Greetings to our Magic & Mystery School Community.
I am writing this Museletter in very strange times. The global outbreak of COVID-19 is affecting the lives of people all over the world. And we know it is affecting so many of you in different ways.
The leadership team at the Mystery School has been monitoring the global and national situation very carefully and meeting every day to make the best decisions we can, based on the latest information. I don’t have to tell you that things are changing rapidly and the situation is fluid. But we are working to make the very best decisions for the School, for the team, and for our students and participants.
For one example, based on the rapid developments of this past week, we have decided to cancel the Wonderground scheduled for this Thursday, March 19th. We want to thank all the artists who were going to perform–and were happy to do so–but it seems prudent to cancel this one while the situation is still gaining clarity. Rest assured performers: we will have you with us soon! Also, as of right now, we are planning to proceed with the Wonderground on April 16, but we will let the community know if the circumstances require a change to that plan.
With regard to the Spring Training Classes in Las Vegas, April 14-19, after careful consideration and consultation with health experts, we have decided to not cancel them at this time. Since this is a small-group learning experience, we are comfortable proceeding with the class under the conditions as we know them today. (Of course, we will be following all the best practices for keeping things clean and washing up.) We understand that developments might force us to cancel Spring Training at some point, but for now, we are planning to proceed with it and everything else on our event schedule.
In fact, we have recently added some new in-person class experiences to the website for the later summer and the fall. We know at some point the situation will settle down and many of you will be ready to refresh your spirit and your magic through a rich magic experience with us in Las Vegas. And please note: if you register between now and July 1 for any class, you will receive a full refund if these classes need to be canceled for any reason.
Moving forward, we will use our Museletters and direct emails to inform our community about our plans with events and classes. And we will continue to make use of and expand our online offerings–which we started developing in 2012. After eight years, we are now the industry leader in online, live time, interactive magic education. If you haven’t already joined us live and online, we encourage you to do so every Monday night at 9:00 p.m. pacific time. You will be warmly welcomed, engage with new friends, and learn a lot of magic! To join us, become a member by going to:
https://virtual.magicalwisdom.com/members/signup. Being a member at any level allows you to join the magic classroom live every Monday night.
Friends, these are strange times, but through our magic and our Magic & Mystery School community we will find many ways to turn this “lead into gold.” We will keep you posted! So stay healthy, be well, and stay in touch!
Jeff McBride
Founder and President
PS: One of the many ways we turn on the light in dark times is by sharing magic via our online school. Right now, many students are having challenges getting to Las Vegas; however, this does not stop us from spreading the light. We have hundreds of students who are currently joining us online for our group and private classes. You can too! We would like to share the light of magic with you.
Here is how you can join the fun, and at the same time, learn some great magic!
1. Small Group Classes
Each week, we host our online class, and you can watch it on demand, any time of day or night to get inspiration and insight into the art of magic. Our Mystery School Monday is one of the most viewed private magic training courses of all time. Over 500 hours of programming are available for our members, anytime, anywhere: http://virtual.magicalwisdom.com
2. Private Classes
One of my favorite ways to share magic with you is on Skype. I can help you with technique, character, putting your show together, and even coach you on the business aspects of magic. I’m here to help you with your particular needs.
http://virtual.magicalwisdom.com/infopages/view/skype
It’s so fun and easy–just connect with Abigail and she’ll get you all the information on how we can start. Abigail@mcbridemagic.com
3. Magic Training Materials
You might not be aware of the amazing amount of training materials and exclusive magic supplies we have on our website. You can visit our online magic shop here:Â https://www.magicalwisdom.com/shop/
Student of the month:
Every few months, we enjoy featuring one of our students. Recently, Chris Herren has been winning international awards with his unique form of pantomime and magic. Here is a look into his magical journey–we hope it inspires your magic!
“My Unexpected Journey with Magicâ€
By Chris Herren as Faust
Magic has always been part of my life. When I was a little boy, my grandmother would tell me stories of magical beings that existed in Philippine folklore. When I was 12, my mother gave me my first magic book, and even now, I keep it close by. It is called, The Amateur Magicians Handbook, by Henry Hay. I was enchanted, and its influence on me would be constant throughout my life. I enjoyed watching magic but, ironically, I never really had the passion of performing magic on the big stage. I simply enjoyed performing for my little nieces and nephews. Later on in life, I would have the greatest satisfaction performing for my own kids; however, as they got older, I performed less and less but my love for magic never dwindled.
I recall in my twenties, when my wife and I were still dating, we would watch magic shows on the Vegas Strip. It would also be the first time I met Jeff McBride at the Caesar’s Magical Empire. On that day, among all the kids and adults in the room, he chose me to assist him in his signature act, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.†He presented me with a wand that had words inscribed on it. “What You Believe is Real, is Realâ€. I didn’t know what that meant at the time, but it would definitely resonate with me later on in life.
When I was 35 years old, I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. I was Stage 3 when it was discovered, and my future seemed uncertain. After completing chemotherapy, I developed a Parkinsonian tremor in my hands, and I was forced to give up magic completely, at least in practice. I never stopped reading or watching magic, because it was one of the many things that took me away from my pain. After 7 years of recovery, I overcame the illness, and with the encouragement of my lovely wife, I took my first class at the Magic & Mystery School in 2017.
It has been 3 years, and since then, I have been mentored by Jeff McBride through his Skype Program on a monthly basis. It has led me to an extraordinary journey of finding my love and connection to pantomime, masks, and magic. I still recall the days of watching Jeff McBride on television and the big stage. In my magic journey, I would have never imagined that doing shows for my own kids would lead me to share a stage with him, and many other great magicians. I would even go on to win two gold medals in Parlor Magic, at the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians (PCAM) Competition.
Jeff McBride had given me some wise advice with that wand all those years ago, although I didn’t realize it at the time. Looking back, perhaps it was just the beginning of my magic journey. Little did I know where that journey would lead. “What You Believe is Real, is Real.†Once I began to believe in my stage character, Faust, I came to believe that I could really give a magical experience to others’ Unexpectedly, at that moment, I realized what I had become; a real magician.
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Study the Magic of the Masters
Over 1,000 videos and growing! The team gave me a private promo code for my friends. Go to MAGICFLIX.COM, register and put in the code “MCBRIDEâ€. You will get 30 days for free… and you will see all the great masters from THE GREATER MAGIC LIBRARY.
Content providers on Magicflix already include Eugene Burger, John Carney, Rich Ferguson, Franz Harary, Kenton Knepper, Amazing Johnathan, Justin Miller, Jeff McBride, Rocco, Dan Sperry, Michael Trixx, Stephane Vanel, Jason Ladanye, Fielding West, Larry Becker, and Paul Gordon. We also feature the entire Greater Magic Library featuring such masters as Karrell Fox, Shimada, Michael Ammar, John Carney, Sylvan, Johnny Paul, Larry Becker, Charlie Miller, Tom Mullica, Johnny Thompson, J.B. Bobo, Billy McComb, Mr. Electric and Daryl. This list is an impressive one, and it is getting bigger and better all the time.
Take a look and tell me what you think!
Wonderground News:
As you read above, we have chosen to skip WONDERGROUND this month, for the first time in eleven years. Many thanks to all of you who participate. We expect to be back next month!
Final Thought:
Here is one of Eugene Burger’s favorite quotes from one of his favorite singers that speaks about light:
I look forward to seeing you, either in person or online soon!
Be inspired,