The First Ever Mystify Magic Festival
The first magic convention of its kind, Mystify “is for anyone and everyone who’s eager to be part of the exciting future of women in magic.”
May 2025
Book Review
Saving Magic: David Price & The Making of Egyptian Hall
This “expert” biography assumes that the pillars of 20th-century stage magic are known to you: Kellar, Thurston, Blackstone, Dante. But it tells the story of 20th-century magic from the less famous side—the Great Depression, World War II, live performance giving way to film and television.
Book Review
Saving Magic: David Price & The Making of Egyptian Hall
This “expert” biography assumes that the pillars of 20th-century stage magic are known to you: Kellar, Thurston, Blackstone, Dante. But it tells the story of 20th-century magic from the less famous side—the Great Depression, World War II, live performance giving way to film and television.
Almanac
May 29: Brooks' Cards
Herbert Brooks opened at Hammerstein’s Theater in New York City on this date in 1905. He was a sensation in vaudeville with his card tricks and his trunk escape.
Perspectives
Silent Manipulators In Conversation
Alex Boyce and Matt Holtzclaw discuss how audiences gradually learn the rhythm of their silent acts—birds and cigarettes—often staying just ahead, but delightfully misled.
In Practice
Tony Chang Vanishes a Dime
“You know, a lot of times when people see a magic trick, they think it is a puzzle. But the more important question is, can a puzzle be magic? I’m going to show you an optical illusion, it’s like a puzzle. And I’m going to make it magical. This might sound the same, but it’s actually different.”
In Practice
Tony Chang Vanishes a Dime
“You know, a lot of times when people see a magic trick, they think it is a puzzle. But the more important question is, can a puzzle be magic? I’m going to show you an optical illusion, it’s like a puzzle. And I’m going to make it magical. This might sound the same, but it’s actually different.”
The Eye
Steven Frayne Brings Magic to talkSPORT
Steven Frayne (formerly known as Dynamo) is performing Up Close and Magical, his first major run of stage performances since his recent health issues. Catch him on talkSPORT.
Almanac
May 19: Blackstone!
Forty-five years ago, in 1980, Harry Blackstone, Jr. opened Blackstone!, his illusion show on Broadway at the Majestic Theater, the start of a 104-performance run
Perspectives
The Chamber of Secrets: Thayer’s Greatest Solid Through Solid
Liberty Larsen now performs her great-grandfather William Larsen, Sr.’s classic Thayer block-through-glass illusion using his original 1940s prop and script. This enduring piece, refined over decades, continues to captivate audiences and honor the Larsen family legacy.
Perspectives
The Chamber of Secrets: Thayer’s Greatest Solid Through Solid
Liberty Larsen now performs her great-grandfather William Larsen, Sr.’s classic Thayer block-through-glass illusion using his original 1940s prop and script. This enduring piece, refined over decades, continues to captivate audiences and honor the Larsen family legacy.
The Eye
Magic in North Korea
Danish Magician Jesper Grønkjær has traveled around the world performing magic where few, if any, other magicians have gone. One of those places is North Korea.
Trick Review
Knotted
The idea of having a piece of rope lasso a selected card has been around for many years, but this is a really nice updated handling and gimmick from Rubén Vilagrand.
Trick Review
Unplugged XLR
Rubén Vilagrand’s Unplugged XLR is an excellent take on the Walking Knot premise explored by Pavel and Paul Curry, but using an XLR cord.
Almanac
May 13: Mysterious Edna
On this day in 1889, magician and ventriloquist Will B. Wood filed a patent for an ingenious levitation harness.