Winner Matthew J Dowden

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Matthew J Dowden

Last entry before going back to the usual business. Matthew J Dowden, an accomplished performer with class. Because when it comes to magic we should not forget for whom we do all of that. For our audience. And that is what he does. I don't see him running the circuit. (Although I urge you to check out his Party Animal DVD's; killer material there!) He is actually out there in the real world working for real people.

He certainly understood what magic is all about and what his role is. And rarely I see a performer embracing the act of performing they way I see him doing that. He is relaxed, funny, alert, present and full of that initial spark that drives the evolution of magic. That is a big thing to say. I have met performers who love magic but hate their audience. To them the audience is a necessary evil in order to do the beloved magic. Not so in Matthew's case. Also the style he chose to present his magic is cool. It actually makes magic look cool. Watch his show reel:



There is class and personality. And it comes through watching him perform. You don't book a magician. You don't even book the "Champion of Magic" or any other award winning performer. You book Matthew J Dowden. And that is a good thing. A real magician who doesn't talk down to his audience, who doesn't ridicule himself or his audience, who has a a sense of honesty and authenticity about him, who is darn creative, has commercial sense and serious chops.

Winner. Big time winner.

Winner Andrew Musgrave

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Andrew Musgrave

The fact that I know the guy much more than I wish to admit makes it not an easy task to write something nice about him with out sounding like a toady. Andrew is the sole writer of the great sleightly blog. He used to do "Ye Olde magick blogge" which turned into his recent project. In 2011 he has been involved in the 365 project. That's 365 day of straight blogging. And it never went boring. In fact it was the first thing I checked when I turned on my computer in the morning. And as exhausting as this have been it also stands as a monument of magic thinking. His writing style is exceptionally clear and precise. Combine that with actual content and well thought through essays about the various aspects of magic and you'll get the full experience.

Aside from that Andrew also has some serious chops when it comes to skill and showmanship. Check out this clip of him doing a multiple card selection routine. (Don't mind the fact that he says "okay" a lot)



Right now he is in South Korea on a very strange teaching gig. In some sort of theme park, where the theme is English. (read the details over on his blog) There he does magic shows for the kids. And one of the things he does is the Magic Coloring book. And I love the changes he does to not do what all of the others do. Basically he has two books and two wands. A good one and a crappy one. The kids gets the good one. Both books are flipped through. Both are uncolored drawings. The kids does magic to one book and so does the performer with the crappy one. The kid's book is all colored now and the magician's book is blank. And then the magic continues, by trying to makes things right.

This is brilliant thinking. Suddenly the whole act becomes much, much more. Much bigger in fact, without becoming impractical. It's such little things that makes him a winner in my humble opinion. Andrew contributes so much constructive stuff to the magic community, that I feel a little guilty not having him made a winner three years ago.

Winner Christian Grenier

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Christian Grenier

Creating Magic is hard. Well, no it's not. Creating new magic is hard. Especially in card magic. We may get tons of ideas and by nature most of that is just bad. Only a few jewels make it to the surface once in a while. And some manage to create more jewels than others. French magician Christian Grenier is such a guy. He is one of those card magicians who is much more into methods than effects. And there is something to it. Actually seeing what outlandish methods he creates makes my own head spin with ideas.

He has a blog, where he showcases his ideas on a regular basis. Here is just one example.

EMBROUILLE ! von stianix

This is not ground breaking, but it makes you think about direct approaches towards effects. He goes into detail about his ideas and shares them for free. I can see the above example being a one trick download by video faker Shin Lim. (in HD) But Christian Grenier gives it away for free.

About the exposure issue: He spoils his own magic I'm fine with it. But some of the routines require an Elmsley Count. In the explanation Christian brushes over that assuming you know about that. This is an approach I can live with. In fact this is the best approach if you teach magic for free. And he does a good job using photos and video from several angles.

The blog is in French. But using Google translate or the implemented Chrome feature reading the blog in English becomes easy. I regularly check his blog and have it bookmarked. It's that good.

Winner Helder Guimarães

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Helder Guimarães

Red glasses and some great chops. Chances are that those two attributes are enough to describe Helder Guimarães well enough in the magic world, so he gets recognized. I remember when he put out that Red Mirror DVD. There was a disclaimer, that Helder wished that you don't do the material he teaches, but instead use it to come up with your own stuff, that suits your performing character. A very valid point he was making. And then I remember Craig Petty of the Wizard Product Review bashing the DVD because of this disclaimer. To him it seemed like that if you buy the DVD you have all the right to perform the material as it is taught. What an idiot. Any professional magician has no interest to do other peoples material. Naturally!

