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About This Episode: In this week's podcast, we talk with Niels Duinker, a professional comedy juggler who first thought of becoming a successful international performer when he was 12 years old, and well before the end of his teenage years, his dream had become a reality. Niels has set 9 Guinness World Records in juggling and was voted Juggler of the Decade by the International Magicians Society. He also received the Award of Excellence from the Museum of Juggling History. Modestly beginning his career in a Rotterdam youth circus, Niels now spends his time jetting between high-profile engagements at theaters, casinos, cruise ships, theme parks, and corporate events. More than just a pretty face with a bag full of cool tricks, in the spring of 2009 Niels completed the course work for his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. Another dream turned reality. Sharing his love of the arts with the performers of tomorrow, Niels regularly lectures as a guest artist at two Government-funded professional circus schools in the Netherlands: Codarts Circus School in Rotterdam and the Fontys Circus School in Tilburg. He also serves as a board member with the International Jugglers Association and he's the president of the International Sport Juggling Federation, which is the governing body for the sport of juggling. Connect with Niels: Website Instagram YouTube Connect with nine dots: E-mail Geoffrey nine dots Media Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Facebook
Las Vegas is officially the magic capital of the world, currently playing host to multiple magic shows - not to mention some of the legendary performers who've graced the Vegas Strip throughout its history. My guest for this episode of the podcast is Jen Kramer, who's currently headlining "The Magic of Jen Kramer" at the famed Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, which she opened in May 2018. Named "Female Magician of the Year" by the International Magicians Society and recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree by VEGAS INC, Jen has also appeared on Penn & Teller's "Fool Us", Penn & Teller's "Try This At Home" and "Masters of Illusion". Jen joined me for the podcast to talk about how she became interested in magic, the time she spent attending Yale & founding the Yale Magic Society, her charity work with Magicians Without Borders, how she landed her Vegas headlining gig...and much more! If you want to learn more about Jen and check out some her amazing illusions, you can visit her official website, subscribe to her YouTube Channel or follow her on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Dr David Adamovich, aka 'The Great Throwdini' is internationally known as ‘The World's Fastest and Most Accurate Knife Thrower’ and has proven himself worthy of standing amongst a handful of impalement artist legends, both historically and contemporary, e.g. Gustavo Arcaris, Fritz and Patrick Brumbach, Joe Gibson, Che Che Whitecloud, Larry Cizewski, Tyrone Laner, and Paul LaCrosse. His unique style of performing in a tailed tuxedo, as well as the innovations he’s created, identify him immediately. Amongst them are his veiled stunts with both one and two assistants hidden behind a paper veil, creating the technique of catching knives, and closing his act with the stabbing of a signed card. After being the fourth person in history to perform ‘The Veiled Wheel of Death’ he became the first and only person to perform it with 2 assistants. Likewise, at the straight board, two assistants are unseen behind a paper veil as he throws knives on either side and then in between them — in a black theater to a strobed light. One of magic’s highest honors, The Merlin Award by the International Magicians Society, has been bestowed upon Throwdini for 'Outstanding Performances in the Impalement Arts'. Besides performing in 'Stars of The World Famous Moscow State Circus', Throwdini has performed in major magic venues around the world, been on prominent TV shows including Letterman and O'Brien, stunt-throw doubled for major actors, has taken his act to 13 countries around the world, and starred in the Off-Broadway sensation 'Maximum Risk – World Champions on the Edge'! Throwdini has set or broken 40 world records, most of which are for the speed, accuracy and distance of his throwing; in many cases he far exceeded those accomplished at world championships. Some of his most prominent records include: sticking a knife into a 12” bulls eye from 101 feet, throwing 144 knives around a human target in 1 minute, and extinguishing a cigarette in an assistant's mouth with a 14” knife. Many of Throwdini’s records appear in The Guinness Book of World Records, not to mention Ripley's Believe it or Not!, featuring him as being the only person to ever catch a bullet, an arrow, and a knife! Throwdini has written about his experiences in 'A Day on Broadway', and created an instructional video, 'The Fundamentals of Knife Throwing', featuring his very own “Peel and Throw” Method of throwing that helped him earn both National and World Championships. In this episode of the show, I interview 'Throw', as his friends like to call him, about his meteoric rise to fame, having taken up throwing when he was 50 years old (perhaps there is hope for me too)! We discuss his world record preparations, his life as a performer and he offers some sage advice to both experienced throwers and those, like me, who are new to the field. David was a very generous guest and I am sure you will find much to reflect on in this one hour episode!
