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Mike Gallo
David Roth
Mike Rubinstein
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Seminar
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updated 9/24/2008
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Ed Hands:
The four NY
Coin Guru’s Messrs. Roth, Latta, Gallo, and Dr. Rubinstein held another Coin
Seminar in the DeSouza's theatre outside of Philadelphia. I thoroughly enjoyed
Seminar II. This one seemed even better! Seminar IV had a Copper Silver theme. I
have loved Spellbound from almost my first taste of magic. Now, however, I
appreciate a richer concept behind even this one Copper Silver effect.
The presentations were thrilling. The explanations masterful! During the
explanations that generally followed the presentations, techniques (sleights,
audience management, misdirection, etc.) were taught in as much detail as the
attendees wished with time for questions. All four of the NY Coin Gurus were 'on
stage' together. They smoothly interjected comments that clarified or expanded
each others explanations. Succeeding performers made references to what had been
presented previously. Instruction included thoughts and examples of how routines
could be sequenced to hide methods and magnify effects. The event was well
organized and reeked of class.
There were break-out sessions during which groups of three classmates sat down
with each guru in turn. We were encouraged to ask any questions. Invaluable
answers followed. The breakout schedule allowed time for individual instruction
and feedback. After this attendee-driven portion of each breakout, the guru gave
us a choice of things he had prepared to finish the time allotted to that
breakout session. New routines were always among these offerings. These routines
tended to include items better learned in smaller groups where suggestions could
be given on the attendees’ grips, angles, etc.
I can’t forget to mention terrific lecture notes and DVDs given away!
In summary, the seminar offered a wealth of fabulous information reflecting the
New York Coin Guys' vast experience in not only creating magic, but also
teaching it. The seminar organization (from venue to content to scheduling) made
for a memorable event.
Eric Jones:
For the 4th time, David Roth, Michael Rubinstein, Mike Gallo, and Geoff Latta
got together to put the BEST one day seminar I've attended in my short time in
magic. The lectures were AMAZING, the break-out sessions were INCREDIBLE, and
the pizza was DELICIOUS!!!!! Marc Desouza held this event at his home for the
second time, and I was lucky enough to attend both events. Both were a treat,
but this one took the cake.
If you ever have an opportunity to attend one of these events.....please don't
pass it by. What better way to perfect technique than to get personal
instruction from the gurus in the field, The New York Coin Guys.....
Michael Feldman:
If you ever have a chance to go to one of these seminars, it's simply something
you shouldn't miss. It's a ton of great magic, great lectures, and a chance to
session with some amazing coin magicians - both lecturers and attendees.
Dj-Qbert:
Yeah I had fun at the seminar. Actually I had a terrific time. Me and Remy
drove for 10 freaking hours to get there but was sooo worth it. ( he drove I
navigated) .I was literally stunned by Marc's house. His collection of books is
huge and so many rare props. Then they tell me there's another room over there!!
wow. The stage area was beautiful with extremely comfortable seats. Remy took a
lot of pictures I hope he shares:)
The lectures were incredible one after the other so much stuff!!. The workshops
were very useful as I gained very valuable tips and techniques on improving my
sleights. The attendees were terrific and highly skilled people. They showed me
amazing routines. Like I said ton of stuff:)
Speaking of stuff. We all received gift bags which were very generously filled
up. I mean really generous. They mentioned over 100$ worth of stuff its more
like over $200 worth of stuff. Tons of lecture notes and dvds were inside along
with a spectacular palming coin. Kudos Mr. Roth.
Oh ya I haven't even mentioned the most tastiest pizza I have ever eaten. I'm
not such a big pizza guy never really in the mood for it but I could eat this
stuff 6 times a day. Marc truly knows his sense of taste. He is such a nice guy
letting us come over to his house and play with his toy collection.
This was truly an amazing experience and I was so delighted to meet everyone.
Jacob Jax:
I cannot say enough good things about the seminar. I rarely post on the Café,
although I lurk quite a bit. I knew only a few people coming to this seminar
(Eric a little, Marc, and I had met Roth once). Everyone at this event was
extremely kind!! I had a blast. I think that out of everyone there, there were 3
or four of us who were way under the leauge and skill level of everyone else. I
felt immediatley welcomed into the group and was treated as an equal by some
amazing technicians and performers.
