Shane Gillen, 22, is an Irish entertainer with his expertise lying in card and mind magic. Shane is in New York City this summer to perform his street magic.
He visited us at the shop last week stocking up on some supplies and said that he was going to perform magic for the actor Kelsey Grammer, famous from TV sitcoms such as Cheers and Frasier, at his home. Well he did!
Shane specializes in close-up table-to-table magic, and has dabbled in stage work. He is progressively getting more-and-
more into the mind control mentalism area. He has
done magic for some very prestigious clients - most recently performing magic both backstage at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards and at the afterparty, as well as in the VIP section and backstage at Lady Gaga's show in The O2 in London.
Django Films is the flagship animation studio of Sylvain Chomet, the French born writer and director of the academy award nominated Les Triplettes de Belleville (The Triplets of Belleville/Belleville Rendez-Vous). Located in Edinburgh, Scotland, Django Films has produced L'Illusionniste / The Illusionist a 2D animated feature film which is based on an original script by French comic genius, Jacques TatiIt premiers this evening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in Scotland.
As cheeky, boisterous and witty as it is delicately drawn and beauteous to behold, Sylvain Chomet’s second feature film is a winner on every level. Our weary hero is an over-the-hill magician, complete with less-than-friendly white rabbit. Always in search of a paying gig, the illusionist treks from Paris to the Western Isles to Edinburgh – acquiring, along the way, a young traveling companion who sincerely believes in his magical abilities. Rich with visual jokes, seductive 1950s period detail and breathtaking views of city and wilderness alike, this is the work of a master in his field – and one of the most gorgeous evocations of Scotland in cinema history. The film is 82 minutes in length.
Uchida Shinya, a Japanese magician, started using the Apple iPad in his street magic show has become a huge online hit.
Shinya uses a mix of pre-programmed clips and props in his tricks which include producing a dove out the the tablet device. You see a picture of the bird on the screen then, after a tilt, it flies out and lands on his hand. How'd he do it?
Filmed outside a Apple store in Tokyo, he also creates smoke from the screen and then 'connects' with a friend who bends a fork via the power of the iPad.
A video of his his tricks - based around a theme of communication - has already been viewed over 1 million times online. But no matter how hard he tries, Shinya will have not be able to improve on the Steve Jobs trick of getting people to pay $500 for an iPad.
U.S. Men's National Soccer Team Position: Forward Date 0f Birth: April 6, 1982 Height: 5-10 Weight: 165 Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada Club: Puebla F.C. (Mexico) Hobbies: Magic
The U.S. Men's National Soccer Team takes on the Czech Republic tonight at 8 p.m. ET at Renstchler Field in Hartford, Connecticut. Fans in the stadium and watching on ESPN will witness the performance that for some players may determine their fate for making the squad headed to World Cup in South Africa next month.
Herculez Gomez has fast feet but even faster hands. As the team relaxes on a train ride to Hartford follow those cards and check out one of his many card tricks.
This week on David Letterman was Close-Up Magic Week. Steve Cohen has a regular weekend gig doing his sleight-of-hand magic at the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria here in New York City. He gets a suite and everything. Wow! Talk about a magic trick! Mr. Cohen, the Millionaires' Magician and a former Tannen's Magic Camper, asks for a ring from Paul Shaffer...check out this "hat trick" of an effect...
Jason Escape (Jason Gardner) visited the shop yesterday and hung with the staff along with his friend NYC magician Magic Brian. Jason is getting married in a few weeks. Congratulations!
Getting tied in endless amounts of rope and chain, escaping from tiny locked boxes, and suspending himself upside-down while high in the air in a straightjacket are but a few of the many talents of Jason Escape. Everything he does is designed to make you laugh, if not freak you right out. His live performances never fail to render his audiences truly awestruck.
Growing up right outside of NYC afforded Jason the opportunity to see many of the great modern magicians, such as David Copperfield, Doug Henning and Penn & Teller. Jason's grandfather would take him to see these awesome magicians, and after would present him with a simple magic trick to learn. Jason studied and practiced constantly. Magic and escape required not only manual dexterity but a challenge to his mind as well. Jason spent his days bound by rope to chairs, making objects vanish, and even reading his cat's mind.
Now as an adult, his passion has never waned; it's even matured and grown. He shares his art and has brought smiles, laughter, thrills and amazement to audiences all over the world.
Jason Escape is currently a performer part of the street theater program at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA.
Denny Corby's award winning magic, creative humor, and charming personality adds an extra kick to his performances that keeps his audiences amazed. Denny’s specialty is close up magic, which is done right under your eyes with items like money, coins, rope, and cards.
See Denny Corby's Floating Lightbulb on stage from Tannen's Magic Camp last summer below.
So Whaddya Do provides an inside look on how to break into your dream career.
Each week they explore a different career: Monday they post a video interview, Wednesday they follow up with some 'Job Jargon' (common words or phrases used in that job), and Friday they answer questions from YOU and post additional helpful info/tips/must-reads.
Magician / Entertainer They spoke to Josh Beckerman at Tannen's Magic Shop in NYC about what it takes to be a successful Magician/Entertainer. Let's hear what he had to say...
The Bullets:
Josh always loved being in the spotlight and found his niche with magic.
He earned the nickname Card Boy, doing tricks for friends and teachers in middle and high school. His nickname followed him to college where he was known as Card Man, entertaining co-eds at parties on campus. Though entertaining was his dream, he majored in business just in case.
After graduation, he moved to New York City where he tried his hand at stand up comedy. Unfortunately, that wasn't paying the bills so he got a job in finance but continued to entertain at parties and charity events in the evening.
It took four years, but Josh made a name for himself and was able to quit his day job to focus exclusively on his career as a full time magician/entertainer.
Keys to Success: Confidence and persistence.
First step: If you're new to the trade, learn some tricks and try them out on friends and family. Tannen's Magic Shop is a great place to start. If you're ready to get that first job, contact event planners to see if they're in the market for an entertainer.
The Colbert Report is a spin-off from and counterpart to The Daily Show that comments on politics and the media in a similar way. It satirizes conservative personality-driven political pundit programs, particularly Fox News' and The O'Reilly Factor. The show focuses on a fictional anchorman character named Stephen Colbert, played by his real-life namesake. The character, described by Colbert as a "well-intentioned, poorly informed, high-status idiot", is a caricature of televised political pundits.
Larry Willmore had a comedy bit on The Daily Show With John Stewart last year (see blog here) stopped at our store to get some new magic tricks. He said "The Daily Show's magic is far better than the The Colbert Report". Let the battle begin.
This week at our store in New York City we had a visit by two famous Italians magicians Andrew Basso and Alessandro Politi. Both stopped by and did some serious shopping before heading out to the World Magic Seminar starting this Sunday in Las Vegas.
The WMS is the premier convention for both professional and amateur magicians sponsored by world famous magicians Siegfried and Roy. The WMS began 32 years ago as the Desert Magic Seminar and is held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to the seminar, Lance Burton hosts a special week-end event is held for teen magicians.
Andrew Basso, 24, is from Trento, Italy is considered "One of the younger and most successful escape artist in the world".
Engaged in over 120 live shows every year, Andrew is currently leading the Italian television programme "Street Magic" where he puts his abilities to the test, in real settings, "on the road", improvising with the public his incredible magic and illusion experiments and his breathtaking escapes.
Andrew has already accomplished dozens of stunts, including: THE COFFIN OF DEATH: Andrew has only seconds to free himself from a coffin with explosives before a car drives into it at 80 mile per hour. THE UNDERWATER CELL: Andrew is chained and locked in a cell that is lowered underwater and has to hold his breath and escape before drowning. ESCAPE AT 40 METERS HEIGHT: hanging head-down from a crane, 130 feet away from the ground, bound in a real straight-jacket, Andrew performed this air escape in record time!
Alessandro Politi, 33, from Savignano sul Rubicon, Italy is a comedian, cabaret artist and actor. He was named Italian Magician and Comic of the Year in 2006.
He is most famous for his portrayal of a weird Scottish magician Martin Scozzese, that calls himself the "Grande Mago" (Big Magician). Alessandro holds the Guinness Book of World Record for the greatest number of magic tricks presented underwater for an audience. Check out this hysterical video.
Aaron Fisher, creator of the One-Hand Popover and Search and Destroy, and author of the Paper Engine has had a great year. So great that he put some thoughts about the double lift The following video is from him to you. After watching it, your double lift will get better.
There are two types of magicians: those who have been caught doing a Double Lift and those who lie about it.
Every card magician uses the Double Lift; it is one of the most essential sleights in card magic but using it CORRECTLY is not as straight forward as you may think.
Learn how to improve your performance from the master of card magic. In this casual session Aaron Fisher dissects the all important Double Lift and shares his personal tips on giving you a leg up. If you use the Double Lift today, you owe it to your audience to watch what Aaron has to say about it.
Happy New Year from Aaron Fisher and Tannen's Magic!
Michael Patrick, Tannen's Magic's awesome demonstrator and Magic Camp icon, is featured in the current Reel Magic #14.
Reel Magic is the "hot" new juicy video magazine with interviews, columns, tricks and review of all that is magic. Our staff his very high on this magazine of the future.
In this issue Michael Patrick preforms "Cointality" in the Move Monkey portion of the magazine. It is a sequence that can be used at the beginning or ending of any three coin routine. Michael performs and explains this in detail in this month's issue.
Here is Michael's "own" unique about me:
"MICHAEL PATRICK - The "Michael Patrick" of Close-Up Magic
Mike Patrick invented magic over 9,000 years ago in an attempt to describe the overall concept of awesomeness. Obviously, he succeeded because his magic can only be described as "truly outrageous." He blends his magic with his bizarrely encyclopedic knowledge of everything on the Internet and TV to create magic with an unfathomable amount of pop culture references. Imagine Kevin Smith doing magic tricks (only A LOT sexier) and you are on the right track. He performs regularly at private events all over the planet, and at Ninja New York, where he enjoys dressing like a ninja and rambling incoherently about He-Man.
This issue features:
Wayne Dobson: Wayne Kawamoto talks with Dobson about how multiple sclerosis has affected his approach to magic, changed his career - and redirected his life
Daniel Garcia: Part two of Kozmo's talk with Daniel at MAGICLive! Daniel discusses working with David Blaine
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
45 West 34th Street, Suite 608, New York, NY 10001, United States
Located in the heart of Midtown, in the Herald Square district of New York City, Tannen's Magic has been catering to the needs of professional and amateur magician's since 1925.
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