A mean mother...

They say necessity is the Mother of Invention. In magic I think it might be boredom. There is a rather unseemly trend that you too may well have noticed in those who create the magical effects that drain the pocket books of the uninformed and unsuspecting. Most of the inventors of magic effects are not the best performers of said effects.

Have you ever been watching a demo video and thought to yourself, "You would think the creator of the effect could perform it better". I know I have... hell I might be the only one, but that's besides the fact. Some people just cannot entertain anything but thoughts. Like magician savants.. without the magician part. It's not their fault. Their brain merely thinks at right angles when it comes to contraption and methods. The synapses that would normally give them social skills or that gift or brazen showbiz glitz are being used elsewhere... like how to make a bong out of an apple.

There are of course those who have both panache for performing AND creativity while others are just good performers and hack-tastic magicians. There is no wrong thing to be... however, if you are a shite presenter, you REALLY need to find someone to explain yer material for you or else you risk some MST3K type ridicule whilst watching yer instructional video... or being known as the magical cure for insomnia.

Know yer role!

Bizzaro.

Yer OUT!!

So last night I was at an election party thing. A tipsy woman from the Ukraine was wanting to see some magic. Lucky for her the room was full of them. She took a quarter I was doing some stuff with and clasped her hands around it and wanted me to make it vanish. Now before I tell you how I handled this, think for a second... what would you do hot shot? What.. would.. you..do?

(Jeopardy music plays)

If you answered shoot the hostage you are correct. Regardless, the only thing you can do when someone asks you to do something you KNOW you can't do, is to answer with humor. That will disarm their silliness. Ever had someone grab a playing card and ask you "What card is this?" I always answer, "It's a red card". No matter what they say, I reply, "On the back" they will usually laugh and hand me the card back.

Of course there are those times when someone REALLY wants to put the card in the deck themselves. They will wrest the deck from you and try to put it where THEY want. Do you get rude and struggle with them? No. Get yer hands on the card for a second and crimp the hell out of the corner. Now who cares where they put it. Hell even a glimpse will help you. If you can still be amazing under their idea of "test conditions" then you will come off looking much better.

Always remain in control of the situation, but it's ok to sometimes make them believe they are the ones calling the shots. However, it is ok to politely walk away from someone who is too drunk to be accommodating.

As for the lady, I fell back on the old stock line, "I have made it vanish, and now it's back. Have a look!" So she gave up the coin and I later put it in a bottle of water. Sometimes the best misdirection is alkeehal. The moral of this story is don't be afraid to let your helper have their way sometimes. It might make you look better in the end.

And some of you need all the help you can get,

Bizzaro.

People are strange...

When yer a stranger. Showin' yer penis scares em' awa.... wait, what was I talking about? Ah yes. Being strange. We live in a world today when somethings are oddly taboo. Even with guys like Criss Fishing Rod running around pulling coins out of his arm and screaming "MINDFLAKE!" in yer face, people are still too caught up in the image is everything ideal. If 7-up has taught us anything.. no wait.. if those we consider masters of our craft were not afraid to be a bit aloof or non-sequitur, why should we be?

Magic at it's very heart in nonsense anyway. A good 3/4ths of what we do makes no sense, but it is thru that nonsense that we can express ourselves and bring some enlightenment to the world. Much like what we call surreal, is really just bits of random we're not used to. Magic, much like life, is very random. I'm not just referring to people who pull doves and candles from their ass for no reason, (but really.. why do you do that?), but what sense does it make to pull playing cards from the air? What is our motivation for vanishing.. well, anything? There are extremes sure, but isn't there in everything?

If those we revere were not afraid to pull a coin from their nose or pour salt on a newspaper, why should we sneer at the thought of doing something a little off-color. Something a tad out of the norm (Nielsen)? It's our JOB! Don't be afraid to have fun on-stage. Life is serious enough. Do people really need to see more of it when they want to be entertained? I don't think so. Let your freak flag fly.

Let's go out and scare the norms!

Bizzaro.

Glad yer into it...

There is a lot to be said for enjoying what you do. If a time ever comes when it starts to feel like work.. stop doing it.

I don't understand not being 100% into what you do when you hit a stage. I also cannot FATHOM how you can be an entertainer and have skill and yet not, even in the SLIGHTEST way, play to the crowd. Especially when yer doing a silent act. It's even MORE important! It makes my wind wobble.

