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Not Annoying

Inside Magic looks at the News of our World. We learn who is annoying, who is not. Who will appear in Branson and who is all that. There’s coverage of the SAM Convention and news from India and its efforts to encourage magic.

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? SAM Convention Gets Props. The Duluth Superior and Kansas City Star have been pumping out some great stories about the on-going SAM convention in St. Louis. They contrast the security necessary on today?s airlines (Ali Bongo had to explain possession of his starter pistols and knives in his checked luggage) and within the convention hall (even the assistants who float in the levitation effects don?t know the secrets). Check out the article here.

? Is Branson Becoming The New Vegas? The question is asked by the Philadelphia Daily News and the parallels exist. Both have live shows, many theaters, family-oriented shows (Branson has Yakov Smirnoff and Vegas has Le Femme ? different kinds of families, sure) and outlet malls. Branson does not have gambling unless you count crossing the main drag against traffic.

Appearing

Brett Daniels and Kirby VanBurch both have shows in Branson. You can read the article here. You can see Mr….

Not Annoying

Read On . . .

Appearing

Brett Daniels and Kirby VanBurch both have shows in Branson. You can read the article here. You can see Mr. Daniels? new website here. Mr. Daniels, by the way, is a great guy and fantastic illusionist. He is truly a credit to our art. If you have a chance to see his show at the Grand Palace in Branson, take it. He?ll be there through October so time is running out. If you?d like to visit Mr. Smirnoff?s website, you can click here.

? State Sponsored Coffee Houses with Magic in India. People often ask us, ?Hey, when are we going to be able to get coffee 24 hours a day in Dehli and see magic?? We used to shrug our collective shoulders (painful on a cold day) and say it probably would never happen. Well, now we have news that Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) has proposed to run its coffee home at Bhikaji Cama Place 24X7 to provide coffee and magic (as well as some juggling) for its visitors. Why? Who knows? We?ve never developed the taste for coffee and so we?re unable to meet or talk with teenagers (which is a good thing anyway). But the DTTDC knows a trend when it sees one and it sees one in coffee and magic. Check out the article in the Delhi Newsline here.

? The Hindu Reports on Efforts to Declare Magic an Art Form. One of India?s largest papers notes that the Harry Potter films have worked to increase interest in magic. Many of the magicians hope the interest will help magic be considered an art form. Shreeyash Palshikar, a Chicago-based magician who has performed extensively across America, notes “The people who are suffering the most are the traditional street magicians. Their lack of education and ability to speak English limits their options for work and in many places, their street shows are discouraged by local police. There are no venues here as in Europe and some American cities where people can walk and enjoy professional street performance as an art.” Read the full article here.

? Erik Mana Comes Home to Philippines. Erik Mana knew at eight years old that he wanted to be a magician. He also knew he wanted to eventually return from Canada to his native Philippines. He has accomplished both. He found magicians are well-respected and enjoyed in the island nation but that they do not yet share the type of superstar status of David Blaine or David Copperfield in the United States. He aims to change that. You can read the Inquirer profile here.

? Maria Sharapova Less Annoying than David Blaine or Masked Magician. The website Am I Annoying? (www.amianoying.com) rates the celebrities by public vote to determine their annoying factor. Good News for the new Wimbledon star, Miss Sharapova does not have a negative score and is thus not considered annoying. The site posits reasons voters considered in voting: ?She has been known to make various loud noises while playing? but she also has talent and did win Wimbledon.

Annoying

Mr. Blaine is annoying because Like most magicians, he will not admit his magic is only an illusion; he does card tricks (do you hear me? card tricks)!; other magicians aren’t fond of him; he smokes; the British dislike him so much that he was voted Biggest Loser of 2003 in a British poll.?

The Masked Magician is annoying because: He betrayed his fellow magicians by exposing their secrets; he may have cost many semi-pro magicians their jobs; prior to revealing secrets, his last job was at a give-away show at the Stratosphere; after he revealed himself, he tried starting a world tour in Brazil and was deported for obscure reasons; he was not the first magician to be offered the exposure job.

? Finally, Forbes Magazine Lists Michael Flatley Better Magi than David Blaine. Michael ?Lord of the Dance? Flatley has been listed the number three magician in their top of the top listing. David Copperfield came in first and Mr. Blaine came in fourth and last. We weren?t aware Mr. Flately performed magic but apparently he performs more of it than Mr. Blaine. Read the results here.