I am interested in some of your guy's favorite lecture stories, or Castle stories, Or any story for that matter.

I just seen allan ackerman lecture here in edmonton, And It was funny because each time he would be explaining a routine there would be spurts of insane laughter at how fricken impossible the move or sleight he was showing us would be. It was just retarded some of the moves, I left the lecture with a pretty severe headache, He really knows how to remind you how little you know. LOL

Ryan

What did Allan do in his lecture?

The one I saw had material that was good for all skill levels.

I love his Fan Pass, for the record, and, well, just about everything in that lecture!

Allan performed , about 20 routines including, his 10 card poker deal, buzz shuffle, A.C.A.A.N, a convincing control, a wonderful rhythym count, The CD rom bug trick thingy ma jiggy ,Lee Ashers 3 stylin, An insanely difficult double buckle bottom palm of 2 cards, and numerous controls and little moves. His 10 card poker deal had some sick moves with a packet of only 5 cards when he is asking you which number to eliminate. He fooled the hell out of me all night long. But yes there was material for all skill levels for sure, but a decent knowledge of sleights is required. The fan pass is a tough cookie for me though, it is the first fingers action that I can't get down, but very sweet none the less.

Ryan

I saw the lecture on Saturday. I was suprised at how LITTLE and easy the sleight of hand in the lecture was. This is the guy who was pegged for the video edition of The Expert At The Card Table after all. Did you expect Color Monte and the Invisible Deck?

The 10 card poker deal is self working
The BUZ (Bottom Up Zarrow) is the easiest in the hands false riffle I've seen.
The convincing control and rhythym count weren't exactly tough moves.
The CD rom bug trick is wild card (a glide and a two CD pushoff that's dead easy)
Three Stylin' is a easier than Lee's handling (which ain't hard).

Did the club not tell people WHO he is?

Huh??? I never claimed those routines to be hard in any way did I??? There IS a tough move in the ten card poker deal that comes in the form of a bottom deal so impossible looking you had to see it. And it isn't something that always happens in the deal, only when someone picks the number one when he asks which of the five to eliminate.

But I guess you are just better than everyone heh. I am sure that the lecture isn't the same every time either my friend. people ask different questions and what not.

I was merely listing some of the routines he performed as requested by another member.

Although I don't want to derail this topic, this was the lecture I saw (several times in fact when I was on the road with Allan) and I feel the same ways as Duncan. The MAJORITY of the material was fairly simple (but fantastic!). The bottom deal you mention is from a 3-5 card pack, and do to the cover of the spreading motion is very simple and well covered. There were a few things that were a little challenging, but as Duncan pointed out- it's Allan "Expert" Ackerman!

Anyway, see his lecture, enjoy it, and lets get back on topic!

Yes it is simple in technique, but to get the motions and the timing is what counts. I agree that a lot of it was simple enough, But you can't say that it was mostly simple stuff. considering the faro's and what not, a faro isn't difficult but it surely isn't SIMPLE. Either way I gave my *** opinion and my story , tell me your frickin stories , don't critique every little thing. It was an awesome lecture, and that's all I need to say alright. Let's get on with it now.

Martin Nash has to be up there as one of my favourite lectures. The lecture itself was great, and there were pleanty of oooh and aaah moments.

The moment that stands out though is a little off the cuff thing he did which if I had read it in a Karl Fulve book I'd probably have ignored as not a big enough effect to waste my time with, but when Mr Nash did it it sent magicians scurrying for the lecture notes.

All it was was a card selected, returned fairly to the deck. Deck placed behind magicians back and IMMEDIATELY the hands come back to the front with the deck in one hand and the card in the other. Like I say, not a hugely impressive effect, but there was something about the fairness of the return of the card, and the speed with which it was found that seemed to make it bigger than it was.
It got me thinking.

Second favourite memory is seeing Aldo Colombini lecture. He had gotten a tattoo earlier that day and it looked painful. Note to the wise, if you want to get a card tattoo, pick a low value card.

As for lectures in general, I've come to the conclusion that a lecture that only teaches tricks that could be learned from a book is a bad idea. It would be much better if such magicians would put together a routine of all the tricks, and just perform them, and let anyone who wants to learn them buy the notes.

