Trying to get our big balls in the Guinness Book

[Stephon]

Below is a press release announcing the Pickled Punks' (Steve Wannall and myself) attempt to set a record for the world's largest cups and balls routine.

If you're in the Washington, DC area, please come see the show.

~S
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Local Magicians Attempt to Enter the Guinness World Records Book
Two local actor/magicians will attempt to enter the Guinness Book of World Records by performing the world's largest cups and balls magic routine in Gaithersburg on February 11. Montgomery County natives Stephon Walker and Steve Wannall—who perform as The Pickled Punks—plan to perform magic's most famous trick with a new twist: they'll be using cups the size of garbage cans and balls as big as regulation soccer balls to confound their audience.

The cups and balls is considered the oldest magic trick on record, first appearing in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. This classic routine is usually performed with three 3¼” high by 2½” diameter metal cups and three small knit or foam balls. Through the use of misdirection and sleight-of-hand, the magician appears to make the balls jump from cup to cup, appear and disappear, and even pass through solid objects. The Pickled Punks perform these same feats using cups that are 3 feet high and 2 feet in diameter, and balls that are 7” in diameter, making the use of traditional magic techniques impossible.

Walker and Wannall will undertake this challenge on February 11, 2004 at Wednesday Wizardry, a weekly professional magic showcase created by nationally known magicians Alain Nu, Mark Phillips, and Bob Sheets.
Both Wannall and Walker grew up in Montgomery County, and are members of the Actors’ Equity Association. They can be seen performing in the D.C. area, and appear regularly at Imagination Stage and the Maryland Renaissance Festival. The Pickled Punks were in discussions to appear on “Penn & Teller’s Sin City Spectacular”, but sadly the program was cancelled before arrangements could be finalized.

Showtime is 7:30 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg, MD. Tickets may be purchased at The Arts Barn and are $15 for City residents and $18 for nonresidents. Performances are open to the public and are recommended for audiences age 10 to adult. 301.258.6394

For further information contact Stephon Walker at: 301.801.0712

The Pickled Punks:http://home.comcast.net/~pickled_punks

Wednesday Wizardry: http://www.wednesdaywizardry.com

[Peter G]

I knew them when they were just funny guys ...

So, how'd it go? Are you world famous? Should I be proud to know you? Is it time to start stealing your best ideas and claiming they are 'stock'?

[Stephon]

Thanks for asking--it went pretty well.

The audience was small, and oddly responsive (which is to say, they responded oddly, not it was odd how responsive they were). The cups 'n' balls went very well and the soon-to-be-very-dated Janet Jackson moment (below) was a huge hit.



Although a reporter and photographer showed up, I'm still not certain a story was printed. Until I have that, I can't submit our claim to Guinness. And even after I do submit it, they take months to make a decision.

And whatta 'ya mean "claiming" they're stock.

I'll give you a call soon Peter; need your professional guidance on something.

[Jim]

Originally posted by Stephon
and the soon-to-be-very-dated Janet Jackson moment (below) was a huge hit.

Very nice!

[MarcusM]

Congrats!

Hey man,
COngradulations on your attempt, hopefully they'll print you! Thats amazing!
~marcus
PS Janet?? What about Paris?? Now THERE are headlines!

[Stephon]

The artilce is out

This is a big step toward trying to get the record; now we can submit all our materials to Guinness for review!

Not all of the facts are "facts", as such, but close enough for government work.

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Pair performs giant magic act to set record

by Shannon Baylis Sarino
Staff Writer

Feb. 25, 2004

On a cold night in February, local magicians Stephon Walker and Steve Wannall fulfilled a professional dream -- they performed a magic trick they hope will land them a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The Silver Spring residents chose Gaithersburg as the site of their record-establishing magic show, performing the largest cups and balls magic routine during Wednesday Night Wizardry on Feb. 11.

The pair--who performs as the Pickled Punks--said they got the idea to do an entire show with giant props, coining the phrase "big magic." The magic act, which is sprinkled with a liberal dose of comedy, featured three elements: giant linking rings the size of hula hoops, giant crazy man's handcuffs with large rubber bands, and the giant cups and balls trick.

The cups and balls trick is considered the world's oldest known magic trick, Walker said during the performance. The routine is usually performed with three 3-inch high metal cups and three small knit or foam balls. Through the use of sleight of hand, the magician appears to make the balls jump from cup to cup, and appear and disappear.

The Pickled Punks did not disappoint the crowd of about 30 during their performance. After doing the trick using standard-sized props, the pair then switched to cups the size of metal oil drums and balls the size of soccer balls.

Through a series of comedic stunts and fast footwork, the duo successfully performed the trick, which was videotaped for the Guiness Book of World Records.

And what's next for the Pickled Punks, now that they've set a world record? Well, the feat will have to be verified by Guiness officials before the record is declared. But the pair can be seen performing throughout the Washington, D.C., area, appearing regularly at Imagination Stage and the Maryland Renaissance Festival.