When I first met Armstrong, we were eight miles off the coast of Malaysia, en route to Bangkok aboard the Crystal Symphony, a luxury liner widely considered to be the best cruise ship in the world, which made the curious decision to invite Roads & Kingdoms along for a free ride to Vietnam. Armstrong, for the past month, has been Crystal’s magician in residence, not only performing 30-minute shows to intimate groups of passengers on cruising days, but also spontaneously dropping into the various bars scattered across the ship to queue up a cocktail and wobble the minds of the whisky-drinking...
It’s no secret that Hollywood loves magic, but that love is typically expressed in the guise of Harry Potter–esque wizards or Oz-like witches. This weekend’s Incredible Burt Wonderstone, however, takes the profession to its goofiest extremes, using magic's cheesier elements to portray a caricature of an industry that is already, to some, easily mocked. Set in Las Vegas, the flick tells the story of cornball magician Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell) and his partner Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi), who rise to fame with a casino-headlining act that crumbles around them when they try to update their stale routine. All the while their rival, street performer Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), continues to climb the magic ladder...
A feature documentary that follows the trials and triumphs of several world-class magicians.
Where the Magic Happens goes deep inside unexplored territory: the world of professional magicians. The film follows five passionate magicians who have refused to give up the dream that the impossible is actually possible. We've been filming for the last two years with unprecedented access at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles, as well as behind the scenes in Las Vegas and London...
If you’re not quite sure where to start with the extensive show list available at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, you might want to go straight to Fringe Central Station on the south side of Santa Monica Boulevard near Vine (not to be confused with Fringe Central Mainstage at the Open Fist, just to the east). There, you can check out the evening offerings at the Fringe Cabaret. It’s fun, it’s upbeat and—except for your bar tab—it’s totally free.
All-new series incorporates magic to revolutionize the comics experience
San Diego, CA (October 12, 2011)—Leading into New York Comic-Con, IDW Publishing today announced the all-new, creator-ownedSMOKE AND MIRRORS. Kicking off in March 2012, this five-issue series will set a unique standard for comics. Created by award-winning writer Mike Costa (GI JOE: COBRA, Blackhawks) and acclaimed indie-artist Ryan Browne (God Hates Astronauts, Blast Furnace), SMOKE AND MIRRORS is also the first comics project for Jon Armstrong who is one of the finest sleight-of-hand artists in the world and a consulting Imagineer for Disney Entertainment. This innovative team has incorporated engaging, mind-bending illusions and mentalism principles into SMOKE AND MIRRORS, creating an amazing magical experience using only ink and paper.
Award-Nominated Show “I Do Card Tricks and I’m Funny” Returns to the
Hollywood Fringe Festival, June 2011
Named Close Up Magician of the Year in 2007, Jon Armstrong’s amazing close-
up skills and comedy have brought him numerous awards and nominations
throughout his career. This year, he is bringing his award-nominated show “I Do
Card Tricks and I’m Funny” back to the Hollywood Fringe Festival for the festival’s
second year!
"There's an old saying: "If a man fools me once, shame on him. If he fools me twice, it's probably Jon Armstrong". At least that's my version. Let me explain why.
On April 30, 2004 (the day before the Academy
of Magical Arts Awards banquet), I joined Jon Armstrong for our usual Friday
Lunch, and used the opportunity to interview Jon for publication. As usual,
we dined with Dave Cox and Derek Hughes and as usual as I asked Jon Questions
they couldn't shut up.
"One night at the castle's W.C. Fields Bar I watched as a magician
named Jon Armstrong performed a card trick for a dozen
guests. Armstrong, who is 30 with blond hair and boyish looks, fanned
open a deck face forward at his audience. He asked someone to
choose a card with his eyes and remember it. Armstrong proceeded
to shuffle the deck, pull out a card, dampen it with his tongue, and
slap it onto his forehead, where it stuck.
Before Harry Houdini died in 1926, he promised his wife that if he could communicate from the beyond, he would deliver a coded message stating, ''Rosabelle, believe.'' After a decade of unsuccessful seances, Mrs. Houdini gave up. Undeterred, an association of magicians in Hollywood pledged to keep trying to contact the elusive spirit -- and they have.
