Phases and stages (My magical journey) Part four.
Looking back at the success of my show ‘Comedy Magic’ at the Maxim in Las Vegas I suspect the true key to why we succeeded was because there was virtually no competition at that 1.00 and 3.00 pm time slot. This was no coincidence. The fact that there was no other similar show playing in the afternoon was also the reason that so many people assumed that the show wouldn’t work.
If there is one thing I have learned over the years it is that you should never listen to anyone who tells you something can’t succeed just because it is unique. You should also be very dubious if people tell you something will work just because a lot of other people are doing it! Always do your research thoroughly and then think for yourself.
What has been happening in my career since finishing my run in Las Vegas? I have been enjoying myself performing in a variety of venues and I have been travelling and performing on a fairly non-stop basis. It has been particularly exciting playing the wonderfully equipped Performing Arts Centers that have sprung up around the country. It is a real delight to play in these beautiful theatres as part of their entertainment programs. These are the current gems that have replaced nightclubs.
Nearly seven years ago during a visit to New Zealand and while enjoying a cup of tea with Alan Watson and Richard Webster I was excited to be 
offered the chance to write a weekly column for ‘Magic New Zealand.’ I have been doing so ever since. I am also a writer for Vanish Magazine, have contributed an award winning column to ‘The Linking Ring’ and articles for ‘Magic Magazine’ and other magic journals.
Many of these` columns and other original pieces are collected on my blog site at www.remarkablemagic.com which also features my original photos and graphics. I have always been an avid writer, my first book ‘Sleight of Crime’ was published back in 1977, and in the last year I published two books for the magic market. It has been a lot of fun to start a transition that makes writing a central part of my creative work.
I have also created an online magic store to release my own line of magical routines and props. I have a schedule to release 24 more items via www.nicklewin.com in the next three years. As part of my commitment to this project I have begun to lecture and perform at magic conventions across the country. It has been a lot of fun to reconnect with other magicians and share the information that I have acquired over the years.
Having spent the last 39 years living in either California or Nevada, Susan and I are pleased to announce that we are moving to Austin, Texas in the next couple of months. We look forward to becoming part of the magic community in our favorite American city. As a music lover (especially Western Swing, Tex-Mex, Bluegrass and Classic Country) there are few cities that offer the dazzling array of live music that exists on a nightly basis in Austin.
I am planning to create a weekly magic night ‘Outlaw Magic’ in Austin and document what we are do to set it up and make it work. I am absolutely convinced that regional events such as ‘Monday Night Magic’ in New York, ‘Mystery Lounge’ in Boston and ‘The California Magic Dinner Theatre’ in Northern California are a the best opportunity to share our love of magic with the general public. I also firmly believe that it is important to establish centers for magicians to practice and improve their performing skills in front of non-magician audiences.
I plan to continue writing for Magic New Zealand for as long as Alan wants me to. I think that the Internet has created an amazing new learning zone for magicians around the world and I am proud to be a part of it. I am also delighted to be a regular writer for Vanish magazine.
I have always tried to write about the magic scene through my own eyes without writing to extensively about myself. These last four columns are the most overtly autobiographical columns that I have written. I did this because some of my long-term readers have very specifically requested that I do so and I hope you have enjoyed reading this retrospective of my magical journey as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
REMARKABLE MAGIC 