Spreading the Magic Around

I just had to share this... I'm just beyond excited.

Some of you may remember my friend Christian Cagigal, who is an amazing magician. I call him the Magic Man. Christian is not only a friend, but holds a special place in my heart because he is the first person I ever took portraits of, and totally got me hooked on taking photos of people. What a world of delight and opportunity can be created when you take photos of people.

You can see more of our original photoshoot here.

Anyway, Christian's been working on a new show, and the photo you see above is an amalgam of two photos from our original shoot. To see the image above explains a lot about Christian and his approach to the mysterious and magical in all of life.


And I'm just beside myself that I'm now a part of his creativity and his show.

Wow. The day's been a little nutty preparing for my Staycation and this just totally made things all right. It's one thing to take photos for the sheer enjoyment of what might happen, but when you can actually make something out of thin air, and help someone else, then that's really what it's all about. Thanks, Christian, for giving me this opportunity to make some magic of my own.

The Pandora Experiment

"Cagigal is one of those rare alchemists of the imagination... [this is] a show that'll change viewers' estimation of magic forever." -- SFStation

I just went to see a great magic show called The Pandora Experiment on Friday night at the Exit Theatre on Eddy Street. It's much more of a participatory experience than just a magic show, and Christian creates a most charming, fairytale space in which he performs his act. I don't want to go into too much detail because if you're in the SF Bay Area, I really want you to see this show while it's still running.

The truth about really good magicians like Christian is that they don't need the televisions programs, the flashy sets, dry ice, live animals and disappearing city landmarks that most people associate with magic shows. An excellent closeup magician can perform an effect right under your nose and you'll have no other inclination than to be completely amazed. Not even the best televised performance can compete with what is happening, or not really happening, before your own eyes.

Christian is also a gifted mentalist which, if you haven't seen a mentalist or don't know what one is, then you are in for a treat.

Here are some recent glowing reviews of The Pandora Experiment from Christian's blog: here, here , here and here.

Below are two great clips that give you an preview of Christian and how talented he is. I hope you will go and see this show. It's playing at the Exit Theatre through April 12.