Sturk's Debut Project

Well friends, your prodding has paid off, and a new post to the blog will be my way of saying Happy New Year!

I'm particularly excited now, because we are ready to put the finishing touches on my debut project, called "Unconquered: Mastering the Three Card Monte." I'll be teaching three different versions of Deland's original PickItOut card routine, two with poker-sized cards, and a third using jumbo cards. Look for a trailer coming soon!

Second, we've got a new project in the works from David Solomon and his take on the classic Oil and Water plot. This one's a fooler for sure! If you're not familiar with Mr. Solomon, you may want to take a look at his two previous releases with FUN Inc., Knaves Gone Wild (one of Tomás' favorite tricks) and Thoughts Across.

Aside from these new DVD releases, I've been working busily on some technical changes to the FUN Inc website, including moving to a new, more reliable host server which will improve our website's speed. I can already hear the industry's collective sigh of relief.

One of my New Year's resolutions is to make it to a big magic convention this year outside of the Midwest circuit. IBM? SAM? Maybe even Blackpool? If you've got a suggestion, let me know in the comments.

My convention weekend

Both Gabe and I attended conventions this weekend, him in Boston for Collector's and me in Detroit for the Motor City Close-Up Convention.

I always enjoy attending conventions, and this one was no exception. The performers were all outstanding, but it's the late-night sessioning that really makes this convention unique for me.

I was fortunate to find myself chatting with Geoff Williams, a brilliant comedy magician from Minnesota. He had observed a short set I performed in the morning where I did a Rising Card effect (with a borrowed deck!) and a Water Suspension. The Rising Card effect was presented with some humor and comedy, and the Water Suspension was presented with a little more mysticism and wonder. I had felt some trepidation when I came up with the Water Suspension presentation, because it did seem to be at odds with all the other humorous routines I normally perform.

Geoff told me he noticed that inconsistency in my character. He offered some great advice about diagramming your persona's character traits, and if an effect doesn't fit in, then it should be cut.

All this goes back to what I wrote about last week, when I discussed the value of input from more experienced performers. They know what works and what doesn't, and the best way to learn is from those who have been there before you.

I'll take Geoff's advice and work on this presentation, and as I do, I'll have a better understanding of what it takes to make my character unique. After all good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.

Our trip to Houdini's

Last week Tomas and I traveled to Manitowoc, Wisconsin for the annual Houdini Club of Wisconsin convention. Both Tomas and I lectured and performed on stage and close-up. I was fairly nervous, being my first convention booking, but Tomas was truly a pro.

My friends at Street of Cards were on hand to document the convention via web and video. They already posted video of Tomas' close-up set.



My lecture was the first event upon arrival on Friday. Having only lectured two other times before (and even then, in front of friendly hometown crowds), I was apprehensive on how it would be received. After all, the main items in my lecture are classics: things like the egg bag, cups and balls, and linking rings.

Fortunately, folks liked the blend of trick/explanation and theory that I offered. Kenn at SOC wrote this on their forum:

Classics are classics for a reason.

Ask John Sturk. His afternoon lecture featured three classics that John has made his own. He shared the routines and thinking that have made his brand of street performing a favorite all over the Midwest. No e-llusionist kid here. Sturk shared a style and philosophy that harkens more to Cellini and Gazzo and less to some other media phenoms.

Clean, crisp magic coupled with enthusiastic audience participation are the hallmarks of Sturk's performance. I hate him. He will always be younger.

That last part is tongue-in-cheek. Kenn is actually a good friend.

Friday and Saturday culminated in public evening shows. Tomas killed, as usual, with the Cigarette-Eating Act on Friday night. I was on Saturday's show. Tomas told me he was sitting near Marshall Brodien (of TV Magic Cards fame and Wizzo of The Bozo Show), who kept murmuring very positive comments during my act. I was flattered.

Then, after the evening show on Saturday, was the Houdini's Got Talent contest. Any conventioneer could participate with any kind of act, be it magic, ventriloquism, or anything else. I got up to play a little Duke Ellington on the piano, and took home the trophy. More flattery.

All in all, it was a lot of fun. I got to meet several of FUN Inc.'s customers, most of whom I usually talk to by phone. I also hope I inspired a few of the attendees to use one of my ideas, or adapt it to their own program.

The Houdini Convention

I'm always flattered when people think of me for conventions. I don't really lecture too much, maybe 10 times a year. I do even less conventions. This coming weekend should be a lot of fun! Both John Sturk and I will be attending the Houdini Convention in Manitowoc Wisconsin. We'll both be lecturing and performing in the close up and stage show. My stage show is mostly stand up comedy magic. I will do the famous balloon swallow from Geek Magic, a rope routine, a story card trick, and mind reading stunt. Normally I'd end with a cigarette manipulation act, but I'm pretty sure the theater won't let me "light up." It's getting harder and harder to perform that act.

