Magic Roadshow #153
Ricky Jay and the New Yorker.. article
With the recent release of ‘Deceptive Practice: The Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay’ on DVD and Ricky’s recent appearances on late night tv, there has been a very noticeable spike in interest for anything related to Ricky Jay. Although I could write volumns on Ricky and his career accomplishments, the New Yorker published the definitive work in April 1993. Although twenty years ago, writer Mark Singer captured the essence of Ricky Jay like no other writer, before or since. Here is a very small segment of the article…
“Though Jay first performed in public at the age of four, he rejects the notion that magic—
or, in any case, his mature style of magic—is suitable entertainment for children. Nor
does he apologize for his lack of susceptibility to the charms of children themselves. I
once drove with him from central Massachusetts to my home, near New York City. We
had to catch a plane together the next day, and I had invited him to spend the night in a
spare room, on a floor above and beyond earshot of my three sons. While acknowledging
that they were Ricky Jay fans, I promised him that they would all be in bed by the time
we arrived and off to school before he awoke the next morning. As it turned out, we had
no sooner entered the house than I heard one of my six-year-old twins announce “I think
Ricky’s here!” Before he could remove his coat, the three of them, all in their pajamas,
had him cornered in the kitchen. My eleven-year-old son handed him a deck of cards.
The other boys began parroting the monologue from one of his television appearances—
patter from a stunt in which he tosses a playing card like a boomerang and during its
return flight bisects it with a pair of giant scissors. Jay gave me the same look I imagine
he gave Mort, the unfortunate New Year’s Eve party guest. I immediately reached for the
phone directory and found the number of a nearby motel.”
“Just as resolutely as he avoids children, Jay declines opportunities to perform for other
magicians. This habit has earned him a reputation for aloofness, to which he pleads
guilty-with-an-explanation. According to Michael Weber, he has a particular aversion to
the “magic lumpen”—hoi polloi who congregate in magic clubs and at conventions,
where they unabashedly seek to expropriate each other’s secrets, meanwhile failing to
grasp the critical distinction between doing tricks and creating a sense of wonder.”
“One guy in a tuxedo producing doves can be magic, ten guys producing doves is a travesty.”
“Ricky won’t perform for magicians at magic shows, because they’re interested in
things,” Weber says. “They don’t get it. They won’t watch him and be inspired to make
magic of their own. They’ll be inspired to do that trick that belongs to Ricky. Magic is
not about someone else sharing the newest secret. Magic is about working hard to
discover a secret and making something out of it. You start with some small principle and
you build a theatrical presentation out of it. You do something that’s technically artistic
that creates a small drama.”
“There are two ways you can expand your knowledge— through books and by gaining the
confidence of fellow-magicians who will explain these things. Ricky to a large degree gets
his information from books—old books—and then when he performs for magicians they
want to know, ‘Where did that come from?’ And he’s appalled that they haven’t read this
stuff. So there’s this large body of magic lumpen who really don’t understand Ricky’s legacy
—his contribution to the art, his place in the art, his technical proficiency and creativity.
They think he’s an élitist and a snob.”
http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1993/04/05/1993_04_05_054_TNY_CARDS_000362341?currentPage=all
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Ricky Jay and his 52 Assistants – complete video
I’m sure many of you have seen ‘Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants’, his award winning theatrical experience. Running roughly one hour in length and featured at one time on HBO, this amazing display of dexterity can be viewed in it’s entirety below.. I cannot say how long this video will be available.
http://youtube.com/embed/Jljt5Ml28FU?rel=0
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Turning Tricks on the Street for Fun and Profit – Blog
Tom Frank works the streets of Hollywood. Aside from being a first rate street performer, he is a steady, consistent writer/blogger of street magic and the various ‘situations’.. all based on real world experiences. Tom has also dug up a number of interesting videos of other street performers. Here is a little of one of the post.
“When I first moved here from Seattle, I was used to working Pike Place Market? , where this is no amplification allowed. My pitch for the first 6 months of being in LA was the Third Street Promenade? in Santa Monica. It’s a crazy scene with a street act every 40 feet. . . literally. I would go to work each night and have to compete with other acts using sound systems. One night, I had a group of break dancers with a giant crowd (probably 250 people in a full circle show) on one side, on the other side of me was a guy playing bagpipes. Me with no amp and very loud acts on either side, I couldn’t get a crowd to save my life. Adapt or die. I bought a sound system and stopped looking at the break dancers with their big crowds as competition. I am my own man, I’m out there to do my thing, not worry about what anyone else is doing. There will always be people making better money than you on the streets. . . . but, they’re not you.”
“Typically when there is enough traffic to warrant a bunch of street performers, there is enough to go around. Be nice to the other acts. Take the time to get to know them. They are your peers. We all have a vested interest in getting along…..”
Being a street performer, Tom has a dialogue remniscent of the streets… (similar to half the folks I know.)
http://streettips.blogspot.com/
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How To Tear And Restore Items – Tutorial
I love to tear stuff up.. I recently featured an effect by Paul Lelekis that involved a torn and restored napklin, and I’ve featured torn and restored money as well. Here is the basic technique for tearing and restoring almost anything that fits the bill.
“Learn an amazing (TnR) Tore and Restore routine in this free Magic Revealed tutorial by Mike St. Clair of ScreamfreakRewind. This illusion is impromptu, easy to perform and, can be performed anywhere. Tear and restore money or any kind of paper in this step by step tutorial. Subscribe to learn the secrets of magic!”
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10 YouTube Videos That Prove Science Is Magic
Andrea Romano has compiled ten videos, each with a serious connection to magic and science. Thankfully, you can go to this link and view all ten videos without leaving the site.. The ten are:
– Magic Mystery Tube
– Inverted Arrows
– Impossible Motion
– Magic Utensils
– Impossible Card Illusion
– Money Magic
– Candle Relighting Trick
– Anti-Gravity Trick
– Magic Tiles
– The Matchstick Trick
“It’s not magic, it’s science! For the science-minded YouTube viewer, those boring old magic trick videos lack intellectual rigor.”
“Some magic tricks can be cheesy, and pulling rabbits out of a hat or shouting “Abracadabra!” is for little kids. Being the more mature, discerning adult that you are, you demand more from your party tricks. It turns out, the world of science can offer you hours of entertainment, as well as knowledge.”
http://mashable.com/2014/03/16/youtube-magic/
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Magic Trick Shirts and Other Magic Stuff..
Tee shirts, coffee cups, gift cards, stickers, fridge magnets, aprons.. you name it, Mister Greggy’s probably got it.
I’m sure most of you have seen the tee shirts that feature playing cards saying “…is this your card?”
Mister Greggy has taken this to the extreme. He features many tee shirts, with many different designs, including some that do not include the ‘prediction’ and are simply ‘magical’ in nature.
I particularly like the ‘magic mug’. They are plain black in color, but, when you add a hot liquid, they transform into a white mug with a reproduction of a Thurston poster on the side! Nice…
The Magic Roadshow is pleased to freely support businesses that support magic. If you have a unique magic related business you would like to see featured in the Roadshow.. let me know.
http://www.zazzle.com/MagicTrickShirts
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The Real Secrets of Card Magic.. Jay Sankey
What are the REAL secrets of Card Magic? Jay has created a 14 minute video where you’ll learn two of the essentials of card magic – a convincing false cut and a card force that will leave your audience sure you’re on the up and up. Follow that with a super easy prediction effect that makes the video well worth your time.
Remember, Jay seldom complicates card magic. He is direct and simplistic.. in a good way. He has been to enough rodeos to know what works.. and what doesn’t. And he is enough of a born entertainer to know how to capture his audience with a combination of humor, skill, and showmanship.
Starting from ONLY $9.95/month, you can learn the real secrets of master magicians, and have instant access to over 250 premium-quality training videos.
http://www.insidedeception.com/
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The Business of Table-Hopping
Paul Lelekis
I wanted to compose a nice ad for Paul and his super-conprehensive Business of Table-Hopping, but what can I say that the table of contents can’t? This should give you a very good idea of what you’re missing..
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1) Introduction
2) The Business of Table-Hopping
3) What Tricks Should I Perform?
4) How Do I Choose A Restaurant?
5) What Do I Wear?
6) How Much Money Do I Charge?
7) Meeting the Staff
8) When Do I Approach Tables?
9) How Do I Approach Tables?
10) The Different Kinds of Spectators
12) How Long Should I Stay at Each Table?
13) Tips!
If you want to actually make money with your magic, you HAVE to buy Paul’s instant download and get started today. I can honestly say I’ve read a number of articles on table-hopping, but nothing I’ve read covers the spectrum in the minute detail of The Business of Table-Hopping. ( #3, ‘What Tricks Should I Perform?’, is more than worth the cost.. Check out Paul’s other downloadable ebooks, including Magic Tools of the Trade, Defective Cups and Balls, and Showcase Magic..)
http://www.lybrary.com/paul-a-lelekis-m-163788.html
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Lives of the Conjurers – Free eBook
The Famous Mr. Fawkes – The Bottle Conjurer – Cagliostro – Katterfelto – Robertson – Comus – Torrini – Signor Blitz – Maelzel – Robert Heller – Henry Box Brown – Bellachini – Henry Slade –
Otto Maurer – The Bangs Sisters – Servais Le Roy – Bert Reese – Charles Morritt – C.W. Starr
These are the conjurers who’s lives are detailed in the first volumn of ‘Lives of the Conjurers’, by Professor Solumon. The good Professor has given me permission to share this 165 page illustrated ebook with you guys, au gratis..
Among the stories.. learn how The Bottle Conjuror earned his name by telling an audience he would ‘crawl in to a quart bottle, sitting on a table in full view of the audience..’. Believe it or not, the Bottle Conjuror did just that..
Many thanks to Professor Solomon for permission to share his work with the Roadshow readers.
Professor Solomon is a magician and author. His books include How to Find Lost Objects, Japan in a Nutshell, and Coney Island. They are available athttp://www.professorsolomon.com/.
http://www.professorsolomon.com/conjurers-book-page.html
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Liquid Scarf by Jessica – Video
FernandoP1 – Art Zone Productions FernandoP1 – Art Zone Productions
This is a nice version of the ‘scarf through the neck’, or the ‘rope through the body’ effect. Like many effects, it’s not about the effect itself so much as the performance. With the right patter, this is a great effect, within the scope of virtually all performers. No expensive props, no months of practice…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI0Z-EjnSJA&feature=em-subs_digest
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Stand – Art Zone Productions
Want to make a card ‘stand’ vertically on the back of your hand? This super easy technique is easily accomplished by virtually anyone with one little prop that 99 percent of us own. Practice a few simple moves and you’ll be balancing a card upright on the back of your hand in no time..
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VANISH – Latest issue is ready
Free Download…
Edition 13 – This marks year three of VANISH and what better way to start than with The Magician’s Magician on the cover DARYL. Nick Lewin was able to sit down with Daryl and get an in-depth look in to this amazing magician.
DOWNLOAD it from http://www.vanishmagazine.com/ or READ it online by visiting the link and clicking on the e-magazine version.
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Substitute for Keepvid…
From time to time, I run across Youtube videos I want to download and keep. If they disappear from Youtube, I’ve still got a copy on my computer. I’ve used Keepvid for years, but I’ve noticed lately that the Keepvid site is full of unnecessary ‘junk’ that either tries to download, or persuade me to download. Keepvid even wants me to download a version of Keepvid to my desktop.
I’ve used Clipconverter of late.. I don’t have to download it, the conversion takes place online, and there is a little less junk. That said, If you are asked to download anything not DIRECTLY related to your video.. don’t… You may be asked to download a codex update or some such, but simply click out of it. I have downloaded several videos using this service and all seem to work fine. Follow the download directions and you should be fine.. resist the temptation to click any big ‘download’ buttons.. they are all ads that will take you away from the site.
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Everything Illusions.. resource
Interested in the super-secret world of illusions? The newly opened IllusionBookstore features plans, downloadable PDF’s, DVD’s, mentalism, close-up, and fully constructed illusions for every level of performance. Many of these products are not available anywhere else in the world…
“The Illusion Bookstore is the exclusive distributor of J C Sum’s complete inventory of internationally critically acclaimed illusion books and digital plans including illusion products and book sets only available through us.”
Be sure to check out the just released “How to be an Illusionist“, available to the magic community for the first time on April 21, 2014. This course was created for the modern illusionist performing for a contemporary “Street Magic-cultured” audience. It focuses on what works today and not what worked 20 – 30 years ago.
In this course, you will learn step by step how to put an illusion show together, regardless of whether you perform illusions for fun, as a hobby, part-time or professionally.
You will receive a goldmine of information that will empower you with practical knowledge to take on the world of grand illusions. It is a complete education on performing modern illusions all in one single source.
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Six Ways to Escape from Handcuffs, Zip Ties & Duct Tape!
Yes.. another Scam School video. This one will show you several ways to escape a set of handcuffs.. plus, methods to get out of zip ties and duct tape. This is good news for someone wanting to add a little ‘escapology’ to their repertoire. This is BAD news for anyone wanting to use their newfound skill to escape from the authorities. Yep.. they now have you for ‘Escape’, as well as whatever you were initially incarcerated for.. and Escape probably carries a greater penalty than your original charge. ( In my home state, Escape gets you One year) What you seem to forget, and I know this from years of experience, is that by the time you get out of the handcuffs, the cop already has your drivers license in his pocket..
I’m taking a chance publishing this link.. because like the effects I’ve published in the past that include Fire, there’s always one dumbass out there who ignores the obvious warnings and tries to make me feel bad for leading them down the wrong road. So when I say there’s only ONE road here, I mean it, and when that inevitable email arrives, I’m going to share your name with ALL the Roadshow readers.
http://youtu.be/0Gr6HX_IKpw
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Be sure to visit MAGIC NEWS. I am proud that I’ve managed to publish over 200 news stories in the past four months. I’m guessing this is more than the other magic news sites combined. http://magicnews.org/
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Finding a Relationship Between Mental Math and Mentalism –
Several Mentalism Effects Disguised as Mathematics
This is my free manuscript with a number of mental math effects that were selected because they resemble magic much more so than math. These are NOT you typical math tricks, but effects that will amaze anyone.. magicians included. I am going to expand this manuscript in the near future and it will only be available as a paid read..
http://www.divshare.com/download/25446276-f09
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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:
[email protected]
“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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