Tannen's Magic 27th "Louie Award" to Paul Harris

We are pleased to present Tannen's Magic 27th "Louie Award" to Paul Harris an inventor, magician, and writer. Described by the magic magazine Genii as "the most innovative magic mind of our day," Harris is listed in Magic Magazine as one of "the 100 who shaped the art of magic in America".

Magic Magazine states that "the feats of astonishments that Paul creates and teaches are in the repertoires of a multitude of working pros".

He has invented many original tricks including: "Linking Playing Cards", "Bizarre Twist", "a Solid Deck", a torn and restored card effect, coins materializing from mirrors, a card that appears to turn ninety degrees when pushed into the pack, and a torn and restored quarter.

Amongst the magicians who are known to have presented Paul Harris creations are David Copperfield and Doug Henning. In the field of card and close-up magic, Paul Harris more or less re-innovated the genre during the 1970-80s, and is held in very high regard among magicians in the western world.

Doug Henning performed a routine called "Twilight" on his third TV special in 1977. An effect using a coin and a mirror where the mirror image of the coin becomes real. A surreal piece.

David Copperfield in a 1984 special (the one where he made the Statue of Liberty disappear) performed a linking card effect "The Immaculate Connection." In this routine, the magician tears holes in the center of three playing cards in order to create three "frames." The illusion consists in causing the frames to appear to link and unlink without damaging any of the cards. At the conclusion, the cards are sometimes passed for inspection; to all appearances no extra cards or gimmicks are employed.

Harris has performed at the Dunes Hotel and at other locations on the Las Vegas Strip and was a technical advisor for David Blaine's Magic Man and Street Magic TV shows. He also contributed writing to the 1987 film Nice Girls Don't Explode, which starred Starring Michelle Meyrink, William O'Leary, Wallace Shawn, James Nardini, and Margot Gray--with special appearances by Dana Betz and Keith Knauer.

In 2006, Paul received the "Creative Fellowship" honor from The Board of Trustees of the Academy of Magical Arts.

In late 2008 Paul put out the True Astonishment Box Set: 9-DVDs. True Astonishments is Paul Harris' current, definitive, and final legacy. This is a monumental project of the highest caliber from the production to the material... it's simple, elegant, practical, and beautiful. True Astonishments is one of the most important projects to be released in the last 30 years.

Currently Paul is developing products by other magicians, sometimes in coordination with Paul and marketed under the "Paul Harris Presents" product line. 

On a phone call accepting the "Louie" from Thailand, Paul said "My Mom would be very proud".

Congratulations!

TierneyLab: The Wizard’s Clock

Putting Ideas in Science to the Test

The Wizard’s Clock

by Pradeep Mutalik of the New York Times

This trick is simple, but it's baffling because it violates a basic assumption people make about telephone calls.

The photo is the 17-point clock used by the wizard to perform the card trick in the Magic Phone Calls puzzle.

Read the blog here.

The Norman Magic Experience

Norman Ng (Pronounced "ing") has been performing his exciting and unique brand of magic throughout the US for over 17 years. He has performed for more than 500,000 from the New York Hilton Hotel, to the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood, California, as well as on hundreds of college campuses, fairs, festivals, theaters and corporate events nationwide.

Norman is known for bringing a fresh and dynamic energy to his shows. He views his show as a conversation with an audience rather than a performance for them. He involves the audience in ways no other performer does. He gets the audience to react in ways they never thought they could. He swings stuff, smashes stuff, and makes hundreds of people suspend their disbelief with every show.

Norman has also gained national recognition in the magic community. He has performed with and for some of the greatest magicians in the world. He has won numerous national and international magic awards such as the 1st place medal at the prestigious Tannen's Magic Camp. He was also voted to be a finalist in the Society of American Magicians Centennial Stage Competition held in New York City.

You can see Norman at the Phyzgig Physical Comedy Festival, Vaudeville Show at the Portland Performing Arts Center, Portland and Westbrook, ME from December 26 to 31, 2009. Click here for tickets.

The Epic Magic of Jared Molten

Jared Molten the former Tannen's Magic Shop intern, magic camper and current counselor just released his highly anticipated magic promo video. The video highlights Jared's unique performing style and various show types.

Jared has been incredibly successful in pursuing his magical career while attending Northeastern University in Boston. His magic has been showcased at corporate functions, events, and venues all over the Northeast. Jared currently performs magic every Sunday night at Johnny's Luncheonette in Newton, Mass.

Jared is scheduled to graduate in May and will be returning to the Metropolitan New York City area to continue his journey as a professional magician.

The Art of Astonishment is coming to DVD!

Art of Astonishment #1 DVD 
by Wayne Houchin and Paul Harris

Forty years ago, learning magic was different. Black and white pictures of old men stared at you from the pages of bad reprints of classic books. And then Paul Harris started creating magic - and magic changed forever.

Cards stopped being just cards and became objects with personalities of their own. They linked, danced, and twisted themselves into the impossible. Paul introduced exciting plots and unconventional methods that inspired a generation of magicians.

This February discover the magic that gave birth to astonishment. Paul Harris and Wayne Houchin explore the revolutionary thinking that is the foundation of one of the most popular magic book series of all time. The Art of Astonishment is coming to DVD.

PRE-ORDER here!

Bicycle 125

While the art of magic has persisted and evolved over thousands of years, the vast majority of us today have one thing in common and one company to thank - the United States Playing Card Company. 

