Sunday, June 25, 2023

Ahhh...the Eighties!

Before I had my TV-show, (it debuted in 1985) but had relocated from T.O. to #Winnipeg, I was trouping, doing smaller but numerous magic shows throughout Winnipeg and Manitoba; (I already had a few shows in Toronto under my belt by then, BTW) I acquired several great agents who were booking me at the time, such as Kerry Hogan from Gags Unlimited, Pat Riordan,  Terry Morris from #MorrisAgency, and Brian Twerdun from #IdeaProductions, all before #LenAndree from #AndreeProductions. Besides commercially-available larger illusions which I owned already, (such as the Pitchfork Illusion, similar to the Broom Suspension, and pictured here with the female suspended in mid-air) I commissioned a builder to build me several (ten in all) other larger illusions, so that the agents could get more money for my services from sponsors, corporate heads, malls, etc. After a couple of dozen shows, I noticed that my audiences were oooh-ing and ahhh-ing from my Botania (appearing bush illusion, pictured here) just as much (maybe more so) as my large illusions! By then, my TV-show had just started, and I was starting to gain some notoriety and rather than continuing to employ people to transport my illusions from location to location, endure the physical efforts, (I was in my late twenties, but it was getting physically tiring) I decided to slowly phase out the larger illusions in favor of doves and rabbits, and eventually more portable illusions that "played big and packed small" such as the Dagger Head Chest Illusion, Chair Suspension, and various Bow Saw Illusions. I had found my balance: large illusions easier to transport, satisfied audiences and agents, plus higher and higher fees; by the time I left Winnipeg in '94, and with my TV-show, my fee was $350. for a 30-minute show. Of course, in larger eastern Canadian cities, the average fee almost thirty years later is minimum $450. for a thirty-minute show, or more! Lots of fun!

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Testimonials

Testimonials:

"Dr. Michael Likey brings to the Art of Magic not only a sartorial elegance but also decades of quintessential experience. This has been amply demonstrated in his TV appearances, live performances, and the content of the masterful work in his book, "Metaphysics, Mysticism, and Performance Magic" to which I was pleased to write the Foreword. Having worked with him on numerous occasions I can unreservedly attest to the meticulous detail and quality of his performances."
-Anthony Darkstone, President of The Society of American Magicians International Assembly.

"Thank you for the interview Mike. I am very pleased on how it all turned out. You did an excellent job conducting the interview with me, and putting everything together into such an interesting and engaging magical episode! It is indeed my honour to be on your fantastic show!"
-Rod Chow, National President, The Society of American Magicians

"I really enjoyed seeing the floating table. Very similar to my father's performance of it."
-Lon Mandrake, Past President, The Society of American Magicians, (Assembly 95) and son of the internationally renowned magician, Leon Mandrake

"...FANTASTIC..."
-CBC Television

"...VERY PROFESSIONAL..."
-The Royal Bank of Canada

"...YOUR PRESENCE AND SENSE OF HUMOUR ADDED SO MUCH..."
-The United Way

"...YOU WERE GREAT FUN..."
-Citizen's Committee To Combat Cancer

"...WONDERFUL..."
-All-Fab Building Company

"...A BIG WOW..."
-Celebrity Chef Uncle Bill Anatooskin

"...THE KIDS AS WELL AS THE ADULTS LOVED YOU..."
-Winpak Social Club

"...BROUGHT SMILES AND SPARKLES TO THE EYES OF EACH AND EVERY CHILD IN ATTENDANCE."
-Greg Dietlein, Past President, Vancouver Magic Circle

Monday, June 19, 2023

Join Us Wednesday

 


One year ago, S.A.M.'s UK deputy Mandy Davis introduced the world to The Society of American Magicians Assembly v1.3. An online assembly to give our members in Europe and America a way to interact, to share ideas and to learn magic from some of the best magicians in Europe. Now Mandy is inviting you to join us as we look back over this first year and to show some of your favorite magic you have learned from our lectures.

Grab some magic and you're computer and join us Wednesday June 21, 8 pm UK, 9 pm Europe, 3 pm Eastern.
NOTE: YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS.

Thursday, June 1, 2023

THE LECTURE

This lecture is based on my book of the same name.
Magicians of all abilities and experience will get something from the myriad of tricks and illusions contained within it! From a little-known gimmick and utility item, (The Miracle Card Gimmick) which will enable you to completely and easily vanish a selected card from the pack, to Double Indemnity, an original and invisible device that will cleanly make you look like a card pro so that you can cut to the four aces without thinking, as well as secretly keeping track of a spectator's selected card! Some of my previously published effects (in magicians' trade journals) such as Clipped, and The Curry Open Prediction, (which will easily have you match your prediction to a spectator's freely-selected card) are also here! I've included TWO BONUS EFFECTS, the method for the Miniature Rising Card, (Haunted, Floating Mini) which like a possessed mini-pack, wriggles and jiggles, then flips over and stands up, releasing a selected-card from within the box, which may be performed close-up and/or for platform-work, as well as a sophisticated double-pack/order-matching effect, also suitable for the now-popular platform venues, Sympathetic Clubs!
Purchase here: