Magic Roadshow
August 3rd, 2006 Issue# 52
Rick Carruth / publisher (c)2006 All rights reserved worldwide
Street Magic's #1 free newsletter for magicians, street performers, restaurant workers, close-up artists, and mentalists, with subscribers in over sixty countries worldwide.
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
August 3rd, 2006 Issue# 52
Rick Carruth / publisher (c)2006 All rights reserved worldwide
Street Magic's #1 free newsletter for magicians, street performers, restaurant workers, close-up artists, and mentalists, with subscribers in over sixty countries worldwide.
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/
Hello All...
Welcome to another special issue of Magic Roadshow, magic's premier free newsletter. First, I want to thank all the new subscribers who have taken time to sign up for our newsletter. I hope you find something useful in every issue!
If you have any questions or comments Email Me..
My apologies for not getting this issue out 'quite' on time. I like to stick to my schedule, it keeps me honest. I have a gazillion distractions at the moment, and I'm trying to remain focused on everything.
I've accepted a position as an operations manager with a national company specializing in pharmaceutical deliveries. The demands on my time at the moment are extreme, as they have sent a manager from New Orleans to work with me until I can get things up and running. If you don't get an immediate answer to an email, I'm NOT ignoring you, it's just that my mind has not caught up to my body, or vice versa..
THANKS again to all of you who purchased memberships to CardSleights. I continue to receive very favorable comments about the site and it's voluminous content. I will continue to send out 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..
======================
Si Who? ( Will H. Coffrin )
Many magicians are familiar with the Si Stebbins Stack, which is a cyclic method of stacking a deck of cards. Although there are many different types of stacks available, Stebbins stack has established itself as the most popular of all stacks based on its ease of use and actual use by so many magicians.
For those of you who have never used a stacked deck, you're missing out on one of magics greatest secrets. Simon Aronson, for example, has long baffled other magicians with his use of both stacked decks and memorized decks, (which is highlighted in an article following this one.)
The number of tricks you can perform with either a stacked deck or a memorized deck are mind boggling. Alain Nu loves to ask an audience member to name a card, and another to name a number from one to fifty two. He then counts down to that number in a deck to reveal the named card.
From Ellis and Websters highly popular Magic Fakers( http://www.magicunlimited.com/your_say.htm ) web site comes a comment from Doug Dyment ...
"Si Stebbins did not invent the Si Stebbins System; he just popularized it. He first did so in 1896 under the name of Wm. Vino, and again in 1898 under his own name. Howard Thurston published the same system in 1901, calling it "The Thurston System". In Stebbins' book, an increment of three is used, but in real life, he himself was using an increment of four. The "increment of three" version predates Stebbins by many years, though, having first been published by Gaspar Cardozo de Sequeira in his "Thesouro de Prudentes" (Portugal, 1612).
This was long believed to be the first such approach to a full deck stack. Recently, though, it was discovered that the oldest source (which turns out to be an "increment of four") is a book called "Giochi de Carte" by Horacio Galasso, published in Venice in 1593!"
From J P Jacquard's Easy Mentalism, is this straight-forward effect using a Stebbins stack.
------------------------------
I’ll Name that Card in One..
You produce a normal deck of playing cards and ask a spectator to cut the deck anywhere they like. They remove the card they’ve cut to without letting you see it and concentrate on its design. After a few moments concentration, you announce the exact card they’ve chosen. You have read their mind!
You’ll need a normal deck of cards but you need to arrange them in a special order. Mentalists refer to this as a stacked deck. One of the easiest methods of stacking a deck is the Si Stebbins system. In this system, each card has a value; a jack is valued 11, a queen 12 and a king 13. All the other cards take their respective value, with an ace valued 1. The suits are also arranged in the order clubs, hearts, spades, diamonds. The easiest way to remember this is by the word 'chased':
Clubs Hearts Spades Diamonds.
Start with any club, then for the next card in the stack add 3 to its value and make it a heart. For the next card, add 3 again and make it a spade. For the next card, add 3 again and make it a diamond.
When you’re adding 3 to 11, 12 or 13, subtract 13 to get the value of the next card. The system repeats like this until the whole deck is stacked.
For instance, if you started with the 3 of clubs (3C), the stacked order would be:
3C, 6H, 9S, QD, 2C, 5H, 8S and so on.
