Alain Nu

Alain Nu
Headshot of Alain Nu
Headshot of Alain Nu
Born (1965-08-21) 21 August 1965
San Francisco, California
Occupation Mentalist, illusionist, magician
Residence Silver Spring, Maryland
Website
www.themanwhoknows.tv

Alain Nu (born 21 August 1965) is an American mentalist[1], illusionist, television personality, author, and speaker. He is known for demonstrations of ESP, mind reading, telekinesis, metal bending[2][3], and illusions. [4] Nu's career as an entertainer has spanned more than three decades, with performances and appearances in many countries. [5] Nu's trademarked brand is "The Man Who Knows." [6]

Early life

Nu was born on 21 August 1965 in San Francisco, California. His mother and father were from China and Vietnam respectively. Nu is the son of Hoa Nguyen, a retired librarian of the Library of Congress, and Janet C. Nguyen (née Yeh), a retired librarian of the National Library of Medicine.

At the age of 5, Nu's family moved to Ithaca, New York, and at the age of 8, Nu's family moved to Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, DC. Nu has lived in the Washington, DC, area ever since. It is stated in the book State of Mind, "As a youth, his interest in the unknown manifested in anything he could research and/or get away with -- basement seances, UFO clubs, and playfully testing he and his friends' psychic ability with playing cards. He asked his father, who worked at the Library of Congress, to bring home hard-to-find books on magic, strange phenomena, and parapsychology, so he could learn as much as possible about these topics." [7]

Nu, at an early age of 6 or 7 discovered that he wanted be an excellent magician. He was always identified different due to his ethnicity so he started to identify those things that welcomed his distinction. [8]

At the age of 13, Nu became a member of DeMolay International, a fraternal organization (associated with Freemasonry) for young men, later achieving the elected position of master councilor (highest-ranking member) of the Samuel Gompers and Potomac Chevy Chase DeMolay chapters. [9]

Performing career

Denny & Lee Show

At the age of 19, Nu was hired as the stage/road manager for a theatrical illusion show entitled the Denny & Lee show, which performed at clubs, resorts, corporate events, and universities across the U.S. Nu set up the equipment and ran the sound and lights for the show. [10] The star, Denny Haney, [11] [12] was based out of Baltimore, Maryland, and owns the magic shop Denny & Lee Magic Studio [13] in Baltimore.

Caesars Palace

From 2000 to 2004, Nu headlined annually with a show entitled The Mysterious World of Alain Nu at the "Caesars Magical Empire" at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada. [14] [15]

The Mysterious World of Alain Nu TV specials

In 2005, Nu was the subject of a series of four television specials on TLC entitled The Mysterious World of Alain Nu. [16] [17] [18] Nu said of the experience, "We basically had to put together four television specials in a period of three months from the time the contract was signed. ... I guess my original thinking was that I would have some time to actually put it together, but I didn't so it was a whole lot of work. I am a person who considers himself an industry professional, and therefore, when I was put to task, and realized that I wasn't as ready as I needed to be, I rounded up a bunch of really close friends of mine and we brainstormed, and jammed, and it became essentially a real long jam session of some really outrageous effects. All I can say is, there are good times, there were bad times, there were ugly times, and there were absolutely majestic times when things that couldn't possibly happen all of a sudden would happen for us." [19]

A Alain Nu with Al and Sarah Gore at vice president residence in 1995

Presidential inaugurations and performances at vice-president residence

Nu performed for inaugural balls for both of President Barack Obama's inaugurations [20] and helped to commission 20 other performers to provide entertainment for the friends and families of the many surviving Medal of Honor recipients for The American Legion's Presidential Inaugural Ball. [21] He also performed at the second of George W. Bush's inaugural events. [22] Nu also performed three times at the vice president's residence during Al Gore's tenure. [23]

National Theater

In 2006, Nu performed a show called Circus of the Mind at the National Theatre in Washington, DC. [24]

Invisible Connections

From 2008 to 2012, Nu toured with a one-man show entitled Invisible Connections. In 2010, Nu performed the show for six weeks in Las Vegas. Judy Thorburn said of the show, "... if you’ve seen the old spoon-bending trick made popular by Israeli mentalist Uri Geller, well, Nu takes it to another level. This unprecedented man of mystery literally adds a twist, by somehow causing the neck of the spoon to twist right in front of our eyes without touching it. If that wasn’t enough, it was downright mind blowing trying to figure out how he was able to make the spoon bend while being cupped in the hands of an audience volunteer." [25] He also performed the show at universities and colleges, high school "Project Graduation" events, corporate and private events, and organizations' fundraisers. [26]

