First, the Magic

I have a few different posts to author, but first I'll re-write one that has been lost in cyberspace. I wrote up a lengthy report/review on our local Master Class with Gazzo, street magician extraordinaire. I'll do my best to re-create some of the impressions that I got from the class.

I wrote an e-mail last spring after reading reports from very satisfied customers on the East Coast. Gazzo had taught several of these classes, and all of the remarks I found were completely positive. With that in mind, I contacted his representative via e-mail, asking if there were any plans to do classes out west. Little did I know at the time that my letter nominated me the Seattle area point of contact and host of the Master Class. This could have been a negative, but the guys in the Pacific Northwest are a good bunch, and did their best to help me gather the needed attendees. Meanwhile, Steve (Gazzo's representative), was just solid gold. I have to tell you that Steve was one of the best parts of my experience with Gazzo and the Master Class. He is a "can do" kind of guy, and he made sure that the engine was firing on all eight cylinders.

Our class was attended by 13 people, from a complete beginner, to a guy fresh in from winning the medal for his cups and balls on the PCAM cruise the week before. Also attending was a young lady from Canada who had recently graduated from Drama School, and her training was obvious. She had a presence and projection that the rest of us lacked. I just gotta get in more acting classes! Also was a local guy who has for years performed as magician and variety performer. The class was a pretty tight knit group, and seemed to get along quite well. Everyone seemed to give and take criticism with a good heart, and there seemed little of the prima donna behavior that one might expect from people in the arts. Gazzo made himself available on Friday, and several of us took him up on that offer, spending most of the day with him and Steve.

Class began bright and early on Saturday, and we had no one late to class on either day. Gazzo was in good form from the jump, and he began by letting everyone know that the place for egos was out in the parking lot. With that in mind, class began. The main effects taught were his cups and balls, tossed out deck, and egg bag. One might think that curriculum rather sparse, but there was so much more taught it would be hard to give it in a thumbnail. He also taught several card effects, techniques, and some information regarding restaurant work that will quadruple one's income if it is utilised. Great info. Gazzo is also a font of information regarding card moves, and will teach them if asked. He is unselfish, and willing to give up nearly anything. I believe he only performed one effect all weekend that he refused to tip, and he warned us of it before he performed it. The teaching didn't end with class, but continued in whatever watering hole in which we ended up afterwards. He held class until the wee hours, and took in a few bucks with The Gentleman's Game. What a great game!

Day two was spent with rounding off some of the rough edges. Please understand that the effects Gazzo teaches are only the vehicles he uses to teach people about misdirection and performing. He advocates projecting oneself into the audience, and not just 'performing.' He says that anyone who spends his time 'performing' for an audience is just being selfish. It isn't until we project our magic into the audience and make them a part of our performance that the magic begins for them. It is magic when experienced together. There was so much teaching and so much learning, that we all came away with spinning heads. In the end though, all agreed that the $250 price tag was just dirt cheap. We got way more than that for our money. We also agreed that the Gazzo cups we thought were HUGE when we began were completely manageable by the end of the session, and his pouch is just top notch. The props are top quality, and were a pleasure to use. He was available until their departure on Thursday, and even spent Tuesday night at one of the local sessions. From all reports, his attendance will be remembered by all, it was a GREAT session.

Sadly, the enthusiasm down in California and Nevada were not what was expected. The class sizes were sadly small, and when the figures got added up, it appears there will be no more Master Classes without ironclad guarantees about class sizes and the requisite deposits. If you have a chance though, go.