Page 29 - ARUBA TODAY

A29
PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 29 december 2018

Arizona man finds magic moments in TV show on uncle Houdini

By TERRY TANG by Harry H. Hardeen,”
Associated Press George Hardeen said.
PHOENIX (AP) — Growing “That’s when he basically
up, George Hardeen never told us.”
thought too much about The show has helped Hard-
being related to arguably een learn more about the
the most famous magician man behind the magician.
of all time, whose name is Houdini, who died on Hal-
synonymous with great es- loween 1926 at 52, and
cape. other family members had
But at 66, the Arizona man an incredible work ethic
is delving into the history and aimed to be the best,
of his great-uncle Harry Hardeen said. Houdini ran
Houdini in a journey at the 10 miles (16 kilometers) a
heart of a new series on the day to keep his body in
Science Channel. peak shape but also was a
“We spoke to many collec- hoarder with a compulsive
tors and historians. These side, he said.
guys live Houdini all the “It jibes with stuff my dad
time,” Hardeen said. “They told me,” said Hardeen, a
know more about Houdini communication consultant
than I will ever be able to.” for an Arizona utility.
“Houdini’s Last Secrets,” The show brought him to
which begins airing Jan. 6, This October 2018 photo provided by the Science Channel shows George Hardeen, the great- the House of Houdini, a mu-
follows Hardeen as he and nephew of magician Harry Houdini, at the Magic’s Theater & Museum in Austin, Texas. seum in his ancestral home
escape artist Lee Terbosic Associated Press of Budapest, Hungary,
explore the engineering stunt builder constructs the as an escape artist, illusion- recruited to be a spy. For where he hopes to take his
behind some of Houdini’s props, and Terbosic re-en- ist and magician. But there that, Hardeen interviewed three children.
most legendary feats. acts the stunts. was a ton of engineering John McLaughlin, former His youngest daughter,
The Hungarian-born illusion- “No one knows how Houdi- behind what he was do- acting director of the CIA Shonie Hardeen, said she
ist, who came to the U.S. as ni did the tricks. So, we pon- ing,” Channell said. and a lifelong magician would love that opportuni-
a child, generated head- dered it and came up with The production company and Houdini fan. ty. The 24-year-old from the
lines in the early 1900s for our own methodology so approached Hardeen Hardeen’s grandfather Arizona mountain town of
escaping from handcuffs, that Lee could perform the about a year ago. Theo Hardeen was Houdi- Flagstaff said the show has
straitjackets and even a trick,” Hardeen said. “I think, in many ways, the ni’s younger brother and increased her interest in her
milk can. Wyatt Channell, a Science show is George’s journey,” an illusionist in his own right. dad’s family and Houdini.
Each of the four episodes Channel executive pro- Channell said. “George is George Hardeen’s father “Some people are from
focuses on a different stunt, ducer, said Houdini knew really the one, as the every- didn’t tell his son about his somewhere in Europe,
including being buried how to create a persona man, asking the questions magical lineage until he and they can’t pinpoint
alive and the water tor- and hold people’s interest we all are wondering: How was about 10. it,” Shonie Hardeen said.
ture cell, in which Houdini but the program tries to Houdini did these things.” “My sister found a piece of “I guess it’s easier for my
was lowered upside down look at him from a different It also touches on other mail that came addressed family to figure out stuff
into a water tank with his perspective. questions, such as whether to my dad, Harry Houdini because he’s been written
feet locked in stocks. A “Everybody thinks of him Houdini could have been Hardeen. He always went about for so long.”q

After a decade of dormancy, Chaka Khan blooms again

By MIKE CIDONI LENNOX Not even close. Instead, Khan will statement — unless you want it
Associated Press be seated on a comfy bench in to be. “I think we need a shot of
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — If Chaka the back seat of a classic con- just not taking the little things so
Khan were a flower, she’d be a vertible, which will slowly make its seriously,” Khan said of the “Hap-
perennial. way past the thousands along the piness” lyrics. “Little things are im-
“Because I go dormant and then 5.5-mile parade route. (The pa- portant. It’s about the little things,
I...” Khan stops and gracefully lifts rade will also be seen by millions but just flow.”
her arms together, then slowly more on TV.) So, why take such a long break
brings her hands apart, like a tulip “This is all new for me,” the 65-year- between the two releases?
emerging in spring. old Khan commented. “I love Khan said she never stopped re-
“I’ve done it many, many times,” In this Nov. 29, 2018 file photo, singer challenges. And I love new stuff.” cording from 2008-2018, she sim-
Chaka Khan attends the Lincoln
explained the singer, perhaps Center Corporate Fund fashion gala Khan will also open parade festivi- ply stopped releasing material.
best known for her multi-million honoring Coach at Alice Tully Hall in ties with a performance. Publicists She also took care of herself physi-
selling 1984 cover of Prince’s “I New York. were unable to confirm whether cally and made up for all those
Feel For You.” Associated Press the grand marshal-performer lonely years on the road by spend-
On the brink of her first new album shal” had the 65-year-old Khan’s double duty is a Rose Parade first, ing time with family and friends.
in a decade, and, on New Year’s mind running wild. but they did note it was the first She also needed time to pull her-
Day, serving as grand marshal at “I’ll tell you what I visualized,” time in recent memory. Khan said self together after the April 2016
the Rose Parade, Chaka Khan is in Khan recalled. she would sing two songs: “I Feel passing of old friend Prince, who
bloom again. “I imagined myself with a baton, for You,” as well as “Hello Happi- died of a drug overdose.
After receiving the call from the marching in the front. ness,” the second single from the Some six months later, Khan en-
Pasadena Tournament of Roses ‘I’m leading the whole parade.’ new album. tered rehab to deal with her own
Association, the term “grand mar- That’s what I thought.” The new song is not a political prescription-drug addiction.q