Poolside Reflections

Eugene Invades Florida

2011-12-01T20:29:00.001-08:00

HooHa!

Eugene Burger will be lecturing and conducting a four hour workshop in Jacksonville, Florida this coming February.

First night is his lecture on 'Creating A More Powerful Performance' and the second night his workshop on 'The Art of Forcing Objects' is limited to 14 attendees.

While Jax is only a three hour drive for me with the cost of gas and the prospect of facing >12/hrs of driving if I attend then journey home, I'm going to stay at least one night possibly two.

Jacksonville is also home to Paul Cummins so if I'm lucky I may see if he's working either of those two nights and get out to meet him.

Can't wait for this event as Eugene has been someone on my list to see since I returned to magic seven years ago. The first book I purchased when I returned was Mastering the Art of Magic and it's a book that I read at least once a year.

Penn & Teller in London: Teller explains their trick style - TNT Magazine

2011-11-30T08:28:00.000-08:00

Penn & Teller in London: Teller explains their trick style - TNT Magazine

Carey Strikes Again

2011-11-28T18:32:00.001-08:00

To be released on December 1, a new two-disc DVD set from RSVPMagic, "Carey 24SEVEN".

I've known John only online for a little more than a year now and besides being a wonderful magician, he's a good man with a quickly spreading reputation in the magic community. He's been very generous with his time for me, offering advice and sharing tricks.

In the past year he's lecturing more and apparently performing quite a bit. His "Handle With Carey" was well received in Europe and the US and contains practical and direct tricks which are within reach of some beginners and most intermediate card handlers.

Earlier tonight I sent off a note to John asking about this new set and it's contents before I found this trailer. It appears to have picked up where his previous DVD set left off. Carey often takes established and well known material and boils it down to simplify it so it keeps it's entertainment value and removes the knuckle busting.

Although I'm sure John can hang with the move monkeys he's targeting the serious amateur who wants practical material that plays quickly and often in the hands or with limited table space. While I'm in the middle of re-reading Giobbi's Card College and working on material from the first three volumes, I look forward to John's new set of discs.

Ricky Jay Portrait

2011-11-21T10:34:00.001-08:00

Posted on Twitter by Teller

America's Problem

2011-11-19T22:29:00.001-08:00

Tony Cabral on Steve Cohen MUM Cover Story November 2011

2011-11-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

The link below takes you to Steve Cohen's Chamber Magic Blog which features the Society of American Magicians November cover story from their MUM magazine. A well written piece by Tony Cabral you get to read about how Steve Cohen has transformed his brand from typical performer to The Millionaire's Magician to Chamber Magic at the Waldrof-Astoria to a one-man show at Carnegie Hall.

Cohen is now seen as a peer within the arts and show business as well as being much in demand by many Fortune 500 types and he's accomplished all of this literally 'overnight'.........a thirty-year night.

Society of American Magicians’ magazine cover story, November 2011

REVIEW: Utopia

2011-11-12T20:01:00.001-08:00

Apparently Team DaOrtiz and Penguin Magic had an agreement where they can distribute Utopia exclusively until 11/11/11 so I received the set on 10/21 which was a Friday. My plan was to view the complete set once then again about a week later with notebook & deck of cards in hand.

These are my thoughts after finishing the first viewing.

Even though I think I've seen just about every YouTube clip he's been in as well as his previous DVDs & downloads, my first impression of Utopia is this is a Dani DaOrtiz I haven't seen before. Disc One has him in a formal close up show for approximately 50 spectators and he's more commanding, theatrical yet charming than ever. The show itself has a feel of an actual paid performance being taped for this DVD shoot vs a magic DVD shoot with a live audience (I hope that makes sense). The crowd's reactions were enthusiastic but restrained with none of the over-the-top stuff you almost always see these days on magic DVDs.

The impression I had after watching the formal close up show was DaOrtiz was just toying and jazzing around while performing these miracles and having a grand old time with his audience. David Britland's piece in this month's Genii calls him 'happy-go-lucky' and he's right. Dani is charming, warm, funny, intelligent and passionate about the art which comes through in his performances as well as his instructions and even while conducting 1on1 interviews with producer Luis DeMatos.

Dani speaks in both Spanish and English with subtitles available for seven languages. If you view Dani's teaching lecture on the 2011 EMC discs you'll get an idea of his command of the language and the type of teaching he does on Utopia.

As for the impact of the magic itself, my jaw was dropping throughout both the performances and explanations. The technical difficulty of the set runs from "very easy" (an unintentional running joke by DaOrtiz) to intermediate. You don't have to be a move monkey but some tricks require the ability to handle doubles very well, perform a classic pass, etc.

As to detailed instructions on the moves themselves Dani does provide explanations but this isn't an instructional set on foundational card sleights. DaOrtiz's advice on how to master the picking up of a double from the table and snapping it as a single is to do it 1000 times ("It's very easy").

Utopia is the result of more than a decade of DaOritz collecting field data from thousands of live performances. He shares his knowledge of timing, focus, attitude, human nature, behaviour patterns, perspective and psychology in the art of magic as it was taught to him via the Spanish school of card magic. He says Ascanio, Jose Carroll, Fred Kaps, Gabi Pareras, Lennert Green and of course Juan Tamariz have played an important role in his development.

While most of the tricks are technically within the grasp of an intermediate card person it's the subtleties, psychological games and construction of his routines which makes your jaw drop when DaOrtiz perfectly executes the trick. The lessons are wonderful and this could very well be a new instant classic for card magic because DaOrtiz focuses on what should be going on between the performers ears.

Magician Rob Zabrecky is the Odd Man in at Steve Allen Theater - Los Angeles Times

2011-11-02T04:48:00.000-07:00

Magician Rob Zabrecky is the Odd Man in at Steve Allen Theater - Los Angeles Times

Photo by Jay L Clendenin / LA Times

Great piece by LA Times reporter Jessica Gelt on little known artist Rob Zabrecky. Magician, actor, musician who's stage persona is called the Odd Man has racked up quite a bit of flight time at The Magic Castle. He's now embarking on an intermittent schedule of one-man shows simply titled, "An Evening With Rob Zabrecky".

The Great Moodini

2011-10-27T17:53:00.001-07:00

Tosh.0
Get More: Tosh.0 Videos,Daniel Tosh,Web Redemption

Long Hard Times To Come

2011-10-20T18:06:00.000-07:00

(lyrics are written by Gangstagrass)

On this lonely road, trying to make it home
Doing it by my lonesome-pissed off, who wants some
I'm fighting for my soul, God get at your boy
You try to bogart--fall back, I go hard

On this lonely road, trying to make it home
Doing it by my lonesome-pissed off, who wants some
I see them long hard times to come

Verse 1:
My life is ill son... prepared to kill son
A paradox of pain, baby; it's real son
Lonely traveler, aint trying to battle ya
But if you're feeling tuff dog, I welcome all challengers
Aint got no family, you see there's one of me
Might lose your pulse standing two feet in front of me
I'm pissed at the world, but I aint looking for trouble
I might crack a grin, I aint looking to hug you
Think about it, nobody wants to die
There's rules to this game son, I'm justified
I'm ready to go partner, hey I'm on the run
The devils hugging on my boots that's why I own a gun
This journey's too long, I'm looking for some answers
So much time stressing, I forget the questions
I fear no man, you don't want no problems 'B'
Eyes in the back of my head, you better not follow me

[Chorus]
On this lonely road, trying to make it home
Doing it by my lonesome-pissed off who wants some
I'm fighting for my soul, God get at your boy
You try to bogart--fall back, I go hard
On this lonely road, trying to make it home
Doing it by my lonesome-pissed off, who wants some
I see them long hard times to come

Verse 2:
You probably think I'm crazy, or got some loose screws
But that's alright though--I'm a'do me, you do you
So how you judging me? I'm just trying to survive
And if the time comes, I aint trying to die
I'm just trying to fly, and get a little love
Find me a dime piece and get a little hug
Hook the car up--hit the bar up--clean the scars up--hey yo, the stars up
Hey this is the life of an outlaw
We aint promised tomorrow--I'm living now, dog
I'm walking through life. but yo my feet hurt
All my blessings are fed, man I'll rest when I'm dead
Look through my eyes and see the real world
Take a walk with me, have a talk with me
Where we end up--god only knows
Strap your boots on tight you might be alright

[Chorus]
On this lonely road, trying to make it home
Doing it by my lonesome pissed off who wants some
I'm fighting for my soul, God get at your boy
You try to bogart fall back I go hard
On this lonely road, trying to make it home
Doing it by my lonesome pissed off who wants some
I see them long hard times to come

November Genii features Dani DaOrtiz

2011-10-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

Open publication - Free publishing

Bennett & Gaga

2011-10-10T05:05:00.000-07:00

She gets too hungry for dinner at eight (I'm starving)She loves the theater but she never comes lateI never bother with people that I hateThat's why this chick is a tramp (hahaha)
She doesn't like crap games with barons and earlsWon't go to Harlem in ermine and pearlsAnd I definitely won't dish our dirt with the rest of those girlsThat's why the lady is a tramp!
I love the free, fresh wind in my hairLife without careOh, I'm so brokeIt's oh!
I hate California, it's crowded and dampThat's why the lady is a tramp (I'm a tramp!)
Sometimes I go to Coney IslandOh, the beach is divineAnd I love the yankeesJeter is just fineI follow rounders and parkShe sings every lineThat's why the lady is a tramp
I love the prize fightThat isn't a fake (no fakes)And I love to rowboat with you and your wife in Central Park LakeShe goes to the opera and stays wide awake (yes, I do)That's why this lady is a tramp
She likes the green (green) grass (grass) under her shoesWhat can I lose?'Cause I got no dough! Oh, no?I'm all alone when I'm doing my hairThat's why the lady is a tramp!
Go!
I love your free, fresh,I love your handkerchief in my handLife without careBut I'm so brokeThat's ohHates California, it's cold and it's dampThat's why this lady is a tramp That's why this lady is a tramp!That's why the lady is a tramp!

