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Two from Seth Grabel – Easy to Perform Tricks That Get a Super Response..
This month we want to Thank Seth Grabel for his contributions to the readers of the Magic Roadshow. Known as one of the premier performers in Las Vegas, Seth has stunned millions on ‘America’s Got Talent’, entertained tens of thousands working with The Amazing Johnathan, and amazed some of the biggest names in show business with his private performances…
“Grabel has brilliantly created shows onstage and off that leave audiences with big smiles, eyes widened, and jaws dropped. From the interesting characters he weaves into his stage shows to the amazing slight-of-hand magic he performs up close. Grabel’s talent often leaves people saying, ‘There goes the next David Copperfield’.
Seth has appeared on EXTRA, Playboy TV, Univision, and CBS among others. He takes every magic trick to the limit, leaving his viewers astonished, completely blurring the lines between reality and illusion.
With an impressive body of work behind him, 2011 marked the year for an official introduction onto the national spotlight. As a highlight performer on NBC’s “America’s Got Talentt”, Seth rattled the cage of the entertainment industry, executing various forms of magic—black, illusionary, and of course AcroMagic. He was an overwhelming fan favorite, and brought high praise from all the judges—especially Howie Mandel.”
FINGERED EAR TRICK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ip-EPdSE5Q
This is a real gem. The ear trick is super fun to do and always gets great reactions, its super easy to do and you can do it anywhere. Take your right thumb put it under your ear lobe and stick your pointer finger in the middle of your ear. Then take your middle finger and place it on top of your ear. Touch your thumb to your middle finger and bring the two ends of your ear to each other. Now wiggle your pointer finger back and fourth! This easy trick is so fun to do and always gets a great reaction. I usually stick a pen or pencil in my ear then go into the Fingered Ear Trick.
SPOOKY SPIDER TRICK
(Inspired by Jim Pace’s The Web.).
Supplies:
1 fake black spider ring that you can buy from a Halloween store.. ( and NOW is the time to stock up )
Double stick tape
This trick is super fun and always gets a great reaction. To prepair the spider cut off the ring and place a peice of double stick tape where the ring was. Now you are ready for the spooky spider trick!
You have to do get in the position where the top of the spectators hand is facing down. You can do a magic trick or you can ask to read someone’s palm. I like to do a coin effect where and switch the coin for a coin that has a spider on it. When you are doing the magic trick stick the spider on the back of your spectators hand. Finish the effect and allow your spectator to turn their hand over. As soon as they see the spider they will Freak out. You can also use a plastic cockroach, bug, toad or anything else that is creepy and can stick to the bottom of a hand. Have fun creating people out and if you send a video of the reactions to [email protected] we will send you a free trick!
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PartyTrickster – Youtube Channel.
Seth is also the trickster behind the Youtube channel, ‘Party Trickster’.. You can access video tutorials for all the following on his channel.
– Bending Metal with Party Trickster
– Use the Egg Bag to Make Magic Happen
– Learn the Dirty Diaper Trick: A Free Gift from Party Trickster
– Love is in the air with the magical Appearing Rose
– Learn the Match-Pull: A Free Gift from Party Trickster!
– Perform fun magic on the go with the Cookie Crunch
– Learn the Card Stacking trick: A Free Gift from Party Trickster
– Learn how to read people’s minds with the Color Cube!
– Learn the Fingered-Ear Trick: A Free Gift from Party Trickster
– Do you want to be a Party Trickster?
https://www.youtube.com/partytricksters
LIKE Seth at: https://www.youtube.com/sethgrabel
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For Android and iPhones – My Pet Boris Magic Spider
OK folks.. here’s a little app that will give you the creeps. I hate spiders… but I really like this app. Two of my favorite effects in all of magic, for my use, are both iphone apps.. and this is one of the two. Combine this with the Spooky Spider trick above and you’ll have two effects guaranteed to get a great response from your spectator. Response is everything. Your spectator will remember an effect that garners emotions much longer than one that relies on surprise.
