Meet Jonathan Real, Magician and TV Host

Jonathan Real, a master magician from New York, performs close-up magic for small, intimate audiences that often include chart-topping musicians and celebrities. You may have seen Jonathan on Real Magic TV (RMTV); the show features Jonathan's magic skills as well as his ability as a celebrity interviewer.

Jonathan has performed for a variety of celebrities, from Maroon 5 and Jason Mraz, to Dan Aykroyd and Kevin Bacon. He also donates his time and magic skills to coaching youngsters as a Director at the Society of Young Magicians.

Learn more about RMTV on Hulu and YouTube.

1. How did you first become interested in magic?

I was always enamored with magic. When I was four or five, I saw a magician perform at a birthday party and was immediately hooked. There is something about it: it has the ability to take an audience on a journey. It makes us realize that there is much more in life than what we see. To be able to bring that feeling to people, and more recently, mainstream celebrities, is just amazing.

2. Would you tell us a little bit about the concept behind Real Magic TV and how you got involved with the show?

Real Magic TV was born from a film project called "Real Magic New York." The original film followed me around the state of NY performing magic in support of the Twin Towers Fund. At the tail end of the benefit project, I was invited to perform for the com band Sevendust. The band's appearance opened the door to a host of record labels and artists wanting to get involved with a magic/music show. We originally called it "RMNY Backstage" but quickly changed the name to "Real Magic TV" after the third taping, and it has stuck ever since.

The concept itself is extremely original. In a nutshell, I am invited backstage at popular music shows to do magic for the bands. The show captures both the magic and a relaxed conversation I have with each band.

A few years ago we added live music performances to the show as well and had the honor of debuting Jason Mraz's hit "I'm Yours" with an exclusive acoustic multiple-cam recording four years before its release. The performance has been viewed millions of times worldwide and launched a whole series of acoustic sessions that we continue to do to this day.

3. How can viewers of RMTV interact with you online and share suggestions of tricks they want to see you perform?

We have just launched a special website for just that purpose: http://www.challengethemagician.com. Viewers can submit their own magic idea videos for me to view and tackle on the program. The site allows the public to see all of the submissions and vote on their favorites. We've seen everything from card tricks to mentalism/seeing through blindfolds and escape requests come in so far.

4. What do you find to be the most fun--and the most challenging--about performing magic?

The fun part is easy: performing magic is extremely rewarding. Seeing the smile on someone's face is incredible and what I strive for in every performance.

The challenging part is practicing and keeping on top of your game. I'm in a really unique place with this show because unlike most magicians performing on stage or in front of a large crowd, I am most often performing for an audience of one. And that one person is a well-known celebrity with a loyal following. The first few tapings we did were extremely nerve-wracking, realizing that if I mess up an effect, not only will this person know about it, but potentially millions of their fans as well. But with risk comes reward, and my career was launched by so many mainstream artists that shared with their fan bases the great stuff I was able to do for them.

5. For people who want to improve their own skills as magicians, what's your best advice?

Practice makes perfect. As secretive as magic is, there are groups across the country that can help you learn the art and perfect it. I joined one such organization (The Society of Young Magicians) at the age of 12, but they welcome people as young as seven who have an interest.

Other than that, you need to perform for as many people you can once you have perfected a trick. And before you have it down perfect, perform for yourself, for a video camera or for other magicians. It's a lot like music: you aren't going to be very good at it at first, but with experience you can really create great and memorable performances.

Thanks, Jonathan!

Introducing Zivi Kivi, Magician and Balloon Artist

One of the pleasures of writing this blog is that I learn about people I would be unlikely to otherwise come into contact with. This week, I learned about Zivi Kivi, a magician and certified balloon artist who lives in Israel. Due to the current unrest in Israel, many children's events have been cancelled, particularly outdoor events because of fear of missiles. Zivi Kivi has made it his project to try to make children happy and has visited 30 villages so far to give free performances for children in shelters.

Describing the children and families that he has met and performed for recently, Zivi Kivi says, "I was privileged to entertain them and make them laugh."

Almost three months ago, he left his job as a project manager for a software company and started full-time as a magician. He has been teaching himself the ways of magic and balloon artistry for some years now, and he has won competitions with his balloon sculptures. Looking at the balloon art in the gallery on his website, I was impressed with the complexity of his work and how expressive it is. I almost expected some of his figures to begin speaking and moving like animated cartoon characters.

Here is someone with a passion for his art form--and a desire to bring joy to others during difficult times. It's a reminder of the value of creativity and personal artistic expression in a diversity of forms. Learn more about Zivi Kivi and his work on his website, zivikivi.co.il (which you can translate from Hebrew into English using Google translate if, like me, you don't read Hebrew).

Meet Hermes the Mentalist, Magician

As a child, Hermes the Mentalist and his family traveled a great deal, giving Hermes a variety of unique cultural experiences and the ability to forge connections with new people. As an adult, Hermes has lived in many places, including Venezuela, Argentina, Russia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Hermes is a lifelong learner who is very engaged with his surroundings and believes that, "in today’s world, where everyone can be connected, it is important to accept and esteem what we can learn from others."

Keep up with Hermes on Facebook, and check out videos of him performing on YouTube. Below is a sample of Hermes the Mentalist in action.

1. I love the connection to the Greek god, Hermes: how and why did you choose Hermes as your stage name?

Hermes was my nickname from childhood (given by my mother). Hermes in mythology was a mischievous god. Always getting in and out of trouble, Hermes was a prankster (that explains my childhood), but he also was the god of magic.

2. When we think of magic, a variety of performers come to mind, some doing close-up magic, some doing elaborate large-scale illusions, etc. How would you describe the magic you do?

I play with the minds... of the viewers. I love close-up: it is a "no mirrors/ no smoke" approach that people find fascinating. But when not performing on TV, most of my shows are on stage, with no props / no illusions. I use all my senses in harmony to create the effect of a sixth sense.

3. Where do you give performances--how can people see you perform and/or hire you for an event?

Like I mentioned before, I do a lot of TV work, mostly in Latin America. Being a polyglot gives me more range in public performance. I also do lot of corporate engagements and tours in some private venues. Last year I was in Barcelona / Marseille / Monaco / Rome.

4. For someone who is interested in learning more about magic, what do you suggest?

First, let's not confuse tricks with magic. For example: learning a few songs in the piano doesn't make you a musician, so likewise, learning a few tricks doesn't make you a magician.

It takes a lot of learning, practice, stage movement, public speaking, etc... In many cases is a lost art, and a magician is not judged by his tricks but by his performance and viewers' engagement.

With that in mind, I suggest that you work to become an actor first then learn some "tricks." Put both in the same piece and you get magic.

5. Why do you think audiences enjoy your performances so much?

I stimulate the mind to learn and question. TV performance is one thing, but when in a corporate environment, you can go full force with the "books," just because is a more educated crowd. Talking about Carl Jung's Analytical Psychology is not for everyone to understand or even grasp the concept. I tell and show them that real magic happens in the mind, and what I do, they can do, too. A true teacher is the one who creates doubt in order for the student to create questions and follow up with research to find the answers. That is what I do with magic.

Thanks, Hermes!