Program Study Guide

This page contains Opie Houston's recommended study guide for the Assembly 206 Programs in 2010. Archives of previous years can be found here: 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

General Magic

Internet Resources

Books

Working Materials

Magic Store Purchases:

January - Mark Wilson & Nani - Stage Magic/Mentoring

February - Impromptu Magic/Nelms Chap 1

This month, we will deal with Impromptu Magic....well, magic that can be done instantly with common objects. We will include some tricks that might require a few minutes to prepare, but the effects/bits will appear to be done at will without any preparation. Let's begin with some webs which have free tricks:

1 - http://www.magicforall.com/html/free_magic.html - Magic for All has more than a dozen free tricks, including Jumping Rubber Band and a bar bet or two. Give them a look, but please do your shopping locally at Texas Magic Supply, one of our biggest supporters.

2 - http://www.magicclassroom.com/ - Several Austin magicians belong to the Magic Classroom. The site is rich in free magic and performance instructions. Do join us there.

3 - http://www.learnmagictricks.org/ - Learn Magic Tricks will provide you more video instructions for free tricks than you will probably have time to view....Check some of them out.

4 - http://www.thelearnedpig.com.pa/magos/index.html - If you are not reading the scores of books on The Learned Pig, you are passing up a wealth of free magic. Also, Marko has a new free magic ezine to which you should subscribe. Most of the public domain magic books are on that web...FREE!!

NOTE: Those web sites should give you an idea of just how much magic is on the Internet, but I want to point out a few specific tricks that most magicians should know. Mark Wilson's lecture provided an eye-opening look at the fact that many of us don't know some of the simple standard tricks of the trade. Let me review a few of the tricks that Mark showed us and provide some tips and hints about some similar tricks, using the objects/props Mark used:

6 - Torn/Restored Napkin - http://www.activitytv.com/957-torn-and-restored-napkin - That video does a great job of teaching a basic torn and restored napkin trick. Take a look, and check out the other videos on that web; they are mostly excellent. While you are there, look at the section on hand puppets....MAYBE we can get Ian to give us few minutes on the topic of an impromptu puppet routine...???

NOTE: So, what more do we need to know about impromptu magic? The truth is, there is an endless supply of things one can use to do magic on the spot. Let's take a look at some some of those objects.

- Here is a guide for reading and studying Hugard & Braue's Royal Road to Card Magic (RRTCM) - The guide contains the basic principles and skills you need to be an effective card-magic performer. So, use the book and the recommended study guide OVER SEVERAL WEEKS (OR MONTHS), in the order given below, to become at least a knowledgeable card handler. You may want to run through the GUIDE to determine which skills you need, in order to seek help at the meeting.

15 - HENNING NELMS' MAGIC AND SHOWMANSHIP - And now, as promised, let us look at the book for which I wish to share a study during 2010, beginning with Chapter 1, The Two Magics. Many magicians have claimed to have read the book, but only a few have done so. Let us do so.

I have not attempted to do any more than provide “footnote” on-line references for some of the material that Nelms addresses in the chapters. You will find that Nelms packs in the book a lot of information that begs for amplification, so what I am doing is offering some supplemental material that I have found on line. It is important that you read the chapters before you read the supplemental material. They are just “notes” and should be viewed as such. The real meat is in the book. Let us begin...

ILLUSION - “The art of illusion consists in creating illusions of the impossible.” Henning Nelms

SHOWMANSHIP - “Showmanship (performing) (is) the skill of making an artistic performance distinctive, effective and appealing to an audience” - Wikipedia. “The degree of interest that spectators take in any performance is in direct proportion to meaning for them...When showmanship is carried far enough, it can create an illusion where none exists...spectators should be able to follow the ideas of the illusion, step by step.” Nelms.

A SUMMARY OF SORTS - “Meaning provides the magic of drama. Showmanship intensifies or exaggerates the meaning. Technique keeps the meaning from being diluted by distractions.” Nelms.

March - Street Magic/Related Arts

NOTE: See important note in item 16, regarding our Walkaround and Bar magic in March, in preparation for some big street performances, TAOM in September, and some serious training programs before that. Also, see important links in item 17.

