Jay Marshall (August 29, 1919-May 10, 2005) died on Tuesday at the age of 85. Marshall was one of the most loved magicians, ventriloquists, collectors, historians and characters in our field. He is best remembered for the act with his gloved hand puppet Lefty that often received standing ovations. It is impossible to list all or even most of his accomplishments as he lived a very rich and fulfilling life. He has won just about every honor and lifetime achievement award given in our profession. He was a regular on the Ed Sullivan show and was instrumental in supplying the show the many magicians it featured. On Marshall's 80th birthday "Jay Marshall Day" was proclaimed in the City of Chicago. At his passing he held the lifetime position of Dean of the Society of American Magicians and was the owner of the once premier magic company, Magic Inc. He will surely leave a void in our profession.(5/10)
--Funeral arrangements for Jay Marshall have been set for Monday May 16 at 11am the Drake & Son Funeral Home (5303 North Western Avenue) in Chicago, Illinois (773-561-6874). Visitations will take place on May 15 at 6pm-9pm and May 16 at 10am-11am.(5/11)
--To read the May 13 New York Times obituary by Douglas Martin titled "Jay Marshall, 85, the Dean of Magic, Is Dead" click: HERE.(5/16-Subscription)
--To read the May 12 Associated Press obituary titled "Magician-ventriloquist Jay Marshall dead at 85" click: HERE.(5/16)
--To read the May 12 New York Sun obituary by Stephen Miller titled "Jay Marshall, 84, Witty Magician Broadway and TV Veteran Owned Magic Store" click: HERE.(5/16)
--To read the May 13 UPI obituary titled "Ventriloquist-magician Jay Marshall dies" click: HERE.(5/16)

Michael Weber will be presenting a special show in New York City for one night only. You can catch him at Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette Street) on Monday May 23 at 9:30pm. Tickets are $20 per person plus a 2-drink minimum. For more information click: HERE.(5/16)

"Max Maven Thinking In Person" which opened on April 15 at The Steve Allen Theater (4773 Hollywood Blvd) in Hollywood, California has been getting great reviews and has been extended through May 28. A Tolucan Times review described the show as, "Mysteriously and eloquently self-written and performed brilliantly by this fascinating man of magic, and dramatically directed by Amit Itelman, this is a riveting show!" The show runs on Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm and the tickets are only $20 per person. For more information or to purchase a ticket click: HERE.(5/16)
--To read the April Tolucan Times review by Pat Taylor click: HERE.(5/16)

Seth Kramer, Paul Gertner, Harrison J. Carroll, Eddie Tullock and Steve Dacri are mentioned and quoted in an Indianapolis Star article about the business of the tradeshow magician. The article concluded, "Not every magician can pull off the trade show routine, although many try. Some can't build a crowd properly, the pros say, and others don't realize that the emphasis is on the company, not the magic." To read the May 8 article by Stefanie Cohen titled "Then you didn't see it, now you do: trade-show magic" click: HERE.(5/16)

The International Magicians Society has announced its award recipients for 2005. The award presentations will take place on Friday May 20 at the Greek Isles Casino in Las Vegas where the cast of the World's Greatest Magic Show will be honored. The Merlin Award recipients are: Kevin James (Most Original), Kozak (Entertainer of The Year), The Majestix (Illusionists of The Year), Joseph Gabriel (Best Manipulations), and the producers of the World's Greatest Magic Show for Show of The Year. There will be a reception at 6:30pm and the awards will be presented during the show.(5/16)

The Amazing Johnathan show has moved to the 550-seat Congo Room at the Sahara Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The new show opened on May 6. For more information about the show click: HERE.(5/16)

Eugene Burger, David Parr, Arthur Trace and David London are featured in a New City article about the state of magic in Chicago and what needs to be done to revitalize it. Parr explained, "This could become a center for magic again. It's going to take a real effort to move it in that direction. I'm hoping that myself and several friends and colleagues can help move it in that direction. We'd like to see magic back downtown again." To read the Apr. 19 article by Jamie Murnane titled "The Magical City" click: HERE.(5/16)

