Magic Tricks

How To Do Magic Like Criss Angel Does On TV!

2008-02-12T08:01:00.000-05:00

A controversial new manual exposes the secrets of mentalists like Criss Angel and David Blaine!

There is a brand new website that I'm about to show to you that will teach you proven magic tricks and mentalism techniques that will leave your friends and family scratching their heads and wondering how you did it!

The methods revealed to you through this website are closely guarded secrets of magic insiders. Get ready to see the looks on your friend's faces when you're doing the same tricks as Criss Angel, David Blaine and David Copperfield!

You'll learn everything you need to know about:

* Mentalism

* Street Magic

* Hypnotism

* Levitation

* Card Tricks

* and much more...

These guys guarantee that you'll be blown away by their easy-to-follow, step-by-step approach!

To get started right away simply head on over to the following website... You won't regret it!

http://discovermagictricks.com/mentalism.php

Join The BlogRush!

2007-09-15T15:58:00.000-04:00

I’ve just joined the BlogRush, have you?

Join here… http://www.blogrush.com/r21243823

Don't Thank Me... Just Throw Money

2007-07-29T04:53:00.000-04:00

Watch this then sign up for the 30 day challenge at http://thirtydaychallenge.com

The Secret Law of Attraction

2007-06-09T04:04:00.000-04:00

Here's some 'real' magic from The Secret Law of Attraction

Don't Lose Your Head Over This Trick!

2006-12-12T13:26:00.000-05:00

Would you like to know the secret?

Download a tutorial video that explains all the details to learn this effect. There are over 100 tutorial videos to download.

The Free-Floating Card Trick

2006-12-12T13:16:00.000-05:00

My friend Tim David just showed me a really cool trick of his, see it for yourself here...

http://www.discovermagictricks.com/free-floating-card-magic-trick.html

Have fun!

Chris

New exciting additions for you

2006-10-20T06:03:00.000-04:00

Some very exciting new eBook items have been added to the magic collection that will help add some magic and fun to your life.

Check them out now here ->

http://www.discovermagictricks.com/cbmagic.html

technorati tags: magic tricks

Learn To Fly!

2006-10-17T05:31:00.000-04:00

Magic Tricks

Why bother levitating like David Blaine when you can fly like Super Jon!...

Learn To Fly!

technorati tags: levitating, david blaine, learn magic tricks

Amaze Your Friends and Family...

2006-10-10T09:23:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been to a live magic show, or watched a TV performance by a famous magician, and wondered... 'How do they do that?'

Well... you are about to find out!

I am an enthusiastic fan of magic tricks, just like you are, and I really, really, wanted to know how it was all done. So I asked!

First I asked visitors to my web site what they most wanted to know about magic tricks, thenI had their questions answered by expert researchers...

Discover The Magic Trick Secrets You're Not Supposed To Know!

technorati tags:magic tricks, magician, magic show

Develop a "Hook"

2006-10-09T10:00:00.003-04:00

What makes you different from all the other performers out there?
What is your unique angle? What makes you shine and stand out from the crowd?

Ideally, your show or your persona should strive, in some way, to differentiate from everything else that's out there at the moment.

Now I'm not saying you should go out on a limb and try something totally crazy and overly ambitious. But it's smart to give clients even more of a reason to hire you and not someone else.

So, for example, you could concentrate on one particular area within magic and cultivate it as a specialty. That would ultimately allow you to market yourself as, say, "The Mentalist Magician" or "Merlin the Mind-Reader" (okay, you can probably come up with something a LOT better, but this is just to give you an idea of what I mean!).

The Business of Magic

technorati tags:magic+tricks, magician, magic

Cultivate a Stage Persona

2006-10-08T03:31:00.000-04:00

Ideally, magic tricks should bring about a sense of wonder and excitement, not a sense of being tricked or fooled. And you as a magician should therefore aim to be mystical and wise, not hokey.

Of course, there are many ways to be entertaining. Some of the most successful magicians in the biz are very serious in terms of their demeanor. Others, however, are jocular and love to crack jokes during their shows.

Your "stage persona" is really up to you. If you're naturally inclined toward being chatty and making jokes, go for it on stage.

If you're naturally more reserved and quiet, you can think about adopting a more "David Blaine-like" character when you're performing.

The trick (pun intended!) is just to make sure you approach it as a role or a performance. Give the audience the dazzling entertainment they want and you will always be a hit.

Why Showmanship Is Essential to Success

technorati tags:magic+tricks, magicians

Levitation

2006-10-05T06:37:00.000-04:00

Since you're interested in magic and illusion I'm going to bet you've heard of levitation before. Perhaps you've even seen a magician perform this incredible trick and wondered, "How the heck is he doing that?!" Well, hold onto your hat, because you're about to learn how.
First off, what is levitation? We all know what it looks like - the act of floating off or above the ground. It's sort of like flying. All the great magicians try to perfect this trick because it's one of the most simply visually arresting illusions in existence. And it's actually not that hard to do...

We practical magicians know that there is some trickery involved in levitation as a performance. However, there are those who believe in the real phenomenon of levitation as a form of psychokinesis, or the ability to move objects just with the power of the mind. The only people said to be able to perform levitation in reality are the spiritual elite, or those possessed by spiritual forces, like shamans, people in trances, or those possessed by a devil.

Now I don't know anyone who's actually seen a REAL levitation outside a magic performance, so take this for what you will...I mean, you can sit on the floor and meditate and wait to "lift off," but unless you're really in possession of some special supernatural forces I don't think you're going to have too much luck!

