“Jar of Fools” by Jason Lutes

In the early 1990s Jason Lutes, a writer and artist living in Seattle, received a Xeric Foundation Grant. And we’re lucky he did. Because it provided him funds to complete and publish his first comic book, Jar of Fools. A two-part story originally issued in separate books, Jar of Fools is now available in a single volume. Calling Jar of Fools a comic book is a bit like calling Crime and...

The Magician’s Wand, Part 2

THE STAFF / CADUCEUS CONNECTION Long rods or staffs were generally used by the animal keepers (shepherds) and wise men of the tribes. In the Old Testament is recorded the stories of Moses (and others) who performed magic with their rods. In some magical traditions, the act of the magician touching his staff to the Earth represented the directing of consciousness towards Humanity. If he, instead,...

Sound Advice, Part 2

REMOTE MUSIC SYSTEMS THE AFFORDABLE $75 ADVANCED AMATEUR OPTION If you must be on a strict, economical budget, try this. Go to Radio Shack and get a $25 wireless on off remote to switch that plugs into a standard electrical outlet. It uses radio frequencies, not infrared signals, so you can hide the key-chain sized transmitter. It sits in your pants pocket, or you can sew it into your costume...

Spiritual Strength & Introspection

Do you consider yourself a performing artist, more a magician, or is there even a distinction? I consider myself a hard-core magician. Any influences as far as performance art is concerned? I seriously studied the performance art movement in the 70’s and early 80’s. There were people like Joanna Went, the Kipper Kids, Laurie Anderson. I started reading “High Performance...

Ten Important Points to Consider

We’re going to talk about magic, not simply about how magic tricks work but rather about a question that is, I think, much more important: “What is the process by which we learn to perform magic effects?” A process hopefully that ends with a magical performance that is both deceptive and entertaining.” I suppose that there are almost as many views of this process of how...

“The Knife Thrower and Other Stories” by Steven Millhauser

I recommended The Knife Thrower and Other Stories during my “Literature for Magicians” talk at the last Mystery School. It may seem odd to recommend a work of fiction to magicians, but I feel that this book (and Millhauser’s work in general) has not only provided me with hours of enjoyment, it has taught me a thing or two about magic. I’m of the opinion that it’s...

Who Do I Go To For Advice?

Many times in a magician’s career, whether a seasoned professional or beginner, one asks “Who do I listen to for advice on my magic?” The question seems easy at first, because advice is always plentiful, and usually free. But then, is at always the right advice, or the advice that is right for YOU? Throughout history, the magical arts have been taught by apprenticeship; closely...

Magic on Stage

Over the years, I have been both a student and a teacher of magic. My friend and mentor, Eugene Burger, has shared many of his thoughts with me about his creative process. Together, we have been teaching magic for over ten years. I am happy to present some of our ideas on how to go about creating better magic. For many magicians, just getting into the habit of a rehearsal discipline is often...

The Theory and Art of Magic

Last month in these pages I presented an overview of “The Theory and Art of Magic” program that was held at Muhlenberg College during September and October of 1999. This month we begin running a series of talks drawn from the program with the first of two pieces by Eugene Burger. As most readers know, Eugene Burger is one of the brightest stars in contemporary magic. He is two- time...

Fear

NIL TERRIBLE NISI IPSE TIMOR. (Nothing is terrible except fear itself.) Francis Bacon, 1623 In the minutes before my show I could feel it creeping up: snakebite, poison in my veins. Stomach churning, palms sweating, heart racing, hands trembling — Stage fright. Virtually every performer who has ever faced an audience has experienced stage fright. Strangely, given its universality, the...