Magic News Network

Special Offering from SCAM

   We are not far from our favorite magic convention of the year. 

The South Carolina Association of Magicians ("SCAM") is getting ready for all of us and so we hope to see you there.  We mentioned awhile back Henry Petit had a special set of surprises for this year's attendees. We received confirmation of one of those additional activities today from Mr. Petit himself.

Tony Griffith has agreed to present his Master Class on Thursday, January 12th for a very small number of attendees and at a very modest fee.

Mr. Griffith is a member of The Inner Magic Circle and specializes in Close-Up Magic.  He has lectured around the world and significantly at the Magic Castle (in addition to more than 100 shows at The Castle). 

George Galesky Soldier / Magician Featured

The Sentinel (PA) features Private First Class George Galesky for his work as a magician (his other job) under the stage name George Gee.

Mr. Galesky work both jobs with aplomb. 

He specializes in card manipulation — he always carries at least one deck with him, except in the shower. But he’s also done levitation and "illusion body twister," turning an assistant into ribbons.

'Hooked' at age 8.

Galesky says he was 'lucky' to grow up at a time there were many magic shows on TV. But he got truly 'hooked' at the age of 8 when his mother bought him his first magician's set.

New Act Opportunity? Kidini Program for Safe Kids

The Delaware News Journal mentioned an interesting concept for a school magic program.

Kidini is designed by experts to keep kids safe from "dangerous situations."  The name is based on Harry Houdini's ability to escape every situation.  The goal is to teach a similar talent to kids.

Kidini is a relative newcomer to child safety, providing an interactive environment in which children and parents can learn to avoid or escape dangerous situations.

Founded in 2003, Kidini teaches kids tricks to escape people who prey on children, and gives parents tools to emphasize safety techniques at home.

The Kidini name was inspired by legendary escape artist Harry Houdini.

Madhatter's Tree Featured

The State (SC) surveys the most unusual and/or noteworthy Christmas trees in today's edition. 

Bill and Jerrie Groome's Madhatter Magic Shop is one of the four featured. 

You would almost expect a magic shop to have an upside-down tree, wouldn’t you?

But Jerrie Groome had an upside-down tree long before she and her husband, Bill, opened the Madhatter Magic Shop in Irmo five years ago.

Almost 20 years ago, she started doing an upside-down room in her home, complete with table, chair, Christmas tree and Santa Claus putting gifts under the tree.

She knew the idea would be perfect for the magic shop as well.

So up went the tree and the heads of many customers. The kids there every month for “young magician” meetings also have something else to talk about with their friends.

SCAM Update

From Chris Hage:

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells.SCAM is on the way!!!  The 11th Annual
South Association of Magicians convention is less than one month away!

South Carolina's largest magic convention will be held January
13-14, 2006 in beautiful downtown Columbia at the newly renovated
Columbia Marriott.

From the OOPS! Department:  Have you been looking for your SCAM
registration form to appear in the mail?  Many of you have called
wondering if your registration form got lost.

Well we goofed!  We were late getting some of the mailings out this year.  If you are on our mailing list from years past, you will be getting the registration
information in the mail as a Christmas present! 

Because we goofed, early registration prices will be extended for everyone. Early
registration prices are valid until THE DAY OF THE CONVENTION.  All
walk up registrations will have the higher price. 

So, take advantage of our mistake and REGISTER EARLY by going to the website and
reserving your spot at SCAM 2006.  www.scamcon.org

The SCHEDULE  is updated and posted on the website.  Visit www.scamcon.org to see all the details.

Hotel:  Make your reservations at the hotel before January 8, 2006 to
get the discount!  www.marriottcolumbia.com (800) 880-1885

"Magician" Uri Geller to Appear at MDA in Jerusalem

Uri Geller to address Magen David Adom Convention

The Jerusalem Post reports today Uri Geller will perform for the Magen David Adom ("MDA") convention in Jerusalem this coming Monday.

As some readers may be aware, the MDA is celebrating its 75th anniversary of rescuing, treating, and assisting in victims of natural and violent acts. 2005 will also be remembered as significant for long-over-due but still-incomplete recognition of the MDA.

The International Red Cross has finally agreed to recognize the MDA's emblem, The Shield of David, as a recognized emblems. as one of the conditions to full membership in the International Red Cross Movement.

Canadian Escape Artist to Perform Most Dangerous Escape

[from press release]

Renowned Canadian Escape Artist "Santini: The Dark Master Of Escape" has announced that he will debut the world's most original and dangerous live escape stunt ever called The Cremation Chamber New Years Eve in Toronto, and simulcast live coast-to-coast to millions of viewers in Canada.

If Santini survives this extreme test of skill and courage, this has the potential to be one of the most watched Live Escape Attempts seen in history of television.

Santini needs to escape this heated Chamber or the results will be obvious.

Criss Angel - We Love Ya No Matter What

We were trolling the web lookin' for trouble and decided to check out IGN .Com for their FilmForce Weekend Shopping Guide. 

Once again, the industry has completely ignored our contribution to the art of Direct-to-Video.  And that's even after we had the original video re-dubbed in French and sub-titled in German with Japanese actors. 

Nonetheless,  our award-nominated film documenting the horribles visited upon young and impressionable by stinky uncles,  Ziehen Sie Meinen Finger, was snubbed.

We did however find a review of Criss Angel's new DVD of the first season. 

As we have said many a time, it is not what you know, it is what you know about them and can prove in a court of law. 

Here is what IGN .Com had to say:

Like a goth cross between David Blaine and David Copperfield, Criss Angel's death-defying stunts in the first season set of Mindfreak (A&E, Not Rated, DVD-$24.95 SRP) are enough of an oooo-ahhh spectacle to give enough bang for your buck.

With celebrity guests including Mandy Moore and Penn & Teller, it's got the street-cred necessary to erase those pesky Blaine comparisons… Because we all know what an A-class magician Mandy Moore is.

The Asian Pacific Post - Five-year-old BC kid is Pacific Coast's Harry Potter

Nicholas Chow learned from his father and Canadian National Close-Up Magic Champion Rod Chow.  He learned early and well. 

At age four, he was performing before other children in his preschool class. 

“We would work out and practice his own act during weekends so he has something for show-and-tell in school,“ his father recalled.

He learned the importance of practice from his father and older brother Before long, Nicholas was doing magic tricks on his own.

 

Matt Tomasko Inspired By Denny Haney

The York Daily (PA) provides great coverage for 18 year-old Matt Tomasko. 

The young magician told reporters he has always known what he wanted out of life and how to get it.  His interest and desire impressed the famous Denny Haney and in turn, Mr. Haney impressed on Mr. Tomasko the importance of finding an audience and learning the ropes.

The paper chronicles the inspiration.

At age 5, Tomasko knew he wanted to become a magician after seeing Lancaster resident Mike Snyder perform at the Strand-Capitol. He got his first professional job working for the Hilton Hotel in Harrisburg when he was 14.

Today, he and Snyder are close friends.

All he wanted to do after that was magic, he said. He spent much of his time studying the art and other magicians such as David Copperfield.

Former U.S. Army soldier Denny Haney gave Mr. Tomasko the idea to join the military and entertain troops.