Magician Illusions by Vick's Pokerface and Microexpressions

Illusions by Vick's parlor & stage show features the routine "Pokerface" (had another great subject at last Friday night's performance) 

"Pokerface" for those of you who haven't seen it yet is about determining if an audience member is (possibly) being deceitful or honest by reading microexpressions and other clues

"Pokerface"  allows an audience member the opportunity to bluff if they choose  ........
while I explain the reads (from microexpressions and other tells) to the audience and try to determine when and if they are being honest or if they bluffing . 
 
Without knowing the other audience members sometimes assist with the reads. 

"Pokerface" becomes even more amusing with an outgoing and/or funny audience member (they become the star of the show for a few minutes)

This routine was inspired by mentalist and entertainer Christian Painter and is in part built on the work of Dr. Paul Ekman 

Here's a little on the history of microexpressions

My story as magician

Below please find some writing from a few years back I came across today..... Am often asked how I become a magician. This will explain part of it, was in Vegas for a convention. I was an adult, already established in a successful career (marketing director for 12 years) and had to go to Vegas every year for a convention. Don't enjoy gaming that much so I was strolling through the mall at the Venetian when I got sucked in by 2 demonstrators at Houdini's Magic Shop. Here I am fourteen years later in 2014 ........

  Many magicians have the story about seeing a magician when they were about 7 years old and being impressed, and/or getting a magic set for a Holiday gift and doing their first show at a tender age, around 10, 11 or 12  (usually they admit to it being a learning experience).

  In my case magic found me, as an adult. After about 3 years of magic being a hobby (and forcing poor quality magic on family and friends) I was fortunate to work in some of the toughest, most challenging circumstances. Yes, fortunate to work in hard places. It made me a much better performer. Jumped into the deep end and it was sink or swim. Luckily I learned to swim quickly.

  This allows the Illusions by Vick show to be different, my formative years weren't spent focused on magic. It's wasn't a introspective time. I was able to experience life without the limitations of an all consuming hobby. 

  Some magicians and their acts are influenced by those experiences and learning magic at 10 (sadly some stay there, never progressing any further. I don't like props that look like magic props and why do so many "tricks" have to be about dismemberment or potential danger to the magician, assistant or audience member when you know they are never in any real danger?)  where I had the advantage of having life experience, being a complete person, versed in many different areas including the arts.

  That is part of why the Illusions by Vick show is a bit different. There are real life experiences to draw from to craft the show. Experiences that happened to me and very possibly to you, the audience. Making the magic come together, to come alive, to weave a story instead of just magic tricks being presented with an out of the box spiel that was bought with the trick.

  Mix in influences from literature, music, history, cinema and other thought provoking interests crafts a more well rounded show.

  That is part of what allows me to be something other than your typical "rabbit out of a hat" magician.

  Another part is I wear my performing heart on my sleeve, every show means so much to me. You've trusted me with your most special moments, there is a sincere obligation to make your event special with the magical entertainment we experience. When you bring Illusions by Vick into your events, into the most special times in your lives I owe you a great deal including the utmost courtesy, professionalism and and an amazing show with a lot of fun and audience interaction. Something to wow you in the here and now and something you take with you to help create great memories.

  I often become very fond of the client before the show. We email back and forth, talk on the telephone. I get to know the client and audience a little before the show ever happens, they are allowing me to share a special time in their lives. Very often clients become friends. That is one of the best parts of my career as a magician. People who began as strangers become clients and end up as friends. There isn't a week I don't get an email from someone I've performed for in the past. I sincerely enjoy that, it's heartwarming and very special to me.  

  It's an honor (and again flattering) when clients specifically find me and request Illusions by Vick. Often it's because they want something more or different than a "normal" magician. Think that is part of why I am fortunate to often be hired to entertain for 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th and up to 99th Birthday Celebrations, for special anniversaries as well as many special occasions, unique and unusual shows, for college and corporate events.
Yes, magic is for adults and we need it more than children.
(I'll never deny magic to younger audiences, there is something up my proverbial sleeve for almost everyone).

Thanks for the ear (and eyes)

Please be well.

Best wishes from your Magician,
Vick
Illusions by Vick
   

Magic is ... for Adults

MAGIC IS FOR EVERYONE, not just children!
As great as it is to see children laughing and a spark of imagination light up in their eyes I've often thought
ADULTS NEED MAGIC THE MOST! Adults most need their imaginations sparked, their funny bones tickled, their perspectives refreshed and their hearts touched. Adults appreciate a celebration where all their concerns are forgotten. Immersed in a beautiful, funny, amazing and unique art form and entertainment experience.
Magic is an incredible art form, Where but in magic can an artist share miracles, enable others to laugh, to think and feel a spectrum of emotions? A journey into the incredible.
A good magician/performer will create and share an atmosphere where anything can and might happen, where the boundaries of normal existence fade away and our minds are wide open.
This is entertainment for everyone.
I talk about this often and struggle against the typical "magician" stereotype. It came to my attention again today speaking with a client, (very nice woman) and she said "I thought magicians were for 5 year old children's birthday parties" Nothing could be further from the truth.
I don't recommend a magician for any gathering of only children under 6 years of age. A clown/character who can paint faces, make balloon animals and maybe do a few "tricks", that's a great fit. Not the right fit for a magician (illusionist or mentalist).
Forget the stereotypes and open your mind to amazing, fun, engaging and enlightening entertainment.
The Magic Awaits!

