Recent Stories:
Wonder Thunder

Episode #1 : Why saw a woman in half? What is the connection between a deck of cards & the calendar. Remote card location.

Episode #2: Espionage, jealousy & murder among magicians. Adam calls his arch nemesis Richard Vegas.

Episode #3:The first aircraft pilot down under was a magician and a live random number challenge via phone.

Episode #4: Bar stunts, Alice Cooper as a magician and magic used in pop concerts.

Entries by Dodd Vickers (1785)

Friday
Dec052008

NOT YOUR AVERAGE HOCUS POCUS

Manhattan MagicA new weekly magic show debuted in Times Square on November 19th sponsored by Tannen's magic. "Cool enough for friends, but clean enough for the family, Manhattan Magic is a fresh, modern magic show that showcases incredible talent from around the world in an amazing, upscale theatrical environment. With different performers every week, Manhattan Magic is a premier venue for magic and variety performers in New York. It's a must-see event for anybody looking for a taste of the unordinary or extraordinary." Manhattan Magic takes place every Wednesday at 8 PM from Novemer 19th through December 17th at 8:00 PM.   In addition, there is a warm-up close-up show at the Sage Theater (711 7th Ave., 2nd floor  - between 47th and 48th Streets.)  Tickets are normally $30, but mention Tannen's and you'll get a $10 discount!  For additional information go to www.manhattanmagicshow.com.
Friday
Dec052008

THE PRINCESS CARD TRICK MOVES TO THE IPHONE

The "Princess Card Trick" has taken on many forms throughout the years and now moves to the device that you either love or hate, Apple's iPhone. Impossible from AppZapp brings "magic" to the iPhone. The application, which works on both the iPhone and the iPhone Touch, is described by developers as follows :: "You choose one out of 6 cards, our magician reads your mind through your iPhone or iPod, and the program removes your card from the stack."  Visit "AppZap" online for additional info or click on the above link to go directly to the iTunes store.
Friday
Dec052008

MILLENNIUM MAGIC IX

If you are anywhere near Hollywood California this weekend, you may need to change your plans and attend an annual magic event with an amazing cast. It's MILLENNIUM MAGIC IX and here are the details. When :: December 5 - 7 Where :: Theatre West in Southern California What :: "Millennium Magic IX." A program of magic and illusion. Details :: Rob Zabrecky produces, hosts & performs with the area's finest magicians. This array of great talents from the world of magic is the ninth annual presentation of the popular Millennium Magic show. The line-up of magicians will vary at each performance, so one could attend all three dates and see three different programs. Line-Up:: Friday, December 5th at 8 PM - Michael Rangel (Strolling) , Rob Zabrecky, Tina Linert, John Carney, Mike Caveney, Saturday, December 6th at 8 PM - David Martinez (Strolling), Rob Zabrecky, David Lovering, Max Maven, Jonathan Levit, Sunday, December 7th at 2 PM - Joe Skilton (Strolling) Rob Zabrecky, Fitzgerald, Mark Haslam, Joseph Tran
Thursday
Dec042008

MNW #73 :: BRIAN BRUSHWOOD III

The Magic Newswire first interviewed Brian Brushwood in April as he launched his video podcast, Scam School in conjunction with Revision3. It is our pleasure to welcome him back for his third appearance on our podcast to celebrate the fact that Scam School has been selected as one of iTunes “Best Podcasts of 2008.  Scam School focuses on the “Dark slick and sticky underbelly of street scams, cons, bar hustles and magic.” Wait no longer… visit Scam School online and see what you’ve been missing!

DOWNLOAD THE MP3 :: OR :: GET IT VIA ITUNES

OR LISTEN HERE TO OUR INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN BRUSHWOOD:
Thursday
Dec042008

DIXIE DOOLEY DAY

Dixie DooleyFrom Newsblaze we learn that "Las Vegas Strip headline magician Dixie Dooley had just received a City of Las Vegas Proclamation, making November 13 Dixie Dooley Day. Dooley, known as "The Magic Mystifier," has done a lot of community work using his talents to perform for children at Safe House and for various other charities. He has been recognized for his celebration of the magic of Houdini, which he has presented for over 30 years in Las Vegas."
Tuesday
Dec022008

BRUSHWOOD AND SCAM SCHOOL NAMED AMONG BEST PODCASTS OF 2008

The Magic Newswire was thrilled to have an exclusive opportunity to connect with Bizarre Magician Brian Brushwood in April as he launched his video podcast, Scam School in conjunction with Revision3. We've just learned from Shwood himself that Scam School has been selected as one of iTunes "Best Podcasts of 2008. in the video category. If you've somehow missed this show, Scam School focuses on the "Dark slick and sticky underbelly of street scams, cons, bar hustles and magic." Wait no longer... visit Scam School online and see what you've been missing!