The ESP in Espionage at the International Spy Museum

Since 2011, Nu has performed an annual show entitled The ESP in Espionage at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. The show was inspired by the Stargate Project, the trickery of spies, and other top secret projects. [27] [28] Nu said, "My interest in spies stem[s] from what I share with their methods: combining extreme logic with extreme intuition to take risks and be prepared for the unexpected!" [29] Of his 2013 show, he said it, "outlines the governments use of psychics and remote viewers as seers for gathering military intelligence. After so many years of being fascinated with the international government use of psychic spies, it is always interesting to me how many people still seem to know nothing about it. ... In the case of psychic visions, and their accuracy, it is surprising what the military was able to, in hindsight, connect them to in terms of facts. Much like UFO’s however, regardless of the meticulous documentation of the visions or sightings, the ability to use that information in advance remains just out of grasp… at least for now. Nonetheless serious scientific research on precognition continues, demonstrating that humans do in fact appear to have the ability to 'see' things before they manifest, and experiments designed to be completely double blind continue to support that, in fact, 'something is going on.' " [30]

Norwegian Cruise Line's Illusionarium Theater on the Norwegian Getaway

From January to May 2014, Nu was a headliner performing as the premier mind-reader at the "Illusionarium" aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Getaway. [31] The "Illusionarium" is an entertainment venue devoted to magic and illusion performances.

Madam's Organ Blues Bar

Since 2016, Nu has been a producer and performer for a comedy open mic and magic show Monday nights [32] at Madam's Organ Blues Bar in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC. Nu has had a long history, off and on, at Madam's Organ since 1995. In 2000, Eric Brace of The Washington Post said, "Alain Nu is a magician of the highest order. To watch him is to throw out all the rules of physics. Time and space are malleable in Nu's deft hands. He does close-up card tricks, he does larger scale stage tricks; but it's truly magical magic, not just some hokey stunts. Every Sunday at Madam's Organ, the charismatic Nu wanders from table to table, bending spoons, making time stand still, reading your mind, finding your ring (that you thought was on your finger) attached to his key chain. He also performs on the stage during the club's open-mike segment. Either way, Nu is a prodigious prestidigitator." [33]

A Alain Nu at Kingbird restaurant inside The Watergate Hotel

The Watergate Hotel

In 2017, Nu became The Watergate Hotel's "Resident Man of Mystery," [34] performing at the rooftop restaurant [35] Tuesday evenings and the Kingbird restaurant during Sunday brunch hours.[36]

The Washington Post

In February 2018, Nu was featured in a video[37] on The Washington Post's website, in which he bent a spoon and performed effects for Hannah Jewell, the pop culture host on the video team at The Washington Post. The video accompanied a feature article on Nu for The Washington Post Magazine's "Just Asking" column.[38]

Theatre of Dreams

Nu performed a show at the Theatre of Dreams in Castle Rock, Colorado, on May 4, 2108.[39]

District of Columbia Mayor’s Office: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration

Nu performed for the District of Columbia Mayor's Office Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration on May 7, 2018, at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC.[40]

Lecture circuit

Association for the Advancement of Science

In 2014, Nu was a presenter, along with Stephen Macknik, Ph.D., Susana Martinez-Conde, Ph.D., and Richard Restak, M.D., for an event in Washington, DC, entitled "Now You See it, Now You Don't. Is Anything Really as it Seems? The Science of Illusion." The event was part of the "Neuroscience and Society" series, a partnership between the Dana Foundation and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. [41] [42]