Thanks to everyone who was there, especially Giacamo (Bertini), for traveling
all this way and making a fantastic effort to communicate his routines to us. I
have so much to work on.. its not even funny.
It was great to be involved the shoot the next day. There was so much material
that was covered that sadly due to time will not be on the DVD. However, there
is some great stuff on there. Many thanks as well to Scott the awesome camera
guy, who spent the entire day behind the cameras, was patient, and didn't flip
out when we who were sessioning got too loud with laughter many times, and
almost interrupted the filming.
Gallo, for those of you who don't know, in addition to being one of the best
magicians I've seen, has so many great stories about magic and otherwise, and he
was a pleasure to work with. Roth was humble, patient and was nice enough to
fool the hell out of me over and over again. Rubenstein was great as well. He
organized the whole *** thing, which god knows must have been very hard. He was
kind enough to take time away from his lunch to go over moves that I needed
extra help with (the ROPS move is awesome, its going straight into my work).
Probably one of the best magic events I've been to in a long time, I hope they
have more.
EVERYONE WITH THE SLIGHTEST INTEREST IN COIN MAGIC NEEDS TO ATTEND THESE EVENTS.
Jordan Linker:
This was my first time attending one of the NY coin seminars, and I doubt it
will be my last. I can't add too much to the previous reviews, but will try.
The setting was great, Marc's house was amazing; His collection is the largest
I've seen in person, and many cool and interesting props are on display. The
theatre made for an extremely comfortable viewing of the event, every seat had a
great view.
This is the fifth event, and they've arrived at just the right amount of
organization: enough to keep things running smoothly, but not so much that the
event seemed stiff.
I learned enough material to keep me busy for quite some time to come. I
returned to magic a few months back after pursuing other interests fro the last
fifteen years, so this was an eyeopener to the latest in coin magic. David,
Michael, and Mike easily lived up to their reputations.
After the event we enjoyed a nice dinner with some nice routines. Eric (Jones)
showed a coins across he was working on that looked great. and there were others
as well.
Schedule permitting; I plan on attending Coin Seminar 6, whenever that happens.
Hypnodream:
Anybody who loves coin magic should attend one of these seminars. Instead of
spending 250 bucks on a bunch of DVDs and/or a couple of coin gaffs, go to this
seminar.
Coin seminar #5 was my second time. I went to coin seminar #2 a couple of years
ago.
Others have covered a lot of the general experience so I will touch on a few
highlights.
My favorite part of the seminar was the breakout sessions. Mike Gallo, David
Roth, and Mike Rubinstein devoted individual attention to our specific needs and
interests. I have a bit of trouble with the timing of the Gallo pitch. Mike
Gallo helped me to come up with a practice approach that will get me where I
want to go. David Roth helped me adjust just where and how to handle edge grip
with my stubby fingers. Mike Rubinstein helped me with the details of the ROPS
move and some click pass variations. You can't get this from lecture notes or
DVDs.
It was great to meet Café Members in person too.
Next time these guys put a seminar together, please go. You will love it.
Ken Schwab:
Having been to many magic conventions over the years, it is always a thrill to
experience a new type of magical happening, and last weekend I had the good
fortune to do so by attending the New York Coin Magic Seminar #5 at Marc
DeSouza's house outside of Philadelphia. It was like a Coin College where you
were taught by both the legends of coin magic and the new heavy hitters of the
art. It did not take place in a large college lecture hall or classroom, but in
an intimate theater setting with a teacher to student ratio of about 1:5. Now,
that’s the way to learn!
The professors were David Roth, Dr. Michael Rubinstein, Mike Gallo, Kainoa
Harbottle, and Giacomo Bertini. Their subject was coin productions, vanishes,
and penetrations. The formats were lecture, hands-on breakout sessions, and
screening of rarely seen coin magic videos. Attendees came from across the
country and Canada – a nice blend of beginner, intermediate, and advanced
ability levels.
