Easiest Magic Tricks - Impress Your Audience With Minimal Practice

First and foremost, I'd say that if you want to learn the easiest magic tricks and impress your audience with minimal practice then the fastest and most effective way to easily learn some very impressive tricks is with downloadable video tutorials. The advantages of these are many:

1. They're cheaper than buying DVDs (which probably have too much information for your needs anyway and can cost over $100) Downloads range from under $5 up to $20.

2. You don't have to wait for the mail to deliver your stuff - you can be watching and learning within minutes.

3. Most downloads teach tricks that you can do without having to spend anymore money on props, special card decks, gimmicks etc.

4. You get to watch a full demonstration of the effect free before you commit - so you know exactly what you're getting.

There are books and articles too, of course, but for your needs that can involve quite a high outlay and apart from the fact that the texts can be quite hard to interpret into action without seeing the trick done, again will have far more information than you need, which is just money down the drain.

So, that's one way of learning some easy but good tricks, quickly and with minimal outlay.

The question is, however, with hundreds of downloads available out there, what kind of tricks should you choose? Well, if your main criteria are that the tricks should be easy and quick to learn but still pack a punch then I'd suggest you go for some simple coin vanishes and productions, card swipes and color changes, book test mind-reading and some kind of penetration magic effect like a coin through a bottle. That sort of thing. Not only are these tricks all very visually impressive, but they also require minimal or no set up and can often be performed impromptu with borrowed objects - no fixed props or gimmicks. That's a great advantage and means that you can perform at least a couple of tricks just like that, when anyone asks you. That is one of the best ways to impress and makes your magic trick look really cool and powerful because you 'just did it' close-up and with preparation.

Just a word to end on which is very important. This article is designed to help you if you want to learn the easiest magic tricks and impress your audience with minimal practice but that does not mean...no practice! Even easy tricks need some practice. So it's only fair that i ge you some advice on how to practice your tricks so that you can have them up and running and working for you i the shortest possible time.

I recommend that you learn more than one trick, ideally three to five. Why? Because, when you've done your first trick people are going to be impressed and I guarantee the first thing they'll do is ask you to do it again or to see another one. Well, never do the same trick twice for the same audience on the same day. They'll catch you out the second time because they'll be trying to and you'll turn a cool moment into a silly moment. So what do you do? You say that you won't show them the same trick because you've got something else they'll enjoy - and you do another! Not being able to follow up on your success can really make a good moment deflate, so make sure you've got at least a couple of follow-ups. After that, I think it's fine to back down without any shame.

Okay, you've selected your download tutorials and you've watched the demonstrations and step-by-step instructions. Here's what you should do next:

1. Watch the demonstration and instructions again a couple of times to be sure you understand it.

2. Go through the motions of the trick very slowly to get everything in the right order and to get a 'feel' for the moves.

3. Keep practicing and slowly speeding up. Don't be put off if you make mistakes - it's part of learning!

4. When you feel comfortable that nine times out of ten you can do the trick smoothly and confidently, then check your moves in a mirror.

5. Practice some more.

6. Think of some 'patter' to go with your trick. Avoid telling the audience what will happen next. Stuff like 'I'm going to make the coin disappear' should be avoided. 'Okay. let's see what I can do with the quarter I borrowed from you. It was your quarter, right? And you just saw me put it in this hand, right? And i haven't touched it since? Okay, watch...' You open your hand and the coin is gone!

7. Practice some more with the patter.

8. Get out there and do the trick!

There are a few places these days where you can get downloadable tutorials but my own recommendation is at the end of this article based on experience I know that it's a trustworthy source with the best quality to price ratio you'll find. If you get really into magic and you want to take it further, then my site The Magic Tricks Homepage is the one-stop place for tons of free advice and information to help the serious budding magician make a start. But if what you want is the easiest magic tricks to impress your audience with minimal practice, then following the advice in this article should get you everything you want.

Austin Hackney is a performing magician, entertainer, theatre practioner and writer of many years standing, always keen to share his experience and encourage the novice. His website, The Magic Tricks Homepage is a great free resource for magic tutorials, articles, visual guides, eBooks and more. If you want to learn magic well, not just a huge number of tricks but solid performance skills, the site is well worth a visit. You can also download magic video tutorials here which is a great way of learning and building a repertoire.

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5 Tips on Card Magic for Beginners

All of the finest card magic books follow a pattern in teaching sleight of hand for beginners. First they teach the terminology and the technical terms to define card sleights.

They start by teaching the different grips or ways to hold the cards. Women and young children have smaller hands therefore they should use bridge size cards.

1. The overhand and false shuffle : This is usually the first sleight taught. You must learn how to control the cards. I personally believe that it is easier and better for the beginner to focus on self-working card magic in the beginning so that they can get some effects that they can perform.

The next thing is the false cuts also known as blind cuts. The glimpse is a good sleight to learn next because sometimes the spectator will ask to shuffle the cards.

Forcing cards is a method for making the spectator select the card that you want them to, even though they believe that it was a free choice.

2. Palming cards: In magician's terminology means to take a card or cards and hold it concealed there without it's presence being suspected by the audience. The principle is an important one in card magic. Many of the finest feats possible depend on it.

The best methods of palming cards are not difficult to do. The reasons that palming is neglected or badly done by cardmen are:

a. Bad misdirection
b. Lack of confidence

The first thing a beginner might say is that their hands are too small, this is usually an excuse for not practicing enough or practicing wrong techniques. If your hands really are too small then use smaller cards as stated earlier like the bridge size.

3. Double-lifts: When used deceptively, naturally and in moderation this fundamental sleight is very useful. Unfortunately any card men do it badly and far too often. We would caution the student first to learn to execute the sleight perfectly and then to use it sparingly and discreetly.

As the name implies, the sleight consist of secretly lifting two cards as one, turning them face downwards again. The cards should be squared together perfectly. They should not be handled like a brick. Make it look natural.

4. The Pass: The first exposition of the principles of card magic was published in 1769 by the french writer Guyot, and it was he who first laid down the dictum that master of the pass is the first requisite of the art of conjuring with cards.

The pass is a very difficult sleight to master. The principal use of the pass is to secretly bring a chosen card from the middle of the pack to the top, or vice versa.

5. Top Change: There is no other sleight in all conjuring with cards which will give you so much pleasure as this. More than any other sleight, it lends itself to proper misdirection, improvisation, the delightful ad-libbing. This is one way to have a lot of fun with cards. This creates more of a battle of wits and so much laughter.. You can really engage your audience with this method.

To exchange one card for another boldly and under the noses of those who watch, without being detected, is a sweet triumph! It is also good entertainment.

This sleight is difficult to perfect and requires a lot of practice,understanding and timing.

Francesca Wilson has been a member of the local magic club for over eight years and has had the pleasure to meet and work with some of the best magicians in the world. Visit our site to get a FREE mini-course on the "Little Known Secrets of Magicians" http://www.magictrickshowto.com/how-to-do-card-tricks/

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Mentalism Magic - The Secrets Revealed

By Austin Hackney


Mentalism is arguably the most popular and growing form of magical performance around today. It's also one of the areas that seems most frightening to novice magicians because of the mystique surrounding it. Of course, that mystique is all part of the act and once you know the insider secrets behind what really goes on in most mentalism tricks and routines, you'll find that it is no more (or less) demanding to learn than any other kind of magic trick.
The power of mentalism tricks and routines lies essentially in two things:
one is that it appeals to the fundamental hopes and fears of the human mind. Just think how perennially popular are ghost stories, psychic readings, U.F.O. sightings and anything which suggests that there is 'something more' to life than the humdrum of daily experience.another is that of all magical traditions it does most to mask its true techniques in a cloud of mystery and misinformation.
However, what really distinguishes a mentalism trick from any other simple magical effect is the presentation style and context. The techniques are almost all the same as the fundamental magic techniques of any other branch or style of magic.
Quite simply, the mentalist proposes that the feat is performed by either 'psychic' powers or, more commonly these days, by some clever 'psychological' techniques. Most magic tricks make no such claims. Everyone knows that the effects are achieved by 'sleight-of-hand' and misdirection. The key to understanding the magic of mentalism is to realise that the claims to 'psychic' powers and 'psychological' techniques are merely a case of smoke and mirrors; they are merely elements of the stage persona of mentalism. In fact, most mentalism routines use gimmicked props, 'sleight-of-hand' and misdirection in just the same way as other magic tricks do!
This might disappoint some people who want to believe that there is something mystical going on but if you want to perform mentalism then you really need to know!
Derren Brown, one of the most famous mentalists working today and one who presents his mentalism as 'clever psychology' has actually been quite candid about the trickery he employs. For example, he performed a routine which, incidentally, he didn't invent (I believe that it came from the great mentalist of the last century, Theodore Annemann) on the UK television show, Richard & Judy in which he claimed to plant a letter in the presenter's mind through clever psychology when it seemed that she had a free choice to mentally choose any letter of the alphabet. In fact, it is an old routine and relies on a gimmicked thumb tip with a small pencil lead concealed in the end of it. So how did it work?
He asked the presenter to think of a letter, any letter but not R or J because that would be too obvious and hold the letter clearly in her mind. He then took a piece of paper and appeared to write on it with a pencil that he then discarded. He then placed the paper behind his back and asked her to reveal the letter that she had chosen. he next produced the piece of paper and there, written upon it was the selected letter!
In fact, he didn't actually write anything the first time. The paper was blank as he held it behind his back. Once she had told him what letter was, he simply wrote it on the paper with his thumb gimmick before revealing it.
The reason I give you this example is not in any way to undermine or expose Derren Brown - who is an excellent performer and rightly admired. It is just to give one example of how easy, in fact, mentalism can be. What is really required is a lot of guts and again a good handle on the traditional techniques of manipulation and misdirection.
If you're a magician or an aspiring magician then you really should add at least some mentalism effects to your routines. The public appetite for these tricks is insatiable. There are many good books available and especially useful, downloadable video tutorials that are a great place to start.
Austin Hackney is a performing magician, entertainer, theatre practioner and writer of many years standing, always keen to share his experience and encourage the novice. His website, The Magic Tricks Homepage is a great free resource for magic tutorials, articles, visual guides, eBooks and more. If you want to learn magic well, not just a huge number of tricks but solid performance skills, the site is well worth a visit. You can download cool mentalism magic video tutorials here which is a great way of learning and building a repertoire.
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The Magic of Downloadable Tutorials

By Austin Hackney


It wasn't so many years ago that any aspiring magician would have to seek out an established master and try any which way to persuade him to share his magical secrets. Then, as magicians realised that some exposure helped rather than harmed the profession, a number of books became available. Sadly, even the best of these books could be painfully esoteric and difficult to interpret. Not only that but books and DVD formats can till be prohibitively expensive. Modern beginners in magic are wonderfully lucky that they can now find practical demonstrations of almost every kind of trick available to download from the web: but are these tutorials any good? I think so. Let me tell you why.
Well, I've already mentioned the cost of books and DVD formats which can run into hundreds of dollars for a single effect. If you are already an established professional magician with a clear purpose in mind then that might well be a reasonable investment. However, magic is always more popular and there are others who are either just starting out or simply want to learn a few good tricks to impress their friends. Now, they definitely shouldn't have to pay such prices for tricks that they probably won't be able to perform anyway because they don't have the fundamental techniques.
Any professional knows that the mechanics of a trick are only half of magic performance. And whilst the more profound technical and psychological techniques of magic take years to master, there's no reason why, if the instruction is clear, comprehensive and above all visual; there's no reason why anyone shouldn't learn some great, really stunning tricks that don't require years of professional experience to do.
And that, it seems to me, is where the modern trend for instantly downloadable magic video tutorials comes in.
Not all of these video tutorials are produced by professional magicians (although a lot of them are) but I think that's a good thing because it shows just how accessible good magic has become. Obviously I would advise anyone thinking of learning some magic this way to use their common sense and ask some sensible questions before going ahead and paying for a download. For example:
Is it a reasonably established site?Is there a money back guarantee?Is it a secure transaction system?Is the download guaranteed to be virus free?Can you watch the demonstration video free before buying?
If you can tick all these boxes, then it's almost certainly a genuine service and you are likely to get a good start in magic using one of the easiest, quickest and most effective methods of learning available today.
If, after such a taster, you realise that you do want to go ahead and take your magic learning up a level, then you can still keep it very cost-effective (even free) by signing up to one of the reputable magic teaching sites where you can learn all the fundamental techniques and principles of magic performance and even how to go about setting yourself up professionally.
Another good place to get advice and insight as a novice is to join one of the many cool magic forums on the web. Many of them are frequented by top working magicians.
So, whether you think you might go on to take your magic seriously, or you just want to impress your friends with some stunning effects, I think that downloadable magic video tutorials can be a really great way to get started.
Austin Hackney is a performing magician, entertainer, theatre practioner and writer of many years standing, always keen to share his experience and encourage the novice. His website, The Magic Tricks Homepage is a great free resource for magic tutorials, articles, visual guides, eBooks and more. If you want to learn magic well, not just a huge number of tricks but solid performance skills, the site is well worth a visit. You can download magic video tutorials here which is a great way of learning and building a repertoire.
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Magic Tricks - 'Now Pick a Card, Any Card'

