Keep Your Magic Alive

KEEP YOUR MAGIC ALIVE!
 
So many magicians learn new effects, play with them for a few days, then put them in a drawer to collect dust and die!
 
There is another way! Bring your magic to life! I can teach you my â€œReal Magic Formula” that is tried, true, and tested among professionals in close up venues, and on stages all around the world.
 
This could be your most important class of the year! 

THE 7 STAGES OF SHOW FLOW
7 Secrets to creating a successful show
7 Essential Building Blocks 
+ 7 Great Routines

IMAGINE: YOU COULD take the magic that you already own and perform, and learn the techniques on how to transform your individual effects into a Full Magic Experience.

• Learn how to grab the attention of the room.
• Learn to tell your personal story in a powerful way.
• Learn the real secrets of audience interaction and getting FULL participation.
• Learn how to transition in between effects. This is where most performers fail.
• Learn professional secrets on how to get the audience on their feet.
• Learn new magic effects and routines to add to your repertoire.
• Experience two wonderful classes filled with wisdom, fellowship, and good cheer.

This class is for all those who love magic and want to make a REAL show out of what they already know!
 
Register now:
https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/event/the-seven-stages-of-show-flow-online-on-zoom

MEETING THE MASTER …and the master is YOU!
 
This great clip shows EXACTLY how I work with new students.
 
It is a joy to share my techniques and experience with them, and to see them become their own master… WATCH!

Mystery School Student of the Month: BRADEN DANIELS
 
I love what I do!  Each day, I work on Zoom with my students. This month I’d like you to meet one of the progressive magicians I have had the pleasure of training. His name is Braden Daniels and I hope his words will inspire you.

Braden says, “Back in March, Jeff and the amazing faculty at the Magic & Mystery School opened up their doors to welcome in magicians from all over the world, as they began to offer an array of new classes for us online. I seized the opportunity to grow and develop.
 
The seed for change was planted in April with Tobias Beckwith’s Spring Training: Shifting Gears for Your Career, which started me thinking deeply about where I really wanted to take my magic career. I highly encourage all students to take Tobias’s classes and engage with the materials provided. 
 
That seed for change was watered and transformed again in August ,when the Magic & Mystery School held another unprecedented class: Creating Magic in Business with Tobias Beckwith and David Morey, which included both magicians and business leaders from around the world. David and Tobias instilled in us, among many other valuable lessons, the importance of frameworks and clarity of message. I walked away with actionable strategies to begin re-shaping my brand and its offerings to be more aligned with who I am, and what I love to do. 
 
Now, I am combining my 20 years of business experience in developing teams with my passion for magic, by ‘edu-tain-ing’ and mentoring organizational leaders and entrepreneurs. I help leaders harness the power of their inner magician through my one-to-one mentorship programs, and my online training workshop Lead Like a Magician, for any new to mid-career level leaders, who want to stay competitive in the ever-changing landscape of business. 2020 has been an amazing year for me and the leaders I serve, because of the Magic & Mystery School!
 
Get more info on Braden here:
http://www.leadlikeamagician.com

Like Braden, we all need people to help and encourage us as we grow in the art of magic. Now, you have a rare opportunity to work with me as your Mentor and coach. I will help you meet your goals, break out of your comfort zone, and deepen your understanding and appreciation of our magical art. My Mentorship and coaching services will inspire and empower your magic. 
 
Remember that you already possess all you need! Now it is time to train, learn, reflect, and organize what you already have.
 
Just email Abigail@mcbridemagic.com and she can set us up with a time to meet on Zoom!
 
Or go here for more info:
https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/p/stage-magic-manipulation/skype-mentoring-package
 
MAGIC QUEST NEWS
Our new virtual magic experience is now taking reservations.

To get updates, please email Abigail to get on the waiting list: Abigail@mcbridemagic.com
 
FINAL THOUGHT-

This is a new year for major new changes. All of us here at the Magic & Mystery School are ready to help you along your path to mastery.
 
