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Dan Harlan LIVE (Penguin LIVE)


One of the most creative magicians in the world came to Penguin for an incredible 3-HOUR live event. SUPPORT LIVE MAGIC. DOWNLOAD THE FULL LECTURE TODAY.
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Professional magicians value Dan Harlan’s advice. Why? Because he creates routines that you won’t find in any book or DVD. Yes, you’ll learn incredibly powerful A+ material… and you’ll also get all of Harlan’s priceless advice, subtleties and techniques that make all the difference.

Dan Harlan is famous for creating some of the greatest magic effects of the modern age: Card-Toon, “Hold It, Buster!”, Starcle, and The Awakening just to name a few! His vast knowledge of magical methods, combined with his theatrical training, provides audiences with a uniquely engaging experience. You never know what to expect from Dan Harlan, but you know it will be entertaining and amazing!

Dan Harlan has made a few TV appearances nationally and internationally, plus he’s worked behind-the-scenes as a consultant for many other top professionals, including Jeff McBride, Kevin James, Keith Barry, and David Copperfield. He’s also starred in numerous instructional magic videos, including Bandshark, The Close-Up Magic of Dan Harlan, Magic With Rubberbands (3 Vols), Pack Small Play Big (5 Vols), Premium Blend (6 Vols), Ultimate Impromptu (3 Vols), Mindbogglers (4 Vols), The Minotaur: Final Issue, A Little R&B, and most recently SpeakEasy! Chances are actually good that you’ve performed something he created! Harlan has performed in just about every conceivable type of venue for audiences of all ages from Close-Up to Stage, Kid’s Shows to Corporate, Comedy Clubs to Concerts. He’s done it all, and he continues to be one of the most requested magical teachers in the world. Recently, Harlan was hired by Neil Strauss, Best Selling Author of “The Game,” to give a private seminar on Bar Bets and Con Games for one of his events.

What will Harlan cover in this lecture?

No-one knows for sure! And that’s the best part… it’s all new! For the first time EVER, Harlan is letting us get a peek into his private “Brain Box”… his personal stash of strange ideas. Many of these effects and routines are Dan Harlan’s closely guarded secrets that he’s never revealed to anyone! Some are vast improvements of familiar plots, and others venture into uncharted territory. The methods employed range from devilishly clever to shockingly simple, yet every routine is structured to squeeze the most magic from each moment for maximum impact. Of course, Harlan will cover all the nuances that go into creating professional quality presentations, and (if you watch it live) you can ask any questions you may have. Don’t miss it… this is your chance to learn how a truly creative professional magician thinks!

Lecture Reviews

“Dan Harlan’s performance was a riot. His timing and delivery was razor-sharp. While his physical appearance is like that of a rock-star tough-guy, his interaction with the audience reveals the thoughtfulness and depth of a concert pianist… A true artist. During the lecture portion, his passion for magic was evident. At times he seemed like a kid at recess. Dan Harlan’s magic was everything you could ask for… Dan was extremely generous with the wonderful ideas he shared. If one wanted to, one could build an entire act based solely on the information he presented to us…. the real gold was the thinking behind his presentations. The food for thought was nothing less than a banquet. Remarkable stuff.” —Christopher Griggs

“It was great to have you back for another lecture. Your material was all new, and of such an amazingly wide variety. In a word - wow! You were in top form and a real hit at our club.” -Gene Anderson

“Dan on behalf of everyone here I would like to thank you for a wonderful lecture. It was good to see that old Harlan ingenuity that we all love. You were a delight to have. We will definitely have you back again.” -ABC Magic

“I’ve been in magic my entire life… I’ve also been International President of the I.B.M., so I’ve seen a lot… and this is the best I’ve ever seen.” -June Horowitz

“Your lecture for us was exceptional. I have heard nothing but rave reviews from our members, many saying it was one of the best they have seen. Your material was solid, well thought out, and very commercial. It is good to see you back in top form. You will always have an open invitation to come back and lecture for us.” -Tony Weiland

“Your teaching skills, your inventiveness, and your attention to detail, coupled with your friendly spirit, all added to the success of your lecture. Thank you for a job well done. We are happy to enthusiastically recommend you for any convention planner, magic gathering, or corporate event, as part of their entertainment line-up. And for those who are looking for quality magic teaching, you are highly recommended.” -Jep Hostetler (Magi-Fest)

“Truly a creative genius, Dan Harlan’s personal instruction provides a rare opportunity to acquire the essential tools that will last a lifetime.” -Jeff McBride

Dan Harlan’s Show/Lecture is for Everyone, from Beginner to Professional, Magician and/or Mentalist. Don’t miss it!

