Genii Magazine - August 2026

August 2026 • Volume 89, Number 8

in this issue...

The Genii Speak • Will Houstoun Genii at 30,000 feet

Mailbox Disposing of a collection and thoughts on AI

The August Almanac • Will Houstoun A conversation with Ramsay and gobbledygook

The Eye • Vanessa Armstrong Awards, shuffles, games, Eurovision, and the Pope

Features

Ton Onosaka: 1933-2026 • Kei Izumi Celebrate the life of Ton Onosaka, as we explore little-known information about his youth, his work as an illustrator, and his role in connecting Japanese and Western magicians

The Specialty Convention • Mike Caveney A century after the first magic convention in the U.S., ComClave and The Magic Gathering inspire a look at the resurgence and benefits of specialized get togethers

Voices

If It's Not Fixed, Break It • R. Paul Wilson What magicians can learn from Orson Welles' impact on filmmaking

The Genii Questionnaire • Charlie Frye Charlie Frye responds to our questionnaire

The Shock of the New • Chris Power A magic history convention brings up questions about the present and the future

Here and Now • James Harrington How do you make a script sound like it isn't scripted?

Wouldn't It Be Good If...? • Marc Kerstein Approaches that will help you come up with new ideas for your magic

In Practice

Magicana: The Sum • Alex Linian Magic Square meets card coincidence in this blockbuster effect

Magicana: The Next Spot Card • Trent James What's Next updated with some fooling touches

Magicana: Unshaved Triumph • Shoji Naruishi A challenging in-the-hands Triumph with a convincing display

Magicana: Pocketful of Miracles • Dominique Duvivier Card to pocket for cocktail parties

Imaginative Reality • Abby Segal Imagination becomes reality in a quirky piece of magic with a surprise we won't spoil here

Inventing Magic • Blake Vogt Kyle Marlett joins Blake to invent a new idea and talk about the challenges of creating magic on the road

In Performance

The Magic Castle • Shawn McMaster Discover the metallurgical magic of Tyler Rabbit's conjuring with coins

California Magic Club • Vanessa Armstrong Learn about two-plus decades of magic in this Bay Area venue

Marketplace

Best in Show • Jeff Prace Neat work from Alexander Hansford

Staff Picks: Eagle Magic • Larry Kahlow Visit North America's oldest magic shop

Reviews GiSulHak: The Art of Conjurings; Cerca; Tarot Ex Machina; Pixx

Advertisers' Index

Workshop

Thinking Outside the Rectangle • Dr. Matt Pritchard Houdini gets hyped

Planning for the Future • Sara Crasson Important things we all too often ignore

Time-Warping the Cull • Justin Higham A column where The Doctor and Erdnase meet to help make your cull invisible

Perspectives

Sleightly Astonishing • Jim Hagy Magic, but at what cost?

Welcome to Wonderland • Ben Winn What instrument do you play?

Michael Rayner: Flaming Hot • Vanessa Armstrong Finding beauty in a balanced burning burger

Coffee with... Jack Rhodes Brew a cup of tea as you read about Jack's self-made magic special (then drink it while you watch)