Jen Kramer is a magician who has been captivating audiences with her incredible illusions and mind-bending tricks. She has a unique ability to connect with her audience and leave them in awe and wonder. Her performances are filled with suspense, surprise, and a touch of humor, making her show an unforgettable experience. One of the things that sets Jen apart is her ability to involve the audience in her magic. She often selects volunteers to participate in her tricks, making them feel like they are a part of the magic. By doing this, she creates a personal and interactive experience that leaves a lasting impression on her audience.
The Cameron-Parsons story has captivated anyone fortunate enough to come across it. For Southern Californians who celebrate anything that contrasts with the sunny suburban stereotype, the story of the occultist rocket scientist and the intense, red-haired artist becomes a treasured collection of sharable “Did you knows.” Did you know L. Ron Hubbard and Parsons believed they had conjured Cameron by way of a magick ritual? Did you know Cameron burned a large portion of her own work after Parsons died?
Immediately entranced by Cameron s red hair, Parsons believed that she was the Scarlet Woman that he had been trying to conjure through ritual magic. She then traveled to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she met a community of artists that included Leonora Carrington and David Alfaro Siqueiros.
By doing this, she creates a personal and interactive experience that leaves a lasting impression on her audience. Jen's performances are not only visually stunning but also intellectually intriguing. She often incorporates elements of mentalism, where she seemingly reads the minds of her audience members or predicts their thoughts.
15 songs for accusing women who have opinions of witchcraft
When October comes around, people often declare it ‘Spooky Season.’ For whatever reason, my mind goes with ‘Crucible Season’ in reference to Arthur Miller’s 1953 play that I first read in my high school literature class.
“The Crucible” is Miller’s creative take on the Salem Witch Trials, serving as a metaphor for the ‘witch hunt’ that was taking place during the Second Red Scare after World War Two. Whether back during the Salem Witch Trials, into the 50s or now people who have different opinions can find themselves being labeled as ‘other,’ ‘scary’ or ‘bad.’
Below are 15 songs that are perfect to listen to when you are accusing a woman who has an opinion of witchcraft.
Now for a little bit of history. In summary, the second Red Scare has been referred to as ‘McCarthyism’ due to US senator of Wisconsin Joseph McCarthy, fueling fears of treason, communism and anarchy, partially stemming from the Soviet Union and the nuclear threats that were taking place.
According to Merriam-Webster, McCarthyism is defined as a “political attitude characterized chiefly by opposition to elements held to be subversive, and by the use of tactics involving personal attacks on individuals by means of widely publicized indiscriminate allegations, especially on the basis of unsubstantiated charges.”
And another definition for you is ‘subversive.’ This means seeking or intending to change or disrupt in some way an established system or institution.
So imagine it’s the late 40s, into the 50s in the US Senate. Given the definition of subversive I feel like it’s safe to say that anything folks in positions of power considered to be a threat to their “ideal” way of life could be brought into question, which is what Miller noticed.
While accusations were widespread, there was a concentration on people in Hollywood. Miller was an established playwright at this time and seeing this firsthand reminded him of what took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1692.
Miller traveled to Salem to do research and wrote “The Crucible.” While it can now be considered a staple in some school curriculums, the play was poorly received as viewers found it boring and flat. Without the context of what was going on at the time and thinking critically about the social commentary, I can see that.
The US government, however, did not find it boring. They clearly saw the bigger picture that Miller was trying to convey and resulted in him being summoned to Washington for a hearing before the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
While Miller answered the Committee’s questions honestly, he refused to the share names of others, resulting in his 1957 conviction for Contempt of Congress. At this time, he was married to Marilyn Monroe, and she risked her career by accompanying him to Washington and speaking on his behalf, arguably helping to keep him out of prison.
It sure does look like history repeats itself, whether it’s Salem in 1692, Washington in the 50s or in 2022, when things just happen every day.
Here are some tracks for you this Crucible Season.
‘Dream Girl Evil’ – Florence + The Machine
According to Genius, this track is a satirical response to the expectations that society places upon women. Florence Welch can see herself as both an angel and the devil, possibly feeling a pull and responsibility to balance the expectations of others for neglecting her own comfort.
‘I Put A Spell On You’ – Annie Lennox
‘I Put A Spell On You’ is the type of song that excites me for the fact that if you ask a group of people who they think it’s by, you’ll likely get a variety of answers. Originally by Screamin’ Jay Hawks, it has been covered by Creedence Clearwater Revival, Nina Simone, Annie Lennox and more.
‘Lullaby’ – The Cure
Please refer to the video thumbnail. I have nothing else to add.
‘Witches’ – Alice Phoebe Lou
In this one the artist claims to be a witch. Simple as that.
‘Sea, Swallow Me’ – Cocteau Twins, Harold Budd
You’ll want some headphones for this one to feel the full spooky ethereal vibes that the Cocteau Twins are known and loved for.
