Mad about hats

I’ve always wanted to buy a Montecristi Panama hat. I still, however, have not been able to justify the price. Yes, the hand-woven straw is so tight that the brim is paper thin, and there are no visible hems since the raw edges are woven back into themselves. But I can just see my six-year-old daughter sitting on top of a $1200 hat, crushing it flat.

Yesterday I had the occasion to visit a marvelous hat shop in NYC: J.J. Hat Center. If you’re a “hat person” you must […]

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Aloha! Kona Coffee is the best

In order to standardize the flavor of their coffee, large retailers like Starbucks have to over-roast their coffee beans. This ensures that the Starbucks coffee you drink in New York tastes the same as the cup you order at a Starbucks in L.A.. It also (in my opinion) results in coffee that tastes burnt.

Last month I vacationed in Hawaii, and was happy to be reacquainted with my beloved Kona coffee. In this blog post, you’ll learn some interesting facts about Kona coffee (the best in the world, according to Mark Twain!), and also a few links to where you can buy 100% Kona coffee online.

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A Visit to Max Malini’s House in Honolulu

One of my heroes is legendary magician Max Malini. This morning I made a pilgrimage to his house in Honolulu, met the current resident, and was invited onto the property to take photos and stand in the Malini garden. It was, quite simply, a sublime experience.

Together with local magician Curtis Kam, I retraced the steps to many of Malini’s old haunting grounds.

Here’s a photo of us in front of Malini’s house […]

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Chamber Magic® tour in Washington DC

Quick: let’s play an association game.
When I say “Washington DC in April,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Cherry blossoms? Nope. Rain showers? Nu-uh.

The correct answer? “Chamber Magic.” I’m excited to announce that I’ll be giving four special shows in Washington DC during the first week of April.

I don’t tour the show too often, so this may be the only time for you (or your family) to experience magic in Washington. And lord knows that Washington could use some magic!

Ever since I was a boy magician, I’ve dreamed of […]

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Archie Comics illustrator says I’m no Jughead

Comic book illustrator Stan Goldberg visited me at the Waldorf the other night with his wife, celebrating their 50th anniversary. He’s best known as the illustrator of Archie Comics for the past 41 years. I grew up reading Archie, so it was a genuine thrill to watch him draw this picture for me after the […]

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About.com review by Wayne Kawamoto

by Wayne Kawamoto, About.com guide

In an era of ever-increasing technological marvels and bigger-is-better televised illusions, can an intimate evening of magic win over modern audiences? Watch Steve Cohen’s outstanding “Chamber Magic” and you’ll believe in close-up magic as well. In the show, Cohen recreates the intimacy of 19th century parlor magic.

The setting is an elegant hotel suite (I experienced the show in Los Angeles at the Beverly Wilshire). The props are minimal: playing cards, wine glasses and index cards. What you’ll savor are the talents and charisma of Steve Cohen and his modern take on the art of magic that provides an engaging and memorable experience.

What Steve Cohen has accomplished in “Chamber Magic” is nothing short of a miracle. It’s a must see production that demonstrates the heights to which the art of magic can soar. If you’re in one of the cities where “Chamber Magic” plays, you won’t want to miss it. […]

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NY Times: Too Many Famous Steve Cohens!

Today the NY Times ran an amusing story titled, “Calling Steven Cohen. No, Not That One.” The article states that there are too many famous Steve Cohens involved in politics and academia, and as a result they frequently get confused in the media. I was surprised to find that I was briefly mentioned in the article, along with other Steve Cohens: a wrestler, a soccer player, and (most famous of all) a hedge fund trader.

Hedge fund billionaire Steven A. Cohen (shown above, with me and his charming wife Alex) has been to my show in NYC, and has also invited me to perform privately in Connecticut. We first met at […]

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Command a Room Like a Man – from ArtOfManliness.com

[This article was originally published on the website ArtOfManliness.com and draws heavily from my book Win The Crowd. I think everyone should read it.]

by Brett & Kate McKay, ArtOfManliness.com

We’ve probably all seen those men who can enter any room and instantly command it. I’m not talking about the loud and boisterous dolt who makes a scene with obnoxious alpha-male jackassery. I’m talking about the man who exudes a silent magnetic charisma that electrifies the entire room just by his presence. People feel better when this type of man is around and they want to be near him.

The benefits of being able to walk into any social situation and completely own it are innumerable. The man who can command a room is more persuasive in his business presentations, easily meets and makes friends, and attracts more women. While many men are born with the ability to charismatically command a room, it can also be learned. Below we’ve provided a few tips to get you started on being El Capitan of any social or professional situation.

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Video: CNN Feature Story

Way back in 2002, just a couple of years after starting up my show, CNN correspondent Jeanne Moos came to visit me at the Waldorf. She brought her camera crew and did a feature story about Chamber Magic. The show has changed a lot since then, but it’s fun to see what she found interesting enough to discuss with Anderson Cooper, Jack Cafferty and Paula Zahn, in a roundtable at the end.

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