Review: Reading Writing

From Wayne Kawamoto:

Reading Writing teaches an entire system of analyzing handwriting. It will take some memorization and you’ll have to sharpen your skills at recognizing the subtle differences, but there are single sleight of hand moves that take far longer to master.

What’s great about this book is that it offers a gateway into the possibilities of combining handwriting analysis with mentalism and magic. The book explains mentalism “experiments”  regarding: determining favorites, lie detection, a prediction, a book test, matching writing to a person and more. There are also angles on classics such as ambitious card.

I have studied books on the topic and I wish that Ariel Frailich’s “Reading Writing” had been around earlier. This is the book that I would have wanted as a start. I recommend this one and I’ll sign to it.

Read more.

Also at Magi-Fest ...

@canadasmagic im doing my book and DVD release through vanishing inc at magi-fest!! I'm actually on the Ted talk style talk line up!! :)
— Chris Westfall (@Westfall_magic) January 15, 2014

Farquhar and Sankey at Oceanside

From Oceanside Magic:

Welcome to a new Cape Cod convention! April 10-13, 2014 

Only 3 months until the most fantastic magic convention to hit Cape Cod in years!!  All are invited to the first Oceanside Magic Invitational-- enjoy lectures, dealers, auction, close-up show, two stage shows, grand banquet, and much more!  The beautiful, intimate Red Jacket Beach Resort in South Yarmouth, MA is our host venue...making this a truly oceanside magic event!

World-class magicians--Ice McDonald; Shawn Farquhar; Jay Scott Berry; Mickey Silver; Jay Sankey; and MANY MORE!!--congregate here to share their talents and skills, and the camaraderie that only a small convention can offer.  Our special Guest of Honor for this first-time event will be David Oliver.

Read more and register.

Dave Attwood interviews Gwyn Auger

In episode 49 from January 15th, Dave Attwood interviews Gwyn Auger.  "Dave also had a chance to sit down with Magic Assistant, Gwyn Auger, as she talks about her life as an entertainer, writer, and professional Magic Assistant.."

Listen to the interview at Dave Attwood's site.

WowFest Magic Arts Festival Brings Amazing Magic Shows to Calgary

From WowFest Magic:

Calgary, Alberta – Entering its second year WowFest Magic Arts Festival presents a wide variety of amazing magic shows and events in the Epcor Centre for Performing Arts. The festival expects over 800 magic fans to partake in over a dozen unique performances.

The intimate Motel venue, with seating for 50, ensures the audience a full experience with an excellent view of the magic. Many shows in the festival are highly interactive, mixing magic with comedy and audience participation.

The festival kicks off on the Family Day holiday offering a day filled with shows and activities that all ages can enjoy together. The “Family Fun Magic Show”, with a rotating cast of local magicians, will be presented multiple times throughout the weeks.

To prove that tricks are not just for kids, the festival includes many feature shows intended for older audiences. “A Brush With Death” is a popular Calgary-based macabre magic show perfect for fans of horror movies. As a regular performer at Hollywood’s world-famous Magic Castle festival headliner Jon Armstrong presents award-winning magic with his one-man show “I Do Card Tricks and I’m Funny”.

With a wide variety of shows, and affordable ticket prices ranging from $12 to $20, WowFest is proud to showcase the art of magic in Calgary with both evening shows and weekend matinees. The full schedule of events and tickets are available on the festival website at www.WowFestMagic.com

Event Dates: February 17th to March 1st, 2014, various showtimes
Event Location: “Motel”, Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts 

Read more.

Dodd Vickers and David Roth talk Dai Vernon

From Dodd Vickers Twitter feed:

Dai Vernon's Circumcision/Conversion - One of many fun topics discussed in our chat with @conjuringarts David Roth http://t.co/MMDv8aaGdB
— Dodd Vickers (@thewizard) January 13, 2014

Review: Rob Power lecture

From The Browser's Den of Magic:

We started off 2014 with a real big bang with the Rob Power lecture yesterday at the shop. 

I was so pleased by the wonderful turnout! Rob is not someone who is well known amongst hobbyists. Most professionals who do not put out products for the magic industry are never really well known unless they make it big.

During Mr. Power's lecture he showed why he has been so busy the past 30 years performing. His talents touch upon many areas of entertainment.
During the lecture attendees were given a treat of a magic buffet and instruction that included: Manipulation, Sleight of Hand, Miser's Dream, Puppetry, Comedy, Fire-Eating, Close-Up Magic and even some crazy fun balloon creations.

Read more.