Quote du Jour

My buddy Mike Liptak (from Cleveland) turned me on to this quote.

"A life lived with integrity - even if it lacks the trappings of fame and fortune is a shinning star in whose light others may follow in the years to come."

- Denis Waitley

Wednesday

Took a couple of interesting calls Wednesday. One from my friend Greg Irwin, the finger fitness and hand health expert. He was telling me about the video footage the he and DEVO from Superhandz shot. His idea was to have a DVD of hand and finger exercises specifically for the magician market. I like the idea, as I am well aware of the benefits of his system. In fact, when I had my magic shop; it was the only one in the world with full service finger fitness and hand health department . We carried over a dozen different products. These items were also great for people with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, magicians, musicians and anyone interested in maximizing the efficiency of their digits.

Later in the day I got a call from Tony Miller in Columbus, OH. He's preparing to have a great time at the 75th Anniversary of the Magi-Fest. It was good to talk to him and catch up a bit. It's been 4 or 5 years since I've seen or heard from him. He's a nut who's been in the biz a long time. I don't think I've ever seen any of his products, so I can't really comment; but from what I hear he makes nice trick wallets out of leather and a bunch of other tricks.

At 4:30PM Buster and I met with Joe (his coordinator) at NOVA. I asked for this meeting to review last semester, verify that Buster is on track with credits and verify graduation requirements. Everything looks good. Buster seems motivated, he's getting most of his work done; and as he says, "He's the model NOVA student". Yeah. . . we'll see about that.

Lockman

Tuesday Night Magic Session

Another fun night at the Alki Beach Magic Studio. The evening started with Tim bringing 3 giant subs for dinner, WOW. We wasted to time getting into the swing of the session. The first topic of discussion was Cups and Balls. Tim brought me one of his beautiful table tops to test drive. (He sells these custom sized table tops for $200 and his work is beautiful). We both ran through our routines and discussed many key points about the performance of this classic effect.

Tim shared some of what he learned at the Gazzo masterclass. He showed me how he takes a step back at the end of a sequence. This is good because it creates a bit of an applause cue as well as breaks up the routine into tasty bite size morsels. We talked about pauses and timing. Letting the audience fully appreciate each magical moment and digest it before slamming them with the next one.



Next I did a little floating live spider routine I've been working on. It looks cool as the spider moves around just floating there.






Isaac "Louie Fox" showed up sporting a travel bar and made Margarita's. When he was sufficiently lubricated, he demonstrated some dice stacking. For some, this was their first exposure to this rarely seen talent. He even had a few move that I had never seen.

Randy showed up next, followed by Philemon and Nash. Philemon brought two different bottles of Brandy and two different bottles of Cognac and was having a taste test to decide with he liked best with his pipe. Tim brought me a few cigars and we lit them up. Friends, smokes, booze & cards sounds like a session to me.

Before the boys showed up, I was working on the Ball and Cone. Buster was giving me some good advice about angles and lines of sight. When he was sitting on the couch he was looking up at me, making me have to change my posture, bend down a bit to create the proper illusion. The balls I use are pool ball size. I used to feel that it was just too big to palm, but I'm over that now and once again I realize that If I believe that it's under the cone (and I have performed the move correctly). . . it is under the cone. . . in the eyes and mind of the audience. It amazing how powerful guilt is. Incidentally, the ball is too big for me to do the standard move to the side, I've had to modify it a bit with the ball going behind the cone as I turn my body slightly and palm the ball.

During the session we played with the Ball and Cone as well

Another good night of magical friendship.

Video du Jour - Buster's first card trick

Video Clip • Click Here

In my "Out Box"

Hi Linnea,

Here's something I just started tonight. No clue where it's heading. Anyway, I thought of you when I saw something about the Arts West here in West Seattle. They're looking for visual arts submissions (Due on March 1. . . for 2006 - 2007 bla bla bla). That sounded right up my alley! I've never submitted anything anywhere. Then I thought about what you were saying about a combined show. This might be a good spot and a good opportunity; I don't know? What do you think? They also have a performance space/ theater. I would love to combine it all in a collage of life, theater, art and. . . . . who knows.

Let me know if this has any merit.

your friend

Tom

PS By the way, how you been?


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Her response:

Hej there!

I'm glad to hear from you -- sorry I dropped off the face of the earth for awhile....and Yes! I'd like to workplay on some ideas for the submission to the West Seattle show with you ...or whatever...

There is a Phinney/Greenwood one going on, too -- not sure if it's the same kinda thing or not Submissions due March 1 also....submit 3-5 jpgs for an exhibit on May 12- May 13... I did it last year.... it was pretty good--that's where i met the Pike PLAce MArket folks ....sold a few prints and one original..
You interested in that one too?

hope all is well with you -- And again, Good to hear from you --Let's make something!