It started in Cincinnati one-hundred and twenty-five years ago and quickly grew to become the worldwide leader in playing card design and manufacturing. Since then - hundreds of designs and over a billion decks later - it is still here and still in a league of its own.

Commemorating 125 years of design and development, the Bicycle 125 : Anniversary Edition playing cards feature a distinctive, vintage aesthetic - and a signature metallic foil on the special edition tuck case.  Theory11 presents a collaboration that can officially come to light - the Bicycle 125's.

Available here in a refined red and deep blue.

CIA’s Lost Magic Manual Resurfaces

From Wired.com by Noah Shachtman on November 24, 2009 

At the height of the Cold War, the Central Intelligence Agency paid $3,000 to renowned magician John Mulholland to write a manual on misdirection, concealment, and stagecraft. All known copies of the document — and a related paper, on conveying hidden signals — were believed to be destroyed in 1973. But recently, the manuals resurfaced, and have now been published as “The Official CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception.” Topics include working a clandestine partner, slipping a pill into the drink of the unsuspecting, and “surreptitious removal of objects by women.”

This wasn’t the first time a magician worked for a western government. Harry Houdini snooped on the German and the Russian militiaries for Scotland Yard. English illusionist Jasper Maskelyne is reported to created dummy submarines and fake tanks to distract Rommel’s army during World War II. Some reports even credit him with employing flashing lights to “hide” the Suez Canal. 

But Mulholland’s contributions were far different, because they were part of a larger CIA effort, called MK-ULTRA, to control people’s minds. Which lead to the Agency’s infatuation with LSD, as David Hambling recounted here a few weeks ago: 

In the infamous Operation Midnight Climax, unwitting clients at CIA brothels in New York and San Francisco were slipped LSD and then monitored through one-way mirrors to see how they reacted. They even killed an elephant with LSD. Colleagues were also considered fair game for secret testing, to the point where a memo was issued instructing that the punch bowls at office Christmas parties were not to be spiked.

The *Boston Globe has put together a great visual summary of some of Mulholland’s best tricks for the CIA: the shoelace pattern that means “follow me”; the hidden compartment to smuggle in an agent; the best ways to appear dumb and non-threatening. Because there’s no better misdirection than appearing to be a fool.
---

*Boston Globe Articles

Tinker, tailor, soldier... illusionist?: When the CIA tried its hand at magic

Use your illusion: Among the CIA's many tricks during the Cold War, it turns out, was some actual magic. A now-declassified manual by magician John Mulholland taught American spies the arts of deceit.

Billionaires, Millionaires...and a Magician Team Up for Global Hunger

Magician Steve Cohen to Star in Magic4Mercy Benefit at Action Center to End World Hunger in Battery Park

Billionaires, millionaires, media personalities, and just plain folk will join forces to support the Mercy Corps Action Center to End World Hunger on Tuesday, December 8th at the Magic4Mercy Benefit featuring the world-renowned magician/mind reader/illusionist extraordinaire Steve Cohen. Proceeds from the event, which will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a champagne reception, will benefit the Action Center, opened one year ago at 6 River Terrace in Battery Park in an interactive space.

On December 8th the Action Center will be transformed into a stage for Cohen, whose elegant Chamber Magic show in a private suite in the Waldorf-Astoria Towers suite has delighted more than 250,000 guests over the past 9 years. Woody Allen described his performance as "a religious experience." Called the "Millionaires' Magician" by Forbes magazine and "a heart-stopping act" by The New York Times, Cohen's fans include Warren Buffett, Barry Diller, David Rockefeller, Michael Bloomberg, Jack Welch, Martha Stewart, Stephen Sondheim, Senator Chuck Schumer, and the Queen of Morocco. Cohen is also a former Tannen's Magic camper.

Tickets for the Magic4Mercy Benefit are $125 ($100 is tax deductible) and may be purchased online at here. For more information about the event, call 646-453-8823.

The Man Behind the Magic: Carles Ferrandiz

When the Portuguese magician Luis de Matos made an elephant and a Ferrari disappear in front of 12,000 people in a Lisbon sports stadium for the Expo '98, when the Spaniard Mag Lari cut a person in eight pieces in his 2007 show Secrets, and when a magical chest spat fire, smoke and objects during a recent production at the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, Carles Ferrandiz was never far away.

Read the rest of this article by By Kati Krause from the Wall Street Journal here.

Beyond Belief II

The Spread the Magic Foundation in conjunction with the Robbinsville High School Interact Club, will present Beyond Belief II – a sequel to last year’s sold out evening of magic, illusions, comedy, and more! This year with an amazing lineup of performers, featuring the talents of Jason Bishop, John "BalloonFREAK" Cassidy, two Tannen's Magic campers Chad Juros and Matt Schick, as well as special guest Mac King – direct from his award winning comedy magic show at Harrah’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

These incredible performers have entertained audiences across the nation, from Las Vegas to the White House lawn! They have been featured on television shows such as The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Today Show, Criss Angel Mindfreak, Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, and more! Beyond Belief II is appropriate for all ages, so whether you are 5 or 105, you will have a great time!

All proceeds from Beyond Belief II will be donated to the Spread the Magic Foundation, a New Jersey non-profit organization that spreads hope to children battling cancer. Through last year’s ticket sales and generous donations from local businesses, we were able to raise $12,000 for this incredible foundation.

Beyond Belief II will be performed at the Robbinsville High School Performing Arts Center in Robbinsville, New Jersey on January 30th, 2010 at 7:00 PM. Find out more about the talent and tickets here.

Mario's Magical Creations

Mario's Magical Creations: a vintage-inspired series by Mario Marchese 

New York-based magician and tinkerer Mario Marchese, a.k.a. Mario the Magician, has spent his downtime over the past couple of years crafting beautiful, vintage-inspired close-up magic illusions from found objects and re-purposed materials. Mario's favorite creations, chosen especially with Tannen's Magic loyalists in mind. These are truly works of art, intricate and intriguing. Each item is made-to-order and completely handmade, so you will receive a collector's item that is uniquely yours and one-of-a-kind (design of box or tin will vary).

Take a look at Mario's five new creations Bouncy Ball Mayhem, Corinda's Coin Box, Old Tin Card Rise, Tarot Mind Mystery, Think of a Card Box here!

James Galea Down Under

James Galea is Australia's number one magician. Constant television and radio appearances and his own series for the Nine Network (Urban Magic) have seen James in constant demand not only in his home country but internationally both in the corporate arena and as a headliner world-wide, performing at the Flamingo Las Vegas and Hollywood's legendary Magic Castle.James Galea is vastly different to the stereotypical 'pull a rabbit out of a hat' magician - he breathes new life into the dying art of magic and trades the traditional rigid tuxedo and stiff top hat for a pair of sneakers, jeans and a tee shirt. Energetic and effortlessly cool, James presents the art of magic with a wicked sense of humour disarming audiences with his youthful charm and astonishing them with his talent.

James started learning magic at age 14 from someone he thought was a magician. He later found out that his mentor moonlighted as a professional con man who cheated in high stakes poker games. While his colleagues were learning how to make hankies disappear from old magic books Galea learnt how to deal aces from the bottom of the deck from a professional card shark.

It was in the field of close up magic that James' unique talent was discovered. His charismatic performances soon attracted notice and at just 19 years of age, James was awarded 'Australia's Best Close-Up Magician'.

In 2009 after sell-out seasons Australia-wide of his live show I HATE RABBITS, James took to the stage as an actor starring in LYING CHEATING BASTARD, a play he co-wrote about Australia's most successful conman. The critics were unanimous in their praise for the play and Galea's performance and the show will now tour internationally throughout 2010/2011. Galea is currently in development for several TV shows in the US and Australia.

Take a look at his version of Sam the Bellhop by Bill Malone The 2009 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala.

Magical Nights

Magical Nights: Exclusive Evenings of Unforgettable Wonder

Feinstein's at the Loews Regency, The Nightclub of New York is proud to present "Magical Nights" a total experience of sophisticated amazement combining elegant dining, intimate close-up magic, and exquisitely magical performances on stage.

Start the evening off with a world-class magician performing sleight-of-hand "close-up" magic right at your table. Then be treated to an hour of sophisticated magical entertainment on stage, Park Avenue style. The classiest hotel in New York now presents the classiest magicians in the world!

This show features a rotating cast of performers that includes world-class magicians and mentalists - every "Magical Night" will be an unforgettable experience from start to finish! Doors open at 5:30 PM, the close-up magic kicks off at 6:00 PM and show time on the main stage is at 7:00 PM.

As you know, an evening at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency is a distinct experience from start to finish - featuring terrific food, the most attentive wait staff in town, personalized close-up magic, and fabulous on-stage performances in an intimate cabaret setting - all taking place in a supremely sophisticated "only in New York" environment.

"Magical Nights" is a truly unique reflection of the very best that New York City has to offer!

For information or to buy tickets, please call 212 339-4095 or visit: www.feinsteinsatloewsregency.com

(A note on dress: jackets are encouraged for men but not required.)

Headliner Schedule:

11/1/09
Peter Samelson
Matthew Holtzclaw: Emcee, Asi Wind: Close-Up, Michael Chaut: Close-Up

11/8/09
Asi Wind
Dennis Kyriakos: Emcee, David Corsaro: Close-Up, Prakash: Close-Up

11/15/09
Jeff Hobson
Todd Robbins: Emcee, Michael Chaut: Close-Up, David Schwartz: Close-Up

11/22/09
Puck
Todd Robbins: Emcee, Jeff Grow: Close-Up, Prakash: Close-Up

11/29/09
Michael Chaut
Todd Robbins: Emcee, David Corsaro: Close-Up, Prakash: Close-Up

12/6/09
Asi Wind 
Todd Robbins: Emcee, Jeff Grow: Close-Up, David Schwartz: Close-Up

12/13/09
Peter Samelson
Matthew Holtzclaw: Emcee, David Corsaro: Close-Up, Prakash: Close-Up

12/20/09
Michael Chaut
Todd Robbins: Emcee, Matthew Holtzclaw: Close-Up, David Schwartz: Close-Up

12/27/09
Jon Stetson
Todd Robbins: Emcee, Michael Chaut: Close-Up, David Corsaro: Close-Up

*All Performers Are Subject To Change

Sundays, Nov 08 thru Dec 27, 2009: 7:00PM

Women in Boxes

Women in Boxes is the first film to uncover the story of the Unsung Hero behind the magician. The devoted, if not masochistic Magic Assistant who distorts her body into impossible positions while the magician cuts her in pieces, stabs her, sets her on fire, crushes her, makes her disappear, then restores her to life with a dramatic Taa Daa and takes a bow to wild applause. Who is the woman who would subject herself to such torture, not to mention, the Magician's Ego? Are these women just bimbos parading around in skimpy clothes? Or are they the real magic behind the Illusionist?

