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It's a Virtual Day in the Neighborhood

5/27/2020

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More castle happenings without being able to visit the castle. C'est la cest guerre.
You can read the article in Genii here: 

http://geniimagazine.dc.newsmemory.com/?selDate=20200601&token=8zQ5eWh8RJ
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Or, read my "director's cut" version below.
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I am an ardent fan of live theater, from Broadway to our Close-up Gallery, to whatever it is that happens at Scot Nery’s Boobie Trap (always delightful, occasionally disconcerting, and never disappointing). So, I am with you in howling, “We miss our club!”

Despite my ever-mounting despondency, I do have the strange habit of dwelling on the positives, and a wonderful circle of similarly afflicted friends. I hit up Ben Roman to express my gratitude for his exceptional work pre, and mid, pandemic, and to find out about how our virtual event roster is taking shape.

“Magic is a very intimate experience. Not having physicality is the biggest challenge during this time. The next frustration, in my opinion, is not having our full staff together. For those that know, the Academy of Magical Arts is a special and unique family. Members and employees alike bond and it makes membership in the club very fraternal and rewarding. Not having that in-person greeting, friendly handshake, or warm hug is a significant frustration for AMA members.

 “With that obstacle in mind, we’ve worked to produce virtual experiences that boost the membership’s morale and fan their fraternal flame. Because the platform we use for our virtual Castle Perks allows commenting, we’ve noticed our members thoroughly enjoy digitally conversing with the hosts and each other. It allows them to enjoy the experience together without physically being in the same place. We’ve noticed it’s lifted up their spirits whilst providing them with exclusive access to outlets in the magic world that they’d normally not be able to enjoy.”

There are more than half a dozen “Behind the Bookcase” virtual events that have already happened and many more on the way. If you were unable to login at the scheduled event time you can still engage and enjoy the archived footage here: https://members.magiccastle.com/behind-the-bookcase

My magic and music study partner, Chad Allen, was able to log on to most of these events live, and has lots of praise for everybody involved. “The Egyptian Hall stuff with Caveney and Tina, and then Jonathan Levit being kind of an interviewer- I've been to Caveney's house, so having an opportunity to revisit that- there are 10,000 things around that you want to experience but you only get an hour and a half. So you can't experience everything. He's got a gorgeous house. He's got a gorgeous library. The real gems are the lithographs. In many cases, there's probably only one that is known to be in existence. There aren't many guys who collect in this field. He's got an original copy of King James: Daemonologie! When I was there in person, I got to hold it and I f&*kin' lost my mind!

“I get f&*king giddy; it's so cool. Caveney gets a spring in his step anytime he starts talking about this stuff. When he goes to that place in his mind, it's a treat to be around him because of how studied he is, and how talented he is. Where his energy lies is being this protectorate of Egyptian Hall.

“[Attending our virtual events] is, I would say, a very happy alternative to being at the club. I think it satisfies my appetite for when I get too antsy. It's also community, seeing people text and being together. It's not perfect, but it's satisfying.”

This type of event is perfect for the virtual world (never mind the occasional technology freeze). It would be a pretty tight squeeze to get 100 AMA members in Mike Caveney’s house. Nor would we, likely, all be welcome!

This additional boost in accessibility will likely mean we’ll have twice as many events to attend when the club reopens! Local members will have more ready access to both live and virtual events, and members who cannot attend in-person will have more opportunity than ever to join in from afar.
 
Ben Roman is going to have his hands full-er. “We most definitely plan to continue these virtual events past the physical reopening of the clubhouse. They not only benefit our non-resident members who can’t often make it to the club for a Castle Perk, but they’re available past the ‘live’ broadcast. Members can watch, re-watch, pause for a food/bathroom break, and all in the comfort of their own home or private space. A lot of Castle Perk hosts say a lot of things that would translate into valuable notes for the attendee. These digital events enable members to revisit the talk and reabsorb what they’re interested in. This is something a live event cannot offer. Due to the success of our limited virtual events, moving forward, we are most definitely going to make as many live events available digitally, as well, for these reasons.

“While we are busy planning various scenarios for reopening the club, my department (the Events Team) is planning some fun events that we can share digitally with our members during this quarantine time. Some will be virtual versions of past live events. Some will be digital events that could later turn into live events. I’m excited to explore all sorts of ideas and learn from other organizations doing the same.”