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Customer Reviews (showing 1 - 10 of 25)
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Something for Everyone Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on June 11th, 2012
In this nearly 3-hour lecture, Harlan performs the following:

The Nose Knows – A yellow silk is produced from a burning match and candle is shoved up his nose. Using props common to the stage performer, Harlan presents two “quickies” as an opener. Explains how to pack the silk and offers tips on how to gimmick vanishing candle so you don’t need lighter fluid.

Censored – This is a barehanded “bird” production gag. Reminiscent of the bird gag that Amazing Jonathan uses, this is much less crude and includes a magical element.

Knitting a Yarn – The classic Gypsy Thread designed for stage or stand-up, with a Greek mythology presentation.

Pistachio – Bill to impossible location, based on Joshua Jay’s method, stand-up routine.

Lead to Gold – A packet trick where letter-cards rearrange to form different words, before transforming into different letters (the word “Lead” turns to the word “Gold.”). The backs are revealed to have changed as well—from red to gold. Finally, a “spectator’s” gold watch is produced from the cards. Harlan offers two presentations for the watch production: one as a pseudo watch-steal; one as a gag.

Crayon-Eating Monster – A drawn monster eats crayons, then the “colors” are torn from the monster’s belly. This kids’ routine is interactive, fun and colorful. Teaches DIY vanishing crayons.

Guess the Sucker – 4 lollipops in paper-bag are used for this stand-up guessing game. 1 is removed, the remaining 3 transform into giant multi-colored spiral lollipop. Bag is destroyed to prove empty, only to be restored, full of candy. In this updated version (Harlan demonstrated this on his kids’ show DVD), he uses the spherical shaped suckers, with a new method. The technique for the torn and restored ending doesn’t use much misdirection and isn’t very clever. Still, it probably works—at least for young kids.

Dirty Doodles – In this stand-up mind-reading routine, the performer examines a spectator’s scribbles to determine his chosen design. This was interesting to watch, since it didn’t work in performance. However, it was due to (avoidable) user-error and not a technical malfunction. Harlan structures this to include 3 revelations: a “freely chosen” simple design; a friend of the spectator; and a chosen location.

Ballet – A collection of classic tricks bookending a gag with a clown nose. As follows: A cut and restored lady routine, using a ballerina made from a handkerchief. A clown nose is produced (on nose) from restored handkerchief. Finally, the clown nose is used in (endless) multiplying balls display. Not much new here, except for the gag. Still, it’s a good interlude, worth learning the tricks, if you don’t know them, already.

Evil Math Trick – A page number prediction using Uno cards and the Bible. This is a stand-up routine with a comedy presentation.

Toast – Water is openly transformed into wine, which spectators can drink. This is how this should look: A brand new bottle of water is opened and sampled. At the performer’s command, the water begins to turn red. The spectator samples a second time and confirms it is now wine. Finally, the remaining water in the bottle is shook and instantly turns to wine. The wine can be distributed, immediately. Although this was a little rocky in performance (it’ll take some practice getting the color just right), this could be a reputation-maker. Perform this “impromptu,” and it will be something your audience will never forget.

Liquid Transfer – A bottle of Coke is placed in a paper bag. An empty cup is placed in another bag. The contents of the bottle are instantly transferred to the cup. This will take some tweaking to get right, but the effect is simple and direct and the technique very clever.

