The Next David Blaine

UK's The Independent, and Louise Jack published this article on the rapid rise of who many in Britian are calling 'the next David Blaine'.. Steven Frayne.

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When you're the smallest kid in the class it helps to have a few tricks up your sleeve. But now the skills that Steven Frayne, 23, used as a schoolboy in Bradford to keep the other kids off his back and himself out of trouble are paving his way to stardom.

Frayne, aka Dynamo, has become the most sought-after guest on the celebrity party circuit, performing for, among others, Chris "Coldplay" Martin and his wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, the Prince of Wales and Snoop Dogg.

His unique brand of hip-hop-style urban magic, which sees him body-popping as he slams cards through windows or passes lit cigarettes through a card, has made him one of the most creative illusionists performing today.

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WSOP highlights

The Associated Press is reporting on day two of the World Series of Poker. Phil Hellmuth and Doyle Brunson are out within the first few hours in a stunning change of events..

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LAS VEGAS — Phil Hellmuth made his traditional grand entrance into the main event — late, of course, and with lots of fanfare. Not long after sitting down, though, the 10-time winner at the World Series of Poker was on his way out.

"Horrendous, horrendous luck," Hellmuth said Saturday after stunningly being knocked out of the world's richest poker tournament in only six hours. "I'm still half in shock."

Also out of the running for the estimated $11 million grand prize: longtime poker great Doyle Brunson, who lasted about five hours longer than Hellmuth, but lost when he went all-in on a pair of nines and got beaten by three 10s...

Read the Story..

Brian Gillis and Sisupahn

L.A.'s Daily Breeze.com has published a very interesting and informative article about the great close-up artist Brian Gillis and his Redondo Beach castle. Once one of Johnny Carson's very favorite magicians, Brian formed a long-lasting relationship with his counterpart.. Sisuepahn. The article is four pages long and a great read.

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These days, Gillis -- who prefers to keep his age a mystery, joking that his youthful appearance is maintained by using "oil of delay" -- performs as part of a duo, with his professional partner, Sisuepahn (pronounced "seize upon," though familiarized as "Sue"), a Laotian beauty whose specialty is reading minds.

They've worked together for almost a decade after meeting by chance when she was working as a pit boss at Hollywood Park Casino.

"I'd never seen close-up magic before I met Brian," she said. "It was amazing. I couldn't believe what he could do. All I'd ever known of performers was Siegfried and Roy."

But Gillis saw Sisupahn's potential...
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Circus of the Mind

From the WashingtonPost.com comes this article about one of my favorite performers.. Alain Nu. Alain's giving two free shows in Washington today (Friday) and tomorrow. If you're in the area I encourage you to visit with Alain..

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Mentalist Alain Nu wants audiences at the end of his show to leave "questioning everything they just saw."

Was it magic? Mentalist Alain Nu's show, "Circus of the Mind" -- one of many offered during the Capital Fringe Festival -- may leave you wondering. The festival continues through July 30.

A recent demonstration in front of the National Theatre suggests it's likely he'll accomplish that goal. Nu shuffles a deck of cards and puts it back in the box. He asks a woman to think of a card and then to select another person from the small group watching him. She points to a tourist standing nearby who, at Nu's request, thinks of a number. The cards come back out of the box, the woman says she was thinking of the two of spades, the tourist says his number was nine and Nu asks what are the chances that the two of spades will be...

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Magical Mystery Tour 2

For those of you who are not subscribers of Magic Roadshow, a new issue posted a couple of days ago. Of course, if you're at the blog site now, you can subscribe in the right nav bar and get the Roadshow several days before those who only read Magic Bullets.

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I think I can talk freely here. I love it when David Blaine does a new special and when Criss Angel has a new season come around. You would not believe the number of viewers of those shows who sign up for the Roadshow. On Thursdays, the day after Criss is on A&E, my subscriber totals will increase five-fold.

Now, all this is fine and dandy, and I certainly do my part to encourage them to sign up... But...

You equally would not believe some of the questions and emails I have to field. I'm not sure what I've done to give these guys the impression that I have Criss Angels phone number and/or email address. The typical email will say something like this:

"Hi, I'm Eric. The Roadshow rocks!! Now, can I get Criss Angels phone number. I have something important to ask him."