Place the cards face up as you stack them. When displaying the deck to your spectator, make sure you fan them and let them see the faces. Don't make a point of this - just fan them as you say "normal deck of cards". Whatever you do, don't say "As you can see, they're in no particular order!" Statements like this should be implied non-verbally. This is important later on, if the spectator tries to 'reconstruct' the trick and work out how it was done. If they can remember you casually spreading the cards, they'll discount any theories about the deck being in a special order or perhaps all the same card.
Put the stacked deck face down on the table and invite a spectator to cut the deck anywhere they like. Get them to place the top half of the deck face down next to the bottom half. Invite them to take the
top card from the bottom deck and keep it secret. Pickup up the bottom half of the deck, place it on the top half and then pick up the whole deck.
You now need to glance at the bottom card on the deck and there are a couple of ways of doing this.
You can either put the cards back into their box, casually glancing at the bottom card as you do so.
Better still, hold the deck in front of you, as if demonstrating to the spectator how to hold their card.
Either method will need a simple verbal misdirection such has "Now hold your card up, still keeping it secret and concentrate on the design." As they concentrate, ask them to look into your eyes. Pretend you are looking for subtle psychological clues as to the value of their card. Look at micro-movements in their facial muscles also. All you need to do to name their card is work out the next one in the sequence.
So if the bottom card was the ace of hearts, their card is the four of spades. Rather than just simply naming their card, increase the drama and effect of mind-reading by revealing it bit by bit. The color first, then whether it is a low, high or picture card.
Then name the card in full. To really play with the system, you can subtly suggest that you are about to read the wrong card. For instance, if the spectator's card is the nine of clubs, you might reveal it in the following way:
"OK, its a black card, yes?" Look for visual confirmation.
"I'm getting an 'i' ... 'i' ... five ... a five? No, sounds like five - its a nine, yes?"
"Definitely not a spade so it must be the nine of clubs!"
Another method of revealing the chosen card is to draw it on a notepad. Keep your drawing hidden, then invite the spectator to turn around their card and announce the design. You can then flip over
your notepad, revealing the same design.
This is a terrific routine and with a little thought, the Si Stebbins stack can be used for many other mind reading effects. What’s more, the stack is instantly ready to use again simply by putting the spectator’s chosen card on top of the deck face down.
After revealing these first two effects, I want to address something you might be feeling...
Disappointment.
If you're disappointed to discover you're not divining the chosen card by reading body language or subtle facial expressions, get used to it! This is the way all mind reading illusions work.
If it were genuinely possible to read a person's innermost thoughts, feelings or memories in that way, then the performer would be decades ahead of the greatest psychologists in the field. It is all an illusion. You need to sell the idea to your audience and volunteers through your performance.
=======================
Memories are Made of This
Simon Aronson
Here's a nice pdf, published by Simon, detailing his method of memorizing a deck of cards. Without going into the specifics, I will tell you that it is extremely do-able for the average magician. Despite the fact that many magicians protest memorizing a deck as being time consuming or too difficult, doing so can open a world of card magic, performing a variety of card tricks, unattainable via any other method.
As the ebook is Simon's property, I'm not going to actually 'give' it to you, but instead direct you to his web site where you can download the pdf file in his magicians section..
http://www.simonaronson.com
=======================
Doug Dyments "Introduction to Full-Deck Stacks"
Read Doug's excellent essay breaking down the two different primary stacks. The 'sequential stack', representative of Si Stebbins stack, and the 'memorized deck', as featured in the work of Simon Aronson, among others.
Doug also explains in detail the difference between rote memory, mnemonics, rule-based, and algorithmic memorized decks, and offers a comparison chart detailing the ease or difficulty of each method.
To get a real grasp on this 'stacked deck thing', go to Deceptionay and read Doug's essay..
http://www.deceptionary.com/aboutstacks.html
=======================
Holey Ambition
Courtesy of David Forrest.
Effect: A signed card continually rises to the top of the deck. For a
finale, the card is left outjogged in a small packet and the rest of
the deck is placed inside the card case. The case is placed on top of
the small packet and the performer draws attention to a hole cut in
the front of the case. With a snap of the fingers the signed card
appears on top of the deck, everyon*e gets to see it arrive through
the hole in the case! A very visual final phase for any ambitious
card routine!
