(Mel Kientz - April, 2008) ---WANTED--- Our Web Portal is actively looking for a few new staff members with specialized skills to join our band of hackers in search of fame and fortune. Where most web sites do their foreign language translations on the fly using Alta Vista's Bable Fish (an easy but not so correct or elegant method of translating) our backend electronic wizards have built into our site an additional layer. This will allow an Editor to put their own magic spin ... correct punctuation, grammar, et al, specifically on our stories for the Magic Community. Because our site was originally created in English, we are looking for Foreign Language Editors in German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and French with more to be added later. Let me put this another way... (read more)

(Jack White - March/April) The Galt House Hotel and Suites, headquarters for the IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention, is SOLD OUT of contracted space for the July 20 - July 27 dates of the convention. Arrangements have been made to accept reservations for overflow at the Marriott Courtyard Downtown, just two blocks from the Galt House and three blocks from the Kentucky Center. A guaranteed flat rate for one or two person occupancy is $129, plus applicable taxes. You must mention "IBM/SAM2008" to receive this special rate (read more..)

(May, 2008 • "The Magical Life of Marshall Brodien" reviewed by Dr. Joel A. Moskowitz M.D • from MagiCurrents, San Diego)

Let's try a word association. If I say T.V. Magic Cards all vintage magicians around the world will immediately say, "Marshall Bodien". How did this decades old set of gaffed cards (Burling Hull invented the first Svengali Deck in1909) become such successful marketing trick of the 70s and beyond? It's all because of what has been called television's original infomercial.  (read more...)

(Scott Wells • May 5, 2008) Howdy friends. There will soon be another new venue for magic in Houston.  Local magician Bob Fostok is starting a Friday night magic engagement at Rocket City on May 16th.  Rocket City is an all-you-can-eat pizza and gaming restaurant with special rooms for birthday parties and events. Rocket City is located on 99 Grand Parkway and I-10 behind the Time Square shopping center. The magical fun begins at 7:00 p.m. (read more...)

(May 2008 • by Lincoln Rings • GENII •  MAGIC) Inside the magic community there are several monthly publications that you may find of interest in addition to our own world famous Linking Ring Journal. The monthly magic information flow covers literally hundreds of pages in both the printed word, pictures and graphics. Like The Linking Ring (members can read past issues on line) you can find fascinating historical accounts, the latest innovation from the masters of prestidigitation and thoughtful insight from experts in the art of legerdemain and hocus pocus. Here is a thumbnail sketch of what is available in print this month. (read more...)

(May, 2008 • Case of The Disappearing Skull • By Mel Kientz) Some interesting art detective work has uncovered the hidden secret of a $700,000 painting after it was "doctored" in the early 1950s.  "The Crystal Ball" by John William Waterhouse (1902) shows a young model in a red dress gazing into a crystal ball, apparently weaving a spell with the aid of a book ... and a mysterious skull.

It was originally shown alongside a more spiritual picture by the artist in London at the Royal Academy in 1902. The study later entered the Pyman collection and eventually hung in the dining room at Glenborrodale Castle, in the Scottish West Highlands. (read more...)

(May, 2008 • By Brad Ross) I recently encountered something that bothered me more than just a little bit. It has to do with the concept of RESPECT. As members of the organization, I feel we all could benefit from doing some deep thinking on just this topic.  How does one respect magic as an entertainment art form? From one magician to another, how do you show respect for your fellow magician? Where is the respect in saying that a children's magician is not REALLY a magician, since he is simply using dealer items or box type tricks? Where is the respect in saying that an illusionist is just someone waving their arms while a stage crew does all of the work?  By pointing fingers and purposefully giving non-constructive criticism towards fellow brothers or sisters in the magical arts only diminishes the respect we all strive to attain for ourselves. (read more....)

(April/May 2008 • By Tobias Beckwith ) We're excited. A postcard went into the mail today... many of you will receive it by the end of the week, but all of you get to see it right now (just in case some of you don't receive it before Sunday night's premiere). Here's what it will tell you: Set your Tivo! It's a Battle of the Wizards -- And Jeff McBride is the Judge! CelebraCadabra begins April 27 on VH-1... check local listings for times in your areaSee seven TV and film stars vie for the title of "Best Celebrity Magician" when they gather at the Magic Castle and other locations in Los Angeles and in Las Vegas, as they attempt to learn and perform the art of magic. Guided by veteran magicians, the competitors face tough crowds and a master panel of judges who will determine which celebrities get to advance to the next round and a shot at a grand prize of $100,000.

