Restaurant Magic

I've spent the better part of the last two weekends substituting for friends of mine at their various restaurant gigs. Knowing that I worked a restaurant back in Michigan for some years prior to my move to Chicago, they were confident I'd do an admirable job.

Thinking about the way I used to do things, and how I've developed over the years, is an eye-opening experience. You truly can see how you grow and improve your act, performing the same routines over and over during the course of your shift.

Here are some of my personal recommendations for the discerning professional:

BKM Wallet: This classy leather wallet allows for the ever-popular Card-to-Wallet effect, be it a finale for your Ambitious Card, or an instantaneous card-to-impossible location effect. This wallet gives you the option to perform with a palm, without a palm, or even a card-to-sealed envelope!

5" Linking Rings: These babies are my bread-and-butter effect. Not only are they visual, but can be performed in a spectator's hands, inches from their nose, with no table required! They can fit comfortably in either your jacket or pants pocket. With the right routine, you can even perform surrounded! What more could you ask for?

Chop Cup DVD: Why carry around a bulky 3-cup routine from table to table, when you can condense it into one? The chop cup remains a mainstay in workers' repertoires for a reason. This DVD offers several routines, so pick the best parts from each one and create your own! We also stock a variety of chop cups.

Artist Spotlight: Rene Lavand

Today I wanted to spotlight a magician that deserves recognition, but isn't too well known around the magic community.

René Lavand is a magician from Argentina specialising in close-up performance. He has appeared in Ed Sullivan's and Johnny Carson's television shows as well as shows at the Magic Castle.

After losing a hand at the age of 9 in a car crash, Lavand endured a gradual entry into the magic world, self-taught because, in his own words, all books and techniques are for two-handed magicians. After working as a cashier in a bank, at the age of 32 he appeared in Buenos Aires' Tabarís Theater, following which his career took off, leading to world tours. The catchphrase he uses to close several of his tricks is "No se puede hacer más lento" (Spanish for "it can't be done any slower"), referencing the intentional slow pace at which he performs. In between international tours, he resides in Tandil, Buenos Aires and has adapted a train wagon which he turned into a magic saloon where he teaches illusion. He also co-wrote ( with Richard Kaufman ) the book "Mysteries of my Life". The book is an autobiography as well as an instructional book on Rene's magic.

We have a 5-DVD set of René Lavand's Close-Up Artistry. The magic Lavand performs on these DVDs is both beautiful and poetic. These are more than just tricks, they are multiphase routines accompanied by artistic presentations and wonderful stories. It is impossible to describe the beauty of his magic. These routines must be experienced. Each volume begins with a twenty-minute performance followed by a walk-through of how everything is accomplished.

Here's some video of the master at work.