|
|
Greetings Friends,
I am taking a few days off after the long run at Palace Station to and reflect on our recent adventures. I find myself deep in gratitude for all the magical friends that have attended, assisted and empowered our recent shows. Special thanks for Eugene Burger and Tobias Beckwith and Jordan Wright for all of your help during this productive time!
I am also thankful to the local and international press for giving us such fantastic reviews!
Read a recent write up from Robin Leach in the news.
Many friends have been emailing asking, “What’s next?”
Well, here are just a few of the projects in December and January: Yes the WONDERGROUND will reopen in January, right on the Las Vegas Strip! Read on for all the details.
We hope to see you at one of these festivities.
Love and magic,
Jeff
December Magic in Vegas
Jeff McBride at The Orleans Hotel Casino starring in the ALL STAR TRIBUTE honoring Marvyn & Carol Roy. The evening begins at 7:00 pm and will star emcee Jeff Hobson, Stan Allen, Les Arnold & Dazzle, Jorge Blass, Mike Caveney, Luna Shimada, and David & Dania. Presented by The Las Vegas Chapter of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Fantasma Ring 257.
Monday, Dec. 1, 2008 at the
Orleans Hotel & Casino
4500 W. Tropicana Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89103
Doors open and pre-show entertainment by TOP CLOSE-UP ARTISTS begins at 5:30 pm. Light Dinner Buffet begins at 6:00 pm.
To order tickets contact Robert Schwartz:
schwartz1313@msn.com
(702) 469-0315
WONDERGROUND Holiday Party – Underground news:
We’re having a special December party event called “YULE BE AMAZED!” on Saturday Dec. 27th from 8 PM until midnight. As a reader of The Museletter, you’re invited. However, the location for this top Secret “WONDERGROUND-underground” can be found out only by RSVP. You must RSVP by emailing Abbi McBride at Abbi@McBridemagic.com or calling (702)-450-0021.
Abbi will give you info on the secret location of the event here in Las Vegas. Appearing on the show will be some of The Wonderground Players along with special celebrity guests.
Our WONDERGROUND friend Steve Dacri opens his new show “INTIMATE ILLUSIONS” at the FOUR SEASONS HOTEL. This very exclusive magic dinner show, “Intimate Illusions” debuts Friday December 26, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. in the elegant fine dining restaurant CHARLIE PALMER STEAK, in the Four Seasons Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. The dinner show happens every Friday and Saturday night through March 28. Tickets are now on sale for the entire run, with shows limited to 30 seats.
Says Steve, “I am delighted to be performing at the Four Seasons in Charlie Palmer Steak. I have always wanted to bring this very different type of magic show to the Las Vegas Strip. Tickets are priced at $300 (plus tax & gratuity) and include a fine dining experience with your choice of numerous entrees followed by the command performance. Tickets at www.vegas.com or at www.vegasinsidetips.com.
FROM ABBI….AN INVITATION TO MYSTERY:
We hope this time of giving thanks has been a bountiful and beautiful one for all of you. We are grateful to announce MYSTERIUM 2009, which will happen on January 30, 31 and February 1st. The wheel of the year is turning, more and more quickly…. We are coming into the darkest time of the year. Now is the time to open to new mysteries, deeper layers of knowing, and clearer ways of understanding. The time for MYSTERIUM is coming soon, and we wanted to let you know that registration is now open. You can register online right now at http://www.vegasvortex.com.
Soon, the Family of Fire will become visible again, coming together out of the chill and into the soft glow of candlelight, sharing the warmth of a hug, and the light of shared knowledge, vision, and inspiration. Our eyes will see new images; our ears will hear new sounds. We will drift through the dreamtime, toward the light. We will *learn* together, as we expand into MYSTERIUM…
Seeking meaning?
Alchemy, Magick and the Fire Circle teach us how to experience our day to day lives on a much deeper spiritual and conscious level. Modern alchemy is not an esoteric study of hidden things, but a joyful metaphor of discovery of the deeper mysteries we can experience in everyday things, and in each other.
Seeking community, friendship, knowledge, and fun?
This weekend, we will explore how we, as individuals and as a community, can refine and develop our understanding, through celebration, music, discussion, experiential workshops, movement, dreaming and co-creation.
