Andre Kole’s peripatetic tour takes him to Belchertown, Massachusetts, this Tuesday at 7:00 pm. We read The Republican of Springfield this morning and learned all about it. The proceeds from this award-winning show will go to the Bethesday Leprosy Hospital in Narsapur, India. Dwight Chapel is sponsoring both the leprosy hospital and Mr. Kole’s performance.
Assistant Pastor Robert L. Hewes is understandably proud of his invited guest. He told the local paper, “Mr. Kole has collaborated with David Copperfield for more than 100 different stage and television show illusions. Andre makes people mysteriously appear, disappear, dematerialize and levitate. He will also put on a unique stage presentation relating to the spiritual dimension of life that will leave the audience inspired.”
The tickets are a mere $5.00 and are available in advance and at the door.
Go figure, $5.00 to see one of the top three magicians in the entire world. So let’s go into the Way-Back Machine and analyze this. In 1945, that same ticket would have cost you the equivalent of 75 cents. Still pretty cheap even then. So let’s go back to 1926, if Mr. Kole were performing the same show for the equivalent of $5.00 in today’s dollar, it would cost you 45 cents.
So if we have our math correct — which is doubtful but we had to include that statement in case we are audited based on the tax returns we are filing today — to see Mr. Kole’s show in 1926 and then again in 1945, you’d be paying some amount of money equal to the value of some other amounts that were either divided or multiplied or something. (We’re more into the conceptual math as opposed to the “results-oriented” system they teach today). Regardless, it would have cost you not much.
So here is the more important analysis. Leprosy has been a plague on this planet for thousands of years. The modern skin disease we call Leprosy today is not the same as the skin affliction in Biblical times but would be a subset of the illness. Regardless of its name, the disfiguring effects are not only dangerous but also usually handled by excluding the victim from healthy society.
What can $5.00 do to assist in the arrest and cure of Hansen’s disease or modern-day leprosy in India? Also, why should we care? After all, we don’t have leprosy.
We would probably all concede regardless of our understanding of advanced conceptual math that spending $5.00 Tuesday night isn’t likely to cure or significantly ease the suffering of men, women, and children living the lives of outcasts in India.
Oh, sure, there is the psychic benefit of dropping a couple of bucks or loose change into a poor box. We’re not preaching to anyone but us. Dropping the money we would otherwise lose in the narrow cracks of our newly upholstered couch mollifies — we feel like we’re helping with the noble fight. But beyond making us feel better for our de minimis contribution to people we don’t know, what good is… Continue reading Andre Kole is to Magic as a Diamond is to Coal
Two young Shropshire (UK) magicians astounded judges and lay audience members to earn spots in The Magic Circle’s Young Magician of the Year contest.
Young magicians from all over the UK have tried their best at varying levels of the multi-tiered competition. Now it’s down to the finals.
Joe Rushworth is 15 years old from Shrewsbury, and Steve Dela is two years his senior from Newport.
The latest round was held in London on April 3rd and boasted the top 23 Young Magicians from the UK — each winning the right to compete at the competition. In other words, there was some very motivated, energized competition all fighting to win one of the top six finalist positions.
Congratulations to Mr. Rushworth (a third-generation of Rushworth performers) and Mr. Dela, as well as all of the competitors. This is a great program and its tiered structure allows the young men and women to gain experience, receive helpful advice, and become the focus of their local media outlets.
The finals will be at The Magic Circle on July 17th. We’ll have the official results here.
Please remember under the new regulations, we cannot accept wagers on minors performing magic. Consider this the magic equivalent of a “schooling race” or “exhibition.” We will be taking odds on both the SAM and IBM contests, however. Traditionally, The Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas releases the early line and proposition bets in mid-June. Remember, you can still parlay picks from both conventions on one card. Continue reading Two Young Magicians Qualify for Magic Circle Finals
Two young Shropshire (UK) magicians astounded judges and lay audience members to earn spots in The Magic Circle’s Young Magician of the Year contest.
Young magicians from all over the UK have tried their best at varying levels of the multi-tiered competition. Now it’s down to the finals.
Joe Rushworth is 15 years old from Shrewsbury, and Steve Dela is two years his senior from Newport.
The latest round was held in London on April 3rd and boasted the top 23 Young Magicians from the UK — each winning the right to compete at the competition. In other words, there was some very motivated, energized competition all fighting to win one of the top six finalist positions.
Congratulations to Mr. Rushworth (a third-generation of Rushworth performers) and Mr. Dela, as well as all of the competitors. This is a great program and its tiered structure allows the young men and women to gain experience, receive helpful advice, and become the focus of their local media outlets.
The finals will be at The Magic Circle on July 17th. We’ll have the official results here.
Please remember under the new regulations, we cannot accept wagers on minors performing magic. Consider this the magic equivalent of a “schooling race” or “exhibition.” We will be taking odds on both the SAM and IBM contests, however. Traditionally, The Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas releases the early line and proposition bets in mid-June. Remember, you can still parlay picks from both conventions on one card. Continue reading Two Young Magicians Qualify for Magic Circle Finals
Governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan proclaimed May 21st as Magic Day in the Magic Hub of the Universe. (We added the “Magic Hub of the Universe” part).
The most attractive and best educated governor in the United States announced her proclamation on April 10th to the excited adulation of the state’s magicians. Her Honor is required by tradition and law to give the basis for the proclamation. She supported her executive order by noting the significance of magic in America’s performing arts tradition.
The Governor proclaimed the benefits of magic are enjoyed by the theater-going public as well as magicians. Magic, Ms. Granholm said, “affirms the noblest aspirations of our national character, individual discipline, perseverance, and innovation.”
We agree. We also note two coincidences: 1) May 21st, Magic Day in the Magic Hub of the Universe, is also Michigan Magic Day in Flint, Michigan; and 2) Ms. Granholm also proclaimed May 15th, 2003 Irvin “Magic” Johnson Day.
For Ms. Granholm, May means Magic.
Her proclamation follows:
Whereas, Arts education and the appreciation for the contributions of all American art forms is fundamental to the people of the State of Michigan; and,
Whereas, Magic is an original American art form that affirms the noblest aspirations of our national character, individual discipline, perseverance, and innovation; and
Whereas, Michigan magic heritage deserves to be appreciated and shared by its residents; and,
Whereas, I honor and recognize the outstanding work that all magicians and enthusiasts in the State of Michigan represent; and now therefore be it,
The Associated Press reported this morning Michael Jackson has required the presence of a special magician who goes by subtle name “Majestic Magnificent.”
He has been in court with Jackson in recent days and said in an interview that he is a magician and longtime friend and confidant of Jackson. In a speech to the crowd, Majestic Magnificent denounced the charges against Jackson as a conspiracy.
Mr. Magnificent held a party in a nearby hotel patching in Mr. Jackson by speaker phone.
On Saturday, a few of the fans beat a pi?ata with the face of prosecutor Tom Sneddon. ‘It was meant in fun. We don’t mean any harm to Mr. Sneddon,’ fan club president Deborah Dannelly said Sunday.
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