During the Q&A section, Harlan teaches how to make your necktie play pre-recorded songs (like in a singing greeting card), reviews his 1-handed Bra Removal-in-less-than-15-seconds stunt and tips current favorite “bar-bet.”
I enjoyed his lively, humorous teaching style, as well as the variety of the material presented. Since these are ideas from his “Brain Box,” not everything has been thoroughly “field-tested;” this may explain some of the “hiccups” along the way. Still, the material was entertaining and educational, as is Harlan, himself. There was a moment or two, when I felt his self-referential humor was perhaps in poor taste, but it’s of little consequence. Production value was good. Overall, money well-spent.
22 of 23 magicians found this helpful.
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Probably the best lecture I've seen, except maybe for his 2nd lecture. Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on December 2nd, 2013
OK, Dan's 2nd lecture was actually the very first Penguin Live lecture I ever saw. He set the bar really high. I've bought several others since then, usually as part of the 5-for-$99 deal, and no other lecture lived up to his 2nd one, until I finally bought this one, his 1st lecture. I learn way more from his 2 lectures, and take away more practical stuff, than from all the other lectures I've bought, combined. I might take away one or two things from most lectures. I feel like 90% of Dan's lectures are usable knowledge. Buy it. Do it. C'mon.... do it!
4 of 4 magicians found this helpful.
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Really useful stuff! Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on July 7th, 2012
For a decade or two I made my (small, but steady) living with an act that combined juggling, magic, acrobatics and clowning. What I always looked for (after much experimenting) was strong and simple material. These Penguin lectures keep reminding me that the pro workers routinely draw on the real classics, but add personal twists. Classic material is fail-safe, with easy re-sets, and high impact. And on top of that, you have to be an entertainer. Dan was funny, involved his partner, offered a variety of solid and reliable material, and made me want to go back to performing. Great stuff, like all the Penguin lectures I have watched so far. Even if you don't want to dive into performing, or end up depending on magic for your main income, you always get an entertaining and exclusive performance. Download, and replay, why not?
4 of 5 magicians found this helpful.
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Pretty good Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on June 15th, 2012
Dan Harlan's lecture was pretty good. Lots of great ideas and pretty cool tricks. Lots of ideas and tricks for kids shows. Buy it to improve your kids magic shows.
4 of 6 magicians found this helpful.
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It could have been one trick Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on May 31st, 2020
Even if the only trick on this lecture was the Tootsie Roll pop update to the old lolipop trick, I would still have paid the $30 for it. Beautiful, Dan. Beautiful.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
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Parlor, stage, kid shows Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on May 16th, 2020
Breath of fresh air without the cards. Moreover, so many real world gigs are small-sized stage shows (“parlor”), and yet so much material that is put out is for close up, especially cards.

And of course, Dan is Dan. Great plots, great methods, great teaching.
2 of 2 magicians found this helpful.
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a lot of good stuff Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on April 10th, 2016
It doesn't matter if you like Dan's style or not.
This lecture is necessery for everybody.

It's full of tricks and ideas, so you can pick what is suitable for you and what not so much. But there is defenetaly something for everybody here. I have already included a ton of stuff in my show.
2 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
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Dan Harlan: Brilliant Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on September 11th, 2012
If you like Dan Harlan's work...watch this!...You will not be disappointed.

If you do not know Dan Harlan's work...(you need to get with it) This man is super creative, super intelligent and one heck of a teacher. So you must watch this video.

You will find somethings you can use and you will be oh so happy you threw down the money. I promise. He is a real thinker and worker and I cannot say enough wonderful things about him/his teaching style. He is one of a kind.

I won't go into the tricks because people already have in other reviews.

Just know if you want to have fun blowing your audiences away...the tips and tricks he gives you on here...will do just that.

If ya don't purchase this...your SUPER-TIME loss.
2 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
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wonderfool material Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on July 3rd, 2012
THE BEST CONFERENCE OF THE TEN I HAVE SEE......DAN HARLAN IS A GENIUS,VERY STRONG IDEA PUT IN SIMPLE BUT ORIGINAL THINGS.....ONE LECTURE LIKE THIS ONE WORTH ANY SINGLE DOLLAR SPENT..THANK YOU PENGUIN TO FIND A PROFESSIONAL AND SO KIND PERSON TO SHARE IS SECRET....
2 of 3 magicians found this helpful.
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Sooooo Inventive!! Report this review
Verified buyer Pro Privacy ON (login to see reviewer names) on July 12th, 2012
I really enjoyed this lecture! Dan has a unique way of looking at things. His views and tips on "production value" and creating magic are wonderful. All the little things make this lecture.

Oh and by the way...there is a ton of good magic also!! :)

Don't pass this one up!!!
A+++++
2 of 4 magicians found this helpful.
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