Identity

Unlike most magic creators, Richard Sanders magic is ALWAYS phenomenal. The newest effect from Sanders FX is Identity, in which a card is signed on the face and has random lines drawn on the back of the card, the magician shakes the card and the lines instantly transform into the spectator’s name. I have not seen this performed live, nor have I seen the gaffs… but I am sure this will be great, for Richard Sanders doesn’t disappoint. Also, i’m hoping to see Richard at CAM2009 in June.

Watch the preview video of Identity HERE.

Spencer Peterson

CAMaraderie 2009

I’ll be attending a convention that my friend, Derrick Chung, is organizing in Montreal. The convention starts on June 19th and ends on the 21st, I know it’s going to be a great time. There are so many world-class acts booked for the convention and I can’t wait to meet and see them work. There are 2 workshops being held, the first is a coin workshop with Bob Fitch, and the second is a card workshop with (Drum roll please)… Jason England. The lectures and acts booked are simply phenomenal, check them all out at www.CAM2009.org.

See you there?

Spencer Peterson

LIMAC

I’m going to be at The Long Island Magical Arts Convention this coming Saturday, will you? 

http://magicartsconvention.com/

Spencer Peterson

PS: Unfortunately, Tatanka will not be able to attend.

Magic in NYC

I’ve been seeing a lot of questions about the magic scene in New York City on the forums and I thought that a little list of magic related things going on in the city would help some people out:

• Maui Tacos Gathering: Every Saturday afternoon, Doug Edwards and a few other magicians get together downstairs at Maui Tacos. Noon-3PM Fifth Avenue Between 32nd and 33rd streets.
• Tannens Magic: The magic shop that me and Tatanka are at during the weekends, very close to Maui Tacos. 45 West 34th Street Suite 608.
• Manhattan Magic: A new show in Times Square, magic and variety. The line ups are very good, in a nice and intimate theater. Wednesdays at 7:30PM at the Sage Theater 711 7th Avenue 2nd floor (between 47th and 48th streets.)
• Pure Magic: Eric Decamps’ parlor show, it’s beautiful and elegant magic that should not be missed. A once in a lifetime oportunity to the this world renowned magician. Sundays at 4PM at The Metropolitan Room 34 West 22nd Street (Betw. 5th & 6th Ave.)
• Monday Night Magic: New York’s longest running magic show, different line up every week. Mondays at 8PM Bleeker Street Theater 45 Bleeker Street (East of Lafayette Street.)

I hope this helps all of the curious people looking for magic in NYC, if you’re a magician visiting the city you can email at s.peterson.magic@gmail.com and maybe you can meet up with me and Tatanka to session or what not.

Peace,

Spencer Peterson

Playing Cards

If you browse through any of the magic forums like The Magic Cafe or the Theory11 Forum, the same question ALWAYS pops up; What is your favorite brand of Playing Cards?

In the last year, I have received many decks of cards and I have played around with all of them. Some are good and some are really bad, I’ll tell you guys which ones are my favorites and why.

This list is in no particular order:

• Bicycle Rider Back: The most used brand of playing cards, I only use them for practice and sometimes when performing for laymen. Their quality isn’t the best but they’re still usable.
• Tally Ho: These cards come in both Fan Back and Circle Back designs, both are very nice (I personally prefer the Fan Back design). These cards can be purchased easily at drug stores if you live in New York but they’re also available online. They have a great stock and feel nice.
• Bicycle Vintage Fan Back: These cards are pretty much higher quality Bicycle cards with an awesome looking back design. They have a nice, elegant look.
• Split Spades Lions: David Blaine and his associates decided to created a customised deck of cards with a custom box, custom back design and custom court cards with faces of David Blaine, his friend and his coworkers. These cards are BEAUTIFUL, a lot of work was put into designing this deck. Also, the cards have a slightly thicker stock making them last a long time. RECOMMENDED
• Studs: These are a fairly cheap brand of playing cards that you can get at Walgreens. They have a really nice and simple back design and are thin, making them nice and soft.
• Arrcos: These are without a doubt my all-time favorite playing cards. They have a simple vintage back design and they feel incredible. These are the Rolls-Royce of playing cards. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Spencer Peterson

Performers

Hey guys,

Here is a quick list of performers to watch:

Juan Tamariz: A quirky Spanish magician who can fool any audience and while keeping them entertained.  Look him up online to see some videos of him.

