MAGIC MOMENTS

Magic Moments
2007
Curt vanishes an automobile for the International World of Wheels.
2007
Curt's first international television appearance
2006
Curt performs on a cruise to Bahamas
2005
Cris Angel debuts his A&E TV show Mind Freak
2005
Curt performs a 7 day tour of Venezuela
2002
Curt makes his first automobile vanish - it belonged to Dallas cowboy, George Teauge
1998
World Of Illusion at Madison Square Garden launched the career of Criss Angel
1997
The Masked Magician, Val Valentino, provokes much controversy by exposing magic secrets on major Fox TV specials. David Blaine brings "Street Magic" to America.
1997
Curt performs to 30,000 at the Americas Center in St. Louis, MO.
1994
The first WWW magic stores appear following the older text type newsgroups and bulletin boards. Pictorial and information sites soon follow, changing the way magic is learned and distributed.
1991
Curt performs 21 show tour in Costa Rica
1990
Curt performs for International Brotherhood of Magicians and Society of American Magicians for the SEAM convention
1987
Curt gives first magic lecture to magicians in Birmingham, AL.
1984
Curt performs in Canada
1981
Curt's apprenticeship under magician Mr. Pete traveled a multi-state area performing
1979
Curt attends first magic school (youngest attendee of Romeo, MI magic school)
1979
Curt performs first paid show
1975
Curt performs first magic trick
1974
The musical The Magic Show, starring Doug Henning, opens on Broadway and ushers in a new "Golden Age" of magic.
1968
The book 13 Steps to Mentalism by Corinda was published and is one of the most famous books on mentalism.
1968
Curt born Grand Rapids, MI
1963
The Magic Castle is formed by Milt Larsen in Hollywood USA by converting a 1908 Victorian mansion to a center of magical excellence. Many leading magicians have performed there. Dai Vernon was resident magician in the latter part of his life.
1956
David Copperfield is born on September 16th, as David Seth Kotkin.
1952
The first publication of Modern Coin Magic Written by JB Bobo, considered by some the "bible" of coin magic, many other works reference this one.
1949
The first publication of Royal Road to Card Magic Written by Jean Hugard and Fred Brau, it's still an important first text for card workers today.
1945
Slydini performs his stage manipulation sleight of hand in New Orleans. He is still considered the best manipulator in magicís history
1926
On All Hallows Eve at 1:26pm, Harry Houdini dies.
1921
P.T. Selbit performs the first ever "Sawing in Half", something that is, in present day, synonymous with the art of magic.
1920
Howard Thurston presents his floating princess illusion. It is reported to be the first act to present levitation
1912
Houdini intros. Chinese water torture chamber and hanging upside-down escape
1911
Our Magic by Nevil Maskelyne and David Devant, arguably one of the most important books of magic theory, is published.
1905
The British Magical Society formed in London, UK; the oldest continually meeting magic society in Europe. Its first President was David Devant. In June, it evolved into The Magic Circle. This prestigious organization acts like a trade union for magicians and has strict rules against exposure. (It expelled its founder for alleged exposure, something it has done to many famous magicians.)
1902
The Expert At The Card Table is published by The Charles T. Powner Co. was written by S.W. Erdnase. Considered by serious card workers as one of the most important books written.
1898
Houdini introduces "Challenge Act" claims to escape from anything an audience brings to bind him
1894
Dai Vernon born (d. 1992). Aka "The Professor" and "The Man That Fooled Houdini", was born as David Frederick Wingfield Verner in Ottawa. The most influential 20th C magician.
1876
The first publication of Modern Magic. Written by Professor Louis Hoffman (1839-1919) (Real name Angelo John Lewis), it was a definitive work on the state of the art of that time.
1874
Harry Houdini (aka "King of Cards" and "King of Handcuffs") born (d. 1926). Real name Ehrich Weiss, he achieved fame as an escapologist.
1805
Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin born (d. 1871). The "father of modern magic," who brought it from the street and circus side shows to an elegant stage or drawing room setting.
1750
Pinetti, Chevalier Guiseppe ("considered to be the major figure of eighteenth century magic") is born. "Pinetti is said to be the first recorded performer to do the thumb-tie effect" and he also performed second sight, exhibited automata and the orange tree illusion.1
1584
Reginald Scot publishes The Discoverie of Witchcraft(sic) a book designed in part to counter the activities of persecutionists, but at the same time revealing many conjuring secrets of the day. Magic and witchcraft were still linked, and many copies of Scot's book were burnt in the early 1600s.
1000-1500
The Middle Ages; where much magic was still associated with the occult and witchcraft. The growing trading nature of society allowed some street or circus performers to make a living out of old classics such as the Cups and Balls and, indeed, more modern ideas, such as cheating by short-changing via sleights with coins and other small objects.
400
Merlin serves on King Arthur's court
50-300
The Acetabularii performed the Cups and balls in ancient Rome using stones and small vinegar cups (hence the name Acetabularii). Acetabularii are a group of magicians specializing on the cups and balls effect
40AD
Jesus of Nazareth raises Himself from the dead. Not technically an illusion, since... He really did it.
2700BC
The reputed first known performance of a conjuring effect (Cups and Balls) by the magician Dedi in ancient Egypt. Dedi had done other effects such as decapitating a bird's head and reattaching the head, resurrecting it. (This is disputed, as there is nothing in the reference to Dedi specifically in the Westcar Papyrus to indicate that he did the Cups and Balls trick for anyone). The famous drawing of two men performing the cups and balls from the tomb and Beni Hasan is believed by most experts to be bakers making bread with bread molds. (Note: Since there is no indication that Dedi performed the Cups and Balls, and the Beni Hasan heiroglyph is no longer considered to represent the effect, there is no evidence for the existence of the Cups and Balls during this time period.)
5000BC
Magicians mentioned in Egypt when Moses approached pharaoh

