Hello, all - hope you are ready for halloween! I have Tim Wisseman's Butcher's Blade warmed up and ready to go- can't wait~

Blue Owl- I have done busking magic for a few years, but the Kozmo lecture (actually included his entire street act) was very inspirational! Heading for the Circleville Pumpkin Show which should be great fun.

Mr. Mistoffelees is from a T.S. Elliot book of poetry about Cats, from which Andrew LLoyd Webber took the idea for his great musical. The song in the musical is practically verbatim and just perfect, an excerpt being:

He is quiet, and small, he is black,
From his ears to the tip of his tail.
He can creep through the tiniest crack,
He can walk on the narrowest rail.
He can pick any card from a pack.
He is equally cunning with dice.
He is always deceiving you
into believing
He is only looking for mice...

I love the poem, the music, the name and implication. Unfortunately, I am beginning to think Mary's advice was spot on. Going to run it down the road a little, but it may prove a bit too esoteric...

Maybe I have an identity crisis coming on...

Keep up the practice, it just gets better and better!

Regards,

Jim

Good evening everyone!

I just returned home from the Las Vegas themed birthday party. I performed some strolling effects and a short show. During strolling, Entourage was a hit but nothing beat the reactions from B'Wave. The short show also went well. I started off with Bannon's "Play it Straight Triumph," then moved to a combination of a quick sandwich effect and Aaron Fisher's "Search & Destroy" which included the birthday girl as the guest magician. I flubbed up my injog (I was simply moving too fast) during the sandwich effect, but was able to play the miss off well. Also, I did not take into account table height, so a good majority of the audience had a poor view of the action. Then for an encore I brought one of the kids up front and performed sponge bunnies. Thanks to the reaction from the child, sponge bunnies ended up being the hit of the party.

I thoroughly enjoyed performing, but loved the focused practice that resulted from having something to practice for. I instantly volunteered to provide some Thanksgiving Day entertainment, so I have another goal.

Hudson - What are some unique aspects of Tong's chop cup routine?

Mary - What type of shows are involved in your Halloween upswing? I love Miser's Dream, but have never heard of Technicolor Prediction. I'll have to do some research. Congratulations on further honing your performance of NewsFlash.

Jim - Thank you for the background info on your new name. By the way, I love the Circleville Pumpkin festival. One of my best friends hails from Williamsport and introduced me to the event. I'm sure you are having a blast.

Have a good night and productive practice everyone.

~ Nathan

Hey BlueOwl,

Glad your Show turned out well. I know what you mean about table height. I was once doing a fill in of Walk-Around at a Red Robin. I'd never tried performing at one of those really tall tables in the bar area. I 'bout broke my wrists doing an Elmsley at chest height. I had not practiced the effect with the Elmsley facing out at chest height. Truth be told, I didn't know I had a problem 'till it was time to do the count. Very awkward but a lesson learned.

All my Halloween Parties are Kid Parties so far. I'm glad of the business but I look forward to a Close-Up Strolling Gig for Adults at a Costume Party all year. There's still a chance on a last minute Gig but hope is dwindling.

Technicolor Prediction is a Martin Lewis Color Prediction Effect in a light vein. It's funny and Magical and packs flat (three envelopes). He used to have a similar effect but this has less apparatus than the old method.

- Mary Mowder

It was a dark and stormy night...

and I pulled the tattered overcoat tight around by neck as I heard a dead branch scuttle across the cemetery...

sorry, just getting in the mood...

Mary,

I bet you could find a venue, take out some ads, charge for admission and create your own strolling costume party... people would love it!!

Just a thought...

Jim

Blue Owl,

I don't think that Tong's routine has many unique elements -- pretty standard really. What I like about it very much is that it is very short. He's taken all the elements of a good chop cup (or C&B) routine and compressed them so there isn't any fluff. Gets a great reaction and one of those that when you walk away the audience is asking themselves, "how the heck did he do that?"

I love the C&B with three cups -- such a classic -- but worry that the audience gets a little lost. A lot going on, three balls, three cups, keeping track of where the balls are supposed to be and then where the show up can get lost on them if there are distractions. Tong's routine has inspired me to think about developing a two cup routine just to shorten it up. I've found that the shorter the routine, the greater the impact for me. I'm sure a good bit of this is my limited time performing, but it's real and so I've got to work within my bounds (something my grey hair has taught me over the years!).

Hudson

Some good points, Hudson. I love the 3 cup, but also enjoy the chop cup. An alternative to both, of course, is a two cup ala Wonder. I think this eliminates what I agree is too much to think about for today's audiences, and gives more action than one cup. At any rate, I also love Tong's straight forward routine.

