The real, practical problem is that I need about 12 umbrellas (long, classic style, not mini/collapsible style) and I don't have the resources to buy a bunch of brand new umbrellas. So, if you (or someone you know) has old, unused, ugly or otherwise unnecessary umbrellas lying around, let's talk. I need them ASAP. 

They don't have to work, they can be torn or damaged, as long as they are the long kind (30" or so). 

If you have a large amount of them, I can probably pay some amount. I will, of course, come pick them up and if I use any of your umbrellas, I will thank you profusely on the internet and send you pics (and vids if possible) of your donations in action. 

Be a part of showbiz! SEND ME YOUR UMBRELLAS! 

So I'm thrilled, excited and terrified that he had me on the show and it's live for you to listen to at: http://meettheskeptics.libsyn.com/mts-meet-dezrah-blinn-dezrah-the-strange-

Listen, enjoy, share. I may be hosting a Google+ meetup later if there's enough interest. 

Thank you!

This is for the use of attendees and professional performers ONLY!!!

Do not attempt to build or use a bed of nails without competent supervision and instruction. 

You have been warned. 

(Apparently the slideshow player doesn't work on IE, so here's the direct link: https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=d28cd2r_90cz4bc5c2)

If you have any questions, etc. Leave them in the comments below or use the e-mail form to the left. Thanks!

He has been an invaluable companion and had become an integral part of the creative and communications reboot that I’ve been working on. Sadly, TJ passed away this weekend due to poor care from his previous owner and some unknown power fault. In the short time he’s been on the Dezrah Magic team, he has become an invaluable asset. He will be sorely missed.

Since I’m a stay-at-home dad, waiter and college student, I don’t have the liquid capital to purchase a replacement and TJ is beyond repair. So far, this is the typical 1st world non-problem that you’ve probably heard 1,000 times.

Here’s the difference. I’m a magican, escape artist, sideshow performer and not a half bad one at that. I’m also a believer in creative solutions. So here’s the deal: If you have a decent (Win7 capable or SnowLeopard+) laptop that you don’t use or are thinking of replacing, I will come to your home, office, Halloween Party, Bar Mitzvah, block party, wedding, lecture, PowerPoint presentation and/or parole hearing and perform for you.

I’ll do close-up for you, my stage show, or if you have something else in mind, I’m open. I’ll travel pretty much anywhere in New England, but long-distances (50+ miles from Worcester) will need some extra planning.

So if you’re interested in having your own personal geek magician on call and have some spare tech lying around, contact me at dezrah@gmail.com or leave a comment on this post. Thank you for your support and please spread the word!

-Dezrah

Tardis Jr, RIP…(or get donated to TESLA...)

Anyways, in the latest episode, he teaches the classic Rope Handcuffs trick and gives yours truly a plug at the end. So do me (and yourselves) a favor. Go watch the episode here or on YouTube and leave a comment saying how much you love the show. Even better, leave an iTunes review for "Scam School" if you're a subscriber!

Most recently I was a featured performer at Walter Sickert and The Army of Broken Toys' "SteamCrunk Lounge" as part of Boston's First Night 2011 festivities. There's a great review here. 

November brought the end of my 6-month residency at the Piccadilly Pub in Marlboro. I had a great time there and it was unexpectedly rewarding to be able to say that I was a professional magician again. 

In September and October, I was part of an 8-week engagement as a street performer outside the American Repertory Theatre's production of "Cabaret" starring Amanda Palmer. Not only did I get to meet some fantastic fellow performers, due to the generosity of a fellow Amanda Palmer fan on Twitter, I got VIP tickets to the show and got to perform one of my pet routines for AFP herself! All in all, it was an amazing creative and learning experience. Thank you so much to Director Steven Bogart, everyone at ART and of course, the fantastic folks at The Oberon for letting the weirdness happen. 

Next up: a very exciting opportunity that I can't talk about yet. Suffice to say, it will be one of the most intimidating audiences I've ever had, only because I'm an admirer of so many of the potential audience members. Check back here, or better yet, follow me on Twitter or Facebook for up to the minute details!

I first heard about it on Amanda Palmer's Twitter feed where she put out a call for street performers and other ne'er do-wells to help build ambiance before the show. On a "why the hell not?" sort of urge, I responded to her and miraculously she gave me the e-mail of the Asst't director. 

After a little back-and-forth determining what would be appropriate for the space (glass walking out, street-magic in!) I was invited to join other potential performers at an audition last night. I was up against some serious (and seriously talented) character actors and artists including a drunken ex-pat opera singer, a conscripted Polish WWI veteran/Cubist caricaturist, a two-person, one puppet dirty old man, a beautiful bronze living statue and Meff and JoJo's Tiny Instrument Revue!

I performed a little forkbending, my bastardized 2-cup version of the cups and balls, Sankey's Paperclipped and closed with my "match trick" that now incorporated the animated matchbook. I got gasps and applause in all the right places and my "mistakes" were bought hook, line and sinker. I've never actually auditioned for anything, certainly not for something as amazing and edgy as AFP and ART's "Cabaret". I was terrified the entire time and my nerves showed, but I have to say that the past few months at the Piccadilly have really tightened my routines and burned the moves into my brain. I was able to just be there in the moment and forget about the mechanics. 

Nerves aside, I think my set went well, but considering the character and type of performances we all saw that night, I was concerned that I wouldn't really fit in with what they wanted. I knew for sure that I wouldn't be hearing from them and was just grateful for the opportunity to audition. It turns out that I was wrong, HOORAY!!! Apparently my strategy of meta-weirdness, (being the most normal person in a room full of weirdos in turn makes one the weirdest person in the room), is paying off. 

So now I'm just waiting for the details of my schedule and rehearsals, but the hard part is done. I've been paying my dues at the restaurant, getting my chops up, took a chance and somehow fell ass-backwards into awesomeness! 

So, if you, or anyone you know is in Cambridge in the next 6 weeks, stop on by (and bring money)! I'll be outside the theater, so you don't even have to have tickets to some see me! Of course, you should really, really, REALLY see "Cabaret" but act fast, shows are selling out left and right. 

He was an amazing performer and very generous with his time and advice for fledgling magi like myself. Wonderful guy with a fantastic stage presence. 

Finally I debuted my first large scale illusion at the "Bent Wit Cabaret" with the help of the lovely and talented, Karin Webb. It was a blast and working with such talented people really inspires me to become a better performer. Go to the "videos" page to see a sample of what you missed. ;) 

There's more magic coming, so stay tuned here for more updates. 

See you there!

How can you get a great meal, good entertainment, win prizes and help kids with cancer? Come to "Serve It Up for Why Me". 

On May 19th, 2010 Local magicians Dezrah The Strange, Frank Damelio, Jason Kallio and Tony Sherman, as well as The Worcester Firefighters and all three Worcester 99 Restaurants are joining forces for the 2nd year in a row to raise money for "Why Me" and Sherry's house. 

All tips and 15% of sales from all three Worcester 99's will be donated to "Why Me". The local magic community will be pitching in to provide entertainment at all three locations and there will be silent auctions, raffles and prizes for everyone. 

For more details go to: http://www.whyme.org/events.php#50 or call any of the Worcester 99 Restaurants. For a .pdf poster you can hang anywhere go to: http://www.whyme.org/cms/uploads/pdf/PUB99-2010.pdf

Thank you in advance for your support!