In the Hardy Family tradition, the last weekend of September every year was spent in what was loosely called "jail" or "prison."
It was a tradition started with the first Thomas Hardy, Thomas Hardy I. (Ironically, his name was actually "Thomas Hardy I" due to a writing error at Immigration. After he had a child, he changed the family name to Hardy, and dropped the "I" but then added "II" for the Roman numeral for two.)
The first Hardy's version of "jail" or "prison" was time spent cooped up with his in-laws in a cabin on the south shores of Lake Superior. He also called it "Hell" or "A Reason to Drink."
The idea carried throughout the generations: you should suffer right before you begin your tour. Thomas Hardy I was never so motivated to get on the road as he was after leaving the cabin.
His son, Thomas Hardy II, and his son Thomas Hardy III, had their own version of "jail" or "prison." For The Deuce (as we called Thomas Hardy II), it was a retreat for colonics and wheat germ treatments in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Dr. Kellogg (brother of the cereal merchandiser) had a sanitarium specializing in colonic health and clean living. For the Deuce, it was just as hellish as the in-laws had been for his father.
He wrote in his journal while at The Kellogg Sanitarium ("The San"), "The only difference between my father's "jail" and mine is that I don't have to be nice to anyone while I am getting probed and injured."
For Thomas Hardy III (originally called "The Duecette" and then "Li'l Deuce" and then finally "Li'l Tom Hardy") the last week in September was a time for quiet reflection and meditation without in-laws, colonics, or wheat germ.
He spent hours sitting on a quiet porch outside a small third-story room in Charlevoix, Michigan. Often, he would remain in a trance-like state, staring (sometimes with the aid of binoculars) into the rooms of the cheap hotel/spa across road.
In later years, as the once free-wheeling days of Northern Michigan gave way to the puritanical hub it has now become, Dad was forced to do his meditation via video camera and an extensive system of mirrors.
Like Keanu Reeves' career, the tradition is tough to kill off. We look forward to each September with angst and medication.
Even though we haven't toured with Li'l Tom for five years now, we still get the knot in our stomach formerly associated with our medicinal use of tapeworms to lose weight to fit into last year's costume.
And so it is with some excitement we look forward to possibly getting out of Michigan for that last week in September. While we want to leave Michigan, we have no intention of leaving magic. Magic is as much a part of us as acne scarring is to our sister/aunt.
We hope to save enough money from bar bets and blood donations to visit Israel for the First International Magic Convention. …
Entertaining for a New Indian Generation: Ayesha Takia
The Express of India tells us this morning 68-year old Indian magician Avtar Singh would like to make a point:
We earn money and pay our taxes but the state government is yet to
recognise magic as an art. This is all science, it is no superstition
or jaadu tona.
It is a fine art and the state government should
recognise and patronise the art.
While he awaits the government’s reconsideration of the importance of magicians in Indian society, he is busy entertaining.
He was most recently helping to celebrate the release of the new Harry Potter Book.
Mr. Singh has a proud history in our Art and he wants to have it shared among the young:
My magic shows began way back in 1948 when I was a student and what
all I present before people here is what I have been taught by my
gurus. We entertain people and at the same time, give them an insight
into what society needs the most.
So Mr. Singh keeps it relevant, fun, and educational. He
makes his point about the importance of magic in India’s proud history
while at the same time celebrating the modern as embodied by a Harry
Potter show.
We hope the government comes around, but it seems Mr. Singh will keep
working. “I update my messages to the present generation from the
literature
which I read and also during my shows keep motivating the people to
read as much as they can for it is the books which are our true guiding
lights.”
Wayne Alan, America?s Only World Champion Illusionist, (FISM
1982-International Olympics of Magic Gold Medal winner for Grand
Illusion) will host, at his home, a yard sale featuring magician?s
stage illusions, close-up and stage magic, books, posters and
memorabilia.
It will be held Saturday, July 23, 2005-10:00 AM to 1:00
PM at 3103 Newcastle Lane, Riva (Annapolis) MD, 21140-Rain or Shine (we
will have tents).
When asked who can attend, Mr. Alan replied, ?ONLY MAGICIANS (and the
media) will be allowed entry. A valid ID from a magical organization
such as the International Brotherhood of Magicians or the Society of
American Magicians, or other proof of a serious interest in magic is
required for entry.?
