326: Keeping in the Loop with Yigal Mesika

Yigal Mesika is the Loop guy. He bought the rights for invisible, stretchable bands from Finn Jon at the turn of this century and he hasn't once regretted his decision. He has focused his creative effort towards finding new ways wot use invisible thread to create mystery.

If you are not aware of it, Yigal is near the end of a lawsuit with Penguin Magic where he is trying to protect his intellectual rights/property. Within the next few hours after this podcast is released, they will be going into mediation and, if not resolved, will go to court. This is discussed near the end of this podcast.

Yigal Mesika LOOPS® Infinite Possibilities "Extraordinary power at your fingertips" - Cyril

"The ultimate secret power... I never leave home without it" - Dynamo Real Magic.

Anytime, Anywhere. Invented by the genius Finn Jon, perfected and popularized by Yigal Mesika, Loops® are used by world-class magicians such as David Blaine, Cyril, and Dynamo.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:02:23 - Yigal Mesika talks about the development of his trademark Loops and he gives us some tips that he shared during his presentations at this year's MAGIC Live! He also talks about his development of the Spider Pen and the new Tarantula. He concludes this podcast with his thoughts on the importance of patronizing originators of tricks and the current lawsuit he has filed against Penguin Magic.

00:57:22 - Review of "Creativity Boost" CD by Brian Watson, a 28 day affirmation for you to boost your own creativity through self-hypnosis. Recommended.

01:01:47 - Review of "Indigo" by Beautiful Mind Magic is a four-way prediction with one revelation. It is a nice prop that requires a little DIY (Do It Yourself).

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325: How Garrett Thomas Looks At Magic - Part Two

More than a performer and consultant, Garrett Thomas is an artist. Brought up in an artist family, he talks this week about how he views magic, how it should be presented (i.e. without comedy), and the fallacy in some commonly held axioms (i.e. "a magician is only an actor playing the part of a magician," and "for those who believe, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't believe, no explanation will suffice.")

Garrett also tells us about his earliest memories of going to the Forks Hotel and Eddie Fechter plus his current work at a variety of restaurants in and around Buffalo. He also tells some interesting stories about David Blaine and how he became associated with him.

Tribute to the magic of Eddie Fechter at the Forks Hotel.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:01:56 - Garrett Thomas picks up where we left off from Part One where he continues talking about "Astonishment" then going further into how he looks at magic as an art and that he doesn't feel that comedy should be used in his presentations. He also talks about performing at the famed Forks Hotel outside Buffalo, New York (former home of the annual F.F.F.F. convention) and his consulting work with David Blaine.

01:04:05 - "Chardistry" DVD by Daniel Chard - ten tricks are performed and explained on this DVD that include tricks for the beginner to the advanced (easy to do to knuckle-busting). Recommended.

01:08:19 - "Jump" by Jordan Victoria is a utility gimmick that can be inserted into your Ambitious Card routine or utilized for other startling effects. Poor production value in the online video, but otherwise recommended.

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Congratulations to Tony Baronio, Robb Peffer and Shaun Rivera who won a FREE deck of cards for the "Anniversary Waltz". Thank you to 60+ people who registered for this contest.  Be sure to enter this week's contest for a FREE set of Loops by Yi… — Congratulations to Tony Baronio, Robb Peffer and Shaun Rivera who won a FREE deck of cards for the "Anniversary Waltz". Thank you to 60+ people who registered for this contest. Be sure to enter this week's contest for a FREE set of Loops by Yigal Mesika.

324: Garrett Thomas On Astonishment Plus MAGIC Legacy Update

Garrett Thomas is a wonderful performer, teacher and lecturer. He recently traveled across the U.S. and he stopped in Houston, Texas where he took time to sit behind the microphone to give us a mini-lecture. Well, it may not be so "mini" as he spoke for over two hours with the first part being posted in this podcast.

But before Garrett begins, we have to address the topical magic story of Stan Allen who prematurely "pulled the plug" on MAGIC Legacy plus he would publish one more issue of MAGIC Magazine and add another MAGIC Live! convention in 2017. After some of the dust settled in the magic social media, Stan took time to talk about the thoughts that went through his mind into making this hard decision.

In an effort to keep the podcast to about one hour in length, our conversation has been broken into two separate podcasts. In this Part One, Garrett talks about the importance of creating "astonishment" in the lives of our spectators. He will follow through with this discussion in the next podcast plus he will talk about his work as a consultant for David Blaine plus working at the fabled Forks Hotel in Buffalo, New York, original home of the F.F.F.F. close-up convention.

Stan Allen shares details and answers some frequently asked questions about what's next. For more information, visit: http://www.magicmagazine.com/w/

Garrett Thomas demonstrates his presentation of "Pen Thru Quarter".

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:03:30 - Stan Allen decided to cancel MAGIC Legacy before it got off the ground. He talks about why he made this decision and also about the future of MAGIC Live!

00:22:30- Garrett Thomas gives us a lesson in "creating astonishment", approaching tables to entertain guests, and making magic an art.