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Great Read – An American magician takes his tricks to China..

Great Read – An American magician takes his tricks to China..

Magician Franz Harary is driving through the Las Vegas of China, trying to remember the last time he did a show in the United States. “Three years ago, maybe?” he says tentatively. “I think it was some Christmas thing. Or maybe it was an Indian casino.”

As he pulls into the parking lot of a new $3.2-billion casino resort called Studio City, the gate attendant gives him a blank stare. “Do you have a pass?” he asks.

Harary is used to it. Though he’s made the space shuttle disappear, levitated Michael Jackson and filled scores of stadium shows across Asia, the 53-year-old has neither the debonair air of a David Copperfield nor the goth theatricality of a Criss Angel to mark him as a celebrity offstage. His L.A. publicist even touts him with the somewhat awkward brag: “The most famous magician on planet Earth is a guy you’ve never heard of.”

“My name’s in the computer,” Harary tells the guard with not a hint of annoyance. “Have a look.”

But now the Hollywood-based illusionist can just point to the Studio City marquee. On Tuesday, the casino opened Franz Harary’s House of Magic, a permanent, $40-million venue with a rotating cast of magicians. Read more..

http://www.latimes.com/world/great-reads/la-fg-c1-macau-magician-20151028-story.html

Magician conjures up best trick accolade..

Magician conjures up best trick accolade..

A top magician from the Ripon area has just scooped a major national award in recognition of his craft – and one trick in particular.

West Tanfield magician James Ward had cause to celebrate after landing the prestigious Cecil Lyle Award for Magical Innovation.

The trophy is awarded annually by the world-famous Magic Circle for what is judged to be the best trick published in its members’ magazine, The Magic Circular.

James, who is a comedy magician and children’s entertainer, won with a mind-reading routine involving the use of any borrowed banknote.

Cecil Lyle himself was one of the country’s last great touring illusionists.

Billed as ‘The Greatest Living Exponent of Magic,’ he appeared at Harrogate’s Royal Hall in September 1946.

James, who has originated almost a hundred magic tricks over the years, co-authored books on magic, and even performed on TV and radio, said the award was a huge, but wonderful surprise.Read more..

http://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/news/local/magician-conjures-up-best-trick-accolade-1-7524953

That’s magic! Conjurer Penn Jillette’s wife Emily saves life of badly injured surfer hurt on rocks in Hawaii

That’s magic! Conjurer Penn Jillette’s wife Emily saves life of badly injured surfer hurt on rocks in Hawaii

By MIKE LARKIN FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

He pulls off death defying feats every night he performs as one half of illusionist duo Penn And Teller.

But it was Penn Jillette’s wife Emily who performed real magic when she saved the life of a surfer who was badly injured after being washed onto rocks by powerful waves in Hawaii at the weekend.

She found the blood-soaked man as she went for a walk on the beach near her hotel on the Kona District as she got ready to take part in a golf tournament. Read more….

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3280527/Penn-Jillette-s-wife-Emily-saves-life-badly-injured-surfer-hurt-rocks-Hawaii.html

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOWGIRL: A SHOWGIRL SAVES A MAGIC DRAGON.

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOWGIRL: A SHOWGIRL SAVES A MAGIC DRAGON.

Maren Wade for Las Vegas Weekly..

Every showgirl has that “bucket list” show or theater she would like to perform in. ForJade Simone, it was Radio City Music Hall.

From the time Jade was a little girl in Dallas, she would watch the Rockettes in their televised Christmas specials. She would practice her kicks every day, preparing for the inevitable moment where she, too, would become a Rockette.

Unfortunately, the Rockette thing never worked out. Jade was an inch too short. And one inch can make all the difference … in more ways than one.

But a showgirl can still dream—right?

Who needs Rockettes anyway? I mean, they’re only gorgeous with stunning long legs, the epitome of grace, class and dance perfection. … Sorry, I’m not sure how I just digressed like that. What was I talking about? Oh right, back to Jade Simone.

Jade found enormous success as a Vegas showgirl, MC and burlesque entertainer in shows like Sizzle of Las Vegas and many others across the country. Suddenly, being a Rockette and performing at Radio City Music Hall didn’t seem that important anymore. But when Jade was spotted at one of her shows and given the opportunity to perform at Radio City Music Hall, she then realized there was nothing she would rather do in life, and everything else paled in comparison.

She couldn’t contain her excitement. Her dream had come true! She was going to perform at Radio City Music Hall, but instead of being a Rockette, she would make her debut as a magician’s assistant … to a Magic Chihuahua … and his owner, a grumpy Magic Dragon. Read More….

http://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/2015/oct/22/confessions-showgirl-piff-magic-dragon-nbc-agt/