World Magic Seminar 2011 Random Pics

w/ Eugene Burger

Simon & Ginny Aronson w/ Mac King

Howard Hamburg w/ Farrel Dillon

Bizzaro

Video du Jour • From the archives • Bill Brewe

I shot this footage in the late 1980's at the Historic Emery Theater in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio

World Magic Seminar 2011 pt. 3

I love magic conventions, been going to them for 33 years. My first one was the Wizards Conclave in Cleveland 1978; I took second place in the junior close-up contest. Seems like a lifetime (or 2) ago. I was 12 years old. In subsequent years, through my adolesence I would regularly attend the Magi-Fest in Columbus, Ohio. That's where I would meet Gary Plants.

Gary (on left) is a hardcore underground card man. Back in the day when the best sessions at the Magi-Fest were hosted by Bill Miesel in the Precursor Suite, Gary never failed to leave a room full of magicians without their jaws on the floor. Yes, he's that good. As a teenager I had never seen someone do such beautiful bottom dealing. In recent years, he's been manufacturing some of the most diabolically clever custom card gimmicks at his Card Plant in Texas.

Recently Gary and his wife retired from 30+ years in education. He has a sparkle in his eye and spring in his step. His chops are as good as ever and it was a real pleasure to spend some time in his company. In this picture, he's showing Steve and me a wonderful routine of his own construct. I'll see him again, if I head down to San Diego for Magic Con.

Re-edited Cellini Footage

World Magic Seminar 2011 pt. 2

"Well the joint was jumpin'
going 'round and 'round
Hey! Reelin' and a rockin'
what a crazy sound,
well, they never stopped rockin'
til the moon went down."


As I drove from LA to Vegas earlier in the day I asked myself what I would like to see happen. I decided that it would be fun to be the "Session Room". Every convention I've ever been to, there was one room where the party was. Usually good smoke, booze and close up magicians trying to fool one and other. So that was the plan, see who was around and invite them to the room for a cocktail, card tricks and dialog.

First round was Pat Boucard and a buddy of his who lives in Vegas. They stopped up to the room before going out on the town, Pat asked If I would do some magic for his buddy, I did little cards, coins and linking rings, warming up for what might come later. Sadly that would be the only time I would do the rings while I was there. I was getting hungry so I went to dinner w/ Tim, Steve and Terri. Just great being together again talking about our fair art. Later in the wee hours Steve Brooks came up along w/ Andrew Goldenhersh and a pal of his named Jordan a recent transplant from San Fran to LA.

Steve Brooks on the left, Tim Wright on the right. Good guys. Always fun hanging out with them. Steve is the founder of The Magic Cafe (the largest online magic forum, with over 10,000 members). He shared with us the variety of issues that plagues his site and his life. I can't imagine trying to navigate the pot holes in that cyber universe. Trying to keep everyone happy in a world of petty bullshit. . . all I can say is Oy! Although we've only met a few times, I get a very sincere feeling of friendship. It was nice to get to know Steve a bit better, to hear of his background in the Navy on a nuclear sub and his passion for guitar and drumming. You learn somthing new everyday.

Speaking of guitar, Andrew brought his and played a Michael Hedges' tune just beautifully. It was early in the morning and I was having a blast. Steve split around 3AM and Andrew and Jordan stuck around for another two hours. Jordan did some interesting coin tricks and it was fun getting to know him. We talked about our mutual acquaintances in San Francisco.

Andrew, I've know for the last 5 years or so. We worked the Castle together in the Peller Project last year. I enjoy his company, his music and his magic. I'm lucky and blessed to have such an eclectic group of friends.

Me and my brother Mike • A long time ago, a place far far away. . .

World Magic Seminar 2011

On my worst day, I have a great life.

Headed to Vegas on a whim, two days into the convention. I take Tuesdays and Wednesdays off (as I work through the weekends) so it seemed a perfect time to catch the last two days of fun at The Orleans Casino on Tropicana Blvd. I left Camp Paradise, Van Nuys, got on the road around noon. The GPS said I would arrive in Vegas at 4:20. Took the 405 to the 101 to the 134 to the 210 to the 15 (all in the first 45 minutes) then it was smooth sailing all the way there. Cigar blazing and the Grateful Dead blaring.

I was excited to meet with the founding two members of The Alki Beach Magic Studio, Tuesday Night Jam Session. This was a session that occurred every Tuesday Night for 2 years in my home in Seattle. Tim Flynn & Steve Amaden! Good magicians and good friends, I felt warm and fuzzy as I imagined the fun to come.

Sailed into Vegas early Tuesday evening checked into my room which I had just booked that morning online. Forty two bucks a night, can't beat that. The girl behind the desk asked me if I wanted a smoking room. . . I love Vegas. I checked in, got settled, lit a cigar, set up the bar and plugged in the mini iPod speakers. I wandered downstairs to see if I knew anyone. Lectures were still in session so I wasn't sure how long I would have to wait. It wasn't long before I spotted Tommee Pickles' fire engine red hair walking the casino floor. I called his name and we parked ourselves at a couple of slot machines for a smoke and a chat.

I like Tommee, he's a freak, but I like him. We met a few years ago at an audition for a Burlesque Show. I ended up blowing off the opportunity and he later described it as one of those gigs from hell. Since then we've become friends. He's a fixture at the Magic Castle and I seem to see him whenever I go there.

Tommee's been living in a downtown loft, but is moving to Hollywood a block and a half from the Castle. He favors card, coin and ITR work. He practices a lot and knows many tricks. We worked a Long Beach Busker's Festival together last year and from what I understand, he's been doing shows on Hollywood Blvd. I always have a good time hanging with him. After a bit we parted in different directions. On my quest to find people I knew, I ran into Pat Boucard, a friend of Stevie Weinstein's who I met at the Castle a few years back.