Words can not adequately express my gratitude, just finished the most amazing and exhausting run of performances. Am in awe of the positive responses from the organizers and guests. Everyone please forgive me as I haven't had the opportunity to send thank you emails but will over the next 2 days.

Everything from an Amazing Rock N Blues festival, a beautiful family birthdays and masters degree celebration, 2 Professor Snape performances, first birthday celebrations, a great Boy Scout Summer Camp Performance, a really, really cool graduation celebration performing as the Mad Hatter (they even changed the date of the party so it would fit my performance schedule and I could be there to perform for them, am so glad they did. I've never experienced a more appreciative audience) , a perfectly planned graduation celebration with wonderful people and I taught a week long magic class at a summer camp (which was a very rewarding and special experience)      

At one point we did 4 shows and one class is 3 days, not unusual until you factor in we drove over 600 miles to be able to do it

What did all these celebration have in common? They were all beautiful, heartfelt expressions of love and admiration. They were all great events! People from all walks of life celebrating meaningful events in their lives. I'm honored they chose Illusions by Vick to be a small part of their special days 

Every time I take the stage I'll give you EVERYTHING I have, every bit of ability, planning and experience and more importantly EVERY BIT OF HEART and imagination to make your special occasion even more memorable and special    

A very special thanks to Christina Vukov!!! I would have NEVER been able to do it without you. I love you sweetheart, thanks for all your help and support 

Am incredibly fortunate to have the career I do, thank you everyone. For your support, believing in me and allowing me to be a small part of the most special moments in your lives.

I promise to keep creating and sharing with you the best, most amazing, imaginative and heartfelt magical entertainment experiences
Thank you again!

Heart and Mind

As entertainers we create and share special moments, at our best we touch peoples lives (in different ways, sometimes it's a laugh or a smile. At our best it's shedding light on a new perspective) and in turn they enrich ours.
I'll never be the best in the world at sleights (pure sleight of hand, I can do ok), my strength lies in putting my heart and imagination in the show. Through the heart and mind is the way for me to create an entertaining place in time.
One of the most important lessons Denny Haney & Henning Nelms  taught me is I can't be Copperfield, Penn & Teller or Tommy Wonder. Those jobs are already taken ... but they can't be me.
I can be the best me possible and that includes putting all my heart and mind into every performance.

A Magician's Heart on his sleeve

In some ways I wear my (performing) heart on my sleeve,
every show is very, very meaningful to me.
It will never be just another show or a "day at the office"
There is a drive, a desire and a sincere obligation to
every client, every audience to make the event special
with the magical entertainment presented.
I often become quite fond of the audience
(and guests) before the show.
We email back and forth, talk on the telephone.
I have the pleasure of getting to know the audience,
the guest of honor a little before the show.
They are allowing me to share a special time in their lives.

For corporate clients I learn about the company,
the people, their products and services and
incorporate that into the performance
(when and where appropriate)

They have chosen me to help celebrate
and in a small way be a part of their most special occasions.
It's an honor (and flattering) when clients come to me
specifically asking for or because they want something
more or different than a "normal" magician.
Yes magic is for adults too ..
... and we need it more than children!

This is part of what feeds my concern  with reaching the audience, connecting with them, creating and sharing something that enables them to smile, think and feel.
Am very fortunate to have the career I do and take nothing for granted 
Thank you

Magic's New Renaissance Period

In Maryland, DC and Northern Virgina magical entertainment is going through a very special Renaissance period. Due the work of performers like Michael Cantor, Peter Wood, Mike Rose, Eric Henning, Dick Kohl and others (Illusions by Vick included) quality magical entertainment is being brought to, seen by and enjoyed by a wider audience (including more adult and corporate audiences). Magic is being taken seriously as entertainment and as an art form. This is a very special time for magicians and audiences, while I compete with these men I also admire and applause their efforts, every time I hear of them performing another show, amazing another audience it's a good thing for us all as audiences are having a quality entertainment expereince and will want more in the future.

We all share a love of the art, a commitment to our audiences and to bring quality magical entertainment and amazing experiences to as many as we can. Enriching the audience's lives and in turn enriching ours by the experiences we share and what we receive from our audiences.


A magician to keep an eye on in the near future ... Dave Rossi a.k.a. the AmazingDaviator