To Frack and anyone else interested in Sideshows

[Thom]

Here's a fun little discussion group that I frequent:

www.sideshow-freaks.com/sideshow_discussion1/default.htm

Slim Price, Ward Hall, Harley Newman, The Enigma and several more of the greats are on this board. Stop by, grab some coffee and post a couple of thoughts.

Cheers,

[LUCKY DIAMOND RICH]

thanks Thom,


LDR

[fracksfreakshow]

it seems to be a cool sight but everyone seems to be super uptight about giving out any information on any trick. Here there seem to be whole discussions on tricks and there no one wants to say anything about a trick. But frack did see something cool on there a book called Swami/Mantra anyone know anything about this?

[Neil Brown]

Frack,
(The only term "Swami" I know is another name for a thumb-writer, a piece of kit used by mentalists/magicians. Whether that's what you're looking for or not, I don't know...) [img]frown.gif[/img]
About 10 minutes later: I am completely wrong. It is a book which combines two magazines, and is detailed here: http://littleegyptmagic.com/swami.htm [img]smile.gif[/img]
Sorry about the confusion- I have just been reading the information from Thom about the freakshow website too. And LDR says that I "whinge" a lot! (No buttons pushed!)
Anyway, Frack, good luck with the book,
Neil

[ 02-25-2002: Message edited by: Neil Brown ]

[ 02-25-2002: Message edited by: Neil Brown ]</p>

[Stephon]

Frack, I bought a copy of "Swami/Mantra" 'cuz I do some geek tricks, too. As an overall magic resource, I'd say the book is invaluable; however, for geek trick information you may find it a little lacking. I'd guess you probably know how to do most of the tricks described in the book--bed of nails, blockhead, glass eating, etc. From your posts, I'd guess you're into more extreme stuff than is covered in "Swami/Mantra". On the other hand, you could always buy it and resell it on e-bay if it's not what you're looking for.

As for the sideshow discussion group, I had kind of the same experience you did. While it's a good place to lurk and look for information, it wasn't real open to being helpful. I posted to ask a question (not for a secret to a trick, which magicians hate)just for a suggestion of where I could look for information. The response I got was, "Well, maybe if we knew who you were, we'd help you." Like you said, not at all the kind of attitude you generally find here.

[Thom]

Frack,
Buy Sami/Mantra, you can get it from the Big Easy Magic Company in New Orleans, www.bigeasymagic.com. I'm sure you're local shop can help.

As to the sideshow group, sorry, I should have warned you. Those guys are 'old timers' and they have a different code. It's better to ask about ways to present an act than how to do the act. They believe ( and I agree ) that you need to learn these acts from a teacher and not text type. They're also a GREAT resource for learning about your favorite 'old school' performers. Some of those folks were in the movie "Freaks" and that kind of thing.

Give them a few posts and get to know a couple of them. Mind your manners (which everyone I saw posted recently did, thank you) and I know for a fact that they'll e-mail you entire plans and manuscritps including advice on how to perform the stunt. I know this because that's how I learned "the electric man".

Good luck.