Jim Sisti Honored with Prestigious 2026 Milbourne Christopher Award for Close-Up Magic

 

Source: Adapted from Valley Independent Sentinel

Jim Sisti of Beacon Falls, Connecticut, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Milbourne Christopher Award for Close-Up Magic, one of the highest honors in the world of conjuring.

Presented annually by the Milbourne Christopher Foundation, the award recognizes magicians whose work has made a significant and lasting contribution to the art of magic.

A highly respected performer, Sisti has spent more than 30 years entertaining audiences with close-up magic, restaurant magic, and theatrical mentalism. Alongside his wife, Sandy Sisti, he has served as the resident magician at Quassy Amusement Park for the past 23 years.

Sisti described the recognition as “the honor of a lifetime.”

“I’m deeply appreciative and genuinely humbled to receive this award. To be included among such stellar company — past and present — is both thrilling and profoundly meaningful.”

He also congratulated the other recipients and said he looks forward to celebrating with them at the upcoming awards ceremony.

The 2026 Milbourne Christopher Awards Presentation will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at the Garde Arts Center. Each year, the event brings together leading performers, inventors, historians, and authors to celebrate outstanding achievements and preserve the legacy of Milbourne Christopher (1914–1984).

Founded to encourage excellence in magic, the Milbourne Christopher Foundation presents awards in several categories, including close-up magic, stage magic, mentalism, literature, and lifetime achievement.

Congratulations to Jim Sisti on this well-deserved honor and his many years of outstanding contributions to the art of magic.

Kent Axell’s “Ghost Stories” Offers a Unique Magical Experience in Las Vegas

 

Source: Adapted from World News Wire

For visitors looking to experience something beyond the large-scale illusion shows of the Las Vegas Strip, Kent Axell offers a hauntingly memorable alternative.

His acclaimed show, Ghost Stories, takes place inside 1923 Prohibition Bar, an immersive speakeasy-inspired venue that transports guests back to the glamour and mystery of the 1920s. Combining psychological illusion, storytelling, and atmospheric suspense, the production has quickly become one of the city’s most talked-about intimate magic experiences.

Axell is known for blending mind reading, suggestion, and psychological principles into performances that challenge audiences’ perceptions. Many viewers may recognize him from appearances on Brain Games and Masters of Illusion.

Unlike the large theater productions typically associated with Las Vegas magic, Ghost Stories is presented in a small, dimly lit setting where every audience member feels part of the mystery. The combination of compelling narratives and impossible demonstrations creates an experience that is both unsettling and unforgettable.

The venue itself adds significantly to the evening. Hidden behind a secret entrance, 1923 Prohibition Bar features vintage décor, rare curiosities, and expertly crafted cocktails. Guests can enjoy premium bourbons, whiskey flights, and classic drinks such as the Old-Fashioned while taking in the performance.

Among the venue’s unique attractions are unusual artifacts, including a death mask of Vincent Price and other museum-like curiosities that enhance the mysterious atmosphere.

For those seeking a more intimate and thought-provoking magical experience, Kent Axell’s Ghost Stories offers a refreshing alternative to traditional Vegas entertainment. By combining psychological illusion with immersive storytelling in a one-of-a-kind setting, the show delivers an evening that lingers in the mind long after the final revelation.

If your travels take you to Las Vegas and you’re searching for something truly different, Ghost Stories may be one of the most intriguing magic shows the city has to offer.

Enric Magoo's FISM performance

 

Dan Harlan on Fool Us

 

Internationally Famous Cups and Balls by John Platt

 

