Although we have not yet met India's Master Magician Gopinath Muthukad, he is nonetheless a Quinlan's Inside Magic favorite just based on press reports and his willingness to respond to our email.

Students of India's rich history recall the Sepoy Rebellion of 1857 as a significant battle for the country's independence. India did not actually gain independence from Britain until August 15, 1947 through the non-violent actions and philosophy of Mahatama Gandhi.

India celebrated the 150th anniversary of the battle for independence this month with Mr. Muthukad's magical contributions.

Robin Leach confirmed what had previously been Vegas rumor fodder.

Launch plans for the official announcement of 'Mindfreak' magician Criss Angel's new Cirque du Soleil spectacular at the Luxor later this year have begun. Cirque's marketing officials with new team members assigned specifically to the magic project met with the pyramid's top-executives next week to lay out the initial promotional campaign. I've learned that there's a staggering record-breaking $200 million earmarked for the production and launch of the magic show.

 

I'm reliably told that sometime in the next 4-6 weeks that Cirque's top creative team from Montreal will join conjuring king Criss and Luxor President Felix Rappaport for the official announcement here in Vegas and simultaneously unveil the premiere date for later this year, or early next year! It's a full green-light, high-speed ramp-up to take advantage of the extraordinary success of his 'Mindfreak' series on A&E, which is getting the highest ratings in the network's history.

 

Why is Cirque doing this?

Gosh, well, maybe because Criss Angel is about as hot as a celebrity can get short of self-immolation.

Award-winning Las Vegas magician Rick Thomas has a day job.

He performs three shows a day at The Orleans Hotel and Casino just off the Strip.

You would think that would be enough.

Apparently it is not nearly enough.

Chances are if you didn't know Joe's full stage name, you might have some concerns about this young man asking to borrow a deck of cards or money from you. He doesn't look like a magician.

He looks like an intense man in his early twenties with shortly buzzed hair and forearms filled with colorful tattoos. If you were up to judging a man by his image only, you would likely dismiss him as not one of your inner circle.

That would be a shame or perhaps that is Joe Jesse, a/k/a Joe the Magician's strength. He doesn't look like a magician. The closest comparison would be David Blaine but Mr. Blaine looks safe. Joe the Magician just looks intense.

Mac King is a good guy and a good magician.  We have no clue how Mr. King finds the time to do all that he does for such worthy organizations plus perform an award-winning magic show at Harrah's. 

The latest example of Mr. King's beneficence is his work to promote children's literacy. 

Mr. King has teamed up with Junior Optimist Octagon International ("JOOI"), the youth clubs component of Optimist International to be their spokesperson.

He will use his talents and outstanding reputation to promote JOOI's new child literacy outreach. 

Wait, what?

Uri Geller is being called down for allegedly using natural rather than supernatural powers to accomplish psychic phenomenon. 

We’re not making this up. 

Mr. Geller has had a good run this year with his Israeli Television program in which psychic competitors fight weekly to be Mr. Geller’s successor.  The name of the show is appropriate, Uri Geller Looks for a Successor.