Chicago April 2013 Article
Here's an article that just came out for my appearance in Chicago on April 26th & April 27th 2013. Enjoy.
Splash Magazine Review
The Magic of Ivan Amodei: Intimate Illusions – Magic is For Grown-Ups
By Ma'ayan Cohen
Houdini’s Escape
One of the most famous names in magic was known for wrapping himself in chains, shackles and handcuffs and then throwing himself into icy rivers.
Each time, he managed to escape from his constraints. In my show, you'll bear witness to a technique mastered by the great Houdini that is literally death-defying. You might think this is extremely dangerous and that I’m crazy for attempting such a challenge.
And you might be correct. This technique is terrifying and intimidating, and I’d be lying if I told you nothing could go wrong.
Rare Publicity Photo of Houdini
This is a very rare publicity photo of Houdini. I find it inspiring how well, in a time when there wasn't internet and high tech methods of publicizing yourself, how Houdini did everything to market himself masterfully.
Almost 100 years later, his name is as well known as it was then. Amazing.
Houdini: Art and Magic
Pictured here and a bit blurry (my camera didn't take a great shot), but you can read a great history about Houdini that was on display at the Skirball Museum this summer.
Houdini Museum Online
I just found a Houdini Museum in Scranton, PA . Take a look around and enjoy! Click here to see the website.
Houdini’s Needles
I recently went to the Skirball Cultural Arts Center in Los Angeles to see the Houdini: Art & Magic exhibit. I loved it. I saw some amazing artifacts directly from private collectors and other museums. This one struck me (notice I didn't say stuck me) powerfully. Pictured here, and a bit blurry, are the actual needles that Houdini used in his recreation of the famous Indian Needle effect.
There are a handful of magicians who perform the effect almost identically in presentation as Houdini did it. Teller (of Penn and Teller) does it beautifully. In my effect, thirty to forty 2" needles are swallowed, similar to Houdini's version, but in my Intimate Illusions show, the ending of this effect takes the piece in a completely different and "mind-boggling" (as Dick Clark would say) direction.
Each performance of it gives me new nuances to insert and perform. It's my passion and I'm always thinking about how to improve each piece. It is one of my favorite effects in the entire show.
Thanks again for stopping by and see you at the show.
Ivan
Houdini’s East Indian Needle Trick
For years, I wanted to perform the East Indian Needle trick. I didn't want to do it the way Houdini or other magicians of the past and present perform it. So after a few years of toiling, it came to me of how I was going to my it my own.
Here's a brief description of the effect: In this trick, Houdini swallows 50 to 100 needles, 20 yards of thread and brings them all up threaded, after his mouth and throat have been inspected by a committee.
"Around the World" is one of my favorite effects that I perform in my show Intimate illusions and is fast becoming the talked about illusion in the show. Mainly because it has so many great qualities that make an effect great: danger, mystery and of course, impossibility.
Magic’s Most Amazing Stories -The Book
A Collection of Incredible Stories From World Famous Magicians
Nominated by ForeWord Review for book of the year for 2010 in the humor category. This book has no effects, no tricks to learn and no moves to master.
Filled with inspiring, hilarious, gripping, remarkable and shocking stories for all! Over 75 contributors, over 100 stories, beautifully illustrated, completely in full-color and over 250 pages of incredible stories, crazy facts, great anecdotes and fantastic tales about famous magicians of the past and present.
Magicians of the past and current magicians including: Houdini, Doug Henning, Dai Vernon, Tony Slydini, Tommy Cooper, Jimmy Grippo, Harry Blackstone, just to name a few.
Reports from the road, at the airport, technical problems, hecklers, lost props, fire, animal mishaps and anything else you can think of IS ALL HERE! Get an inside look to what happens to the pros while they travel and work in this exciting profession.
Compiled by Multiple Award-Winning Magician Ivan Amodei
Danger in the Dark: A Houdini & Nate Mystery
What a great book. Perfect for the kids who love magic. "When an unscrupulous man plots against his mother, a young boy gets help from the famous magician, Harry Houdini."
Pick up your copy at Amazon.com.
“Lock Picking” as Told by Avani Mehta
Here's a great story from my book about Harry Houdini.







