Let us do a quick overview of Street Magic and related arts, using the various wiki webs. I will try to find ample supplemental material, to allow us all to learn about how to get by on the streets and in similar venues. It is a tough way to make a living, but people have been doing it for a long long time.....Let's get started:

A - Busker's Cafe - http://buskerscafe.com/forums/index.php - If you want to work on the streets, you probably need to join and read everything on this forum. Some of the material may be on the PG side, but much of it is by folks who have worked or are working the streets. A few of the threads are only open to those who join and prove themselves.

B - GoodTricks . Net - http://www.goodtricks.net/streetmagic.html - Click on ENTER and then check out the purple links on top of the screen, but please use our loyal local magic shops for any purchases you make. This link will give you an idea of what the kids are buying....They surely do need our Assembly and the advice given by our local dealers.

C - Beginning Magic . Net - http://www.beginningmagic.net/ - There are some pretty good card-handling instructions on this web.

E - All Magic/Magic Show - http://allmagic.com/index.html - There is always something new every week or so, and the instructions/tricks are better than average that are found on the internet.

2 - Hustling and Scams - (Hustle and Scam performances FOR FUN are welcome performances in many venues).

A - Scam School - http://revision3.com/scamschool/fastandloose/ - Our own Brian Brushwood's school for winning drinks, etc. This web is loaded with good stuff. And they are not just bar bets; there are some real street scams. Thanks Brian.

E - Scoundrels Forum - http://scoundrelsforum.com/index.php - This forum is for advanced scam-trick artists and real con artists. If you want to learn from the best, this is the forum to join.

8 - Fortune Telling - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune-telling - If you have never attended a psychic fair, try to do so. If you find one advertised, let me know. Kent, where is our friend Tony A?

11 - Musical Performance - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music - (Note: If a small group got together and threw in some quick tricks of magic, dance, juggling, comedy/jokes, etc., it might be fun to put on a Kazoo recital....hehe.. Young Magicians, maybe some of us old guys, or just any volunteers from our clubs????) -

13 - Story Telling/Poetry - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storytelling - Chris Walden is really into storytelling; I recall seeing him totally entrance a group of folks sitting around him in a local park.

15 - Performance Favorites - Let's wrap this Street and other Arts guide up with a list of favorite tricks/routines used by my good friend and working pro, Johnny Mystic. His response to my question about favorites is on the Magic and Illusion Forum at: http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=309&nav=messages&webtag=ab-magic&tid=5327 - Here is Johnny's response:

A coin routine-This routine sets up the action and helps me to get the first group to stop and watch. This coin trick has audience participation and a jumbo ending. I call it my big coin routine.

Sponges- And then there were Four- This trick hooks the kids and I use three different volunteers to assist me, giving them the credit for the sponges multiplying.

I have three different endings actually, The Straitjacket, The Linking Rings and the Cups & Balls.

Signed Bill to Impossible Location, either a LePaul Wallet, Coin Purse or Fruit of some kind.

[Johnny, it looks like Elliott's CLASSIC SECRETS OF MAGIC, Wilson's COMPLETE COURSE IN MAGIC, a few dealer items, and a whole lot of experience should cover just about all you need for the street. We are hoping to launch some newbies onto the street in September; see note below. Thanks Johnny and Wayne (M&I Moderator)].

16 - NOTE AND A LOOK AHEAD: In SAM Assembly 206, we are starting a year of serious preparation of all members in magic performance, related arts, technical/stagecraft knowledge, volunteer-group performances, and what are about to be some strong Mentoring activities. We have a big year ahead, with training sessions that will prepare us to plan and work on skills needed to perform in just about any venue, starting with the performance of Walkaround and Bar Tricks at the Omni Hotel lobby and bar (March regular meeting....bring guests); our World Famous Magic Auction (April); a tech and stagecraft session/meeting at the Sheridan Hotel (April regular meeting, in preparation for hosting our TAOM Convention at the Sheridan); some nursing home and street festival gigs; our 6^th Street Magic Fest; and TAOM. These big functions cannot be done without everyone pitching in and being ready to do whatever is needed. If you wish to be a Mentor, contact Doc Seaton; if you need or desire a Mentor, contact Doc Seaton. As a start, let us all be prepared to do at least one routine at our March Walkaround and Bar gig meeting at the Omni on 15 March. If you are not currently in good standing at National SAM and Assembly 206, get active NOW!!!....and don't miss the fun.

