258: Larry Wilson - Save the Library

Larry Wilson is producing "Spellbinders" the second (hopefully) annual FREE magic festival in Reno from October 20-24, 2015. Larry is producing this show as a fundraiser for the local Reno library to help keep offset budget cuts. If you happen to be in the Reno area around these dates, then you need to make it a point to see some of these free shows that will feature Lennart Green, Bob Sheets, Shoot Ogawa, Richard Turner, Stephen Bargatze, Jade, Christopher Hart, James Dimmare, Kyle and Mystie Knight, Rob Zabrecky and Larry Wilson. Wow! With a line-up like that, and for it to be FREE, wouldn't it be worth your time and money to support this effort and keep this event free? Of course it is.

You can help support the effort by buying some "swag" at: http://fundspellbinders.com And even if you cannot attend, you might want to get in on some of these unique, one-of-a-kind items. Check it out.

This is the demo reel for Larry Wilson, the Emmy-nominated comedy-magician, who is starring in the trippy little psychedelic hit, "WONDERLAND," at Harrah's.

Larry talks about the Spellbinder's Festival but during the first major part of this podcast, Larry talks about comedy, creating new material versus keeping some of the old, tried-and-true routines, interacting with the audience plus he shares a secret on how to produce a successful show.

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Larry Wilson Reveals Ford's New 2017 Escape from White Rabbit on Vimeo.

Nov. 19, 2015 UPDATE: Larry Wilson teamed up with Jimmy Kimmel co-host Guillermo and “YouTube sensation" Meghan Rienks to reveal the new 2017 Ford Escape. The Internet spot, filmed on Hollywood Boulevard across the street from the studio where ABCs latenight show Kimmel Live is shot, featured a vanish of the sidekick inside a “piñata of doom” and his distant reappearance. Wilson performed the trick at his Spellbinder convention on October 24 and the next day received a call from Kimmel’s people. Quick arrangements were made, the routine was rehearsed for two days, and then it was shot live on November 16.

The new magic shop in Reno that Larry Wilson talks about in this podcast.

John Archer at the 2015 Genii Convention with Fred King

I was unable to attend this year's Genii convention. I was under the impression that the first one was the last one. Ahh well. In my stead, Fred King, a loyal listener and "Friend of the Magic Word" was there this year and took some time to sit down with one of the featured entertainers of the convention. In this podcast, Fred talks with funnyman, John Archer, about his show, the convention, the differences between the U.S. and the U.K as it pertains to comedy magic, magic on television (street performing vs. stage performances and comedy) and much more.

Sorry that I couldn't be there for more great chats and to give you daily convention updates, but I sincerely thank Fred for sending me this fresh audio interview especially for you listeners.

257: Magic Chat at the Chateau du Magique

As an attachment to a recent podcast, I gave a link to my irregular, half hour podcast, "Meals With Magicians" which was recorded at the riverside home of Trixie Bond in the Texas Hill Country. Also sitting outside on the veranda for breakfast and joining the conversation was Jay Scott Berry, Suzanne the Magician, and Don Wiberg.

After the 30 minutes was over, I felt that we were just getting started with an intensely deep and interesting conversation. So, I turned on the microphone and recorded a second half. I know that "Meals With Magicians" is not widely heard but I felt that what we discussed warranted a larger audience. So, I have included that podcast as the first half of this longer one. If you already heard that podcast on Spreaker.com, then you might want to either hear it again to get the context of the latter half of this podcast, or you might wish to skip forward to about the halfway mark to hear the last half hour of our conversation.

Suzanne is the only woman to win the coveted "Close-Up Magician of the Year" award from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle). In this 2-DVD set, you will learn Suzanne's valuable secrets on how to properly structure a magical performance to create a standout show, as well as some fabulous magic.

Take a front row seat at Hollywood's famed Magic Castle. Known as "The Carnegie Hall of Magic", its 3 main theatres showcase the world's finest magicians. At 19, I was the youngest magician to ever perform there. Some years later I joined the very few who have presented 1000 shows in these hallowed halls. From The Close-up Gallery to The Palace of Mystery, my favourite room has always been The Parlour of Prestidigitation. With that thought, I invite you back to January 27, 2013...Enjoy.

“Suspicion and wonder cannot exist simultaneously in the mind of the audience.” – Jay Scott Berry

This is just one of the great ideas discussed in this week’s podcast that includes Preparing your lecture, dealing with hecklers on stage or at a restaurant table, the story about a heckler in Shawn Farquhar’s show many years ago who burned down his home, getting the attention of children for your kid’s show, and Suzanne recommends listening to Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi who looks at those who find pleasure and lasting satisfaction in activities that bring about a state of "flow." Trixie also talks about how to mentally prepare for performing whether it is before a birthday party or a stage show and the life-changing results it could bring (the power of the experience).

Jay Scott Berry also shares a key element from his lecture – A.C.E. which stands for Attitude, Charisma and Enthusiasm. He goes into detail about each of these areas that will help you with your show, too.

Don Wiberg talks about the importance of knowing how to give a lecture, what is the first thing you should NOT say when you come on stage, and how to structure an interesting opening line. We also talk about bringing the awe and wonder back to our performances.

MagicPad is a versatile, packs flat, plays big effect (performed at the Magic Castle) AND it's a very useful iPad case for daily use!

258: Larry Wilson - Save the Library

John Archer at the 2015 Genii Convention with Fred King

257: Magic Chat at the Chateau du Magique

The Magic Word