Nelson Lugo: News/Blog

Wow, it may be cliché but when it comes to having fun... time flies like the dickens!

It's been just over three weeks since I tied the knot and I'm having the time of my life. I'm also busy as hell mind you, but I'm having so much fun I've barely stopped to notice. I've been performing like crazy and the best part about it is I've gotten to wear all my hats doing it... I performed magic at the Jalopy Theater in Brooklyn, Sideshow for Le Scandal and I even got to work my acting chops for the Workshop Theater. All the while, being a newlywed to the most beautiful woman in the world! Life tastes real sweet these days and it's only going to get better.

How so? I'm glad you asked.

Last night MTV filmed an episode for a brand new reality show. This episode in particular featured that little slice of heaven I like to call... Le Scandal Cabaret. But that's not all! Guess who was featured in the line up of acts? That's right, everybody’s favorite charming trickster... ME!! The whole experience was just awesome – from the super friendly crew... to the on stage performance. And I had a blast! As of right now I have no idea when the show will air but trust me – as soon as I get the word, I'll be blogging and emailing like a mad man.

Also, I've hooked up with this super talented Rockabilly Band called the Holy Roller Sideshow and these kids can ROCK! But not only are they wickedly talented musicians, they are also crazy-go-nuts promoters. These guys have put together the first Coney Island Rockabilly Festival and guess who hosting this swinging party to end all swinging parties? ME... that's who! I'm so excited my head's about to explode! I'll have more details really soon, but in a nutshell... we've got music, we've got magic, we've got sideshow and to top it all off... we've got burlesque. But not only that... this very well might be one of the largest gathering of beautiful ladies this summer who will shake and shimmy to that ol' bump and grind. If that doesn't put a smile on your face then there is something seriously wrong with your smiling apparatus.

If things keep going the way they have been then this summer promises to be the greatest summer of my life. So, stay tuned dear magic fans cause this bliss train has just started and I don't see it stopping any time soon.

ONWARD!

It's been entirely too long since I last posted here and for that I am sorry. The only thing I can say in my defense is... I'm Getting Married!

Holy Crap! Five months ago if someone told me about all the red tape, meetings, forms, fees, certificates, paper work and rigmarole one has to go through to get married I would have chucked it all and just eloped. The sheer amount of "boring stuff" that has to happen before we ever get to the "good stuff" is just staggering. Then there are all the lists – now, I've never been one to shy away from list-making – but come on! I have to make lists just to keep track of all my lists. It's getting a little ridiculous. I don't know what's worse... planning a wedding or planning to plan for a wedding.

As for the finances... I am not even going to go there. Whenever I start to think about the cost of getting married I start to shake, my palms start to sweat, my brain begins to ache, my ears bleed and my eye balls boil up inside my head. In fact, just the other day my fiancé and I were discussing the budget and out of nowhere I had a full blown anxiety attack with a nervous breakdown chaser. It took my lovely bride-to-be and hour to talk me off the ledge.

Now, I've always prided myself on being someone who worked extremely well under pressure. But this... this is a whole new bag. The funny thing is, traditionally, it's usually the bride who's sweating the details, losing sleep and throwing temper tantrums. In fact, my bride-to-be couldn't be calmer. She's as cool as a cucumber without a worry in the world – which for some odd reason just drives me nuts! It's almost as if the calmer she is the more nervous I get. Which, if you think about it, supports Newton's Third Law of Motion.

Is all of this "stuff" worth it? Honestly, I don't know. If I remember, I’ll come to this question again AFTER my wedding day. Maybe the event itself will lend some perspective.

What I do know right now is... all of this stuff is important to the woman I'm choosing to spend the rest of my life with. So, in turn, all of this stuff is as equally important to me.

But at this point I'm just really tired of the "getting married" part and I just want to get to the "being married" part as quickly as possible... and as luck would have it... we're staring down the wedding barrel and I can't wait!

Countdown to the Wedding!


Onward!

Wow... it's been a while since I last blogged – over two months has gone by without so much as a peep from me. But what a two months it has been. To describe my life up till now as "magical" I think under-uses the word magical.

Let's see, where do I start?

I produced my own very successful one-man-show off-off broadway – not once... but twice!

Got to perform on the Coney Island Sideshow stage – not once... not twice... but three times!

I'm in the final interview stages...to be on the show "Miami Ink"... to get a tattoo... on basic cable television... by none other than the master artist himself – Mr. Chris Garver! I am completely awed and excited by the possibility of getting tattooed by this guy. I am a huge fan of not only his work but of also the show. I am totally stoked! For more on the show go here: Miami Ink

I'm writing a brand new one-man-show – this piece is going to be about my grandma. If you've seen my show you'll know what I'm talking about. If you haven't seen my show then all I can say is my grandmother is magical and I can't wait to stage the wonder and the majesty that is her life.

I just opened my own online store! So for all of you who've been chomping at the bit to get your hands on a Charming Trickster T-shirt or mug... you're prayers have been answered!
Your One-Stop-Shop for All Your Charming Trickster Needs an be found here Click Here for Nelson Lugo Merchandise!

Buy well... buy often

And last... but certainly not least...

I am getting married!

October 17, 2006 will go down in history as the day I got down on one knee and popped the biggest question of my life.

