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To book a show, call Donald in Victoria at 250-727-6505.
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Frequently Asked Questions
About Donald's Birthday Shows Q: "What do you charge for a birthday party magic show?"
A: Right now, birthday show packages start at $200. Full information about the birthday show packages and rates is available right here on my website, by clicking the blue link here: Birthday Show Options
Q: "Do I need to send you a letter to confirm? What do I need to do to confirm the show?"
A: Hiring a performer who will be reliable is very important. There is very little for you to do after we've spoken on the phone and you've booked your show with me. I do all of the work. When you book a show date and time, I’ll then mail you a show confirmation letter, with details of your show booking in writing. With me, your date and time is safely secure. I'll also give a quick confirmation call a couple of days before the party. You're welcome to call at any time with questions.
I want you have have an easy, hassle-free experience, without you worrying whether your performer has the party date and time correct, and without you having to worry whether your performer might cancel on you last minute for a better paying show.
Q: "Can there be more than one birthday child?"
A: Yes, I have done magic shows for birthday parties where there were 2 or 3 children celebrating the birthday at the same time. Sometimes they were siblings, and sometimes they were friends (with parents sharing the cost of the party and the entertainment). If you do this, you might want to buy an extra magic kit for the other birthday child, because I only include 1 magic kit in the show package. I'll include an extra balloon hat at no extra charge. I'll only do one personalized magic trick, so you might want to supply a single photo with both children in it (or I can just focus on one child for that trick). Also, if your overall group size is larger, your show fee might be a little more because my fees are partly based on the number of people at the party. But other than that, I have no problem with doing a show for birthday parties with 2 or 3 children who are the featured child, instead of just a single child. Simply let me know when you are booking your show.
Q: "What ages do you perform for?"
A: Most of my birthday shows are for children celebrating a 4th through a 10th birthday, although I have done a few shows for older children who really wanted me at their party. I've also done a few shows for younger children, if most of the guests will be ages 4 and up, and if parents sit with their child aged 3 and younger. For the most part, children aged 1-3 years might not get much out of a magic show.
Q: "Do I have to move anything for setup? What do I have to do?"
A: Sit back and enjoy the show. I arrive about 10 to 15 minutes before the show start time to set up. I’ve performed hundreds of birthday shows in houses of all sizes, school classrooms, recreation centres, rental halls, etc. I’m self-contained, which means I don’t have to borrow a table. I bring my own suitcase, which converts to my show table. I simply need a small 6' x 6', or 6' x 8', performing area, and can help you move your coffee table, if necessary. I prefer to have my back to a wall, or at least have no one sitting or standing behind me (including the adults). When people sit or stand behind me, it causes a distraction for the audience and for me. If it’s a bright day, consider having me face the main window (with the audience nearer the window) or close the curtains behind me, so the kids can see the show.
Q: "Are your shows kid-appropriate? Are your shows age-appropriate?"
A: Absolutely! As a full-time professional family and children's entertainer, I don’t use any foul language, or suggestive jokes. Also, when I say my show features "CLEAN COMEDY," I actually mean it -- I do NOT use bathroom humour or diapers or underwear jokes, unlike some other "children's" performers who claim their show is "clean", but do jokes and tricks that some people find offensive. A magic show can be better -- still funny and amazing -- with the right choice of material.
In my children's birthday shows, there are no extreme tricks, no fire, no blades, and no scary tricks. Occassionally I make a special exception when a customer requests a chopper trick for an older child's party (again, this is by special request only).
I design my birthday shows in one of two ways:
Age-specific audience – If the birthday child and most of the guests are the same age, then I provide an age-appropriate show, so the birthday child and their friends have a more enjoyable experience. I would do a different show for a group of 4 year olds, than for a group of 9 year olds, because they have different entertainment and developmental needs. Although some of my birthday shows are age-appropriate, parents and siblings find they enjoy the shows just as much.
Wide age audience – If most of the guests are a wide range of ages, then I provide a show that is suitable for a wider age range (I treat the show like my family audience shows).
Q: "Are there animals in your show?" A: No, I don’t use live animals, which may make a mess in your home, or bite your child. My focus is more on the audience participation. I want the children to be the STARS of the show, not an animal.
Q: "Do you do outdoor performances for children's birthday parties?"
A: I have performed birthday shows both indoors and outdoors. My personal preference is to perform indoors. Info about indoor shows is detailed above in the question and answer, “Do I have to move anything for setup? What do I have to do?”
If you wish to have your show outdoors, please discuss this with me at the time of your initial show inquiry, so there are no last minute surprises. It helps me so that I can fully prepare to do the best show for your group. If I am outdoors, I prefer to be in the shade, and not in the hot sun. I also recommend that the children be in the shade as well, so they don't get sunburns or heat stroke. Some customers provide a tent for me to perform under for outdoor shows. Also think about whether the kids have to look into the bright sun, when sitting and looking up to watch my show (you might not want the sun right behind me).
You might consider supplying towels, blankets, cushions, or chairs for the guests to sit on. Also, please arrange for the audience to sit so that no one is sitting or standing behind me (including the adults). When people sit or stand behind me, it causes a distraction for the audience and for me.