That way they would a) probably sell more notes, and b) demonstrate how to construct routines etc. Note that's not to say that all teaching lectures are bad, quite the opposite. An actual lecture about a secret, perhaps it's origins, the thinking behind it the subtleties in performing it etc is great.

It's just the here's a trick, here's how to do it, here's another trick kind of lectures that I think should be rethought.

-Rd

Having seen many lectures, I feel one should know who they are going to see.
Most lecturers have something for everyone, and you are getting to see the material first hand. If you have questions or need help, most lecturers are very willing to help out.
On the other hand....If the lecture is a intense sleight of hand lecture by a well known with some ball busting moves, then you had better know your basics or you will feel totally left out. When there is a lecture of this type, it is also advertised as such and anyone planning on attending should know that.
Not knowing your skill level Ryan, and not being there to see the lecture, I would not know how to answer your original post.
I have seen Allan lecture before, and found the lecture to be *** good with solid useable material. Anything Allan puts out is always on my to buy list.
S.

Well, when you wrote:

And followed it by writing a list of what he performed, all of which was in the lecture I saw on Saturday, and which was on the hand out he gave us listing what would be covered in the lecture, I assumed we had seen pretty much the same lecture.
Perhaps the problem is that I speak “American” and you speak “Canadian”? I’m sure the English can’t understand a word either of us write…


While I’m certainly willing to entertain that idea, I very much doubt it.


Now you’re just rolling over. That bottom deal, in that context, is within the reach of anyone who can do a Jordan count. Believe me; I spent four hours sessioning with Alan after the lecture, at dinner. He really held back on the “hard stuff” during the lecture. He could have really hurt us, if he’d wanted to.

If you got the notes with the Ten Card deal in them spend some time with the bottom deal. I used to think that sort of thing was impossible until Michael Ammar spent FIVE minutes with me teaching me his one handed bottom deal force and that got me over the “belief” hump and on the way. A couple of weeks later I was reading Martin Nash’s books.

Now if you want to talk made skillz… Martin is my boyeee. Very little in his lecture that isn’t difficult. Except the self working (Infinity) location MagicMarker wrote about above…

The routines I named were just a list of routines that he performed among others, not routines I found difficult.Go back and read where I said the bottom deal wasn't technically difficult but it was the timing and naturalness that counts, same with the rhythm count he showed us. Lets get back on topic other than trying to belittle each other, That is what most posts end up doing anyhow. Maybe some of the material wasn't tough for you but it certainly was for me and a lot of others in the room, and I consider myself to have quite an arsenal of sleights but obviously no where near the arsenal in ackerman or nash's.

That aside it was an amazing lecture and I can't wait for nash in august.

Ryan

From what I gathered from Ryan's first post on this topic, he was looking for lecture stories. The following story came from my book "The Funny Side Of Magic".



This story concerns John Calver and is titled:
"Excuse me officer but could you give me some directions?"

"The writer hired his friend, John Calvert, to do a magic show and lecture for his magic club in May of 2001. On his way to his business, where the event was to be held, John and Tammy got lost. Not a fun thing to do, especially considering the fact that John and Tammy traveled in a full sized travel bus. One of the local police officers spotted the bus on the side of the road and stopped to see if he could be of assistance. He actually escorted John and Tammy to the parking lot of my business.

When I looked out and saw the police in my parking lot along with John, Tammy, and the bus I went out to see what the problem was. When I arrived at the scene I found John performing magic for the officer. I was told by the officer that John and Tammy had gotten lost and that he stopped to help them. As a thank you John, right there in the parking lot of my business, performed a mini magic show for the officer.

One of his first routines was a “Misers Dream” coin act. During the performance of the coin act, I witnessed John doing a watch steal on the officer. The thoughts that went through my mind at that moment were filled with dread. I thought of the fifty plus guests in my little theatre who would not be able to see John perform if the officer caught the steal. I imagined the headlines in the next days paper reading: “Magicians arrested for theft.”

I was about to stick my hands out to receive the handcuffs when I noticed that the officer was unaware of the theft. I was just about to suggest to John that we
go inside for the show and lecture when John asked the officer: ”Can vanishing a coin get you arrested?“ John then placed a handkerchief over the coin and
waited for an answer. The officer answered: “No”. John then whisked the handkerchief away revealing the officers watch where the coin had just been. "For that", the officer said with a smile, "I could arrest you!"


