Posted on May 1, 2011

The Best-Kept Secret in Magic

Thank you for choosing Magic Carpet for all your travel needs. Don’t exit until the rug has come to a complete stop.
— Genie as an airline attendant from the Disney movie Aladdin

Dear Magical Friends:

Jeff McBride at YaleAs I write this, Jeff is just back off his magic carpet from his whirlwind trip to the East Coast, performing with yet another group of magic stars from the Magic Castle in the show “It’s Magic” at the Mohegan Sun Resort in Connecticut. He followed it all up with an amazing visit to Yale, where he presented his Jeff McBride Experience show, lecture and workshop in a setting “as much like the real Hogwarts as you can imagine!”

Now he is home preparing for his trip to the magic festival in Lille France, and some surprise events in Paris. When he gets home from that, he launches right into Mayfire, which he and Abbi have been hosting (with a lot of help from their friends) for a number of years now at Valley of Fire, just outside Las Vegas.

We are delighted to have our Associate Dean of the Magic & Mystery School, Dr. Lawrence Hass as our guest author this week. I know you’ll enjoy his thoughts:

Larry HassThe Best-Kept Secret in Magic

From Larry Hass, Associate Dean

Imagine you are reading the trick section of one the magic magazines:

The Effect: You have a magic experience that is profoundly transformational. Afterward, the world looks different to you, filled with fresh possibilities. Whereas before, your forward path was cloudy and unclear, you now feel inspired by new ideas, great, new performance material, and new friends.

The Secret: [Read More. . . .]

Thank you, Larry!   I should note that we have two Extended Master Classes this summer, before Magic and Meaning…and they are both filling fast.   These classes fill fast, and they represent your best bet, in my opinion, for moving your magic a quantum leap forward. The August class is also almost immediately after the end of Magic Live!, my favorite magic convention. I double dare you to see if you can handle 10 days in a row with more magic than you ever imagined you could experience!

Jeff McBride Lecture NotesBryce just informed me that he’s turned Jeff’s lecture notes, Magician 24/7 and Pack Small, Play Big, into virtual lessons available for download.  These two booklets contain the details of Jeff’s most-requested lectures. You’ll learn some of the secrets of being a professional magician. These are lessons that can only come from a seasoned professional like Jeff. Learn how to tour the world with a full stage show and get everything on the plane with no extra fees (and sometimes an upgrade to First Class).

Until next time, then – we all wish all of you a most magical time!

Best wishes.

Tobias Beckwith

tobias@yourmagic.com
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Posted on Apr 10, 2011