If it looks like it might rain or if it is really windy, be prepared with a back-up plan to move the show indoors. Outdoors, balloons will blow away, and props may blow away, if it is too windy. One other thing to remember with an outdoor show is that there tends to be more popping of balloons because they pop very easily on the grass or ground. If the children keep the balloons in their laps, all should be well.
Also, I can't perform the Gold Package birthday show outdoors at all, because I cannot perform the floating person outside at a birthday party for safety reasons (and it's not because they'll float away - haha!). But I can perform the Silver Package outdoors, provided we have a back-up plan for inclement weather, to have the show inside.
Again, be sure to discuss your request with me well in advance of the show, at the time of the booking. An extra fee may apply to outdoor birthday party shows.
Q: "Can we take photos, or videotape, the show?"
A: Yes, I would encourage you to take photos of the show. There will be some great reactions on the kids’ faces, as they smile and laugh. You may also videotape your birthday show, and I would especially encourage you to videotape the kid’s faces as they react to the show. Some parents have told me that their child watches their birthday video again and again.
Q: "Can I serve food to the children during your show?"
A: No, please do not serve snacks during the show. There are several reasons, including: (1) the show is live & interactive (unlike watching a movie) and so the kids need to focus 100% on the show, (2) they handle the magic props & scarves throughout the show and it’s not fun to end up with sticky or cheezie-coloured props, (3) the kids could choke on the snack because of laughing at the show or other surprising moments, (4) they tend to spill food or drink because of not paying full attention to either their eating or the live show, etc. Thanks.
Q: "Do you offer any souvenirs, to give the children the opportunity to take something home? Do you have ideas for goodie bags?"
A: In addition to the show itself, at my shows I give away Magic Activity Pages as a souvenir to kids after the show. These activity pages have some optical illusions, a maze, a word search, a connect the dots, and several fun magic tricks to learn.
For the Silver and Gold Birthday Packages, I also include Balloon Animal Creations for all of the children.
I also offer other souvenirs such as Magic Wands, Magic Books, Magic Grab Bags, and Magic Kits, which you can add-on for an extra fee (details below). These are a great idea for goodie bags, gifts for all of the guests, door prizes, etc.
Audiences love to take home a souvenir to remember the show! People want to take home a piece of me, just like they would want a musician’s CD, after seeing him / her in concert.
1) Donald Dunphy's Fun MAGIC WAND (10” Plastic) & Trick Instruction Sheet (learn 6 tricks with the wand): Regular $5 each. Special $3 each.
2) Donald Dunphy's Big Magic ACTIVITY BOOK (full-sized, 24-page magic-themed activity book). Learn to perform over 25 magic tricks, plus mazes, games, word searches, comics, and more!: $5 each.
3) Donald Dunphy's GRAB BAG OF MAGIC (Fun Magic Wand, Big Magic Activity Book, One Real Magic Trick, in a bag): $10 each.
4) Donald Dunphy's FULL MAGIC KIT (Fun Magic Wand, Big Magic Activity Book, Large Autographed Photo, and Three Real Magic Tricks, in a Magic Kit Box): $20 each.
There is no pressure to buy extra items. This is simply meant as a helpful service to you. You don't have to spend time assembling goodie bags, or run around trying to find suitable items for gifts or prizes. All the work is done for you.
And these items create great family time together at home, after your party.
As a child, I won a magic kit in cub scouts, and I also read many magic books from the local library (and some that were given as gifts). I would get help from my parents to learn the magic, practice, and then do small magic shows in the living room for my family and friends, from the tricks I learned from my magic kit and magic books. Magic is great for the imagination (I can't tell you the number of times I pretended to make my sister disappear. Hehehe! J )
Be sure to tell me in advance what items you want to add-on, so I know to bring them with me.
Q: "I found another magician (or clown) who is cheaper. Can you match their price?"
A: No, they charge what they feel they are worth, and I charge what I feel I'm worth. I realize that my shows aren't for everyone.
Some customers have no concern about my fee (usually when they've seen me before, or heard about me through word of mouth). And some people have a slight concern about my fee (perhaps if they haven't hired a professional-level entertainer before).
As a customer buying a product or hiring a service, we all want three things:
1. Finest Quality. 2. Best Service. 3. Lowest Price. I personally have never seen a product or service that can offer all 3 things at once. It's possible you might get 1 out of 3, or 2 out of 3, but not all 3 out of 3. In order for you to have the Finest Quality and also the Best Service, you simply won't be able to pay the Lowest Price. But if you pay the Lowest Price, you won't get the Finest Quality nor the Best Service. That's true with many things, isn't it? I'll admit right up front that I'm not the lowest priced magician out there, because I strive to provide my customers with the Finest Quality Show and the Best Service.
Three important things you should consider are my experience (3500+ shows / 34 years), what my show is like (watch my preview videos & read my show descriptions), and what others say about my services (read my customer testimonials).
Children Laugh Louder
with Donald Dunphy the Magician
Fill your child's party with laughter, smiles, and amazement! You'll know that your party was a big success when your child gives you a great big hug and thanks you for a great party (he or she might even throw in an “I love you!”), and thanks you for inviting the awesome magician, and then can’t stop talking about their party for weeks to follow.
Phone me today at 250-727-6505 - Victoria, British Columbia - to discuss availability, or to ask any further questions.  Victoria Magician & Illusionist Donald Dunphy
Fun ● Professional ● Experienced ● Reliable |
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