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Portland Society of Magicians Amateur Contest

Recently the Portland Society of Magicians has their amateur magic contest. This was for people who don’t really perform for pay.

What I love about things like this is getting to see all the different styles of magic that are performed. Also, it lets me see the various trends that are going around magic.

One thing I noticed in the contest was that there were two acts where the trick didn’t work, and they ended at that point. That’s something that separates pros from amateurs: how they deal with mistakes. A pro will plow on and figure out a way out of it, whereas the amateur doesn’t necessarily have that “toolbox” to get them out of the situation. How do you get the “toolbox” of outs, simple, you fail a lot! Failure is part of the learning process and a very important part of it!

The more you fail, the better you get!

-Louie

New Sound System for my Magic Show

After probably more than a decade I finally upgraded my sound system. I used to use the Roland Street Cube EX, which is great and after about 10 years it still works great! What I liked about this system is that is has all the inputs that I need, so I don’t need to add a mixer to it. It also runs on AA batteries, so if there is a low battery issue, I just throw new ones into it.

I’m switching to the Bose S1 Pro. The main reason I’m switching to it is for a tour I’m doing in the spring of 2026, and the Bose speaker is much smaller than the Roland Street Cube EX. The Bose S1 Pro also has better sound, but both speakers have enough sound for what I need.

I also bought a carrying case for the Bose speaker.

This case has plenty of pockets and holds all my audio gear, eliminating the need for another case.

I’ve done a few shows with the Bose S1 Pro so far, and it works great!

-Louie

Magic Show Tax?

In Washington State where I live they just passed a tax on “live presentations”. The way the new tax is described it’s unclear as to whether I’m supposed to start charging sales tax. Previously, service businesses didn’t have to charge sales tax.

Here’s what the rule looks like on their state’s website:

The state has an email address that you can use to get an official ruling as to what you’re supposed to do. I sent them a question asking them if I have to start charging sales tax and here’s what the state had to say:

That’s great news, as the new rule took effect on 10/1/25, and I had shows scheduled with “all inclusive” pricing long before this new tax was announced. Those shows I’d lose 10% on, so I’m glad that magic shows are exempt (for now) from this new tax!

If you’re in Washington State and do magic shows, you should email the Department of Revenue and get an official, binding ruling for your business.

-Louie

Great Advice for a Magic Show!

In a box of used magic I found an almost 30 year old letter from an established professional magician to a newer magician. It’s notes on the newer magician’s show, you can read them below:

The notes are pretty spot on, and great advice. I love that the older magician took the time to write up the advice so that it’s easier for the newer magician to implement the suggestions!

Personally I love helping magicians be better, and I think it’s something we all should do!

-Louie

The Moisture Festival Podcast – Salamandir

On this episode of the Moisture Festival Podcast we welcome in Salamandir (yes. That’s his real name). Salamandir talks with us about growing up playing music and how his exposure at a young age allows him to pick up any instrument and play it.

We discuss his abilities to fix instruments, his love of incense and even get insights into the first Moisture Festival. A great conversation with a fascinating person.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Teaching Stage Etiquette

Over the summer I worked at a fair with a hypnotist and some other acts. One night during the hypnotist’s show, the drummer from the band that was next onstage started bringing his drum kit onstage and setting it up! This is a huge breach of etiquette when you are sharing a stage with another act.

The thing is when you perform at fairs there are really two types of acts, acts that are professionals and acts that aren’t. The community acts are typically acts that are newer and just haven’t ever shared a stage with another act and don’t know the rules.

While it’s annoying a hell when someone tries to set up during your show, it’s also a teachable moment as they obviously don’t know that they shouldn’t do it. When it happens during my show, I simply mute my mic and firmly say, “This is an active stage and you need to get off of it right now.“

No discussion, just that said firmly.

Then after my show, if they don’t apologize to me, which they will about 90% of the time, then I explain to them during someone else’s show 100% of the stage is theirs…unless other arrangements have been made. I usually ask/mention how they would feel if I went onstage and started setting up while they were performing.

Educate them!

-Louie

Dell O’Dell Promo!

When I was going through a box of old magic stuff, I found this envelope and 1/3 page flyer from Dell O’Dell. What I love about this is how fun it is. There’s little jokes, like having someone pull off the stamp.

Then in the lower left corner it says to touch the bell with a cigarette. When held up to to the light you can see that her signature it attached to the bell. I’m guessing that the when heated the signature will burn or become darker.

It’s a fun piece of promo to find!

-Louie

The Porter Case!

Last spring I picked up a Porter Case. This is carry on luggage that converts to a luggage dolly. I haven’t needed to use it, until my recent trip to Canada to get on a cruise ship.

Here’s the case in its three positions:

After using it to get from home to the airport, the airport to the hotel, and the hotel to the cruise ship, I’ve decided I like it! Since they haven’t made these in a long time, the challenge will be to find another one as a backup.

-Louie

The 1-2-3-4 Ace Trick

I was playing around with some cards the other night and came up with a very 1980’s feeling packet trick. The effect is you show four aces. The ace of diamonds changes to a two of diamonds. Then the ace of clubs changes to the three of clubs. For the finale, the ace of hearts turns into the four of hearts, giving you a one (ace), two, three and four.

This trick uses a series of Ascanio Spreads. I’m not going to go teach that move here, but you can look it up and find a tutorial for it online.

Here’s the starting order of the cards:

Hold them face up in your left hand in dealing grip. Do an Ascanio Spread to show four aces, putting the four card block on top of the packet .

Do a second Ascanio Spread to show that the ace of diamonds is now a two. Put the four card block top of the spread.

Next do a third Ascanio Spread to show that the ace of clubs is now a three. This time, you will switch places of the middle two cards. I openly displace them, and then put the four card block on top.

Finally, do a fourth Ascenio Spread to show that the ace of hearts is now the four!

That’s it, there’s really not much to this trick, and it feels like it needs an ending. I have played with having the backs change colors and have a method for that, but I’m not really happy with it.

Additionally, I’d be surprised if this sequence had not been created before. It seems fairly obvious that this result can be achieved with just Ascenio Spreads.

-Louie

Replacing Ropes

After a summer of performing, I was doing some prop maintenance and noticed how gross the ropes I use have gotten!

Going through your props a couple times a year to clean them up or replace things that get worn out is a good thing to do. It’ll keep your show looking fresh and not beat up.

-Louie