April - “Social-Hour Magic”; a Tech Rehearsal, SUNDAY, 18 APRIL; and Nelm's Chap 2

NOTE: We continue this month with material (some repeated) that will get our members ready to help with performances, technical assistance, and just plain grunt work needed to bring about our Austin Magic Auction, some street performances, TAOM, and walkaround/strolling magic in State and Nursing Homes.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Technical Training will be conducted at the Sheraton Hotel, where we will be putting together the best TAOM Convention ever. This is a note from Hull Youngblood, the TAOM 2010 President, about what we can expect at the rehearsal: “As you will recall from the February meeting, the April meeting will be held at the Sheraton Hotel, where we will be creating 2 of the close-up rooms that we will use during the convention. As you know, Ring 18 from San Antonio will be providing the close-up magic that will be performed in those close-up rooms.” So, don't miss the April meeting AT the Sheraton, SUNDAY, 18 APRIL 2010, because we will need everyone to help fill the close-up rooms, to learn needed tasks, and to have a successful rehearsal. We will not be meeting on the regular night in April.

1 - “Social-Hour Magic” - I have coined this phrase to help zero in on tricks and routines that can be done in almost any venue, with the performer close up and possibly surrounded. Most of the tricks can be performed, using items that might be carried in pockets or a small pouch, or borrowed from spectators, or found on bars and tables. Almost all can be performed on the street or at fair booths, in movie lines, etc. The test for tricks included here generally meet those demands, and the tricks can be performed at chest level or at a table or bar where the targeted audience/spectators can easily see the action. Let's begin with some general definitions of the genres and an attempt to answer the question, “What tricks/routines can I practice that can be done in almost any small social and/or gig gathering, such as cocktail parties, restaurants, bars, fair booths, in a movie line, or on the street?”

3 - Walkaround/Strolling Magic - Magic performed for small groups in a larger crowd. Here are some You Tube examples, beginning with one that is a nightmare of background noise, an occupational hazard - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCYDkjrG9Uw&feature=related - Check out the related videos and think about how you might overcome background noise, make approaches to groups, etc.

However, let me add that you don't need all the books and tricks mentioned. And DO remember to support our local magic shops, rather than sending Austin money off to ether land. Texas Magic Supply donates more than a hundred dollars worth of door prizes monthly to Assembly 206. So, make a shopping list. Below are my recommended working materials for the “social-hour” magician, partially reproduced from the general introduction to our Program Study Guide web.

6 - Hugard and Braue's Royal Road to Card Magic - This is a book for the beginner, intermediate, and the advanced card performer. If you plan to publicly perform with a deck of cards, you need it.

9 - Standard Magic Shop Purchases - When you are ready to make up your Magic Shop shopping list, you might want to include the following: Two decks of Bicycle Cards, one red and one blue; stage bills, a pull and hank ball; some silks of various sizes; Jumbo Cards; Tarot Cards; Trick Card Pack (3 ½ of Clubs, Double-sided cards, blank cards, etc.); magician's rope; ESP Cards; a set of 1” and a set of 1 ½” to 2” sponge balls in sets of four or more, with perhaps one contrasting-color set; set of Multiplying Billiard Balls or Golf Balls; set of Cups and Balls; Chop Cup set; Hot Rod; Sponge Bunnies; Thumb Tip, with two small silks. These materials and/or tricks are used by most working strolling magicians.

10 - Working Principles - A room full of “stuff” listed in 8 and 9 above will do you little good, if you don't learn some basic principles. Wilson, Bobo, and Hugard/Braue do a good job of covering essential principles and sleights. Let us take a look at some of them which I have found on line.

11 - Coin Basics - Item 7 above should provide you the basics, but, if you want more, review last year's guide - http://www.austinmagic.org/sam/studyguide2009.html#mozTocId806264 - If you are having trouble understanding some of the sleights, use Google to check out individual sleights on Youtube. And don't forget: We do have a Mentoring Program; ask a fellow member for help, or call Doc to be assigned one.

