Had some great shows at the June Lansdale First Friday.
Funny little incident during a break when the police informed me local residents were complaining that the audience was laughing & screaming too loud.
They had a DJ with giant speakers in the same spot before so this is pretty funny.
Despite a sprained ankle, Anastasia was able to put on a great performance with a few new magical twists last night at the Pennbrook Middle School (in North Wales PA) Talent Show
Here's the promised interview with Kayla Drescher. I found her answers interesting and inspiring for all magicians, but of particular interest to female magicians. The world needs more of these, and I'm happy that Anastasia had the opportunity to learn from an up & coming star ..
What's something you've found different as a female magician and how did you handle it?
The biggest difference for me is
how I need to act and look on stage. I can't tell the same jokes or sometimes use the same patter as the man or men who created the effect and wrote the directions. I can't walk the same, use the same props, or even use the same volunteers. I shouldn’t use a briefcase or bag. Most audiences see a female performer calling up a female volunteer to be a type of rivalry, where as if I call up a male volunteer, there is more of a friendly and almost flirtatious interaction, which is more interesting and fun to watch to the audience. It’s the little details like that I’ve learned along the way that aren’t published in any books for us ladies.
Do you find that different groups respond differently to magic? (Children, teenagers, adults and the elderly as well as male and female)
Most definitely! Children love visual entertainment, various colors, and physical comedy. Teenagers don’t think magic is very cool, but are still intrigued and will watch. Adults think magic is for kids, but LOVE to watch it. The elderly just love to laugh and be entertained, and therefore love magic. You can do different types of magic for teenagers and older because they have a better grasp on how things in the world work well. All of these groups have one big thing in common: laughter. They love to laugh and be entertained.
How and how often do you practice, and who serves as a test audience for any new routines?
I’ve never liked to practice. But if we’re going to be any good, we have to practice every day. The best way to practice alone is with a camera at 3 different angles-left, right, and center. This way, you know what your angles look like. But the best way to practice overall is in front of an audience. Use your parents, sibling, friends, open mics, and anyone that will watch. That’s the best way to see how your routine will work.
David Copperfield has told a story of how he was able to show his pockets empty (when they were not) while being mugged. Have your magic skills ever proven useful in the real world? How?
Most definitely! I used to work as a bartender and would use magic both for entertainment and to get more tips. One time, a gentleman, who was not very nice, said that if I made his trip memorable, he would give me a big tip. So I should him magic and got a 50% tip!
Suppose you have just a minute or two to show President Obama a quick magic miracle. What effect would you choose and why?
I would do something original and fun that would make him laugh and make his magical experience memorable. AKA probably something with a rubber band.
Are there any magical items that you carry almost all the time?
Rubber bands, hence the answer to the Obama question. I rarely am without 4-10 rubber bands on my wrist. I also try to pay attention to my surroundings just in case someone asks me to show them a trick. That way, I can grab any object around and do something!
Later this week, I'll be posting an interview Anastasia did with Kayla - stay tuned! #magicinheels #klog
Here's an interview Anastasia did with the "Magician's Magician, " Daryl!
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| Daryl - The Magician's Magician |
Daryl, My father has many of your videos and it feels like I grew up watching them. I especially remember in one of the series that each video started with an introduction with you spreading the cards and saying, “ I can explain it in one word, and that word is control…” If you really had to summarize the most important principle/method in magic in one word, what might it be, and why?
Great question and my answer is “Misdirection”. Why, because in magic, it’s ALL misdirection. It’s not really about what you do it’s what you make the audience THINK you do. It’s true that at times you may be misdirecting your audience’s eyes, but more often you’re misdirection their MINDS.
Most magicians seem to begin to be interested in magic at an early age. Can you describe your first experience with magic and how it managed to grab a hold of you?
At the age of seven, a friend of the family, who was an amateur magician, came to visit and performed a quick Svengali Deck routine for me. I was SO AMAZED, that he decided to give me the special deck as a gift. I studied the construction of the pack and I was fascinated by how it worked. I started to purchase other tricks because I was amazed at the cleverness of their methods. Eventually, I started performing the various tricks for family members and friends at school. The rest is history!