Yours in the great Mystery.
Jeff McBride
jeff@mcbridemagic.com

Good Things Come in Green Plastic Bags

Dear Friends:
 
Welcome to the holiday season! We have a special treat for you this month—an article from our own physician magician, Dr. Ricardo Rosenkranz.

Good Things Come in Green Plastic Bags
by Ricardo Rosenkranz, MD

They all came in a green plastic bag. Eugene’s gifts all came in a green plastic bag. I really don’t know where he got them, but every time I left that apartment on 1260 N. Dearborn with a gift, it was in a green plastic bag. Eugene loved gifts. Mostly, he loved passing gifts down to others. I can’t tell you how many times I entered Eugene’s apartment and observed that laid out on his desk were a couple of items–perhaps a book he had just read, a coin routine someone gave him, or a prop that was no longer needed. Eugene believed that gifts should be passed on, and in his case, they all were wrapped at the end of the session in a tidy green plastic bag, with a note.

As I reflect on Eugene’s legacy, I envision some of the majestic gifts I received from Eugene. These are the ones that cannot fit inside a green plastic bag. In this season of giving, and in this year of needed vision, here are three of those gifts.

The gift of perspective. Undoubtedly, the main reason why I am still deeply involved with magic comes from the perspective that I gained from two decades of working with Eugene. When I entered his apartment for the first time, I was intrigued by magic, but I didn’t really know what it meant. or where it could lead me. From that first day, Eugene made me realize that magic wasn’t a trivial hobby to be pursued on rare occasion, but rather, it was a powerful artistic expression that could unlock meaning for performer and audience member alike. It was Eugene, who over time made me realize that even as I am a healer in Medicine, so too could I become a healer in Magic.

Eugene gave me the gift to see magic in perspective, from the smallest angle in a Ramsay Subtlety, to the largest vista of the role magic can play in the narrative of human illness. This gift arrived incessantly from day one. Today, as I see my life in magic, and my life in medicine, there are days when I feel boxed in. I conjure up Eugene’s words in my mind, and the very first thing to arrive is much needed perspective.

The gift of discernment. Eugene and I played a game for many years. It was called “The good, the bad, and the ugly”. It was a type of show and tell that either one of us brought. Usually, I brought the bad and the ugly. In this activity, we would look at magic that fell into any of these three categories. Eugene believed that in order to learn to appreciate good magic, it was important to study bad magic as well. Whenever I came across something that was poorly designed or poorly implemented, we would explore it. Sometimes, we would rehabilitate the illusion, like nursing a bird with a broken wing, back to health. Here and there I would get lucky and bring something to Eugene so special that he would insert it into his repertoire. I take pride, for example, that Eugene’s performance of “Greed” was based on one of our “Good, Bad, Ugly” sessions.

In spending time discussing the merits and failings of multiple magical illusions, Eugene gifted me a skill to discern, a skill to filter or discard when necessary, and a skill to value the essence of a magical concept, and amplify it toward success. Being a successful magician requires the ability to discern what works for us and what doesn’t. Eugene was brutally economical in this endeavor, and it is a gift that has helped me navigate choices inside and outside of magic.

The gift of acceptance. In spite of all the rigor that he applied to performance choices, Eugene had an uncanny ability to be open and accepting. Eugene displayed a mystical mindset when faced with adversity or with the unexpected. In the two decades that he was in my life, I never saw Eugene allow himself more than a moment’s worth of brooding when something was amiss. Hearing Eugene say, “….and that’s OK with me,” with that raspy voice and the upward tonal inflection on the “OK,” became a soothing balm for me. I marvel at Eugene’s ability to adapt and to learn incessantly from life and its obstacles. More importantly, I learned so much from his ability to move on–always looking forward. In acceptance, Eugene taught me perhaps the most important lesson of a lifetime.

So, in Eugene’s tradition, I would like to keep these gifts alive by passing them along, albeit transformed. I would like to gift you with an image. Hopefully it’s a powerful image that transports you to a place and time when you might have been open to Eugene’s lessons, as I was.

Imagine I have gifted you a green plastic bag. It belonged to Eugene. Excitedly, you open the bag, knowing that inside you will find something lovingly handed down by Eugene. You remove the handwritten note on a 3×5 card. Black ink with impeccable handwriting, which must be Eugene’s handwriting. The note reads, “A magical mirror, for you. Love, EB”. You lift the mirror and see within it your reflection. And yet, it’s a different you. It is the best version of you. What do you see?

Eugene gave me that metaphorical mirror. And every day, I gaze into that mirror with perspective, discernment, and acceptance. I have come to understand how the Ricardo holding the mirror can continue to evolve into the Ricardo who dwells inside.

Happy Holidays!

From Ricardo

Can You Keep a Secret?

“Want to know my secret? I can tell you, but then I’ll have to kill you!”

                                                         – Lance Burton, Master Magician

Imagine that you can travel through time & space to the enchanting McBride House of Mystery.

Imagine the most luxurious tour of our home and magic museum…personally guided by me.

Imagine yourself experiencing a wonderful interactive magic show where you are the star!

If you can imagine it…it can become real.

WILL YOU BE ONE OF “THE LUCKY 13?”

Only 13 VIP screens are available for each virtual show in December.

Only 13 lucky people will have the opportunity to have this experience.

This unique event is called Jeff McBride‘s MAGIC QUEST

More than a show!

More than a tour!

More than a party!

MAGIC QUEST is our new virtual show and is now taking reservations–but it is available ONLY to our Museletter readers!

If you want to attend, send us an email and we will make sure that you will get complete information on the upcoming event. Just email Abigail: abbimcb@gmail.com  or call 702-450-0021.

TELLING YOUR PERSONAL STORY

I had the honor to study with one of the greatest storytellers of our time, Eugene Burger. 

Master story tellers like Eugene have tips and tricks to help us tell our stories. Sean Buvala has been teaching storytelling since 1986. He gives us some great tips.

1.     You need to tell stories that you like.

Choose a story you like when telling for kids at the library, for a sacred setting, or to leaders of business or nonprofit groups. There will be many stories for any situation you are in. Choose a story that you can understand and enjoy.

2.  Do not hesitate to remove the slow parts of your story.

It’s not unusual for first-time storytellers to try to tell every piece of a story. Storytelling occurs in the moment, so not every detail has to be included each time. Ask yourself, “Do I need to tell this piece of the story this time? Is it critical?”

3. Use eye-contact with your listeners.

Your eye contact is a gift to the listener. It always amazes me how a fleeting moment of eye contact can make an audience member come to me and say, “I felt like you were talking to me personally.”

Want MORE? Go read Sean’s full article here: http://storyteller.net/storytelling-tips-9-tips-for-better-storytelling-today/

If you had a chance, would you sit by the fire with me and listen to some great stories?

Now you can join me for â€œThe Story Master Series.”

Now you can experience the world’s greatest magicians, sharing their most meaningful stories!

Let me guide you through my video archives, personal stories, and exciting performance routines. You will learn to illustrate and enhance your personal storytelling with magic.  

In this course, we will focus on three major aspects of the creative process.

1. TELLING YOUR STORY: The Heart of the Art of Magic 

Learn how to unlock your inner storyteller. We will focus on improvisation skills, scripting, memorization techniques, and how to make a memorable story. Not all stories have words–however,  every magic routine tells a story, and you will learn the secret key to help you unlock presentations for many of the magic effects you already own or perform. 

