Part-TED conference, part off-the-hook spring break, Summit Series 2011 was an extraordinary experience that I am proud to have been part of. My mind and body are still humming in excitement. I gave one performance on Saturday to a packed auditorium of 200 people, including top authors, scientists, entrepreneurs, astronauts and scholars. They generously gave me a standing ovation, and mobbed me the rest of the weekend. I’d call it a mutual fan club.
Summit Series 2011 was held on a cruise ship sailing out of the Port of Miami to a private, undisclosed island in the Bahamas. For three days, one thousand hand-picked people shared ideas, gave presentations, built friendships and expanded our horizons. The slogan of Summit at Sea was, “You can’t discover new lands until you have courage to lose sight of the shore…”
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One block away from the White House stands a glorious hotel from yesteryear – The Willard. It was the perfect venue for my recent Chamber Magic tour in Washington DC. I presented four sold-out shows in the Peacock Lounge, and was extremely pleased with the audience reaction. Washington audiences are fun!
I was honored to welcome a notable guest to the show, Julian Bond, the Civil Rights Activist and direct student of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Mr. Bond was impressed to hear that Martin Luther King wrote his “I have a dream” speech at the Willard Hotel. In fact, the room that King stayed in when writing this speech […]
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WASHINGTON — April 9, 2011 — Pennsylvania Avenue enjoyed a little night magic, and it had nothing to do with republicans and democrats working together. Master Magician Steve Cohen brought “Chamber Magic,’ an intimate show of conjuring, sleight-of-hand and magic tricks, to the Willard Intercontinental for four shows last week (April 5-6, 2011).
His performance was astounding in a way that far exceeds the glitz of sequins and the lit-stage, Las Vegas style extravaganzas. Audience members sit in small, friendly groups where they, and Mr. Cohen, were able to react, talk, share and exclaim amazement together.
Mr. Cohen creates an instant rapport, making each guest feel instantly comfortable; as though invited into the living room of a good friend […]
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I’ve always wanted to buy a Montecristi Panama hat. I still, however, have not been able to justify the price. Yes, the hand-woven straw is so tight that the brim is paper thin, and there are no visible hems since the raw edges are woven back into themselves. But I can just see my six-year-old daughter sitting on top of a $1200 hat, crushing it flat.
Yesterday I had the occasion to visit a marvelous hat shop in NYC: J.J. Hat Center. If you’re a “hat person” you must […]
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Thank you to Richard Hatch for finding this article online and bringing it to my attention. I particularly enjoy the reporter’s description of the tricks Malini performed for the Police Chief, detectives, and judge. The article gives a glimpse as to how Malini marketed himself. He would roll into town, perform for dignitaries and other […]
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In order to standardize the flavor of their coffee, large retailers like Starbucks have to over-roast their coffee beans. This ensures that the Starbucks coffee you drink in New York tastes the same as the cup you order at a Starbucks in L.A.. It also (in my opinion) results in coffee that tastes burnt.
Last month I vacationed in Hawaii, and was happy to be reacquainted with my beloved Kona coffee. In this blog post, you’ll learn some interesting facts about Kona coffee (the best in the world, according to Mark Twain!), and also a few links to where you can buy 100% Kona coffee online.
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One of my heroes is legendary magician Max Malini. This morning I made a pilgrimage to his house in Honolulu, met the current resident, and was invited onto the property to take photos and stand in the Malini garden. It was, quite simply, a sublime experience.
Together with local magician Curtis Kam, I retraced the steps to many of Malini’s old haunting grounds.
Here’s a photo of us in front of Malini’s house […]
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Quick: let’s play an association game.
When I say “Washington DC in April,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
Cherry blossoms? Nope. Rain showers? Nu-uh.
The correct answer? “Chamber Magic.” I’m excited to announce that I’ll be giving four special shows in Washington DC during the first week of April.
I don’t tour the show too often, so this may be the only time for you (or your family) to experience magic in Washington. And lord knows that Washington could use some magic!
Ever since I was a boy magician, I’ve dreamed of […]
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Comic book illustrator Stan Goldberg visited me at the Waldorf the other night with his wife, celebrating their 50th anniversary. He’s best known as the illustrator of Archie Comics for the past 41 years. I grew up reading Archie, so it was a genuine thrill to watch him draw this picture for me after the […]
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by Wayne Kawamoto, About.com guide
In an era of ever-increasing technological marvels and bigger-is-better televised illusions, can an intimate evening of magic win over modern audiences? Watch Steve Cohen’s outstanding “Chamber Magic” and you’ll believe in close-up magic as well. In the show, Cohen recreates the intimacy of 19th century parlor magic.
The setting is an elegant hotel suite (I experienced the show in Los Angeles at the Beverly Wilshire). The props are minimal: playing cards, wine glasses and index cards. What you’ll savor are the talents and charisma of Steve Cohen and his modern take on the art of magic that provides an engaging and memorable experience.
What Steve Cohen has accomplished in “Chamber Magic” is nothing short of a miracle. It’s a must see production that demonstrates the heights to which the art of magic can soar. If you’re in one of the cities where “Chamber Magic” plays, you won’t want to miss it. […]
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