Fruit of the Spirit Silks by Barry Mitchell – Complete Unopened Gospel Magic Set

Now available at www.magiciansmagicshop.com

 Bring the message of Galatians 5:22–23 to life with Fruit of the Spirit Silks by Barry Mitchell!

This colorful gospel-magic set includes nine beautifully printed word silks featuring Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control. The silks can be presented individually or together and used with many popular silk-magic utility props.
This is the discontinued original edition, complete with:
* Nine colorful 3½” × 17” word silks
* Original demonstration DVD
* Presentation ideas and instructional material
* Zippered plush banana puppet/pouch
* Original packaging
Perfect for gospel magicians, children’s church, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, family entertainers, Christian schools, and character-education programs.
Condition: Brand-new old stock and unopened in its original packaging.
Retail Price $99.00
Our Price $89.00

Remembering Fred Kaps on the Anniversary of His Death

 

On July 23, 1980, the magic world lost one of its most celebrated and influential performers: Fred Kaps.

Born Abraham Pieter Adrianus Bongers in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Kaps became internationally admired for his originality, technical ability, elegant presentation and unmistakable personality. Although he died at only 54 years old, his performances continue to influence magicians more than four decades later.

The Only Three-Time FISM Grand Prix Winner

Fred Kaps holds a record that has never been matched. He is the only magician to win the FISM World Championship of Magic Grand Prix three times.

Kaps received the prestigious honor in:

• 1950 in Barcelona, Spain
• 1955 in Amsterdam, Netherlands
• 1961 in Liège, Belgium

Guinness World Records officially recognizes Kaps as holding the record for the most FISM Grand Prix victories.

His winning performances demonstrated more than technical skill. Kaps could transform highly practiced sleight of hand into moments that felt spontaneous, surprising and genuinely magical.

Fred Kaps and the Long Salt Pour

One of Fred Kaps’ most famous routines was his interpretation of the Long Salt Pour.

After apparently making a small amount of salt disappear, Kaps would begin producing an impossible stream of salt from his empty hand. The salt continued pouring long after the audience expected the routine to end.

What made the performance memorable was not simply the trick. It was Kaps’ reaction to the growing problem. He appeared increasingly confused and embarrassed as the salt continued pouring and the orchestra struggled to keep playing.

The combination of strong magic, music, timing and physical comedy turned a relatively simple effect into one of magic’s most memorable routines.

Kaps was also known for his Dancing and Floating Cork, color-changing silks, productions of banknotes and candles, card manipulation and numerous other beautifully constructed effects.

Following The Beatles on “The Ed Sullivan Show”

Fred Kaps also holds a fascinating place in television history.

On February 9, 1964, Kaps appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show during the same broadcast that introduced The Beatles to a massive American television audience.

Following the excitement of The Beatles may have been one of the most difficult positions any variety performer could face. Nevertheless, Kaps delivered a charming and memorable performance before an audience estimated at more than 70 million viewers.

The historic appearance introduced countless Americans to Fred Kaps—even if Beatlemania made it difficult for any other performer on the program to receive equal attention. History.com recounts the extraordinary broadcast.

A Magician’s Magician

Fred Kaps was more than a competition winner or television performer. He was a magician deeply respected by other magicians.

His work demonstrated that a magical effect does not end when the secret method has been mastered. Character, music, movement, timing and audience connection can transform a trick into a complete theatrical experience.

Kaps reportedly spent years perfecting details that audiences might never consciously notice. That dedication helped his performances appear effortless, natural and filled with genuine wonder.

Shortly before his death, Kaps received a Masters Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts. He was also inducted into the Society of American Magicians Hall of Fame.

Remembering Fred Kaps

Fred Kaps died from cancer on July 23, 1980. Today, 46 years after his passing, his record remains unbroken and his performances are still studied by magicians around the world.

His Long Salt Pour continues to demonstrate an important lesson: the secret may create the effect, but presentation creates the memory.

Today, we remember Fred Kaps—a three-time world champion, master showman and one of the most influential magicians of the 20th century.

Happy Birthday Professor Hoffmann

 On July 23, 1839, Angelo John Lewis—the man who would become famous throughout the magic world as Professor Hoffmann—was born in London, England.

Although Lewis studied law at Oxford University and became a barrister, his lasting legacy would come from his fascination with magic and his ability to explain the art clearly through the written word.

The Book That Changed Magic

In 1876, Professor Hoffmann published Modern Magic: A Practical Treatise on the Art of Conjuring. The groundbreaking book covered everything from card and coin magic to cups and balls, handkerchief tricks, stage illusions, show construction and the proper presentation of magic.

At a time when aspiring magicians often had to rely on personal instruction, scattered pamphlets or closely guarded secrets, Modern Magic provided an organized course in conjuring that readers could study at home.

The book became enormously successful and was followed by other important works, including More Magic, Later Magic and Latest Magic. Together, Hoffmann’s writings helped establish the format that countless magic books and courses would follow in the decades ahead.

The International Brotherhood of Magicians describes Modern Magic as “the book that first opened the curtain on the art of conjuring for generations of magicians.” The organization has even released a special reproduction of the historic book.

Teacher or Exposer?

Professor Hoffmann’s work was not welcomed by everyone.

Some magicians believed that publishing detailed explanations of magical methods exposed too many closely guarded secrets. Others recognized that his books helped preserve important knowledge while inspiring new generations of performers.

