George Sands Magic

Misty and I attended the Blackpool Magic Convention two weeks ago. This was our third year attending.

Blackpool is the largest Magic convention in the world with 5,000 attendees, dozens of lectures and shows — close-up Magic, parlor shows, and large stage performances — and the three dealer’s halls feature over 200 Magic dealers from around the world.

While listening to lectures, I’d write down little inspirations I want to share with our students at Hypnosis Bootcamp.

One idea really stuck with me.

Magician Charlie Caper talked about how he began as a street performer. Street performers often hang out together, watching other performers and analyzing the show.

How did they open? How did they close? Big crowd… small crowd… held the crowd… lost the crowd.

What made the crowd scream with laughter and applaud loudly?
What made them hold their breath?

Comedians do the same thing. They sit in the green room backstage, watching each other’s sets and learning from what works.

Since the beginning of Hypnosis Bootcamp, I’ve always taken notes and shared them with students at the end of the day, usually while we were all sitting around eating dinner.

A few years ago, we changed that and began giving feedback immediately after each performance, while the show was still fresh.

This year we’re changing it again.

Instead of just Misty and me giving notes, we’re going to turn it into a pow-wow discussion. Students will also share what they saw, what they liked, and what they think could be stronger.
There’s an old saying:

“Teachers learn as much as students.”

So this year… we’ll all become note takers.

What are you doing July 27 – August 3?

Come join us in Redmond, Oregon, for a week of performing, learning, laughing, and growing as a stage Hypnosis. It’s a lot like attending summer camp, but you grow like never before!

👉 https://HypnosisBootCamp.net

Please don't hesitate to ask us any questions. We tell no lies or exaggerations.

— Alan Sands & Misty Knight

Misty & The SandMan’s Stage Hypnosis Boot Camp – Misty & The SandMan’s Stage Hypnosis Boot Camp Experiential Coaching This is hands-on stage Hypnosis training with real audiences—the same kind you’ll work with in future shows. Boot Camp Training This is hands-on training that prepares you for real shows. You’ll participate, practice in real situations, and learn through experience, coach...

Your Chance to Train Live at a Major Fair — Stage Hypnosis Bootcamp 2026

Greetings Hypnosis People,

Misty and I are thrilled to be heading back to the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, Oregon for our 17th Stage Hypnosis Bootcamp!

Bootcamp Dates:
Arrive Monday, July 27, 2026
Training & live shows Wednesday, July 29 – Sunday, August 2, 2026

Since 2013, 50 students have trained with us — and each year the program gets stronger, more practical, and more real-world focused.

This year you’ll experience:
🎡 A major county fair with 140,000+ attendees in five days
🎤 Real stage shows — not classroom theory
🏡 Group Airbnb stay to train, rehearse, debrief, and grow together
🍽 Shared meals that keep costs low and build camaraderie
💡 Hands-on coaching before and after every performance
📈 We overdeliver on everything we promise — and then some

If you’ve ever said,
“I want to really do stage hypnosis,”
This is your moment.

Every great performance has direction and coaching — from theater and film to the biggest names in live entertainment. What we provide is real stage direction, show structure, and insider insights into your act so you don’t just perform… you succeed.

👉 Visit the newly updated site:
https://HypnosisBootCamp.net

We are now accepting early deposits — save $400 and lock in your spot.

Space is extremely limited.

Hope to train with you in Redmond!

Warm regards,

Alan Sands & Misty Knight
Misty & The SandMan’s Stage Hypnosis Bootcamp

Misty & The SandMan’s Stage Hypnosis Boot Camp – Misty & The SandMan’s Stage Hypnosis Boot Camp Experiential Coaching This is hands-on stage Hypnosis training with real audiences—the same kind you’ll work with in future shows. Boot Camp Training This is hands-on training that prepares you for real shows. You’ll participate, practice in real situations, and learn through experience, coach...

MONDAY

December 23 is Festivus, a day reserved in history for all who feel that the normal holiday traditions don’t quite fit the bill. This fictional holiday made its debut in 1997 in the sitcom "Seinfeld," when Frank Costanza, played by Jerry Stiller, introduced Festivus to his family, featuring an aluminum pole, as well as the “airing of grievances” and “feats of strength.” Travel back in time via CNN's archive for our guide on "How to celebrate Festivus in 5 easy steps."

Harry Houdini sent me this article. I may have the original somewhere, but I thought I'd share it here for those who knew my father, George Sands. Not sure it will be readable. good luck!

I HATE PayPal!!! I received a payment from PayPal, and they charged me $20 for receiving the money. I attempted to refund the money, and they refused to refund the service fee.

I will now stop accepting any payment via PayPal and will stop using services like eBay, which owns PayPal under all circumstances. If people send me money via PayPal, they must request refunds and make complaints to get their money back.

I can't close my PayPal account because it is the only way Vimeo will send me my monthly commissions, but I will not be using Paypal for anything else. They operate a scam operation.

So, I went to the FISM Website to explore buying tickets to FISM 2025. Some of the site is in English, but most of it is in Italian.

Has anyone else figured out where the English website is?

>>Taken from another string, written by Melissa Harris

Real hero