Tune in for Luna Shimada on tonight's live chat, please join us now.

Posted as a reminder to please join us if you have some free time available at 7pm PST tonight. It's class night once again, http://www.mcbridemagic.tv
You will recognize many of the magicians logged into the chatroom.

P.s.
Go see the new Mark Walhberg film set in New Orleans. You will love it!

Jeff is 100% about it.

Thanks for the links.

Once again, it's a school night at 7pm PST.
http://virtual.magicalwisdom.com/tv

Tonigh'ts theme topic is "EVALUATION".
DAVID REGAL

Looking forward to it Devious!

THREE INSPIRATIONS FROM THE STREETS
I was very blessed that many of my early teachers in New York City were street performers. When I was a teen, I was sharing time and learning magic with Bill McQueen, Mal Cross and Jeff Sheridan. Bill had a delightful smile, rapid fire banter and was incredibly charming. He honed his chops in mid-town Manhattan, and was able to transfer his skill set and personality to work private events, and eventually, cruise ships.

Mal Cross was a magic enthusiast who witnessed Jeff Sheridan performing in Central Park one day. Mal had natural comic ability and a flair for the theatrical. Mal chose to work “theater intermissions.” The fifteen minute breaks that theaters give their patrons to go outside, have a drink and stretch gave Mal the perfect place for a captive audience to work his wonders. Mal made a living by doing street magic for many years. His persona is a cross between a Shakespearean montebank and a Catskill comic. He became one of the real Times Square characters. His many years on the streets gave him the chops and connections to cross over to working exclusive parties in the New York City area.

Jeff Sheridan was my idol and my hero. I would follow him all over town and watch him in the various pitches. He worked silently, with no music, and many people would say it felt like they were entering another dimension when they approached his show. Jeff did what we now call a sidewalk show, and it was highly theatrical. The many years of his consistent performances in Central Park put him in contact with many of the world’s most famous celebrities and influential theatrical producers. He was hired by Salvatore Dali, John Lennon and performed at many beautiful theaters in Manhattan.

What was impressive to see about all of these performers was that a common criticism of some street performers is that they are “too street,” and too edgy to perform at indoor venues. I think this is definitely not the case for the above-mentioned and many other performers like Cellini and Gazzo and too many more to mention here. I have witnessed good street performers that know how to “dial it up” and “dial it down,” depending on the energy of the audience they’re performing for, and the venue. It seems a well experienced street worker knows how sharpe and edge to carry on the street and indoors! Jeff Sheridan was elegant in the park, on the street and on the theater stage. Bill McQueen was a gentleman, regardless of if he was standing on a street corner or on a cruise ship stage. Mal, well, I think he even wears his giant hat and cape when he slept at night. He is “always on.”

These are the gentlemen who helped me get started by being models for me. I am forever grateful to them, and have, like them, never turned my back on the streets. I have really enjoyed my time teaching with Mario Morris at our events, and sharing time with special guests like Jimmy Talksalot, Mysto,Teey Cromwell and many more. What I learned on the streets of NYC I carry with me today. These men helped me develope my "Commando Show" philosophy back in the day and it is still working for me now! These guides taught me how to adapt to the situation, and I have performed at Caesars Palace, Radio City Music Hall, and the Mikado in Japan—the largest stages of the world, but my heart and soul are at home on the streets of New York, a Ren Faire or on the playa at Burning Man.

Yours in magic,

JEff

Next Monday Feb 6th on Mystery School Monday the topic is "street magic."
http://www.mcbridemagic.tv

I should add on, that it was many, many years after my street magic initiation with the above mentioned men, is when I heard Cellini talk about" The Royal Touch". This concept made sense to me; the power and mythic persona that he and others like Gazzo portray on the streets. These men, though working the avenues, seem to be from another magical time and place..yes, perhaps they have royal blood and are actually princes posing as magicians! I remember the day I met Gazzo in Boston....he was so chariming, quick witted and skillful, he was like no other person I had ever met. I often get that feeling when I watch experts like them perform..... This unique quality is something special in a performer. It is good to see that the lessons these teaches have passed on are still carried by their students today..and the "Royal blood line" contiunes. We are honored to have inspirations like these men.

Yours in the art,

JEff

Very well put.. Thanks McBride

The program from tonight is Here
In case ya' missed it folks!

p.s. As Jeff mentioned, next week's show is strictly focused on "Busking".

Mario Morris should play a large part of the show, along with a host of other
folks you may recognize, from your travels on the streets of the worlde!

Tonight's show topic is,
"Busking and Busking Only!" Please joins us misfits and miscreants!

Cool!

Folks,
Once again, it's classroom night. Be sure catch Mario Morris'
Street Report tonight at 7pm PST Here

Online and checking it out, brother!

It's President's Day over in the U.S.A., but it's still a school night tonight.
10PM EST/7PM PST Show Teaser

This is for Dr. Ayala
Street Performer with skills
In Espana pronounced (Es-Pan-E-ah)

ClickHere for busking class room.

That was a beautiful and hilarious video - thank you Dev!

For anyone that watches it, that was shot in my hometown of Barcelona, and was around the Barri Gòtic (the Gothic Quarter). Check out the other videos on YouTube featuring this performer!

Win courtesy of Jeff and Abigail McBride The Revolution Dancing Canes Dvd

The light up canes are great for luring attention with true spectacle to your pitch.
It is often hard to get them to stop at night, these work marvelously.

Be the first to pm the correct answer and win the Revolution
along with an autographed card.

How much did Jeff used to charge for his backyard shows when he was a youngster?
How much did he charge per week, during his engagement at Club Ibis?

Second gift prize is the dvd "Abracadazzle" Jeff's Casino Show in Atlantic City
and autographed poster card.

Question, Who did Jeff once think Looey Simonoff was?

To find the answers,
Click on the center of the page to go inside The House of Mysteries.

Please be sure to drop Jeff an email of thanks once you recieve
the gifts in the mail. jeff@mcbridemagic.com

You can also send him questions for the Monday Classroom Event.
Please try to keep your video questions to around 30 seconds and
post them to YouTube for the show. The winning question wins a
prize during the classroom night as well.

Good luck to everyone!

Folks,
It's a school night once again.
Tonight's theme is "Gifting With Your Magic".
Monday Classroom
7pm PST. Please log into the chat and join in the discussion.

Here we are in the classroom tonight once again.
As buskers we really need to network out there to learn about
the subtleties and rules of the various towns and pitch locations.

Tonight's theme is Networking.
Mario Morris' "Street Report" is obviously my favourite segment.
Please join us in the classroom. The show is live at 7pm PST.

You know the deal folks...join us if ya' can spare an hour or so.
Have a wonderfully productive week!

In case ya missed it like myself,
Last night's classroom session on scripting your street act