I could recount the story of the engagement, in vivid detail... but I won't. Why? Because I already have. For the complete story of the hows and whys go to the official wedding website at: kellieandnelson.com

As for the engagement party and upcoming nuptials you'll have to check the site for all those details. I will say this though... if the night of our engagement is any indication of how our life is going to be together... then I'm strapping myself in, holding on tight and just waiting for it to start. Because I know that the rollercoaster we create together is going to be the greatest ride of my life.

Onward!

It's been almost two months since my last blog!!

And what a crazy two months it has been... and I promise to blog about very it soon.

In the meantime... I just want to say that life is full of second chances, because...

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND is MAGIC & MAYHEM: An Evening of Two Beautifully Paired One Acts

Don't miss me, Brit Herring, and the Broken Pockets Band in our triumphant return to the WorkShop Theater.

This evening encompasses the fabulous return of my one-man-show called DECONSTRUCTING THE MAGICIAN - a heartwarming and extremely entertaining look at the intricate web of coincidences, choices and experiences that has shaped and defined a man's life in magic.

In a thrilling second act, we welcome the return of the epic Britton Herring, and his "Broken Pockets Band (Trey Albright and Sean Singer)" in Shel Silverstein Masterpiece, THE DEVIL AND BILLY MARKHAM. Both shows are wonderfully directed by Thomas Cote and vividly lit by Evan Purcell.

These shows are not to be missed, but if somehow you missed them in their previous incarnations, please know you are being given an extremely fortunate opportunity to not miss them again!

Consider some of the temptations Magic and Mayhem has to offer:
Blood and gore
Cowboy hats
Mentalism
Mid-show jam sessions
Fire
Damnation
Salvation
Guitar riffs
Rim shots and Air conditioning

August 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 @ 8pm
August 19 @ 3 pm matinee
Tickets $15 (TDF accepted)

WORKSHOP THEATER COMPANY – JEWEL BOX
312 West 36th Street, 4th Floor (between 8th and 9th Avenues)
For reservations, call (212) 695-4173, ext. 4#
www.workshoptheater.org

See ya at the show!!

Forgive me dear magic fan... it's been one month since my last blog.

But what I month it has been!!!

I've only just now started to come off the post-show-high I've been riding since my one-man-show closed. After months of rehearsing, practicing, learning new magic, memorizing my lines, re-writing my lines, re-memorizing my lines, dealing with promotion, handling lights, costumes and props – I barely had time to enjoy the show that I was performing. When it was all said and done I thought for sure I'd suffer some sort of postpartum depression – but as it turns out... I have more energy than ever!

In fact, one day after I closed my show: I hosted the Sweet & Nasty Burlesque Show, spent the weekend with some of my closest friends and made a difference in the world, I'm marching in the Mermaid Parade this Saturday and I'm hosting Le Scandal the same night. All the while I'm gearing up for my performance at the Coney Island Museum and I am having the time of my life!!!

Meanwhile... my relationship with Rubie Fizz has just taken off and soared – everyday I spend with her is a blessing and an adventure. I now know what tears-of-joy are and what unconditional love feels like.

On top of all that I'm surrounded and supported by some of the greatest artists a magician could ever hope for... Brit Herring and his dedication to his craft, Thomas Cote and his pitch perfect direction, the music of the “Broken Pockets” always keeps me going, the beautiful lady in the booth – for being the beautiful lady in the booth and once again to Rubie Fizz who has the dubious honor of being the only person to have seen every show of the run as well several raw rehearsals, a tech-through and a final dress (If that ain't love then I don't know what is).

But more than anything else I've learned some valuable lesions...

- Having a dream isn't nearly as powerful as taking actions to have it happen

- Life is too short to worry about who's running the box-office

- I'm never as strong as when I allow others to support my vision

- Never try to save money when buying stage blood because zesty mint is better than no mint at all


I am truly honored to have performed this show for the workshop theater company and for the audiences that came to see it. I thank you all so much for the opportunity to live out a dream of mine.

To all of you who could not make it... worry not. Deconstructing the Magician will live on! I've worked too hard for too long just to put this puppy to bed now. So, be on the lookout for the next incarnation of this hour long magical thrill ride.

Until next time...

Onward!

Hello Magic Fans!

This is it... my one-man-show... my four year odyssey... is finally coming to fruition...

"Magic and Mayhem" is a play that is actually two shows in one. And I can promise you that neither of them contains a guy trying to hold his breath in a water filled bubble on national TV.

The first part of "Magic and Mayhem" is my one-man show entitled "Deconstructing the Magician". This is a piece that blends sophisticated stage magic and biographical storytelling to explore the intricate web of coincidences, choices and experiences that has shaped and defined one man's life in magic.

The second part, entitled "The Devil and Billy Markham", is a show written by Shel Silverstein. Yes, THAT Shel Silverstein. Britton Herring and The Broken Pockets Band help investigate the darker side of this renowned children’s author.

And to top it all off, Thomas Cote has directed both ends of Magic and Mayhem.

"Magic and Mayhem" is in the Jewel Box stage at the Workshop Theater – 312 West 36 Street, 4th Floor (between 8 and 9 Ave.)

The show opens on June 1. Performances start at 8pm and will take place on June 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Tickets are $15. Call (212) 695-4173, extension 4 for reservations

For more information you can go to http://www.workshoptheater.org

See ya at the show

Maybe its because I just celebrated a birthday or the fact that so many great things have been happening to me lately – but recently I've been reflecting on the past few years of my life and really checking in with where I was as compared to where I am now... and its quite staggering... in fact, sometimes I find myself having one of those "if I only knew then, what I know now..." conversations in my head. But if I've learned anything, I know that just being present is the most powerful place I can be.

