Off the TOPS of My Head

Off the TOPS of My Head
Submitted by John Sturk - June 2009 Issue

It’s truly an honor and privilege to be a part of The Newest TOPS. The emails and phone calls I’ve been receiving in support of our new endeavor has been uplifting.

We hope to bring The Newest TOPS and the Abbott’s legacy to a new generation – the Internet generation, which I happen to be a part of. In an obscure art form, like magic, we rely on personal connections to pass the secrets on from one generation to another. The Internet has fundamentally altered the way in which we interact, and it is only natural that we harness its capabilities in furthering our art.

There really was nothing like TOPS, The New TOPS, and there is nothing like The Newest TOPS. We are able to bring a level of insight from a slate of columnists who are recognized experts in their respective fields. In addition to providing advice for the magicians of today, we are able to take a historical look back at where we have been – in order to know where we are going. I hope you will take advantage of some of our archived materials from previous incarnations of TOPS. You’ll find the advice is just as relevant today as it was back then.

Also, keep in mind that we are open for submissions from anyone! If you’d like to write up a column, feel free to send it in. When we collaborate as a community, we grow as a community. Send your submissions to me at john@johnsturk.com.

Who knows where we can go from here? Using the Internet as a medium, I have crazy ideas involving audio and video podcasts – but I may be getting ahead of myself.

Buckle in, everyone. It’s going to be a fun ride!

John Sturk
www.johnsturk.com

Invisible Hand
The Invisible Hand is the new name we give to an old device originally known as Hold Out. You can do wonders in your magic act with this device. You can vanish different objects, change colors, sizes or shapes, cut and restore a rope, etc.; standing in front of the audience with your hands away from your body and away from the table. You can show your hands before and after the effect.

In this DVD set you will learn 29 astonishing effects.

In Volume One, you'll see the history of the Hold Out and the background of the Invisible Hand. You'll see the legendary Kepplinger, an original Jack Miller Hold Out and other models. Furthermore, you'll find a detailed description of The Invisible hand, setting, basic moves and advanced techniques and subtleties. Finally you'll watch and learn one of the most beautiful effects you can do with the Invisible Hand: "The Silk Story."

In the second DVD you'll learn in detail more than ten powerful parlor routines. These are professional and audience tested routines. Watch and learn amazing and wonderful versions of Rising Card, Cut and Restored Rope, Bending Spoon, Dancing Silk, Bill in Pen, Newspaper Test and many more.

The third DVD explains incredible stage and close up effects. Moreover you'll find a unique version of the famous Vanishing Birdcage in which the magician takes off his coat in front of the audience after the vanishing!

Click here for more info!