“One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon — instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.â€
–Dale Carnegie
Greetings Magical Friends,
Abbi here, checking in from the House of Mystery… I am thrilled to announce that my new CD project, Fire of Creation has returned from the printer and has officially been completed. I’m exceedingly grateful to everyone who helped with the kindling of
this fire. I have had a limited number of Fire of Creation CDs printed, and they’re now available on our website. My music, as many of you know, is a techno-tribal revival of drumming, chanting, lush synth beds and trance grooves. I hope you’ll enjoy it!
MYSTERIES OF THE EAST
Tao Te Ching, chapter 11
Thirty spokes share the wheel’s hub;
It is the center hole that makes it useful.
Shape clay into a vessel;
It is the space within that makes it useful.
Cut doors and windows for a room;
It is the holes which make it useful.
Therefore profit comes from what is there;
Usefulness from what is not there.
Sometimes it’s the space that is in between the days of our busy schedule that I find most productive and useful.
Today, I’m sitting here, reflecting in our home while Jeff is currently in Japan. I’ve been enjoying spending time cultivating the rose garden, and have been diving into my music practice. I will rendezvous with Jeff for a tour of Taiwan later this month, for a big international magic conference and television show he’s shooting over there. We will be performing our full evening show: JEFF MCBRIDE: MAGIC AT THE EDGE. After our time in Taiwan, Jeff will continue on to Malaysia for another week, and will be home just after Thanksgiving.
MCBRIDE IN SAN FRANCISCO
November 29th and 30th
Jeff will be sharing his magic with all of our friends in San Francisco, sponsored by Misdirections Magic Shop. You can find information at: http://www.misdirections.com/calendar.html or by writing to Misdirections’ proprietor, Joe Pon: Info@misdirections.com. Jeff will be doing a show / lecture and a one day Master Class.
We’ll look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming classes, lectures or shows! Until then, I send you my very best magical wishes!
Abbi McBride
QUICK NOTE FROM TOBIAS:
Thanks to all of you who have signed up for pre-orders of Beyond Deception! I expect delivery from the printer on Monday, November 19, and will be signing and sending out the pre-orders then. This means that if you want a personalized signed copy, you still have 4-5 days to get your order in by going to http://shop.yourmagic.com.
While you’re there, why not do some holiday shopping for your favorite magician. Jeff has several new products available, and more going up all the time!
With magical best wishes,
Tobias Beckwith (tobias@yourmagic.com)
“Last Halloween a kid tried to rip my face off. He thought it was a mask. Now it’s different when I open the door the kids hand me candy.‖Rodney Dangerfield
Greetings Magical Friends and Family,
October is one of my favorite
months. It’s the time of myths, monsters and mayhem. I grew up in a little town in upstate New York, called Rock Hill. Halloween was my favorite holiday. I remember, as a pre-teen, prowling around the streets in my werewolf costume, banging on neighbor’s windows and scaring the nightlights out of them. All this mayhem wreaked on my unsuspecting neighbors, weeks before Halloween came around. Yes, Lon Chaney was my hero.
My sisters got the worst of it. I remember when my older sister, Donna, had just come home from watching the horror movie The Exorcist. I dressed up like a monster and hid in her closet, and just before she fell asleep, I started scratching on the walls, rousing her from her slumber, and when she rose to investigate the sound, I leapt, screaming, as only a prepubescent wolf-boy can do.
HOWWLLL!
Yep, she still hates me. Since then, I have channeled all of this monstrous energy into more practical endeavors, like this one…
Abbi and I will be hosting the annual Las Vegas Witches and Wizard’s Ball. All the information is online at http://vegasvortex.com/pages/FallFest
Next time you’re in Las Vegas…
Private Sessions
If you are interested in scheduling a private session here at the McBride House of Mystery, please contact Abbi at 702 450-0021 and she will assist you. (She’s an excellent assistant, and a terrific wife…)
Magic for Medical Professionals
We’re really excited to be hosting doctors and other medical professionals from around the world for our third annual Magic for Medical Professionals Conference. We will explore the art of magic from the shaman to the showman, and the connection between the magician and the healer.
Have a monstrously fun Halloween!
From your favorite wolf-boy magician,
Jeff
NOTE: We have several new videos on line, including a new brief trailer for “Jeff McBride – A Magickal Life.” Check it out at http://shop.yourmagic.com.
“The word ‘magic’ is out of fashion, though its spirit was never more widely diffused than at the present time. Thanks to the gradual debasement of the verbal currency, it suggests to the ordinary reader the production of optical illusions and other parlour tricks. It has dragged with it, in its fall, the terrific verb, to ‘conjure,’ which, forgetting that it once undertook to compel the spirits of men and angels, is now content to produce rabbits from top hats.”
— Evelyn Underhill, Mysticism
Greetings all,
Putting meaning back into magic is very important to me. So much so, that I put a great deal of energy into creating events that will, hopefully, elevate the art of magic. This month, I am proud to be hosting our Mystery School reunion, that we call The Magic and Meaning Conference.
