Gabriel Werlen Live
This will be brief because most of you have probably already heard the same buzz that I did. Gabriel Werlen’s mentalism and his Green Neck System have created such a stir in the community that I knew I had to see this lecture.
Reviews
Expert assessments of new tricks, books, gear, and performances.
Video Review
Aaron Fisher Masterclass
This installment of Vanishing Inc.’s Masterclass series might be described as the beginner’s guide to advanced sleight of hand. To say this instruction is detailed would be an understatement.
Book Review
Absolute Madness
Craig Petty knows how to structure and teach hard-hitting, flashy magic for the every-audience. Absolute Madness is a fast and easy read with an accompanying performance-only video of the described effects.
Book Review
The Hummingbirds
With some lovely choice words, a pack of cards, a magic wand, a wine glass, and a glass bell jar, Luke Jermay has brought to life a piece of art in The Hummingbirds.
Book Review
Forged by Fire
Though many effects require assembling props, Borer’s instructions are clear, the materials are affordable, and the DIY process is straightforward. He favors prepared decks, allowing for visually striking methods that pure sleight of hand rarely attains.
Book Review
The Principles of Destruction
Looking at the cover and the title, you would think this was a theory monograph. It’s actually a card trick. And while most magic releases are engineered to be as easy as possible, this card trick is complicated, hard, and will absolutely not go “right into your show.”
Trick Review
Salted 2.0
Rubén Villagrand’s salt pour gimmick brings a great deal of R&D to a classic stage and platform effect.
Trick Review
Babu
Babu is a nest of wallets effect from Ari Phillips, produced by Grum Leather Crafts. The method is basically the same as the early ones, including Nicholas Einhorn’s, but it has Velcro loading from the side, so the spectator can open the wallets freely, which is great.
Trick Review
Henry Harrius Bottles
In Henry Harrius’ Refilled, the magician places an empty glass beer bottle into a paper bag and goes through the usual jokes of making it “disappear” and “come back” by turning the bag upside down and holding the bottle through the paper.
Trick Review
Scotch and Whiskey
This is a classic Scotch and Soda set, but made with keys. There have been many other nesting key effects in the last few years, including some released after Scotch and Whiskey, but Hanson Chien really seems to have produced the most realistic-looking key.
Book Review
Effervescent
Oliver Meech has produced an easy-to-read collection of even-easier-to-do card material. It is quirky in a Paul Harris, Jay Sankey sort of way that screams “don’t take me too seriously.”
Book Review
Juan Tamariz’s Flamenco
Flamenco is the third in the series of “Bewitched Music” following Sonata (1989) and Mnemonica (2004). Distinct from the other celebrated trilogy that deals with magic in a more abstract theoretical way, this book is tricks and sleights from cover to cover.