Last week we had the great privilege of visiting Trondheim in Norway. It’s a quaint little town full of wonderful people and beautiful sights, but that’s not why we were there.
About 4 years ago we first started hearing stories about a young group of magicians who could perform all our flourishes. We were incredulous of course. Soon though, we were introduced to them through video thanks to Allan Hagen. Witnessing their flourishes for the first time left us mesmerized. Not only could they perform the flourishes from The System perfectly, but they each had their own distinct style and repertoire of original ideas which was so refreshing to see. We were inspired and had to meet them.
It wasn’t until Blackpool 2009 that we all got together. They were, Allan Hagen, Chris Hestness, Erik Jansson and Jordan Lapping. After many sleepless nights sessioning and one kickass video, we knew we would eventually work together on something great.
About 6 months ago, Allan emailed us with an idea. After several replies, we knew it was time. We were on to something epic.
On August 3, 2010, we flew into Trondheim, hometown of Allan and Chris, for a week long shoot. As an avid amateur filmmaker and student of cinematography, Allan Hagen lead us through the most professional shoots we’ve ever experienced. With access to studio equipment, we took full advantage of it all and left with 650 GB of unbelievable footage.
As of now, we’d still like to keep specifics under wraps. However, details will come soon enough.
We are very pleased to announce we have been selected as this years Special Guests for Ontario, Canada’s Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp. We are so excited about this and honored to have been invited. It’s the one event we’re most looking forward to this year.
We’ve heard so many wonderful things about camp from our friend Lee Asher and are absolutely thrilled to be apart of it. Simply put, we can’t wait!
We’re mostly looking forward to all the sessioning. We love teaching magic and jamming out new ideas and what better place than with a group of enthusiastic young magicians. Last year, everyone received a special gift from Dan and I, well, this year expect no less – although this time we deliver in person.
Camp will take place August 31st – September 5th at beautiful Camp White Pine (same camp used for the movie Meatballs). For more information and to register, visit www.sorcererssafari.ca.
Interview magazine has a great piece with David Blaine as interviewed by Adam Kimmel. Discussed is his involvement with the fashion designer and a scary stunt performed underwater in the middle of the ocean surrounded by great white sharks they collaborated on. Kimmel then asks Blaine about his next public stunt and if he has a “fantasy endurance test”. My favorite part of the interview though is a story Blaine tells about his experience performing magic for the burn victims at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. It really puts magic into perspective and reminds us of the emotional impact and healing power our art can achieve and as Blaine closes, “Things like that visit remind you of what is important and what matters.”
Helder Guimarães is without a doubt one of the finest sleight of hand artists in the world – and that is not an opinion, but a fact. He is a world class entertainer with a FISM gold metal to his name and one of our favorite magicians.
Dan and I have been very fortunate to have spent some time with Helder and he never ceases to fool us. He has it all: knowledge, skill, showmanship, style, experience, and a passion for the art. Anyone looking for a fresh approach to magic coming from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about and has studied with the great Spanish magicians, should highly consider his lecture – it’s terrific!
For a tease of his card magic, check out three of his tricks available On Demand: Betwixt, Shaaken, and Twizinser.
Helder will be lecturing for The Magic Apple in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 16 @ 6:00pm. Please contact them for further information and to reserve your seat.
This limited edition deck of playing cards was inspired by the original publication of The Expert at the Card Table, often referred to as “Erdnase”. Printed by the US Playing Card Company on a premium Aristocrat stock using the traditional casino Bee® back design with an added white border. The producer of these cards used the same color green as the first edition, as well as incorporated the look and feel of the book into every detail of these cards. With a box that mimics the cover, an elegant back design, custom jokers and Ace of Spades, and two ad cards with a reprinted title page and Preface, these cards beautifully pay homage to what many consider the “Bible” of card technique.
This second edition Bee Erdnase deck rivals any casino grade stock as careful attention was put into printing these on the USPCC’s finest press with their highest grade paper and finish. Combine artifice, ruse and subterfuge with elegance at the card table.
Watch Jason England, the worlds foremost expert on Erdnase, demonstrate a few sleight of hand techniques at the card table with the new Bee Erdnase Playing Cards.
Dan and Dave have joined an ongoing list of magicians who will take part in an online lecture in an effort to raise money for the people of Haiti. To attend the lecture, a minimum $10 donation is required. So far the lineup includes: Chad Long, Chris Brown, Irving Quant, Andi Gladwin, Paul Wilson, Dorian Rhodell, and many others. For more information, visit Facebook group: Magicians unite for Haiti.
In this highly personal talk from TEDMED, magician and stuntman David Blaine describes what it took to hold his breath underwater for 17 minutes — a world record (only two minutes shorter than this entire talk!) — and what his often death-defying work means to him. Warning: do NOT try this at home.
A disenchanted magician (Jackson Walker), with the help of a lovely fairy, gains back his belief in magic. A short movie produced at Whitestone Motion Pictures, directed and edited by Brandon McCormick.
In this video, Dave Buck talks briefly about Magic-Con 2010’s Special Guest of Honor. Although his identity hasn’t been revealed, Dave does say, “He is one of the most universally respected performers, thinkers and creators of magic,” and that “You won’t want to miss the opportunity to see a true master and one of magic’s living legends.”
On December 1st, Magic-Con will proudly announce their 2010 Special Guest of Honor.
Using the comment box below, let us know who you think the Special Guest of Honor is going to be.
Earlier today, Dave Buck sat down with Jonathan Bayme of Theory11 to discuss Magic-Con. In the podcast, Dave talks about who Magic-Con is for as well as why it will be different from any other magic convention. The question regarding registration price is finally answered as well as some other really exciting news and information.
Download the podcast here, or listen to it now via the player below.
To discuss Magic-Con and read what people are saying, visit our forum.