Or, this is the honest truth, something like this... (an actual email)

"Hi, my name is ______, and I read your newsletter. I just wanted to say that I think you are the best and I need a favor. I saw Criss Angel on TV last night and he flashed a deck of cards and asked someone to see a card. I saw a card and it was the same card they saw, and Criss knew which card I picked. I need to get Criss phone number. I know you will be hesitant to give it to me, but it is really important. Criss has special powers, and I know he does. He and I think about the same things sometimes. A friend of mine is in bad trouble and I know Criss can help him. I need for Criss to tell me who a tag number belongs to before my ex boyfriend messes up. Help me get in touch with Criss please and I will tell my friends that you helped me and that you have a real good newsletter..."

How would YOU respond? I hate to say.. "hey woman, you're crazy", but you cannot encourage them either. For those of you who saw Criss 'pull' the lady apart in the park a couple of weeks ago, you will be glad to know that I received a couple of emails wanting to know "did the woman get put back together?"..

It must be a bodacious experience to watch Criss and David and actually BELIEVE that what you're seeing is REAL magic. Wouldn't that be a trip and a half ??

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Latest issue... http://streetmagic.info/eMagic51.html

India's Star World & Criss Angel

I found this through my Google alerts. The article, published on India's IndianTelevision.com , details the bringing of Criss Angels MindFreak to tv in India starting this Tuesday...

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Star World looks to tantalise viewers with Criss Angel's freaky illusion

MUMBAI: In a bid to add further excitement to its programming lineup, English general entertainment channel Star World will air the show Criss Angel: Mindfreak every Tuesday at 8 30 pm from 18 July.
From levitating ordinary American citizens, to literally dangling by his skin from a helicopter one thousand feet above the Valley of Fire in Las Vegas, magician Criss Angel brings his talents to the streets of America, live, unstaged and without the use of any camera tricks.

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John Tudor & Jazz Magic

If you happen to be in the Columbia South Carolina area tonight, you HAVE to go to Mac's on Main and catch my friend John Tudor as he performs a cabaret style magic show geared toward adults..


Magic is on the menu at Mac’s
By WILLIESHA LAKIN

The sounds of “mmm”s and “aah”s will be in the air when a melding of magic and food takes place Saturday at Mac’s on Main.

The first “Jazz Magic Night” will be at 8 p.m., geared toward adults with an affinity for up close magic (and really good peach cobbler).

Magician John Tudor, who will lead the free show, said it will be in the tradition of burlesque or cabaret shows — so it won’t be “squeaky clean.”

Unlike live-music performances, Tudor said, a magic show is “a visual and a cerebral art. You don’t have to look at musicians.” He learned his craft from a sideshow mystic, the kind of guy who could do amazing human feats such as walking on broken glass.

Tudor hopes to make magic night an ongoing event at Mac’s. Saturday’s acts will include sleight-of-hand tricks, mind reading and stories, including his signature story, “The Tale of One-Card Pete.” (see enclosed photo)

Mac’s on Main specializes in Jazz, Blues, and BBQ, and is at 1710 Main St., Columbia S.C. .. For reservations, check the web site at http://www.macsjazznblues.com, or call (803) 929-0037.

http://www.tudormagic.com

Criss Angel Renewed

A&E NETWORK'S HIT SERIES "CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK" RETURNS FOR A THIRD SEASON IN '07
Released by A&E


A&E NETWORK'S HIT SERIES "CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK" RETURNS FOR A THIRD SEASON IN '07

PASADENA, CA, JULY 13, 2006 - A&E Network announced today that the hit series CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK, will be picked up for a third season, after record-breaking ratings in its sophomore season. Additionally, the network will be picking up a powerful new Real-Life series CONFRONTING JUSTICE (working title), where victims of crimes confront their offenders. This slate of upcoming programming was announced today by Bob DeBitetto, Executive Vice President and General Manager, A&E Networks.

"Our unique brand of real-life series consistently offers viewers compelling characters and an opportunity to explore their lives with unflinching honesty, and a flair for great storytelling," said DeBitetto. 'Confronting Justice' joins Criss Angel in creating a powerful and lasting emotional bond with our audience."

CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK

Three-time Magician of the Year recipient, Criss Angel, returns for a third season of A&E Network's immensely mystical series CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK; the youngest skewing series in network history. Each week, viewers revel in witnessing Criss as he captivates live audiences with mind-boggling demonstrations of his skills, goes behind-the-scenes to research and execute his demonstrations with his crew, and meets celebrity friends who drop by to eagerly participate in his awe-inspiring antics. New episodes will magically appear in 2007.