You will receive two detailed PDF's with instruction on how to make
the simple gimmicks and teaching the required handling.
David is giving this valuable info away to draw attention to his
other magic available through Full52 Productions. Visit the url
below to both download the magic and watch a video performance of
'Holey Ambition..'
http://www.full52.com./Hol_Amb.htm
(from issue# 23 of the Magic Roadshow)
=======================
Are you TIRED of being Number#2 ?
Are you TIRED of hearing how much so-and-so makes each week ?
Do you need someone to show you EXACTLY how to perform many of the TOP effects being used by the TOP street magic, close-up, and restaurant workers in the country?
Are you ready to earn your 'PhD' in Magic ?
http://www.301url.com/streetmagic2
=======================
John, Bob, Edward, Claude, and Ricky - The Best Line-up Ever?
It's your birthday... OK, maybe it's not your birthday.. but play along with me. I'm planning a surprise party for you down at the local inn. Your family will be there, a few of your closest co-workers will be there, and maybe even a couple of magicians from your local assembly, although I've not asked them to perform.
I am providing the entertainment, and what an entertaining night it will be. I've invited five of my 'friends' to perform, although a couple will be there in spirit only.
The line-up would put ANY convention to shame. John G. Boyce will open the entertainment with an amazing display of card magic. In rapid succession, Bob Gurtler Jr. and then Edward Doe will take the stage with their respective styles of magic and mystery. Claude Yarbrough will perform with his beautiful wife, and then Ricky Potash will bring you back to earth with a mesmerizing lecture and performance.
John, Bob, Edward, Claude, and Ricky? Who are these guys?
I'll tell you this; you would instantly recognize any and all of these legends if you knew their REAL names. Some of you may even recognize these performers by their stage names.
Visit Magictricks. com library of real names to discover the 'real names' of many of magic's top performers.
http://www.magictricks.com/library/realname.htm
--------------------
No... I'm not going to leave you in the cold as to John, Bob, Edward, Claude, and Ricky. What if YOUR birthday celebration included the following:
Andre Kole - Bob Gurtler Jr.
Al Koran - Edward Doe
Jonathan Pendragon - Claude Yarbrough
Jean Hugard - John G. Boyce
Ricky Jay - Ricky Potash
=======================
David Blaine Secrets
I know every magician in the world has a copy of David Blaine's Magic Secrets. Huh? YOU don't have a copy? Where you been the last three years? Do you believe they're STILL selling this on eBay?
Every magician in the world knows all David's secrets.
I don't actually have this ebook on my site anymore. At one time I had a little web site selling this ebook, and if you entered "David Blaine Secrets Revealed" in Google, I had one of the top three sites. I sold the dickens out of this book.
Then, it bacame passe' to sell this ebook, so I took it down...
Looking at it now, I actually see three effects that I have used regularly through the years.. The arm twisting routing, the two card monte, and Voodoo ash... You can download the pdf version freely at web sites around the world. But, just in case you've been in a darkened cave for the last three years.. here you go..
http://www.freeinfosociety.com/pdfs/misc/david_blaines_magic_revealed.pdf
=======================
The Encyclopedia of Card Shooting
Holland's Marc van Venrooij has put together an excellent site on the art of card shooting. Many magicians, including David Blaine, Greg Wilson, and Lennart Green, use card shooting to add a nice flourish to their effects. When visiting Marc's site, look under some of the pictures to find links to video's displaying the different techniques being described. In Marc's words...
"After reading dozens of books, I saw Gregory Wilson on one of his great tapes (my favourite Magician together with Lennart Green) performing a card shooting routine. Gregory Wilson is one of the few magicians I know, who realy performs cardshooting tricks. Watch his video "Card Stunts" and you will be an addict soon. Together with all the information from books, videotapes and practice, I found other methods and variations myself for shooting a card."
"I do not claim that I invented the moves but I didn't found them somewhere else yet, so I hope that I'm original. Some techniques are inspired by moves of other magicians like Lennart Greens flourish Z-cut which is a great start to shoot a card out of the deck. Finally I want to point out that these methods are not tricks and are not a basis for a card trick act. They are just flourishes to support a trick. Moves like these are often consider as "showing off" parts of magic."