What I am here to show you is how to perform the trick of levitation, to give your audience the impression that you are floating, or else causing some other object to float.

Levitation as a magic illusion has recently been practiced in the public sphere by such magic superstars as David Blaine and David Copperfield. Copperfield even performed a spectacular stunt in which he appeared to float over the Grand Canyon!!

All smoke and mirrors? TV special effects? Not exactly...

The Grand Illusion - Large-Scale Magic Tricks That Won't Fail to Impress!

technorati tags:magic+tricks, levitation

A Brief Explanation of Hypnosis

2006-10-04T06:57:00.000-04:00

Hypnosis is one very highly popular form of mentalism. Psychiatrists actually regard hypnosis as an everyday activity or state that we undergo when we are watching movies, reading books, or driving down a long empty road. When we are doing these sorts of activities we enter a trancelike condition in which we are very vulnerable to the power of suggestion and feel extremely relaxed.

Some people are mistakenly under the impression that hypnosis is like being asleep, but it's actually a hyperaware, hyperattentive state. It's also a state of total consciousness.

You know how when you get engrossed in a book you tune out the outside world, paying attention only to the story itself? It's similar to that. You're tuning out extraneous stimuli and focusing in only on one source, the subject or magician who is speaking directly to you. Thus you are very likely to do whatever the magician tells you to do when you're in a hypnotic state!

Reading Minds - What Is Mentalism, and How Can You Perform It?

technorati tags:magic+tricks, hypnosis, mentalism

Sleight of Hand

2006-10-03T12:53:00.001-04:00

What exactly is sleight (pronounced "slite") of hand? This term refers to a broad category of magic tricks that relies on your skills and techniques as well as the facility of your fingers and hands. In other words, these are tricks that depend on your skill and dexterity to fool the audience, much more so than on props or gimmicks. It's your fingers that do the work, not a manufacturer's product.

Another way of saying all this is that a sleight of hand is a trick that is performed so well and so deftly that the audience can't tell precisely how it was done!
There's a great word for this that every magician should know: "legerdemain." This word comes to us from the old French phrase "leger de main," in which "leger" translates as light, and "de main" means "of hand." So if you perform with a light touch, that's the ideal form of legerdemain.

This deftness applies to most magic tricks, though, not just sleight of hand! In fact, most of tricks we're going to discuss involve sleight of hand, from shuffling cards to palming coins. Even levitation, which we'll discuss in Chapter 4, involves sleight of hand-although that's more like "sleight of foot!"

Easy Does It - Small-Scale Tricks to Dazzle Your Audience

technorati tags:magic+tricks, sleight+of+hand

What Is Magic?

2006-10-02T04:13:00.002-04:00

At its most basic, the word "magic" carries with it the idea of special powers, or at least the illusion of possessing such powers.

At one end of the spectrum, the word implies someone who has the ability to do things that few other mortal beings can do. A magician in this sense would be someone who, for example, is able to walk on fire, levitate off the ground, or read other people's minds.

The other end of the spectrum, however, has a more practical or even cynical understanding of the term. It takes the view that magic is a form of trickery, even deliberate deceit. A magician in this sense of the word is someone skilled at lying and who is cleverer than his audience. He is intent on "pulling the wool over" others' eyes.

In reality, and for our purposes, let's come to an understanding of magic that takes the middle ground. Magic isn't pure supernatural power, but it isn't garden variety mean-spirited deception, either.

A good magician is one who gives the appearance of possessing special powers, an impression that both he and his audience agree to believe in together. Magic is meant not to outwit, fool or upset anyone-it's meant to surprise, astonish and delight.

In this view, magic is something wonderful and enjoyable, both for the practitioner and for the audience members who are also involved. It is an entertainment, a diversion, an escape from our mundane, ordinary lives. It is a chance for all of us to brush up against the possibility of something greater than ourselves!

How Do They Do It? Learning from the Great Magicians

technorati tags:magic, special+powers, magician

Learn To Fly!

2006-10-01T06:36:00.001-04:00

Magic Tricks Pub Magic Bar Magic

Why bother levitating like David Blaine when you can fly like Super Jon!...

http://www.discovermagictricks.com/pubtricks.html

technorati tags:magic+tricks, levitating, david+blaine, learn+to+fly

Amazing Magic Collection On Sale Now

2006-09-27T06:14:00.000-04:00

My friend Johnie Gentle appears to have gone mad!

He is having a sale of some amazing magic trick collections at

http://www.discovermagictricks.com/cbmagic.html

Some collections of superb magic tricks are under $10!!

Better hurry on over before he comes to his senses...

http://www.discovermagictricks.com/cbmagic.html

Have fun!

Amazing Magic Trick Videos

2006-09-24T07:22:00.000-04:00

I've found some amazing magic trick videos you can play for free...

http://www.pubtricks.com/index.php?id=364

There's even one where you can learn how to fly!

Go watch them now here ->

http://www.pubtricks.com/index.php?id=364

Have fun!

The Business of Magic

2006-09-22T08:10:00.000-04:00

Magic may be an art form, but for many of us it's also a way of life-and a way to make money. For all you who are interested in turning magic from a hobby into a career, there are several things you need to know about the business side of magic.

Develop a "Hook"

What makes you different from all the other performers out there?

What is your unique angle? What makes you shine and stand out from the crowd?

Ideally, your show or your persona should strive, in some way, to differentiate from everything else that's out there at the moment.

Now I'm not saying you should go out on a limb and try something totally crazy and overly ambitious. But it's smart to give clients even more of a reason to hire you and not someone else.