Having seen that DVD it opened my eyes and made me rethink and restructure several of my own material. Especially the chapter about conveying an image to the audience first and then realizing the image via magic. His vision has truly helped me to become even more unique. This is quite a feat. One I need to applaud with enthusiastic acclamations.

Of course there are views I don't share and think differently:



But not sharing his opinion doesn't mean I cannot like him. I know where his thinking comes from and I assume I know where he wants to see himself and magic. And in that regard he is absolutely right. Artist don't do tricks. Magicians are artist and therefore don't do tricks.

 Helder Guimarães is a winner in my book. A great thinker and a superb magician.

Winner Michael Ammar

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Michael Ammar

There are those who are born performers and then there are those who are born teachers. The later are seldom.

Michael Ammar has been around for ages. And you can tell. Watch his looks, as he teaches his Encore stuff and compare it to today. You can see time at work there.

Watching him perform makes me think of better performers. His girlish laugh which doesn't stop his grinning. All too much for my taste. But I do appreciate his perverse ability to teach magic. He somehow seems to know what the core things are that need to be taught and what doesn't. I have seen magic teachers who go way too much into detail and those who don't teach you at all.

Another great thing is his choice of material. There is always a little stroke of brilliance in there. One moment you think, what the hell? Really? A grown man with a balloon. But then it turns into a magic fest. Two years ago David Letterman had a "magic week". Michael Ammar was one of the guests. Somehow Michael Ammar chose exactly the right material for that very special gig. Observe:



There you can see it all. His laughter, the grinning but also a freaking good choice of material for that event. Not over the top, but also some risky things to keep oneself alert and "present".

Being a good magic teacher also has some risks. That being the many clones of Ammar. You can tell who learned mostly from him. They move the same and their way of relaxing is the same. Ammar's performing character is nothing to strive for. But his own material and the ones he chooses to teach are  top notch. Bravo.

Winner Kevin James

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Kevin James

When it comes to having strange imagery being the catalyst for strange magic routines Kevin James is just one of us. But being able to actually implement those brain children into actual working routines is a different beast. And this is where Kevin James shines the most. Over the years Kevin James has contributed to the magic community with a whole bunch of routines. Most notably the Floating Rose and the Bowling Ball trick. But let's talk about Kevin James' magic. It is comedy with a little bit of surreal gross out moments. There are jokes, and no so serious not so deceptive visual gags and of course really cool wtf moments that leave the audience speechless and feeling even somewhat uneasy. Watch his act:





Giving yourself an esophagogastroduodenoscopy to reveal a chosen card is pretty far a away from the traditional ways of doing magic. This is dangerous territory. The chance to alienate a big chunk of the the audience is there if you cannot back it up with a likable persona. But it's either this or the chance of being boring and like all of the others. So I applaud Kevin James for creating and living yet another weird facet of magic.

The only bit of caviar I feel to mention is this: What the hell is his character? Is he a magic doctor, or a magician who pretends to be a doctor. It really doesn't come across. Is there some sort of antagonistic force working or.... I am over thinking this! Am I? Ohhh, look at that... there's a guy with a hole in his body. What was my point again? Oh yeah, Kevin James is a magic winner.

Winner Roy Walton

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Roy Walton

Do I have to write this? Isn't it clear that Roy Walton deserves a big spot among any magic winners?

When it comes to card magic and somebody is pressed to name the most influential card magicians of the last century, you can easily judge his knowledge and devotion to the subject by looking for Roy Walton's name. If he is among them you got somebody in front of you who knows card magic. If his name is not in the list you are standing in front of a hack. The numerous contributions to many, many different magazines and other magic related pamphlets stand as a statue of the man. If you are looking for solution to certain problems, check out Walton. If you look for interesting plots check out Walton. If you are looking for self workers, check out Walton. What about knuckle busters, memory demonstrations, practical and efficient sleights and principles? Well, check out Walton.

Here is a sketch of Roy Walton by John Helvin

Roy has been a mentor to many great magicians like Jerry Sadowitz or Peter Duffie. But if you count the one-sided experience of many young magicians reading Walton's tricks and thoughts, he has certainly mentored hundreds. I'm one of them. I couldn't be more thankful.

