As magicians, we should constantly think outside the box. No idea should be impossible because, after all, the impossible is what we create. This is why I was fascinated by a signature effect by Ottawa-based magician Chris Pilsworth, who was recently profiled in a news story.

What he does is cause a cactus to penetrate into an inflated balloon - a very cool idea.

..."magic is merely the medium to communicate universal thoughts and ideas, or to make them laugh ..." says Pilsworth in the story. "So now when he puts a cactus inside a balloon," says the article, "he tells a story of cooperation, of how the balloon can shelter the cactus from the rain and storms it fears, and how the cactus, in return, can protect the balloon from the vagaries of the winds."

You can read the entire story here.

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My favorite magic instructional DVDs and books are those that present and teach an accomplished magicians professional and regular repertoire. And I find that this is mostly the case with "Archer's Essential Magic Classics," which offers 11 effects by Danny Archer that are practical for strolling and walk around situations.

I like what I discovered on this two DVD set, and there's one effect that I've been performing regularly for the past couple of weeks. I think it's a winner.

You can read my review here.

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I've seen lots of torn and restored playing card effects. But Reuben Moreland's "Fourfit" seemingly stands above the rest. Not only does it look fantastic - as if the pieces are melding together - but you apparently show both sides of the playing card as it's being restored. This one is excellent and it's not overly difficult.

You can read my review here.

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With About.com's "Readers' Choice" nominations in full swing. many readers have e-mailed and posted questions about the nominations and upcoming voting in the finals. I'll try and answer them here.

I agree with Levantino in his recent comment that it would be interesting to break down the stage and close-up magicians by country. After all, readers are more likely to vote for those that they have seen. However, I didn't make that distinction between categories when I created them, nor, at this time, can the voting process distinguish votes based on their geographical areas. I anticipate that many of the nominees, thanks to online video and television, will cross international boundaries. I won't mention names as I don't want to influence the nominations, but there are many magicians with international reputations.

Keeping the nominations and voting positive, I won't be adding a new category to find the "five worst magicians." Also, regarding magic products, the nominations are specifically for marketed effects and not utility props. But "Most Useful Utility Prop" could make for an interesting "Readers' Choice" in the future.

You can read Levantino's post here.

Furthermore, Levantino took the time to post a list of his top magicians along with links to their YouTube videos. Since this was published with an earlier "Readers' Choice" entry, I'm listing them here with links (these are strictly the opinions of Levantino and not an endorsement from this site):

Benjamin Earl

Michael Vincent

Paul Daniels via Laura London's performance of his "Bill in lemon."

Etienne Pradier

Mathieu Bich

Again, you can read Levantino's original posting here (as well as his nominations for best product). (Thank you Levantino for your many postings. -WK)

Please nominate in the following categories:

1. Best Stage Magician (please click here to nominate your top five)

2. Best Close-up Magician (please click here to nominate your top five)

3. Best Magic Product (please click here to nominate your top five)

Readers' Choice nominations will be accepted until February 15. Based on the nominations, voting on the finalists will take place from Feb. 22 through March 21. The winners will be announced March 30. There's no prize -- just the bragging rights that come with getting recognized by the readers of one of the most popular magic web sites. Please make sure that we receive your nominations during the next week.

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