Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
I met Harry the Hat Anderson on the Drag in Austin in 1977 doing street magic. Here is his classic ...
Back in 1982, "Harry the Hat" Anderson performed a geek trick "You know about geeks? They work the midway of a circus, biting the heads off chickens, swallowing live snakes, eating ground glass - they're party commandos." by shoving a needle through his arm. As his blood trickled to the floor, Harry called the screaming spectators "a bunch of namby-pambies", insisting it was all a trick. Mimicing a violinist by moving the needle back and forth through his wound, Harry caused an even louder reaction by asking "Would you like me to play 'Melancholy Baby'?".
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Dan Sperry ~ America's Got Talent YouTube acts Compete
In this week's "YouTube" edition of "America's Got Talent," Dan Sperry made a huge impact. His routine was an unusual and rather risky choice that he masterfully presented for maximum effect.
Sperry opened his segment with a fast and visual production that was accompanied by edgy music. With his Goth appearance, he immediately commanded everyone's attention and piqued their interest. The music then changed to a fifty's style ballad that contrasted with Sperry's persona and provided a fantastic setting for what followed.
Since his trick with the floss and candy was a close-up effect, Sperry wisely left the stage and approached the judges to perform. It was the best place to present the bit of geek magic that is designed to freak out spectators. And by performing in front of the judges, Sperry gained an intimacy that would have been lost had he stayed on stage and played to the camera.
The over-the-top reactions on the part of the show's judges may have been more for Howie Mandell's reaction to the floss, but Sperry created a stunning showstopper. From the staging to the music and the presentation itself, there was so much that Sperry did right. Well done.
You can watch a video of Sperry's performance here.
Sperry opened his segment with a fast and visual production that was accompanied by edgy music. With his Goth appearance, he immediately commanded everyone's attention and piqued their interest. The music then changed to a fifty's style ballad that contrasted with Sperry's persona and provided a fantastic setting for what followed.
Since his trick with the floss and candy was a close-up effect, Sperry wisely left the stage and approached the judges to perform. It was the best place to present the bit of geek magic that is designed to freak out spectators. And by performing in front of the judges, Sperry gained an intimacy that would have been lost had he stayed on stage and played to the camera.
The over-the-top reactions on the part of the show's judges may have been more for Howie Mandell's reaction to the floss, but Sperry created a stunning showstopper. From the staging to the music and the presentation itself, there was so much that Sperry did right. Well done.
You can watch a video of Sperry's performance here.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Submission from a reader...
“Today I took my daughter, soon-to-be-son-in-law, grandkids, Rod and Penny Stewart and their son, Daphna and Harvey Keitel and their son, all to brunch and magic shows at the Magic Castle where I have long been a member. I LOVE magic and they have the best magicians. In a private show for our group, magician Andrew Goldenhersh, let two of the men strap him into a straight jacket with his hands bound. He held two raw eggs inside the jacket. He managed to get himself out of the straight jacket and, in place of the eggs, he pulled two while chickens out!!! His butterfly tattoo turned into a real butterfly an flew away! And so much more. Why oh why didn’t I have my camera!!”
http://www.goldenhands.com/
http://www.goldenhands.com/
Saturday, January 30, 2010
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