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Who the Heck Is Nate Kranzo?

Nate’s Secret is Invaluable — Don’t Share!

When I saw Mr. Kranzo?s lecture, I was blown away. I know, magicians always say that. ?Oh, I saw the Ball and Vase and was blown away! How could the red ball vanish from his pocket and appear in the previously empty vase?!? Okay, well, maybe not like that. But you know what I mean. The only type of critique more frequent in our business is the exact opposite where our brothers or sisters attack the magician viciously.

But I really was blown away. He would perform the effect and then explain his method. I couldn?t have guessed the method and yet, once explained, I felt like I could probably handle the effect. That?s a rare quality in a lecturer. Usually, they don?t need to explain the method because, to be honest, it was pretty obvious during the performance; or, they could teach me the method all night but I still wouldn?t be able to duplicate it because I cannot do a left-handed middle deal with a face-up deck while finger-palming a donut. (Okay, I exaggerate, I can do that but I only use it in my mentalism act, ?Star, Wavy Lines, Square or Donut.?)

Am I striking a chord here?

So, anyway, I went to see Mr. Kranzo?s lecture, and was, as I said earlier, blown away. He does a routine with a shear scarf (not a silk) and a silver dollar. Take a second and go to the movie section on Penguin Magic and watch the scarf and silver dollar routine. It typifies the magic you will find on this outstanding DVD. His magic is practical, amazing and not impossible to do. The steps are clearly set out and you?ll find that his instruction is not just patient and helpful but almost more entertaining than the demonstration of the…
Continue reading Who the Heck Is Nate Kranzo?

May 27th, 2003 | Category: Magic Stories | Leave a comment

SARS Takes a Toll On Asian Magi

Magician Gician Tan Works to Rebuild Business

Here on the North American Continent, SARS has had a mercifully short run. We’ve had the essential quarantine for the metropolian Toronto area and some increased searching and evaluation at the borders but this is nothing compared to our Asian brothers and sisters.

The Straits Times of the Pacific area, including Singapore, reports that “m

assive cancellations of performances at birthday parties, corporate events and shopping malls have brought business to almost a standstill in the past 1 1/2 months.”

The paper estimates that current magic business is about ten percent of its former level. In fact, Edwin Goh, a Kid-Show entertainer, reported that party bookings dropped to “literally zero.” That’s low.

If unknown infective agents weren’t enough, competition is picking up in the arena. According to the Times, some magicians are making close to $30,000.00 a month. (I know some readers are saying tothemselves, “heck, that’s more than I make in one show”). The SARSoutbreak also required that magicians not only care for their props but also disinfect them. Some magicians wore face masks to at least give their audience some confidence in what.

One magician noted the obvious, ‘We’ve not pulling streamers out of children’s mouths anymore.”

Continue reading SARS Takes a Toll On Asian Magi

May 27th, 2003 | Category: Magic News | Leave a comment