Amazing Testimonial from the Amazing Randi!

In September I had the good fortune to work a VIP party for the Barrow's Institute, Magic and the Brain, an event that featured Mac King and the Amazing Randi.  During the party, Mr. Randi watched me perform for a group and afterward he was most complimentary.  I was also inspired by his performance that night, as his humor and escapes, along with his endearing senior personality, captivated me and the whole audience.

What a treat to meet the Amazing Randi and see him perform!  He is featured in The World's Greatest Magic by Hyla Clark, a book I've been reading since I was a kid just starting in magic.  He was the highlight of the show for me!  The next day I was invited (thanks Tony B.!) to watch him present to a group of ASU students, and in addition to his most interesting lecture, he floored me with his version of Out of this World.  Afterward, we had some time to chat as we sauntered to our cars.

A couple of weeks later, I was surprised by his package in the mail which included a letter and two signed photographs!  I was deeply touched by his kind words in his letter, a part of which I'd like to share with you.  Thank you very much Mr. Randi, you are indeed AMAZING!  

September 20, 2012

Dear Shawn,

It was really great fun meeting you at the Barrow Neurological Institute 50th Anniversary event, and as I told you then, I was very impressed with your work.  I saw that your audience was equally enthusiastic, though I was looking on as a pro, and I was delighted at just how slick - and highly entertaining - you are.  Now I feel as if I should get out those silver dollars I have tucked away somewhere, and do some heavy practicing...!

All the best!
Sincerely,
James Randi

Recent Testimonial from November 17th Show

Shawn

Thanks very much for your addition to our “Night Circus” event!  Everyone raved about your performance – it really made the evening.

People really appreciated how you really fit right in and joined folks walking about.  You didn’t just do your performance and leave.  The walking around tricks were really fun and they got everyone to come to the performance.

You are a consummate professional.

Thanks,

Michael C.  

Stanislaus County Fair!

Had a great week of shows at this fair in Turlock, California last month.  The folks who run the fair do a great job, the shaded grounds make the heat bearable, and I love the locals who attend.  This moment was captured by photographer Patrick Brown.  Thank you Patrick!  Special thanks to Chris B. (and all his crew), Efren A. (and his family), and Dana S. (and all the other performers at the fair)!  

Finally, thanks to all the great audiences!  

An amazing dog I once knew...

Leaping Lacey does wonders for street performer's career!

Lacey jumping over 5 children with room to spare!

How much for that doggie in the window? 

Dana Smith and Lacey, an amazing duo who entertained at the Tempe Festival, Spring 2008.

My friend Dana recently lost his performing partner after a long successful run.  Lacey recently passed on and for a dog, she was lucky to have the dog life she did.  What other dogs can boast of such feats of skill and charm?  Lacey was a worker and her stats on number of shows, people entertained, and miles jumped over praying children are beyond impressive.  Now she can rest in her eternal shade... and not to worry, Dana has a new show!  He will be appearing with Shawn Greer at the Stanislaus County Fair, 7/13-22/2012!  Come join the fun!

Coins at the Taste & Steve Faris - May, 2000

This video was done by Tom Frank at the Taste of Cincinnati in May of 2000.  It shows a coins bit and a shout out from my long time magic friend Steve Faris.  We all worked the event and had a great weekend, yet only Tommy had the camera rolling!  Thanks Tommy and Steve F.!

Voice of God Introduction

This introduction was an idea of Ed Rosenthal, performed by Brad Zinn impersonating George Burns.

Public Shows for June & July 2012

Magic Fun at the Glendale Main Public Library (5959 W. Brown St.
Glendale, Arizona) on Thursday, June 21, from 2-3 PM!

Made in the Shade Beer Tasting Festival, Coconino County Fairgrounds,
Flagstaff, Arizona, on Saturday, June 23, from 1-4 PM!

Stanislaus County Fair, Turlock, California, July 13-22!

Come on out and join the fun!  

    

Shawn Greer - Tempe Festival 2012

Trailer and Teaser Videos

The following two posts are videos produced by my good friend Tom Frank. I highly recommend Tom for your video marketing and production projects. He is creative, productive, fun to work with, and I hear he has a special deal for magicians in the Los Angeles area.  Thanks Tommy, you're the BEST!

Promo Trailer

Riverside County Fair Promo

Charles Dickens, April 1859

In a review of Robert-Houdin's book, The Confidences of a Prestidigitator, Dickens shares an interesting observation with his readers...