2011-10-05T18:12:00.000-07:00

I didn't really think the death of Steve Jobs was going to affect me this way. All I know is I started to tear up while turning to a cable news channel just minutes after seeing the new posted online.

Of course because Jobs and the wonderful men and women of Apple it took the news programs producers only minutes to create graphics, upload pictures and feed the official statements from Apple's CEO & board of directors to the show's host.

Thank you Steve Jobs for making the world smaller.

Dani DaOrtiz: UTOPIA

2011-10-04T12:40:00.000-07:00

Finally a release date!

On November 11, 2011, Luis de Matos Productions will release a four disc DVD set on the magic and thinking of Dani DaOrtiz. Priced at slightly more than $150USD the set will have eight hours of Dani's work and his philosophy on close up card magic.

Amazingly there are some who still don't know much about DaOriz mainly because much of his work continues to be in Spanish and he only appears to get to the U.S. once per year. Being the sick sort of person I am, in the past I've ordered literature in Spanish then used an online language converter to better understand his material.

Fortunately in the past 15 months or so via the Essential Magic Conference, Dani has appeared and both performed and lectured in English and what a treat its been. Just last night I was watching this years lecture on his piece "Prediccon Gemela" on the EMC 2011 discs and was blown away at how Dani tries to simplify his presentation.

There's one point where he says (paraphrasing), "If I want to move two cards from the bottom to the top......I move'em from the bottom to the top". His point here is make the 'important' unimportant. Engage your spectators, have some fun and get them to focus on what you're asking them to do and not what you're doing right under their noses. Go take a look at disc 3(?) from this year's EMC set where Dani performs his piece then explains his thinking.

With a release on 11/11 it'll probably be the weekend of 11/19 - 11/20 before they're received so I'm clearing the calendar and plan to take the set into my home office with a couple of decks of cards and my notebook for a joyous weekend of learning.

UPDATED: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2011

Apparently Team DaOrtiz and Penguin Magic have an agreement where they can distribute Utopia exclusively until 11/11/11 so I received the set on 10/21 which was a Friday. My plan was to view the complete set once then again about a week later with notebook & deck of cards in hand.

These are my thoughts after finishing the first viewing.

Even though I think I've seen just about every YouTube clip Dani has been in as well as his previous DVDs & downloads, my first impression of Utopia is this is a Dani I haven't seen before. Disc One has Dani in a formal close up show for approximately 50 spectators and he's more commanding, theatrical yet charming than ever. The show itself has a feel of an actual paid performance being taped for this DVD shoot vs a magic DVD shoot with a live audience (I hope that makes sense). The crowd's reactions were enthusiastic but restrained with none of the over-the-top stuff you almost always see these days on magic DVDs.

The other thought that ran through my mind was Tiger Woods.

Woods did a TV ad a few years ago when he was at the top of his game. The ad opens with him alone bouncing a golf ball one handed on the blade of a club (a middle iron I think), then switching hands, taking the club around his back, and through his legs with the ball in total control not bouncing more than a foot or two above the blade of the club. Tiger walks with this combo a several feet as the voice over begins to wrap up the message.

Suddenly Tiger bounces the ball a final time five or six feet high and while the ball is at its peak, grips the club with both hands and whacks it a couple hundred yards down the range. He was just toying with us and jazzing around until he dropped the hammer with a drive that most weekend golfers couldn't strike off a tee.

That was the impression I had watching Dani perform his formal show before a real audience. He's just toying and jazzing around while performing these miracles and having a grand old time with his audience. David Britland's piece in this month's Genii calls him 'happy-go-lucky' and he's right. Dani is charming, warm, funny, intelligent and passionate about the art which comes through in his performances as well as teaching on the DVD and even conducting 1on1 interviews with producer Luis DeMatos.

Dani speaks in both Spanish and English with subtitles available for seven languages. If you view Dani's teaching lecture on the 2011 EMC discs you'll get an idea of his command of the language and the type of teaching he does on Utopia.

As for the impact of the magic itself, my jaw was dropping throughout both the performances and explanations. The technical difficulty of the set runs from "very easy" (an unintentional running joke by DaOrtiz) to intermediate. You don't have to be a move monkey but some tricks require the ability to handle doubles very well, perform a classic pass, etc.

As to detailed instructions on the moves themselves Dani does provide explanations but this isn't an instructional set on foundational card sleights. DaOrtiz's advice on how to master the picking up of a double from the table and snapping it as a single is to do it 1000 times ("It's very easy").

Utopia is the result of more than a decade of DaOritz collecting field data from thousands of live performances. He shares his knowledge of timing, focus, attitude, human nature, behaviour patterns, perspective and psychology in the art of magic as it was taught to him via the Spanish school of card magic. Clearly Ascanio, Jose Carroll, Fred Kaps, Gabi Pareras, Lennert Green and of course Juan Tamariz have played an important role in his development.

While most of the tricks are technically within the grasp of an intermediate card person it's the subtleties, psychological games and construction of his routines which makes your jaw drop when DaOrtiz performs. The lessons are wonderful and this could very well be a new instant classic for card magic but the real secrets in Utopia are not executed by your fingers but by the space between your ears.

Busy month

2011-09-27T04:34:00.000-07:00

September is almost history and I'm not sure where the time has gone.

I drove my father to Nashville for a week earlier in the month so he could visit a life long friend who is not doing well. Neither of my parents will fly (I offered to buy them airline tickets) and I didn't want my father to attempt the almost 800 mile trip himself so I took a week's holiday from work and chauffeured him and his friend around Nashville for a few days.

Throughout the month I've been monitoring Dani DaOrtiz' site & blog to see if any further information is available on his DVD set Utopia. The four disc set which is being produced by Luis DeMatos Productions will contain eight hours of Dani' performances, explanations and discussions on his approach to magic. .

In the meantime DaOrtiz is about to publish the latest issue of his quarterly journal ElManuscrito which features the magic of Jose 'Pepe' Carrol. Here is a clip of one of the tricks including in this quarter's edition.

October = Kick Ass Lecture Month in Baltimore

2011-09-11T22:06:00.000-07:00

Magic Warehouse in Owning Mills, Maryland just announced two exceptional lectures for the month of October.

On Sunday, October 2 Tony Cabral will be featured at the store's lecture space and on Wednesday, October 12 Lance Pierce will be there.

I have yet to personally spend any time with either man but have benefited from their performing and thinking seriously about magic via several online forums. Usually I keep my online voice silent and just digest what each of them have to offer. I'm never disappointed.

Both are well respected within the magic community and can slay any audience with their performances. Some may know Tony from Magic-Con 2010 as the artist who published the book 'The Faces of Magic-Con'. However for those that don't know, he's a serious card man who's about to release his first DVD. His online posts reveal his deep thinking and passion for magic, who doesn't suffer fools gladly and has a biting sense of humor.

Lance Pierce is the mentor, big brother and voice of reason in magic who has the respect and confidence of the biggest names in magic, past and present. To my knowledge he's the only person who Bill Malone has allowed to document his presentations (a set of impossible to find lecture notes and a one man parade in the Linking Ring years ago).

These guys 'get' what magic is suppose to be about so take advantage of spending a few hours with them. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Andi Gladwin's The Session Convention 2012

2011-09-07T09:52:00.000-07:00

For more than half a decade the new year has started out with a small but quality close up convention in England promoted by Andi Gladwin and partners.

This years line up features Dani DaOrtiz; Michael Vincent; Wayne Houchin and Kainoa Harbottle with a special guest of 'honour'.

With this line up, I could be the special guest of honour and it would still be a hit convention.

Getting to know my new blackberry

2011-09-07T09:46:00.001-07:00

Traveling Wilburys: Handle With Care

2011-08-26T19:13:00.000-07:00

Been beat up and battered round
Been sent up, and Ive been shot down
Youre the best thing that Ive ever found
Handle me with care

Reputations changeable
Situations tolerable
Baby, you're adorable
Handle me with care

(chorus)
Im so tired of being lonely
I still have some love to give
Wont you show me that you really care

(bridge)
Everybodys got somebody to lean on
Put your body next to mine, and dream on

Ive been fobbed off, and Ive been fooled
Ive been robbed and ridiculed
In day care centers and night schools
Handle me with care

Been stuck in airports, terrorized
Sent to meetings, hypnotized
Overexposed, commercialized
Hand me with care

(chorus)

(bridge)

Ive been uptight and made a mess
But I'll clean it up myself, I guess
Oh, the sweet smell of success
Handle me with care

Life in the Tropics

2011-08-25T16:36:00.000-07:00

So we have to endure hurricane season for six months every year with only two months being really dangerous (August & September). Irene gave us a few days of anxiety (nothing prescription meds couldn't handle) but fortunately it appears to be sliding past us.

Fingers crossed (is a skeptic supposed to cross their fingers?) that it veers out to the Atlantic and not hit any of the eastern seaboard.

