Conspiracy by Eric Ross

The Werm Performance from daryl chew on Vimeo.

Magic-Con 2011: Registration is open!

Earlier this year Magic-Con brought together the smartest and most talented magicians alive, including: David Blaine, Dan and Dave Buck, John Carney, Sebastien Clergue, Derek DelGaudio, Jason England, Daniel Garcia, Bill Goodwin, Guy Hollingworth, Bill Kalush, Chris Kenner, Chad Long, John Lovick, Max Maven, Eric Mead, Jamy Ian Swiss, Juan Tamariz, JC Wagner, Michael Weber, Asi Wind, and Paul Wilson. There were even more in attendance. Don’t miss this inspiring event that many said changed their magic forever.

Magic-Con 2011 will take place March 24-27 in beautiful San Diego, California. To view our 2011 lineup of presenters, click here. Registration is limited and likely to sell out so register today!

Follow @magiccon on twitter for updates.

Indestructible Erdnase

SMOKE by Alan Rorrison

The cards of the Double-Decker are so ultrathin that two complete decks incl. Jokers fit into a regular cardcase!108 in the case.

The Skull Deck is embossed with an air cushioned finish for optimum flow control. The deck comes complete with midnight black pips and a skull Ace of Spades.

Mystify your audiences with the extra gaffed and gimmick cards included with your Skull Deck.

A “Brand” New Edition of Erdnase

In the June 2010 issue of MAGIC magazine, John Lovick writes that Erdnase “inspires religious fervor and pilgrim-like devotion from its disciples”, which is to say the least for serious students. It has indeed become a devotional vade mecum with new insight and inspiration gained with every read. Many magicians have spent their life studying the book. Dai Vernon, a master of close-up magic, left us all with his wonderful annotations in Revelation, giving many of the methods a modern approach.

Erdnase will always have its devout scholars, but lately it’s become more of a trend. We think this started a few years ago when the Conjuring Arts Research Center released its Bible edition, a pocket sized version in which you won’t find a card man without. This year, we saw the release of a custom deck of cards paying tribute to Erdnase, and there is even talk now of an Erdnase convention. It is clear Erdnase is no longer just shorthand for the author’s famous work, but also a brand representing serious students and professionals of sleight of hand card technique.

Adding to the brand is a beautiful reproduction of the original 1902 publication. On the outside, it’s a perfect facsimile, however, leaf through the pages and you’ll discover an empty canvas for new ideas. This isn’t just another edition, but as John Lovick writes, “a journal in which to coalesce your card-centric thoughts.” Although you won’t find a description for the Bottom Deal, or the S.W.E. Shift, as all the text has been removed, the publisher has left all 101 drawings by M.D. Smith in their respective positions. Some might say this will get in the way, but we think it’s a simple reminder of what this journal is for. Although if you have kids, it makes for the greatest coloring book ever!

Erdnase aficionado’s will be delighted with this new homage to The Expert at the Card Table and be eager to fill its pages with everything from annotations to new ideas. We can’t wait to fill ours.

Now available in our Store.

Since the first issue came off the press in 2005 we have been avid subscribers to Gibecière, a biannual journal on the history and preservation of magic published by The Conjuring Arts Research Center and edited by Stephen Minch (author and publisher of some of magic’s most prolific books).

We are pleased to be the only other source to offer this journal to those who find joy in reading about the history of magic. With contributions from Bill Kalush, Ricky Jay, Mike Caveney, Martin Gardner, and Juan Tamariz to name a few, we don’t recommend passing this opportunity up.

Back issues are now available in our Store. You can also subscribe to Ask Alexander which includes the Gibecière journal, mailed to your door twice a year.

Martin Gardner (1914-2010)

The Nature of Things / Martin Gardner from Wagner Brenner on Vimeo.

As a young magician just starting out I remember buying Mathematics, Magic and Mystery from the local bookstore only to quickly learn every trick within days. The effects and puzzles within are extremely easy yet impossibly effective. Apart from this book, I know very little about Martin Gardner, other than what’s on Wikipedia.

Several years ago a good friend loaned Dave and I his copy of The Encyclopedia of Impromptu Magic, another book by Martin Gardner which is now long out of print. For nearly 12 hours we went through every page – all 600 – thoroughly marking it up with yellow sticky notes. We look forward to the refined edition of this book with commentaries by Michael Weber to arrive later this year.

The video above is titled “The Nature of things” and gives a nice profile of Martin Gardner with long time friend and magician/mathematician, Persi Diaconis.

I got my Irving Quant Quantum Mechinics SIGNED!!!

Here is the Spello Change.

Theory11> "Gamblers Cop" by Jason England.

We are very pleased to announce we have been selected as this years Special Guests for Ontario, Canada’s Sorcerers Safari Magic Camp. We are so excited about this and honored to have been invited. It’s the one event we’re most looking forward to this year.