"Does anyone ever become great in an art without feeling a love and a vocation for it?
Robert-Houdin, the Ex-Quickfinger,... publishes to the world the instructive lesson that man becomes a magician only by patient labour; that the tree from which the enchanter's wand is culled is no other than obstinate persevering work, bedewed and nourished for years by the sweat of the brow."  

From Salutations to Robert-Houdin by S.H. Sharpe, 1983

Cellini

One of my most influential teachers, Cellini taught me what magic is,

gave me a vision of what it could be, and a vision of who I could be.

For years I've been carrying magic with me, 

now it seems like magic is carrying me.

Tempe Festival

Tempe Festival of the Arts - December 4, 2011

Upcoming: Tempe Spring Festival will be on March 30-31 & April 1, 2012. This will be Shawn's 25th year performing at the spring festival so plan now to attend, especially on Sunday, April Fools Day!

Best Testimonial of 2011!

Hi Shawn, 

I just wanted to let you know that you were great. People couldn't stop talking about you. A real professional, people were amazed. 
Thank you so much. I know sometimes parties can be difficult but you were perfect. If I was rich I'd have you every year. You were a hit that will live on in people's memories. Exactly what I wanted. 

Take care, 

Phil A. 

11/31/11

Thank you Phil!

Vegas & LA in May 2011

Las Vegas adventure!  Saturday.  First stop was the Gambler's Book Store for dice and books and then to Spinatos' Gaming Supply for old slot machine coins to practice with.  That evening, I had a nice dinner visit with Tim and Teena Kole and our friend Mike York.  We've worked together with Tim's father Andre Kole on several tours over the past few years.  It's kinda fun working on a show of that size with a crew of 7 or more people.  It was good to see them and I hope we all get to work together again soon.    

After camping and Sunday morning hiking in the fiery red rocks west of town, I checked into the Orleans Hotel and got cleaned up for some busking on Freemont Street.  After sunset, I hit the street and found an eddy in the fast moving stream of typical Vegas tourists; flowing masses of overstimulated people.  Nevertheless, I was able to pull a small crowd for one show, despite going at the top of the hour during the overhead light show.  A small taste of the Freemont scene and that was enough for me.  It was humbling and there was much to be learned about working this pitch.  I was back to the hotel by 10 to get ready for the next day(s) at the International Magic Xperience.

The IMX was held on May 23-25, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Orleans Hotel.  This magic convention featured over 30 top names in magic, blitzed at the attendees over 3 days, in a multitude
of shows and lectures.
Feature personalities included:  Shoot Ogawa, Wayne Houchin, Mike Ammar, David Acer, Richard Sanders, Rudy Coby, Tim Noonan, Ponta the Smith, Tim and Sue Anne, Chris Capehart, Chris Randal, and Julie Chen.
Feature highlight:  David Copperfield, Banachek, and Richard Kaufman did a tribute and interview with David Berglas who attended virtually via internet.  It was a very international mix of performers and high profile guests included:  Dustin Stennet, Jason England, Derek Delgaudio, Andy Greget, Okie Vandokum, Jeff McBride and Larry Becker.
Feature purchase:  A subscription to Genii magazine and the Vernon Touch book!

After an exhausting 3 days in the hotel, I hit the road for LA. about 8 pm... it was a 6 hour ride... whew!  Camp Paradise was the optimal LA destination and my good friends Tommy & Polly were kind enough to let me stay a couple of days.  There was work to be done and fun to be had.  We recorded two sessions with the rings, various moves and routines, for an upcoming rings dvd.  We played golf and had good fun with Alfonso at Verdugo Hills.  To top off the week, my beautiful Sweet D flew over on Friday for a Hollywood evening at the Magic Castle and a very cool stay at the Hotel Amarano!

Saturday, we headed down to the Hermosa Beach Fiesta!  The festival was busy with people, music, smells of food, ocean winds and warm sun.  Good potential spaces for street shows and an interesting mix of people.  We met several folks in the Chamber who put on the show and made some good contacts.  There is good potential here and I'm going to book it for next May 2012 festival.  Thanks to Lisa and her family for the wonderful dinner and hospitality.  Sunday, after the Hermosa Beach scene, D and I drove up to Venice for the freak show fun and sunset.  Then we blew out of LA on the 10 East, headed across the desert and into the night.  Beautiful, peaceful moon light ride.  Landed home safe with grateful hearts.  Great road trip!