Rethink the Impossible and experience the magic. Through the use of magic and illusion, David bring
This past Wednesday, March 16th, I had the opportunity to perform at the Monterey Bay Fish Grotto, downtown Pittsburgh, as entertainment for Smart Retirement Options, LLC-Judy Villella client night. The group was a lot of fun and the view was amazing. Thanks, Smart Retirement Options, LLC for letting me share some magic with you and your guests.
Sometimes magic is just a matter of perspective;
For instance, the 1st picture below looks to be a simple pattern on the back of a pack of playing cards designed by Blake Vogt.
The 2nd picture is a close-up of the pattern... do you see it?
The 3rd picture now shows you what the pattern actually looks like separated out.
The 4th picture shows you what the pattern actual is. Now go back and look at the 2nd and 3rd pictures again and I'm sure things will be a lot more clear.
It's a matter of perspective!
If you are into playing cards you can find these cards at Vanishing Inc. Magic.
So, I got the opportunity to meet Joshua Jay at a Magifest conference. By far, one of the nicest, most generous guys in magic. If you have never had the chance to catch his show it's a must... simply incredible! Also, for those that have an interest in magic stop by Vanishing Inc. Magic and check out their inventory. The crew there can help you with all your magic needs.
Sometimes the expression on someone's face says it all! Thank you for the kind words WesBanco.
I found this old photo from a show I did at Chick-fil-A Miracle Mile for a Family Night back in 2010. As I looked at the photo and thought to myself, "What was I thinking with that outfit?" I started to laugh as I reflected on my days of wanting to emulate David Copperfield.
And therein lies the lesson for us all... Be yourself because there is only one you in the world!
So, last week I posted an old picture of myself and my friend Tree Akers with The Skit Guys at a Youth convention years ago, where I got to perform some magic for them. I was able to dig up some old video of that night. My apologies for the quality of the footage... this was probably 12 years ago!
Here is a blast from the past on . Back when I was a youth pastor, which seems so long ago, I went to a youth conference with my buddy Tree. We got the chance to sit with The Skit Guys and do some magic for them. Perhaps one day I'll put the video up for everyone to see.
An Englishman and an Irishman go to a bakery. The Englishman steals three buns and puts them into his pockets and leaves.
He says to the Irishman: “That took great skill and guile to steal those buns. The owner didn’t even see me.”
“That’s just simple thievery,” the Irishman replied. “I’ll show you how to do it the honest way and get the same results.”
The Irishman then proceeded to call out the owner of the bakery and says: “Sir, I want to show you a magic trick.” The owner was intrigued so he came over to see the magic trick.
The Irishman asked him for a bun and then he proceeded to eat it. He asked two more times and after eating them again the owner says: “Okay my friend, where’s the magic trick?”
The Irishman then said: “Look in the Englishman’s pockets.”
Enjoy one of my favorite magicians on ... Eric Jones Magic.
Our very own Eric Jones appears on the inaugural episode of iTV's The Next Great Magician in The UK. Watch as Eric fools the pants off British celebrities Ry...
Today I'm taking some time to share a few of my favorite books in magic by 3 amazing magicians. The top book, "Strong Magic", was written by Darwin Ortiz. The second book you see is "Drawing Room Deceptions" by Guy Hollingworth. The bottom book, and the one I am currently reading, is "Pure Imagination" by Scott Robinson.
For those of you that have an interest in learning magic, these are 3 must-have books.
Anybody have a good joke you can share in the comments? Looking to have a good laugh!
My first magic trick came from my first magic set... The World's Greatest Magic Set". My best friend, Eric Syswerda, had received his from his grandparents. We had so much fun with the set that I went out and bought my own.
There were so many tricks within the set and the first one that I learned was called the Spikes thru the Coin. It went something like this... you would borrow a quarter or half a dollar, place it in the bottom of the cup. You would then place the cap on the cup and slowly, push little plastic spikes through the cup, where they would go through the coin and out the other side. You could then remove the spikes, remove the top, and return the coin unharmed. For a ten-year-old, it was pretty amazing and at the time it fooled people.
We had so much fun with that magic set. We would perform small shows for our parents in the hopes of amazing them. It was that set that began my long and exciting journey into the world of magic.
To look back and see where I started, to where I am today, the one thing that comes to mind is to say thank you Eric for sharing with me. It has shaped my life in so many ways.
An Interesting Piece of Olympic Trivia
In short, the first-place runner actually dropped out. He got a car back to the stadium to get his clothes but started running again when he heard the fanfare.
The runner in second place was carried across the finish line by his trainers. He got the gold medal after the imposter from the first place was revealed. The fourth runner raised money from his compatriots to participate in the Olympics. Then, he lost all the money in a casino, right before the competition. He ran, however, wearing normal shoes and long trousers cut with a knife at the knee level. And maybe he could have won if he didn’t stop for an hour-long nap on the side of the track.
But wait, there’s more!
In the 9th and 12th place there were two students from South Africa who just happened to be in the town and decided to compete for fun. South Africa didn’t send a delegation to those Olympics. They were the first Africans to ever compete at the Olympic Games. They ran barefoot. The one in 9th place was chased one-mile off-course by angry dogs.
But wait, there’s more!
For the entire race (42 kilometers/25 miles), there was only one water stop. Some of the competitors were close to death because of that.
https://www.dreamstime.com/blog/25-fun-facts-olympics-56382
Spent Saturday, February 12th, at The Corinthian Banquet Hall and Event Center and Event Center in Sharon, Pa, walking around and entertaining the guests for The Hubbard Youth Coalition Inc. fundraiser. Had a great time with some great people!