So, here I am – smack dab in the middle of my Month of May Magical Mystery Tour and I am a man in love.

I am in love with life – I have so much to be grateful for, I am living my bliss. I get to be a magician and perform and be on stage and be with people and see the amazement in their eyes at a perfectly executed effect. I get to bring magic to an ever-changing world and for the briefest of moments get an audience to believe that magic is real.

I am in love with my friends – In my humble opinion, I am so very blessed to know and be a part of the lives of some of the most talented, gifted, generous and powerful people on the planet. I am truly privileged to know them because I'm a better person for it. There is no way I could ever list them all individually – but you know who you are – I honor you and I love you – I can only see the greatness in myself because I already see it in you.

I am in love with my one-man-show – this four year odyssey of sweat, tears and long lonely nights of writing and re-writing (or workshoping and re-workshoping) is finally coming to fruition. I am as joyously excited and as panic stricken as a brand new father. I'm chomping at the bit to get this show out. For those of you who are able to see it, you are in for one spectacular night of theater. For more info please go to http://www.workshoptheater.org/season/jewelbox.php or just check out my calendar page for tickets and times.

And lastly but certainly not in the least...

I am in love with a wonderful woman – her stage name is Rubie Fizz and she is newest "shimmy shaker" on the burlesque circuit. Her website is still under construction but you can see it at www.rubiefizz.com

I am so in love with her that I don't even know where to begin – she is the most loving, honest and compassionate woman I know. Not only is she wicked gifted and talented but her commitment to her craft is humbling. She is courageous – she has suffered through some profound hardships and has every reason and excuse to be jaded and bitter about it... but everyday she chooses to live a trusting, open and vulnerable life. We both love the vintage lifestyle, Mickey Spillane books and all things Coney Island. She is funny, smart, strong, knock-down-drop-dead-gorgeous and loves me unconditionally. Everyday I wake-up and figure out how to be worthy of her. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I find myself gushing like a school-boy whenever I'm around her.

And what I've learned from her is this...

Never give up on your dreams! Don't let anything stand in your way – stay committed, stay focused! Settling for what life hands you is not acceptable! Hold on! Patience and persistence will always win over resignation and resentment!

Onward!

Hello Cool Cats and Crazy Chicks!

Welcome to the Magical Month of May!

Why is it magical? Glad you asked... For the next 31 days I'm going to be
a maniac on a magic mission. I'm up to some big stuff in my life.. gigs,
hosting, my one-man-show and my birthday.

I'm so blessed to know and be friends with some of greatest and most
talented people on the planet and consequently some the busiest. So I've
come up with a way to celebrate with as many people as possible for as
long as possible. You'll have six... count'm... six opportunities to come
on out and hang out with me and celebrate. And it all starts this
Thursday...


Thursday, May 4th
Starshine Burlesque - 10:00PM
Riffi - 332 East 11th Street at 1st Avenue - Price: 5 Bucks
www.starshineburlesque.com

This particular Thursday night is special because this will be my first
time on the Starshine stage. So come on down... enjoy a cocktail before the show, listen to the irresistible sounds of the Meat Mistress'
turntable and watch me pop my Starshine cherry. If that's not magic...
then I don't know what is.


Sunday, May 7th
Red Hots Burlesque - 10:00PM
Riffi - 11th Street & 3rd Ave. - Price: 5 Bucks
www.redhotsburlesque.com

That's right folks... it's the long awaited, heavily anticipated return
of... The Vegas Baby Show... now in its third incarnation!


Wednesday, May 10th
The Annual Celebration of the Day of My Birth (12,053 days fatality free!)

MY BIRTHDAY!! MY BIRTHDAY!! MY BIRTHDAY!!

Come on out - there are so many of you that I see all the time that would
love to see again and so many of you that I hardly see and I would love to
reconnected.

Time – 6:00 to ???
Place - Moe's Caribbean – 1454 Second Ave @ 76 Street
You will be there or you will be labeled a square


Friday, May 12th
The Living Room Lounge
Burlesque in The Living Room - 9PM
http://www.wasabassco.com
245 23rd Street (at the corner of 5th Avenue) - South Slope Brooklyn
(R) train to 4th Ave and 25th St
Price: 5 Bucks

Once again those crazy folks over at Wasabassco are cooking up yet another
home brewed installment of a little something they like to call Burlesque
in The Living Room. I'll be there... will you?


Saturday, May 13th
Le Scandal - 10:00PM
The Cutting Room - 19 W.24th Street
Price: $20.00 - www.lescandal.com

That's right folks... Once again I'll be hosting New York's preeminent
variety, burlesque and cabaret show. Come for the magic... Stay for the
spectacle – and the NYC Blues Devils will be kicking it old school with
their unique twist on classic songs.


Tuesday, May 16th
An Evening at the Grindhouse - 7:30PM
Anthology Film Archives - 32 Second Avenue (at Second Street)
Price: $25.00

An Evening at the Grindhouse celebrates old and new burlesque styling. The
evening opens with a star-studded burlesque show, showcasing New York
City's finest burlesque and New-Vaudeville performers. The show is
promptly followed by a screening of the classic Barbara Stanwyck film,
"The Lady of Burlesque" based on the Gypsy Rose Lee novel, The G-String
Murders.

