564: Michael Close - UP* (Unique Powers)

Michael Close has been around long enough to have seen, learned, and taught some great magic. He is best known for his close-up magic (i.e. see his incredible works “The Workers” series), but he is also an accomplished (and professional) musician. When not performing, teaching, or consulting on magic, he is performing music. He was one of the earlier performers at Illusions magic restaurant in Indiana then he was the Trick Editor for MAGIC Magazine for a decade, followed by being the editor of the M.U.M. magazine for the S.A.M. He is currently the magic consultant on “Penn & Teller Fool Us” television show.

Magician Michael Close has a trick up his sleeve! Through some neat sleight-of-hand, Michael shows how people can start blindly following others without even realizing it's happening. If you're ready to leave the pack and live your own life, visit OpenlySecular.org today to find out how.

Perhaps the greatest card trick ever performed on television (around 1997).

Michael talks this week about a variety of subjects from over the years and shares some fun stories and a behind the scenes peek of the “Penn & Teller Fool Us” production. If you are interested in purchasing a copy of his book “That Reminds Me, Finding the Funny in a Serious World” or other products, then please Click Here to visit his Products Page.

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263: Shoot Yeah!

Shoot Ogawa is best known as a close-up magician and prime exponent of the "Ninja Rings" and also responsible for introducing the occidentals to the muscle pass. Shoot moved to the U.S. in 2003 and quickly won the hearts, minds and awards from U.S. magicians. He took top honors as "Close-Up Magician of the Year" by the Academy of Magical Arts in 2003 then again in 2006. He then won "Parlor Magician of the Year" in 2008.

Shoot Ogawa, presenting his Ninja Rings.

While passing through Houston, Texas on an abbreviated U.S. lecture tour, he spent the night in my home and we had a chance to sit down for a chat and a glass of scotch after his lecture. In our chat, he talks about his magic roots as a magic shop demonstrator in Japan, then moving to the U.S. and living near the Magic Castle. Shoot continues to travel the world performing in nearly every continent and country. Here he talks about some of the places he has been and where he plans to go from here.

Shoot Ogawa and Scott Wells say "Kanpai" as we enjoy a glass of single malt scotch and a nice chat on this podcast.

You can buy 100 postcards based on posters from the Taschen book for less than $20.00. Click on the link below for more info on the postcards. By ordering here, you can help support The Magic Word, too!

The third novel in the Eli Marks, magician, mystery series is now available. John Gaspard has done it again and penned another great book that will appeal to magicians and mystery lovers alike. Order your copy now and help support The Magic Word, too, by clicking and ordering through this link. Just click on the graphic to be taken to Amazon.com to learn more and order your copy.

"Magic" by Taschen is available at Barnes & Noble (B&N) Bookstore for less than $20.00! Not the original large edition, but it is 9" x 13" and 384 pages. Click on the image above for more information.

108: MAGIC Live! 2013 - Day 3

Day three was another fun and exciting day that began with the Opening Session hosted by Justin Flom A highlight of the show was Xavier Mortimer's incredibly innovative routines. He is currently featured in the Cirque du Soliel show here in Vegas, "Michael Jackson One".. But it was Wayne Dobson being interviewed by Jeff McBride which received a standing ovation.

00:00:07 – Tom Vorjahan, Daniel Herron and Eddie Wade give a recap of the Documentary Live 1 show from last night that featured the Long Beach Mystics hosted by Stan Allen and Mike Caveney. It featured David Deeble, Victor and Diamond, Michael Weber, Dana Daniels, Mark Kalin and Jinger, Armando Lucera, Kevin James, and James Hamilton (as Alexander Hamilton).

00:08:33 – I give a short review of the General Session that was hosted by Justin Flom and featured Master Payne, Bill Abbott, Xavier Mortimer, and Wayne Dobson being interviewed by Jeff McBride.

00:13:00 – I chatted with random people dining at the In ‘N Out and how much they enjoy this place. It is one of my regular, mandatory places to dine while in Las Vegas.

00:15:02 – Simon Coronel talks about creativity and how he developed his routine.

00:26:00 – Photo time with Criss Angel

00:26:50 – David Hira talks about this convention and conventions in general and their appeal to different age groups.

00:34:45 – Scott Hunstler was one of the winners on the Sunday night Welcome Party. He talks about what he won. Mark Weidhaas, S.A.M. Past President, and Errol Lipschitz, from Vancouver, talks about their experience of this convention.

00:39:56 – We viewed the documentary about Ricky Jay’s life, Deceptive Practices. Here I get to talk with a few people who know Ricky and have a perspective and opinion on the movie. It isn’t anything like Siskell & Ebert, but I think you will enjoy this discussion by Peter Samelson, Tim Felix and Jon Stetson.

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