A Practical Magician’s Case-Table, Part 1

At this stop along The Magic Tech Road I would like to consider practical road cases that have a dual purpose: to transport props and to help manage them on stage as a table. Remember this is about a one or two person cabaret show for that one-night-only one-hour performance. The subject of cases is huge, so let’s focus. I am not talking about all stage tables, illusion cases or the smaller...

Pondering About Magic and Creation

It was my 5th birthday. Although he was no magician my father knew some magic tricks and he was going to do a small show for my friends. But before they arrived he took me into his room, lit a cigarette, took a few puffs. Then he closed his hand into a loose fist. I watched with amazement as if I felt something extraordinary was about to happen. He took the cigarette out of his mouth, dropped it...

Magical Persistance

Better keep moving on, better keep moving on, Don’t let my hopes slip away. Dream as if I’ll live forever, Dream as if I’ll live forever, Live like I’ll die today. Zoe Lewis What is this driving desire to create art with the tools and craft of magic, to build structures of solid wonder, to birth moments of astonishment, spun sometimes through with lyrical beauty, sometimes with rib-cracking...

“Witches and Magic-Makers” by Douglas Hill

As readers of this journal may know from past reviews, my jaunts to the bookstore usually include a glance through the children’s books. Some excellent sources of magical inspiration can be found among titles intended for young readers, and not all of them begin with the words Harry Potter. Witches and Magic-Makers is number 70 in a series of DK Eyewitness Books that includes over 100 volumes on...

Eugene Burger: An Inteview with Max Maven

[On June 1, 2003, Eugene lectured to a packed house at the Magic Castle. After performing and discussing four routines, and explaining one of them, he introduced Max Maven, who conducted an on-stage interview. This was transcribed by Robert Charles, and then trimmed by Maven’s heavy editorial hand.] EUGENE BURGER: When I was thinking about this lecture I said to Max, “You know, you interview all...

The Many Faces of the Magician

Eugene Burger and I have been working together, creating magical events for magicians for 15 years. We learn a lot from our students and are often amazed at the diversity of magi we attract to our events. We often teach for large groups at major conventions, sometimes hundreds of people at a time. Over the years, we have worked with breaking down these large groups into smaller more personal...

The Importance of Importance

A Conversation with Eugene Burger, by Romany – Diva of Magic I first met Eugene Burger at FISM Dresden in 1997 in my first year of learning magic and was fascinated and inspired by his original lectures. I’ve still been a student of his magical theory through his books and McBride Master Classes. As the series of awards given to him by the world of magic attest: Magic Castle Close-Up...

The Writing on the Wall

Inspiration sometimes comes from the strangest places. Without a doubt, one of my most inspired moments came in a bathroom. Strangely enough, Jeff has had the same experience in the same bathroom. The bathroom of interest belongs to Gary & Tam Stadler. Gary is the Techno Wizard that you hear about from Jeff now and then (and my best friend). Tam is his wife and the first person to make me...

The Highs and Lows of a Travelling ‘Diva of Magic’

“Gotta keep moving on, gotta keep moving on Don’t let my hopes slip away Dream as if I’ll live forever Live like I’ll die today” — From “Moving on” by Zoe Lewis Strong coffee and a big slice of cake is the reward for gritting through the ‘why-do-I-go-but-strangely-I-enjoy-it’ Saturday morning boxing class. Divas of Magic keep muscles...

The Bali Journal

Ah, draw near, beloveds, and let me tell of you of our journeys, of where the Fire and the Magic have taken us. Listen to the stories inside my words, and hear the heart of humanity, beating on, and on. These worlds are happening every day, now, somewhere, someone is experiencing a similar moment to the one I saw, and witnessing the kaleidoscopic beauty of Now. See through my eyes, as I...