13 - Some Important Information - The following items are random sites which address more or less the most-used principles and tricks....enjoy.

14 - Rope/String Tricks - Abbott's Encyclopedia of Rope Tricks - This is another book you might wish to add to your want list. For now, however, check out the on-line copy for a great selection of tricks and tips, such as the Hunter Rope Trick and the Cut and Restored effects. The book is a gem. http://books.google.com/books?id=OAY-fuyuJHAC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=&f=false -

16 - Two-in-the-hand, One-in-the-Pocket - This is probably the most-valuable and versatile routine you can learn. It is adaptable to almost any small objects, such as coins, paper balls, olives, sugar cubes, rocks, etc. - http://www.ehow.com/video_2385746_explanation-two-balls-hand-magic.html -

18 - Mental Effects - If you don't read this link, you are missing out on several really good mental effects, including “1089”, “Gray Elephants in Denmark”, Copperfield's Mass Media effect, etc. - http://home.att.net/~numericana/answer/magic.htm -

20 - Chinese Compass - Watch this video all the way through, because it has a neat twist using stick figures. In addition, you may make the square larger for a bigger audience. The main thing one needs with the trick is a cute routine. - http://www.learnmagictricks.org/video.php?v=18562 -

“FOOTNOTES” TO NELM'S MAGIC AND SHOWMANSHIP, CHAPTER 2, “DECEPTION VS. CONVICTION”

NOTE: This guide is for those members who wish to join me in a continuing periodic wade through Nelm's MAGIC AND SHOWMANSHIP. These are footnotes for Chapter 2: Here is a review of Chapter 1 which is on line; you will need to buy a copy of the book to continue with the study. -http://books.google.com/books?id=lwPxU4XtPgsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=&f=false -

TRICKSTER'S AIM - “A trickster's aim is to deceive his audience about the way his tricks are done.” - Nelms - (Note: Nelms obviously was concentrating more on the technical and theory aspects of fooling an audience and overlooked the fact that the true aim is to ENTERTAIN the audience.)

CONVICTION - http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=conviction - “Conviction differs fundamentally from deception. Successful deception results in unquestioning belief. Conviction requires only what is called 'suspension of disbelief.'...If the minds of audiences did not permit a suspension of disbelief, there would be no drama...A trick which lacks meaning (clarity/drama) rarely achieves any conviction at all...Conviction can occur without deception...Even when an illusion requires no trickery, we must deceive the audience in order to disguise the fact that no device exists.” Nelms -

SINGULAR SINGLETONS - The use of a “toad stone” provides drama/meaning (however false) to the magician's demonstration of dealing singleton hands at a bridge table. Of course, any little talisman will work, but I kind of like the “toad stone.” It helps to deceive the spectator into perhaps suspecting that the magician has some uncanny skill in dealing what is believed to be uncommon singleton hands. The odds against being dealt a singleton are 2 to 1. More odds are provided for my Bridge-playing friends: http://www.bridgehands.com/P/Probabilities_Miscellaneous.htm -

I SCRY - a card revelation in which the “scrier” learns the names of selected cards by staring at a drop of ink (instead of a crystal ball). “Scrying originated in Scotland and is kind of a poor man's crystal ball. It works just as well and costs almost nothing.” There are two presentations provided for this effect.

HOROSCOPE - Here is horoscope reading, using coded notebook sheets to identify subjects. The injection of humorous horoscope comments is fun with close friends. Here are some horoscope traits - http://www.12astrologyzodiacsigns.com/zodiacsigns/charactertraitsofzodiacsigns.shtml - There are also some humorous traits on line. They are somewhat PG, so I will only suggest that you Google “horoscope humor.” Have a laugh! The “reading” is worth learning.

PASSE-PASSE DICE - Dice with large shell covers illustrate how dramatic presentations are used to lessen the “puzzle” effect on an audience and to make the old classic an entertaining piece. The trick is heightened by a follow-on effect combined with “atmosphere” created by a dramatic presentation of The Haunted Conjurer. The surprise ending of the production of guinea pigs makes the illusion effective. Detailed instructions for constructing the production devices are included. The main points addressed are that “atmosphere controls the state of mind in which the spectators view your performance” and that BREVITY in almost any presentation is important. (“...I agree that most tricks are too long.” - Nelms)

LENGTH - Patter/material in a routine must create interest and atmosphere. “Padding and digressions should be thought of as fat and warts, and should be ruthlessly eliminated.” Nelms.

