416: Magic In The Big Apple

In this podcast, we enjoy a chat about some of New York City's (NYC) rich heritage of magic with David "Silly Billy" Kaye, Herb Scher, and Richard Cohn. Richard Cohn is a scholar on Coney Island and on magic in NYC in general. He tells us about the history of some of the old local magic shops (like Tannen's, Martinka's, Holden's and others) plus stories about Al Flosso in Coney Island, Houdini, magic on Broadway, and "magic" things to do and see in the City today. If you plan to visit "The Big Apple" and looking to find a little magic, then I recommend you check out Herb's website for magical things to do, see and enjoy. Click Here to visit Herb's "Magic in New York Blog" for more information.

Herb Scher and David Kaye are involved with producing this year's 109th annual "Salute to Magic" which is open to the public and happens this Saturday night, April 14, 2018 at 7:30 at Fashion Institute of Technology’s Haft Theatre ( 227 West 27th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenue) This is sponsored by the S.A.M. Parent Assembly #1 which is one of the nation's oldest and longest running annual magic shows.

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Click on the graphic above for more information on the 2018 Salute To Magic

415: Chip Romero - A Chip Off Of Doug Henning

Cruise ship magician and noted Doug Henning historian and collector, Chip Romero joins us this week to talk about the life of Doug Henning and his collection. Along the way, Chip tells us some stories about Henning, busts some myths and goes deep behind the man and magician who was one of the Titans in our magic business.

Doug Henning's World of Magic (1977) starring Glen Campbell & Sandy Duncan. This recording is from ITV, as broadcast on 26th May 1986. From The MagicWeek Vid...

414: Nate Staniforth - Finding Mystery, or...From Iowa to India and Back

Two quick questions...when did you first think there was magic in the world and second, when did you lose that mystery?

For Nate Staniforth, he saw mystery in shooting stars in the sky and he carried that mystery into adulthood when he became a successful college entertainer. But he lost that mystery one night in the middle of a show when he abruptly finished a performance and walked off stage. That led to an introspection and rekindling of mystery in his life which he found on his trip to India, the "Land of Mystery".

His journey is the subject of a new autobiography "Here if Real Magic", published by Bloomsbury Publishing House (publishers of the Harry Potter books). This is not a journal nor memoirs of his trip, this is a book that takes us on a spiritual journey that is filled with deep meaning that will surely help you rekindle the mystery you may have lost. I must say that this is the first book that I have highlighted passages that I wanted to come back to revisit.

Nate Staniforth is nothing less than a poet of magic. Take a look at Brian's favorite of his routines and figure out what lessons you can apply to your performance. You can find more from Nate at http://youtube.com/NateStaniforth

416: Magic In The Big Apple

415: Chip Romero - A Chip Off Of Doug Henning

414: Nate Staniforth - Finding Mystery, or...From Iowa to India and Back

The Magic Word