I had a great show for Halloween! Did a Rick Mau prediction effect, a burning wallet card find, Higley's 3 No Evil and closed with Wisseman's Butcher's Blade. In between used Marvin's Freaky Body Illusions which, I think, is a great set of illusions for such an event.

Getting ready for thanksgiving and want to do one really special effect for the family meal. I have chosen Gypsy Thread, aka Hindu Thread. A great effect- here is the version I would use, by a really neat young man I met at Magi Fest. I think you will like it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GlSfcv2qb4

Any suggestions or ideas on this effect would be appreciated!


Happy times, friends...

Jim

Hi Jim,

Glad you Halloween went well.

Lately I've been thinking about a Theme of Families going their separate ways and going about their business but coming together for the Holidays or that we really are "One Big Happy Family" in the end. I love Gypsy thread and have several performances that I do in different environments.

All in all it was beautiful. If you go with Sterling's patter ideas I'd speed it up a lot and practice till you didn't have to watch so carefully to know when to first break the thread. Most Families would be very uncomfortable watching such a protracted performance even if they agree with the message. Make sure the thread you choose doesn't make an unpleasant smell when burned.

Good luck,

- Mary Mowder

Hello all! I hope you are doing well. Sorry for my absence, but I fell off the practicing band wagon in Ocotber. Work got really busy and life happens! So I got back to it and realized at that moment the importance of practice! I was way out of wack. Well I am back in the flow and it is a good thing, because my deadline is tonight at our Club's Annual Fundraiser - the Hocus Pocus Party! I will have about 4 minutes for each table along with about 25 other club members rotating. Renaldo takes about 4 minutes to perform, so I have planned a second set including some effects with the advice given by Mary in mind. So I am planning on rotating as I approach the table. I didn't feel comfortable not being prepared by having all my eggs in one basket so to speak. With Mary's suggestion of different effects with a variety of objects, what are all of your recommendations on books or other sources on good rubberband magic? Thank you for your support, now I am going to practice a few more times.

Pete

Pete-

Good to hear from you!

Hope you wowed them at the Hocus Pocus party!

I have never had a book on rubber band magic, but I would recommend Harlan's stuff. I think this guy is the real deal.

Man, I find myself listening to Mary a lot too. She is just so cute!!! Not to mention that her advise is usually solid. I think, if she will let me, I am going to call her "mother Mary" cause I think we all need her wisdom.

I ask you all, who has more fun than magicians???

Take care, friend...

Jim

Pete,
You can't go wrong with Crazy Mans Handcuffs.

Dear Mr. Mystoffelees,
Don't you dare, Mary the Mother is likewise, right out.
No one who knows me in person ever thinks I'm cute (or wise).

I do agree, Magic and other Magicians are fun.

- Mary

Well, it seemed like a good idea last night with my scotch...

Jim

Last night was Great fun! Once I worked out the nerves to get through the first one things kind of clicked. Renaldo was recieved well and I did well with the other things I mixed in here and there. There was about 300 people and approx. 10 at each table. I visited 5-7 tables and they were incredibly nice. I really enjoyred fellow club members who came to my table while I was eating with my family. The stage show was grea to see other club members in action including Randy VanderWal, Gil Scott, and Rick Merrill. Ken Schultz, a Juggler from Chicago was a wonderful performer and just so happend to choose my 15 year old daughter to "volunteer" with him as he juggled swords on a unicycle. She still loves me. Great experience, lots of fun and I will have much more confidence the next time. The practice regiment definitely helped. So now I have to figure out what I need ot work on next! Thank you for your support! Mary is Crazy Mans Handcuffs an effect or book? Jim, Dan or Tarbell?

Pete

Dear Peter,

"Crazy Man's Hand Cuffs" is an effect also called CMH here on the Café. I know Mike Ammar teaches it in his book The Magic of Mike Ammar but there is probably an easier video source for this from Ammar as well. If you go to Table Hoppers and Party Strollers and ask for a video source for this I'm sure someone could direct you (try P.M.ing Al Angelo). You might also look for Dan Harlan's Linking Rubber bands and Alan Wong's "Star Gazer". All three are excellent effects. It might seem that the rage for "Silly Bands" among the kids would reduce the effect if "Star Gazer" (the final revelation is a star shaped rubber band) but the Silly Bands don't really look like rubber bands and I have not found "Star Gazer" to be passe as yet.

- Good Luck

- Mary Mowder

Posted: Nov 15, 2010 9:04pm
All I can say is I had a Great time Sunday, here is a link to a report on Tom's Night Magic II event.

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......orum=5&1

I noticed just before the event that I had totally forgotten a part of Bruce Cervon's Warp II handling, so I guess it's important to practice the whole repertoire occasionally. It came back to me after about 45 min. of fumbling with it. Oh well, "all's well that ends well."

