T11 INSIDER #10 :: BURT WONDERSTONE

MAGIC-CON 2011 IS ABOUT TO BEGIN

Magic-Con not only brings together the greatest magicians in the world, but also a diverse lineup of uniquely skilled professionals, scientists, visionaries, and inventors. With over 30 unique presentations and featuring a lecture from one of arts most revered and studied magicians of all time, Magic-Con 2011 is not an event to miss and definitely not one ever to be forgotten.

If magic is your passion, then we cordially invite you to join us in our mission to advance the art. We'll see you at Magic-Con."

Magic-Con 2011 in being held in San Diego, CA from March 24-27. For more information and to register, visit www.magic-con.org

THE SHADOW CUTTER

The Great Canadian Theater Company is staging a play about Dai Vernon entitled "the Shadow Cutter." 

Step into the seductive world of magic, where secrets are currency and illusion rules supreme. In The Shadow Cutter, two actors take us on a dramatic journey through the remarkable life of Dai Vernon, the Ottawa-born magician who earned his international reputation as the only man ever to fool Houdini. Pierre Brault’s newest play conjures up Dai’s lifelong, obsessive quest for the ultimate card trick, and the unexpected cost of mastering it.

In an article at CBC, writer Pierre Brault descibes his approach to the story:

"I was more interested in the idea of secrets and what secrets were to them,” said Brault. “It’s almost a form of currency. They hold onto secrets. They trade secrets. And this is a world that really fascinated me."

MNW #305 :: JASON ENGLAND

Jason England is one of magic's leading experts on all things Erdnase. Recognized as an authority on casino gambling, specifically, cheating with cards. He has some of magic's most dangerous hands. Influenced by Steve Forte, Richard Turner, Dai Vernon, and Darwin Ortiz, Jason is an amazing resource. This interview was recorded just over eighteen months ago, I had thought that this interview had been lost in a hard drive crash. I'm thrilled to have been able to breathe new life into it and share it with you today. In this interview, Jason and I discuss the evolution of his career and his role in the latest Steve Forte Gambling Protection Series DVD's!
LISTEN TO MY CONVERSATION WITH JASON ENGLAND:
OTHER WAYS TO LISTEN: GET IT AT ITUNES :: MP3 DOWNLOAD HTML 5 PLAYER ::

RUMBLEWICK ANIMATED FEATURE IN PRODUCTION

Hot on the hells of the Academy Award nominated animated feature "The Illusionist" come a new magic related project from Dreamworks. According to Variety & ComingSoon.net:

"The fascinating world of witches and witches' familiars is perfectly suited for the medium of animation, where anything goes," said DreamWorks Animation's Chief Creative Officer, Bill Damaschke. "Combined with the magically creative and comedic sensibilities of Tim Johnson and Jim Herzfeld, we look forward to bringing the world of 'Rumblewick' to life.

Rumblewick will follow a magician's rabbit as he tries to "save his fuzzy little hide" from being a pawn in a game between two rival witches.

AMA AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED

Dai Vernon levitates Irene Larson outside of the Magic Castle circa 1970Thanks to Richard Kaufman for sharing this list of nominees for the Academy of Magical Arts 2011 awards on the Genii Forums!

CLOSE UP :  Jon Armstrong, Derek DelGaudio, Andrew Goldenhersh, Paul Green, Suzanne

PARLOUR  :  Chris Capehart, Mike Caveney, Andrew Goldenhersh, John Lovick, Johnny Ace Palmer, Rob Zabrecky

STAGE  :  Rich Bloch, Rudy Coby, Dana Daniels, Whit Haydn, Rob Zabrecky

LECTURE  :  Jon Armstrong, Coby Kenner & Mayne, Patrick Martin, Shoot Ogawa, David Regal, Gregory Wilson

If you plan to attend the event yourself on April 10th, buy your tickets today!

TRIUMPH RUNS OUT OF STEAM

The Las Vegas Sun shares the official announcement of the closing of Triumph at the Las Vegas Hilton:

"Triumph ..." was intended to introduce Steampunk to Vegas audiences. This is an antiquated effect where images of steam power are applied, Victorian-style, amid dancing and traditional illusions.

But in the end, the greatest illusion was the show itself. In this time when even great shows are challenged to fill theaters, "Triumph ..." had not nearly enough steam.

Hollywood Today is reporting that they're looking for a new home:

The Vegas Hilton headline show, Triumph...A Journey Through MagicalityTM, called "a spell-binding masterpiece" by the Las Vegas Sun.  The creators have announced their full stage Magic, Dance, and Illusion production is ready to move forward and they're now entertaining offers from new venues.

FINDING MY INSPIRATION : BY STEVE COHEN

Photo from Lance PierceOne of my heroes is legendary magician Max Malini. This morning I made a pilgrimage to his house in Honolulu, met the current resident, and was invited onto the property to take photos and stand in the Malini garden. It was, quite simply, a sublime experience.

Together with local magician Curtis Kam, I retraced the steps to many of Malini’s old haunting grounds.

Malini died on October 3, 1942.
Here is a photo of magicians Michael Skinner, Allen Okawa, Dai Vernon, Presley Guitar, Roger Klause and John Cornelius in front of the same house in 1982. This photo appears in the book Roger Klause in Concert, and was taken during a magic convention held in Honolulu.

According to Curtis, nobody has ever been invited past the front gate. I figured that since I had come all this way, it wouldn't hurt to go just a bit further and make an unannounced call. Act first, apologize later. That's how Malini would have done it!

READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE

DAN SPERRY TAKES HIS SHOW ON THE ROAD

Beginning in March,  Dan Sperry will take his show on the road. Among his many appearances is one in North Platt, Nebraska.

From the North Platt Telegraph: "Audiences throughout the United States will have the chance to witness his unique performances, which combine illusion, satirical macabre humor and non-stop mayhem set to industrial music.

"I've been searching for alternative forms of entertainment to bring to our venue," said playhouse interim general manager Scott Carlson. "I saw Sperry was already going to be touring in Lincoln and Omaha so tried to get him to come here too, and it worked out perfectly."

Carlson said the show is something that locals would normally have to travel to the eastern end of the state to see.

This is Vegas-quality entertainment in North Platte," he said. "The board's excited to have him here, and we hope the community will be too."

BLACKPOOL BONANZA BY PETER ELDIN

It proved to be another bonanza weekend for the 3500 magicians who attended the 59th Blackpool Magicians Convention. There was so much to see and do delegates were spoiled for choice. My apologies for names and events missing from this report but it is impossible to cover every event in detail and I have made no attempt to do so. The answer is be there yourself, then I will not have to write a report!

UNDER THE HAMMER 

I popped in to see the auction on Thursday afternoon and bargains were being snapped at a fast rate thanks to the autioneering skills of Derek Lever and Mike Shepherd, aided by a band of delivery people to carry the goods to the successful bidders. There were plenty of bargains to be had and I estimated that some 2000 items went under the hammer which must have raised a tidy sum for Blackpool Magicians Club. 

Click to read more ...