Our special guests this year will include:
Internationally acclaimed modern mage and corporate alchemist George Parker, who will teach us how to infuse our magic with powerful metaphors that relate to the business and corporate world. George has an unusual ability to empower his audiences with his philosophy of life and magic.
Dr. Lawrence Hass, award-winning author who is currently writing a monthly “Theory and Art of Magic” column for MAGIC magazine. He is the author of a brand new book, Transformations, and will be presenting “Heidegger & The Experimental Roots of Magic.” It will be a thought-provoking and discussion generating talk.
From the UK, Jon Randall, editor of Pentacle magazine, the UK’s leading independent Pagan magazine — will be presenting FRAUD! An expose of fraudulent mediums and sham psychics.
Tobias Beckwith has just finished his new book, Beyond Deception, and will be presenting a workshop based on its extraordinary content.
Also, Father Daniel Rolland and many of the Mystery School alumni will be on hand. Of course, Eugene Burger, Dean of the Magic and Mystery School and author of Magic & Meaning, one of my favorite and most-recommended books, will be joining us.
To read more about Magic and Meaning, please go to:
http://www.magicalwisdom.com
Master Class for Mentalists
… is sold out, and there is a waiting list for next year. Thank you Tobias, Abbi, Eugene, and Ross Johnson for hosting yet another great magical adventure.
Other Events in Las Vegas
Our good friend Sheila Z, is an accomplished author, teacher and spiritual life coach. Sheila’s energy and angelic presence touches everyone around her. She is coordinating the Intentional Wellness Conference on October 20th. If you’re interested in creating opportunities for wellness and health in every area of your life, check out this link for more information:
http://www.intentional-wellness.com.
Coming Next Museletter:
Wolf-boy Jeff returns!!
Enjoy the Fall…
Jeff & Abbi
PS
For those of you that are interested in ritual fire magick, check out Fall Fest at vegasvortex.com in the events section, or take a look at this clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSjnq_ALNVY
AND A NOTE FROM TOBIAS:
First, let us make a correction: In a previous Museletter, we listed Michael Carbonaro as one of the magicians who helped us entertain audiences before the shows at Trump Marina in Atlantic City. While Michael is a good friend and terrific performer — he wasn’t there. It was MARK Carbonaro, who was in town for the master class that week. Thanks to Mark!
Further: I’m excited. My book Beyond Deception: The Theory and Technique of Creating Original Magic, is at the printers, and we’re putting it up on the web site this week for special “pre-orders.” I’ll be signing each copy that is pre-ordered with a personal note to each person who has ordered that way. Although all copies of the book bought through our site will be signed, only those pre-ordered will get the personalized signing. I expect to be shipping by December 1st. Many thanks to Jeff, Eugene, Bob Fitch and all the others who have helped me make this book the best it can be! We’ll include a short excerpt from the book in an upcoming Museletter.
Wishing you all a magical October!
Tobias
LATE BREAKING NEWS FROM TOBIAS:
JEFF MCBRIDE on TWO (COUNT ‘EM) TV SERIES THIS SEASON
We told you in our last letter about Jeff’s upcoming featured role on the new reality TV series for VH-1. We still can’t tell you much more about it, except that Jeff is at the Magic Castle right now, preparing with the team for the tapings, which will occur over the next 6 weeks or so. In the meantime, Jeff has just reminded us he’ll probably be the only magician this fall to be seen on not one, but two different series: the one now taping on VH-1, and with Criss Angel on Mindfreak on A&E.
MORE NEWS OF THE DAY: MAGIC & MEANING
News flash! From England, special guest Jon Randall, the editor of Pentacle Magazine, the UK’s leading independent pagan magazine, will present an expose of fraudulent mediums and sham psychics as a special addition to the Magic and Meaning Conference in Las Vegas, October 24-27.
Not only that, but I’ve just been added to the schedule doing a special lecture workshop on my own about to be released book, Beyond Deception, presenting techniques you can use to jumpstart your own creative process and create power original magic. The book itself won’t be available for purchase until 2-3 weeks after the conference, but I’ll have galley copies you can check out during Magic & Meaning.
And now, on to our regularly scheduled Museletter!
“For in and out, above, about, below, ‘Tis nothing but a Magic Shadow-show, Play’d in a Box whose Candle is the Sun, Round which we Phantom Figures come and go.”
— Omar Khayyam
Greetings Magical Friends,
THE MAGIC AND MEANING CONFERENCE Oct 24 – 27, 2007
Magicians and storytellers from all over the world are coming to what we think of as “The Mystery School Reunion,” also known as The Magic & Meaning Conference! Along with many shows, lectures, and works in progress this event will feature special guest presenters, performers and lecturers, including:
George Parker from the Netherlands. George is a fine motivational speaker and magician, who weaves inspiration and metaphor into his presentations. He is going to teach us some of the tools of his art.
Larry Hass, Professor of Philosophy at Muhlenberg College. Larry is an award-winning teacher of phenomenology, aesthetics, magic performance, and magic theory. He is also the Founding Director of the Theory and Art of Magic program—an ongoing educational symposium that brings the world’s greatest magicians to the campus to perform, lecture, and teach about their amazing art.
WITCHES AND WIZARDS, OH MY!!!
