Greetings Magical Friends!
This is Tobias, writing while Jeff is off in the UK, winding up his short tour there, following what may have been truly the world’s greatest magic show in Blackpool, produced by Derek Lever. Here’s a photo of Jeff with local magicians at his lecture in Manchester last night. We’ve already had several delightful e-mail letters from those who attended … it appears to have been a smashing success.
Speaking of the UK: I understand the classes scheduled in April — both the Master Class in Cornwall and the 2 Secret Sessions in Brighton, are filling fast. You can now find links to both events from magicalwisdom.com, as well as from Jeff’s main tour calendar. If you think you might want to attend, I highly recommend getting yourself registered as soon as possible!
Before I go any further, we wanted to share with you the following report from our good friend Ferdinando, who recently hosted a wonderful tour by Eugene Burger through Italy.
“All of the buildings, all of the cars,
were once just a dream,
in somebody’s head”
— Peter Gabriel
Dear Friends,
It’s a very exciting time, over here in Italy!
After the recent translation into Italian of his wonderful book The Experience of Magic , Eugene just spent 10 days here in Italy for a lecture tour, which has been an huge success!
(in photo attached, Eugene is with Anna, Ferdinando and the world famous quick-change artist Arturo Brachetti)
Another great book is now available in Italian: David Jay Brown’s Conversations on the Edge of the Apocalypse, in which Jeff is interviewed, along with such people as: George Carlin, Noam Chomsky, Deepak Chopra, Alex Grey, Rupert Sheldrake, Robert Anton Wilson and many others! A MUST reading!!
The last bit of information: please keep an eye on the Master Class schedules… for a possible Master Class in Torino (Italy), in 2009!!!
We are working to turn the idea into reality.
Greetings from Italy!
ferdinando (ferdinando.biz)
For those of you in the North East (of the US), don’t miss Jeff’s appearance as part of the Twist & Shout Balloon Twisters Convention in Boston next week (Feb. 22nd). The convention is for balloon twisters — but the show if open to anyone, and will include not only the pieces Jeff is best known for, but several new items he has just recently developed. You can find detailed information at http://www.balloonconvention.com/index.html. Be sure to scroll down the page, as the detailed show information is a ways down.
Also, do note there are a couple of spaces still available for the March Extended Master Class here in Las Vegas. This is our first extended class of the New Year, and we have lots of new experiences in store for you, including new video presentation facilities, a special session with web-guru Bryce Kuhlman (Jeff’s site, Lance Burton’s… and dozens of others). I’ll be doing a streamlined version of my business & career session, and a new lecture taking you through the basics of my book “Beyond Deception” and giving you further creativity exercises not included in the book.
Oh — I nearly forgot. We’ve also just posted all of the classes available through the end of November. For those of you just waiting to sign up for this year’s “Magic & Meaning,” registration is now open! We’re also finally ready to ship the DVDs some of you ordered from last year’s conference… so watch your mailbox if you signed up for one!
One final bit of late-breaking news. We’ve just received the following press release from our friends at VH-1:
In development news, VH1 has given the green light to “Celebracadabra” — Seven TV and film stars vie for the title of “Best Celebrity Magician” when they gather at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, the world’s most famous club for magicians, and attempt to learn and perform tricks normally left to the professionals. Guided by veteran magicians, the competitors face tough crowds and a master panel of judges (including Jeff McBride) who determine which celebrities get to advance to the next round and a shot at a grand prize. Executive producers are Michael Hirschorn, Shelly Tatro, Karla Hidalgo and Chris Martin.
This is their official press release information, and we’re not permitted to give out anything further — except that Jeff will be seen judging every episode, and that we’ve seen bits and pieces… and this promises to be a very good series for the art of magic!
Best wishes for a magical month,
Tobias
“Illusion is the first of all pleasures.”
— Oscar Wilde
Greetings from sunny Las Vegas! Jeff & Abbi here. It seems like we’re skipping stones on a giant ocean. We just skipped back to Las Vegas from China, and this week, Jeff is off to England for a show and a lecture tour. So, here’s a shout out to all of our UK friends and fans; Jeff will see you soon! Here is a photo of Jeff and Eugene sharing a glorious sunrise at Stonehenge during a visit last year.
