Five For the Weekend
/The entries for the contest mentioned yesterday have started coming in. It’s been cool to see what you’re going to be working on this month and getting your trick recommendations has been great. I’ve already identified a few tricks that I was unfamiliar with that I will definitely be tracking down, and I’ve also been reminded me of some stuff I already own that I need to take for a spin.
Some of you who already have a lot of Weber’s material have entered because you’re interested in the ebook, but you’ve also said you don’t want to be in the drawing for the prize package because you don’t want to take that away from someone else who doesn’t have much or any of Weber’s work. I appreciate that gesture. And if anyone else is in that position, just let me know in the email with your entry and I’ll put you down for the ebook, but not in the drawing for the giveaway.
The Jerx Did It First
From my post on 3/17/2020
I mentioned on Sunday that I would use a few posts this week to tell you ways I’ve built off the virus situation to get into a trick.
Before I give my first example, let me suggest a bad way to do this sort of thing: Patter.
“These [sponge balls] are actually coronavirus microbes. Watch as they go from my hand… to yours.”
Well…
I’ll cut him some slack because it’s for kids and kids are dumb so maybe they’ll enjoy this sort of thing.
My favorite feedback from the April Fools Day redesign was this from reader, JS.
I got the sensation of whiplash this morning. My mind was anticipating the small moment of joy that I feel when visiting your site. And instead when the magic cafe colors came up I got an overwhelming sense of depression. It really drove home my feelings about the two sites. The Cafe is a real bummer. There’s something depressing about a site that has eight ads for a “comedy bell” on its front page.
Ahahahahaha. Thanks, JS, that’s sweet. And accurate.
If you’re not on their mailing list, Vanishing Inc is having an online magic convention this Sunday. I’ll definitely be checking it out. I’m a big Danny Garcia fan, for one. And the lecture promises: “chat and fun competitions along the way.” Chat and fun competitions?! I love chat and fun competitions (I record every episode of Ellen). And who are better arbiters of fun than Josh and Andi?
In their announcement for this “convention” they say: “You'll be able to interact and chat with the performers while they are live.” Okay, but please don’t, alright? No one cares about your dumb questions that grind everything to a halt. In the history of the Penguin and At the Table live lectures, not a single good question was asked by the audience. And those performers were lecturing for hours at a time. These people are doing 20-30 minute spots. They don’t have time for your horseshit.
Oh…whatever. Do what you want. In fact, take over the chat feature with dumb questions on my behalf. “Is roughing stick non-toxic?” “Do you think roughing-stick tastes good?” “Hypothetically, if you ate a roughing stick, would you call the doctor or just wait it out?”
On Monday I have something special for you. It’s the world-premiere of a new trick from friend-of-the-site, Leigh Herbert. It is unlike anything you’re doing. No cards. No coins. It’s not mentalism. It’s something very different. I can’t say for certain how strong it plays because I’m currently spending 23 hours a day boiling myself in Purell and I haven’t tried it out in the real world yet. My best guess is that it’s the sort of thing that will hit really hard for some people, but even for people who don’t bite on the premise 100%, I think they’ll still find it a fun moment of magic. I have a feeling it will really capture people’s attention, as what you are doing is a very primal sort of effect, but in a modern way.
When people say, “What would you do if you really had magic powers?” This is one of the things you would do.
I’m psyched he’s letting me share it with you here.