328: Wilde Man, Wilde

If Oscar Wilde and Edgar Allen Poe joined forces to create a museum, gallery and retail store, then it would look like The Wilde Collection. Nestled in The Heights, a suburb near downtown Houston, this eclectic emporium of the eccentric is more than macabre. Lawyer B. Douglas, the artist-in-residence, manager and one of the proprietors, creates some of the most unusual objects 'd art that you can imagine. Well, I doubt you could imagine like him. For many of his creations come from his...nightmares.

One can spend hours at The Wilde Collection perusing through all of the unusual pieces in every little nook and corner. Some of the items are sold there on consignment from other artists and collectors while other pieces are creations of Lawyer and still others are not available for sale, but there for observing. In a way, it's kind of like visiting the home of the Addams Family.

This special Halloween podcast focuses on the Wilde Collection and its curator, Lawyer B. Douglas for a variety of reasons. There are several things that drew me to recording this podcast not the least of witch...I mean, "which" is that Lawyer is also interested in Bizarre Magic, of course. Another reason this is being featured is because of the seance that they will host on Sunday, October 30th. I was to be involved, but due to another performance engagement, I couldn't make it, but my cohort in the occult, Jamie Salinas, will conduct the seance. It will be for a limited group of 80 living souls who will try to contact the "Willow Witch" of The Heights. If you would like to contribute to the "legend" of the "Willow Witch", then please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/thewildecollection/ and tell your story.

Owner, Lawyer B. Douglas gives us a tour of the Wilde Collection in The Heights near downtown Houston, TX

Time Stamps for this podcast:

00:03:46 - Lawyer B. Douglas talks about his background being born of a Mexican mother (who is a Curandero) and brought up Catholic and an African American father who has several voo-doo priestesses on his side of the family. After you hear his story, then you can better appreciate where he is coming from and how he came to hold the beliefs he now has. But Lawyer also talks about how he became to learn and enjoy "Bizarre Magik", too.

01:05:53 - "Burn Notice by Takel" is a switching device for a folded playing card and highly recommended.

01:09:31 - "At The Table with Andi Gladwin" is a wonderful lesson in how to get more gigs by using marketing tips to upgrade your website and use social media plus approaching groups, wedding magic and of course, a few great tricks sprinkled in for good measure. Recommended

01:13:30 - "Cold Cash by John T. Sheets" from Kozmo Magic is a wonderful DVD (including the necessary something to make the gimmicks) that is well worth the price to perform a transformation of currency in the hands of your volunteer. Recommended.

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327: Kozmo - Street Legend

What makes someone a legend? Some say being one of the best in your field. Others might say it comes after many years of doing that thing you do so many times. Still others think it is when that one name keeps rising to the top of others listed in one category. Such is my definition of why I think Kozmo has reached that status along with only a handful of street performers.

One of the "cover boys" of MAGIC Magazine, Theodore "Ted" Brainard (aka "Kozmo") has built a reputation as a street magician after decades of experience and over 30,000 shows. He has made a comfortable living from the street having performed around the world and nearly every kink of climate.

But as Kozmo is moving away from frequent street performances, his time and attention has been divided between the street and his video production company, "Kozmo Magic". Not only does he direct, produce and market DVD's by some of the top professionals today (like Doc Eason, Garrett Thomas and others), he also produces the bi-monthly digital magazine, Reel Magic.

327 on The Magic Word Podcast with Kozmo talking about street magic and Reel Magic. This was recorded using Facebook's Live Streaming feature. Be sure to Like our Facebook page and not miss future opportunities to join us LIVE! http://facebook.com/themagicwordpodcast For the audio only, please enjoy the podcast at: http://themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/327-kozmo-street-legend

Kozmo talks on the podcast about his mentor, the late Jim Cellini, working the street, how to get crowds, similarities to trade show magic, and Reel Magic.

Congratulations to Tim Rappel, winner of this week's contest prize "Cool Cash". Watch for upcoming contests on The Magic Word.

For a FREE 48 hour trial of Reel Magic, send an email to KozmoMagic@me.com and Kozmo will turn it on for you.

John T. Sheets presents a collection of impromptu bill switches that are perfect for any magician. Included is everything you need, except the bills. On this DVD, John teaches: Cool Cash: Two bills, of different denominations, visibly change places between the magician's hand and the spectator's hand.

326: Keeping in the Loop with Yigal Mesika

Yigal Mesika is the Loop guy. He bought the rights for invisible, stretchable bands from Finn Jon at the turn of this century and he hasn't once regretted his decision. He has focused his creative effort towards finding new ways wot use invisible thread to create mystery.

If you are not aware of it, Yigal is near the end of a lawsuit with Penguin Magic where he is trying to protect his intellectual rights/property. Within the next few hours after this podcast is released, they will be going into mediation and, if not resolved, will go to court. This is discussed near the end of this podcast.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:02:23 - Yigal Mesika talks about the development of his trademark Loops and he gives us some tips that he shared during his presentations at this year's MAGIC Live! He also talks about his development of the Spider Pen and the new Tarantula. He concludes this podcast with his thoughts on the importance of patronizing originators of tricks and the current lawsuit he has filed against Penguin Magic.

00:57:22 - Review of "Creativity Boost" CD by Brian Watson, a 28 day affirmation for you to boost your own creativity through self-hypnosis. Recommended.

01:01:47 - Review of "Indigo" by Beautiful Mind Magic is a four-way prediction with one revelation. It is a nice prop that requires a little DIY (Do It Yourself).