John B. Pyka

A great way for you to give to arts education and outreach!

2012-01-31T08:14:00.001-08:00

2012-01-30T09:22:00.001-08:00

Help make it happen for Swing Magic Small World Tour on @indiegogo http://ping.fm/4sOzq

2012-01-14T08:42:00.001-08:00

Check out www.magictalkforum.com for great magic discussion, news and reviews.

2012-01-09T08:09:00.001-08:00

New Year's Recession Buster Special! Get your printable digital copy of How To Produce Your Own Theater Show delivered to your e-mail inbox for only $5.00! WOW! Offer valid until 1/13/2011 - http://ping.fm/cyR2a

2011-12-26T07:18:00.001-08:00

Shopping today!

2011-12-06T14:21:00.001-08:00

Big Daddy Cool is running for President! Be Cool. Vote Imperial 2012.

2011-12-06T14:03:00.001-08:00

Looking for a great Christmas gift for the magician in your life? Get them Theatrical Magic at www.theatricalmagic.net/Books.HTML

2011-11-14T13:56:00.001-08:00

Vote for Big Daddy Cool as a performer/producer!
http://ping.fm/QxKR1

2011-11-11T09:58:00.001-08:00

Vote for Big Daddy Cool in the 2011 Burlesque Top 50!
http://ping.fm/5upX8

My crazy weekend!

2011-10-04T12:57:00.001-07:00

This past weekend was an extremely busy one. On Saturday I hosted a burlesque revue for the Nashville Horror & Comic Fest, performed at the Bikini Tiki Luau in Bowling Green, KY, and then Sunday presented a “different” version of Swing Magic for the first Nashville Fringe Festival.

Let’s start at the top: The Comic Festival. Most of you know that I am a comic book freakasaurus. A big part of me and the character of BDC was shaped by comic books. However, I never go to these conventions. Just not my clique, dig? However, I go anywhere I am hired, and I was hired to host the burlesque revue for the convention. Don’t ask me why or what the connection is – I just took the gig.

So I was told by the producer to get there between 2 & 4 for the show at 5 PM. I get there at 3:30 and I am the first there. No producer. No performers. Just me, the MC. Everyone else is lost. Wonderful. So what do I do? I get ready to perform and to stall if the rest of the cast don’t arrive on time. On top of this, the performance space is in flea market “hall way” with no sound – just a boom box to play CDs, no lighting other than the overheads, no stage – just concrete floor, no backdrop. You know, every performer’s “Dream” venue! The producer did a great job on this one!

The rest of the cast all arrive with only minutes to spare, but at 10 minutes til showtime we have bigger problem. We have no audience. No one. To make matters worse, the convention guests are streaming out of the con like water through a sieve. It is dinner time, after all. SO, again BDC comes to the rescue. I step out onto the main convention floor, and do a bally hoo to draw people in – I mean, these people crawled out of their parent’s basement and they are turning down to see chicks? Talk about social malfunction. But my gambit works and within 10 minutes the seats are filled and it is standing room only.

Show goes off without a hitch (despite the staging challenges) and the audience responds accordingly. Success! My client (the producer) is happy and tips me generously above my fee, and her client is ecstatic!

Then my partner Ginger Lee and I jump into the car and race up to Bowling Green, KY for the Bikini Tiki Luau, and the subsequent BDC Challenge. The organizer King Dado greets me and says “man, there are about 500 people her to see you do this” (official reports indicate 200 – 300 people). I didn’t stop to count, but there were a TON of people there. It was packed! We are on right after the Rebel Surfers and I repeat the set I did at the comic con. A note about that – I developed the material I did specifically for these burlesque, rockabilly, and custom culture audiences. There’s an entire essay right there!

So we finish the show and it is time for the challenge for the World Heavyweight Magic Championship. I invite any challengers to perform first. There are none. But I had come prepared to do an Underwater Chain Escape, and I wasn’t going to let this crowd of people down! We moved to the pool. A couple of the rockabilly greasers “helped” chain me up. Believe me, they did me no favors! They inspected every link of chain and the four locks meticulously. It was fantastic.

