Technology is a wonderful thing. Cellphones have so many wonderful gadgets and devices contained in that small piece of technology that allow them to scan documents, translate texts, detect magnetic fields, use a compass, track inventory, instantly receive messages and pages as well as make phone calls.

And that is just the beginning. Today we can watch movies in our homes without having to purchase anything more than the digital stream that delivers it to our televisions or Blu-ray players. Road maps are a thing of the past with the advent of GPS devices, which is another function of smartphones.We really don't have to leave the house to view entertainment of all forms, because between the Internet and cable or satellite television we can view almost anything at any time.Unfortunately there are some casualties in this paradise of technological pastimes and entertainment. Outdoor activities for one.When I was a boy, it was before the PC revolution so we spent morning until night outside playing and using our imaginations to create diversions. We played games and sports of all kinds all year round.Unfortunately between the increase in dangers to our children coupled with the technological alternatives, outdoor play is not as plentiful and in many places not as safe as it was 30 years ago. Most parents keep a tight rein on their children to ensure their safety.Another casualty is live entertainment. For whatever reason, unless it is a very big name, many people seem to find better alternatives than attending shows featuring live entertainment.One exception may be the weekend bar scene where local bands and disc jockeys still manage to have a following. How things have changed with the advent of television and motion pictures.One hundred years ago, live entertainment was in its golden age in the United States. There were vaudeville circuits all over the United States and every town of any size had a theater or was near a larger town with a theater where such shows would appear. Magic was in its golden age at that time as well.As movies and television grew in popularity through the mid-20th century, it signaled the death of live entertainment on a grand scale. Vaudeville theaters started to convert to movie theaters and then eventually showed only film.Most of those vaudeville acts and performers either transitioned into movies and later television or they soon found themselves out of work. Many were quite successful in the new mediums even though their first love was the stage.Live entertainment has not totally died out, but it is much rarer than it once was. Even when there is a live show, unless it is a big-name act, many times it is a struggle to get folks into the seats, especially in local theaters. This is a shame.There is nothing more exciting than a good live show. There is a unique atmosphere seeing live theater, musicians, magicians and novelty acts that is different from seeing the same on television. Live entertainers and their audiences enter into a symbiotic relationship at their best and each feeds off the other's energy. The result is typically an entertaining, engrossing show.There is a difference however in live entertainment and its public perception. Music seems to have a special forgiveness not reserved for other live entertainers.One can watch an awful concert, hate the performers, yet the next time there is an opportunity they will go see another music act. People implicitly understand that one musician is different from another and will not hold all musicians accountable for a single bad show.Unfortunately most other live entertainment disciplines do not share the same luxury. For some reason, if a person sees a bad comedian, magician or ventriloquist, they totally write off the whole entertainment option. They don't give such acts a second chance for some reason.Conversations go something like this: "We had a magician at so-and-so's birthday party, and he was awful," "we were able to see through his tricks" or "the magician we had was insulting and nasty to the guests."That one act in their mind colors the whole entertainment branch with the same brush and unfortunately robs them of what might be a wonderful entertainment option. Another issue is that hiring a magician blind could lead to someone who is not professional enough to be performing for money. This results in a bad experience for all involved and the belief that all are the same. Word-of-mouth is a valuable asset when hiring a magician or any novelty act.Besides spending money on someone who is unqualified, other people believe live entertainment is too expensive and look for other options. This is not necessarily true.A magician might range from $125-$200 for a birthday party in northeastern Pennsylvania. For a party of 20 children, this fee becomes an entertainment option of $6-$10 per child. There are few alternatives that are so economical. With that said, I do not recommend going to the other end of the spectrum and hiring that free magician down the street unless they have good references.Live entertainment is one item where the axiom "You get what you pay for" has never been more true. Sometimes there is a reason why someone is free and it is not necessarily quality.So if you are looking for something besides television, consider going out for the evening and watching live entertainment at a local venue to support them. If you are planning a party, consider live entertainers and help support all the arts. Feel free to write to me if you have questions.Till next time …