Inside Magic

The Associated Press is
reporting that “The Blockbuster Hollywood Christmas Spectacular” parade
was delayed while police investigated a suspicious package on the
parade route.

“Hundreds of the spectators awaiting David Copperfield, Mickey Rooney
and LeAnn Rimes were evacuated while the bomb squad investigated what
was later discovered to be clothes.”
Continue reading Hollywood Parade Featuring Copperfield Delayed by Bomb Threat

That’s not my mom, that’s Scott Hammell.

So I took great interest in a story inthe Toronto Star about escape artist (and juggler) Scott Hammell’s poor mom, Mary Hammell, and dad, Chuck Hammell. They were able to watch his development from a young lad to a teenager with an apparent desire to perform some of the more dangerous escapes.

From the article: “Mary says Scott has twice ended up in hospital suffering from a dislocated shoulder and swollen wrists. ‘You can imagine how they react when they ask how he hurt his shoulder and he says `trying to get out of a straitjacket,’” she says with an audible sigh. ‘Or how his wrists swell up because he has to wear shackles.’”

Scott is 17 and has performed in the U.S. and Barbados. Check out his well-made and very professional website . He’s got quite a range of talents from juggling to magic to escapes. I have no doubt he will be a force with which to be reckoned. He hopes to one day perform in Las Vegas ? assuming he is not too busted up in the meantime.

Speaking of Vegas, there was a nice piece about Steve Wyrick on KLAS ? Channel 8 ? and his part in the 50th anniversary of the Sahara. Steve is the Headliner Magician at the newly renovated hotel that went from about 240 rooms to 1,700 rooms and suites. Steve is quoted as saying, “Being at the Sahara, it’s unbelievable. Every night, I walk on that stage and see the $56 million theater that I’m in, that one man believed enough in me to bring me from downtown to the Strip.” Steve is being modest ? it is his talent as a magician and entertainer that have brought him to the Strip. I can’t wait to see his show in the newly renovated Sahara.

And how’s this for a smooth transition, we go from one Steve to another.

The British paper The Independent has a very complimentary story about Steve Cohen. They write that he has performed for Michael J. Fox, Mayor Bloomberg and Martha Stewart. Steve is named “The Millionaire’s Magician.”

He is hired at $15,000 a show and performs for small parties of magicians and celebrities alike. When asked if the rich and famous want to know how he does what he does, Steve responded”On a deep level people don’t want to know how it’s done,” says Cohen. He’s not about to tell anyone, for all the money in the world. “A comedian can make you laugh. Music can make you tap your foot. But magic makes you wonder.” As you would expect, his website is very well done. Great photos, and testimonials…
Continue reading From Broken Bones to Millionaire Homes