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Psychologists used a magic trick to show how irrational we are..

Psychologists used a magic trick to show how irrational we are..

Can you think a thought that isn’t yours? A remarkable new study, led by psychologist Jay Olsonfrom McGill University in Canada, suggests you can.

The research, published in Consciousness and Cognition, used a form of stage magic known as “mentalism” to induce the experience of thoughts being inserted into the minds of volunteers. It is an ingenious study, not only for how it created the experience, but also for how it used the psychology lab as both a stage prop and a scientific tool.

Years before he was famous, stage illusionist Derren Brown wrote a book called “Pure Effect,” where he argued that presenting tricks as “psychology” could be an effective form of misdirection.

In his innovative shows, Brown often claims he is debunking psychics by demonstrating how psychology can be used to manipulate people’s minds. In practice, his mind-reading and mind control feats can involve the same traditional techniques used by stage magicians, it’s just that he presents them as psychology rather than magic. Read More…

http://www.techinsider.io/psychologists-magic-implant-thoughts-2016-6

Magic Roadshow #164

Magic Roadshow #164

MAGIC ROADSHOW #164
March 2015
Hello Friends

I hope those of you buried in the Great Snow event of 2015 have made your way to the surface. On the other hand, parts of the West Coast experienced the warmest February on record. I’m not going to get into global warming, or not.. but we are going to get into some really special magic. I know you’re ready…

    Read, Print, or Save this Issue as a PDF Roadshow 164

 If you’re new to the Roadshow, I hope you find a place you want to come back to month after month. We’re certainly not the largest free publication on the web.. but we’re definitely the most comfortable… I’m not sure that’s the best description, but it’ll do. Read this issue and conjure your own narrative.

Here’s a tip for those of you who only read the PDF copy or the Roadshow. I sometimes run across something between the time I publish the PDF and the time I publish the text copy on the web site. No often.. but it does happen. This month I added a podcast on getting restaurant gigs. I just received the podcast and didn’t want to wait a month to publish it.. Ta Da !!

I want to thank EVERYONE who has contributed to this issue. As I mentioned a month or so ago, I need minds more fertile than my own to take the Roadshow to another level.  Thanks a million to my friend and the hardest working man in magic, Mick Ayres; our secret weapon, Francis Menotti; my wizard friend,Werner Miller; star of The Illusionists, Jeff Hobson; compadre and master of the cards, Paul Lelekis; my new friend from Down Under, David John O Connor; and my prolific UK buddy, Michael Lyth

Another friend I’ll introduce next month is Dr. David Hanselman. David is a retired  professor and a master builder of things magic. I have a pair of custom made solid walnut HotRods David made for me some time back, and they are one of my most treasured props. David asks:

“I’m a woodworker and tinkerer and am always on the lookout for neat magic “things” I can make in the shop.  Are there sufficient numbers in your readership with similar interests to warrant an occasional exchange of “how to make” stuff?  (Example:  how to make a quality small gem stick that won’t flash the underside stones.)”  If you would like to share some ideas with David you can email him direct at: DrDLH@twcny.rr.com

If you would like to contribute to the Magic Roadshow, make suggestions, or comment on anything in this issue  EMAIL ME   ( Rick@MagicRoadshow.com )

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IN THIS ISSUE
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– FINDING EEYORE  – Propless mentalism by Mick Ayres
– Flipper Revisited  –  An Effect of Sorts
– Nick Trost’s Eight Card Brainwave Tutorial
– Eight Card Brainwave tutorial by Juan Fernando
– The Emperor’s New Sleight  –  Advice from Francis Menotti
– Candle To Ball  –  An Effect by Jeff Hobson
– FAIR PLAY –  A Card Effect by Paul Lelekis
– CHILDRENS MAGIC SHOWS  –   David John O Connor
– THE ENGAGING RING  –   David John O Connor
– Tricks Without Names   –  Werner Miller
– How to Learn Magic  – A  PDF  ( Freeware For the Young Magician )
– New book by Professor Solomon: “Lives of the Conjurers, Volume Two.”
– Brian Brushwood Live Video Q&A with Full Circle Magic
– Johnny Thompson  –  Live Q&A with Full Circle Magic
– Banachek  –  Live Video Q&A with Full Circle Magic
– Harry Anderson’s “Hello, Sucker!”  –  Original Showtime Telecast
– Ricky Jay Plays Poker  –  Video
– 121 Easy To Perform Magic Tricks.. Tutorials Ideal For New Magicians
– An Idea For Jay Sankey’s 3 Free Magic Gimmicks –  Gospel Magic Gaff
– Cardini Performing on the First TV Magic Show -1957
– 10 Things No One Tells You About Being A Magician  –  Article
– How to Book Restaurant Gigs –  Audio Interview
–  A Reminder –  Lu Brent’s Exclusive Card Mysteries   –   Free PDF for Roadshow Readers
– Reminder .. A  Flea Market for Magicians
– Blur –  A Great Little Resource
– Free eBooks For Subscribers….
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Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune..
Jim Rohn

It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up –
Babe Ruth

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.
George Bernard Shaw

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FINDING EEYORE  – Propless mentalism by Mick Ayres

“I have, and always will have, a creative soul—or as it is called today: Attention Deficit Disorder. Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who bounces from one topic to another with all the frequency of a cheap ham radio? Then you have met one of us!

“How does this affect you? Disney movies! I am convinced the folks at Disney and Pixar get all their best ADD people to come up with their most creative stories and characters. Think about it. If you want to look at a story from every possible angle—even the ones you haven’t thought of—who is going to do a better job?

“Triggering the imagination is easier than you think. Even now, just by mentioning “Disney movies”, some of you are already romping with the gang through the Hundred Acre Wood or joining forces with everyone trying to find 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney, Australia. Me, too! And that’s the beauty of imagination. Those images link us together on common ground.

“Here, I’ll give you a specific example of how this ‘creative bouncing around’ can bond us. Ma’am, can I borrow your imagination? Thank you.

“Pretend I am handing you an invisible die. It’s a normal six-sided die—it’s just invisible. Give it a roll. Don’t tell me the number but tell me—is your number odd or even? Even? Okay, remember that number and roll the die again until an odd number comes up. Again, do not tell me the number…just remember it. You can put the die in your pocket. It’s a gift. Seriously, it’s nothing.

“In fact, take both numbers in your mind and add them together OR subtract one from the other. It’s your choice. Using your imagination, you have created a random number that no one can know. It’s like I just walked into the room and asked you to think of a number and you have come up with the one in your brain right now.

“Here is an invisible index card. It’s blank. Here’s an invisible pen you can keep, too. Are you scoring like a bandit, or what? Use your imagination and write your number as a word on that card. Don’t draw the actual number—spell the number out.

“That card now has a handful of letters on it that spell out a number. How about this? Go all the way to the right and focus on the last two letters. Now choose either letter and hold it in your mind.

“Your imagination started with a die from a game board, then jumped to numbers, did a little math, converted the result to the alphabet and now you are thinking of one letter specifically. This is ADD Heaven—and we’re still not done bouncing around.

“Take your imagination into another unexpected direction. Think of a popular Disney character whose name begins with that letter. You can choose from the classic animated films or from the Pixar films. The more places you have seen this character, the better. Maybe you have seen this character’s image on clothing or as a plush toy.

“Now that you have a character in mind, turn your card over and draw a picture of that character. Put a few details in the background so your mind has plenty to focus on. Just do your best. I promise, no one will look at it and laugh.”

“This is when we find out if our imaginations are on common ground.”

Pause for a moment; then appear confused and ask, “Does your character have something to do with water?” The guest’s answer determines your response. Most of the time, the answer will be No.

“No? But I always see a dark rain cloud hanging over Eeyore.” Her startled look will confirm you have divined the character accurately. Enjoy the moment—and then build upon the impossibility by adding, “A few months ago a guest got the letter E and chose Elsa. I think she was in Frozen?”

Once in a while, a guest will answer the water-question with a Yes. If so, respond by saying, “Yes? Good. We certainly need it to find Nemo.” Again, enjoy the moment—and then build upon the impossibility by adding, “A few months ago a guest got the letter N and chose Nala. I think she was in The Lion King?”

This brings the presentation to an end.

Your guest will always choose Nemo or Eeyore—more often the latter. By choosing any even number and any odd number from a die and then adding or subtracting those numbers, the result will be one of the following values: one, three, five, seven, nine or eleven. The last two letters in each of these numbers is either an E or an N—and the letter E shows up seven times out of the six possible results. The letter N appears four times. There is one letter V. The script carefully nudges your guest toward the target characters without actually naming them. The Walt Disney Company has marketed Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh) and Nemo (Finding Nemo) intensely through films, plush toys, clothing, and trading pins so their names are popular and quickly recalled. If the guest decides to think of the letter V, the only possible character to consider is Violet, the teenage daughter from The Incredibles. Her name is not easily recalled however because she is a secondary character. In my experience this has never been an issue because when the guest cannot immediately come up with a name, they switch to the other letter and the presentation is back on target.

Do not overlook the final statement and query about the alternate characters. This provides evidence that the choices were indeed considerable. Google it if you wish.

If the whole Disney angle is not really your cup of tea, you can easily rewrite the script so your guest is asked to consider a U. S. President instead. The final question would be, “You didn’t choose one based on a scandal, did you?” The answer will guide you to name Eisenhower or Nixon (thank you, Joshua Quinn).

‘Finding Eeyore’ copyright 2013 by Mick Ayres. For performance use only. ‘Eeyore’ and ‘Nemo’ are trademarked by the Walt Disney Company. All rights reserved. Originally published in MUM magazine; March 2014. Mick enjoys an eclectic career as a conjurer, tunesmith and taleswapper for the Walt Disney Resort on Hilton Head Island. He welcomes input and dialogue and can be reached athttp://www.mickayreswares.com/.
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Flipper Revisited  –  An Effect (of Sorts)

You guys know I love a good mathemagic type effect. Well, this is properly discuised as a bit of mentalism, and no one will know the difference if you don’t tell them. I’ve seen this a couple of times through the years, and I’m guessing it was in an issue of Jinx at some point.. after all everything was in Jinx at one time of another. The last time I saw this published was several years ago in a nice little ebook from Lance Norris. I’m not sure to what extent Lance performs magic these days.. I do know he is a highly talented musician and actor. I saw him recently playing one of the jurors in “The Judge”, with Robert Downey and Robert Duvall. What a gig…

Anyway.. begin by taking eight cards from a deck. Any deck will do, including a borrowed deck. Show all eight cards face down and openly turn the top two cards face up.  Put the cards behind your back and turn your back to the spectator.

“All I need you to do is cut the deck like this..” Cut the deck.  Bring the packet around front and show the spec that some of the cards are face up (2) and some are face down (6).

Turn your back to the spectator again and again flip the top two cards and cut the deck.  Turn around again and show the spec that yet another number are face up and face down. If the total up and down is five and three, do it again. You’ll understand in a moment..

Flip all the cards face down and give the packet to the spectator. Tell the spec to place the cards behind his back, flip the top two, and cut. Repeat a few times and bring the packet to the front.

“If you followed my directions correctly, and I’m sure you did,  there should be a random number of cards face up and a random number face down. I have no idea how many times you cut the deck nor where you cut the deck… would you agree?”

Let’s hope the spectator agrees…

“Yet my highly developed sense of predicting the unknown and unseen tells me you have five one way and three the other.. or, as Lance says..” I think you’re a five and three kind of guy..”

When the cards are brought around and counted, you’re absolutely right. Spectator can repeat several times, bring the cards around again, and again they will be five and three.

The Secret…  After turning all the cards face down prior to handing them to the spectator, secretly turn the bottom card face up. That’s it… Flip and cut all you want and it’s still five and three. In all fairness, I must tell you that once every now and again it will be one and seven, but not very often. I’m sure you’ll find a way to cover this minor inconvenience..

Rick Carruth

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Nick Trost’s Eight Card Brainwave Tutorial

If you wanted to create a packet of eight cards to specifically use for Flipper Revisited,  you could easily segue from Nick Trost’s Eight Card Brainwave. I have used the two performing restaurant work when I wanted to perform something with cards but didn’t want to bring out a whole deck. I’m sure most of you are familiar with this classic.. but in case you aren’t, or if you simply want to refresh your memory, have a look at Scam School’s tutorial.

(Just a little tip.. when performing restaurant walk-around I carry a rubberized back mouse pad folded in my pocket to use as a close-up mat. It’s small and waterproof, which is very important when you’re competing for table space..  )

Because of the nature of Eight Card Brainwave, you might want to simply create a packet of eight additional one-colored back cards for Flipper Revisited.

http://www.carruth.org/

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Eight Card Brainwave tutorial by Juan Fernando

“This is my own take on the 8 card brainwave effect. In the beginning of the tutorial I explain the classic method before I explain my own variation. If you can perform the Kiss Count, you can perform this…”

If you take time to watch the Scam School video above, then you owe it to your magic to watch Juan’s version. The handling of the cards is both unique and beautiful.

http://youtu.be/JfsWzXNjELI
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The Emperor’s New Sleight  –  Truth or Fairytales?…
Francis Menotti

Here’s a scenario that you are hopefully not familiar with…
The setting: the monthly meeting of your local magic club…

Amateur Andy is working on his new version of Ambitious Card, that great classic that no one ever gets tired of performing. He shows it to Patronizing Patrick and Snide Sandra. Both put on false faces of wonder and amazement.

“Gee Andy, that’s great!  Is that yours? How long have you been working on that? Well, bye now!”

***Five minutes later and just out of earshot***

“Heaven help him if he tries that on a lay audience,” Snide Sandra sniggered. “He needs to just throw that whole thing out and start over, “ pondered Patronizing Patrick, “Somebody should really tell him.”

