Do YOU Believe in Miracles?

It’s so easy, in today’s world of technology and fast-moving tracks, to barely glimpse at events that would have shocked us in earlier times. I have to slow down long enough to tell you about this one event.

I met Greg Ball and his family a couple years ago while performing table-side magic at the Watermark Grille restaurant in Naples, Florida. About as nice a man, wife and kids as one could hope to meet.

They’d just moved here a couple days earlier from Ohio, and Greg told me he was going to start a church in Naples. I performed, chatted and wished them the best. Over the next year or so, they came in a few more times with friends and family. He’d update me on his progress, invite me to join them at church and always left me smiling at how nice he and his family was (and still is!).

As time went on, I became close friends with Greg and we tried to meet for lunch at least once a week. Sometimes, I even went to his church, Destiny Church Naples, which meets at Gulfcoast High School. Even when we didn’t see each other for a few months, he remained one of my favorite people simply because he was engaging, he was real, and he is a “great man of God”, as Greg has defined others. We’ve shared a lot of laughter and serious discussions about family, life, church, religion, friends, and a thousand smaller topics in between.

Pastor Greg is without a doubt one of the coolest people I’ve ever met, and I’m richer for having met him. I’ve since discovered that he and his family have affected many people in the same way, here and abroad.

Greg turned 48 on Monday, October 12th, a short few weeks ago, and on Tuesday morning, around 8:30, he decided to go jogging with his wife Bobbie. Greg took off ahead at a brisk pace, but didn’t get far. With no history of heart or health problems, Greg’s heart decided to just stop beating. Doctors called it sudden death cardiac arrest. Only 2 to 5 percent of patients even make it to the hospital. A few houses down from his front door, Bobbie watched him collapse, and knew from the way he fell that he didn’t trip or stumble.

Bobbie frantically began pounding on doors of houses, hoping to find someone that could call 911. There were too many ‘no answers’. After several houses, she made her way towards Greg, remembering that one of their parishioners lived in the house near Greg. The garage door was open, she knew the resident would be getting ready to get his daughter off to school, and she knew he was a Collier County Sheriff’s Deputy.

It is hard to describe the panic of the scene, but having heard the 911 tapes, I was almost brought to tears from the sheer terror as Bobbie ran from house to house while some citizens dialed 911 from inside their homes.

Cpl. James Streeter had his patrol car across the street, where a life-saving defibrillator waited in the trunk. According to reports, Greg had now been without oxygen and a heartbeat for about 10 minutes. Some say 15 minutes. Cpl. Streeter confirmed there was no pulse, hooked up the defibrillator and gave Greg a shock. Then began the CPR, which finally worked. Greg began breathing on his own as the ambulance arrived.

At the emergency hospital, they determined he should be transported to Naples Community Hospital for a new, cutting edge treatment. They would induce hypothermia – cool his body – to diminish the further destruction of brain and blood cells.

For 24 hours Greg was in a state of induced hypothermia and word went out to individuals and churches all over the world. Pray, was the suggestion. Pray for a miracle that God can heal Greg completely. Pray that not only will he live to be with his family, but that the 10-15 minutes without oxygen and heartbeat won’t bring lasting and devastating effects to his brain.

I visited Greg in intensive care. It was difficult to see people I love living through a delicate time. But I know this: not one person I came into contact with during a difficult week had any doubt that their prayers, and the prayers of thousands and thousands of others would work. All knew that miracles are a given, and all spoke to their belief.

After 24 hours, the doctors began the process of warming Greg’s body. This was it. I will only now confess that I had apprehension.

He’d been in a coma for days and the future could not be told by doctors or nurses or friends and family.

Or could it?

It is hard to type this and not realize it sounds like a story – but here’s what happened, just like it happened: Greg warmed, he came out of his coma, started talking to Bobbie, and over the next 24 hours, became as alert and alive and compassionate and thinking as any of us reading this right now.

I walked into his room within a day of them warming him and he got out of bed to give me a huge bear hug. With a great twinkle in his eye, and words of thanks. And not one single memory of the events we knew. He doesn’t even remember going jogging.

There is absolutely no damage to his brain, his heart or his entire body. Those doctors tested everything. Some chalked it up to their new piece of equipment, and some chalked it up to something they just can’t explain.