So, for example, you could concentrate on one particular area within magic and cultivate it as a specialty. That would ultimately allow you to market yourself as, say, "The Mentalist Magician" or "Merlin the Mind-Reader" (okay, you can probably come up with something a LOT better, but this is just to give you an idea of what I mean!).

Give Them What They Want...

http://www.discovermagictricks.com/business-of-magic.html

Why Showmanship Is Essential to Success

2006-09-21T04:58:00.000-04:00

Being successful as a magician relies just as much on your stage persona and your ability to be engaging as it does on the tricks you choose to perform or the technical skills you possess.

The reason for this is because tricks in and of themselves can fall flat if not presented in the right way. A sleight of hand that dazzles when performed by an engaging magician can leave an audience yawning when in the less capable hands of an under-whelming performer.

So if you want your tricks to go over well, you've got to learn how to sell them to your audience.

That means you've got to work on your showmanship just as much as you have to work on the tricks themselves. Learn how to get the audience eating out of the palm of your hand!

If you are not sure how to do this, don't worry. Showmanship is something you can easily learn and improve upon with practice. It's not necessary an inborn trait that you either have or don't have-it's a learned skill that even the best magicians are constantly honing and perfecting.

Here's how to make good showmanship part of your magic routine:

http://www.discovermagictricks.com/showmanship.html

The Grand Illusion - Large-Scale Magic Tricks That Won't Fail to Impress!

2006-09-20T07:44:00.000-04:00

Have you ever watched a TV magic special and wondered, "How is that possible?" have you ever been curious as to how the top magicians accomplish some of their most extraordinary feats?

Soon you won't be wondering; you'll be trying them out for yourself!

Let's start with one of the oldest tricks in the book, but one of the best and most vividly compelling - levitation!

Levitation

Since you're interested in magic and illusion I'm going to bet you've heard of levitation before. Perhaps you've even seen a magician perform this incredible trick and wondered, "How the heck is he doing that?!" Well, hold onto your hat, because you're about to learn how.

http://www.discovermagictricks.com/grand-illusion.html

Reading Minds - What Is Mentalism, and How Can You Perform It?

2006-09-18T03:44:00.000-04:00

Many people have heard of mentalism, but few know exactly what is involved. So let's start with a clear definition.

Mentalism is defined as a sub-category within the field of magic. It has to do with tricks dealing with the mind's power. Rather than relying heavily on tools or grand illusions, it has more to do with try to give the impression that the magician can tap into the minds of audience members, or use his or her own mind control to cause objects to move, etc.

Some people think that mentalism actually depends on some spiritual connection between the supernatural realm and the magician. While there might be a very remote possibility that some magicians actually do have some insight into the spiritual world, most illusionists use mentalism tricks and strategies just like in any other type of magic. Over the next few pages you'll learn some of them!

http://www.discovermagictricks.com/mentalism.html

Easy Does It - Small-Scale Tricks To Dazzle Your Audience

2006-09-17T03:32:00.000-04:00

How to Get Started If You're a Beginner

Whether you've been practicing magic for two days, two years, or twenty, the only effective magic trick is one that actually "fools" your audience. This ability to create a good illusion depends in huge part on one thing: rehearsing!

Let's face it-no matter how great a trick is or how useful a magic prop is, you won't surprise or delight anyone unless it's performed smoothly and confidently. What if you drop your deck of cards or accidentally mishandle a coin? The illusion will be destroyed, and you'll have lost your audience's trust.

http://www.discovermagictricks.com/small-scale-tricks.html

How Do They Do It? Learning from the Great Magicians

2006-09-16T07:07:00.000-04:00

Just what is this thing we call "magic"? Let's consider the definition that comes to us from Webster's dictionary:
"The art of persons who claim to be able to do things by the help of supernatural creatures or by their own knowledge of nature's secrets...
Something that charms; any seemingly hidden or secret power; as, the magic of a voice; the magic of a great name...
Sleight of hand...
Seemingly requiring more than human power; startling in performance; producing effects which seem supernatural..."
Pretty interesting stuff, right?! In this definition we get a whole bunch of different ideas, all of them working together and yet somehow contradicting each other.
On the one hand, we have the idea that there's something supernatural at work. Something superhuman, or "out of this world."
But at the same time we are meant to understand that it's only "seemingly" so. Magicians "claim" to have special powers, but whether they actually do is up for debate.
Nevertheless, Webster's definition of magic helps to give us a starting point for our journey through this ancient art form.

How Do They Do It? Learning from the Great Magicians

Amazing Magic Collection On Sale Now

2006-09-13T03:01:00.000-04:00

Have A Magical 2006

2006-01-01T02:32:00.000-05:00

Here's to the best year ever... 2006

Cheers

The Business of Magic

2005-12-03T00:22:00.000-05:00

The Business of Magic: "Magic may be an art form, but for many of us it's also a way of life-and a way to make money. For all you who are interested in turning magic from a hobby into a career, there are several things you need to know about the business side of magic."

Turn your hobby into a career? Why not!

Why Showmanship Is Essential to Success

2005-12-02T01:05:00.000-05:00

Why Showmanship Is Essential to Success: "The trick (pun intended!) is just to make sure you approach it as a role or a performance. Give the audience the dazzling entertainment they want and you will always be a hit."

Giving the audience what they want works in real life too!

The Grand Illusion

2005-12-01T02:02:00.000-05:00

Article Search Engine: GoArticles.com: "Have you ever watched a TV magic special and wondered, 'How is that possible?' have you ever been curious as to how the top magicians accomplish some of their most extraordinary feats?"