In magic, unlike most other art forms, a single error can seem to ruin an entire performance. Do you allow any margin for error in your performance (as mentalists sometimes do)? How do you handle or avoid mistakes?
Another great question! I do not “allow” any margin for error, but if an error occurs, I simply deal with it and move on. I’m and entertainer and magic is my medium. It’s the “instrument” I use to express myself. I do what I can IN ADVANCE to prevent mistakes, but if all else fails, and I can’t make it right, I could imagine myself laughing it off by saying something like, “If this were easy, anyone could do it!”
That being said, so far, this has never happened. By the way, if you do card magic, an EXCELLENT book to study is “Outs” Precautions and Challenges by Charles H. Hopkins.
Do you find that different groups respond differently to magic? (Children, teenagers, adults and the elderly as well as male and female)
Yes, but as minute as the specifics can be, generally, reactions are probably more similar than different.
How and how often do you practice, and who serves as a test audience for your new routines?
I don’t practice often these days because I have been PERFORMING the same routines for many years and I’d say I pretty much have them down. If I’m learning something new, then I practice until I can do it well. There is not specific amount of time that is required that is the same for everyone. Just keep practicing until you can perform it properly.
My friends and family serve as my test audience as well as members of various magic clubs.
Often beginning magicians have few outlets to perform and tend to perform nearly exclusively for family & friends. What are the reactions of your friends and family who have been exposed to your magic for years, and do you perform for them regularly?
I’m pleased to say that I have NEVER overexposed my magic to friends and family. This is one of the many good reasons to attend local magic club meetings. NOTHING takes the place for gaining experience than performing for live audiences. If you actively LOOK for audiences, you will find them. Do NOT concern yourself with getting paid in the beginning. Perform for FREE for church groups, retirement communities, even street magic. The most important thing is to get as much PERFORMING experience as you possibly can.
Copperfield tells a story about showing his pockets empty once when being mugged. Have your magic skills ever proven useful in the real world?
The David Copperfield story is a great one, but I’ve never had such an experience. On the other hand, I’ve seen things at the card table that other players probably never noticed. Because of my magical background, understanding the value of what I’ve seen has, at times, been very advantageous!
What's the first thing people ask you (or ask you to do) once they find out about your profession?
Probably the same as most other magicians, “Show me something.”
What is the best piece of advice about magic you've received, and what was the source of that advice?
Dai Vernon has always said, “Be natural and be yourself.” The professor’s advice has served me well!
Suppose you have just a minute or two to show President Obama a quick magic miracle. What effect would you choose and why?
I’d probably do something totally impromptu like the Tenkai Pennies trick. It may not be the greatest miracle there is, but it is impromptu and it can be performed at any time and place.
What magical items do you carry with you everywhere?
At the risk of disappointing you, there are no magical items that I always carry with me. If a situation comes up, I can always do something that is truly impromptu.
Do you have any new releases coming out?
Yes… always! There will be more Essentials in Magic Master Courses to name a few. To be the FIRST to learn of my new releases, simply visit my web site and join our private email list. www.Daryl.net
So the holiday bazaar at Pennridge was fun. I think the event itself had lots of vendors but attendance was a bit low. We were the only entertainment apparently scheduled and were booked late in the process so that probably did not help. It was the first year for this particular bazaar so I would assume it will be bigger and better next year.
I brought my new signage (below) which promotes me as both a magician and balloon entertainer. This drew particular interest from one boy who was clearly a magic fan, and many parents took a business card as well as a balloon sculpture.
But we weren't there for magic this night -- it was all about balloon artistry. We made the usual dogs and swords, and silly hats. A few slightly more advanced designs like an elephant and a teddy bear. The biggest hit was a Christmas Wreath complete with a festive red bow.
So for the first time tonight I heard the term "box jumper"
This was used by a magician in a derogatory manner. I assume it implies something ...
Nonetheless, I have recently had a positive experience with who I presume would be considered a "box jumper" ... with Harry Blackstone (Sr). In his day, his stature as a magician was such that the (Senior) was never actually required.
Here's a link to her page ... Perhaps the last living member of Blackstone's show: http://elusivemoth.com/
A few years ago, you visited SYM #96, and told us about a trip to Africa and the term “Ubuntu.” That was meaningful to me, and I still remember it even better than the magic you shared with us.
