877: Leah Orleans -Legacy Mystifyer

Leah Orleans is the progeny of Jan Rose and Danny Orleans, Chicago based magicians. It only seemed natural that her path would be in the entertainment arts, but instead of traditional magic, Leah pursued the circus arts. She is a contortionist, fire eater, juggler, and even bends over backwards to shoot an arrow from a bow held by her feet! Her profession takes her around the world to Renaissance Festivals, cruise ship destinations, and more.

If you are more of a visual person, then you might like to watch our Zoom video chat on YouTube.

This week, Leah talks about growing up in a magical household with both parents working in the magic business. She also discusses how she went into the circus arts and the classes she took and the places it has taken her. Leah also talks about Mystify Magic Festival and what will make this convention stand out from all the others. She has some great words of advice to convention organizers in general, too.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly Stitcher) by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here. If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

**Hail and Farewell to those in our magic community who left us this past year.**

In 2024 we suffered the loss of many friends who have passed away, but whom are not forgotten. Although the list below is not exhaustive, it does reflect the names of many well-known (and some lesser known) magicians, spouses, assistants and magic aficionados who passed on in 2024. This year’s list is much less than the number reported last year (17 this year, 29 in 2023.) Some may not be as well-known to you, but they were my personal friends (hey, it is my blog!). If you are unfamiliar with any of these names, then it would behoove you to do a little online search of what these people have contributed to our craft. If you have someone you think was overlooked, then please post the name in the comments below on this blog.

Those whose names are highlighted with a “hot link” were featured or interviewed here on The Magic Word Podcast. It was not my original intent when I began this journey to chronicle the voices before they left us, but I am so thankful that I did sit down with many of these friends for lively, and sometimes intimate, conversations. You can click on their name to revisit and listen to their voices again.

Dick Blowers

David Oliver

William “Bill” Rauscher

Chuck Golla

Ed Hurtubis

Daniel Sclare

Ron Jernigan

Doc Sheils

Glen Ghirardi, Sr.

John Apperson

Andrew Galloway

Bob Sanders

Emory Williams

Harriet Jacobson

Jon Racherbaumer

George Joseph “The Amazing Kreskin” Kresge, Jr.

Leonardo Trébole

844: Joe Devlin - Matador In The Arena

Known as the “Matador of Magic,” Joe Devlin has lived what, for most, would be several lifetimes full of magic. He has performed around the world aboard cruise ships for 37 years; he has created and performed unique, original illusions; he was one of the performers in NYC at the Magic Townhouse and Mostly Magic; he had long term engagements in Atlantic City and in the Bahamas; his wedding was the subject of a one-hour “reality” show; he appeared on “All My Children” daytime network television; he has been a consultant tor Criss Angel’s show “Magic of the Stars” and others, and; he was a featured performer on Criss Angel’s “Amysitika” show in Las Vegas.

In this week’s episode, Joe talks about his amazing history of performing, creating and consulting magic over the years. His fast-paced style and on-stage choreography reminds one of the moves of a flamenco dancer and also of a Spanish bullfighter in the arena. This week he chats about a lot of what he has accomplished over the past 40+ years including a bit about taking care of the Houdini Memorial in New York. He had two touring illusion shows, but since the death of his wife/assistant, he has focused on singular performances and consulting.

686: Master Payne - On Point

“Master Payne” Fifield is a multidimensional renaissance character. A member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Payne (as he likes to be called) is one of the instructors at Jeff McBride’s “Magic and Mystery School” in Las Vegas. He is also a regular performer at the “Moisture Festival” and other medieval fests throughout the greater northwest. As his website says, “Seattle’s Premier Prestidigitator.” But many magicians who attend MAGIC Live! know him as the master of the PowerPoint with his clever and witty presentations at their events.

Join Scott as he chats with Payne about acquiring his name “Master Payne” as well as how he came to the attention of Stan Allen for MAGIC Live! with his PowerPoint Presentations. He also has a lot to say about working at outdoor festivals in the great northwest. He scatters a lot of advice throughout this episode that many of us will benefit from in our own presentations. He also talks about the importance of scripting and how public speaking is different from talking during your performance.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

877: Leah Orleans -Legacy Mystifyer

844: Joe Devlin - Matador In The Arena

686: Master Payne - On Point

The Magic Word