Inside Magic

The John Zander Lecture: Direct and to the Point ? but with Courtesy.

John Zander

John Zander ventured east from his home in California to teach a full-house at Carlos Blades’ Incredible Garden City Magic Shop.  Assuming the adage, “you can get more flies with honey than with vinegar” is true ? and I don’t know that it is because I have never had a need to get flies ? Mr. Zander’s approach fits with the maxim. 

Throughout his lecture, he provided insight into the world of true stand-up and strolling magic.  Although the effects selected are used for audiences ranging from children to adults and even corporate events, each is presented with a focused interest in: 1) entertaining the audience at their level; and 2) treat the audience with respect.  

Read On . . .

Many lecturers urge courtesy and entertainment but Mr. Zander’s presentation made it clear that this was part and parcel of his persona.  You and I have been to lectures where we are taught to teach the audience with respect, and yet in presenting this very message, the lecturer demonstrates that he or she doesn’t really believe it.  Once you learn to fake sincerity, you can pretty much get anything.  Mr. Zander, on the other hand, not only believes in being a gentleman but he is one. 

But hey, I wouldn’t pay the big bucks they charge for a lecture just to see a gentleman.  I want to learn tricks! 

Mr. Zander did not disappoint. 

I’ll give you the bottom-line up front: If you have a chance to see Mr. Zander perform or lecture, grab it.  Be polite about it but if it comes down to one…
Continue reading John Zander Lecture – Inside Magic Review

Petrick and Mia

I first met Petrick and Mia about 20years ago or so when I was running A&B Novelties Magic and Fun Shop in West Palm Beach, Florida. At the time, they were a very young couple on one of their first lecture tours.

They were scheduled to lecture at IBM Ring 117, and the arrangements were that they would drive into West Palm Beach, meet me at the magic shop and I would in turn accompany them to the motel we had booked for them, take them to dinner and then to the lecture hall at the Moose Lodge where Ring 117 held their meetings.

All was going fine. After a couple of calls for directions they arrived at the Magic Shop close to 5:00 PM. They were driving a van and were accompanied by two (2) beautiful, black Afghan Hounds. After closing the shop, the beautiful Mia got into my car and Petrick followed in the van.

We drove to downtown West Palm Beach to the old Holiday Inn, arriving in front of the Holiday Inn at about 5:15 P.M. I told Petrick I would take Mia inside, and get them registered while he parked the van in the lot at the back of the motel. Hopefully we would save some time that way and have an opportunity to go to dinner before the lecture. Petrick agreed and Mia and I went into the motel to register, while he went to park the van.

Holiday Inn (West Palm circa 1982) Parking Below

About 10 minutes passed while I got them registered and took Mia and the luggage up to the room. The room was located at the back of the motel and faced the Inner Coastal Waterway on Flagler Drive. The balcony overlooked a large parking lot in the rear of the building.

While Mia changed clothes for the lecture I stood on the balcony awaiting the arrival of Petrick. Almost 15 minutes passed and there was still no sign of Petrick. When Mia came out of the room I told her I was going down to the lobby to see if perhaps Petrick was there waiting for us….
Continue reading Barry Gibbs — Inside Magic Essayist in Residence on Petrick and Mia