‘Vampire’ – Okay Kaya
While obscure, this track along with most of Okay Kaya’s work is brutally honest. If you want to feel confused and called out at the same time, this is for you.
‘Crazy In Love – Remix’ – Beyoncé
While it might feel out of place to have Beyoncé in the land of the Crucible, I promise its not. Legend has it that she received a restraining order from a drummer in her backup band for practicing “vindictive witchcraft” against her.
‘Season Of The Witch’ – Lana Del Rey
While the Beyoncé situation is just an accusation, this one is not. In 2017 Lana Del Rey proclaimed that she had hexed Donald Trump.
‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’ – Lorde
This Tears for Fears cover alone would’ve landed Lorde in big trouble in Salem due to its ghastly vibe. If that weren’t enough, her 2017 claim of being connected to the ghost of David Bowie for sure would.
‘Me And The Devil’ – Soap&Skin
This track by Soap&Skin is a rendition of ‘Me and the Devil Blues’ by Robert Johnson. Born in 1911, Johnson’s life was not well documented allowing room for legend. The most notable being the selling of his soul to the devil for success in his music. He died at age 27 and some say began the ‘27 Club.’
‘Sacrilege’ – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
‘Heads Will Roll’ by Yeah Yeah Yeahs was mashed up with Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ on Glee back and the day and for some is now associated with Halloween. For me ‘Sacrilege’ ones up ‘Heads Will Roll’ in terms of spooky and fun.
‘Laughing with a Mouth of Blood’ – St. Vincent
I could leave you with the title but after watching St. Vincent’s mocumentary I feel confident saying that she is a witch.
‘Bury A Friend’ – Billie Eilish
While Billie Eilish hasn’t faced widespread accusations of witchcraft, creative choices and unsettling sounds in her production give some… interesting vibes.
‘Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)’ – Kate Bush
The song of the summer is on this list for its lyrics and beautiful story told by the legendary Kate Bush. How far would you go to have things be different?
‘Rhiannon’ – Fleetwood Mac
Stevie Nicks is a witch. I said it.
Honorable Mention: Anything released by Machine Gun Kelly since dating Megan Fox
Berman, subject of the recently reprinted classic, Semina Culture: Wallace Berman and His Circle, was a central figure in the California Beat art scene of the late fifties. A man of eclectic interests ranging from Kabbalah to jazz to French literature, Berman attracted and sustained a network of visual artists, poets, filmmakers and photographers. Integral to this network was Berman's hand-printed publication, Semina , which extended his assemblage technique by including texts by William Blake and Charles Baudelaire alongside the work of friends like Allen Ginsberg, Llyn Foulkes and Michael McClure. Berman had such a high regard for Cameron that he featured her portrait on the cover of the very first issue of Semina (1955), which included a reproduction of Peyote Vision inside. When Berman staged his first and only gallery exhibition two years later at Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles, he included Peyote Vision in one of his assemblages.
Her ability to seemingly know what someone is thinking or to make objects appear or disappear is truly magical. Furthermore, Jen's passion for magic shines through in her performances. She has a genuine love for what she does, and this enthusiasm is contagious. Her energy and charisma on stage create a captivating atmosphere that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. In addition to her magical talents, Jen is also a great storyteller. She weaves personal anecdotes and narratives into her performances, adding an extra layer of depth to her magic. This storytelling element allows the audience to connect with Jen on a deeper level and makes her magic more relatable. Overall, the magic of Jen Kramer is a combination of skill, showmanship, and connection. Her ability to transport her audience into a world of wonder and mystery is truly remarkable. Whether it's making objects levitate, reading minds, or performing mind-boggling illusions, she never fails to leave her audience with a sense of astonishment and magic..
Reviews for "From Harvard to the Stage: The Remarkable Journey of Jen Kramer"
1. John Smith - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Magic of Jen Kramer" show. I found the tricks to be fairly basic and unimpressive. The whole performance lacked excitement and didn't have that "wow" factor that I was hoping for. Additionally, I found Jen Kramer's stage presence to be lacking. She seemed a bit stiff and awkward, which made it hard for me to fully enjoy the show. Overall, I was left underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend it.
2. Sarah Johnson - 3/5 stars - While "The Magic of Jen Kramer" had some promising moments, I wasn't completely impressed. Some of the tricks she performed were interesting, but many of them felt cliché and unoriginal. I was hoping for more originality and innovation from a magician of her caliber. The show also lacked flow and coherence, as the transitions between tricks were often jarring and poorly executed. While it was an alright performance, I wouldn't go out of my way to see it again.
3. Michael Thompson - 2/5 stars - I didn't find "The Magic of Jen Kramer" to be particularly magical at all. The tricks she performed were basic and easily predictable. It felt as if I had seen them all before, which made the show quite dull. Jen Kramer's delivery and stage presence were also subpar. She lacked charisma and didn't engage with the audience effectively. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this show to others looking for a truly magical experience.