Another event that Chad and I found thoroughly enthralling is: “Dream Show in the Palace” with John Carney. I watched the event a few days after its live stream and called Chad to enjoy nerding out. “If he could, without limits, put all his favorite magicians together at the castle in one booking, John Carney did that! He created performances of all these people through video footage: Albert Goshman, Orson Welles, Cardini, Flosso, Daryl at Caesars Palace 1977- just so great!

“All really great footage of these classics acts. Then John would talk about why he loves it: the sophistication and the detail. He got a little deep. I really enjoyed that. For me, and I've learned this over the years- it's really story. If you don't have plot and character, magic is nothing more than the special effect of a movie, or it's juggling. It's not the things that I fall in love with. It's no Johnny Thompson, that's for damn sure. It can be very very simple. Daryl, for example, is very simple, but everything had a purpose. He was so funny and charming. I f&*kin' loved him.

“Everyone who I have ever respected has always said that Goshman's act was the greatest close-up act ever. It should definitely be experienced. It is a masterclass in misdirection.” I’m with Chad. I love going back to classics, for entertainment, study and discussion. And, what a great way to frame those masters, John Carney: in your Dream Show! Well done!

For my part, I’m most excited about the magic history events. And, since my personal patience for virtual events wears thin quickly, I love that I can start and stop, back up and re-watch. “The most popular [virtual event] thus far,” Ben says, “has been a special ‘Dark Castle’ exclusive tour of all our behind-the-scenes workings of The Magic Castle clubhouse led by our General Manager (in shirt, tie, suit coast, shorts, and flip-flops!) Hundreds of members logged in and watched, commented, and enjoyed. Which is incredible because we could never physically take that many people on an intimate tour of the club, let alone fit in one room for a Castle Perk event.

“Our Executive Chef and Food & Beverage Director have also starred in their own short weekly videos that demonstrate how our members can create tantalizing treats and luscious libations from the comfort of their home using magical recipes. We’ve dubbed these quick-bite webisodes ‘From The Kitchen’ and ‘Behind The Bar.’

“We even partnered with Discover Magic (www.discovermagic.com) to release a different magic-themed activity sheet every Friday for members to download, print, and use for their children to enjoy.
 
“In regards to the creative process, the BOT has collaborated to find different unique experiences members would enjoy. They literally ask each other, ‘What would WE want to see or do? Who would WE want to hear from?’ Then they contact the special host(s) and schedule them for a date and timeslot. When it comes to a clubhouse full of magical geniuses and aficionados, we are definitely not at a loss for collaborators and experts to tap for these special virtual events. It has actually worked well. With one BOT member manning the technical side, and one co-hosting to keep flow going and monitoring comments, it’s shown to be a successful system to make these events happen.”

Thank you, BOD, BOT, Castle staff and collaborators, for working so hard to continue sharing the valuable resources, entertainment and joy of our club experience, without being able to attend our club! The AMA Facebook group is hopping lately, and new groups are popping up. “I contributed something recently.” Chad tells me, “I started doing a one-handed riffle shuffle. I posted: ‘Just learned to do the one-handed riffle shuffle for the first time. Yay me!’ and got like 70 likes. Then people were like, ‘Show it! Show it!’ So I posted a little video, and theeeen- Rafael Benatar chimes in with René Levand's variation for the strip out from a one-handed riffle shuffle. So, now I'm getting instruction from a master, on a master, which is so cool.”

Worth echoing, Ben’s statement that we’re: “a clubhouse full of magical geniuses and aficionados!” I find it such an extraordinary privilege to be constantly surrounded by so much talent, experience, creativity and eccentricity. I am antsy AF, myself, to get back to cruising through our halls, up and down the staircases, and running into familiar faces at our club. As I type, mid-sentence, Aye Jaye calls me to say, “Get me out of this f&*king house! My wife has the car keys and won’t let me go nowhere.”

I think the cursing is apt in this moment of heightened worldwide claustrophobia. I hope I’ve successfully highlighted some opportunities for engagement and escapism, even if I can’t get you out of the house. Credit where credit is due, I’m doing none of the work and all of the talking.

