Magician in Washington

Washington runs on meetings. Trade associations, federal contractors, universities, embassies and nonprofits all keep event calendars, and most of them are booking a reception rather than a party.

That suits what I do. Close-up magic works in a room where people are standing, holding a drink and trying to talk to each other, because it gives them a reason to stop somewhere together. I fly in from Milwaukee, and travel is either built into the package or itemised on the quote, agreed before anything is booked.

What gets booked in Washington

More national associations are headquartered here than anywhere else, and their board dinners, member receptions and annual meetings are the steadiest source of work. Contractors and consultancies book holiday parties and team events, and gala season, in the spring and again in the autumn, brings fundraisers that want entertainment during the cocktail hour rather than a set on the main stage.

The calendar tracks Congress. August and the back half of December go quiet. The weeks either side of them get crowded.

Getting there

A fly-in date from Milwaukee. Flights and time on the ground are either built into the package or shown as a separate line on your quote, agreed before anything is booked — never added afterwards.

Also covered nearby: Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Tysons, Rockville.