Shortly after that, I ran into Steve Amaden. Pat, Steve, and a guy named Curtis (FB Friend and buddy of Pat's from Kansas), we all found a table in the bar to sit down have some cocktails and do some tricks for each other and the cocktail waitress. I had been there less than an hour and I could tell this was going to be a good time.

I love Tim & Steve. We all met at my shop in Seattle and they were important figures in the Back Room Scene. Seattle Magic closed in 2004, at the same time I was going through a nightmare of a divorce. Tim and Steve suggested a Tuesday Night Jam Session at my place on Alki Beach. The sessions were epic and I don't think we missed one in the 2 years that followed. I'd seen Tim a couple of times since leaving Seattle almost 5 years ago, but this was the first time I'd seen Steve in a half a decade. Boy time flies. This was Steve's 12th World Magic Seminar, Tim's third, and my second. The last time I went was five years ago hanging with the likes of Roger Klause, Geoff Latta & Mike Gallo. If fact, Steve and I blew off half that convention to spend a lot of time with Roger Klause.

Here we were again, the three of us in all our glory. Tim has grown and developed as a magician and a performer, and Steve, well; we nicknamed him "Butter" years ago, because he has such a smooth touch.

It 's always fun to see Aye Jaye, Magician, Con Man and Carney Galore. Since moving to LA he's been a good friend to me. I saw him, he gave me a big hug and one of the best cigars I had smoked in a while. La Gloria Cubana "Series R". I thanked him, and didn't waste any time lighting it up. Aye Jaye does't live that far from me and occasionally I'll drop by his place on my way home from playing golf.

Magicians everywhere, cocktails, cards, coins, hot and cold running women, cigars. . . I was having a blast.

More later. . . . .

Seattle Magic • 2003

Todd Simpson visit's LA!

It seems like a million years ago that Todd and I were both members of a teenage magic club in Cincinnati called "The Counts of Conjuring". Although we were never close friends, our paths seemed to cross occasionally through the years. Todd was in town last week to celebrate a friends birthday and I was flattered that they made it up to the City Walk to catch my show and visit. What a trip to revisit our formative years in magic. I remember those meetings vividly and hold them close to my heart. There was a hotbed of talent in Cincinnati in the mid to late 70's and not surprisingly many of us pursued our art and hobby and turned it into a lasting profession.

Funny to think of the East side vs West side element to the scene. The meetings were held at Bill Brewe's Magic Shop on the West side. Brewe had a stable of talented young men that he was training in the classic tradition of stage magic. These guys were young, but boy were they good. Bill Cummins, Ed Kuder, Todd Simpson, Paul Adams, Greg McMahan, to name a few. Come to think of it, a few years later; that is where I would meet a very young Homer Liwag.

While the Western Hills magicians (Brewe's Boys) were learning the finer points of feather flower magic, silk magic, staging, choreography, lighting and various prop magic, the (Haines Gang) on the East side were being taught close up magic by the likes if Larry Pringle and Paul Swinford (both students of the late great Stewart Judah)

Fond memories of a special time in my life and in my development as a magician. Thank you Todd! It was great seeing you and great bringing to the surface all these wonderful memories!

Quote du Jour

"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."

- Calvin Coolidge

"Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana."

Happy New Year!!! A week into the new year and life moves on full force. So much has happened in the last year and strangely I have less to say these days. The biggest news of 2010 is that Polly and I bought a house in Van Nuys! That's right, we're homeowners! Exciting news! Polly and I have decided to live happily ever after. We love our 1953 house in the valley. It's been exciting unpacking all our stuff that was in storage for over a year.

I'm such a lucky guy to be in such a fulfilling and healthy relationship. Polly rocks my world. We've known each other for 30 years (met when we were both 15, attending the School for the Creative & Performing Arts). She lived down the street from me growing up. We've been together for almost 5 years now and not one argument. . . I shit you not!

Here we are in the entertainment capital of the world, both doing our thing. She's does Hair on CSI:Miami and I'm a Magician. We have two cats who we love dearly and spend as much time as we can with each other. Life is strange, wonderful, crazy, stressful and magical all at the same time. Finding someone that can love you fully and that you can love, be with, admire and adore is what it's all about. Cause at the end of the day. . . . it can be lonely. . . no matter who you are. We all want to be loved and accepted. Polly takes care of me and I take care of her. I don't know how I got so lucky.

Other good news of 2010 was getting back in with the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Jack Goldfinger booked me for a week in July and then bunch of dates in December. I hadn't worked there in 18 years and it felt good to be back on the bill. Although I had been visiting the club for the last 4 years; it wasn't till meeting Jack that I felt so welcome and appreciated. I have a handful of friends at the Castle but like most magic scenes, the community can seem cliquish (is that a word).

So, I'm settling in to the second half of my life. Looks like were digging in to stay. I'll find my way in this town and carve a piece out for myself. Yesterday I spent 2 hours at the gym, 3 hours on the golf course (w/ Alfonso and Wally), an hour running around getting things done and a few hours working in the evening at the Universal City Walk. Lots of opportunity to advance my career. Might be time to get serious about it. Yes it is!

Peace

In my "In Box" through Facebook

Tom:

You don't know who I am but I was a friend of your sister Margie's when she was at Walnut Hills. This past summer I spent some time corresponding with your neice Nicole when I saw one of her posts on the WHHS page looking for information regarding her mother. I remembered spending time at your house and how wonderful your mother and sister were, so I was able to provide Nikki with a little bit of insight on the smiling carefree girl that I remembered. Nikki truly enjoyed learning about her mother from a non-family perspective.

