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"Left-Handed" in 2017 will feature NONE of my own magic

Posted: December 18th, 2016, 1:26 pm
by prace
Hey guys -

Up until this point, all of the "Left-Handed" columns teach my original magic. (There is one exception; my illustrator taught one of his inventions in the September 2016 issue.) For all of 2017, I will feature unique magic from other young magicians. A baby shark is still a shark.

This month, I share a trick from one of my best friends, John Stessel. John is a 22-year-old kid from New Jersey who currently consults for Dan White’s show at the Nomad Hotel in New York City. It's an offbeat moment with a piece of popcorn, and you have to see the video to appreciate how stunning it is. As Richard writes in his column: "You may not think much of it until you watch the video of its creator, John Stessel, performing it—and then you’ll be shocked."

I'll keep this thread updated as the columns are published. I have been writing far ahead, and the upcoming tricks are amazing. The next items involve chewing gum, keys, and more wonderfully organic objects. If you have any comments or questions, I'm happy to answer!

Thanks,
Jeff

Re: "Left-Handed" in 2017 will feature NONE of my own magic

Posted: February 26th, 2017, 11:42 am
by prace
The March issue is now published, and that means a new trick from another rising star! This month, Nick Popa contributes a fun piece using chewing gum—an old method is repackaged into something brand new and fitting for the times.

"I've got some good competition coming up in a short amount of time. He is going to be great!” Criss Angel

Nick is 17 years old, and he is rapidly creating a name for himself. He has released several video downloads detailing his inventions, traveled around the country winning competitions at conventions, and presented at numerous events locally in Canton, Ohio. Criss Angel was not kidding when he said rivalry was on its way. And it is coming quickly.

This trick and John Stessel’s from the last column both involve moving food items from their receptacle to your mouth. I promise the next issue will not involve perishable goods or human orifices.

Enjoy the column, and be on the lookout for the next installment in May!

Re: "Left-Handed" in 2017 will feature NONE of my own magic

Posted: April 18th, 2017, 12:36 pm
by prace
We're half way through! The May issue details a clever, quick trick from Kevin Li. It's a visual moment that is self-contained on your key chain, so you're ready to perform at any time. I encourage you to watch the video performances in the digital edition.

Also, the issue contains images you can cut out (or scan and print) to create the gimmick. The designs were beautifully made by James Howells.

Kevin boasts numerous academic accomplishments that you can read about in the magazine. In his magical escapades, Kevin is a member and performer at the esteemed Magic Castle in Hollywood. His style resembles that of Paul Harris: astonishing pieces with objects that are not usually associated with magic. A selection of his creative designs is sold through Shin Lim and Murphy’s Magic, and I encourage all readers to explore his offerings.

How he managed all of this at 19 years old is an inspiring perplexity. Enjoy, and be ready for July!

Re: "Left-Handed" in 2017 will feature NONE of my own magic

Posted: June 20th, 2017, 2:37 pm
by prace
Another month, another column! In July, before introducing James Conti, I share my thoughts on magic tricks with technology. It's a controversial genre but one of my favorites. James's tech trick is hands off and very fooling, and it requires a quiet ambiance for the full effect. Read all about it!

James Conti has always been passionate about the performing arts—music, drama, and magic. The 17-year-old from Perth, Western Australia, began practicing magic as a tool to increase his confidence, and this grew into a now seven-year-long obsession. You might have recently heard his name discussed among the community; his debut product “Risen” was released last March. This Rising Card variant received exceedingly positive reviews, and if it's any indication, his upcoming contributions will be exciting.

I've been performing James's trick for years, and I'm thrilled to share it. And be ready for another tech mystery next issue!

Re: "Left-Handed" in 2017 will feature NONE of my own magic

Posted: September 16th, 2017, 9:09 pm
by prace
In the September column, I share another tech trick, contributed by Michael Pilkey. In February, Jordan Gold contributed "Siri's Finale" to "Magicana." Jordan discovered a clever iPhone feature that ordered Siri to reveal a playing card—and it had a charming title. Here, Michael Pilkey instructs Siri to play the song a participant is mentally singing. I am a fan of Michael’s rendition; switching from a playing card to a song is more "organic." The technical details of the method are also quite different, and Michael’s unique touches allow for multiple revelations within a single presentation.

Michael is a 25-year-old east-Tennessee native who has been performing for happy crowds around the area since he was 13. He invented his first magic trick several years later, and this is his magazine debut. In his muggle life, he spends his time with his wife Tiffany, watching NASCAR, and pranking friends.

I encourage you to reread the notes at the end; I share a design for an MP3 file that creates the illusion that Siri guesses the incorrect song and then amusingly corrects itself. If you know how to edit files and use text-to-speech software, this is a worthwhile addition, especially when revealing more than one song.

See you next month! Our final 2017 contributor, Tom Elderfield, publishes a unique method for my "Earfun" plot. Coming soon!

Re: "Left-Handed" in 2017 will feature NONE of my own magic

Posted: January 3rd, 2018, 4:58 pm
by prace
Happy New Year! We finished the year of "Left-Handed" columns strongly with a trick from Tom Elderfield, wittily titled "Listen Up." It's a surreal visual created with a borrowed pair of earbuds—based on a plot I first published in Genii in 2013. He posted a video on his popular Instagram page if you want to embark on the search; otherwise, the video is included within the digital edition.

In only six and a half years of magic, 20-year-old Tom has done more than most. He has traveled the world with Dynamo as a magic consultant, sold several successful products, and gained a loyal Instagram audience through imaginative 15-second clips. Follow him on Instagram to discover some of the sneakiest social media magic content produced today.

This article concludes an amazing year of showcasing the world’s most talented young magicians. Thank you to all of the generous contributors—listed in order of publication date: John Stessel, Nick Popa, Kevin Li, James Conti, Michael Pilkey, and Tom Elderfield. I continue to encourage bright, young magicians to submit their tricks; good magic is always welcomed in these pages.

Happy 2018!