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About
Marvelous Marvin
Dealer and Magic Maker
Gambler of Frick, Purveyor of Oddities, Dealer of Choice
Looking for a game? I bet you won't find another one quite like this one. Step right up and place a bet, but there's one catch: there's no money allowed. So what do you have? What's in your pockets? The game's Frick Frack Blackjack and it's a No Cash No Limit barter blackjack game where you can bet me anything in the world except money. The name’s Marvelous Marvin and I’ll be your dealer. I'm a trader and collector of sorts and some have called me a hustler and a gambler, but I don't want your money, I'm after your shoelaces. Think you've got what it takes to beat me at my own game? Step right up then and let's play.
Frick Frack Blackjack revolves around the concepts of value and bartering. Within both of those elements lies a conversation and an interaction between two people. I have an array of items to choose from and the bet can be as big as that fancy necklace around your neck or the hat on your head, or it could be as small as a joke or a dare to amuse myself and the crowd. Kiss a friend, throw your shoes into the distance, or maybe get down on one knee and ask a stranger to marry? All seem like fine bets to me, let's figure out the worth between the two of us.
As an ever-evolving installation and comedy show Frick Frack Blackjack continues to add new elements and characters are to customize each show experience and enhance our gameplay. A “high roller” may stop at the table and up the ante with a ridiculous bet or the “pit boss” may step in for a thorough appraisal or any other kind of bit player or outrageous character may come in to liven things up at the table. Our goal is to provide a unique experience that changes not only nightly but between each hand that is dealt and each barter that is made. No two hands are alike and that’s the way we like it.
When monetary worth is no longer the determining factor, then what makes something valuable? The game helps to teach people to reevaluate the value of what they have outside of a monetary construct and instead see it in real terms. It also allows an avenue for one to separate out the things in their life they love vs. everything else. One should not gamble with the things they love, but once those things are known then every other possession is just stuff.
We have multiple different gypsy wagon set ups that we can bring to any outdoor event in the country. These "wagons" are built on trailers and take minimal set up time and can function remotely. We have done whole Casino environments and can bring the whole kit and kaboodle with multiple gambling games, carnival games with prizes, and a lounge. Alternatively, we can also set up at an indoor event with a minimal set up in a corner with just a table and a backdrop. Interested in Frick Frack in any way? Contact us and let's make a wager.
Marvelous Marvin
Instagram: @frickfrackblackjack
Facebook: facebook.com/frickfrackblackjack
Twitter: @frickfrackblkjk
301-346-5499
frickfrackblackjack@gmail.com -
Experience
Full Casino with Multiple Games
Additional structures, Large Crew, Early Build
– • A Showcased Installation with its own Area
Multiple wagons and structures creating a Casino with multiple game tables. Blackjack and Dice along with carnival games and a circus theme. Mis-information booth and lounge with potential for a small stage set up. String lights all around and a seating area with lots of hanging fabric and props and lanterns hanging around for decor. To pull off a casino I need a crew of 8-12 workers/play actors, a few days of build time the week leading up to the event, and a budget that covers payment for myself and crew for build time and time spent working during the event. Price range 3000-6000
Gypsy Wagon Set Up
Just the wagon with small crew
– • Can be placed anywhere the trailer can get to
This set up uses a trailer as the base of the set up and is our standard package. The trailer transforms into a gypsy wagon with minimal build time. We need 4-6 workers to help set up and run the table and show and jump in as characters. Budget would need to cover myself and crew but can be negotiable depending on the amount of time we would be required to be open during the event. Price range: 2000-3000
Indoor Set Up
Table with Small Item Display and Backdrop
– • Perfect for Indoor Events
