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Review of Combustion by Arron Jones

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:19:56 +0000

This Trick is On Fire

Combustion offers a match that seemingly returns from the dead. You take a match from a matchbox and light it, and then blow it out. A spectator holds the dead, blackened match at its end and concentrates on it, and in a few seconds, the match combusts and lights. As presented, it's something of a psychokinetic effect where the spectator apparently causes the match to relight using the power of his or her mind. I think that this routine has lots of value.

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Blending Magic With Religion

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 01:48:08 +0000

I have occasionally encountered groups that did not want to see magic entertainment due to religious reasons. On the other extreme, I know that many magicians perform a brand of conjuring known as "gospel magic" to present a message through a magic trick. This is why I was fascinated by a recent article about magician and Catholic priest Father Jim Blantz, who was recently profiled in an article. Father Blantz regularly performs magic in his ministry.

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Chad Juros Honored for Cancer Work

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:03:16 +0000

Magician and inspirational speaker Chad Juros was recently among 100 people and organizations honored for their contributions in the fight against cancer. He is a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with leukemia in 1991 at the age of three. He credits magic, shown to him by his father, as maintaining his spirits during that time. In 2000, his father was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and passed away. Juros is the founder of the nonprofit Spread the Magic Foundation to fulfill his father's hope that he would "continue to spread the magic around the world."

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Clear Surprise by Tenyo Magic

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 03:39:52 +0000

I'm not sure why, but this is the first time that I've had the opportunity to review a product by the legendary Tenyo Magic. "Clear Surprise" offers a baffling production ...

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Nesting Wallets by Nick Einhorn and Alan Wong

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:12:58 +0000

Here's a great take on the "object to impossible place" that's excellent for any close-up work. With some fundamental sleight of hand skills, any small borrowed item such as a ...

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Kozak To Create Magic "Aloha" Style

Sun, 09 Jun 2013 03:21:32 +0000

According to a recent release, comedy magician Paul Kozak will star in the "Kona Kozy Comedy Magic Show," which will launch on July 1 inside Kona Hawaii's Kozy's VooDoo Room, which is part of the Humpy's restaurant chain. Kozak will be performing nightly.

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How to Respond to a Heckler?

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 02:12:47 +0000

Heckling is in the news as a result of a situation during a speech given by First Lady Michelle Obama. Of course, heckling is something that every entertainer, including magicians, ...

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Review of Magnum by Mark Zust

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:18:47 +0000

It's a book test, in the classic mentalism vein, but it's done with a magazine. Mark Zust's "Magnum" is well done and not only allows for the revelation of a ...

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Too Harsh on Jesse Eisenberg?

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 02:52:39 +0000

I recently criticized a card trick performed by Jesse Eisenberg on national television while promoting his latest movie, "Now You See Me." He presented an effect that was not only ...

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Behind the Scenes on Letterman

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 15:35:17 +0000

Steve Cohen offered the standout close-up performance on David Letterman's "Magic Week" from a few years back.

So what's it like to perform magic on national television and with Letterman? Cohen writes a fascinating story that provides insights into the challenging experience.

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