Heretofore sworn to secrecy, this tough yet feminine group opened their homes, hearts and lives for the filmmakers and gave an insider’s view of love, life and magic family values. As this is a family affair, many of the women are joined on camera with their ‘more famous’ husbands, and some are interviewed with their daughters as they take their turn in the box.

In seeking out the greatest magic acts of the past 20th century, Women in Boxes went on a worldwide quest and hit gold in the untold lives of its main characters: Deanna Shimada, Coral (The Impossibilist) Reveen, Cathy (Shazzam) Daniel, Pam (Tomsoni and Co.) Thompson, Stacy (The Majestix) Jones, Luna Shimada, Moi Yo (Dante the Great) Miller, Frances (Willard the Wizard) Willard, Princess Irene Larsen (co-founder of The Magic Castle),
Gay Blackstone, Dove, Jan (Mis-made Lady) Jones, Lance Burton with Burton’s Babes, Criss (Mindfreak) Angel, and in a very rare occurrence, the magician Teller SPEAKS on camera!

Directed By: Harry Pallenberg, Directed By: Phil Noyes
2008, Running Time: 1:20
Content Rating: PG

Disillusioned

Disillusioned
A New Play by Susan Hodara
Directed by Noel Neeb

Starring:
Georgie Caldwell, Eric Powers,
and Keith Manolo Embler

Magician Consultant: Jeff Grow

What you see isn’t always what you get… The art is in the illusion.

Jane hid in shadows. She acted “blind” to combat stage fright doing magic shows with Bernie, and kept acting blind to keep the world away, until the act became reality… When Jane finally reaches out, she finds someone answers.

Disillusioned is the Winner of the Short Subjects Division in The Midtown International Theatre Festival. MITF is approaching its 10th year and presents the finest talent in the heart of midtown Manhattan.  

Where Eagles Dare Theatre Studios 
347 West 36th Street, 13th Floor
(between 8th & 9th Avenues)
New York City
Subway: A,C,E to 34th Street

Disillusioned has two more performances:
Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 25 at 5 p.m.
Tickets are $15.00 can be purchased at smarttix.com or by calling 212.868.4444.

The Modern Con Man 3-DVD Collection

The Modern Con Man 3-DVD Collection
by Todd Robbins

You may have seen America’s #1 Con Man, Todd Robbins, on Leno, Letterman, or Conan. But it’s just as likely you’ve never heard of him - because Todd is a well-known authority and practitioner of all things deceptive.

Now, in The Modern Con Man Collection, Todd shares his catalog of cons and playful scams. This 3 DVD set shows you how easy it is to scam, bet, and trick your way to a free drink, a few extra bucks at the poker table, and laughs at the expense of your co-workers. Expect to make friends too, with this fun, tongue-in-cheek guide to suckering those you love — and those you’d like to know.

Learn games you’ll never lose, tricks they won’t figure out, and cons they’ll never see coming. With his concise and witty direction, Robbins ensures that all you’ll need to succeed is a smooth smile. Everyone loves a good con. And now, thanks to Todd Robbins, everyone can get in on the action!

Based on New York City magician and Tannen's Magic customer Todd Robbins' bestselling book, The Modern Con Man.

WORKPLACE PRANKS and other Way to Con Your Coworkers

When con-artists find the perfect sucker, they know they need to strike fast. Which is why your nightmare 9-to-5 is every grifter's dream: dozens of marks with nowhere to run. So stop thinking that you're stuck in an office with a bunch of lame coworkers. They're the ones who are stuck there with you!

HOW TO SCAM YOUR WAY TO FREE BEER and Other Bar Bets

Sit back and pour yourself a drink. It's the last one you're going to pay for. Todd Robbins shows you why the local bar has always been the best place for a scam artist to find a victim, or "mark." Shot on location in one of LA's "Hottest bars of the year" (Los Angeles Magazine), Todd shares his favorite "bar betchas" games your marks can never win, puzzles they won't solve, and tricks they'll never see coming. These 30 scams include NIM, an Egyptian matchstick game that once won Nick the Greek $200,000 shot glass turnover, a simple challenge that will drive friends crazy... and loads more.

POKER NIGHT GAMES and Other Card-Playing Tricks

The cards have been dealt, wages have been made, and drinks have been served. There's no better set-up for a con artist with a catalog of tricks. Take advantage of the gambling spirit with these games, scams and bets all designed for poker night. Todd Robbins, master of the late-night swindle, shows you 25 new cons including Australian Poker, a variation that won't ever fail you; Best Hand, a poker challenge you opponents will lose as quickly as they accept; No-Chance Poker, a lethal one-on-one game you'll win no matter how often they demand a rematch and many, many more.

Run Time: 195 minutes

See video and get it here!

Tommy Wind: Teen Magician of the Year at 2009 World Magic Awards

Tannen's Magic customer and Staten Island native Tommy Wind was named Best Teen Magician of the Year at the 2009 World Magic Awards in Santa Monica, CA. The show will air on November 19th, 2009 on MyNetworkTV. He performed in front of over 900 people. He opens his own show at the Palazzo on the Las Vegas strip in early 2010.

