Cuban Travelogue

This is an unnumbered episode of The Magic Word Podcast because it does not relate to magic nor have conversations with any conjurers. Rather, this is a little of my experience traveling to Cuba from the U.S. and the days after my arrival leading up to the MagiCuba Festival. So, it is more of a travelogue so you feel as if you are traveling with me.

Please come along and be my travel companion to Havana, Cuba!

For more photos from Cuba and MagiCuba, Click Here to view more in my Dropbox folder.

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457: Michael Kaminskas - His Cups Runneth Over

Michael Kaminskas is a corporate magician who may not be as well known to the magic community as he should be. Not only is he one of the busy trade show magicians working today, he is also the “King of CUps” in that he has designed and manufactured his own unique brand of cups and Chop cups and fake fruit for the final loads. He worked for over a decade as a demonstrator in a Magic Shop and also had his own one-man magic show traveling up and down the Atlantic seaboard playing in the finest hotels and sponsored by a car company.

His coin work is flawless and he loves to talk about close-up. He has been featured at several magic conventions so his name is starting to get “out there” plus he was one of the dealers at this year’s MAGIC Live! event and sold out of nearly everything. His well crafted items are highly sought after by professionals.

From KPRC Channel 2 in Houston, a great news piece covering the rebirth of the Magic Island. For more information, still pictures, plus links for more videos, visit: https://www.click2houston.com/news/rising-from-the-ashes-the-rebirth-of-houstons-magic-island

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456: Makin' It With Mario the Magician

Mario the Magician or Mario the Maker is a most fascinating, inspirational creator. Although he has been “makin’ it” for a number of years, it wasn’t until I saw him perform at the 2018 MagiFest that I immediately became a fan. He has the “it” factor that endears him to an entire audience spanning age and audience size. He is just as engaging at a small birthday party as he is in an auditorium. And more than just a magician, he creates magic using electronics and encourages youth to get involved in science and math and learn to create their own magic.

He suggests that everyone (but youth in particular) attend Maker Faires (the worlds largest “show and tell” forum) to see what others are doing and to create things themselves. These Faires are held all over the world and somewhere near you. Other websites he suggests include tinkercat.com which allows children to design their own 3D designs. Thngerverse.com is like Google for creating 3D projects.

This is a short documentary by KAL (http://www.seekal.com) about Mario Marchese, aka Mario the Magician (http://www.mariothemagician.com) a hitchhiking wanderer turned full-time maker magician. This short film debuted at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center on December 1st, 2012 to a packed house after a live performance by Mario. Enjoy!

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:05:48 - Mario Marchese talks about Maker Faires, encouraging youth to create, travel problems with TSA with all of the electronics he carries onboard, arduino kits and how you can create a server motor, inspirational magicians like Del Ray, scripting, creating and more.

00:59:54 - Product Review: “Runaway Joker” by Peter Nardi and produced by Alakazam.co.uk. A clever card trick where the Joker and his bicycle (disappears” from the car and ends up on the back of the selected card. Recommended.

01:02:31 - Product Review: “Four King Miracle” by Henri White and produced by WorldMagicShop.co.uk. Two single Jokers turn into the four Kings. Clever idea that seems like this should have been invented many years ago. I like it and recommend it.

Eric Citron is the “man behind the curtain” and dependable dealer who owns and operates ThePerfectTrick.com.

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