Go to the website and watch the video. It’s fairly short and you’ll see exactly what you’ll get for the princely sum of $1.99. Like me, you’ll have possibilities running rampant through your noggin’..
http://www.mypetboris.com/
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Math’s Made Magic – A Handbook of Magical Mathematical Tricks – Free PDF
I love professionally produced PDFs. What is a professionally produced PDF? One that is slick, impressive, useful, informative, and most of all… fun. This is almost 70 pages of fun, not to mention pages and pages of interesting ‘secrets’… Written by Peter McOwan and Jason Davison as an interesting way of training basic mathematics to teens and adults.. this far exceeds those goals, and looks much like MAGIC in the process.
“Within the pages of this book you will find inventive illusions and mind-melting magic to amaze you, your friends and family. You will also explore some fundamental mathematics powering the tricks. Learning and entertaining go hand in hand in magic. Understanding the secret techniques, combined with fantastic presentation and practice can make any trick unbelievable.”
“A sound understanding of basic mathematics underpins science and engineering. We hope this book helps you teach these subjects and gives you and your pupils the opportunity to develop presentation and communication skills. It may also open the door for others creating new mathematical magic and start some people on the road to a fascinating new
hobby too.”
Peter McOwan is a Professor of Computer Science at Queen Mary, University of London.
Jason Davison is a Master of Mathematics (MMath) student at Warwick University.
This book was developed as part of the Strategic Partnership between Queen Mary, University of London, and the University of Warwick.
http://www.qmul.ac.uk/mathsmagic/documents/79080.pdf
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And Speaking of Prof. Peter McOwan – Press Release from Queen Mary, University of London released 11/17/14
Magic tricks created using artificial intelligence for the first time…
Researchers working on artificial intelligence at Queen Mary University of London have taught a computer to create magic tricks.
The researchers gave a computer program the outline of how a magic jigsaw puzzle and a mind reading card trick work, as well the results of experiments into how humans understand magic tricks, and the system created completely new variants on those tricks which can be delivered by a magician.
The magic tricks created were of the type that use mathematical techniques rather than sleight of hand or other theatrics, and are a core part of many magicians’ repertoires. The tricks, details of which are published today (Monday) in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, proved popular with audiences and the magic puzzle was put on sale in a London magic shop. The card trick is available as an app called Phoney in the Google Play Store.
Co-creator of the project, Howard Williams, explains how a computer can aid trick creation:
“Computer intelligence can process much larger amounts of information and run through all the possible outcomes in a way that is almost impossible for a person to do on their own. So while, a member of the audience might have seen a variation on this trick before, the AI can now use psychological and mathematical principles to create lots of different versions and keep audiences guessing.”
The magic jigsaw involves assembling a jigsaw to show a series shapes, then taking it apart and reassembling it so that certain shapes have disappeared using a clever geometric principle. Creation of tricks of this kind involve several simultaneous factors such as the size of the puzzle, the number of pieces involved, the number of shapes that appear and disappear and the ways that the puzzle can be arranged. Something this complex is ideal for an algorithm to process, and make decisions about which flexible factors are most important.
The mind reading card trick involves arranging a deck of playing cards in a specific way then, based on a few seemingly innocuous pieces of information from the audience, identifying a card that has been seen selected from the deck and using an Android app to reveal the card on a mobile phone screen. The computer was used to arrange the decks in such a way that a specific card could be identified with the least amount of information possible. The program identified arrangements for the deck that on average required one fewer question to be asked before the card was found than with the traditional method. The app simply avoids the magician having to remember the order of the cards.
Professor Peter McOwan, part of the QMUL team who worked on the project, added:
“Using AI to create magic tricks is a great way to demonstrate the possibilities of computer intelligence and it also forms a part of our research in to the psychology of being a spectator. For example, we suspected that audiences would be suspicious of the involvement of technology in the delivery of a trick but we’ve found out that isn’t the case.”
Contact: Will Hoyles
[email protected]
07-772-512-519
Queen Mary, University of London
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Paul Gertner and Trade Show Magic – Articles
Another subject I rarely tackle is Trade Show Magic. I know many magicians who would LOVE to do trade shows.. but don’t have the props, presence, or connections. One thing I have learned about any subject is… if you want to master it, find the best in the world and learn everything you can possibly learn.
When it comes to corporate magic, Paul Gertner is one of the very best in the world. I recently ran across Paul’s blog, which offers up solid tips and tricks for anyone wanting to take on the corporate world. Read, learn, read again… and it’s all shared freely. ( Be sure to go to the ‘Watch Paul in Action’ video section with a number of fast-paced videos.)
– Trade Show Displays that are Memorable
– Why DO magic tricks fool you?
– Building a Trade Show Display that Stops the Show
– Trade Show Magician Tip for a SLOW Traffic Day
http://gertner.com/blog/
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While I’m on the Subject of Trade Shows….. – Resource
Anders Boulanger is C.E.O. and founder of the Infotainers. He is a certified speaking professional and has been building crowds and generating leads for clients since 2007. I recommend Anders blog as a great tool for learning some of the inside information concerning trade show magic.. ( I am not affiliated with Anders )
“When he was 5 years old he was given a Fisher-Price Magic set for Christmas. That one toy sealed his fate and as they say the magic bug bit him. At 12 he was performing at birthday parties. After graduating high school he paid his way through university earning himself a bachelor degree in Physics. With his education “out of the way” he set his sights on performing full time as a professional magician has done so ever since.”
Along the way, he was fortunate enough to be personally trained by the legendary trade show magician Joel Bauer..
Check out the detailed blog and various videos. If you’re interested in Trade Show Magic, you’ll Thank me…
http://tradeshowinfotainer.com/blog/
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Chop Cup Magic – A Free PDF from Michael Lyth
Michael has been a friend of both me and the Roadshow for a number of years. Our friendship has been one-sided, considering he has freely given more to Roadshow readers than I have to his coffers. Here is another effect, complete with pictures, using a prop I fail to promote properly throughout my musings. Part of the reason is I do not have friends who are versed in the chop cup. It seems everyone ownes one.. but no one excels in its use.
Yes, you’ll have to do a little doctoring on a cup.. but it’s a fairly simple task that I trust you can handle with ease. Heck, I think even I can do this..
https://app.box.com/s/oc94wvstgeze472csvgu
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Cool MONEY Card Trick REVEALED – A Special Gimmick from Andy Field
A special Thanks to Vi Frank and Jim at the Magic Portal.. ( I actually spoke with Vi and Jim after their recent return from the convention in Daytona. They called to tell me they spent the weekend with Rudy Coby.. while I spent the weekend watching reruns of Seinfeld….)
I love a good gimmick, particularly if it actually works. Andy’s gimmick REALLY works. This is so easy to make and is guaranteed to work. I can think of a dozen uses for this, aside from the obvious uses demonstrated by Andy. Watch the video.. make the gimmick.. fool your friends and fellow magicians…
http://youtu.be/6IbjCoTWbpM
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Eric Knaus aka. The Great Zucchini – Branding and Marketing Tips For Magicians –
I know I can depend on my friends at MagicianBusiness to provide a detailed and very informative marketing treatsie each month. This month they explore the marketing techniques of Eric Knaus – The Great Zucchini.
“How do you get hundreds of people to turn up to public venues on weekends to watch your magic show? How do you do this without having spent any money on advertising yourself in the past 11 years? This interview with The Great Zucchini looks at no cost marketing for magicians.”