Tell them you love them and then spend your life showing them!
Share in the comments how you showed that special someone you loved them!
The Magician That Stopped A War!
The French government dispatched him to Algeria where the French were fighting Algerian warriors called the “Marabouts”, who believed that they were invincible due to the illusions that their chieftains would perform. Illusions like halting the fire from a french rifle.
Houdin essentially challenged the Algerians by putting on a demonstration where he asked a strong Algerian man to lift a wooden chest. When they tried to lift it a second time, it was impossible. Apparently, this was because Houdin “robbed them of their strength”.
In reality it was electromagnetism and a newly invented magic illusion now referred to as the “light heavy chest”. The stage demonstration helped to lower the morale of the Marabouts and their presence gradually diminished in the area. Not exactly stopping a war, but very influential.
How would you answer the question... "What is Magic?" Leave your answers below in the comments section.
Here is a look back at a time when I was still searching for who I was in magic! No matter what anybody says... change is good. LOL
Kathy Svilar Richie Reeder
So, about a week and a half ago I went to Magifest, a Magic Conference located in Columbus, OH., and as usual, it was very entertaining and educational.
This got me thinking back to when I started in magic and how things have changed over the years. This brought me to want to share some advice. or tips, to the younger generation of magicians that are rising behind those of us that have been at this for a while.
Tip #1... Discover what type of magic you enjoy performing the most and focus on that area. Too many magicians, including myself at one point in time, spread themselves way too thin by trying to master it all. Don't get me wrong, it's ok to have a working knowledge of the various aspects of the magic world. Although by focusing your efforts on the area you enjoy the most, you will excel faster and enjoy the process more.
Tip #2... Once you have set your sites on the area of magic that you enjoy the most, gather as much information as you can, books, videos, etc., and master your focus area.
Tip #3... Find a mentor within the world of magic that shares your focus and learn as much as you can from their years of experience.
Tip #4... Once you begin heading down the road of purchasing props, books, and videos, make sure that you select things that you will use. I have spent way too much money purchasing items that now sit on my shelves and just collect dust, all because I wasn't focusing on the area of magic that I enjoyed the most.
To sum things up... Get focused and you will excel faster and more fun!
Candace Whitney Mathis Nikki Xenakis Tom Mitlo Junior Debra Wagner Buckwalter Michelle HadenAlexa Xenakis Becherer
One of my favorite magic effects!
There is an effect that I have been doing for years because without fail, it gets such a strong reaction from the audience. This one such effect is referred to as "An Object To An Impossible Location."
To break it down to the simplest form... Toward the beginning of the show I make a joke about and animal balloon saying that I will make any animal named. When the animal is named I proceed to blow up a balloon and say, there you go, a big fat (name of the animal). This balloon is placed to the side of the stage for the rest of the show.
For the final effect of the show a bill is borrowed (the larger the better), signed, placed inside of an envelope, and mixed with 4 identical envelopes. The spectator chooses one of the four and the rest are shredded. Leaving one envelope, which the spectator has freely chosen, is opened to find that his bill is not inside.
At this point I feel pretty bad about shredding their bill for all to see. Eventually I ask them if they would like a consolation prize and if they likes animal balloons. This gets a pretty good laugh, until everyone realizes that Im talking about the balloon that has been on the stage, in full view, the whole show. With empty hands I pick up the balloon and shake it, and an object can be heard bouncing around inside. I then proceed to pop the balloon and among the pieces on the floor lies a folded up bill. The spectator bends down and pick's up the bill, unfolds it, revealing that it is indeed his signed bill. At this point the audience erupts with applause.
Perhaps one day you will get a chance to see this performed live. If you have indeed witnessed this effect leave a comment below with your review.
A common question that I'm often asked is "What is my favorite thing about performing?" They say that a picture is worth a thousand words and the photo below is why I love performing.
The interaction with people, making them laugh, and bringing amazement into their lives is what it's all about.
In December of 2019 I was hired to perform a Christmas party for Cornerstone Church in Akron, OH. The setting was great and the audience was so much fun to entertain.
The one effect that stood out to me from that night can be seen in the photo below. The young lady standing to my right is Rachel Rachel Carpenter and she joined me up front to help with an effect where her signed card, that she held in her mouth, switched places with my signed card, held in my mouth. It's quite a shocking effect and the reaction from the group was full of gasp's, shrieking and screams.
Don't get me wrong, every effect I perform is meant to stun people. Although, when you can get people to scream it communicates another level of amazement. Thank you Cornerstone for a night to remember!
Question of the day... In the 1993 movie Groundhog Day, how long did Phil Connors relive Groundhog Day? Leave your answers in the comments!
Nikki Xenakis
Got these awesome set of playing cards from Joey Wykoff for Christmas. For those that appreciate creativity in playing cards check out theory11.
Who do you side with?
Cast your vote in the comments!
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So, last week I posted an old picture of myself and my friend Tree Akers with The Skit Guys at a Youth convention years ago, where I got to perform some magic for them. I was able to dig up some old video of that night. My apologies for the quality of the footage... this was probably 12 years ago! #magicmonday
Looking for a unique and creative way to reach the students in your surrounding area? Contact David to discuss the possibilities of partnering with your ministry.
Do as I say and not as I do is not a valid leadership style. Leaders lead by example!
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