A Different Kind of Magical Fire

by Judge Gary Brown Charred remains of a Friedlander panel In the world of magic and collecting, cautionary tales abound: magicians and enthusiasts need to protect rare and expensive equipment, books and collectibles from numerous threats: light, moisture, water, mold, rust, theft and neglect.  This is a slightly different story, but one laden with important lessons. In 2019, a power surge...

Shamrock Shuffle by Lynn Miner

Effect: This three-phased jumbo card effect is an Irish-Themed Sidewalk Shuffle using ungimmicked cards. The spectator attempts to follow the Black Shamrock (Ace of Clubs) as it never appears in the chosen location. Props: Three jumbo Aces of Clubs and one blank face card. The backs must match. Set-Up: In this version, the Black Shamrock is the Ace of Clubs. From top to bottom, position the...

No Touch Magic Experience By Phil Tilston

I perform regularly at Houdini’s Magic Bar. There is one in Canterbury and one in Broadstairs in the UK (see http://www.houdinis.co.uk ). Close up magic is performed at the bars, along with a couple of more formal parlor type shows. The bars have been shut for a number of months, opened for a couple of weeks and unfortunately they are about to close again for a short period due to the...

“IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO LIVE YOUR DREAM.” THE GREAT LORENZO.. in his words…

This past January was my second-anniversary in magic. That is to say, it was my second second-anniversary. My first second-anniversary was back in 1982, and I celebrated it by auditioning at the Magic Castle to become a magician member. It took me two years to go from being a long-time magic enthusiast to performing in front of the Academy’s membership committee. Those were two years of focused...

“Get Real” — The Most Important Feat of Magic? by Craig Conley

When the latest news from quantum physics (and frankly the oldest news from Buddhism) proclaims that the universe is one big illusion, the magic community might get a certain thrill: the entire universe, literally the oldest trick in the book?! But then a sinking feeling: do magicians need to stop striving to be /real/ professionals, /real/ successes, if nothing is genuine?  More troubling,...