It also angers me that lackluster entertainment runs rampant in this world. Here is some advice: Regardless of yer day, even if yer wife left, killed your dog, and lit yer house on fire, it's still wrong to take it out on your audience. Hot glue on that fake smile for a day if you have to, but despite the fact we might be our own bosses we whore ourselves out to someone else from time to time and they wanna feel they got their money's worth well after they have wiped themselves off with the hotel curtains. (Too far?) Be pissed and bored on your own time.

The show must go on.. and on.. and on...

Bizzaro.

I do not think that work means what you think it means...

So the last week (and sporadically over the last few months) the topic of ethics have cropped up in our magic discussions. Now most of us equate ethics in magic to mean giving credit where it might be due or not ripping off someone else's stuff or even exposure and how one goes about it.

Well there are some other types as well that are very much at the seamy underbelly of the entertainment world. Being two faced is frowned upon, especially in a community as small as the one of working pros. Problem is, most people can't keep their mouths shut and word gets around. If you talk smack about someone while to their face you are all smiles and hugs, you will get caught and you will get a bad rap. I don't go out of my way to make enemies OR friends on this journal, but sometimes I step on someone's tricks and they don't like it. Thaz fine. However, it's like the old saying goes, "Don't shit where you eat".

Life is too short to make enemies, and the person you alienate today, could be the person who could have suggested you for your dream job tomorrow. Do you really want to take that chance? If you have a problem with someone, don't waste your energy or time or mental space on them. Ignore them, be cordial, but don't go out of your way to help them.. unless of course it benefits you. (that is a WHOLE other can of snakes I will talk about later)

Don't bite the hand that could come back to bite you in the ass.

Bizzaro.

No offense...

But these guys bitching about getting ripped off just sounds like karma coming back to bite them in the ass.

Just ask Jim Pace.

Bizzaro.

Lies all lies!!

So this weekend I was performing at Jeff McBride's Wonderground. (Which I highly recommend). Got to meet some faboo people and see some performances. Something hit me this weekend while watching some stuff... we are a bunch of damned liars.

Ok well some of us more than others. I am all for setting tone and character and whatnot, but when you go so far as to say "This is the first trick I ever learned as a kid", and yer in yer 30's, you better not SUCK at it, or you will reek of LIES!!

"I remember my grandfather showing me this when I was.. " STOP IT, YER ADOPTED!! My issue I guess is, if you are not drawing from real life experience, and drawing from what you KNOW, then why should the audience care. If yer the 8th magician they have heard say this exact shpeel from, then some might become suspicious. Be true to thyself. When you are drawing from real events, even a little bit, it will show thru and let the audience in a bit. If you keep them at bay with yer little black lies, then you will be lost in a sea of magicians who believe they are being unique.. by doing something they saw someone else do.

Fitzkee wrote, "People are interested in one thing.. people." Don't be just another talking head. That was a band in the 0's and they did a fine job without anyone else's help. Just be yourself..

If you don't who will wear your pants?

Bizzaro

Right back where I started from...

Well kids, we made it to Vegas in one piece. Got in and met up with our lovely host for the week, Jordan Wright and went to see him as part of Jeff McBride's show Magic at the Edge. (If you don't know who Jeff McBride is, stop reading this journal and punch yourself in the face with a stapler.. now!)

If you get the chance to see the new bits and old faves in the current venue, do so. Also, (Shakes the magic hate ball) chances are good I will be performing this weekend at the Wonderground weekend venue. So stop on by Street of Cards this Friday and Sat night to see a live feed from the venue and maybe even some bits from me.

Until then... get a staple remover.

Bizzaro.

EPIPHANY!!

I got it.. I figured out why the Asshat does theses stunts. It's so simple, WHY didn't I see this before!? In every stunt he has done, he has been hooked up to a catheter and been in full view of people at all times. These are not coincidences!! He has a secret fetish for catheter and a not so secret fetish of exhibitionism!! Holy crap the Asshat is into kinky S&M and has found a way to make money off of it!!

Don't believe me? Watch this:


You can thank Itricks for this revelation.
Bizzaro.

Selling your sole...

I'm not too sure how I feel about another magician using someone else's tricks to A: make a name for himself and 2: Whore said products out to all the other wannabe magi's who own a TV or can work a computer.

I know that collaboration is a big part of magic and no magician is an island. (hell most magicians don't even qualify as dirt let alone a whole island) My issue is, with so much potential and room to blow yer own horn, why do you need a huge back up section? (boy someone is analogy happy today)

I think thaz all I have to say right now...