Tommy Wonder: One of the best magicians in the last decade, in stage and close up he brought elegance and astonishment to magicians and laymen alike.  Unfortunately he passed away just as I was getting into magic so I never got a chance to meet this legend.

Jay Sankey: I recently saw his lecture, which really inspired me to add more comedy in my magic.  The spontaneity of this guy is great.  He is a great example on how to use comedy to aid in your magic.

David Stone: The French magician most known for his Real Secrets of Magic DVDs, these videos are an essential rescourse on how to perform restauraunt or walk around magic.  It is refreshing to watch this master perform.

Any of the Finger Flickers: This European group of magicians are known amongst the magic community for their fresh magic and great sense of humor.  Watching their DVD will keep you laughing your ass off the entire time.

Bob Sheets: Wow, Bob sheets is, in my opinion, one of the best close up workers alive.  His persona is disarming in a way that makes the magic much stronger and more memorable.  He knows how to lead you down the garden path and hit you with strong magic.

David Oliver: Although not as well-known as others on this list, but he is one of the best.  I fortunately have had a chance to learn from him, and he is amazing in both close up and stage magic.  His stage magic takes classics to a new level while his close up will have even experienced magicians fooled.

Kostya Kimlat: Known as the master of the cull, Kostya is a full time close up magician who is delightful to watch.  Watching him live is a great way to understand how to stretch the moment of astonishment to its fullest potential.  He is one who combines really good sleight of hand along with strong staging and theater.  This is ever so important nowadays with all of the people who are good with sleights but cannot perform, we need more poeple like Kostya.

John Cassidy: The funniest person I have ever seen.  Though not a magician per say, he is an excellent performer who will have anyone laughing until they cry.  A great comedian, great performer, and all around great guy.  Please, if you get a chance to see him, do it.

David Williamson: Enough Said.

This is just some of the people who have impacted my magic with their performances.  Remember, magic has to entertain as well as amaze.  Just because you fool someone doesn’t mean they are entertained.  Our art today has seemed to not know performance.  Magicians used to take theater classes to help strengthen their magic, today it seems to be all about the sleights.  We need to learn how to take both into account when creating routines and acts.

I know this was a lot to read but it will help out in the long run.

Tatanka Tan

Spencer Peterson

Hey everyone,

My name is Spencer, and I live in the heart of New York City. I mostly do card magic but I enjoy coin magic and mentalism. I’m also interrested in photography and snowboarding, and I speak 3 and a half different laguages (English, French and Polish and learning Spanish). I guess i’ll stop bragging and i’ll add a few of my favorite books to Tatanka’s list:

• Totally Out of Control – Chris Kenner
• Real Secrets of Magic – David Stone
• The Paper Engine – Aaron Fisher
  
• By Forces Unseen – Ernest Earick
  
• Mastering The Art of Magic – Eugene Burger 
  
• Session – Joel Givens

I really hope you enjoy this blog, and if anyone has any questions or comments, please feel free to post them.

Spencer Peterson

Tatanka Tan

Hey guys, I just wanted to give you a formal introduction to me.  My name is Tatanka and I live in New York City.  I have been doing magic for a few years and have specialized in mainly card magic.  I have been starting to dab a bit into close up mentalism as well.  For all of you reading this I recommend that you read some if not all of these books:

• Art of Astonishment by Paul Harris
• Books of Wonder by Tommy Wonder
• Absolute Magic by Derren Brown
• Beyond Secrets by Jay Sankey
• Card Fictions by Pit Hartling
• Maximum Entertainment by Ken Webber
• Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz

Of course there are much more books I could recommend but these are great resources that have shaped my sleight of hand and performance style in magic.

Spencer and I will continue to offer you all insights into sleights, effects, the creative process, theory, and performance tips.  We hope you enjoy the blog.

Tatanka Tan

Hello!

Hey guys and possible guyettes,

Our names are Spencer Peterson and Tatanka Tan, both living in New York City. We work at Tannens Magic in the city and are both fanatics of Card Magic. We can call ourselves move monkeys but we love performing for people in the real world. In this blog we will talk about what’s going on in magic, what we’re working on, reviews and more! Hopefully all of you check in frequently because the more you guys give us, the more we will give back.

Thanks for supporting the blog,

SP and TT