IMPROMPTU “ATMOSPHERE” - Tips for creating “atmosphere” in an impromptu situation include arousing interest in your topic, encouraging spectators to contribute their knowledge or interests in the topic, stimulating a bit of argument between spectators, and pulling the discussion around to the specific “power” you plan to exhibit. If possible, lead someone to challenge you. (Look at each one of these tips and think of ways they could be accomplished.)

OTHER SITUATIONS AND VENUES - The tips above also apply to stage and club venues but are hampered in a lot of cases by a lack of direct conversation exchanges that would help create atmosphere. Here is how Copperfield sets up his snow dream illusion; note that it clearly sets up the atmosphere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uipdGJv1ODU - Think about how one might set the atmosphere in noisy restaurants, fairs, or other places where direct dialogue with the audience is hampered or impossible.

ETHICS - “A conjuror is allowed to lie about his methods but not to leave his audience with the belief that he really possesses supernatural powers.” - Nelms

May - Card Packet Tricks and Gaffs/Additional Notes on Mentoring (Coins)

NOTE: This guide will overview card packet tricks and gaffs and will provide detailed guidance for a few specific sleights, counts, etc. Our moderator will provide MUCH more about packet tricks. Although coin magic and mentoring are not part of the regular program, you are encouraged to read the additional notes that I have found about Mentoring, with emphasis on teaching coin magic to beginners; you will be glad you did.

Here is a huge collection of commercially-sold packet tricks..... Just remember, check out reviews of any tricks you buy, and do ask our local dealers about them. Trust our moderator this month to have some recommended packets with him...bring money!!

NOTE: Card Trick Site dot com has brief descriptions of many sleights and moves; among them are the following more-or-less essential sleights needed to do many packet tricks.

Princess Card Trick - The internal link to a gaffed version on this Mike Rogers article does not work, but the un-gaffed version makes the whole article worth reading....(I sure miss Mike; we werefriends and members of The Armed Forces Magicians' Association, back in the 60s)..... - http://www.stevensmagic.com/gemini/Mike%20Rogers/ATributetothePrincess.htm -

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON MENTORING (COINS)

NOTE: Because this month's guide is focused on some basics of card magic, I thought I would also include some basics of coin magic and some ADDITIONAL NOTES ON MENTORING. So, included is a great way to learn coin magic and more than you probably want to know about mentoring. The secret? Learn how to teach some basic coin handling (or card sleights) to a beginner member of the Assembly and be a part of the monthly program and mentoring team. This article, “The Best Way to Learn is to Teach,” will hopefully inspire us all, so please read it before you approach the objectives. You will be glad you did: http://searchwarp.com/swa211406.htm -

COIN VANISH DOT COM: http://www.coinvanish.com/ - Using the Menu there, click and read ALL of “Foundations” and “Routines”. These basics (and some ambitious advanced work) will help prepare you and others for the basics of what you might want to do with coins. Teaching a young or beginner magician will help you catch flaws and thereby improve your own handling of sleights/moves.

Review the coin palms in Objective 1 above and explain the basics to a beginner.....but place emphasis on a natural FINGER PALM or, more specifically, how to allow a coin to be concealed on one's naturally-curled finger tips. Here is a video of a finger-palm vanish to illustrate how to approach the finger palm; practice it in front of a mirror, until you get the feel and look of a “natural” concealment.

EXPLOREMAGIC DOT COM: - http://www.xploremagic.com/View-Category/8/Coin-Magic.html - Most of these videos are amateur/kid productions, but they should give you an idea of what might be done with coins.....They should be real motivations for the beginning student of magic....or perhaps give us a look at how we might have appeared when we were doing magic as pre-teens.....tsk tsk....