Bizzaro.

Swingers...

I wish my answering machine would talk to me.

Anywho, for those who may not have heard, Bizzaro will be invading Las Vegas in about a week's time. We are picking up shop and moving out to the desert to see what kind of insanity awaits for us. So if anyone has any advice, warnings, or hook-ups, lemme know.

This of course means posting will be scarce, but I will report when I have the chance and probably have a whole SLEW of new things to bitch about in the next few months. However for now I want to talk about This. Ever heard (or used) the line, "lemme see yer hand, no the clean one. Oh that was the clean one."? How about people saying you shouldn't use lines like that because it makes the spectator feel bad.

I agree that you should not attack a spectator head on with cheap shots. If you are going to insult an audience, do it to all of them. The problem with getting people up onstage is you are dealing with a crap shoot of possibly unstable individuals who could come up onstage with a fear or leave with a new one because of you. Having someone hold a prop, then having it collapse while they hold it can be dangerous. If they already have a low self image or feeling of being useless, and you get that one person, they could very well go home that night and hang themselves because of YOU!!

Handing a breakaway wand to a kid is funny...ish. Handing someone an object you claim to be very important and then it breaks is just poor comedy. If anything bad is going to happen, the performer should take it on because they have the ability to fix it (if they so desire). There is good-hearted ribbing, and then there is downright insulting. Some performers will NEVER say anything verbally off-key to anyone onstage... and those guys have some boring ass acts. Seriously tho', if it within the parameters of your character to be a bit of a dick to your helpers, and it works (Being the key element here) then go for it. Don't buy a prop that will get cheap laughs at someone's expense just because you aren't funny enuff to do it on your own.

Besides, the money you save today might save the life of some loser tomorrow.

Bizzaro.

The Notorious Biggie Fries...

So in usual fashion, I am taking this opportunity to whore out my own magical effects. This time around, we at Fire Cat Studios bring to you, FOILED AGAIN. Imagine producing a jumbo half-dollar coin and then peeling the top of it down to reveal it's chocolate underneath. You then reseal it and hand it off to the nearest bystander and they find it to be solid METAL! Imagine no longer! You can have this amazing ability! It is within your grasp!! How you ask? Go Here. Want to see what it looks like? Look below. (Note: there is no switching involved. It is a custom made gaff that works with any three inch jumbo half-dollar coin.)


Tastes great, less filling.

Bizzaro.

What you make of it...

First off, for those who only read this thru RSS, you miss out on the polls AND the new feature of pretty much showing how big a dork you are by reading my posts. So for those of you who eschew the main site, you might wanna pop in sometime.

So the other day I was looking at a Magic Maker's catalog from last year someone left under my couch. (I'm looking at you Aaron Stone) Many of you prolly know I am not a fan of teh Magic Maker's DVD products. You also know I am a big believer in the concept of "name recognition". While looking thru the catalog and seeing some of the guys who have put out MANY DVD's under their production it got me thinking... "It's nice to be know... but at what cost?"

If my face was plastered everywhere on shoddy merchandise, I would be known.. but not for what I wanted to be known for. It's like being a dove magician. Do I want them applauding for me... or at me. Personally, I'd rather be known for who I am...

not the company I keep.

Bizzaro.

Coming to terms...

Today we shall discuss two ideas and terms I feel are very important to creating the right presentation and effect. The other day I talked about my penchant for using food items to create magic. Last night I tried out one of my new creations at our weekly variety show. (Imagine healed and sealed with a small snack size of bag of Cheetos) A few things came from the live performance and the hour I spent before the show restructuring the routine. I am going to go over these two helpful ideas with you now. Grab yer ankles and get ready.

At Play - This term refers to making a prop or getting the props you need together and just.. playing. No matter how absurd an idea MIGHT be, you should at least follow thru with it. Make a prototype if need be. You never know what you are capable of until you get something in your hands. A lot of people have great ideas but never follow through with them. Don't be a lazy ass!! Whip it out and play with it!! (ummm...) Even if the initial idea you had doesn't work, something MUCH better might present itself. I prefer serendipity to luck any day.