For our newer members, can you summarize what that term means to you and how it relates to magic?
Ubuntu is a word from South African Bantu language that means humanness. It is often translated to mean humanity toward others. But it is often used in a more philosophical sense to mean "the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity. The philosophical definition is the underlying philosophy of my approach to magic. When I perform it not about what I can do, it more about what we can do together to create a experience, I am just a facilitator, a catalyst to make unexpected things happen.
Most magicians seem to begin to be interested in magic at an early age. Can you describe your first experience with magic and how it managed to grab a hold of you?
Most magicians became interested in magic as a young child or teenager. That’s not my story. I did experience magic as a teenager but it didn’t grab my attention, I was interested in other things. My interest in magic didn’t happen until I was in graduate school. A student in the class I was teaching owned a magic shop and showed me a few effects after class. I was intrigued, confused, curious, and mystified. In other words my brain short circuited. From that day on Brian Foshee and I became friends, and we are friends to this very day.
In magic, unlike most other art forms, a single error can seem to ruin an entire performance. Do you allow any margin for error in your performance (as mentalists sometimes do)? How do you handle or avoid mistakes?
There is always a margin of error in any effect or performance. Humans are not perfect. The fact that magic is an performance art that involves the use of participants, that may behave in unpredictable ways is a margin of error we have to accept. However, I do take some calculated risk in my show, and that is thrilling for me. But over the years of constant performing I have a arsenal of outs that I can use if things don’t go as planned. Hiawatha Johnson once told me “There are no mistakes, only lessons” If you learn the lesson it only prepares you for future challenges.
Do you find that different groups respond differently to magic? (Children, teenagers,
adults and the elderly as well as male and female)
People respond differently depending on their mood. Some people scream and laugh others are silent but have a perplex look on their face. I have witnessed a range of reactions from all ages groups and gender.
As a magician, what kinds of audiences have you found to be the most difficult and easiest to entertain?
Performing and entertaining an audience is two different things. You will find more resistance to performing for an audience compared to entertaining an audience. Performing is about the “Trick” entertaining is about the trick, the charm, style script, etc…
How and how often do you practice, and who serves as a test audience for your new routines?
I practice quite a bit. Whether I practicing my script, blocking or technique. I can only do some much practicing in solitude , so I have a method for testing out new material in front of an audience during a show.
Often beginning magicians have few outlets to perform and tend to perform nearly exclusively for family & friends. What are the reactions of your friends and family who have been exposed to your magic for years, and do you perform for them regularly?
I don’t perform for friends or family unless they come to see me at a show. I think it is
important for the sake of the relationship not to always show friends and family a new
trick. I don’t want to be that type of magician.
Have your magic skills ever proven useful in the real world?
Yes my magic skills have gotten me a few perks. Nothing really significant, but I have been moved to the front of the line in a crowded event, and people have given me things for free.
What's the first thing people ask you (or ask you to do) once they find out about your profession?
I make every attempt not to tell someone I am a magician. But when they find out they usually ask one of the cliché questions: Can you make my spouse disappear? Make me rich, etc… It drives me crazy.
Magic tends to begin as a passion before becoming a profession. If you weren't a magician,
how would you be earning a living?
If I weren't a magician I would probably be a college professor .
What is the best piece of advice about magic you've received, and what was the source of that
advice?
The best piece of advice I was given was “ if you are going to be full time in the magic business, remember business has more letters than magic”.
Suppose you have just a minute or two to show President Obama a quick magic miracle. What effect would you choose and why?
If had to perform a quick trick for the president, it would be something that he would definitely keep on his desk that he would remember me every time he looked at it.
Anastasia was scheduled as one of the acts for a Halloween Magic Show in Lansdale again this year along with several others from the local Society of Young Magicians. Just prior to the show, she badly sprained her ankle and could not walk.
She ended up going to the Emergency Room, and on crutches. She is improving little by little each day.
But what I wanted to discus in relation to magic shows is that the show must go on.
Am am not sure, due to her injury, if it would have made a difference, but I plan on making some backup plans for our performances in the future. It would be ideal to have a backup set of material that can be done seated, or even on crutches. Either way, it's an entirely different set of performance challenges. It might not be as great as the main show material. However, one key goal is that show must go on!
