My Most Memorable Magical Experience

While Eric DeCamps will continue to chide me and say my most memorable magical experience was having Jeff McBride produce my Jumbo Circle of Cards at a Larry Week's convention, my most memorable magical experience was actually with another friend, Scott Morris, when we were vacationing together on the island of St. Martin back in 1984.

We were having dinner and drinks at a little cafe' in Marigot where we were staying. Jean Paul, our waiter, was the perfect audience. When I asked for sugar for my tea, he handed me a packet. I opened and poured it into my fist and transformed it into sugar cubes. Then I said, "Sugar is sweet, but money is sweeter" and transformed the cubes into two dollar bills for a tip.

Jean Paul quickly called over his boss, the chef, the waitresses, and I was put on the spot to perform. I did some card tricks and coin tricks, but then I got an idea for the ultimate magical moment. I removed the flower from the vase on my table and broke the bloom off the stem. Placing it on my palm I then levitated it and had it move from hand to hand a la The Floating Bill. Then I gently pulled the petals from the bloom leaving nothing else for them to find. I handed the petals to the ladies at the table and took my bow.

When we are truly inspired by the moment, we can perform miracles. What about you?

Stage Names

When I did my first public performance in 4th grade at P.S. 162 in Bayside, Queens (NY), I was Houdini, Jr. Not sure if I picked that because of my fascination with Houdini at the time, or if my father or teacher picked it. I wore a black cape and red Fez hat. I even had an assistant.

Then when I started getting serious about doing kids' parties, I changed my name to something my father suggested: Shandu, The Greatest Boy Magician. I later found out that I was spelling it wrong. There was a Chandu and a movie character, too. Among the older Jewish set, I also discovered that there is a similar Yiddish word that means "He's finally here!"

When I got to college, I simply used my name, but during a stint at The Rainy Nighthouse, I found my name written on the marquee as "Secret Steve." They apparently took the word "secret" from a Sidewalk Shuffle routine I did where the Ace always wound up in the “secret spot”, down the front of my pants.

As a more experienced adult, I have frequently contemplated doing shows again, but found my last name difficult for many to pronounce or spell properly, so I think I would just use Steven or Stefan if I wanted to be fancy.

What about you? Do you use a stage name?

Reflections on How I Got Into Magic

Reading Andy Dallas' article this month about how he got into magic reminded me about my early influences.

When my parents took me to the World's Fair in NY around 1962 -- I was probably around 5 or 6 years old -- we saw The Amazing Randi perform a levitation and a straitjacket escape. Years later as a teenager I had the good fortune of meeting Randi at Tannens, and he spent hours chatting with me and entertaining me with his unusual brand of magic. Later that day I bumped into him again at Flosso's, and he told me he was planning a week of special news stories about magic in NY for Channel 4, and he invited me back a week later to the shoot at Flosso's.

I showed up and they shot footage for hours, including me and a few other magical youths Randi had rustled up. We had a blast and it was very exciting. Unfortunately, the kids got edited out of the segment, but Randi did send me several autographed photos and a poster. It was a big thrill for me to hang out with the guy that was an early influence on my interest in magic.

About a year later I was in Tannens looking for a dozen red-backed Aviator decks for a trick I was going to be selling at an upcoming Larry Week' convention. Tannens was all out. Suddenly, Randi walks in and yells out "Skinny Steven Schneiderman!" I was amazed he remembered me. He asked what I was up to and I explained about my search for red backed Aviators.

He then took me all over NY to little, out of the way places, to find these decks. Eventually we wound up at Ace Sporting Goods, a well known underground gambling hang-out. It was a very cool and sinister looking place. Unfortunately, nobody had the decks I needed, but I did get to hang with Randi for another day. Lots of good stories and laughs. He is a warm and congenial man who knows kids look up to him and he does what he can to maintain that awe and respect.

Again about a year later he performed at a local theater in Queens and my friend and I went to see the show. Sure enough, when we went to say "Hi" during intermission, he remembered me by name, and this happened several times again at various conventions year later. I was always flattered when he remembered me by name, and I am still always in awe when I see him.

Who was your influence? Drop me a line and let me know!

P.S.: Bev Bergeron sent me an email to clear up my foggy memories: The World’s Fair in New York was in 1964-65. Mark Wilson had the magic show at the General Cigar place. Mark hired The Amazing Randy as one of the magicians. You may have seen Randy do the straitjacket on another show, but he did not do it on this one. Mark wanted the magician to reach into his upper coat pocket and remove a handkerchief with an appearing cane attached to it. Mark used to close all his shows with this.  Randy reached for the items one show and the cane came shooting into one of his eyes.  So that eye was patched up.  Later he returned to the show with a patch eye and encountered some rough teenagers – big guys I was told, who were yelling up vulgar language at the girl assistants.  Randy yelled to them to see him after the show.  He got poked in the one good eye he had.  I saw him soon afterwards and commented:  Randy we are paying you to do illusions not your blindfold act.  I thought it was funny. See you down the Road, Bev - b