Reel Magic Magazine, a DVD publication for magicians, filmed a segment at the Magic Castle featuring me and three other magicians.

Reel Magic Magazine is one of the premiere publications in the magic industry, with subscribers all over the world. My friend Jon Armstrong regularly appears in each issue, and he hosted a discussion on professional performance.

Jon Armstrong has three instructional DVD’s about magic with playing cards, and he lectures for magicians all over the world. Jon talked about a little-known card move that can add flash to any act. I talked about what I feel is the best way to tear and restore a borrowed $100 dollar bill. I hope other magicians find my advice useful.

Like any profession, magic has it’s own publications. The most popular are Genii, MAGIC Magazine, and Reel Magic. What makes Reel Magic unique is that it’s a DVD magazine, featuring video articles, interviews, and in-depth magic instruction. As the tagline says… it’s “TV for Magicians.”

I had a lot of fun, and I hope I’m asked to participate again!

All good things must come to an end, and my weeklong engagement at The Magic Castle ends tonight.

I love performing at the Magic Castle. The ambiance, the audiences, and the 100+ year history of the place make it truly unique; especially for Los Angeles. Even the Magic Circle in London can’t compete.

I’ve been doing a special 20-minute close-up magic show, which is based on my 45-minute close-up show that I performed at Mystique and at private parties throughout Los Angeles.

It’s been lots of fun and once my schedule clears up again, I look forward to being back at the Castle.

I’ve been performing my show at the Magic Castle all week long. The Castle is a private club for magicians, and is considered the best magic venue in the world. I’ve entertained audiences with my magic lots of times at the Castle… and it’s always an honor.

Last night I did 5 shows, and I’ll probably do at least 6 today. The crowds have been really strong, and I’ve been getting some terrific reviews from guests. Although I’m pretty tired, I’m also really, really happy.

Photos to come!

Chris was looking for a memorable, amazing way to ask his girlfriend to marry him. So he hired me to entertain his group at the Magic Castle last night.

For my final magic effect, I turned my wedding ring into an engagement ring… right in his girlfriend’s hand.

She cried. She said yes. And she’ll remember that moment for the rest of her life. Sometimes I just have the coolest job in the whole world!

Magician Jon Armstrong is spending a week in Los Angeles, and found time to host another Magic Castle Perk. Tonight was Dan & Dave Buck, who discussed their pioneering flourish work and their upcoming magic conference in San Diego.

Dan and Dave are insanely talented card artists, and also really nice, thoughtful guys. They were way cool. MagicCon (their upcoming conference for magicians) looks to be the premiere event of year. The lineup is truly incredible, featuring some of the very best magicians in the world.

Jon’s lecture series is a terrific perk of being a Magic Castle member. As always, I’m glad I went.

Not only was I able to get my new Taschen book “Magic 1400s – 1950s” signed by the authors, editor and art director, but everyone in attendance was treated to an hour-long presentation on all that went into the making of the book.

This book isn’t for magicians (although they’re happy to have our support), but rather for people who appreciate great art, history, and are curious about magic.

Over 25,000 pieces were photographed for inclusion in the book, and only 1,000 made the cut. Every image has a detailed caption, and the articles are reproduced in three languages. The thing weighs a TON!!!!

My only problem with the book is that I don’t have a coffee table worthy of it. Guess I gotta buy me a new table!

My friend and Magic Castle board member Jon Armstrong has organized a members-only event for the new Taschen book I mentioned earlier.

The book features poster art, lithographs and paintings featuring magicians from the 1400’s to the 1950’s. They’ll be an in-depth presentation as well as a signing by the both authors and the editor!

I was going to wait to buy my copy until next year, but I just can’t pass up an opportunity to have it signed.

Ah well… there goes another $200…

Some people can hold their breath for over 4 minutes…
I’m not one of those people.

Some people can solve a Rubik’s Cube in under 20 seconds…
I’m not one of those people either.

I was fooling around with a Rubik’s Cube in-between my shows at the Magic Castle, and this is what happened. It’s not magic… but it IS pretty darn cool IMHO.
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

I’ll be performing at the Magic of Jazz event at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. It’s a one-night-only event with a great band. It will be a packed house… so it should be fun!

I really underestimated the response to the event. I think I’m personally getting in over 75 guests! You know… when you consider the revenue of 75 people’s dinners, drinks and door charges, the Castle should double my pay! ;-)

I saw two excellent Spanish magicians in the Castle this week. We flew them in from Madrid to perform for the week, and they’re doing an incredible job.

Although there’s a language barrier… the super-visual magic they do transcends all speech. Dani Da Ortiz is one of the most entertaining card guys I’ve ever seen, and the coin magic of Miguel Angel Gea was inspired. I hope we bring them back to the Magic Castle again next year!