At 19, Wind is now one of the youngest magicians to have achieved the title of Master Illusionist, and has performed for a multitude of audiences in countless venues, ranging from New York City, to Atlantic City, to Las Vegas. He has entertained a vast range of clients,and has appeared on the hit NBC show, “I Do.” The performer of several large-scale illusions, including his Jet airplane and Lamborghini appearances, places Tommy in the ranks of some of today’s top performers. 

Using these skills and his magical talent, he creates a spectacular presentation of illusions in a show filled with both Rock n’ Roll and class. Surely one of the newest and hottest up-coming stars, Tommy Wind’s broad style encompasses many different forms of magic, ranging from close-up and mentalism, to escapes and grand illusions, making him one of the most versatile performers today.

Tommy Wind know that anything is possible. "I have a philosophy for business and life: If you look closely at the obstacle in front of you, you will realize the obstacle is just a stairway to success," he says. We wish him all the best as he starts his professional career.

Playing the Race Card

On a comedy bit on The Daily Show With John Stewart, Larry Wilmore performs magic tricks to show white people how to play the race card. At 2:50 in the video he goes into his ambitious card routine with some nifty moves.

In 2006, Larry Wilmore began appearing regularly on The Daily Show With John Stewart, where he is billed as the "Senior Black Correspondent" or a derivative form of the title, such as the "Senior Executive Commander-in-Chief Who Happens To Be Black Correspondent" (following the election of Barack Obama). His work on the show frequently centers on humorous observations of the black experience in American society.

Wilmore was featured in Genii Magazine in March 2009 in the fowling articles.
1. Creatively Speaking with Larry Wilmore by David Regal
2. South Side Opener aka Red-Hot Brother by Larry Wilmore
3. The Flop-Over Double by Larry Wilmore

Eli Tanenbaum: Teen Magician’s Stage Presence And Success Is No Illusion

This summer, Eli attended Tannen’s Magic Camp in Pennsylvania, a reputable, hands-on magic extravaganza geared toward helping budding magicians ages 11 to 20 hone their craft. Demonstrating the singular focus of the experience, Eli’s mom spoke of the “must bring” list sent home to parents: “No swimsuit!”

“Quite literally, it’s 24/7 magic,” Eli added.

Making an already fabulous experience even more so, Eli came home from camp with a first prize trophy for close-up magic in the 14 and under category.

“It was great!” he exclaimed.

by Brenda Bolinger of the Claremont-Courrier.

The city of Claremont is located in eastern Los Angeles County.

Read the entire article here.

Busking it

BBC News Magazine: Friday, September 18th, 2009

Busking it
By Jolyon Jenkins

David Blaine seems confident enough doing it, but how terrifying is it to try and make it as a street magician?

"What's your name?" barks the short, pugnacious man, addressing a member of his audience, who mumbles something back.

"You've got to speak up," he retorts, "you're not buying condoms." The man is Gazzo, a legend among street magicians, and at Cardiff's "School of Busking" he's teaching 20 would-be performers the arcane arts of attracting a crowd.

He marshals us, his spectators, moving us around to fill gaps in the crowd, while haranguing and bullying us. "Everyone take two steps backwards! Hands out of pockets: that's another game!"

Most of us here are amateur magicians, and some are captivated by the idea of making a living as a street performer. Gazzo tells us that you can make twice the average income from street magic but most people just love the thought of earning money from their hobby.

Read the rest of the article here.

Penn & Teller's Chat Magic Trick

Penn & Teller's Chat Magic Trick was revealed at TechCrunch50 a conference held at the Design Center Concourse in San Francisco, California. Its aim was to find the best Web 2.0 start-ups and launch them in front of the industry's most influential venture capitalists, companies and press.

This new iPhone App is a tool for fooling your friends into thinking they're texting directly to Penn or Teller, who answer with smart-aleck remarks and the punch line to an amazing trick. It works 24 hours a day withe different replies (and different levels of courtesy) depending on the time of day or mood you find Penn & Teller in.

Vanishing Vinny's Mysterious Delights

An evening of magic and mystery!

From the devious mind of "Vanishing" Vinny DePonto comes a baffling, shocking and hilariously delightful show that will change your understanding of "magic."

This award winning neo-vaudevillian comes to Brooklyn to share his unique brand of sleight of hand and whimsical wonder with all. One Night only - Don't miss it!

You gotta see it to believe it! Vanishing Vinny is one of the "hottest" young magicians on the circuit today. His unique blend of sleight of hand, poetry, comedy and pulling hats out of rabbits (or some combination of the two) is enough to leave you wanting more! Appearing at famed casinos in Las Vegas and at venues in New York City, Vinny has astonished audiences on both sides of the country with his comedy and mind-twisting illusions. It's nothing you expect and everything you imagine, but catch him quick before he, well... vanishes...

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
Doors: 7:30PM | Show: 8PM
$10 Advance/$15 Door
*Must be 21+ with ID

Galapagos Art Space
16 Main Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(Main & Water St.)

Radnevsky's Real Magic

A play and magic show.

With Peter Samelson, Dennis Kyriakos, and Talking Band

Legendary magician Anton Radnevsky (Peter Samelson a long time Tannen's Magic customer) is returning to the New York stage for the first time in over three decades to perform his one-of-a-kind, bewildering and mystifying magic.