Go to Marc's site and mater the art of card shooting... I did (sort of..)
http://www.homepage.mac.com/marcvv/master.html
=======================
T.A. Hamilton Productions Trick of the Month
I've held onto this link for months. Sometimes I run across a site that I feel, in the larger scheme of things, will be worth more to me somewhere down the road. Maybe I can adapt a trick or two and publish them in the Roadshow. Maybe I can write an article based around something I read on the site. Or, maybe I can just 'put it out there' and let you determine it's worth.
Any way I look at it, Mr. Hamilton's site features 12 strong effects, each of which you could add to your repertoire with pride. Some are original, others are works inspired by well known magicians. But, unlike typical sites, you can tell that thought and effort have gone into selecting these card tricks.
See what you think..
http://www.tahamilton.com/11_Museum_of_the_Weird/trick_of_the_month_menu.htm
=======================
Expert at the Card Table - Download link..
For all of you who are new subscribers, here's the link to download your free copy of Expert at the Card Table. It's in a zip file and can be easily downloaded to your desktop - or wherever you chose..
If you encounter any problems with the download email me and let me know.. I'll send it to you via email ..as an attachment.
http://www.301url.com/erdnase
=======================
Where's Your Sense of Humor
Did you hear about the magician who spent half a day trying to throw a yoyo away?
Did you hear about the magician who walked into target... and missed?
Q: How do you get the magician off of your doorstep ? A: Pay for the pizza.
Q: What is the difference between a magician and a large pepperoni pizza ?
A: The pizza can feed a family of four.
Q: What is the difference between a magician and a trampoline ?
A: You take your shoes off to jump on a trampoline.
Q: What is the difference between a savings bond and a magician ?
A: One of them eventually matures and makes some money.
When I was eight years old, I told my mom, "I want to be a magician when I grow up !"
She just looked at me and said, "Make up your mind, son, you know you can't do both."
=======================
Email Me with your request, rants, and raves. I love to hear from
you, just to know that my newsletter is making it to it's intended
destinations.
If you have a suggestion for a resource, let me know what you've
found. And, if you have a magic related article, send it to me (no
attachments please) and let's see if we can't send your ideas to
readers around the world. If it needs a little editing for spelling
or because english isn't your given language, don't worry... I'll
take care of that...
Forward this newsletter on to others, if you have friends you think
may be interested. I enjoy watching my subscriber count rise each
issue.
--------------------
Street Magic Blog... http://www.streetmagic.info/blogger.html
Street Magic Bullets.... http://www.streetmagic.info
Magic Roadshow........ http://www.magicroadshow.com
--------------------
May my next issue find you well...
Rick Carruth / editor-publisher
============================
Welcome to another special issue of Magic Roadshow, magic's premier free newsletter. First, I want to thank all the new subscribers who have taken time to sign up for our newsletter. I hope you find something useful in every issue!
If you have any questions or comments Email Me..
My apologies for not getting this issue out 'quite' on time. I like to stick to my schedule, it keeps me honest. I have a gazillion distractions at the moment, and I'm trying to remain focused on everything.
I've accepted a position as an operations manager with a national company specializing in pharmaceutical deliveries. The demands on my time at the moment are extreme, as they have sent a manager from New Orleans to work with me until I can get things up and running. If you don't get an immediate answer to an email, I'm NOT ignoring you, it's just that my mind has not caught up to my body, or vice versa..
THANKS again to all of you who purchased memberships to CardSleights. I continue to receive very favorable comments about the site and it's voluminous content. I will continue to send out 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..
======================
Si Who? ( Will H. Coffrin )
Many magicians are familiar with the Si Stebbins Stack, which is a cyclic method of stacking a deck of cards. Although there are many different types of stacks available, Stebbins stack has established itself as the most popular of all stacks based on its ease of use and actual use by so many magicians.
For those of you who have never used a stacked deck, you're missing out on one of magics greatest secrets. Simon Aronson, for example, has long baffled other magicians with his use of both stacked decks and memorized decks, (which is highlighted in an article following this one.)
The number of tricks you can perform with either a stacked deck or a memorized deck are mind boggling. Alain Nu loves to ask an audience member to name a card, and another to name a number from one to fifty two. He then counts down to that number in a deck to reveal the named card.