IBM RING 9 JAM MENTORING SESSIONS (MINI-LECTURES/TEACH-A-TRICK) - Here is what long-past visitor to our Assembly, Joe M. Turner, does (or has done) in his club to promote learning - http://www.gamagicclub.com/teachatrick.asp -

June - Children's/Parlor Magic/Performance/Nelms Footnotes, Chap 3

Holy Cow! It's the Swedish (not sour) Black Bert, aka Bertil Fredstrom! Run through his web page, to get an idea of what Bertil and his team have in store for us at the June 2010 SAM Assembly 206 meeting. Bertil will also have comments on performance and fees. Click here for his web page:
http://www.blackbert.com/ -

This month, we will check out some selected Children's, Parlor, and Stand-up Magic. In addition, we will take a refresher look at the Performance tips in the Fitzkee Trilogy and a “footnote” glance at Chapter 3 of Nelms' Magic and Showmanship. So, let us get started.

1 - Parlor/Stand-Up Magic - The following material is an overview of the most-common professional genre(s) of magic being performed today.

2 - A Look Back - I do not have a lot to add to last year's guide on Children's Magic, so let's review it: http://www.austinmagic.org/sam/studyguide2009.html (Click on April 09 program).
It is not just kid stuff; it includes a fairly large overview of Parlor and Stand-Up Magic. Additionally, you might want to check out the lists of Favorite Tricks of famous magicians and some favorites that are so named on line: http://www.austinmagic.org/sam/studyguide2005.html#mozTocId365156 -

3 - Selected Tricks/Articles - There are some specific items that I wish to call attention to, and our Moderator will surely have favorites of his own. I have tried to present a presentation variety of a few of my favorite tricks and articles, to allow for some creative thinking that might go into everybody's own routines.

FOOTNOTES TO NELMS:

Nelms' Magic and Showmanship, Chap 3, The Measure of Meaning -

Scroll to page 36, if it is still on line; if not, buy a copy -
http://books.google.com/books?id=lwPxU4XtPgsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false -

NOTE: The book is a tough read. This series of “footnotes” should help you give it a serious look.

Notable quotations and paraphrases from the chapter follow:

“The interest that an audience takes in any routine will depend largely on its theme” (p.36)...

“Every conjuring theme has four elements:

Who is involved? The personalities.
What is being exhibited? The phenomenon.
Why is the routine performed? The purpose.
How is the purpose achieved? The proof.” (p. 37)...

“As you read the illusions in this book, ask yourself: (l) who is involved, (2) what power is displayed, (3) why the display is made, and (4) how the power is proved.” (p. 37)...

The Personalities: (WHO) “Explore the possibilities and select the one (personality/role) that is best adapted to your own personality, your audience, and the conditions under which you perform”. . . Characters in your patter “should be made to seem...real”. . . Assistants “must also be given roles.”. . .
and “the roles of spectators deserve consideration.” (p. 38)...

The Phenomenon: (WHAT POWER) Your personality, your audience, and the conditions will also be important considerations in selecting the choice of phenomena you select for an effect. “Whenever you work out a routine, list every phenomenon that you can find” (p. 39). For example, in doing a reading, you might use whatever best connects a spectator with a particular object, date, or number. These include reading characters from (l) handwriting--Graphology; (2) doodles-- Doodleology; (3) touching belongings of individuals--Psychometry; and (4) Taste Profiles—favorite colors, flowers, movie stars, etc.

The Purpose: (WHY) Magic performances generally are either demonstrations or experiments. “Experiments are more entertaining than demonstrations. They give the spectators a sense of participation...introduce an element of uncertainty...and they weaken the idea that the performer is merely doing tricks... never leave any doubt as to your purpose.” (p. 40). Lastly, your purpose might be to teach a lesson. “Lessons in magic usually prove popular with both children and adults (p. 41).

The Proof: (HOW) I love Nelms' short comments about how a magician “proves” that he has powers; they also show his disdain for apparatus that is only found in magic stores. The comments, as you can tell are made with tongue firmly in cheek: “The effect of your illusion should be proof or at least strong evidence that the power you claim is genuine...(by displaying) a set of special dinguses (wherein a) spectator selects one...The performer triumphantly names the one selected. This is supposed to be proof that he is psychic.” (p. 44). Nelms then says, “Our illusion will certainly be more convincing if we confine ourselves to commonplace objects.” (p. 45). Nelms concludes by saying, “ask yourself whether it (proof) is adequate to convince the average spectator temporarily.” (p. 48).