Also at the Magic and Meaning conference: attendees will celebrate the season with the LAS VEGAS WITCHES AND WIZARDS BALL with live DJ Sylvia Brallier, special performances and an outrageous midnight seance by master storyteller Eugene Burger. Creative costumes welcomed and encouraged, but not required.
For more info, go to http://vegasvortex.com/pages/FallFest
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Our friend and magic student Tom Mesoroll has just published a very fine book: Magus, Master of Martial Magic, Book 1. A recent reviewer wrote that “It has the potential to be thought provoking rather than just entertaining, and the science behind it may be more realistic than one realizes. It is a very interesting blend of Magic, Martial Arts, and Quantum Physics. That in itself makes for a most unusual concept, and Tom, being involved with and quite knowledgeable about all three topics, pulls them together in a very entertaining manner. With many references to Magic, such as The Castle, and actual practitioners like Eugene Burger, Jeff McBride, and others, and then delving into some rather esoteric theories of Physics, this book is much more than a simple novel.”
And, of course, the great Eugene Burger:
“A fabulous tale incorporating Magic, Martial arts and Eastern Philosophy. I loved it! Tom Meseroll has managed to meld the many forms and philosphies of magic into a marvelous tale of good and evil. I can’t wait for the sequel!!”
Tom is offering to sell you a signed and numbered limited edition copy via his web page: http://www.martialmagician.com
MCBRIDE ON MINDFREAK!
In case you missed Jeff on Criss Angel’s MINDFREAK, doing a very special fire initiation with Criss, you can see it here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=B9xq52x4Sh0
Special thanks to Jordan Wright for editing this together!
We’ll look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas at one of our upcoming events or classes.
Your friends in magic,
Jeff & Abbi McBride
“There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.â€
— Norman Vincent Peale, The Power of Positive Thinking
SHHH! JEFF IS ABOUT TO BEGIN TAPING A NEW SERIES WITH VH1. IT’S ALL VERY HUSH HUSH – BUT WE’LL FILL YOU IN ON THE DETAILS JUST AS SOON AS WE CAN!
Greetings Friends,
I wish I could tell you all about it – but for the moment suffice it to say I’m very excited to be working with the folks at VH1 on what promises to be a very exciting project.
BACK FROM THE EDGE
It’s strange to think that I’ve been performing for Donald Trump for almost twenty years. I started at “the Donald’s†birthday party bash in 1988. I was the opening act with co-stars Liza Minnelli and Billy Crystal. Now, almost twenty years later, I am the headliner and Liza is appearing next door at Trump Plaza…. Feels like we’ve made it to the top!
All of us here at McBride Magic have continued our
magical relationship with the Trump organization and it was a pleasure to be the featured headliner this summer. Here is a photo of our magic company, including Abbi and Jordan Wright, in front of our gigantic billboard, on the way into town.
What I learned on my summer vacation; give your audience more than they expect! The biggest improvement in our show this season was adding one extra hour of pre-show street magic and improvisation before the show. Our audiences, made up of old and new friends, were able to share more magical time with our cast, not only before the show, but after the show as well. Abbi, Jordan, and I were blessed to have many of our Magic and Mystery School students join in the pre-show festivities. Hats off to: Chad Juros, RJ Lewis, Michael Carbonaro, Michael Trixx, Mike Hankins, Russ Clark, Benjamin Corey, and many others, for helping to make the show wonderful!
Magic at the Edge also hosted a post-show friends and fans
party in the lobby outside the theater after each show. Not only did this give us an opportunity to meet and greet and spend more time with our friends, we also utilized the pre- and post-show parties to work in new material that will be featured in next season’s shows.
Love and magic have a great deal in common. They enrich the soul, delight the heart. And they both take practice.
— Nora Roberts
BACK TO SCHOOL
I learned a lot of new lessons about interactive street magic and walk around mentalism this summer… knowledge and wisdom that I will share with you at our next class! You can learn a lot about your potential audience participants by just meeting and greeting them before the show, seeing if they make and hold eye contact, and how energetically or softly they shake your hand. With younger audience members, seven to teen, I ask them “Are you a big magic fan?†If their eyes light up, and they energetically shake their head yes, they are more likely to find their way on stage. I also, in casino environments, pay very close attention to the kind of beverages that are in front of people who I am considering for selection. I never select audience participants or “volunteers†without meeting them and engaging them in conversation before the show. I suggest, if you are doing a stage show, to take the time, pre-show, to meet and greet your audience participants. I feel that this is one of the most important lessons I can share with you.
Abbi and I will be working out of our home base here at the Magic and Mystery School for September and October. If you’re going to be in town, check the www.magicalwisdom.com site and book your private session, or scheduled Master Class. We’ll look forward to seeing you soon!
Your friends in magic,
Jeff & Abbi
QUICK NOTE FROM TOBIAS:
As luck would have it, we still have 2 slots left for the September Master class. This is the last non-themed class of the year. It’s the perfect time to tune up your act for the holidays, and to spend some time thinking and learning about the best ways to promote those holiday season shows. Be there!
Tobias Beckwith
tobias@yourmagic.com