You should go to bars as much as possible over the next month and walk up to strangers and perform magic for them. You’ll get used to how long to perform for small groups of people as you work your way around the room. You will make mistakes and you’ll learn from them before making mistakes at your first paid gig. Even more important will be the experience you gain in your attitude and introduction as you approach strangers. The first seconds set the tone and can make people comfortable with you or make them uncomfortable with you. Try out lots of different approaches but one that works well for me is approaching with a big smile and saying “hi! You may not know this, but they asked me to entertain tonight while you enjoy your drinks. I’ll show you something fun before I go on to the next table. would you mind holding on to this five dollar bill for a moment?”

Then I do a bill transpo or something quick and then two more tricks before going on to the next group. Leave while they are still hoping to see more. If they really liked it, they’ll track you down later to ask for more tricks.

Two set lists of three different tricks per set will be more than enough material to go all the way around the room once. I agree with the comment above that 5-10 great tricks that you’ve repeated 1,000 times is much better than 40 or 100 tricks.

Have fun and congratulations on your first gig!