If you ask someone what time it is, or what the weather is like outside, you expect and want them to tell you the truth, right? After all, what good is the response if it is false? You are worse off than not knowing the answer at all.

The same goes for analyzing and criticizing someone’s magic. If someone flashes, it is not snide or arrogant for you to tell them. It’s honest, and a friendly thing to do. It is your duty as a magician and a colleague of your fellow performers to cordially advise the demonstrator as to a flaw, no matter how big or small, in the construction of their mysticism. Otherwise, not only are you perpetuating the bad performance of your friend, but you are also damaging your chances of fooling your audience by promoting exposure of magic far worse that any masked magician. (At least the masked magician does so intentionally.)

This also does not mean you must or have the right to tear the performer apart viciously, without offering constructive criticism. This is especially true of performance-based criticism. When it comes to presentation, it is a whole different game of subjective analysis. We’re talking about technique. And if the technique is bad, the performer needs to know.

Most of this is probably obvious and stuff that you already know. But do you practice it? We are sometimes afraid of coming across as the bad guy when we say, “Dude, I saw your pass. What if you try this, instead?”

If we’re polite and correct about such a comment, we’re the hero, not the bad guy. Give it a try.

If your friends or colleagues truly care about their art, they’ll thank you in the long run.

Excerpt from: The Creativity Show
By  Francis Menotti
http://www.francismenotti.com/
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Candle To Ball  –  An Effect
Jeff Hobson

Abbott’s Magic Get-Togethers have a permanent place in my heart. I was 11 years old when I first attended and the very next year I entered the magic competition taking first place with a manipulative act of cards and billiard balls! During the following years, I specialized in just billiard ball manipulation. Frank Radtke, aka Fakini, made all of the billiard balls that I used and even designed a special set just for me. In my opinion he makes the best tools in the business.

It seems that magicians have a compulsion to “play” with manipulation under the guise of practice. Hey, let’s face it brethren. . . . We love to play! We like to look in the mirror and see how good we are and somehow often fall into the foolish trap of trying to fool ourselves! All right then, with a blushing face, I’ll admit that this effect was discovered when I was “playing” with a billiard ball and a Fantasio vanishing candle. I really didn’t think it was that earthshattering until years later when I had magicians tell me how much they were impressed with this one little effect. Again, simplicity is a beautiful thing! This is a perfect opening effect to segue into a billiard ball routine.

To prepare, have a Fantasio vanishing candle set with lighter fluid in it’s chamber. To begin, have a ball palmed in the right hand with the fantasio candle extended and lit in the left hand. I always used this effect as an opening trick so the set up was easy to do before entering the stage. I’ll leave it up to you how you want to get to the beginning position.

Just before the effect, be sure to put the ball in finger-palm position and that your right first finger and thumb can be free to extinguish the flame on the candle. You will face the audience with the lit candle in your left hand. Bring your right hand up to the top of the candle. (photo C1) Quickly pinch the wick between the right thumb and first finger extinguishing the flame. Be careful, it’s hot!

Keep your grip on the top of the candle while “pushing” down with your right hand. (photo C2) Your left hand remains still and steady. An even, slow and steady movement makes this an intriguing sight.

As the hands meet, two things happen. The collapsed candle gets revolved into a finger-palmed position in the left hand and the ball is “rolled” into view between the right and left first fingers. The ball, when revealed, should immediately be “finger-rolled”. (photos C3 – C6)  It is an easy flourish to do for a short amount of time. Just two or three revolutions around the fingers will do the trick – pun intended. The ball is then taken into the right hand to be tossed into the air. This is the time to ditch the candle perhaps by casually putting the left hand into your trouser pocket to get a silk or other object as the right hand tosses the ball. The more adventurous of you may wish to use a Toppit to get rid of the candle. The routining is now up to you. Have a ball!

Jeff Hobson offers a FREE Magic Video Theater where he posts rare and vintage videos, interviews and has great lectures available. To access this private video page, just sign up at:http://www.hobsonschoicemagic.com/  and click on “Special Offers”
Hobson also has a NEW professional magic lecture available as a streaming, online rental. See the trailer at: http://www.hobsonschoicemagic.com/

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FAIR PLAY –  A Card Effect
Paul Lelekis
I first bought a copy of Frank Garcia and George Schindler’s excellent book, ‘Magic with Cards’ around 1975. This book contains some terrific card magic!

I never met the brilliant card magician, Frank Garcia, but I have met George Schindler and shared a stage with him in 2001.

George is an amazing performer and one of the funniest people you will ever meet! He is a great MC!

The title above is a play on words of one of the effects in the aforementioned book. The trick is called, Turn-About. This effect always interested me because of how cleverly it is structured. It is also very easy to perform.  The effect I designed below, takes this trick, I believe, to another level. The original effect was not only baffling to laypersons, but also to magicians. My contributions are the methods I use as well as a “kicker” ending. I think you like it!

EFFECT: Mention that you feel a “connection” between yourself and a spectator. I prefer using a female spectator for this effect, as I do with most of my performances.

A card is first selected by the spectator and a second card is selected by the performer. Both cards are memorized and kept hidden on the table.

The spectator then cuts the deck into two piles, one for the spectator and one for the performer. The magician’s card is placed into the spectator’s packet and the spectator’s card is placed into performer’s packet.
The performer then takes the spectator’s packet, turns it face up, and cuts into two more packets.

He then places one of these two face-up packets on top of and in-jogged on the performer’s face-down packet and the other face-up packet is placed on the bottom and out-jogged from the performers face-down packet. Square up the deck.

Do your magic and when the deck is spread out, all of the cards are now facing down – except for the two selections…and they are MATES!

SET UP: Secretly get any two mates on top of the deck. As an example, let’s use the two red sixes, the 6 of Diamonds (6D) on top of deck and the 6 of Hearts (6H), second from the top. Any cards of the same value and color are called “mates”.

PERFORMANCE: Bring out the deck of cards and give it a couple of false shuffles which is very easy and convincing since you only need to keep the two red sixes on the top of the deck.

As you shuffle tell the spectator, “Ma’am…I feel a connection with you! NOT a LOVE connection, but a mental connection…perhaps a personal connection!”

“Ma’am – do you feel it too?” (She will either nod her head for a ‘yes’ or sheepishly shake her head ‘no’.) In either case say, “I knew that!”

The above patter will get giggles. This type of patter also gives you a bit of control – it will help to, passively, put you “in charge”.

While giving the above patter, undercut the 6D to the bottom of the deck. You now have the 6H on the top of the deck and the 6D on the bottom.  Announce that you need to have two cards selected.

Selection #1: Force the 6H on your spectator –

You will begin by forcing the 6H that is on top of the deck by using the Balducci Cut Deeper Force. Have her make both cuts for this force while you explain to her what to do. This will give the impression of a completely free selection.

Have her keep the card hidden from you and place it face down on the table. This force should make the female think that she has control of her own selection.

Selection #2: Forcing an indifferent card on yourself –

The performer will proceed to apparently select his own card using the same process (Balducci Force Cut Deeper Force) – however, IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT THIS CARD IS!

Pretend to memorize this card, then place it face down on the table – unseen by the spectator. See – no memorization this trick!

Remember…BOTH selections must be kept from each other’s view!

NOTE: You may even have the spectator choose the performer’s card for you! Let her perform the Balducci Force again or just tell her to remove a card (for your selection only!) ‘…from the middle of the deck’ and lay it face down without her seeing it! This will “prey” heavily on her mind after the trick is finished.

If you use the Balducci Force both times, be sure each time, to place the face-up packet back on top of the deck when you reassemble the deck so that the 6D is kept, secretly, on the bottom of the deck!
Situation Check: The 6D will be on the bottom of the deck and the two “selections” will be face down on the table.

Divide the deck into two packets:

Now the performer holds the deck while the spectator cuts the top half for herself.

As soon as she cuts off the top half, have her shuffle her half as you secretly reverse the 6D on the bottom of the deck – I use the Christ Twist.

The 6D is now face-up on the bottom of the deck. Perform the Christ Twist while she is shuffling her packet and then you quickly false shuffle your packet making sure not to expose the reversed 6D.

Have both “selections” returned and reassemble deck: You place the spectator’s card into your packet and the spectator puts your card into her packet.

Give her your card (the fake selection) and have her push it into her packet. MAKE SURE SHE DOESN’T SEE IT!

As she is pushing your card into her packet, TURN YOUR RIGHT HAND OVER SO THAT YOUR PACKET IS NOW FACE UP – except for the face down 6D covering the face-up cards.

It will appear as if your packet is still face down! Take her selection and ask her if she remembers it, then push her face down card into your packet. Now, the only two face-down cards in your packet will be the 6D and the 6H!

Next have her turn her packet face up and divide it into two piles. Take one of these piles and place it on top of your (apparently) face-down packet…but in-jog it so that part of the back of your face-down pile is showing.
Place the other face-up half on the bottom and out-jogged from your packet.

Now square the deck up and turn it over, face down onto the table. Cast your best magic spell and then ask what her selection is. She will answer that her selection is the 6 of Hearts and you respond, “I knew it! My selection was the 6 of Diamonds! I knew we had a connection!”

Then spread the deck to show that the only two face-up cards in the face-down deck are the 6H and 6D!  Properly performed, this is a magician-fooler!
You can view ALL of Paul’s ebooks, all 18, at Lybrary.com .. They are, undoubtebly, one of the best values in all of magic..  Many are now considered underground classics…
http://lybrary.com/paul-a-lelekis-m-163788.html

Be sure to check out Paul’s definitive work on the Business of Table Hopping. Maybe my favorite of all his many ebooks. If you want to earn a steady income with your magic, this is the ebook for you…. http://www.lybrary.com/the-business-of-table-hopping-p-408936.html
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CHILDRENS MAGIC SHOWS  –
David John O Connor

While the call for a children’s birthday magic show seems to be in decline in some areas, there is still a call for this type of entertainment, for those who offer a good performance.

As a traditional children’s entertainer with over 40 years’ experience in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, to be successful you must love children and be able to relate to them. Your show must be filled with interactive participation, lots of humour, gags and colourful visual effects.

A typical performance I would present would run for between 30 to 45 minutes depending on the age group. Remember small children have a much shorter attention span, regardless of how good your show is and I follow the ‘Less is more’ rule. A children’s show should be well planned and routined.  Following the advice from Ken Kelly and Julian Mather’s Magicians Business Forum is a sure fire method, as well as the Magic Roadshow Journal of Magic. Scripting your patter is just as important for children’s shows, as for adult shows, because it allows you to ad- lib and to interact more naturally with the children once your patter is learnt. Follow the format with a good visual opener; building throughout up to a strong well remembered finish. I always use pre show and after show music and there is some great Calliope, and Barrel organ music available that is reminiscent of the circus or carnival midway.

Some classic effects I sometimes include are the Egg Bag, Linking Rings, Hippity Hop Rabbits, Dove Pan, Die Box, Colouring Book and Coloured Silk effects. Don’t neglect the often derided thumb tip.  Lots of different effects are possible with this wonderful accessory. I seldom do card tricks for children but I do use jumbo or large pictorial cards depicting, clown, circus, or animal themed effects. A really good large card effect is A B C Stung, highly recommended.  Back Stage is a great sucker effect as well but no more than one sucker trick per show is recommended.

Children love animals, so if you can use a rabbit it’s still wonderful for children and of course the production of a dove will gain you lots of “Ooh’s and Aah’s from the kids and adults also. Always treat your pets with genuine kindness and care. Try and let one trick lead into the next, like after the egg bag, I drop the egg into a change bag where it changes to a live dove, that is then vanished in a tip over box then later reproduced from a drawer box or dove pan. Remember too that you can use guinea pigs and even white mice. I sometimes use baby chickens with my chick pan that draws great excitement.

Above all when you are performing for children be entertaining, and move your show along at a reasonable pace. Too many magicians pad their shows with long drawn out routines that go on forever. Some balloon modelling or balloon antics always goes well, allowing the kids to participate. Another participative routine is plate spinning, using plastic plates and long dowel rods, this has lots of fun interaction. Although I don’t dress the children up in any way, I do use goofy spectacles and face masks that bring the chuckles and laughter out.

Next time I would like to talk to you about how to maintain order during your show and how to manage difficult or boisterous children.  Like to chat about anything to do with kids shows, mail me at mailto:davidjmagic@gmail.com

David John O Connor
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THE ENGAGING RING –  An Effect for Young Girls of All Ages..
David John O Connor

Effect:  The performer invites a young girl up to assist him. Placing a ring on the girls thumb, he covers the ring with a hanky. Then, removing the ring from beneath the hanky, he causes the ring to vanish. Whipping the hanky off the volunteer’s hand, the ring is seen to still be on the little girls thumb.

Required: A Jardine Ellis Ring, a hanky, a gag rose.  (The ring must be the round not flat type)
And a heart shaped balloon.

Preparation: Obtain an inexpensive plastic or silk flower from a novelty or $ shop. Snip off the wire stem leaving about an inch below the flower head. Insert the flower head into a green coloured drinking straw and you have a realistic looking flower on a stem. Inflate your heart balloon to have ready.

Routine: The performer requests a young girl around age 12 or older to assist him or even the birthday child’s elder sister or mother. Ask whether the girl is married, has any children etc. then state that you have chosen her because you’re sure that one day a young man is going to come along and want her hand in marriage and you want to show her what it’s like to become engaged. Introduce the ring, stating that it’s similar to the ring her boyfriend will give her, except the ring from her boyfriend will have a REALLY big diamond. Slip the engagement ring on her thumb and ask her to close her fingers into a fist but leave her thumb sticking up. Placing the ring (and shell) onto the girls thumb, you cover it with a hanky, stating, “I’m going to show you some engagement ring magic.. and magic works much better in the dark”.

Now state that on the count of three the ring will vanish from the girls hand and appear in your closed fist. Invite the children to start counting with you,” One – Two”, here you pause saying that some of the children don’t believe it will work, so you and your assistant will do it differently. The performer removes the ‘ring’ from underneath the hanky, (taking the shell only) leaving the ring proper on the girl’s thumb where it won’t be felt.

Execute the French drop to vanish the ring while pretending to hold it in your closed hand.

Now, invite the girl to tap the back of your hand three times with her empty hand.   Suddenly show your hand empty and that the ring has vanished, pausing while allowing this subterfuge to register.

Then, suddenly whip the hanky from the girls hand to show the ring is still on her thumb.

Call for applause for your assistant and hand her the rose on a stem. As she takes hold of the stem you carry the top of the rose flower moving away looking puzzled, leaving the girl with just the stem. Apologise.. and hand her the red heart balloon (mine is a Qualatex ) as you lead your assistant off stage with a big thank you…

This is a fun interlude that suits any age girl or lady and there are LOTS of bits of business you can add to the routine for laughs and children love it.

David J.
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Tricks Without Names   Another Mathemagical Medley of Semi-Automatic Tricks
Werner Miller

Trick #3

Use a standard ESP deck, with the cards being cyclically stacked as usual.
Ask the spectator to give the deck two or three complete cuts, then have the final top card
removed by the spectator as his/her chosen symbol. (Because of the symbols’ rotation, replicas
of the spectator’s card are now fifth from the top down and fifth from the bottom up, too.)
Explain that you are going to reveal the chosen symbol by means of several random cards from
the deck, taken either from the top or the bottom. “Shall I turn over the deck so that everybody
can see the faces of the cards, or shall I leave the deck face down so that nobody can know for
sure whether a duplicate of the chosen card happens to be among them or not?” Let the
spectator decide.

Case #1: We’ll assume the spectator opts for keeping the deck face down.

Deal the top seven cards “zig-zag” style into three piles (Fig. 1), then pick up the third pile and flip
it onto the second pile (Fig. 2, Fig. 3). Pick up the combined second pile, flip it similarly onto the
first pile (Fig. 4), and turn over the combined pile (Fig. 5). You end up with the top four cards face
up and the bottom three cards face down (Fig. 6).

Repeat the dealing and flipping as described. After the final turnover the cards positioned second,
fourth, sixth and seventh from the top down are the only face-up ones.

Repeat the dealing and flipping once more. After the final turnover the card in the middle of the
pile (fourth from the top down, fourth from the bottom up) is automatically the only face-down
card. Ribbon spread the cards, push that card out of the spread, and turn it over: It matches the
spectator’s selection! (Or, if you prefer, skip the final turnover and end up with the duplicate of the
chosen card as the only face-up card in the spread.)

Case #2:

If the spectator opts for turning the deck face up, also proceed as described. The
outcome will be exactly the other way round, i.e., every face-down card is now face up and vice
versa, so that, at the end, the duplicate of the chosen card is the only reversed card in the spread,
again.   (To Be Continued.)

For more (and more elaborate) math-based magic by Werner Miller visit:
http://www.lybrary.com/werner-miller-m-7881.html

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How to Learn Magic  – A Freeware PDF  ( For the Young Magician )

I’ve put together a pdf of about two dozen articles about getting started in magic. These have been sitting in a file for about seven years or so, and I’m ready to either delete them or let someone else work with them.
Take this pdf and use it for whatever purpose suits your need.. There isn’t a copyright, and any part of it can be converted to anything you wish. You are free to:

– Take my name off and add yours
– Re-name it
– Add to it
– Subtract from it
– re-write it for publishing in a club newsletter or whatever..
– Give it away or sell it ..

https://app.box.com/s/f8udw3ixjyfwz0chthwhh9bde3lfzm0t
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New book by Professor Solomon: “Lives of the Conjurers, Volume Two.”

Biographies of magicians, mindreaders, and fraudulent mediums. I enjoyed the first volume, and when I found the second recently released, I quickly downloaded it. Professor Solomon introduces us to an assortment of familiar characters.. and some not so familiar.  Good read……
• CARDINI He seemed bewildered by his own magic
• BLACKSTONE “The Last of the Great Magicians”
• LEON MANDRAKE He wore a turban or a top hat— depending on the gig
• DUNNINGER Was it true that the renowned mindreader couldn’t read the mind of a gnat?
• DAVENPORT BROTHERS The spirit cabinet brought fame. But were they mediums or magicians?
• PROFESSOR NEUMAN He had misread a mind— and the police hauled him away
• THE GREAT LESTER Did he have the exclusive rights to that name?
• GEORGES MÉLIÈS A magician who transformed himself into a filmmaker
• CHARLIER No one knew where he came from— or where he finally went
• MAX MALINI He learned his trade as a youth, in a bar on the Bowery
• MYRUS THE MENTALIST An ordinary fellow with extraordinary powers?
• JOHN CALVERT At the age of a hundred he was still performing
• DE SARAK Was he a Tibetan adept, with psychic powers, or an egregious fraud?
• THE BANANA MAN From the pockets of his coat he pulled hundreds of bananas
• PROFESSOR SOLOMON As promised, he produced an elephant (or at least its trunk)
• DANTINI THE MAGNIFICENT Magician-in-residence at a Baltimore bar

160 pages. Illustrated.
Free download at:   http://www.professorsolomon.com/conjurers-two-book-page.html
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Brian Brushwood Live Video Q&A with Full Circle Magic
Streamed live on Oct 29, 2014   1 hour 15 minutes.

This video Q&A, taped live on October 29th featured Brian Brushwood of Bizarre Magic and Scam School, and was hosted by Lootah Paytah. To quote Wikipedia

“Brian Brushwood is an American magician, podcaster, author, lecturer and comedian. Brushwood is known for the series Scam School, a show where he teaches the audience entertaining tricks at bars so they can “scam” a free drink from their friends. In addition to Scam School Brushwood co-hosts the podcasts Weird Things, Too Long Didn’t Listen, Cordkillers and Night Attack. Brushwood is also a regular guest on the This Week in Tech podcast. Brushwood performs his Bizarre Magic stage show across the United States and is the author of six books. Brushwood has appeared on national television numerous times including on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, CNN and Food Network..”

Brian is also the host of the National Geographic Channels “Hacking the System”.. a new show I have yet to miss… Brian has been featured a number of times in Magic Roadshow videos as the wit behind Scam School, including a video in this issue.. : ‘Nick Trost’s Eight Card Brainwave’

http://youtu.be/U6HVXhCDMl8

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Johnny Thompson  –  Live Q&A with Full Circle Magic
Streamed Live with legendary consultants, Johnny and Pam Thompson! 1 hour 45 minutes.

What needs to be said about Johnny Thompson? He has consulted with dozens of magic’s biggest names, including Criss Angel, Lance Burton, and Penn and Teller. To quote from Wikipedia:

“Johnny Thompson (born c. 1934) is a  Las Vegas illusionist who performs under the stage name The Great Tomsoni with his wife, Pamela Hayes. They have a comedic slapstick act with the well-dressed Thompson and his gum-popping assistant, Pam, performing illusions while enduring a series of mishaps. Within the magician community, Tomsoni is considered a virtuoso, widely known as a mentor and teacher of magic, and a creator of tricks, as opposed to simply a performer. He has worked behind the scenes with magicians such as Penn and Teller, Lance Burton, and Criss Angel.  In 1999, he was awarded one of the highest honors in the magician community, a Masters Fellowship with the Academy of Magical Arts”

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQraQTUiXow

________________
Banachek  –  Live Video Q&A with Full Circle Magic
Streamed live on Nov 19, 2014   1 hour 35 minutes

Hosted by Paul Draper, this interesting and informative interview with one of the all-time greats of mentalism, Banachek, will be well worth the time spent, or should I say, time invested, as I know from experience He is one of the best  lecturers in all of magic. To quote from Wikipedia:

“Banachek (born 30 November 1960 as Steven Shaw) is a mentalist. He has written books on mentalism and has invented various magic and mentalism effects, including the Penn & Teller bullet catch and the original “buried alive” stunt. He is the Director of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge. Banachek is often sought out by top entertainers and magic TV shows around the world as a consultant. His clients include Penn & Teller, David Blaine, Lance Burton, James Randi and Criss Angel.”
 http://youtu.be/HxT5mwqgqsg
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Harry Anderson’s “Hello, Sucker!”  –  Original Showtime Telecast
From Showtime in 1986.    53 minutes

Every magician worth his salt knows Harry Anderson. From his days as the judge on the TV series “Night Court“, to his recurring role as Harry the Hat, con man, on Cheers, four years as Dave Barry on the sitcom Dave’s World, his eight appearances on Saturday Night Live, twelve appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and several magic/comedy specials on premium cable TV.

To quote from promotional material…

“This is your only opportunity to see Harry at his magic and comedy best. The show was taped in 1985 at the Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, California and aired on the Showtime cable network.

Watch Harry perform his trademark routines: Buffalo Bill, Cuff Links, Needle Through Arm and Monarch Monte. Watch as Harry The Hat uses popular con games to rip people off. Most importantly be prepared as the self proclaimed, liar, thief, braggart and cheat makes you laugh, smile and be amazed. Contains adult language.”

http://youtu.be/JlthbJTv39U
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Ricky Jay Plays Poker  –  Video

Published on Nov 9, 2012    Almost 30 minutes

“The incredible magician, author and actor demonstrates his skill with cards in “Ricky Jay Plays Poker”. The original release included a variety of poker related music. Please note that this is ONLY the 29 minute video clip where Ricky demonstrates a variety of poker moves, including his famous card throwing..”

http://youtu.be/OTgwAqcKm_s
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121 Easy To Perform Magic Tricks.. Tutorials Ideal For New Magicians

This page offers a library of easy magic tricks that anyone can learn and perform for their friends. All of the tricks use everyday, common, household materials and require no complicated sleight-of-hand. They also offer clear, step-by-step instructions. Many of these trick use tried and true magic techniques that can be used to perform more complicated effects. Many Thanks to Wayne Kawamoto for his dedicated work at  Magic.About.com … ( Thanks too.. to my friend Michael Lyth for suggesting this link for inclusion in the Roadshow. )

Easy Card Tricks (35)
Bar Bets Tricks That You Can’t Lose (14)
Basic Magic Technique (10)
Easy Prediction Tricks (15)
Easy Magic Tricks Kids (12)
Card Magic Tricks (21)
Science Magic Tricks Magic Tricks Based On Science (14)
http://magic.about.com/od/libraryofsimpletricks/
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An Idea For Jay Sankey’s 3 Free Magic Gimmicks –  Gospel Magic Gaff
Michael Lyth

Jay’s PDF, featured in Issue 163, included a gaffed card box. If you alter the artwork to suit the card box, the idea can be used for other routines. An example – the King of Hearts is often used by gospel/Christian members of the Fellowship of Christian Magicians to put a message across. The new force card can be added to Jay’s image, with a copy of the performers signature across the card, and a new routine is born. The Christian magician forces the card, unknown to the spectator, ( as if magicians would do that sort of thing ) and he talks about people sometimes  get lost in their walk of faith – as he signs the card…  which vanishes, only to be seen under the cellophane of the card box complete with signature of performer, who then says you are never lost for long with Christ in your heart.This I think makes for a stronger finish for this variation of Jays effect..

This is the method I used, as  I am mainly self taught on computers.  I copied from Jay’s free PDF that one image of the card box and pasted into a new word document.  Next I created the card to be forced using an internet image of king of hearts and saved as a JPG.

I opened with Microsoft Picture It’ express 7.0 and added with the text option a close representation of your signature, although a real signature can be scanned and saved as a JPG   and added.

Once done I went back to my new word document and added a shape from the tool bar section and covered Jay’s 3 of clubs     Then I went to my pictures for the forced king of Clubs with signature and copied the image.

Then, I went back to that shape I added to my new word document. I clicked in the shape and from the tool bar, clicked on add text in the shape. You can now paste the image and position to fit but as I said at the start, there is probably a simpler method   Remember to keep the original size proportions of card box. Hope this helps in some way…

Click for sample…   https://app.box.com/s/3f7307w0hijdvnzz79kh0t2l31nn69mg
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Cardini Performing on the First TV Magic Show -1957

Cardini, born in Britian as Richard Valentine Pitchford, joined the British Army durning WW1 and spent considerable time in the trenches practicing his magic. Due to the extremely cold weather, he learned to manipulate cards while wearing gloves. Cardini eventually left Britian after failing to achieve success with his act. He traveled to Australia, Canada, and eventually the United States. After performing in New York, he became an almost instant sensation with his unique style, routining, and manipulation skills…

“Among his many acclamations was the New England Magic Society’s proclamation of Cardini as the “greatest exponent of pure sleight of hand the world has ever known” (1958). He was honored in 1970 with the title “Master Magician”, which was awarded at the Magic Castle, LA, and presented by Tony Curtis. In 1999 he was named one of Magic Magazine’s Top Magicians of the 20th Century. He was a three time President of the Society of American Magicians. In 1960 The Magic Circle in London honored him with the Silver Wand Award.”  Wikipedia

http://www.etricks.info/
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10 Things No One Tells You About Being A Magician  –  Article

Clean fingernails are essential and you will be poor for many years. Troy Von Scheibner explains why the life of a magician is not always magic… This and many other great resources are online at MagicNews.org..

http://magicnews.org/
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How to Book Restaurant Gigs –  Audio Interview

Ken and Julian at MagiciansBusiness just sent an email about their latest podcast. David Ranalli details how to get restaurant gigs. This is one of the more popular topics I deal with from readers.. so, here you go!

