Theater company turns to magic for fundraiser

August 31, 2010

As is the case with many performing arts groups, times are tough for the Electric Theatre Company, of Scranton, Pa. But magicians are coming to the rescue: John Graham has organized a fundraising show to benefit the theater and ensure its season can continue.

David Zarko, the producing artistic director for the theater company, told the Scranton Times Tribune that the theater’s donations are down for the year:

“While we have gained both sponsors and contributors in 2010, the amounts people are giving are understandably lower than is customary, so we’re really in dire need of funds to cover payroll and other expenses for our first show … The average cost of one performance is $2,000, and revenue from ticket sales for an average performance is about $500. So, there’s a gap which is filled by sponsors, program ads, Annual Campaign, and benefits like this one.”

Graham is the show’s headliner; other magicians in the show include Bill Dickson, Tony Leoni, Denny Corby and Michael Simon. The show is at 8 p.m. Saturday at the theater, located in Scranton. Road trip!

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under General |

Artist Interview: Wayne Houchin talks about tour

August 7, 2010

Wayne Houchin is currently on a lecture tour, hitting places such as Nashville, Tampa, Memphis, Jacksonville and Tel Aviv, Israel. Before he’s done, he’ll have hit Kansas City, Chicago, San Antonio, Portland and the Dominican Republic.

I made it to his lecture Friday at Steve Lancaster’s Top Hat Magic and Costumes in Tulsa. It was worth the two-hour drive: Houch covered several of his classic effects and a few new ones, including a torn-and-restored card effect that yanked the breath right out of a room full of magicians. He also delivered a 20 minute talk about success that features some must-hear info.

Afterward, Wayne and I went live for a quick, almost-halfway-done-with-tour podcast. There was laughter. There was whistling. There was a hollering of “Boomer, Sooner.” There were Kanye glasses.

Oh, I would like to personally apologize for my bad joke about Texas. Which is the home state of my boss, Jason Brumbalow. I think I’m getting disciplined for this podcast. Enjoy:

Download

Thanks for a great time, Tulsa! That means you, Steve, John (nice Turners, by the way), Justin (is there a magician you HAVEN’T met?), Rick (I’m off to YouTube!), Dave and all the other cool guys I met. Especially Michael King, who caught a shot of the Kanye glasses, and my failing attempt to hide the price tag:

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Artist Interviews, General | 6 Comments

Magicians spread out, take over other venues

August 2, 2010

One is in a casino commercial. Another is in a cab. Another is making cupcakes. Another is investigating a friend’s death after a fight with a rock musician. I don’t remember a weekend where magicians got so much coverage for non-magical things. Only way to break something like this down is with bullets:

We knew Rich Ferguson was good with poker chips and cards. But he’s also good as a commercial actor. He appeared in a casino commercial standing in a wine cellar and, like the Old Spice guy, on a horse. They used his hands for some commercials to air in the future; we can’t wait to see them.
Lance Burton will be a competitor on Cash Cab sometime next week on Discovery Channel. Dodd Vickers at the Magic Newswire reports that he is also to appear on a new show called “Restorations.”
Justin Kredible, the magician who can be made to dance with a simple command from Ellusionist’s Shawn Mullins, is hosting Cupcake Wars on the Food Network. Justin Robert Young at iTricks found the promo.
Scottish magician Jerry Sadowitz is getting involved in a mother’s campaign to find out what happened to her son after a fight with Pete Doherty. Specifically, he will auction the secret of one of his famous card tricks to help the mother fund an investigation. This Daily Record report has the details.

At least Criss Angel is sticking to magic. The new season of “Mindfreak” starts Wednesday.

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under Criss Angel, General | 6 Comments

Illusionist to attempt his own ‘world record’

July 30, 2010

Sammy Cortino is after his own world record. Not exactly a Guinness record, but close.

Next week, Cortino will attempt to make 300 playing cards disappear and reappear in 90 seconds, using both hands simultaneously and blindfolded. The intended stunt is detailed in this report from the Hickory Daily Record.

He plans to video the feat and post it on YouTube and other sites, hoping that Guinness will take notice. He’ll also live feed the video on his Facebook page. His judge: Hickory, N.C. Mayor Rudy Wright.

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under General | 2 Comments

Fisher to publish new podcasts this week

July 26, 2010

Aaron Fisher is amazing with a deck of cards, but we’ll accuse him of, as it’s said in the journalism business, “burying the lede.”

Over the weekend, we got an e-mail from the creator of Search and Destroy reporting that his past podcasts are available on iTunes. Then, as a p.s., the very last sentence said he’ll be publishing a new season of podcasts starting this week.

Keep an ear out for the audio goodness — they should show up in t iTunes if you subscribe. Or keep watching his Web site. Fisher’s podcasts rank up there with the most educational, informative resources out there.

Posted by Joe Hadsall | Filed Under General | 2 Comments