MAGICIANS FAMOUS

Magicians are the people who can fascinate even a bad-tempered person with htier supernatural activities. It is though some tricks which people cannot realize due to the skillful performance of the magicians. I found ten famous magicians who could make people astonished with their talented and strategic performance. You can also consider Magic as an art where magicians always try to stage their innovative ideas to us.
I wish you will throw your opinion regarding this article in the comment section.David Copperfield
David Copperfield is the famous musician and illusionist. His famous magics are disappearing Stature of Liberty, flying, levitating over the Grand Canyon and walking through the Great Wall of China etc. He is also famous for his story telling power. This American talented musician started practicing magic when he was 12. He entered in the Society of the American Magicians as the youngest person and when he was 16 he started teaching a course in magic in the New York University. He also acted in some movies including ‘Terror Train’, Pret-a-Porter’. He is also famous for storytelling. According to the Forbes Magazine, his per year income $57 million in 2003 and became the tenth highly paid celebrity in the world. He makes over 500 shows throughout the world in a year.Image Link: WikipediaHarry Houdini
Houdini is one of the greatest magicians of the world. He was born in Hungary and in his childhood his parents moved to the United States. He made his first show when he was 9 years old. He started his career with card acts and later became famous for his escape acts. He showed his most famous magic named “Chinese Water Torture” in 1913. He is thought to have the power of picking any lock in the world. He wrote many books regarding some of his tricks. In his later life he became famous for his act as a ghost buster. Houdini was inspired by another famous musician named Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin.Image Link: http://fusionanomaly.net/harryhoudini.jpg
Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin
Robert-Houdin is named as the pioneer of the modern performance art of illusionism. In his early life he was a watchmaker. He was very influential performer of his time and was thought to be the person who could make anything possible. This Frenchman is called the father of modern magic as he performed in the theaters and private parties which was a new trend because the magicians, before him, performed in the fairs and marketplaces. He is the first performer of the bullet catch. Once he asked a person to shoot him with a marked ball but after shooting him the ball was found between the teeth of that person. He used to wear formal dresses like his audience. A movie was made on Robert-Houdin by the novel called “World of Wonders” by Robertson Davies.
Image Link: Wikipedia
David Blaine
This American magician is famous for his street and close-up magic which was the new trend in magic. As David was a street magician he could notice the real reaction of the spectators. In his earlier life he showed card acts. Later he focused on feats of endurance. He could have been buried for 7 days alive. His TV special ‘Frozen in Time’ was very popular where he showed that he can encase for 61 hours, 40 minutes, and 15 seconds. In his popular named ‘Vertigo’ he was lifted by a crane onto a90 foot high pillar. This great magician told that he became happy when he saw that people irrespective of religion, age, sex, and race come to see his magic and smile. Image Link: Wikipedia
P.C. Sorcar
P.C. Sorcar is a famous Indian magician who got many international awards for his performances throughout the world. His popular show is known as ‘Indrajal’. This great magician was very popular in 1930s to 1960s. He was awarded the Padma Shri by the President of India in 1964 and The Sphinx known as Oscar of magic twice in 1946 and in 1954. He was died in 1971 at the age of 58 in Japan.
Image Link: WikipediaDoug Henning
