551: Coronavirus - Impact on Magicians

We are at the beginning of a “new normal” for an undetermined period. This pandemic is affecting the whole world and in particular, impacting our magic community in a serious way. Groups are postponing or canceling events where we were booked and then, almost literally overnight, many of our bookings over the next few months have dried up. Businesses and schools have closed or reduced their hours, people are asked not to congregate, and international travel has been banned.

This episode is intended to keep us connected and to let each of you know that you are not alone as we are all feeling the pain. The assortment of guests on this week was random but includes performers from various backgrounds from cruise ships to corporate and birthday parties to trade shows. It is uncertain how long this trip will be and where it will take us, make us, or break us. Hopefully, it will be short and we can all return to doing what we love…entertaining people with magic!

In this episode, Jamie Salinas discusses the cancellation of shows during this Pandemic.

A link is mentioned on the podcast that refers you to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Here is the link for all of the State Departments in the U.S.: https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/healthdirectories/healthdepartments.html

Johns Hopkins has an excellent website with regular updates and news on the virus. Click Here to visit their website.

Recommendations from The Centers for Disease Control (the CDC) regarding the novel coronavirus:

* Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

* Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

* To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places—elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.

* Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.

* Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.

* Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, and cell phones).

* Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.

And, in addition, do NOT shake hands, hug, or kiss anyone on the cheek! Elbow bumps are the order of the day.

Timestamps for this episode:

00:13:00 - Fred and Bobbi Becker talk about how their cruise ship performances are being effected.

00:34:24 - Jessica Jane Peterson just received word that her cruise bookings have been canceled though at the time of our conversation, she had not officially had her contracts canceled by the cruise company.

00:48:38 - David Corsaro has some really great ideas on how magicians should spend this “down time”, some do’s and don’ts.

01:01:45 - Jamie Salinas suggests how he has altered his show and how he handles children in his birthday parties and school shows.

01:14:22 - From Sweden, Love Melander, talks about the effect on our overseas friends and the impact on trade show performers.

01:23:05 - Murray Sawchuck gives us a perspective of what’s happening in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the U.S.

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Congratulations to Michael Bochert, the winner of the recent contest hosted by our sponsor, The Magic Book Shop. He won a copy of “Daryl’s Ambitious Card Omnibus”. Check their website often to see new contests.

Plus you get a 15% discount off all of your book purchases when you use the promo code on checkout: magicword

407: Rudy Coby - Around the World on Four Legs

Rudy Coby has made a career out of having an extra pair of legs.. Not only has it taken him around the world, but they have garnered him several major television appearances plus opened doors for him to meet and work with some pretty cool friends.

In this podcast, Rudy talks about some of his performance experiences but also his association with Jeff McBride and rock star, Marilyn Manson. He also chats at length about his appearances for the Academy of Magical Arts, the Magic Castle

Video from Rudy's legendary performance on FOX. For more info visit www.rudycoby.com This video (or channel) is NOT monetized , uploaded to preserve history, no infringement intended. If you like his work like I do, go buy stuff! This is a great inspiring talk for all magicians and performers!

Be sure to use the Promo Code: themagicwordpodcast to save $100 when filling out the convention registration form at http://magicuba.org

278: The Inner Secrets of the Outerbridges

Have you ever wondered what it's like to travel on the road with a large, stage illusion show across snow and ice? And what do you do when a herd of bison blocks your path? In this podcast we go behind the scenes, around the props,on the road and into the performers, the Outerbridges.

Ted and Marion Outerbridge are Canada's premiere theatrical touring magicians. Recognized as one of the greatest magic acts in Canada, the Outerbridges won the 2011 Award of Excellence from Ontario Contact, an organization of theatre presenters. In 2010, they won Touring Artist of the Year in British Columbia’s equivalent BC Touring Council. I first met them when I emceed their show at the 2013 Abbott's Get Together in Colon, Michigan where they were the feature illusion act. They later closed the I.B.M. convention in Jacksonville, Florida in 2015 and just completed a lecture tour of the U.S.

A professionally orchestrated theatrical production with over 20 custom-designed illusions and world-class lighting and set design, OUTERBRIDGE -- Clockwork Mysteries is a high-energy magical adventure for both adult and family audiences. Recognized as one of the most creative and dynamic shows of its kind, critics have hailed Ted and Marion Outerbridge as "the most successful magicians in Canada" and "champions of magic."

Ted and Marion sat down at midnight to enjoy acouple martinis and a chat about how they first met and their paths that followed. The myriad stories they shared revolve around working at performing arts centers, what it's like being on the road, how they book shows, and lots of stories and advice. For example, if you want to select volunteers from the audience by using a beach ball, then fill the ball with helium to keep it floating more.