I know I have!

Does mentalism work?

2005-11-29T23:09:00.000-05:00

Reading Minds - What Is Mentalism, and How Can You Perform It?: "For many reasons, including the fact that the old 'pull a rabbit out of a hat' type of magic is not as surprising and interesting as it once was, mentalism is one of the fastest growing and most popular forms of magic being practiced today."

My wife can read my mind so it must work!

The trick is...

2005-11-15T08:10:00.000-05:00

Easy Does It! Small-Scale Tricks to Dazzle Your Audience: "Whether you've been practicing magic for two days, two years, or twenty, the only effective magic trick is one that actually 'fools' your audience. This ability to create a good illusion depends in huge part on one thing: rehearsing!
Let's face it-no matter how great a trick is or how useful a magic prop is, you won't surprise or delight anyone unless it's performed smoothly and confidently. What if you drop your deck of cards or accidentally mishandle a coin? The illusion will be destroyed, and you'll have lost your audience's trust."

...even if I do say so myself!

Be careful what you take your kids to see...

2005-11-09T21:18:00.000-05:00

Magician entertains Isaac's lineups - Arts & Entertainment: "As a close-up illusionist, Raimondo has been practicing magic for most of his life, crediting his passion to seeing a flashy disappearing act by David Copperfield at the age of six.
'He was performing his last illusion of the night and he pretty much vanished from the stage. Sirens and lights went off and he ended up in the stands about 10 feet away from where I was,' said Raimondo. 'Seeing that when you're a kid that really leaves an impression. It was the first thing I ever saw and I think that's what got me into it.'"

It might leave a lasting impression!

Oh no! Harry Potters' car has vanished!

2005-11-06T00:37:00.000-05:00

Inside Line: Harry Potter's Car Disappears — No Magic Thought to Be Involved -: "The quaint Ford Anglia car used in the Harry Potter films has magical powers, notably the ability to fly. Now it's got a new trick. It's disappeared."

Wonder how much the insurance will be?

Golden Oldies!

2005-11-01T22:49:00.000-05:00

Texarkana Gazette: News and Classifieds From Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas: "The resident at Health South Rehabilitation Center was rightfully amazed when she witnessed the cotton rope she had just cut into several sections become one again right before her very eyes.
The old gentleman who had silver dollars pulled from the hair on his head was equally stunned but eager to have a few more dollars appear magically from thin air and his thin hair."

The classics still work wonders.

The mind boggles!

2005-10-25T03:25:00.000-04:00

Dizzy spells - Arts - Entertainment - theage.com.au: "Now, every month or so, Clark's big band alternates with a group of Melbourne magicians who swallow razor blades (and regurgitate them), produce coins and cards from thin air (or perhaps from behind the ears of audience members), do unbelievable things with pool cues and balls, and, on occasion, make lit cigarettes disappear - a trick that Clark modestly mentions he has mastered himself."

Unbelievable things with pool cues and balls...!?

Harry Houdini and The Great Escape

2005-10-18T02:26:00.000-04:00

Rebecca Fine: "Now as a child I was fascinated by Houdini and fondly remember reading his memoirs, in which he revealed many of his secrets for escaping from prisons, submerged trunks, bank vaults, and so on.
For example, in one of his most famous and spectacular feats, he broke out of Scotland Yard, even though one of the conditions of the challenge was that he be allowed NO clothing whatsoever - in order to keep him from concealing tools or keys.
So how did he do it? "

It was quite simple, for once...

Star pupil at the School of Magic

2005-10-14T04:35:00.000-04:00

Express & Star Midlands Life: West Midlands features, people and places: "David Pitt scans the room for a willing volunteer. He finds one, although 'willing' might be debatable, and before she can change her mind he promptly puts a small wooden box over her head.
And then he begins inserting daggers through the box, their tips visible as they protrude out of the opposite side.
Though it is the sort of magic trick that has been performed countless times on television by the likes of Paul Daniels, it never ceases to amaze.
But the most amazing thing about this particular performance is that David is just 13."

Sounds promising

Be careful what you give for christmas...

2005-10-11T06:10:00.000-04:00

Helderberg: "Gavin says it all started when he was a child. He saw the magic of David Copperfield on television. He was tickled.
When his aunt gave him a book on magic for Christmas, the bug had bitten and with the help of his uncle, he mastered his first trick - to make a coin disappear."

You never know what you might start!

Interesting family...

2005-10-10T00:37:00.000-04:00

The Rebel Yell: Article: "He holds up an average-looking pen. A few seconds later, I could swear that same pen went through his nose and back out.

Next, he pulls out a small piece of white paper. Now I see it, then I don't. And then it's on fire and back to normal again.

How'd you do all that?

'My father was one of my mentors and growing up I learned magic from him,' said Grabel, whose mother was a belly dancer and whose sister is an opera singer."

Born to perform or what!

Magic and school in the same sentence!

2005-10-07T01:44:00.000-04:00

Magic spells success in schools - The Herald: "WHAT will they pull out of the hat next? In the latest unusual strategy to raise attainment, a group of magicians has been drafted into schools across Scotland."

Wish they had this in my day.

What Is Magic?

2005-10-05T00:17:00.000-04:00

What Is Magic? - Magic: "As stage magicians, we know our audience doesn't really believe ladies can float or scarves can turn into doves. Our performance allows the audience to let their imaginations run free and enjoy not magic tricks, but magical moments where the unbelieveable and the impossible become possible."