By Austin Hackney

Say 'Pick a card, any card' as you fan out a deck of playing cards and most card magic tricks aficionados are going to feel in pretty familiar territory. You could even forgive someone for suggesting that your act is already looking a little old hat (with or without a white rabbit hidden in it!)
But before you dump this opener forever into the trash-can of historical cliches, take a moment to think again.
Sometimes what appears cliched at first is really one of the foundation stones of a strong tradition. Every day millions of magi across the globe perform thousands of different card magic tricks that all begin with these famous lines. Just think how many times you've seen it and enjoyed the trick. David Copperfield, Paul Daniels, Johnny Ace Palmer, David Blaine...name as many famous magicians as you like and you'll discover that they all continue to use this opener all the time! Why? Because it still works every bit as well as it did when whoever first came up with it, came up with it. And as the saying goes, "If a thing ain't broke, don't fix it!"
Let's have a look at why this opener works so well and has become so enduring and why you should not be afraid to use it too in your own magic routines.
Firstly, it states clearly from the start what is going on: we are going to do some card tricks. The fact that it is so comfortable and well known is actually a good thing because it puts people at ease. When they're at ease, they relax and feel confident. When they do that, their guard goes down. That's very good for the magician who then has a head start in her/his deceptions and misdirection.
Secondly, it gets the audience involved right from the set-up and it is simply a golden rule that audience involvement in magic tricks is an absolute winner every time. Having someone from the audience directly involved in a trick gives all the other spectators someone they can sympathise with, drawing them in to the show. Having that other person there, also means there's more for them to watch and every time you ask the involved spectator a question, they will all look at him to see what he says and does. While they're all looking at him, you can do your secret move, switch, glide, ditch, anything you like because they are not watching you! So, having someone else involved is also great for misdirection.
Thirdly, getting the audience involved helps build rapport between the magician and the audience and a good rapport, a sense of some kind of bonding and relationship is the absolute key to successful magic. Swaggerers and boasters and ego-trippers who try to create magic set themselves up for a very difficult time with critical eyes trained on them like hawks and hecklers firing sly shots at them at every opportunity. Getting people involved positively makes the magic a community affair and people are far less likely to be trying to catch you out.
And the fourth and final reason why you should not ditch this classic opener is that it is simply the doorway into literally thousands of classic, stunning, tried and tested card magic tricks that you really ought to have in your repertoire.
All of these classic lines are classic precisely because they are so useful. You can do them over and over and they will, like trusted friends, never let you down.
Austin is a performing magician, entertainer, theatre practioner and writer of many years standing, always keen to share his experience and encourage the novice. His website, The Magic Tricks Homepage is a great free resource for magic tutorials, articles, visual guides, eBooks and more. If want to learn magic well, not just a huge number of tricks but solid performance skills, the site is well worth a visit. You can also download magic video tutorials here which is a great way of learning and building a repertoire.
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Magic Tricks - How to Saw a Woman in Half

The sawing a woman in half trick was probably first performed by a UK magician named P. T. Selbit in 1921. His original performance would probably not be very satisfying to a contemporary audience as the woman was entirely enclosed in a wooden box so that she was out of sight when the sawing took place. Before entering the box her hands and feet were tied with ropes. Selbit's female assistant was called Betty Barker and as far as we know was the first woman ever to be publicly sawn in half!

Horace Goldin performed the version of how to saw a woman in half that we are more familiar with today: in which the woman's head and feet stick of the ends of the box and the box halves are separated briefly once she has been sawn through. Once the halves are replaced together, the assistant gets out unscathed.

Since then we have seen and continue to see all kinds of variations of how to saw a woman in half, ever more spectacular, including use of a transparent box (first performed by 'The Pendragons') and an especially gruesome version by Penn and Teller involving a lot of latex innards and fake blood!

Despite all these variations, all these sawing in half illusions employ one of two basic principles. The illusion is fundamentally a mechanical one.

In one method, the box is constructed in such a way as to give the illusion of being much thinner and narrower than it really is. In reality, there is plenty of room for the assistant to simply curl up in one side of the box. Frequently, in this case, false feet are put in place under cover of various forms of misdirection.

In another method the box has a false bottom in the middle section, which slides away allowing the assistant to lower her midriff out of harm's way whilst the sawing takes place. Frequently, from the outset the assistant has been wearing a false midsection made of fibre glass, so that even in exposed situations such as the transparent box version mentioned earlier, there is the illusion that the woman is still in exactly the same position. In fact she has slipped out of her false middle.

So the famous sawing a woman in half magic trick is achieved through a combination of mechanics, optical illusion and misdirection.

Interestingly, despite its long heritage, modern magicians are constantly trying to find new expressions of this old theme. A most shocking and famous example was performed on television by Criss Angel as part of his show in which instead of sawing a woman in half he had members of the public pull a woman in half on a park bench! This was achieved by the use of two stooges, one of whom was a woman born with a deformity known as 'sacral agenesis' in which the person effectively has a normal head, shoulders and arms but seems to lack the lower sections of the body, all the vital organs existing in the growth-inhibited body and the other a professional circus performer. Needless to say the effect caused a deal of controversy.

So, now you know how to saw a woman in half. However, popular as this magic trick remains with the general public and even armed with the knowledge of how it is done, I would caution you to think and plan very carefully before attempting to do it as it can still be very dangerous if it is not set-up exactly right.

Austin is a performing magician, entertainer, theatre practioner and writer of many years standing, always keen to share his experience and encourage the novice. His website, The Magic Tricks Homepage is a great free resource for magic tutorials, articles, visual guides, eBooks and more.

Austin specialises in coin tricks and manipulation. Having worked in 'the real world' all his life, he is gaining a reputation on the web. His passion for the art and science of magical illusion shows in all his work.

The Magic Tricks Homepage is proving an excellent medium for reaching out to aspiring magicians across the globe, offering them the best teaching not only in learning magic tricks but, importantly, learning how to perform them well. If you want to learn magic tricks well, go there now: The Magic Tricks Homepage

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Learn Simple Magic Tricks And Advice On Perfecting Your Performance

We've all experienced the term "magic." Quite a few of us use it within our daily lives. However, what actually is magic? Well, the actual conventional definition of magic is something similar to this: Magic is the execution of illusions used to entertain, perplex and also amaze. The objective of magic is to give the illusion that the impossible or supernatural appears to have been accomplished. Truly engaging magic is usually produced by a talented performer that knows how to make use of natural means to make the perception that something next to impossible appears to have been achieved.

Similar to most kids, my daughter is very serious about finding out a little more about magic. She has wished to learn magic tricks since she saw Greg Wiggle try to pull a rabbit from his hat on the Wiggles' TV show. That year at Christmas I got her a magic kit so that she could certainly begin performing simple magic tricks. Even though her interest on this is off and on, she's picked up how to perform a few simple magic tricks. Just when I think she's had enough she comes back to learn more.

Almost anyone can figure out magic tricks, however it is something you truly really need to focus on. It will require much more skill than you would imagine, and not everybody are able to do it effectively. The simple tricks can be mastered, but if you would like to learn magic tricks that can be elaborate and complex, you are going to really need to put practice into it. If you don't believe that you have the knack for it, simply just deal with doing a few less difficult tricks to ascertain how good you will get. You will be pleasantly surprised to see what you can do after a lot of practice.

Magic is about slight of hand and lots of redirection. These require co-ordination as well as persistence to master. If you are often dropping items, you might find it difficult when you try and discover how to execute magic tricks professionally. You really need to be competent to focus, plus you've got to keep practicing until you happen to be sick and tired of every single trick. That is when you get good though, and that's when your passion may well be reignited. Even though just about anyone can easily learn a few magic tricks, the genuinely passionate people are the ones who can learn the complicated and breath-taking tricks which often leave your guests or friends in awe.

If you need aid to learn magic tricks, one can find some advice and information on the net. The issue with this is the fact that almost all magicians keep their particular secrets carefully guarded. There'd end up being no suspense to magic if the details of how to do a number of the tricks were public knowledge. If you would like gain knowledge of magic tricks that will be more technical, you basically need to find a magician who will be ready to show you and reveal their own tricks with you. This isn't going to happen if you do not show an enthusiastic interest when wishing to learn magic tricks, and a strong wish to see things through. It's complicated, and so they don't want to tutor somebody who will probably be uninterested in it in just a handful of weeks.

Additionally, there are a lot of magic shops that anyone can locate online which will sell magic kits that will aid in you learning methods to perform card tricks. Normally, these are sensibly priced, and you may additionally come across a few at online auctions too. After you have learned the way to conduct your magic trick, try out your skills on a buddy to master the overall performance.

This information is provided by learnmagics.com, which have comprehensive information and tutorials on how to learn magic tricks plus instructional video tutorials that may help you learn magic tricks.

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Magic Events: Perfect Show For Events

There are many functions getting hosted in different parts of the world. It is natural that you might be really tired of attending these functions as the talks might be moving in the same fashion without any changes. Considering these aspects you should try your level best in carrying out various changes with respect to the programs and most of them will be really interested in taking part in the function if you are also organizing some kind of entertainment activities along with the usual talk shows.

You might be really confused with respect to the type of activity that has to be organized by the people and as a result there are many choices in front of you without any issues. Most of them are interested in hosting some type of musical shows but the issue that there are many type of music and the interest usually varies from person to person. Considering these facts you should try selecting an event which goes smoothly with all the people irrespective of the age and gender wherein magical events are considered as one of the best option with the passage of time. You might be really concerned about the arrangement of the magician and considering these facts you should try your level best in getting hold of a talented person to host the event very well with the passage of time.

There are many people actually ready to give out shows for various events including various corporate shows and private parties in the best possible manner. Also the guest are willing to stay back for the show as they are not getting any other chance to enjoy a magic event in the present time especially due to the busy nature they are facing with the passage of time. You should try your level best to get hold of the magician Sydney as early as possible as these people are of great demand in various events including various trade shows that are conducted across the country. You can even search on the internet in order to get hold of the best firm without facing any kinds of issues with the passage of time and considering these facts you should try your level best to remain in front of the computer for certain time as you might be able to get hold of the required one within your budget within certain time limit.

Keep your guests entertained by choosing the best Stage Magic Show Sydney and make you event even more successful with a wide variety of Comedy Magician show Brisbane available at Magicevents.

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International Band Makes Magic

Pink Martini is a delectable concoction of twelve Portland, Oregon-based musicians whose sweet, smooth, spicy, tart and tangy programs are savored throughout the world. Pianist Thomas Lauderdale laughingly admits that he probably came up with the name when he was slight intoxicated and in the process of abandoning his political career to return to his first love, music.

He never imagined he would establish a band. Such a thing was not in his radar when he received a contract to go back home to Portland and play several concerts with the symphony. Because his life had shifted away from music toward politics, he was working on ballot measures that interested him involving civil rights. The only sour note came from the bands and DJs at political events. Convinced that he could write catchy songs and put together a lively ensemble to inspire voters, he assembled musicians guaranteed to add zest to the gatherings.

The band took off like the proverbial wildfire. Along with performing at political rallies, they were invited to appear at many other gatherings. It was not long before Lauderdale realized it was more fabulous to be playing in exotic locations and thanked by applause than to be working under fluorescent lights and dealing with angry constituents.

He next convinced China Forbes, a former Harvard classmate turned guitarist and songwriter, to join him in Portland, bribing her away from New York City with Frequent Flier miles. Multilingual, as are many in the band, she is the lead vocalist amid a cocktail shaker of musicians representing wildly diverse styles. Their assorted backgrounds and languages enable them to converse wherever their schedule takes them. When needed, the core dozen is often enhanced with a string section. Despite the exotic origins of some members, Lauderdale often finds fresh talent right at home. As an adopted child who grew up with adopted siblings representing Africa, Asia and Iran, he easily reaches out to people of all nationalities.

He has never undertaken an active search for band members, accidentally finding the needed trumpet player, violinist or other instrumentalist by initiating a casual conversation. His conga (Cuban drum of African heritage) player was working in the kitchen of a place where he was having lunch. During a break, he came out and began entertaining the guests. Lauderdale snapped him up.

After making its European debut at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival, Pink Martini has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra and other major orchestras in Europe, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. They have collaborated with stars like Jimmy Scott, Carol Channing, Chavela Vargas and Michael Feinstein. The title song of their debut album, "Sympathique," won France's Victoires de la Musique Awards of 2000 for "Song of the Year" and "Best New Artist." Their second and third albums, "Hang on Little Tomato," and "Hey Eugene!" have gone gold in France, Canada, Greece and Turkey. Their latest, "Splendor in the Grass," is climbing rapidly.

Lauderdale's political background comes to the fore today only when he muses about the role of music as a democratic vehicle and the appeal of beautiful melodies and beautiful lyrics to all ages and political affiliations. Whether embarking on a love affair or going through a crisis, Pink Martini lends support.

It even goes back to the future. At a recent concert, a soldier and his wife who were expecting their first baby came up afterward to explain that they had driven all the way from Fort Bragg so their unborn child could enjoy hearing the concert.

Emily Cary is a prize-winning teacher and novelist whose articles about entertainers appear regularly in the DC Examiner. She is a genealogist, an avid traveler, and a researcher who incorporates landscapes, cultures and the power of music in her books and articles.

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Las Vegas Magic Shows

There is no better place on earth to watch a magic show than among the lights of Las Vegas. Glitz and glamour abound. The most skilled magicians in the world make their way through Las Vegas at one time or another. Some thrill and move on to other venues, others stay and perform on an almost daily basis. They cover almost every genre of magic, from the full illusions of David Copperfield to the parlor magic and humor of Mac King.

This article is not about who I think you should see, but instead a directory of sorts to guide you to the performers who are best suited for your preference and budget.

David Copperfield performs almost nightly at the MGM Grand. He is the epitome of Las Vegas magic - Big, grand, glitzy, and the Best at what he does. Anyone of any age can appreciate his shows and will leave inspired. Expect to spend some money, as watching the Best will cost the most.

Penn and Teller perform at the Rio, and are not to be missed by adults who want to be truly fooled and entertained. I would recommend this show for the entire family, but Penn is known to drop the 'F' bomb from time to time, so I would rate this show a definite 'PG'. Again, tickets are not cheap, but well worth the cost.

Criss Angel's 'Believe' performs several times a week at the Luxor. Although this show didn't open to great reviews, I understand Criss has increased the number of illusions dramatically and I am starting to hear that the Criss Angel that wowed a nation on TV is back and going strong. If you are a Criss Angel fan I would expect you to be extremely satisfied with the new look of 'Believe'. Should be suitable for the whole family.

The Amazing Johnathan performs at Planet Hollywood and his wild brand of magic is definitely for Adults. Magic is simply a tool Johnathan employs to make you laugh for the duration of the show. The virtual non-stop humor makes this one of the most watched shows in Vegas.

Gerry McCambridge, the Mentalist, also performs at Planet Hollywood. I would recommend finding another activity for the kids, as Gerry is a very cerebral performer who's mentalism is probably beyond the average child. Adults will 'get it' and appreciate the enormous skill and professionalism displayed by 'the Mentalist'.

The Magic and Tigers of Rick Thomas rocks the Sahara. Rick carries on the tradition of the enormously popular Siegfred and Roy, using large and beautiful creatures to add a spice and flair to his shows. This show is a perennial favorite of the Las Vegas magic lover. Suitable for the entire family.

The Mac King Comedy Magic Show at Harrah's is the Best Deal for the money in Vegas. Call the box office and ask for special pricing. You can find good tickets for less than twenty bucks. Mac is a really, really funny guy. A couple of his effects border slightly on risque', but in a way that will make the average 'kid' feel as if you trust them to watch and appreciate the performance. I wouldn't hesitate to take anyone from ten years old and beyond.

The Nathan Burton Comedy Show at the Flamingo is a great way for a family to spend the afternoon in Las Vegas. The star of World's Greatest Magic on NBC; World's Wildest Magic on NBC; America's Got Talent; Miami Ink; and VH1's Surreal Life is often called the 'hardest working magician in Vegas..'. Full of illusions and show girls, this show will definitely be one of the highlights of your Las Vegas trip.

Although not all of the magicians currently performing in Vegas are listed, there are several web sites detailing many other performers and shows currently appearing in Las Vegas and the surrounding area. Magicians contact these sites regularly with their latest information and links to their venues as times, dates, and details are constantly changing. Do your homework before leaving for Vegas, as some shows sell out early. Enjoy.

Rick Carruth is the editor of the Magic Roadshow, magic's premier free newsletter. Discover dozens of street magic tips and tricks or sign up for Magic Roadshow at: http://streetmagic.info/. For more info on Las Vegas magic shows, visit http://lasvegasmagicshows.info/ for details. Site is updated every month with the latest info, times, dates, and links.

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