Pfew! Angel Not Bitter With Britney

Criss Angel: Not BitterCriss Angel is apparently the master of the press release.  We receive information about his every move and the starlet he met along the way.

Today was starting to seem like a different kind of day.  There was no Criss Angel news to report.  It was scary but not so scary that we did anything about the situation. We believe it is better to sit in the dark cursing than to light a candle and burn one’s self. 

But as sure as acid reflux follows a chimichanga, we received a press release from or on behalf of Mr. Angel.

Press release protocol requires the sender to at least indicate their relationship to the subject; but this one broke protocol.

Illusionist CRISS ANGEL has blamed BRITNEY SPEARS’ lack of commitment for canceling their planned performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards.

The magician was originally responsible for co-ordinating a series of illusions for the singer’s live comeback at the ceremony last year (Sep07) but the troubled star rejected his plans in favour of a simple performance that was panned by fans and critics alike.

But Angel insists he isn’t bitter about the missed opportunity.

Continue reading Pfew! Angel Not Bitter With Britney

Magic Shows to Pay for Band Trip to D.C.

School Gets Help from MagiThe Edmond Sun reports the Edmond North Marching Band will join members of the Oklahoma City Magic Club in a fund-raiser to help the band travel to Washington, D.C.

The Edmond North Band
Marching Band has been selected to represent the state of Oklahoma in
the 2008 Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C., and the
fundraiser is to help with expenses for the students going on the trip.

"We were nominated by Joe Missal from Oklahoma State University," said Steve Fry, band director.
"It
is the uniqueness of this trip that makes it so great," Fry said. "We
always march in the Fourth of July parade in Edmond, but to be in our
nation’s capital on our nation?s birthday, it is going to be pretty
incredible."

Continue reading Magic Shows to Pay for Band Trip to D.C.

Magic Collecting Equals Big Bucks




Rare Magician's Table Fetches MoneyJust in case you were thinking of tossing your old
props and effects, Ralph and Terry Kovel suggest you reconsider. 

Their column in The Wichita
Eagle
helps owners of the strange and old determine their value. 

 Magic collectors are willing to shell out big coin for
magic collectibles. 

 That sentence makes
sense to us but we are not sure it really said anything.  Let us try it this way: Magic collectors have
big money and are looking for things to buy.

Last year a poster titled "Houdini,
Europe: Eclipsing Sensation," showing Houdini in
hand restraints, sold for a record $78,000. It was one of many magic items
recently bought by collectors.

The Kovels noted a "renewed interested in
anything related to a magician or a magic show, including trick locks, cards,
handcuffs, scarves, top hats, photographs of magicians, books about magic and
larger props like the box used when sawing a woman in half."

Be on the look out for an item called a "magician’s
table."

Continue reading Magic Collecting Equals Big Bucks

Michael Keating Profiled






Michael Keating and CarrieThe Mountain
Press profiles
the remarkable Michael Keating in its most recent
edition. 

Mr. Keating is
quick to identify himself as a magician; but his talents range far beyond our
discipline.

He’s created
illusions for and been an onstage aide to magician David Copperfield.

He’s acted in
and created for music videos and movies. He’s worked at Disney World, on the
Grammys and as a consultant for a park in

South Korea
.
Mr. Keating has located in the beautiful Pigeon Forge area and formed two
groups whose first meetings are coming up this week. Actors Helping Actors is a
support group Keating envisions as a way to bring together professional and
would-be performers. He also has established a business networking group that
will bring together business people to work on projects and problem-solving.

Continue reading Michael Keating Profiled

FBI Returns Copperfield Property – Investigation Over?

Copperfield in the Clear?There are signs the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office investigation of David Copperfield for alleged assault is nearing an end; and that there will be no indictment.

Robin Leach reports on his always interesting Vegas Luxe Life the FBI returned "everything to Copperfield’s offices and warehouse / museum here — and
privately, David has even kept the FBI seals and stamps on it. He’s
even ‘happily’ using the computer with the ‘FBI-Evidence Property’ tape
still on it!"

We were in Vegas two weeks ago for a national chess tournament.  As our cab moved at near light-speed from the airport to our posh hotel, we saw a large sign advertising David Copperfield’s show at the MGM Grand.

We certainly hope the grand jury declines to indict Mr. Copperfield if they find there was no crime committed; and were encouraged to see he was still performing despite the media twister in which he now lives.

Mr. Leach continues:

It’s well known that David catalogs everything to do with his
life — so this makes one unforgettable souvenir. Since the sexual
allegations, and David’s complete denial, the Seattle case appears to
have gone cold. I’m told that with the Feds returning everything to him
that even they believe nothing more is going to come from the wild
claims.

Continue reading FBI Returns Copperfield Property – Investigation Over?