I THINK THEREFORE I AMSTERDAM

You can't be in Amsterdam for long without pondering the question: why can't other cities get it right like this? Okay, it's extremely beautiful before you've even done anything, wonderful tall slightly slanting historic houses lining canals, everywhere you turn. Not a bad start. But it's so QUIET. The ding of a bicycle bell from one of the 500,000 in the city as it trundles by; louder dings from the smooth and regular trams. But that's basically IT. In the centre of one of the world's great cities. I know, I know - but they had trams in LA too, you know, before an automotive cabal bought them up and closed them down. Big improvement. And the too-easily accepted, apparently inescapable car noise you get in London, or Bristol just - isn't there. Yes, there are busier parts, but they're busy the way a suburban high street can be. And those are only a few areas, and only some of the time.

To this already wondrous backdrop, add Mystery; this is after all the city where Tricky Theatre, a zany magic-restaurant-boat, is already visible as you step from Centraal Station. Rather though, add 'Myster', the gathering place of the modern Mages. It couldn't be more classic. It's right beside a large indoor shopping mall, though you'd never know it was there. It's fronted by a nondescript door and an almost invisible sign. Inside, there's nothing special about the cluttered entrance way. Go upstairs, though, and you enter an en-trance way. Big space, soft light, welcoming sofas, stage-style curtains, exotic decor, and more than anything else - an ineffable, tangible atmosphere. When the Magic Masterclass isn't visiting, Myster offers itself as a venue to other groups, and as an outlet for esoteric mind machines, pendulums and literature. If there's real magic, it's to be found there, in the very air. So where else would you expect to find Real Magicians?

England has Hogwarts, Germany Durmstrang, and Holland has... Myster. Netherlanders Stefanie (surely a Sprite?) and alchemist George are there in smiling attendance on - Chicago's Dumbledore, 'The Master' (but you can call him Eugene), possessor of the world's only authentic Magic Beard. Beside him, and deferring to him, always, is surely James Potter; very much alive and disguised as Jeff McBride. Who headlined in Las Vegas when in his twenties, and two decades later still remains, but now more for the magic of the surrounding desert, for the deep night and the firedances which flourish there. A wizard/sage and a sorcerer/shaman: the Faculty. Toto, I don't think we're in Card Trick land any more.

Only, even more bizarrely, we also ARE. Jeff shared late one night that "people come here to get their magic healed". Literally, of course: to learn better 'moves', improve their script, develop a character - and just to learn cool tricks. But also - though the Faculty never spell this out - metaphorically. Because some form of 'Magic' is what we all desire, and there's nary a one of us who escapes the need for Healing, before that encounter can take place. So students take away whatever they want; in every case, that includes a deeper respect and regard for their art, as well as a notebook's worth of invaluable practical advice. For those who look a bit deeper, there is unmistakably more. Maybe this is not something you can pin down, analyse or even name - but it is something which endures beyond all the act-polishing and note- taking. Something that you might want to call, well - Magic...

DOUBLE DUTCH

MAGIC MASTERCLASS
So just where does a Magician go, to learn Magic?I'm off tomorrow, to Amsterdam. Leave on Passover, come back after Easter Monday: significant? I rather think so, because once again I know I'll return with my passion for the Art of the Impossible 'Resurrected'. Yes, there are Magic Conventions - but then there is Masterclass. It's just - A whole new dimension. The place where the 'real' Secrets get passed on. Students there all share this passion for getting good, then getting better. The same passion STILL demonstrated, by our -resident mentors Jeff McBride (imagine a grown-up Puck) and Eugene Burger (Scary Santa), although they've both been in the field of wonder-working forever, so have far better excuses than us to feel jaded.So what happens? You do your Act (you bet it's scary!), you get instant - and incredibly insightful - feedback from the Great Ones, watch others do the same. And you improve by leaps and bounds, over the course of a long weekend. Anyone who goes home without a notebook full of profoundly workable wisdom, well; they're just not writing fast enough.THE MORAL OF THE STORY: These guys know what real Magic is about. And - surprise - turns out it's so NOT about 'the tricks'. Actually, it's about YOU. And I don't care how Disney that sounds, it's true: you are the magic: what people go to see, buy into, want more of. And what could be more fun, or more important, than learning to be YOU?..
posted by IAN C @ 6:15 AM

MOBILE MAGIC

This (relatively recent) blog of mine kind of illustrates where I am with New Technology in general: all in favour, if a little slow to catch on! Imagine my delight then, at being chosen by Bath University -in conjunction with its various commercial partners - for the 3-year Cityware research project. I'm one of a 'cohort' (academicspeak for 'bunch') of only 30 people, who will be trying out some sensational new mobile technology and innovative uses for it.
I was apparently an early front-runner just because what I do is unusual (I think they meant the magic..?). Always nice to be wanted. Up until now, my main interest in phone magic has related to a couple of effects I like to do actually over the phone - find a chosen card, that sort of thing.

Have to say though, some of the ideas being suggested and tested with this equipment, are truly magic to me - as in, sci-fi made real. Such as? Well, it's all hush-hush at the moment; so I COULD tell you... but then I'd have to have you killed. Best just watch this space and I promise to keep you up-to-date, as and when I'm allowed to! But trust me (I'm a Magician) - this stuff is seriously cool. Bluetooth? Schmuetooth.