All of us here at McBride Magic would like to formally introduce you to the newest member of our team, Jordan Wright. Jordan began studying with us here at the Magic and Mystery School several years ago and now is touring with us as our opening act. Jordan is a perfect example of someone who has applied his passion to his art and is making great progress! He is also an accomplished film-maker, and I will include a link to one of his recent pieces.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTjUzEO09hQ
Here are a few words from Jordan:
Greetings Museletter friends,
Jordan here, saying hello and sharing with you one of my favorite inspirational quotes:
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
— Henry David Thoreau
I work toward that everyday, especially on my recent trip to China. Jeff, Abbi, and I have just returned from performing Jeff’s full evening illusion show in beautiful Sanya, China. Sanya is located on the island of Hainan, which happens to be China’s smallest province. It was there that we provided the evening’s special entertainment for the executives of Viasystems. While on the long plane ride to Sanya, I had time to reflect on my journey to this point in my career. I cannot believe that only five years ago I moved to Las Vegas to start college and enrolled in my first Master Class. I look back and realize that I have come a long way from that first class having now opened for Jeff’s show in Atlantic City, Taiwan, and China. Of course I am also busy creating my own material and performing my own show in various venues. I attribute a lot of my growth thus far to continually observing a man whom I consider to be a master of the art. As Virgil once said, “Follow an expert.” If we want to be excellent at what we do, I truly believe we must learn from those who are the best at what they do.
Thank you Jordan! And, thank all of you that keep in touch with us through these Museletters. It’s great to stay connected with you, and I enjoy getting your feedback emails. We are exploring new ways to bring our magic to you, and to create a source of inspiration and magic for all of our friends, like you! In the next few months, we hope to be giving you more news from our friends and faculty here at the school. Tobias, Eugene, Bryce, Abbi, and Jordan will be sharing more of their magical insights and inspirations with us!
Yours in mystery…
Jeff, Abbi, and all of your friends here at the McBride Magic and Mystery School
NEWS FROM TOBIAS:
Not only is Jeff on his way to the UK this week, but he and Eugene will be traveling there again in April to conduct another special performance (April 3) and master class in Cornwall (April 4, 5 & 6), followed by two one-day Intensives in Brighton (April 9 & 10). The classes are filling fast, so be sure and register early. You can find further information on the Cornwall classes now at http://www.magicmasterclass.co.uk, or by contacting Kenny at Kernow Magic: maverick7@tiscali.co.uk, or, for further information on the Brighton classes, contact Romany at romany@romanymagic.com.
This will just be the first leg of a tour in Europe for Jeff — more on that in an upcoming Museletter!
We’ve just completed our first classes of the New Year here in Las Vegas. Jeff’s “Focus on Manipulation” was well attended, as was our first 3-Day Master class of the year. We’re experimenting with a new schedule for the 3-Day classes, as well as making use of Jeff’s newly installed home-theatre / lecture space that allows us to use Powerpoint and Video to enhance some of our presentations. What’s more, Bryce Kuhlman, our Internet Wizard joined the class again for the first time in quite a long time, and delivered a terrific presentation on web-sites for magicians. Bryce intends to be at all our future classes, as his schedule permits. We’re very excited to be able to include what he has to offer to our students once again!
That said: We still have a few spots available in our March classes — but they won’t last much longer! If you’re a serious student of magic, now is the time to register: MagicalWisdom.com. If you’re new to the Magic & Mystery School, we’ve recently added some videos to the site to give you a better idea of just what you can expect.
Best wishes for a magical February!
Tobias Beckwith
Dear Friends (from Tobias):
Wow — it’s already been a busy year! Jeff and Abbi and Jordan have just returned from the island of Hainan, off the southern coast of China, where they performed “Magic at the Edge” at a corporate event. Now, as January winds to a close, those of you who have Magic Magazine’s annual calendar will be bidding goodbye to Jeff McBride’s photos as “Mr. January.” Jeff is honored to be the lead-off magician for 2008!
Before moving on to additional news, I’d like to share a story from one of Jeff’s students, Jacques le Sueur. This is from an e-mail sent us by Jacques:
I’ve just been up to Lagos, Nigeria to perform at corporate shows, but had a chance to go into the jungle and entertain at a couple of villages.
The chief of one village, Big John, asked me as I left if I could give him the Lottery numbers. I said sure, but could only give him four of the five numbers, the last he’d have to choose for himself.
I gave him some random numbers, and then forgot about it.
At 3:30 that morning I got a phone call at the hotel from my corporate host. The Lottery numbers had come through, and the village has won a very small fortune!!
They’re using the money to put a borehole in, get electricity, and redo some of the shack housing. Oh, and putting a small statue of me in the centre of the village. 🙂
It just goes to show — your magic can change the lives of others in ways far beyond what you might imagine!
Before I turn this over to Jeff, I wanted to let you know that Jeff’s column “Ask the Show Doctor,” which appears monthly in MAGIC Magazine, is about to become a live entity in and of itself. Sometime in February we’ll be activating the online version, in which anyone who visits MagicalWisdom.com can log on and post questions for Jeff to answer in his role as “The Show Doctor,” with answers viewable by all. We’ll let you know when the new site is live — but you can start collecting your questions for Jeff right now!
Happy New Year to All!
Tobias Beckwith
From Jeff:
“Magic — and among its branches I include psychology as its purpose to describe and change consciousness — is an art.” –Starhawk
MAGIC AND PSYCHOLOGY
One of my passions is exploring the connection between magic, psychology, and philosophy. Richard Weisman is a scientist, lecturer and magician who created this unique event at a science museum in the UK. Here are a few interview segments from a recent exhibition in London.
Psychology of Magic part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8loQRnjhuwY
Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CivohBu_-Ek
FORBIDDEN SECRETS REVEALED!
We are offering some new classes this year at the Magic and Mystery School.
If your passion is card magic, I will be sharing my inner secrets about my card manipulation act with a small group of students at Focus on Manipulation. This event will be followed with our three day Master Class. For more information please go here:
http://www.magicalwisdom.com/calendar.php
JEFF AND ABBI IN THE MOVIES!!
Over the next few months, a new documentary will start showing at film festivals across the country. “Women in Boxes” explores the history of women in magic. Abbi and I are featured in interviews and performance segments. Eugene also offers his unique perspective on the role of the feminine mystique in magic.
You can get a sneak peek online.
LAST CALL FOR MYSTERIUM!
February 1, 2, 3rd in Las Vegas. This alternative event is for people who are interested in magical community, alchemy, drumming and dancing. All the information is online at VegasVortex.com. Check it out!
The days have been sunny here in Las Vegas. We are looking forward to hosting Eugene Burger for our upcoming classes. I am spending a lot of the time this month between tours editing some new DVDs that will be out in the next few months, and working with private students. Also, look for me on season four of MINDFREAK. Criss and I will be doing a few segments together.
Love to all,
Jeff
VISIT HTTP://SHOP.YOURMAGIC.COM FOR THE LATEST AND BEST FROM JEFF MCBRIDE, EUGENE BURGER, TOBIAS BECKWITH & OTHERS.
Recent additions include:
Exploring Magical Presentations with Eugene Burger
Jeff McBride’s Revolution! — The Secrets of the Double Dancing Cane!
Jeff McBride: A Magickal Life — An extraordinary one-hour documentary of Jeff McBride’s quest for real magic.
Beyond Deception — Tobias Beckwith shares the secrets he uses to help Jeff McBride, Marco Tempest and others create astonishingly original magic.
Greetings All,
Jeff, Abbi, Eugene, Tobias, and Bryce all wishing you a Magical New Year!
JEFF’S NEW FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE!
We would like you to start 2008 with this following thought from explorer W. H. Murray. It is our hope that it will inspire you to achieve your magical dreams.
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets:
Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!”
This is by far one of our favorite inspirational thoughts. I printed it out and posted it next to my computer, so I can see it
everyday and to remind me of my magical quest. I hope you refer to it and that it gives you hope, courage and inspiration!
TELEVISION MAGIC IN ASIA
Next week, we are off to China for a corporate date, with our big illusion show. Jordan Wright will be our opening act. He has been developing a very interesting new character. Here is a video clip from a recent hit television show in Taiwan. Magic is really big in Asia these days.
Your friends,
Jeff & Abbi
YOUR DREAMS ARE OUR PASSION!
Do you have a magical dream?
If you do, what’s your next step?
McBride Magic and Mystery School and a sample of our 3 day and 7 day schedules. Please take to time to read the following and if you want more detailed info please go to http://www.magicalwisdom.com/school.php
Or feel free to call us at the school. Just ask for Abbi at 702-450-0021.
MYSTERIUM 2008
Our annual gathering Mysterium will be happening February 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Las Vegas. This alternative event is for people who are interested in magical community, alchemy, drumming and dancing. All the information is online at http://www.vegasvortex.com. Check it out!