Winner Apollo Robbins

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Apollo Robins

When it comes to stealing stuff in a magic show it is very easy to become very "invasive". Not so Apollo Robbins

Alright. It is very easy to fall back to the classics in magic and not doing your own thing, that most people don't have the guts to do. A cups and balls routine is a secure time tested routine. You can rehearse the shit out of it. You can do it without an audience. But when you try to load a coin under somebodies watch you need to have balls. Big balls. The quality of the next clip is shitty at best. But you magicians can still figure out what is going on.



There is a certain grace in the little moves he does. His understanding of misdirection and his technical skill make him take the total control. The audience can hardly describe what is going on, yet they are entertained as hell. I have seen other "pickpockets" doing routines. Greg Wilson comes to mind. And as much as I like Greg, his "stealing" is pretty invasive. And don't ask me about David Blaine's handling.

Apollo Robbins comes across as a genuine con artist. But the good kind. I like him.

Winner The Inner Glow

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members and things of our elite circle of nerds will be featured. 

Today: The Inner Glow

This is a request post. But I agree so much.

Here is a story of a father who did a magic show for his daughter. For her first birthday party ever. Years later she is going to get married. And the proud father does it again. Framing the life of his beloved daughter with a magic show.
The act he is doing consists of mediocre magic tricks. Yet it is one of the better magic performances out there, for he has the "inner glow".

 What is the "inner glow". Well it's that spark of enthusiasm for magic and for doing magic. It is a gift that not all possess. It's what makes a bearable performance to a memorable one. It is honesty, humility and the absolute positive joyous affirmation of life itself.

The inner glow is essential for a good performer. It turns a trick into a magic moment. An event into an experience. The inner glow transcends language barriers and turns reality into this one precious memory.
It also saves a card manipulation from being a bore fest.

Check out An Ha Lim I think he's got the inner glow.


Back to the father who does a cut and restored rope for his 29-year daughter. Him having the inner glow does more for the public perception of magic than any kid having thought of yet another card control, offering it as a download. That is what makes a winner.

Winner Eric Mead

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Eric Mead

It maybe that I completely miss the point here. But I think that Eric Mead had a perfect act when it comes to performing for scientists.

Basically he is brain fucking them into believing they see a lecture, when in reality they not only not learn anything, but he also misdirects them from the real solution. And all under the great contextual veil of bringing mystery back. Awesome! Watch the act and you will see what I'm talking about.



Eric manages to fill 15 minutes of time with 3Fly and and Invisible deck. He makes people think that the two phenomenons he describes prior have something to do with the effect. In fact he claims that the explanation of the phenomenon is the solution to the actual magic effects. What a load of bull crap right into the scientists faces. Great. Really great. The simple fact that he hides his trickery with the veil of science. Neuroscience! That seems to be an overshadowing theme that is going on. His other act is mainly mentalism. Of course he doesn't read minds, no he gives them "the convincing the illusion of psychic powers." And even though there is some truth in it, it is not true at all.

Eric Mead seems to live that lie and truly embraces it.

Winner Rick Merrill

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Rick Merrill

I love a good display of sleight of hand. And those who practice often seems to forget that having some sort of presentation also is a necessity in order to be entertaining. Rick Merrill has understood that. His magic is funny AND full of killer material. It's magicians like him with self-ironic twisted humor that leave a good impression on laypeople. It is people like Rick Merrill, who work constantly on the public image of magic.

He is a joy to watch, even as a magician. His act is littered with tiny references to the know-it-all. He will fool you most of the time. This is not a "must" in order to be appreciated among magicians, but it sure helps. Take a look as some pieces of his act. This is pretty old footage. His comedic timing is much better now, but it still gets the point across.



The constant misdirection is a great way to have a "magic theme" in your show. To real people, it shouts "skilled" which is exactly what I think he is going for. It's no magic, but it looks like magic if you are nerdy enough to practice and not have any friends. And because the image is prevalent in the public perception of magicians, tackling that issue is a welcome change to those who constantly refer to themselves as the best thing since bread came sliced. He acts humble in great contrast to his displayed skill. And that I love. He is a winner. In more than one way.

Winner FL!P

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Flip Hallema

Flip's style takes some getting used to. But once you do it is quite enjoyable. An overgrown Dutch child doing some devastating and strong magic. Every now and then a sudden burst of joy. A calm demeanor most of the time and then without warning a really fast motion as he whips the rope around his body. Some funny business paired with deep philosophical implications. Most would be unable to pull this off in a convincing manner. Flip succeeds doing so and even surpasses the initial expectation of the audience who is told that an award winning magician will perform.

