Disclaimer: This post may be hard to swallow for some “magicians” practitioners of magic, who use magic as a tool. I acknowledge their arguments and rationale for such practice. However, I am not sorry for this post as this post is not only an expression of my personal philosophy, but has also been validated by research.

I’ve always felt strongly against magicians (or rather, “magicians”) who use magic as a tool to get intimate with women. While I think that magic offers that kind of potential, a serious student of magic would find these “magicians” distasteful. It is one thing to perform magic and share the wonders of magic and another to use it as a means to an end.

Last year, a colleague and I did an academic paper titled “Are magic tricks inherently flirtatious?”, and needless to say we examined the magicians as flirts stereotypes and surveyed the ground. It is pretty remarkable that a large proportion of local students found that stereotype to be true. The data also revealed that they perceive magic as a tool to get close to a girl, to maintain physical contact and sadly, to allow for conversation. I think for these people who are using magic as a means to an end, magic is a crutch to them. One might argue that magic gives them a chance to level against men who are well-endowed with social skills. But the truth is, without magic, what are these “magicians” going to rely on?

So to all these pick up artist classes and course disguising themselves as magic and disguising their purpose as a contribution to increase awareness in magic. I say not. You are probably doing more harm than good. What would be better is to capitalize on these victims student’s existing strength. This is validated by positive psychology research, and if you would like more information, check this facebook page on how to maximize your character strength that you already posses: https://www.facebook.com/TheHappinessRevolution

The nice thing about having such strong opinions was that my opinions were picked up by an NUS student writing for a campus wide publication called The Ridge, and she did an interview in which I shared my thoughts about magic as an art, magic as a flirting tool and how I used psychology in my magic.

If you wish to read the article, check out the scanned copy below:

I am certain that the other camp will have their argument as well, and I am more than happy to engage in an academic discussion. =)

Signing off,

Alexander

About the author

Alexander is a professional magician at www.metaillusions.com . For more booking information and enquiries contact him here: http://www.metaillusions.com/contact-us/

JC and Ning will also be hosting a independent magic program – M for Magic, in collaboration with local production house Sinema Media and Fly Entertainment.

In the first season of M for Magic, magicians take to the street to present magic that can be performed on the crowded streets of Singapore.

Tommy K performing for a Crowd at Scape.

A total of 14 magicians are involved in the first season. The young Singapore magicians featured include: Alexander, Samuel, Matthew Lee, Harapan Ong, Tommy K, Ming Da, Larry the Daredevil Magician, Adeline Ng, Kyle Ravin, Alvin Terence, Maya, Darren Tien, Godwin Tan and Timothy Leow.

Godwin, Matthew and myself was honored to be part of this ground breaking event. Both Godwin and myself will be featured together in an episode where we talk more about what RDM is about.

Well... Red Dot Magic is about...

Godwin and myself were down on both days to check out the other magicians. We managed to catch a glimpse of Ming Da, Tommy K, Harapan, Maya, Darren, and Larry in action.

All of the magicians we met came from all walks of life. Some were as young as 17, part time magicians who will be future doctors, professional entertainers etc. It was definitely an enriching experience to see how despite of everyone’s busy schedule, we all share the same passion for magic.

The iTV series is due to launch in the month of April, and we will definitely be updating you more then!

And if you are like me (which makes up majority of the magicians in Singapore), chances are you do not exactly take great interest in big scale magic (particularly with escapes).

I was cursing Thor and Vogue while making my way over to the Singapore Flyer for the New Year’s Eve Countdown. I thought it’s a privilege to cover the event as a guest at first. However,  getting squashed through the crowd certainly wasn’t enjoyable.

Then came the pleasant surprise.

I attended the event’s cocktail party as a guest. There were free flow of drinks and sweet delights. It was a prize presentation ceremony to award Lawrence and Priscilla the prestigious Merlin award and crown the two, as Sir Lawrence and Lady Priscilla. I had a chance to talk to Tony Hassini and as always his hair stole the limelight away from him.

and Merlin Award goes to.... Lawrence and Priscilla Khong!

Just a little background information on the Merlin award,  it is a prestigious title presented only to those who have achieved the highest level in their craft, both on the national and international stage. Some of the criteria includes talent, showmanship, originality, skills and above all the rare ability to entertain under any conditions. Some of these recipients includes Penn & Teller, David Copperfield, Criss Angel, Lu Chen and more recently, JC Sum and ‘Magic Babe’ Ning.
Now in Singapore we’ve our very own grand magicians for the year, Sir Lawrence and Lady Priscilla.

