Magic Roadshow
July 16th, 2006 Issue# 51
Rick Carruth editor/publisher (C) 2006 All rights reserved
Street Magic's #1 free newsletter for magicians, street performers, restaurant workers, close-up artists, and mentalists, with subscribers in over sixty countries worldwide.
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July 16th, 2006 Issue# 51
Rick Carruth editor/publisher (C) 2006 All rights reserved
Street Magic's #1 free newsletter for magicians, street performers, restaurant workers, close-up artists, and mentalists, with subscribers in over sixty countries worldwide.
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Hello All..
Welcome to another issue of Magic Roadshow. I'm glad you've taken the time to share a part of your day with me.
First, many thanks to all the new subscribers who have signed up since the last issue. You are responsible for keeping things going around here... I don't know where all of you found the Magic Roadshow, but you're doing so at a daily double-digit rate.
Never hesitate to EMAIL ME, with any special request, rants, raves, or remarks. I WILL answer, unless you're wanting Criss Angels cell phone number or personal email address. I promise you- I don't have it.
THANKS to all of you who purchased memberships to CardSleights. I have received one favorable comment after another during the past two weeks. I've also sent out a bunch of complementary copies of EASY MENTALISM, the ebook, to subscribers who signed up at CardSleights.
If you bought a copy of Astounding Secrets -or- signed up for CardSleights, and didn't receive a free ebook, let me know please.. I'll continue to send free ebooks out to all who sign up..
There's about 1200 of you guys who haven't positioned yourself on my Magic Roadshow Readers Map. It's free, and it gives me a chance to see where my readers are located. Post your picture IF you want to... http://www.frappr.com/magicroadshow
I have syndicated all the new posts to my blog, Magic Bullets from the Magic Roadshow. Now, you can go to this link, enter your email address and click 'subscribe', and you will receive an email with my complete post whenever I publish a new article to the blog.. It's simple, there's No Spamming, and you can unsubscribe from the feed at any time. All subscriptions are handled thru Feedblitz, and remember, you WILL NOT receive any emails from Feedblitz, or anyone else, other than the new post themselves.
http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=70161
I started back to work two weeks ago, after four and a half months of rest and rehab. I didn't realize how good a shape I must have been in before my accident.. because I can't hold a candle to what I used to do work-wise. Many THANKS to all of you who wrote me regularly to inquire and offer your encouragement. It really meant a lot to me...
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In This Issue
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14 Tips for Using a Microphone - John Kinde's excellent advice...
Put Your Magic Web Site on Top - expert advice from the Master himself
X Rated - mental magic effect
Double X Rated - mental magic effect with a kick
Brother to Brother - Thanks to 38 Special and Van Zant
The Real Work on Restaurants and Bars - Jay Sankey's Masterwork
Magi -Que 2006 - Barron Stringfellow's annual magic event
Magic Trick Reviews - Don't waste your moola
The Amazing JoeJoe - A professional shares his thoughts
Erdnases' Expert at the Card Table - Download
The Rubber Egg - quirky effect to stir your imagination
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"To achieve the impossible, it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought.."
"Using words to describe magic is like using a screwdriver to cut roast beef.."
Tom Robbins, American novelist
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14 Tips for Using a Microphone
- John Kinde
Many speakers and magicians fall into the trap of thinking they don't need a microphone. "I'm a REAL speaker. I don't need a microphone. I'll just shout my speech!" Don't make that mistake. The mike is your friend and allows you greater flexibility in your vocal variety. This is especially important for performers who are using humor. Vocal variety adds spice to the humor and the audience needs to hear your punchlines. A microphone helps you meet both needs.
1. What size audience requires a microphone? There is no magic number. Sometimes you don’t need a mike for 75 people. Sometimes you do need it for only 20 people. It depends on the venue; the size of the room, the furniture, the drapes, the carpet, the height of the ceiling, the noise from the adjoining banquet in the room or the kitchen. If you’re ever in a situation where you aren’t sure whether you need the mike or not, use it. You’ll at least have it set up and can lay it aside if you decide you don’t need it. If you don’t have it set up and you discover you do need it, it’s too late.
2. Although wireless microphones usually work great, a corded mike is a safer choice. Cheap wireless mikes have a poor quality sound. And we’ve all heard interference over a wireless mike from an outside source, the DJ in the next room or a taxi dispatcher. I usually request a corded mike. I also prefer a handheld mike over a lavaliere. You have more flexibility in how you use your voice with a handheld mike. When you speak softly or turn your head, the handheld mike gives you better sound because you can position it exactly where you need it.
3. With a lavaliere microphone, attach it where nothing will rub on it, either clothing or jewelry. Experiment with the perfect place to hook it up for optimum sound. Wear clothing which will accommodate a clip-on power pack. Be careful wearing a lavaliere mike when holding something close to the body or hugging someone. It can create a megaphone effect and give you feedback. Also, don’t wear it to the men’s room or ladies room while it’s turned on!
4. With a handheld microphone, practice speaking and holding a mike at the same time. Learn to naturally transfer it from one hand to the other. It normally looks best to grip the mike with the whole hand and not with just the fingers. And for most mikes, hold it near the top of the mike and not at the bottom where the antenna is often located. If a mike cuts in and out, you may be holding it too close to the bottom and blocking the signal.
5. With either type of mike, learn where the on/off switch is. If there is a power switch or a standby switch, find out how they work. Know how to work the switches without looking at them or in the dark. If there is a battery, start your talk with a new battery and have a spare one handy. Know how to replace it.
6. Do a live test of the mike before the program. Have an assistant walk the room to check the volume setting. Look for feedback spots. These are usually under and in front of speakers. Avoid these areas during your talk or performance.
7. Before you are introduced, watch the speakers who are on the program before you. How well is their microphone projecting? Is there something you could learn from their handling of the mike?
8. When it’s time for you to take the platform: You’ve already tested the mike. Don’t tap on it. Don’t blow into it. Don’t say, "Is this thing on?" Or, "Can you hear me?" Just start talking. If you’ve done your preparation right, it’ll be working just fine. If not, you’ll know soon enough. It’s a good idea to have a room monitor who can watch for things which aren’t just right and who knows how to fix the situation.
9. When using a microphone, energize your voice. That means to speak normally but with energy. Don’t speak into the mike, speak past it. Let the microphone overhear your conversation. Speaking into the mike often causes your Ps to "pop" in the mike.
10. If you get feedback during your talk, try reversing whatever physical action you were doing just before the feedback started. For example if you were moving forward and then you started to get feedback…move backward. The feedback will usually stop. In addition to feedback caused by a nearby speaker, you can also get interference if there is another live microphone in the room. The unused mike should be turned off.