We’ve heard so many wonderful things about camp from our friend Lee Asher and are absolutely thrilled to be apart of it. Simply put, we can’t wait!

We’re mostly looking forward to all the sessioning. We love teaching magic and jamming out new ideas and what better place than with a group of enthusiastic young magicians. Last year, everyone received a special gift from Dan and I, well, this year expect no less – although this time we deliver in person.

Camp will take place August 31st – September 5th at beautiful Camp White Pine (same camp used for the movie Meatballs). For more information and to register, visit www.sorcererssafari.ca.

Interview Magazine: David Blaine

Read the full article

Quantum Mechanics: Now Available!

Quantum Mechanics: Full Trailer from Dan and Dave on Vimeo.

Quantum Mechanics is a new DVD from Irving Quant revealing a selection of his finest card magic and an awesome new technique for controlling not just a single card, but multiple cards in a way you probably never imagined. He calls it the Distribution Technique, and in our opinion, unlocks a whole new level for card magicians.

What is the Distribution Technique?
The Distribution Technique is a utility move, like the Clip Shift, that can be applied to literally endless applications. On this DVD, Irving explains many of its possibilities with several of his favorite effects.

Who is Irving Quant?
Irving Quant is a practitioner of the technical and historical aspects of magic as well as a working professional. He is a student of the great René Lavand.

Now Available at store.dananddave.com

Double Lift Workshop with Paul Wilson

Double Lift Workshop with Paul Wilson from Dan and Dave on Vimeo.

Expert magician and sleight of hand artist Paul Wilson walks you through seven different methods for the Double Lift, an essential move in card magic.

Learn 7 Double Lift techniques taught in detail with refined handling and expert tips.

Now Available On Demand

Quantum Mechanics: Teaser 2

Quantum Mechanics is a new DVD from Irving Quant revealing a selection of his finest card magic and an awesome new technique for controlling not just a single card, but multiple cards in a way you probably never imagined. Available this Friday, May 14th at 8pm PST.

Did you miss the first teaser? Watch it HERE!

Quantum Mechanics: teaser

Quantum Mechanics: Teaser from Dan and Dave on Vimeo.

A brief look into Irving Quants’ debut DVD, Quantum Mechanics. Available May 14th at 8pm PST. Check back this Friday for another exciting announcement regarding this project.

Quantum Mechanics: Contest + Podcast

Quantum Mechanics: Release Contest from Dan and Dave on Vimeo.

Helder Guimarães Lectures in Los Angeles

Helder Guimarães is without a doubt one of the finest sleight of hand artists in the world – and that is not an opinion, but a fact. He is a world class entertainer with a FISM gold metal to his name and one of our favorite magicians.

Dan and I have been very fortunate to have spent some time with Helder and he never ceases to fool us. He has it all: knowledge, skill, showmanship, style, experience, and a passion for the art. Anyone looking for a fresh approach to magic coming from someone who actually knows what they’re talking about and has studied with the great Spanish magicians, should highly consider his lecture – it’s terrific!

For a tease of his card magic, check out three of his tricks available On Demand: Betwixt, Shaaken, and Twizinser.

Helder will be lecturing for The Magic Apple in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 16 @ 6:00pm. Please contact them for further information and to reserve your seat.

C3: Con Cam Coincidencia

C3: Con Cam Coincidencia from Dan and Dave on Vimeo.

In essence, C3: Con Cam Coincidencia is merely a card trick but when performed well it can be a remarkable piece of showmanship.

The effect requires the participation of three individuals and takes no more than four minutes to perform. Haphazard, Chaotic, and off the cuff define the situation that you create. The climax, however, is nothing short of a miracle.

“After seeing this effect performed for myself, Jason England, and John Lovick nearly a year ago the three of us were flabbergasted with what just happened. Our methods were preposterous compared to the ingenious thinking of Paul Wilson which I am now thrilled to share with you all.” - @danbuck

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Learn how this Tuesday at 9am PST.

The second printing of the sold out Bee® Erdnase Playing Cards are in stock and ready to ship.

This limited edition deck of playing cards was inspired by the original publication of The Expert at the Card Table, often referred to as “Erdnase”. Printed by the US Playing Card Company on a premium Aristocrat stock using the traditional casino Bee® back design with an added white border. The producer of these cards used the same color green as the first edition, as well as incorporated the look and feel of the book into every detail of these cards. With a box that mimics the cover, an elegant back design, custom jokers and Ace of Spades, and two ad cards with a reprinted title page and Preface, these cards beautifully pay homage to what many consider the “Bible” of card technique.