“David Ranalli started young performing magic in restaurants. From age 14 he has been table hopping building up strong work practices and an appreciation of the restaurant industry and how magicians can better position themselves to get the most value from a restaurant gig.”

Listen to this episode on iTunes or Stitcher or follow the link below and listen on our website:

http://www.magicianbusiness.com/ep-42-restaurant-gigs-for-magicians-with-david-ranalli/
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A Reminder –  Lu Brent’s Exclusive Card Mysteries   –   Free PDF for Roadshow Readers
Frank Moraes

I don’t normally run ‘reminders’.. but this PDF from Frank Moraes was a special treat. No one else, anywhere, has this PDF. You have to get it via the Roadshow, courtesy of Frank.

” I’m pleased to be able to provide Exclusive Card Mysteries in PDF form. I’ve scanned it from the original printing in 1934. And even though it is in the public domain, it is still available commercially. But you would have to pay for such updated versions. I’m sure that anyone interested in card magic will take away at least a couple of ideas from it. As for me, I actually perform “Thought Spelling” — and I really don’t like spelling tricks in general. So take a look. I don’t think you will be disappointed.”

https://app.box.com/s/oa3lmfz339ish58ivmjoym5wj09w6tpz

Visit Frank’s excellent blog at:   http://franklycurious.com/wp/
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Reminder .. A  Flea Market for Magicians

On Saturday, March 28th, from 9 AM to 1 PM, our friends, Tait and Michelle Harbaugh, are sponsoring a flea market just for entertainers.

This is not a convention or an auction. The point of this event is to give everyone an easy outlet for selling unneeded supplies.

Admission is free. The event is hosted by Steps to Success, a non profit early learning center. A donation jar & concessions to benefit Steps to Success will be available. Tables can be reserved with a $5 donation. Please send your donation and contact information to Steps to Success, 56 Hillcrest Ave., Leola PA 17540 if you wish to reserve a table prior to the event.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1552872708267136/
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Magic Supply Company

Do you sell magic.?  Do you want to sell magic, earn 10% on everything you sell, and never have to buy a single stock item.. plus… earn 10% commission on your OWN purchases.?

http://www.magicsupply.com/idevaffiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=242
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Blur –  A Great Little Resource

Blur is the all-in-one solution for managing your online life and protecting your private information. You can control all your online purchases and payments, your email, and your phone.

** Editors note.. this is an unsolicited, unpaid recommendation. I use BLUR all the time and am glad to share it with you guys. They offer a free and a premium version. Although the premium version shows $39.95, when I clicked the premium link to read the features it offered me the premium service for $19.95 for a short while. Folks, this is a bargain for the control it offers..

With Masked Cards, you can create a new credit card number for EVERY purchase or payment. When a site asks for your credit card number, a small pop up box gives you the choice of filling it with your real number or a one-time use number. This means if your number is stolen from whomever you give it to, they don’t get your REAL number, they get a number that’s unusable. Each Masked Card has a built-in limit, so there’s no risk of hidden charges or data breaches.

Don’t want to give a website your email address? With Blur, you don’t have to. Passwords sync across devices and fill in automatically.. Again, you control your masked numbers through your control panel. You can cancel an abused email with a click. Plus, since each assigned email is different, if you begin receiving emails from a source you’re not familiar with.. you can tell which of your other contacts shared your email. Again, a small, unobtrusive box appears when giving your email, or filling in an email, and gives you a choice of using your real email, which it then fills in for you.. or, masking your email with a super-secure email BLUR tracks for you.

Create phone numbers that route to your real phone. Any time you’re required to give a site, or an individual, your phone number, you can generate a masked number and control it through your control panel. If someone abuses the priviledge, go to your control panel and cancel the number. Simple..

I REALLY like BLUR. I know you can get some of these services individually from other companies, but I thoroughly enjoy having one company control all my services on one control panel.

https://abine.com/index.html
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I’m Going To Leave You With This……

Fear of success is characterized by these six behaviors; see if you have any of them: (1) Procrastinating. (2) Underperforming. (3) Focusing on those who reject you rather than those who accept you. (4) Allowing yourself to be sidetracked by so many insignificant things that you never get focused on the main thing. (5) Talking about what you plan to do “someday.” (6) Feeling others are worthy of success but not you.

Don’t be afraid of Success.. and, as some of the ‘politically correct’ would have you believe, don’t be afraid of money. Money builds schools, churches, and hospitals. It eradicates poverty and illiteracy; it finances research that cures life-threatening illnesses. But some of us are so focused on heaven’s streets of gold that we no longer see earth’s streets filled with suffering and unmet needs. Understand this: God will reward you based on your service to others. That could be your greatest motivation for wanting to succeed.

http://TheEncouragingWord.org
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Free eBooks For Subscribers….

Here’s a link where you can download a variety of free ebooks, including Erdnase’ Expert At The Card Table… If you are not a subscriber, you can sign up HERE.. https://magicroadshow.com/

http://streetmagic.info/cbmall3.html

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LIKE us on FaceBook..

(Every time someone likes my pages I take notice..)  

http://www.facebook.com/magicroadshow
http://www.facebook.com/themagicnews

————————–

Some of my Other Sites..

Las Vegas Magic Shows – updated monthly
http://lasvegasmagicshows.info/

Magic News – The #1 site in the world for ever-changing magic news. Updated daily.
http://magicnews.org/

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That does it for this issue. I hope you found something to help your magic studies along. Remember, if you have something you would like to share with the magic community, send it to:  Rick@MagicRoadshow.com

“May my next issue find you well..”

Rick Carruth / Editor

Senior Professor – Camelard College of Conjuring of Chemmis, Egypt
“Magic’s Only Worldwide Honor Society”
http://www.camelardcollege.org/

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Magic Roadshow #163

Magic Roadshow #163

The Magic Roadshow  #163

February 2015

Copyright (C) Rick Carruth

Wow.. is it February already? I swear I just published the January issue… In addition, the Boston area has received over 40 inches of snow this month, making life very difficult. OK, so I live in South Carolina.. give me a break.

 I’m so glad to have you here. It’s the middle of winter, cold as Hello, and so very dreary outside. I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than perusing through the pages and resources of the one hundred and sixty third issue of the Magic Roadshow Journal of Magic. If you’re new to the Roadshow, then you now understand what a gazillion readers before you have politely tolerated to get to the good stuff.

Aside from a barrage of magic related shows on TV, there is little of interest to report to you guys. That’s probably a good thing, since the solitude of winter gives me a chance to think. Whatever ideas I concoct inevitably help start the year in the right direction. So, like most folks who make ‘resolutions’, I have good intentions and high hopes for at least January, February, and probably parts of March….

After a decade of publishing the Magic Roadshow I honestly feel it needs to grow and improve.. or get out of the way. In order to improve I need your help. We will be entering our eleventh year shortly, and eleven is my number.. so we’ll see what the cards hold..

I have some great stuff from Paul Lelekis, Michael Lyth, Eliyahu Wincelberg, Werner Miller, and a special gift from Frank Moraes. I have magic in reserve from two amazing magicians: Jeff Hobson and Mick Ayres, that we’ll feature in next month’s issue. I can’t wait…

Comments and Correspondence….. EMAIL ME

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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– For Lovers Only – An Effect from Paul Lelekis

– One from Eliyahu – A Three Phase Triumph – Effect from Eliyahu Wincelberg

– Tricks Without Names –   Trick #2   from Werner Miller

– Two From Michael Lyth –  Free PDF’s

– Lu Brent’s Exclusive Card Mysteries   –   Free PDF for Readers from Frank Moraes

– Card Tricks That Anyone Can Do – Maxwell – Free PDF for Roadshow Readers..

– Make ‘Em Laugh – Free PDF from Colombini Magic

– Conjuring Credits.. The Origins of Wonder

– The Amazing iCard – Tutorial

– The Crazy Man’s Handcuffs Tutorial – In-depth Tutorial

– 3 Free Magic Gimmicks from Jay Sankey – PDF and Video

– MagicianBusiness.com – 5 Podcasts No Magician Should Miss..

Understanding Agents – The Relationship Between Magician And Booking Agent

Serve Your Way To Magic Success – It’s not about sales, it’s about service

Diversifying Your Magic Business – With Paul Romhany

The Importance of Outsourcing With Stephanie Lee Harper

How To Run A Weekly Mentalism Show

– VANISH Magic Magazine – Free Download

– Confessions of a Medium – Free PDF

– Revelations of a Spirit Medium – Free PDF

– Dollar Photo Club.. My ‘Secret’ Source for Great Pictures

– A Request for Roadshow Readers – Important !

– Items for Sale from a Roadshow Friend…

– Free eBooks For Subscribers….

 

~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~::~

 

“If you don’t value your time, neither will others. Stop giving away your time and talents–start charging for it.” –Kim Garst

If you do what you always did, you will get what you always got.” –Anonymous

“If you’re going through hell keep going.” –Winston Churchill

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” –Albert Einstein

 

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FOR LOVERS ONLY

Paul A. Lelekis

 

This effect is similar to many “fusion” effects and has the same purpose as The Anniversary Waltz, however, I feel, is far easier to do and “cleaner”.

It is a good idea to have an effect like this in your repertoire should the opportunity arise. This effect has a VERY strong impact on the spectators!

 

EFFECT: The magician wishes to honor two spectators who are in love or are having an anniversary or for any other of a myriad of reasons.

The two spectators each choose a card and sign them. The two lovers then cause the cards to fuse together into one doubly signed card!

 

SET UP: You will need a double-face card (DF) and a double-back card (DB) of the same color as the deck.

Let’s say that the two sides of the double-face card are the 4 of Clubs and the 7 of Diamonds. Remove the regular 4C and 7D from the deck – you will need these cards in a moment.

It is best to use a double-face card that has spot cards represented on both sides – I NEVER allow spectators to sign face cards…it’s just not clear enough for signatures.

Five card set up, from the top of deck, down: regular 7D, regular 4C, indifferent card, double-faced card (with 7D facing upward) and then the double-backed card.

Since the 7D/4C double-faced card has the 7D facing upward, the corresponding regular 7D must be on top of the deck. (If the 4C of the double-face card were facing up, then the 4C would be on top.)

The double-backed card will, now, be fifth from the top of the face down deck.

METHOD: This type of effect focuses more on the outcome than the method, so the two riffle forces used should appear inconsequential. However you may use any force you wish. It’s just faster with the riffle forces.

Address the two lovers and give the deck a quick, false Hindu or riffle shuffle, preserving the five card set-up on top of the deck. During these shuffles is a good time to “set-up” your two participants about how love can produce miracles.

Cut the set-up to the middle of the deck and hold a left pinkie break above the 7D. Then riffle force to the regular 7D and give it to the first spectator.

Keep the set-up (and the break!) in the middle and then riffle force to the 4C. Thumb off the 4C and give it to the second spectator; however this time, cut the remaining set-up to the top of the deck. (LH packet goes on top of the RH packet.)

Fan the deck in your hands or spread the deck on the table, being sure to not expose the face-up 7D, now second from the top of deck.

Have each spectator insert his/her card into the middle of the fan or spread, being sure the 4C and 7D are widely spread. Direct the spectators as to where they should put their cards. Close up fan and take the deck into your hands.

Perform a Pass to bring the face up 7D to the center – or you may opt to just cut the deck. No one will have any reason to care at this point.

Have spectator #1 “squeeze” the deck and then spread to show a face up 7D! Have spectator #1 sign the face. The double-backed card will be directly below the double-faced card. Turn the double (7D/4C and the double-back card), face down.

Hold the upper half of the deck in LH dealer’s grip and lower packet in RH Biddle grip. Now using the right middle fingers (at the outer end of the RH packet) and press down onto the double-backed card. Push the DB card outward and out-jog it. It is, apparently, the 7D, but is actually the double-backed card.

The out-jogging of the DB card with the right fingers will help hide the face-up side of the DF card, the 4C. The top half of the deck should now be even with the bottom half with the DB out-jogged. Remove the double-backed card (apparently the face-down 7D) from the deck and leave it “face down” on the table.

Next have the second spectator squeeze the deck and spread to reveal the face up 4C, actually the face-up side of the DF card. Have the second spectator sign the face of this card. Lay the 4C on top of the face down card on the table. Cap the deck and leave it in your left hand.

Pick up the 2 cards on the table with your right hand. The face-up 4C, side-jogged to the left of the apparent, face-down 7D. Grip the two cards with your RH (fingers on top and thumb below) and perform the Monte move twice, apparently showing two separate signed cards!

Next place two cards on top the deck (the face-up 4C will be on top), square the cards up and immediately lift off the face-up double-faced card only in RH Biddle grip. It will appear as if you have lifted both cards – you hold only one.

Have the female of the couple hold her hand out, palm up, and place the single card onto her palm. Have the man place his hand, palm down on top of the card(s) on her out-stretched hand.

Do your best “magic” and reveal that the two lovers’ signed cards fused into one card! This is a VERY strong moment!

In my experience, many times the women will unsuccessfully try to peel the “two” cards apart! It happens often. This will present more opportunity for comedy!

 

NOTE: One nice thing about this effect is that it focuses on the couple and NOT on the performer! There is little to NO resistance from potential “hecklers” or just overly enthusiastic spectators who are trying to “figure the trick out”. This effect is a real pleasure to perform!