So, I’m chained up, I’m standing at the edge of the pool, and I jump in. But something goes horribly wrong. I’ve been practicing the escape and can get out in about 20 seconds. I’ve spent my entire life underwater and can hold my breath for a solid minute. But I hit the water and every bit of breath leaves. I don’t know why, but I got nothing. I’m underwater with chains pulling me down and I got nothing in my lungs. Not good. I had to work FAST or I was going to drown, for real. 10 seconds. I escaped in 10 seconds. I couldn’t believe it. It was an insanely stupid thing to do. I can’t wait until the next time.

That was Saturday.

Sunday was a different show. On Sunday I presented a 30 minute version of my 3 person ensemble show Swing Magic at the Nashville Fringe Festival. This was the first year and crowds were smaller than I would have liked, but the organizers were very happy.

About an hour before the show I decided to do something I had never done before. I took off the mask and talked to the audience as the creator John Pyka. I talked about the real reason I got into show business, quoting from my book Theatrical Magic:

“Have you ever closed your eyes and wished you could be someone else? To live in a different place and time, to live a different life?” I went on to talk about being picked on and bullied as kid, because of my weight. I talked about how music, and magic, and theater set me apart and made me special. About how I was able to create my own reality. That was the how.

Then I told the story about Amanda. I’ve written about it many, many times but never spoken about it. It struck me that I had never publicly told the story. That was the why.

And then I shocked myself by publicly admitting my disability for the first time, and how being onstage makes it vanish and that performance is pain therapy.

In all three cases I shared with the audience, albeit briefly, about the power theater has to impact lives. My friend Jason Michaels told me later he was inspired. One of the audience members Robert Stone shock my hand with a tear in his eye and wrote me later that that segment was the best part of the entire festival and well worth the weekend pass.

So now, a few days later, I can step back and evaluate. I have a lot to think about.

2011-10-04T10:08:00.001-07:00

$10 Sale! Get the EXPANDED edition of How To Produce Your Own Theater Show for only $10! http://ping.fm/0Vovr

2011-09-27T13:36:00.001-07:00

Get the EXPANDED edition of How To Produce Your Own Theater Show at www.theatricalmagic.net/Books.html

2011-09-27T12:16:00.001-07:00

Big Daddy Cool performs at Side Show, The Nashville Fringe Festival Oct 2! Full details at www.nashvillefringe.org.

2011-09-26T08:36:00.001-07:00

Saturday Oct 1, 9 PM. Open Challenge to all comers for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Bikini Tiki Luau - Best Western in Bowling Green, KY

2011-09-26T08:23:00.001-07:00

This Sunday Oct 2, at 2:30 PM come see BDC & The Swing Kittens in Swing Magic at the Belmont Black Box Theatre! @ABEsSideshow www.nashvillefringe.org

2011-09-26T08:22:00.001-07:00

This Saturday - I'll be hosting a variety show at the Nashville Horror and Comic festival! 6 PM.

2011-09-21T07:39:00.001-07:00

Help fellow magician Bryan Dreyfus! His wife is having surgery for a heart tumor. Donate here:
http://ping.fm/A9mto

2011-09-12T21:54:00.001-07:00

Theatrical Magic Micro Cast now available! http://ping.fm/OWqDi

2011-09-12T21:53:00.001-07:00

Theatrical Magic Micro Cast now available! http://ping.fm/Unvv6

2011-09-11T12:24:00.001-07:00

2011 Houdini Awards! Nominate your favorites here: http://ping.fm/fTjjP

2011-09-10T09:29:00.003-07:00

Magic at Barnes & Noble Hendersonville, TN at 11AM!

2011-09-10T09:29:00.001-07:00

Magic at Barnes & Noble Hendersonville, TN at 11AM!

2011-09-09T18:19:00.001-07:00

Super sept sale! Get the expanded edition of How To Produce Your Own Theater Show for only $10! Paypal $10 to johnnydellarocca@yahoo.com!

2011-09-09T16:55:00.001-07:00

Great deals at www.theatricalmagic.net!

2011-09-09T16:45:00.001-07:00

Great deals at www.theatricalmagic.net!

2011-09-09T16:43:00.001-07:00

Super sept sale! Get the expanded edition of How To Produce Your Own Theater Show for only $10! Paypal $10 to johnnydellarocca@yahoo.com!

2011-09-01T07:38:00.001-07:00

This Saturday! DO NOT MISS THE 5 MINUTE FOLLIES at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival! http://ping.fm/pvv4h

2011-08-30T13:20:00.001-07:00

TONIGHT, TONIGHT, TONIGHT!!!
http://ping.fm/MFcMp

2011-08-24T07:52:00.001-07:00

Remember all you hep cats & cool kittens! Vote for Big Daddy Cool & The Swing Kittens for "The Best of Nashville!"
http://ping.fm/3y9LG

2011-08-23T13:36:00.001-07:00

Get Theatrical Magic today and turn your tricks into theater! http://ping.fm/8bfc8

2011-08-17T13:37:00.001-07:00

Please vote for Big Daddy Cool for Nashville Scene's "Best of Nashville!" http://ping.fm/kiTrR

2011-08-16T14:28:00.001-07:00

If you love me, vote for Big Daddy Cool and/or Big Daddy Cool & The Swing Kittens!
http://ping.fm/79XtS

2011-08-15T11:36:00.001-07:00

Week 1, Day 1 of re-invention. Yo-Yo tricks at Centennial Park duirng lunch. I'm hot and sweaty. Who knew juggling could be such great exercise? I'll be working on motion arts stuff every day at noon in Centennial Park. Join me, won't you?

2011-08-13T16:58:00.003-07:00

Heading out to Sal's Pizza at Stewart's Ferry Pike right now. Meet me there!

2011-08-13T16:58:00.001-07:00

Heading out to Sal's Pizza at Stewart's Ferry Pike right now. Meet me there!

2011-08-12T14:00:00.001-07:00

�Don't forget! Meet up with Big Daddy Cool at Sal's Pizza on Stuart's Ferry Pike this Saturday at 7 PM and then go party with The Cool One at Shooters Lounge!

2011-08-12T13:46:00.001-07:00

�Don't forget! Meet up with Big Daddy Cool at Sal's Pizza on Stuart's Ferry Pike this Saturday at 7 PM and then go party with The Cool One at Shooters Lounge!

2011-08-11T14:01:00.001-07:00

Magic_Gives is now being put together. Please visit www.magicgives.org and become involved!

2011-08-11T12:30:00.001-07:00

Nashville - Big Daddy Cool performs and hosts the $1,500 Karaoke Contest at Shooters Lounge this Saturday night at 10 PM!

2011-08-11T12:28:00.001-07:00

John Pyka performs live in the kids section this Saturday at the Hendersonville Barnes & Noble - 11 AM!

2011-08-11T12:23:00.001-07:00

Magic Gives is now being put together. Please visit www.magicgives.org and become involved!

2011-08-11T12:22:00.001-07:00

Vote for Big Daddy Cool to be the spokesman for Every Man Jack! http://ping.fm/HcSEi

2011-08-11T12:00:00.001-07:00

Hi,

Magic Gives is inviting you to join Facebook.

Once you join, you'll be able to connect with the Magic Gives Page, along with people you care about and other things that interest you.

Thanks,
Magic Gives

To sign up for Facebook, follow the link below:
http://ping.fm/fclQa

You are receiving this email from Magic Gives. Magic Gives has sent you this message through Facebook. If you no longer want to receive messages through Facebook, click the link below.
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2011-08-09T11:16:00.001-07:00

Big Daddy Cool will be lecturing for the Tri-Cities Magical Society in Clarksville Aug 30 at 7 PM. I will be teaching my signature Bill to Lemon! For complete info contact Russ Nowack: 931-624-4500
or Wallace Redd: 931-216-5640!

2011-08-09T10:02:00.001-07:00

Pics from Swingin' At The Roxy at Encore Theatre now up!
http://ping.fm/Vx6Pr

2011-08-09T10:01:00.001-07:00

This Saturday - family magic at Barnes & Noble Hendersonville. 11:00 AM!

2011-08-04T08:12:00.001-07:00

Encore Theatre Company presents Swingin' At The Roxy Aug 5 & 6 at 7:30 PM. Full details at www.roxymusical.com!

2011-07-29T14:21:00.001-07:00

See the first show in cutting edge 4D! Swingin' At The Roxy - Encore Theatre, Mt. Juliet, TN Aug. 5 & 6! www.roxymusical.com

2011-07-28T10:02:00.001-07:00

Forget 3D! See a show in 4D! You want HD? See Swingin' At The Roxy Aug 5 & 6 at the Encore Theatre in Mt. Juliet, TN. It doesn't get any closer than that! www.roxymusical.com

2011-07-28T09:33:00.001-07:00

Swingin' At The Roxy is super HD 4D Aug 5 & 6. Encore Theatre, MT. Juliet, TN.

2011-07-27T13:18:00.001-07:00

Did you watch AGT last night? Who are your picks to go through tonight?

2011-07-27T13:09:00.001-07:00

Aug 30 - John Pyka will be lecturing for the Tri-Cities Magical Society in Clarksville, TN. 7 PM.

2011-07-27T11:37:00.003-07:00

Join the best magic discussion on the net - www.magictalkforum.com!

2011-07-27T11:37:00.001-07:00

Hey gang! Hot summer days keeping you indoors? Well, now is the perfect time to get Theatrical Magic and How To Produce Your Own Theater Show! www.theatricalmagic.net

2011-07-23T16:14:00.001-07:00

Visit www.magictalkforum.com for the best magic discussion on the web!

2011-07-23T09:04:00.001-07:00

Visit www.magictalkforum.com for the best magic discussion on the web!

2011-07-21T07:18:00.001-07:00

John Pyka Productions is seeking 4 swing dancers (2 couples) for two performances of Swingin' At The Roxy at the Encore Community Theatre in Mt. Juliet Aug 5 & 6. Two rehearsals on Aug 3 & 4. All freestyle dance. Wear your favorite swing dance apparel. Shows pay $25 per person.
If interested, please contact John Pyka at johnpyka@johnpyka.com. Put "Swing Dancers" in subject line.

2011-07-20T06:23:00.003-07:00

Join Big Daddy Cool at The Streets of Indian Lake at 10:30 this AM for some street magic!

2011-07-20T06:23:00.001-07:00

Join Big Daddy Cool at The Streets of Indian Lake at 10:30 this AM for some street magic!

2011-07-19T18:12:00.003-07:00

ellistonplacesodashop is closing on Saturday. I had a heavenly cheeseburger and shake today to say goodbye. Nashville is losing a real gem.

2011-07-19T18:12:00.001-07:00

ellistonplacesodashop is closing on Saturday. I had a heavenly cheeseburger and shake today to say goodbye. Nashville is losing a real gem.

2011-07-18T09:54:00.001-07:00

Nashville Variety Artists Unite and Collaborate!
http://ping.fm/rW1nG

2011-07-18T09:52:00.001-07:00

Entertainer John Pyka Stands Up To Save Pleasant Green Community Pool! http://ping.fm/Aw6N2

2011-07-16T19:55:00.003-07:00

July 28 Big Daddy Cool is going to lay down a challenge to the Goodlettsville City Council. They will have one chance. Watch the news this week.

2011-07-16T19:55:00.001-07:00

July 28 Big Daddy Cool is going to lay down a challenge to the Goodlettsville City Council. They will have one chance. Watch the news this week.

2011-07-14T19:36:00.003-07:00

Watching Impact_Wrestling and just realized that they didn't keep the 6 sided ring. WTF? did they not learn anything from Destination_X?

2011-07-14T19:36:00.001-07:00

Watching Impact_Wrestling and just realized that they didn't keep the 6 sided ring. WTF? did they not learn anything from Destination_X?

2011-07-14T15:35:00.003-07:00

Join @johnpyka and @bdcmagic at 6:30 PM at Goodlettsville,TN City Hall to save Pleasant_Green Pool and Park!

2011-07-14T15:35:00.001-07:00

Join @johnpyka and @bdcmagic at 6:30 PM at Goodlettsville,TN City Hall to save Pleasant_Green Pool and Park!

2011-06-24T12:41:00.001-07:00

Magicians! Don't be a jabroni, get "How To Produce Your Own Theater Show" today!
http://ping.fm/mu7UY

2011-06-23T10:57:00.001-07:00

Clarksville, TN this Saturday! If you are in the area, don't even THINK about missing it!
http://ping.fm/DgQaQ

2011-06-21T09:34:00.001-07:00

Story does matter...
http://ping.fm/cWa3E

2011-06-13T12:35:00.001-07:00

The Tonys were great last night! Entertaining and inspiring. Keep your eye on the goal!

2011-06-11T13:41:00.001-07:00

2 hours of tying up and levitating Swing Kittens. I love my job!

2011-06-10T09:28:00.001-07:00

Hey there cats & kittens! It's the weekend and The Cool is curious to know what you are gettin' into for fun, dig?

2011-06-10T09:15:00.001-07:00

BDC Close-up magic!http://ping.fm/9CXov

2011-06-08T10:29:00.001-07:00

Checkout www.itrmagictricks.com for great deals on new magic!

2011-06-07T06:51:00.001-07:00

How To Produce Your Own Theater Show - A practical guide for performing magicians. www.theatricalmagic.net/Books.html

2011-06-06T11:03:00.001-07:00

Summer Sale! How To produce Your Own Theater Show - http://ping.fm/s8C0B

2011-06-02T19:51:00.001-07:00

Big Daddy Cool crashes the Grand Opening party for the Franklin Theatre to show them wannabes how to really swing! Friday at 6 PM.

2011-06-01T07:13:00.001-07:00

New chapter about producing off-Broadway only available in the Kindle edition of How To Produce Your Own Theater Show - http://ping.fm/mc79q

2011-05-26T12:20:00.001-07:00

Tonight! Speakeasy Revue final show! http://ping.fm/HcnSk

2011-05-26T12:16:00.001-07:00

Contest - I am trying to consolidate my John Pyka Productions, Theatrical Magic and Big Daddy Cool Shows brands and am looking for the perfect name for the new consolidation. E-mail suggestions to johnpyka@johnpyka.com. If your suggestion is choosen you'll win a 16 GB iPod Touch!

Remembering Randy Savage

2011-05-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

Remembering Randy Savage

On Friday May 20th I got the news at 11:30 AM that “The Macho Man” Randy Savage had died in a car crash caused by a heart attack at the wheel. I have to be honest with you, I cried. My breath was literally taken out of my chest.
You see, Randy Savage was one of my longtime entertainment heroes. His larger than life persona was one of the key influences of the character that would become my signature - “Big Daddy Cool” Johnny Dellarocca. It is not readily apparent, but at the base, BDC is really an influence of Orson Welles, Michael Jackson and Randy Savage. Sounds odd reading it, I know, but it works.

I first met Randy Savage backstage at the Richfield Coliseum in Cleveland, OH. My dad was friends with WWE Hall of Famer “Cowboy” Bob Orton and every time they were in town he gave us backstage passes. That was back in the early 80s. I met him in 1986 between Wrestlemania 1 & 2, right after he had won the Intercontinental Title from Tito Santana. He was in a minor feud with Hulk Hogan, one of many over the years. What struck me even then as a kid, was the focus and attention to detail he brought to his in ring performances. Backstage before the match he, Hogan and Miss Elizabeth were planning and reviewing every step of the match. It isn’t talked about much now, but I learned later that Randy was really the first pro wrestler to choreograph his matches. He was not content to perform “on the fly” like so many others. His commitment and attention to detail was embraced by Vince MacMahon and after Savage’s famous match with Ricky Steamboat at Wrestlemania III, became the model for matches in WWF/WWE. Watch any really well executed match today – the ones that are really outstanding – and that is a part of Randy Savage’s influence and legacy.
Randy Savage also scripted all of his on-camera promos. Seldom, if ever did he do what’s called a “shoot” where the character basically ad-libs his lines. Again, he was not content to just wing it. It was that important to him, and it showed.

Also, Randy probably had the most defined and intentionally thought out characters, His persona was so well developed that the minute you saw him, before he said a word, you know what he was all about. A lot of people credit Hulk Hogan as the template, but nobody did it better than Savage, and I use him as the illustration when teaching or coaching performance students.
Not everyone is a pro wrestling fan, I know. Some of you reading this may be asking what does this have to do with me? Well, if you are an entertainer I think the answer should be obvious. Randy Savage demonstrated that attention to details matter. Your act, whether musical, magical, dance, comedy, etc should be fully scripted, choreographed and rehearsed. Nothing should be left to chance and never should you be content to perform “on the fly”. Further, you must tell the audience who you are onstage. You must invest the time into creating an intentional, fully developed persona. You want your audience to remember you, and the only way to do it is invest the time. Love him or hate him, you can never forget “The Macho Man.” Follow his example and you’ll stand out above your competition.
If you are an event planner, it is important for you to also pay attention to details. Your business lives or dies by the details. Additionally it is important that if you hire entertainment for an event, that those entertainers have also focused on the details. The details are what separates a $125 birthday party entertainer form a $10,000 corporate entertainer. Is the entertainment you are hiring unique? Do they have a persona(s) that make them stand out and make them memorable to your guests/clients? Do you know what they are going to do and say? Are they consistent? Do they present a polished performance or just get up there and “wing it?” Important things to consider…
Randy Savage is now gone. Taken away too early (56), but the lessons we can learn from his long career are universal. Thank you “Macho Man.” You will be missed. Ooooooh Yeeaaah!

2011-05-23T07:40:00.001-07:00

How To Produce Your Own Theater Show! http://ping.fm/608Om

2011-05-23T07:17:00.001-07:00

Final showing of Beyond Smoke & Mirrors this Tuesday at 8 PM. Nashville Dinner Theater. Pay as You Exit!

2011-05-21T11:34:00.001-07:00

"we're still here" special at www.theatricalmagic.net/Books.html.

2011-05-21T11:33:00.001-07:00

"we're still here" special at www.theatricalmagic.net/Books.html.

2011-05-19T06:44:00.003-07:00

Tickets for the Speakeasy Revue at www.johnpykaproductions.com!

2011-05-19T06:44:00.001-07:00

Tonight, tonight tonight! Rose hips appears at the Speakeasy Revue! http://ping.fm/umL1o?eid=226633120683689

2011-05-18T11:28:00.001-07:00

Rose Hips guest stars this Thursday! http://ping.fm/RVpEl

2011-05-17T10:56:00.001-07:00

Looking for something cool to do in Nashville tonight? http://ping.fm/p8v7Q

2011-05-17T07:33:00.001-07:00

Jeff Leonard at the Nashville Dinner Theater tonight at 8 PM!

2011-05-17T07:32:00.001-07:00

Eric Tyree and Scott Cantrell at the Nashville Dinner Theater tonight at 8 PM!

2011-05-17T07:29:00.001-07:00

Big Daddy Cool performs tonight at the Nashville Dinner Theater at 8 PM!

2011-05-16T12:50:00.001-07:00

Tuesday Night at Beyond Smoke & Mirrors! http://ping.fm/u8L0Q

2011-05-16T12:48:00.001-07:00

Rose hips appears this Thursday night at the Speakeasy Revue! http://ping.fm/PJ6XH

2011-05-15T14:19:00.003-07:00

I just got the 2 disc edition of Unbreakable at McKays for $2.95! How awesome is that?

2011-05-15T14:19:00.001-07:00

I just got the 2 disc edition of Unbreakable at McKays for $2.95! How awesome is that?

2011-05-14T09:13:00.003-07:00

This Tuesday night our special guest for Beyond Smoke and Mirrors is fellow musical magician Jeff Leonard from Columbus, OH. Also joining us is Dru Heffington and The Neon Kisses! 8 PM showtime. $10 at www.johnpykaproductions.com.