PSI-Posium

In 2015, Nu held a unique three-day conference in Las Vegas called PSI-Posium, in which the position of magic from both the perspective of illusion and reality was discussed and contemplated at length. John B. Alexander, Ph.D., wrote of the conference, "The common theme for the weekend was that real magic is not only possible, it occurs regularly and it is up to the individual to recognize it when it happens. ... Adroit and superbly skilled in their craft, organizers and participants alike both demonstrated established ingenuity and contemplated taking their performances to a higher level. There were a few card tricks shown that entailed either forces or considerable digital dexterity that require a high degree of proficiency. But true to the premise of the seminar it was also indicated that there are times in which neither are required because the operator does get a mental signal. Psychokinesis is one of the more contentious topics in the world of magic. Most stage magicians and scientists claim that mind over matter is simply impossible. They generally discounted offhand demonstrations of 'spoon bending' or psychokinesis metal bending (PKMB). Based on the accomplishments of Uri Geller, aerospace engineer, Jack Houck, developed a process by which regular people could engage in such an experience and called it a PK Party. Rather than watching a performance groups could try it themselves. Displayed at PSI Posium were items that bent totally devoid of physical force by naive subject (non-magicians). A critical point is creating a belief that these things can happen - then they often do. Yes, there are numerous tricks and they can look very authentic. But sometimes, and only on occasion, do macro-psychokinetic event happen that defy explanation." [43]

Molotov Theatre Group

In 2015, Nu was a panelist, along with Marc Sebrechts and Richard Restak, for an event in Washington, DC, entitled "Raising Ghosts: A paranormal discussion and demonstration," hosted by the Molotov Theatre Group. [44]

The Arlington Institute

Nu has lectured for John Petersen's The Arlington Institute Transition Talks series in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia.[45] Transition Talks address "global transition and the many different aspects that are coming together to redefine our world. Our underlying presumption is that humanity is experiencing an unprecedented shift in the evolution of the species that is exposing new personal and social capabilities and possibilities." [46] Nu was also interviewed on camera by John Petersen as part of The Arlington Institute's video series called Postscript:

  • Postscript - Alain Nu on 8 March 2016 [47]
  • Postscript - Alain Nu, Part 2, on 15 March 2016 [48]
  • Postscript - Alain Nu 2017 Encore on 16 March 2017 [49]

Institute of Noetic Sciences

Nu was a speaker at the Institute of Noetic Sciences International Conference in July 2017 in Oakland, California. [50]

He gave four presentations:

  • "Mentalism 101"[51]
  • "Real Magic"[52]
  • "Real Magic: Science and Practice"[53]
  • "What Is Mentalism?"[54]

Bibliography

Books by Nu, sold as nonfiction

  • State of Mind: The Man Who Knows Reveals The Secrets of Mind Over Matter! CFBP Bestsellers, 2015. ISBN 978-0984208562
  • Picture Your ESP!: Reveal Your Hidden Powers With "The Nu ESP Test." CFBP Bestsellers, 2010. ISBN 978-0984208524