Thirty three years ago, Radnevsky disappeared from the city after an audience member died at a preview performance of his much-heralded magic show, Stories and Sorcery at La MaMa. But this October, Radnevsky will return to the scene of that tragic performance and put on an even more spectacular show, an act he has been working on for half his life.

Joined by protege Harry Telkhines (Dennis Kyriakos), Radnevsky invites audiences into a world where reality and illusion blend, and where all is not what it seems. Together, master and apprentice weave a tapestry of story and illusion, music and image, tradition and innovation, in the search for real magic.

Developed in a collaboration between Talking Band and master magician Peter Samelson, Radnevsky’s Real Magic stars Peter Samelson and Dennis Kyriakos.

Dates/Times:
October 9-25, 2009

Thursday-Saturday 8:00 p.m.
Saturday Matinee: 5:o0 p.m.
Sunday Matinee: 2:30 p.m.
Additional Wednesday performance Oct. 21 at 8:00 p.m.

Box Office:
La MaMa E.T.C.
74A East 4th Street, between 2nd Avenue & The Bowery
(212) 475-7710
Business Hours: Monday - Sunday Noon - 5:00 pm

Use this ticket code TANNEN09 here for a 20% discount online only.

Vanished: Joseph Finder

Joseph Finder’s plan was to become a spy. Or maybe a professor of Russian history. Instead he became a bestselling thriller writer.

In his new bestselling book, "Vanished", Nick Heller is tough, smart, and stubborn. And in his line of work, it's essential. Trained in the Special Forces, Nick is a high-powered intelligence investigator--exposing secrets that powerful people would rather keep hidden. He's a guy you don't want to mess with. He's also the man you call when you need a problem fixed.

Desperate, with nowhere else to run, Nick's nephew, Gabe makes that call one night. After being attacked in Georgetown, his mother, Lauren, lies in a coma, and his step-dad, Roger, Nick's brother, has vanished without a trace.

Nick and Roger have been on the outs since the arrest, trial, and conviction of their father, the notorious "fugitive financier," Victor Heller. Where Nick strayed from the path, Roger followed their father's footsteps into the corporate world. Now, as Nick searches for his brother, he's on a collision course with one of the most powerful corporations in the world--and they will stop at nothing to protect their secrets.

Tannen's Magic is mentioned in the book:

Born in Chicago, Joe spent his early childhood living around the world, including Afghanistan and the Philippines. In fact, Joe’s first language — even before English — was Farsi, which he spoke as a child in Kabul. Finally, after a stint in Bellingham, WA, his family finally settled outside of Albany, NY.

After taking a high school seminar on the literature and history of Russia, Joe was hooked. He went on to major in Russian studies at Yale and then completed a master’s degree at the Harvard Russian Research Center. He later taught on the Harvard faculty. He was recruited to the Central Intelligence Agency, but after discovering that a career in the bureaucracy of the Agency was less exciting than it seemed to be in the novels of Robert Ludlum, Joe decided to write instead.

Order "Vanished" here.

XCMeijin: Knuckle Busting

Just hold onto your seats and watch XCMeijin, 20, an Extreme Card Manipulator from New South Wales, Australia as he prepared for the 2009 World XCM Championships.

Competitors are judged based on the following criteria:

Creativity - how creative you are (not just moves but overall)
Routining - how your uncut routine flows
Difficulty - what the difficulty level was
Cool Factor - and overall coolness of the video
Technique - Technique is the difference between good moves and crappy moves, moves that are properly executed and those that aren't.

Zingmaster Alex Ramon Zing Zang Zoom!

World class llusionist Alex Ramon summons over a decade of magic experience to bring an unexpected twist to the American circus as he joins the cast of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING ZANG ZOOM Starring as the magical Zingmaster, Alex astounds audiences with his incredible mastery of illusions, all while keeping his nemesis, Mr. Gravity and his gang of Heavies from causing trouble.

A true principal of his craft, Alex earned many top awards and honors for his phenomenal magic, including San Francisco Bay Area's Best Stage Magician, the coveted Lance Burton award, given to the National Teenage Champion Magician by the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas, and the National Stage Magic Champion award.

But even a master magician can’t learn to make an elephant disappear overnight. So like the tourist who asks directions to Carnegie Hall, Alex says the answer is to practice, practice, practice. But to him, practicing magic is a labor of love.

Raised in Richmond, California, Alex developed a deep connection with magic when he was just 13 years-old. His father’s colleague, a magician, often showed Alex magic tricks, and Alex dedicated hours learning and perfecting his technique. Alex’s father took notice of his son’s growing passion and natural talent for magic and bought him a 370-page magic book for Christmas that allowed Alex to take his talent to the next level.

With performance in his heart, Alex began entertaining friends and family. His first successful magic show at a family gathering impressed and astounded so many, Alex decided he wanted perform in front of more audiences. Soon after, he was hired at a local restaurant to perform close-up magic for guests. Alex continued to refine his skills as an entertainer, gained confidence in his abilities, and entered his first competition at the age of 16. Alex, one of the youngest competitors, won second place and began to make a name for himself as a talented magician in the Bay Area.

Seen as a popular and acclaimed magician, Alex was asked to be the spokesperson for a popular, state-wide library showcase. Alex could not turn this opportunity down as he had a strong connection to books; Alex learned the art of magic by reading. The admired teenage magician traveled across the state of California and performed in more than 250 magic shows a year.