Luckily, this show was hosted by an experienced MC who carried several additional effects in his performance case and was able to extend his segments so that the paying audience got the full hour they expected. There is a lesson here too. It's always worth having a bit of extra material in case something goes wrong. In the future, I will also be sure to pack a few extra small illusions for the times when they may prove useful. It will also be necessary to keep those routines in performance shape. That's a good thing too, as it may allow the act to grow in unforseen ways and allows for expanded variety.
The following email magic interview of Magician Zoe Reiches was done by Anastasia Dziekan and published in the Society of Young Magicians, Group 96 newsletter in January 2014. Zoe is a brilliant young magician in her own right and is one of the featured magicians in the movie Magic Camp .
Female magicians face different challenges and expectations than our male counterparts. For me, one frustrating thing is that dresses usually don't have pockets, compared to a men's suit, with ton's of pockets. What's something you've found different as a female magician and how did you handle it?
One thing I have found that makes being a female magician "challenging" is the stereotype that women are usually assistants, rather than the magician. Although historically there have been extremely influential female magicians, the field is laden with men. Although I have never been able to pin point exactly why this is so, I hold myself to the same standards as any man, woman or child who does magic.
The two acts of yours I saw at MAES were themed, scripted, and funny. Is that your primary style? Why does it seem to work for you?
Thanks for thinking my acts were funny! I would say that humor is definitely my primary style. I have always relied heavily on my ability to think on my feet, engage with my volunteer and audience, and use words rather than elegant movements to make magic happen. It works for me because my strong suit is not my technical skill (which I struggle with) but my ability to entertain holistically, not just with effects. I have been told by other magicians that I should "focus on comedy, maybe don't do magic." It's really beaten me down in the past, but idols like Darren Romeo have been told the same thing, and he overcame all of those obstacles to be the incredible magician he is today.
How and how often do you practice, and who serves as a test audience for your new routines?
If I know I have a gig coming up, I try to run the act 3 times a day. The first time I focus on the magic, the second time I focus on the patter, and the third time I work to combine them for the whole shebang. When one move is particularly challenging, I do it over and over and over - knowing that the more confident I can do it off stage, the better it will be on stage. (Things always seem to go wrong on stage if you don't practice enough, don't they?) I practice in front of other magicians (when I want to be highly critiqued) and lay people friends when I want compliments. I did it for my family when I was younger, and they were always supportive. I try to do it for people I would normally be embarrassed to practice in front of - that way an audience is less intimidating.
Often beginning magicians have few outlets to perform and tend to perform nearly exclusively for family & friends. What are the reactions of your friends and family who have been exposed to your magic for years, and do you perform for them regularly?
My high school friends roll [their] eyes when I ask if they want to see a magic trick, but everyone in life after high school (college friends, co workers, etc.) love it. Even my parents never got tired of it. I really struggle to do magic these days - I have a really complicated love-hate relationship with it, and so on the rare occasion I feel confident enough to break out a deck or some rubberbands, I'm lucky enough to have an avid audience. If I were to dispense some advice, I would say that most people want to see magic, so seek out strangers and forgiving audiences to practice new moves on.
Have your magic skills ever proven useful in the real world? How?
I think I would be a totally different person without magic. I find magic basics to incorporate into my life every day. For instance...the entire idea of misdirection is extremely useful in my day to day life. I have learned how to steer a conversation a certain way, how to pull attention away from certain things, etc. I think like a magician all of the time. I look for ways effects could be incorporated into my daily life, even if I don't act on them. I feel like a part of a community that is accepting and quirky and complex and dynamic, and I have a lot of confidence in my social life primarily because of the experience magic has given me.
Suppose you have just a minute or two to show President Obama a quick magic miracle. What effect would you choose and why?
I would probably launch into a short rubberband routine, perhaps Crazy Man's Handcuffe, torn and restored, and jumping dollar bill. I think these are quick, powerful effects because they use every day objects that can be given to the volunteer after the trick. Obama would be walking around with a magic rubberband, and that would be awesome.
Are there any magical items that you carry almost all the time?
I usually have rubberbands and a deck of cards. I used to carry hot rods and some gimmicks, and an ITR for a while. I've gotten away from gimmicks as I've gotten older, though.