Over 500 magicians from the Mid-Atlantic region,
including the members of the Magician?s Alliance of Eastern States,
have been invited. Magicians from as far away as New York have
indicated they plan to attend.
Stage illusions made by John Gaughn and David Mendoza, both builders of
illusions for David Copperfield and Siegfried and Roy, will be
available for sale. Many of the magician?s props are valued in the
thousands of dollars.
Mr. Alan has performed on national TV on Entertainment Tonight, MTV,
Inside Edition, Good Morning America, ABC, NBC and CBS Network News
programs. He?s also appeared with Oprah Winfrey, Larry King, Will Smith
and Maury Povich as well as seven times at the White House. He has
acted as a consultant for David Copperfield.
Wayne is best known in the trade show/convention field. He represents
large corporations in their convention exhibits and meetings as a
goodwill ambassador and spokesman for their products.
He has designed
custom illusions for companies ranging from A to Z, from a vanishing
automobile for Avis Rent-A-Car to levitating a laptop computer for
Zenith Data Systems.
Photo opportunities of people floating in the air, being sawed in half,
and disappearing into thin air will be available. The media will be
asked to sign a secrecy agreement so as not to reveal any magician?s
secrets.
Wayne Alan, America?s Only World Champion Illusionist, (FISM
1982-International Olympics of Magic Gold Medal winner for Grand
Illusion) will host, at his home, a yard sale featuring magician?s
stage illusions, close-up and stage magic, books, posters and
memorabilia.
It will be held Saturday, July 23, 2005-10:00 AM to 1:00
PM at 3103 Newcastle Lane, Riva (Annapolis) MD, 21140-Rain or Shine (we
will have tents).
When asked who can attend, Mr. Alan replied, ?ONLY MAGICIANS (and the
media) will be allowed entry. A valid ID from a magical organization
such as the International Brotherhood of Magicians or the Society of
American Magicians, or other proof of a serious interest in magic is
required for entry.?
Over 500 magicians from the Mid-Atlantic region,
including the members of the Magician?s Alliance of Eastern States,
have been invited. Magicians from as far away as New York have
indicated they plan to attend.
Stage illusions made by John Gaughn and David Mendoza, both builders of
illusions for David Copperfield and Siegfried and Roy, will be
available for sale. Many of the magician?s props are valued in the
thousands of dollars.
Mr. Alan has performed on national TV on Entertainment Tonight, MTV,
Inside Edition, Good Morning America, ABC, NBC and CBS Network News
programs. He?s also appeared with Oprah Winfrey, Larry King, Will Smith
and Maury Povich as well as seven times at the White House. He has
acted as a consultant for David Copperfield.
Wayne is best known in the trade show/convention field. He represents
large corporations in their convention exhibits and meetings as a
goodwill ambassador and spokesman for their products.
He has designed
custom illusions for companies ranging from A to Z, from a vanishing
automobile for Avis Rent-A-Car to levitating a laptop computer for
Zenith Data Systems.
Photo opportunities of people floating in the air, being sawed in half,
and disappearing into thin air will be available. The media will be
asked to sign a secrecy agreement so as not to reveal any magician?s
secrets.
What happened to the Criss Angel – David Blaine Smack Down?There are few things we love more than a good old grudge match; and from the bulletin boards, the news clippings and sound bites it sounded like we were going to have good one.
David Blaine allegedly called out Criss Angel or Criss Angel allegedly punked David Blaine but either way we were supposed to see some sort of contest between the two.The vaguely worded challenge issued by one of the magicians to the other was to involve the performance of Magic or a test of endurance.
We've looked and looked but have not yet found any further information about the challenge. It could be that you have and if you’d send it along to me, I’d be your best friend and stuff and publish it here at Inside Magic.
But the real point seems to be that here are two of our best when it comes to publicity and yet this challenge idea is still-born.
Surely neither of the two would make nor accept the challenge unless they had a plan to follow through on it or, in the event the challenge was not accepted, use their publicity engines to play up their claim of victory by default.
Shortly after Mr. Blaine emerged from the plastic box of fame, Mr. Angel told the press, "He said [on the radio] that he wanted to do something side by side. Then when my camp contacted his camp on three or four different occasions, they wanted nothing to do with it.”
Mr. Angel correctly pointed out that unlike Mr. Blaine, he has performed an on-going live show.Mr. Angel told reporters:
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