A sizzling September issue of Magic Magazine! Celebrating their 16th year, MAGIC put together an outstanding anniversary issue. Packed with tricks and ideas for you to deal out all month long. Updates on the hottest venues worldwide. Plus, special gaffed card included inside with routines to match!
THE ART OF MAGIC
Conjuring, when presented properly, is much more than merely showing tricks or puzzles. It can attain the status of not only a performing art, but of “art” in the broader sense. A creation in a specific medium that makes the viewer experience the world in a new way, perhaps exploring universal beliefs or attempting to connect with a personal, emotional outlook. And while it is possible for magic to become art, the reverse is true as well: art can become magic. From an impressionist painting that defines a glimpsed moment in time to a surrealist landscape that morphs into faces or bodies, art can trick us into seeing that which we did not believe could be captured.
PLEASING THE MASSES
How does a wildly creative close-up magician, who has invented tricks with gummy bears, popsicles, candy bars, and tan lines, end up a successful stand-up comedy mentalist living in Flushing, Michigan? Ask Nathan Kranzo.
SWEET SIXTEEN
The future of magic is, indeed, in good hands. If the evidence collected here over the past few months is any indication, we may be seeing the emergence of the most skilled generation of magical artists ever. We found numerous teenaged magicians who we thought deserved to be acknowledged. Those who were chosen were picked not only for their onstage skills but, in several cases, for putting their skills to use for the community. Narrowing the field was truly challenging; there are so many outstanding young performers throughout the world that the elimination process was, quite frankly, heartbreaking. Here is our suite of sixteen outstanding, inspiring, rising stars of magic.
MARKETPLACE- Reviewed this month:
• Cardini: The Suave Deceiver by John Fisher
• Radical Dice Routine by Sol Stone
• WD40 by Wayne Dobson
• Significant Hour by Brent Geris
• Bright Ideas DVD by Christopher Williams
• Fogel: In Search of the Sensational by Chris Woodward and Richard Mark
• Punishment DVD by Patrick McCullagh
TALK ABOUT TRICKS
Simon Aronson’s About Face consumes “Talk About Tricks” this month. In this blockbuster handling of the Hofzinser Ace plot, Aronson breaks new ground and offers a clean, nearly self-working method. Included with this issue is a specially printed gaffed card, required for the effect.
A HUNDRED DOWN UNDER
A review of the centenary celebration of the Australian Society of Magicians, which now is the fourth oldest magic society in the world. The convention took place July 7-9.
THE KING OF THE MALL
If you haven’t heard of Colin Underwood before, it’s because this 47-year-old South African has been delighting primarily local audiences, with only occasional forays into Europe and the Middle East. He’s been performing for the past thirty years, twenty-five of which have been as a full-time professional. He is a two-time South African comedy magic champion, has a number of television credits to his name, and has performed close-up magic for luminaries ranging from the Governor of The Reserve Bank to a Royal Command Performance for H.R.H. Prince Edward.
UPDATE
This month, step into Room 401, MTV’s new horror/magic show; read about all the technical problems James Brandon had to tackle to create the IcyHot commercial spot instead of just going CGI; learn of the unfortunate way Kevin James was eliminated from the America’s Got Talent competition; plus spend “A Moment With… Rick Thomas,” as he talks about the sudden closing of his Las Vegas show and what’s on the horizon for him.
BLOOMERANGS
In Geatan’s hands, a standard production of silks from a Phantom Tube takes a very bizarre and puzzling turn. He explains how it’s all done in this month’s column, then he shares his latest brainstorm session — the featured object is a hammer. Also included is a bonus effect involving a hammer; two tricks for the price of one this month.
