Darcy Oake On Life After BGT..
As the latest series of Britain’s Got Talent draws to a close, Canadian magician is another contestant proving that you don’t need to win it for the show to kickstart your career. Kevin Cooper spoke to him ahead of a UK tour that includes his first date in Nottingham
It was a card trick his dad showed him when he was eight years old that set Darcy Oake on his journey into the world of magic and illusion.
Over here, we’d never heard of the Canadian until he appeared on last year’s Britain’s Got Talent but by that time he was already an international magic champion. At 16, he beat seasoned professionals at various events and ended up winning the coveted People’s Choice Gold Medal in Seattle.
Since then he has performed throughout Europe; from Paris to London, and across North America, from the heart of Times Square in New York City to the Las Vegas Strip. Read more..
http://www.nottinghampost.com/Illusionist-Darcy-Oake-life-Britain-s-Got-Talent/story-26597651-detail
Billy Kidd: She’s the magician, not the lovely assistant..
The name is Billy Kidd, only she’s not a kid or even an outlaw. She’s one of the very few women who perform magic tricks instead of acting as the male magician’s lovely assistant.
Born in Edmonton, now based outside of London, Ms. Kidd is so good at her craft she has been featured on the Discovery and Syfy channels, and entertains throughout Europe, Asia and Japan. She found her inspiration several years ago watching a street magician in Edmonton.
As much as she enjoyed the magic, it was the crowd’s reaction that resonated with Ms. Kidd.
“It was such a high,” she says. “It’s why you have to credit [American street performer] David Blaine. He was the first guy who turned the focus and television cameras on people reacting to his magic.” (Article by Allan Maki, photo by Tom Sparey)
Read more at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/billy-kidd-shes-the-magician-not-the-lovely-assistant/article24713563/
Notorious Crooks: Who Was Erdnase?
By Paul Drexler for The Examiner…
Born in Connecticut in 1872, Andrews picked up an early interest in magic and card manipulation and became a professional gambler at 18. By 1900, he was one of the best card sharks in the country.
In 1902 a man calling himself S.W. Erdnase self-published “The Expert at the Card Table.” This 143-page book explained and demonstrated the “shuffles,” “shifts,” and sleight-of-hand techniques used by card sharks and magicians. The first edition sold poorly, and the author reduced the price to $1 per copy.
By 1903, Andrews was at the peak of his career, claiming an annual income of more than $20,000 (worth $600,000 today). But life as a hustler had taken its toll. He had developed serious digestive problems and a raging temper.
He took up with Bessie Boutin, a prostitute with a taste for luxury. They fought frequently over her drinking and his jealousy. In October 1904, Boutin disappeared in Denver, and Andrews left town with her jewelry. When her body was discovered, he was the main suspect in her death. Andrews was later linked to two other unsolved murders. Read the rest of the article at:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/notorious-crooks-who-was-erdnase/Content?oid=2931064