Tony Cabral: The Usual Suspect

2011-08-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

Sometime after Labor Day here in the US (first weekend in September) Magic Warehouse will release Tony Cabral's first DVD which focuses heavily on gambling and cheating. Some of you many know Tony from his reviews in MUM or his art work of featured performers at Magic-Con 2010.

I don't really know him but have the pleasure of reading his thoughts via a forum I lucked out in becoming a member of a couple of years ago. He appears to be a deep thinker and is well respected for his chops by the card community that know him.

Don't think there's any self workers on this one........

Eagles: Hotel California

2011-08-18T22:15:00.000-07:00

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself,
’this could be heaven or this could be hell’
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say...

Welcome to the hotel california
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the hotel california
Any time of year, you can find it here

Her mind is tiffany-twisted, she got the mercedes bends
She got a lot of pretty, pretty boys, that she calls friends
How they dance in the courtyard, sweet summer sweat.
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget

So I called up the captain,
’please bring me my wine’
He said, ’we haven’t had that spirit here since nineteen sixty nine’
And still those voices are calling from far away,
Wake you up in the middle of the night
Just to hear them say...

Welcome to the hotel california
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
They livin’ it up at the hotel california
What a nice surprise, bring your alibis

Mirrors on the ceiling,
The pink champagne on ice
And she said ’we are all just prisoners here, of our own device’
And in the master’s chambers,
They gathered for the feast
The stab it with their steely knives,
But they just can’t kill the beast

Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
’relax,’ said the night man,
We are programmed to receive.
You can checkout any time you like,
But you can never leave!

Tony Cabral is The Usual Suspect

2011-08-14T18:45:00.000-07:00

Tony Cabral is a very influential poster on a small but potent magic forum I somehow was admitted to almost two years ago. The talent level on this forum and the deep, profound thinking they express for the art often leaves me speechless (or post less).

I don't contribute on this forum much as these guys are so far ahead of me, I don't register on their screens. But I read most of the posts and take notes on their works in progress or advice on existing presentations or technical work.

Tony Cabral is producing a DVD on what appears to mostly be gambling related demonstrations. It's not for beginners but I'm going to add it to my library as I'm sure its full of well thought out effects.

Produced and filmed by The Magic Warehouse which is taking pre-orders now for a September release.

Amy Winehouse: You Know I'm No Good

2011-08-10T06:58:00.000-07:00

You kinda figured this was a train wreck waiting to happen the only question was how bad would it be. So I wasn't really shocked when I heard last month Amy Winehouse was found dead in her home at the age of 27.

I already knew of her music and wonderful voice prior to 'Mad Men' using this song for one of their season one promos. At first she reminded me a bit of Shirley Bassey and unfortunately her off stage life got more attention than her music for most people.

If you enjoy the clip go to an iTune type of site or YouTube to listen to more of her music. It is quite beautiful the way she mixed genres to produce a sexy and gripping sound. I hope you get as much pleasure as I do from her music.

God Given Miracles by Penn & Teller

2011-08-03T22:40:00.000-07:00

A classic in magic using a different prop and scaling it to play for a larger audience and/or venue. Scripting is 100% P&T with the boys staying on message.

Review: Handle With Carey

2011-08-02T05:29:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to meet John Carey through an online magic forum and have been watching for more than a year now as he works through ideas and polishes presentations before unleashing them in public.

In addition to being very clever, John is also very generous with his time and advice to his fellow magicians. Most of what I've seen from him appears to be well constructed and efficient in its handling. Even though I've cut back on both book and DVD purchases an exception was made by adding disc to my collection.

Even though I received the DVD in May due to work obligations and an injured right hand it wasn't until July that I was able to starting working through it with deck in hand. Solid production values thanks to the boys at RSVP Magic and I'm actively working on the first three tricks: Counting On You; Simple Fusion; and Gemini Detection.

All three can be performed strolling without the benefit of a table by using the spectators hands as a 'surface' although a table is preferable and all three are well within reach of the intermediate card handler.Fusion leaves the spectator with a signed card at its conclusion; Gemini gets a business card in play and has a sort of 'caan' feel to it as well.

The disc also includes two coin bits (a walk-around opener and a Spellbound type routine), a bill to impossible location and six other card tricks. All sleights are taught during the trick explanation plus there's a "toolbox" section which provides even more detail on the sleights.

From what others say Carey has worked out this material under fire for a while so it's been audience tested and appears to hold up well. Joe Turner gave a positive review in the August 2011 issue of Genii and while most of this material isn't going to blow away the boys at your next session, it does impress the workers who appreciate well constructed tricks that delivers a clean magical moment for any audience.

The disc is available at many magic dealers or you can order directly from John's website here.

Handle With Carey Promo

God No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales

2011-08-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

Penn Jillette's latest book, "God No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales" will be released on August 16 and in between 'Fool Us'; 'Tell A Lie' and his Vegas show (all co-starring Teller) he's making the rounds promoting his views on religion.

Here's a quick ten minutes on 'Attack of the Show'with host Kevin Pereira.

They're running a pretty decent pre-release sale with up to 40% savinga. As a bonus the book will also be available via Amazon's Kindle device on release day. To pre-order go here: God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales

Back Online

2011-07-24T15:52:00.000-07:00

It's been a crazy 10 weeks for me professionally. In April I was reassigned to a new development group in my company and in the middle of May traveled to Phoenix to take on a new project.

Our team was given until the end of this month to design, build, test and implement a new reporting application for one of our business units. Because of this I temporarily closed this blog and apologize for not even leaving a message of explanation.

Starting in August I'm going to begin posting again on a regular basis. So for the handful of readers who have been kind enough to invest a few minutes each month reading my posts, I hope to have you back again and look forward to your comment either public or private.

Jamy Ian Swiss & Mr. Deity

2011-05-10T15:45:00.001-07:00

Jason England: A Small But Rich Shelf of Books

2011-05-03T20:26:00.000-07:00

Saw this several months ago. Solid advice, most of the books can be purchased without laying out hundreds of dollars. Funny thing is most of the books have several kick ass routines especially Close Up Card Magic and Scarne on Card Tricks.

Dani DaOrtiz: Open Triumph

2011-05-02T18:18:00.000-07:00

Well constructed and beautifully presented, DaOrtiz once again proves for magicians who continue to think, there are new ways to tell an old story. His semi-frantic style allows for movement of small blocks of cards from the top of the deck to the bottom without suspicion.

The style which Dani grew into during the past few years and seems to be inspired by Lennert Green includes a somewhat 'sloppy' look (cards askew, deck haphazardly spread on the table, etc) which is perfect for a Triumph presentation.

This helps to enhance the contrast between the way the deck looks before and after the revelation

And all this from a guy who is only 29 years old.........

The Great Simpsina

2011-04-10T17:43:00.000-07:00

It took the Great Simpsina to finally get Ricky Jay & David Copperfield on the same stage. Amazing!

Pretty Cool

2011-03-23T21:21:00.001-07:00

To commemorate the birth of Ehrich Weiss 137 years ago, Google has installed a new logo on their home page.

Damhnait Doyle - I Want you to Want Me (live)

2011-03-12T14:38:00.000-08:00

Wish there was a better quality live performance of this song by Damhnait. Great cover of a classic rock & roll song.

Bob Fosse's All That Jazz: Air-otica scene

2011-03-04T20:48:00.000-08:00

While never a fan of musicals, I have seen a couple of Fosse productions (Pippen, Dancin) and was a fan of his films (Lenny, All That Jazz, Star 80) before I knew much about him.

Much has been written about how groundbreaking All That Jazz is and what makes it even more unique is it was the first musical film that was based not on a book or stage production but an autobiographical look at Fosse's life and his obsession with death.

Fosse was a triple threat during the 70's having been the first person to win a Tony (Pippen), an Emmy (Liza with a Z) & Oscar (Cabaret)in the same year. His stage productions & films featured many innovations but none more important than his jazz dance style which was said to be recognized by its cynical sexuality.

Bob Fosse died in September 1987.

Sam Kinison: HBO Summer of '85

2011-03-02T18:58:00.000-08:00

Possibly the strongest six minute set in the history of stand up.

Bravo Profiles: Penn & Teller

2011-02-10T22:33:00.000-08:00

Both Johnny Thompson & Dick Cavet sum up how Penn & Teller use their show to deliver messages about topics that are important to them.

NOTE: The audio & video may be slightly out of sync but it's not too bad.

And The Winner Is............

2011-02-09T04:35:00.000-08:00

Overwhelmingly America has decided this won the Super Bowl ad contest last Sunday. I agree..........

Barry Schor's Presto Magic Studio

2011-02-08T03:27:00.000-08:00

As you can see I'm camera challenged. Just an analog guy in a digital world. However during my trip to Phoenix, Arizona last week I got to spend a quick but enjoyable two hours with Barry Schor owner of Presto Magic Studio in Scottsdale.

The only exclusively magic brick & mortar shop remaining in Phoenix and only one of two in the entire state.

It's been tough for Barry the past couple of years and more people are choosing to purchase their magic props, books & DVD's from online merchants operating from their bedrooms or basements rather than shops. And yes, Barry does have a website (designed smartly by Bryce Kuhlman)but even with the site you still get Barry's experience and input.

Example: I'm working on a coin routine about a year ago and need a gaff. I call Barry at the shop and explain what I'm trying to do and for a few minutes we brainstorm before he recommends two choices. I make my decision, place my order over the phone and a few days later the gaff arrives. Works beautifully and it was not the choice I would've made had I not consulted with Barry.

