Matt Kalita

The Northwest
Indiana News reports this morning Matt Kalita is at it again.

Mr. Kalita will attempt to escape from a straightjacket whilst hung upside
down over an orchestra.

On more than 100 occasions, magician Matt Kalita has donned a
straitjacket, hung upside down from hot air balloons, skyscrapers, cranes and
bridges and freed himself.

But he has never performed this feat during a symphony orchestra concert.
Until tomorrow.

While the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra, led by music
director Philip Bauman, is playing circus-themed music at its “Under the Big
Top” family concert, Kalita will also do a levitation — make his wife float in
space above the Elston Theatre stage — and make birds, rabbits and other
animals appear from nowhere.

The paper notes “[m]embers of the orchestra will be in the lobby for a kind
of ‘instrumental petting zoo.’ Kids will be able to handle and play orchestral
instruments.

Michiana Clowns will create balloon art and do pocket magic and
face painting. Local artist David Russell will draw caricatures.” We wish Mr.
Kalita well and hope he has a successful escape effort.If you’re in the
Northwest Indiana area, check out the show tomorrow (Saturday) night.

“Under the Big Top,” family concert presented by the LaPorte County
Symphony Orchestra

When: 3 p.m. Saturday. Preconcert activities begin at 2 p.m.

Where: Elston Theatre, 317 Detroit St., Michigan City

Cost: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $25 for family (two adults and one or
more children), $5 for college students and free for children

(219) 325-0666
or http://www.lcso.net

Check out Mr. Kalita’s very cool
web site here. You’ll have a chance to see some of the insane escapes he’s
performed. Our hat’s off to this daredevil.

Continue reading “Matt Kalita’s Well-Orchestrated Escape” →

Danger is His Middle Name

Mumbai’s Indian Express
Newspaper presents a flattering piece on Vimal Sil a/k/a Prince Sil.

The
columnist describes him as “the only magician in Asia and one of the three in
the world who has established his identity in the field of magic through a rare
item ? catching a bullet by the teeth racing towards him from a 12 bore shot
gun.”

The paper points out the danger associated with this trick. Many magicians, it is reported, all over the world have accepted the
challenge of performing this feat and faced death so far.”

We are assuming the columnist confused a shotgun with a rifle. We are not
aware of any magician currently attempting to catch a mouth full of steel shot
propelled from a shotgun. Catching a single bullet is tough but mouthing 220
steel bb’s is something even a trained professional would wisely avoid.

The columnist reports Prince Sil was almost killed on January 26th while
performing the bullet catch. How? Here’s the description apparently provided by
Prince Sil.

His marksman, who generally shoots from a certain distance outside
the stage, made a blunder in measuring the distance.

Sil did manage to catch the
bullet with his teeth, but found the splinters kiss the area around his left
eyebrow. Senseless from the pain, Sil had to be admitted to a hospital.
He
recuperated, and didn’t give up. Within 17 days of his accident, he again
performed the show, this time with the astounding precision he is known
for.

While the back story doesn’t hold too much water — after all, how was the
marksman hoping to moderate the bullet’s velocity to adjust to distance — but
it’s a great piece to bring out the crowds.

Prince Sil tries to break the mold set by legendary PC Sorcar.

You can say the other name of Indian magic is PC Sorcar. And there
are more than 2000 registered magicians in our state. Most try to copy this
legendary magician and only a handful has involved creativity in their
performance.

I have always tried to establish my identity by presenting offbeat
tricks, the bullet-catching item is one of those.

[We note Quinlan’s Inside Magic has always opposed all attempts to require
magician registration in the United States. In fact, our political action
committee (Magicians and Allied Artists Political Action Committee “MAAPAC”)
recently assisted in the defeat of H.R. 2143 and S. 22, The Omnibus Variety
Artist Registration Act.

If you are not already a member of this important lobby group, you really
should check it out. Under the applicable IRS and FEC rules, we can’t offer a
full prospectus here but when you receive our solicitation in the mail, consider
becoming a member to help keep Magic free from unnecessary governmental
regulation and inspection.

We’ll ask the smarter folks in the PAC office whether we can even give out
the web site address for MAAPAC and if so, we’ll update you later.]