Learning from Your Mistakes

“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”
— Oscar Wilde

Greetings All,
As I write to you from the mountains outside of Nagasaki, Japan, I am reminded of the first time I toured Japan. It was 1976 and I was the opening act for a famous Latin band called the Fania All Stars. I was 16 years old and this was my first exposure to Asian culture.
Jeff McBride
It was here that I first fell in love with the Kabuki Theater — the ritual, the costumes and powerful theatrics. Since then, I have studied many theatrical disciplines, and many of them have found their way into my show.  It is now my honor and pleasure, when I’m not on stage, to share my magic skills and the life lessons I have learned with all of our students here at the Mystery School, and at my workshops given around the world.
Who is the next “Worlds’ Greatest Magician?”
While in Japan, I have been sharing time with one of Japan’s most talented young magicians, Hiroki Hara.  Hiroki is one of the rising stars in the world of magic — you can see him in the upcoming feature film documentary, “Make Believe.”
“Make Believe” chronicles the lives of four young magicians — from Africa, Japan, and the USA — as they ready themselves to compete for the title of “The World’s Greatest Teen Magician” at the The World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas.  You will laugh, and you will cry!  I did!  You’ll see why!
Jeff McBride on TV!
Eugene Burger and I are the featured magic teachers in this extraordinary film.  Don’t miss “Make Believe” on Showtime on April 12th and experience the magic!  Check your local listings for times.
Make Believe
What Did You Learn from Your Mistakes?
At a recent Teen Magic Seminar workshop, Eugene and I were surprised to learn that the teens felt that one of the most important lessons they learned from us was “Give yourself permission to make mistakes!”
Scott Adams encouraged mistakes when he said, “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”
How I Made a Million Dollar Mistake – and How You Can Make One, Too!
Often parents and teachers push students too hard toward perfection, robbing the student of valuable life lessons. You may know that the finale of my show is my famous “card bouncing off the floor.”  BUT, did you know that it started out as a mistake?  Yes!  I was spinning cards across the stage at the SHOWBOAT Casino in Atlantic City and one shot down instead of up.  The card ricocheted off the floor “by mistake,” and sailed over the showroom!  I thought, “Wow. Can I do that again?”
I worked on this mistake for many years and learned an important lesson…  Some of the greatest moments in my show started as mistakes!  I call this kind of experience a “million dollar mistake!” The “GOOD kind of mistake,” that I encourage students to make!  You can hear the entire story of how I evolved my card throwing, and learn many card spinning techniques on my DVD, Zoom, Bounce & Fly!
Tallulah Bankhead said it best,”If I had to do my life over, I would make all the same mistakes… just sooner!”
Wisdom from Wizards: “The Wizard’s Corner”
Tobias BeckwithLooking to get refreshing insights on how to enhance your life and magic?  Tobias has a new weekly segment, featured on our Mystery School Mondays Livestream broadcast. Tobias offers wisdom from his upcoming book on life lessons he learned from almost 30 years of working with real life Wizards.
You can get great inspiration and insight by joining Tobias and all of the Mystery School faculty and friends for the world’s first real-time global-interactive web TV magic program! The show is filled with news, reviews and special guest reporters from around the world.
New each week, it’s FREE — and there’s nothing like it! Join us every Monday night at 7PM Pacific time. Remember! Monday is a School Night!
Life in Japan
Before I go, I want to tell you that even though Japan is in the midst of a natural and human-made crisis, we all may have much to learn from the environmental challenges and human mistakes that are going on in Japan and around the world.  Remember, there is immense beauty around us always, even in the darkest times. Nature helps remind us that life, death and rebirth are joined together by one great mystery. The Japanese have a poetic outlook towards life and death that is seen in the spring…. May you enjoy the cherry blossoms my friends.
I will be home in Vegas just in time for the April 21st WONDERGROUND! At this month’s show, I will perform many of the new magic pieces I’ve developed while in Japan. You can see the show live on www.streetofcards.tv on the 3rd Thursday of every month.
See you later this spring my friends!
Jef-fu in Japan
From Tobias:
Just a couple of reminders for all of you: Don’t miss “Make Believe” on Showtime on the 12th of this month. If you are in the North East, you can also catch Jeff in the company of other great magicians in one of the two shows on Easter Sunday at the Mohegan Sun, in Connecticut. He’ll also be presenting “The Jeff McBride Experience” in New Haven – a show, lecture and all new “Super Session” workshop on Wednesday and Thursday, April 27 & 28, sponsored by the local IBM Ring and our friend, the environmental wizard, Cyril May. After that, he gets to go home and pack for his upcoming trip to France, where he will be featured in the magic festial in Lille on May 5 & 6, then present a workshop in Paris on May 7. You’ll find links to all these events on Jeff’s calendar.
Best to all for a magical spring!
Sincerely,
Tobias Beckwith
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Posted on Mar 26, 2011

Otherworldly

As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.
—C.G. Jung

OTHERWORLDLY
I have a very strange feeling, being here in Japan during these challenging times. It is a mixed pleasure to be making magic for so many people living on the edge of grief and loss.  Today I write you from Nagasaki Japan.
I am making magic at a venue called “MOON SHOWER” a beautiful theater that seats 150 people. If you ever get a chance to perform for Japanese audiences you will feel the love that they express when they experience magic.
Also, the Japanese audience have a curious way of all chorusing the word “Whooooo!”  at the moment of astonishment,during a magic effect. I am truly blessed to be able to travel the world and share my magical gifts with people from many lands.
I will perform over 120 shows this month in Japan!  Astonishing! But the fact is that I grew up doing 6 shows a day for many years at the Orange County Fair in upstate NY… performing shows this often sharpens my performance edge and stimulates my creativity.
Lance Burton and Jeff McBride
JEFF & LANCE SHARE A SECRET:
Lance Burton was at a recent Master Class, and shared his performing philosophy with our students.