What better way to end the night than performing a death defying stunt! Lawrence and Priscilla were lifted up high, trapped in a cargo box and were  given just 3 minutes to escape before it detonates in mid-air. They were heavily chained, and literally more than 10kg worth of cuffs all over.

Suit up and ready to go!

Before it all started, Lawrence decided to make it harder for himself and that much more enjoyable for us. The duo gave themselves only 2.45 seconds to escape from the cargo box. As a skeptic I wasn’t sure if its that much harder for the for the both of them.

A mega scale escape!

Quite frankly the first part of the escape was a little dry. But then it came. By 2.15, the cargo exploded. Nothing was found. And then the spectators realized, we just got “punked” because they were high up at the platform on the other side.

All smiles after a very successful escape!

Right in front of your eyes. With no explanation.

That was Magic.

Entertainment Paradize Magic Circus 2010!

On the 18th of December 2010, more than 20 talented magicians gathered to perform at their best. It was the highlight of the whole event. For many of us, its quite a treat to see so much magic! The performances started at 6.30pm and ended past 11. You can only imagine how much was packed within the few hours. From the popular billiard ball & card manipulations to themed acts with comb, roses, flags, there was definitely something to keep us at our edge.

Manipulation with Combs!

While it is a feat to gather so many magicians for this event, and definitely an eye opener, I only wish that the participants could have had more time for rehearsals. Its hard to look past flaws that even a layman would make sounds at. Having said that, you could really see how experienced some performers were. And their magic made everything worthwhile.

The Eventual Stage Magic Champion

As though it wasn’t enough to just watch the magic, there were so much more going on at the pre-event. There were strolling performances, balloon artists making your day & even Tarot readers for those in touch with their senses. And of course for most of us magicians, the booths were quite an attraction. Many items were never seen in Singapore and some were really quite a steal.

Overall I’ve to say that it was a pleasant experience for me. You don’t get alot of chance to watch so much magic in Singapore and I am sure everyone were more than glad to have been part of this magical experience.

A great emcee for the evening, Mr Cyril  kept the crowd engaged and active during the wait up to the commencement of the mega illusion.

Mr Cyril - A very professional and entertaining MC!

The weather was cool without the sun blazing over the event location. The venue proceeded to fill up with more and more people.

JC and Ning went on stage and performed a piece of magic which saw them turn a $2 bill borrowed from a spectator into a $50 bill which she could keep! The effect hooked the spectators indefinitely.

This lucky girl just got $48 richer!

The two illusionists proceeded to introduce and execute their The Aerial Exit illusion. This is what we thought about the illusion:

We were thoroughly impressed with the planning and subtleties that were put into this mega illusion. They covered every bit of detail possible to affirm that the illusion performed is legit and removed any doubt that it was prearranged.  The techniques/design feature of the illusion also quashed the otherwise expected speculations among the (Singaporean men) crowd.

However, there were two elements that caused a slight anti-climax after the vanish was revealed. Firstly, the curtains could have been pulled further to leave the cage more exposed. Secondly, the pyrotechnics (fireworks/sparkles) employed could have been more extensive to give a grander feel to the otherwise bland-looking vanish. The pyrotechnics set on the cage  looked visually weak under broad daylight.

A mega illusion in the air!

To give the illusionists their dues, you could really view the mega illusion from any angle you want. Safety issues was well handled expect for the strong winds which blew over the poster boards of the mega illusionists that was quite risky with the kids running around.

Overall, this project was a success considering the large turnout from members of the public to view this visual spectacle.

JC enthusiastically talking to the press!

What happened to the 5 people who vanished? They reappeared 45 minutes later. We wonder if they regretted their decision to volunteer for this mega illusion…

Photos were taken by a NEW RDM CREW MEMBER. Stay tuned to find out more!

Grand Magic Show 2010

The Grand Magic Show 2010 featured Republic Polytechnic students from the RP magic interest group and also four professional magicians – Kyle Ravin, Kiki Tay, Jeremy Pei, and Alex Tan.

Alex Tan was the overall MC for the night, and showed us his new sculpted body and biceps. I was also very impressed as he fluently and confidently played the role of Emcee for the night, tickling the audiences with his witty and original jokes.

Look carefully guys.. Not the silk but my biceps!

The first part of the show involved performances from the RP magic interest group. Arun Mathyvanan, Yip Chi Chieh, Tan Yeow Chong, Goh Kian Kiat and Cheug Wai Hoe came on stage to wow us with their magic. Although there were minor flashes here and there, they seem well rehearsed. I am especially impressed with Chueng Wai Hoe, who displayed intense hand dexterity and advanced sleight of hand by performing his CD act, probably inspired by the FISM winner Ha Seol-Hui. Dr Loke Han Ying, the adviser for the magic interest group, also performed his mind blogging rope routine.