Now available at www.magiciansmagicshop.com 

Softbound – B&W Photo Illustrated

Contents:
ii Foreword: About the routine, credits, and recommends Paul Fox cups marketed by Danny Dew
1 Phase I
1 Step 1: cups penetrate each other
1 Step 2: again
1 Step 3: wand penetrates cup
1 Phase II
1 Equipment: 3 cups, 4 cork crochet balls, 3 large balls
2 Step 1: Setup
2 Step 2: Cup placement
2 Phase III
2 Step 1: ball penetration
3 Photo Illustrations: Figures 1-3
4 Step 2: invisible load
4 Step 3: ball penetration
4 Step 4: invisible load
4 Step 5: ball penetrates from under table
5 Photo Illustrations: figures 4-6
6 Step 6: reveal
6 Phase IV: prepare for Phase V
6 Phase V: removal of the balls
6 Step 1: setup
6 Step 2: removal of ball 1
7 Photo Illustrations: figures 7-9
8 Step 3: removal of balls 2 & 3
8 Phase VI: the empty cups
8 Step 1
8 Step 2
8 Step 3: a tricky move
9 Photo Illustrations: figures 10-12
10 Step 4
10 Step 5: reveal of 3 balls on top
10 Phase VII: balls dumped from top of cups and placed into pocket
10 Step 1
10 Step 2
10 Step 3
10 Step 4
10 Step 5
10 Step 6
10 Phase VIII: large ball loading
10 Step 1
10 Step 2: load #1
11 Photo Illustrations: figures 13-15
12 Step 3: load #2
12 Step 4: reveal 3 small balls under cup
12 Step 5: final 3 load reveal
13: Photo Illustrations: figures 16-18

Pablo Torre and Stevie Baskin Examine a Viral Oz The Mentalist Performance

 

Source: Adapted from reporting by OutKick

Oz Pearlman, better known to television audiences as Oz The Mentalist, has become a familiar face on sports broadcasts, morning television, and podcasts across the country. Known for his mind-reading demonstrations and prediction effects, Oz has built a reputation for astonishing celebrities, athletes, and audiences with seemingly impossible feats.

Recently, however, one of his performances came under scrutiny during an episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Pablo Torre welcomed amateur magician and magic commentator Stevie Baskin to discuss how one of Oz’s televised effects may have been accomplished.

During the podcast, Baskin analyzed a segment from Oz’s 2024 appearance on Bussin' With The Boys. In the routine, Oz asked former NFL player Will Compton to think of any football player. Oz then attempted to reveal the name.

According to Baskin, the effect may have relied on a hidden communication system in which Taylor Lewan secretly entered the chosen name into a search field on a custom website, which transmitted the information to Oz.

In the demonstration, Compton selected Breece Hall, but Lewan reportedly entered “Bryce Hall,” possibly due to autocorrect. Bryce Hall was also an NFL player, leading Oz to reveal the incorrect but closely related name.

Although the guess was not exact, the hosts still reacted with amazement, highlighting how even near misses can appear impressive to viewers unfamiliar with the mechanics behind such demonstrations.

Mentalism has long been a respected branch of magic that combines psychology, suggestion, observation, and traditional conjuring techniques to create the illusion of extraordinary mental abilities. Like all forms of magic, its purpose is to entertain and inspire wonder.

This podcast discussion offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one possible method used in a modern mentalism performance and serves as a reminder that, whether performed on stage, television, or social media, the true secret of magic lies in presentation, showmanship, and the ability to create unforgettable moments.

Oxfordshire Magician Reg Martin to Receive Magic Circle’s Highest Honor

Source: Adapted from reporting by the BBC

Veteran magician and magic creator Reg Martin of Bicester, Oxfordshire, is set to receive one of the most prestigious honors in the world of magic.

This July, Martin will be awarded the coveted Gold Star by The Magic Circle, the highest level of membership offered by the renowned organization.

Founded in 1905, The Magic Circle is considered one of the most respected magic societies in the world, with more than 1,700 members across the globe. Its membership has included some of the biggest names in magic, such as Dynamo.

Martin joined The Magic Circle over 40 years ago, during a time when admission required sponsorship from existing members and a formal performance examination—making acceptance into the society a significant achievement in itself.

In addition to his performing career, Martin spent 13 years working behind the scenes on The Paul Daniels Magic Show, helping create magical effects for one of Britain's most beloved television magicians, Paul Daniels.

Although a stroke ten years ago forced Martin to retire from performing, his passion for magic remains as strong as ever. Today, he continues to design and invent magical effects, contributing his creativity and expertise to the art form he has dedicated his life to.

Receiving the Gold Star is a fitting tribute to a lifetime spent advancing the world of magic both on stage and behind the scenes.

Congratulations to Reg Martin on this remarkable and well-deserved honor.