Nancy Dubuc, Robert Sharenow and Elaine Frontain Bryant are the A&E executive producers for CRISS ANGEL MINDFREAK. The series was created, directed and produced by Criss Angel, and produced by Angel Productions Inc. and The Firm. Criss Angel, Dave Baram and Michael Blum serve as the executive producers. For more information on Criss Angel, please visit his website located at CrissAngel.com

CONFRONTING JUSTICE (working title)

CONFRONTING JUSTICE (working title) the series is an intimate and dramatic real-life exploration into the lives of the people most affected by a serious crime: the victims, their families and the offender. The story of that painful event and its consequences are told first-hand by those directly involved as they prepare for their emotionally charged, face-to-face meeting. Offenders who go through the programs are significantly less likely to commit future crimes. The victims and their family members hope to find answers to agonizing questions and the offenders may reach some resolution, too - learning the true consequences of their actions. In the end, everyone's lives are changed forever.

Nancy Dubuc and Laura Fleury serve as the A&E Network executive producers; and Jon Kroll and Caroline R. Maria are the executive producers for CONFRONTING JUSTICE. The program was created by Caroline R. Maria. The co-executive producer is Sydney Levin, and the Producer is Mark Costa. CONFRONTING JUSTICE is produced by New Line Television in association with Cinemaria for A&E Network.

About A&E Network

Now reaching more than 90 million homes, A&E Network offers a diverse mix of high quality entertainment; ranging from the network's signature Real-Life Series franchise, including the hit series Dog the Bounty Hunter, Intervention, King of Cars, Inked and Criss Angel Mindfreak, to critically acclaimed original movies, dramatic series and the most successful justice shows on cable. A&E is the official basic cable home to the high-profile series 24, CSI: Miami and beginning in 2007, The Sopranos. The A&E Network website is located at www.aetv.com. The A&E Club is located at www.aetv.com/club. For more information and photography please visit us on the web at www.aetvpress.com.

The Illusionist

Few films attempt to capture the world of magic and illusion, and those that do attempt usually fail. Capturing magic on film is like capturing a tornado on film... It may look good, but there's something powerful missing. There's a 'feeling' that can only be felt by one standing in the path of a tornado, and a feeling that can only be appreciated by someone standing amongst a powerful illusion. You simply have to be there... The Illusionist may change the perception that magic can't be captured on-screen. Read this from Canada's Movies Online...

According to an ages-old chemical philosophy known as alchemy, one can transform one element into another, such as a base metal into gold. Yet alchemic processes can and do happen in our day…. When Neil Burger first read Pulitzer Prize-winner Steven Millhauser’s short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist" (published in the collection The Barnum Museum), he was duly impressed with the story, but wasn’t quite certain how to go about instigating his alchemic transformation from story into film.

Burger conducted extensive research into magic, as well as the setting of the story: fin-de-siècle Vienna. "I read everything I could about the Hapsburgs, about the Secessionist movement, and about the magic from that time—both the illusions themselves and the social world of the magicians. Most of the tricks that ended up in the film are based on real illusions done at the time, and the characters I invented are also based on real people. I wanted it all to be as believable and honest as possible, all the more so since the story examines the idea of how we perceive truth and illusion…and blurs the boundary between those two concepts. If you’re going to exaggerate certain elements, to have it be dreamlike or surreal or uncanny, you have to make sure that the rest of it has a rock solid foundation in the period."

You must read the rest of this very informative and entertaining review at:

http://www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_9278.html

Do You Believe in Magic?

Mac King is the subject of an in-depth article in Louisville's Courier-Journal. "Do you believe in magic?" expertly written by Missy Baxter, is much more than just another filler article. I really think you'll enjoy it..

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Magician/comedian Mac King was bombarded with e-mails and phone calls in May when the journal Science reported that researchers had discovered light-refracting "metamaterials" that could theoretically make objects -- or individuals -- appear invisible.

"Fans from around the world were writing me to tell me that someone had finally come up with a real cloak of invisibility," King said.

Decades ago, the Louisville native had devised his own "cloak of invisibility" -- a yellow rain poncho, which he dons almost daily during his performances at Harrah's in Las Vegas.

"The cloak of invisibility is one of my favorite parts of the show, and the audience always seems to get a kick out of it," he said. "I also have another bit where my head disappears that's a lot of fun."