This second edition Bee Erdnase deck rivals any casino grade stock as careful attention was put into printing these on the USPCC’s finest press with their highest grade paper and finish. Combine artifice, ruse and subterfuge with elegance at the card table.

Watch Jason England, the worlds foremost expert on Erdnase, demonstrate a few sleight of hand techniques at the card table with the new Bee Erdnase Playing Cards.

Available now at store.dananddave.com.

CRUSH by Eric Ross / details + preview release

Posted by J. Bayme at 10:59 pm April 12, 2010

Smoke & Mirrors v.4 // Green edition

The fourth edition Smoke & Mirrors or the Green edition takes us back to our roots and represents our minimal style. With an all new retro, simplified back design and unique – never before been done – metallic ink. Dressed to impress with a dark green shimmer – they are no longer just black and white.

Interest in the decks has been unrivaled since word first emerged of their existence. The First, Second, and Third Editions sold out almost immediately after their release. The Box, Ace of Spades, Joker, and Back design was illustrated by Si Scott.

Our goal was to create an eco friendly deck of cards crafted from recycled paper. The result lead to a new type of feel and finish that has since been applauded by industry professionals David Blaine, Derek Delgaudio, and Chris Kenner. Durable and smooth, they fan perfectly right out of the box and last longer than your average store bought deck.

Due to our unparalleled quality control, these took nearly six months to produce. 6,000 decks were recycled in January when they did not meet our quality standards. Now, we can proudly say Green is our favorite edition thus far.

Smoke & Mirrors: Green Edition

We demanded better. We demanded quality. And we got it. They are now ready. This Monday at 11:00pm EST, they will be released.

The fourth edition Smoke & Mirrors, with an elegant, simplified back design and unique – never before been done – metallic ink. Dressed to impress with a dark green shimmer – they are no longer just black and white.

Modern, refined, and streamlined. The feel and finish was applauded by industry professionals like David Blaine, Derek Delgaudio, and Chris Kenner. Durable and smooth, they fan perfectly right out of the box.

See the preview video and be ready to order Monday night. We’re expecting these to sell out within 24 hours of release, and the next supply will not be available for a few more weeks.

The Most Amazing Weekend of My Life

I still can’t believe Magic-Con actually happened. It was the most amazing weekend of my life and one I will never forget.

Even though I was running around the whole time and hardly had a moment to say hello, I was able to meet some incredible people. A couple that stand out are Mahdi Gilbert and Steffan Banta. Between the two of them, I have never felt so inspired in my life. Mahdi, who has no hands, has looked past the impossible and mastered some of the most difficult sleights ever published. Steffan Banta continued to show me what Magic-Con promotes: passion for the art. The sparkle in his eyes and the hundred high-fives he must have given me throughout the conference was always a boost of energy and for that I thank him. At only 10 years old and already performing half my repertoire, I know we’ll be hearing more from this kid in the future.

I’d like to thank everyone for believing in Magic-Con. It really could not have happened without your support and we thank you for giving us a chance. We hope to see all of you who attended next year, as well as those who couldn’t, and we will do our very best to make it ever better.

Dave Buck

Eric Mead: The Magic of the Placebo

Sugar pills, injections of nothing — studies show that, more often than you’d expect, placebos really work. At TEDMED, magician Eric Mead* does a trick to prove that, even when you know something’s not real, you can still react as powerfully as if it is. (Warning: This talk is not suitable for viewers who are disturbed by needles or blood.)

*Residing in Colorado, Eric Mead has been at the forefront of magic for the past 20 years. His insight on performing effective magic, in any situation, will not only leave an impression on you, but also on your audiences.

See Eric Mead LIVE at Magic-Con 2010, March 19-21
Similar Post: David Blaine: How I held my breath for 17 min

The decks

The Daniel Garcia Projects: Production Complete!

If you haven’t already, check out The Daniel Garcia Project volume 1-3, they are fantastic.

Our newest (and personal favorite) edition of Smoke & Mirror Playing Cards designed by Si Scott will be available this spring. We had them printed using green metallic ink on recycled paper. More details will be posted soon.

If you’re coming to Magic-Con this year you’ll be pleased to know that they will be available for immediate purchase. The “official” release date will be announced shortly.

written by Dan and Dave

Open Call : Shanghai Magic Opportunity

Posted by Jon Raiker at 06:31 pm February 19, 2010

theory11 artist Dan White is currently in Shanghai working on a new project with Armando Lucero - and they wanted to pass along a great opportunity for any and all qualified magicians.

The duo is looking for great close up magicians from all over the world to perform in a new and prestigious environment. If you think you've got the goods or know anyone that does, let them know via the application HERE.

Note that due to the nature of the space, only magicians 18+ will be considered. Full information can be found at the links below.

: : Shanghai - Opportunity For Magicians
: : Discuss This Bulletin - Forums