Needless to say I am shocked and saddened to just now learn of Nikki's unexpected passing. She wrote so many wonderful things about how close she felt to you and her siblings and also about how excited she was to be coming back to Cincinnati.

Again, I'm truly sorry for your family's loss. I'll keep your mother, Margie and Nikki in my thoughts.

Ronna

Movie du Jour • Black Swan • Tripped out flick

Black Eyed Peas - The Time (Dirty Bit)

John Mayer - In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning (Letterman, 11-27-08)

Illustrations from Erdnase

Illustrations from Erdnase, originally uploaded by tfrank8176.

Quote du Jour

"My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance, and in inverse proportion to my expectations."

— Michael J. Fox

Another video from my brother's visit!

Here's Mike and Tony DiMito (a fellow he went to Berklee College of Music with) Jamming on guitars. They start out with a Bluegrass Riff and go into Mike's 11th Step. Nice! Twice!

Watch Video • Click Here

In my "In Box"

Hi Tom,

We saw your show last night. I am from Dallas and brought my niece and nephew who live in La Canada California. My nephew Grey loved the show and woke up at 4am to ask if we could come back today and see your show. I had enough for a tip last night but not enough to buy the cards and he is very anxious to buy the cards. Is there a way we could make contact with you today? Also, he may be interested in a lesson. Could you let me know when you get a chance. Unfortuneately I leave for Dallas tomorrow. Again, many thanks!

Warmest Regards,

Margaret

Billy Goodwin, Lisa Cousins & David Jockish

The Magic Castle is sort of on my way home from work. So, it's not uncommon for me to drop in to see an act or two before heading South to Redondo Beach. I have a little short cut I take after passing the Hollywood Bowl, I turn on Camrose and cut through the Hollywood Hills. I love the houses that are stacked and hidden in the palm tree laden hills.

On Friday I stopped in to see Alfonso in the Peller, and Doc Eason behind the WC FIelds Bar. Two friends, two talented magicians and performers. They had the crowds going on a busy night. It was fun to see. The previous week I popped in to catch Danny Sylvester in the Close-Up Room. I don't think he had worked that room in over 20 years. It was nice to see him break out some vintage routines like his Tomato Trick and his Cod Trick. Good times w/ good friends!

Speaking of good friends, It's always a nice to see Billy Goodwin, Lisa Cousins and David Jockish. For a while I was attending their after Castle Friday Night Jam Session (At Billy & Lisa's place, walking distance from the Castle). Now that my season is officially over, perhaps I can make a few more of these rocking, finger flinging, booze swilling, card shuffling fun fests!

In my "In Box"

I saw you at Universal Citywalk about a couple months back and was very impressed... but I felt bad because I couldn't leave you a tip. I was out of cash and all I had was credit cards in my pocket. LOL. I decided to Google "Universal Citywalk Magician" tonight out of curiosity and I came across your blog... VERY good reading. Good for you to pursue adventures that you love! Eventually I'll do the same... I love old time Hollywood and anything Los Angeles related. I'd have no problem quitting my humdrum job with a government contractor up here in Sacramento to move to L.A..... but I have absolutely no showbiz skills whatsoever.... I guess that could be a problem. LOL. Anyway, the next time I'm down at Universal (in a couple months or so) I'll give you a double tip the next time I see you to make up for my lack of a tip last time. LOL! Take care and keep the magic going!

--Matt

Michael Andrew Frank

Michael Andrew Frank Video Clip

Busker du Jour

street magic, originally uploaded by J Blough.

In my "In Box" • Stripper Cards

Hi Tom,

I got the cards at the City Walk last night.

There are regular cards, not the same one which i saw your show last night.

Please advise.

Best

Jonathan

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

My response


Johnathan,

I don't think that there is any way that you got a regular deck, I sell off the top of the stack and try and give the customer the same deck that I just demonstrated with. Is your deck red or blue, the red decks tend to be a bit more pronounced. If your deck is blue it should say "Magic" right on the front of the box indicating that it is a trick/stripper deck.

Are you on Skype? Do you have a webcam. if so, I can give you some quick personal instruction and help answer any questions. My skype name is tfrank8176.

I want to make sure that you will be happy with your deck,


Feel free to call me at 323.683.5844, I'd be happy to try and help you over the phone.

Sincerely,

Tom Frank

The times they are a changing

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command. . . . .

two seconds - magician from Marco Tempest on Vimeo.

In my "Out Box"

Dear Max,

I've tried to call you, I've asked your mom and I've emailed you asking you what you might like for your birthday. You don't want a birthday present? You don't want anything to do with me, that's the feeling I get. I'm sorry you feel that way. I am always here for you.

Love Dad

PS Buster (John) lives in Seattle, he was down here for a visit and told me he misses his family.

Charlie Chaplin's "Face On The Barroom Floor" (1914)

Me at 17, thinking that I knew something

Tom Frank • Back in the day, originally uploaded by Dai Vernon.

Rainy Wednesday Morning

Up early on a rainy Wednesday morning. Been feeling a tad slugish lately. Not really feeling sick, just under the weather. Went to bed with Polly last night. She goes to bed early (between 9 and 10PM because she is up at 4 or 5AM) I usually stay up till one or two in the morning. Anyways, I went to bed at 8:30 with my girl and got up at 5AM. Woke from a bizarre dream, where I was apparently (but not) robbing a bank. There were cops closing in to the left, more cops coming down the other street to the right. I am trying to put this gun in a trash receptacle, only it won't fit. . . anxiety, I wake up and start my day.

The timing of getting rid of my 1988 beater Volvo was good. After the wreck, my trunk wouldn't close right, now that the rainy season is here my shit would have got soaked. So after months of thinking about what kind of car to get; I end up the proud daddy of a Toyota Prius! Polly has enjoyed hers for the last 5 years or so and I have driven it often. It's a hybrid, half gas, half electric motor. Smooth ride and great gas milage. I can plan on confidently driving this vehicle for many years to come. Thinking about a cross country tour early next year. This car has plenty of pep and boasts 50 miles per gallon!