From Ellis and Websters highly popular Magic Fakers( http://www.magicunlimited.com/your_say.htm ) web site comes a comment from Doug Dyment ...
"Si Stebbins did not invent the Si Stebbins System; he just popularized it. He first did so in 1896 under the name of Wm. Vino, and again in 1898 under his own name. Howard Thurston published the same system in 1901, calling it "The Thurston System". In Stebbins' book, an increment of three is used, but in real life, he himself was using an increment of four. The "increment of three" version predates Stebbins by many years, though, having first been published by Gaspar Cardozo de Sequeira in his "Thesouro de Prudentes" (Portugal, 1612).
This was long believed to be the first such approach to a full deck stack. Recently, though, it was discovered that the oldest source (which turns out to be an "increment of four") is a book called "Giochi de Carte" by Horacio Galasso, published in Venice in 1593!"
From J P Jacquard's Easy Mentalism, is this straight-forward effect using a Stebbins stack.
------------------------------
I’ll Name that Card in One..
You produce a normal deck of playing cards and ask a spectator to cut the deck anywhere they like. They remove the card they’ve cut to without letting you see it and concentrate on its design. After a few moments concentration, you announce the exact card they’ve chosen. You have read their mind!
You’ll need a normal deck of cards but you need to arrange them in a special order. Mentalists refer to this as a stacked deck. One of the easiest methods of stacking a deck is the Si Stebbins system. In this system, each card has a value; a jack is valued 11, a queen 12 and a king 13. All the other cards take their respective value, with an ace valued 1. The suits are also arranged in the order clubs, hearts, spades, diamonds. The easiest way to remember this is by the word 'chased':
Clubs Hearts Spades Diamonds.
Start with any club, then for the next card in the stack add 3 to its value and make it a heart. For the next card, add 3 again and make it a spade. For the next card, add 3 again and make it a diamond.
When you’re adding 3 to 11, 12 or 13, subtract 13 to get the value of the next card. The system repeats like this until the whole deck is stacked.
For instance, if you started with the 3 of clubs (3C), the stacked order would be:
3C, 6H, 9S, QD, 2C, 5H, 8S and so on.
Place the cards face up as you stack them. When displaying the deck to your spectator, make sure you fan them and let them see the faces. Don't make a point of this - just fan them as you say "normal deck of cards". Whatever you do, don't say "As you can see, they're in no particular order!" Statements like this should be implied non-verbally. This is important later on, if the spectator tries to 'reconstruct' the trick and work out how it was done. If they can remember you casually spreading the cards, they'll discount any theories about the deck being in a special order or perhaps all the same card.
Put the stacked deck face down on the table and invite a spectator to cut the deck anywhere they like. Get them to place the top half of the deck face down next to the bottom half. Invite them to take the
top card from the bottom deck and keep it secret. Pickup up the bottom half of the deck, place it on the top half and then pick up the whole deck.
You now need to glance at the bottom card on the deck and there are a couple of ways of doing this.
You can either put the cards back into their box, casually glancing at the bottom card as you do so.
Better still, hold the deck in front of you, as if demonstrating to the spectator how to hold their card.
Either method will need a simple verbal misdirection such has "Now hold your card up, still keeping it secret and concentrate on the design." As they concentrate, ask them to look into your eyes. Pretend you are looking for subtle psychological clues as to the value of their card. Look at micro-movements in their facial muscles also. All you need to do to name their card is work out the next one in the sequence.
So if the bottom card was the ace of hearts, their card is the four of spades. Rather than just simply naming their card, increase the drama and effect of mind-reading by revealing it bit by bit. The color first, then whether it is a low, high or picture card.
Then name the card in full. To really play with the system, you can subtly suggest that you are about to read the wrong card. For instance, if the spectator's card is the nine of clubs, you might reveal it in the following way:
"OK, its a black card, yes?" Look for visual confirmation.
"I'm getting an 'i' ... 'i' ... five ... a five? No, sounds like five - its a nine, yes?"
"Definitely not a spade so it must be the nine of clubs!"
Another method of revealing the chosen card is to draw it on a notepad. Keep your drawing hidden, then invite the spectator to turn around their card and announce the design. You can then flip over
your notepad, revealing the same design.
