

    Our Gold Package is 90 Minutes of Magic, Music, Comedy, and Fun for up to 30 children. It includes:
    • Interactive Comedy Magic Show
    • Kid-Friendly Music
    • Birthday Child (Age Permiting) is a Star of the Show!
    • Magical Appearance of Live Rabbit!
    • Birthday Child Crowned "Queen for the Day" or "King for the Day"
    • Junior Magician Certificates for All the Kids
    • Balloon Animal or Other Balloon Sculpture for Each Child
    • Magic Trick for Each Child
    • Fortune Telling Fish for Everyone (Even the Grown-Ups)
    • Thom Bliss Mini Magic Set for the Birthday Child
The base fee for this program is only $285. Excess mileage fee my apply.
    Only $255 if you book your Happy Birthday Show 30 days or more in advance (save 10%).

    Our Silver Package is 75 Minutes of Magic, Music, Comedy, and Fun for up to 20 children. It includes:
    • Interactive Comedy Magic Show
    • Kid-Friendly Music
    • Magical Appearance of Live Rabbit!
    • Birthday Child Crowned "King for the Day" or "Queen for the Day"
    • Junior Magician Certificates for All the Kids
    • Balloon Animal or Other Balloon Sculpture for Each Child
    • Fortune Telling Fish for Everyone (Even the Grown-Ups)
The base fee for this program is only $255. Excess mileage fee my apply.
    Only $229 if you book your Happy Birthday Show 30 days or more in advance (save 10%).

    Our Budget Package is 45 Minutes of Magic, Music, Comedy, and Fun for up to 10 children. It includes:
    • Brief Interactive Comedy Magic Show
    • Kid-Friendly Music
    • Magical Appearance of Live Rabbit!
    • Junior Magician Certificates for All the Kids
    • Balloon Animal or Other Balloon Sculpture for Each Child
The base fee for this program is only $195. Excess mileage fee my apply.

    Please note: The base fees are for shows within 35 miles of our Garden Grove office; if the show location is further away, there may be an additional fee for the increased travel time, gasoline, and such. We charge 50 cents per mile for each mile over 35, each way. So, for example, if the party is 46 miles from our home-office, the travel fee would be $11 (46 - 35 = 11; 11 x .50 x 2 = 11). Return to List of Questions

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Are there any additional fees?

    Probably not. We know that some performers will charge extra for balloons or other supplies. We don't count the balloons that we give out at the shows. We are too busy keeping the kids happily entertained! The only additional charge to our base fees, would be for extra travel time and expense (if the show is more than 35 miles away) and other unusual expenses (if you we have to take a ferry to get to the site, pay for parking or theme-park admission, or something like that), or if you want us to customize the show for you. Return to List of Questions

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Do you do shows for adults?

    Yes. Click here for more information. Return to List of Questions

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There may be some children at our adult show. Is that a problem?

    Not with me! You might be surprised to learn how many "adult only" shows I've done where children were present. There is nothing in any of my shows that should embarrass anybody if children are present. But the kids might not enjoy the show as much as they would one aimed at their age group.
 

Child-Safe Adult Shows     Although some of Thom's programs are intended for adults, all of his programs are child-safe.      If you are looking for a magic show with half-naked women jumping out of boxes, you should look elsewhere. If you want a program with vulgar language, this is not the program for you.      But if what you want is a program with magic and humor that is more sophisticated than that of the average kiddy show, that amazes your guests without embarrassing them, that is funny without being crude or vulgar, this might be just what you are looking for.

Return to List of Questions
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Why don't you have some half-naked women in your adult shows?

     My wife won't let me! Return to List of Questions

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How much do you charge for adult shows?

    Less than you might think. Currently, the base fee for an hour show of close-up magic is only $225; and each additional half hour is only $75. We believe that this is one of the lowest fees in the area for a quality program such as ours. We do know that many performers charge more for less.

    This base fee is for shows within 35 miles of our Garden Grove office; if the show location is further away, there may be an additional fee for the increased travel time, gasoline, and such. We charge 50 cents per mile for each mile over 35, each way. So, for example, if the party is 46 miles from our home-office, the travel fee would be $11. Return to List of Questions

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Do I need to give you a deposit?

    No, not for our regular shows. Return to List of Questions

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What forms of payment do you accept?

    Cash and checks. Sorry, we cannot accept credit cards or ATM cards at this time. Return to List of Questions

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How far ahead do I need to book the show?

    I wish I knew! We aren't an agency. We do all our shows, so if a time is taken, it's taken. Some dates and times are booked months in advance. But usually, if you contact us a month or so before your party, there's a good change that we can find a time that's good for both of us. Of course, sometimes we can accommodate you if you contact us a few days before the party. I should repeat here what I also say in my Party Planning Guide: It's a good idea to make arrangements with whoever will be entertaining at your party before you send out invitations. Sometimes a slight adjustment in the time will work out well for everyone. Return to List of Questions

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How do I know you're any good?

You don't. Let me say this, however. I'm not one of those guys who got a magic kit for Christmas and was "The Great Whatever" by New Years Day. I have been doing magic for many, many years, the last several as a full-time professional. I try my best to determine what you want and need, and to refer you to someone else if I can't exceed your expectations. And many of my past clients think I was pretty good -- that's why they call me back and refer their friends (at least I hope it's their friends they're referring). Finally, if you aren't happy with the show -- if your guest aren't amazed, the kids and adults don't laugh, people don't have a good time -- then you pay me nothing. Return to List of Questions