Linnea

Went grocery shopping today

Brush

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in my "In Box"

Hey, Tom, I finally got a rise out of you! After sending you great shots of tits and ass over the past year or so, wouldn’t you know that it’s an article about the freakin’ Seahawks that elicits a response from you! It was great to hear from you; as you know, I follow your comments on the Tight Circle and on your blog with a disciple’s devotion. (I truly enjoy the info and insights you post on your blog, including the ongoing saga of our marvelous civil justice system and the wonderful role that matrimonial attorneys play in keeping families together and making this the great country that it is.)

I would really like to go to the World Magic Seminar in Vegas, but I doubt it will happen. I’ll be very interested to read about how it was. As I recall from something I read, you’ll be performing there.

Do you (or does anyone locally) know anything about Abraxis Magic in Yakima? I see it listed in Magic Magazine.

Maybe sometime we’ll be able to get together, Tom. In the meantime, keep taking good care of yourself.

Your loyal servant,

GDP

It stopped raining!!!

View Photo Slide Show • Click Here

The rain stopped, it cleared up, the sun came out and I smiled. I decided to go down to my old neighborhood, Pioneer Square. I love that part of Seattle, rich in history, texture and the gamut of humanity. I hope you'll check out the other photo's by clicking the link above. I thought they came out pretty good If I do say so myself.

Put on a happy face • From Bye Bye Birdie

Gray skies are gonna clear up
Put on a happy face
Wipe of the clouds and cheer up
Put on a happy face

Take of the gloomy mask of tragedy
It's not your style
You'll look so good that you'll be glad
That you decided to smile

Pick out a pleasant outlook
Stick out that nobel chin
Wipe off that full of doubt look
Snap on a happy grin

Spread sunshine all over the place
And just put on a happy
Put on a happy face

Houdini Expose

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Newsgroup Posts

I host a magic newsgroup. We've been having an interesting discussion lately.

Here is a taste from a topic in progress from Payne

I have never portrayed a magician in a play. I have been, amongst other roles Pistol, Falstaffs Dogsbody in The Merry Wives of Windsor, Hannibal the demented statistician in The Curious Savage and Mr. Summers, in The Lottery, but never a magician, or even a magical character unles you count the alien Kreton in Visit to a Small Planet. I also rarely get to perform my magic shows in a theatre. Magic Monday in Lake Forest Park, at which I perform regularly has a stage but it is in a Food Court and even though it can be cordoned off I still wouldnt classify it as a Theatre.

The closest I come to a theatrical experience is with my Library and School Programs. At least those people have to travel to see my performances and they can be a bit more formal as there is setup and break down time which allows me to present a more elaborate performance with larger props, music and backdrops, things that I would never think of using at a home or office party. And thus I think lies the crux of the problem. Most people only ever see magic shows in hotel banquet facilities and neighbors living rooms.

Back in the Golden Age of Magic magicians performed elaborate shows in grand theatres. Today outside of Las Vegas and the few touring shows that are left, magic is never seen in a theatre. It is usually presented by a weekend warrior with little or no theatrical training, in a back yard or a living room. This is not to say that this means that it is a bad show or that the performer lacks skill. I just feel that this is the reason that magic is not generally seen on equal footing with the rest of the theatrical arts. We lack the validation that a brick and mortar theatre brings. If Ballet, Opera or Drama were only seen in people's Rec Rooms I am sure that it too would be not ba as highly regarded as they are now by the general public. The fact too that magic is rife with wannabes. Well meaning but self deluded individuals who think that they, with little or no theatrical or magical training can present a professional level performance just because the bought a self working prop or two. I know other performing arts too suffer from this sort of devotee. Garage Bands, Amateur Theatrics and Karaoke help to promote the marginal to bad performer. But for some reason the public turns a blind eye to these theatrics and will think little of hiring a comic or a band after a previous bad experience with same.

But one bad magic show can put an organization off for years and years. It doesnt make sense but Ive been told that that's the way it is. So I suppose that a way to elevate magic would be to try to figure out a way to get it before the public eye in a much more legitimate venue. The resurgence of our art form can be directly tied to Doug Henning bringing his Magic Show to Broadway. Magic needs to progress, it needs its Micheal Moschen, it's Cirque du Soilel. Siegfried and Roy helped to broaden magics horizons and David Blaine has certainly updated the general publics perception of our craft but still we remain at the bottom rungs of the theatre arts where the party clowns, ventriloquists and jugglers reside. But then throughout most of history that is where we have always been so perhaps it is fool hard for us to expect more.