Sorry for the digression.

Speaking of…
Continue reading “Prince Sil of India to Present Bullet Catch Despite Injury” →

Chris Korn Wows ‘Em

We were breezing through this morning’s edition of The Malaysian Star

while we waited for Mr. Lazybones and his son, Mr. Lazybones, Jr. to open the
Mystic Hollow Dough-Nutz Cafe and Bistro. All they had to do was open the
drive-thru window but that was apparently taking too much effort or planning, so
we waited in our gas-guzzling ’82 Ford Granada and tried to find a decent
channel on the factory-equipped AM radio.

Unlike the Lazybones family, the young courier for The Malaysian Star
delivers to the home daily and well-before anyone is awake or aware that we are
borrowing the paper for a few hours.

Chris Korn and J.B. Benn filmed their presentation of street magic on the
beach in the island nation. Whilst it makes for great shots of well-tanned
bathing buddies, it makes the use of pulls or Toppits impossible or awkward.

Mr. Korn and Mr. Benn had to rely on their own talent and skills, therefore.
Their work is nothing short of amazing!

The
Malaysian Star met with the magicians at the beautiful Silosa Beach on
Sentosa Island, Singapore.

The reporter described the two thusly:

Korn goateed and lanky, dressed the part in a white T-shirt and
shorts, sporting a visor cap. Benn, who is about a head shorter and beefier than
Korn, was in T-shirt and jeans.

My suspicions were that Benn, whose dark brown eyes held secrets beyond my
experience, was mostly quiet and a tad introverted unlike his partner who was
just the opposite. It was a good fit and their differing personalities matched
their talents although they were both in the same field.

“Benn’s style is
slightly more intense and it shows with the tricks he does,” said Korn.

We think Mr. Korn is an outstanding magician. His easy-going style belies his
incredible abilities and makes the experience all the more exceptional.

Still with all the skills, Beach Magic presents challenges:

It was Korn who combed the beach mostly and wowed the crowd with his
sleight of hand, card and coin tricks. He met with some difficulty though with
some of the card tricks mainly because of the humidity, which made the cards
damp and rather slippery.

One trick in particular, where Korn asked a bikini-clad sunbather to pick a
card, then place it back in the deck and he would shuffle it and send the entire
deck flying in the air while attempting to catch the card with his toes, just
proved too trying.

Korn gave up after three attempts. But he made it up by
drawing the card from his mouth instead.

Beach bunnies and bums were impressed by both magicians and the journalist
was amazed the show required no additional equipment or “sexy girl assistants.”

What I love about the magic we do is that it is organic; I could
have nothing with me, absolutely nothing. I can show up at somebody?s house and
just borrow a cup and just do it. People really freak out when it?s with their
own stuff. If I bring my own cup, somehow … even though it’s…
Continue reading “Chris Korn & J.B. Benn in Mondo Magic Singapore” →

David Parker

David Parker, president of The Greater Charleston Magic Club, was named
“Magician of the Year” by his peers at the South Carolina Association of
Magicians convention in Columbia, S.C on January 14, 2006.

Mr. Parker of Ladson, SC and
president of The Greater Charleston Magic Club, was honored with the “Magician
of the Year for South Carolina 2006” on January 14, 2006 at the International
Gala Show hosted by the South Carolina Association of Magicians in Columbia, SC.
The South Carolina Association of Magicians awards this honor to those they
believe best advance the art of magic in a positive direction.

David Parker, whose full time job has been as a local truck driver within the
South Carolina State Ports, says he is honored to receive this award from his
peers and is humbled to have his name associated with some of the past winners.
Past winners of this honor include: Tim Sonifelt from Greer, SC, Mick Ayres form
Hilton Head, SC, John Tudor from Columbia, SC, David Tanner and Ron Conley from
Myrtle Beach, SC.

Each of the past winners of the award had made their mark in the field of
magic. Tim Sonifelt was the first person to receive the “Magician of the Year”
award. He is a full time magician who performs throughout the southeast for
churches, libraries and corporations. Mick Ayres is an all around entertainer.