In the Moment - When you are onstage or performing an effect for the first time, there are some aspects of a trick or presentation that you could NEVER have thought of in mere mirror practice. You have to be in the moment in front of a real people because that is when your secret subconscious performing reflexes will kick in. There is an energy that is present when performing for a mass of watchers. Don't be afraid to say or do something right out of the gate. Have a vague idea of what you want to say and do, but do not be afraid to deviate from the flight plan. Hijack that damn plane and head straight for the Pentag.. er.. Disney Land!! Mind you, the best time to have no fear in performance is a place where there is no pressure to be good or when yer doing it for free. Got new material? Find an open mic night or create your own somewhere. Opportunities abound!!

So there are two thoughts that might help you get out there and make magic your bitch. Mind you they require you to stop looking at the internet and actually motivate yer lazy ass. Bo not afraid. Run headlong at that cliff...

you might just be able to fly.

Bizzaro.

This sounds more like a lifestyle choice than a magic trick...

Bizzaro.

Thought for Food...

So I have been wanting to add a bit more to my creativity notes. You, my loyal readers, get a first glimpse of this addition to my usual ramblings.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The other day I was going over some of the magic I have created in the last few years and realized a LOT of it involved food and drink based props. I usually joke that you "go with what you know" and then pat my belly. Like most jests, there is some truth behind that. The items I use are things I actually consume. Doritos, sandwich cookies, Coka-cola, Cheetos, etc. The best part about this is that I am not the only one in the world who deals with these objects on a daily basis. We all have to eat. (some of us do it better than others but there is no way in hell I am gonna start doing magic with Tofu)

This brings me around to my point (I knew I had one here somewhere): Use items people relate to. You pull out brass cups or gaudy boxes with dragons on them, what are they going to think? Magic Prop!! That's right. You could honestly save yourself a lot of time and money by using soup cans or styrofoam cups. It might not be pretty but if the prop matches your presentation and character, it will paint a more complete picture. The best part is, you will get all of the credit for the magic you do. If they think it's accomplished with the prop you bought then you get NOTHING!!!

If you use props or items they have handled, seen, bought, etc they will subconsciously know that there is no trickery involved with the prop... even if there is. On the otherhand, you can use a concept they are familiar with in an incredible situation. I believe that if you give them a little bit of truth, they will believe a LOT of BS. (Like a jumbo coin being filled with chocolate) In the case of using foodtsuffs, you can play upon people's memories, emotions, or even mental states because people associate so much with edible items. With cookies you can get them going back to their childhood, water, you can have them remember summertime. It's a dirty trick, but man does it work.

So look through your repertoire, and see what you can repaint, remake, or just plain get rid of/sell and maybe find a way to make a better mousetrap.

Just don't forget the cheese.

Bizzaro.

Contesting...

I spent the weekend in Ft. Worth, TX attending the TAOM convention. (Texas Association Of Magicians) It is a regional convention that occurs in a different TX city every year. It can be one of the bigger conventions one can attend, depending on the year. Up until this year, it is the only convention I have ever attended. (thus far I have been to three conventions this year, which is odd because I usually only do one every 3-4 years)

Most every year I go to TAOM, I join in the merriment that is the magic competition. This year was no different. Now I am personally not a fan of competing BUT it has it's place so long as everyone remembers that that place has nothing to do with accolades or trophies.

My stage act is not generally one that radiates what is typically considered magic fodder. There is no hard-core manipulation. I do NOT produce doves. You will never see linking rings, cups and balls, or zombie ball in my act. Much of this kinda cuts me out of a lot of the categories upon which magic contests are judged. Originality is not seen so much as a skill but more of a tacked on feature, which counts for very little of your score on a judges sheet. Real world application is not ever a CONSIDERATION for these acts. There are a great deal of magic acts that go over great at a convention but fall short in the interest of the general public.

I am going to tell you the reason I still compete, even tho' I KNOW the deck is stacked against me (no pun intended) and then I am going to offer up some advice. I do it because I want to remind people I am still out there and make them AWARE of what I can do. The perfect place for your peers to see you is at a magic convention. This is the sole reason I participate in the whole debacle. (It sure as hell isn't for the fact that I LIKE getting up at 8am and then have to try and be funny)

Now why should YOU compete? The same reasons I do. Never go in thinking you are going to wipe the floor with other people. The moment you do some Korean kid with a bunch of colored playing cards is gonna saunter in and make you his bitch. You need to be aware that when you go into this, it is to show off what you can do, who you are, and get your name out there. Even if your act doesn't win, don't let it get you down. Listen to the buzz of the crowd. Often the audience can tell you more than the "judges" do. A trophy might look nice on a shelf somewhere, but word of mouth will get you a lot farther.

