676: Ed Alonzo - In The Library

While I was in Los Angeles to work on “Masters of Illusion” TV series, Ed Alonzo found time to sit in the library of the Magic Castle to chat about his career. As a former member of the Long Beach Mystics and the Magic Castle Junior group, Ed launched successful careers as both a magician and an actor having major roles in many television series including “Saved By The Bell.” He also went on to work with Britney Spears on her worldwide concert tour where he interacted with her on stage in his character as a magician.

In this week’s episode, Ed covers a lot of territory in a short hour podcast. He talks extensively about the Magic Castle and his love and dedication to the clubhouse. He also talks about his time as a youth as he was trying to “find his character” when he was a member of the Long Beach Mystics and the Magic Castle Juniors. He tells how he transitioned into acting but never lost his love for performing magic, which he still does to this day having just completed the taping of Season Nine of “Masters of Illusion.” By the way, he talked about running for office on the Academy of Magical Arts: he won the election and is now on the Board of Directors. Congratulations, Ed.

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Towards the end of the episode, Ed talks about being on “The American Life” podcast with Ira Glass and David Kestenbaum as they talked about “The Lady Vanishes” or, David Copperfield’s vanish of the Statue of Liberty. Ed was part of the team that worked with David on this illusion and this episode goes into detail about the effect. The podcast website for this episode is HERE. “The Lady Vanishes” is the second part of this episode entitled “The Magic Show” and Ed Alonzo’s part comes very near the end at around time stamp 00:53:00.

391: The Evasons - Two Minds, One Thought

Jeff and Tessa Evason are of one mind.when it comes to...well, about everything. We sat down at the 2017 MAGIC Live! convention in Las Vegas for a wonderful chat about their experiences as a two-person mind reading duo. Since 1983, Jeff and Tessa have performed in over 35 countries across the globe and made numerous TV appearances on major networks like NBC, FOX, and Discovery Channel. The international Psychic Entertainers Association (P.E.A) gave them their most prestigious honor for distinguished professionalism. They were also the first recipients of "The Mentalism Award" from the Milbourne Christopher Foundation and the only mentalists ever to receive the "SARMOTI Award" which legendary magicians Siegfried and Roy present to their favorite act in Las Vegas.

Heartfelt endorsement from Penn & Teller for The World's Foremost Mentalist Duo and Telepathists - THE EVASONS. More at http://www.evason.com

See why FOX Television called The Evasons "The most amazing mind reading act you will ever see!"

Time Stamps for this podcast:

00:06:08- Jeff and Tessa talk about their former work aboard cruise ships performing magic and how they began, little at a time, to add mind reading to their show. Tess is a former fashion model (which should come as no surprise) and also has a background in fortune telling. Tessa also talk about being a female artist in a predominantly male industry. We also chat about the emotional presentation given by Abbey Goldrake given at the 2017 MAGIC Live!

01:07:38 - Product Review: "ESP By The Numbers" by John Bannon which includes the necessary ESP symbol cards and online instructions as to how to perform this effect. Also teaches you a card trick using the same "force" but applied to playing cards. Recommended.

01:14:40 - Product Review: "Liquid Killer" by Morgan Strebler explains how to twist forks (tines, neck and shaft) so it looks like it bends like liquid at your fingertips. I found this a little difficult for my hands to accomplish this little "miracle", but I'm certain that "younger fingers" could do it. Worth your consideration.

01:19:05 - Product Review: "Unlock" by Morgan Strebler gives you three different ideas on how to unlock a mobile phone. The DVD explains how to unlock iPhones but not with Android, though they should be similar. Recommended.

298: Mike Robinson - Just Venting

Mike Robinson is one of the busiest and most successful acts that you have probably never heard of. More than just a ventriloquist, Mike Robinson prefers to be introduced as "The Unique Comedy of Mike Robinson" so his vent act comes as a surprise. He does magic, stand-up comedy, music, juggling, as well as ventriloquism. But his interests include martial arts, playing music, family, and taking advantage of his spare time.

Mike talks about some of his favorite podcasts he listens to; questions he is often asked by his audience; carrying his dummy through TSA and what people ask to see; filling a full show with one vent character versus having several dummies (if the audience doesn't like one character, then they might like the next one); the importance of having additional strong material in reserve either for cruise ships or for corporate shows; his roots in magic, comedy and ventriloquism; his “old school” way of scripting using pen and paper; the importance of mentorship and finding a mentor to help your act; his influences on his career; how he learned ventriloquism; tips and suggestions to those who are interested in learning to be a vent; and much, much more.

Perhaps his best advice for those wanting to learn ventriloquism is to buy a dummy/puppet later, but first learn to be a ventriloquist. Ventriloquism is the skill, the puppet is the act. He suggests the best book for inspiring him and pointing him in the right direction is "Magic: Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions" by Albert A, Hopkins. Pages 164-170 is where you will find the info about ventriloquism (thanks, Salvadore Calderon).

Click on the banner above to visit the Magic Store on The Magic Word to see all the products available for sale.00:54:03 - Time stamp for the product review of "Chapswitch" — Click on the banner above to visit the Magic Store on The Magic Word to see all the products available for sale.
00:54:03 - Time stamp for the product review of "Chapswitch"

Click on the graphic above to view a video demonstration of "Chapswitch"

The book that included some of the best advice on ventriloquism that inspired Mike Robinson. Pages 164-170 address ventriloquism.

676: Ed Alonzo - In The Library

391: The Evasons - Two Minds, One Thought

298: Mike Robinson - Just Venting

The Magic Word