Earlier this week I decided to crash Magic Live with some friends and hang out at the bar of the hotel. Normally I wouldn’t do this, I would register, however the magic convention was sold out, so that wasn’t an option.
It was a blast running into everyone in the bar! It was a fun meeting a lot of people I know through social media, but have never met in real life. This is one of the really important things about magic conventions right now, is that are taking relationships that exist virtually and making them real life!
We’re getting ready to move and I found this picture of me with Shimada! It made remember the fun adventure that let to me hanging out with him.
Way back in the mid 1990’s I went to Vegas for the first time. I was a teenager and went to the Desert Magic Seminar by myself. One of the shows that I wanted to see was Lance Burton‘s show at the Hacienda. I walked over there from the Tropicana and was turned away at the box office because the show was sold out.
As I was walking away, legendary magician Shimada was walking in with a big group of people, who were all Asian. Just as they all went into the showroom, and Peter Reveen (who I think was Lance’s manager) stopped me and asked why I was leaving. I was totally confused, and he told me I should go in with Shimada’s group to get seated. He then brought me into the showroom and seated me with Shimada and his group!
Lance Burton’s show was amazing and it was a lot of fun to watch a legendary show with a legendary magician!
A while ago I almost flew to New York on a day I had off between a couple of contracts to see In & Of Itself. Unfortunately, with the flights and the show that I could get tickets to, if my plane was a little bit late, I would have missed the show. I didn’t go.
The show is streaming right now at the IFC Center’s website. You save $3 with the coupon code: ROADTRIP
After watching it, I’m regretting not taking the chance on seeing it in person. The show was AMAZING! That’s just seeing it streamed, I can’t imagine the energy seeing it live.
There’s a lot that makes the show work. First of all it’s now a “magic show” but a show that has magic elements. I think about five tricks in 90 minutes, so not a lot of magic, but what’s there is great!
One of the things that makes the show work is that Derek Delgaudio is a normal guy. He doesn’t have shellac’d hair, dancers, or exaggerated applause poses. He’s an honest guy sharing his life. Sure there are theatrical things that happen, like lighting, or music, but they aren’t overbearing like the how a 1990’s Las Vegas illusionist finishes a trick.
Watching the show, I cried twice. Derek knows how to connect with people in a way I don’t think I’ve ever seen in another show. This style of show is something that other magicians are going to be chasing for years. Derek is soo far ahead of the pack, and it’s such a unique show and venue. You can’t really break in this sort of material at the gravel company’s holiday party.
Do yourself a favor and watch the show. It will inspire you to be better!
The more you do magic, the less “off the rack” magic props you will use. The more you use props professionally, the more you figure out exactly how you’d like them to feel, handle, or whatever. Sometimes this means using custom made props, sometimes this will mean using props that are altered. Recently while travelling … Continue reading “Custom Props…”
The more you do magic, the less “off the rack” magic props you will use. The more you use props professionally, the more you figure out exactly how you’d like them to feel, handle, or whatever. Sometimes this means using custom made props, sometimes this will mean using props that are altered.
Recently while travelling the TSA screened my checked baggage and lost my two table tops. After two weeks of phone calls I managed to find track them down at an airport lost and found at McCarren Airport in Las Vegas. They are sending them to me via overnight FedEx at my cost! It’s crazy, that they were in the TSA’s control, and I need to file an claim to get reimbursed shipping to me.
The worst case scenario was that the tables were gone and I had to get them remade. This scenario where I’m out a few bucks to get them back is still cheaper than having to have them remade. Also it gets them to me quicker, I don’t have to wait while someone remakes them.
