Latest news with #CupcakeWars
UPI
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Justin Willman conjures laughter in 'Magic Lover' special
Justin Willman combines stage magic with stand-up comedy in his new special "Magic Lover," available Tuesday on Netflix. Photo courtesy of Netflix June 17 (UPI) -- Comedian and magician Justin Willman combines his two passions in his new Netflix special, Magic Lover, and the performer said he finds the two arts to be "very similar." Willman, 44, is known for combining magic and comedy in his Netflix series Magic for Humans and The Magic Prank Show, as well as his former hosting gigs on shows including Cupcake Wars and Baking Impossible. Magic Lover, his first-ever combination magic show and stand-up comedy special, is out Tuesday on Netflix. Willman told UPI in a recent interview that comedy and magic are a natural pairing. "I think magic inherently kind of has comedy baked into it," he said. "Because I find even when I'm not doing a trick that's funny, people's reaction to having their mind blown is often to laugh. So there's almost like a biological connection between the two." Willman said jokes and magic tricks can also be very similar in structure. "A joke has a setup and a punchline, and a trick has a setup and a reveal. I think those are very similar. And in intertwining magic and comedy, you know, the tricky part is to make sure they don't distract or dilute one another." Willman said he has been "spending years" trying to strike the right balance between magic and comedy, which he said "comes down to timing." "I find a good joke to be great misdirection because when someone's laughing, they're not burning you with their eyes necessarily. So I think I initially was drawn to magic and comedy kind of being a combo just because of the psychological utilitarian purpose that comedy had as a misdirection device." Magical origins Willman said his love of the performing arts started with comedy. "The love of comedy is what came first. I very vividly remember begging to stay up late and watch Johnny Carson with my parents when I was 6, 7, 8 years old." Willman said he would pick apart the jokes that made his parents laugh to try to see what made them funny. "My parents were both serious people, and obviously as I kid I could make them laugh, but the way that I would see comedy make them laugh felt different," he recalled. "Like it was like a superpower that I wanted to unlock, but I had no clue how to." The aspiring young comedian hit a literal bump in the road at the age of 12 when he broke both of his arms trying to ride a bike while wearing in-line skates. "When I got my cast off months later, my doctor randomly recommended I learn card tricks as physical therapy. So he prescribed me magic, basically," Willman said. Willman spent months mastering basic tricks, and by the age of 14 he was performing at children's parties. "That's when I kind of realized, I made 40 bucks just now for 45 minutes of work. Like, I could make a living doing this. And that's kind of when the show business career, I guess, technically started." When good tricks go bad Willman said part of the appeal of magic is the uncertainly -- never quite knowing when something isn't going to go quite as planned. "I did have a really bad experience once. I was doing a kid's birthday party outside. It was a beautiful day. I made a bird appear, my dove, and it flew up into a tree. I forgot that my pet bird could fly. I try to act like that's supposed to happen, you know, 'the show must go on,'" he said. However, the situation went from bad to worse when Willman spotted a hawk circling overhead. "And, in front of the children, this hawk swoops down, snatches my dove and flies away with it," he said. "Kids were crying, I couldn't really play it off. It was pretty brutal. From that point on, I kinda realized 'Maybe using my pets that I love in my act is not the way to go.'" These days, animals play less of a role in Willman's stage performances, but there are still numerous variables involved. Much of his act involves "mind tricks," such as baiting an audience member into thinking of a particular word. The secret, Willman said, is always having a contingency plan -- and, if the contingency plan has to happen, making sure the audience doesn't realize that what they are seeing is "Plan B." "I love the idea that every show is a bit of a wild card," he said. "Like if every show [had] zero risk involved and exactly what I want to happen will happen, it feels a little, I don't know, unexciting to me." He said his 30 years of experience in magic has given him more of a "thrill-seeking" approach to the craft. "I think that little bit of uncertainty, where a lot is left to an audience's will or ability to change their minds, I think is what people think about later," Willman said. The variables are "where the magic is," he said. Magic for the modern age The art of magic has evolved in the decades since Willman started performing, and he said the rise of technologies like CGI, video effects, AI and deepfakes have "forced a lot more creativity" when it comes to trying to inspire awe in viewers. "It definitely has at least made me want to make the magic about something more than just the trick," he said. "Whether it's about something funny or earnest or heartfelt or absurd or about something topical, it's not just about the trick. The trick is a delivery device for this point of view or this angle or my hot take on something." Despite being best known for TV, Willman said he feels magic is meant to be experienced live, and he planned his special around trying to make Netflix viewers feel like a part of the live audience. "I approach everything that I do that is filmed, whether it's Magic for Humans or this special -- I try to make it feel like you are experiencing it like the person who's there, using as few cuts as possible." Willman said he hopes his special will inspire viewers to want to go out to see live magic shows in person. "If you enjoyed it on your couch watching the TV, you will love it in person," he said. "I think wherever technology and AI and all this goes, it won't ever change. ... Experiencing this crazy thing in person, I feel like we will crave that kind of tactile wonder more than ever. At least, I really hope so. I'm banking on it. I have no fallback plan." Justin Willman: Magic Lover is available to stream now on Netflix.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Local organization hosts ‘Cupcake Wars' fundraiser for Mental Health Awareness Month
