http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkoy2qU66jc

yea We've all seen a Dove act done in tails... Anyone seen butterflies? This is lovely!!!

Posted: Oct 7, 2010 1:54pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIG2r3WOTUk&feature=related

Just found his second act. Forgive his mistake on the doves... Check out the butterflies!!!

While the idea is different, neither of these acts impressed me. He didn't do anything unusual and actually I thought the acts were a bit slow and boring and definately not worth the standing ovation he received from one of the judges. Of course, she may not have seen too many magicians and thought this act was great.

I don't want to get into critiquing his act as that isn't what this topic was about. The butterflies are a nice novelty but not on a large stage. If you weren't up close, I think the beauty of the effects might be lost.

Rocco used to have butterflies at the end of his act and it was a nice production and closer. I'm sure there are others using the butterfly idea.

I must say produceing live Butterflies is intriguing and he was okay. Just seemed like he practiced all the moves, but not the act as a whole. Maybe he did not have a large supply of Butterflies available to rehearse more.

Yes, he did many of the sleights and moves already published. That is okay with me, I looking for a good act, not something totally original. So what if it has been done before. With that thinking, we would not have Lance Burton to look up to, as he did all published material in his IBM contest appearence.

Very interesting. Thanks for posting the link.

Bill, I don't have a problem with him using previously published material but everything he did was text book. I wasn't looking for his act to be totally unique, just a few things a little different.

Anyway, we're starting to critique the act and not discuss the use of butterflies

I liked what he did. Ever try using real live butterflies? I have, its tough man.

Go try it before your so critical.

Steven

Again, we aren't critiquing his act. The topic was started asking if anyone had ever seen a butterfly act. I think we all agree that it isn't something you see everyday. I don't believe my comments were that critical, just in my opinion, is that it moved too slow, and most of the effects not involving butterflies were text book copies of everyone else.

Steven, did you watch the second video? I can't believe you liked the dove productions. He flubbed most of them but then again, we're talking about butterflies.

Regardless, anyone that has enough moxy to get up in front of a large audience like that in competition deserves some kudos. I just think he needs to loosen up and put some more routining into the act rather than just perform one trick after another.

His slight of hand is a WHOLE lot better than mine And I thought mixing the cards with the butterflies was a lovely idea.

I have a feeling the butterflies play better live. They are kind of hard to see in a crappy you-tube quality video.

I like it, thanks for the pointer, Kyle.

I tend to agree that the video made it difficult to really appreciate the beauty of the butterflies. Live would be better.

I know this guy "Alakim" personally. He is constantly improving on his butterfly act. Not all his butterfly routines were shown. He told me he normally uses 15 to 20 butterflies in a show. Ever since he has won, a lot of local magicians here have included butterflies in their acts. I have seen very interesting holders and releases on these.

Well tell him I thought it was very creative and I imagine it must be lovely in person.

if he ever performs in the US you should let us know as I'd love to catch it live.

I posted this video because I thought it was interesting to substitute the usual doves with butterflies. I've seen Rocco perform the monarch butterfly routine on masters of illusion and it didn't blow me away. Alakim's act did, despite the weak spots here and there. I like how he used butterflies instead of doves. And that's why the post is here...

OK, I seem to be in the minority here and it's only my opinion, nothing more nothing less. The use of butterflies is absolutely a nice idea and there was nothing wrong with those effects, just difficult to see on the video as Cyberquat pointed out. I think seeing the performance live would be a different story.

His butterfly production on the second video seemed much better, too bad the doves didn't cooperate but still some nice ideas.

Hi Guys,

His name is "Alakim" as mentioned by Lou. He is also a good friend of mine and he is the President of the "Magician's Foundation Inc (IBM Rimg 322)" You should see his performance live as he really have a very wonderful Butterfly Routine... He plans to give out a lecture soon and a dvd as well on Butterfly Magic... from loaders, to how to steal, to how to transport, etc...

He has been using Butterfly in his act since early 2006 and has develop quite a routine...

Sal

Yeah it's pretty cool , but, what happens to the butterflies after the performance ? they just die up in the rafters ? he must need new butterflies every performance no?

Did he win the Grand Prize?

His second act was astounding, despite the fumsy dove work. The transformation of 2 doves into a butterfly galore was awesome!

Hi Fabio,

He was a finalist but the one ending up winning the Grand Prize happen to be a signer. But he was also signed up by a very prestigious talent handler called "Star Magic", as a result, he is more busy than the singer.

Sal

Oh, thanks for the input. I'm glad he's making a good use of the media attention, this should help him push the Art even further!

This is amazing, extremely original. Very inspired!

I'm kind of curious about Michael's question too. Where do they end up after the performance and where does he get new ones?