It’s OK, though. Greg’s family and friends weren’t looking for an explanation.

Pastor Greg is already back to church, preaching and sharing and giving and loving. It’s what he does. This Sunday, he’s going to tell his story. If you’d like to hear it, stop in at Destiny Church Naples, at Gulfcoast High School on Immokalee Road in Naples, at 10:30 am. It’s about a mile or two east of I-75 at exit 111. I think you’ll enjoy meeting him.

If you’d like to read more of his story, or see a video he shot from his hospital bed shortly after he came out of his coma, click on some of these links here:

http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2009/oct/15/collier-deputy-revives-pastor-who-collapsed-while-/

http://www.nbc-2.com/Global/story.asp?S=11321082

http://www.abc-7.com/Global/story.asp?S=11356395

http://www.youtube.com/user/destinychurchnaples

http://www.destinychurchnaples.org

A Magical Proposal

Eric and his girlfriend Kerri have been coming to the Watermark Grille restaurant for years, since their very first date when I performed for them. When the time came for Eric to ask Kerri for her hand in marriage, Eric wrote me and asked if I would play a magical part in their very special moment. They were coming in with another couple – wonderful friends of theirs. I was delighted to be able to help him.

This video captures only the last minute and a half (the most important part!) of the trick. It’s a bit dark, but that won’t stop you from enjoying the beauty of the moment. Kerri is holding a pendant of Mona Lisa over a box she is protecting. With the sound of the fountains in the background, Eric is drawing a picture on a card. She doesn’t know he’s really writing out his proposal on the card.which I have him put away back into the deck. This is where the video picks up.

Thank you to Eric and Kerri for allowing me to share their memorable occasion. These are the moments that remind you of the best life has to offer:

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Professor Patches at Calusa Nature Center Planetarium

On Saturday, 10/24/09, Professor Patches performed at the Calusa Nature Center Plantarium again this year, and will be back there next Saturday on Halloween at 4:00pm. The seats of the planetarium were packed and there’s so much for the kids to do, between the trick or treating and the animals, along with countless other activities. Professor asked me to pass on that he’d love to see all the young and the young at heart at the Calusa Nature Center!

‘Party at the Plantation’ Talent Showcase

With a total of 150 people enjoying the music, magic, game shows, food and drink, the Party at the Plantation was a huge success. On Monday, 10-12-09, the top event professionals from all over SW Florida put on their dancing shoes and their party spirit and enjoyed a collection of the best entertainers gathered in one spot.

"The Rhythm of Magic" show

This first-class event was put together by Paul Easton of Talent-The Agency of Choice, Sarah Krehling and Jenny Easton of Lyfe of the Party, and Patrick Gretz of The Plantation Club.

The Plantation Club at The Dunes, Naples, FL

The amount of details and perfection from these pros set the tone for the coming season. Thank you to all four of them for their passion for this industry and the people that work so hard. Gauging from phone calls and bookings in the last few days, the local economy received one heck of a boost Monday!

Clint Wiley's remarkable "None Other" band

Playing a song thought of by an audience member in "The Rhythm of Magic

There are several other pictures from the evening, including greats shots of the other acts including Symon, Stacey Knights, Chris Hogenson, and the Marc Vee Band at this link: First Annual Party at the Plantation.

I’m looking forward to working with all of them again!

Event Industry Showcase in October

On Monday, October 12, meeting planners, hotel marketing and sales staffs, wedding planners, event professionals of all types are getting together at an amazing property in Naples called The Plantation Club at The Dunes. Hand-picked artists on three stages will be mixing it up with gaming tables, game shows, cocktails and food. Judging by the response so far, I’m told this will be the premiere event for SW Florida event professionals. If that means you, make sure you call and RSVP.

I’m excited about presenting The Rhythm of Magic show throughout the evening: intimate theater that fuses the elements of music, rhythm and laughter with sleight-of-hand artistry and thought-reading.

