I was working at an event with a lot of bands. The tech sheet for for the band had each band tech needs, contact people and number of people in the band. This is helpful for the sound company, so they no what to expect.
This event’s tech needs had a little easter egg to give the sound company a heads up:
I try to be easy to work with, and not to become the act that they put notes about to warn the tech crew!
-Louie
Every year in my library show I try to have at least one trick that has a life larger than that show. Something that I’ll try to put into my main show. One of the new routines that I have been doing in my library shows uses a Cootie Catcher/Paper Fortune Teller.
This routine has been doing well, and it’s a great little solo routine that’s compact a trick that packs flat, but because it’s a three dimensional trick that moves, it has a bit more visual texture than a flat prop.
There’s not a ton to the routine that I’m working on. It’ll hopefully have 6 laughs in two minutes. I’m always looking for solo tricks that I can do without someone from the audience onstage.
-Louie
Magicians always ask me where I get a lot of the vintage magic props. I seek them out while I’m travelling. When I was performing in Napa, CA I found someone with a box of magic from the 1970’s. Here’s a quick video of it:
@louiefoxx Hunting for Vintage Magic Tricks #magictricks #magic #treasure ♬ original sound – Louie Foxx
Honestly, this box was just “meh” for me. There’s one thing that I want for my personal collection.
I am kinda excited to try to 3d print the gimmicks the two die boxes. It shouldn’t be too hard and they’re not complex shapes. The challenge will be making the hinge for the yellow die, but even that shouldn’t be too difficult.
For fun, I had AI make me a painting of the magic props on the desk of my hotel room.
I was playing around with some ideas of tricks to record with my Ray Ban Meta Glasses. One of the neat things is that if I do a magic trick to a mirror, you can record both sides of the trick simultaneously.
Here’s my attempt at doing that:
@louiefoxx Backstage at the magic show #cardtrick #magic #mirrior ♬ original sound – Louie Foxx
I think it came out well and is a good choice of trick as both sides of the card change, so there’s a good reason to show both sides of the cards!
-Louie
I’m honored to be one of the three (maybe four) featured presenters for this years Pacific Coast Association of Magicians convention in October!
You can get more info or register for the convention at: https://pcammagic.com/convention
One of the cool thing they’re doing this year is having the presenters do a full show. It’s a great way to give context to the presenter and personally I think a lot more is learned from a full show than seeing an act.
Here’s info on the three presenters:
James Cielen is one of only eight magicians to win the Gold Medal for Excellence in Stage Performance from the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Even better proof of excellence is the successful career which has followed, including what may be the longest-running contract in the history of cruise ship magicians. We’ll get to see James on his home turf, thrilling audiences in the 890-seat World Stage theatre, plus a PCAM-exclusive talk where we can learn from his experience.
Louie Foxx never stops. He never stops moving, on the road as one of the busiest entertainers in the Pacific Northwest, delighting audiences of kids, families, adults, and seniors in every town along the way. He never stops learning, as an avid collector gaining hands-on insight to the history of magic and magicians through long-lost props. He never stops creating, inventing wildly original tricks grounded in the practical needs of a working pro. Louie will inspire you to get your magic moving!
On a recent Fool Us performance, Penn praises Peter Samelson as “one of the greatest living magicians,” and Jamy Ian Swiss writes “I used to say that Peter Samelson is the most influential magician you’ve never heard of.” Except the secret is now out. From his groundbreaking publication Theatrical Close-Up to producing the longest running Off-Broadway Magic Show in New York City, he shows his commitment to performing magic as an artist. He’ll be teaching us, by example, what it means to experience magic.
To get in on this amazing week of magic and good times, be sure to register at https://pcammagic.com/convention
When I’m at a fair or event where I’m the only variety act, I try to label my stuff as show props so that people know to not handle my stuff. Many of these bands or dance groups don’t work with other acts and have never had to deal with backstage etiquette. Most of it is common sense, however I’m constantly amazed how how many people don’t have common sense.
I was working with a band and they tried to set up a drum kit onstage while I was performing on the stage! That made me glad I had already put a sign on my gear, as they clearly didn’t know.
Then I got back to the dressing room (trailer) and they had put all of their bags on top of my stuff! What’s crazier is why they would have done that when I took up barely any space!
This is why I assume no one knows backstage etiquette. Here’s a graphic I made for fun and to blow off some steam:
I kinda want to get some of these printed up and put them in greenrooms! Feel free to copy that and put it places!
-Louie
On this episode of the Moisture Festival Podcast we welcome in puppet maker Annette Mateo. We discuss her interest in puppets as a kid and how she rekindled her interest in it after attending her first Fremont Solstice Parade.
We chat about the puppet scene in Seattle and the various ups and downs over the years for her as a puppet builder. We also discuss her thoughts on emceeing the Moisture Festival Open Stage event just a few days before the interview. A great conversation with a creative mind and awesome person.
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Today’s vintage magic trick is Nick Trost’s Cardcentration. The effect is a prediction of which card out of 8 that someone will pick, then there’s a kicker ending.
Here’s what it looks like:
@louiefoxx Vintage Magic Trick: Nick Trost’s Cardcentration! #cardtrick #magic #magictrick #vintage #cardmagic #louiefoxx #nicktrost #closeupmagic ♬ original sound – Louie Foxx
The effect of this trick is great, the method is garbage. There’s no reason for the envelope, you put a card into it, then immediately take it out. This trick would be equally as strong if you did the hot rod force, Quinta force, or the PATEO force. Sure, there’s nothing to sell if you don’t have a gimmick, but those would be superior methods.
I will say that of the three times I did this trick, only once no one asked to look at the envelope after the trick. That confirms to me that it’s the weak spot in the trick. Sure I could have come up with a reason or way to justify the envelope, but I try to do these tricks as written up in the original instructions to preserve what the creator intended.
-Louie
The Daily blog will continue to be updated below this pinned post**
This is a quick heads up that I’m out of town now (8/13)through August 25th 2025.
No orders will ship during that period or work on products will happen while I’m away. In stock items will ship on Tuesday 8/26/25.
**The daily blog will continue to be updated below this pinned post**
Frequently if I have time to kill between shows, I will stretch my legs and walk through junk shops. Usually I just find things like sealed bicycle decks from the Cincinnati factory. Well, the other day I spotted this:
It’s a silhouette cut by Dai Vernon!
It was cheap and in a case that was an additional 20% off, so I took it home with me!
People always ask me where I find the cool old magic props and things that I have. Usually I hunt for most of them. I really like the “treasure hunt” aspect of it.
Doing the legwork pays off!
-Louie
