Chezaday’s a rock ‘n’ roller. His large-scale illusion show involves plenty of pyrotechnics, flashing lights and – yes – a spandex costume with a lightning bolt on the chest. There are three women, all dancers, in Chezaday’s big show. He calls them the Chezababes. They tour the country with two technical assistants for most of the summer, levitating women from... Read more
Archive for June, 2009
Wunders: Of History
June 17 | Posted by Paul Nielsen | Featured ColumnsDid you ever wonder where magic came from? Who were the first magic performers and what were their tricks? Hello, and welcome to “Wunders.” I’m Paul from Wunderground Magic, Inc. and I’ll be your tour guide as we answer questions and dig beneath the surface to discover the fascinating and mysterious methods beneath our deceptions. This month... Read more
Off the Tops of My Head
June 15 | Posted by John Sturk | Featured ColumnsIt’s truly an honor and privilege to be a part of The Newest TOPS. The emails and phone calls I’ve been receiving in support of our new endeavor has been uplifting. We hope to bring The Newest TOPS and the Abbott’s legacy to a new generation – the Internet generation, which I happen to be a part of.... Read more
Subject: Illusions
June 14 | Posted by David Seebach | Featured ColumnsDavid Seebach’s Abbott’s Bryce’s Screen or Gee, I Know How to use Apostrophes If you are like me your well-worn copy of the Abbott catalog shows the effects of your constant perusal of its pages. Somehow, though, that page in the Illusions section that advertises Bryce’s Screen just hasn’t grabbed your attention the way many others have. The prop does... Read more
Hobservations
June 13 | Posted by Jeff Hobson | Featured Columns“Be Prepared” That’s the Boy Scout motto and should be every performing magician’s words-to-live-by. Being a full-time pro now for thirty years, I’ve racked up somewhere in the neighborhood of 24,000 shows. With that many performances under my belt, I can safely say that being prepared for the worst performing situations and conditions is what keeps my... Read more
Up To My Old Tricks
June 12 | Posted by Chezaday | Featured ColumnsWell at least I’ve got the name of this column figured out. Let me tell you that was no easy task! Years ago I remember receiving my New Tops magazine once a month as I would get home from school. The first thing I would read was Subject: Illusions by David Seebach. Little did I know years... Read more
WORKING A ROOM
June 11 | Posted by Ron Jaxon | Featured ColumnsOne of the hardest parts of being a close up magician is working a room. It doesn’t matter if the “room” is a restaurant, bar, house or a sidewalk or what ever location you are booked to perform what’s commonly known as “Strolling Magic”. You’ll have to approach and perform for total strangers. This is a scary... Read more
Showmanship
June 10 | Posted by Senor Rai | Featured ColumnsWell it was either Happy Hour at the Ritz or writing this column, and you can see what I chose – a labor of love. You have no idea how thrilled I am to be writing this (I’m thrilled that I’m still alive!) and how glad I am that my dear friend Greg has decided to start... Read more
Escape Artist/Magicienne
June 9 | Posted by Julie Sobanski | Featured ColumnsNot too many people know much about me or my beginnings in magic. So I thought I’d set the record straight. My start in magic was a little unconventional: it involved a straitjacket! Near the end of my senior year of high school, it seemed everyone, except me, had their life or career already mapped out. I didn’t... Read more
From the Magic Capital of the World
June 8 | Posted by Greg Bordner | Featured ColumnsIt’s just so great to start The Newest Tops. In this computer age it boggles my mind the amount of speedy information is available. This new magazine will help connect magicians everywhere. If this magazine can inspire one young magician to try harder so he or she can enter the contest at Abbott’s Get-together or be... Read more
Hughes Views: If I had my way….”
June 8 | Posted by Richard Hughes | Featured ColumnsIf I had my way…. The year was 2003, Saturday night at the 65th Annual Magic Get Together. Gene Anderson was the Emcee for the night. I was doing my usual duties backstage. Jay was to perform on the show and close with Lefty. I remember Jay getting dressed back in the band room. His shirt was missing a button... Read more
Masters of Illusion
June 1 | Posted by Greg Bordner | Featured ColumnsMyNetworkTV is programming the last of this season’s all-new magic show MASTERS OF ILLUSION for the sweeps week of May. The series has been a strong performer for the network, sometimes beating rival network the CW in their timeslot. This latest edition of the show is shot entirely in High Definition in front of a full studio audience. The series is... Read more