The second part of the show involved acts of the professional magicians. Kiki Tay came up first and was THE highlight of the entire show. From the very start, he had everybody loosening up, laughing uncontrollably as we watched his antics with Miss Mo. He ended his routine with a touch of ingenuity and  left everyone craving for more.

Please do not break the magicians code.. Or you will end up like Kiki DEAD.

Kyle Ravin was up next and he showed us other talents by Emceeing and Ventriloquism. He capped of his performance with a very professional, very original illusion that fused design and magic. At just 20 years of age, you have got to admire this young chap!

Jeremy Pei did the finale act for the night. He showed us that he has many tricks up his sleeve by levitating a never-before-seen dancing MULTI COLOURED lightstick and even appearing his pet parrot. For his finale act, he did a heart warming routine. However, it felt out of genre for Jeremy, who is well known for his dynamic and fact paced routines and lacked sincerity in the routine.

Another breakthrough magic performance by Jeremy!

Overall, the night was filled with funny moments, intense moments, and heart warming moments. I am certainly proud to say that magic as an art has been evolving and advancing in Singapore and look forward to the The Grand Magic Show 2011!

*Many thanks to Dawn and the group at Fever Avenue for the photos.

Calling all Magicians Worldwide! If you have a knack for reviewing magic products, YOU could stand a chance to win a magic hamper worth $200.00!

Fellow Magicians,

Now that the Great Singapore Sale is almost over, the Great RDM Contest is here! Enjoy sharing your experience with your “Magical Stash”? The Great RDM Contest is just the contest for you.

Contest Details

To win yourself a magic hamper worth $200.00…

1) Search through your stash of magic arsenal to find a product/book/dvd to review.

2) Write a magic review on a magic related product/book/dvd that you own. It has to be on an original magic product/book/dvd which you own. Length of review must be at least 300 words long.

3) Email your review to admin@reddotmagic.com together with your name, age, country, and contact number.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Who can enter?

The contest is not limited to Singaporeans. It is open to all our readers worldwide! =D

2) What is the deadline?

11.59 pm, 18 July 2010.

3) Is there a entrance fee?

Nope.

4) What kind of reviews can I enter?

You can send in reviews of any magic related items. However, you have to be the owner of the product and the product has to be original (i.e. not pirated).

5) Is there a format of reviewing I need to follow?

Nope! Let creativity and individuality take over and blow our minds away!

6) What kind of reviews are you looking for?

We are looking for reviews that are original, comprehensive and refreshing; Being prolific in written language would be an advantage.

The winning review will posted on here at RDM, and the reviewer will stand to win a magic hamper worth $200.00, courtesy of Magic Boutique.

www.magicboutique.sg

By the way, Magic Boutique has just gotten BIGGER and BETTER! Do check out their facebook page for more freebies and check out their newly revamped online shop.

The all new Magic Boutique is set to capture hearts!

All the best!
RDM Crew

Contest ends 18 July 2010 @ 11.59 pm.

Great RDM Contest – Midyear Giveaway! is brought to you by Red Dot Magic, in collaboration with Magic Boutique. Prizes sponsored by Magic ‘Babe’ Ning. For detailed T&Cs, refer to this post.

Update 1: The Great RDM Contest – Closed!

Update 2: The Great RDM Contest – Winner!

The Urban Circus is the only performance this year made specially for the heartlanders and held in the heartlands. With tickets perfectly priced, it was a show families could enjoy together. We were treated to a feast of performances, from defying escape stunts to good old kids magic.

Larry kicked off the show with his signature fire act in a fast paced routine that was a visual treat. He also showed us why is he called the “Jackie Chan of Magic” by escaping from a see-through strait jacket and from a box filled with traps and locks with his nimble hands.

Don't worry guys! The Urban Circus is rated PG

Jazz then proceeded to marvel the audience with his parasol act. His manipulation skills was smooth and well executed. He also showed his versatility with his parasol manipulation, although he was in a highly suspicious outfit that was bulging out and it made him look fat too!

Charmain Koh came in next to entertain the crowd with her belly dancing moves. It would have been much better if she smiled more and enjoyed herself in the process. The routine could also have more variety in the dance moves and music to inject more energy to the performance.

Thereafter, Dean Wong came on the stage. Dean Wong, winner of OKTO’s One Minute of Fame and ConceptMagic’s Own The Stage, charmed the audience with his boyish and energetic routine. His well rehearsed routines, coupled with that cheeky smile of his, melted the hearts of many that day.