When Alex returned to Las Vegas in 2005, he auditioned for Disney Live! presents Mickey’s Magic Show, and skillfully won a spot as a professional illusionist alongside Master Magician Mickey Mouse. Alex traveled the globe with the world’s most famous mouse for two and a half years, seeing 14 countries, four continents, 656 shows and more than a million people.

“Magic is universal. It transcends language. At a restaurant in China, I made a coin disappear in front of a little boy. The kid’s face just lit up. I taught him how to perform the trick and he gave me a note written in Chinese that I later learned said “I will practice what you have taught me.” When you see a performer who really loves what they do, they’re not doing it. It’s happening.”

Alex’s talent and dedication put him top of mind when producers Kenneth Feld and Nicole Feld imagined a magical circus– one in which an elephant disappears and a man turns into a tiger.

“Here I am in The Greatest Show on Earth. You don’t get any bigger than this. But I’m waiting for the day a kid, maybe 10 years from now, says, you know, ‘I saw you in Ringling Bros. show ZING ZANG ZOOM and now I’m a magician and it’s my passion.’ ”

Ready to showcase his remarkable abilities, Alex can’t wait to enthrall and mesmerize Children Of All Ages across the U.S.

Ringling Brothers Zingmaster, Alex Ramon, gives a very touching account of his supportive mother and does some "close magic" for an audience of children at Los Angeles' Magic Castle.

Doug Edwards: A Passion for the Past

Tannen's Magic would like to congratulate Doug Edwards as he graces the cover of this month's Society of American Magicians M-U-M magazine. We honored Doug with our Louie Award in 2007. He has been a friend, customer, consultant and inspiration to our company for many decades. His Wonder Pen-A-Tration effect is the best selling trick in our eighty-four-year history. His Really Haunted effect in our New Stars of Magic series continues to be a top seller. We are pleased that he mentions his long association with our company and that we were totally instrumental in his growth to becoming a full fledged wand-wielder. The article contains a photo of Doug practicing the Zarrow shuffle at age 12. WOW!

Conned Into a Life of Magic

In this episode of Interviews 50 Cents on Slate V, Ryan Oakes a professional magician tells Alex Chadwick how he was once played by a couple of con artists in New York City.

MTV's "Bar Pigs: The Celebrity Edition"

The "Bar Pigs: The Celebrity Edition" reality show premieres in Chicago featuring magicians Alex Lourido and Tomas Medina tomorrow. This unique event will kick-off Friday, July 24th at 10 PM at The Playground Theater in Chicago.

Alex will be screening his MTV pilot "Bar Pigs: The Celebrity Edition"- an original documentary about the bar scene. It's fun to watch and full of laughs. It features many celebrities from the Howard Stern show (Beetlejuice and Kennigh Keith Kallenbach's final performance on camera ). There will be scantly clad men and women and off color humor. Therefore parental discretion is advised! Again, it's about bar life.

After Alex's screening of the documentary there will be a question and answer session co-hosted by Alex and Chicago's very own Tomas Medina.

Alex is a consultant for David Blaine and a very creative magic inventor. He will also be lecturing at Midwest Magic the following day. Tomas is a local Chicago performer who has released several magic products around the country.

Darren Romeo: The Man Behind the Magic

Darren Romeo, Tannen's Magic Camp alum, is featured in an article on MyFoxTampaBay.com. He discusses his career and his show "The Voice of Magic".

Here is an excerpt...

Tannen's Magic Camp

Over the next couple of years Darren's devotion and interest grew even more intense. He started to make connections and build relationships with other magicians who lived near him. It was those friends who helped push him to the next level.

“Once I got past all of those magic sets and met some magicians - it was kind of like, what's the next step? A local magician said, ‘I think you should go to this magic camp,’” Darren said.

At the time, there weren't many camps that focused solely on the art of magic. In fact, there was only one in the entire country that catered to child-magicians - Tannen's Magic Camp.

“Coincidentally it was the only camp in the world and it was in Long Island,” said Darren. “But it wasn’t all Long Island kids. There were 100 to 125 kids from all over the world.”

This experience proved to be a vital part of Darren’s early career. Not only did the camp help him fine tune his techniques, it also taught him some important life lessons.

“It was this hodgepodge of nine year olds and 18 year olds and all of the sudden you’re in between wanting to show off and wanting to say, I’m nothing,” said Darren. “Everyone around has all this talent. We all have egos but within 24 hours your ego would be nothing because it was all about camaraderie and learning and sharing.”

Go here to read the entire article.

Building a Mystery Box

This is an article from MAKE Magazinebrings the do-it-yourself mindset to all the technology in your life:

I love a good mystery. So does Wired Geekdad blogger and friend of MAKE, John Baichtal. In his words:

"A couple of months ago, I happened to catch the TED Talk given by Star Trek director J. J. Abrams concerning his love of mystery. The centerpiece of the talk was a simple cardboard box secured with packing tape and decorated with a giant question mark on one side. This box contains an assortment of magic tricks Abrams purchased from the Lou Tannen Magic Store as a kid, but for some reason, he's never opened it. For Abrams, the love of the mysterious unknown exceeds any value the magic tricks could provide."

Read more here.

Think-A-Drink: Ryan Oakes New iTunes App

There's a great new magic app in the iTunes App Store now... Predicty.

