An online magic journal for things I find interesting. You'll find reviews of magic books, tricks and DVD's and I'll occasionally teach how to do a unique magic effect. In short: this is my web sandbox: I hope you find it useful.
I started to bookmark the site for my (never-ending) favorites list and as I contemplated that, I contemplated the lack of good magic I've seen reviewed lately. **I have seen magic get good reviews... but that doesn't mean it's good. It only means it's selling.
There's little I enjoy more in life than researching magic. From the first day I cracked a magic book (30+ years ago) to watching the latest Wizard Product review (last Wed.) I have enjoyed many many long days and late nights in pursuit of the elusive miracle.
I can confidently state: If you're looking for a new effect or routine, I'm confident in stating the best bang for your buck will usually come from a book. Not only will book study provide the most value, it will inspire you to interpret the magic on your own. Unlike a DVD (or watching someone else perform an effect in a lecture or show) YOU get to choose what the magic will convey.
I digress... I'm not preaching the perfect way to learn magic. That's not the purpose of this post. So, why are we here today? Well....
After watching the recent episodes of the aforementioned Wizard Product Review , I reflected on the insane amount of magiCRAP that is being released these days. I thought it was getting bad 10 years ago when I owned a shop and the flood gates were wide open. For the most part, the last few decades have provided an amazing selection of valuable products for the magi-community. But now that all the great performers have released their material, we're left with teenagers and non-professionals pumping out products as fast as paypal can launder the money. I've heard rumors of the amount of new magic that major distributors carry. No less than 5-7 NEW products added EVERY week. Its unfathomable that any company can deal with this output (much less profit from it.) But... they do... and someone is supporting them (and by someone, I mean 1000's of magi-marks.) I understand what its like when the magibug bites: it's grip is fast and wide. It seems the desire to learn anything and everything is satiated only by the size of your wallet.
I'm guilty as anyone. Rarely does a week go by that I don't wish for the latest trick or doohickey. But I recently realized that was no longer the case. I don't think it has anything to do with my interest in our art, I think it's just a lack of good products. Sure, There's a gazillion things I'd like to have: I never did get a (Pure) smoke device & I'd still like to test drive "Soundz Amazing" (both from my wishlist last year) but nope: nothing lately.
Oh, btw, speaking of Soundz Amazing, here's the in depth review from Akirafist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67_801SsbkE I'll be spending a good portion of my day, reviewing his reviews.
That's the bright-side of the current magic-meta. There are PLENTY of opinions to be heard. Turn on YouTube, check the Magi-cafe, ask Facebook, etc. Do yourself a favor: Weed out the chaff.
Alright, this post needs to end somewhere. I guess we'll wrap up here
#1: Buy More Books #2: Buy Carefully #3: Review the Reviews
and remember one of the golden rules: The amateur magician does 100 tricks poorly. The professional does 10 tricks well. *& the best magi do 5 tricks perfectly (my addendum)
Well, due to some of e-junkies limitations (in filesize & such) I'm switching to Shopify (an online shopping cart system) to start things off. I'll very likely return to e-junkie to distribute some specialty items (as I like their format VERY much) but for the time being, I need more space than 'options'
I'm working on some projects that will include video Shopify seems to fit my needs.
Just posting this brief to #1 thank everyone for testng e-junkie (and I hope you enjoy your freebies)
and that #2 there may be a short (as short as humanly possibly) delay as I learn and integrate my cart into this new system (it can't possibly be more challenging than the wordpress plugin I was using and hope this new system makes life easier for everyone involved in my world.)
Stay tuned to www.dougconn.com for some serious changes in the VERY near future (broken record much?) Aight, That's all for now and on that note, lots to get done...
off to it...
this wonderful online space is home to the amazing Ask Alexander engine and dozens of other cool things.
If you haven't checked out their resourses... now is the time to fix that... Really:
No time like the present, especially considering they're currently offering a weekly series of FREE downloadable classic magic texts, termed their "summer reading program"
As I type, C Lang Neil's "Modern Conjurer" is being pushed onto my hard drive. This is a wonderful thing. I've never read this classic and don't know that I ever would've had the opportunity without the kind offerings of the CARC.
So, Thanks to the http://conjuringarts.org/ for producing such a wonderful resource for the modern magi.
(they also have a great selection of outstanding materials: both physical and electronic, to increase your magic powers.... do them and yourself a favor and spend a few bucks while you're there!)
In my spare time, I work busking / street performing on the cobblestones of the French Quarter. It's a great way to both make money and practice/rehearse.
This 'part time job' started many moons ago, when Tom Frank introduced me to this wonderful art form. It was at the Taste of Cincinnati back in 1988... I made more $ in one day, then I did in an entire week (working as a movie projectionist at the time.) I never went back to work after that day. I spent a month living, learning (and maybe just a tad bit of partying) with Tom and then headed off to Chicago. The summer I spent there was the stuff dreams are made of (good friends, good times, good money & good magic.) I then traveled to NOLA for the winter and have been here ever since.
If you're interested in learning more about Busking / Street Magic (the REAL street magic) there's some great resources to jump start your career (in fact, these days there's TONS of info on the subject... I'll try & stay concise.)
1st and foremost, I'd recommend Jimmy Talksalot's "To Lure With Spectacle" this is a wonderful / concise tome that will give you all the basic info you need before attacking the streets. http://leapinglizardsmagic.com/lure_with_spectacle.htm
Cellini's "The Royal Touch" is an amazing book that contains a great selection of strong street magic and info on how to apply that magic to the streets. It's a beautiful book. One of my 'top 10' and considering the # of magic books I have / read... that's strong.
The Art of Street Performing. Back in early 2000, while running my Big Easy Magic Shop (RIP) I answered a phone call from a guy named Ted. He was interested in coming to town & documenting Cellini's work. Cellini was hesitant to do the project, but after a bit of thought (mainly on how he could/would help others) he decided to do it. It's no surprise that within a couple years of producing these videos, Kozmo became a top-tier busker... I've no doubt, this info can do the same for you. Kozmo's busking DVD's are great. Strong info from strong performers that will have you making big bux before you know it. KozmoMagic has produced several DVD's on the art of Street Magic. His Cellini series is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Once you get the basics down, you can wade into the deep end with Eric Evans & his 'Street Magic & the Art of War' ... this book is like art... it will make you think. http://www.secretartofmagic.com/secret2.htm
There are some great forums on the internet that will make you a better performer.
Danny Hustle's 'Buskers Cafe' is a wonderful spot full of top notch guys with great advice. http://buskerscafe.com/forums/
The 'Sidewalk Shuffle' section on the magic cafe is worth a browse now and again... http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewforum.php?forum=6&39486
the powers that be saw fit to ban me from that site... an act I still thank them for to this day ( with all the other great busking related forums... I'm not sure why guys still post there but they do, & that info is worth reading... so do it.)
Last, but certainly not least... http://www.performers.net/ . This site (which has been online & active since 1997) has TONS of info on ALL aspects of street performing. Bookmark it. Visit & Revisit this wonderful resource.
You can also learn alot by researching youtube (but you probably knew that ;)
I'll humbly suggest ya take a peek @ some videos of NOLA busker magi on my YouTube channel
www.youtube.com/connjure
There's SO much more I could write about (and so much I've glossed over &/or omitted from this list.) I'm sure I'll be returning to this subject soon enough... stay tuned & in the interim; FAT HATS!