This is a terrific routine and with a little thought, the Si Stebbins stack can be used for many other mind reading effects. What’s more, the stack is instantly ready to use again simply by putting the spectator’s chosen card on top of the deck face down.
After revealing these first two effects, I want to address something you might be feeling...
Disappointment.
If you're disappointed to discover you're not divining the chosen card by reading body language or subtle facial expressions, get used to it! This is the way all mind reading illusions work.
If it were genuinely possible to read a person's innermost thoughts, feelings or memories in that way, then the performer would be decades ahead of the greatest psychologists in the field. It is all an illusion. You need to sell the idea to your audience and volunteers through your performance.
=======================
Memories are Made of This
Simon Aronson
Here's a nice pdf, published by Simon, detailing his method of memorizing a deck of cards. Without going into the specifics, I will tell you that it is extremely do-able for the average magician. Despite the fact that many magicians protest memorizing a deck as being time consuming or too difficult, doing so can open a world of card magic, performing a variety of card tricks, unattainable via any other method.
As the ebook is Simon's property, I'm not going to actually 'give' it to you, but instead direct you to his web site where you can download the pdf file in his magicians section..
http://www.simonaronson.com
=======================
Doug Dyments "Introduction to Full-Deck Stacks"
Read Doug's excellent essay breaking down the two different primary stacks. The 'sequential stack', representative of Si Stebbins stack, and the 'memorized deck', as featured in the work of Simon Aronson, among others.
Doug also explains in detail the difference between rote memory, mnemonics, rule-based, and algorithmic memorized decks, and offers a comparison chart detailing the ease or difficulty of each method.
To get a real grasp on this 'stacked deck thing', go to Deceptionay and read Doug's essay..
http://www.deceptionary.com/aboutstacks.html
=======================
Holey Ambition
Courtesy of David Forrest.
Effect: A signed card continually rises to the top of the deck. For a
finale, the card is left outjogged in a small packet and the rest of
the deck is placed inside the card case. The case is placed on top of
the small packet and the performer draws attention to a hole cut in
the front of the case. With a snap of the fingers the signed card
appears on top of the deck, everyon*e gets to see it arrive through
the hole in the case! A very visual final phase for any ambitious
card routine!
You will receive two detailed PDF's with instruction on how to make
the simple gimmicks and teaching the required handling.
David is giving this valuable info away to draw attention to his
other magic available through Full52 Productions. Visit the url
below to both download the magic and watch a video performance of
'Holey Ambition..'
http://www.full52.com./Hol_Amb.htm
(from issue# 23 of the Magic Roadshow)
=======================
Are you TIRED of being Number#2 ?
Are you TIRED of hearing how much so-and-so makes each week ?
Do you need someone to show you EXACTLY how to perform many of the TOP effects being used by the TOP street magic, close-up, and restaurant workers in the country?
Are you ready to earn your 'PhD' in Magic ?
http://www.301url.com/streetmagic2
=======================
John, Bob, Edward, Claude, and Ricky - The Best Line-up Ever?
It's your birthday... OK, maybe it's not your birthday.. but play along with me. I'm planning a surprise party for you down at the local inn. Your family will be there, a few of your closest co-workers will be there, and maybe even a couple of magicians from your local assembly, although I've not asked them to perform.
I am providing the entertainment, and what an entertaining night it will be. I've invited five of my 'friends' to perform, although a couple will be there in spirit only.
The line-up would put ANY convention to shame. John G. Boyce will open the entertainment with an amazing display of card magic. In rapid succession, Bob Gurtler Jr. and then Edward Doe will take the stage with their respective styles of magic and mystery. Claude Yarbrough will perform with his beautiful wife, and then Ricky Potash will bring you back to earth with a mesmerizing lecture and performance.
John, Bob, Edward, Claude, and Ricky? Who are these guys?
I'll tell you this; you would instantly recognize any and all of these legends if you knew their REAL names. Some of you may even recognize these performers by their stage names.
Visit Magictricks. com library of real names to discover the 'real names' of many of magic's top performers.
http://www.magictricks.com/library/realname.htm
--------------------
No... I'm not going to leave you in the cold as to John, Bob, Edward, Claude, and Ricky. What if YOUR birthday celebration included the following:
Andre Kole - Bob Gurtler Jr.