Barry's also the one who got me back on the right track when I returned to magic several years ago. While in Phoenix on a ten day business trip I wandered into his shop one Saturday afternoon. We're chatting and I tell him my interest was re-ignited after seeing Eugene Burger perform the Gypsy Thread in a documentary on magic. Barry produces Burger's Mastering the Art of Magic along with a couple decks of cards and tells me I'll probably need to stop by a crafts store for some supplies and sends me on my way.

There's also been times where he's steered me away from purchases because he knows my interests and knows good magic. With relationships with most of the magic distributors Barry can have most any prop, DVD or book within two days if it's not already in stock.

However what makes Presto Magic Studio unique is the fact Barry deals with consignment lots as well as estate sales. This is where the real gems and bargains can be had.

Two years ago I walk into the shop and immediately see good used copies of Frank Garcia's out of print & hard to find classics, Million Dollar Miracles and Super Subtle Card Miracles both at very reasonable prices compared to winning bids I've seen on ebay. In fact last week Barry had a unique combo of Ricky Jay's Cards As Weapons in stock. The Darien House soft cover edition in very good condition plus a framed poster of the book cover.

There are gems like that throughout the shop.

Finally there is Barry. He knows everybody and has an impeccable reputation. Give him a scenario or problem you're working on and he can usually come up with an option or two that'll suit you. And he's not just pulling this out of his ass. He speaks from experience as a dealer, performer & collector. His collection in the Plexiglas display is a highlight for me personally every time I visit. Too many items to list but my favorites include an original Tarbell course which started out as pamphlets and were kept in a big binder, some Doug Henning items and a cancelled check of Dai Vernon's.

So go to Barry's site the next time you need to order some type of prop or book. Give Barry a call if you have a speciality item you need or are looking for an out of print book. Inquire about his consignment program.

Magic needs brick & mortar shops to hang around. Magic needs the Barry Schor's, Denny Haney's, and Dean Dill's of the world to remain and pass on something you can't get from an online site.

Penn & Teller Live at The Hard Rock Hollywood, Florida

2011-02-06T16:52:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday night (Feb 5th) I finally got to see Penn & Teller live at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida. And the boys did not disappoint.

I had to move my travel plans since the week started for me in Phoenix and originally I was to fly home late Friday night (actually early Saturday morning) repack an overnight bag, pick up my wife then drive a few hours to see the show Saturday evening.

Due to the massive snowstorms here in the US, I decided to travel home late Thursday night instead. The trip turned out to be like something out of Steve Martin film Planes, Trains & Automobiles but that's another story for another time.

While only about a 1/3 or so of the Vegas show travels with the duo on the road, the show isn't about the tricks but more about what Penn & Teller have to say and the method in which they deliver their message. It's entertaining, funny and full of suspense but more importantly it asks the audience think and hopefully ask questions.

Questions about liberty, symbols, freedom, liars and religion are discussed during the performance. They frame their beliefs in of the bits they perform and is why Penn & Teller have become the most important act in magic in the last 35 years (maybe more).

Their act has made magic relevant again.

Their act is not meant to compete with a Copperfield type show and is not meant to deliver the razzle, dazzle of many Vegas productions. Penn & Teller’s roots are street performing or busking and as such they have grown their act so it can play Vegas or venues which can seat several thousand people.

They have always called themselves a couple of guys who can do a few cool things and they have stayed true to themselves in that regard. Their common passion besides performing is science, politics and truth and their target audience is the common man.

Naturally their scripting allows them to deliver a message around these subjects without getting too preachy or turning the show into a cult-like sermon. They’re funny, gory, a bit naughty but very sincere and of course passionate about their craft and beliefs.

Not everyone gets it based on some of the comments I heard and local reviews I read although I did hear several John Edwards comments during the book test bit and the crowd did titter a bit during the Bill of Rights/Flag burning presentation.

After the show both Penn & Teller were in the lobby signing autographs & posing for pictures for what appeared to be a couple of hundred fans. Of course I left my “How To Play With Your Food” book in the car so I purchased a program for the boys to sign. My wife also got photos of me with the boys (I may be the only person who can make Penn look skinny) which are posted above.

Interestingly my wife who doesn’t especially like magic or magicians thoroughly enjoyed the show and thought the approximately 110 minutes went lightening fast.

While I may be preaching to the choir to many of you I’ll say it anyway. If Penn & Teller are booked anywhere near you, take the time and spend the money to see the most intelligent & entertaining act in magic.

You'll be delighted with your decision.

Penn & Teller Orlando: Penn & Teller play Hard Rock Orlando - OrlandoSentinel.com

2011-02-05T05:59:00.000-08:00

Penn & Teller Orlando: Penn & Teller play Hard Rock Orlando - OrlandoSentinel.com

Wife and I are off to see the boys tonight at Hard Rock Hollywood (Florida). Can't wait.

Dani DaOrtiz's Flashback

2011-01-25T10:06:00.000-08:00

What appears to be a face up OOTW routine by Dani DaOritz. Available in Spanish & Finnish only at Dani's online site.

Cool Site

2011-01-24T12:55:00.000-08:00

Have really been digging this site since I found it in Ye Olde Magick Blogge's blog roll.

Anyone who does the last two effects from the Fechter book is a god to me. Check out The Daily Card Trick here.

"Cool like the other side of the pillow........"

2011-01-21T08:38:00.000-08:00

I'm okay with this (sort of) until the 1:30 mark then Helder just destroys me. While I don't speak, read or understand Spanish the exclamation by Dani DaOrtiz in the background is all you need to hear.

If you enjoy world class close up card magic Google 'Helder Guimaraes' and watch the dozens of clips available of his performances throughout the world. If you're like me and magic is a hobby & passion then purchase both of his DVD's: Small Miracles or Red Mirror (he also has three streaming effects at the Dan & Dave site).

Between both DVD's and the streaming effects you'll have more than six hours of presentation, instruction, and discussions on technique, performance and magic theory.

Clearly Guimaraes is heavily influenced by the Portuguese and Spanish magicians he grew up watching and studying. However at the 2009 Daytona Festival of Magic, Helder talked about others such as Vernon and Larry Jennings having a significant influence on his magic as well.

This March at Magic-Con 2011, Guimaraes will release his first English language book which should tempt a younger demographic into purchasing and perhaps read an actual hardcover book.

The future is bright for both the art and the artist.

300 Free Online Courses from Top Universities

2011-01-20T18:35:00.000-08:00

300 Free Online Courses from Top Universities

How cool is this? Thanks to Eric Meads Twitter for sharing the link.........

John Archer Fools Penn & Teller

2011-01-13T17:20:00.000-08:00

I've never seen John Archer before and that's my bad.

Well thought out presentation with an easy style that's fun to watch. At first I was thinking Bank Night but will need to spend some time thinking about this.......or maybe I'll just let it go and be happy to feel fooled again (It's not hard to fool me).

Scientists plan to probe Uranus ;)

2011-01-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

Scientists plan to probe Uranus ;)

Now this appears to be a worthwhile use of public money............

JIS on Annie Duke Show

2011-01-12T06:46:00.000-08:00

Jamy Ian Swiss has been getting a lot of exposure recently. The latest is a one-hour segment on the Annie Duke Show. Swiss spent the hour with Duke and actor Steven Weber who apparently is a fan of the magical arts and has quite a sense of humor.

Swiss performed several effects including some gambling demos (to try and accommodate the conversation) and spoke well about magic in general including some history.

Gabrielle Giffords shooting: Looking in vain for a deeper meaning - latimes.com

2011-01-11T10:07:00.000-08:00

Gabrielle Giffords shooting: Looking in vain for a deeper meaning - latimes.com

Neil Rogers Memorial

2011-01-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

The King Is Dead

2010-12-25T17:20:00.001-08:00

“Neil god!”

Less than two years after being forced out of his mid-day radio show in south Florida, Nelson Roger Beheifer, known to millions of listeners as Neil Rogers died yesterday of congestive heart failure. He was 68 years old.

Rogers who was diabetic had a history of strokes and heart attacks for almost 20 years and had recently traveled back to south Florida from Toronto seeking medical treatment and possibly heart surgery.

I first heard Rogers in the mid-1970’s when he came out on the air during the Anita Bryant homophobic terror campaign and slowly became a fan during the next ten years.

He was described as caustic, crass, rude and brash yet he had no prejudices except against the ignorant.

Uncle Neil as his devoted followers (Neillies) called him never assumed a ’Mr. Microphone’ voice and often kept the mike(?) open while he ate or let loose with some type of bodily function. What you heard is what you got, nothing more or less.

While Neil pissed off a lot of people while on the air he was a mensch in real life. His commentary on life and the world we live in was often interpreted as mean-spirited but was intended to get his listeners to think about the so called status quo.

With all the input we contended with, even in the pre-internet days, Rogers needed some way to grab you by the throat and make you listen. What we did with the message was up to each and every one of us and I don’t think he ever intended to lead anyone. He just wanted people get their heads out of their asses and begin to think and ask questions based on facts.

Most radio personalities could not pull this off and those that had some success were often grim in doing it. Rogers was gut wrenching funny. The bits he played interwoven with comments from his producers and callers were all part of an entertaining piece of American radio that is probably gone forever.

Neil was local and south Florida was the second or third personality on his daily show (Jorge Rodriguez eventually becoming his steady sidekick).

My close friends and I have often wondered how Neil was doing after his retirement in the spring of 2009. As the first radio personality in the region to earn more than one million dollars a year and doing that for many years, we imagined him eating well, smoking his cigars and ‘plunging his guts out’ at some track or casino laughing at the rest of us who had to continue to endure the ponderous south Florida scene.

