259: Discovering Ammar

One of magic's greatest teachers, Michael Ammar, is reinventing the way we learn magic. Along with Brian Daniel South (proprietor of the former "Creative Magic" company) and Michael Rosander. Michael is working with a new project, "Discover Magic" which is a program to teach magic to 8-12 year old youngsters More than a "magic camp", the instructors are provided with the necessary tools to find a teaching venue in their home towns, receive instructional manuals, specially packaged tricks/props, and online support plus a "vault" for the students to "unlock" each week to learn even more magic. Each of the eight classes will be 90 minutes and teach the fundamentals of magic aided by learning material provided by Discover Magic.

They currently have 52 instructors across the U.S. and they have room for a couple more. From October 14-28, 2015, they are looking for two more instructors to join their ranks and get trained to teach.

Learn a little more about Discover Magic in this 45 second video.

A new levitation of a borrowed wine glass, full or empty. Originally called (by me) "Crystal-Air" but now offically called "Exquisite"

Click on the image above for information on ordering "The Exquisite" from Michael Ammar's website.

At the beginning of this podcast, Michael speaks in detail about, "Exquisite" his newest trick being developed and sold by Losander. It is a wonderful "levitating wine glass" effect that can be performed close-up. We also talk about when he used to perform on cruise ships and how they have changed over the years. Michael also talks about when he performed close-up magic on television talk shows, and learning magic from "The Professor" Dai Vernon. Plus he talks about how magic lectures have changed and he also gives some great advice for those who want to put together their own lecture and go on tour teaching their magic.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

Click on the logo above to be directed to Discover Magic project and learn more.

Final few days remaining to get a good deal on a new product. This is happening, folks.

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.

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.

259: Discovering Ammar

258: Larry Wilson - Save the Library

John Archer at the 2015 Genii Convention with Fred King

The Magic Word