Regardless of which side of the argument magicians took, there is no denying the enormous influence Hoffmann had on the development of modern magic literature.

His books would inspire generations of magicians, including some of the biggest names from magic’s Golden Age. The lessons he published nearly 150 years ago continue to be studied by magicians, collectors and magic historians today.

Professor Hoffmann’s Lasting Legacy

Professor Hoffmann died in 1919, but his work remains an important part of magic history. He helped transform magical instruction from an often-secretive oral tradition into a carefully organized body of written knowledge.

Every magician who has learned a sleight, routine or performance principle from a book owes at least a small debt to the path Professor Hoffmann helped create.

Today, on the anniversary of his birth, we remember Professor Hoffmann—a lawyer, magician and author whose writing forever changed how the secrets and traditions of magic were passed from one generation to the next.

Andy Martin performing the Head Chopper Illusion

 

Penn & Teller Fool Us Kevin Hall The Magic Maniac

 

Magician SeanDoesMagic Marries Kayla-Rose Gibson in Spectacular Bali Wedding

 

Popular magician and digital content creator Sean Sotaridona, better known to millions of followers as SeanDoesMagic, has married fellow content creator Kayla-Rose Gibson.

The couple exchanged vows on July 14, 2026, during an elegant three-day wedding celebration at the AYANA Resort in Bali, Indonesia. Approximately 150 friends and family members traveled from around the world to join the festivities.

The celebration combined modern elegance, personal touches, live entertainment, and the kind of visual spectacle fans might expect from one of the internet’s most recognizable magicians.

Who Is SeanDoesMagic?

Sean Sotaridona has built an enormous online following by performing short-form magic, illusions, pranks, and interactive videos.

Known professionally as SeanDoesMagic, the 24-year-old entertainer has accumulated millions of followers across TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. His approachable personality and visually engaging magic have helped introduce the art to a new generation of viewers.

Instead of limiting his performances to traditional theaters, Sean has used social media to make magic instantly accessible to audiences around the world. His videos frequently combine sleight of hand, surprising reveals, humor, and collaborations with other popular creators.

His marriage to Kayla-Rose Gibson marks an important new chapter in his life away from the camera—even though their wedding was certainly worthy of a major online production.

SeanDoesMagic and Kayla-Rose Gibson’s Bali Wedding

Sean and Kayla-Rose chose Bali because of its special meaning to their relationship. The couple spent portions of their relationship living long-distance, and Bali became one of the destinations where they were able to spend meaningful time together.

Their celebration was designed around a theme of timeless, modern elegance. The wedding’s color palette included ivory, champagne, natural oak, and soft shades of green, complementing the tropical surroundings of the resort.

The festivities began with a welcome dinner at AYANA Resort’s private KISIK Pier. The wedding ceremony was then held at the resort’s SKY amphitheater, a dramatic location overlooking the ocean.

The celebration continued with a nightclub-inspired reception and concluded with a recovery pool party the following day.

A Celebration Bringing Two Families Together

The destination wedding brought together approximately 150 guests from several countries, including the United States, Australia, the Philippines, and South Africa.

According to People, the wedding was also the first opportunity for members of the couple’s extended families to meet one another in person.

That made the celebration about more than Sean and Kayla-Rose exchanging vows. It created an opportunity for two families from different parts of the world to finally come together.

The couple reportedly handled many of the challenges associated with planning an international wedding, from coordinating travel to creating an experience that felt personal for guests arriving from several countries.

Fashion, Music, and Personal Touches

Kayla-Rose wore a lace wedding gown by Galia Lahav for the ceremony, while Sean complemented the celebration’s elegant style with his own carefully selected wardrobe.

For the reception, Sean changed into a pearl-studded shirt, adding a distinctive show-business touch to the evening.

The couple exchanged personalized vows and performed a choreographed first dance. The celebration also featured live music, elaborate food selections, special visual effects, and colorful smoke fireworks.

Although Sean is known for creating magical moments professionally, the wedding focused on the couple’s relationship, their families, and the journey that brought them together.

How Sean and Kayla-Rose Met

Sean and Kayla-Rose were introduced in 2022 through Sean’s sister, Kim-Zaira.

Their relationship developed while the pair balanced growing careers and periods of long-distance travel. Sean proposed in Hawaii in 2024, setting the stage for their Bali wedding two years later.

Both creators have continued supporting one another’s careers while sharing portions of their relationship with their online audiences.

Following the wedding, the newlyweds are reportedly considering Italy as a possible honeymoon destination. They have also spoken about continuing to support each other professionally and eventually starting a family.

A Magical New Chapter for SeanDoesMagic

SeanDoesMagic has spent years creating moments of astonishment for millions of people online. His wedding to Kayla-Rose Gibson represents something different: a personal milestone built around love, family, and the people who have supported them.

From a private pier and oceanfront ceremony to their choreographed first dance and nightclub-style reception, the couple created a celebration that reflected both elegance and their lives as modern digital entertainers.

Congratulations to Sean and Kayla-Rose as they begin their next adventure together!

Happy Birthday to Howard Thurston!

 Born July 20, 1869, Thurston became known as the “King of Cards,” succeeded the legendary Harry Kellar, and built one of the largest touring illusion shows in American history—requiring multiple railroad cars to transport!

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of a magician whose showmanship, promotion, and spectacular illusions helped shape modern stage magic. Happy 157th birthday, Howard Thurston!