Boys and Girls... Kinetic Girl is here!

Last but not least, Kinetic Girl came out to wow her audience away with some fun-filled family magic with a twist – Family Illusion Shows. I know I know, Kinetic Girl’s magic is mainly targeted at kids but I found myself laughing along with the kids. Before you knew it, she had all the kids in the audience, including me, at the edge of their seats, glued to her performance!

Overall, it was an afternoon filled with visual treats, surprises, and loads of fun. Kudos to JC Sum and ‘Magic Babe’ Ning for bringing magic back into the heartlands. I especially look forward to more good magic from Dean and Kinetic Girl

So… Lets begin by saying that this Redefine Magic: The Gathering 2009 is the coolest event ever. There were dealer booths and magic dvds/gimmicks/props were on sale for the cheapest prices ever. However, the flash paper I bought seem to light up really slowly… Does anyone know how to fix it?

The gathering started off with a card history and sleight of hands by Sharkie. (Is it spelt like that?) He gave us a brief introduction on the sleights of hands both a gambler and a magician uses. His technique was impeccable! Everyone had nothing but applauses for both his students and him. Imagine seeing second deals, bottom deals done like it was a piece of cake! Swapping cards, palming them, switching them. He knew it all!

Next, we had the luxury of seeing Paul Romhany’s Charlie Chaplin Act! It was highly entertaining. He was so into character that I could only see Charlie Chaplin in front of me even though logically he is Paul with make-up on! It was performing art at its finest.

After which, it was up to Nique to mind boggle us with his mentalism routine. It was highly thought provoking and left all wandering… He also managed to inject some humor into his act, ensuring that his mentalism routine continue to be engaging and entertaining.

The following lecture was done by none other than Paul Romhany himself. Despite being pressed for time, his lecture provided food for thought. It allowed us to create new and original routines, inspired by his handling of the signature tricks he always performs.

There was a short break before the grand finale, which had many performers, including Alex T, Sherman Tang, Frankie Yeo and last but not least, Jeremy Pei himself, performing a Reed McClintock mega coin routine.

I must give special mention to Frankie’s routine because he was controlling a puppet who was controlling a puppet. That sounds confusing, because it is! I have never seen Rocky the Raccoon performed mini-size before. Well… I have also never seen a puppet do a snowstorm. Boy, seeing is believing. In magic, anything is possible I guess. That is probably why magic is so magical!

(P.S. Even thought there ain’t no photos, check out this video. Thank goodness for youtube!)

Well… What else can I say? See you at the Redefine Magic The Gathering 2010!

Anyways, I was there at Christmas Magic to cover the event. Special thanks to Eugene for spreading the joy of Christmas to me I was on a shoe string budget with all the magic lectures happening in Singapore, it was almost impossible not to overspend. Then came Eugene to save the day! Haha.

The glittering backdrop of the show!

This was the 2nd time I seen Priscilla in action. I have to say that I am always impressed with the level of professionalism in all the acts and how things were well thought out. From the ushering of groups into the place, to providing pre-entertainment to the audiences prior to the show etc. The spirit of giving and sharing was definitely in the air, with all the friendly people and the show’s meaningful purpose.

I have to say that Daniel Khong did an awesome job as the MC for the show cum buffer guy to let them prepare for the next act. His jokes were really lame and funny. I’d remember the pin in his jacket one for a long long time. He was a joke. In a good way!

Welcome to Christmas Magic! I am your host for the evening - Daniel Khong

There were too many acts to name it one by one, I would give my honest feedback if you ask me personally However, I shall try to keep it short and sweet here.

It was overall a decent and good showing from all the performers, especially when it was their first time performing in front of a crowd of such magnitude. I could hear that the music was painstakingly chosen for the act, and how well the routine was choreographed was a testament to how much they wanted to make the show a special one for the audience.

On another note, however, perhaps it was nervousness, most of the performances did not seem to be perfectly executed. No one is perfect away and the way the performers rebounded from their mistakes was commendable. Also, the angles wasn’t so great.

The show just kept getting better. There were performances from Paul Romhany and the afternoon climaxed with the performance by Lawrence and Priscilla. The performance was filled with mystery, warmth, and inspiration. It had a little bit of everything and left us glued to our seats. Their ever so commanding stage presence was magnetic. Their performance ever so professional and precise. They never fail to amaze me.

Priscilla: Bringing us a never-before-seen magic act!

Overall, I guess it was fun filled afternoon that filled my day with cheers and inspiration. It made me really interested in joining Project SMILE! Being able to enjoy what you do and to bring joy to others seems like a win-win situation for me