 

You can view ALL of Paul’s ebooks, all 18, at Lybrary.com .. They are, undoubtedly, one of the best values in all of magic..  Many are now considered underground classics…

http://lybrary.com/paul-a-lelekis-m-163788.html

 

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 One from Eliyahu – A Three Phase Triumph – Effect

Eliyahu Wincelberg

 

This is a quick, beautiful 3 phase face up triumph sequence I’ve been having a ton of fun with. Riffle down the pack and have someone say stop anywhere.

Lift up all the cards above where they say stop and double lift and flip over the top two cards on the bottom half. Ask your spectator to remember this top card.

Replace the top half, but keep a break at the spec’s card. Make their card appear on top of the pack, face up, by performing a pass.

Standard so far. Holding the pack in mechanic’s with your right hand, your left thumb and index pushes the spec’s card and the face up second card, referred to as the X card, slightly to the left, just far enough that you can securely remove the second card (the X card) in a moment, leaving the spec’s card on top. This occurs as you revolve the deck toward your body and simultaneously move it upward to about necktie position. By the time the deck has reached it’s upmost position, the spec’s card should be pushed back to flush position, leaving the X card extended far enough to the side it can be pinched and pulled out and away from the deck in a fluid motion, covered by the bigger motion occurring in the right hand.

The deck will now be face up, and the X card will be face down… just the opposite of what they were a moment ago. The spectator assumes the X card is his selected card.

As this ‘gesture’ plays out, slowly begin to lower both hands in unison and say… “Last time your card was face up in the middle of a face down deck. This time we’ll try face down in a face up deck.”

One-handed fan the cards slightly and cleanly stick the X card face down into the deck.

Square the cards slightly so they can’t see the X card, snap, and revolve the deck to face down, revealing yet again their card is face up on top.

It looks better if the cards aren’t completely square so they can see its face up on top of face down. Also I tend to stop just short of pushing the X card all the way in. It makes it easier to locate in the next step.

With the deck held in mechanic’s grip, locate the X card, face up in the middle.. If there is a natural break by it or if you left the card jogged a little, wonderful. If not, you can riffle the inside of the pack with your right thumb until you see it.

The next part is essentially slip cutting the spectator’s face up card on top onto the face up X card in the middle. With your right thumb on top contacting the FU card on top, the left hand comes in Biddle and pulls all the cards above the face up X card in the middle out as the right hand’s thumb peels the FU card on top onto the X card in the middle (without flashing the face up X card in the middle). Then use the left index and middle fingers to flip over the double back on top of the right hand’s half. This is very easy do due to the natural break.

Immediately insert the top single X card half-way into the center of the left hands half, which you’ve fanned to accept the X card. Have the Spectator push their card flush. While they complete that task, you have plenty of opportunity with the free right hand to finish the effect in grand fashion by getting their card on your forehead, in your mouth, or flipped over on top. That’s it! Enjoy!

(Andi Gladwin says this isn’t a Triumph.. but a multiple phase Revelation. At any rate, it’s a pleasure to perform!)

Eliyahu Wincelberg

 

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TRICKS WITHOUT NAMES – Trick #2

Another Mathemagical Medley of Semi-Automatic Tricks from Werner Miller

 

Trick #2

You need an ESP deck, cyclically stacked as usual.

 

Give the cards a Charlier Shuffle or a series of complete cuts, then fan the deck face down and have a card freely removed by the spectator. Break the fan at that point and cut all the cards below the gap to the top, so that duplicates of the spectator’s card are now 5th and 10th from the top down.

Mention some of the myths concerning the number 13, openly reverse count the top thirteen cards into a new packet (thus positioning the two duplicates of the spectator’s card 4th and 9th from the top down), and set the rest of the deck aside.

Pick up the 13-card packet and spell aloud “T-H-I-R-T-E-E-N”, with each letter dealing off the top a single card down to the table, one on top of the other, making a new pile of eight cards. Then place all the in-hand cards on top of the dealt cards, as a block, remove the final top card, and place it separately, still face down.

Square the remaining twelve cards, pick them up again, and repeat the whole procedure as described: Deal out the top eight cards while you are spelling “T-H-I-R-T-E-E-N”, drop all the remaining cards on top of this new packet, remove the final top card as you did before, and place it next to the card you removed after the first spelling/dealing.

Ask the spectator to turn his chosen card face up, then turn over the two cards you located: All three cards match!

(Fig. 1 illustrates the dealing procedure. The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are representing the five symbols. It is assumed that the spectator’s card is showing symbol #5.)

Alternatives

Because the German word for 13 also has eight letters (“dreizehn”), you can perform this trick in German language as well.

Slightly adjusted, you can even perform it in Italian language (Fig. 2). The Italian word for 13 is “tredici” and is one letter short. To make the trick still work, reverse deal the thirteen cards you are going to use not singly but in pairs, so that the duplicates of the spectator’s selection end up 5th and 8th from the top down.

(To Be Continued.)

For more (and more elaborate) math-based magic by Werner Miller visit…

http://www.lybrary.com/werner-miller-m-7881.html

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Two From Michael Lyth –   Free PDF’s

 

My friend across the sea.. Michael Lyth, has outdone himself this month. He has sent TWO pdf effects to share with Roadshow readers. Well, actually he sent them a month apart.. but I couldn’t get my ducks in a row and publish one last month. When you run multiple effects by one magician, a certain magic publication chooses to call it a ‘parade’. If that’s the case.. then consider this our first ‘cavalcade of magic’…

“A Practical Magic Drawing Board – PDF Tutorial”

 

A super easy way to take an item found at the average discount store and turn it into a magic drawing board. What I like about this effect is it will play well for either adults or children.. assuming the children are old enough to recognize the suit and value of a card. Because of the pictures involved, I’ve left it in a PDF format for ease of viewing.

https://app.box.com/s/11lss07wjbc4x8fbr0ixuiepds2sfhnn

 

“A Pocket Full of Dates” – PDF Tutorial

 

The second tutorial, is a very detailed effect designed to utilize a full seven to ten minutes of stage time. This effect will no doubt leave a lasting impression on your audience in general and your spectator in particular. I can tell you this.. no unusual card sleights are involved.. only a simple magicians force, and the results are truly BIG. Using aspects of mentalism, mathemagic, and card magic.. you’ll thank Michael may times over for sharing this well-designed effect with his fellow magicians.. I’ve left this effect in a PDF format as well in order to share the numerous images.

https://app.box.com/s/57g686xln092wi4uxh4ekkscko1w2zrj

 

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Lu Brent’s Exclusive Card Mysteries   –   Free PDF for Roadshow Readers

Frank Moraes

 

One of the best things about magic is that amateurs have such a large impact on the art. My hometown of Santa Rosa, California, was also the home of one of the great card magic innovators, Jack McMillen. But better known magicians such as Ken Krenzel and Ed Marlo were also amateurs. Another such icon of the art was Benjamin Joseph Lubrant, who performed and published under the name Lu Brent.

In 1934, Chas C Eastman compiled 15 of Lu Brent’s effects in Exclusive Card Mysteries. They aren’t all originally Lu Brent’s effects. In fact, Lu Brent was more known as a technician — coming up with different ways of accomplishing established tricks. And in this book, he’s very fond of using short cards and stacked decks. It isn’t strictly necessary, however. For those with strong technical skills, most everything can be done with a normal deck.

In my experience, magic has a tendency to get stuck in ruts — following fads. And the magicians who really stand out are the ones who are willing to go outside what people are doing now and revitalize older effects. Michael Vincent has done a great job of this, although combining it with flawless technique is what makes it transcendent.

The first trick in Exclusive Card Mysteries is a favorite of mine, “Thought Spelling.” The reason is that I love effects where the audience member doesn’t need to physically pick a card. In this trick, the magician shows a half dozen cards alternately to three different spectators and asks that each person mentally choose a card and remember it. Then the deck is given to each spectator to spell out their thought of card, turning over the card at the final “s,” which of course is the thought of card. It’s especially effective when done for fellow magicians, I find. And it requires no sleight of hand, but the addition of a little goes a long way in heightening the effect.

There are other interesting effects. The “Reversed Card Location” is about the best use of a locator card that I’ve seen. And “The Suit and Value Coincidence” is very much like a popular Bill Simon effect from years later. It just goes to show that ideas cycle. But the point of reading old magic books is not to find new routines. In general, the effects in Exclusive Card Mysteries would seem old if presented as written. But the book is filled with different ways of looking at the art of magic.

I’m pleased to be able to provide Exclusive Card Mysteries in PDF form. I’ve scanned it from the original printing in 1934. And even though it is in the public domain, it is still available commercially. But you would have to pay for such updated versions. I’m sure that anyone interested in card magic will take away at least a couple of ideas from it. As for me, I actually perform “Thought Spelling” — and I really don’t like spelling tricks in general. So take a look. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

https://app.box.com/s/oa3lmfz339ish58ivmjoym5wj09w6tpz

 

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Frankly Curious was started November 2009 by Frank Moraes as a place to write about whatever was on his mind. The content was and is very diverse. At this point, they try to limit their output to around five articles per day, but it goes up as high as ten some days. Also writing for the site are Andrea English and William Brown, who used to have their own blogs, ‘Curiously Clever’ and ‘Will Fully’. They have since all integrated into ‘Frankly Curious’.

http://franklycurious.com/wp/

 

Frankly Curious recently featured Magic News.org in a blog post, a very generous blog post..

http://franklycurious.com/wp/2015/02/10/magic-news-site-review/

 

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Card Tricks That Anyone Can Do –  Free PDF for Roadshow Readers..

Maxwell

 

Written and published in the 1930s by Maxwell, this 12 page scanned version of a library book is in its natural state, stamps, notes and all.. yet is easy to read. Ask I’ve mentioned many times, I look to older books like this for inspiration. You never know when an effect, or perhaps even a single move, will spur you to create your own effect. Enjoy…

“Containing twelve clever, mystifying card tricks that you can do any time, any place, without skill, special cards or apparatus – and without the need for lengthy practice. Card tricks are always popular and the popular man at any party is the man who can entertain with card tricks..”

 

Contents:

1 Sleight of Foot

2 The Voice Betrays

3 The Puzzler Card Trick

4   Card in Pocket

5   The Obliging Card

6   The Joker Tells

7   Cards Behind Back

8   Mind Control

9   A Clever Spelling Trick

10 Another Spelling Trick

11 The Reversed Card

12 Mental Forecast

 

http://digital.march.es/ilusionismo/fedora/repository/magia:10/PDF

 

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 Make ‘Em Laugh – Free PDF from Colombini Magic

 

The magic world lost one of it’s true visionaries one year ago. Aldo Colombini was more than just a performer, just a magician, or just a good guy.. He was a Prince of a gentleman who brought a world of innovation to every performance. He was funny, he was inventive, he was creative in marketing, and he was one of those guys who, if you saw him perform or heard him lecture, you would never forget.

If you’ve not bought or downloaded his pdf, ‘Make ‘Em Laugh’, now is your opportunity. It’s 13 pages of one-liners ideal for magicians. Comedy is so vitally important to being a first class magician. Not all of us can entertain an audience with beautiful assistants, helicopters, lions and tigers, and a mass vanish of half the audience. Most of us have to entertain with our selection of effects, our personality, our entertainment value, and our humor. Aldo understood that.. and that’s the purpose of this PDF…

 

http://www.wildcolombini.com/cart/images/makeem_laugh.pdf

 

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Conjuring Credits.. The Origins of Wonder

 

In the mid -80’s, Max Maven and Stephen Minch began the arduous task of keeping a record of their research with the intent of making others aware of the history of conjuring. They hoped to create a free website for magicians, historians, writers and students of magic. With Denis Behr creating the website, they were able to fulfill their dream. Regardless of your question, you are apt to discover the source of your search in a new website titled Conjuring Credits.. (This info gleaned from both the Linking Ring and the February issue of the Westside Wizards monthly newsletter – http://westsidewizards.org )

 

http://www.conjuringcredits.com/doku.php

 

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The Amazing iCard – Tutorial

A couple of my favorite effects are stored on my iphone. I bought both as inexpensive apps, and have fooled many a folk with my flawless, spot on performance.. (smile). Anyway, I was glad to see Scam School publish this tutorial for The Amazing iCard trick. No app is needed. Everything you do need is provided, including clear instructions and handling tips.

I don’t think I’m letting out any secrets when I say ‘cell phones are the future’. At one time, tricks for computers were big… but now, it’s all about the phone. This is a very visual effect you can easily perform on virtually any cell phone..

 

http://testtube.com/scamschool/icard/

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The Crazy Man’s Handcuffs Tutorial – In-depth Tutorial

You can never learn too much about this wonderful and visual penetration. This is perhaps the granddaddy of all close-up penetrations, made famous by David Copperfield during his stage performances. Yes, it has been around much longer and performed by many other magicians than Mr Copperfield… but he brought it to the general public, and inspired magicians everywhere to want to learn its intricacies.

FernandoP1 goes into great detail in this video to explain and demonstrate the finer points of Crazy Man’s Handcuffs. I think you’ll watch this one several times…

http://www.etricks.info/2015/02/crazy-mans-handcuffs-tutorial.html

 

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 3 Free Magic Gimmicks from Jay Sankey – PDF and Video

Jay furnishes you with three printable gaffs, all in one PDF, that make magic fun. These are easy to construct and simple to use…

The first, Juicy Fruit, changes a pack of chewing gum into a reveal of a chosen card.

 

The second, a Bicycle Playing Card box, reveals a chosen card when it suddenly appears printed into the outside of the box itself.

 

And the third, Monopoly Money, transforms a Monopoly 100 dollar bill into a mis-matched bill. Everything is provided and Jay includes a video on Youtube to show you how each gimmick is utilized..

 

http://youtu.be/1DWUmNp4UJc (Watch the video, learn the secrets, get the PDF link..)

