666: Rob Zabrecky - The Other Side

Rob Zabrecky is a quirky, offbeat performer and the medium for the seances at the Magic Castle which makes him the perfect guest for our rather devilish episode #666. In both 2008 and 2009, Rob was selected as one of five top performers in the Parlour of Prestidigitation in the Magic Castle. His background as a musician transitioned into his success as a magician. He is also the founder of the Brookledge Follies that is held regularly at the Larsen home in Beverly Hills.

If you are more of a visual person, you can watch a YouTube video of our chat recorded over Zoom.

This week, Rob talks about his experience as the resident medium for the Magic Castle seances, his association with the Brookledge Follies, and a great story about performing at a birthday party for Michael Jackson’s son, Blanket.

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479: Guy Hollingworth - The Expert At The Card Table

In honor of Guy Hollingworth being the cover story in the March 2019 issue of Genii Magazine, this week we feature a chat with Guy. After the 2019 MagiFest in Columbus, Ohio, concluded and the day following his Sunday workshop (after he had a good night’s rest) we sat in his hotel suite for a relaxing chat on the development of his classic stage act, his creative thoughts on brainstorming ideas, and his one-man show, “Expert At The Card Table”. I thought this would be a nice follow-up to the conversations broadcast over the past three weeks about the search for S.W. Erdnase. And don’t be deceived by the title of this podcast as we are not talking about another search for Erdnase or exploring the book, but rather we are referring to Guy’s 2011 one-man show and of course his extraordinary talents as a card man.

Perhaps Guy's most celebrated effect, The Reformation is performed and taught in intricate detail, followed by a discussion on alternate handlings. A signed playing card is torn into quarters, only to be reassembled piece by piece. A miracle. A classic.

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. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

For more about Marshall Brodien, click on the graphic above to visit the blog with video, photos, and a podcast. And for his obituary written by his lovely bride, Mary, Click Here.

331: Mike Pisciotta - Magic Castle Mixologist and Mystifier

Mike Pisciotta defeated all odds and stiff competition to win the "Close-Up Magician of the Year" from the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle). He regularly performs in the Hat and Hare Pub in the "dungeon" of the Castle where he mixes drinks and magic in equal measure. But from time to time, he also performs new material in the Close-Up Gallery.

I recognize that Mike may not be as well-known to the international magic community as he rarely travels or performs outside of Los Angeles, except for his recent Texas lecture tour. But this is one of magic's "jewels" who you need to meet and know.

Esquire Channel's Best Bars in America Episode on LA Speakeasies Featuring The Magic Castle with a special erformance by Mike Pisciotta.

Time Stamps for this podcast:

00:02:11 - Mike Pisciotta talks about his surprise as being nominated for the AMA award and his further surprise win, his move from Colorado to Los Angeles and how he took over as the bar magician at the Castle, his inspirations to do bar magic, working with drunks at the bar, developing his act, his creative process, tips on getting TIPS, and more.

00:51:40 -Christopher Talbat's "Bowled Over" is a bowling ball production from a gift bag. A wonderful effect for birthday parties, parlor or stage. Recommended.

00:55:35 - Chris Philpott's "The End of My Rope Trick" is a great cut-and-restored rope trick that can be done impromptu or with gimmicks. This DVD teaches you how to do it both ways plus use other items like wire, string, crepe paper streamer, and even a string of pearls. Recommended.

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