Food for thought.

•

There were some good responses form some people on my "Back Room" Tightcircle. Here was my response:

Payne's "Food for thought" was a delicious meal. It made me think hard about where I've been that there was a regular theatrical venue for magical entertainment.

When I lived in Boston I would go up to Beverly, MA to see the Le Grand David show (now in it's 30th year!). While living in Atlanta I used to frequent the Tom Foolery (Tom Mullica's magic bar and close-up theater). Obviously Vegas has not shortage of magicians performing in theaters.

As for our own fair town of Seattle, one of my favorite venues to perform in is the quaint Jewel Box Theater.

Interesting discussion.

We've talked about the benefits of a theatrical framed storytelling magical performance.

I know there are some how don't dig this sort of thing. I heard from some friends that think this sort of thing can be longwinded and boring. Maybe we can talk about that.

It seems that some hard core close up card guys are the ones bashing storytelling magic. I've also heard it expressed that there doesn't need to be a why. "It's a card trick", they say, "The magic should be evident without lengthy discussion".

Is either right or wrong? Personal preference? Style?

I love good storytelling magic. . . hook, line and sinker.

It's OK to like McBride and Burger, It's OK to like Blaine and Angel. Shit, it's even OK to like my act.

Maybe one question we can all ask ourselves is, "What is it that we want to convey with our performance?"

How do we want our audience to feel.

Hmmmmm I'll have to think about that one.

I hope you do too, and I hope that you'll share your thoughts.

In my "Out Box"

Hi Joe,

My name is Tom, I'm John's Frank's dad. We met a couple of times last year. I'd like to set up a meeting with you and John (if he wants to join us) to discuss last semester. I'd like to get a feeling from each of his teachers as to how he did in each class, what credits were received and also to discuss how many days he was absent, tardy or left early.

I love my son, and trust him implicitly, but he is giving me reason to be concerned. Especially with regard to getting to school on time. If this is not an issue with his 1st period teachers (as he says). Great, I'd like to hear it from them, then it won't be an issue with me either. If he needs to be getting up a little earlier and catching an earlier bus, that's something I can help with.

I don't want to give you the feeling that I'm busting his balls, but the emails about the many 10th grade demotions gave me cause for wonder. I have a great kid and I want to keep him on track.

Any chance that we can meet before Friday? My schedule is VERY flexible, so I can meet whenever you want.


Sincerely,


Tom Frank

The Floyds

Rain Rain Go Away

It rained all day. I wanted to get out of the house this evening, so, after dinner, Buster and I went to the cheapies and saw this flick.


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We liked it, decent action flick.

Seattle Rain

It was raining when I woke up
rained all afternoon
and into the evening

It's been raining for days
for weeks
for months

I like the rain
It sure makes you appreciate the sun

It's no wonder everyone here drinks coffee

Should I start?

Naaaaa, never had a cup of coffee in my life

I always thought, only grown ups drink coffee

Diamonds on my windshield • by Tom Waits

Listen to Tom Waits recite this • Click Here

Diamonds on my windshield
Tears from heaven
Pulling into town on the Interstate
Pulling a steel train in the rain
The wind bites my cheek through the wing
Fast flying, freeway driving
Always makes me sing

There's a Duster tryin' to change my tune
Pulling up fast on the right
Rolling restlessly, twenty-four hour moon

Wisconsin hiker with a cue-ball head
Wishing he was home in a Wiscosin bed
fifteen feet of snow in the East
Colder then a welldigger's ass

Oceanside it ends the ride, San Clemente coming up
Sunday desperadoes slip by, gas station closed,
cruise with a dry back
Orange drive-in the neon billin'
Theatre's fillin' to the brim
Slave girls and a hot spurn bucket full of sin

Metropolitan area with interchange and connections
Fly-by-nights from Riverside
Black and white plates, out of state,
running a little bit late

Sailors jockey for the fast lane
101 don't miss it
Rolling hills and concrete fields
The broken line's on your mind

Eights go east and the fives go north
The merging nexus back and forth
You see your sign, cross the line,
signalling with a blink

The radio's gone off the air
Gives you time to think
You ease it out and you creep across
Intersection light goes out
You hear the rumble
As you fumble for a cigarette
Blazing through this midnight jungle
Remember someone that you met
One more block; the engine talks
And whispers 'home at last'
It whispers, whispers, whispers
'home at last', home at last

Tim Flynn, one heck of a nice guy

On Friday I was surprised by a visit from my buddy (and core member of the Tuesday Night Sessions) Tim Flynn. He dropped by to give me a wonderful gift. Another load of fire wood that he had chopped in his backyard out in Maple Valley. We had a mini magic session with the topic being Misers Dream. Tim's production of 5 silver dollars from Downs Palm was really coming along. Evidently he practices while he drives. We had a bowl of clam chowder, listened to some music and talked magic. A real nice afternoon. Thanks Tim, I hope you know how much I appreciate your friendship. . . . and the wood!