The tall, lanky magician's quirky humor, visual gags and astounding sleight-of-hand -- such as making a live goldfish appear over an audience member's head -- have earned him a contract with Harrah's through 2011. Since 1999, he has performed there twice daily, Tuesday through Thursday.

King's unique comedy/magic act has earned kudos from some of the world's best-known magicians. Penn & Teller, for example, dubbed him "a god."

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The Mysterious World of Magic

From Nairobi-Kenya's The Standard comes this interesting and in-depth article by Margaret Oganda about the mysteries of magic. How do audiences in other cultures view the art of magic? How do magicians from other countries compare to those in the 'mainstream'? Read on..

Abracadabra! The magician bellows and when he smiles, his lips part to reveal sparkling gold and silver teeth, while his ears are adorned with two pairs of silver studs. The audience is transfixed at the sturdy man from Nakuru, dressed in a long black coat, a pale yellow shirt with black frills running down the front and black trousers to match. His black long hat has colours of the American flag, white stars, red and white stripes and a black bowtie. To top it all, is his red nose and a funny pair of spectacles balancing precariously on it.

And his light complexion makes a striking contrast with his dark eyes. The audience roars back in unison….Simsalabim!

Read More..

Criss Angel Video and Interview

From the CBS TV site comes this interview with Criss Angel and the performance of a few quick tricks outside the studio.

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On The Early Show Friday, Criss Angel told co-anchor Harry Smith that his show, MindFreak, is the No. 1 show on cable, and its success even shocks him.

"I pinch myself. It's amazing," Angel said.

His initial deal was for a handful of episodes, but now, Smith said, "Mindfreak" is a "juggernaut."

"It's been amazing," Angel admitted. "We've done over 45 episodes. We're talking right now about doing a third season, maybe. (We've) been very fortunate, indeed."

Host Harry Smith ask Criss to describe himself as a performer, to which Criss replied..

"I'm just an artist that uses many different paint brushes," Angel responded, "whether it's mentalism, hypnosis, escapes, illusion, magic, music, performance art, to try to blur the line between reality and illusion and create an experience that hopefully is engaging and connects to people."

Angel and Smith then went out to The Early Show plaza, where Angel amazed onlookers, doing his thing.

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You can watch both the interview and the tricks by going HERE

Magic Roadshow # 50

Issue 50 of the Roadshow. It's hard for me to believe I'm fifty issues into the publication of the Magic Roadshow. Two years ago this week I published my very first issue, and things have sort of snowballed since.

This issue includes a couple of very interesting articles, including one from Steve Owen, who is sharing his trials and tribulations as a beginner. I also have a special little effect called "Nuts", that I think you'll enjoy.

Here's the full table of contents:


(01) I'm Not a Magician - a unique perspective we all have experienced to a degree

(02) Card Tricks & Sleight of Hand - A must-have resource

(03) Special Offer - read it..

(04) Nuts! - A professional effect for the cost of a nut..

(05) Criss Angel Levitation Revealed Video

(06) All the Great Secrets Revealed - Finally!

(07) Magic Show - My favorite site

(08) Join "Trick of the Month"

(09) Control Your Heartbeat - Free effect

(10) Expert at the Card Table - download

(11) SpamGourmet - Get rid of it


You can now access the latest issue of the Roadshow at:

http://streetmagic.info/eMagic50.html

Remember, you can sign up for the Roadshow using the link in the right navigation bar and be notified as soon as a new issue is published, as well as qualify for free ebooks. My current offer is Erdnase "Expert at the Card Table" - free to subscribers..

You can also sign up by clicking HERE

Lance Burton

From the Las Vegas Review-Journal comes this story of Lance Burton and his 'classic' style...

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The tuxedo looks just right on him now, after wearing one since childhood. "I'm one of the old guys now," says 46-year-old magician Lance Burton.

"He always, even as a kid, was pretty set in his ways," says Mac King, a Harrah's Las Vegas comedy-magician and Burton's friend since they were teens in Louisville, Ky.

It often has been told that Burton first decided to become a magician at age 5, when he attended a party at the Frito-Lay plant where his mom worked and a magician pulled a coin from behind his ear.

"He never changed his mind since he was 5 years old," his mother, Hilma, confirms. "Most kids, one week they want to do something, another week they want to do something else. But he never changed his mind."

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