11. If you are using a microphone which is in a fixed position, perhaps on a mike stand or attached to a lectern, imagine that you’re attached with a string between your nose and the mike. If you’re going to look to the right while speaking, rather than turn your head to the right, you need to first move your body to the left since you’re tethered with an imaginary string to your microphone. This gimmick keeps the microphone in front of you at all times.
12. If you are using a microphone stand which needs to be adjusted for height, have someone adjust it for the proper level before you are introduced. Practice adjusting the stand ahead of time, just in case you need to do it in front of the audience. If you’re not careful, some stands can separate into two parts! Once you start speaking, it’s a nice touch to remove the mike from the stand so you can walk around. Place the stand behind you so it isn’t between you and the audience. As you wrap up your talk, move the stand back in front of you, and replace the mike before you say your final words. You’ll look like a pro.
13. When using a mike fixed on a gooseneck attachment, if you’re going to move the mike, do it while you are speaking. The sound of your voice will help cover any squeaking noise resulting from the gooseneck.
14. If you belong to a Toastmasters club or give talks at your workplace where you can practice with a microphone…do it. You want the sound system to become a natural part of you and that comes only with practice.
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My friend, John Kinde, of whom I'm very jealous because he gets to live and work in Las Vegas, provides Keynote Programs on humor, teambuilding and customer service. He also presents workshops and coaching on humor, presentation skills, and improv skills for business. John is the author of a series of audio and video learning tapes. You will find more humor and performance skills articles for speakers, comedians, and magicians at http://www.HumorPower.com.
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Put Your Magic Web Site on Top
R.Carruth
Now that Google has completed work on their directory, and the public at large has access to literally thousands of magicians web sites worldwide, it's time for you to develop your web site. (if you don't have one already).
Unfortunately, magicians tend to be magicians, and not marketers. Many don't have a clue as to what needs to be a part of their sites. So, they build ONE site to cover it all.
One site.. magician, childrens performer, balloon artist, mentalist, corporate performer, anything and everything tossed together on one site. This. ladies and gentlemen, is where magicians and successful marketers part ways - almost from the beginning.
The web is about information. Not any information, but 'specific' information. And that information has to compete against other similar information for the surfers interest.
I'm not going to get into all the specifics of creating a web site. It could take volumns. But I am going to get into the specifics of marketing yourself ON your web site.
People want information, and they want relevancy. If I'm looking for a doctor to surgically repair my tunnel carpel, then I'm going to a surgeon who specializes in wrist surgery. I'm NOT going to a general practioner, or a plastic surgeon. I want someone who 'specializes' in servicing patients with needs similar to mine.
Business men and women are often faced with similar situations. They need someone to perform an hour of walk-around at a company event, or they need someone to entertain children with magic or balloon art at a company picnic.
When they google 'corporate magician' or 'balloon artist', money is NOT their primary concern, a GOOD performance that will make the EVENT PLANNER look competent IS their primary concern.
Go back and read that last sentence again.
The Planner, put in charge of finding a magician for a corporate gathering of sales reps from around the South, goes on the internet and enters 'magician south carolina'. Among the results are listings like this:
"One man show, featuring, magic, clowning, stilt walking, wizard, story teller, master of ceremonies. Long time magician. Your event, party, trade show, fair or festival will be better if you call."
"Corporate Magician ___ ____ performs close-up magic and clean comedy magic shows for corporate and private events and trade shows."
Put yourself in the Planners place. Who do YOU call if you're in charge?
Now, I'm not saying you can't wear the different hats of a wizard, clown, magician, comedian, and public speaker. But instead, you cannot let the client SEE YOU wearing the hat of a half dozen different performers. Psychologically, it has an effect on the Planner, and it's not a good one.
Do yourself a major favor and dump the 'jack of all trades' web site and develop a series of smaller web sites, each showing a different specialty. If you target the keyword 'corporate magician', and develop a web site explaining why you would be the perfect choice for someone looking for a corporate magician, then you have a great big leg-up on your competition, not to mention that your site, zero'ed in on the search term 'corporate magician' WILL rank higher than most of the 'general practioners'..
Now, develop another site for 'childrens magician', another for 'gospel magician', another for 'balloon artist', another for 'motivational speaker'... and on and on..
You can easily develop one site a week. And I'll let you in on a little secret - Google, at least for the time being, is treating sub-domains much the same way as primary domains. In other words, you don't have to buy a domain for each of your services. Go to one of the major domain sellers and get a good, general domain name - like 'yourname.com'. Then, set up a series of sub-domains on your web site. I'm not talking about 'web pages' - I'm talking about sub-domains. Don't confuse the two.
Your URL should look something like this: www,mentalist.rickcarruth.com, or www,corporatemagician.rickcarruth.com, or www,extremeballooning.rickcarruth.com., with each url featuring your primary keyword. Then, develop the rest of your site around this keyword, being careful not to use it to extremes, but certainly using it enough so Google knows exactly what your site is about.
Sites with words like 'balloon' or 'mentalist' or 'corporate' as part of the domain name WILL be listed ahead of sites with only 'magic' or 'magician' as part of the domain name when someone conducts a search for 'magician mentalist' or 'magic balloons birthday', or 'corporate magician'
Google will index these sub-domains just as they would primary domains, treating each one as a separate entity. That's great for you, and your billfold, not to mention your customer base.
Since Google and Yahoo take months to index new sites, the sooner you can get your new sites up, the sooner you can start to benefit from your new-found exposure and marketing techniques.
Final note... if you already have a general purpose web site, don't think you have to take it down. Leave it up, BUT, somewhere in the first paragraph or two mention that you are located in 'anytown anystate' and maybe 'anycounty' also.
Then, change your keywords to reflect something like - ' rick carruth, magician, moore, spartanburg county, greenville, anderson, upstate, south carolina, north carolina'
Someone doing a specific search for a magician in the community of Moore, or Spartanburg county South Carolina ( or Greenville, or Anderson, or upstate South Carolina, for example..) will run across your site among the very first. Although your description may not reflect exactly what their seeking, the fact that you're LOCAL may earn you a phone call, and give you a chance to sell your show..
R.Carruth
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X RATED
You're going to need two props... an outdated paperback book, and a dried-out felt tip pen. if you don't have an empty one.. you can dry one out by leaving the top off and laying it on the dash board of your car or in a window sill for a couple of days.
Ask your chosen assistant to place the book behind their back and open the book somewhere around the middle. Ask them to fold the first half of the pages under the bottom cover so they will be forced to write on the right-hand page..
Now, ask them to take the marker and make a large "X" on their chosen page.
Once done, have the book closed and layed on a table out of your reach, and ask them to give you the pen... Tell your assistant about your great mental powers and your ability to remotely 'view' events of your choosing..
Personally, I have a small silver carrying case with a notebook inside that I keep on a small table near me. I open the case and take out a notebook. I also secretly dish the dried-out pen, thanks to the cover provided by the lid of the case, and pick up another one exactly like it from inside.. only this one actually writes.
Do this quickly... don't fumble around inside the case ( or drawer, or whatever) and give anyone reason to wonder what you're doing in there !
After sufficient build-up, I write a word on my pad and hand the pad to my assistant. I ask them to open the book and find the page on which they marked their X.
I tell them that I want them to look at the point at which the two lines intersect in the middle of the page and read aloud the word. Of course.. it will match the word I wrote on the pad, since I put the X in the book long before the beginning of the trick....
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Double X Rated
You can also do this effect with a pack of cards. Before the effect begins, write a prediction on a piece of paper, fold it up, and give it to your spectator to put in their pocket until the end of the effect. Write another prediction on a second piece of paper and give it to a second spectator to pocket.
Have spec #1 place the cards behind their back, mark the face of a chosen card with an 'X', and return it to the deck. Have spec #2 take the deck, place it behind their back as well, and draw a circle about the size of a fifty cent piece on a chosen card. (Of course, their pen is a dried out marker..)
Instead of predicting a word as above, you have predicted the cards on which they will put the X and the 0 on the little folded notes given to the spectators. Naturally, you have two cards pre-marked with an X and a 0 in the deck, and you have wrote the two cards values on a piece of paper and given it to the spectators to place in their pockets.
Once they are finished marking the cards, ribbon spread the deck showing that only one card has an X and one has a 0 on their face. Remove the cards from the deck, give them to the spectators who marked the cards, have each spectator remove the folded notes from their pockets, and reveal that you have successfully predicted the cards on which they would put their 'mark'.
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Another variation is.. before-hand, put an X through both the face and back of the same card. Have your assistant shuffle the deck, put it behind their back, and put an X on the face of any one card. Shuffle the deck. Put the deck behind their back again, and put an X on the back of any chosen card.
Have them shuffle the cards and lay the deck on your table. Have them look through the deck and find the card with the X on the back. They will be perplexed to discover that the same card is also the only card in the deck with an X on the face as well !
Using the dried marker and pre-marked cards, you can get as sophisticated as you want. You can get really creative with this simple, but powerful, technique.
R.Carruth
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Brother to Brother
Here's a little card magic I developed several years ago, inspired by the CD "Van Zant". Recorded in 1998 by Johnny and Donnie Van Zant, brothers of Lynyrd Skynyrd's former lead singer Ronnie. One of the tracks "Brother to Brother", was about the close relationship shared by, what else.. brothers...
This is a good little impromptu effect that can be performed anytime, anywhere, without any setup.
Have two spectators each select a card at random from anywhere in the deck. Instead of holding the deck, give them the deck and give them a totally free choice of any card to convince them that there is no forcing whatsoever.
Once the cards are selected, have the deck returned to you. Then, casually cut the deck about the center and ask each spec to place their chosen card on top of the bottom half. Replace the top half, catching a pinkie break, then cut the deck bring the two chosen cards to the top of the deck.
Once done, shuffle the deck several times, keeping the two chosen cards on top of the deck. Perform one last shuffle, allowing all the cards to interlock, including the top two. Visually make sure the two top cards interlock smoothly. At this point, the two chosen cards should be either the first and third cards on top, or the second and forth cards on top.
If you have an extra card or two on top, and the chosen cards happen to be, say, third and fifth.. simply show the top card (or two) and say "this isn't your card is it?", and casually stick them in the middle of the deck to get the two chosen cards into the proper position..
Give the deck to one of the spectators and ask them to deal the cards into two piles alternating the deal between the stacks. Once several cards have been alternately dealt tell the dealer that he can stop any time he chooses.
Since cards one and three are the bottom two cards in one pile, and cards two and four are the bottom two cards in the other pile.. you know which pile contains your target cards.
Now.. ask the other spec to "pick a stack". If they choose your target stack, good.. Ask them to put the other stack back on the deck. If they choose the other stack, say " good choice ", and ask them to gather that stack and put it back on the deck (magicians choice) . Either way.. you are left with only your target stack on the table.
Ask one of the specs to deal the stacks into two stack, just as they did earlier, until all the cards are dealt. At this point, since your two target cards were the bottom two on the stack, they will now be the top card on each stack. This may sound complicated, but it is completely self-working.
Ask spec one to touch a stack, and ask spec two to touch a stack. Remind them of the processes you have gone through, including the shuffling and dividing into two stacks. Then the elimination of one stack.
Now, ask them to name their cards aloud. After they do.. have them turn the top two cards over to reveal the two chosen cards. Fifty percent of the time, they will have overturned their own card. This will add to the mystery.
The fifty percent of the time they pick the other specs card, smile and remind them of the name of the trick .." Brother to Brother ", and compliment them on helping their 'Brother' find their chosen card. This will make it appear as if finding the other specs card was intended all along..
R.Carruth
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The Real Work on Restaurants and Bars
I just got this DVD in the mail yesterday. I bought it, paid for it out of my pocket, didn't ask for a review copy - or any of that nonsense. After all, if you believe in a product, you have to put your money where your mouth is..
As my father used to tell me, and no finer words have been uttered.. " Talks cheap.."
I will review this DVD.. in time. But I ordered it because I've already heard the 'inside' story. One well known magician who has this product told me, straight up, that someone could literally develop an entire repertoire from the 15 tricks featured on this two hour DVD. To quote from the web site:
Over the past 20 years Jay has held contracts as the "house magician" at over a dozen different restaurants and bars. Now on this very special DVD Jay shares with you the real work on both the art and the business of making a very good living performing in these exciting venues.
Jay also teaches you 15 of his all-time favorite restaurant and bar effects, many of which he is sharing for the very first time. Learn incredibly commercial magic and mentalism with playing cards, coins, bottle caps, creamers, sugar packets, crayons, drinking straws, wine corks and business cards!
To make this DVD even MORE valuable, Jay also shares with you the real work on approaching tables, choosing routines, selling yourself to management, restaurants vs. bars, inspiring tips, openers and closers, being a team player, scripting effects, performing for "regulars" and a great deal more!
With 15 outstanding routines and over 2 hours of priceless information learned over hundreds of nights of real-world performing, this DVD truly is THE REAL WORK ON RESTAURANTS AND BARS.
Watch the video...
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What to Do?
I have a problem and I need your imput. The Magic Roadshow is going on a diet. After publishing fifty issues with an average of eight resources in each issue, the problem is this.. That's a total of about 400 resources I've pointed you toward, and I'm running out of resources !
Magic on the web is NOT growing at the rate I'm publishing links...
So, starting next issue, I will publish articles and effects as usual, but, there will only be about two new resource sites in each issue and a past resource from the archives. This is STILL more than you get in any other newsletter, but I'm going to have to pace my resources a little better in the future.
Let me know what YOU think, and please send links to any valuable sites you've found. Keep in mind also that I will be glad for any of you to send in original articles related to magic. .. EMAIL ME ..
Rick C.
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Magi-Que 2006
Barron and Athena Stringfellow are presenting their annual three day Magi-Que Friday August 25th from Noon thru Sunday August 27th in Horton, Kansas. Bring The Kids/Parents...Bring A Tent...Bring A Side Dish!!!
Barron and Athena are even providing the ribs..
It’s A FREE Magical Get Together! It’s a Magic Swap & Sell Meet, A Bar-B-Que and It’s Magic Shows ALL Combined! If you are Swapping or Selling, Please bring a Table.
Barron's Magi-Que is not associated with any magic organization and welcomes everyone with an interest in magic.
If you are interested or simply want more info, Barron has put together a pdf file and would be glad to send you what information you need if you contact him at:
Post Office Box 28
121 West 8th Street
Horton, Kansas 66439
Ph.: (785) 486-3716
Fax : (785) 486-3724
E-MAIL: barronofmagic@yahoo.com
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Magic Trick Reviews
How often have you bought a dud..? I mean a really sorry trick that is only barely legal under the 'truth in advertising' clause. I know I have.. and nothing sets me off more than getting hoodoo'd.
Magic Trick Reviews is a new site, set up to help direct users toward tricks that are actually worth the price... to quote their site...
"We review the most popular magic tricks as well as great tricks that have been overlooked by most people. There are several dominant magic sites on the internet, and for the most part, they are dominant because they offer great values for the money. But there are also smaller, lesser known sites that offer private and little known tricks that can absolutely bring your audience to its feet. We cover both ends of this spectrum.
For the most part, our reviews focus on close-up, street magic. While the large stage illusions are spectacular in their effects, they are also spectacular in their cost and set-up time. There is something very special about close-up magic that fascinates both young and old. "
I'm sure more and more effects will be added as the weeks progress. Be sure to visit.
http://www.magictrickreviews.com/
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The Amazing Joe Joe
JoeJoe is a true street magic professional... one of those guys who actually makes a living performing on the streets. It's not a wish, or a sideline.. it's his vocation.
Having traveled well over twenty thousands miles from coast to coast, performing in towns and cities all along the way, JoeJoe is the consummate pro who works day in and day out, rain or shine.
I'm not going to call JoeJoe a 'DeadHead', but he has performed at over one hundred Grateful Dead concerts through the years.
I first met JoeJoe several years ago working at one of the magic shops in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Since, I've met him at the SCAM convention in Columbia S.C., and again at the Barefoot Landing shopping complex in Myrtle Beach last summer.
Barefoot Landing is a wonderful complex of shops and restaurants literally built on a boardwalk type structure over a costal marsh. Made to resemble an old fashoned fishing village, thousands and thousand of visitors flock there daily for the combination of shopping, dining, and entertainment.. ( Dick's Last Resort, Crab House, Damon's, House of Blues.. among others)
For the last four years JoeJoe has had his own 'spot' at Barefoot Landing and entertained visitors from around the country. Monday thru Friday at seven and eleven, JoeJoe performs a unique form of street magic that includes illusions, something that's VERY difficult to pull off up close.
Maybe you can't get to Myrtle Beach this summer to watch JoeJoe work, but that's no excuse...
He has his own blog, which is one of the few magic blogs I read regularly, detailing the daily struggles and victories of performing both FOR the public and IN the public. JoeJoe has numerous photos and videos on his site to give you an idea of what street magic is all about..
To quote from his blog about the level of 'talent' on "America's Got Talent"....
Watch this show and you will see that the established entertainment world has absolutely no understanding of "talent" what-so-ever. Just look at the rift between the judges and the audience ... David Snapplehoff even asked the audience "are you watching the same thing I am?". He can't even imagine how a person would be entertained by someone juggling - because he is looking for 'entertainment' ... not talent......
I remember about 10 years ago I auditioned for the "One" show at the Alabama Theater. They called me last ... these idiots actually started breaking down the video equipment as I started my audition! I was pleasantly pleased that after the first minute they were impressed enough to stop me, set the cameras back up, and have me start over so the producers would be able to see the tape.
That's because my act is good - solid and tight. You have to be good to street perform. Make no mistake about it - when people go to the Palace Theater, they will sit in their seats the entire time. It doesn't matter how bad the performer is, they will politely clap no matter what happens. I don't have that luxury! If I am not funny, people will walk away. If I do not deliver the goods, my bills will not get paid. If I do not entertain, my career is over.
If you can't go in-person, then take a virtual trip to Barefoot Landing and visit with JoeJoe..
http://www.joejoeonline.com/blogger/
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Erdnases' Expert at the Card Table - Download
You can download your free version of Erdnases' classic ebook at this link..
http://www.301url.com/erdnase
If you have a problem, let me know and I will send you the ebook as an attachment
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THE RUBBER EGG
Soak a raw egg in a cup filled with vinegar for at least twenty- four hours. Turn it over once or twice so that the entire egg is evenly soaked. It will feel like rubber and will actually bounce when dropped a short distance.
Drop it too far though and it will break. After your friends feel it and declare it to be a fake egg, cut it open to reveal the yolk and white inside.
From the eBook.. ASTOUNDING SECRETS
Editors note..
I once saw a guy prepare an egg this way.. After gathering a crowd, he put the egg on top of a glass beer bootle and pressed the egg firmly enough to create an air tight seal inside the bottle. Then, he took a cigarette lighter, lit it and put it under the bottle. As the inside of the bottle warmed, the egg was literally 'sucked' into the bottle. Everyone insisted that it wasn't a real egg, so he got a pencil and punctured the egg inside the bottle, breaking it open to reveal the white and yoke. ;-)
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That's all for now.. but I'll be back soon enough..!
If you know of any magic related resources on the web, share it with me so I can share it with others..
