Musical Interlude: How Deep Is Your Love
HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE
"How Deep Is Your Love" is a pop ballad written and recorded by the Bee Gees in 1977>
It's most remembered as part of the soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever.
In my opinion, Barry Gibb is one of the most talented songwriters who ever lived.
His compositions, like this one, are challenging to play, which makes it all the more enjoyable for me...
Performance: Card Duck
CARD DUCK
This one is always a crowd pleaser!
Especially when you choose a terrific volunteer...
Magic Origami: PopUp Rabbit In Top Hat
POPUP RABBIT IN HAT MADE FROM A $1 BILL
Origami is a lot of fun, especially when you can do it with money!
This excellent video tutorial by Jeremy Shafer teaches you exactly how to make his realistic rabbit design out of an ordinary dollar bill.
Give it a try...
Showmanship Tips: Warming Up
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, Actor and Magician
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 History 101: Fruit Crate Labels
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...
Musical Interlude: Seven Singalong Favorites
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...
In Tribute: George
TRIBUTE TO GEORGE
This week we lost a member of the MagicTricks.com family.
George has crossed the Rainbow Bridge...
Showmanship Tips: Organizing Your Closeup Cases
ORGANIZING YOUR CLOSEUP CASES
You asked: "How do you organize for your closeup shows?"
Here's how I do it...
Performance: Steve the Magic Guy
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...
Magic History 101: Phrenology
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...
My Magic Adventures: Cicadas 2013
What are cicadas, and why were we on the news with them??
Georges Melies - Vanishing Lady 1896
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...
Performance: Bite Out Quarter Street Magic
IMPROMPTU BITE OUT QUARTER
Always carry some quick closeup tricks in your pocket!
Here I am entertaining people on the street in Lexington VA...
Musical Interlude: "Your Momma Don't Dance"
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...
Need Your Opinion: Mind Force Key
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...
Showmanship Tips: Retiring a Trick
RETIRING A TRICK
You asked: "Do you ever retire a trick from your show?"
Here's my answer...
Magic History 101: Antique Handcuffs
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...
Performance: MC Bit- Chameleon Silks
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....
Slyidini Performs Balls Over Head Routine
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...
Performance: Bob Carroll - Svengali Deck
BOB CARROLL
Our longtime friend, Bob always creates clever routines for his magic, especially classics like this Svengali Deck!
Musical Interlude: "Love's Theme"
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!
Need Your Opinion: Card Box Prediction
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...
Magic History 101: Houdini Movie Handcuffs
HOUDINI MOVIE HANDCUFFS
If you think you can handcuff a magician, you are wrong!
Showmanship Tips: How To Use a Fingertip As a Dye Tube
USING A FINGERTIP AS A DYE TUBE
You asked: "What can I use a false fingertip for?"
Here's an idea...