In this interview, Niels Duinker talks about how he's been able take his passion of juggling and make it into a career. He also talks about how he's been designing the ultimate juggling cup! Niels Duinker is a comedy juggler from the Netherlands. Niels has taken his juggling around the world earning him many accolades including Gold Medal in the 2009 Taiwan Circus Festival, multiple Gold Medals at the National Juggling Championships, Variety Act of the Year in 2012 from the International Magicians Society, and he’s a three-time world record holder in the Guinness Book of World Records. He boasts quite an impressive resumé performing at top casinos, cruise lines, theme parks, and festivals as well as for clients like Coca Cola, Intel, Mitsubishi, and IKEA. Finally, Niels also teaches what he’s learned in juggling as well as in life when it comes to pursuing your dream in lectures, DVDs, and his book, “Catching Greatness." Success Quote: Make yourself a little bit better every day. Failure Moment Niels tells how he missed a gig because of a nap and a time difference. Favorite Success Finally being able to nail something he's been woking on. Differentiates Himself Getting away from standard props. Niels on Prop Design • Talks about designing shaker cups specifically made for juggling. • Building prototypes. • Using his mechanical engineering degree. • Having a list of objectives to achieve with new design. Worked Best in Growing Business Showing up every day, working hard, and being faithful. Biggest Professional Challenge Coming up with new goals after attaining all of his current ones. Interesting Story Niels tells us an interesting story of a photo he printed and looked at every day and how it eventually became a reality in his own life. Other Topics Covered • How he approached cruise lines. • Getting help from other people. • How his parents were supportive but also how they pushed him to help him grow. • Making things happen for yourself. Parting Advice Improve a little more each day. Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! Resource: A notebook and pen, or the notes app on his phone. Dan Holzman's Brain Drizzles Coaching Books: All Seth Godin Books Joanie Spina's "Get Your Act Together" Catching Greatness by Niels Duinker Where can we find Niels Duinker? comedyjuggler.com Niels' Juggling DVD
Tony Clark is a world class performer who travels the world performing magic and producing shows. He’s appeared countless times on television, has worked with the likes of John Malkovitch and Nicholas Cage while consulting for film and TV, and is the recipient of many magic awards including “Magician of the Year,” given by the International Magicians Society. He also lectures teaching on all areas of magic, and manufactures products for professional magicians everywhere. If this guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about when it comes to magic and business, I have no idea who does!
IrishMagicNews talks with Ireland's most successful all round magician Pat Fallon - MIMC Gold Star. Pat talks about his career, being the pioneer of close-up magic in Ireland and touches on the effects his marriage break-up with his then assistant had on him. He talks about how he has coped & come through the other side and tells us all about his upcoming appearances all over the globe and of course his much anticipated evening show - Rabbits, Hats & Big Boxes - appearing at The Mill Theatre in September. Pat Fallon also earlier this morning (4th September) was awarded the prestigious Merlin Award for Family Magic Show of the Year from Tony Hassini, president of The International Magicians Society. Pat was surprised with the award during his breakfast show TV appearance to publicise his upcoming Rabbits, Hats & Big Boxes show. Pat joins an illustrious list of previous recipients which include among others the likes of David Copperfield, Doug Henning, Chris Angel, Penn & Teller and Siegfried & Roy.