The Newest Tops

Know Your Fruit

Props needed: Strat-O-Spheres

I use an older version of “Saturn Sphere II” made by Harry Allen of Daytona Magic (www.daytonamagic.com) which had an oversized and thicker inner clear tube, a wooden outer square cover, and a larger swinging door box (with no Joker on it). The round painted colors on the outside of my outer tube are red, orange (yours may be yellow) and green at the bottom. The newer version features the same larger inner and thicker plastic tube but with a larger round tube cover. Regular sized plastic fruit fits in this larger version with no problem. I have the letters “Know Your Fruit” stuck on the side of the outer tube going downward. A standard (continue reading…)

Pressed Pennies

A United States one cent coin pressed with the Ten Commandments can serve as an intriguing prop. An elementary coin switch along with some interesting facts about the penny, such as those provided below, can be both entertaining and educational. Of greater importance though is the potential for eternal significance when used as a bridge to sharing the gospel.

Pressed pennies are available from www.LivingWaters.com for about 10¢ each. My grandkids saw a machine at the zoo last week that would press your penny for you for 50¢. That considered, I believe a dime is a very good deal. Hey, how many good magic tricks can you get for a dime? (continue reading…)

Startling Word

According to Merriam-Webster, a decades old word puzzle is again making the rounds on the web. Wayne Dobson produced several years ago the “Startling” effect (sold through Loomis Magic) where this same wonderful puzzle is incorporated into a card prediction routine.

From the minds of the Gospel comedy magic duo Oz and Wilde (used by permission here) comes a terrific routine that can be used for this puzzle. All you need is (continue reading…)

“Roger Magic Bus” is a current member of F.C.M., I.B.M., S.A.M. and KIDabra! He lectured in 2007 for The Fellowship of Christian Magicians international convention and formerly was the President of FCM West Michigan Chapter. Roger is the Executive Producer of Now That’s Magic! made for cable tv series which currently airs throughout Southwest Michigan on ChristianMagician.org. Roger enjoys being an active member of Ring 211 in Grand Rapids and has performed in Michigan and on missions trips including in Grenada with Operation Mobilization.

Bob Zoerman is a returning author of the “Magic for the Gospel Magician” column from Tops Magazine during the nineties. MagicBob earned a Ph.D. in seminary and has also earned an engineering degree and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. He is the president of the largest magic club in Michigan, the June Horowitz/John deVries Ring, IBM Ring #211 in Grand Rapids. Although MagicBob is employed full-time, he and his wife SuZie perform frequently. Working with Campus Crusade for Christ, they are currently planning their seventh trip to India where a typical audience will be 1,000+ university students.