Ricky Jay

It's been a few days since I've posted (pardon me & life: the holiday where we celebrate indian massacare... I mean "giving thanks" was in the way... that and a minor bout of depression... ces-le-vis) The weather has me under the wind and ... I'll bite my tongue at  that.

Over the holiday I was  fortunate to have seen "Practices and Deceptions - The Life and Mentors of Ricky Jay". I found it good. It's wasn't as 'great' as I'd hoped, but it is good (and in a day / age when so many things regarding my art are not, that is a pleasure)

If you know me, you know I consider Mr. Jay to be one of magic's finest showman alive (and a great author to boot) In honor of that recent viewing, here's a couple clips. The one with Steve Martin (who happens to be a fellow magician) is pure brilliance. He is a treasure. I'll save you the upraise & fun, if you enjoy magic you'll watch this film and you will love it.

Ok, well, I guess the traditional youtube clip is appropriate.

I had Tyler Wilson in mind (for the spelling trick) as I was picking a segment to post
The rest of you can ponder why Ricky chose to open his set with and obvious display of skill and flourish...
I have answers... do you? (*if not, get some!) Ejnoy




speaking of Steve Martin: this is great
http://youtu.be/n7HuPDDNb4E

Ok, I'll do my best to stay on track with my postings
I hope the minor hiccup did not dismay my 3 readers.

... what is it... oh yes... "onward"

Ya never know

Nice surprise today:
I got a "repeat" booking today from a gig where I thought I bit the bullet.

I worked a Halloween party a few weeks ago and thought my performance was fair at best (walking into a 9pm NOLA "adult" party after working 3 hours of children church charity work prolly had something to do with that vibe.)

Guess ya never know (and really you don't.... you can guess, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.)

I think what I'm ultimately trying to say is: you should never be your own judge.
A camera might tell you what flashes and if you're script is tight, but in the heat of battle all bets are off. For example that Halloween party night I had a drunk heckling me... alas he was so drunk, I couldn't understand what he was saying... Heckler don't bother me (I mean really: my performance style does not invite mean people ;)  But when present I do know how to handle them (10 years of working Bourbon St left me with fairly thick magic skin) alas, if I don't know what that heckler is saying, I'm a bit at a loss.
I guess that will be tonight's homework... What to do with incoherent hecklers.

I'm straying... pardon me, back to the point:

You should practice, rehearse, read, study, practice, rehearse and DO GOOD MAGIC (rinse repeat)

Perform with love & care for your audience. CARE
Believe in your magic and yourself. BELIEVE
and Practice, Rehearse and DO GOOD MAGIC

Be Nice, Be Interesting, Be Amazing

(and don't fake it *if you're gonna phone it in, you might as well stay at home)

The rest will fall in line.

:)