In China, magicians popping up like rabbits out of hats - USATODAY.com

"Sweating under stage lights, magician Wang Xianbo takes six metal rings, bumps them together one by one and then links the rings into shapes: a flower, a rickshaw, an airplane.

For at least 2,000 years — and long before modern aviation — Chinese entertainers like Wang have performed the well-known 'linking rings' trick.

Baofeng, the self-proclaimed home of magic in China, is enjoying a boom as the whole country has gone magic-mad."

Kirkland & Ellis Doesn't Fear the Mindfreak

"It's a good thing that Criss Angel has come out and said publicly that he doesn't have paranormal powers, because the lawyers from Kirkland & Ellis suing the magician for unpaid royalties might otherwise be a bit concerned.

The firm is representing 23-year-old illusionist Jacob Spinney of Long Island in a civil suit that accuses Angel of reneging on an agreement to pay Spinney 25 percent of his net profits in exchange for rights to certain magic tricks.

According to the 21-page complaint filed in Nassau County Court in Hempstead, N.Y., courtesy of Courthouse News Service, Spinney claims his Chair Self-Levitation, Chair Self-Suspension, and Fork Bending Gimmick helped propel Angel to stardom."

It's no trick, this place is magic - Winnipeg Free Press

"World famous escape artist Dean Gunnarson mentored Philip. They began to hang out together when they met after a performance by Dean at the Children s Hospital. Philip would also perform magic in the hospital for other patients. They once travelled together from Winnipeg to Regina and as Marilyn tells it 'the boys had to stop at every police station and ask to be locked up. I just stayed in the car and read.'"

Using magic to learn about maths

"“It’s fascinating how many great magic tricks and more worryingly con tricks work using hidden mathematical principles”, explained Professor McOwan.
“The videos were made to help show how the power of maths can entertain and mystify, and how if we aren’t careful can even part us from our hard earned cash.”"

Illusionist to Launch Magic Trick-Based Education Curriculum for Students with Special Needs

"In Summer 2009, illusionist Kevin Spencer will launch Hocus Focus, an experiential-based educational approach centered on the art of magic tricks, designed to foster growth and development in students with special needs. Spencer is also the creator of Healing of Magic, a proven magic trick-based therapy for physical and psychosocial rehabilitation."

Tricks aid in therapy

Tricks aid in therapy | The Columbia Daily Tribune - Columbia, MO: "Gary Palmer’s hands were tangled in a red rubber band as he worked on a trick taught to him by magician Kevin Spencer.

Palmer struggled to free his hands from the band and then separated his fingers as it flung toward the ceiling.

“There. Perfect. You got it!” Spencer told Palmer.

Leaning back in a recliner, Palmer raised his arms as if signaling a touchdown and smiled nearly as wide as the chair where he sat.

Palmer was one of about 15 adults undergoing occupational or physical therapy who smiled and laughed as they learned simple magic tricks in Spencer’s “Healing of Magic” event yesterday at Lewis and Clark Hall at the University of Missouri.

Since 1984 Spencer, 46, and his wife have been to 30 countries teaching magic tricks to patients undergoing therapy, including stroke patients and people with learning disabilities.

The tricks enable the patients to have a little fun while enhancing motor and cognitive skills in therapy."

This Bond has tricks up his sleeve

"Dubbed 'the James Bond of magic' because of his slick and stylish character Mo Magic has bewildered audiences across South Africa and the world with his ability to mind read change a R100 note into R200 and bend metal objects with his mind. Mahommed Moorad is also a full time electronic engineer - with an honours degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Working at Toyota SA the 27-year-old from Durban manages to find time to perform regularly across the country. 'Magic and engineering creates a valuable balance in my life - engineering stimulates the left side of the brain associated with logic and order whereas the art of magic stimulates the right side linked to creativity and artistic expression - and I enjoy them both.'"