Charity balls and fundraising galas work best when the whole room is buzzing - and close-up magic is one of the most reliable ways to get there. It warms up a room faster than almost any other form of entertainment, gets strangers talking, and creates exactly the kind of generous, celebratory atmosphere that makes people open their wallets at the auction.
I'm Callum McClure - an award-winning close-up magician and member of The Magic Circle. I've performed at charity balls, fundraising dinners and gala evenings for a range of organisations across London and Surrey, from drinks reception right through to the post-auction celebrations.
How I fit into a charity ball evening
Magic that supports your fundraising goals
A charity ball needs a warm, generous room. When guests arrive, they're often a mix of donors, volunteers and supporters who may not know each other well. Close-up magic breaks that down within minutes: shared astonishment is a powerful social glue, and people who've just seen something wonderful together are much more likely to bid generously at the auction.
I can also work the room between the auction lots - keeping energy and attention high during the waiting periods that inevitably happen at charity ball fundraising events.
See also: gala dinner magician, awards ceremony magician, after dinner magician.