Starring: The World Famous Pontani Sisters, Dirty Martini, The World
Famous *BOB*, Tigger, Jo Boobs, Dottie Lux, Scotty the Blue Bunny,
Veronika Sweet, Nasty Canasta, Delirium Tremens and me your host, Nelson
Lugo.

For more info please go to http://www.luxkillmore.com

Space is limited. To reserve a ticket please email xvalkillmorex@yahoo.com
And put "Grindhouse" in the subject.

Saturday, April 15, 2006 will go down in history as the greatest day of my life!! (up till now, that is)

It all started at the Museum of the City of New York... then a walk across Central Park... then a tour of South Street Seaport... then a meal at a great empanada joint... then a trip to "Opening Day" at Coney Island. There were rides, corndogs, funnel cake and a real live Sideshow. Like I said... the greatest day of my life!

Now, for those of you who know me (and for those of you who don't) it may come as no surprise for you to learn that I love all things Coney Island.

When I was kid my father would take me to Coney Island three or four times every summer and some of the greatest things about Coney Island, for those of you who've never been, is that as soon as you step off the elevated train... Nathan's Hotdogs is right on the corner. As soon as those train doors open you can smell the hotdogs and knishes in the air. And right down the block from Nathan's is the Cyclone. The single greatest wooden roller coaster ever created by man and it still scares the living crap out of me every time I ride it.

I remember this one day in particular, I was twelve years old – we had spent the day playing games, riding rides, building sandcastles and towards the end of the day we did what everybody eventually did during they're stay at the beach... we strolled along the boardwalk.

Now, Coney Island's world renowned boardwalk is equally famous and infamous for a number of reasons. And on that one day in particular I was introduced to one of those reasons. On very rare occasions, if you're very lucky and if the crowds are just right and the sun is not quite dusk and if there are no cops around – sometimes you'll hear someone chanting in the distance.

"A little fun, just now and then,
Is relished by the best of men.
If you have nerve, you may have plenty;
Five draws you ten, and ten draws twenty.
Attention given, I'll show to you,
How Jim hides the peek-a-boo.
Select your shell, the one you choose;
If right, you win; if not, you lose;
The game itself is lots of fun,
Jim's chances, though, are two to one;
And I tell you your chance is slim
To win a prize from Gambler Jim."

The Boardwalk con-men, the sidewalk cheats, the Shell Game sharps, offering up a game that's played with their props and your money. Some of the best magicians New York had to offer and no one knew their names. Well, not their real names anyway. What they can do with just three shells and a pea is downright amazing.

Now, on that one day in particular, there was this one gentleman in particular who caught my eye. He wore a black felt fedora hat, a white button-down shirt and a black vest. He must have seen the wonder in my eyes because he winked at me before he started barking... and that image of the Coney Island Sidewalk Shyster has stayed with me ever since – it has defined and flavored the way I approach and perform magic. This is why going back to "Dream Land" on a regular basis is as important to me as my magic books.

So, thank goodness for "opening day"... thank goodness for "Dream Land"... and thank goodness for "The Fizz"

Onward!!

My sister is always telling me that I live a charmed life. At which point I give her the "stink-eye" and tell her to shut-up. But based on the results of my life and especially the events of last week – I'm starting to believe it's true.

Last week I received my very first literary copyright which brings me that much closer to being a published author... I bought a brand new suit which I look great in... I handed in the final draft of my one-man-show to my director and started rehearsing the magic for the show... I won an antique doctor's bag off of eBay after searching for two months... and to top it all off I got to hang-out with my friends over at Red Hots Burlesque and watch a great show in the company of a very lovely lady.

In the midst of all this I've been thinking a lot about my father.

Over the past few days the question of who's my hero has been coming up lately... and this week is my father's birthday... and yes, the serendipity is not lost on me.

It's difficult to talk about my father... but not because of any baggage or lack of words... but because talking about my father is like talking about the Dali Lama... where do you start? How can I summarize the extraordinary life that is my dad?

Because of my dad I've learned that there is no obstacle that I can't overcome.
Because of my dad I know that I'm loved unconditionally.
Because of my dad I recognize the difference that I can make in this world.
Because of my dad I understand that serenity is created, not found.

It's sometimes said that you don't get to choose your parents – to me that's not entirely true. Sure, before I was born I never had the option – but now I get to choose.

All in all, taking everything into account, lining up the good with the not-so-good – I choose my father, today and for the rest of my tomorrows.

And today just so happens to be his birthday and I celebrate the man he is – a joyful, peaceful, loving, giving, open and honest man.

And now I'm faced with the daunting task of finding the right gift for the man who not only gave me life but also the tools to live it... I'm thinking a Nintendo Gamecube... yea that sounds about right.

I love ya pop! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Onward!

I've finally done it. I've caved under the pressure of my peers. I've succumbed to the demands of the techno-savvy. I've bowed down to the sheer weight of all things geek.

That's right folks! The planets are aligned... spring is in the air... my DSL is faster than ever...

I now have a MYSPACE page! (cue dramatic music, thunder and lighting flash)

I truly believe I was the last hold-out. It seems that everybody I know is on this site and apparently everybody I don't know is on there too. But now that I've fallen prey to the allure of myspace.com their plans for world domination can begin.

To be honest... I don't pretend to understand the fascination with myspace.com.

I suppose it's great for those of us who don't have a website but I'm finding that even if people do have their own website, more than likely they've got a myspace page too.

I just don't get it... but maybe I'm just not seeing it. Maybe it's because I've just joined and I haven't fully realized it's potential. But I'm telling you now... at first glance I'm just not getting in to it.