“The way to get great at magic is to do as many shows as you can for as many different audiences, in as many different settings as you can.”  So my advice to you, dear magi, is to get out in the world and start doing more shows; impromptu shows, informal shows and what I call “commando shows”  These are shows that can be done “anytime and anywhere”…the magician that does the most shows wins! Just ask Lance! He is now a multi-millionaire, living in a hill-top castle, and officially retired from magic at 51 years old!

JEFF MCBRIDE APPEARS IN A HOT NEW DVD: GENESIS V2
Here is the trailer to a new DVD Las Vegas film maker Andrei Jikh.
For the past few months, Andrei and I have been sharing ideas about pop culture, media and magic…take a look at his new offering

Jeff McBride
Photo Credit: Raul Olguin

WONDERGROUND: Exotic Mysteries from the East- April 21
I get back to Vegas just in time for the next WONDERGROUND. I will show you many of the new magic pieces that I have been developing in Japan.
“THE JEFF MCBRIDE EXPERIENCE” Spring Tour dates:
We have NEW dates set in Connecticut, Michigan, Illinois, New Mexico, Canada and France!..and more coming this week!
Will I be in YOUR town? Check the Tour Schedule for dates or book me in your area for a 2 day event by contacting Tobias.
Want to get ahead of the pack or sharpen your game?
Magic SUMMER SCHOOL… what are you waiting for? Study with your favorite magic teachers in a fun and relaxed setting. Let us help plan your Summer magic vacation.. Email Abbi McBride at Spinner@mcbridemagic.com.  She can help you get all the info you need or take a look at ALL the NEW classes.
Heads up!…only a few spaces remain for the summer Master Classes!
REMEMBER MONDAY IS A SCHOOL NIGHT!
McBride’s Mystery School Monday MONDAY AT 7 PM Pacific Time LIVE magic, reviews, celebrity interviews & reports from around the world with Jeff McBride and the Mystery School faculty.
See you in Vegas or on the internet!
Jeff

 

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Posted on Mar 9, 2011

World Championships

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential … these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”

— Baseball great, Eddie Robinson
Greetings friends,
Question: How many years does it take to become a world champion?
Answer: 14 years…That’s how long I have been working with Romany, Diva of Magic. When she first arrived at Mystery School, she had a big dream and plenty of enthusiasm. Now, fourteen years later, she has won many of the world’s top honors, including The Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year, the International Brotherhood of Magicians “British Shield” and most recently, first place at the World Magic Seminar International Stage Competition. The world is watching Romany. She is one of the brightest shining stars in magic. Below is a picture of Abbi and Romany with me, taken backstage at the World Magic Seminar last week.
Abigail McBride, Romany and Jeff McBride
In addition, two of my students, Eric Gilliam and Reuben Moreland, won top honors in the teen competitions. It takes years of hard work and dedication. It is good to see our students succeed.
Asia Tour
I will be returning to Japan as part of a “Magic Castle All-Stars” show with many top performers from around the world, sponsored by Hollywood’s Magic Castle. I have been performing in Japan for thirty years and have a fascination with their magical culture that is reflected in my work.
Jeff McBride
McBride’s Mystery School Monday TV
Our new program is a hit and we are building a larger audience every week.  Don’t miss an episode!
Tune in for LIVE magic, reviews, celebrity interviews & news reports from around the world with Jeff McBride and the Mystery School faculty every Monday at 7pm Pacific Time:
You can go right now to see a re-broadcast of any of our previous shows:
(Click the ‘videos’ tab at the right for rebroadcasts and other free streaming videos from McBride Magic.)
Questions:
Have a question for Jeff or any of our other Mystery School faculty? Please videotape your question, post it on YouTube, and email the link to Jeff@mcbridemagic.com.
The questions must be under 30 seconds long.  Here are some samples:
Mystery Photo of the Month
How many of these celebrity magicians can you name? Hint: they all appeared on the WORLD’S GREATEST MAGIC series, produced by Gary Pudney. He’s the one holding the plaque in the center.
Mystery Magicians
East Coast News
I will be performing at the It’s Magic show at the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut, and then making an appearance at Yale University hosted by my friend Cyril May, between April 24 – 28. Then I’m off to Lille, France for a festival and teaching sessions. Check out the details from my calendar at www.mcbridemagic.com/calendar.php.
Let us help you plan your vacation
The remaining summer sessions are filling rapidly. You can reserve your spot for an upcoming Master Class by going to http://www.magicalwisdom.com
See you soon!
Jeff McBride
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