The Treatment (Conclusion): The chapter slams home the need to seriously consider, in everything you do, your personality, your audience, and the conditions. Play around with making a serious theme or presentation light and a light theme or presentation serious, based on those three important considerations.

Tricks included in this chapter are:

The Expanding Rabbit (p. 41) - Using a homemade sponge rabbit or one of the popular 3d multiplying rabbits, the performer gives magic lessons (yeah right) to a child assistant from the audience. He explains that one must put a rabbit in the hat (the little sponge one) and make it big. A real rabbit is produced. The loading and plans are in the book, page 41. Here is an on-line reference to loading set ups in Bill Tarr's 101 Easy-To-Do Magic Tricks. Click on “The Inexhaustible Hat,” on page 51: http://books.google.com/books?id=sG0qkVZK5ZYC&pg=PA54&lpg=PA54&dq=magic+rabbit+in+hat+table+load&source=bl&ots=LS-vfj6jdA&sig=fZbFq6MwvaeUeHruwiUNd5KCv4g&hl=en&ei=qJ7TS-3QB5Kc8ATwuuXGDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CBoQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q&f=false -

The Best Bet (p. 43) - I hesitate to even include the effect in this guide, as I disapprove of “challenge” tricks which embarrass or show up a spectator, unless you are in a bar and just spoiling for a fight. The basic effect is demonstrating the ability to tie three knots in a rope before the spectator can. http://books.google.com/books?id=OAY-fuyuJHAC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false - (see “Any number of knots” in the Abbotts book, p. 23).

Chromavoyance (Pencil/Crayon Divination Trick, p. 45) - Nelms is not fond of this type trick, wherein a pencil/crayon is selected by a spectator and handed to the magician behind his back. The magician divines which color the selection is. However, he believes that even a weak effect can be improved by effective presentation. His presentation of the trick is worth a read. Here is Blackstone's simple version: http://books.google.com/books?id=1hoeHL7ekJAC&pg=PA122&lpg=PA122&dq=crayon+divination+trick&source=bl&ots=a66b-G5_cI&sig=wXngvsEVUjFjG6mvVPtZhj2v_u8&hl=en&ei=c6_TS5bMNoe49QT5mqHMDw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CAsQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=crayon%20divination%20trick&f=false -

Mental Television (p. 46) - A spectator is asked to make a simple drawing, and the clairvoyant is able to reproduce a “close” match. Good presentation of a “chancy” trick.

July - Paper Magic and Amusements

August - TAOM 2010 Convention Guide

Just to get warmed up, let's take a look at some of the fantastic entertainment scheduled for our Austin Texas Association of Magicians 2010 convention.

http://austinstreetmagic.com/ - Austin Street Magic Festival

3 - Eric DeCamps - “Eric presents elegant magic in the classical style in his acclaimed show 'Pure Magic.'”

http://www.ericdecamps.com/ -

4 - Whit “Pop” Haydn - “The dean of 'The School for Scoundrels,' Pop Haydn will explain the stuff you don't understand.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whit_Haydn -

5 - Dan & Dave - “World-renowned for their transformation of magic into a visual art.”

http://www.dananddave.com/ -

7 - Paul Vigil - “Modern Conjurer—Theatrically artful deception for the mind as magical entertainment.”

http://www.paulvigil.com/ -

9 - John Lovick - “A regular Magic Castle performer, Handsome Jack brings his creative flair and imaginative presentations.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQGyayPEZzk -

13 - Toby Travis - “Illusion and Beyond -- Magic to inspire the heart.”

http://www.tobytravis.org/ -

15 - Michael Tallon - “An award-winning, close-up, comedy, and stage magician.”

http://www.michaeltallonmagic.com/ - Check out his gallery and videos.

16 - Doug Gorman - “A creative, award-winning, close-up and parlor magician.”

http://www.featsofwonder.com/image/tid/7 - Check out the video links of Doug and Michael Tallon.

19 - And many many more, including US, WE, OURSELVES, playing host and personal entertainers to guests from all over the world and proving that we want to help keep Austin weird and wonderful....

