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WARMING UP

Giving yourself a mental and physical warmup before your shows is as important as all of your rehearsal and practice.

Here's how I do it...

ORSON WELLES
The most revered actor was also an accomplished magician.
Enjoy this rare film clip of Welles performing his magic on The Merv Griffin Show...

MAGIC FRUIT CRATE LABELS
I get a lot of questions about how I decorate my back library, where I have been filming the demo videos.
A quick, easy to find and inexpensive choice is to use fruit crate labels.
Here are some colorful examples from my collection...

SEVEN SINGALONG FAVORITES
In my younger days, I used to hire myself out as a piano player, mainly to Elks and Moose lodges for their Friday night social gatherings.
I got a lot of work because I knew their favorites, the older songs that would get everyone in the place singing and clinking their glasses.
Whenever I had to audition for a different club, I would play this medley- and I'd get the gig every time...

TRIBUTE TO GEORGE

This week we lost a member of the MagicTricks.com family.

George has crossed the Rainbow Bridge...

ORGANIZING YOUR CLOSEUP CASES

You asked: "How do you organize for your closeup shows?"

Here's how I do it...

STEVE THE MAGIC GUY
"Steve the Magic Guy" is the stage name used by our friend and colleague Steve Pittella (aka Sideshow Steve), when he performs his kids shows.
He is a master children's entertainer...

PHRENOLOGY
Phrenology is a quirky pseudoscientific idea that personality traits can be "read" by feeling the shape of the bumps on the head.
A replica of that head is in my collection...

What are cicadas, and why were we on the news with them??

GEORGES MELIES
"The Vanishing Lady" is an 1896 French short silent film directed by filmmaker and magician Georges Méliès.
Based on the stage act of the famous Buatier de Kolta, the film is one of the first uses of movie special effects...

IMPROMPTU BITE OUT QUARTER

Always carry some quick closeup tricks in your pocket!
Here I am entertaining people on the street in Lexington VA...

YOUR MOMMA DON'T DANCE
And your daddy may not rock and roll, but Nick Berkin and I got rockin' when we played this little duet during a break in our show rehearsal back in 2014...

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THIS ONE?

Ready to give your input on another product?
MIND FORCE KEY
Let me show you a fantastic closeup illusion, in the right hands...

RETIRING A TRICK

You asked: "Do you ever retire a trick from your show?"
Here's my answer...

ANTIQUE HANDCUFFS
After last week's post about the handcuffs used by Tony Curtis in the 1953 Houdini movie, I got several emails asking to see more antique handcuffs from my collection.
Here are a few of the hundreds of cuffs I have collected over the years...

BEING THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Performing as Master of Ceremonies means having a number of quick routines that will keep the audience enthusiastic and entertained between all the acts.
Quick and visual tricks like the Chameleon Silks are perfect, especially when you add a kicker like I did with the streamer at the end....

SLYDINI
He was a master of closeup artistry, mentoring and inspiring many of the great names in modern magic.
Not only was he an incredible manipulator, he was also a master entertainer.
My favorite routine is his classic BALLS OVER THE HEAD comedy classic...

BOB CARROLL
Our longtime friend, Bob always creates clever routines for his magic, especially classics like this Svengali Deck!

LOVE'S THEME
Written by the legendary Barry White, recorded by White's The Love Unlimited Orchestra, released in 1973 as a single- and another favorite of mine!

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THIS ONE?

Ready to give your input on another product?
CARD BOX PREDICTION
Let me show you a great INSTANT ACCESS VIDEO...

HOUDINI MOVIE HANDCUFFS
If you think you can handcuff a magician, you are wrong!

USING A FINGERTIP AS A DYE TUBE

You asked: "What can I use a false fingertip for?"
Here's an idea...

DOG DAYS

A typical day at MagicTricks.com- it's all about the dogs...

BOB CARROLL
Our longtime friend, the hilarious Bob Carroll performs a clever and surprising comedy magic routine- with a shoe!

STEVE CARRELL
Two of his characters performing magic...