Life is good, just finished up a video project w/ my golfing buddy and magic friend Alfonso. Turned out pretty good for being done under the wire. Later today I"ll hang w/ Danny Sylvester helping him prepare for his week at the Castle in the Close-Up Room. He rarely has an opportunity in a formal situation to present his close-up act. So he's excited and I'm excited for him.

Live in the Classic City, II, MM by widespreadpanic

Ugly Americans	Weds 10:30pm / 9:30c
Christ Angel
www.comedycentral.com
Department of Integration Field Guide Follow the Show on Twitter

Neil Young - Le Noise - The Film

A visit with my boy

What can I say, I love this kid; have since before he was born. My first born. 20 years old and living in Seattle, he's clearly on his own journey. Reminds me so much of myself at that age. Dropped out of high school, got his GED, moved away, with ideas of changing the world. We spent 4 days and 3 nights getting to know each other again. I asked him what he wanted to do while he was in town, we started by visiting a used bookstore where he picked up a book on the Kabbalah. It's interesting to watch as he discovers who he is. I feel bad for the way my divorces went down and how they effected my kids, but in the end they will all have to come to terms with who they are and who their parents are as people and as human beings.

We went to see a "Furthur" concert at the Greek Theater. With Bob Weir and Phil Lesh (original members of The Grateful Dead) celebrating the music of the Dead. It was great to share that night of music with Buster. The band was HOT and the set list off the hook. My heart so full of love and my son so tall and handsome. Life is complicated with it's twists and turns. Searching for answers and humbled by life's journey. It's all part of the experience. To revel in joy is to understand pain.

Jack Gywnne

, originally uploaded by kemon01.

02 Jun 1947 --- Irene Fredericks, stewardess for American Airlines, watches in amazement as magician Jack Gywnne levitates his helper and daughter-in-law Helen Gywnne during their East India levitation performance.

Oldie but a goodie!

Doc Daley's Last Trick • A favorite for years

Tom Frank • Magician, originally uploaded by Dai Vernon.

Goodbye Old Friend

Goodbye old friend, it was fun while it lasted
4 years and change, short of fantastic

Bittersweet to see you go
Redondo Beach
Marine layer blows

You were my car
My Transpo
My cigar lounge

I spent a lot of time in you
a couple hours a day

I've owned a lot of cars in my life
and they were all used w/ miles
I loved them all
They all made me smile

You saved my life and for that I am thankful
That woman on the freeway smashed into us
totaling her car and somehow you drove away
a bit beat up, you gave me another 6 months

All the music we listened to all the cigars I smoked
all the freeways and surface streets
castles and moats

Golf clubs in the back seat, street rig in the trunk
side view mirror held on with blue masking tape
cigar ashes everywhere

I will miss your non functioning speedometer, odometer, and sunroof
and the door that wouldn't close completely
you had character and you kept me out of trouble
because you had no pick up
there was not hot dogging

In the heat of the valley, in the dead of summer
you never let me down

I will miss you and your family
I have driven Volvo's for almost 20 years

Time to move on
Goodbye old friend

Wharf Rat

Old man down, way down down, down by the docks of the city.
Blind and dirty, asked me for a dime, a dime for a cup of coffee.
I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story.
My name is August West, and I love my Pearly Baker best more than my wine.
More than my wine - more than my maker, though he's no friend of mine.

Everyone said, I'd come to no good, I knew I would Pearly, believe them.
Half of my life, I spent doin' time for some other fucker's crime,
The other half found me stumbling around drunk on Burgundy wine.

But I'll get back on my feet someday,
The good Lord willin', if He says I may.
I know that the life I'm livin's no good,
I'll get a new start, live the life I should.
I'll get up and fly away, I'll get up and fly away, fly away.

Pearly's been true, true to me, true to my dyin' day he said,
I said to him, I said to him, "I'm sure she's been."
I said to him, "I'm sure she's been true to you."

I got up and wandered, wandered downtown, nowhere to go but just to hang around.
I've got a girl, named Bonnie Lee, I know that girl's been true to me.
I know she's been, I'm sure she's been true to me.

Furthur raises the Dead to new heights at the Greek - Entertainment - The Orange County Register

Furthur raises the Dead to new heights at the Greek - Entertainment - The Orange County Register

Arthur Buckley

Ella Fitzgerald - Misty

Sending this one out to my first born son, Buster. I used to sing this to him as an infant to put him to sleep, each night.

ESCAMOTEUR CUPS AND BALL PRINT FRENCH 1860 HAGUENTHAL

ESCAMOTEUR CUPS AND BALL PRINT FRENCH 1860 HAGUENTHAL, originally uploaded by Dai Vernon.

Summer's Gone

The summer has come and gone. This is Labor Day Weekend. Looking forward to one last shot before a serious drop. I’m dreading the winter lull. Need to get something together. Line up some projects or dream up some dreams. Time to open another magic shop? Time to manufacture another product? Time to grow up? Naaaaaa

Shot this picture of Redondo Beach, 5 minutes from home. Not bad. Took the day off and didn’t do much. Used the morning the polish up a set of cups and ship them off, also had an order for a set of Tayade Style Balls. All nearly extinct. Also sent back Tim Flynn’s tapes that I failed to edit and give him a DVD of his show so that he can sell after his performances. I’ve had the tapes since March and finally gave up. I had a bunch of issues that I couldn’t deal with like, memory space, audio and color correction issues. Too much for my little brain and the capabilities of iMovie.