I will say this though – it's another way for me to be in touch with my friends and well-wishers and anything that does that can't be all that bad. I must admit, it is fun to customize your page and it certainly does a "safe" voyeuristic quality to it and it's free so if it does turn out to be nothing but crap, the only thing I've wasted was my time.

Who knows, I may end up liking this thing after all.

So, here it is – my URL: http://www.myspace.com/nelsonlugo

Will you be my "friend"?

Onward!

Well... That pretty much sums up my week...

I keep staring at the pages of my one-man-show hoping that some divine spark will incite a tidal wave of ideas that will flood the blank pages that just keep staring back up at me. But all that seems to be happening is I've gotten better at starting at blank pages – and just between you and me – and I'm pretty sure this is all in my imagination – but I think the blank pages are getting blanker. I know, I know... that just sounds crazy. I guess that's what happens when you're only getting four hours of sleep because you're lying awake all night worrying about the show you're supposed to be writing. I wonder if this is how brand new parents feel.

I'm ten weeks away from my opening night and the script stills needs some TLC. I'm not panicking yet – it's way too soon to start panicking but I am starting to feel the pressure build. And to top it all off, because apparently I don't have enough to do, I've decided to start building a brand new show. That's right; my next project is an old-timey Medicine Show. I've always been a big fan of the vaudeville-esque "snake oil" salesmen but I've never had a reason to do it... now I do. I got the idea to do it when I was gearing up and preparing for the last Wasabassco show. For those of you who may not know, the fine producers of the Wasabassco show also make a wonderful product called Wasabassco sauce. It's a blend of Tabasco and Wasabi that's made from scratch. And in my humble and somewhat biased opinion... it's darn tasty. For more history of a hotsauce you can go here... http://www.wasabassco.com

So, in the great tradition of necessity and invention (i.e. they have a product to sell and I have a show idea I need to perform) I thought it was high time I put my dream to paper and get this show out of my head and on to a stage. However, at least this week, that's easier said than done.

I do have more details on the June show though...

For my two week run I'm teaming up with another actor and his one man show to create a whole evening of theater, which works out perfectly because both of our shows are about an hour long.

The serendipity of these two shows coming together is momentous.
Not only am I teaming up with the super-talented Britton Herring but he will also be presenting "The Devil and Billy Markham" written by Shel Silverstein (of the "Giving Tree" fame). I can't even begin to tell you how excited this makes me. Not only am I incredibly proud to share the stage with Brit but "The Devil and Billy Markham" is one of my favorite pieces of all time and the synergy between our two shows is just too perfect. This is shaping up to be a night of theater to remember.

Be on the look out for further details in the coming weeks.

Onward!

I would normally never gush about gigs or shows that I perform in that are not mine because I don't like to play favorites. Every show I perform in is fantastic and fun in their own way.

But if you missed last Friday's Wasabassco Show ... then you missed one heck of night. www.wasabassco.com

So much was going on, I don't know where to begin.

To quote my good friend William Morton, "all magic was mystically mystifying, and all booty shaking was beautifully stirring." Not only was there a bevy of bodacious and bounteously beautiful women bumping and grinding in the classy burlesque style, but there were two go-go dancers that I would walk a mile for. They are sexy and cute at the same time (if that's even possible). The venue was the Living Room Lounge in Brooklyn which in my somewhat biased opinion is the coolest low key bar in New York. It's the kind of watering hole where you can sit for hours with friends and get lost in the atmosphere. And to top everything off, I got to share the stage with two of the most talented magic/sideshow performers I know – Albert Cadabra (www.albertcadabra.com) and the amazing blazing Tyler Fyre (www.tylerfyre.com).

This was the first time I got to share the stage with these gentlemen and if I may so (and I'll probably get my chops busted over this) it was truly an honor for me to be on the same stage with them. New York is full of magicians but very few of them actually perform and even fewer still perform regularly on stage. So these are the guys who have been doing it and these are the guys I look up to.

A lot of people think that just because I'm a magician that nothing surprises me in magic anymore – not true. Magic still holds a lot of mystery and wonder for me. In fact I have an appreciation that most non-magicians will never understand. And part of the reason that I love these guy's work is because whenever I watch them I can't help but feel like a kid – all wide eyed with wonder.

I've been learning, practicing and performing magic on and off since I was nine years old. I am privy to secrets and methods to all kinds of things and so my love of magic goes beyond the questions of how it's done. My heart lies with the questions of why it done and watching good performers like Albert and Tyler just validate everything I know to be true.

This show was just a blast! And I highly recommend that you do not miss the next one!

Albert... if you're reading this... that was the funniest "sawing-a-woman-in-half" I've ever seen!

Tyler... if you're reading this... your Blockhead act is just sheer genius!

As I slowly come down from the absolute bliss that was Friday night I am filled with pride that I get to count myself an artist among these great artists.

Thanks Wasabassco for a great gig and a great time.

Onward!

There are moments in a person's life that are so significant that the events are indelibly marked on to their brain. So much so, that they will know exactly what they were doing and where they were the moment it happened. Well, the day of March 5, 2006 will go down in my history as such an event.

Why? I'm glad you asked.

I returned home from visiting in Florida on a Monday night. On Tuesday night I had the distinct pleasure of performing for an extraordinarily worthy cause. Dreams in Growth (DIG - www.dreamsingrowth.org) is a outreach program for teens that offers new perspectives and possibilities through leadership training. Which ultimately culminates in creative and adventure driven programs like music, theatre and, scuba-diving. I love this organization and I'm honored to be a part of it – not only because it's a fantastic program but also because my best-friend, Geri Lance, is the one who founded the organization.