Victor Wooten who has just released a new album through Vanguard Records titled Soul Circus has begun a nationwide tour of the same name. Besides music Wooten also features unexpected illusions during the live performances. Expect to see him vanish from the stage and appear in the audience, a levitating bass guitar, and much more. For a complete tour schedule click: HERE.(5/16)

Drew the Dramatic Fool's (Drew Richardson) appearance in Pittsburgh on Apr. 23 in the show "Help! Help!" is previewed in Playbill where it is described as, "In Help! Help!, all the performers in a touring variety show have been murdered, so it's up to Drew the Dramatic Fool to save the show -- or he's next. The show 'features visual comedy, high-stakes drama and gratuitous juggling.'" The show is directed by Avner Eisenberg. To read the Apr. 14 preview by Kenneth Jones titled "Dramatic Fool Is Forced to Perform in Help! Help!" click: HERE.(5/16)

Jarrett & Raja who have just finished a run at Selfridges in London in the show Vegas Supernova will be making an appearance at the London Palladium on July 4 as part of the "100 Years Of Vegas" show and then they will open at the Hilton Blackpool for the summer season with a show scheduled to run Jul. 22 through Sep. 8.(5/16)

Monday Night Magic has announced that it will be moving to a new location as of May 23. The ongoing show with its revolving cast will move to the St. Clement's Theatre (423 West 46th Street, bet. 9th and 10th Ave.) in New York City. The 151-seat theater is raked and comfortable allowing for excellent viewing of magic. For more about Monday Night Magic click: HERE.(5/16)

Doc Eason who won the Bar Magician of the Year award from the Academy of Magical Arts is profiled in the Aspen Times where he is described as "One of Snowmass Village's most recognizable faces has been recognized on a national scale for his magical talents, wit and ability to work a crowd." The story also gives a brief biography of his career. To read the Apr. 10 article by Naomi Havlen titled "More than tricks" click: HERE.(5/16)

Steve Cohen's new book "Win The Crowd" that is being published by HarperCollins will be released on June 14. As part of the release Cohen will be touring his Chamber Magic show and appearing in book signings in Chicago, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, and New York City. For more information about the tour and the book click: HERE.(5/16)
--To purchase a copy of the book click: HERE.(5/16)

Lance Burton was interviewed to appear on the new television series "Greatest American" which will begin airing on Jun. 5 on the Discovery Channel. The premise is to find out who is the greatest American who ever lived. Burton discussed his top five choices.(5/16)

The Desert Sin Dance Company's production of "Musée des Femmes" which features illusions and special effects by Jeremy Vargus's Illusionaring FX runs through June 12 at the Ivar Theatre in Hollywood, California. A Metro LA feature described it as "Musée des Femmes is a carnival extravaganza retelling the tales of some of the boldest, sexiest, most intriguing women of history & fiction with an emotional & human twist on fantastic characters you thought you knew." To read the May 5-16 Metro LA article click: HERE.(5/16)
--For ticket information click: HERE.(5/16)

Dixie Dooley has been added to the cast of Tropical Passions at the Sahara Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Unlike his previous roll as escape artist Dooley will perform a 4 minute comedy act as "The Burgerman".(5/16)

Joseph "Joe" Riding (May 20, 1932 - April 23, 2005) died at the age of 72. Riding was a popular magician, magic dealer, lecturer and performer from England. The most popular routine he released and the one he is best known for is "The Irish 3 Card Trick Using 4 Cards." He was also a comedy writer and produced a number of courses on various related arts.(5/16)

Fusion Two at the Golden Cabaret Theater at the Horizon Casino Resort in Lake Tahoe opened on Apr. 30. Staring in the new edition of the show are Alexander, Eric Buss and Chipper Lowell. The show is produced by Tony Clark and Paul Reder. Shows will take place nightly (except Tuesdays) at 7:30pm & 9:30pm with a 3:00pm show on Sundays. For more information click: HERE.(5/16)

Todd Felderstein's film Magic(s) about Michael Tulkoff (Magic Michael) has just won a Bronz REMI award at the WorldFest-Houston Film Festival. The documentary follows Magic Michael as he brings joy and fun to children in Israeli hospitals. To read about the documentary click: HERE.(5/16)