Speaking of performing in front of a crowd, here is some advice for those of you who do want to showcase your talent. Step away from the mirror!! I have seen SO many acts that do not engage the audience in any way, shape, or form. They get on stage and start performing like they would at home in the camera. Before you EVER compete, and I will repeat this EVER, find some places to do your act in front of a real audience. Again, the people watching will tell you more than you can ever know. The timing of an act in real life is much different. The methods used at home might not even be necessary in front of the drooling masses. Polish your act by performing your act in real time... not your own time.

Speaking of timing, I would like to comment on something I do think is a tad silly in the realm of Close-up. A number of conventions put a time limit on how long your act can go. For stage I think this is a good idea. It's sets a focused goal that FORCES you to pick and choose the best pieces of your act. Mind you that doesn't mean you HAVE to add material to STRETCH it to the limit but I digress..

However for close-up, (which isn't TRUE close up at a magic convention. It's really parlor. Be aware of this before you go into battle for the first time), I do not believe there needs to be a HARD limit. I think there should be a reasonable suggested limit, but a hard limit with no leeway is absurd. Even in real world rehearsal, you cannot judge audience reaction time. How long it takes to sing as card, shuffle a deck, or any other number of things that we tend to require others to do in an act. I understand there are some people with no assemblance of time, but putting a defined limit on something that is so free form or yer screwed is a bit archaic... but thaz just me.

So that's some advice from my skewed brain. For those who might be wondering, no I didn't win. No I don't care. I came away feeling that that TV show about a bar...

where everyone knows my name.

Bizzaro.

Giraffes!!

Or as Ken Driscoll would say, Gaffs. The insertion (ew) of desktop publishing has allowed others to pursue that life long dream of making one's own gaffed cards. No longer does one have to shell out 20$ for a double face card of special design. Long gone are the days of fako sheets. Long live the revolution!!

There have been a handful of helpful guides that have popped up over the last few years. Each one contains different ideas and tricks that will help you achieve your lifelong goal... of getting lai.. er.. making yer own gaff cards.

One of the more well known is Marty "Martini" Grams. His DVD, The Art of Card Splitting, has everything you might need or WANT to know to get started. It's a visual guide to his book, Lickety Split. Despite the fact it's a Magic Maker's DVD, I rather enjoyed it. The material is easy to understand and very straight forward.

If you want a more guerrilla form of gaff making, then navigate to Ken Driscoll's Gaffed Again. It has a lot of the tips and ideas from the Martini DVD but in a cheaper and more brief format. Two things that stand out about this product is the unusual way to make a Hofzinser card (in which you can use an Ace or other similar card) and advice on how to sell gaffed cards if you are so inclined to head in that direction. For the price, it can't beat and the information is top notch.

Both of the methods used in the previous two mentionings just aren't enuff for some people. Good thing for those types there is someone out there who wants to share his knowledge of dry mount card making. That person is Craig Matsuoka and his e-book, "The Gaff Factory" has a thorough (not to be confused with Thoreau) look into alternative methods for card making including ink transfers from your printer (oooooohh aaaaah). It's worth a look see if you want to explore other possibilities.

In that same, I recently stumbled upon a website that has many ideas concerning this subject.

You may have noticed I didna put links to any of aforementioned products. I figure my readers are smart enuff to do a google search and make up their own damn minds. In today's market we have choices and damn near instant access to the technology needed to make those choices. There is nothing more satisfying that doing something for yourself....

Just ask any person with no arms.

Bizzaro.

Biggity Bamf!

So for those who remember my talk of releasing my effect BAMF! onto he market, you get your wish.. sorta. Magic From The Grave is now up for grabs. It contains three effects by Todd Diamond (who sadly was killed by his his first DVD F*ck Street Magic) BAMF! by myself (That sounds dirty), and a fairly honest never before seen interview with Amazing Johnathan.

So if you want to be some of the first to partake of this little slice of cake or death, then head to the website and have a look around.

More to follow...

Bizzaro.

