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Led Heflin New user 55 Posts |
I'm not entirely sure where is the most appropriate place for this posting, but as I'm new, perhaps this will do the trick. Anyhow. I'm a journalist by profession, and I work for an alt-weekly (Village Voice-style newspaper). I often get to indulge my interests by writing about them, and magic is no exception. I am therefore looking for an interview subject or two for a story on the state of the conjuring arts in general (augmented by looking at the very small number of performers in my local area, western Massachusetts). This forum seems to be remarkably rich in information and remarkably full of talented and widely respected performers. Who would you recommend as a knowledgeable interview subject whose take on magic would be rich in historical context and appeal to those who've never heard of a Double Lift?
Your help is much appreciated. Seamus PS-- I solemnly swear that this story will contain no puns or wry remarks involving rabbits and hats!
Let him borrow and return his handkerchief like a man, and trust to his sleight of hand.
<BR> <BR>--Edwin Sachs <BR> <BR>http://www.myspace.com/ledheflin |
Jaz Inner circle NJ, U.S. 6111 Posts |
Without dropping names I can think a few.
However... What type of magic do you feel would be of interest to readers? Renaissance Fairs, Historical re-creations, Bizarre magic, Birthdays, Mentalism, Restaurant magic, Illusions, Stage and platform, Busking, Impromptu type magic, etc. |
Led Heflin New user 55 Posts |
Thanks for the reply, Jaz. I intend to start with what people are likely to know around here-- TV stars, birthday party magic and restaurant magic--and move on to putting that into the broader context of the grand history of magical performance for the last 100 years or so. I hope to give people a sense of the level of skill and very interesting thinking that's really at the heart of magic. One of our sister papers just did a fairly appalling job of covering a magic convention, and it's just that sort of ill-informed approach I hope to counter. So all that to say-- I'm interested not in a particular type of magician, but rather in a good ambassador to give people a sense of magicians as carriers of a great tradition that's far more interesting than, say, cheap finger-chopping props.
I live in a place where one of the things people tout is our old movie palace, which has a trapdoor that was installed for Houdini. But I can think of only a single magic show here in the last decade that was more sizeable than a restaurant-type gig. Therefore I'm just wanting to spark some interest in a very fine art that shouldn't go neglected. As for my personal interests, well, that's different!-- I'm most interested in mentalism and close-up.
Let him borrow and return his handkerchief like a man, and trust to his sleight of hand.
<BR> <BR>--Edwin Sachs <BR> <BR>http://www.myspace.com/ledheflin |
gaddy Inner circle Agent of Chaos 3526 Posts |
You are in Massachusetts? Try giving the Hank Lee Magic Shop a call- I am sure they can point you in the right direction!
*due to the editorial policies here, words on this site attributed to me cannot necessarily be held to be my own.*
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Andy the cardician Inner circle A street named after my dad 3362 Posts |
Well, you could post an open invite and let people PM you.
Cards never lie
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
Are you wanting to find people from Massachusetts alone or just a great "ambassador" for the art in general?
Mark. |
Led Heflin New user 55 Posts |
Thanks, folks for the good suggestions!
An update: I was looking both for someone from Massachusetts and for someone in general (this is gonna be a long story). Through the forum and recommendations from members, I have now gotten in touch with 3 really great people-- one local magician who builds illusions, one elder statesman and one up-and-comer. The story should be out on May 17. The interviewing so far has been a blast. I very much appreciate the points in the right direction.
Let him borrow and return his handkerchief like a man, and trust to his sleight of hand.
<BR> <BR>--Edwin Sachs <BR> <BR>http://www.myspace.com/ledheflin |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Seamus,
Thank you for getting press attention for the world of magic. It helps us all. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
pradell Special user Alaska 560 Posts |
Herb Downs was my mentor. He lived in Needham, MA. He was a past president/secretary of the SAM. He had a magic club at Weeks Jr. High. His son, David Downs (?) wrote a book about his magic. Perhaps you could google him and locate his son. He could be a good reference for MA magical history.
Posted: Apr 28, 2007 3:45am And I've just learned that David Regal, regalmagic@earthlink.net was also a student of Herb Downs, also from MA. There's someone well known from your state who may have some insight.... |
Led Heflin New user 55 Posts |
Pradell--
Thanks for the info. I'm new enough to this that I'm not aware of Herb Downs, but I'll go see what I can find out about his son. Please feel free to PM me.
Let him borrow and return his handkerchief like a man, and trust to his sleight of hand.
<BR> <BR>--Edwin Sachs <BR> <BR>http://www.myspace.com/ledheflin |
donrodrigo Special user U.S.A. and Europe 635 Posts |
Seamus I thank you for your inititive. One favor I ask:
Please don't write that magicians do tricks, Do not call them that).Dogs do tricks were intertainers(in a wide range of magic) we perform magical effects.Underline that please.As a teen and even now now when I hear someone ask me that I turn away. Sorry, and please understand. Thank you. |
pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts |
Yes, we're entertainers. I don't know about you, but I have no magic powers. I perform tricks. That's the Jeff McBride school that says the T word is bad. There's nothing wrong with performing tricks. It's all personal preference, just don't speak for all of us, especially to a member of the media trying to do a story about magicians. It makes all of us sound high and mighty. Not all of us are that pompous.
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Seamus,
Don't overlook animals used in magic for a good story. In 2006 SEAM (South Eastern Association of Magicians) in Birmingham, Alabama held a "Broken Wand" (Broken Perch, Actually) for Matilda the Magic Chicken. She is also certified as the world's oldest chicken! She had also appeared on Jay Leno! Check it out! Bob Sanders Magic By Sander PS --- My wife (Lucy) uses live unicorns on stage. (OK - they are cremello quarter horses with blue eyes.) |
donrodrigo Special user U.S.A. and Europe 635 Posts |
Hi Pepka,
You are right, I'm not speking for everyone here and if you read my lines right I gave everyone here a complement as an artist and a gentelman. I hope that's clear. Furthermone dear friend that's my personal feeling for the matter. I was never nor am now an artist with his nose in the air.Of course Mr. Sanders is right to: I have different animals in my act and the're my traveling companions. Warm Regards to all DonRodrigo. |
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