That’s the way I’ll remember him and I’m thankful to have be one of his loyal listeners.

Goodbye Uncle Neil and thank you.

The Coney Island Fakir

2010-12-18T20:24:00.000-08:00

Forgot I had downloaded the Al Flosso bio written by Gary Brown with an introduction by Teller.

I saw Flosso perform live once or twice, caught several of his television appearances (mostly Wonderrama) and was in his shop a few times but never realized what a treasure he was to the art.

It would've been neat to explore some of the shelves or boxes or just speak to him about the magic scene in the 20's & 30's. To be able to speak to him about life on the road, about performing 10-15 shows a day or the type of daily challenges he faced and what he needed to do to ensure he delivered an entertaining & deceptive show.

I'm happy to have met him and seen him perform live and delighted to finally read a long overdue tribute to a true magical treasure.

Jamy Swiss on Craig Ferguson December 2010

2010-12-16T10:59:00.000-08:00

Jamy Swiss killed again on Craig Ferguson's Late, Late Show last night. Despite being is an awkward sitting position he played well with the host and entertained.

Ferguson is obviously a fan of magic and not threatened by a guest upstaging him. Segments like this are good for the art and Jamy should be proud of his set.

Page & Plant: Gallows Pole

2010-11-09T16:49:00.000-08:00

Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while,
Think I see my friends coming, Riding a many mile.
Friends, did you get some silver?
Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, my dear friends, To keep me from the Gallows Pole?
What did you bring me to keep me from the Gallows Pole?

I couldn't get no silver, I couldn't get no gold,
You know that we're too damn poor to keep you from the Gallows Pole.
Hangman, hangman, hold it a little while,
I think I see my brother coming, riding a many mile.
Brother, did you get me some silver?
Did you get a little gold?
What did you bring me, my brother, to keep me from the Gallows Pole?

Brother, I brought you some silver,
I brought a little gold, I brought a little of everything
To keep you from the Gallows Pole.
Yes, I brought you to keep you from the Gallows Pole.

Hangman, hangman, turn your head awhile,
I think I see my sister coming, riding a many mile, mile, mile.
Sister, I implore you, take him by the hand,
Take him to some shady bower, save me from the wrath of this man,
Please take him, save me from the wrath of this man, man.

Hangman, hangman, upon your face a smile,
Pray tell me that I'm free to ride,
Ride for many mile, mile, mile.

Oh, yes, you got a fine sister, She warmed my blood from cold,
Brought my blood to boiling hot To keep you from the Gallows Pole,
Your brother brought me silver, Your sister warmed my soul,
But now I laugh and pull so hard And see you swinging on the Gallows Pole

Swingin' on the gallows pole!

More than Magic Culture: vanityfair.com

2010-10-31T19:00:00.000-07:00

More than Magic Culture: vanityfair.com

To mark the anniversary of Houdini's death an article by Teller in the U.K. edition of Vanity Fair.

Decision Time

2010-10-30T16:04:00.001-07:00

I'm going to have to make a decision soon. The Daytona Festival of Magic starts this Friday with a decent line up for a regional convention. Mike Ammar, Bev Bergeron, Jonathan Pendragon and special guest this year Mark Wilson. What makes this event special are the attendees from around the state that you only get to see once or twice a year.

My decision is whether to attend for the full three days or just go all day Saturday. Most of the activities I look forward to are scheduled on Saturday but it's the action in the lobby and bar before & after regular hours that makes the convention special. I suppose the same can be said of most conventions.

With work being so hectic as of late and with us now having a second teenager in the house there is precious little time and discretionary funds available. On the other hand as the sole source of income for the family, taking a weekend for myself isn't unreasonable. My wife agrees.

I'll make a decision by Monday or Tuesday and fortunately I'm scheduled for personal time at work for this Friday. In any case if I do attend any part of the convention I'll have pictures and comments posted here within the next week or so.

Missed Opportunity, New Opportunity

2010-10-08T19:56:00.001-07:00

Hectic week at work with several days running more than 12 hours. Received a surprise on Thursday that kept me at my desk until after 8pm which forced me to miss a lecture by Richard Turner.

Fortunately I'll get to session tomorrow afternoon with my friend & mentor and our focus will be on material from Brother John Hamman's book.

Tomorrow night the boys from Miami will open up a can of whoop-ass on FSU & Sunday my parents will visit. They're bringing a car full of food and plan to cook peppers & sausage, pasta with marinara sauce and freshly baked bread.

By the way the weather is beautiful. Lows in the mid 60's, highs in the low 80's with humidity in the 60% range which is fairly dry for us.

Life at times can be very good............

Sympathy For The Devil

2010-10-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

(M. Jagger/K. Richards)

Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year
Stole many a man's soul and faith

And I was 'round when Jesus Christ
Had his moment of doubt and pain
Made damn sure that Pilate
Washed his hands and sealed his fate

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game

I stuck around St. Petersburg
When I saw it was a time for a change
Killed the Czar and his ministers
Anastasia screamed in vain

I rode a tank
Held a general's rank
When the Blitzkrieg raged
And the bodies stank

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guess my name, oh yeah
Ah, what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah
(woo woo, woo woo)

I watched with glee
While your kings and queens
Fought for ten decades
For the gods they made
(woo woo, woo woo)

I shouted out,
"Who killed the Kennedys?"
When after all
It was you and me
(who who, who who)

Let me please introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste
And I laid traps for troubadours
Who get killed before they reached Bombay
(woo woo, who who)

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
(who who)
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, oh yeah, get down, baby
(who who, who who)

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what's confusing you
Is just the nature of my game
(woo woo, who who)

Just as every cop is a criminal
And all the sinners saints
As heads is tails
Just call me Lucifer
'Cause I'm in need of some restraint
(who who, who who)

So if you meet me
Have some courtesy
Have some sympathy, have some taste
(woo woo)
Use all your well-learned politesse
Or I'll lay your soul to waste, mmm yeah
(woo woo, woo woo)

Pleased to meet you
Hope you guessed my name, mmm yeah
(who who)
But what's puzzling you
Is the nature of my game, mmm mean it, get down
(woo woo, woo woo)

Woo, who
Oh yeah, get on down
Oh yeah
Oh yeah!
(woo woo)

Tell me baby, what's my name
Tell me honey, can ya guess my name
Tell me baby, what's my name
I tell you one time, you're to blame

Oh, who
woo, woo
Woo, who
Woo, woo
Woo, who, who
Woo, who, who
Oh, yeah

What's my name
Tell me, baby, what's my name
Tell me, sweetie, what's my name

Woo, who, who
Woo, who, who
Woo, who, who
Woo, who, who
Woo, who, who
Woo, who, who
Oh, yeah
Woo woo
Woo woo

Aaron Fisher's Revolution Featuring Helter Skelter

2010-10-06T16:50:00.000-07:00

I've been a fan of Aaron Fisher's for a few years and continue to study his Paper Engine book on a regular basis. Earlier today I received an email from Aaron announcing the release of his newest DVD REVOLUTION Featuring Helter Skelter later this month.

While his previous releases didn't blow me away, they generally received solid reviews from the magic community. For some reason my toes were tingling when I saw the trailer of this new release and I plan to pre-order a copy as soon as possible.

Check out the trailer and go to Aaron's site for more information.

Barry & Stuart: White Noise

2010-09-11T05:40:00.000-07:00

I first became aware of Barry & Stuart during this past summer's Essential Magic Conference and immediately fell in love with them. They appear to be wise beyond their years and actually delivered an excellent segment on presenting entertaining magic.

You can learn more about them at barryandstuart.com

Moonlight and Magnolias

2010-08-23T10:48:00.000-07:00

As part of my wife's birthday present this year, I purchased two season passes to a local theater group in Melbourne, Florida which is about 25 miles north of our home.

The 59th season of the Melbourne Civic Theatre kicks off with a production of Ron Hutchinson's Moonlight and Magnolias. The story is loosely based on the true story of how David O Selznick shut down production of Gone with the Wind three weeks into shooting to fire the director and have a veteren Hollywood screenwriter essentially write a new shooting script.

We attended the Sunday afternoon show this week and were delighted with the performance. The venue, which is located in the heart of historic downtown Melbourne, is an intimate 92 seat facility. The two act performance moved smoothly with only two or three spots that seemed to drag ever so slightly. Production values were decent as was the sound and lighting.

Both my wife and I were delighted with the first show of the season and look forward to the next production which will be in October when the temperatures are a little more mild.

Goodbye and thanks........JC Wagner

2010-08-16T18:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the word got out almost immediately in the magic community that JC Wagner had finally lost his battle with cancer. I never had the pleasure of seeing him personally but recognize what an influence he was on so many of the performers I admire.

While the outcome of this battle was never in question I know the pain of loss is terrible just the same.

I drink on an infrequent basis these days but I will follow Jon Racherbaumer's advice and raise a glass to Mr. Wagner this evening.

My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Lennart Green y Dani DaOrtiz, television

2010-08-11T19:28:00.000-07:00

Two generations, two masters, four hands and a deck of cards..........

21st Century Magical Weekend

2010-07-15T05:48:00.000-07:00

Have decided to take a few days off to recharge my batteries, spend some time at poolside and indulge my hobby of sleight of hand magic.

For the next three days, I'll spend more than 16 hours attending the first ever online magic conference through the creative efforts of Luis de Matos, Marco Tempest and David Britland.

