Magical Musings: Issue VI - Catching Zauber in Germany

Catching Zauber in Germany

I have just returned from a month-long visit to Germany – to be precise the historic town of Heidelberg. And as destiny would have it, I had the good fortune to meet a magical friend during my visit. That, and more, is what I write here.

Bill Palmer is better known as Merlin the Magician, having performed in that name and guise (persona?) at the Texas Renaissance Festival for 26 years before "retiring" from the Festival in 2000. Bill owns one of the world's largest collections of Cups and Balls (202 sets if I remember correctly!), and holds a PhD in Germanics from the World University of Advanced Studies.

Having known Bill over the Net, it was indeed a magical coincidence when Bill told me that he and his charming wife were visiting Heidelberg when I was there! And we (believing that there is no such thing as a coincidence) got together that wonderful evening and had a gala time talking and making magic (that was Bill!).

Bill had heard about a "bar magician" at a nearby pub “The Cornerstone,” and so off we went to catch a magic show. But that was after the lovely couple had treated me to dinner.

And then we came face-to-face with Stefan Ebinger, an adept close up entertainer who weaves magic with his fingers. Stefan began with a variation of the chop cup, what seems to be inspired by the evergreen "two in the hand, one in the pocket" effect.

No! Stefan does not use a chop cup. Instead, he makes do with a 10 Euro note rolled into a ball, and an ordinary cup. And entertains like few can! You are just about breathless when he produces a lemon, and a larger one to boot as the finale! Among the numerous entertaining effects that Stefan showed us, the signed ambitious card routine was memorable.

Before the evening came to an end (11:30 pm!), Bill convinced me that I should meet Christian Jedinat who runs the Zauber Shop (zauber is German for magic). And two days later I did.

Located on the main street in Sandhausen, the Zauber Shop is a treat to one and all by the sheer collection of the best of the best magic effects, books, and CDs. But then I would recommend one to visit this place just to meet Christian, who is a wonderful and knowledgeable host.

I look forward to my next trip to Germany when I can again catch up with Stefan and Christian, not to mention David Copperfield who is going to be in town during the same time! But more on that later…

Published in VNM: August 18, 2005