So there I am, entertaining with my deck of cards when my best friend Geri pulls me aside to tell me that the auction is about to start. I said – that's nice, thanks for letting me know and I went back to entertaining with my deck of cards. She pulls me aside again to tell me that it's a bachelor/bachelorette auction where people get to bid for other people. Once again... I said – that's nice, thanks for letting me know and I went back to entertaining with my deck of cards. She pulls me aside yet again to tell me that there has been a request for me to be bid on. Now immediately, I'm on guard because I think that she's joking. It turns out she's not joking. I think about it for a moment and I very politely (because she's my best friend) say no thanks and I deliver a small self-deprecating joke about the fact that I'll only bring in pocket change. Then the small crowd I've been entertaining with my deck of cards starts to chime in. After a few minutes of strong convincing I finally agree to do it.

At this point, I'm getting very nervous. It may surprise you to learn that I'm really quite shy around people. As a magician, no one notices because I'm in performance mode – which in of itself is a wonderful ice breaker. So, there I am, my heart is starting to pound in my chest, my hands start to sweat and I'm waiting in line with the other people who are up for bid. The first one goes up, a guy in a really nice suit, and the ending bid was $150.00. Which, truth be told, was very encouraging, at least I won't be sold for the price of a cheep cigar. The second one goes up, a very beautiful woman in a stunning dress, and the ending bid was $280.00. Well by now I was feeling very good and very confident.

It's now finally my turn... I walk up to the small stage and I'm introduced: "This here fine specimen of a man is Nelson Lugo, master magician, seasoned actor and all round nice guy. A genuine gentleman – last of a dying breed. Loyal, loving and a selfless giver – he wears his heart on his sleeve which I would think gets pretty crowded up there between all the doves, cards and coins he already keeps up there. A bid on Nelson includes a meal and drinks at Mo's Caribbean. Who would like to open the bidding..."

Now, I would like to say that the bidding was fast and furious... it wasn't.
I would like to say that the money was flying like my doves out of a hat... it didn't.
I would like to say that there was a bidding war to end all wars... there wasn't.

My closing bid was 80 dollars.

I've done a lot of soul searching in my time. I've done a lot of work on myself. I know who I am and what it is I want from this world and I'm very clear how to get it. The one question I've always wondered about was... what is my sum total?

Now, after years and years of uncertainty and doubt I now know that my life is worth 80 bucks.

I can now sleep, safe in the knowledge that now no matter what else happens in my life the whole question of my worth is answered and handled.

So, a loving shout-out to DIG for a fantastic party and for answering at least one of my crucial existential questions.

And, a giggly shout-out to the lovely woman who somehow managed to get me on the cheep.

(So many jokes... so little time...)

Onward!

To say that the past two weeks have been overwhelming is a laughable understatement.

My grandma who's been recovering from a very serious illness is doing a lot better. She's out of the hospital and getting stronger everyday. I've spend the past week in Florida spending time with her and helping around the house. She's got her sense of humor back, her mind is sharper than ever and is fully enjoying all the pampered attention she's been receiving. She's a little slower and a little weaker but I've got my grandma back.

I also got to spend time with the rest of my family... my grandpa, my aunt and my father. Spending time with them is always a joy but this time it was especially fulfilling. I suppose it's the thoughts of mortality, love and loss that were all experiencing. It's got all of us hyper-sensitive to who we are, not only as individuals but to each other as well.

I've been reading a lot of magic books recently and by "a lot" I mean about two books a week. I'm gearing up for my one-man-show that's going up in June. The best of these books have two things in common – they talk about the idea of the 'Magic Moment' and they drill the importance of infusing meaning and artistry in to my craft.

Well, this past week I've experienced more magic moments than I know what to do with. Spending time with my family and being surround by people who love me unconditionally has fully recharged my batteries. My heart is full. Living in New York and getting caught up in its fast-paced work-a-day work I sometimes forget what real magic is like.

As a magician I create magic moments every day. Up until recently... as a human being I experienced magic moments sporadically. However, thanks to the events of last week I have re-learned that I can create magic moments for myself all the time.

Love is magic! Forgiveness is magic! Compassion is magic!

Grab all your loved ones to your heart and tell them that you love them and honor them.
All those people that have pissed you off... forgive them and embrace them.
All those people that you have wronged... apologize and clean it up.

Our time on this planet is too short. And everyday is a day closer to the end, so why waste it staring at the shadows on the cave wall.

Someone once told me that life is a blast and suffering is optional. Truer words have never been spoken. I say that bliss is what happens when you live rather than just survive.

Do you want to live in bliss? Then live like a magician... create magic moments with everyone around you and I guarantee that your life will be infused with more meaning and more artistry than you will ever know what do with.

Onward!

Have I ever told you about my grandma?

I love my grandma, very much. She is the leader... the center and strength of my family. My grandpa thinks he's the center because he's loud and well... because my grandma lets him think he is – but everybody knows who the real power is.

My grandma is partly the reason I'm the magician I am today. It seems I come from a long line of practitioners of the conjuring arts. You see, my grandma is a Santeras, which means she practices Santeria, which means she's a Puerto Rican witch... and I mean that in the best possible sense of the word.

