As a professional magic-type dude, this is of course the most popular question I'm asked. Even with close friends though, I maintain the magician's code of keeping secrets. The second most popular question is "Are you ever fooled." I normally answer "Not as often as I like." There is no greater feeling in the world to me than being amazed. Being as wary I am of magic on TV and the internet, this means I get my fix from other magicians. I'll be in Vegas in a few weeks for The World Magic Seminar, and I'm sure to get fooled plenty, maybe even dish out a little of my own.
I do however love to discuss how magic works. Not necessarily the particulars of any specific thing I perform, but the principles that make it work. So many people say they feel stupid or drunk. This could not be further from the truth. After studying magic for so many years, you can't help but learn a bit about how the brain works. Since this blog is not intended for magicians only, I don't get very specific here. However, I will share a very cool video a fellow magic-type dude sent me. It's a brilliant ad campaign that shows quite a bit about how your brain works. Yep, it fooled the hell out of me.
http://www.dothetest.co.uk/
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
What is art?
Last night, I had my first night of performing at Texas Roadhouse. What a fun place! I had only eaten there one time before. I was so surprised not only by the fun atmosphere, but by the great enthusiasm the employees have for their jobs. It surely made my night go by quickly. If any of you are in the Harrisburg area, I urge you to stop by the Camp Hill Texas Roadhouse Tuesday evenings from 5-8.
I came across a fascinating article today from almost a year ago in the Washington Post. It details an experiment done by the newspaper and a world renown musician. Here's the link.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html?hpid=topnews
(Edit here, for some reason, I can't click the actual link. If you can't, just copy and paste in your browser window.)
It's a bit lengthy, so I'll give you the gist of it. They conducted an experiment with world famous violinist Joshua Bell. They wanted to know if his art could transcend his venue. They dressed him in jeans and a sweatshirt and set him up in a busy subway station in D.C. As he stood there and played his 3 MILLION dollar violin, (yep, that's right) a shocking thing happened. No one noticed. Now, surely these people could recognize wonderful music. You don't have to be an aficionado of classical music to know it's beautiful. A few people tossed bills and coins in his open case. Of course, he wasn't doing this for the money. Joshua makes about $100 a minute when he plays with symphonies all over the world. The point was would he be regarded as just another street performer. To 99% of the people, the answer sadly, was yes. There was one woman at the end of the story who was a ray of sunshine for me. I really urge you to check it out. There is video and audio. Just look at it and you'll see what I mean.
I got into a very heated debate online with someone on this topic. He says that your venue and audience decide if you are an artist, or just a guy with a fiddle. Undoubtedly, that's what the article would have you believe. I say no. An artist is someone who puts a piece of their very soul into every performance. Joshua does it, the world's great painters do it, and yep this big bald guy with a deck of cards does it. So be on the lookout. You just might see an artist at work when you least expect it. On a street corner, at a train station, or at a restaurant before your meal arrives. Take a few minutes, and enjoy what they are creating for you.
I came across a fascinating article today from almost a year ago in the Washington Post. It details an experiment done by the newspaper and a world renown musician. Here's the link.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html?hpid=topnews
(Edit here, for some reason, I can't click the actual link. If you can't, just copy and paste in your browser window.)
It's a bit lengthy, so I'll give you the gist of it. They conducted an experiment with world famous violinist Joshua Bell. They wanted to know if his art could transcend his venue. They dressed him in jeans and a sweatshirt and set him up in a busy subway station in D.C. As he stood there and played his 3 MILLION dollar violin, (yep, that's right) a shocking thing happened. No one noticed. Now, surely these people could recognize wonderful music. You don't have to be an aficionado of classical music to know it's beautiful. A few people tossed bills and coins in his open case. Of course, he wasn't doing this for the money. Joshua makes about $100 a minute when he plays with symphonies all over the world. The point was would he be regarded as just another street performer. To 99% of the people, the answer sadly, was yes. There was one woman at the end of the story who was a ray of sunshine for me. I really urge you to check it out. There is video and audio. Just look at it and you'll see what I mean.
I got into a very heated debate online with someone on this topic. He says that your venue and audience decide if you are an artist, or just a guy with a fiddle. Undoubtedly, that's what the article would have you believe. I say no. An artist is someone who puts a piece of their very soul into every performance. Joshua does it, the world's great painters do it, and yep this big bald guy with a deck of cards does it. So be on the lookout. You just might see an artist at work when you least expect it. On a street corner, at a train station, or at a restaurant before your meal arrives. Take a few minutes, and enjoy what they are creating for you.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
My new gig!
I can now announce that I will be performing at Texas Roadhouse in Camp Hill, PA every Tuesday 5-8. If you've never been. It's a very fun place. Good prices, big juicy steaks, and now a big juicy magician. Stop by if you're in the area.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Bad biker dude...
This past weekend, I had a really fun time performing at a Yamaha motorcycle dealership. They loved me so much, they gave me this bike! Nah, it's a Honda that belongs to a friend of mine. When I has having new head shots done, he was there and the photographer couldn't resist. Anyway, this was a special promotional event for the dealership. They had the usual trappings to entice buyers; prize giveaways, rock band, free wine, gourmet chocolate and a big bald guy doing card tricks. (What a combo.) Everyone was really great and a good time was had by all. I also made a new discovery. There was a lady with gourmet chocolate and she had spicy nacho chips dipped in chocolate. I was a bit apprehensive, it's two tastes that I love, but can't imagine together. (Marge Simpson's butterscotch chicken anyone?) Boy was I wrong. I couldn't have more than one or two at a time, but boy what a different experience.
Also, big news for my fans. (All 2 of you.) I just sealed a deal for a new performance venue in the Harrisburg area. I'm meeting with the staff tomorrow afternoon and after that, I"ll be able to give details.
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