Joshua Jay in Seattle - Two Special Lectures

[Evan Shuster]

Hello everyone!
Joshua Jay is coming to Seattle for two special lectures.

The first lecture is for magicians only:

Saturday, September 8th at 2:00pm
Shawn O'Donnell's Restaurant
122 128th St. SE, Everett, WA.
NWRF Members: $25
Ring of Smoke $10
General Admission: $30

The second lecture is open to the general public, sponsored by the Seattle Jewish Community Center:

Joshua Jay opens the Stroum Jewish Community Center's lecture series on Sunday, September 9, at 4 pm with the lecture "Jews, Magic & Houdini."The internationally acclaimed lecturer and magician, will give his "Tragic Magic" presentation and will illustrate with a sleight-of-hand performance. Special emphasis on Harry Houdini.



Hope to see some of you there!

[JohnCox]

I'll be darned. The Stroum Center actually contacted me asking if I would be interested in doing this lecture or knew anyone who would. At the time, I didn't think I was up to it, so I recommended Joshua Jay. Looks like they got him. :)

[Evan Shuster]

Tomorrow and Sunday... I hope to see some of you there!

[JohnCox]

Anyone have a report on Joshua's Houdini lecture?

[Evan Shuster]

The Houdini lecture is at 4pm, this afternoon.

[JohnCox]

Oh, oops, I thought it was yesterday. Sorry.

[Evan Shuster]

The lecture was very well received, and really quite entertaining. About an hour on the history of various Jewish magicians who died "in the line of duty," including The Great Lafayette, Chung Ling Soo (aka William Robinson), Harry Houdini and several others. Joshua is an engaging speaker and performer, and the "history lesson" was peppered with performances of tricks that remained true to the theme ("Smash and Stab," Needle Swallowing," etc...). The audience was a refreshing mix of multiple generations and sexes, with a range in ages from around 10 - 80 years old. There was a good turnout of local magicians in the house, as well. Josh followed up the lecture with about ten minutes of Q & A, and another 10 minutes of magic from his regular show. He spent the rest of his time at a table manned by a local book store, signing copies of his GP books. My ten year old son enjoyed the heck out of it (and left with an autographed book, and a huge smile on his face).

[JohnCox]

Terrific. Thanks Evan.

[Richard Hatch]

About an hour on the history of various Jewish magicians who died "in the line of duty," including The Great Lafayette, Chung Ling Soo (aka William Robinson), Harry Houdini and several others.

Soo a Jew?

[Evan Shuster]

Yup. Truly an interesting story behind that one.

[Bill Mullins]

Soo a Jew?

And I'm pretty sure that Hoy was a Goy.

[Richard Hatch]

Just to clarify, although Hoy was a Goy, Soo was not a Jew. So say Josh Jay (private communication).