In addition, you might want to check out holiday themes for the remainder of July, August, and September, in order to have some fresh routines to show on the street and at TAOM. Here are the links:

That should get you ready for the Street Fest and TAOM....Jump in and be a part!!!!!

http://allmagicguide.com/ (General magic news, tricks, etc.)	http://www.angelfire.com/musicals/fitzkee/ (Fitzkee Trilogy)
http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~roy/magictalk-wisdom/ (General discussion index)	http://www.magicbooks.be (Magic book contents)
http://www.bartricks.com/tricks.html (Bar tricks)	http://members.aol.com/MagicDan/docs/trick_index/html (Tricks)
http://magicref.tripod.com/magref/magstring.htm (Ring, String, Rope Magic References)	http://www.geocities.com/mvvenrooij/cardshooting.html (Card flourishes)
http://magic.about.com/ (General magic advice; great forum)	http://www.coinmanipulation.com/ (Coin manipulations)
http://www.online-visions.com/index.html (General magic tricks, articles, etc.)	http://www.cupsandballsmuseum.com/ (Great collection museum)
http://web.superb.net/cardtric/sleights/ (Card tricks, sleights, etc.)	http://facweb.furman.edu/~rbryson/impimages.html (Posters)
http://www.magictalk.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi (Discussion forum)	http://www.circusmuseum.nl/ (Posters)
http://geniimagazine.com/forum/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi (Genii Magazine Forum)	http://www.mathpuzzle.com/loyd/ (Old puzzle book)
http://www.lybrary.com/mlp/ (Magic lineage project)	http://themagicfiles.com/genii/genii-1.php (Genii Magazine Index and Covers)
http://www.bizarremagick.com (Bizarre magic)	http://www.tenyoworld.co.uk/ (Tenyo trick routines, etc.)
http://www.magicbookshop.com/ (H&R Magic Books)	http://www.illustratedillusions.com/trick30.htm (Gospel magic)
http://www.magicweek.com (News, links)	http://www.sleightpub.com/free.html (Tricks)
http://www.gis.net/%7Ecanaday/index.shtml (General, links)	http://www.ams.org/featurecolumn/archive/mulcahy9.html (Math card tricks)
http://www.mdani.demon.co.uk/stunt/stunt.htm (Psychic stunts)	http://www.whithaydn.com/video-clips.htm (Great Haydn clips)
http://www.reall.org/links.html (Skeptic links)	http://www.coinvanish.com (Coins)
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ukskeptic/skeptic.htm (Skeptic links)	http://www.magicsam.com/sam/index.html (SAM National Web)
http://www.prairieghosts.com/museum.html (Spiritualism)	http://davidsolomon.net/index2.html (Tricks)
http://www.jimloy.com/pseudo/reading.htm (Psychic reading sample)	http://www.mbd2.com/kidstuff.htm (Balloon animal instructions)
http://www.thelearnedpig.com.pa/ (Great free library of magic books; JOIN!)	http://www.stevensmagic.com/gemini/index.htm (Tricks and more)
http://www.nnmagic.com (Nielsen Magic posters, etc)	http://www.deceptionary.com/ (Mentalism)
http://www.nemca.com// (New England Magic Collectors)	http://www.bartendermagic.com (Bar tricks)
http://magicgallery.com/ (Great posters)	http://www.juggling.org/jiv87/3/tips.html (Dice stacking and juggling tips)
http://www.houdiniana.com/ (Houdini material)	http://www.ehow.com/how_16116_perform-magic-elevator.html (Tricks)
http://www.handcuffs.org/pittalla/ (Handcuff collection)	http://www.lybrary.com/free_ebooks.php (Some free magic-book samples)
http://martinka.com/martinka/museum/ (Collectables)	http://www.magicbunny.net/ (Tricks)
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/SAMtalk/ (National SAM Forum)	http://streetmagic.info/eMagic.32.html (Magic tips and tricks)
http://www.homepokergames.com/chiptricks.php (Poker Chip tricks)	http://www.hasbro.com/default.cfm?page=cs_instructions&letter=M (Hasbro Magic Works Instructions)
http://goodtricks.net/quicktricks.html (Tricks)	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_magic (A brief History of Magic)