It is created by New York magician and Tannen's Magic Camp Alum, Ryan Oakes. The effect is a simple mentalism feat designed for anyone to be able to perform. The well-designed app has two versions of the effect included... one called

"Think-a-Drink" that involves alcoholic beverages and another called"Predict-a-Pet" that involves household pets (for when you want toperform the trick for kids!). As the performer you show a spectatorfour images on your phone and ask them to think of one. You make aprediction then place the phone face down so it can't be changed. The
spectator reveals their choice and the phone is turned over to reveala correct prediction! It's easy to do and immediately repeatable. 

You can purchase the app at the iTunes App Store. For $0.99 this trick is a lot of fun... and especially useful if you want to break the ice in a bar.

Postcard From London: Magic Act

Derren Brown is a unique force in the world of illusion - he can seemingly predict and control human behaviour.

He doesn't claim to be a mind-reader, instead he describes his craft as a mixture of magic, suggestion, psychology, misdirection and showmanship. 

Whatever you choose to call it, his unparalleled performances amaze and unsettle all those who watch him. This is a powerful and provocative form of entertainment, unlikely to be imitated for a long while.

Read yesterday's New York Times review of Mentalist Derren Brown's London show:

LONDON

"I did not expect to be moved by “Enigma,” the wildly popular show at the Adelphi Theater. Amused, yes, and possibly even amazed. But emotionally stirred? By a magic act, performed by a fast talker in tails?

Yet moved I was by the end of “Enigma,” a showcase for the mind-bending talents of Derren Brown, directed by Andy Nyman. Before I proceed, you have to understand that this was my 33rd or 34th production of the past several weeks, and that my head is bursting with disparate images from London’s stages. So no doubt I was bizarrely ripe for seeing Mr. Brown’s brand of voodoo as a comment on – and even a benediction of – theater itself..." click here to continue reading.

Top Chef Masters: Magic Chefs

Top Chef Masters is an American reality competition show currently broadcast on the cable television network Bravo. It is a spinoff of Bravo's hit show Top Chef. In the series, 24 world-renowned chefs compete against each other in weekly challenges.

This show is a contrast from Top Chef, which typically features younger professional cooks who are still rising in the food service industry. The first season began airing June 10, 2009. The program takes place in Los Angeles.

Last night in week four, Top Chef Masters brought together distinguished chefs Anita Lo (Annisa), Douglas Rodriguez (Alma de Cuba), John Besh (Restaurant August) and Mark Peel (Campanile). The Masters find their hands tied in the Quickfire Challenge as they must cook an egg with one hand tied behind their back. Magician and Mentalist Max Maven explained the evenings challenge.

In the Elimination Challenge: The chefs were challenged to create a meal for Neil Patrick Harris and a few of his friends at The Magic Castle. The chefs had to use one of the following magic words as the inspiration for their dish: Mystery, Suprise, Spectacle, and Illusion.

Lance Burton: 6 More Years in Las Vegas

The grand illusions of legendary Master Magician Lance Burton will continue to captivate and enchant audiences at Monte Carlo through 2015. The signing of the new agreement comes at the completion of an already legendary 13-year run, which began the day the resort opened on June 21, 1996. The addition of six more years celebrates one of the longest partnerships in the history of Las Vegas entertainment and promises Monte Carlo guests almost two decades of astounding performances and mesmerizing sleight-of-hand. 

"We are thrilled to sign Lance Burton for another run," said Monte Carlo President & COO Anton Nikodemus. "We have spent the last two years introducing new energy into Monte Carlo, with exciting offerings such as BRAND Steakhouse, Diablo's Cantina and a newly remodeled casino floor. Even more enhancements are planned over the next few months leading up to the opening of City Center late this year. The thousands of visitors soon to grace our doors, some maybe for the first time, will introduce a whole new audience to Lance's magical entertainment." 

Lance Burton broke his foot during a performance on Thursday, May 7 and has been confined by a doctor to bed rest since, stating, "I wish I could magically make the bones in my foot heal faster, but that is against union rules. Magic should only be used for entertainment purposes and that is what I am looking forward to doing once I start walking again." 

Magic returns to The Lance Burton Theatre on Tuesday, July 7 with a new performance schedule at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 

Lance Burton has been chosen as Las Vegas' "Best Magician" for the past 11 years in a row in the R-J's "Best of Las Vegas" poll. 

His TV specials will begin airing on WGN -- America (80 million subscribers) on July 6 with "Lance Burton Master Magician: Top Secret," on July 13 with "Lance Burton Master Magician: On the Road," on July 20 with "Lance Burton's Young Magician’s Showcase" and on July 27 with "Hocus Pocus It's Fielding West." Show times are 9 p.m. ET and 6 p.m. PT. Check your local listings.

Jay Mattioli Wows Judges on America's Got Talent

We first saw Jay Mattioli, 27, at Tannen's 40th Anniversary Magic Jubilee back in 2002. Last night he wowed the country on "America's Got Talent," NBC's hit summer series.

The show returns this summer with the hottest performers from across the country ready to compete in the blockbuster reality show's fourth season.

With the talent search open to acts of all ages, "America's Got Talent" has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country. The series is a true celebration of the American spirit featuring a colorful array of hopeful stars, including singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, impressionists, jugglers, magicians and ventriloquists, all vying for their chance to strut and perform on stage hoping to win America's hearts -- and the $1 million prize.

Watch the performance that left the audience and judges stunned.