 

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MagicianBusiness.com – 5 Podcasts No Magician Should Miss…

My friend, Julian Mather, and his partner, Ken Kelly, continue to outdo themselves week after week with their super-informative podcast for the working magician. What I love about MagicianBusiness is they do not repeat the typical ‘How I made it as a Magician..’ podcast. How YOU made it as a magician does not necessarily help ME become a better magician. MagicianBusiness wants to tell YOU how YOU can up your game, increase business, win contracts, and succeed in the world of magic. The business and bookings are there… you simply need to know how to get YOUR share.. (Note: these are only some of the very latest podcasts. There are 30+ similar recordings..)

 

Understanding Agents – The Relationship Between Magician And Booking Agent

 

Have you ever wondered what an agent thinks, what a booking agent wants, what will turn a booking agent away from wanting to represent you? In this episode Ken Lindsay from Dreamtime Agencies in South Africa ,who wears two hats as performer and agent, tells all.

 

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Serve Your Way To Magic Success – It’s not about sales, it’s about service

 

Get a big ol’ dose of work and life inspiration with Deano from Reno. The Dean of Success, Dean Hankey, takes an all you can eat buffet of knowledge and wisdom and packages it into a bite sized ‘podcast to go’ of actionable tips.

 

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Diversifying Your Magic Business – With Paul Romhany

 

Will magic support you and your family well into the future? What can you do to branch your magic business into other areas? Paul Romhany is a performer, creator of magic effects, lecturer and he edits and produces VANISH magazine. He’s also a parent (as you will witness at the beginning of the podcast). Listen in as he shares insights and tips that might get you started creating extra streams of income.

 

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The Importance of Outsourcing With Stephanie Lee Harper

How to be a magician and outsource extra bookings to a costume characters you have trained

 

Stephanie Lee Harper aka. Super Steph was driving to gig in her signed up van. At a traffic light a car pulled alongside and the man driving enthusiastically waved a balloon sword at her. She could have driven off but she didn’t. This strange meeting led to Stephanie creating a business where she recruits, trains, books and takes a cut of the performance fee of Super Hero party characters. Find out the nuts and bolts of running a business model like this and discover the importance of ‘outsourcing’.

 

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How To Run A Weekly Mentalism Show – or- Find a hotel and make it attractive for them to allow you to showcase your act to lead to private bookings.

 

Eric Citron went from doing corporate trade shows to performing kids and family shows, the opposite of most magician’s stories. The life on the road worked until the stresses on family life made him seek work closer to home. Then the 300-500 show a year workload of the kids/family market wore him down too. Looking for a happy medium Eric found mentalism . He discovered local hotels had empty function rooms that were not bringing in money. He simply asked if he could play his Totally Mental Show in these empty rooms. The answer might surprise you ..

 

http://www.magicianbusiness.com/magician-business-podcast/

 

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VANISH Magic Magazine – Free Download

From Paul Romhany..

 

Get you free copy of VANISH magic magazine. Almost 200 pages of magic, tricks, reviews and essays. It’s FREE from Vanish Magazine..

 

” In this issue we feature Anthony Owen who is a UK magical creator, writer and producer. His work on television productions reads like a who’s who of magic shows out of the UK including The Incredible Mr. Goodwin, Thomas Solomon: Escape Artist, The Real Hustle, The Secret World of Magic and all of Derren Brown’s specials and series for Channel 4 since 2000.”

 “He has been the Head of Magic at London based television production company Objective Productions since 2003 and is the creator and executive producer of CBBC’s Help! My Supply Teacher’s Magic. He is also the creator and executive producer of Killer Magic. If you want to find out information on how to get on television then this is the interview to read.”

“As usual we have a jam packed issue including some great magic routines from Louie Fox, Wayne Rogers, Danny Archer, Josh Janousky and Charles Gauci.”

 

http://www.vanishmagazine.com

 

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Confessions of a Medium – Free PDF

By   A. Medium

 

I received word from Michael Lyth of the sale of a early work on spiritualism by Trickshop. Michael provided me with a link to a very similar work called..”Confessions of a Medium”.. Then, following a Google search, I found another PDF for a similar work, probably written about the same time. Both PDF’s were written by anonymous writers, and both were detailed about the ‘tricks of the trade’. I can say this.. if you are a mentalist, there is definitely material in here you can use as background for your effects.. even if you aren’t presenting your effects as spiritualism. There are stories in these two works that will engage your audience and add a sense of mystery to your performance.

 

“It is with no feelings of exultation or pride that I view the publication of this work. The pictures of fraud and faith revealed in it are not pleasing… A triple reason exists for the public display of the knowledge I have gained—to give the truth to those who have been the victims of many painful deceptions, to those who are now being deceived, and to those who are in danger of falling into the hands of unscrupulous media… I have no acrimonious feelings against any one identified with Spiritualism. Those who abuse the generosity of their followers or clients… deserve the fullest exposure and punishment; but I refrain from assuming the position of judge or castigator… If there is any truth in Spiritualism… it will live; but … I have never discovered the smallest particle of truth in its professional mediums… In conclusion, I would give to those wishing to investigate Spiritualism the same advice that Punch briefly offers to those about to marry—‘Don’t.’

 

https://archive.org/stream/confessionsofmed00lond#page/n5/mode/2up

 

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Revelations of a Spirit Medium – Free PDF

To Quote from the book….

“The author of this book does not consider it a “literary gem,” by any means, but claims that it accomplishes the object for which it was written, viz.: gives the reader an expose of the methods pursued by the “spiritual medium” in the various deceptions they practice in their “circles,” “sittings,” and “séances,” which does

expose. The author has been a working “medium” for ‘ the past ·twenty years; -and – is not guessing or theorizing in what he has written. He will experience great pleasure in demonstrating to the scientific and reverend would-be exposers of spiritual phenomena how infinitely wrong have been the theories advanced by

them as an explanation of the wonderful manifestations occurring at the séances of the “medium.”

 

“The book was such a crushing expose of the methods of the bogus mediums that it created somewhat of a juror~ when it first saw the light. The mediums themselves bought every copy of the work they could fin.d. Many

copies were destroyed on the assumption that ” dead men tell no tales,” and the book soon became rarissime. Henry Ridgely Evans, writing in 1909, says (Old and New Magic, 2nd Ed., p. 377) : ” The Revelations of a Spirit

Medium is a very rare book,” proving that thirteen years ago the work was difficult to obtain. Very few copies found their way to this country. No second edition can be traced, and the publishers went out of business soon after publication.”

 

http://ssoc.selfip.com:81/texts/1922__anonymous___revelations_of_a_spirit_medium.pdf

 

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 Dollar Photo Club.. My ‘Secret’ Source for Great Pictures

 

Perfect for those who maintain websites, blogs, newsletters, etc.

All pictures, all sizes, all premium quality – $1.00 each

No royalties. You can use personally or commercially

Over 25 million images to choose from..

100,000+ new images added every week

No hidden fees

Exquisite images at exclusive, straightforward prices

 

http://mbsy.co/bHfWw

 

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 Never Miss Another Radio Show Again.. Listen and Record Any Show From Any Where – Free

 

Thanks to all of you who signed up for dar.fm .. For those of you who haven’t, you don’t know what you’re missing. Actually, let me tell you what you’re missing.. Radio shows from all over the country. You can enter key words, look at a search of stations that features content matching your search, and record that content for playback at your leisure. Record an hour, or two or five of your favorite music or commentary. And do it for Free.

 

Check it out FREE   –   http://dar.fm/new/9100625178

 

 

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A Request for Roadshow Readers – Important !

Guys, I’ve made a number of requests of you in the past two or three years. The Roadshow used to be about ten pages, instead of the current average of about 25 pages. Because of this, I’ve asked for articles and tips to publish in the Roadshow. Aside from a few ‘names’ in magic, I’ve received very little from the rest of you. I know a number of you guys are regular performers.. I also know a number of you do not think you can write, and that’s OK.. What I’m going to ask you to do is really simple…

I want to publish several articles related to performing for children. That is one of the few subjects I don’t write about. Personally, I don’t perform for children, and I don’t want to make myself out to be something I’m not.. What I want from some of you that do perform for children is… ANY of the following:

 

– A list of five ‘tips’ for performing for children. This may include handling tips, psychology, or personal experiences. These tips don’t have to be long of detailed, just specific enough that others will get your point.

– A list of five of your very favorite effects to perform for children. I need a little more than just the name. Not everyone will recognize an effect by its name. A brief one or two line description is ideal.

– A list of five of your favorite methods for getting bookings.

 

Don’t worry about your composition, punctuation, or spelling. I won’t publish it verbatim. I’m going to combine some of the tips into more than one article. Feel free to include a link to your site if you have one.

 

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Items for Sale from a Roadshow Friend…

 

Items for Sale – This is a list of magic items available to Roadshow readers… If you have questions about any of the effects shown, please call the number at the bottom. Happy shopping!

 

VANISHING DOVE CAGE……………………………………..     $     400.00

SMOKE MACHINE                                                             $     100.00

DOVE TO DUCK CAGE                                                     $     150.00

BOTANIA       ………………………………………………………      $     225.00

APPEARING CANE (PLASTIC)                                         $       50.00

APPEARING CANDLE (PLASTIC)………………………….     $       20.00

MULTIPLYING PIPE                                                           $       15.00

VANISHING CANDLE                                                        $       20.00

BALOON TO DOVE TRAY……………………………………..    $       60.00

ELECTRIC SOWING IN HALF ( TABLE AND DRILL)      $     300.00

LINKING RINIG 8″ SET SILVER                                       $       50.00

HOUDINI SUBTITUTION TRUNK                                     $     800.00

OWEN MILK PITCHER       NEW…………………………..  .. $       50.00

DOUBLE DOVE BAG                                                        $       25.00

OWEN CARD SWORD      NEW                                       $       75.00

CARD CASTLE                                                                  $       50.00

ALPHA MENTAL…………………………………………………       $       75.00

NEST OF BOXES (6) HOME MADE                                 $       50.00

NEEDLE TRU ARM                                                           $       25.00

SWORD TRU NECK           CHALET                                $     100.00

MULTON IN PALVO GLASES       ………………………….     $     150.00

CUPS AND BALL SLIDINI OR TANNEN                           $       50.00

FOUNTAIN OF FLOWER                                                   $       25.00

NEEDLE TRU BALOON………………………………………        $       25.00

SUPER DOVE PAN                                                           $     125.00

CHINESSE STICK                                                              $       20.00

PON PON BALL                                                                  $       75.00

3 SWORD SUSPENTION (ILLUSION……………………..      $ 1,500.00

CHANGING BAGS                                                              $       25.00

METAL APPEARING CAGE ROUND                                 $       75.00

FICCKLE FIRE SLIDINI                                                      $       85.00

COLOR CHANGING RECORD……………………………..       $       75.00

COLECTOR ITEM PRUCTION HOUSE                             $       50.00

VANISHING RADIO GERMANY                                         $     300.00

GENNI TUBE                                                                       $       85.00

ZOMBIE BALL…………………………………………………….         $       35.00

FLAGTATIC                                                                         $     100.00

 

My cell phone is… 347-758-2048

For any questions you may have…

EL FAUSAR THE MAGICIAN

(New York City area..)

 

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Patter I’ve Heard… (Really)

 

I give most folks a minute to figure this out.. I should probably give you two minutes..”

 ” Never try this at home… try it at a friend’s home..”

 ” I had a doctor’s appointment this morning. After a brief exam, he told me I was crazy. I told him I wanted a second opinion… He said OK, you’re ugly too..”

For a while, Houdini used a lot of trap doors in his act, but he was just going through a stage.

 An invisible man marries an invisible woman. The kids were nothing to look at either.

 

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Free eBooks For Subscribers….

Here’s a link where you can download a variety of free ebooks, including Erdnase’ Expert At The Card Table… If you are not a subscriber, you can sign up HERE.. http://MagicRoadshow.com

 

http://streetmagic.info/cbmall3.html

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LIKE us on FaceBook..

http://www.facebook.com/magicroadshow

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Some of my Other Sites..

Las Vegas Magic Shows – updated monthly

http://lasvegasmagicshows.info

Magic News – The #1 site in the world for ever-changing magic news. Updated daily.

http://MagicNews.org

 

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That does it for this issue. I hope you found something to help your magic studies along. Remember, if you have something you would like to share with the magic community, send it to: Rick@MagicRoadshow.com

 

“May my next issue find you well..”

Rick Carruth / Editor

Senior Professor – Camelard College of Conjuring of Chemmis, Egypt

“Magic’s Only Worldwide Honor Society”

http://www.camelardcollege.org/

 

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Magic Roadshow #162

Magic Roadshow #162

 MAGIC ROADSHOW 162

 January 2015

Hi Friends

Welcome to the latest issue of the MAGIC ROADSHOW JOURNAL OF MAGIC.. the #1 free newsletter in all of magic. Now, I didn’t say the #1 free magazine… our friend Paul Romhany  holds claim to that title. It’s hard to compare our 26 pages to www.vanishmagazine.com 170 pages ! Of course, we fill a different niche.. or at least that’s what I tell myself..

    PDF Version..   ROADSHOW 162

 I hope each of you experienced a Blessed Holiday season. My wife and I experienced a myriad of problems, much like dominoes tumbling one after the other, but we eventually caught up with the lead domino and settled in for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Stuff happens…

After a run of single digit temperatures, which could have produced even more mayhem, we have settled in to what the weatherman calls a run of  ‘temperate’ weather. I feel for those of you in other parts of the country who experienced sub zero temps and tons of snow.