The summer was good. Pretty much rocked it out 7 nights week at the Universal CityWalk. Had a new spot for most of the summer. It was trade off spot, I could trade off the LOUD MUSIC for the cold and wind. I got used to working in a wind tunnel, but my audiences always seemed chilly. They came into the park when it was hot, now it’s not and they’re on their way to their car. Whatever, I made money and made people happy. It was good.

Need to set some goals, start watching what I eat and drink again. GET BACK TO THE GYM. Stop eating my feeling.

Show the world all the love in my heart

Peace out

Freaks

Sending this one out to Moira. . .

Street Magician • Tom Frank

Street Magician • Tom Frank, originally uploaded by Dai Vernon.

PHOENIX II CUPS • COPPER • ANTIQUE BRONZE FINISH

What can I say? These are drop dead gorgeous cups! Rings and Things II is da shit! They are now, and always have been. A name synonymous with quality, hand crafted, magical apparatus. As a matter of fact, my very first set of cups and my first set of linking rings were both Rings and Things back in the late 70's.

I wasn't till the early 80's that I switched to the Charlie Miller Cups from Magic Inc. By then, I had absorbed enough Cellini influence to start mutilating sets of cups and balls. I would go through a set a year. While studying under Cellini, I learned that by banging on the cups you excite an innate, primal force within people. The percussive sound might be compared to the beating of a drum, or the beating of your heart, and naturally draws an "audience" to it. It is a proven fact that once you start banging on the cups, people will cross a street or a crowded square to see what all the "commotion" is about.

After the extinction of the Charlie Miller cups, I endeavored to recreate them, with one modification, I made them MUCH stronger. Instead of just using copper, I had them combined with a metal alloy making them the strongest cups ever made.

A few years back I was contacted by RnT II. They were interested in reproducing the Phoenix Cups. I agreed, with several stipulations. I wanted them to fix every issue and complaint I ever got on the cups. They wobble, The lip isn't rolled all the way in etc. . . Funny, in all the years of using the Charlie Miller Cups I never thought of those as issues. They were just cups. These days a new breed of cup collector demands a higher level of quality.

Rings and Things II leads the pack when it comes to the manufacturing some of the best and widest selection of cups in the world! I wish I owed a set of each, someday I will. The first thing I noticed when handling the PHOENIX II CUPS • COPPER • ANTIQUE BRONZE FINISH was the heft! These cups got some freaking weight! I always said I like a cup you could kill a man with. They fit the hand perfectly and to be quite honest, they are a perfect set of cups in every regard. Striking to look at, a dream to work with and the blackened bronze interior, a striking contrast.

Donnie Buckley is the new owner of RnT II and operates out of the Cleveland area. Thanks Donnie for doing such a GREAT job on this (and every set of your cups) you lovingly and magically make appear before our widened eyes and big smiles. Keep up the fantastic work!

PHOENIX II CUPS | COPPER | ANTIQUE BRONZE FINISH

Overview

The Phoenix II cups are the newest generation of the original Ross Bertam style of cups. Charlie Miller made this cup style famous when he released his version of this cup decades ago thru Magic Inc. and called it "A Man's Cup". He called it that because the cups were hefty and fit well in the hand. That cup was recreated by RNT and resurrected as the "Phoenix Cup" and is still available from Tom Frank. This cup is an improvement on the Phoenix Cup and now holds a tennis ball size load and accomodates 3 1" balls on the saddle when the cups are nested. Durng the redesign we decided to build the cup from the ground up to be spun in heavy .064 copper and that modification tightened up the tolerances on the cup so there is absolutely no unnecessary wobbling when the cups are stacked - they nest firmly but don't stick. What was at one time "A Man's Cup", is today a very serious, heavy weight, masculine cup for the discriminating performer who wants a little piece of history AND all the modern advancements one has come to expect in a cup.

Craftsmanship

Each cup is hand spun from the original RNT II tooling in heavy .064 copper with a luxurious exterior Antique Bronze finish and hand highlighted. Each cup has a final clear coat applied to seal in and protect the Bronze finish. The interior of each cup is bronzed black.

Specifications

Weight per cup: 7 oz average
Weight per set: 1 lb 5 oz average
Stack Height: 5 1/4"
Cup Height: 3"
Cup Inside Diameter: 2 13/16"
Cup Inside Height: 2 3/4"
Saddle Diameter: 2 1/8"
Dimple Diameter: 2"
Dimple Depth: 1/4"

Recommended Balls

All Purpose: 1" Balls
2 Ball Nest: 1" Balls
3 Ball Nest: 1" Balls
Load Size: 2 1/2" Balls (Tennis Ball).

Included

3 Phoenix II cups
Deluxe Velvet Bag (XL)

CODE: 30267
List price: $399.99
RnT price: $349.99

Another day at the office

Street Magician • Tom Frank, originally uploaded by Dai Vernon.

In Loving Memory • Paul J. Roling Jr.

Where did the years go? I met Paul 34 years ago in 1976. I was 11 years old when I took magic lessons from him at Haines House of Cards in Norwood, OH. It was a troubled time in my life that only got worse, before it got better. My parents got divorced that year and we moved back to the States after living 6 years in Europe. My Dad moved to Atlanta to start a new family with his new wife and my mom, my brother and two sisters moved to Cincinnati. It was a tough time in my life.

It didn’t take me long to find the closest Magic Shop. Strangely it was a place that I had done some mail order business with when I lived in Paris. I would ride my bike to Haines House of Cards (then on Ross Avenue) in Norwood. The man behind the counter was Paul Roling. I had been doing magic for about 4 years at that point and took a magic class at ASP (American School of Paris) a couple years earlier. I was very happy to learn that Paul taught a magic class on Saturday mornings before the shop opened. I was a regular student for at least a couple of years. I loved magic then as much as I still do and Paul was one of the influential mentors in my formative years.