Ben shares our anxieties: “The general vibe for the AMA and The Magic Castle has been (a) WE MISS OUR CLUB! (b) give us as much as you can! And (c) did I say WE MISS OUR CLUB? Our members are missing the experience they’re so fond of. So it’s been quite easy to engage our community. Most are looking for a quick break from stay-at-home, their families, work duties, the stress of looking for work, etc. Many are suffering from ‘Zoom Fatigue’ and are hungry and thirsty for other virtual encounters to pass the time and entertain. Our members have looked to us and we are working hard to provide that much-welcomed diversion!”

Follow up question, Ben: if members want to host or request events- can they still hit you up via email to connect? 
“YES, members can either e-mail me with ideas/hosting at events@magiccastle.com or they can e-mail Trustee Paul Green at pgreen@magiccastle.com, as he is the liaison for Castle Perks on the BOT. I’m grateful to still be at work making magic! We miss you members, toooooo!”

No spiriting about the club and I’ll have to postpone my June birthday dinner. (Chad just wants the rolls). I’m a big fan of carbs, but I can’t say I’ve ever been “obsessed” with a particular bread product –though they are quite good. Chad insists, “All the rest- those are imposters. We're talking about the original honey rolls- those things are the bomb.”

I am well aware of the enthusiasm surrounding our dinner rolls; it’s unavoidable. Will Chef share that recipe “From The Kitchen” though?
“They would never. Someone has to go in and steal it.”

So, plan a recipe heist, offer to share something or ask for what you’d like to see (as long as it’s not the dinner roll recipe). Pop in, pop out, discuss on social media. Pants are optional. The internet has no dress code!

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Magic in the Time of Corona

5/8/2020

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Started writing about what’s happening at the Magic Castle just days before the @magiccastleofficial was obliged to temporarily close. 🤣
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Still, plenty of magical happenings and lots getting done virtually...or secretly... to advance magic in this weird time. I highly recommend you check out the full May issue of Genii, which prominently features the delightful @carisahendrix. I have also shared the article text here.
And, keep an eye out for the upcoming June issue, in which I continue striving to show that magic is ever present- even when shrouded by IMMENSE FRUSTRATION. 🤯
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#geniimagazine #magiceverydamnday #magiceverywhere #supportartists #supportlocalperformers #magicians #magicianslife
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​What an unusual, and trying, time for all of us. I’m incredibly grateful to our new Board members and many volunteers who made the effort to contact each and every member to converse, commiserate and hold our community together. As our concerns and challenges are uniquely handled and universally felt, I’m choosing to share some positive discoveries made in the midst of so much uncertainty.
 
If you haven’t already, I highly recommend checking out the exceptional From the Library series. So many members involved in helping Bill Goodwin curate this, already 49 episode, series. What an excellent resource! I think I was all caught up watching before safety measures made it necessary to close our club, but now I’m getting to revisit my favorites and become newly inspired. (https://members.magiccastle.com/fromthelibrary) For history and nostalgia, there are also several wonderful interviews shared by the Heritage Committee. (https://members.magiccastle.com/heritage-committee
 
One of the most magical benefits of technology is the ability to visit our beloved friends and colleagues who have transcended to another plane. Personally, I find sharing a room again with Daryl or Eugene Burger, while learning and practicing along with them, heartening. Not only is the information catalogued and the wisdom preserved, we live in an age where technology allows us to keep experiencing their energy, tone, humor and (near) presence. For that, I am extremely grateful.
 
To visit virtually with our friends and colleagues still with us but, I imagine, forlornly watching the rain from windows… there are a number of excellent podcasts. Here are just a few I’ve been tuning in to this month:
* Two Magicians. One Mic. (https://twomagiciansonemic.podomatic.com/)
Nick Paul and Simon Coronel are hosting the aptly titled: “Quarantine Sessions” interview series. Their latest guests include: Jon Armstrong, Benjamin Schrader, Chris Grace and Jon Accardo, Marcus Monroe, David Wain. One can always count on these hosts for interesting discussion and high-level shenanigans.
 
* The Magic Word with Scott Wells (https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/)
Scott’s interviews are staple for magic community conversation, wherever you may be. For an in-depth look at current Covid-19 concerns, check out Episode 551 “Coronavirus: Impact on Magicians.” To engage in escapism with escape artists, enjoy Episode 553 “Jonathan Goodwin: What Could Go Wrong?”
I suspect most of us prefer for our careers to be on fire and not our person. Jonathan Goodwin seems impressively enthusiastic about both.
 