Here’s the flyer for the event:

CBIA Sand Dollar Awards

On Saturday night, I had the pleasure and the honor of performing for some of the most inventive, creative and driven people I’ve ever met. The occasion was the Collier Building Industry Association’s annual Sand Dollar awards at the Naples Grande Beach Resort. I had the opportunity to present intimate magic for an hour during cocktails, as well as the stage show after dinner. As you can tell, we had a ball! The highly-regarded Naples photographer John Sciarrino of Giovanni Photography took these photos. I also had a chance to work with DJ Extraordinaire Chris Hogenson, probably the busiest DJ in SW Florida. What a wonderful evening in all.

10 Tips for a Successful, worry-free Event

After performing for several thousand events from Paris to Hawaii and most stops in between, I created these answers to questions that sometimes get forgotten. I hope you find a tip or two that helps you.

1) Have your camera charged, and make sure you have tape if you’d like to shoot video.

2) Send out invitations a minimum of 3 weeks in advance – preferably 5-6 weeks in advance.

3) If you’re hiring a caterer for the event, seek out the recommendations of friends and colleagues. Ask questions similar to the ones under ‘Hiring professional entertainment’.

4) Sometimes, the benefits of having your event in an outside location instead of your home can outweigh the money considerations: no clean-up, professionals on staff to look after your guest’s needs, etc.

5) Hire professional entertainment – preferably recommended by word of mouth or an Entertainment Agency. Ask questions such as:

a) Can they provide proof of at least $1,000,000 liability insurance for their performances?

b) Is this their full-time living?

c) Is it possible to check their references?

d) Are they current members of the world’s top Magic Organizations?

6) If a meal is being served, plan any shows, awards or speeches to begin after dishes have been cleared and desert served. This allows your guests to focus on, and be able to hear your presentations.

1) Have your camera charged, and make sure you have blank tape or discs if you’d like to shoot video.

2) Send out invitations a minimum of 3 weeks in advance – preferably 5-6 weeks in advance.

3) If you’re hiring a caterer for the event, seek out the recommendations of friends and colleagues. Ask questions similar to the ones under ‘Hiring professional entertainment’.

4) Sometimes, the benefits of having your event in an outside location instead of your home can outweigh the money considerations: no clean-up, professionals on staff to look after your guest’s needs, etc.

5) Hire professional entertainment – preferably recommended by word of mouth or an Entertainment Agency. Ask questions such as:

• a) Can they provide proof of at least $1,000,000 liability insurance for their performances?
• b) Is this their full-time living?
• c) Is it possible to check their references?
• d) Are they current members of the world’s top Magic Organizations?

6) If a meal is being served, plan any shows, awards or speeches to begin after dishes have been cleared and desert served. This allows your guests to focus on, and be able to hear your presentations.

7) If you’re having a Silent Auction, make sure you allow plenty of time for your guests to peruse and go back several times to items of interest. At least an hour and a half will give auction bids an opportunity to build. Announcements make a big difference in number of bids.

8) If you’re using strolling or table-side magic, plan on entertaining approximately 50-70 people per hour.

9) If you’re hosting a surprise party, make sure all your guests know that its a surprise. It’s best to provide a phone number that allows vendors and guests to leave messages which won’t be heard by the guest of honor.

10) Remember that by hiring professionals, it allows you to focus on enjoying the event as much as your guests.

Interview on myiTownTV.com

A wonderful entertainer & recording artist, Symon, hosts a show called “In Tune”

about SW FL entertainment on myitowntv.com

I had the pleasure of being his guest a couple weeks ago on the latest installment of his show.

I hope you enjoy:

http://myitowntv.com/media/589/IN_TUNE_82009_-_Magician,_Keith_Raygor/

Graphics and gigs

I’ve added some more graphics to the graphics website. This is just stuff I do for fun and friends.

Also, I put a page into the site of pictures from bands and gigs along the way. I’ve had former band mates send me pictures over the years, as well as hanging on to old promo pictures and thought I’d post them. Makes for a visual timeline of sorts. Give me a holla if you see yourself in one of them – and even if you don’t!

Here’s the link:

www.KeithGraphics.com

Talking Magic Blues

The curmudgeonly Tony Dunn is noted throughout the kingdom of magic as one of its finest illustrators. His work is generously sprinkled throughout magic’s highest-regarded books and magazines. As well, he is an accomplished magician and Emcee. He is also a songwriter and picker, whether its a bass, an acoustic guitar, or a ukulele. He recorded this song in the summer of 2006 in my studio, and a few weeks later we had a contest on the Magic Cafe and the Genii Forums to see if anyone could identify the singer/songwriter. It was a lot of fun.