Was it worth the trip? You bet it was!
Here are a few personal highlights:
1. The opening close-up show. All three performers (David and the two Michaels)
all shined. It was a treat to see many of the classic David Roth effects again –
especially The Tuning Fork.
2. The small hands-on breakout sessions were rare opportunities to ask questions
and receive personal instruction from the pros. I had never seen such a feature
at any magic convention before. Everybody was doing the magic with coins in
hand. Small groups were formed according to ability level, and David and the two
Michaels spent about a half an hour with each group. I cannot imagine a better
way to learn the Gallo pitch than from Mike Gallo himself. He gave insights that
I had not seen in print before. The same goes for the discussion of the Spider
Vanish covered by both Mike and David. Besides discussing details of the shuttle
pass and palming, David re-taught step-by-step the very practical and easy-to-do
coins through the table effect he presented during his lecture. This effect
included contributions by Slydini, Goshman, and Dingle. Michael Rubinstein
cleverly taught his unique coin techniques through a three coin production and
vanish sequence. Again, I cannot think of a better way to learn the ROPS move
than from its inventor! Both Michaels also taught false counting techniques with
coins. Tricky!
3. The video footage of Arthur Buckley performing his Fantasy in Silver act on
“You Asked for It.” Move by move, Principles and Deceptions came to life!
5. The camaraderie at the Pizza lunch.
6. The New York Coin Magic DVD shoot that took place the following day included
additional material not covered in the seminar.
7. Last, but not lease, the gift bag. Some conventions provide gifts that at
best make a nice souvenir but are usually not useful. Not here. The New York
Coin Magic Souvenir provided a package worth probably over $100! It included a
DVD from every presenter a special DVD produced by Fantasma, lecture notes by
Michael Rubinstein and David Roth, a Roth’s Rosin, and a commemorative David
Roth Coin produced by Fantasma. Plus pens and a notebook for the serious
student!
In short, it was a great weekend!
Bill Wells:
Others have covered most of the content of the recent CoinSeminar #5 and I
certainly agree with all that has been said in praise of the weekend. If the
weekend only consisted of the contributions of Mike Rubinstein, Mike Gallo, and
David Roth it would be a smashing success. When this body of expertise is
focused on a single facet of coin magic - in this case, the production and
vanish of coins - the result is something that is simply not available anyplace
else. .
Since others have done so, I won't cover the contents of the carry bag stuffed
with goodies that are worth the price of admission in and of themselves.
Somewhere in this over nine hour marathon there was a pizza break and a few
bathroom breaks during which time one can briefly browse the immense collection
of magic, autographed guitars, and other memorabilia - all worthy of a weekend
in themselves. Then to be invited back for Sunday and the taping session which
began at 9 AM and continued until early Sunday evening - and the opportunity to
see kindred spirits both old and new - some of them only avatars before this
weekend.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention what was a thread running through all of
this - something that Giacomo alluded to briefly during his performance - that
being the passion that was evident in both performers and participants. A
passion that Giacomo welcomed because it is so seldom experienced in any form of
magic. A passion that permits creativity and improvement to flourish. A passion
for the preservation of the history and advancement of a form of magic that
transcends the cost of tuition or any material thing. The showing and
preservation of the old films of past coin magic greats and the stories and
anecdotes, the time and detail to do things correctly and the sharing and
fellowship all create something that is both intangible and real at the same
time. It rubs off on you and makes everyone better for being a part of it. All
in all it is simply priceless.
What Mike Rubinstein, Mike Gallo, Geoff Latta (for the first four) and David
Roth are doing in presenting these Coin Seminars is something very special that
goes beyond coin magic. They are setting a standard that all other forms of
magic should follow.
If and when they do this again - do not miss the chance for a weekend you will
never forget.
Many attendees from prior seminars will be returning, many new ones will be
joining us. Inexpensive motels are plentiful, and it is easy to get there by
plane, car, bus, or horse (well, maybe not the horse). All travel and motel
information is given to the people who sign up. We look forward to seeing YOU
there as well!
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