Again, If I can help you with your magic, Email Me
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Remember to visit some of my other sites at:
http://www.StreetMagic.info
http://www.MagicRoadshow.com
http://www.Mentalists.info
http://www.StreetMagicSecrets.info
http://www.BellaOnline.com/site/shareware
http://www.StreetMagic.info/blogger.html
And if you have a web site, visit my latest blog at:
http://www.AdSenseSecrets101.blogspot.com
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May my next issue find you well...
Rick Carruth... editor/publisher
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Welcome to another issue of Magic Roadshow. I'm glad you've taken the time to share a part of your day with me.
First, many thanks to all the new subscribers who have signed up since the last issue. You are responsible for keeping things going around here... I don't know where all of you found the Magic Roadshow, but you're doing so at a daily double-digit rate.
Never hesitate to EMAIL ME, with any special request, rants, raves, or remarks. I WILL answer, unless you're wanting Criss Angels cell phone number or personal email address. I promise you- I don't have it.
THANKS to all of you who purchased memberships to CardSleights. I have received one favorable comment after another during the past two weeks. I've also sent out a bunch of complementary copies of EASY MENTALISM, the ebook, to subscribers who signed up at CardSleights.
If you bought a copy of Astounding Secrets -or- signed up for CardSleights, and didn't receive a free ebook, let me know please.. I'll continue to send free ebooks out to all who sign up..
There's about 1200 of you guys who haven't positioned yourself on my Magic Roadshow Readers Map. It's free, and it gives me a chance to see where my readers are located. Post your picture IF you want to... http://www.frappr.com/magicroadshow
I have syndicated all the new posts to my blog, Magic Bullets from the Magic Roadshow. Now, you can go to this link, enter your email address and click 'subscribe', and you will receive an email with my complete post whenever I publish a new article to the blog.. It's simple, there's No Spamming, and you can unsubscribe from the feed at any time. All subscriptions are handled thru Feedblitz, and remember, you WILL NOT receive any emails from Feedblitz, or anyone else, other than the new post themselves.
http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=70161
I started back to work two weeks ago, after four and a half months of rest and rehab. I didn't realize how good a shape I must have been in before my accident.. because I can't hold a candle to what I used to do work-wise. Many THANKS to all of you who wrote me regularly to inquire and offer your encouragement. It really meant a lot to me...
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In This Issue
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14 Tips for Using a Microphone - John Kinde's excellent advice...
Put Your Magic Web Site on Top - expert advice from the Master himself
X Rated - mental magic effect
Double X Rated - mental magic effect with a kick
Brother to Brother - Thanks to 38 Special and Van Zant
The Real Work on Restaurants and Bars - Jay Sankey's Masterwork
Magi -Que 2006 - Barron Stringfellow's annual magic event
Magic Trick Reviews - Don't waste your moola
The Amazing JoeJoe - A professional shares his thoughts
Erdnases' Expert at the Card Table - Download
The Rubber Egg - quirky effect to stir your imagination
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"To achieve the impossible, it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought.."
"Using words to describe magic is like using a screwdriver to cut roast beef.."
Tom Robbins, American novelist
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14 Tips for Using a Microphone
- John Kinde
Many speakers and magicians fall into the trap of thinking they don't need a microphone. "I'm a REAL speaker. I don't need a microphone. I'll just shout my speech!" Don't make that mistake. The mike is your friend and allows you greater flexibility in your vocal variety. This is especially important for performers who are using humor. Vocal variety adds spice to the humor and the audience needs to hear your punchlines. A microphone helps you meet both needs.
1. What size audience requires a microphone? There is no magic number. Sometimes you don’t need a mike for 75 people. Sometimes you do need it for only 20 people. It depends on the venue; the size of the room, the furniture, the drapes, the carpet, the height of the ceiling, the noise from the adjoining banquet in the room or the kitchen. If you’re ever in a situation where you aren’t sure whether you need the mike or not, use it. You’ll at least have it set up and can lay it aside if you decide you don’t need it. If you don’t have it set up and you discover you do need it, it’s too late.
2. Although wireless microphones usually work great, a corded mike is a safer choice. Cheap wireless mikes have a poor quality sound. And we’ve all heard interference over a wireless mike from an outside source, the DJ in the next room or a taxi dispatcher. I usually request a corded mike. I also prefer a handheld mike over a lavaliere. You have more flexibility in how you use your voice with a handheld mike. When you speak softly or turn your head, the handheld mike gives you better sound because you can position it exactly where you need it.
3. With a lavaliere microphone, attach it where nothing will rub on it, either clothing or jewelry. Experiment with the perfect place to hook it up for optimum sound. Wear clothing which will accommodate a clip-on power pack. Be careful wearing a lavaliere mike when holding something close to the body or hugging someone. It can create a megaphone effect and give you feedback. Also, don’t wear it to the men’s room or ladies room while it’s turned on!
4. With a handheld microphone, practice speaking and holding a mike at the same time. Learn to naturally transfer it from one hand to the other. It normally looks best to grip the mike with the whole hand and not with just the fingers. And for most mikes, hold it near the top of the mike and not at the bottom where the antenna is often located. If a mike cuts in and out, you may be holding it too close to the bottom and blocking the signal.
5. With either type of mike, learn where the on/off switch is. If there is a power switch or a standby switch, find out how they work. Know how to work the switches without looking at them or in the dark. If there is a battery, start your talk with a new battery and have a spare one handy. Know how to replace it.
6. Do a live test of the mike before the program. Have an assistant walk the room to check the volume setting. Look for feedback spots. These are usually under and in front of speakers. Avoid these areas during your talk or performance.
7. Before you are introduced, watch the speakers who are on the program before you. How well is their microphone projecting? Is there something you could learn from their handling of the mike?
8. When it’s time for you to take the platform: You’ve already tested the mike. Don’t tap on it. Don’t blow into it. Don’t say, "Is this thing on?" Or, "Can you hear me?" Just start talking. If you’ve done your preparation right, it’ll be working just fine. If not, you’ll know soon enough. It’s a good idea to have a room monitor who can watch for things which aren’t just right and who knows how to fix the situation.
9. When using a microphone, energize your voice. That means to speak normally but with energy. Don’t speak into the mike, speak past it. Let the microphone overhear your conversation. Speaking into the mike often causes your Ps to "pop" in the mike.
10. If you get feedback during your talk, try reversing whatever physical action you were doing just before the feedback started. For example if you were moving forward and then you started to get feedback…move backward. The feedback will usually stop. In addition to feedback caused by a nearby speaker, you can also get interference if there is another live microphone in the room. The unused mike should be turned off.
11. If you are using a microphone which is in a fixed position, perhaps on a mike stand or attached to a lectern, imagine that you’re attached with a string between your nose and the mike. If you’re going to look to the right while speaking, rather than turn your head to the right, you need to first move your body to the left since you’re tethered with an imaginary string to your microphone. This gimmick keeps the microphone in front of you at all times.