DOWNLOAD THE MP3 :: OR :: GET IT VIA ITUNES

OR LISTEN HERE TO OUR FIRST INTERVIEW WITH BRIAN BRUSHWOOD: WATCH THE CURRENT EPISODE OF SCAM SCHOOL BELOW:
Tuesday
Dec022008

MNW #72 :: CHRIS CAPEHART

Chris CapehartChris Capehart, featured on the cover of the December 2008 issue of Genii Magazine, talks with us about starting out as a street performer on Broadway in New York City. From his days competing with Jeff Sheridan to hanging out at the Governor Cafeteria with Slydini, Dia Vernon, Derek Dingle and David Roth, Chris's story is very unique among those shared with us as a part of our "Spirit of Magic" podcast. Chris is a regular headliner at the famous Monday Night Magic in New York City as well as at the Magic Castle. Many have dubbed Chris "The Ring Master" for his unique handling of the linking rings which was published in volume 13 of "Stars of Magic."

LISTEN TO MY CONVERSATION WITH CHRIS CAPEHART:




OTHER WAYS TO LISTEN: ITUNES :: MP3 DOWNLOAD
HTML 5 PLAYER ::
Tuesday
Dec022008

ILLUSION AND CIRCUS NOUVEAUX MELD "AURELIA'S ORATORIO"

Aurélia Thierrée will present  "Aurélia's Oratorio," at the ART in Boston. The show blends circus nouveaux and illusion in a series of vignettes inspired by dream sequences and her vagabond childhood. According to Boston.com, the show presents "a wordless series of topsy-turvy acts and optical illusions, "Aurélia's Oratorio" spirals into a nightmare scenario of a woman gone mad. "Oratorio," which is directed, designed, and choreographed by her mother, the slender and lovely Thierrée showcases her illusionist skills. The piece begins with a simple dresser on a bare stage. As gypsy jazz music swells, her limbs appear and reappear through the drawers in stupefying combinations as she smokes a cigarette and drinks a glass of wine, challenging the audience's notions of logic. In another scene, she walks and spins along a ribbon draped high in the rafters. Yet another act features shadow puppets that become scene partners, dancing and fighting. In one particularly memorable number, Thierrée herself transforms into a puppet, performing inside a tiny toy theater for an audience of actual puppets."
Tuesday
Dec022008

MELBOURNE TO HOST MAGICAL HISTORY EXHIBIT

Hocus Pocus: Melbourne Magic, Mystery and Illusion will appear at City Museum in Melbourne on December 6th and will celebrate Melbourne's golden era of magic, circa 1850 to 1950. Curator Simon Gregg was interviewed in The Age regarding the research and preparation that went into making this exhibit happen. "I've been blown away by how many of the greatest magicians of all time actually came to Melbourne," Gregg says. "I hadn't realised how central magic has been and how intricately woven it is through the history of the city. When you read about the history of magic, you actually learn about the developing culture of theatres, you learn about the entertainment habits of Melburnians." Magician Gerald Taylor is acting as a consultant for the exhibition with the goal of insuring that the display of such illusions as Pepper's Ghost is handled without giving away any secrets. The article contains several amusing anecdotes related to performers like Chung Ling Soo, Harry Houdini and Gustave Fasola.
Tuesday
Dec022008

DC COPICS "THE SPIRIT" REVEALS HIS MAGIC COACHES IN DECEMBER'S ISSUE 22

In a magic referenced filled December Issue of DC Comic's "The Spirit" (Issue Number 22 "(Half) Way Out West"), the super hero reveals his magic coaches before solving the murder of magician/inventor Ogden Thompson. They are three truly fantastic real life performers, one of which has been a guest on our podcast. The first is  Magic Castle Vice President "Pop" Whit Haydn. The second is Richard "The Cheat" Turner and the third is  Johnny "Ace" Palmer. In addition to the many inside jokes and a profusion of magic, there is an appearance by the lovely Misty Lee.  With a great deal of attention being given to "The Spirit" in anticipation of the Movie Adaptation to be released on Christmas Day 2008, this is certainly a welcome addition to the world of magic.  Thanks to Whit Haydn for bringing this to our attention. WATCH THE SPIRIT MOVIE TRAILER: