For over a decade, Felice Ling has popped up on streets around the world. This occasionally international street performer has been seen at Faneuil Hall, Harvard Square, and fringe festivals from Edinburgh to Adelaide. She was a finalist at the Inaugural FISM World Championship of Street Magic in 2025.
“Explorer 2 continues the structured training from Explorer 1, focusing on rarely-mastered sleights and advanced routining. You'll refine your technique, learn Michael's deceptive new handling of a popular stand-up effect, and develop the skills that separate hobbyists from performers.”
Michael Close has decades of experience performing and has authored fifteen books of original material for magicians, including the highly regarded “Workers” series. He is a sought-after magic consultant, notably consulting for “Penn & Teller: Fool Us.”
Last Fall, I had an overwhelmingly positive experience auditing Michael’s six week online course, Explorer 1: Transform Your Magic. In level one, Michael introduces a dozen foundational sleights (with cards and coins), more than a half-dozen tricks that incorporate the sleights, theory, critique, and insights on practise, finding your style, construction, routining, and presentation.
It goes without saying that I was eager to discover what Michael had in store for the next series of classes in Explorer 2.
The classes build directly on the material presented in Explorer 1. Michael methodically expands our knowledge base on foundational sleights with both cards and coins. In these classes there is a focus on some card and coin techniques that are often poorly executed by magicians in general. Guided by Michael’s extensive real-world experience observing what can go wrong in their execution, he teaches the skills in easy to digest layers (including the assignment of preparatory exercises), as well as alerting the students how to both mitigate and circumnavigate potential issues.
The format for Explorer 2 is similar to level 1 of the course. The online classes are about an hour in length, delivered weekly, and run for 6 weeks. The class size is capped at twelve students, which allows students to participate in discussions, ask questions, and receive personal attention. The classes are recorded, which means if you are absent for a class, you can watch the recording on your own time before the next class. (It’s a tremendous gift if you’re having difficulty mastering a move because you can slow down the video!)
Michael provides many opportunities to ask questions both during and between classes. While there is no requirement for students to perform during classes, he encourages them to submit videos of their progress for him to provide feedback. He is also available by email to answer questions between classes.
One huge advantage to learning this material from Michael is his ability to draw on his considerable knowledge and experience to suggest alternative handlings if one’s skill set or dexterity aren’t quite up to the material as initially presented. He can tell you the “why, when, and how” of the technique creation and point you to suitable workarounds if required.
In contrast to Explorer 1, where it was recommended to practise fifteen minutes a day to achieve mastery by the next class, many of the techniques presented in Explorer 2 require greater daily effort and may take longer than a week to truly master. It is recommended that you set aside at least thirty to forty-five minutes a day for practise.
With respect to teaching effects and routines, Michael provides insights into an effect’s construction. Theory is interspersed with the card and coin technique. He shares his thoughts about the routining and what can be done to elevate the experience of the spectator. Michael offers constructive criticisms and encourages his students to do the same. Thought is given to the optimal way to present the effect and reading material is assigned to provide context regarding an effect’s creation and subsequent evolution.
Similar to Explorer 1, Michael has both assigned and supplemental reading, sharing wisdom from magicians such as Stewart James, Roberto Giobbi, Arturo De Ascanio, Jon Racherbaumer, Frank Garcia, Johnny Thompson, Martin Gardner, and John Carney. (We also received the notes to Michael’s fantastic 2017 lecture "Magic Theory, or Magic Fact? Let's Find Out.") The reading material serves to frame the lessons by reinforcing critical thinking skills, walking through the history and refinement of effects, and expanding on the opinions and observations of notable figures in magic.
As with Explorer 1, most of the class materials for Explorer 2 continue to be available to the students beyond the six week course enrolment.
I had a fantastic time and learned an incredible amount participating in Explorers 1 and 2! If you’re looking for a way to refine your technique and elevate the impact of your performances, the Explorer series is for you!
For more information about the Explorer series of classes, visit MichaelClose.com.
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Disclosure: I audited the classes as a guest.
The opinions expressed above are entirely my own. I did not receive
compensation for the writing or the publishing of this article.
We're extending members a last minute invitation to a special workshop with Javi Benitez. (Javi has been on Fool Us twice and did a virtual lecture for the club during the pandemic.)
It's Wednesday, June 3 at 7pm, near Yonge and Eglinton.
Nathan is in Vancouver between headline performances on cruise ships. Because of baggage limitations he is only bringing and sharing actual material he is currently performing for real audiences on real world gigs.
When Kenrick was 10-years old he was given a used magic kit from a second-hand store that was incomplete and missing pieces. That magic kit was the key to revealing a passion and natural talent that would later becoming a life-long career, which would transform Kenrick into “ICE McDonald.”
See Marc lecture in Regina while he's touring Saskatchewan with his French school assembly shows. We saw him lecture in Toronto a couple of years ago and learned a lot!
Wednesday 27th at the Regent Family Restaurant 3823 Sherwood Dr, Regina, SK S4R 4A8
Hope to see you there!
About Marc Trudel:
A two-time Canadian Magic Champion and the first recipient of the prestigious Grand Prix de Magie Michel Cailloux, Marc Trudel has built a reputation that goes far beyond the stage. With over 25 years of performing experience — from intimate close-up settings to full theatrical productions — he is recognized by his peers as a creator, consultant, lecturer, and educator of the highest calibre.
Eric Samuels is considered one of the top performers and creative forces in his field, lecturing to magicians and mentalists worldwide. In 2021, his work was recognized by the world’s most distinguished mentalist organization – the Psychic Entertainers Association (PEA), honouring him with the coveted Dan Blackwood Memorial Award for his Outstanding Contribution to the Art of Mentalism.
Hosted by the Fraser Valley Magic Company - bringing high quality entertainment to the Fraser Valley since 2015!
The Hat and Rabbit Club is thrilled to host the legendary Steve Beam for a special, hands-on workshop you won’t want to miss.
Drawing from over 1,300 effects across his 12 published volumes and 15 years of the Trapdoor. Steve will guide us through some of his favourites from his brilliantly deceptive semi-automatic and sleight of hand card magic. Effects that are as powerful as they are practical. Expect clever thinking, layered methods and routines that truly connect with spectators.
From the man who brought you the Trick that Could Not be Printed, the Flaming Heckler Illusion, and the Vanishing Earthworm, you are now about to be subjected to Magic with No Entertainment Value. Also known as Lecture #17 (and the only one he does) it features some of the finest in comedy magic direct from the instigator.
You will find more usable and practical material in this one lecture than you culled from your entire photocopy of Greater Magic. (Photocopies of Greater Magic will also be available at the lecture.) Best of all, remember Steve’s motto regarding his lecture: Less than 3% filler.
In this lecture, Jeff will be teaching some of his tried-and-true effects that have been performed for his audiences over the past decade. In addition, Jeff will cover performance theory and how to improve your own effects.
Updated February 18 at 4:18 PM: --> Michael Kras lecture is postponed due to the weather -->
the club is still getting together tonight, but they've decided to move
it to The Frog where you can warm up with a drink and snacks.
Join us for our next meeting Wednesday February 18 featuring a lecture from
creator, playwright and breakfast sandwich connoisseur Michael Kras
@michaelkras sharing material from his latest book “Synthesis and Secrets”
Looking forward sharing my exclusive working routines from my four-year
residency at the Casa Monica Resort & Spa at this lecture on Wednesday
January 7th. Call The Magic Apple (818) 508-9921 to reserve.
To celebrate the New Year, in collaboration with le Club de magie de Montréal,
we're hosting a gathering that includes a number of mini-lectures from special
guests AND great company. Speakers include Rico Weeland from the Netherlands,
our very own Slim Card, and many more. Read more and buy tickets.
Michael Close's Explorer 1 Teaching the magic beyond the tricks
Has your magic has plateaued in spite of owning shelves of magic books, a hard
drive full of instructional downloads, and drawers full of magic
effects? Enter Explorer 1: Transform Your Magic a 6 week online course
offered by Michael Close.
As you are likely aware, Michael is well known in the magic community for his
excellence as an author, a creator, a performer, and a consultant. For
those unfamiliar with Michael’s work, I encourage you to read Jamy Ian Swiss’
2018 article “The Paradigm Shift – Volume One & Volume Two by Michael
Close” at Magicana.
I participated in the beta testing of these classes, in addition to
auditing the first run of the course. The classes methodically cover
foundational sleights with both cards and coins. One of the biggest
benefits to learning from Michael, a performer with decades of experience
under his belt, is that he teaches fundamental material with an
awareness as to how the skills will be applied as one advances their
ability. In other words, the foundational sleights are taught in a
versatile manner, ready for use in more sophisticated situations. This
approach results in accelerated learning – you only have to learn a skill
once!
Michael’s approach to teaching magic, mirrors in many respects, The Royal
Conservatory of Music's approach to the method and practise of teaching
music. (This comes as no surprise given Michael’s Masters Degree in
Music Theory and Composition.)
What do I mean by this? A music teacher will introduce their student
music theory concepts (such as a key signature, and rhythm), and provide them
with a piece of music to practise which incorporates these ideas. As
music students practise with the goal of performance in mind, the teacher will
discuss musical technique, as well as introduce critical analysis of their
student’s efforts.
On the surface, Micheal teaches foundational sleights, along with tricks which
incorporate these fundamental skills. While the tricks are logical a
vehicle to demonstrate the use of the newfound technical expertise, they more
importantly serve as case studies for broader theoretical concepts important
to maximizing the entertainment value of magic performance.
Simply put, the tricks are not the lesson. They are the
springboards that permit Michael to introduce theory that elevates the performance of magic.
Michael presents his well crafted lessons in a manner which is clear and
easy to follow. Nuggets of wisdom gleaned from years of performance and
consulting pepper every session. The classes are a safe and nurturing
environment that puts the students at ease. In these classes, questions
in search of understanding are always welcome.
Michael provides a manageable amount of assigned and supplemental reading,
invoking wisdom from magicians such as Jamy Ian Swiss, Juan Tamariz, Larry
Hass, Jon Racherbaumer, and of course Dai Vernon.
As an added bonus, course enrollment includes exclusive, limited-time access
to the Ask Alexander Digital Library, provided
by the Conjuring Arts Research Center.
In keeping with the music class analogy, during the course Michael said this
about foundational sleights:
“... one of the good things about developing a toolbox of techniques of
sleights that you are competent at, is it makes reading magic books a lot
easier. You're almost like musicians when they sight read a piece. If I
have all my scales and my arpeggios and all these things under my fingers to a
reasonable degree, then as I look at a new piece of music, I can get a sense
of what that piece of music is as I sight read.”
Similarly, if you embrace the theoretical concepts, while also developing your
analytical and critiquing muscles, you will be able to utilize this knowledge
to enhance any magic performance, from close-up to stage.
I
had an overwhelmingly positive experience participating in these
classes. If you’re looking for a way to shore up your sleights, and
elevate your presentation skills, this is the course for you!
To
register, or for more information, visit Micheal's website at MichaelClose.com.
Disclosure: I beta tested and audited the classes as a guest.
The opinions expressed above are entirely my own. I did not receive
compensation for the writing or the publishing of this article.
Tickets are now on sale for our first lecture of the 2025-2026 season with coin-man extraordinaire Rick Holcombe. On Nov 20, Rick will be giving his Fusion Lecture and sneaking in a few bonuses along the way.
On Friday Nov. 21, Rick will also be giving small coin workshop where he'll teach a variety of hand-picked routines, techniques and sequences that require just three coins and will give an in-depth teaching session on his Sly Palm, a practical new tool that you will happy to be add to your repertoire. Email us if you're interested as spaces are limited.
I first heard of Rick Holcombe through my dearly departed friend Curtis Kam. On a Zoom session during lockdown, Curtis said there was a guy that was doing some very interesting stuff, AND the material was easy. For those that knew Curtis, I'm still not sure if that last comment was a compliment or him throwing shade. 🙂
So we watched some video, and Rick impressed me with how smooth and soft his work was. The Mr. Rogers of coin magic, his disarming nature only adds to the power of his magic. I've never met Rick in person but I'm excited to have him in Montreal for his first ever mini-Canadian lecture tour (he's just doing two dates: Toronto and here).
If you're a fan of coin magic, or are a little scared of it but want to add a little bit of it to your repertoire, Rick's your guy. His magic is strong and accessible (i.e. NOT knuckle-busting). So I hope to see most of you at the lecture, and at least a few of you at the workshop.
Your FREE CAM Member Gift: Exclusive CAM JAM with Ekaterina!
Speaking of things to be thankful for, we're giving you a FREE gift just for being a member: get ready for a spectacular event coming up Sunday, October 19— CAM JAM with Ekaterina!
This upcoming session features the amazing talent of Ekaterina, and you absolutely do not want to miss it. It's an opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired by one of the best in our community.
The best part? It's entirely FREE for all CAM members! Click below to RSVP!