Paul was this big balding,teddy bear of a guy (to an 11 year old). He was friendly, snarkey and for whatever reason took me under his wing. He introduced me to close-up magic. My repertoire at the time consisted of tricks like the Temple Screen, the Candy Factory, Color Changing Rope etc. . . I remember him teaching me my first card force, The Riffle Force and introducing me to The Royal Road to Card Magic & Bobo’s Book on Coin Magic. I hung out at the Magic Shop all the time and became friends with everyone there. They became my family. Paul's’ generosity was not limited to the sharing of his knowledge. There were other perks, He took me to two magic shows that would change my life: Blackstone Jr. (full evening show w/ an orchestra), and Doug Henning. As I look back, I think, he didn’t have to take me to those shows. I’m not really sure why he did. Cause he was nice and liked me I guess. I was a lost child struggling to find a place in life. I had a found a home at Haines House of Cards. Paul taught me how to demo tricks behind the counter and I also helped the girls in the back room folding instructions and wrapping the trick decks that they manufactured and sold by the thousands. I would accompany them to the magic conventions at an early age and help set up the booth and pitch decks in exchange for my food, registration and a place on the hotel room floor to crash. Seems like just yesterday. . . . or a million years ago. . . I’m not sure which.

Paul used to hand cut belly strippers for Blackstone Jr., he knew all the guys and all the guys knew him. He introduced me to Ken Klosterman and really started my interest in collecting antique magic. Paul’s collection was humble but he put me on the path to understanding quality of a time gone by. He introduced me to Bob Little where he steered my purchase towards some old Carl Brema & Sons brass items. I still have all of those treasures.

Where did the time go. A few years later Shawn Greer and I would drive out to Max & Erma’s to see Paul work his regular weekend gig there. We would get a table, order a soda and stay there for hours watching him work. I loved the looks on people faces when he revealed the solid ball bering load from his chop cup. He would drop it on the table, from a foot or two up and it would make a wonderfully dramatic sound as it smacked the table.

Paul is gone now, but the many fond memories I have of him, will live in my heart forever. He was kind to me when I really needed it, and I’ll miss him. He taught me so many wonderful things. I remember him hand picking the Jay Terrell silk production for one of my early contest acts. I remember at one point some people would call me little Paul. I never knew how I felt about that, I do now. I’m honored to have known him and to have called him a friend.

Goodnight sweet magical prince of tricks and radio. Your legacy will not be forgot. I will miss you and treasure the time you lavished on me when no one else would.

In loving memory. . . . . .

From the freaky mind and fingers of my pal Greg Irwin

HD Video Log • Aug. - Dec. 2009

Aug. 27, 2009 Paradise Cove, Malibu California - Lunch by myself at the Paradise Cove Cafe

Sept. 17, 2009 Brief Clip of me working the CityWalk

Sept. 21, 2009 Buster (John) Visit Universal Studios w/ my son! Water World Stunt Show,

Sept. 22, 2009 Buster & I Visit The Getty Center, Buster shoots my Fornier 605’s playing card commercial.

Sept. 23, 2009 Cruising downtown, w/ Buster & Aaron Fisher.

Sept. 24, 2009 Aaron Fisher & I discuss the Fornier 605’s on the beach in Malibu

Sept. 25, 2009 Buster & I at Denny’s on his way out of town. First time in 3 years that I had seen my boy.

Oct. 2, 2009 Kitties in the kitchen Morse Ave. (Talking to Polly on bluetooth while shooting.

Oct. 7, 2009 More Kitties in the kitchen

Oct. 8, 2009 More Kitties in the kitchen

Oct. 24, 2009 Moving into the Apartment in Redondo Beach

Nov. 2, 2009 mini tour of apt.

Nov. 7, 2009 Braised short ribs w/ Swiss Chard

Nov. 13, 2009 Cat

Nov. 26, 2009 Thanksgiving Preparations. Polly making apple crisp.Hot Chicken Pie

Nov. 29, 2009 Charlotte plays w/ big hand therapy ball. Polly & Charlotte. Charlotte slutting it up in Polly’s lap

Dec. 2, 2009 Rehearsal Footage for Seattle gig, Cups and Balls practice, using my Gazzo Cups, Coin Routine

HD Video Log • Summer 2010

HD Video Log Summer 2010

May 18, 2010 Phoenix Visit w/ Dad • Dinner at Rustlers Roast, Sunset w/ Gordy

May 19, 2010 Shawn Greer and Derek w/ his Geko, Shawn does magic for Gordy. Bob Kabota

May 21, 2010 Golfing w/ Bob, Shawn, and Denise 110 degrees in the dessert.

May 21, 2010 Back at condo w/ Dad smoking Cuban Cigars.

May 22, 2010 Heading home through Palm Springs, wind farms.

May 31, 2010 Deans Box Practice Footage

June 22, 2010 Laundry Room folding and dancing

June 24, 2010 More Practice Footage, Sol Stone’s One Handed Triple Change Spellbound.

July, 1, 2010 More Practice Footage: Gallo Coin Purse Routine w/ 10 coins, Swinford 4 Packet Triumph, Cups and Balls w/ Phoenix II in Antique Bronze

If I Had The World To Give • Hunter / Garcia

If I had the world to give
I'd give it to you, long as you live
Would you let it fall
Or hold it all in your arms?

If I had a song to sing
I'd sing it to you, long as you live
Lullaby
Or maybe a plain serenade
Wouldn't you laugh, dance and cry or be afraid
At the change you made?