2. MAGIC AS A VISUAL METAPHOR: New Ways of Seeing

Since the dawn of time, magicians have used the power of symbol to evoke deep responses and stir the imagination. I will unlock a treasure trove of rich magical stories, symbols, metaphors and more to enhance your magical performances. Drawing on my vast experience of multicultural studies, you will learn how to apply my time-tested techniques to enrich your understanding and performances. We will also explore “The Twenty Essential Effects” of magic.

3.     MAKING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH YOUR MAGIC: Touching & Moving Your Audience

Magic is an international language. In this class, we will focus on adding “your personal touch” to your performances. You will learn a few new tricks, and you will also learn the closely guarded trade secrets for engaging and connecting with your audiences, one on one, or in crowds. Whether you are a full time professional, or a magic enthusiast who performs only for a few friends or the grandkids, we are all called on to perform magic in social situations.  

For the next three weeks I will be telling stories near our virtual fireplace, and if you’d like to learn the art of storytelling please join me right here: 

https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/event/the-story-master-series

Now Tobias has a few things to share with you about upcoming events here in Las Vegas.

Stay warm and cozy by the fire! I’ll see you in our virtual showroom or classroom!

Jeff

Light in the Darkness

Dear Friends:
 
We’re delighted to have the following piece from Abigail McBride for our “into the dark time” of the year. The coming months typically bring lots of emotional highs and lows, and this year promises to amplify both. So I think some kind words from our resident light-bringer are likely to be particularly welcome! And now, Abigail:

When I was very young, I shared a bedroom with my little sister. She was scared of the dark, convinced that monsters would rise up from under the bed to eat her once the lights went out, and no matter how many times Daddy would show her that there were no monsters, still, every night, she was scared. 

I, being the kind big sister that I was, had a good idea. I would paint pictures for her with my words when Mama would leave the room after singing night-time prayers with us. The light would go out, and the picture-painting would start.
 
“Imagine… we’re outside in the backyard, and it’s a sunny warm afternoon. What are we wearing?” …and she would answer. Then I’d continue, telling her what we were doing, what games we were playing, what animals came by to visit… every so often asking her to fill in the blanks about what color the cat was, or what was growing in the garden… and eventually, she’d drop off to sleep and the picture would be complete for that night. For me, ever since I was a child, helping people to relax through creative visualization and guided meditation has been a way I’ve brought light to the darkness.

And now, we are going straight on into the darkest time of the year, when the nights get longer and longer and warm summer days seem like a distant dream. What light will you bring to keep you warm and bring illumination? 
 
These days, one of my favorite ways to bring light, is to share Mindful Moments on our Mystery School Monday program. In each of these segments, I offer a technique, or a breathing practice, or a brief visualization, to help us grow into awareness and presence in the moment. I’m also enjoying working with a few clients as a Mindfulness Coach. For a little taste, if you haven’t joined us yet, please consider this your invitation, every Monday at 7pm pacific time.  My Mindful Moment happens just before we close the class:  
https://zoom.us/j/685273864
 
We are also posting these shows at our virtual Magical Wisdom site, 
https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/i/mystery-school-monday-ep-list

I hope you will join us!

Keep shining,

Abigail

P.S. I am creating new music, magic and mysteries… 
Join me on Patreon to learn more, and thank you!
https://www.patreon.com/AbigailSpinnerMcBride

Death & Beyond… Do the Spirits Return?

Greetings magical friends,
Here are two questions that have confounded humankind for millennia! 

• DO THE SPIRITS RETURN?
• IS THERE LIFE BEYOND DEATH?

My answer to BOTH questions is YES! and YES!
How do I know this? How is this even possible? 
The power of story is the power to keep memories and magic alive. 
Folk tradition says…

“That which is spoken can be written.
That which is written can be remembered.
That which is remembered never dies.”

Eugene Burger: The Master Storyteller
One of the greatest magicians & story tellers of our age was Eugene Burger. Eugene was famous for his spirit theater performances, and Eugene’s spirit lives on here at the House of Mystery. Here is a rare clip of Eugene talking about one of his favorite subjects.