What does it mean to you?

The sense of wonder

2005-09-27T03:40:00.000-04:00

Lexington Herald-Leader | 09/16/2005 | Making magic in Kentucky: "'Buying a trick is one thing,' he says. 'But you're really paying for the secret.'
And the secret is what matters most, magicians say, right next to a trick and an audience.
'I'm afraid we've lost the sense of wonder in our society,' says Edgar Hume, who owns The Clock Shop on Short Street, which doubles as Lexington's only magic shop. 'I like magic for the joy. You're re-establishing the sense of wonder and amazement.'"

Paying for the secrets?...
Discover The Magic Trick Secrets You're Not Supposed To Know

A very long magic show!

2005-09-26T17:31:00.000-04:00

icLiverpool - Magic in the air as resort prepares for some sorcery: "Mr Smith, 52, from Southdene, who holds the world record for the longest magic show (30 hrs 45 mins), said the event was one of the most important on the magicians' calendar.
He added: 'There are people who do ordinary jobs who will be booking the week off. This is their holiday - that's how passionately they feel about magic."

If you're in the area next week...

Learning with a difference

2005-09-23T10:56:00.000-04:00

The Cornell Daily Sun - Prof Demonstrates Magic of Math: "Despite his love of magic, Diaconis still considers himself a mathematician at heart.
'Magic and math really are similar,' he said. 'For both, you're constantly solving problems under constraints. In magic, you want to solve a problem without the audience knowing how. In math, you need to solve problems following set rules.'
Yet Diaconis emphasized society's perception of magicians and mathematicians as a key difference between the two professions. 'Professors are treated with respect, but magicians may not be,' he said. 'It's a hard life.'"

It doesn't have to be.

Neat trick

2005-09-21T06:58:00.000-04:00

Magic show played with students' minds - The Eagle Eye - Features: "He said he made a lot of money in his line of work and held up the wallets of the two boys who had been on stage. The audience was laughing as the boys ran up to get their wallets back. Even when the one got his wallet back, Jim showed him he had taken the money out, which caused the crowd to laugh even more."

That's one way of getting paid!

Magic by another name

2005-09-20T07:06:00.000-04:00

Mind Reader - The Rocket - Entertainment: "'Turn off your cell phones or you and your cell phone will be sent into another dimension.'

So began the performance of the Evasons, a husband and wife team who performed in the Multi-Purpose Room of the University Union last night at 8 p.m. The Evasons have many titles: mentalists, mind-readers, psychics."

Why not magicians?

If only...

2005-09-19T11:20:00.000-04:00

Scotsman.com Heritage & Culture - Myths & Mysteries - The magician whose greatest illusion was death: "Lafayette quickly became the highest paid performer of his time, earning around £44,000 a year (or about £2.75 million today) and his show was booked ten years in advance."

Those were the days!

Magic with a message

2005-09-13T03:02:00.000-04:00

Magic keeps congregation spellbound: "BAPTIST minister Derek Lawrence is looking for a wooden casket... to saw one of his flock in half.
It has been his ambition for some time, but he doesn't bear any malice towards his congregation - he is a magician and conjurer"

I bet no-one drops off during his sermon.

Sounds like a good deal to me.

2005-09-12T05:40:00.000-04:00

Magician shows tricks of trade at magic shop: "When someone buys a trick, I show them how to do it,' said magician Larry Taylor, who opened the South Florida Magic Co. in Boynton Beach three years ago. 'People from 8 to 80 love magic. They know it's not voodoo. It's a fun thing"

Now you won't need to ask 'How did you do that?'

Learning science through magic!

2005-09-09T06:56:00.000-04:00

The Suburban and Wayne Times - News - 09/07/2005 - The 'American School of Magic' is science - and more: "Science is one of the most creative things one can do, and I wanted to get this across to the kids. I wanted to spark their curiosity and lead them to view science and college in general as an engaging, fun, and creative endeavor"

and why not

Watch out...

2005-09-08T08:07:00.000-04:00

icNewcastle - Ace in the pack: "I sent some video footage over of what I do and there's even talk of me doing a lecture while I'm there on how to steal watches, so not only performing but lecturing, too, is brilliant."

There's a pick-pocket about!

What it's all about

2005-09-07T09:35:00.000-04:00

PrideSource:: "As the proud owner of a multipurpose Gilbert's Magic Set (linking rings, deck of prepared cards, trick magic wands, vanishing handkerchiefs, fake mustache) I felt myself Harry Houdini incarnate. (Handcuffs came much later.)
My assistant was Carolyn Clark (whose father George Murray claimed to have worked with Harry Blackstone, one of magicdom's greats.) Our performance left a lot to be desired I'm sure. But Carolyn and I had a grand time, and the applause and free dinner made stars of us if only for a half-hour's indulgence."

Handcuffs!?

Must see video...

2005-09-06T05:59:00.000-04:00

Magic Old Man - Addicting Games Funny Junk Gag Video Clip - Kahsoon.com: "This guy dressed up like an old granpa and shocks everybody in Japan with his magic tricks"

This guy really knows how to liven up peoples lives!

Confidence trick?

2005-09-05T15:54:00.000-04:00

The Orion Online - Duo puts its own magic into Has Beans: "The volunteer told him the first one was pointing up. Houchin then placed his hand above the knife. He slammed his hand down on the knife the volunteer said was pointing upward but never got hurt because he knew the volunteer was lying.
Houchin continued this trick until he just had one knife left that was pointed up. "

Get the point?

