January 2026
Happy New Year! Genii sends our very best to you for a shiny and bright 2026. We’ve been busy working on our new website, www.geniimagic.com. This is where you will find all the current content from this month’s issue. We will be phasing out this links page after this issue! To get the extra goodies mentioned in this month’s Genii, we encourage you to visit www.geniimagic.com and look for the story with the Genii Blue Bug. There, you will find extra content, video links, perhaps more images. And soon, you will also find more news and information! So be sure to bookmark www.geniimagic.com—your one-stop shop for all things magic!
FEATURES
Juliana Chen: Undeniable • Chloe Olewitz
This multi-talented magician has forged her own paths onstage and around the world. Her results are undeniable.
Joseffy + Sandburg • Jim Steinmeyer
The magician, the poet, and the mysterious little book that disappeared: an adventure in magic literature.
Found Connections • Zoe Reiches
Suzanne’s unique, influential career in magic, as explained by a magician who felt that influence.
THE EYE
Houdini, and Magic, To Be Celebrated All Year in Appleton, Wisconsin Find out how to get tickets to see Lance Burton in October!
An NFL Player Saved by Magic Find out more and how to read the full article from The Athletic
Criss Angel and Alice Cooper’s Nightmarish Event Watch the trailer for the show
The White Rabbit Theater in Reno Learn more about this show
Oz Pearlman Media Blitz Lots to read about this guy revealing PIN numbers on live TV!
Now You See… the Best Movie Promotions See Jesse Eisenberg perform magic for a crowed in NYC; buy the magic popcorn bucket that Blake Vogt created for movie theaters!
VOICES
Feedback•Alba
Appreciating criticism, eliminating the neurosis
The Genii Questionnaire •Alana
Sequin jackets, Shiva, and sponge bunnies
Preserving Magic•Annanya George
An appeal for magic knowledge—looking at the big picture, not just the latest products
IN PRACTICE
Sketch Poker •Jim Steinmeyer and Norberto Jansenson
A lesson in how to fake cheating at poker
Mental Radio •Roberto Mansilla
An amazing drawing duplication that ends up feeling like the real thing
Inventing Magic •Blake Vogt
Pocket Séance with Stuart MacLeod
The Give ‘Em the Finger Shuffle •Adam Elbaum
A clever false shuffle from the originator—a useful sleight for your repertoire
IN PERFORMANCE
The Magic Castle •Shawn McMaster
The formidable Billy Kidd brings her magic to The Magic Castle; the place will never be the same
House of Cards •Vanessa Armstrong
Nashville’s elegant House of Cards, a popular club that has been “breeding magic fans”
MARKETPLACE
Not Forgotten •David Regal
A simple little trick with a nut and a bolt, screwing with the audience’s heads
Video Reviews
Practical Cold Reading, Javi Benitez LIVE, Caleb Wiles Masterclass, Helge Thun Masterclass, Absurdities
Trick Review
Ultra Sharpie, a high-tech marvel
Book Reviews
Strolling for Dollars, The Good Lecture
WORKSHOP
Great Magic and Clarity •Pete McCabe
Learning from Phil Goodman’s example
I’m Walkin’ Here! •David Kaye
Yes, indeed, he takes the subway to shows
Making Crowd-Work Work •Harrison Greenbaum
Understanding a popular technique
PERSPECTIVES
The Chamber of Secrets •John Gaughan
A brass sleight-of-hand artist from 1838
Silent Manipulators in Conversation •Alex Boyce & Matthew Holtzclaw
The feeling of your magic, the fit of your clothes
The Fashionista •Léa Kyle
Her new act quickly made fans and won awards
Larry Fong… on Magic
An amateur magician and showbiz professional
ADVERTISERS
IBM Convention • IBMCONVENTION.COM
Kaufman and Company • KAUFMANANDCOMPANY.COM
MAGIC Live • MAGICCONVENTION.COM
Magicpedia • GENIIMAGAZINE.COM/MAGICPEDIA
Magic Stars Studio • JOEMOGAR.COM
Magikraft • MAGIKRAFT.COM
McBride’s Magic & Mystery School • MAGICALWISDOM.COM
Nielsen Magic • NNMAGIC.COM
Plainsight • PLANSIGHTMAGIC.COM
Rings-N-Things Magic • RNT2.COM
SAM Convention • MAGICSAM.COM/APPLETON
Tannen’s • TANNENS.COM
The Disclaimer • TOMDOBROWOLSKI.COM/ABOUT-1
The Magic Circle • THEMAGICCIRCLE.CO.UK
Vanishing Inc. • VANISHINGINCMAGIC.COM