The most scaled down version of Frick Frack, just a table and pop up shelving behind. Perfect for clubs or indoor parties. Crew size is 2-4 and price is dependent on the length of the event. Indoor casino option also available for increased price. Price range: 500-1500
Exhibitions
2017
Lightning in a Bottle, Small set up, First attempt with The Grand Artique, Frontierville Stage, Bottom Floor of Hotel - Lightning in a Bottle, CA
2017
Electric Forest, Simple Lighting, Low Table on Ground with Standing Room Behind, Upstairs of Trading Post in the Sherwood Forest - Electric Forest, Grand Rapids, MI
2017
Burning Man, Mobile Blackjack Cart, Moved Around to any Location on the Playa - Burning Man, Black Rock City, NV
2017
Suwannee Hulaween, Full Display, Lighting, and Crew helping me, Full Built House with Table Coming out the Front - Suwannee Music Park, FL
2018
Fractal Beach, Just the Wagon Setup, Virginia Key State Park - Virginia Key, FL
2018
Okeechobee, Full Installation w/ Expanded Setup, Lost in Tea Lounge - Okeechobee, FL
2018
Lucidity Music Festival, Gypsy Wagon Set up, Inside of the Rusty Barrel Area - Santa Barbara, CA
2018
Desert Hearts Festival, Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Set up near stage - San Diego, CA
2018
Lightning in a Bottle, Gypsy Wagon set up with the Grand Artique, Frontierville Stage Area - Paso Robles, CA
2018
The Untz Festival, Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Late Night Set Up - Mariposa, CA
2018
Enchanted Forest Gathering, Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Beautiful Spot Under Trees - Mendocino, CA
2018
Sonic Bloom, Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Near the Hummingbird Stage - Rye, CO
2018
Electric Forest, With the Grand Artique with Unique “Under the Stairs” Set Up, Outside the Trading Post in the Sherwood Forest - Rothbury, MI
2018
Northwest String Summit, Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Hornings Hideout - North Plains, OR
2018
Shambhala Music Festival, Gypsy Wagon Set Up, In Downtown near the Fractal Forest - Salmo, BC
2018
Burning Main, Gypsy Wagon Set Up, At 9:30+G with Music Savages - Black Rock City, NV
2018
Imagine Music Festival, Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Late Night Near Vendor Row - Atlanta, GA
2018
Suwannee Hulaween, Full Casino Set Up, In the Spirit Lake - Live Oak, FL (First Casino Set Up we attempted and it was an absolute hit)
2018
Art Basel Miami, Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Set up on 24th st. - Miami, FL (Set up on the street and working the crowds)
2018
BangOn! NYE Time+Space, Indoor Set Up, Knockdown Center - Brooklyn, NY
2019
House of Yes: Cirque Noveau, Indoor Set Up, House of Yes - Brooklyn, NY
2019
The Love Burn, Full Casino Set Up, Virginia Key - Miami, FL
2019
Brainquility Music Festival, Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Suwannee Music Park - Live Oak, FL
2019
Kindraval--Kindra Mad Hatter Event, Indoor Set Up, Purple 33 - Culver City, CA
2019
Lucidity Music Festival, Red Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Live Oak Campground - Santa Barbara, CA
2019
Serenity Gathering, Red Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Woodward Reservoir - Oakdale, CA
2019
Desert Hearts Festival, Mobile Blackjack Cart, Los Coyotes Reservation - Warner Springs, CA
2019
(Upcoming) Lightning in a Bottle, Red Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area - Bakersfield, CA
2019
(Upcoming) Joshua Tree Music Festival, Mobile Blackjack Cart, Joshua Tree National Park - Joshua Tree, CA
2019
(Upcoming) Elements Lakewood, Green Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Old Summer Camp - Lakewood, PA
2019
(Upcoming) Backwoods Festival, Green Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Mulberry Mountain - Ozark, AR
2019
(Upcoming) Untz Festival, Red Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Summer Camp - Mariposa, CA
2019
(Upcoming) Lakes of Fire, Green Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Wilkes Road Lake - Montague, MI
2019
(Upcoming) Sonic Bloom, Red Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Hummingbird Ranch - Rye, CO
2019
(Upcoming) Electric Forest, Green Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Sherwood Forest - Rothbury, MI
2019
(Upcoming) Northwest String Summitt, Green Gypsy Wagon Set Up, Hornings Hideout - North Plains, OR
2019
(Upcoming) Oregon Country Fair, Mobile Cart Set Up, Oregon Country Fairgrounds - Veneta, OR