* Shezam!! “It’s a feminist podcast about magic.” (https://www.shezampod.com/series/shezam/)
First, I love a good onomatopoetic portmanteau. More importantly, Carisa Hendrix and Kayla Drescher share uplifting, motivating, and conscientious advice, ideas and interviews. Episodes explore information and ideas of worthwhile consideration no matter where you might be in your magical journey. One especially engaging interview is Episode 043 “Jade: on both the Lovely and the Hard things.” Brilliantly titled. Every artist I know has plenty to say on both subjects.
 
I got in a few very fun nights at the Magic Castle, prepocolypse. Thankfully, I managed to see the last Palace of Mystery show featuring: Eric Buss’ zany blend of musical magic comedy, Danny Cole & Stacey’s beautifully haunting vignettes and Stuart MacDonald’s spooky and whimsical storytelling.
 
Eric, besides being appropriately addicted to duct tape, is a delightfully goofy and energetic host. I have long appreciated his inventiveness and am impressed by how much magic he can squeeze into one…shall-we-say, DJ set? He cleverly uses the natural timbre of his props to harmonize sound with illusion. As a life-long percussionist and erstwhile foley artist myself, I have to admit that his facility with a looper pedal is easily my favorite use of that technology.
 
Danny Cole & Stacey paint the most immersive pictures by creating sets that are equally moody and inviting. Danny’s engaging facial expressions and Stacey’s choreography breathe bright life into dark curiosities. I remain coy in my descriptions because I think a good thing should be teased and not spoiled. At your next opportunity, see them for yourself and get pulled into their enchanting diorama.
 
Stuart MacDonald has polished this delightfully disturbing piece to narrative perfection. I love a well-told story! A seemingly hapless fellow wanders into an unattended room and discovers a book of spells and several mysterious objects. First concerned, then curious, he continues to delve into the possibilities of his newfound treasures until he realizes their true power. I am so delighted I was able to enjoy the show and so disappointed I was unable to attend his lecture!
 
Luckily for me, Stuart managed to find some free time! I got on the phone with him to discuss the genesis and development of this FISM-winning act. (The act is too well-lauded to enumerate the awards here, but a visit to Stuart’s website will catch you up. It is, of course, also possible to watch the act in its entirety online. There’s no policing the Internet, but I highly recommend you hold out for an opportunity to be astounded by the theatricality of a live performance).
 
Stuart, the spark of inspiration?!
“Magicians, we practice in front of a mirror, and this is what inspired me.” Stuart started out as a manipulator. He was practicing with a billiard ball in front of a mirror mounted on a door. He dropped the ball behind the door. When he picked the ball up, his other hand was on the opposite side of the mirror. “It played with my mind so badly, I stared at it for a few minutes.”
 
He taped the ball to the other side of the door and invited his wife to come in and check it out. She said it looked like real magic. “Culturally, there's always been something magical about mirrors: ‘Mirror Mirror on the wall,’ or ‘It's all done with mirrors.’ I might be the only person to write a story with mirrors from beginning to end.” 
 
I cherish a happy accident. And moreover, a happy accident contemplated, experimented upon, evolved and emerging triumphant! Pre-triumph, Stuart was working Whirlpool, appreciating consistency and security but missing his creative passion. “My soul was getting sucked dry. I still had my manipulation act. So, I thought, ‘Why don't I bring it up to speed for FISM competition in 2014, in Italy?’” Stuart may have not expected to win but he also didn’t expect the devastation that he would experience on stage.
 
"They called it the Korean tsunami- they washed over what we thought was good in magic in this country and turned magic on its head.” Stuart followed an exceptionally well-conceived and executed act by a Korean magician. Stuart had barely started his act when his dancing cane failed. “A dancing cane that couldn't fly?! It was a nightmare! I didn't qualify. I walked off stage in horror.”
 
The most important take-away: "It gave me fuel to work harder."
 
“The thing that drove me to be where I am now had nothing to do with magic, nothing to do with story, it was an engineering process.” Between 2014, and 2017 (which would mark Stuart’s triumphant return to the FISM stage) Stuart practiced and polished his act using TPS: the Toyota Production System he was introduced to at Whirlpool. The purpose of the method was to create efficiencies in manufacturing and processing, “LEAN and continuous improvement."
 
