David Reed-Brown » Blog

A Wonder-Filled Senior Show & a Wonderful Comedian

admin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:31:20 +0000

Last night I had the honor of performing at a very fine Jewish assisted living facility in West Hartford, Connecticut. We had a blast together. The audience knew how to have fun. Plus, it’s the holiday season! Everyone was in a festive mood after Sunday night dinner, and these folks have been friends for a long time. One woman, let’s call her Janet, came forward to assist in some of the wonder-working. She was dead certain that she had no magic in her, and she was quite the character with a comeback for everything. I tell you she made me work harder than I have in a long time! The best part, however, was when she KNEW FOR CERTAIN the magic had not worked. One ball was in her hand and she waved the wand, but it didn’t disappear. She knew it. She tried again and again. ”See, I told you. I CAN’T DO MAGIC!” I said in a stage whisper, “Janet… open your hand,” and there were two balls. Her mouth dropped in disbelief. I think perhaps she had not been this speechless in weeks. The audience was stunned with wonder then hilarious applause. From that moment on, we had the best time. We laughed and laughed and laughed. The energy in the room went through the roof – never mind that most of these folks were in their 80s and 90s! We were all eleven again. And even though I was a Baptist minister, they let me bless them at the end. It was a wonder-full evening at a wonderful time of year. ”Thank you Bubbies. You’re maaahvelous! Happy Hanukkah and shalom!”

Comedian Pete Holmes talks about how essential it is to have wonder and awe for life on his new album, “Impregnated With Wonder”. He understands well what so many magicians are trying to do. Enjoy a bit of his humor on Conan O’Brien:

September 11, Ground Zero and the Healing Magic of Love

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:48:12 +0000

On September 11, 2001 we lived on the Connecticut shoreline about ninety minutes east of New York City. In that area of bedroom commuter communities, everyone seemed to know someone who lost a loved one. A friend of mine lost her niece. Another had to explain to her four-year-old daughter why her classmate was no longer in preschool… On the 22nd I stood two blocks from the debris piled four stories high. I’m from upstate NY. I had to go. With such deep wounds and the strong will to help, two months later a small group of us found ourselves cleaning out apartments through our denomination’s disaster relief clean-up program. We were right across the street to the south of the towers. (It had been the “red zone” just a couple days earlier.) You could look out the window directly into the pit. The apartment windows all around that area had been blown out and the apartments filled with many inches – sometimes feet – of that dusty brown refuse containing, well… It was traumatic for many just to be there, but it was healing also. When local residents shared their experience, it was an honor similar to when a war veteran opens up. Every day we had lunch at Respite Care at the Marriott Hotel. Volunteer chaplains, psychologists, social workers, cooks and our nation’s finest civil servants ate, rested and slept there. There was a very profound sense of kindness and a gentle but strong determination that we were all going to get through this together. I returned two weeks later to offer distraction in the form of strolling magic in the dining room. (I learned that many entertainers offered their gentle services there.) In between routines, I listened and offered care. Two men were weighed down with anguish as they ate. Their job? Collecting human remains with as much respect, dignity and care as possible. At first it seemed trite to say, “Pick a card.” But then the hope of being lost and found gained new meaning. They appreciated the chance to smile and laugh in the face of devastation. With some of us gathered around we learned together the powerful image of destroying (paper) and not exactly restoring as it once was… That symbol wouldn’t work because none of our lives would ever be the same again. Rather the torn napkin (an impromptu symbol our lives, nation and world) – blessed by a sacred spirit of healing love – was transformed into a shower of gentle streamers over our heads – an affirmation of Love’s blessing and deliverance. I still do a form of this routine at the end of my show. Back in our home town, I was asked to pray at a civil ceremony on the second anniversary of September 11. If you choose, you can read it by clicking here. If you do not believe in God, it may still be cathartic to subsitute the word “Love” for the word “God.” All this reminds me that we move on, transformed, full of life and blessed to be here. What an honor it is to give and receive love from one another. That is what makes us strong, resilient, courageous and beautifully transformed.

Shalom, Salaam, Peace,

The Rev. David Reed-Brown

Thanks everyone! We reached 10,000 Facebook Likes! Great job!

admin — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 01:51:26 +0000

We could not have done this without YOU. After re-launching the Magic of David Reed-Brown web site five short weeks ago, we reached our goal of 10,000 Facebook Likes! We are overwhelmed with gratitude for you and for the vision of love we have for magical inspiration. To celebrate, here are some of my favorite quotes. Enjoy! David Reed-Brown

“Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Every oak tree started out as a couple of nuts who stood their ground.” – Unknown to me

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson in “A Return to Love” quoted by Nelson Mandela in his presidential inaugural speech.