The Essential Magic Conference is being held at Studio 33, an all purpose magic facility in Ansiao, Portugal. From the EMC site, "The entire conference will be broadcast via the internet. It features lectures and demonstrations by some of the most important thinkers in magic. You can watch the lectures live from your computer. Or you can view the lectures on-demand immediately following their broadcast. There are opportunities for you to interact with and question the conference speakers. As an additional bonus, every subscriber receives a set of DVDs containing every lecture."

While this won't replace conventions as we know them today, this is a channel of delivery that will eventually be commonplace. EMC is not-for-profit so the for profit model will have to solve a few problems as I see it.

Perhaps they follow the model used in other fields where the conference has a limited number of in-person spots available at a substantial cost but the majority of the audience is web-based.

Regardless I am eagerly looking forward to seeing this concept mature in the coming years.

In addition to attending the conference, I'm meeting a sessioning buddy on Saturday and will have my netbook so we can watch the final day performers together.

On Sunday a new brick and mortar magic shop is opening in downtown Melbourne, Florida. Congratulations to Sam & Mandi on opening Downtown Magic.

Gotta nap now before logging on to day one of the conference................

Essential Magic Conference: Helder Guimaraes

2010-07-11T17:41:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, July 15, the magical community will take a 21st century approach to bringing together magicians with the first online conference live from Ansiao, Portugal.

The facility was created by Luis de Matos as a magic headquarters for his various ventures. de Matos has teamed up with Marco Tempest and David Britland in this not-for-profit experiment.

The cost is $75USD and includes instant on-demand access to all lectures and sessions which will be taped for up to one year. Also included in the price all enrollees will receive a set of DVD's of the entire conference later this summer.

Go to Essential Magic Conference to enroll.

Prime Time Programming Lost

2010-07-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

First broadcast April 2, 1959 by CBS. Miles Davis, leader and trumpet; John Coltrane, tenor saxophone; Wynton Kelly, piano; Paul Chambers, bass; Jimmy Cobb, drums; and The Gil Evans Orchestra

America's Pledge and Motto

2010-06-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

With America’s birthday approaching I would ask you to reflect on three words that made the first cut of the Pledge of Allegiance, “one nation indivisible”.

These words were written into the Pledge in 1892 to ensure no American would be excluded in our country. It celebrated the fact that our country is a melting pot in which all were welcomed and expected to contribute.

In 1954 when the words “under God“ were inserted into the Pledge it was a direct slap in the face of every American who doesn’t believe in God and an insult to all the people who believe in the ideals this country was founded on regarding no national religion.

The government of the 1950’s also changed our national motto two years later that had served our country well for almost 150 years up to that point in time. The all inclusive motto, "E Pluribus Unum" which is Latin for "Out of Many, One" is what the founders of our country had in mind to serve all American regardless of their personal choices on how to live their lives and how they choose to enjoy the freedom this country is suppose to provide its citizens.

The national motto in 1956 became "In God We Trust," which again excludes anyone that doesn't believe in a monotheistic God.

This is not a plead to convince you to believe or not believe in a god, it is a request to think about how far our country has moved away from its roots and to think about supporting future efforts to end discrimination and change our Pledge and motto back to its original versions.

Truer Words.......................Denny Haney

2010-06-27T19:00:00.001-07:00

Just received this email from Denny Haney of Denny & Lee's Magic (Baltimore & Las Vegas).

The message followed with a list of classic books, some originally published more than 100 years ago, that are now available in paperback. All for less than $20USD. And while I've become a student of magic that needs a visual aid, be it a live demonstration or video, it's the reading, comprehending, questioning and experimenting with the written instruction which trains us to perform magic and not 'do tricks'.

Read Denny's message and join his mail list if you like what he has to say. I've acquired several pre-owned books, all in very good condition at very good prices. His customer service is tops and he has super fast delivery.

====================

MAGIC AND THE PAPERBACK BOOK:
It is really amazing how many magicians tell me how expensive magic is. It really depends on how you spend your money as to how expensive magic is. I'll never forget when Mike Rogers lectured here at our studio many years ago. He held up a little $10.00 paperback book titled The Art of Magic by T. Nelson Downs and made the following statement: “If someone were to take this book today and learn what is in it, they could tour the world as a professional magician the rest of their life.”

And yet, we seem to always be searching for the Holy Grail, that next new miracle that will make us a star, that latest “hype” trick that makes people on the street run away from us. Virtual reality internet shops (the ones that don't really exist) and websites that prey on the new or younger beginner magicians are making a lot of money selling instant downloads, DVDs, and so called “Street Magic” to those who just don't want to read. This is what makes magic expensive.

YOU can make the choice. YOU do not have to follow the hip hop magic crowd. Have you ever seen Al Goshman, Don Alan, Del Ray, Bert Allerton, etc. perform for real laymen?? By laymen, I don't mean young people on the street who have never seen magic before in their life. I mean people who do travel and stay in nice hotels. People who have real jobs or are executives in business. People who go out to dinner and dress nicely when they go out. These are the people who pay a nice fee for you to perform. These are the people who have seen lots of entertainers in their time and know a good one when they see it.

Some of the greatest magical entertainers and creators have published their life's work in little paperback booklets that seem to be totally ignored by young or beginner magicians today. Everything is YouTube, Instant Downlaod, or DVD.
You are missing some of the finest magic ever published in these paperback books.
You can either follow the crowd and do what every other “cool” magician is doing OR you can look into some of these works and do things that are different, things that make an audience ENJOY what you are doing.

Anyway, that is just my thought on it. I could write dozens of pages on this subject but I will keep it short and just throw some of these booklets at you. Please take the time to read about them. You may be surprised.

Author Sam Harris joins plot to have Pope arrested - Times Online

2010-06-13T09:13:00.000-07:00

Author Sam Harris campaigns to have Pope arrested - Times Online

Jamy Ian Swiss on Craig Ferguson

2010-06-05T02:35:00.000-07:00

All I could think about were the lyrics from Paul Simon's "Late In The Evening" (...and I blew the room away.)

30 Minutes of DaOritz

2010-04-30T05:30:00.000-07:00

While I haven't had a chance to hear a translation here are several clips of Dani DaOrtiz performing while being filmed by an audience member.

It's obvious that Lennart Green has influenced Dani's performing style however due to the language barrier I can't tell how much of these thirty minutes are 'scripted' and how much is improvisational.

Regardless enjoy the magic and for those who are interested check out Dani's blog.

FYI - the site is in Spanish but Google has a free translation tool which I use all the time for sites that are in languages other than English.

Our Son's 15th Birthday

2010-04-26T03:57:00.000-07:00

Since he's getting too old for the traditional 'birthday party', gifts and games with his friends our son asked if I would take him on a skate road trip this year.

Frank has been into skateboarding since he turned ten and it's been one of the best decisions of his life. Unlike the 1970's & 80's when the majority of skaters were all tatted up and boarderline criminal, skating and its participants have gone mainstream during the past twenty years.

We have always encouraged Frank to be involved in some type of physical activity so we've done the baseball, basketball, karate, golf, fishing, gymnastics and scouting deals. All had very positive aspect to them but the team sports often turned very competitive for the adults which puts unwanted pressure on the children.

I have no issues with kids being competitive amongst themselves but when adults begin to interfere it can get ugly.

Skating is different however. By its very nature it's the skater competing against himself to see how much he can improve from the last time he skated. They mostly measure themselves by learning new tricks and then seeing how refined they can make that technique.

A skater can compete if they wish but they don't have to and often only skate for their own pleasure and sense of accomplishment when they've mastered a trick. It's also can be an outlet for creativity and of course it's physically demanding and hard on the body. If you stick with it for any length of time, you've become a tough guy and learned how to skate through pain.

Last weekend my son and I loaded up the truck, picked up one of his friends and began a 12 hour, 190 mile round trip that took us through three counties, three different skate parks and several street spots.

Along the way we hit several drive-thru's including the bank ATM, Cici's Pizza and one gas station. The truck smells like a combination between a convenience store and a locker room.

Below are a few pictures I snapped at one of the outdoor skate parks (Lawnwood in Ft Pierce, Florida) and a street spot that was posted and right in the middle of a crafts show.

Juan Tamariz: Three Card Surprise

2010-04-21T17:28:00.000-07:00

Three minutes thirty seven seconds using three ordinary playing cards and his immense talent.

Taped in the early 1990's at one of the Macmillan conventions in the U.K., Tamariz puts together a delightfully simple and mystifying routine with an ending that appeared to surprise even some of the magicians in the audience.

In his ongoing questions & answer PDF download, Ask Roberto Giobbi (available through Lybrary.com), Giobbi points out Tamariz' use of space during the presentation. Tamariz himself discusses the deliberate pace he uses for this effect during the explanation part of the DVD.

Eric Mead: The magic of the placebo | Video on TED.com

2010-03-13T05:15:00.000-08:00

Pork Party House: Where DC insiders go for taxpayer-subsidized fun

2010-03-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

First Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) surrenders his chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee amid an ethics investigation.

Now Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) proposes an idea that she hopes will help her make good on her promise to help lead "the most ethical Congress in history"—a party-wide ban on earmarks. Will it happen? Don't bet on it.

Reason.tv's "Pork Party House" helps explain why neither party can resist the pull of pork. If you're a politician, lobbyist, or insider and you're in the mood to party, check out a Washington D.C. mansion called the Sewall-Belmont House. Party with senators and celebrities at thousand-dollar-a-plate fundraisers! You might even get to ride a mechanical bull!

