The Garden City Magic Shop is just off one of the main drags that run from Detroit to the hinterland west, towards Ann Arbor. Ford Road and Middlebelt Roads meet just a few blocks south of Carlos Blades’ Magic Shop. It has the look and feel of a true magic shop. There are Square Circles, Hand and Head Choppers, an extensive Christian Magic section, a library of new books and videos. But perhaps most importantly, there are magicians. The shop is run by a magician, staffed by magicians and sustained by magicians. Carlos has a regular schedule of lectures that serve to draw folks like us from as far away as Toledo, Ohio. Last night, for example, Tim Ellis and Sue-Ann Webster appeared for several hours to lecture and instruct. Following the lecture, the magicians congregated around the front counters, talked, exchanged stories and ideas and made new friends. Carlos demonstrates with the best of them. He has a subtle charm and easy-going style that gives you the impression that the trick he is showing is something very special. I spent close to about a billion (in Tim money — about $80.00 in real dollars) on decks, a wallet, more decks and the neatest little Hippity Hop Bunnies I’ve ever seen. I’ll give you a review on the Hippity Hop Bunnies soon. So far, I love messing with them. I watched as Carlos demonstrated, sold and then taught The Invisible Deck for a young man just starting his journey into this great world of magic. Carlos spent time explaining the concept of the effect, some nuances he had developed, ways to ensure that deck is ready for presentation and even an “out” if all goes south. The Magic Shop is the current home of the Ann Arbor Magic Club. The back of the house is the meeting place for the Magic Club as well as the theater for lectures. It is the type of magic shop I have always dreamed of owning and always seek out during my travels. So, Paw Lawton, next time you’re in the Detroit area, come by and I’ll show you the current state of magic. It’s alive and thriving under the caring, enthusiastic supervision of Carlos Blades. Continue reading Response to Paw Lawton – The State of Magic is Fine
Mr. Kelly allegedly came upon the idea when he characterized Blaine’s endurance test as “cheesy.” He will be surrounded by blocks of mature cheddar cheese. In a demonstration of his willingness to risk it all, Kelly refuses to take the easy way out.Mr Kelly said: “This is an endurance test and I hope to test my body – I’m not going to wimp out and use a mild cheese.”The cheese will be cut after 48 hours and one can only imagine the smell. During that time, he promises not to eat any of the confining walls. According to published reports on the BBC web site, Mr. Kelly was thrown out of the International Brotherhood of Magicians for exposing magic secrets. Inside Magic was unable to confirm this claim. Continue reading Banished Magician to be Entombed in Cheese
LECTURE SCHEDULE AT DENNY AND LEE’S, BALTIMOREBelow is the lecture schedule so far at the Denny & Lee Magic Studio in Baltimore.Please make a reservation for any of these lectures that you would like to attend. You can just respond to this email or call us to reserve your seat.FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21ST-7:30 PM -LECTURE CANCELLED!!!DAVID SOLOMON (FROM CHICAGO)Sorry, but the snowstorm has prevented David from leaving Chicago to begin his lecture tour. He has had to cancel the tour in hopes of setting up another in the near future.MONDAY, MARCH 3RD-7:30 PM ($15.00 Admission)-NEW ADDITION!!!!KENRICK “ICE” MCDONALD (FROM LOS ANGELES)Kenrick “Ice” McDonald has lectured here twice before. Ice is one of today’s top performing dove acts and has performed all around the world. Kenrick’s lecture focuses on the “performance” of stage magic. He lectures with a passion and a soul and it’s almost as if you were watching some one preaching to the masses. His thoughts are inspiring and anyone who desires to perform magic on stage should definitely attend this lecture. FRIDAY, MARCH 21ST-7:30 PM (Admission $20.00)-NOTE DATE CHANGE!!!THE GREAT JOHN CALVERT (FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD)This will be John Calvert’s third visit to this studio and it is ALWAYS a sell-out. John Calvert is a legend in magic as well as Hollywood movies. John has toured the world extensively with his full illusion show for over fifty years!!! He and Tami will present a rather unusual type of lecture. John is going to “open up” and make himself available for questions concerning the performance of magic. Naturally John will also present his classic magic that he has performed throughout his lifetime. If you have never seen the famous John Calvert, this is the chance to meet him in person. Get those books, posters, and photo autographed personally by John and Tami. See a true part of magic history.MONDAY, MARCH 24TH-7:30 PM (ADMISSION $15.00)HARVEY BERG (FROM NEW YORK)This will be Harvey Berg’s second lecture held at our studio. The last time he presented some of the most unusual and challenging mental type miracles with cards. A bit “off the beaten path,” Harvey will introduce you to new and novel mentalism effects with cards as well as some principles you may not be familiar with. Harvey just sits down and creates ideas that might really catch you off guard.THURSDAY, MARCH 27TH-6:30 PM (ADMISSION $30.00)-DOUBLE LECTUREKENTON KNEPPER AND DOCC HILFORDThe last time we had this double lecture here at the studio it was a “sell-out”. Kenton Knepper and Docc Hilford will be coming to do two lectures in the same evening. I know it’s a weekday BUT you do not want to miss these lectures. And get this!!! These are NEW LECTURES so those who enjoyed them the last time will certainly want… Continue reading Upcoming Lectures at Denny and Lee’s
We’ve bought five link programs to attempt to automate the process of putting links on the site. Figure we blew about a hundred bucks on each piece of software and that I had to (or Missy had to) retype in the new and old links, it was a pretty costly experience.
Then we met Mark the computer genius. He wrote a program that now serves as our Links of Fame page now. While there will be some growing pains, Mark has beta tested it pretty thoroughly and it seems to be working like a dream.
The draw back is that visitors to the site cannot automatically link their sites.This could actually be a blessing — remember that one moron that posted link after link for pictures of animals going into labor? This way, they’ll never see the light of day.
But with the current system, you need only send me an email and I will make the adjustments as best I can figure out.
Thanks for your patience as we have gone through our rebuilding period and I hope the end result will be well-worth the wait.
All of us at Inside Magic are big fans of Lance Burton and Tim is perhaps the biggest fan — some would say obsessive scary fan — of Melinda. It was great news to hear that these favorites, along with Seigfried and Roy were the top three vote getters in the What’s On – 2003 Visitors’ Choice Awards. Mr. Burton — who performs the finest manipulation act seen on any stage — came in first. Seigfried and Roy finished second as best magicians but also received an award for best show to take your children.
Tim’s Favorite Photo of his Favorite
Melinda, no longer appearing at the Venetian Hotel, nonetheless came in third and thus out paced: Penn and Teller; David Copperfield and other incredible acts. We hope — and Tim prays — that Melinda will find another venue to continue her wonderful act. Continue reading Lance and Melinda Top 2003 Favorite Magicians
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