This famous magician famous for his Escape tricks. He had a distinct way in his clothing and appearance such as bushy mustache and clothes with different color. He first performed at a birthday party of his friend when he was 14. He was graduated in Psychology. Some of his famous magic shoes are ‘Spellbound’, ‘The Magic Show’, Doug Henning’s World of Magic’ etc. He also made many shows in TV. He had a skill to entertain people. He is admired by many of the magic lovers.
Penn and Teller
These American duos are illusionists. Peen Jillette is a raconteur while Teller does not speak during the performance. After meeting in 1975, Peen and Telller have been performing in various serials and shows. Some of their television serials are ‘Late Night with David Lettermen’, ‘Saturday Night Live’ etc. Some of their tricks are very famous such as tractor-trailer, apple and violence, bullet catch etc.
Criss Angel
This American magician, illusionist and stunt performer is famous for his television series called ‘Chriss Angel Mindfreak’. He is sometimes compared with the street magician David Blaine. His current telivision show is named ‘Cirque du Soleil’. Criss Angel is a musician and involved in band groups.
Harry Blackstone, Sr.
Harry was a stage magician who also performed in television. He is also called ‘The Great Blackstone’. He is famous for his show named ‘The Magic Castle’. He was very popular as a USO entertainer during the World War II. Many books were written on him including the comic book ‘Blackstone the Magician Detective’ by Walter B. Gibson and a radio series was also named ‘Blackstone, the Magic Detective’.
Harry Potter
I know that a movie character can not be a real magician. However, I think that as magic is nothing but some tricks that entertain us, Harry Potter, the central character of the movie named ‘Harry Potter’ by J.K. Rowling can also make us amazed with his supernatural activities in the movie through which we feel same of the feelings of the magic. As our focus is on fun then Harry Potter can be a magician. This movie is considered as one of the greatest movies in the world.

MAGICIANS NEWS - III

Posted May 5, 2008
In the magic on TV department: It's "MAGIC WEEK" on the David Letterman show, with a different magician booked on each day of the week. Starting with Lance Burton, then Mac King, both of whom should score really well and represent Vegas magic proudly....the show goes downhill from there, with Dirk Arthur and Steve Wyrick scheduled at the end of the week. That should pretty much kill off any chances of other magicians on the late night show for years.
Not really magic, but went to see Bill Medley, the surviving Righteous Brother, and through a magic illusion, he actually sang with his late partner at one point, and did a duet with his own daughter, McKenna Medley, who was nowhere to be seen, aside from on this giant screen that seemed to float over Bill's head. I checked, she was in Branson, not hiding somewhere backstage.
Happy to report Bill still has that unbelievable voice, sang all his hits and then some, and told many wonderful stories and jokes, joined onstage by his son, Darrin, who just happens to be the lead singer of Paul Revere & the Raiders, which sort of explains the nature of this otherwise unusual pairing of 2 diverse acts.
Works out perfectly. First, the true madman of rock, Paul Revere himself, blasts through the hits with the Raiders, 3 of whom have been with him almost since the very beginning. Their show is full of wild moments, huge laughs, lots of great familiar music and just a lot of really great rock and roll.
Then, after a brief changeover, a giant screen appears above the stage and the Righteous Brothers career and highlights beam overhead, culminating with the big man himself, Bill Medley onstage, singing one of his hits. As the lights gradually go up, you see that the Raiders, now dressed in less flashy all-black, are the backup band for Bill.
A magical night, and not a card trick in sight.