It is only possible to give someone a magical experience if you have first had a magical experience, for it is impossible to give a gift you do not possess.
— Jeff McBride
Greetings Friends,
One of our gifts is being able to explore the world and bring the magic home, and then share it with our family and friends like you.
We also feel that it is a gift that we can create a magical home for magic here in Las Vegas that magic-lovers can visit to get re-charged and to be inspired. In this way, the current of magic that flows into our lives can flow out again into the world.
We are just home from our tour of Japan, Taiwan, and Malaysia. The past few days, Jeff has been performing with his magic hero, John Calvert. Mr. Calvert is a living legend of magic. At 96 years old, he is still touring the country, doing his show and lecture. When Jeff asked him his secret to success, health and longevity, he said:
“I agree with the great playwright William Shakespeare, when he said that all the world’s a stage…. and every morning, Jeff, when I get up, I decide that I will play the part of a young man.” 
Thank you, Mr. Calvert, you are an inspiration to all of us! Here is a photo of Jeff getting schooled by John. Ask Jeff to tell one of his favorite “Calvert stories” the next time you see him!
HAWAII MAGIC ADVENTURE
We will be sharing our magical gifts with our friends in Hawaii soon: We’ll be doing a show, lecture and Master Class in Oahu on Dec. 17 and 18th. Our friend, Mike Ching, is one of the leading magicians in Hawaii, and is hosting our event. For all the details click here.
We will also be on retreat at FireTribe Hawaii… See you at the fire?
We will be home just in time for Christmas! So, we’ll be thinking about all of you as we travel the world, and return to you, dear friends, to share the gifts of our magic.
Yours in mystery…
Jeff & Abbi
A FEW WORDS FROM TOBIAS:
How can you give the gift of Magic this year?
We’ve had some great ideas about that!
Now you can give the gift of magic to someone you love: Magic School Gift Certificates are available now, for the first time, for your holiday convenience! You can send your favorite magic enthusiast the gift of an extraordinary magical experience! You can give any amount – from a portion of their deposit for a class all the way up to full tuition. And the best part – they can choose the class they want to attend. Just click on this link for more information and instruction.
Pay by check or by Paypal, and receive a printable certificate by mail or e-mail within two days.
Speaking of gifts and Gift Certificates – we’ve also created a Gift Certificate Program for the shop at Yourmagic.com. If you know you want to give something to your favorite magician, but aren’t sure just what the most appropriate book, trick or video might be, this could be your perfect option! You’ll find the gift certificate featured on the front page at http://shop.yourmagic.com.
We have lots of other new items, as well. My new book Beyond Deception, is
designed you help you take those favorite magical effects and turn them into your own completely original and powerful performance pieces, and it has just arrived from the printer. All copies bought through the web site are signed copies, from the first printing of just 1,500 — over a third of which are already spoken for.
JEFF MCBRIDE HAS NEW DVDs READY TO SHIP IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
If you are looking for something fresh and new, you want to see JEFF MCBRIDE’S REVOLUTION! The Secrets of the Double Dancing Cane! In this DVD, Jeff teaches you the secret workings of one of his favorite routines. Not only that, but we have special package deals when you buy REVOLUTION with one or two of Jeff’s VORTEX rainbow light canes.
JEFF MCBRIDE: A MAGICKAL LIFE: An extraordinary one-hour documentary of Jeff McBride’s quest for real magic… from the stage shows of Las Vegas to the fire rituals of Burning Man, get an inside look into the life and times of one of the world’s leading magical artists, produced by our friends at Reel Time Images.
What’s more: We’ve finally received our shipment of the next batch of the DOUBLE JUMBO CARD FAN FINALE. This favorite item has been out of stock for almost six months, but we just received an order of 50 or so. Ten are gone already, but we expect the supply to hold up at least for the holiday season.
FINALLY: Eugene Burger has just released his “Growing in the Art of Magic” recordings as a series of instant downloads, available exclusively through Yourmagic.com. You can also buy the book transcription of this amazing series of Eugene’s talks.
If you find yourself looking for that special “last minute” gift, with no time to wait for shipping, either this special “Growing in the Art of Magic” download, one of our instant download videos, or the new Yourmagic Gift Certificate make the perfect last minute holiday gift for your favorite magician.
See you at the shop!
With all best wishes for a most magical holiday.
Tobias Beckwith