I just realise maybe 75% of mentalism effects out there are suited for parlour or sitdown situations. I'm looking for mentalism effects for a strolling performance.

The criteria is no table required and must be able to perform surrounded, therefore eliminating a lot of peek effects or card effects. THat also eliminates the use of a swami unless its PW'ing.

I currently do :-

1) PK time
2) B'wave
3) metal bending

Would appreciate if anyone could point me in the direction of more.

How surrounded is surrounded? Cos' I think we usually try not to have spectators behind our back, even on our sides. If this is the case, there are still alot of effects you can try.

Hmm... I'm not really very into mentalism but I heard Max Maven's Videomind Vol 3 is really good for walking-around settings. And I suppose you could improvise some parlour effects too.

Hope that helps.

Anyway, sometimes I wonder what qualify a effect to be called mentalism. Last time I thought only prediction, mind-reading, revelation belong to this genre.

Surrounded as in completely surrounded, 360 degrees.

I don't have Videomind, but judging from the effect descriptions, they could be effects more suited for sit down performances.Btw, Vol 3 is Stage mentalism. Vol 2 is close up. I don't know but somehow the effect descriptions don't grab me by the throat and scream " BUY ME!!!!"

Mentalism ....IN MY OPINION...hehehe (disclaimer) is magic that looks and feels like what we consider to be psychic ability.

I guess for strolling, you would be looking out for things that has no/small props and as little set up as possible.

K.E.N.T. and kolossal can be done almost anywhere and as a strolling mentalist.

E.T. can be used as well to enhanced reactions.

Simple stuff that use magician's choice, etc can be used almost anywhere on anything. no props needed.

Thumb writers are not a problem with strolling. Pretty easy to hide the angles of a decent thumb writer (lincoln's best boon is so tiny and skin-coloured). If you dare to wear a thumb tip, you will have no problems using a thumb writer. It is so much less noticable.

Any card effect that has a mentalism or prediction effect can be done on the move as well. Aloy's 'prophesy' card prediction effect that he did last month at the Toa Payoh MacDonald is very simple, impromptu, get great reactions and has no set up at all. Just need a pack of card.

Coin bends are extremely visual. Basic coin sleights can be used to switch coins. Be creative. Bend coins in spectators hands, or perform SPUN. Much less bulky then carrying forks and spoons; something you already mention doing.

Using IT/loops/reels is another good way to pull off PK effects.

Stigmata has no set-up and impromptu.

M5 is also versatile. Or even bend a card with your mind.

I think most mentalism effects suitable for close-ups have small/no props. Should not be difficult to think of something suitable for a strolling mentalist.

Thanks Joel.

Looking into some of the stuff you said.

I still like my blindfold. I yet to try on the street or close up, but it can work on both issues. Get an audience or spec to help you blindfold and you walk around the street, talking to people, knocking on cans, or whatever, it create havoc but it sure is eye catching. (Better make sure you have a event for your cover, or else people will think you are nut)

Anyway, unless you are planning to do just mentalism effects alone, why not mix some strolling mentalism with normal strolling magic. Are you planning on a pure mentalism performance?

Do not put off Max Maven's Videomind series.. It has alot of nice/practical effects.
And mind you, i am super ultra fussy when it comes to mentalism effects.. Out of say 10 videos i watch.. Maybe i would only like 2-3 of them.. And out of 50 effects, i would say only 5-6 that would be nice/practical to me.

I stopped doing other kinds of magic about 2 years ago, and stuck with only mental magic & mentalism.

I just realised the stuff that I have chosen to work on and try to incorporate into my act are mainly Parlour routines...suddenly realised in a strolling situation, I don't have very much to perform.

There actually a big soures of strolling mentalism effects out there if you search hard. One of the really good source for it is mark strivings walkaround mentalism video.Do check that out it have alot of gold in there.
For me personally i does alot of strolling mentalism effects just to name a few they are 1.doc hillford for one to end
2.Kenton kenpper version of the 20cent is actually head up
3.B'wave a non gimmick version
4.Richard osterlind version of the center tear which i have added my touches on it.
5.My Bent coin routine