Magic & Martinis Thursday - Aug. 29, 2013

This was a week for recuperating from hand surgery. All went well for my carpal tunnel and I am on the mend and able to do double lifts though I can't do the Erdnase Palm Shift very well. But then again, I never could. :) My doctor was funny. Before I could ask him if I could play the piano after the surgery (you know the old joke), he told me that I could play the piano ONLY if I played it before the surgery. Wise guy. He stole my line. So this past week I have been working on mentalism and performing tricks not requiring much sleight-of-hand.

During this past week, I performed John Archer's "Blank Night" (sold by Vanishing Inc.) to great success plus the Magic Square. If you are considering performing The Magic Square, then you have to buy the  Luis DeMatos DVD on The Magic Square Very well done and complete with professional routine and a bonus effect plus stickers for your marking pen. I have also continued to use To-Do VooDoo by Rick Lax. I impressed my doctor as well as our Sunday School teacher. It is a great impromptu trick that can easily be carried in your wallet. I wish I was compensated for mentioning any of these tricks, but just so you know, I paid full price like everyone else for all the products I mention. I only rely on your generosity through PayPal donations (see the upper left hand corner of this blog).

Later this weekend, I will be traveling to Dallas for the Texas Association of Magicians (T.A.O.M.) annual convention. I will be riding with Jamie Salinas who is one of the product reviewers for the M.U.M. magazine. It was Jamie who put me on to To-Do VooDoo. I ran into Rick Lax at the recent MAGIC Live! convention in Las Vegas and showed him a little improvement created by Jamie. I also told him about the presentation that Banachek shared with us. Rick was pleased to hear that we are enjoying his effect so much and thrilled that we are putting a different spin on it.

And speaking of Jamie and mentalism, he will be selling his Lotto Fever at the T.A.O.M. which is a killer effect that plays for audiences both big and small. It is another effect that can be carried in your wallet though you can also use other "sorcerer's sidearms" to aid in the effect, if you wish.

Enough for now. I'm off to see the wizards in Dallas. If we run into each other at the convention, please shake my left hand. :) Be sure to watch and listen for my updates from the T.A.O.M. Cheers! 

Martinis aid in the recovery of my hand surgery. 

Photos from Abbott's 2012 Day 3

Day Three of Abbott's Get-Together was another beautiful, sunny day in southern Michigan. People were still coming in to Abbott's Magic Factory to pick up their registration packets. The bulk of their magic inventory, however, was relocated from the Factory to the dealers' room that was set up in the elementary school.

You never know who is going to show up at a Get-Together. Perhaps if I would have waited for the owner of this car to return, I could have solved an age old question.

Buskers fanned throughout the village to entertain the guests. One was appointed to the downtown area where the annual arts and crafts fair was taking place.

Jania Taylor (http://www.magicbyjania.com/) was assigned to the grocery store that had a throng of people who were there during the lunch hour for the Kiwani's Club benefit. They were offering lunch for $1.00 that included a hot dog, chips, soft drink and an ice cream sandwiich. You could order an extra hot dog for just 50 cents.

Michael Mode (http://www.magicmode.com/) was one of those who helped Jerry Costello with the "Happy Hour" party at Jerry's lake house that took place after Adele Friel's lecture and before the evening show. (Jerry is on the left and Michael is on the right).

You never know how people will be dressed for the Friday night show. Have you ever seen a dress made entirely from balloons? Never mind WHERE did she sit in the show last night. The question is HOW did she sit?

Following the evening stage show, the city presented an enjoyable fireworks show just outside the high school.