MANDALA FOUR NOW ONLINE

In the January/February issue of The Mandala read an exclusive interview with the late Bruce Cervon. Originally recorded in the summer of 1997, Bruce talks extensively about his mentor and friend Dai Vernon. This interview has never been published until now; in it Bruce talks about the early years of the Magic Castle, his relationship with Vernon and Larry Jennings, and relates many humorous anecdotes starring The Professor and other magic notables.

 

Also, author Rick Lax offers a photo essay covering his “behind the scenes” encounters while writing his newest book Fool Me Once. See photos that didn’t make the final published work, and read stories behind the stories that appear in his book.

 

Plus, you’ll find all the great columns that make The Mandala unique featuring regular columnists Tom Burgoon, Tony Clark, Rich Cowley, Keith Dion, Brent Geris, Paul Romhany, Lou Serrano, and Kris Sheppard.

BROKEN WAND :: PAVEL

For me, there has always been something fun about rope magic. Today, cancer has stolen one of the most notable practitioners in this area, the amazing Pavel. I wish that I had been able to find better quality footage of the Czech born performer at work, but regardless of video clarity, the magic is great.  Enjoy!

THE LAST GREATEST MAGICIAN IN THE WORLD

Here's a short video in which Jim Steinmeyer talks about his new book on the life and career of Howard Thurston. In case you missed my earlier interview with Jim on this topic, you can listen to it HERE.

ILLUSIONS KEEPS ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE

On Monday, a legal challenge to the entertainment license of Baltimore's "Illusions Magic Bar" was thrown out of court. According to the Baltimore Sun:

“We won,” said Illusions co-owner Spencer Horsman, 24, a renowned Houdini-style escape artist who performs at the South Charles Street venue. “All of the people objecting lived more than 300 feet away. There’s no standing.”

Paul Robinson, the president of the association, said he’s upset the judge never let the group argue the merits of the case. The association had objected to the live entertainment zoning based on technical grounds, arguing that Illusions’ application was too vague and that owners Ken Horsman and son Spencer didn’t specify the precise types of shows that would be held at the venue.

SPIDER : THE MUSICAL : STARRING DERREN BROWN

Thanks to the UK site Metro, we found this amusing short vide of Derren Brown "Levitating" a spider. Enjoy!

ANTIQUE MAGIC WANTED FOR REALITY SHOW

I received an email from Murray Sawchuck today with a link to the following casting call. Pawn Stars maybe?:

City:  Any City

State: National

Looking for people that have collectable/antique Magic/ Magician Equipment, Props, Photos, Items, from Houdini, Blackstone, Kellar, Thurston, Doug Henning that would like go on a national number one reality show with their item to possibly sell it or see what it’s worth.

Find out more HERE

MY FRIEND TIM CONOVER : BY PATRICK SLAUGHTER

After being asked to write a memorial piece celebrating the life of Tim Conover, I didnt really know where to begin.  What do you say about a guy who literally changed your whole life?  Do you write about the funny stuff and try to be humorous?  That could come off as being callous or just plain silly.  Do you tell the stories that you know will touch the heart? Well, that could come off as too sentimental.  Do you talk about how great his love for magic was?  Everybody knows about that. 

So where do you start.  Well, at the risk of being criticized for a lack of originality, Im guessing I should just start at the beginning.

Click to read more ...

BROKEN WAND :: TIM CONOVER

I am very sad to report on the passing of the amazing magician and mentalist Tim Conover. According to what we have been told so far, Tim took his own life. There's really not anything else to say.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. 

Mentalist Tim Conover - Crystal Ball
Uploaded by mentalismtv. - Full seasons and entire episodes online.

MNW #204 :: JIM STEINMEYER

Jim Steinmeyer joins us again to tell the story of the man that he calls "The Last Greatest Magician in the World," Howard Thurston. Jim's new book explores how Thurston went from a homeless hobo with a checkered past to one of the most successful performers of his age. While Houdini's daring stunts were legendary, Steinmeyer says Thurston was the public's favorite, captivating audiences with his self-assured grandeur. There is no greater expert on the history of magic and few stories as interesting as that of Thurston as portrayed in Jim's latest book.

LISTEN MY INTERVIEW WITH JIM STEINMEYER:

OTHER WAYS TO LISTEN:

RSS :: GET IT AT ITUNES :: ZUNE :: MP3 DOWNLOAD

HTML 5 PLAYER ::

DAVID BLAINE IS A FATHER!

Congratulations go out to David and Alizee on the birth of their first child, a healthy baby girl,  in New York last week! According to the New York Post, their trip to the hospital for the delivery was almost as exciting as some of the endurance feats for which he is known because of snow storms blanketing the area.

When Guinochet started to have contractions, illusionist Blaine, 37, jumped into action, heading out of his Village apartment, hoping to conjure up a cab. But none appeared. "The doorman and people on the street tried to help him flag down a taxi. But there were absolutely no cars on the road," said a source

Then, an increasingly panicked Blaine tried calling several car services, but couldn't get any to come out in the storm, despite begging them and saying his baby was on the way, our source related.

Finally, a snow plow run by a private contractor came around the corner, and Blaine flagged it down. The driver scooped up the couple and gave them a ride to the hospital.