Now, for the one or two of you who don't know what I'm talking about... Santeria is a magic based system of faith that was brought over from Central Africa. Practitioners use illusion to reaffirm their faith, to illustrate the metaphors and parables in a more tangible way. When it was brought to Puerto Rico the island folklore was mixed into it and when the missionaries started their work it then became fused with Catholicism. So to many modern day Puerto Ricans there is no difference between Santeria and Catholicism, they’re one and the same.

So as a result my grandma is a devout Catholic who attends high mass every Sunday and who also casts spells, removes curses, prepares baths that clean the soul, talks to the dead and sees the future. She also makes the best pancakes I've ever had.

Not surprisingly, I'm the skeptic in the family... the doubting Thomas, as my father used to call me. As a magician I'm privy to secrets and methods that when performed could very easily be misconstrued as having real "magical" powers. So, I've always had a hard time believing what my grandma does is real. Having said that... there are times when I've seen her do things that I just can't explain.

Like one time, my grandma didn't like the woman who lived in the apartment above her so she lit candles, burned incense and prayed. Sure enough the woman upstairs moved. Now it could have been the noxious fumes from the can of burning incense that she held out the widow so that the wind would carry it into the upstairs apartment... or it could have been her magic – either way, whether you believe in magic or not the end result is the same... the woman moved.

Then there was the time she used her magic on me. Which, dear reader, is a blog for another time.

The point of all this is...
My grandma loves the fact that I'm a skeptic. And she’s teased me about it over the years but she said one thing to me that I will never forget. She said, "Nelson, for such a non-believer you sure do practice a lot of magic."

I have to admit that made me think... and those thoughts have shaped and defined not only the kind of magic I perform but the way perform I it.

This week, she was admitted to the intensive care unit for some very serious health complications. It was touch and go for about two days. She recited her living will and signed the do not resuscitate clause. The entire family, as a whole, was freaking out. I was going through my own private hell as well. We all know, conceptually, that she won’t live forever but none of us were prepared for it actually happening.

This morning, she was moved out of intensive care and into a more general care unit, which means that she is out of the woods and on the mend. The family as a whole is breathing one giant sigh of relief.

When most people think of magic, thoughts of balloon animals and bunny rabbits usually come to mind.

When I think of magic, my thoughts turn to a four foot eleven, 110 pound powerhouse. And it's no wonder I became a magician... I come from good magic stock.

So, to grandma – I love you and I honor you. I thank you for all that you've taught and given me. I celebrate the life that you are. You are my rock and my wand. You're loving grandson, Nelson.

Onward!

This was sent to me by a dear friend. I laughed my butt off and I thought that this was just too funny not share with you guys.

So here it is... straight from the Top Ten Archive on the Late Show with David Letterman website...


Top Ten Magician Pet Peeves

10. Stores who don't accept change pulled from people's ears

9. You've got a cold and all your handkerchiefs keep turning into doves

8. When the plumber says, "You're the magician, you unclog it"

7. Due to a screw up at the magic shop you pull a rabbi out of your hat

6. It's lonely on the road and most nights you end up "palming it"

5. Two words: cape rash

4. You mumble, "Abracadabra" in your sleep – when you wake up your furniture is gone

3. Accidentally saw one woman in half and you're suspended

2. When you do your mind-reading trick, all you seem to get is "Magicians suck"

1. Your girlfriend leaves you for a magician with a bigger wand



For more Top Ten hilarity please go to http://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/


I'm still giggling...

I don't know how it happened but I've been one busy little magi these past two weeks. It's amazing how fast my time and my calendar just fills up with various commitments – some good, some not-so-good, yet all of them important. I've been so busy in fact that I haven't had the chance to check in with myself... to see how I'm doing. As it turns out, it seems I'm somewhat depressed... a little down – not enough to be debilitating but just enough to be annoying. And it certainly doesn't help that Valentine's Day is fast approaching.

Being a single guy has its unique ups and downs but being a single guy in New York is a whole new kind of magic bag. And, I know that for some people Valentine's Day can be a wonderful opportunity – but for me, right now, it's nothing but a big ole' pain in the magic wand. I'm sure most people are looking forward to Valentine's Day with all its joy and promise. In fact, there are many "V" days that I still think about and can't help but smile at. This "V" day however, despite how much I may protest to the contrary, will more than likely just serve to remind me that I'm still single and looking.

Valentine's Day is a rare breed of holiday, in that it gets you coming and going. Depending on whether you're single or in a relationship and sometimes in spite of the fact of whether you're single or in a relationship... Valentine's Day can be the harbinger of terrible horrors such as stress, tension, high drama, hair pulling and teeth gnashing... goodness knows I've gnashed quite a few teeth in my time.

Valentine's Day is a corporate America made-up holiday. It's a way for greeting card companies to make their monthly sales goals between the winter holidays and St. Patty's Day... but then who gets... or better yet... who gives St. Patty's Day cards? Who are these people... that's what I want to know?

But then again, I fully realize that if I were IN a loving, committed relationship at this very moment... I'd be writing about how great this holiday is and how important it is to the very fabric of our society and I'd be singing its praises on top of the highest peaks New York has to offer. I suppose it's one of those "sour grapes" kinds of things.

Dating in New York is difficult for anyone but apparently it's particularly difficult if you’re a magician. Most guys have to deal with rejection in form or another – it goes with the territory, it's a fact of dating life. But, I've been told by women that they don't date magicians on principal... how the heck am I supposed to process that?!?

