Ok so.. let's talk about something I am PRETTY sure has been touch on here before... but hey beating dead things is a good way to spend a day right?

Levitation. In some magician's eyes, the ULTIMATE magic trick. Levitating things with wire and string and bits of metal and... and... gawd the list goes on. There have been many many, too many versions of the balducci since the Asshat made it uber-popular. The elevator, zero gravity boots, king rising, icarus effect (And it's various versions), and now the FLY lev. (I left out some I know.)

What is the obsession with the holy grail of Asshattery... the "Street levitation"? In my experience of dealing with drunks, kids, and the like if you levitate yourself, they assume you can levitate ANYTHING. "Wow that was cool, here make my car float" "Hey that was neet what else can you do that to.. here try my cell phone".

If they don't do that, it comes down to "Do it again, do it again!" so they can look under your feet. Personally I don't think it is worth it. I say float a small object and if they ask if you can float yourself like on TV say.. "yes". No need to prove it.

Chances are they aren't gonna give you any money anyway.

Bizzaro.

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"

So a fairly new effect on the market has gotten people all a-buzz. It's called WOW. (Which when spelled backwards is also wow but upside down it's mom.) Now I dunno about you guys, but when I first saw it I immediately thought of an old trick called "The Hidden Sun" (Bottom Right). For those who remember it, you know what I am talking about.

What amazes me is that I saw that effect and IMMEDIATELY went, "Well duh". As usual with magic, just cuz' you can figure it out doesn't make it any less cool. It looks good and that's all that matters right?

This alllll goes back to usual rant about how today's magicians should study the world around them and be knowledgeable of their magical past to a degree. This is not the first time this technology has been used for a trick (or even a science experiment.)

Ah but the Japanese exploit technology and make it their bitch so in turn they can make US their bitch as well. Same old song and dance aye?

Personally I thought Contra Vision had something to do with a video game.

Bizzaro.

All right let's talk about the shiny new distraction in magic right now. It's called Stuck!. Now at 10$ for a fairly visual coin vanish, that's not too bad in this day and age. (Yay instant gratification society)

I actually ponied up the cash for this... which is rare for me. When I decide to spend my pay pal funds I better not be disappointed. I wasn't really. The hype is true tho' it is impromptu (By that I mean nothing added or taken away.) There is something the demo doesn't show you, BUT it's not THAT big a deal. (As opposed to OTHER demo's) Don't let me scare you off with that statement. There is something you have to do to make the trick work, and as much as I wanna make a joke at it's expense I can't without tipping the method... and if I had to pay for it by gawd so do YOU.

I do think the handling and presentation is a bit "Magicky" (Is that a word?) but the best thing about coin magic, (And most difficult to convey to people), is that it is very personality based... so sez Jay Sankey. He's right tho'. The moves, patter, body language, and everything else that goes into a GOOD coin vanish SHOULD vary from performer to performer. The guy who sells Stuck!, his handling and presentation won't work for me anymore than it should work for you.

So be a good consumer, support the arts, get a new trick, fit it to yer style, love it, learn it, use it as yer own.

You'll be glad you did.

Bizzaro.

The 5 stages of a bad show...

Anger
Dispair
Depression
Acceptance
Determination

At least it is for me.

Bizzaro.

Is it live?

Or is it Memorex? Is it magic? Is it art? Is it both? Ask a magician he might say it's a zombie ball routine. Ask someone else it might be a dance. It's an act like this that can be a blessing in disguise because you can be booked as many different things. The best part is it doesn't take much to perform... except the years and YEARS of practice and study of movement, magic, and make-up/costuming. (Among other things) Surpassing the norm and creating something that transcends the stigma of "magician" or "Juggler" is the goal of any performance artist.

My good friend Jeb Sherrill and his wife performed on a french TV show with this guy, (Doing their magic art act) and said it is incredible to see live.

Do you think he would do well over here? (Said with a pinch of Sarcasm)

Bizzaro.