I may not have the world to give to you
But maybe I have a tune or two
Only if you let me be your world
Could I ever give this world to you
Could I ever give this world to you

But I will give what love I have to give
I will give what love I have to give
I will give what love I have to give
Long as I live

If I had a star to give
I'd give it to you, long as you live
Would you have the time
To watch it shine, watch it shine?
Or ask for the moon and heaven too?
I'd give it to you

Maybe I've got no star to spare
Or anything fine or even rare
Only if you let me be your world
Would I ever give this world to you
Would I ever give this world to you

One more Saturday night

While the most of the world experiences the hottest summer in recorded history, Los Angeles has been unseasonable cool. Time moves forward and the clock ticks. What can I say, life is a strange adventure. The stakes are high as in life and death and the world is complicated as in right and left.

My heart is like my car. Beat up and held together with duct tape, but gets me everywhere I need to go at 80 miles an hour. Life ain't pretty, but if you can find your purpose and make it work, well then . . . you're ahead of the game.

My purpose has always been the same, "To make the world a better place, one smile at a time"; Increasingly difficult in an age where people are beat down, jaded, done and seen it all. . . what the fuck happened to people where their attention span disappeared. This downfall of human interest has occurred in my life span.

I just keep on doing what I do. Card tricks, coin tricks, cups and balls and the linking rings. I sell trick decks and share the love in my heart.

Polly is my girl, we're good together. Twice divorced, 4 kids that don't talk to me; I got a lot a love to give. Polly gets most of it. Life can be so cruel and so beautiful, simultaneously. . . . . like laughing and crying at the same time.

Death lurks around the corner, unless you're me. . . . and as you all know. . . I am immortal.

You can't kill me

4 years now in LA
what can I say
Am I closer. . . or farther away
whose to say
just pray

stay. . . just a little bit longer

one of these days. . . . .

Friend Of the Devil by gratefuldead

Things you never thought you would see. . . pt. 3

Ran across this while surfing

Death don't have no mercy

Nikki • RIP (this shit SUCKS!)

Death is kinda final

not for me to say but is

Phone call on a Sunday morning

out of the Norm.

Nikki, what the fuck happened!

this wasn't supposed to go down this way!

We talked two days ago for a half an hour or more

what would Gramsie think as you floated out the door!?

Conflicted emotions, I'm all broken up
I don't know what to say. . WTF!!

Life is so full of uncertain twists and turns
a young mother marries and a child is born

But the mother barley gets her foot out the door
before her life vanishes and she is no more

Nikki, why did you go?
Why did you leave us?

was it your disappointment
or a grievance?

Life is a strange game where the stakes are high
and so am I
so why

why. . . do the innocent die so young

why. . do we go on. . .

why is life so cruel

Broken up and sad
we weren't that close

you were family
that mattered the most.

I'm surprised I make a living

magician_rabbit_hat, originally uploaded by sydsosurreal.

I go out every night, and I come home with money. I do magic tricks and entertain people. I live on my own terms and answer to nobody. It's just me and them, no agents, no bookers, no bureaucracy. They either like it or not. They pay or they don't. I try and feel a groove. Let me create an illusion. . . . let me sell a deck. Let me make the world a better place one smile at a time.

Off the web • What people are saying

Last night I went to see Tom Frank perform at the WC Fields bar at the Magic Castle. Tom is a friend of mine so I am a bit biased but that being said here goes my take on what happened.

Someone brought him a riser to stand on and it was placed before the stained glass window that shares a wall with the Library. Tom, a street performer, did a great set of magic and kept the crows entertained and buying drinks. When the Peller opened Tom stepped down from the riser and went over to the bar and performed at the bar itself. He was a working magic machine who understood the room and bar and used both at the appropriate time. He entertained and sold drinks.

But no this wasn't all that happened. The Piano Player was playing soft Jazz. Tom heard it and began to do his magic to the Jazz. The Piano player saw this magician using her music and timed the Jazz to coincide with his act. I don't know how to describe it except to say it was like a piano player at a silent movie providing back ground that was appropriate to what was going on in front of her. The two performed as one Magic hand in hand with Music.

I spoke with Tom afterwards and he told me it was his street performance skills that prompted him to use the music as his background and he went over and tipped the Piano Player. All in all the evening was a thing of beauty.

Tonight is his last night at the WC Fields bar. Please do yourself a favor and get down there to see how it can work.

Sometimes I go to watch friends perform, as an obligation or a way of showing respect. Last night was an experience I'm glad I got to see and enjoy in person. Do yourselves a favor, go see him and then let me know what you think.

And for those of you who are interested in a man who can draw a crowd, hold a crowd and perform some great magic, he has a lecture that he can do and has done for magic clubs in the past. So who ever has some sway in bookings for lectures it might be a great idea to get him to lecture to our magician members.

Have a great weekend and do come to see Tom Frank and the other magicians at our Club.

Maurice Newman


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More than one of my magic co-horts had told me to keep an eye open for Tom Frank, knowing that I had spent my formative years performing street shows. So, I just sort of hovered around the Inner Circle for a while, waiting for the right moment to introduce myself. As I had been enlightened as to his years of experience on the pavement, I was not surprised to see how Tom flowed easily from bar to platform - from patter to music, from small crowd of peers to larger crowd of civilians. When I got to talking with him during a little lull, and happened to ask when he might next perform, he said, "For you, Phil, how about right this minute?" Well, there were three other magicians with me at the time. We got to see a 'private' show (?) on the dance floor that involved Sonyee improvising on the piano, and soon morphed into a much bigger experience as patrons slowly filtered into the room. Granted, I probably related to him because Tom is as addicted to performing as I, but it was also fun to see things just "flow" so effortlessly. I agree with Maurice. If you can come in tonight, I bet you'll be tickled to see this one!

Phil Van Tee


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Why am I not surprised? Tom is a consummate performer with more flight time than (dare I say) a lot of the people who work the Castle. I am so glad to hear that he was able to work with the piano player. Tom's acumen for combining music and magic and having a pianist who 'gets' it, must have been sublime. She really is talented.