And yet, I know that I will learn from these little set backs and that these little hurts build character. I also know that acknowledging that I'm down and allowing myself to feel whatever it is I'm feeling will ultimately make me a better person for it.

Now you're probably wondering what any of this has to do with magic... well, maybe nothing. I do know that anything that illuminates the human condition or offers insight into the human animal is always a good thing.

And this too... these tiny trials and miniature tribulations... will also pass... and as my dad has always says, "Treasure those moments that remind you that you are alive, because it's in those moments that you'll find purpose and magic."

Onward!

A long time ago I read a book called "Boy's Life" by Robert R. McCammon.

Robert. R. McCammon, for the most part is a horror novelist and "Boy's Life" does have an element of horror, but it is more about magic – the magic of childhood, of growing up in the South, and of life's lessons.

His words have stayed with me for quite some time and reading them again now reminds me of all that I hold dear in my life. And since the topic of "finding magic in everyday life" is foremost in my mind, I thought I should share it with all of you. And by "all of you" I mean the four people who actually read this blog – so feel free to pass it along.

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An excerpt from "Boy's Life" by Robert R. McCammon
(for more on Robert R. McCammon, go here: http://www.robertrmccammon.

You know, I do believe in magic. I was born and raised in a magic time, in a magic town, among magicians. Oh, most everybody else didn't realize we lived in that web of magic, connected by the silver filaments of chance and circumstance. But I knew it all along. When I was twelve years old, the world was my magic lantern and by its green spirit glow I saw the past, the present, and into the future. You probably did too; you just don't recall it. See, this is my opinion: we all start out knowing magic. We are born with whirlwinds, forest fires, and comets inside us. We are born able to sing to birds and read the clouds and see our destiny in grains of sand. But then we get the magic educated right our of our souls. We get it churched out, spanked out, washed out, and combed out. We get put on the straight and narrow and told to be responsible. Told to act our age. Told to grow up, for God's sake. And you know why we were told that? Because the people doing the telling were afraid of our wildness and youth, and because the magic we knew made them ashamed and sad of what they'd allowed to wither in themselves.

After you go so far way from it, though, you can't really get it back. You can have seconds of it. Just seconds of knowing and remembering. When people get weepy at the movies, it's because in the dark theater the golden pool of magic is touched, just briefly. Then they come out into the hard sun of logic and reason and it dries up, and they're left feeling a little heartsad and not knowing why. When a song stirs your memory, when motes of dust turning in a shaft of light takes your attention from the world, when you listen to a train passing on a track in the night distance and wonder where it might be going, you step beyond who you are and where you are. For the briefest of instants, you have stepped into the magic realm.

That's what I believe.

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Wow, pretty powerful stuff, huh.

That's what I believe too. Except, I believe that the magic can be recaptured for longer than seconds at a time. But that's a blog for another day.

For now, just know in that part of you that soars – that dances when you're living your bliss –you too live in a magic time, in a magic town, among magicians.

Onward!

As a magician I meet all kinds of people.

Over the past 15 or so years I've been performing, I've had the opportunity to interact with almost every type of person there is. But the moment I think I've gotten a handle on the human condition, some aspect of mankind's psyche creeps up from behind me to plant a slimy wet-willy right in my ear.

The other day I met a woman who said she had a prejudice against magicians.

A PREJUDICE AGAINST MAGICIANS?!?! What is this world coming to?!?

If that statement had been made to an ethnic or social group like say, Albino Naturalists Against Greedy Gofers (A-N.A.G.G) – would the media and press be notified, would there be marches and protests in the street? You bet you're sweet bippy it would!

So what do magicians get? Nothing, Nada, Nein, Zero, Zip, The Big Fat Goose Egg!

In fact, all I get to do is cry myself to sleep while licking my wounds.

But then I wonder what happened in this woman's life to warrant such intolerant thinking. Was she bitten by a magician when she was a child, was she sawed in half once and incorrectly put back together – maybe a quarter was pulled from behind her ear and she's upset because she's never been able to get a cent since?

At this point – whose to say how it started, maybe she doesn't even know – because we're not born to hate, it's taught – maybe she grew-up in an anti-magic household and was made to wear bright orange diving suits with matching sombreros and burned wands and top hats on the lawns of prominent local magicians?

So, to this young woman I say... hey, it's the 21st Century, not the 15th Century – the Spanish Inquisition is over. Gone are the days of burning magician's at the stake or putting their toes in a vise or chopping their hands off. You're kind of judgmental intolerance is no longer accepted.

Magicians have always been important and necessary to the fabric of modern life. As entertainers and educators we provide essential and vital services to mankind.

So, please be gentle to magicians – we are somebody's son or daughter. If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die?

So, to commemorate this solemn occasion I have decided to start M.A.P.P. – Magicians Against Party Poopers. MAPP is a non-for-profit organization dedicated to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights of all practitioners of the conjuring arts.

I'm currently accepting applications for membership which is open to anyone with a passing interest in sleight-of-hand, illusions, sideshow arts and its history. For a full membership kit please send me $99.95.

Along with a two year membership the kit includes a subscription to our monthly newsletter "Mapping It Out", a full color calendar with local and national events listed, a 30 minute DVD that details all membership benefits hosted by Ernest Borgnine, two packs of genuine Bicycle Brand poker playing cards and a gold plated membership pin emblazoned with our motto, "No Magician Left Behind!"
Act Fast – Supplies Are Limited

Now, if only that woman had said she hated clowns... because, that I can understand.

Onward!