Here’s Tony:

And here’s his song, titled “Talking Magic Blues”:

Magic Sets and Shows

It was time for my Mom to pass along old photographs and slides. I scanned in some of the photos already, and had the 500 slides scanned at a photo lab. I ran across these two photos. The first one is my first magic set in Christmas of 1965, I was 10 years old and it was a time of real Christmas trees, popcorn strings of garland, and ice skating on the lake – which all meant Holidays at the cabin.

This second picture was taken a year and a half later during the summer of 1967. On a family vacation to LA, an old friend of my Dad’s – Magic Castle member and performer Bob French performed a magic show in his living room for all seven of us. He gave me an opportunity to assist, and that was it! I’d found a hobby that would always give me joy and fascination

Mona Lisa’s secrets

Behold the secrets of Lisa del Giocondo.

We may say Ma’am,
The Brits may say My Lady,
The Italians would say Madonna.
Or they would shorten it to Mona in conversation.

But Mona Lisa is what we call her.

• Leonardo Da Vinci began painting her in 1503.
• Pyramid design formed by her head and arms.
• The arm of the chair forms a dividing line between Mona Lisa and the viewer.
• Her posture is reserved and angled away from us, with only her eyes focused on the observer. We are led to her face by the bright lighting upon it, framed by darker tones of her hair and shadows.
• There is a contrast between the invitation of her face and the reservation of her posture.

• She had no eyebrows or eyelashes as this was a fashion of the day.
• It was one of the first portraits to depict the subject in front of an imaginary background.
• The curves of the background valleys, rivers and paths are complemented by the curves of her hair and dress.
• Currently hangs in the Musée du Louvre in Paris.
• It is much smaller in real life than most people imagine (30×21”)

• It is painted with oils on poplar wood.

• Infrared cameras show that she originally wore a bonnet and was clenching the chair, but da Vinci changed it as an afterthought.
• 6 million people view the painting each year.
• It’s been thought that da Vinci painted himself as the subject, but notes were found naming Lisa del Giocondo as the sitter for the painting.

• Lisa del Giocondo was the 24 year old wife of a wealthy businessman from the Tuscany region.
• The painting was stolen by an employee of the Louvre in 1911, and recovered 2 years later.
• Pablo Picasso was questioned by the police regarding the theft.

• Because of its priceless nature, the painting cannot be insured.

• Her smile still captures the imaginations of most who see her.

A landmark in Naples since 1998

This has been my home, 5 nights a week, for almost 11 years now. The 4 Malo brothers built it and run it to this day. They’ve spent their lives in the restaurant/nightclub business, and if you’ve seen live music in Chicago, chances are you were at one of their places.

Their idea for the Watermark Grille came to them quite naturally after successfully owning and running several other restaurants in Naples, FL.

I love performing intimate magic, and the Watermark Grille has given me that tableside opportunity for guests from all over the world. If you’re in Naples, stop in – you’ll never forget the food or the design of the restaurant.

Here’s their website:
www.WatermarkGrille.com

The owners of the Watermark Grille - The Malo Brothers

The Rhythm of Magic Video

done

This is the 2 minute video of the opening sequence for the live show, coupled with some footage from one of the shows.

Travels to Austin

Esther’s Follies on 6th Street - view from the street.

Made a trip to Austin for the first time this weekend. I met Steve Stuckey there – famous soundman and coincidently, my roommate on the road during the showband years  – for a chance to see a lot of music in a few short days.

We saw quite a few bands: jazz, blues, metal, country punk. Saw some good music and some very cool clubs. I enjoy the spirit of the Texans. There is a live-and-let-live feel to Austin, and they know how to have fun. I would definitely go back again.

Had a drum duel with this girl-she was great!

Lucky's Lounge - the loudest band of the night

Blues along the way

Infamous Antone's club

Maggie Mae's club rockin'

Hard-edged Johnny Cash songs

Dueling pianos at Pete's