In 2014, "I face planted because I wasn't prepared.” Many magicians were skilled manipulators and explored interesting themes, but they weren’t telling a story. “Gene Anderson took me under his wing and said, ‘That's all I want, a story.’” The story was written and rewritten with important character questions considered: should it end terribly for our protagonist or should he be heralded? “Gene Anderson wants a happy ending. If I die or am punished, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth.”
 
Plot holes filled, apparent non-sequiturs justified, and sleights practiced tirelessly. Applying the knowledge Stuart had gained from his corporate life, “I took out all the junk and created efficiency. In three years time, I went from a face plant on stage to turning it all the way around." In 2017 Stuart went back to FISM and won the Combined Convention and was additionally awarded “Best in Convention” because they said, “we haven’t seen anything like that in 15 years.”
 
Even an award-winning act has opportunity for improvement. I spotted a brilliant moment that I suspected was new and Stuart confirmed my suspicions. “There's always something that's off. Why do you need that? What's the justification?” So, he added an extra comic moment. "I thought I was just filling in a black moment, like with spackle and hole in the wall." (They joy is in the surprise).
 
It is often easy to forget that experiences in a different field can cross over so effectively. I am positively thrilled when an act comes by combining diverse knowledge gained from all facets of life. It has proven career changing for Stuart and I hope the reminder serves all of us well.
 
On Monday between leaving LA and landing at home in Michigan, all Stuart’s shows were cancelled. His current strategy is to do whatever he can to mitigate the damage. Then, he recommends, “take out old magic tricks and walk, exercise, give yourself permission to blow up. Humans are at their best when things are at their worst."
 
I suspect that our current frustration will lead to some exciting innovation. Tumult so frequently inspires! Scott Jenkins is currently perfecting the mechanism for a new multi-faceted Porper Card Trimmer: a tool for revamping our tools in more inventive fashion. The first limited edition run will be released this summer and I can’t wait to see the new effects produced by capable and creative hands.
 
Simon Coronel has conceptualized a card game representing a COVID-19 grocery store battleground. The play testing of which gave Shoot Ogawa and I the opportunity to shiv one another for toilet paper. I’m sure Simon will alert us when the game is available for everyone’s shivving pleasure.
 
For this consummate night owl and insatiable wonder-seeker my evenings have certainly been quieter lately. Although, I think that magic is best experienced live, this has been an excellent opportunity to explore magic in a variety of other ways. Well done, All, and keep innovating! Forlornly watching the rain from your windows is also a perfectly valid choice. Maybe do a little of both?
 
Silver linings still in mind, I am anxious for our club to reopen! I will be so happy to see all of you in three dimensions again and especially glad to see our excellent staff return. When the time arises, you’ll spot me looking engaged yet curious and applauding wildly from the third row of your show…or, come find me in the John Schrum corner of the Owl Bar and we’ll talk story and sample whatever delicious surprise Ian Somm is uncorking. Looking forward to it!
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Xenergie

5/4/2020

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Early stage drawings for my future tattoo! So excited to be collaborating with @lucylululu ! Her beautiful watercolor style is going to bring this beauty to colorful life!

This is a Xenergie, a creature I dreamed about ages ago...and also a sort of self-portrait. A cross between a hummingbird and a limpet means she can bring loads of energy and color and joy to others, but is also happy alone, closed tightly in her shell, letting highly tumultuous waves wash over her.

I'm a water sign (Cancer) and an air sign (Gemini) cuspian, so it makes perfect sense that I'd dream up this dual-natured beauty, who I named for her Zen-energy. Very much Libby style. I hope you like her too!💗

Included some of the references I used to sketch her too. 🙂
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#tattooart #tattooconcept #xenergie #zen #energy #hummingbird #limpet #watersign #airsign #cancer #gemini #cancergemini #cuspian #selfportrait #sketch #sketchbook #sketchart #penandink #joyousenergy #artistsoninstagram #drawing #penandinkdrawing #artistprocess #artinaction #hummingbirds #hummingbirdsofinstagram #hummingbirdart #limpetshell #conceptdrawing
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    Libby Ward

    The zany adventures of a traveler, animation writer and joyous oddball. 
    "
    I pay close attention to derail. I write comedy!"

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