Bizzaro.'s Review of Midwest Magic Jubilee 2008

So I got in Thursday and already got a chance to see old friends and start to meet new ones. I got settled in and walked around aimlessly casing the joint. Mainly for performance purposes. Also one can never be too sure when you will need to beat a hasty retreat. In the evening, I got to have lunch with the very pleasant Jay Scott Berry. In the past he has released some good magic utilities (of which he utilizes to the FULLEST). We discussed all sorts of stuff and in the end went off to get ready for the evening show. Oh the evening show... here is a bit of advice: Don't open your evening shows with a musical tribute act. if.. and I mean IF you do, make sure he can connect with the audience and can be brief. It wasn't the worst show at a magic con I have ever seen but it did drag. The saving grace was Mark Mason and his well honed act. The next day I had to be up at 8am to watch a young man perform in the close-up competition (as per his request. Nice kid. Met him and his madre at WMS). At 9am I also had a tech meeting for the evening show. Since I had to get up so early I of course went to bed at 5am. This would be a trend to follow.

So Friday rolls around. I get up early, go watch Travis do his deal, do the tech meeting (Which consisted of "You need a mic?", "no", "oh.. ok well that's it then". So I went my happy ass back to sleep until around 2-ish so I could get up and see the close-up show @ 3. One of the treats to see was Kozmo. I had a chance to meet him in NOLA many years ago. He is a street performer and is damn good at it. His act has only improved since last I saw it. We were both out of our element as it was our first time to appear at a magic convention. Kudos to him and his ability to edit on the fly. Justin Miller did some very strong magic and harassed the audience only the way he can. Carroll Baker was on hand as well as Tom Craven and Jay Scott Berry. Jay performs in what he calls his "minimalist phase". His hands always appear empty. He comes out with nothing, leaves with nothing, and amazes you to the hilt.

I make my way to the theater, (Finally getting food. Much thanx to Tim for all of his help over the weekend. I doubt he will see this, but regardless: You rock man!), and start to set up for my set that evening. I am opening the show and Jay is closing. In between is emcee Geoff Williams who is inherently a very funny man and a nice guy to boot. Also Joseph Young doing some talking bits and Jonathan Levitt, who you might remember as the host for the Celebracadabra show that aired a while back. The show was strong thruout and had a little something for everyone. I was very happy to be on the bill. (And glad Geoff didn't get around to singing those opera tunes)

Later in the evening, Steve Daly (otherwise known as Bonnie Bitch), Sean Michaels (not the wrestler OR the porn star), and Jason Andrews did a late night extra event called "Tricks" to raise money for charity and it was ADVERTISED pg-13 (However slipped silently into R while no one was looking). It was a good time and was well received.

Of course there was more staying up late talking shop with the folks and having a good time. Mind you the culprit for much of the late night goings on was Chris Kenner who made a surprise appearance (With his better half Katie of course) as he grew up in the area and decided to stone two birds with one hit and see his mother as well. The man is full of tinier men.. no wait.. he is full of stories and good magic and is not unapproachable by any means. Despite the fact it's his fault Three-fly exists, he is a remarkable humble dude.

On to Saturday (I swear I am trying to make this brief): I got sleep yay!! Got up around noon to ready myself for the close-up show. I was one of the first performers in one of three rooms. I was a bit nervous and it showed. My first room was lackluster and I was pissed. Not so much at myself, but at the fact the audience kinda got cheated of the full experience. Alas, life goes on and the next two rooms went over much better. It was a very new act and has only seen the light of day a handful of times and I walked away with a better understanding of it and how to tighten it up. Regardless, I was sharing the rotation with many good performers. Dan Fleshman, who is as nice a guy as he is um.. not tall. Geoff Williams, Jonathan Levitt, Michael Baker (Who also shared the stage with us the day before), and Jimmy Molinari. All in all it was a good time.

Killed some time (And finally got some food) until the final evening show. I donned my "SURPRISE!! I can clean up nice" suit and hit the impromptu tables set up outside to entertain the rabble before the doors opened. The show contained equal parts Joseph Young, Stoil and Ekaterina, Ken Domash (Who did an interesting money manip bit as a guitar slinging street performer.), and the aforementioned members of the Tricks show. Again, it was a good show and everyone was pleased... from what i could tell.

I have been to a smattering of magic conventions in my time, but I must say that MMJ was a lot of fun and it is run very well. They do things a bit differently and the people there are friendly. I will be glad to go back as long as they are glad to have me. Looking forward to the possibility of next year and here's to my magic convention cherry being popped with no goram dove acts ANYWHERE in sight.

One dove is a prop, more than that.. is an act.

Bizzaro.