Shoe Business Release!!

$85.00 plus S&H

I'm not very good at keeping secrets. Especially when it has to do with a new "baby" of mine that I'm launching out into the magic world. So, here goes...

My good friend, and magical genius, Puck and I are preparing for an April 1st release of Shoe Business, a comedy drink in the shoe routine.

The effect is our take on the "magician in trouble" and is a self working, out of the box effect that plays big on laughs and equally strong in the magic department. If you've been performing the Vanishing Bandana, you probably know that everyone else is doing it too. Chances are many audiences have seen it. Shoe Business is a GREAT alternative, a modern twist on a classic effect chosen by so many working performers. It's so good that we wanted to keep it for ourselves!

You'll receive all the props needed, an audio recording of the onstage "follow along" instructions and a dvd featuring a live performance and over 35 minutes of history of the effect and personal instruction on the fine points of the performance from yours truely. And all in a handsome carrying box. What more could you ask for?!?

And, of course, I'm always available to answer any questions you might have about Shoe Business, either before or after you purchase.
Feel free to email me at alexander_magic@hotmail.com

We're currently accepting pre-orders and we are slated for an April 1st release of the first batch. Click below to get it while it's hot!

Shoe Business

Here's a sneak peek at a new routine that I will be releasing soon with my good buddy, Puck. Right now, we're seeking out a way to distribute the piece to the magic community world wide.

I came up with this premise after wanting to capture the spirit of the Vanishing Bandana trick without having to do the banana. I work a lot of cruise ships and quite a few cruise directors have commented that they see the banana trick all the time and that even guests have commented about how it's become a standard trick for magicians. And I mean "standard" in the worst way possible. The Vanishing Bandana is a great trick, great laughs but it's starting to be a little overdone.

What Puck and I have developed is definitely new and interesting. It has a modern feel as you use your iphone or similar mobile device to call up the practical joke hotline and it walks you thru teaching the audience a practical joke (as you can't really give away the secrets to a real magic trick).

It's six minutes of solid comedy that has the same feeling as the banana but with a new and novel presentation that you can really put your own personality into as you react to the prompts from the practical joke operator. Even if you are not that funny, the recording can provide the comedy and you just follow along. It's a no-brainer with built in laughs along the way. Our friend and widely respected performer, John Cassidy (who IS funny), has been beta testing it for us and has reported that it is definitely a winner.

The great news is that it's a fun, easy alternative to the banana that feels fresh and timely using today's technology.

The bad news, is that you can't get it til April 1st. Yep, that's right, April Fools Day.
And that's no JOKE!!!

Just had a great time at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas. Got to see a bunch of old friends from when I used to live in Vegas, and made some new friends. The highlight of the convention for me was seeing Juan Tamariz. What a great performer and artist. Now that I am home I am going to try and apply what I learned from his lecture and performances and try to make the magic that I do even stronger. Truly inspirational, and just a great human being. And he even signed my copy of his book! Sweet!

Sure Shot - Appearing Shotglass

"Sure Shot"

The Egg Bag is one of those perfect tricks. It follows the old "pack flat, play big" formula. Not only is it a trick that fries people close up, but it also can translate to the big stage and still have the impact to play to the back of the house.

The Egg Bag has been in my program ever since I learned it from my mentor, Denny Haney, back in the early nineties. I use this trick for formal close up, strolling magic and in my stand up comedy magic show. If you don't do the egg bag, do yourself a favor and go to dennymagic.com and pick one up along with the Ken Brooke instructions.

Since the Egg Bag is a cyclical trick as the egg simply appears and disappears, the routine lends itself well to a kicker. The production of a shot glass of liquid is the ending Denny used for many years and it is one that I still use today.

The original cover to keep the liquid in the glass came from an old Sam Berland thimble trick. These rubber covers have long been unavailable. I wanted to have the same secure seal as the Berland gimmick but an easier and more reliable release tab. I have come up with the perfect shot glass and rubber cover. Unlike other covers that can easily dislodge, this one holds from the inside and really grabs and seals the liquid inside.

The cover is made from hearty black, industrial flex rubber. Once the cover is in place, you can spin the glass up in the air and catch it, manipulate it in the egg bag, carry it in your pocket indefinitely and it will not open until you pull the release. The release tab is made with strong, water resistant commercial grade black tape infused with a strong adhesive.

If you are looking for a killer surprise ending for your egg bag, or already do a shot glass production from your pocket or paper bag and are looking for a better prop, I think this will be just what you are looking for. The glass and cover retail for $50.00.

Magician at a NACA Conference

Stick A Bill In It!

I'm pleased to offer a new booklet featuring some of my thoughts and work on the Bill In Lemon. It's a great overall view of the trick and it's strengths and high points. It's a great companion piece to my Bill In Lemon release, The Final Answer, a few years back but certainly stands on it's own if you don't own TFA.

I just heard from Chris Randall in Las Vegas and he said "Wow! This is great! I'll never do the torn corner again." Amen, brother!

Check out my website to see more details on this fine magical publication.

That's all for now. Happy tricking!

Photo credit - James Howe via Flickr Creative Commons

Be The Guy

Have you ever been out in a public situation and an opportunity presents itself and you're not prepared? It's happened to me before... I wind up somewhere, meet someone with connections or possible business opportunity who says, "Do something for me!" And I'm empty handed, or empty pocketed as the case may be.

In that case, your mantra should be "Be the guy."

I'm not saying you should go to the grocery loaded to the gills with close up paraphenalia but I always carry something with me. An invisible deck, a ring flight, just something that I can do to blow them away on the spot.

These should be tricks that are quick to perform, with little "prop-age" but tons of impact. It should engage the viewer and leave them with an unforgettable moment.

Along those same lines, I try not to leave the house looking like a bum. now, I'm not wearing a tux out to the bank, but I try not to wear my crappy, ripped up work jeans!

When someone says "What to do you do?" and you say "I'm a magician," and they say "Can you show me something?"....who wants to see you scramble for props, bumbling around in your stretched out 1980's Color Me Bad tee shirt anyway?

"Be the guy" means being prepared and looking respectable and successful on a daily basis. It makes me feel better and more motivated.

"Be the guy" means being able to confidently take advantage of unexpected connections that present themselves and look good while doing it.

"Be the guy" means, well.... Be the guy!


Photo Credit - Upton via Flickr Creative Commons