The Sewall-Belmont House hosts so many A-list events, you might be surprised to find out that your tax dollars help fund this hotspot for Washington insiders.

"Over the last 10 years, the Sewall-Belmont House has gotten over $3.4 million in earmarks," says Leslie Paige of Citizens Against Government Waste.

Reporters often highlight the most ridiculous examples, but politicians have learned how to make their pork projects sound uncontroversial, even appealing.

Just say your project will help children, senior citizens, or—if you really want to slip under the radar—direct taxpayer dough to a museum. "Museums are one of the biggies because they sound so good," says Paige.

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) used that angle to direct a million-dollar earmark to the Sewall-Belmont House (after the Senator received an award from the Sewall-Belmont House). Turns out Landrieu was just getting warmed up, because her recent $300 million "Louisiana Purchase" shot her into the ranks of pork legends.

It wasn't supposed to be like this, laments Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), one of Congress's few legitimate pork busters. Flake tells Reason.tv that despite pork-laden scandals that stuck some members behind bars—remember Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.)?—and promises from Barack Obama to reform earmarks, spending on pork continues to swell in the giant pork party house called the U.S. Congress.

Matrix:_DaOrtiz_Style

2010-03-08T16:50:00.001-08:00

If You See Her, Say Hello

2010-02-26T21:03:00.000-08:00

f You See Her, Say Hello

If you see her, say hello, she might be in Tangier
It’s the city ’cross the water, not too far from here
Say for me that I’m all right though things are kind of slow
She might think that I’ve forgotten her, don’t tell her it isn’t so.

We had a falling-out, like lovers sometimes do
But to think of how she left that night, it hurts me through and through
And though our situation pierced me to the bone
I got to find someone to take her place. I don’t like to be alone.

I see a lot of people as I make the rounds
And I hear her name here and there as I go from town to town
And I’ve never gotten used to it, I’ve just learned to turn it off
Her eyes were blue, her hair was too, her skin so sweet and soft.

Sundown, yellow moon, I replay the past
I know every scene by heart, they all went by so fast
If she’s passin’ back this way, and I sure hope she don’t
Tell her she can look me up. I’ll either be here or I won’t.

Spring Training 2010

2010-02-25T19:44:00.000-08:00

In Florida & Arizona pitchers and catchers now have the rest of their teams in camp for spring training 2010. And before the season begins we need to know the names of the players for our team. Here's Abbott and Costello reviewing the St. Louis team.........

Not An Emerson & West Packet Trick

2010-02-23T18:13:00.000-08:00

DaOrtiz

2010-02-19T13:58:00.001-08:00

DaOrtiz: Ambitious Mixed with Four of a Kind Revelations

2010-02-17T04:10:00.000-08:00

Dani DaOrtiz in a coffee shop, working surrounded does four minutes of ambitious card, 4-of-a-kind revelations and more. Not as frantic as previously seen but still works at a fast pace and an almost 'sloppy' style with cards flying and dropping but always under control.

Five In Focus | Eric Mead: Artists, writers, musicians, politicians, and filmmakers share their favorite films

2010-02-12T19:07:00.000-08:00

Five In Focus | Eric Mead: Artists, writers, musicians, politicians, and filmmakers share their favorite films

Jamy Ian Swiss at GEL 2009

2010-02-07T06:08:00.000-08:00

Jamy Ian Swiss at Gel 2009 from Gel Conference on Vimeo.

Love him or hate him Jamy Ian Swiss is thought provoking AND gets the gigs which supports he and his family. Swiss who has been a corporate speaker for years shares a clip from his presentation at the 2009 GEL Conference (Good Experience Live Conference).

Based on his long standing corporate approach entitled "Magic Metaphors" Swiss' presentation at GEL was on Empathy: A Job Skill. Using a single card trick he explains to the audience there is one key ingredient in all good magic tricks which is also the essence of good listening.

Jamy's presentation was described as one of the most "thought-provoking and talked-about presentations from Gel 2009 and should be required viewing for anyone in the business of creating good experiences."

Eugene Burger: A Magical Vision

2010-02-06T17:27:00.001-08:00

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

Finally! Embedded above is Michael Caplan's documentary on Eugene Burger's life in magic. Enjoy.

Cellini Lives

2010-01-30T15:31:00.000-08:00

Like many, Tom Frank, student & friend of Jim Cellini misses him since his illness and eventual passing in 2009. Fortunately there are still first generation Cellini buskers who continue to perform in doorways & plazas around the world. Because of this Cellini's spirit will continue to live on for buskers and their audiences.

And Another........

2010-01-29T18:26:00.001-08:00

And He Gets the Girl Too

2010-01-29T02:13:00.000-08:00

The effects seem simple enough but Tamariz' interaction with the spectators is where all the magic takes place.

What I Discovered During President Obama's State of the Union

2010-01-27T19:28:00.000-08:00

Not only is it almost the end of January but tonight was the President's State of the Union Address. While I listened to the President's address in the background I focused on a kick ass Follow the Leader presentation by 2006 FISM winner Helder Guimarães.

Happy Holidays

2009-12-28T03:59:00.000-08:00

First a belated 'Happy Holidays' to all (my modem & router failed on 12/23) and I just 'rigged' up a connection. Hopefully the new hardware will be in this week.

I have for your listening please an appropriate and sincere Christmas song composed by Gary Stockdale who writes music for Penn & Teller's Bullshit show on Showtime. Enjoy!

Mullica Wallet for sale

2009-12-14T16:11:00.000-08:00

Brand new Mullica wallet for sale. Never used. Retails for $59.99. Now only $37.00 includes postage in the U.S.

It's been consistent for decades now........

2009-11-22T12:39:00.001-08:00

REVIEW: 2009 Daytona Festival of Magic

2009-11-10T06:31:00.000-08:00

REVIEW: 9th Annual Daytona Festival of Magic
November 6-8, 2009 Daytona Beach, Florida

Summary: For the ninth time since 2001, Harry Allen and Irv Cook pulled off another
successful weekend get-together. Decent hotel property, decent lineup for the Friday
night cabaret and Saturday public show, a lot of lectures in a 48 hour period, teach-ins and a pretty good close show. Reasonably priced for a regional convention and Harry knows who his customers are and books accordingly.

This was my first Daytona convention but it won't be my last.

Convention registration opened at 12noon and the hotel was very accommodating by letting me check in at 11:30am just as I arrived. The majority of the rooms at the Daytona Beach Resort have full kitchens and a supermarket just across the street which is good as they don't have room service. The property is older not unlike a Holiday Inn but well kept, clean and has an attentive staff.

The dealer room was open early and had about 18 booths in two small rooms. Sadly there was a very small selection of books available although a ton of DVD's were offered by most. A sign of the times as I consider myself a book guy so I only came home with a couple of DVD's and a subscription to Kozmo's Reel Magic.

There were four lectures between 12:30pm and 6:00pm (Harry Allen, Charlotte Pendragon, Dave Hill,and Paul Richards). I wanted to mingle with some old and new friends and talk to the dealers before things got crazy so I decided to attend the Pendragon lecture. I heard good things about Harry, Dave Hill and Paul Richards from others throughout the weekend.

Charlotte Pendragon was disappointing as a lecturer. She seemed clearly uncomfortable
addressing a room full of people and if she had a structured lecture planned she didn't follow it. She didn't seem to have a topic in mind when she started and at times began to discuss stagecraft but seemed to drift off topic.

Most people find it difficult to stand up and address a crowd but I was surprised to see how uncomfortable she was considering her performing experience. After 35 minutes I had seen and heard enough and left.

The strolling magicians contest was staged during the Friday night deli bash which is very much what real world conditions are for the stroller. My input to Harry would be to have all the contestants queue up and have contestant #1 work table #1, then move to table #2 while contestant #2 begins to work table #1. This way all contestants would get to all tables before they were called up to the buffet. It seemed the contestants were basically told to work as many tables as they could without any other instructions which led to a chaotic scene at times.

Our table had four performers stop by out of approximately 15 - 18. Performers were judged by applause at the end of the meal. There has to be a better way.

The cabaret show was MC'd by Norm Barnhart and featured David Merry, Barry Mitchell, Normondo the Great (Barnhart) and closed with David Gerrard. All performers were well received by the audience but I was taken by the Gerrard's performance. Professional, entertaining and polished his presentation of the floating zombie ball was beautiful. I thought that bit was overdone and retired a long time ago (and rightfully so in many cases) but Gerrard's made it seem as if it was really a silver orb magically floating to the theme of E.T.

Back to the dealers room after the show, then the lobby to mingle, the bar for a quick drink or two and time to get ready for The Jinx lecture by Harry Anderson & Jon Racherbaumer.

A quick FYI here......I spent some time earlier in the day at Anderson's & Racherbaumer's booth talking with each of them, ran into Harry in the lobby and by the elevators. We chatted about the cabaret show, street performers I had seen in NYC in the early 1970's and his upcoming lecture. Anderson seemed mellow and personable.

At the start of the lecture Harry addressed the audience and let us know this was not going to be a typical lecture. He and Racherbaumer wanted to discuss Annemann's impact on them and the world of magic and wanted this to be somewhat interactive. Anderson also let the audience know this would not be family friendly or for the politically correct. So warned they began and made sure the bar was open so everyone could 'reload' as the night progressed.

Overall, for me, it was worth my time and money. Both Racherbaumer and Anderson provided insight to Annemann, his effects and thinking about magic and magicians. Everyone received a copy of the Jinx Tribute which was included in the October Genii magazine (and of course we had the opportunity to have it signed by both authors). Racherbaumer showed us some ideas that were inspired by Annemann and Anderson did the same with some of the material he was selling at the lecture.