For those of you who don’t know, I am a partner/founder in a company that delivers very large quantities of pharmaceuticals. We contract with around 20 drivers at any given moment, and the delivery of our cargo is critical. If the Roadshow is late, as it is this month, it can frequently be traced back to periods when I’m either training new contractors or running long routes to facilitate contractors being able to spend a little time with their loved ones.. not to mention bouts of flu or colds, which seem to catch up with everyone this time of year. I’m not making excuses.. just reporting the boring facts.

I want to issue a special ‘Thanks’ to everyone who contributed to this issue.. Paul Lelekis, Jeff Hobson, a return of our friend Werner Miller, and two effects from Michael Lyth.. that will appear in next months issue. 

Watch AMERICAN MASTERS on PBS this Friday as they feature Ricky Jay. Also, catch STREET MAGIC:TROY on the SyFy channel on Wednesdays.

Don’t forget.. Your Feedback is Appreciated!  EMAIL ME 

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           IN THIS ISSUE..

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  • 21st Century 21 Card Trick –  Ed Marlo and Paul Lelekis
  • Ribbons Through Body –  Jeff Hobson
  • TRICKS WITHOUT NAMES –  Mathemagical Medley of Semi-Automatic Tricks
  • Blood is Thicker than Water –  A Simple 4 Ace Assembly
  • False Cuts and Fancy Flourishes – Video Tutorials
  • On The Table False Cuts –  Video Tutorials
  • The Cardini Change Tutorial –  Video
  • The Magic Session – Underground Notes #1
  • A Visit to the Underground – Courtesy of SAM and  M-U-M
  • Magic Squares for the Mathematically Challenged –  Free PDF and Videos
  • Attention All Entertainers!!!  — From my friend Tait Harbaugh
  • Tom Thum: The Orchestra in my Mouth
  • TEDxWarwick – Owen Daniel – Mathemagic: Combining my Passions for    Math and Magic
  • Free eBooks For Subscribers….

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 “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap” (Ecc 11:4 NIV)

~ je suis Charlie ~

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21st Century 21 Card Trick

Ed Marlo and Paul Lelekis

EFFECT: A new way to perform a very old trick!  This is my version of Ed Marlo’s effect and it is a real beauty!

METHOD: Have deck shuffled and count off 21 cards into a pile.  Then have a card selected from these cards.  Take this selection and TILT it under the top card of the 20 card packet.

First undercut the top card to the bottom and then overhand shuffle, bringing the selection to the bottom of the packet.  Overhand shuffle the packet once more, being sure to keep the selection on the bottom.

Mention that you are going to divide the packet into three piles – the first pile (on your left) will, supposedly, contain 7 cards (actually only six!), the middle pile will contain 7 cards, and the third pile will secretly contain 8 cards, as below.

Performance:

Hold 21 card packet in right-hand Biddle grip – the selection will be on the bottom of the packet.  Each one of the three packets made will be counted off with a steady cadence.  Say the numbers out loud when you count off the cards so everyone is very clear that there are “seven” cards in each packet.

Packet #1: For the first packet, draw off the first card with your left thumb into the left hand.  Draw off the second card into left hand, but keep a left pinkie break between these two cards.  (Remember to say “One, two, three, four…” until you reach the seventh card!)

As you draw off card number “…three…” Biddle Steal the “broken” second card beneath the right-hand packet.  Continue reverse counting off cards into your left hand until you reach the number seven.  Lay this packet down to your left.

This first packet supposedly has 7 cards, but actually only has six cards.  The selection is now second from the bottom of the right-hand packet.

Packet #2: Begin counting the next set of cards, actually counting off seven cards.  Lay this packet down to the right of the first packet.

Packet #3: Reverse count the final packet of eight cards as seven cards…the seventh card will be a double with the selection on top.  Lay this packet down to the right of all.

Now the magic begins!

The first card travels:

Pick up the first packet on your far left and hold it in right hand Biddle grip.  Then false count this packet as seven cards, Biddle Stealing the second card, back under the right hand packet.

Twist the packet or do any type of “magic” and then pretend to reach into the middle of the packet and remove an “invisible card”!

Here I like to use a ploy by Paul Cummins.  As I pretend to remove the invisible card, I reach in between the cards at the near short end, pushing down on the bottom two cards.  Then as I pull my hand out, my left index finger pushes up on the bottom of the packet with an audible “Snap!”  It is very convincing!

Hand this “invisible card” to the spectator to hold.  This can be very funny!  Now recount this packet as six cards, turning them face up so everyone can see that there are actually only six cards and none are the selection!

The card travels to the second packet:

Pick up the second (middle) packet and reverse count it as seven cards – easy because it actually is!

Pick up about ½ of the cards from this packet with your right hand and have the spectator place the invisible card onto your left hand packet.  Then place the cards in your right hand back on top of all.  Do the magic.

Recount this packet as eight cards by Biddle Stealing the second card back under the packet.  Once more, pretend to remove an invisible card from this packet (as above) and hand it to the spectator.

Again recount this packet as seven cards as you turn them face up for all to see as you ask if anyone sees the selection.

The card travels to the third packet:

The selection will now be on the top of the packet. To prove that there are now 8 cards, merely spread the packet and show 8 cards.. getting a left pinkie break under the top two cards. The selection is secretly on top and the simple double will hide that fact.

Lift up half of the packet with your right hand and have the spectator place the invisible card onto the left hand packet.  Then place the right hand cards on top.

Perform the magic spell and then reverse count the cards as eight cards (there actually is this time!) to show the “arrival” of the invisible card.  The selection will be on top of the packet.

Spread the cards (still face down) to show that there are really eight cards…but get a fleshy left pinkie break under the top two cards as you close the packet up.

Turn the top two cards face up as one to show that it is not the selection.  Turn the double back face down and place the top card (the selection) onto the table.

Have the spectator make a magic pass over the card and then ask what her selection is…then turn it face up for the finale!

You can view ALL of Paul’s ebooks, all 18, at Lybrary.com .. They are, undoubtedly, one of the best values in all of magic..  Many are now considered underground classics…

http://lybrary.com/paul-a-lelekis-m-163788.html

 

Be sure to check out Paul’s definitive work on the Business of Table Hopping. Maybe my favorite of all his many ebooks. If you want to earn a steady income with your magic, this is the ebook for you….

http://www.lybrary.com/the-business-of-table-hopping-p-408936.html

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Ribbons Through Body

Jeff Hobson

I’ve never had as much fun with a trick than performing the Ribbons Through Body. I have used this effect to close every one of my children’s shows since I can remember. This trick and method are clearly explained in the Tarbell Course, volume 5 titled “Japanese Multiple Tape Tie”. 

( Editor: If you don’t have Tarbell’s course handy, download it in issue #160 of the Magic Roadshow.. then, find this effect on page 600  -or-  view a PDF of the effect only.. HERE .. It’s titled MYSTERIOUS JAPANESE TIE )

Nothing is changed in the workings except that three children are used instead of two adults. It’s the presentation that is all-important here. This is another trick that I’ve had many inquiries about so here it is! 

The effect is a simple one. Two ribbons, which are wrapped around three children’s waists, penetrate through their bodies. The ribbons I use are a satin/gabardine material and a width of one inch. The color I use is purple since it seems to be a pleasing one to the eye and also contrasts with most outfits that children wear.

I use “invisible” sewing thread instead of cotton thread. I found that the clear thread, being plastic, has some “give” to it which comes in handy in case the ribbons get pulled taught prematurely.

I get four children in total to help, which makes it a nice closing effect. One of the children I look for is an older, quieter one in their late teens. If this age group can’t be found an adult is substituted. He, or she, must follow directions well and will execute the pulling of the ribbons. The other three should be of graduating height so when standing in line; the youngest is standing in front and the tallest at the back. This is so the audience can see all of their faces. You’ll see why this is important in a moment. I also make a point to get at least one child of each sex as not to discriminate.

 Arrange the three younger children in a line. Ask them to stand, “heel to toe and toe to heel” so that they are one unit and won’t move around during the effect. I then talk about my “Christmas Ribbons” that Santa gave me to test children to see if they’re naughty or nice. I ask the children if they’ve been naughty or nice. This can be very cute with the right kids and lead to lots of fun. 

I ask the children to hold their arms up in the air. I give a wave in front of my nose and say, “Whew, who didn’t use deodorant?” I use the older kid (or adult) to assist me with wrapping the ribbons around the children’s waists keeping the threaded part at the back of the last, tallest child in line. I ask all of the children to put their hands on their hips, hold tight and not to let go. After the ribbons are tied around the child in front, I give the older child/assistant the proper two ends to hold. “Now don’t pull the ends until I tell you to!” I say before talking to the three tied-up children.

“These ribbons will tell whether you’ve been naughty or nice this year. At the count of three, my assistant and I will pull (I yell this extra loud for added effect) the ends of these ribbons. If the ribbons pass through your center sections without any harm, then that means you’ve all been good boys and girls so far this year.

However (emphasized), if, when we pull on the ribbons, you get cut in half and you fall to the ground. . . . . and there lies David (say one of the child’s names) I’ll shout, ‘Pull yourself together!’ and that means that you’ve been naughty boys and girls.” You should get some interesting looks on the faces of the ribbon-clad children. One very important word of caution – be very careful not to get timid youngsters. You may scare them with this talk. If I find that a seemingly brave child becomes scared, I immediately put on an air of play and joking rather than seeming to be serious. I then talk to the audience and remind them that, since the three assistants are holding on to their waists, the ribbon have nowhere else to go but straight through them. This comment is a “sell” of the magic effect to come.

Magic of this nature can often be made much stronger by stressing the effect before actually performing it!

I now do the traditional fake countdown. “Ready?. . . One. . .Two. . . Three days ago I tried this. . . . .” I usually only play this once unless everyone is really laughing including the kid’s who are involved. When I am finally ready to pull, I prepare myself to pull extra hard as the other assistant holding other ends of the ribbons rarely pulls as hard as I ask them to. I say to my assistant, “Remember, on the count of three you pull as hard as you can that-away (I motion to have him or her step back and away from the tied-up kids). This is so the ribbons are pulled quickly and directly coming through the kid’s bodies happens with a “snap”. I give the command to, “Pull”.

After the ribbons penetrate their bodies, I give about three seconds for the effect to register with the audience. I then yell to the three kids, “Wait. . . . . don’t take your hands off of your hips! You could be cut apart in half but don’t know it yet!” This usually gets a laugh from the littlest assistant who often looks down at their waist. I continue, “We really should be careful now. Keep your hands on your hips until you get home today. You need time to heal. We don’t want you waking up on one side of the bed and the other side tomorrow morning!”

I then start to hand out some form of prizes to the kids. As I hand my assistants their prizes, usually they will take one hand off of their hips to grab their prize. I stop and yell, “Don’t take your hands off your hips!” This will get another laugh. I say, “Say ahhhhhhh” as I bring the prize to their mouths so that they grip the prize between their teeth. I say “Ahhhhhhh” to each of the kids as I place the prize in their mouths. “Now march back to your seats and keep your hands on your hips!” If you give this presentation some energy and a fun spirit, you’ll have yourself a great closer to your show. By the way, it’s not a bad idea to have your business card or a sticker with your contact information on it as part of the prize package!

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Jeff Hobson offers a FREE Magic Video Theater where he posts rare and vintage videos, interviews and has great lectures available. To access this private video page, just sign up at:http://www.HobsonsChoiceMagic.com   and click on “Special Offers”

Hobson also has a NEW professional magic lecture available as a streaming, online rental.  See the trailer at:  http://www.HobsonsChoiceMagic.com

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TRICKS WITHOUT NAMES –  Another Mathemagical Medley of Semi-Automatic Tricks

Werner Miller

(Editors note: Anyone reading the Roadshow for more than the past year will certainly remember all the wonderful mathematically based effects by our friend Werner Miller. Werner entertained us with an extended series of effects, published herein over a period of about 16 months. He has graciously agreed to share another parade of effects, titled  TRICKS WITHOUT NAMES ..)

 Trick #1

Openly sort out the thirteen Spades, and set the rest of the deck aside. Keep the Queen and the King for yourself, and hand the remaining eleven cards to a spectator.

Ask the spectator to shuffle these cards. Then instruct the spectator to deal them singly back and forth into two piles until only one card is left, to note and remember this last card, to place it on either pile, and finally to drop the other pile on top of it.

Take the combined pile and square the cards (the spectator’s card is sixth from the top down). If you can, give the packet a convincing false cut.

Point to your Queen. Spell aloud “Q-U-E-E-N”, with each letter dealing off the top a single card down to the table, into a new pile. Then drop the remaining cards onto this new pile, as a block.

Continue by spelling the same way “O-F” dealing out two cards, and put all the in-hand on top of this pair after wards as you did before. Finally spell similarly “S-P-A-D-E-S”, but before placing the remaining cards on top of the 6-card packet insert your Queen, face up. (Fig. 1)

 

Point to your other card. Repeat the spelling/dealing procedure with its name: Deal four cards (“KI-N-G”), place rest on top of them; deal two cards (“O-F”), place rest on top of them; deal six cards (“S-P-A-D-E-S”), insert face-up King, place rest on top of all. (Fig. 2)

Ribbon spread the cards. Draw attention to the fact, that the Queen and the King are only one face-down card apart. Have the chosen card named by the spectator, then slide out the trapped card and turn it face up: It is the spectator’s card.

Alternative Version

Use the thirteen Clubs only. Separate the Queen and the King from the other Clubs, then turn your back. Ask the spectator to leave the Queen and the King face up on the table and to pick up the remaining cards. Give instructions to turn these eleven cards face down, to shuffle them, to square them, and to note and remember the final top card leaving it on top.