12. If you are using a microphone stand which needs to be adjusted for height, have someone adjust it for the proper level before you are introduced. Practice adjusting the stand ahead of time, just in case you need to do it in front of the audience. If you’re not careful, some stands can separate into two parts! Once you start speaking, it’s a nice touch to remove the mike from the stand so you can walk around. Place the stand behind you so it isn’t between you and the audience. As you wrap up your talk, move the stand back in front of you, and replace the mike before you say your final words. You’ll look like a pro.
13. When using a mike fixed on a gooseneck attachment, if you’re going to move the mike, do it while you are speaking. The sound of your voice will help cover any squeaking noise resulting from the gooseneck.
14. If you belong to a Toastmasters club or give talks at your workplace where you can practice with a microphone…do it. You want the sound system to become a natural part of you and that comes only with practice.
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My friend, John Kinde, of whom I'm very jealous because he gets to live and work in Las Vegas, provides Keynote Programs on humor, teambuilding and customer service. He also presents workshops and coaching on humor, presentation skills, and improv skills for business. John is the author of a series of audio and video learning tapes. You will find more humor and performance skills articles for speakers, comedians, and magicians at http://www.HumorPower.com.
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Put Your Magic Web Site on Top
R.Carruth
Now that Google has completed work on their directory, and the public at large has access to literally thousands of magicians web sites worldwide, it's time for you to develop your web site. (if you don't have one already).
Unfortunately, magicians tend to be magicians, and not marketers. Many don't have a clue as to what needs to be a part of their sites. So, they build ONE site to cover it all.
One site.. magician, childrens performer, balloon artist, mentalist, corporate performer, anything and everything tossed together on one site. This. ladies and gentlemen, is where magicians and successful marketers part ways - almost from the beginning.
The web is about information. Not any information, but 'specific' information. And that information has to compete against other similar information for the surfers interest.
I'm not going to get into all the specifics of creating a web site. It could take volumns. But I am going to get into the specifics of marketing yourself ON your web site.
People want information, and they want relevancy. If I'm looking for a doctor to surgically repair my tunnel carpel, then I'm going to a surgeon who specializes in wrist surgery. I'm NOT going to a general practioner, or a plastic surgeon. I want someone who 'specializes' in servicing patients with needs similar to mine.
Business men and women are often faced with similar situations. They need someone to perform an hour of walk-around at a company event, or they need someone to entertain children with magic or balloon art at a company picnic.
When they google 'corporate magician' or 'balloon artist', money is NOT their primary concern, a GOOD performance that will make the EVENT PLANNER look competent IS their primary concern.
Go back and read that last sentence again.
The Planner, put in charge of finding a magician for a corporate gathering of sales reps from around the South, goes on the internet and enters 'magician south carolina'. Among the results are listings like this:
"One man show, featuring, magic, clowning, stilt walking, wizard, story teller, master of ceremonies. Long time magician. Your event, party, trade show, fair or festival will be better if you call."
"Corporate Magician ___ ____ performs close-up magic and clean comedy magic shows for corporate and private events and trade shows."
Put yourself in the Planners place. Who do YOU call if you're in charge?
Now, I'm not saying you can't wear the different hats of a wizard, clown, magician, comedian, and public speaker. But instead, you cannot let the client SEE YOU wearing the hat of a half dozen different performers. Psychologically, it has an effect on the Planner, and it's not a good one.
Do yourself a major favor and dump the 'jack of all trades' web site and develop a series of smaller web sites, each showing a different specialty. If you target the keyword 'corporate magician', and develop a web site explaining why you would be the perfect choice for someone looking for a corporate magician, then you have a great big leg-up on your competition, not to mention that your site, zero'ed in on the search term 'corporate magician' WILL rank higher than most of the 'general practioners'..
Now, develop another site for 'childrens magician', another for 'gospel magician', another for 'balloon artist', another for 'motivational speaker'... and on and on..
You can easily develop one site a week. And I'll let you in on a little secret - Google, at least for the time being, is treating sub-domains much the same way as primary domains. In other words, you don't have to buy a domain for each of your services. Go to one of the major domain sellers and get a good, general domain name - like 'yourname.com'. Then, set up a series of sub-domains on your web site. I'm not talking about 'web pages' - I'm talking about sub-domains. Don't confuse the two.
Your URL should look something like this: www,mentalist.rickcarruth.com, or www,corporatemagician.rickcarruth.com, or www,extremeballooning.rickcarruth.com., with each url featuring your primary keyword. Then, develop the rest of your site around this keyword, being careful not to use it to extremes, but certainly using it enough so Google knows exactly what your site is about.
Sites with words like 'balloon' or 'mentalist' or 'corporate' as part of the domain name WILL be listed ahead of sites with only 'magic' or 'magician' as part of the domain name when someone conducts a search for 'magician mentalist' or 'magic balloons birthday', or 'corporate magician'
Google will index these sub-domains just as they would primary domains, treating each one as a separate entity. That's great for you, and your billfold, not to mention your customer base.
Since Google and Yahoo take months to index new sites, the sooner you can get your new sites up, the sooner you can start to benefit from your new-found exposure and marketing techniques.
Final note... if you already have a general purpose web site, don't think you have to take it down. Leave it up, BUT, somewhere in the first paragraph or two mention that you are located in 'anytown anystate' and maybe 'anycounty' also.
Then, change your keywords to reflect something like - ' rick carruth, magician, moore, spartanburg county, greenville, anderson, upstate, south carolina, north carolina'
Someone doing a specific search for a magician in the community of Moore, or Spartanburg county South Carolina ( or Greenville, or Anderson, or upstate South Carolina, for example..) will run across your site among the very first. Although your description may not reflect exactly what their seeking, the fact that you're LOCAL may earn you a phone call, and give you a chance to sell your show..
R.Carruth
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X RATED
You're going to need two props... an outdated paperback book, and a dried-out felt tip pen. if you don't have an empty one.. you can dry one out by leaving the top off and laying it on the dash board of your car or in a window sill for a couple of days.
Ask your chosen assistant to place the book behind their back and open the book somewhere around the middle. Ask them to fold the first half of the pages under the bottom cover so they will be forced to write on the right-hand page..
Now, ask them to take the marker and make a large "X" on their chosen page.
Once done, have the book closed and layed on a table out of your reach, and ask them to give you the pen... Tell your assistant about your great mental powers and your ability to remotely 'view' events of your choosing..
