Philippe Petit - From Magic to the World Trade Center

Inspirational TED talk from Philippe Petit. This 20 minute video highlights one of the most inspirational characters of modern times. To quote from TED.. "Even a death-defying magician has to start somewhere. High-wire artist Philippe Petit takes you on an intimate journey from his first card trick at age 6 to his tightrope walk between the Twin Towers."

Martin Gardner - The Mathemagician

This is a wonderful 45 minute video of Martin Gardner.  He was the father of mathematical magic, devising magic and card tricks based on mathematical principles that, in some instances, he was probably the only one who truly understood the principle.. but nontheless explained in a way that allowed the 'rest' of us to perform the magic flawlessly.. . .

Ricky Jay on David Letterman - Apr 26, 2013

Ricky Jay appeared on the Letterman show April 26th, and in typical Ricky Jay fashion made quite an impression. I was very glad to see Ricky treated as a guest and not a performer. As you can see by the video, the segment was just over twelve minutes long and included one fairly short card trick. This is your chance to catch it if you missed it..

How Do You Keep a Magic Shop Open 46 years?

There's a secret, or secrets, to keeping a magic shop afloat for 46 years.. Phil Johnson of PJ's Trick Shop in Chicago knows the secret, and he shares quite a few in this interesting article by Burt Constable in the Daily Herald..

A postal employee who didn't want to spend his life working for other people, Phil Johnson started a cosmetics store on the side. He pondered selling playground slides for kids, running a hotel or jumping into the dry-cleaning business..

"Remember Martinizing?" Johnson says with a sigh.  Nothing seemed right.

Interested in magic, he pulled PJ's Trick Shop out of his hat. In spite of recessions, the Internet and several moves, he's managed to keep PJ's from disappearing for 46 years and counting. Now 77 years old, that might be his best trick of all....  Read the rest at:

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20130414/news/704149910/

The Magicians Who Rip Off Other Conjurers' Tricks

"Magicians have stolen each other's secrets for as long as the art of magic has existed. But the interconnectivity of today's world is making it easier - and magicians can't always rely on the law to protect them.

Jeff McBride is one of the most accomplished magicians in the world. Seeing him perform, it's easy to fall under his spell - you half think he might have magical powers.

His most famous routine is an intricate series of transformations, with a variety of masks, taking the audience through the entire history of magic.

But, one day, McBride discovered he was not the only one performing this particular act...."

Nice article by Arun Rath at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21861418

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The Rainbow Drink..

Got any ideas how this little magical ditty is performed??

Is Hollywood Warming Up to Magicians ??

Case in Point.. 'OZ', The Incredible Burt Wonderstone', and 'Now You See Me..'

by Brian Alexander for USA TODAY..

Presto boffo! Hollywood's latest trick to conjure up big box-office numbers is to project the world of magic onto the big screen.

James Franco's turn as a magician/"wizard'' in Oz the Great and Powerful was just the beginning as the film earned a stupendous $80 million during its debut weekend last week.

On Friday, March 15th, Steve Carell will attempt a similar feat as he stars as a campy Las Vegas performer in The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. And on May 31, Dave Franco (James' younger brother), Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher and Woody Harrelson join forces in Now You See Me, in which magicians use their collective abilities to pull off elaborate heists... Please click the link to visit USA TODAY and read the rest of the story.. Magicians.. this is OUR month.. enjoy it...  (photo.. John P Johnson and Warner Bros.)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/03/12/magicians-oz-burt-wonderstone/1971217/