My feelings about the piano player are well known...I respect her talent and energy. I just feel that the presence of piano player (in general) is superfluous. But under these circumstances, I am thrilled to hear that all went so smoothly. Wish I was closer to experience Tom's performance. Knock em dead Tommy boy!

Doc Eason

magicians sparkle

magicians sparkle, originally uploaded by Robin O'Neill.

don the magician and family, originally uploaded by J_E_W_E_L_S.

Harry Blackstone Jr. • Floating Lightbulb

In my "In Box" (I have fans!)

Hello Tom,

Me and my twin boys were at Universal Studios on Thursday and Friday of last week 6/17 & 6/18 2010. On Thursday on the way out. around 7 PM we caught a glimpse of your performance (less then a minute of it).

We could not stay long as we had to meet some friends for dinner and were in a rush.

All my boys could keep asking was if we could come see you the next day since we were coming back. Well we saw your performance on Friday evening around the same time. 7 PM'ish.

You were awesome. A true performer and my boys really enjoyed your magic. They have been performing magic tricks themselves for 2 years now since they were 8. They are 10 now and still very much interested in Magic.

It was cold that night and you made a comment about getting wet in the water fountains. Well you probably did not notice it, but I was soaked to the bone after playing with the kids in Universal Studios in the water park. Good thing for them they brought a change of clothes, but since I did not I was freezing later that night as you were performing and doing business. I wanted to stay longer and so did the boys but we couldn't. We were just freezing your yatchez off.

All three of us wanted to thank you so much and let you know how awesome your magic is.

Keep up the good work and I have subscribed to your blog so we can stay in tune with what you are up to.

Thank you again,

Luke, Justin & Trevor.

P.S. We are from Vegas, but when we are in SO Cal Again in a few months, we might try to make it out to the Citywalk again.

What time do you usually show up and leave? Are you there 7 days a week?

'Carter Beats The Devil' Regains Magic Mojo

'Carter Beats The Devil' Regains Magic Mojo

In my "In Box"

Hey Tom,

I just wanted to take a moment to let you know how much I'm enjoying your "5 Mystic Rings".

Really, really nice work!

Since I'm studying everything I can get my hands on, I've seen (or read of) a number of the moves before - but - one move just dropped my jaw ... the 'Pinky Hang' floored me! What a sweet move!

Is that your move? I've read through the Miller Routine book and didn't see it there (or anywhere else for that matter) ... OMG !
I love that move .. hehe.

What rings are you using (probably Owen's) and what size are they? Look like 13's or maybe even 15's?

Anyway, thank you again for putting out such a fine product.


Cheers,

Lee

Sylvain Chomet's The Illusionist, opening Edinburgh Film Fest 64

Sylvain Chomet's The Illusionist, opening Edinburgh Film Fest 64

Magic Castle Baby!

Castle In The Sand (AKA, Marc Summers' Mystery Magical Tour House!), originally uploaded by Adam Kissick.

Blueberry Cake

What am I supposed to do when I come home and I am confronted with this work of art. Damn her, she knows my weakness. . . anything she cooks. I'm a very lucky man to have a girl that loves to cook and bake. Sparky twitching involuntarily, kitty dreaming. Probably suffering PTSD from the beating he took this morning after eating a nights worth of knitting.

Looks like some kind of blueberry cake. Was as tasty as it looks. I try and keep my shit in check, but I'm convinced, she likes me fat and happy. For the most part, we try and eat healthy. However sometimes cravings win out. I've had a taste for ribs for at least a few months and finally gave in and tried a rib joint near our place. Was happy I did.

It's strange to think of the relationship that we have with food. It's not always healthy. How many times have I found myself eating my feelings. It's not right. Sometimes, I just want to do some damage on myself. . . . like nachos and cheese dip. Yum. I try and stay away from empty calories and processed sugars. That doesn't always work out. I have a weakness for the sour Jelly Belly's and just about any cookie Polly bakes.

There was a time, a year ago, when I had much better self discipline, I wasn't making any exceptions with regard to calories. Wasn't drinking hardly any alcohol and was on a strict NO COOKIE diet. I was going to the gym more regularly and simply, was in better shape. I've let things slide enough. Gonna get back with the program. . . . as soon as the blueberry cake is gone. . . I swear it. . . . no really. . .

Click Pics to enlarge and see their true deliciousness

, originally uploaded by Warren Gates.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions

Cookies. . . . I've always had a love hate relationship with the little fuckers. I have limit issues. . . like there are no limits. . . know what I'm saying? I've never been in love with someone who cooks or bakes, until Polly. I think, she bakes when she's stressed. She's stressed and I'm gaining weight. . . WHAT! During her shooting season (CSI:Miami) when she bakes cookies, I eat some that night and the rest go to work with her in the morning to share w/ the gang (Good Plan). During her hiatus, things getting out of hand. The other night I told her I couldn't stand the cookies mocking me from the other room, in their plastic container. Damn Cookies! I informed her that to help curb the the endless eating of empty (but tasty) calories, I was going to hide the cookie container in the oven (out of sight, out of mind, out of belly. . . right). So, I go to work and later in the evening she preheats the oven to cook dinner and ohhhhhh what a mess. I love my girl and she loves me. . . . and we've agreed that I can hide the cookies from myself anywhere that doesn't get hot.

Roger Roger

Over and out

huh?

Don't know
Don't mind
Blow smoke. . . be kind

Recovering from a car wreck
jostled my brain

need to refrain
from feeling any pain

the cards fell
and I lost
at what cost

Blustery winds blow
and the palm trees sway
sun roof won't close
looks like rain

C'est la vie