Al Koran - Edward Doe
Jonathan Pendragon - Claude Yarbrough
Jean Hugard - John G. Boyce
Ricky Jay - Ricky Potash
=======================
David Blaine Secrets
I know every magician in the world has a copy of David Blaine's Magic Secrets. Huh? YOU don't have a copy? Where you been the last three years? Do you believe they're STILL selling this on eBay?
Every magician in the world knows all David's secrets.
I don't actually have this ebook on my site anymore. At one time I had a little web site selling this ebook, and if you entered "David Blaine Secrets Revealed" in Google, I had one of the top three sites. I sold the dickens out of this book.
Then, it bacame passe' to sell this ebook, so I took it down...
Looking at it now, I actually see three effects that I have used regularly through the years.. The arm twisting routing, the two card monte, and Voodoo ash... You can download the pdf version freely at web sites around the world. But, just in case you've been in a darkened cave for the last three years.. here you go..
http://www.freeinfosociety.com/pdfs/misc/david_blaines_magic_revealed.pdf
=======================
The Encyclopedia of Card Shooting
Holland's Marc van Venrooij has put together an excellent site on the art of card shooting. Many magicians, including David Blaine, Greg Wilson, and Lennart Green, use card shooting to add a nice flourish to their effects. When visiting Marc's site, look under some of the pictures to find links to video's displaying the different techniques being described. In Marc's words...
"After reading dozens of books, I saw Gregory Wilson on one of his great tapes (my favourite Magician together with Lennart Green) performing a card shooting routine. Gregory Wilson is one of the few magicians I know, who realy performs cardshooting tricks. Watch his video "Card Stunts" and you will be an addict soon. Together with all the information from books, videotapes and practice, I found other methods and variations myself for shooting a card."
"I do not claim that I invented the moves but I didn't found them somewhere else yet, so I hope that I'm original. Some techniques are inspired by moves of other magicians like Lennart Greens flourish Z-cut which is a great start to shoot a card out of the deck. Finally I want to point out that these methods are not tricks and are not a basis for a card trick act. They are just flourishes to support a trick. Moves like these are often consider as "showing off" parts of magic."
Go to Marc's site and mater the art of card shooting... I did (sort of..)
http://www.homepage.mac.com/marcvv/master.html
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T.A. Hamilton Productions Trick of the Month
I've held onto this link for months. Sometimes I run across a site that I feel, in the larger scheme of things, will be worth more to me somewhere down the road. Maybe I can adapt a trick or two and publish them in the Roadshow. Maybe I can write an article based around something I read on the site. Or, maybe I can just 'put it out there' and let you determine it's worth.
Any way I look at it, Mr. Hamilton's site features 12 strong effects, each of which you could add to your repertoire with pride. Some are original, others are works inspired by well known magicians. But, unlike typical sites, you can tell that thought and effort have gone into selecting these card tricks.
See what you think..
http://www.tahamilton.com/11_Museum_of_the_Weird/trick_of_the_month_menu.htm
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Expert at the Card Table - Download link..
For all of you who are new subscribers, here's the link to download your free copy of Expert at the Card Table. It's in a zip file and can be easily downloaded to your desktop - or wherever you chose..
If you encounter any problems with the download email me and let me know.. I'll send it to you via email ..as an attachment.
http://www.301url.com/erdnase
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Where's Your Sense of Humor
Did you hear about the magician who spent half a day trying to throw a yoyo away?
Did you hear about the magician who walked into target... and missed?
Q: How do you get the magician off of your doorstep ? A: Pay for the pizza.
Q: What is the difference between a magician and a large pepperoni pizza ?
A: The pizza can feed a family of four.
Q: What is the difference between a magician and a trampoline ?
A: You take your shoes off to jump on a trampoline.
Q: What is the difference between a savings bond and a magician ?
A: One of them eventually matures and makes some money.
When I was eight years old, I told my mom, "I want to be a magician when I grow up !"
She just looked at me and said, "Make up your mind, son, you know you can't do both."
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Forward this newsletter on to others, if you have friends you think
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Street Magic Blog... http://www.streetmagic.info/blogger.html
Street Magic Bullets.... http://www.streetmagic.info
Magic Roadshow........ http://www.magicroadshow.com
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May my next issue find you well...
Rick Carruth / editor-publisher
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