If you liked the above story plese let me know and I will tell another.

Take care and take cards
Antony Gerard

Ryan,

I had a similar experience at the Twin City Magic Convention! My friend Jeff and I created the convention (a small magic shop now runs it) and couldn't find a headliner one year... Jeff was finally able to get a hold of Darwin Ortiz, and he agreed to come.

So after the convention was over, Jeff, myself, a couple of goobs, and Darwin Ortiz are hanging out... and he shows us a routine, and was like, "Oh, it is easy to do..."

I just walked a way the third or fourth time he managed to pinky count EXACTLY the amount of cards needed to always get to where he had hidden cards in the deck. He was insanely talented.

Here is another lecture story from my files that I found amusing. Hope you enjoy.

Before my friend Garrett Thomas became so popular with the magic community, I had him come to my magic shop, The Timid Rabbit Magic Shop, to do a lecture. Now most of the magicians in attendance were quite knowledgeable and thus were not easy to deceive. The effect that Garrett performed that burnt everyone was actually two effects in one. He started by performing the "Matchbox Penetration". If you are not familiar with the "Matchbox Penetration", let me explain what happens.

The magician displays an ordinary looking matchbox and a toothpick. The only thing out of the ordinary is the fact that the matchbox has a small hole through its center. The magician now picks up the toothpick and pushes it through the hole in the matchbox and out the other side. Then the magician takes a bow. This of course puzzles the spectators because in his/her eyes nothing has happened to warrant a bow. At this point the magician acts surprised that nobody appreciated this stunt and sets the matchbox down in front of the spectator and offers to let him/her try. The spectator picks up the matchbox and toothpick and finds that the act of pushing the toothpick through the matchbox is not so easy of a task. Next the magician asks the spectator to open the matchbox at which time the spectator finds the matchbox to contain a solid block of brass. It is impossible to push the toothpick through the matchbox with the brass block in it. That is the typical "Matchbox Penetration" routine and the one that Garrett performed.

At this point Garrett set the matchbox and toothpick aside and brought out a deck of playing cards. Garrett had a card selected, remembered, and shuffled back into the deck. Garrett then asked the spectator: "WHAT CARD DID YOU SELECT?". After he was told which card had been selected, he said: "WATCH CLOSELY, THE CARD TO POCKET". He showed his right hand empty and with his right hand he reached into his right side front pant pocket. At which point Garrett got a puzzles expression on his face. He brought his hand out of his pocket closed into a fist. He again asked, but this time with a questioning tone in his voice: "WHAT CARD DID YOU SELECT?" After the spectators response Garrett commented: "THAT'S FUNNY BECAUSE THIS DOES NOT FEEL LIKE YOUR CARD. IN FACT IT FEELS MORE LIKE " here Garrett opened his right hand and let the brass block drop to the table "THE BRASS BLOCK."

The second the brass block hit the table, every magician in the room realized that they had just been led down the garden path. They were fooled by an effect that they had all performed for others countless times, but with a twist. We didn't see it coming. The spectator was then asked to open the matchbox and there inside of the matchbox was found the selected playing card. That was seven years ago and we are still talking about it. Bravo Garrett - you got me good and thank you for giving me the opportunity to feel like a layman again.

Take care and take cards
Antony Gerard

WOW guys, great stories, Garrett is a machine for sure. I recently got his dvd any questions and the ring thing and wow just wow.

Awesome stories boys, good to hear what crazy things have happened to fellow magi.

Ryan

Here is another Garrett Thomas story I hope you find amusing. It is one of the stories from "The Funny Side Of Magic - Book Two" which is due to be released on time for Christmas 2007.

The second time that I had Garrett Thomas in for a lecture was when we hosted Michigan Magic Day in 2004. On the show were such notables as Allan Ackerman, Gene Anderson, Jerry Andrus, Stephen Bargatze, Todd Charles, Chuck King, and Garrett Thomas. Unbeknownst to Garrett, I am an avid practical joker. There are no lengths that I won't go to for a good practical joke. And I am happy to say that both of my sons have followed in my footsteps. It was my son Tony who instigated this particular practical joke.