A
full time magician, storyteller and musician working for the Disney Corporation
in Hilton Head, SC. John Tudor the founder of the South Carolina Association of
Magicians and the first magician ever to be listed as an approved artist with
the SC Arts Commission is a full time magician performing for schools and
corporate clients though out of United States.

Ron Conley, owner of Conley’s House of Magic, who has been performing his
“Drugs, Strangers and Other Dangers Show” in over 300 schools in North Carolina
and South Carolina has won over thirty three trophies in both close-up and
stage. David Tanner, owner of Broadway Magic, has performed all over the United
States and over 20 countries around the world. David is an avid collector of
magic memorabilia. His collection includes rare items such as the handcuffs and
keys once used by the great Harry Houdini.

David Parker, the newest member to receive this honor is the first magician
in the history of the award to receive it as an amateur close-up magician and
also the first winner from the Charleston, SC area. David says, “I’m proud I can
bring this award to “The Holy City” for the first time and hope Charleston, SC
will become a focal point for magic along the east coast.

The Spoleto festival
is a great annual event for the arts and I hope to inspire magicians around
South Carolina to come together to add their performing skills to this event.
Currently I’m working with the local society of magicians in Charleston to
produce a show for this annual event, and we have directors from all over the
state committing their time and resources to help turn this dream into a
reality.”

When asked about the art that is his passion David says, “Our art form is a
strange blend of entertaining, inspiring wonder and…
Continue reading “David Parker Featured” →

Tom Rose

Magician Tom Rose is proving himself to women, reporters, and women who are reporters.

In an article entitled “Leader of the Pack,” Sarah Foster, falls head-over-high-heels for this young magician with an apparently very bright future.

I MUST admit to being a bit of a sceptic, so when Tom Rose gets out his cards, I’m less than enthusiastic. Of course, he is a magician, and knowing I’ll be writing about him, he has to show me a trick. I only hope, for both our sakes, that it doesn’t go horribly wrong.

The first surprise is when he waves a wad of cash – 300 to be precise – saying that if he fails to guess my card, the money’s mine. With an eye on the pile of 20 notes, I decide to up my game.

Having picked a card, I try to keep a straight face as Tom asks me questions.

He’s told me to answer only ‘yes’, and although I do this, I can’t stop laughing.

Within a few minutes, in which he’s tried to “psychoanalyse” me, he takes a guess. I don’t know how, but he knows my card is the ten of diamonds. He pockets the money with a wry smile. “I’ve had a few challenges but I’ve never got it wrong yet, ” he says smugly.

Mr. Rose’s magic business, TR: Magic, is doing well with him as the featured performer.  He’s picked up a few clients you may know, including mobile phone giant Orange, Virgin Airways mogul Richard Branson.

He is a late comer to our art.  He wasn’t exposed to the virulent magic bug until he was 16.

A bar job at the Vintage Hotel, at Scotch Corner, proved the perfect outlet for his hobby. “I ended up performing more tricks than serving pints, ” he says.

        “People started asking if I would come to their parties, weddings or whatever. I realised I could progress from being a barman doing the odd trick to going full time and advertising myself.”

Tom went to Newcastle University to study politics but, by now, his course was set. “I started doing magic more seriously in my second year – I was doing more magic than essays, ” he says.

“I also joined the magic circle up in Newcastle. I got on well with a couple of the magicians and they taught me a lot.”  Keen to attract bookings, Tom launched a website and embraced formalities like finding an accountant and getting business cards.

His brand is simple – close-up magic that’s fun and cool. Tom says it works just about anywhere. “Because of the nature of close-up magic, I can perform at almost any event, ” he says.

“As well as weddings and corporate functions I do things like civil ceremonies and private barbecues.

“Only last week I was asked to do a wedding in Geneva.”

The reporter gushes with praise and possibilities for the young man.

“With his talent and confidence, I wonder if TV work appeals, but Tom is wary,” Ms. Foster writes.

“I’ve been asked to do a few things but the problem with TV is once you’re famous, it’s very hard to work at the smaller gigs without some image of being better than the average person, ” he says, then seems to backtrack by adding: “I don’t really want to be on TV and famous…
Continue reading “Tom Rose Enjoying Every Minute of Fame” →

James “The Amazing” Randi

We wish we had more information but here’s what we know now about James Randi’s condition. 

