559: John Sturk - The Sturking Hour

Magicians are often confused with being a “musician” when we tell people what we do. In the case of this week’s guest, John Sturk, both monikers are equally correct. John is a stage and street performer as well as a jazz organist. This week, John talks about performing on stage and on the streets of Colon, Michigan during the annual “busker contest” held during Abbott’s Get Together, Then in the evening, he plays the organ in the high school gym for the wonderful evening shows. Few other magic conventions offer live music in the evening shows which is, in part, what makes Abbott’s unique.

But John is also the National Second Vice President of the Society of American Magicians. As he moves “up the ladder” to National President, he gives some advice this week for clubs to grow and become stronger. John was involved with the Chicago Magic Lounge and gives us a little insight and update on the popular nightclub. And he is currently providing content on his Facebook page with a weekly broadcast of the “Sturking Hour” where he plays a little music, interacts with special guests and answers questions in real time as well as taking phone calls like a regular radio chat show.

Welcome to Darkstone's Picks LIVE recorded on 23 May 2020. Special Guest - John Sturk John Sturk is from Chicago,USA. He is a Magician & Musician.

This week John Sturk chats with Scott about magic around Chicago, performing with his jazz trio in improv clubs, performing magic on the streets, building interest and membership in your local magic club, and more.

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Thank you everyone for entering the contest. And even if your name wasn’t selected, you will still receive a “special offer” from Jonathan Levit, just for entering the contest. Fair notice to be sure to enter all future contests! You never know what… — Thank you everyone for entering the contest. And even if your name wasn’t selected, you will still receive a “special offer” from Jonathan Levit, just for entering the contest. Fair notice to be sure to enter all future contests! You never know what you might receive!

422: Magic Theaters Redux

John Sturk and Danny Archer return to talk about their respective magic theaters, the Chicago Magic Lounge and Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theater. We spoke with each of them in the past as they were getting started and time has passed and they are now open and doing quite well. In fact, the Chicago Magic Lounge was so successful, they have moved into their own venue that was designed just for them rather than sharing the stage with a burlesque group.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:03:48 - Danny Archer talks about their theater and how they market their show and sell tickets.

00:40:28 - John Sturk tells us about their new theater in Chicago and why they moved into the new venue.

01:09:32 - Product Review: "Sharpie Through Bill" by Alan Romson from Sansminds. A modern twist on the classic penetration effect where a Sharpie passes through a folded bill. Recommended but will take a little practice to make it look perfect.

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 or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here.. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

400: David Berglas - International Man of Mystery, Part One

David Berglas has an affect on me.

Okay, that is corny. But it is true that he has influenced and inspired more magicians and mentalists in the world than can be counted. Not only has he changed how we look at magic, David Berglas has significantly changed magic on television.

The BBC called him the “Godfather of TV Magic”. Born in 1926, Berglas escaped to Britain from Nazi Germany at age 11. He first became interested in Magic in his 20’s and studied psychotherapy at university before becoming a professional magician in 1952. His groundbreaking TV show in 1986, “The Mind of David Berglas” paved the way for all others to follow up to this very day. He is the author of several books including, "The Berglas Effects" and "The Mind & Magic of David Berglas", among others. And he is an multiple award winner of several prestigious organizations and is the Past President of The Magic Circle.

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I was part of a momentous meeting organized by Spyros Melaris in 2002 when he arranged a dinner meeting with David Berglas and his wife, Ruth, with Banachek and his wife, Heidi, and me and my wife, Kathy. It was a wonderful, memorable dinner with Banachek sharing his spoon bending to David and magic talk late into the evening. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, no photos of that evening exist except those in our minds.

It was at that first meeting that we all became good friends and I am glad that we could get together again for this podcast where David talks about his beginnings in magic, work both in front of and behind the cameras on television and film, plus lots of stories about celebrated names of magicians, most of whom are long since passed.

Magicians' Valhalla

Although the list below is not exhaustive nor in any particular order, it does reflect the names of many well-known (and some lesser known) magicians, spouses and assistants who passed on in 2017. Some may not be as well-known to you, but they were my personal friends (hey, it is my blog!). If you are unfamiliar with any of these names, then it would behoove you to do a little online search of what these people have contributed to our craft. If you have someone you think was overlooked, then please post the name in the comments below on this blog.

Those whose names are highlighted were featured or interviewed here on The Magic Word Podcast. You can click on their name to revisit and listen to their voices again. David Oliver put together a video of some names and dates of passing of these (and others) in a YouTube video. Click Here to see that video.

Phil Messina

Daryl Easton (Martinez)

Bob Cassidy

Jim Zachary

Ed Thomas

Jessica “Shedini” Moore

George Kovari, Jr.

"Chuck" Kirchner

John Moehring

Eugene Burger

Tom Jones

Eddie Gibson