Magical Idea

2005-09-04T08:21:00.000-04:00

It's Magic - Children Improve Self-Esteem While Having Fun: "Children are thrilled by the magic tricks performed by Frank DeMasi, and they love to learn to do the tricks themselves. Practicing the tricks develops confidence, and performing for others increases self-esteem."

Sounds good to me

Magic parents

2005-09-03T06:58:00.000-04:00

The Brandon Sun: Online Edition: "Most parents would discourage their son from putting his younger brother in a box and shoving swords through it - but not Scott Mills' mom and dad.

In fact, his dad helped him build a box to do just that."

Way to go!

Holy Cow Batman!

2005-09-02T08:42:00.000-04:00

mcall.com - Got Moodini? Fairgoers baffled: "Basking in the glory of having made a 1,600-pound dairy cow disappear at opening ceremonies for the Allentown Fair, magician Tom Yurasits had a bit of fun at the expense of fairgoers."

Hope they find it soon, it might be hungry.

Good point

2005-09-01T08:23:00.000-04:00

Magic Enigma: Bedtime Story: "Until magicians learn to see themselves through the eyes of the non-magician spectator, they'll never get anywhere."

Some very interesting observations here.

Welcome...

2005-08-31T19:17:00.000-04:00

Blog of a Magician: First thing's first. My introduction: "I'm a magician, and I'm a student. I've been learning and performing magic for a year now, and I've already learned enough magic to do my own street magic routine"

Good luck Evan

The first gasp

2005-08-28T05:59:00.000-04:00

Journal Gazette | 08/27/2005 | With nothing up their sleeves: "His signature trick is the 'Newspaper Tear' he shreds the paper and magically puts it back together. It's a simple idea, he says, but execution is tricky. It's the trick that earned him his first audience gasp, back when he performed for audiences at his high school."

Hopefully not the last

A new act is born...

2005-08-25T14:01:00.000-04:00

panwalker: Magic - It begins today: "I'm planning on doing the two-card monte, the card through the window, the bigger card predictor, a few mind readings, perhaps some blindfolded tricks (maybe), a couple of card switches through the audience's hands, and maybe a few tricks ala David Blaine (like levitation, having someone think of a card and turning it over in an closed deck, etc.). still not sure. need to hammer out a couple of routines of six tricks apiece, and stick with them. also plan on doing lots of story improvisation."

Good luck

Not a lot of people know this...

2005-08-25T04:40:00.000-04:00

Study: 'Change blindness' isn't magic:- - Science News - Webindia123.com: "UCL Psychology Professor Nilli Lavie, the study's lead researcher, said the finding that the brain's parietal cortex region controls both concentration and visual awareness explains why we can be so easily deceived by a magician's trick."

So now you know!

Sound familiar?

2005-08-25T04:34:00.000-04:00

Lexington Herald-Leader | 08/24/2005 | Making magic for 50 years: "His family members practically run when they see him coming with a deck of cards, Orndorff said, but Liz is still an honest critic with a good eye.
She'll argue, 'You're not going to do that trick, are you?' in the same tone she'd say 'You're not going to wear that shirt, are you?'"

Family eh!

Hi-tech magic

2005-08-24T07:18:00.000-04:00

News 14 Carolina | 24 Hour Local News | HEADLINES | High-tech magic tricks: "We're currently launching a service called I-Magician, or Instant Magician, which is something where you can download a magic trick onto your cell phone and perform it instantly for your friends and colleagues, says Tempest. In Japan it's already at a point where we can download applications onto people's phones and enhance their phones to make them do magic by themselves."

I knew they would find a use for mobile phones.

Discover Magic Tricks

2005-08-23T06:18:00.000-04:00

Discover Magic Tricks: "STOP PRESS: First Customer Comments Just In..."

Sounds gruesome!

2005-08-22T12:19:00.000-04:00

Hocus-pocus focus: "When Tim Kole was a little kid, he remembers his dad sawing his mom in parts and moving the boxes around.
He didn't turn to therapy. He learned how to do it himself."

That's a proper upbringing.

Discover Magic Tricks

2005-08-18T04:12:00.000-04:00

Discover Magic Tricks: "Now imagine the look of amazement on the faces of your friends and family when you perform the magic."

The first psychic?

2005-08-17T20:31:00.000-04:00

Scotsman.com News - Features - A spirited look at an enigma: "HE was denounced by George Eliot as 'an object of moral disgust', by Harry Houdini as a moral pervert and 'a hypocrite of the deepest dye', and as 'utterly contemptible' by scientist Michael Faraday."

Sounds like an interesting guy!

Amaze your friends and family

2005-08-16T10:52:00.000-04:00

Will the magic work?

2005-08-15T15:15:00.000-04:00

MC^2: Wedding proposal: "(Pulls out a card with 'Will you marry me?' in big writing)
(Show everyone else the card except her)
Now take a look, is this the card you had?
Wait wait.. I've still got one more trick behind your ear..
(Gently click fingers behind her ear, ring in hand)
I think you might like this too...
(Get on knees, look her in the eye)
Will you marry me?"

Good luck with your 'trick'.

Magic trick video

2005-08-14T12:28:00.000-04:00

MyExtraLife - Comics, Podcasts, Blog, Artwork, Humor and MORE! ' Blog Archive ' Another magic trick caught on film. I hate these.: "So I found another magic trick that I just KNOW is easy to figure out, but this one is really well done. So lets start guessing what this guy did. Here is the video."

I love these.