Their dealer booth did no sales prior to the lecture as it was offered first to those of us who signed up for the lecture. Anything remaining went on sale Saturday morning to the general public.

During the night Anderson was funny, insulting, profane with rants that included sexist, racist, homophobic jokes and worked in references to health care, chemotherapy, the handicapped (directed at his friend Ricky Boone) and bestiality. He made sure to give shout-outs to David Copperfield, Jeff McBride and I'm sure I'm missing a few but you get the picture.

Again everyone was warned prior to the start of the lecture, the bar was open and the booze was flowing, an audience member was buying Harry the drinks the entire night when the formal lecture ended somewhere between 2:00am - 2:30am.

Both Jon & Harry stayed for autographs and pictures afterward. They were still there with about two dozen people when I staggered up to my room for the night.

The following morning I slept through both my wake up call and the chambermaid service so I missed both Bev Bergeron and Chris Capehart's lectures. I had seen Bev years ago but was really ticked off I missed Capehart which I understand was the hit of the convention.

The stage contest got underway just before the close up show started so you had to make a choice. Pavel, David Merry, Helder Guimaraes, and Kostya Kimlat performed for four different rooms rotating after doing approximately 12-15 minute sets.

The close up show was a real treat for me as my decision to attend the convention was made after seeing 2006 FISM winner Helder Guimaraes would be performing and lecturing. But first some thoughts about Guimaraes.

I first spotted him on Friday afternoon at the Pendragon lecture sitting in the back row by himself. With a deck of cards in his hand practicing something. Later that afternoon I saw him talking with a small group and again with a deck in his hand. Later I went into the bar to order a beverage and there's Helder at the bar by himself practicing. I spotted him about 8 or 9 times that weekend including the Saturday night show and he always had the deck in his hand......practicing.

When you see him perform live it's as if the cards are an extension of his arms. The cards move from hand to hand not as foreign objects manipulated by his fingers and hands but as a part of him. They float in his hands, held delicately but firmly, moving silently and swiftly doing just as Helder wants them to do.

At age 27 he is already reached great heights as a performer and competitor yet the feeling is the sky is the limit for Guimaraes.

Afternoon lectures started in the same hour as the close up contest so I decided to float around until Helder's lecture began. All of Saturday's lectures (Pavel, David Merry, Helder and Barry Mitchell)were held in the same room and unfortunately suffered from some disorganization and planning. First, the lecturer's merchandise table was set up to the side of the performers so after the lecture everyone
converged to the table like a politician to a kickback. As a result the next lecture couldn't start until the previous one completed their sales, answered their questions, took pictures, etc.

I didn't attend Pavel or David Merry's lecture but Merry ran about 15 - 20 minutes long. Guimaraes had to wait and didn't begin until about 4:45 or 4:50pm (original start time was 4:30pm). Barry Mitchell was to begin at 5:30pm and here's where it gets dicey.

A lecture that begins at 5:30pm will go until at least 6:30pm or longer. The evening show begins at 8pm and is at least 20 minutes away by car. That leaves everyone less than 90 minutes to eat, change and get to the show. Cutting it close to say the least.

Helder began his lecture by stating he didn't have a lot of merchandise to sell (a booklet of notes and 1 DVD) but did want to discuss his approach to magic. He used Giobbi's 'magic iceberg' as an example of his approach. Unfortunately at 5:30pm, less than an hour after he started, some convention assistants came into the room, followed by Barry Mitchell and asked Helder to wrap up his lecture. A few minutes later Harry Allen comes in and does the same thing.

Guimaraes thanks the audience and moves off to his merchandise table and while Barry Mitchell begins to set up. Then two convention workers pick up Helder's table of merchandise and walk it out the door into the lobby so Mitchell can begin his lecture.

Assuming positive intent it appears the Saturday afternoon lectures were not as well organized as they could be and bum-rushing a FISM winner off the stage was the conventions attempt at making sure attendee's could see all the lectures and have enough time to get to the show. At best it was poor event management made worse by a solution that was unfair to Helder who should have been given the same consideration as every other lecturer.

The Saturday night show seemed well received by the general public where I was sitting. Jack Cook (Irv's son) was MC and the show opened with the contest winners being announced and presented trophies by Harry Allen.

The opening act of Yo Kato from Korea who went from joining a magic club to placing third in the Asian FISM in 2008. His act consisted of manipulations with small magic wands who's tips detached and became thimbles. Fast paced to very up tempo music this 20-something year old has a bright future if he chooses to pursue a career performing. Not sure if the would be better suited to a cabaret vs full stage as the angle I was at (third row extreme stage right) revealed more than I'm sure Kato wanted. Otherwise first class and polished including how he handled a minor mistake (He handled it just fine).

Pavel was next with a rope act also done entirely to music. Classic European cabaret act something I remember seeing a lot of during the 1970's. Solid performance considering it's been 30 years or so since I last saw Pavel.

Chris Capehart was next with a mostly family oriented show with a bunch of interaction with the children in the audience. Standard off the shelf effects which are in birthday magicians repertiore throughout the world, I think Capehart stole the entire show. The audience reaction was the best overall in my opinion and it's easy to see how Chris is able to make a full-time living performing and lecturing.

The second half opened with Harry Anderson who did basically a stand up bit. Funny, a few inside jokes, one off color remark and a straight jacket escape aided by a spectator in the front row (the spectator basically was asked to unbuckle the jacket so Harry could 'escape').

To close out the show was Charlotte Pendragon who brought along two dancers, a gymnast and mentalist. Conceptually a show with illusions, dance, music, gymnastics, mentalism and audience participation may very well work out given the right venues and target audience. However Ms. Pendragon first needs to get her show up to speed.

Again I was amazed at how uncomfortable she appeared to be addressing the audience. She delivered her script haltingly and at times appeared to be ad-libbing or perhaps she just forgot her lines. The timing was off and her attempt to connect with the audience by performing the linking rings and signed card to shoe was brutal. Frankly it appeared as if she decided to add the rings at the last minute as she was clearly uncomfortable with them and the signed card to shoe had one major glitch........it was her signature on the card, not the spectators.

Harry Allen did her a favor by allowing her to lecture, close the public show and conduct a teach-in. I attended two out of three and was disappointed. I hear the teach-in had 9 people attend which was almost a sell out as there was room only for ten. Again I certainly hope Ms. Pendragon takes the weekend as a learning experience and works to realize her full potential.

The Saturday night lecture by Kostya Kimlat did not disappoint. Kimlat is very personable, professional and has a bright future ahead of him. He also had a teach in on Sunday morning and promised to stay up for the lecture as long as there was one at least one person in the room with him. It's nice to be young.

I had to return home early on Sunday so I didn't attend any of the lectures or activities. Sadly I missed meeting Magic Ian whom I've corresponded with recently and talked with several Floridians who had good things to say about his material and knowledge.

Hightlights this year was meeting a lot of magicians who I only knew from the internet or talking to on the phone. It was a pleasure to speak for a bit with Harry Anderson, Jon Racherbaumer, Kozmo, and meet guys like Bob (Largo), Josh (Orlando), Mac Stone (Miami), Maldo (Orlando). Overall it was a great weekend, a decent facility and I'll register shortly for the 2010 convention. Harry Allen has already announced Drew Thomas, Steve Dacri, Latco and Stoil as booked for next year.

Less than 12 months to go before the 2010 Daytona Festival of Magic.............

SnagFilms Film Widget

2009-10-23T21:21:00.001-07:00

Tamariz' Elmsley Count with People

2009-10-11T15:50:00.000-07:00

Juan Tamariz with the help of Dani DaOrtiz and friends performs an Elmsley count using people instead of cards.

Dai Vernon: Revelations

2009-09-20T17:16:00.000-07:00

I've posted on several magic forums that my copy of Vernon's Revelations is for sale. $75USD plus shipping (buyer determines what type of shipping and insurance). Will accept Paypal only and will ship only in the US & Canada.

Thank You Norman Borlaugh

2009-09-13T09:15:00.001-07:00

The man who has saved more human lives than any other in the history of the world, died today at age 95.

Penn on Healthcare Information

2009-09-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

From Crackle: If You Love Your Parents…

The point is scare tactics don't have to have words like 'death panels' in them.

Steve Spill: Water Conservation PSA

2009-08-31T21:53:00.000-07:00

Four 4 Four

2009-08-22T22:49:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if it's the same technique I'm using as I work on a Daniel Garcia routine but Dani DaOrtiz has a very smooth delivery on this switch. It's questionable whether the utility move on it's own can be effective with a lay audience but executed this well it certainly will impress the magi's at the club or conventions.

Deceptive Practices

2009-08-21T14:22:00.001-07:00

(From louiserosenltd.com)

Louise Rosen Ltd. was launched in 1996 to specialize in setting up international television pre-sales and co-productions on behalf of independent documentary and non-fiction producers.

From their press release this week:

How does a magician become a magician? That question lies at the center of Deceptive Practice, a mesmerizing portrait of one of the art's greatest living performers.

The multi talented Ricky Jay is a bestselling author and historian, an acclaimed actor, a leading collector of antiquarian books and artifacts, but above all he is a sleight-of-hand artist capable of creating a profound sense of wonder and disbelief in even the most jaded of audiences.

Through interviews, archival materials, and a wide range of performances, Deceptive Practice celebrates the survival of an ancient tradition through the life and times