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A Surprising Twist on a Science Demonstration

I stumbled across this while watching the Walter Lewin MIT Physics lectures. Fortunately, it also appears as a stand alone video (isn't YouTube wonderful?) so you don't have to watch an hour on kinetic friction coefficients. But you could if you wanted to. In magic there is a dramatic device known as the "kicker ending", which involves adding on an additional incongruous climax following the apparent ending to a trick. For example, you remove a pack of cards from its box, perform a brief trick and when you try to return the cards to the box, you discover that it is now filled with a block of ice. Essentially, you turn your magic show into an episode of Family Guy.

Magicians will sit up in bars and coffee shops for ridiculous amounts of time debating the merits of this type of dramatic structure. But I never thought I would see it used in a physics demonstration. Just trust me when I say, you will not see this ending coming:

Last week on Magic Tonight

If you haven't been to see the show in a while, take a peek at what you've been missing. I performed one of the greatest tricks of my career: getting my friend and colleague Ben Train to wear a suit in performance (and you can clearly see him pouting about it in one of the photos.)

Magic Tonight is performed weekly in Mississauga and Toronto. Readers of this blog can use the code reality for a discount on the price of tickets and dinner when purchasing online.

Last Week on Magic Tonight

I had a blast performing this weekend. Less of a blast sitting on the 401 trying to get to our Mississauga and Pickering shows, but the audience made up for it. If you haven't been to see the show, take a peek at what you missed. Thanks to the Barefoot Prophet Paul Pacific, the magician with Happy Feet* Ben Train and Mysterion the Mindreader.

This was also our last show at The Bear in Pickering for the season. Look for more dates there in the fall. Until then, tickets are still available for our shows in Toronto and Mississauga. Readers of this blog can use the code reality for a discount on the price of tickets and dinner when purchasing online.

*A label which only makes sense if you were at the show.

Last night on Sketchy Magic

The final show of Sketchy Magic at the Crimson Lounge was last night. It was a completely sold out run or four shows. This show featured a trio of sketchy live artists preparing unique works of art before the show. Thank you to everyone who came out to support this new show. It will be back later this year with more amazing and hilarious magic. In the mean time, take a peek at what we got up to.

The magic continues at the Crimson Lounge with Magic TonightReaders of this blog can use the code reality for a discount on the price of tickets and dinner when purchasing online.

Magicians Making Faces

Magicians caught before the unblinking eye of the camera. Enjoy these amusing and spontaneous images of Jason Palter, Glenn Ottaway, Greydon Gilmore and the irritatingly photogenic Keith Brown Feel free to leave any amusing caption suggestions in the comments section. Bonus points if you can spot the ones which are fake; taken after the shows.

Photos by Abdurrahman Ahmed, who now has a lot of explaining to do. Collection curated by James Alan.

Magic Tonight is performed weekly in Mississauga, Pickering and Toronto. Readers of this blog can use the code reality for a discount on the price of tickets and dinner when buying online.