My close up material is very strong. It's what I enjoy most. I will perform the cardiologist deck, the exchange, my handling of skinner monte, a coin routine, and a dice routine. Personally, I think my close up material is magician friendly. Also, it will be a nice little teaser for my Sunday lecture. I've been to many lectures. Yes, I like to buy new products, but I really enjoy those performers who teach routines with everyday objects. Therefore, I will try not to make my lecture a dealer demo. Although, I do have lecture notes and 5 dvds to sell. I've gotten better at lectures.

For those interested in the Houdini convention, you may want to click HERE. It will be a lot of fun. Personally, I can't wait to see my co-worker John. I think he's going to be a big hit!

Back from Colon

I'm back from my trip to Colon, Michigan, and boy are my arms tired. The rest of me is, too. 4 non-stop days of magic, plus my additional responsibilities as a spotlight operator for all four of our big evening shows would turn anyone into a walking zombie when they got back to work on Monday. But, I'm glad to be back, and I'll have some photos in the near future.

My friends at www.streetofcards.tv were filming and webcasting from various locales around Colon, so check their website as they upload the footage in the coming weeks.


This was my first year on the Abbott's stage crew, filling in for one of the spotlight operators who just couldn't make it this year. All the stage crew members are performing magicians, giving us special insight into the needs of the performers.

The experience gave me a perspective on what goes on behind the scenes of a magic show, and a better idea of what the stage crew needs from a performer in order to put on a good show. I will definitely keep the experience in mind as I put together stage routines. They are the guys that really make the person on stage look good.

Stay tuned right here for more updates. I'll get the pictures up as soon as I can!

Fun Magic Weekend

I had a great time at the Abbott's Close-Up Convention this past weekend. I was introduced to some lecturers I had not seen before, and learned a lot. I think I may have seen enough card tricks to last me for the rest of my life!

Gabe was also there, so we took a little time out at post-convention party to film some demo videos for Cameron Francis' Red Hot Prediction and for David Solomon's upcoming release, Thoughts Across. For Thoughts Across, I don't want to give too much away, but let's just say we had folks at the convention clamoring to buy one, even though it hasn't been released yet!

My favorite part of attending any convention is the time we get to just visit with each other, show each other some new tricks, and even get feedback on routines from magician we respect and admire. Having been a participant in the Michigan magic convention circuit for some time now, I always look forward to seeing the many friends I've made at these conventions.

I also had the opportunity to do a show while I was visiting my folks in Detroit. It was a charity gig, 2 hours of strolling and close-up magic. When I could, I performed The Royal Scam for the lay people, to see their reaction. Let me tell you, it was every bit as great as the magicians I had showed it to at the convention! Pick one up from your favorite dealer today!

Magic Convention Season Begins

I know there are some who talk down of magic conventions in general, but my experience with them has been overwhelmingly positive.

Next weekend, I'll be heading to one of the 4 conventions I attend annually. Abbott's Close-Up Convention was where I won my first contest back in '05, so I making it back to this convention each year means a lot to me.

When I started magic as a wide-eyed ninteen-year-old college sophomore, I could only afford to do a few magic conventions each year, and they all had to be driving distance from Michigan State University. Fortunately, being in Michigan, I was only two hours away from the Mecca of Magic: Colon, Michigan.

What I enjoyed about the Michigan magic convention circuit was that it was often the same people who attended, as I'm sure it is in other regions. The convention regulars became friends of mine, so attendance became not only a chance to learn from lectures, but also to reconnect with old friends.

What I especially enjoy about Abbott's Close-Up (and the Get-Together) is the closeness of the regulars. Colon resident Dr. Gerry Costello generously opens his home to the attendees, hosting late night sessions and a home-cooked luncheon at his lakeside cottage. Cramming all those conventioneers into the relatively small cottage means you're always within arm's reach of some awesome magicians: just last year, I hung out with Eric DeCamps, Mike Powers, FISM Grand Prix Champion Rick Merrill, and Hank Moorehouse, all of whom were within ten feet of each other. I'm surprised the building didn't explode from the level of awesomeness inside that room.

Like I often tell the kids at the summer camp I work each year, "you get out of this experience what you put into it." When you attend a convention, absorb as much as you can. Ask questions, session with the guys, share your stuff when asked, and ALWAYS take notes.

Andi Gladwin has a great article over at Online-Visions: Andi Gladwin's Convention Survival Guide. Be sure to take a gander before heading to your next convention. You'll be glad you did.