Please note, the majority of our events will be happening in the Arts District at THE BOX OFFICE (1129 S. Casino Center Blvd). We have learned that a single location that allows for daytime workshops as well as evening activities helps participants have a more connected and intimate experience. Registration spaces are limited; first come, first served. You can register online, and get more information about MYSTERIUM at http://www.vegasvortex.com.
$65 for the entire weekend, includes all events, playshops and breakfast on Saturday. Our last events were completely sold out, thank you!
With gratitude, love and magick…
Abigail Spinner McBride
  Overheard at The Wonderground:
Â
“This is what I had hoped to find when I came to Vegas!”
 “It’s like the Magic Castle without walls!”
 “This is so $#@^%*! cool!”
Greetings Friends,
 This is the last week for our show and  nightclub. We have almost completed our 3 month limited run and have gotten great press, wonderful response from our  audiences, and lots of interest from other promoters and venues. During the coming month or two we will be looking for a  new home for all of our events, even as we catch up on some touring dates in Europe & South America.Â
Only 5 nights to go at Palace Station!
 The show: Jeff McBride – Magic at the Edge
The place: Â
Sound Trax Showroom at Palace Station
 (702) 547-5300
www.stationcasinos.com <http://m1e.net/c?31037791-THdawZHz8HxI.%403767686-.Vp2vZS6Qzdao>Â
The club:Â Jeff McBride’s Wonderground
  THE FINAL CELEBRATION – FRI. AND SAT. NOV 21-22 9:30PM UNTIL ????
As a way of showing our gratitude to all of the artists that have played the Wonderground we are  having a 2 day final blow out this weekend! Come join us…
 If you can’t get to Vegas for our final  nights, you can participate from home! Watch The Wonderground live on the Street of Cards web site:Â
http://www.streetofcards.tv/channel/27/wonderground/Â <http://m1e.net/c?31037791-PKak2RXruwYbk%403767687-lrbCHk26OGYjQ>Â
 Speaking of video, here is a cool video clip of Jordan Wright reporting from the Vegas Wonderground:Â
THE WITCHES AND WIZARDS BALL REPORTÂ <http://m1e.net/c?31037791-y0JLWYV0zfDNY%403767688-V6JROEwsdfrKE>Â
Las Vegas Sun comes to The Wonderground!
You can read all about it here <http://m1e.net/c?31037791-v3bO1A9sLRc3k%403767689-XNVvFM5bwkKLw> .  We’ve already been exploring future locations for the new combined show & club experience, and have found several  possibilities. The new experience is set to open in January at a secret location – and you’ll read about it first right  here.Â
 Remember Muse letter friends…YOU will get the news first!Â
 Your friends in  enlightened nightlife,Â
 Jeff and all the Wonderground PlayersÂ
 LA Times Piece on  WONDERGROUND:
http://www.vegas.com/nightclubs/wonderground/Â <http://m1e.net/c?31037791-wmtPgPmtCFvkw%403767690-iEp65vSNnxgWU>Â
 orÂ
http://www.lasvegas.com/nightclubs/wonderground/Â <http://m1e.net/c?31037791-AoK14TPduFjGU%403767691-OMG8JiLPJh1LE>Â
LATE BREAKING TV NEWS:
Jeff will appear and receive an award on  The World Magic Awards TV special, airing on the MyTV network at 8pm on November 26th! Other stars include Lance Burton,  Kalin & Ginger, Ed Alonzo, Franz Harary, Greg Gleason, Hans Klok and many more! You can find your local channel airing  the special at: http://www.worldmagicawards.com/stations.html <http://m1e.net/c?31037791-dwM9xshMEHNZ.%403767692-JqQzrtJGcWFiQ> . Check  local listings for the exact time in your location. This promises to be a classic magic special, featuring many of the  world’s greatest magicians & illusionists. If you’re a magic fan, don’t forget to set the  TIVO! Â
| Greetings friends,
It seems our run at Palace Station is bringing on one opportunity after another! STREET OF CARDS MAGIC MAGAZINE COVER STORY
THE LAS VEGAS BUZZ IN THE MOVIES We have been listening to feedback from our friends like YOU, and adding many new classes to the Magic & Mystery School schedule. We hope you can come to Las Vegas and join us for one soon. You can see the new schedule at http://www.magicalwisdom.com/calendar.php. We look forward to seeing you here soon! Your friend in magic, |
“Women have served all these centuries as looking-glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of man at twice its natural size.”