“The Great Zucchini aka Eric Knaus has done this. Along the way he has become an unlikely magic superstar in his market and creator of The Great Zucchini Live and Kidshow Rockstar DVD’s. Families want to be at his shows. Even the family that lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. That’s right, Michelle and Sasha Obama are his fans. Join the Great Zucchini now as he slices up his marketing strategy into bite size pieces for us.”
http://www.magicianbusiness.com/no-cost-marketing-for-magicians/
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Contracts and Other Things ‘Legal’ for Magicians – Podcast with Todd Neufeld
MagicianBusiness.com continues their impressive quest to keep magicians truly informed about subjects that are seldom, if ever, written about by other sites/publications. In this 50 minute podcast, Todd Neufel discusses contracts, refunds, deposits, documents, and other things ‘legal’.
Todd is well suited to offer his thoughts on these topics because, in addition to being a performer, he holds a law degree. That should get your attention. Neither MagicianBusiness or the Magic Roadshow represents this podcast as ‘legal advice’, you must be a practicing attorney to offer that, but we do promise that all the information will be very insightful and informative for any magician who considers himself/herself a professional.. on any level… Topics Include:
– Business organization
– Having the correct documentation
– What is a contract?
– Why contacts help customer anxiety.
– How to deal with disagreements you may have with a client
– How to stop it from getting ugly with a client
– Deposits – the benefits and disadvantages of taking them
– How much should you ask for a deposit?
– Can you ask for full payment before the booking starts?
http://www.magicianbusiness.com/mb-29-contracts-for-magicians-with-todd-neufeld/
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Never miss your favorite radio show again. Record it and listen whenever convenient. (I use DAR every week to record a couple of blues shows from Louisiana and Texas.)
http://dar.fm/new/9100625178
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The Secrets Behind Harry Houdini’s Ten Greatest Illusions – Article
Steve Winalda
There is an unwritten rule among magicians never to reveal how a trick is done. So when a 2004 exhibition explained Harry Houdini’s illusions, magicians around the world were apoplectic. David Copperfield called it a breach of magic protocol, and performers declared that they would boycott the exhibition. Many claimed to still use Houdini’s tricks themselves.
But Harry has been dead nearly 90 years. Despite their claims, few modern illusionists use his dated techniques. And the great magician’s secrets had been revealed decades earlier. He had been in his grave just three years when his team began spilling the beans.
This list is for those who want to know Houdini’s secrets. Those who don’t want to know should stop reading now…
http://gizmodo.com/the-secrets-behind-harry-houdini-s-ten-greatest-illusio-1654107326?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+(Gizmodo)
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Rudy Coby – (2) One Hour Videos
These two magic presentations were first broadcast by Fox TV in 1995 and 1996. At the time, they were strangely different and creative, inspiring a generation of magicians that include Criss Angel and Chris James. I remember watching the first.. Rudy Coby: The Coolest Magician on Earth, and experiencing an epiphany. Suddenly, I discovered the type of magician I wanted to become…
Needless to say, things didn’t work as planned, and my magic took a different turn.. But I still thoroughly enjoy watching these ground breaking shows.. I hope you will too.
Thanks to fellow ezine slave, Jim Canaday, for the links.. ( http://themagicportal.us/)
Fox Special 1 http://vimeo.com/109546520
Fox Special 2 http://vimeo.com/109658950
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The Original Tarbell Course in Magic By Harlan Tarbell – 1000+ page PDF
Yes, this is THE Tarbell Course in Magic.. More than 1000 pages and 60 lessons long. This classic covers magic from Metal Ring on a String to Cards that Pass in the Night to The Miser’s Dream to A Parlor Séance .. and everything in between. This PDF, converted by Jose Antonio Gonzalez Campos to a digital format, reproduces all the drawings and wording of the original. I promise, if you do not have this in your collection, then your collection will never be what it should. Magicians around the world read Tarbell every day… and create ‘new’ magic from Harlan’s well written classic.
