This is from the legendary Fail Blog. Question is, this has to be from a gaffed deck of some kind right? Adding a few extra spades isn’t exactly an easy mistake to make for a playing card company…
Any guesses?
Thanks to Derek Merdinyan for sending this in.
South American Report
I thought I’d make this week’s post more of a history one, given the fact that most magic news occuring right now are not happening in South America but way on the other side of the world. And I figured I’d bring up a name that many of you may be familiar with, many will have at least heard of, and many will have not clue who it is I’m talking about.
Aldo Izquierdo, known mostly by his stage name of “Richiardi Jr.”, has been credited with inspiring many of today’s most prominent magicians. If you are a big fan of Criss Angel, you will have at least have heard him mentioned once (which is ironic nowadays with the Mindfreak style driven so far and away from the “performance” style of Richardi), and old schoolers may remember Copperfield mentioning him as well.
Izquierdo was born in Peru and was the son of a famous magician, but his real success came in the city of New York were he would perform for over three decades. Richiardi Jr. brought an unseen level of theatrics to his magic, a combination of stage craft and showmanship that almost raised him into a different category. For as much “performance” he brought into the performance of magic, his style also added a sense of realism, horror and gore that left his audiences truly moved.
To familiarize you with Richiardi Jr.’s style and performance, I put together this small collection of videos of his work all of which can be seen AFTER THE JUMP.
Alex Linian can be contacted at alex.linian@gmail.com
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Nathan Burton’s giant head may have spoiled his chances to be an America’s Got Talent champion.
Not his real head of course, the one that dots the massive building wrap on the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. According to local Vegas TV station KVBC, after the AGT producers came to Vegas to film the currently airing episodes of the summer series, they came face to face with exactly how big Burton had become since his first stint on the show. It was this reminder that prompted the decision to ice the magician.
Were the producers trying to maintain the amateur aesthetic of the show? Or, if you are more cynical minded, were they put off by the fact that Nathan already has a deal with a hotel in place and therefore they could not reap the monetary benefits of negotiating one for him a la Terry Fator? Basically, it’s the same reason why singers who are currently under record deals can’t compete on America Idol.
FISM 2009 is now a wrap, with only the reviews wrap ups and look backs to happen. This evening in China, Shawn Farquhar and Soma won the FISM Grand Prix for Close Up and Stage respectively. Congratulations to both.
Amongst the pomp and circumstance of FISM Beijing comes the announcement that in three years time, when the gala competition next assembles it will be in the UK hamlet of Blackpool.
We’ve heard rumblings about this for many months now, but it is officially official and opinions are varied. Will the historic magic town make a great host for the grand championships of magic? Or will the sometimes dodgy lodging and small-town limitations hamper such a sprawling event?
Sound off in the comments!
In the FISM 2009 results as reported over at MagicConventionGuide, The UK’s Marc Oberon, won 1st prize in parlour magic. Second place parlour went to iTricks friend, Sweden’s Charlie Capper and third prize to Latko from Argentina with his chessboard act.
In the card category 1st prize was awarded to Shawn Farquhar of Canada, 2nd to Kristian Nivala of Finland and 3rd prize to Olmac from France.
This means that tonight Shawn and Marc go head to head for the close up grand pix. Last time these two met in a competition Marc won.
In the stage awards there was no first prize for comedy or mentalism. One competitor was disqualified for using a stooge, but we were not told who!
Stage Illusion was won by Julius Frack from Germany, who sadly cannot perform tonight as his assistant has injured her leg.
First Prize in General Magic went to Soma of Hungry and 1st Prize Manipulation was a tie.
The Full Awards are (Grand Prix award will be judged and awarded later today) (more…)
Why was Nathan Burton missing from America’s Got Talent? We have the whole story. Is Daniel Madison leaving magic? MUCH MORE
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