Saturday, January 26, 2008

THE AMAZING JOE JOE


the amazing JOE JOE

home pitch; MYRTLE BEACH

JoeJoe has traveled through
38 States, performing his
unique brand of magic and
illusion on Main Street USA.

joe joe is legendary. regretfully i have not met him yet, but have admired his work and reputation for many years.

he sent me a small bio and i'm gonna post it because i think it is best in his own words;

Background: "When I was 18 living in Ocean City I was working the usual dead end jobs - you know, dishwasher ... busboy ... mcdonalds.

It seemed I was always looking for a new job, and got the bright idea that as a street performer I could make money anywhere in the world without ever having to actually apply for a job.

It didn't happen overnight, but eventually I figured out how to do it".

Influences: "To me, Penn and Teller are successful street performers. Harry Anderson is a successful street performer.


The one thing they have in common is they are not actually working the streets. I hope I get that break and get off the streets, as all the streets are just dead ends.

I don't care how much money you can get in a hat ... it is still nothing compared to what Robin Williams can earn just for showing up at a party! I am amazed at how many street performers don't realize this little fact.

Your goal should not be a fat hat, your goal should be a great act - that is what makes a street performer successful".

Mentor: "There is an old timer here in town, Master Magician Jim Lee - he is featured on my Floating Street Lamp video. I've been working with him for roughly 15 years now. You want a who's who, he would be the one to do one on.


He is the real deal, toured with the carnie circuit doing the bed of nails longer than I've been alive. I don't know how old he actually is, but I hope I'm in as good shape when I'm his age".

The Act: "I try to be original and do my own thing. I think my sword-through-body is the people's favorite. It is tricky to pull that off when half your audience is under 13, but I figured out how to get away with it. Its really not the kids I worry about, its the parents - they are so over sensitive.


I grew up watching Tom and Jerry and the Road Runner ... my sword is nothing compared to cartoons".



here's his site;

http://joejoeonline.com/showtimes.htm


here's his blog good stuff;

http://joejoeonline.com/blogger/

joe joe has a large body of video clips on his site and throughout the internet displaying his talents with illussions on the street...which is a rare nitch.

watch him lure with spectacle.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

MANDRAKE {Ed Rhodes}


Name:

Ed Rhodes

Age: 52

home pitch: rhode island.

Occupation: Wal*Mart Associate (sigh)

Part time busker (week end warrior) Coming up on my 2nd year of performing.

Specialty: Cut and restored rope ~ Cups and Balls (Mark Wilson)

Mentor: None (Not by choice) My Uncle Bob introduced me to magic, but never really "mentored" me by any means.

Belonged to the S.A.M. twice, membership lapsed.

Monday, January 21, 2008

John Sturk


John Sturk
Hometown: Detroit, MI
Location: Chicago, IL
Teachers/Influences: Chris Capehart, Eric Evans, Whit Haydn, Gazzo, Cellini
Time in magic: 4 years
Time busking: 2 years

Weekend busker. My day job is a project coordinator for FUN Incorporated, America's largest magic manufacturer. I sell magic all over the world, but only perform in a small part of it.

I hope any busker in Chicago will look me up; happy to get together and session. My website is www.johnsturk.com.

Photobucket

GADDY



name: Gaddy

town: San Francisco

time spent busking: less than a year...
time in magic: started as a kid, got out of it, got back in about 3 years ago!

Teachers: Jerry Salazar, Jim Fassbinder