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Slydini - The Legacy
By Bill Wisch
From 1997 to 2005, I was the co-founder of The International Conservatory of Magic (ICOM). One of my additions to the site was "Slydini - The Legacy"; a series of thirty-four monthly articles from September, 1997 to December 2000.
Now, 22 years later, I am opening them up to the broader magic community. Over the coming months, I will be posting selected installments for you to read. As Slydini's only officially authorized student to lecture or teach his magic, I am excited and thrilled to bring this to the magic audience. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them.
In magic,
Bill
"That's Not My Move": Ken Krenzel and the Wisch Wedge by Bill Wisch
January 28, 1986, the day the Challenger disaster stunned the nation, was the day I created what I first called “Phan-Thumb Technique.” In 2012 Jon Racherbaumer renamed it the “Wisch Wedge.” I was practicing in my car when the idea struck. For more than 40 years I have featured this move in lectures, seminars, and on video. It first appeared in the 1991 MVN release The Phan-Thumb Technique and later as VHS transfers sold at my events. The move was reviewed in the December 199
Bill Wisch
Feb 253 min read
Slydini’s Broken Spoon Mystery by Bill Wisch
Original Publication Date: November, 21, 1999 An innocent spoon... Until Slydini sat down at the Table What Slydini did with items on a table and with certain items of food and condiments are legendary. This is another example. Everyone knows the time-honored spoon bending effect...the one where you seem to bend the shaft of the spoon (or fork) and then display it being perfectly straight to the amazement of the spectators. I, along with many magicians, use this a lot at rest
Bill Wisch
Dec 19, 20253 min read
Setting the Record Straight: Doug Conn, Slydini, and the Truth About Cellini
By Bill and Kevin Wisch After seeing The Magic Guys receive recognition at FISM, I visited some of their past content and came across a...
Bill Wisch
Jul 25, 20253 min read
It's a Snap! by Bill Wisch
This is a small miracle, typical of Slydini's impromptu repertoire. He'd always be able to do a trick without any preparation,...
Bill Wisch
Jul 22, 20253 min read
The Helicopter Card: A Lesson From Slydini I'll Never Forget
by Bill Wisch Author's Note: I shared this during the final 72 hours of the Slydini Helicopter Card – Legacy Edition release and I...
Bill Wisch
Jul 21, 20253 min read
Slydini’s True Legacy is His Students: My Thoughts on the “Slydini by Slydini” Project by Bill Wisch
I, like many others, have recently received the “Slydini by Slydini” USB video set. Thank you again to Georges Proust for making this set...
Bill Wisch
Oct 7, 202413 min read
Correcting Richard Kaufman and Exciting Helicopter Card News
Hi all, First I wanted to express my deepest excitement and gratitude to Georges Proust of France for the upcoming shipment and release...
Bill Wisch
Aug 20, 20241 min read
Slydini's Thoughts on The Thumb Clip Vanish
Original Publication Date: March 14, 1999 This month I'm going to briefly discuss Slydini's thoughts regarding the Thumb Palm (really...
Bill Wisch
Jun 18, 20242 min read
Bill Wisch Tribute: Slydini Dinner 11/9/1998
Today, January 15, 2024 marks the 33rd anniversary of the passing of my friend, teacher and mentor Tony Slydini. I have made it a...
Bill Wisch
Jan 15, 20245 min read
Slydini's Cup and Sponge Routine by Bill Wisch
Original Publication Date: June 9, 1999 There was no end to the wonders Slydini would show a person lucky enough to visit his studio on...
Bill Wisch
Dec 22, 20233 min read
Slydini's "Quarter to the Left/Quarter to the Right" System by Bill Wisch
Originally Published: April 2000 When you are performing on a stage or platform, one of the biggest concerns is looking good and at the...
Bill Wisch
Oct 13, 20233 min read
"Sly-Mummy" by Bill Wisch
Original Publication Date: May 1999 This is a really fun entry into "Slydini - The Legacy"! About six months ago I was going through some...
Bill Wisch
Aug 8, 20234 min read
M&M Good! by Bill Wisch
Original Publication Date: December 1999 Author's Note: With three lectures remaining on my "Slydini Admiration" Summer 2023 Lecture...
Bill Wisch
Jul 18, 20235 min read
More Recollections by Bill Wisch
Original Publication Date: September, 31, 2000 Authors Note: Having just kicked off my 19 city "Slydini Admiration" tour in Boca Raton on...
Bill Wisch
Jun 7, 20234 min read
"Surprise!" - Slydini and Bill Wisch Lesson Audio Clip
If you haven't read my previous entry into "Slydini- The Legacy" entitled, "Surprise!", please read that before listening to the below...
Bill Wisch
Apr 28, 20232 min read
Surprise! by Bill Wisch
Original Publication Date: January 2000 Slydini was always refined and dignified when he performed magic. In fact his demeanor rather...
Bill Wisch
Mar 17, 20232 min read
"Recollections" by Bill Wisch
Author's Note: On this day, 32 years ago, my friend and mentor Quintino Marucci (Slydini) passed away. His funeral and burial are as...
Bill Wisch
Jan 15, 20234 min read
"Those Bad Ole' Card Tricks" and "The Approach" by Bill Wisch
Original Publication Date: August 1999 Have you ever been told that, "most people don't like card tricks?" Or, have you ever felt some...
Bill Wisch
Nov 30, 20227 min read
"Slydini-Sphere" by Bill Wisch
Original Publication Date: July 1999 First let me say that I KNOW this has never been in print. In fact, I'm not even sure Slydini ever...
Bill Wisch
Nov 2, 20226 min read
Preparation: "A Good General Chooses His Battlefield" by Bill Wisch
In this updated installment of “Slydini – The Legacy” I wanted to touch on preparation and how important it was to Slydini. It is well...
Bill Wisch
Oct 12, 20224 min read
The Slydini Tapes: A Full Account by Bill Wisch
Selected Tony Slydini and Bill Wisch Lesson Audio Clips From The Slydini Tapes
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