MNW #332 :: HARRY BLACKSTONE JR.

I recently received an amazing email from Bill Smith offering to share a previously unheard interview with Harry Blackstone Jr. Obviously, I was flattered and thrilled that I could share this with our listeners. According to the information shared by Bill, this interview was recorded by a local radio station in Texas, but was never broadcast. Fortunately, Bill was able to obtain the master and we now have the digital copy that we are sharing here today. Thanks again to Bill who has said that he will welcome any emails inquiring about this chat.

LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW WITH HARRY BLACKSTONE JR. ::

OTHER WAYS TO LISTEN:

RSS :: GET IT AT ITUNES :: MP3 DOWNLOAD

HTML 5 PLAYER ::

HACK LINES THAT EVERY MAGICIAN SHOULD AVOID

TELLER & DERREN BROWN JOIN EMC 2012!

And you though that after the final five were announced, the 2012 edition of the Essential Magic Conference couldn't get any better.  Well... You were wrong.

Teller and Derren Brown Q&A Sessions Added To Essential Magic Conference

Just confirmed. Two incredible additions to EMC. Last year David Copperfield gave EMC a virtual tour of his magic museum in Las Vegas. It was one of the highlights of the conference. This year Teller and Derren Brown will be joining us online in two very special sessions, broadcast live during the Essential Magic Conference 2012. Register now and join us for one of the biggest magic events of the year.

Teller Live From Vegas

Teller will be joining us live from Las Vegas to answer your questions. This is a unique opportunity to interview one of the most creative performers in magic, an artist and perfectionist who, with Penn Jillette, reinvented magic for a new generation. Join Teller online and learn what magic means to one of the most successful magicians in the world. As we near the conference members will be asked to submit their questions for Teller and the best will be put to him during a live interview. Do not miss this incredible event!

Derren Brown Live From London

Derren Brown has changed the face of mentalism. Acclaimed for his television specials and theatre shows, Derren Brown redefined the art of mental magic, updating it for the 21st century and making it credible, entertaining and unbelievably popular. At EMC Derren will answer your questions and share his thoughts on magic, mentalism and performance. It is a rare chance to learn from one of the UKs most famous entertainers. Members will be invited to submit their questions prior to the conference and the best will be used during the live interview.

REGISTER NOW FOR EMC 2012 BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

A WARNING FROM PAUL DRAPER

I recently had the pleasure of hosting my friend Paul Draper on the set of Drop Dead Diva during my last weeks filming Season Four of the series. Now it is my turn to share an appearance by Paul on a regional phone commercial. Well done Mr. Draper!

URI GELLER APPEARS AT HIS FIRST EVER MAGIC CONVENTION

This just in from Richard Kaufman:

I'm thrilled beyond words to announce that the world's most famous mystifier, Uri Geller, will present a lecture at Genii's 75th Anniversary Birthday Bash. 

Uri will mesmerize you in his first EVER appearance at a magic convention in the United States.

Join us! 
www.geniiconvention.com

In case you have missed previous announcements of the amazing line up scheduled for the Genii Magazine 75th Anniversary Gala, then listen up!  Richard will also be joined by Juan Tamariz, Jim Steinmeyer, Dr. Sawa,  Steinmeyer,  Michael Weber, Tomo Maeda, Jon Armstrong, Jonathan Pendragon, Charlie Frye, David Ben, Eric Mead, Eugene Burger, John Carney, Jon Racherbaumer, Kisuk Lee, Max Maven, Paul Wilson, Roberto Giobbi, Tom Stone, Jonathan Levit, Yumi, Rob Zabrecky, Alba, Alex Ramon, Scott Land,Peter Samelson, Jamy Ian Swiss, Tomo Maeda, Bob White & Lukas. Now, ask yourself... Why exactly haven't you already signed up?! DO IT NOW!

THE FINAL FIVE ARE ANNOUNCED!

Only a month to go before this year’s Essential Magic Conference and today we can announce the final five of our amazing Speakers. And they are:

 
 David Berglas
Yes, the incredible David Berglas is returning to EMC. David is a true international man of mystery. Miracles are his trademark, always taking an effect beyond the limits of magic into the realm of the impossible. He is the creator of the legendary Berglas Effect, a mystery that has astonished magicians for decades.

 
 Gene Matsuura
Gene Matsuura is famous for his extensive study of the magic of Slydini. In the 1970s they began a book project together. Slydini discussed his methods, particularly the timing, co-ordination and psychological ploys that underpinned his routines. Gene gave a wonderful talk on ‘crossing the gaze’ at our 2010 conference and has an equally intriguing presentation this year. Welcome back Gene.\

 Hiro Sakai
Hiro Sakai is new to EMC. He is well known in Japan and Korea where he has appeared on television many times, often in the character of ‘Dr Leon.’ He is an author and inventor and has contributed his ingenious magic to many magic magazines including The Looking Glass and Genii. Welcome Hiro Sakai.

 
 Mike Caveney
We never know quite what to expect from Mike Caveney. In past conferences he has produced a fat chicken from an egg bag and explained one of the world’s greatest illusions.  He is a performer, author and historian. A member of The Inner Magic Circle, was voted Stage Magician of the Year by the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. Since 1979 Mike Caveney's Magic Words has published over fifty books on the history, practice and theory of magic. Expected the unexpected and Mike Caveney at EMC.
 
 Stan Allen
Stan is another welcome returnee to EMC. He is the publisher of Magic magazine and the producer of the Magic Live convention in Las Vegas. He has a lifetime of professional experience in magic and his presentations are entertaining, informative and inspirational. You won’t want to miss him at this year’s conference. Welcome back Stan. 