Tim backed up his pick up in my back yard. We unloaded the wood next to my (back) kitchen door.

Kellar & Houdini

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Pic du Jour - From the archives • Trivia

Who is this guy? What is his claim to fame?

In my "In Box" • Talk at Buster's School

Thanks, Tom, for volunteering to talk with students at career day . . . and thanks for your flexibility about the time. I’ll confirm the time with you by mid-week, if that’s OK with you. In the meantime, would you write just a few lines about being a magician that Lisa can use on a flyer to inform and attract students to attend? Could you provide that blurb by Tuesday?

Best regards and ‘talk’ with you soon,
Jan Simon

•

My blurb:

Don't miss this exciting discussion with a guy who loves what he does and has never had a real job!

Street Performer, Magician, Magic Shop Owner, Manufacturer of Magic Tricks, Visual & Escape Artist and ENTREPRENEUR!

Meet Tom Frank (freshman John Frank's dad).

What to expect: An entertaining and candid look into the world of show BUSINESS. That's right I said Business.

The message: Follow your dreams, but understand it might be twice a hard. How to go after what you want. Utilize a personal skills inventory to see if you have what it takes in your chosen field. Choose a field. . . . one you like.

What to bring: Your brain and some good questions. A healthy attitude about alternative career paths (I don't think this will be a problem at NOVA). A deck of cards, if you want to learn a trick.

Quote I live by: "Nothing is more common than unrewarded talent" figure it out, get with the program and start to live your dream.

It may not be easy. . . but it sure is fun. I wouldn't have it any other way.

In my "In Box" • Scotty Walsh update

I am in Cairo and it is the fucking New York of Africa. I haven't gone out too much yet. I'm not afraid of all the dudes with guns on every corner, but I'm not sure how to cross some of these streets without getting hit by a dozen cars.

I'm going to try to hook up with a clowns without borders program in Lebanon. Do you know much about the baking a cake in a hat routine?

It is a trick pan, right, with an insert with no bottom-- and you do the whole "oh wait, I forgot to put the pan in" right? But when does the cake get in there? Do you know about a better version or have any ideas? Carney bakes a cake in a shoe as Mr Mysto. I more or less know how he did that, and I am thinking that a cake in a shoe type thing might be perfect for this clowns without borders thing. But wondered if you had any knowledge about the different methodologies of the baking the cake trick?

thanks for writing. I picked up 10 Romeo and Julietas from Havana at duty free and they cost about 2 bucks a piece. I'll bring some back for you.

okay brother.

Thanks for looking at my story. I hope you like it, and please let me
know what you think.

hit 'em hooked and short!!

scotty

Pic du Jour - From the archives

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Paul Swinford's Birthday

Paul Wesley Swinford (1/29/1931-4/26/2000) Swinford was a protégé of Stuart Judah and is best known for his two books Faro Fantasies (1968) and More Faro Fantasies (1971). He also was a major contributor to Pallbearers Review, Epilogue, and was the Parade editor for the Linking Ring (1974-78). Over a 20-year period he also performed at various restaurants in the Cincinnati area.


Video Clip • Click Here

Paul was my friend, my mentor and a great guy. I was 12 or 13 when I started studying with him. My mom used to drop me off at Jeckles in Hyde Park (Cincinnati). I would watch him work the tables, hang out till he got off. He would then enjoy his complimentary meal (he liked the scallops a lot), a glass of wine and then would teach me some tricks. More important, he instilled a certain pride of being a student of the art. We did this almost every monday night for years. After the session he would then drop me off at my moms house. I was buzzing with youthful enthusiasm. More than anything, I loved his stories of Stuart Judah (and he had so many). Incidentally it was Paul's stories about Judah's cigar smoking that got me started all those many years ago. I must have been 15 or 16 when he felt that I was ready to handle the "Judah Notes". It was a cryptic compilation of many of the tricks he performed. It was John Braun (probably Stuart's closest friend) who typed up the manuscript using Judah's original 3 X 5 index cards that he kept hidden in a shoe box his under bed .

Paul was so generous with his knowledge and time. He took the time to teach it right. Instilling values and an appreciation for the written word, Paul was always lending me some book. He was the guy who turned me on to Marlo's Riffle Shuffle Systems.

Ahh those were the days.