“The highest art in any medium can only emerge from a spiritual background. This applies particularly to the art of magic”. – S.H. Sharpe

The Resignation of Steve Jobs & The Magic of Life

admin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 05:00:21 +0000

Steve Jobs, the founder and Guru of Apple Electronics, resigned as CEO today. He is arguably the greatest technological magician of our time. Several years ago Mr. Jobs was diagnosed with a very rare form of pancreatic cancer; he has wrestled with his health since. After the first cancer was successfully treated, he spoke for the 2005 graduating class of Stamford University. In what CNN calls “the speech of his life” Jobs shares three stories. Each one uplifts how he confronted a death of sorts and the wonderful results he found in each struggle. Death affects us far more than we care to admit. I will write more later, but in November 2001 I attended a conference on Mount Charleston in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was a retreat for magicians called Legends of Magic, and it came at the beginning of season of many deaths in my life. I will never forget that after prayerfully walking a Labyrinth (a spiritual practice from Greek mythology and Christianity) that a tarot card reader had me “pick a card.” I drew the Ace of Spades, the Death Card. It is a symbol of change. I never placed much trust in such things, but little did I know how much death, change and beautiful LIFE I would encounter in the coming years. I share this so that you will set aside fifteen minutes of your life, and listen to Steve Jobs. Really listen… He speaks with the simple greatness and beauty of profound truth. I wish you peace and light. Sincerely, David
Visit www.Reed-Brown.com

TEDx Talk on Magic & Management by Ferdinando Buscema

admin — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 14:57:40 +0000

My friend and colleague, Professor Lawrence Hass, is both a philosopher and magician. He recently shared this wonderful TEDx talk by Ferdinando Buscema about the intersection of magic and management. Anyone in a managerial position today – from engineers to clergy – will benefit by watching. It uplifts a major shift in management to cope with the many unknowns in today’s world. Clergy please take note. It will be a seventeen minutes extremely well-spent. – Come make a wonder-filled world, David Reed-Brown
Visit www.Reed-Brown.com

A Moment of Wonder with Daughter and Mother

admin — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 21:32:49 +0000

Being both clergy and magician, it’s amazing how many times the subjects of wonder and mystery come up in my life. I was leaving the doctor’s office (of all places) when the office administrator asked me to show her young daughter some magic. I had NOTHING with me. There wasn’t even a Bic pen with which I can entertain for three minutes. Bummer. Then it caught my eye: I asked to borrow that yellow Ticonderoga pencil and… her wedding ring. She gingerly placed it on the end of the pencil. Then I slid it into my fist. A wave with the impromptu yellow wand while her daughter blew on the closed hand holding her mother’s cherished wedding band. Opening the hand, it dissolved in the air. A brief reminder of how precious the love of family is, and the ring re-materialized on the other end of the pencil. It was a moment of stunned silence, precious to mother and daughter. But, I’m not sure which of us was more grateful for the moment we shared. I think I’ll call my wife and pick up the kids early…

Great Photo Shoot Reveals Magic & Life

admin — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 17:43:35 +0000

I had a wonderful extended photo shoot yesterday afternoon with Connecticut’s premier portrait photographer, Matthew J. Wagner. It was a magical experience weaving together the arts of magic and photography. We captured many delightful images, and I look forward to sharing them with you in the near future. I love the slow motion capture of the floating table with its lit candle all aglow, and how Matthew beautifully photographed butterflies multiplying all around me. Whatever you love doing, I recommend spending time with a photographer so you can visually hold on to moments of joy and wonder in your life. Believe me; it’s worth it!

Welcome to Our New Website!

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:18:33 +0000

Hello Friends, welcome to our totally revamped web site for the Magic of David Reed-Brown. We have been very busy in recent months planning a new era of meaningful magic. In fact, we are naming the new business “Enlighten Entertainment”! We have a big photo shoot tomorrow with one of the foremost portrait photographers in New England, Matthew J. Wagner, so check back soon for the new images. David is busy planning a host of shows in New England and beyond. We also have a new line of entertainment as a professional speaker for high school students, denominations and corporations. If you want the fully skinny, be sure to read the brief article on the home page of this website. Special thanks to Tobias Beckwith and Bryce Kuhlman for their assistance in launching our new internet presence. Peace and light to you and yours, David Reed-Brown