Now it’s time to add the royal couple, first the Queen, then the King. (Fig. 3)

Ask the spectator to spell “Q-U-E-E-N” with each letter dealing off the top a card down into a new pile, then to drop the face-up Queen on top of that pile, and finally all the remaining cards on top of all. The King is to be positioned similarly: The spectator is instructed to spell “K-I-N-G” dealing out four cards reversing their order, to place the face-up King on top of them and the remainder of the packet on top of all.

Turn to the table and pick up the combined packet. Announce that you are going to complete the names of the royal couple. Spell “O-F” (deal out two cards, put rest on top of them), then spell “CL-U-B-S” (deal out five cards, put rest on top of them). Have the packet completely cut by the spectator, then ribbon spread the cards to show the spectator’s card trapped.

(To Be Continued.)

For more (and more elaborate) math-based magic by Werner Miller visit:

http://www.lybrary.com/werner-miller-m-7881.html

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Bloods Thicker than Water – A Simple 4 Ace Assembly

Rick Carruth

Here is another Ace assembly that can be accomplished quickly and effectively, and with the right panache, will totally fool your spectator. My patter is designed to make all my politically oriented and sports oriented friends mad with me. They’ll get over it…

All that necessary is a slight bit of deception. Tell your spectator that you need to find the four Aces. Flip through the deck and casually take out the Aces, and two odd cards as well. Hold the Aces and the odd cards so you can show/fan the four Aces to the spectator, while keeping the two odd cards secreted behind the Aces.

Close up the fan and put the packet face down on top of the deck. The two odd cards, having been behind the Aces, should now be on top of the deck.

Another easy method of getting the cards into position is to look through the deck and remove the Aces one by one, laying each on a table in front of the spectator. Holding the deck faces up in the left hand, ‘introduce’ each Ace to the spectator with your right hand.. while catching a break under the second card on the top of the deck with your left. Pick up each Ace, introduce it as Willie, Anthony, Peyton, or Eli, and lay it face up on top of the deck. Once all four are on top, pick up the top six cards above the break, flip the deck, and lay the six face down on top of the face down deck. Everything is now set to perform.

You can patter something like this…

“Four brothers from New York, having never lived apart, decided to each strike out on their own.. with the goal of fulfilling their lifelong dreams.

The first brother, Bill, otherwise known among his friends as Willie, was a great admirer of politicians. His goal was to travel to Washington DC, learn the in’s and out’s of politics, and become famous, electable, and very rich. He met a crooked politician his second day in town who promised to make him both wealthy and electable”.

Take the top card (actually an odd card the spectator assumes is an Ace) and stick it in the deck about a third of the way down.

“..The second brother, Peyton, wanted to become a famous football player. He went to Denver where he met an agent who promised to get him a try-out with the Broncos.”

Take the second odd card, assumed to be an Ace, and stick it in the deck about two thirds of the way down.

“The third brother, Anthony, longed for a beautiful girlfriend. He traveled to Las Vegas where he met a stunning show girl, via Twitter, who promised him great affection”.

Take the top card, an Ace, and put it on the bottom of the deck. You can flash it slightly if you want…

“The last brother, Eli, wanted to go anywhere other than New York. Unfortunately, he missed the turn to the Lincoln Tunnel, became frustrated, and decided to stay in New York”.

Flash the top card, an Ace, and leave it face down on top . At this point, you have one Ace on bottom of the deck and three Aces on top.

“Seven months passed”. Quickly cut the deck seven times as you count.. “one, two, three, four, five, six, seven…. and, as fate would have it, each of the three brothers were persuaded to return to New York.

“ Anthony, it seems, got in hot water with his fancy-do girlfriend after posting some, uh, inappropriate pictures on Twitter. She kicked him out.. and he hopped a train back to NYC.”

Flip the top card over to reveal an Ace..

“Peyton got his big chance in Denver, but, after losing a playoff game to a seemingly lesser team, management decided it was time for him to ‘retire’. Peyton took the next flight out of Denver and headed home. “

Flip the next card over to reveal another Ace..

“Willie, who by this time had earned the moniker ‘Slick Willie’, decided it was time to get the heck out of DC after a federal prosecutor began digging into his affairs, both personal and professional, and threatened him with a federal indictment. Willie hitched a ride with Govenor Christie, but, after encountering a whale of a traffic jam at the George Washington Bridge, Willie decided to walk the rest of the way.”

Show the third Ace..

“Eli, who was manager of an apartment complex in the Bronx, was so excited to see his brothers he helped each one lease an apartment. Each brother eventually married nice Jewish girls, except for Willie, got jobs with the local union, and lived long and fruitful lives.. proving that, in the end, blood IS thicker than water. “

Flip the last Ace, completing the reveal..

You can crimp the left, bottom edge of the Ace on bottom of the deck if you want to conclude with the four Aces on top. Another method is to place either a Short Card or one with a Breather Crimp on bottom to begin the routine. This can make it easy to cut to the top Ace on the seventh cut.

A self-working card effect that will impress if done quickly.

Rick Carruth – Revised From MAGIC TIPS & TRICKS

http://www.createspace.com/3605025

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False Cuts and Fancy Flourishes – Video Tutorials

Nothing sets a good card trick up better than a nice false cut. The public wants to be entertained.. but they also want to catch you trying to pull the wool over their eyes. False Cuts help eliminate suspicion and give you the edge. Naturally, some of these videos are better than others. Pay attention to the technique and not so much the performer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-C8e-LP1H0

Best beginners Fancy False Cut REVEALED / Tutorial /

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY8gPfDHhfs

Best beginners Fancy False Cut REVEALED / falseness/Tutorial /

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ninb-8gA1WY

190 Helix Cut Completely False Cut tutorial, Step by Step

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ED8wp1Advo

The Swivel Cut Flourish Tutorial – ( Probably my favorite )

A nice swivel cut that maintains the deck order. Easy enough for most beginners.. yet impressive.

http://Carruth.org

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On The Table False Cuts….

Larry Jennings False Cut – An On-The-Table Tutorial

This is a fluid and deceptive false cut devised by Larry Jennings. The cut uses no breaks and is great for when you are at a card table. Tutorial by 52kards

http://youtu.be/e8wo7Tt85kI

Up the Ladder False Card Shuffle – Another Table False Shuffle

Simple and convincing. Tutorial by 52kards.

http://youtu.be/ZGHd-iYJyMk?list=PL18A812E430769FD4

False Cut Tutorial – Vernon Cold Deck Cut

The Vernon Cold Deck Cut is a simple looking series of cuts to the table. It has a nice and logical rhythm to it that makes it look very convincing. Learn it well!

http://youtu.be/ZBW6jIvkrlw

Erdnase Fancy Blind FALSE Cut Tutorial  ( My Personal Favorite)

Erdnase Fancy Blind False Cut that is a relatively easy cut that is done on the surface of a table.

http://youtu.be/mujlOFtX5KQ

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The Cardini Change Tutorial –  Video

An in-depth tutorial on the card trick called “The Cardini Change

http://www.etricks.info

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The Magic Session – Underground Notes #1

This Magic Session PDF was published under the CoinMagicTricksBlog.com url. Best I can tell, they are not currently an active blog, but the Underground Notes are still available. The lead article is by the highly respected Eric Jones..

The PDF was published by Irvin Quant, Luke Dancy, and Josh Norris..

http://www.coinmagictricksblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/TMS-Underground-1.pdf

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A Visit to the Underground – Courtesy of SAM and  M-U-M

Frequently, while researching something or the other in the search engines, I’ll run across URLs for past issues of M-U-M magazine. As a member of the Society of American Magicians, I truly appreciate their monthly magazine.. M-U-M. I can’t help but to flip through them once again, sometimes finding something I missed the first time. In this case, I didn’t miss ‘A Visit to the Underground’.. but I was glad to re-read it, and enjoyed it just as much the second time around.

Five young performers, among the best in the country regardless of age, each furnished an effect for the  August 2013 issue.  Eric Jones, Tony Chang, Dan Hauss, Chris Mayhew, and Ben Train shine with these five effects, consisting of  three card effects and two close-up effects.

http://magicsam.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/201305MUM.pdf

( PS.. before someone gets mad with me for publishing links to past issues of M-U-M, I found these links in Google, available to anyone, anywhere. One could easily prevent these URLs from appearing in the search results by using the “nofollow” value in the hyperlink.. Just saying….).

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Magic Squares for the Mathematically Challenged –  Free PDF and Videos

Scott Cram has published one of my very favorite blogs, GREY MATTERS, for a number of years. I have featured several effects in the Roadshow garnered from his work. Not only do I read Grey Matters, but I search back through the posts of years past in case I missed something, or in case something that I once read now strikes me in a different way.

I have been a long-time fan of properly performed Magic Squares. I think that, performed with skill and confidence, the Magic Square can amaze a room of reasonably intelligent adults. In fact, the smarter your audience, the more impressed they will be..

Perhaps my one problem with the magic square is it can look awkward at times, depending on the number chosen. If you include the four required numbers, which may be something like 31, 32, 33, and 34, and the remainder of the numbers are single digit numbers.. it’s not hard to gleam the method.

Bill Fritz, author of the PDF offered by Scott, says he likes a ‘balanced’ square where each of the numbers in the square are in the same range. Although some magic square utilize a partially pre-filled grid to achieve this look, Bill doesn’t like that either. And he particularly doesn’t like making mistakes in front of an audience…

One day I was contemplating this dilemma, when a though popped into my head. ‘What if I did all of the cumbersome math ahead of time, so that I could be confident it’s correct?’ That’s when Magic Squares for the Mathematically Challenged was born.”

Scroll down the post, look for the Scribd PDF, click on the ‘fullscreen’ link at the top, and enjoy. The links to the videos are below the PDF.

http://headinside.blogspot.com/2010/11/magic-squares-for-mathematically.html

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Never Miss Another Radio Show Again.. Listen and Record Any Show From Any Where – Free

Until you have the freedom to record ANY radio show in the country, you have no way of knowing exactly what you’re missing.  Anything, from anywhere in the country, can be recorded once.. or daily. Political comment. Sports Talk from any city. Ambient, Country, Rock, Progressive, Blues, Jazz… you name it.

Record it and listen whenever convenient. (I use the paid version of DAR every week to record a couple of blues shows from Louisiana and Texas, as well as a daily local sports talk show that comes on in the middle of the afternoon when I’m usually too busy to listen.)

Check it out FREE   –   http://dar.fm/new/9100625178

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Attention All Entertainers!!!  — From my friend Tait Harbaugh

If you live in, or are planning a trip to, the Lancaster Pa. area in the near future, I have the perfect way for you to spend the day on Saturday, March 28th. Our friends, Tait and Michelle Harbaugh, are sponsoring a flea market just for entertainers.

This is not a convention or an auction. The point of this event is to give everyone an easy outlet for selling unneeded supplies.

Admission is free. The event is hosted by Steps to Success, a non profit early learning center. A donation jar & concessions to benefit Steps to Success will be available. Tables can be reserved with a $5 donation. Please send your donation and contact information to Steps to Success, 56 Hillcrest Ave., Leola PA 17540 if you wish to reserve a table prior to the event.

Everyone is welcome to buy, sell, or trade. We do ask that you stick to performance equipment. (This is not a garage sale.) Magic, Juggling, Puppets, Face Painting, Balloon Twisting, Books and equipment. Anything that would be used as an entertainer. Oh, socializing is also encouraged.

Means of payment will be up to the seller. Please come prepared.

Feel free to post any feature items on this event page.

We would like to get an idea of how many to expect. If you have information on upcoming events, groups or anything else performance related, please bring the material to hand out. If we have room, we’ll try to have a table for this information.

Event schedule:

7:30am to 9:00am = Set up. If you are selling, this is the time to set up. The event is in an old school cafeteria. The fold down tables are still in the walls. We are planning on putting those down so they can be used. These tables are on a first come, first served basis as $5 donations arrive.

9:00am to 1:00pm = Swap meet. That’s 4 hours of fun. Steps to Success will have concessions set up as part of their fund raiser.

1:00pm to 2:00pm = Tear down and clean up.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1552872708267136/

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Tom Thum: The Orchestra in my Mouth

In a highly entertaining performance, beatboxer Tom Thum slings beats, comedy and a mouthful of instrumental impersonations into 11 minutes of creativity and fun that will make you smile. (Filmed at TEDxSydney.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFjIi2hxxf0&list=PL454A0274C1223C90

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TEDxWarwick – Owen Daniel – Mathemagic: Combining my Passions for Math and Magic

Owen Daniel is a performer, entertainer and mathematician. At a young age he developed a passion for magic, leading him to be a finalist in the Magic Circle’s Junior Close Up Competition at the age of 13. At 17 he set up Magico Theatre Company and directed two plays which went on to have sell out runs at the Edinburgh Festival in 2007 and 2008. For the last 4 years he has been studying mathematics at the University of Warwick during which his theatre career has been on hold, however he has been known to come out of hiding to do occasional shows and talks. He was most recently seen talking for Warwick’s IATL group, on the subject of teaching mathematics in a creative environment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUU45dBFWOM

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Free eBooks For Subscribers….

Here’s a link where you can download a variety of free ebooks, including Erdnase’ Expert At The Card Table… If you are not a subscriber, you can sign up HERE.. http://MagicRoadshow.com

http://streetmagic.info/cbmall3.html

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That does it for this issue. I hope you found something to help your magic studies along. Remember, if you have something you would like to share with the magic community, send it to:  Rick@MagicRoadshow.com

“May my next issue find you well..” 

 

Rick Carruth / Editor 

 

Senior Professor – Camelard College of Conjuring of Chemmis, Egypt

“Magic’s Only Worldwide Honor Society”

http://www.camelardcollege.org/ 

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