The reason why we love doing magic

2005-08-13T09:26:00.000-04:00

For Amazing Doolini, a magical role to play - OrlandoSentinel.com: Features: "When a trick really works, the audience gasps and then there's the applause, he says. 'The first time I heard that gasp, I knew I wanted to do this'"

If you want to hear that gasp, go to DiscoverMagicTricks.com

The Amazing JoeJoe - Floating Lady Illusion

2005-08-11T18:00:00.000-04:00

The Amazing JoeJoe - Floating Lady Illusion: "This is one that I really enjoy doing ... as many locals know, I've built my reputation on levitation. If you didn't get to see it while at Barefoot Landing, enjoy the video!"

I must catch your show the next time I'm in Barefoot Landing!

Hope he doesn't get heartburn!

2005-08-11T16:57:00.000-04:00

Fredericksburg.com - 'Sevin' is the magic number in D.C.: "Perhaps the most risky trick he'll perform will be the acid-in-a-beaker test. Without looking, he'll drink the contents of three of four beakers--hopefully the ones not filled with hydrochloric acid.
'That's the best ending,' Sevin said with a chuckle."

Good luck mate!

Lemon into lemonade?

2005-08-11T07:37:00.000-04:00

Tucson Weekly : CityWeek : Magic Masters: "The following magic trick has been performed in front of live audiences. No mirrors or smoke are used. No animals are harmed. Imagine a drum roll ...
A $100 dollar is obtained. A trusting audience member signs the bill. The bill is handed to a magician who destroys the bill in plain sight. Elsewhere in the audience, another trusting person is holding a double-bag, stapled shut, containing a lemon. This audience member is asked to hand over the bag. The magician removes the staples, opens both bags and takes out the lemon. The lemon is sliced open to reveal a $100 bill--the bill that was seemingly destroyed earlier, with signature intact! "

I'd like to pay my bill like that!

Make mine a pint...

2005-08-11T07:12:00.000-04:00

Daily Lush Magazine: Three Bar Tricks Involving Napkins: "Bar tricks have the potential of reaping certain rewards if done well: cash; a phone number; free alcohol. Before sipping a hard-won drink, though, dedicate a toast to the simplicity of the bar trick."

The magic word is 'hick!'

The only way to travel

2005-08-11T06:45:00.000-04:00

Oshkosh Northwestern - Illusions are his favorite form of self-expression: "A full-time magician, Rondini does shows around the Midwest, traveling in his 33-foot 'Rondini Mobile,' which houses his own stage and living space. He also runs a magic and costume shop in downtown Appleton year-round and travels with his wife, Jane, of 15 years and his two children. His family even assists in some of his shows."

A life on the road for me!

Cool kids

2005-08-11T06:40:00.000-04:00

Schools & Youth - StatesmanJournal.com: "Zoe Alley, 9, already performs tricks for her family at home, ones she learned from reading a book. She came to the camp to find new tricks."

Am I too old to go to summer camp?

Rabbit trick with a difference...

2005-08-11T06:36:00.000-04:00

riverfronttimes.com | Calendar | Say the Magic Word | 2005-08-10: "Velvet curtains part to reveal a small box and a short microphone center-stage. After a few moments of anticipatory silence, the box opens and a white rabbit hops confidently to the mic. Once the laughter dies down, he proceeds to say a few kind words about his owner in a transparent attempt to schmooze some extra carrots. Then, amid the stunned laughter, the rabbit introduces the first act of the night and dutifully hops back inside his box, bringing the audience to its feet -- all before the first magician hits the stage. "

Worth a hop over?

Has he got bottle or what!

2005-08-10T07:07:00.000-04:00

BBC NEWS | UK | Magazine | Is there any evidence mind-reading works?: "Illusionist Derren Brown survived a televised game of Russian Roulette, avoiding a bullet after claiming to have read the thoughts of the person who loaded the gun. There are now claims the whole thing was a hoax... but is there any scientific basis for mind-reading?"

A hoax? Don't you mean a magic trick?

An oldie but goodie

2005-08-10T06:41:00.000-04:00

The Amazing JoeJoe - Some Hanky Panky!: "The end result was the best Tuesday night of the summer, perhaps I should keep doing this one even when the barker isn't there? Sometimes it's the simple stuff that works the best!"

Hear! Hear!

Maybe...

2005-08-09T21:13:00.000-04:00

AMERIE - AMERIE SLAMS REALITY: " I don't want to show you how I did the magic trick. I want to show you the magic trick and have you get excited"

Maybe not!

Going with a bang!

2005-08-09T21:07:00.000-04:00

A Trickster Right Down to His Name - New York Times: "Chung Ling Soo's greatest trick, however, turned out to be his last. Facing a firing squad, Robinson would hold up a plate and, miraculously, catch the bullets fired at him from across the stage. Other performers had presented the same trick, often with unfortunate results, proving once again that even in the world of magic, if something can go wrong, it will. "

Oh dear!

Lucky Aussies

2005-08-09T06:01:00.000-04:00

Magic Unlimited with Ellis & Webster: Magic in Melbourne - Lucky 13th: "Tammii Twister's new Magic Cafe 'Trick or Treat' will be having it's grand opening. Come along and visit the world's first magic shop with a fully functioning cafe! Trick or Treat boasts a magic shop, cafe, catering, party venue, rehearsal room, and magic school all under the one roof!"

I'll have to move there

Going Googley eyed!

2005-08-08T15:20:00.000-04:00

"The Magician while browsing the internet brings up a Google search engine on the computer screen. The Magician instructs a spectator to watch the screen carefully and then lightly places two fingers on the computer monitor screen, just over the two "O"s in the Google logo. When the Magician's fingers are removed from the screen the two "O"s in the logo have vanished. The magician then invites the spectator to place his fingers on the screen and magically the "O"s reappear upon the Logo."