— Virginia Woolf
Hello friends!Â
Abigail here, checking in from the House of Mystery in Las Vegas. Jeff’s new show, MAGIC AT THE EDGE is up and running, and everyone is having a lot of fun with WONDERGROUND on the weekends, too! During the week, Jeff still has time to work with individual students in private sessions.Â
Recently, one of his students was sharing how he really hates to show his wife any magic, because he feels like she’s his worst critic; she’s not enthusiastic about watching his newest effect, and is always telling him what he’s doing wrong.Â
Hearing him made me start thinking… As a woman in love with a magician, I am in a unique position. I’m the one, primarily, who he has the opportunity to “practice on.” So, I think one of the things a magician would benefit by remembering is to always approach with care. There’s a big difference between, “Hey, c’mere, I want to try this on you,” and “My darling, when you have a moment, I have something I’d really love to do for you.” Once I’ve had the chance to see a new effect, I need to remember that this is an expression of my beloved’s creativity, and it will do me good to respond with care as well, after all, this is the man I love, right?Â
Of course, I’m going to want to give honest feedback. I mean, to allow him to continue performing an effect while flashing or fumbling would be akin to sending a five year old to school with his pants on backwards. I don’t want the “other kids” to laugh, right?
I want to be sure to start with positive feedback first, so my magician doesn’t feel shot down. I’ll tell him what I liked, even if it’s just the idea behind the effect, and then I’ll tell him, clearly and kindly, what isn’t working. Often, I’ll offer my ideas on how the problem could be solved, whether it’s by shifting his finger position, changing his body posture, clarifying his script, or videotaping a move so he can see what I see. It’s all coming from a place of wanting to see him succeed, because I care… because I love him.Â
Part of what makes my feedback valuable is that I’m genuinely interested in magic. It’s one of the creative activities that Jeff and I share. We have other interests we share as well, like music, ballroom dancing, and fire circles. But when it comes to magic, I have nearly twenty years of experience both onstage and behind the scenes, as well as at the Magic and Mystery School. So I know what to look for, and I know the lingo….Â
Maybe your wife or partner doesn’t have the same extensive experience. Maybe she doesn’t know a flash from a pass, when it comes to prestidigitation. But, if she loves you, she still wants you to succeed, and she still wants to help you to grow in your creativity, just as you would want for her, right? So, remember, maybe she’s not your worst critic, but your best friend in disguise. Approach her with care; ask her nicely for her help, and you may find a wonderful ally in your magical world.Â
Yours in the mystery…
Abigail McBrideÂ
A few notes from Bryce:Â
Hi all,Â
I just got back from our first Magic & Martial Arts conference. It was a blast! Jeff and I decided that it was very much like the first year of Mystery School… a collection of very cool people with no agenda other than to explore together.Â
I think my favorite part of the weekend were the various demos. We watched some amazing footage of Aaron Crow freaking out audience members with martial mentalism. To even the score a bit, co-host Tom Meseroll sliced a watermelon balanced precariously on Aaron’s stomach. Other demos included some amazing Georgia Magnet work by Sensei Strange, Iron Shirt Chi Kung from Zamora and some scary chain whip moves from yours truly. I can’t wait to see the video…
While there were only nine attendees at this event (plus Jeff and myself), they will form the core group for next year’s conference. The talents present, both martial and magical, were astonishing. I was honored to have spent the week with such inspirational people.Â
Magic & Meaning is coming up in a few weeks. I’m really sad that I won’t be able to go, but Jen and I will be hosting some of the Shao-lin instructors here in Phoenix for our annual Elder Master visit. This year Jeff and Eugene are trying something new: they’re turning the conference into the “TED Talks” of magic. I hear Larry Hass has quite a lineup of presenters.Â
Finally, I want to apologize for the amount of “press” we’ve been sending you. If you’re like me, your filters are set pretty high for this type of stuff. But Jeff is really excited about the show and Wonderground and, apparently, so are the audiences and press.Â
Yours in better magic,
Bryce