Personally, I have a small silver carrying case with a notebook inside that I keep on a small table near me. I open the case and take out a notebook. I also secretly dish the dried-out pen, thanks to the cover provided by the lid of the case, and pick up another one exactly like it from inside.. only this one actually writes.
Do this quickly... don't fumble around inside the case ( or drawer, or whatever) and give anyone reason to wonder what you're doing in there !
After sufficient build-up, I write a word on my pad and hand the pad to my assistant. I ask them to open the book and find the page on which they marked their X.
I tell them that I want them to look at the point at which the two lines intersect in the middle of the page and read aloud the word. Of course.. it will match the word I wrote on the pad, since I put the X in the book long before the beginning of the trick....
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Double X Rated
You can also do this effect with a pack of cards. Before the effect begins, write a prediction on a piece of paper, fold it up, and give it to your spectator to put in their pocket until the end of the effect. Write another prediction on a second piece of paper and give it to a second spectator to pocket.
Have spec #1 place the cards behind their back, mark the face of a chosen card with an 'X', and return it to the deck. Have spec #2 take the deck, place it behind their back as well, and draw a circle about the size of a fifty cent piece on a chosen card. (Of course, their pen is a dried out marker..)
Instead of predicting a word as above, you have predicted the cards on which they will put the X and the 0 on the little folded notes given to the spectators. Naturally, you have two cards pre-marked with an X and a 0 in the deck, and you have wrote the two cards values on a piece of paper and given it to the spectators to place in their pockets.
Once they are finished marking the cards, ribbon spread the deck showing that only one card has an X and one has a 0 on their face. Remove the cards from the deck, give them to the spectators who marked the cards, have each spectator remove the folded notes from their pockets, and reveal that you have successfully predicted the cards on which they would put their 'mark'.
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Another variation is.. before-hand, put an X through both the face and back of the same card. Have your assistant shuffle the deck, put it behind their back, and put an X on the face of any one card. Shuffle the deck. Put the deck behind their back again, and put an X on the back of any chosen card.
Have them shuffle the cards and lay the deck on your table. Have them look through the deck and find the card with the X on the back. They will be perplexed to discover that the same card is also the only card in the deck with an X on the face as well !
Using the dried marker and pre-marked cards, you can get as sophisticated as you want. You can get really creative with this simple, but powerful, technique.
R.Carruth
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Brother to Brother
Here's a little card magic I developed several years ago, inspired by the CD "Van Zant". Recorded in 1998 by Johnny and Donnie Van Zant, brothers of Lynyrd Skynyrd's former lead singer Ronnie. One of the tracks "Brother to Brother", was about the close relationship shared by, what else.. brothers...
This is a good little impromptu effect that can be performed anytime, anywhere, without any setup.
Have two spectators each select a card at random from anywhere in the deck. Instead of holding the deck, give them the deck and give them a totally free choice of any card to convince them that there is no forcing whatsoever.
Once the cards are selected, have the deck returned to you. Then, casually cut the deck about the center and ask each spec to place their chosen card on top of the bottom half. Replace the top half, catching a pinkie break, then cut the deck bring the two chosen cards to the top of the deck.
Once done, shuffle the deck several times, keeping the two chosen cards on top of the deck. Perform one last shuffle, allowing all the cards to interlock, including the top two. Visually make sure the two top cards interlock smoothly. At this point, the two chosen cards should be either the first and third cards on top, or the second and forth cards on top.
If you have an extra card or two on top, and the chosen cards happen to be, say, third and fifth.. simply show the top card (or two) and say "this isn't your card is it?", and casually stick them in the middle of the deck to get the two chosen cards into the proper position..
Give the deck to one of the spectators and ask them to deal the cards into two piles alternating the deal between the stacks. Once several cards have been alternately dealt tell the dealer that he can stop any time he chooses.
Since cards one and three are the bottom two cards in one pile, and cards two and four are the bottom two cards in the other pile.. you know which pile contains your target cards.
Now.. ask the other spec to "pick a stack". If they choose your target stack, good.. Ask them to put the other stack back on the deck. If they choose the other stack, say " good choice ", and ask them to gather that stack and put it back on the deck (magicians choice) . Either way.. you are left with only your target stack on the table.
Ask one of the specs to deal the stacks into two stack, just as they did earlier, until all the cards are dealt. At this point, since your two target cards were the bottom two on the stack, they will now be the top card on each stack. This may sound complicated, but it is completely self-working.
Ask spec one to touch a stack, and ask spec two to touch a stack. Remind them of the processes you have gone through, including the shuffling and dividing into two stacks. Then the elimination of one stack.
Now, ask them to name their cards aloud. After they do.. have them turn the top two cards over to reveal the two chosen cards. Fifty percent of the time, they will have overturned their own card. This will add to the mystery.
The fifty percent of the time they pick the other specs card, smile and remind them of the name of the trick .." Brother to Brother ", and compliment them on helping their 'Brother' find their chosen card. This will make it appear as if finding the other specs card was intended all along..
R.Carruth
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The Real Work on Restaurants and Bars
I just got this DVD in the mail yesterday. I bought it, paid for it out of my pocket, didn't ask for a review copy - or any of that nonsense. After all, if you believe in a product, you have to put your money where your mouth is..
As my father used to tell me, and no finer words have been uttered.. " Talks cheap.."
I will review this DVD.. in time. But I ordered it because I've already heard the 'inside' story. One well known magician who has this product told me, straight up, that someone could literally develop an entire repertoire from the 15 tricks featured on this two hour DVD. To quote from the web site:
Over the past 20 years Jay has held contracts as the "house magician" at over a dozen different restaurants and bars. Now on this very special DVD Jay shares with you the real work on both the art and the business of making a very good living performing in these exciting venues.
Jay also teaches you 15 of his all-time favorite restaurant and bar effects, many of which he is sharing for the very first time. Learn incredibly commercial magic and mentalism with playing cards, coins, bottle caps, creamers, sugar packets, crayons, drinking straws, wine corks and business cards!
To make this DVD even MORE valuable, Jay also shares with you the real work on approaching tables, choosing routines, selling yourself to management, restaurants vs. bars, inspiring tips, openers and closers, being a team player, scripting effects, performing for "regulars" and a great deal more!
With 15 outstanding routines and over 2 hours of priceless information learned over hundreds of nights of real-world performing, this DVD truly is THE REAL WORK ON RESTAURANTS AND BARS.
Watch the video...
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What to Do?
I have a problem and I need your imput. The Magic Roadshow is going on a diet. After publishing fifty issues with an average of eight resources in each issue, the problem is this.. That's a total of about 400 resources I've pointed you toward, and I'm running out of resources !
Magic on the web is NOT growing at the rate I'm publishing links...
