Looking back on 2023

Now that we have brought in the new year, it would be fun to try something different and reflect on my favourite moments in 2023. It was quite challenging to pick only a few because this blog post could have gone on for so much longer, but here are what I believe to be a brief look at what IU accomplished in 2023 as well as some of the things I hope to do in 2024 

First-year as a full-time magician 

I went full-time self-employed in October 2022. It was a scary decision at the time, leaving a full-time job and not knowing if I would make it or if all it would lead to was me looking for a new job a couple of months later. 

I've had a full year as a magician travelling up and down, and I've never looked back! It's been a rewarding experience. I've learnt a lot about performing and business, leading to some of my life's most fun and memorable experiences. 

If I had a time machine and went back to me at the beginning of 2022 and told them about all the wonderful people I met and the places I got to work and gave him a list of all the people he got to work with, past-Jaie would never believe it. It's incredible how fast a year can go, and even more shocking when I look at that list of all the places it's led to in just over a year. I couldn't be happier. 

Continued to work as a resident magician at Smoke and Mirrors 

My favourite place to perform is the Smoke and Mirrors magic bar in Bristol; if you don't know smoke and mirrors, it's the place to be if you want to see some of the best magic in the UK. 

I have been lucky enough to call myself a resident this past year.

All the magicians there are wonderful, not just as performers but as people, all willing to do what they can to help each other. Working there has made me a better magician and performer through all the advice I've been given and just the experience of working in such a supportive environment and performing for people who are there to see and experience the best magic they can. I am so lucky to be a part of such a magical place. 

If you want to learn more about my work at Smoke and Mirrors, you can learn more here. 

My own stage show 

If there were one thing I never thought I'd do, it's working on a stage show. I never thought I'd want to get up on a stage and perform a show in front of any size of people, and I was far too comfortable with close-up magic ever to think I'd have the confidence to perform on a stage. However, these last few months, I have been working on a show to perform on a show and you know what? It's been very exciting! 

Don't get me wrong, it's still being prepared, but I know it will be soon ( watch this space ). It's been fun to craft an entirely different experience and learn things from working on a stage show I would never have known from performing close-up magic. I love the direction my show has taken and how just an idea a couple of months ago feels like it will soon be a reality. I can't wait for you to see it in 2024 and see where this new road leads me. 

A big thank you 

I am ending this blog post with a thank you to everyone who has supported me in 2023. Without your support, I would never have accomplished the things on this list, so if you have seen my magic in the last year, gave me a follow on social media, or helped me hone my skills as a magician in any way, thank you so much. Here is to an amazing 2024! 

If you have any questions or would like to book me for 2025, you can get in touch with me here.