Local bakers came together to raise money for a good cause this afternoon. Journey: Healing Together, a local organization, held its first annual Cupcake Wars competition in an effort to raise awareness for Mental Health Awareness Month. Erie community rallies behind woman with cancer Visitors could buy tickets to sample unique cupcakes from 11 different bakers, as well as vote on the best treat. Organizers stressed the importance of supporting those struggling with mental health in a fun and inclusive way. Glenwood YMCA hosts local seniors for speed dating 'By providing support groups and just activities to get to know people and come out in low-key environments, it gives people a sense of belonging and not feeling so isolated,' said Will Koehler, executive director of Journey: Healing Together. Funds raised will go towards funding therapy for those who cannot afford it themselves. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Excitement brews among Otters fans as post season begins
The Erie Otters hit the road for their first playoff game Thursday night, but that hasn't stopped loyal fans from cheering on their team back home. Almost 100 fans packed the house at Voodoo Brewing Thursday night as the Erie Otters look to win their first series in the OHL playoffs. Record-setting second period lifts Otters past Spirit 8-5 for 1-0 series lead Excitement was booming in downtown Erie as the Erie Otters took on the Saginaw Spirit in their first playoff game of the postseason. The Otters fell short in the first round of the playoffs last year, but this time fans are hoping for a different outcome. 'Through adversity with injuries and everything, they made it to the playoffs again after years of drought, and the whole city is behind them,' said Brent Jones, an Otters fan. 'We've had some bad games, but they've tried so hard to get where they are today, and I'm very proud of them,' said Brianna Foster, another Otters fan. City of Erie, ErieBank partner up to boost home ownership Thursday night, Voodoo Brewing on State Street was the place to be to watch the game, with beer discounts, a projected screen and loyal fans bringing the energy. The brewery's manager said they're always happy to host for the Otters, and their love for the team is mutual with fans. 'Just all of the employees loving the otters, and all of the fans already coming here before the games, it's just a fluid thing, where we really love having all the action for the otters right here,' said Kyle Houser, Voodoo Brewing general manager. They had food. They had beer. They had hade good hockey, and a packed house at Voodoo Brewing, and fans are looking to see their team make a deep playoff run this season. Q: How are you feeling about the game tonight? 'Very excited!' Foster said. Q: How are you feeling about it? 'Super excited!' said Katlyn Spiegel, an Otters fan. 'We're gonna win!' 'Oh man, we have the loudest fans in the OHL. Everybody is so dedicated to this team, it's so awesome when the crowd gets behind the team and when we see a full stadium it feels great, so it's so nice to have a full bar tonight and have everyone supporting the guys,' Jones went on to say. Erie nonprofit hosting Cupcake Wars promoting mental health awareness The Otters will be returning to Erie Insurance Arena for game three of the series on April 1. But first, the team has one more game to play in Saginaw at 7 p.m. on Saturday, and Voodoo Brewing will once again be opening its doors for fans to cheer on our Erie Otters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Send in the clowns! Circus performers promoting sustainability visit Erie schools
Students at Millcreek Township's Chestnut Hill Elementary School learned about science and sustainability in a high-energy, interactive way. The Grand Falloons engaged with third and fifth-grade students to give them an educational experience about the impact of our everyday choices on the planet. Over 100 local students learn about craftsmanship at skilled trades fair The group usually performs for New York and New Jersey public schools, but was made possible by the Erie County Planning Department and Community Development. Jessica Stutzman, director of community relations for Millcreek Township, said it's important for students to get these impactful lessons in an exciting way. Erie nonprofit hosting Cupcake Wars promoting mental health awareness 'They're going to learn a lot of information today, and it's not from a text book or reading; it's hands on, and it's engaging, so I hope they remember this for years to come,' said Stutzman. The group will be at Tracy Elementary School on Thursday and will perform at Erie's Public Schools as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Buttered Tin signs deal to sell its frozen cinnamon rolls at Whole Foods
Fans of The Buttered Tin's cinnamon rolls won't have to travel to Lowertown or Northeast Minneapolis to grab a morning treat any longer (though, that's still the path to the best version). The bakery and café has partnered with Whole Foods to put a frozen version of its cinnamon rolls in grocery stores around the Midwest, the company announced on Tuesday. The Buttered Tin says that despite the ingredient standards that Whole Foods has for any products that it sells, the "freshly frozen" cinnamon rolls recipe is the same used at the bakery and required no alterations. 'Freshly Frozen allows customers to enjoy The Buttered Tin's high-quality, homemade taste in the comfort of their own homes and when time does not allow to make and bake a scratch-made cinnamon roll,' notes Alicia Hinze, owner, founder, and pastry chef of The Buttered Tin. The treats from owner and Cupcake Wars winner Alicia Hinza are now available at Whole Foods Market stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Additionally, they can be found in Minnesota and North Dakota at Lunds & Byerly's, Kowalski's, Cub Foods (select locations), Hy-Vee (select locations), Jerry's, Coborn's, and North Dakota Hornbacher's stores.