I feel that a bit of background information is needed before I continue with the story. Besides being a professional magician, my son Tony is also a professional stuntman. If you go to my web site, you will find Tony's stuntman page. It is at http://www.gerardenterprises.com/stuntman.html.
On that page you will see Tony in Seattle, Washington performing a very dangerous body but stunt. Tony also does high falls, stair falls, fight scenes, car hits, etc. Enough said, now for the practical joke.

After the evening show we invited the performers out to dinner at TGI Fridays. A few of the other people in attendance were: my wife Laura, my sons Tony and Nick, a few of our magic club members and myself. The key players in this particular practical joke were my son Tony and his friend Dan Mohill. After the dinner and a great session with Garrett we left the restaurant. Dan Mohill had left just minutes before us. Just before Tony was about to walk across the parking lot and to his car, he shook Garrett's hand and said goodnight. Tony turned to leave, stepped off of the curb and into the street. At that moment a speeding car flew by and hit Tony broadside. The car sent Tony's body hurtling over the hood of the car and into the ditch. The car didn't stop it simply sped away into the night.

Garrett was beside himself. His hands went waving straight up in the air as he started to run towards Tony's lifeless body in the ditch. It was at that moment that Laura, remember Laura (Tony's mother), hollered out "Tony get up, you're getting your cloth dirty!" Garrett simply didn't know how to handle the situation. It was the only time that I ever saw Garrett at a total loss for words. He had just witnesses his hosts son being hit by a hit-and-run driver and the only thing the young mans mother could think to say was "Tony get up, you're getting your cloth dirty!". Garrett's was speechless as his gaze quickly went from Tony in the ditch, to Laura, to Tony, to Laura, and finally back to Tony. It was at that point that Tony got up, smiled, took a bow, and brushed of his cloths.

Garrett shook his head in disbelief and then donned one of the biggest smiles that I have ever seen on a human being. With a sigh of relief he uttered: "It was a joke". To this day Garrett still tells the story about the day he witnessed a hit-and-run accident in Kalamazoo, Michigan. If you ever see Garrett at a lecture or show, you might ask him about his stay in Kalamazoo, Michigan the day that Tony Gerard was hit by a speeding hit-and-run driver. Just the mention of it will undoubtedly bring a smile to his face.

Take care and take cards
Antony Gerard

I just noticed on my previous post that I indicated Tony's stuntman page was:
http://www.gerardenterprises.com/stuntman.html.

Actually it's:
http://www.gerardenterprises.com/stuntman.html

No dot at the end of html

Hope you enjoy
Antony Gerard

Ryan, I just Ackerman when he came down here to Portland. His stuff was great, but ***, he goes at 100mph on all his stuff.

Hi everybody,

I saw Garrett Thomas lecture recently.

Lordy, I don't think I've seen a roomful of fried minds since I saw Gaetan Bloom lecture. The Ring Thing looks like a special effect, even close-up. The coins and purse? Absolutely killer. What beautiful, well thought out and entertaining magic.

Garrett cracked everyone up with his wacky Laser Pointer gag. He shined the laser on the ceiling, waved it around, then quickly took the pointer right up to his eye "is this out of batteries?", meanwhile, the spot is still in the same place on the ceiling! Then he demonstrated "laser lag" where he would move the pointer and the spot followed it in a time delay.

I also appreciated Garrett's theories and philosophies regarding who we are as performers, why we do what we do, and how to effectively communicate your magic to the audience.

Garrett is on another plane.


Douglas M.

After lectures, we invariably invite the guest to go out to dinner with us. When Daryl was in town, he said as we were walking into the restaurant, "Hey, let's order a pitcher!" And proceeded to try order a pitcher of beer. Unfortunately, they didn't serve pitchers there. His mantra then became "Let's go to a titty bar!"

When Docc Hilford was in town, same thing. Only this time we were going to Denny's. We're in the parking lot, he looks across the street and sees a Hooters, well...no one had a good answer as to why we were eating at Denny's when there was a Hooters so nearby...and so it was.

Then there was the time Eugene Burger finished an entire bottle of Chardonnay by himself and couldn't remember his prediction card.