The Street Performing Finals

Here we go! (Photo Credit: Jimmy Briggs)

Friday, July 18 -- again, we were split between Piazza Castello and Piazza Carignano. Every 30 minutes, from 10:30am to 6:00pm (excluding a lunch break), someone did a street show.

I watched as many street shows as I could. The two performers I missed, I had watched previously.

I am proud to say that among the finalists, all the shows were good.

There were no bad shows. There certainly were some bad conditions (that is the nature of street), but this very special day where street performing was showcased at the World Championship of Magic, every performer and every street show was high quality.

What we were up against: The heat wave, the scorching sun, the wind, a lack of pedestrian foot traffic (it was a Friday morning after all), and literal trucks and vans driving through our pitches. Really! I saw at least 3 vans -- one of them driving behind the audience during someone's show.

A video of a van driving through my pitch, right before the start of my show. (Video captured by Jimmy Briggs)

But none of this was a problem.

We street performers are at our best when dealing with the unexpected.

I watched Matthew Keys (who eventually won 3rd place -- yes, I am writing from the future) calm a crying baby with a breadstick. I watched Tom Timon interact playfully with a wiener dog that immediately sat down when he blew a whistle. And how did I do?

My spot was at noon at Piazza Carignano. The buildings cast a comfortable shade over my spot. The space was more intimate than in Piazza Castello, more reminiscent of the alcoves in Edinburgh (for those who know), and I was much more relaxed this time around. I was there to have a good time.

I performed.

My audience seemed to have a great time.

And afterwards, the audience, my fellow competitors, and the judges came up to shake my hand. FISM felt less like a competition and more like a busking or fringe festival (albeit, one where we didn't make very much money), and the comraderie among us was palpable.

I did not end up placing in the top three, but I am honored to be among the finalists.

I had given it my best and am ecstatic to have been a part of magic history, by participating in the very first ever street performing category at FISM.

Here's a clip from my performance: