Power of 10 Event - Entertainment and Motivation

The entire gang from Power of 10 Event. If you have not heard of this, you WILL! Power of 10 Event presents motivation and messages for kids through an amazing show filled with all sorts of amazing people, athletes, speakers and motivational leaders. Check out http://www.Powerof10event.com

I've had the honor to connect with these wonderful leaders in changing lives and even got to perform magic at their first show for a few VIP's. Kids, families, schools and business partners were all thrilled by their presentation. I hope you get a chance to get your local school district to bring them.

Jeremy Bates, directly to my left.
As Creative Director of the Power of 10 Event, Jeremy's innovation and creativity spearhead this dream team of visionaries. Jeremy is the owner of Revolution Speak, which is founded on his personal principle of HOPE: Helping Other People Everyday.

Jim Rippey, checkered shirt.
Jim Rippey not only does the impossible, he redefines it. As a snowboarder, he invented at least one new trick, the Rippey Flip, and designed his own bestselling snowboard with Burton. Jim also was the first to complete a backflip on a snowmobile.

Team Tempest
A four man team dedicated to applying the power and force of a storm to their passion for freerunning. Tempest was set to pursue the dream of making a mark in the freerunning world, by adding style, creativity, and dedicated focus to the sport.

Blair Rusin, tank top.
Blair is an amazing artist, musician and ardent snowboarder who combines his love for life with his love of art. He was born in New York, studied art in Italy, and can usually be found in the air- over a slope of snow.

Last, but not least, the founder, Jim Richardson seen directly to my right.

From music, magic, dance, life stories, art and much more, there is something for everyone! Here's wishing Power of 10 Event much success.

Thanks for sharing the magic! E-mail Rich! Official Website Local: 805-234-7469 National: 877-RICH-FUN

The Magic Castle Magicians and Entertainment

For years, I've been a member of the Magic Castle. In fact, after my decision to become a professional, full-time entertainer, I joined immediately. Ever since becoming a professional magician, people have asked about the Magic Castle. Let me explain it in layman's terms - as it is quite often thought of as simply a theater by those who have not attended this unique, invite only, mysterious old mansion.

(If you are looking to HIRE A MAGICIAN, you are welcome to contact me. If I can not take care of you personally for a private party or corporate event, I can refer or provide the best in each field of magic. Do not hesitate to call.)

The Magic Castle is located just behind the Chinese Mann Theater
one block from the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Magic Castle in located in Hollywood, California. It's the home of the Academy of Magical Arts. Does that statement even make it more confusing? Here's the deal... The Magic Castle is a place to see amazing shows, discover the history of the magical arts, have dinner and drink 'til you can't... as there are six bars conveniently located throughout! But the "Castle", as pro's call it, is much more than a showplace. It is an invite only club in which public can witness magicians from around the world on any given night. Now, the Academy of Magical Arts is like the worldwide union for performing magicians and entertainers and it's offices are located inside the Magic Castle! Got it? It gets "trickier"...

Won Gold Medal for Interactive Magic.
Right: Gay Blackstone, wife of the late Harry Blackstone Jr.

Within the walls of the Castle, you'll find endless memorabilia, secret doors, moving parts, numerous showrooms, a fine restaurant, a guarded library and a museum. Shows range from pure sit down sleight of hand presentations to stand up comedy shows to nightly stage shows. It get's even "trickier"...

When planning on going to the Magic Castle, you might expect or have heard that a particular magician works there... The truth be told, on any given week, it's different performers from around the world. No entertainer actually works there permanently... but do not confuse this club as the comedy club where acts come and go. Nope. It's much harder to become a performing member and entertainer than it is to attend as a guest. It gets even "trickier"...

One of numerous intimate showrooms your discover.

To become a member is not easily defined. You have to audition or interview first. Believe it or not, most members are not magicians at all. There are thousands of members worldwide that range from people that collect magic, build magic, research magic, perform magic and those that just love it and want to be a member of the most unique club in the world. Each type of membership has it's perks and path to becoming an accepted member. Performing magicians have to perform in front of a committee that decides their fate while non-magicians have to apply and be interviewed to ensure they have the best intentions and understanding of the club. It's certainly a special place indeed... and the numerous, similar places that are compared to it are simply wonderful showrooms and do not have the behind the scenes and industry aspects. It gets even "trickier" yet!...

Along with the obvious features of the Castle, there is even a room devoted to Houdini. Here, you will find his original shackles and other amazing memorabilia. This room is open for very special reservation only dinners where you get to whiteness your own personal seance. Another very popular feature is Irma, the piano playing ghost. Oh, this is not just a self playing piano! Nope, you communicate with her and request any song you want. If you are really sharp and know the lyrics to songs, you can hold conversations. That's tricky! Told you.

Just behind me, you can see the water barrel Houdini would
be shackled and submerged in.

Currently, Neil Patrick Harris is a big part of the Magic Castle as well are numerous well known celebrities who love this unique art. The Castle is a source of the worlds best magicians and is often called upon for hiring magicians for private events. You can even host your own party at the club. Just call the Famous Hollywood Magic Castle for details.

The founder of The Magic Castle is an amazing force in entertainment. Milt Larsen transformed an old victorian mansion into the world famous club in 1961 while his brother Bill helped promote it. He also created the Mayfair Music Hall in Santa Monica, California, The Variety Arts Theatre in Los Angeles and Caesars Magical Empire at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. Milt is seen regularly at the club and still produces top magic shows such as "It's Magic!"

With Milt in front of the Magic Owl and "secret" entrance

To attend and bring guests, expect to make dinner reservations and adhere to a strict dress code. Learn more about it at MagicCastle.org  If you know me and want passes/invitations, just email me anytime. It makes an awesome date and is a wonderful place to take an important client. You have to be 21 and over to attend at night or you may attend for brunch on the weekends with kids. I'll quickly add that there are classes and special events to look out for as well. When you arrive, you'll notice the house and think to yourself, "That can't have too much in it"... when you enter, you'll be very disorientated since the entire building is like an iceberg as 2/3 is underground. Pretty tricky! When you first enter, you will have to say the "magic words" to the golden owl on the bookcase to have the bookcases open to let you into the main building ...That's tricky too!

We've taken endless clients, celebrities and friends!

Music and Actor buddies. Check out Damon Castillo Band.
Dress code? The Castle was not open yet! Don't worry.

HIRING A MAGIC CASTLE MAGICIAN: If I can't appear, I can highly recommend or provide top quality acts from different areas of the country for high end private and corporate events. If you want mind-blowing magic at a party or event, give me a call and I'll try my best to "appear"... but please only contact me if you are looking for mind-blowing, fun and interactive magic that your guests will rave about for years. I work all over the world and no party is too big or too small. Have a truly magical day.

Best, RICH Ferguson, AKA "The Ice Breaker"

Thanks for sharing the magic! E-mail Rich! Official Website Local: 805-234-7469 National: 877-RICH-FUN

Optical Illusion - Your Eyes Lie to You

This is a great example of how easily your eyes can fool you! It's not quite an optical illusion or magic trick, but it's fun anyhow! This is also a great lesson as to why you should put sample paint on the walls of a home before painting the entire thing! What looks good on paper may not be even close to what you get once seen in a different environment, especially when influenced by shading and colors near by! 

The two center squares are exact. It is the shading of relative sides of the cube that make

your eyes deceive you. It's not a magic trick! This is one of many ways the brain, your memory/familiarity of things and your eyes fool each other. To see this animated and easily see the two square match in color, watch it on my site.

To see a ton of tricks and illusions you can play with, go to my tricks page on my site.

Thanks for sharing the magic! E-mail Rich! Official Website Local: 805-234-7469 National: 877-RICH-FUN

Top 5 Event Planning Tips - Plus Venue Review!

Although I'm a "magician" or entertainer, it can easily be argued that I make my living observing. Being in the event and party industry, I've notice time and time again wonderful and horrible events. Here's my two cents on what you can do to ensure an event goes great for you and guests!

In addition to revealing a wonderful venue (Monarch Club in Nipomo, CA) for any type of event along the Central Coast, here's 5 top clues which are explained in detail in this video:

1. Avoid the "Box"
2. Something Unique to Discover
3. Music Levels
4. Have an Ice Breaker
5. Add Cocktail Tables

Thanks for sharing the magic! E-mail Rich! Official Website Local: 805-234-7469 National: 877-RICH-FUN

Oprah calls San Luis Obispo Happiest Place to Live

Ever heard of San Luis Obispo? Maybe you have drove through it and didn't even know! The Oprah Show along with the help of Jenny McCarthy might reveal our secret... dang it! As a magician and entertainer that is based out of this small town along California called San Luis Obispo, people have asked me often, "When are you going to be a big shot in L.A.?" or "Why do you live in a small town with no major VIP events or conventions? Why don't you go to Las Vegas?"

Well, if the Oprah Show that airs today does not answer this question, then nothing ever will! Watch the interview with Jenny McCarthy as she visits SLO: http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Happiest-City-in-America-San-Luis-Obispo-Video

San Luis Obispo is a magical place because I can think clearly, breath easily and live in nearly perfect weather year round. There are numerous pros and cons to living places but I am not much on sacrificing my physical or mental health. Getting to my various events might take a little more effort, but the payoff to return home is worth it. I get to be paid to do what I love, travel the world working the best exclusive parties and get to come back to this magical place! By the way, if you know of an event and want to let me loose on your guests to have a blast, reach out to me anytime at my official website www.TheIceBreaker.com

Thanks SLO Chamber, Oprah and Jenny! ... And a special kudos to all those local "stars", which I knew all of just like the video mentioned. It's a small city and we know it- and better yet, we know each other.

Also, if you are interested in San Luis Obispo Real Estate, check with my wife Traci Ferguson. Her site is loaded with free tools to help you as well.

Thanks for sharing the magic! E-mail Rich! Official Website Local: 805-234-7469 National: 877-RICH-FUN

New Years Magic Resolution Trickery

It's here again! Just like magic, another year has vanished! All the holiday parties have ended and it's the rush week of people trying to make commitments to themselves about work, responsibilities, smoking, weight loss, etc. Why do people wait until January 1st to push to change and stay on track all at once? Wouldn't it be much easier to just be the same as you had been in the days prior to New Years (or whenever your resolution kicks in)?

Well, here's a "magic trick" to beat the "system"! That' right... I've discovered a loophole in logic, resolutions, New Years, effort, commitment, etc.  Here's the trick; Pick a date only a couple days from now to start your resolution. Announce to the world and yourself that, on that date, you will simply "stay the same" by doing exactly what you have been doing. Sounds impossible? What am I talking about? Have I gone nuts? NOPE. Here's the very simple catch. Workout, eat right, have fun, be responsible, don't smoke, have lots of loving, enjoy the magic of life to it's fullest, work hard, start projects or WHATEVER it is you NEED to change TODAY. Then simply do it for a few days. You can do that, right? Then, when your resolution date comes up, you can avoid the need to "change" and simply commit to being exactly the same! Doesn't that sound a lot easier without the added pressure of a new year, change, scheduling and the drama associated with the start of the year? Another added benefit of starting today is that you have a few days to ramp up to meet your goals as apposed to starting cold turkey. Intense, physical workout changes or dietary changes might be dangerous for some. Why not ramp up to your goal over the next few days?!

I know you might have been looking for a magic pill to change your life, but this is a start! This week, I'm going to commit to working out, protecting and strengthening some past injuries of mine. On New Years, I'll have to commit to nothing more than staying the same... while watching others stress about taking big steps and the pressure of changing and doing what they need to do.

Does this sound familiar? - What are you doing for your resolution Bob? "Well, I'm going to try to stop smoking today..."  That's crazy, I say! If Bob would have stopped smoking for a couple days prior, he could have simply told himself and others, "I'm going to just stay on the track I'm on. I'm perfectly happy with my current direction." Now Bob has to hear, "Oh, wow, that's a tough one... Good luck. I tried before but it only lasted a few weeks."

I know it is all just semantics to some, but if you really do want to make some positive changes, you might want to "trick" the system and start NOW. I personally believe waiting is the first sign of not committing 100%. Don't you deserve to start today?


Well, anyway you slice it, pound it, change it, do it, I wish you a very prosperous and successful, magical New Year!


This has been a remarkable year. Thanks for all the support and referrals!
For information on hiring me to let me loose with guests at your next special party, please visit http://www.TheIceBreaker.com  

Lives of Illusion - Life of a Magician

Living on the Central Coast is like Magic! If you have been under a rock and unaware of the blockbuster waves of Harry Potter movies, here's a little story The Tribune did about magicians on the Central Coast of California. The story was a tie in to the end of an epic series of magical stories. If you are looking for magical entertainment for children, companies or VIP events, this story does a nice job of describing the types of magic for different events.

In addition, if you are interested in getting magic as a gift for someone, please view my official online magic store full of cards, dvds and book on the subject.  If you are interested in learning more about magic clubs, performing and more, check out these magic links.  Lastly, if you just want to try some tricks out through your computer, try these tricks!

Here's wishing you all a magical Holiday Season!  - The Ice Breaker