MAGICIANS NEWS - II

Magician Uri Geller Accused of Bending Copyright Law
Monday, July 09, 2007
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SAN FRANCISCO — Uri Geller became a 1970s superstar and made millions with an act that included bending spoons, seemingly through the power of his own mind.
Now the online video generation is so bent out of shape over the self-proclaimed psychic's behavior that he's fast reaching the same Internet pariah status as the recording and movie industries.
Geller's tireless attempts to silence his detractors have extended to the popular video-sharing site YouTube , landing him squarely in the center of a raging digital-age debate over controlling copyrights amid the massive volume of video and music clips flowing freely online.
• Click here for FOXNews.com's Personal Technology Center.
Geller's critics say he and others are abusing a federal law meant to protect against online copyright infringement, and that YouTube and other Web sites are not doing enough to combat frivolous claims.
At issue is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, or DMCA, which makes it easy for Geller and others to persuade Internet companies to remove videos and music simply by sending so-called takedown notices that claim copyright ownership. Most companies, including YouTube do almost nothing to investigate the claims.
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"All it takes is a single e-mail to completely censor someone on the Internet," said Jason Schultz, a lawyer for the online civil rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation, which is suing Geller over an unflattering clip posted on YouTube for which he claimed a copyright ownership.
For nearly as long as Geller has been bending spoons and moving compass needles with the wave of a hand, professional magicians have been loudly debunking his claims of psychic ability.
A new generation of critics led by 30-year-old Brian Sapient of an organization called the Rational Response Squad have taken their crusade online.
Sapient and others recently posted several video clips to YouTube demonstrating how Geller allegedly uses simple sleight of hand in his act.
One slow-motion clip shows Geller quickly placing a small magnet on his left thumb before purporting to move the needle of a compass in front of a live television studio audience in Israel , where Geller was born.
Another includes Geller's infamous "Tonight Show" flop, in which Johnny Carson exposed Geller by providing his own spoons and other props.
In March, San Bruno-based YouTube Inc. took down many of the clips and suspended Sapient's account when Geller sent takedown notices claiming he owned the copyrights to the unflattering clips.
That touched off an online tempest that has made Geller the subject of widespread derision and ridicule on several popular blogs like Boingboing.net.
"Uri Geller — the man who got rich 'bending spoons with his mind' — isn't just a con-artist, he's also a copyright abuser," wrote one of the tamer bloggers linked by Boingboing.
The video and Sapient's YouTube account were restored two weeks later after Sapient complained.
It also turned out that Geller owned no more than eight seconds of the 13 minutes of video, according to Geller's own court filings.
But Geller is still suing Sapient in Philadelphia's federal court, accusing him of copyright infringement.
Sapient says the clips are protected by the First Amendment laws, which allow "fair use" of copyrighted material.
"Put in its simplest terms, this case is about theft, not speech," read court documents filed last week on Geller's behalf.
Geller, who has become nearly as famous for his prolific litigation as for his alleged psychic abilities, knows his way around the court system.
He unsuccessfully sued longtime nemesis James "Amazing" Randi at least three times for defamation, stemming from Randi's own efforts to unmask Geller as a fraud, and lost several other cases lodged against his critics throughout the years.
Geller, who lives in London, referred calls to his Philadelphia lawyer, Richard Winelander, who conceded that Geller probably didn't foresee the firestorm his lawsuit would inspire.
"This thing has spun out of control," he said.
Winelander said the takedown notices and lawsuit were motivated by Geller's brother-in-law, business associate and filmmaker Shipi Shtrang, who got upset when he saw that the eight-second video he made appeared among Sapient's 13 minute of video.
Winelander said Sapient also aims to profit from the clip by driving traffic to his own Web site.
Sapient uses a pseudonym because he says he receives numerous death threats from those opposed to the anti-religious beliefs touted on his Web site.
Sapient and EFF have countersued, accusing Geller of misrepresenting to YouTube that he owned the disputed clips, and abusing the DMCA, which shields Internet service providers from lawsuit so long as they immediately honor those takedown notices.
It's the fifth such federal lawsuit EFF has filed against people who sent bogus takedown notices to YouTube and other online video forums. EFF has not lost.
Legal scholars and Internet watchdogs say the explosion of freely available online video and music has been accompanied by a surge of abusive copyright claims such as Geller's.
Most recently, EFF successfully sued choreographer Richard Silver to stop sending takedown notices to YouTube claiming videos of people performing the "Electric Slide" — sometimes at weddings — were violating his copyright on the dance.
There's also a growing frustration that resolving copyright disputes is being left largely to YouTube and other Internet service providers that are taking down material with scant investigation.
"There is a clear trend toward more pressure on Internet Service Providers to play a bigger role in policing the Internet," said John Palfrey, executive director of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School.
For instance, YouTube removed some 150,000 clips from its site after Viacom Inc. (VIA ) complained.
Viacom is also suing YouTube and its parent company Google Inc. (GOOG) for $1 billion in damages because it says the site is illegally allowing copyrighted material like television sitcoms to be posted.
YouTube and Google have denied any wrongdoing, citing their practice of removing videos as soon as a copyright owner sends a notice of unauthorized usage.
Ricardo Reyes, a spokesman for Google, which purchased YouTube for $1.76 billion late last year, defended the DMCA and the takedown notices.
"The trick is that you are breaking the law when you knowingly send notices for videos that you don't hold the copyrights," Reyes said. "It's a good solution."

MAGICIANS NEWS

Abracadabra:

TRS leaders appreciating and applauding the demonstration given by magician Aslam Bhai Syed on the tricks he plans to use for election campaign for their party.
ADILABAD: Though their repertoire does not contain the ‘election’ trick, a few magicians have been drafted by political parties for campaign work in Adilabad during the impending by elections. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) has engaged the services of the three-member team of Aslam Bhai Syed from Nagpur for added entertainment value to the rather drab business of canvassing for votes in Adilabad Lok Sabha constituency.
On coming to know that byelections are being held here, three teams of magicians claiming specialisation in election campaign have reached Adilabad from the city of oranges (Nagpur) in Maharashtra. These magicians go about bandying words relating to the plus points of the party that engages them while the tricks get performed at street corners to small audiences like passers-by.
“The last three years saw us campaigning for stalwarts like Union Minister Kamal Nath and the likes. Many of the candidates who had hired our services had won from respective segments,” claimed Aslam Bhai Syed.
“These magicians will add colour to the campaign. Because of the novelty involved and to draw the attention of people we have engaged the magicians,” said T. Madhusudan Reddy, TRS candidate for the Lok Sabha constituency.
Rustom Khan, Aslam’s brother and team mate said the magic trick campaign is a favourite in rural areas. “We use a language that is easily understood by the people of rural areas.
Though we cannot speak Telugu, a large chunk of the population understands Hindi and Marathi and that makes our job easy,” he added.
This team of magicians had done commercials in Madhya Pradesh at the beginning of their career as professional magicians. Qadeer Khan, the third member of the team said Smriti Films, an ad agency in Bhopal had given them the break for commercial advertising.

CHUNG LING SOO PORTER MAGICIAN - IV

CHUNG LING SOO POSTER MAGICIAN

CHUN LING SOO MAGICIAN POSTER III

CHUNG LING SOO MAGICIAN POSTER - II

CHUNG LING SOO POSTER

CHUNG LING SOO MAGICIAN POSTER