Register now so that you won't miss out!

CHICAGOLAND IS MAGICLAND

The Chicago History Museum has opened an exhibit celebrating the rich history of magic in the Windy City. 

According to their web site:

We’re celebrating Chicago’s place in American magic. This interactive, family-oriented exhibition invites you to don a magician’s cape, explore the secrets of the craft, learn about magicians who performed in Chicago, and discover the wonders of the magic shop along with Greta, a young girl hoping to learn the secrets of magic.

Curious how magic looks in action? Professional magicians roam our halls, mystifying visitors with their daily Magic performances.

The exhibit runs through August with performances by Danny Orleans, Robert Charles, David Kovac, Jeanette Andrews, Mister Danny, Shawn Masterson & Bill Cook.

TEMPEST TALKS TESLA AT TED

Marco Tempest tells the tale of Tesla at TED conference:

ADDITIONAL EMC SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED!

Five more headliners announce this week to join the very growing list of high profile magicians for this year's EMC.

David Britland
David Britland is a television writer and consultant specializing in magic and deception. He co-created The Real Hustle and has worked on many British television shows including Secret Cabaret, Max Maven's Mind Games and Derren Brown's specials. He is also the author of several books on magic including Phantoms of the Card Table, Chan Canasta a Remarkable Man and The Mind & Magic of David Berglas.

Debbie McGee
Debbie McGee is the wife and stage assistant of Paul Daniels and as famous in the UK as Paul himself. "The lovely Debbie McGee" is a national catchphrase and Debbie frequently appears in the media as well as presenting her own radio show. But behind the glamour of the magician's assistant is a secret weapon, an indispensible part of the act and deception. We are very pleased that Debbie will be sharing some of her secrets at the Essential Magic Conference.

Luis de Matos
Luis de Matos is a professional magician in Portugal and creator of Studio 33, the facility that hosts this web conference. He, along with David Britland and Marco Tempest, created The Essential Magic Conference. He has been appearing on Portuguese television since 1990, his latest series being the 13 x 1 hour show Mist rios. A truly multi-skilled and multi-talented performer, Luis is currently touring Portugal with his highly acclaimed one-man show, Chaos.

Tina Lenert
Tina Lenert is renowned for her awarding combination of magic and mime. Her famous Mopman act has taken her around the world as a professional magician and helped win her the Academy of Magical Arts Stage Magician of the Year award. Before becoming a magician she performed in a rock band, played classical guitar and worked as a street entertainer. Join us at EMC to share the wealth of experience of one of the world's top performers, the wonderful Tina Lenert.

William Kalush
William Kalush is a lifelong student of sleight of hand and the history of magic. He is the founder of the Conjuring Arts Research Center in New York and the co-author, with Larry loman, of The Secret Life of Houdini. He created the Ask Alexander database, an online research facility that is surely one of the most important ideas in magic where, finally, our knowledge can be gathered, indexed and shared. Join Bill and the rest of magic's stars at EMC.

Join us on the 27th, 28th and 29th of July for the third and
final event in the Essential Magic Conference Trilogy. The
Essential Magic Conference is the world's first digital
conference for magic and magicians. 33 magicians, 3 days of
magic.

Watch live via the Internet. View on your computer, your iPad or even your iPhone. Watch all sessions online and on-demand for one year. And receive an 8 DVD Box Set of all the sessions once the conference is over. DVDs mailed post free to anywhere in the world.

Conference speakers already announced are:
Armando Lucero (United States)
Bill Malone (United States)
Chris Kenner (United States)
Dani DaOrtiz (Spain)
Daniel Madison (United Kingdom)
David Williamson (United States)
Denis Behr (Germany)
Eberhard Riese (Germany)
Eric Mead (United States)
Gaetan Bloom (France)
Graham Jolley (United Kingdom)
Guy Hollingworth (United Kingdom)
Luis Piedrahita (Spain)
Graham Jolley (United Kingdom)
Guy Hollingworth (United Kingdom)
Luis Piedrahita (Spain)
Marco Tempest (United States)
Max Maven (United States)
Michel Clavello (Argentina)
Norberto Jansenson (Argentina)
Paul Daniels (United Kingdom)
Paul Harris (United States)
Richard Wiseman (United Kingdom)
Steve Cohen (United States)
Tom Stone (Sweden)
Topas (Germany)
Woody Aragon (Spain)
Yann Frisch (France)
Yigal Mesika (Israel)

Last 3 headliner names to be announced next week..

Register to attend today - access passes are limited. Register now! By going to:http://www.essentialmagicconference.com/users/new

FOOLING HOUDINI OR HIMSELF?

Alex Stone's book "Fooling Houdini," has been reviewed and dicussed in many places since its publication including the various forums where discussion of magic takes place. In my opinion, no one sums it up any better than does Ricky Jay in his review for the Wall Street Journal. I won't spoil the punchline, but here is one snippet from the piece. Read the review in its entirety here.

The title "Fooling Houdini" is inspired by the great Dai Vernon (1894-1992), probably the most important sleight-of-hand artist of the 20th century. Although Vernon's reputation was in no way dependent on his being the called "The Man Who Fooled Houdini," Mr. Stone adopts the phrase in his title, though he inaccurately recounts the card trick Vernon performed. He concludes the volume with another miss-told tale about Vernon. Between these bookends are gratuitous exposures and numerous other errors, both of fact and of understanding. It would only exacerbate the problem to discuss all of them here.