“I do not think you will find one dull moment in your course. In the first place, because this is a most absorbing subject. The lessons are as interesting as fiction; more interesting, indeed, to the person who enjoys working out problems of Magic. And secondly, because we do not merely study theory, but we actually do the various tricks with the apparatus furnished you just as the expert magician does. It is my aim to give you the best service possible, to help you in every way in making rapid progress. Before you begin your lessons I want you to have a thorough understanding of the manner in which your work is handled.” Harlan Tarbell
(This PDF is not hosted on Magic Roadshow. We only redirect you to this link, on another site, where the ebook will begin to open immediately..PeterHuman.net is the domain of a World Wide Web server hosting a searchable database of over 750,000 text files on a variety of subjects. They also host a server running on the Hotline and KDX protocols featuring a vast collection of antique software, obscure operating systems, and open source software.. Enjoy.. )
http://cdn.preterhuman.net/texts/manuals/magic/Harlan%20Tarbell%20-%20The%20Original%20Course%20in%20Magic%20of%20Harlan%20Tarbell.pdf
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Ancient vs. Modern Magic
“Judging from the accounts which history has preserved for us of the marvels performed by the magicians of antiquity, it is evident that these men were very skillful in practicing their art. It cannot be said, however, that the ancients were more proficient in their art than modern magicians are. Robert Houdin, the greatest of the early modern conjurers, has said, “Antiquity was the cradle of magic — but only because the art was yet in its infancy.”
The explanation then, for the seemingly greater miracles that were produced in ancient times, is that people believed in the supernatural powers of the magicians. The effects these magicians produced were believed to come from inspiration from higher or lower powers and thus took on a tremendous significance for the people.
The effects assumed the proportions of miracles in their minds. Today, these effects, while still mystifying and startling, are not regarded as produced by gods or demons. Thus has arisen the idea that something of the art of conjuring has been lost. Nothing, however, has been lost and very much has been gained in the art of sleight of hand. It is merely that the attitude of people has changed with the enlightenment of modern civilization regarding the supernatural, and now they regard Magic as an Art — and the most entertaining of all Arts.”
Harlan Tarbell, The Original Course in Magic.
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The Snake Dance – Video
Thanks to Mick Ayres for sharing this link with me… which I want to pass on to you guys. Janine Janik & Christian Arnaut perform the snake dance contortion on the Colgate Comedy Hour in 1954. It’s Youtube’s ability to reintroduce us to wonderful moments like this that make it worthy..
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1504603889791130
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Amy Cuddy: Your body language shapes who you are – TED Talk
Body Language is the gateway to the subconsious mind. We all express our innermost thoughts and feeling, whether we mean to or not. Unlike certain pseudo-sciences, whos’ true worth is debatable, body language is for real. Although we don’t usually think of a smile or a frown as body language.. they are just that.. an expression of our inner thoughts. And just as a smile gives away our momentary happiness, many other body movements also give away our feelings.
Body language affects how others see us, but it may also change how we see ourselves. Social psychologist Amy Cuddy shows how “power posing” — standing in a posture of confidence, even when we don’t feel confident — can affect testosterone and cortisol levels in the brain, and might even have an impact on our chances for success.
http://youtu.be/Ks-_Mh1QhMc
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Pranav Mistry: The thrilling potential of SixthSense technology – TED Talk
What if Mentalism were real? Reading someone’s mind may become a technological feat.. instead of a paranormal excursion.
At TEDIndia, Pranav Mistry demos several tools that help the physical world interact with the world of data — including a deep look at his SixthSense device and a new, paradigm-shifting paper “laptop.” In an onstage Q&A, Mistry says he’ll open-source the software behind SixthSense, to open its possibilities to all.
http://youtu.be/YrtANPtnhyg?list=PL70DEC2B0568B5469
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Get Pro Magic – Learn Magic Tricks RIGHT NOW!
Web resource for amateur and professional magicians or anyone interested learning the art of Magic. Instantly down loadable. GetProMagic.com will teach you incredible tricks that you can perform at home as soon as you receive the information from this site. Also, a selection of FREE effects. http://9481afh6-0z7il3y1nd7kk4m0l.hop.clickbank.net/
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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..
http://www.facebook.com/magicroadshow
http://www.facebook.com/themagicnews
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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: [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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