(April/May, 2008 • By Maria Ibâñez ) John Moehring, MUM Editor (the organization magazine of The Society of American Magicians), has decided to retire when his contract expires this year on July 31, 2008. He will remain through a transition period through the end of the year. A search committee as been appointed to fill the position. The search committee is made up of the same three Past National Presidents who originally found and negotiated with John three years ago, they are Craig Dickson, Richard Dooley and Gary Hughes.
 

(April/May, 2008 • A Day In The Life • Barry Tamarkin) The hotel alarm clock starts ringing at 6:30 a.m. and the day is off to an early start. Getting into the routine with a shower, the razor and finally dressed in a nice freshly pressed business suit, I head downstairs to the hotel restaurant for a big buffet breakfast. This will be my only meal until dinner late tonight. After eating, I venture back up to the hotel room for a final run-through of my script. I then double check and re-pack my briefcase and it's back down the elevator to catch a cab over to the convention center. (read more...)

(Mel Kientz • April) "As a boy, JJ Abrams was fascinated with magic. As a television writer, director, and producer, he has beguiled audiences with a masterful use of suspense, plot reversals, and special effects." - Wired Magazine.

So, here is your introduction to an  Entertainment Renaissance Man. He is an award winning Producer, Director, Writer and Music Composer. He is also named one of Fade In Magazine's "100 People in Hollywood You Need to Know". Chances are you have been exposed to his creative talents. Last year he was asked to speak at The TED Conference. (read more...)

(April/May 2008 • By Mike Durant • Web Notes on: http://www.theory11.com/) Here is another site for you to explore and it is aptly named Theory 11. When you first open the site and see all the black backgrounds, black cards and dark tunnel vision, your initial thought might be "another Elusionist wanna be" trading on a very current and successful concept in the magic community. But, in the interest of fairness, I decided to poke around. And, after reading this, it may be well worth your time to do the same... (read more)

(TOP HAT  • Ryan Salwak • April - 2008) Welcome to the new issue of Top Hat. The number of contributors continues to grow as you will see in the following pages. My thanks for the excellent submissions by Sterling Dietz and Chad Jones. Sterling's advice, taken from his own experience, about practicing, rehearsing, and performing, is something every member will want to read, think about, and apply. Just as inspiring is Chad Jones' article on how magic and the power of the media can help to bring peace where there is chaos, calm where there is fear. The story about how Criss Angel's example helped Chad's life when he was diagnosed with cancer is one you will want to share with your fellow magicians and family. (read more...)

(Sterling Dietz • March/April • Practice, Rehearsal, and Performance) First of all let me say thank you and congratulations to Ryan Salwak for being willing to take on the task of re-launching the Top Hat Magazine. Read more youth articles by clicking here. I think that it is important to state right up front that there have been many articles on magic by magicians more qualified, with many more years of experience and knowledge than I. But, since Top Hat Online is to consist of articles written for young magicians, by young magicians, I will refer to the old axiom "that even a blind squirrel finds an acorn sometimes" and encourage each of you to join in and take advantage of this opportunity. I have chosen to explore and share what has worked for me in the area of Practice, Rehearsal, and Performance. (read more ...)

(April/May 2008 • By Richard Kaufman) Advertise in the IBM/SAM Combined Convention Souvenir Program...  Magic Convention of the Century... this meeting of magicians will encompass six days of championship amazement. There will be $50,000 in contest prize money and performing contracts. The program also includes separate People's Choice Awards for both stage and close-up performers. There are more surprises from the world's most sought after performers. In addition, the convention features six never-to-be-repeated lectures on the art of magic, and magic's top funny men talk funny business. There will be world class gala stage shows, an international cabaret banquet and a dynamite East meets West Close-up Magic Shoot-out. Included are special events for young magicians, spouses and hospitality events for all. Every attendee will go home with something - including special souvenirs from this very special event. (read more...)