Magic and Storytelling: Asi Wind

PRI's The World a one-hour, weekday radio news magazine offering a mix of news, features, interviews, and music from around the globe has just released this new interview. 

Magicians sometimes compare their art to that of storytellers. But The World’s Alex Gallafent tells us that for some foreign-born magicians, their language barriers can sometimes affect their performances. Download MP3.

Magician Asi Wind (pictured) has created an interactive trick: Download MP3. He wants you to think of a number and then email him here.

Asi Wind is from New York by way of Israel. He is a magician who has honed his craft all over the world. In Israel, Asi holds the title as Best Magician of the Year 1998/1999 and has sent waves through the world of magic since arriving in the United States. Recently Asi was featured on the TV show "Celebracadabra" airing on VH1, and is working on a new TV project that, for now, remains a secret.

In his appearances on television and in his live shows, Asi combines comedy, magic, dramatic moments and electrifying miracles. You are never quite sure what might happen with this unpredictable performer. One moment, he might foresee how many push-ups a member of the audience can do live on stage, and at another he might be reading your friends mind over your cell-phone.

Between live appearances, writing for several news papers and performing at trade shows and corporate events, Asi manages to also appear at countless private parties.

Besides performing, Asi invents original magic, and lectures to magicians around the world.

Of course, for him its all just the beginning.

Denny Corby: Floating Lightbulb

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.

The Unseen

THE UNSEEN is back for one special performance!

BIGGER AND BETTER!

Headlining the Gotham Comedy Club on June 25th!

Do not miss your chance to see the show audiences have been raving about! A blend of magic, mindreading & comedy guaranteed to have you shaking your head in disbelief and clutching your chest in laughter. Ken Salaz and Oz Pearlman team up to present an experience that truly has to be seen to be believed…

THE UNSEEN is unlike anything New Yorkers have ever witnessed. Enter into a world of unexplained phenomenon, alternate reality, and shocking revelations of future events. Prepare to confront the primal unraveling of your conceptual world.

These two performers each bring decades of experience entertaining people throughout the globe. While their styles contrast, their abilities mesh together seamlessly. By harnessing their combined talents, they ignite on stage, captivating and mesmerizing their audiences. This is an experience you will not be able to shake off. Witness the revelation of THE UNSEEN.

GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB
208 W 23rd St (between 7th and 8th Ave)
New York, NY 10011 View Map
Tel: 212.367.9000 for tickets and reservations
Website: http://www.gothamcomedyclub.com

VIP tickets: $35*
Please arrive at 8:45 PM for premium seating and a private close-up performance. Also includes access to an afterparty at the lounge.

General Admission: $20*
Please arrive at 9:15 PM for seating.

*Plus two beverage minimum. Food available.

Magic in the Park at Joe's Pub

Magic in the Park is a magical journey and entertainment showcase that pays homage to the late Dr. Abraham B. Hurwitz, New York City’s “Official Magician”. Continuing in the tradition of his legendary “Peter Pan the Magic Man” shows, Magic in the Park features magic and mental acts, juggling, ventriloquism, puppetry, music, and much more.

Hurwitz was a Yeshiva University education professor who was so deft and admired at his magic act that he was named New York City's "official magician" by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia. 

Dr. Hurwitz was a city recreation director when Mayor Fiorello La Guardia gave him the official magician title during the Depression. For 18 years, he took his magic show to schools and recreation centers and put on annual magic shows in parks in every borough. For years after he left the department he continued his magic shows as a volunteer. Among his proteges was his daughter, Shari Lewis, the world famous ventriloquist and developer of Lamb Chop.

Abe Hurwitz was born in Lithuania in 1906. He graduated from City College of New York, got his master's degree from Columbia University and his Ph.D. in educational guidance from New York University. He began mixing magic with teaching as a guidance counselor at the Brooklyn Hebrew Orphanage. He retired from Yeshiva in 1974. He died September 29, 1981.

The New York Times, in 1981, wrote that Hurwitz “entertained more than a million young people” at free performances in New York City’s schools, parks, recreation centers and playgrounds.

Performing in these family-friendly, 70 minute shows are:

May 2 –
Emcee “Cajun Cellist” Sean Grissom
Funny Guy, Magician and Plate Spinner Robert Baxt
Magician David Boyd (Tannen's Magic Camper)
The Magicomedian and "Dean of American Magicians" George Schindler
Abe’s grand-daughter, Emmy Award winner Mallory Lewis with Lamb Chop (Headliner)

May 16 –
Emcee “Cajun Cellist” Sean Grissom
The Magicomedian and "Dean of American Magicians" George Schindler
Society of Young Magician’s Jen Kramer
Ventriloquism extraordinaire Carla Rhodes
Atlanta Magician of the Year Debbie Leifer

May 23 -
Emcee “Cajun Cellist” Sean Grissom
Society of Young Magician’s Reuben Moreland (Tannen's Magic Camper)
The Magicomedian and "Dean of American Magicians" George Schindler
Juggler Jen Slaw
LA’s Macabre Magician Rob Zabrecky

Schedules and performers subject to change

MAGIC IN THE PARK
JOE’S PUB AT THE PUBLIC THEATER - MAY 2, 16, & 23, 2010 @ NOON
425 Lafayette Street between East 4th and Astor Place, New York, NY

Tickets are $20 per person, and can be purchased 24 hours a day online at www.joespub.com or by calling 212-967-7555. For table reservations, call 212-539-8778