Eugene was a master storyteller, and famous for his spectacular séance and spirit manifestations. Eugene shared his secret séance techniques with only a few of his closest friends. This November, his friends and students are gathering to create a tribute to his memory and magic… and if you are reading my Museletter, then you are invited to attend!

THE LAS VEGAS SÉANCE SUMMIT: ONLINE

Raising Your Spirits in a Time of Darkness. An Online Conference Experience.

Dedicated to the Memory and Spirit Theater of Eugene Burger.

Many of the top minds in the world of Spirit Theater, Séance, and Bizarre Magick will gather in an online circle to share their stories and journey together, into a world of shadows and candle-lit mysteries… And when the candles are extinguished, these spirits will emerge enlightened, armed with messages of hope and courage for these challenging times.

Imagine yourself joining us for this 3-day adventure from darkness to light, as we explore the history and mystery of the performing arts of seance and bizarre magic, with some of world’s leading mystery entertainers.

• Celebrate the spirit theater of Eugene Burger.
• Explore the rich possibilities of “raising spirits” in dark times.
• Focus on tricks, techniques, manifestations and Special FX for creating this kind of magic, light and dark

You will meet our top teachers and performers in these areas, including Ross Johnson, Dr. Larry Hass, Jeff McBride, and Terry Tyson, along with a number of special guests, including Sylvia Sceptre, Kevin Lepine, Paul Draper, John Ferrentino & more.

Go here: https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/event/the-las-vegas-seance-summit-online

One of the gifts that I received from Eugene was an understanding of the power of storytelling…

“Your LIFE: is filled with stories
Your STORY: Is what makes you unique
Your MAGIC: Can enhance and empower your stories”

Join me for “The STORYMASTER Series.”
I will teach you the essential secrets of enhancing YOUR personal stories with magic!
Experience the world’s greatest magicians, sharing their most meaningful stories!
Let me guide you through my video archives, personal stories, and exciting performance routines.
You will learn to illustrate and enhance your personal storytelling with magic.  
In this course, we will focus on three major aspects of the creative process.

1. TELLING YOUR STORY: The Heart of the Art of Magic 
Learn how to unlock your inner storyteller. We will focus on improvisation skills, scripting, and memorization techniques, and how to make a memorable story. Not all stories have words; however, every magic routine tells a story, and you will learn the secret key to help you unlock presentations for many of the magic effects you already own or perform. 

2. MAGIC AS A VISUAL METAPHOR: New Ways of Seeing
Since the dawn of time, magicians have used the power of symbol to evoke deep responses, and stir the imagination. I will unlock a treasure trove of rich magical stories, symbols, metaphors and more to enhance your magical performances. Drawing on my vast experience of multicultural studies, you will learn how to apply my time-tested techniques to enrich your understanding and performances. We will also explore “The Twenty Essential Effects” of magic.

3. MAKING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH YOUR MAGIC: Touching and Moving Your Audience
Magic is an international language. In this class, we will focus on adding “your personal touch” to your performances. You will learn a few new tricks, and you will also learn the closely guarded trade secrets for engaging and connecting with your audiences, one on one, or in crowds. Whether you are a full time professional, or a magic enthusiast who performs only for a few friends or the grandkids, we are all called on to perform magic in social situations.  

Your STORYMASTER tuition includes these amazing take-aways:

• 9 new and original magic effects, routines, and presentations you can add to your performances.
• Video recordings of the entire 3 class series for you to watch on demand, or if you miss class.
• Performances, lectures & personal Q & A time with Jeff.
• The McBride master key video and pdf archive of all topics, routines, and discussions from all three classes.
• Access to the exclusive mystery school online discussion group.
• Certificate of participation.

Go here to get more information about â€œThe STORYMASTER Series.”
https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/event/the-story-master-series

See you in our online classroom!

Yours in magic,
Abigail, Jeff…and “The Spirit of Eugene”