We spoke with the James Randi Educational Foundation (“JREF”) today.  “His condition is still stable,” the representative said.  The doctors believe he will have a “full but not quick recovery” following the surgery. 

The JREF posted the following notice on their web site yesterday.

We will follow up on the story as more information becomes available.  The Randi family is in our prayers.

Special announcement      February 6th, 2006

James
Randi underwent bypass surgery last Thursday. He is currently in stable
condition. He is receiving excellent care, but will
need quiet time to recover. We will release more information as it
becomes available, and we ask everyone to please respect the family’s
wishes
for privacy at this time.

For those who feel a need to help, please consider donating blood at your local Red Cross or Community Blood Center. Cards
may be sent to Randi in care of JREF, 201 SE 12 Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316.

A posting in the weekly commentary site dated February 3rd noted Mr. Randi was taking some time off.

Mr. Randi is taking a well deserved break this week,
and he asked me to organize the commentary for him.

He’ll be back with his regularly-scheduled words of wisdom soon.

Magic News Magic Amazing Randi
Continue reading “News Flash: James Randi Undergoes Heart Surgery” →

The Sun-Sentinel (FL) is the latest media outlet to cover Steven Cohen, The
Millionaire Magician. We’ve noticed a pattern in the coverage of Mr. Cohen. The
stories are always upbeat and complimentary. Whether coincidence or the work of
great press relations, we can find no article or review critical of his
performance, his publications, his approach to magic, or even him.

We’re not hoping to find negative info; we’re just surprised there isn’t a
single article out there given the tremendous amount of media attention.

Even if he had the best of all possible press agents, there would still be
one or two disgruntled or just formerly gruntled magicians or associates to
lambast him on some internet blog. But we didn’t find any.

While we certainly agree with St. Thomas Aquinas that “absence of evidence is
not evidence of absence” but statistically, when an event does not happen
over-and-over, that has to mean the thing causing the event to happen probably
doesn’t exist.

Assume every day at dawn you walk to work. During the course of that walk,
you don’t encounter an one-eyed pizza-delivery boy who asks for your help to
find an address. If that does not happen for 20 years in a row, you can safely
assume there are no one-eyed pizza-delivery boys in need of direction at dawn.
From that “truth” you can determine with less confidence, no one orders pizza
for breakfast.

Ergo: Steve Cohen must be as good as the press coverage suggests. Most
internet-savvy magicians agree the listserves, bulletin-boards, blogs, and other
rumor-spreading devices bring out the best and worst in us. If there was
something bad to say about anyone, we’d find it in one of these places.

[See, “Mother Teresa Doesnt (sic) Know How to Backpalm even 3 Cards!!”
Post on Mickey’s Magic Milieu (Bulletin Board) May 15th 2001; “Chris
Angle Should Be Criss Angel’s real name! He’s Cheeting (sic) with Cameras!” Post
on DELETED (Bulletin Board – Unnamed) October 9th 2005; “Youre (sic) Uncle Lied
to You! I invented the PULL MY FINGER gag!” Post on Magic Moans (Bulletin
Board) June 20th 2000].

Check out the article and if you are in the Miami area, make sure you make
arrangements to see Mr. Cohen’s acclaimed “Chamber Magic” show. [Steve Cohen
performs “Chamber Magic” at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday at the Conrad Miami Hotel, 1395
Brickell Ave. Tickets, $50, can be purchased at chambermagic.com].

Mr. Cohen strips magic to its core in the article:

Precisely how he did it, he’ll never tell. But Cohen is sharing what
he can in his recent book, Win the Crowd, in which he teaches how the general
principles of magic can be learned to become more charismatic in daily life.

“What a magician really is, if you strip away the tricks, is a very
persuasive person. They persuade you that things that aren’t true are true,” he
says.

Though the so-called millionaire’s magician performs all over the world,
often for wealthy VIPs on their yachts and mansions, the general public can get
a taste of what it’s like to have a private show at Cohen’s intimate hotel
performances of “Chamber Magic,”…
Continue reading “Steven Cohen Performs in Miami – We Find No Dirt!” →