- Mary Mowder

Mary-

I am proceeding with my plans for using Gypsy/Hindu Thread for a Thanksgiving event, having taken your advice into serious account. Thanks for your thoughts! I have PM'd you with a draft script, and if you get the chance to comment I would appreciate it.

Regards,

Jim

Good evening everyone,

Sorry I haven't checked in for a while.

I've still been practicing, but have also had a drifting sensation. I've been making progress, but after reading through Magic and Showmanship, felt that my practicing was not headed in the right direction. After some research, I decided to purchase "The Ostrich Effect," to help focus my practice.

Currently, I am still honing my overhand shuffle and working on my DL's. I have been practicing Lonnie Chevrie's Clean Thru/Clear Thru because want to add some money effects to my toolbox. Plus, I have been tinkering with some moving hole effects from David Forrest that look quite magical.

Jim - Good luck with your Gypsy Thread performance at the Thanksgiving event. Gypsy Thread is a powerful piece of magic. Mary's idea certainly has a lot of potential to resonate with the family. I have read Eugene Burger's handling, Cosmic Thread, but that presentation is quite serious.

Mary - After reading your post about Tom's Magic Night II, I got a little sad I don't live out west. Sounds like everyone had a blast. What is next on your plate?

Pete - Congratulations on performing well at the Hocus Pocus Party! I have seen some rubber band magic for Daniel Garcia that looks slick. I believe they can be found on his Daniel Garcia Project DVD's.

Hudson - You mentioned that you enjoyed a more direct chop cup routine. John Bannon has a very direct and enjoyable routine called Chop2 (Chop Squared), which is found in his Impossibilia book. The routine involves only cup and the participants do not have to guess where the ball is.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

~ Nathan

Hi, All!

Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving!

Hindu Thread was a big hit at the family gathering- about 45 in attendance. I performed it to a poem my mother wrote many years ago, and it was a perfect fit. Anyone who has not done this effect would do well to look it up- truly magical, fingertip and clean. Thanks to Mary for some good advise!

Interesting post, Nathan. I love the Ostrich Effect- some really great ideas for getting the most from your practice. I also get periods where I feel like I am "drifting" but as long as you are practicing you will stay connected. Usually what brings me back to serious practice is a gig. Sometimes I go looking for one just to have a reason to focus. That is one of the things I like about busking- you can do it on your own schedule and without needing to wait for someone to ask. Obviously, I also foist myself off at family gatherings. The Hindu Thread took some concentrated practice with a definite goal- a worthy endeavor.

Did anyone else do some magic for the family meal? Let's hear about it...

Jim

Dear Jim,
Glad Gypsy Thread was a hit. For the record I liked your Mother's poem.
Tom and I had a quiet Thanksgiving for two talked Magic and practiced Rings and ropes back and forth w/discussion. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Blue Owl,
Magic Night II was great fun, I'm sorry you couldn't be there as well.
I'm getting ready for Christmas Parties and I want to get together a strong parlor to small Banquet sized 20 min Adult Stand-Up set. Up till recently I've done mostly Close-Up for adult only events.

-Mary Mowder

Am I too late to the party? I just now discovered this thread. I think it's a fantastic idea.
Andrew Zuber
3 Ball Transposition
One hour sessions
5 days a week
February 1st

Off I go

Not at all Andrew- we would be honored! Welcome to the group!

I worked really hard on Hindu/Gypsy Thread, and now feel I have it "in my hands". I love the magic in the effect. The hard part for me was leaving a new project I have purchased in the box until after my thanksgiving show so as not to distract my practice time.

Now, on to my Shells Boot Camp DVD! I think this will be great fun and fit right in with the concept of our practice commitment- they "guarantee" that 15 minutes twice a day will result in total training needed to be conversant with the shells. You get the DVD, 3 bottle caps, about a half dozen peas and a daily practice routine.

I should be able to rake in the dough at the New Year's Eve parties!

Andrew, could you briefly explain which 3 ball transposition- I am thinking of John Luka's routine but not sure that is it.

Jim

It appears in the Dai Vernon Book of Magic, as well as Stars of Magic. It's kind of like Coins Across except with balls, and then goes into a 2 in the had, 1 in the pocket sequence.
Here's Johnny Thompson's routine (which I'm using as the foundation for my own):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mzASi5oMXQ

I even managed to come up with a move last night, which I immediately filmed and sent to Pete Biro to see if he recognized it, though he didn't and said he liked it, so that made my evening!

I first saw John Carney do it at the castle about a year ago, and now I've started working on it (with a few tips from John as well.)

I'd love to see your gypsy thread routine, Jim! I saw Ron Saylor do it in the Palace of Mystery awhile back with a glow in the dark thread, set to a poem called The Canvas of Love.
You may have seen this clip as well, but if not...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq1VavZvfPs