Magic Routine

  • Nu-Sense mentalism routine, 2008

References

  1. ↑ Heim, Joe (28 February 2018). "This magician and mentalist explains how anything you think can become a reality". The Washington Post. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  2. ↑ Jewell, Hannah; Jorgenson, Dave (28 February 2018). "Illusionist Alain Nu visits The Washington Post office". The Washington Post. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLinVf5KlaA
  4. ↑ Tracey, Patrick (27 October 2000). "Alain Nu and the Spoon of Steel". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  5. ↑ Nu, Alain (2015). State of Mind: The Man Who Knows Reveals the Secrets of Mind over Matter!. CFBP Bestsellers. p. 119. ISBN 978-0984208562.
  6. ↑ "Alain Nu: The Man Who Knows". themanwhoknows.tv. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  7. ↑ Nu, Alain (2015). State of Mind: The Man Who Knows Reveals the Secrets of Mind over Matter!. CFBP Bestsellers. pp. 319–20. ISBN 978-0984208562.
  8. ↑ Heim, Joe (2018-02-28). "This magician and mentalist explains how anything you think can become a reality". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
  9. ↑ Nu, Alain (2015). State of Mind: The Man Who Knows Reveals the Secrets of Mind over Matter!. CFBP Bestsellers. pp. 96–7. ISBN 978-0984208562.
  10. ↑ Nu, Alain (2015). State of Mind: The Man Who Knows Reveals the Secrets of Mind over Matter!. CFBP Bestsellers. pp. 104–5. ISBN 978-0984208562.
  11. ↑ Pecore, Joe, Denny Haney, retrieved 16 September 2017
  12. ↑ Morton, Brian Wendell. "About Denny & Lee". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  13. ↑ "Denny & Lee Magic Studio". Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  14. ↑ Tracey, Patrick (27 October 2000). "Alain Nu and the Spoon of Steel". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  15. ↑ "Alain Nu, The Man Who Knows: Biography". themanwhoknows.tv. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  16. ↑ Discovery Program Sales. "The Mysterious World of Alain Nu Ep. 1". Discovery Channel. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  17. ↑ "The Mysterious World of Alain Nu Series of Specials". Mike Mathis Productions. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  18. ↑ "The Week in Sloth". Weekly Alibi. 9–15 June 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  19. ↑ "A few minutes with Alain Nu: Mystery and Mentalism -- Interview with Alain Nu". Lee Asher. 11 February 2007. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  20. ↑ Martosko, David (27 November 2012). "Spoon-bending 'mentalist' announces invitation to perform at Obama inauguration". The Daily Caller. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  21. ↑ Nu, Alain (2015). State of Mind: The Man Who Knows Reveals the Secrets of Mind over Matter!. CFBP Bestsellers. pp. 118–119. ISBN 978-0984208562.
  22. ↑ "Alain Nu, The Man Who Knows: Biography". themanwhoknows.tv. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  23. ↑ "Mentalists Attempts To Predict Academy Awards, Vegas Vault Holds Oscar Secrets". news.vegasreportnewswire.com. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  24. ↑ Fields, Curt (21 July 2006). "Alain Nu's Mind Games". The Washington Post. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  25. ↑ Thorburn, Judy (2 November 2010). "Alain Nu Presents "Invisible Connections" at Clarion Hotel". Las Vegas Round the Clock. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  26. ↑ Nu, Alain (2015). State of Mind: The Man Who Knows Reveals the Secrets of Mind over Matter!. CFBP Bestsellers. pp. 52, 321. ISBN 978-0984208562.
  27. ↑ "The ESP in Espionage: An Evening with Alain Nu, The Man Who Knows". www.spymuseum.org. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  28. ↑ "'The Man Who Knows' in Sparta". New Jersey Herald. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  29. ↑ "The ESP in Espionage!". Nu Predicts!. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  30. ↑ "The ESP in Espionage!". Nu Predicts!. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  31. ↑ "Mentalist coming to Sparta Avenue Stage". The Sparta Independent. 15 May 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  32. ↑ "Upcoming Shows". www.madamsorgan.com. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  33. ↑ Brace, Eric (21 June 2000). "This Week in Nightlife: Sunday, June 25". The Washington Post. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  34. ↑ "Magic Moments". www.thewatergatehotel.com. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  35. ↑ "The Watergate Hotel: Live". www.thewatergatehotel.com. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  36. ↑ "Kingbird News and Events". www.thewatergatehotel.com. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  37. ↑ Jewell, Hannah; Jorgenson, Dave (28 February 2018). "Illusionist Alain Nu visits The Washington Post office". The Washington Post. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  38. ↑ Heim, Joe (28 February 2018). "This magician and mentalist explains how anything you think can become a reality". The Washington Post. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  39. ↑ Givan, Carol. "Psychic Entertainer Alain Nu back at Theatre of Dreams!". AmazingShows.com. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  40. ↑ "MOAPIA: DC Mayor Bowser's AAPI Heritage Month Celebration!". asian fortune. asian fortune. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  41. ↑ https://www.aaas.org/event/neuroscience-and-society-series-illusion
  42. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xh0BB8dmtfE
  43. ↑ Alexander, John (28 August 2015). "Magic: What If It Was Real?". HuffPost. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  44. ↑ https://wtop.com/dc/2015/04/panel-tackles-question-existence-ghosts/
  45. ↑ "Transition Talks: Past Speakers". transitiontalks.org. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  46. ↑ "About Berkeley Springs Transitions Talks". transitiontalks.org. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  47. ↑ "PostScript - Alain Nu". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  48. ↑ "PostScript - Alain Nu". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  49. ↑ "PostScript - Alain Nu 2017 Encore". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  50. ↑ "The Science of What Connects Us: Alain Nu". www.noetic.org. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  51. ↑ "The Science of What Connects Us: Mentalism 101". www.noetic.org. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  52. ↑ "The Science of What Connects Us: Real Magic". www.noetic.org. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  53. ↑ "The Science of What Connects Us: Real Magic: Science and Practice". www.noetic.org. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  54. ↑ "The Science of What Connects Us: What Is Mentalism?". www.noetic.org. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
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