Wheels of Mystery

Not long ago, I watched the 2007 J.J. Abram’s TED Talk about unseen mysteries and the potential that they represent. A centerpiece of the talk is a “mystery magic box” from Tannen’s Magic Shop, which Abrams bought as a young boy. Abrams still has it and shows it to the audience during his fascinating speech. The box was sold as a “grab bag”—the contents of the...

Getting the Gigs

HOW TO MARKET YOUR CHILD OR SELF AS A MAGICIAN As a magician, especially a young magician, it is very hard to get magic gigs.  If you want to earn real money as a magician, you need to treat your magic as a business.  When marketing your child/self, don’t put all of your advertising dollars in one form of advertising.  The more places you have your message seen, the better the chances you have...

Magic and Romance

Chalk and cheese, apples and oranges, magic and romance — all things that do not go together. Or do they? As someone who has used their magic successfully in the pursuit of love, I would argue they are not as alien as one would think. In fact a massive part of how I met, connected and ultimately won the heart of the love of my life can be credited to our wonderful art. My little tale hearkens...

What is Education?

As a college professor and magician, I have spent a long time thinking about this profound question. One reason for my focused attention is fairly obvious: I am in the “education business” and an “educator” so it seems pretty important to get clear about what I should be doing. But another reason is that “education” seems to have become a problem in the subculture of magic. Why do I say that?...

Build your own Home Magic Theatre!

I have a lovely little theatre in my home and I really appreciate the luxury of having a permanent theatrical space to rehearse! The project was inspired by Jeff McBride who has his own home theatre and who teaches his Masterclass students that this is a sure-fire method to improve one’s magic performance. It’s the easiest way to try out new stage material to a friendly audience and...

There is magic all around us!

Many years ago, I wrote a song with the refrain, “Behold, there is magic all around us.”  Today, more than ever, I am realizing how deeply true this simple statement is.  When I wrote the song, I was visiting Jeff in his New York City apartment.  He had gone out, to pick up some food for us, and I was waiting, alone, in his space.  I remember looking around, and seeing the variety of...

Sisters of Magic and Mystery

Magic books are written for right-handed men. If you’re a left-handed woman, you’re in trouble. –Eugene Burger I’m a left-handed woman. Not only that, I’m not even a magician. So what am I doing in the McBride House of Mystery attending the first biannual Sisters of Magic and Mystery gathering in September 2009? On the last day of our three-day gathering, Abbi Spinner McBride passes the...

The Magic Tech Road – Commando Show Bags & Audio

As technology advances, new systems come while others go to their home up yonder.  As a 40 year old father of two very active little boys, I had to create my own Commando Show out of necessity.  I needed a highly visible one-hour show that packed flat and was ready to go at a moment’s notice.  I carry it in a $50 shoulder bag that can be carried on a plane.  It sets up in less than 15...

Black Dragon

By Jeff McBride and Gregg Webb Originally published in Hard Copy For more information about Gregg Webb and Hard Copy visit http://www.polarismagic.com Here we have an item that can be used IN THE MIDDLE of a RED ASHES trick. For instance, I’m going to describe it as being a possibility to place it in the middle of the trick to come next, Phoenix from the ashes DELUXE. You’ll need a...

Tips from a professional Master of Ceremonies

1) Prepare for the show. It may sound obvious, but you would be surprised how many performers think they can just wing it as an MC.  You CAN wing it, but you don’t want to.  For a standard introduction, here are three bullet points that I find work well: 1) an accomplishment like an award or book; 2) a personal fact like where they live; and 3) something that appeals to the emotional side...