So, starting next issue, I will publish articles and effects as usual, but, there will only be about two new resource sites in each issue and a past resource from the archives. This is STILL more than you get in any other newsletter, but I'm going to have to pace my resources a little better in the future.
Let me know what YOU think, and please send links to any valuable sites you've found. Keep in mind also that I will be glad for any of you to send in original articles related to magic. .. EMAIL ME ..
Rick C.
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Magi-Que 2006
Barron and Athena Stringfellow are presenting their annual three day Magi-Que Friday August 25th from Noon thru Sunday August 27th in Horton, Kansas. Bring The Kids/Parents...Bring A Tent...Bring A Side Dish!!!
Barron and Athena are even providing the ribs..
It’s A FREE Magical Get Together! It’s a Magic Swap & Sell Meet, A Bar-B-Que and It’s Magic Shows ALL Combined! If you are Swapping or Selling, Please bring a Table.
Barron's Magi-Que is not associated with any magic organization and welcomes everyone with an interest in magic.
If you are interested or simply want more info, Barron has put together a pdf file and would be glad to send you what information you need if you contact him at:
Post Office Box 28
121 West 8th Street
Horton, Kansas 66439
Ph.: (785) 486-3716
Fax : (785) 486-3724
E-MAIL: barronofmagic@yahoo.com
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Magic Trick Reviews
How often have you bought a dud..? I mean a really sorry trick that is only barely legal under the 'truth in advertising' clause. I know I have.. and nothing sets me off more than getting hoodoo'd.
Magic Trick Reviews is a new site, set up to help direct users toward tricks that are actually worth the price... to quote their site...
"We review the most popular magic tricks as well as great tricks that have been overlooked by most people. There are several dominant magic sites on the internet, and for the most part, they are dominant because they offer great values for the money. But there are also smaller, lesser known sites that offer private and little known tricks that can absolutely bring your audience to its feet. We cover both ends of this spectrum.
For the most part, our reviews focus on close-up, street magic. While the large stage illusions are spectacular in their effects, they are also spectacular in their cost and set-up time. There is something very special about close-up magic that fascinates both young and old. "
I'm sure more and more effects will be added as the weeks progress. Be sure to visit.
http://www.magictrickreviews.com/
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The Amazing Joe Joe
JoeJoe is a true street magic professional... one of those guys who actually makes a living performing on the streets. It's not a wish, or a sideline.. it's his vocation.
Having traveled well over twenty thousands miles from coast to coast, performing in towns and cities all along the way, JoeJoe is the consummate pro who works day in and day out, rain or shine.
I'm not going to call JoeJoe a 'DeadHead', but he has performed at over one hundred Grateful Dead concerts through the years.
I first met JoeJoe several years ago working at one of the magic shops in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Since, I've met him at the SCAM convention in Columbia S.C., and again at the Barefoot Landing shopping complex in Myrtle Beach last summer.
Barefoot Landing is a wonderful complex of shops and restaurants literally built on a boardwalk type structure over a costal marsh. Made to resemble an old fashoned fishing village, thousands and thousand of visitors flock there daily for the combination of shopping, dining, and entertainment.. ( Dick's Last Resort, Crab House, Damon's, House of Blues.. among others)
For the last four years JoeJoe has had his own 'spot' at Barefoot Landing and entertained visitors from around the country. Monday thru Friday at seven and eleven, JoeJoe performs a unique form of street magic that includes illusions, something that's VERY difficult to pull off up close.
Maybe you can't get to Myrtle Beach this summer to watch JoeJoe work, but that's no excuse...
He has his own blog, which is one of the few magic blogs I read regularly, detailing the daily struggles and victories of performing both FOR the public and IN the public. JoeJoe has numerous photos and videos on his site to give you an idea of what street magic is all about..
To quote from his blog about the level of 'talent' on "America's Got Talent"....
Watch this show and you will see that the established entertainment world has absolutely no understanding of "talent" what-so-ever. Just look at the rift between the judges and the audience ... David Snapplehoff even asked the audience "are you watching the same thing I am?". He can't even imagine how a person would be entertained by someone juggling - because he is looking for 'entertainment' ... not talent......
I remember about 10 years ago I auditioned for the "One" show at the Alabama Theater. They called me last ... these idiots actually started breaking down the video equipment as I started my audition! I was pleasantly pleased that after the first minute they were impressed enough to stop me, set the cameras back up, and have me start over so the producers would be able to see the tape.
That's because my act is good - solid and tight. You have to be good to street perform. Make no mistake about it - when people go to the Palace Theater, they will sit in their seats the entire time. It doesn't matter how bad the performer is, they will politely clap no matter what happens. I don't have that luxury! If I am not funny, people will walk away. If I do not deliver the goods, my bills will not get paid. If I do not entertain, my career is over.
If you can't go in-person, then take a virtual trip to Barefoot Landing and visit with JoeJoe..
http://www.joejoeonline.com/blogger/
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Erdnases' Expert at the Card Table - Download
You can download your free version of Erdnases' classic ebook at this link..
http://www.301url.com/erdnase
If you have a problem, let me know and I will send you the ebook as an attachment
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THE RUBBER EGG
Soak a raw egg in a cup filled with vinegar for at least twenty- four hours. Turn it over once or twice so that the entire egg is evenly soaked. It will feel like rubber and will actually bounce when dropped a short distance.
Drop it too far though and it will break. After your friends feel it and declare it to be a fake egg, cut it open to reveal the yolk and white inside.
From the eBook.. ASTOUNDING SECRETS
Editors note..
I once saw a guy prepare an egg this way.. After gathering a crowd, he put the egg on top of a glass beer bootle and pressed the egg firmly enough to create an air tight seal inside the bottle. Then, he took a cigarette lighter, lit it and put it under the bottle. As the inside of the bottle warmed, the egg was literally 'sucked' into the bottle. Everyone insisted that it wasn't a real egg, so he got a pencil and punctured the egg inside the bottle, breaking it open to reveal the white and yoke. ;-)
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That's all for now.. but I'll be back soon enough..!
If you know of any magic related resources on the web, share it with me so I can share it with others..
Again, If I can help you with your magic, Email Me
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Remember to visit some of my other sites at:
http://www.StreetMagic.info
http://www.MagicRoadshow.com
http://www.Mentalists.info
http://www.StreetMagicSecrets.info
http://www.BellaOnline.com/site/shareware
http://www.StreetMagic.info/blogger.html
And if you have a web site, visit my latest blog at:
http://www.AdSenseSecrets101.blogspot.com
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May my next issue find you well...
Rick Carruth... editor/publisher
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