When you see him perform you don't go all out laughing. Flip is not the funny guy. But he is an entertainer and manages it to keep his audiences entertained.



His contributions to magic are numerous. My own rope routine has drawn many influences by Flips amazing rope work. Today rope routines seems to all makes use of the same gimmick. Flip is different. You need to check out his rope stuff. It's good. Even though some of his stuff is very personal and you see little use in that it will eventually get you on the right track to becoming a good rope magician without resorting to becoming a clone of Richard Sanders (which of course is George Sands' stuff rehashed.) Flip, I like you!

REAL Fuckin' Secrets

Hi Folks,

If you want to find out the "next bit" to the photo below, then follow this link!!!

And learn about 'Real Fuckin' Secrets'!

BS

About the ads

hmm interesting. According to all the adsense help webpages, the adds are generated by the key evaluation of the content of my blog and the past websites you have visited. The Google cookie makes that possbile. So what kind of ads appear when you load up the blog?

Oh look who's back!

Someone over at the green monster asked what good "think of a card" routines are out there. And take a guess who answered the following:

"Check out some of the routines in my THE EPITOME LOCATION."

Subtle as usual.

Winner Kyle Eschen

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Kyle Eschen

Most people cannot act. Therefore most magicians cannot act. So having a stage character that is vastly different from ones own character is almost impossible to achieve for most of us. Not so for young Canadian Kyle Eschen. The stage character of Kyle is that of a conservative introverted guy, who is on stage due to the pressure of society and his family. The act is funny, mostly one liners, but still full of real hard hitting magic.

It is hard to describe the act, you have to see for yourself. I nearly wet myself laughing. The dryness of the delivery, the pacing of the jokes and the over all presence on stage made me aware that we got someone who can go really far even though he has achieved much already.



If you don't think that's funny, there is something wrong about your sense of humor. I know quite a few people who simply don't get satirical and self-denigrating humor. And to some magicians making fun of other magicians (including themselves) is a no-go-area. Sad. Kyle understood it perfectly. Kudos!

Winner Piff the Magic Dragon

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Piff the Magic Dragon

My introduction to John van der Put was like most of you through Penn and Tellers Fool Us. I couldn't believe the act. It was so nice to see not just another magician. No we got a magic dragon. A hilariously grumpy, dry humored, "punny" magic dragon. An act so off the beaten path that there is no guarantee that such an act would work.

The character of Piff is just two years old. Before that John was just a regular magician with a comedic attitude. If you look at his show reel you just see another magician. So the creation of Piff must have been a epiphany for John.

Take a look at 2007. John had the basics ready.


Now take another look of the same routine but this time with Piff instead of John.



This is a difference of day and night. Suddenly all seems to fall into place. He can ridicule his audience and magic, as he ridicules himself. We got a grown man in a dragon costume for crying out loud. This is the biggest, greatest elephant in the room I can think of beside the fact that we can't really do magic. Did I say elephant. I meant dragon. My bad. Just think of the implications of that one. Of course there is no magic. All is tricks. Dude, there is a guy in a dragon suit. Of course nothing is taken seriously. Therefore we celebrate every pun, a card stab and Piff. Thank you for leveling magic again.

Trying out Ads

If that pisses you off, tell me. If you can ignore them do so. If you feel the need to click them, go ahead.
I do this to figure out what kind of adds Google puts on my blog and how much of a commercial whore I will become for 5 cents per month or so.

Winner Carl Scutt

It is April. In celebration of this blogs three year existence, the whole month will be winner time. Only the coolest and best members of our elite circle of nerds will be featured.

Today: Carl Scutt!

We all start in magic. Most because they lack social skills. And magic indeed is a way to learn them. But some start out in magic not to compensate for something but because they seem to like magic. So does Carl Scutt. A young magician from Sussex in England. He is very charismatic and full of the initial spark that many seem to miss very early on. His magic is of a somewhat classic nature, yet full of own bold ideas and creativity.

Also, he is very funny.



No matter what kind of person Carl Scutt is in real life. On stage he is a great joy to watch. He has way more stage presence than I hope to have one day. You can tell that he is comfortable with his material. Even though he is in a seemingly endless struggle with his props. Watching that little act also makes me happy, as it is not just tricks followed by tricks. They actually string together near the end. And that is a mark of showmanship and a deeper lever of understanding what constitutes magic. Bravo.