Google without the 'oo'?

Magician reveals all...

2005-08-08T02:57:00.000-04:00

The Daily News Online: "In the past, Evans performed a magic trick where he would saw a woman in half. He said he would have a little kid in the bottom half, serving as the legs of the woman.

'I was doing the act, said 'ta-da' and pulled the woman out of the box,' he said. 'The crowd was laughing. I looked over and realized that the kid didn't pull his legs in when the woman got out.'

'People loved that, though, so I made it part of my act.'"

Oh no! The secret's out!

Good question...

2005-08-07T06:02:00.000-04:00

Abracadabra to fill airat UAH this weekend: "That's because 25 years ago, when he was dabbling in magic, Tony Slydini, the 'Master of Misdirection,' asked him at a magic convention, 'Are you a magician, or do you just do tricks?' "

What would be your answer?

Large magic!

2005-08-06T11:27:00.000-04:00

Magical business - baltimoresun.com: "In addition, they will re-create a traditional cup-and-ball, sleight-of-hand trick with garbage cans and do card tricks with a foot-tall deck.

The Woods also have built what they say is a mind-reading machine out of boxes, tubes, plumbing pipes and two metal colanders."

Are big tricks better?

STOP PRESS: First customer comments just in...

2005-08-06T10:22:00.000-04:00

Discover Magic Tricks: "STOP PRESS: First customer comments just in...

thanks a lot your book was amazing, you're the greatest,

Anthony Albert

thanks a bunch this might help me with my magic tricks

steven hans"

You can earn money by spreading the word...

2005-08-05T13:24:00.000-04:00

Discover Magic Tricks Affiliate Program: "So for every visitor you bring to our site that buys the book, you earn $12.91"

Get in at the launch of "Discover The Magic Trick Secrets You're Not Supposed To Know".

Why hasn't David Blaine been tasered?

2005-08-04T18:37:00.000-04:00

TALES TO ASTONISH!: Hooked: "I think Mr. Blaine needs to reach into thin air and pull out some charisma. The awkward silences following his tricks are not caused by wonder or mystery, they're caused by the fact that he just walked up to a complete stranger, did something weird, and then didn't say anything. Frankly, I'm surprised he hasn't been tasered."

A very good question.

How did you do that?

2005-08-04T18:16:00.000-04:00

'Creators of magic' to share tricks of the trade at convention: "If you're a fan of the art of magic, you can learn what the pros know this weekend as magicians from all over converge in Huntsville for the South Eastern Association of Magicians convention.
Amateur and professional purveyors of prestidigitation will ooh and aah over the latest tricks by the masters and practice 'sleights' among themselves during convention hours at the Tom Bevill Center on the University of Alabama in Huntsville campus. "

If you're in the area...

And why not...

2005-08-03T04:57:00.000-04:00

Hilly Boy's Deception: Magical Matthew: "What is interesting is that campers can take courses in magic, among other things. This is a little humorous simply because of how much disgust many of Hilly boy's supporters have for Harry Potter and the subject of magic."

Sounds cool to me

I need this book...

2005-08-02T19:22:00.000-04:00

Thoth: "The magical powers of Thoth were so great, that the Egyptians had tales of a 'Book of Thoth', which would allow a person who read the sacred book to become the most powerful magician in the world."

I can't find it on amazon!

Check this out

2005-08-02T17:32:00.000-04:00

Discover Magic Tricks: "Discover the magic trick secrets you're not supposed to know, before one of your friends or family steals the show!"

Wow, poetry!

magic

New Magic Tricks Site

2005-08-01T10:13:00.000-04:00

Discover Magic Tricks: "Have you ever been to a live magic show, or watched a TV performance by a famous magician, and wondered... 'How do they do that?'

Well... you are about to find out!

I am an enthusiastic fan of magic tricks, just like you are, and I really, really, wanted to know how it was all done. So I asked!"

A new magic tricks site opened yesterday.

Get a life!

2005-07-31T19:26:00.000-04:00

The Mystery of the Missing Wallet: I Wish You Would Call Me On My Space-Phone: "Here's how the trick works: If you are going to be spending an evening in the outdoors with a group of friends or enemies, check out heavens-above.com beforehand. Enter your location and click on the 'Iridium flares' forecast. "

Very interesting I'm sure...

Discover The Magic Trick Secrets You're Not Supposed To Know

2005-07-31T09:46:00.000-04:00

Discover Magic Tricks: "Discover The Magic Trick Secrets You're Not Supposed To Know"

A new book, called "Discover The Magic Trick Secrets You're Not Supposed To Know", has just been published today.

The power of magic

2005-07-30T09:16:00.000-04:00

chlim01 is bored: Mind and Magic: "First there's shock tinged with disbelief. A moment of wonder follows. Then, a desperate scramble to rack your brains and work out just how you've been had. There's no denying the effects of a good magic trick. From the great escapes of Houdini and the surreal mental trickery of Derren Brown to the conjurors at children's parties, the appeal is universal."

Trying to burst the magic bubble...

Kings of cool?

2005-07-29T19:46:00.000-04:00

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Watch my hands deceive you: "Transporting modern cynical audiences back to a childlike state of wonder is a tall order even for these kings of cool. But Wiseman believes Derren Brown is doubly astute, using people's natural scepticism and demand for answers to his advantage. "

Is this too ANALytical?