015: 2011 M.A.E.S. - Day 3

I started off the day talking with Will Fern about his show last night. What a talent! Then we chat with David Corsaro from http://www.timetobeawesome.com/ , one of the regular registrants but first time performers. Then we take a side trip to nearby Bayard's Chocolates that's located just right next door to the Crown Plaza Hotel. You can get additional information about Bayard's at http://www.bayardschocolates.com/  I must say that it is awesome and well worth the visit. While I was there, several local New Jersey residents stopped by just for a visit and some came to specifically to buy a particular type of chocolate.

Next up is a chat with some of the youth who competed in the contests. We hear from 15 year old Alex Boyce, 17 year old Ian Flinn and 17 year old Bill Boyce with their thoughts on developing a competition act, attending conventions and magic camps. After the evening show we go back in the dealer room where we have a lively conversation with Adele Friel-Rhinedress who talks about her best selling book, "The Elusive Moth" and her experience with working the Blackstone, Senior's "1001 Wonders Magic Show". And finally we chat with Jan Goodsell, SYM overseer and SAM Past President, who talks about the young magicians. Also heard in this interview is Eric Decamps who happened to be sitting nearby and threw in his two cents.

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014: 2011 M.A.E.S. - Day 2

Lots of stuff going on here and lots of fun. We start off the day with a quick recap of last night's festivities with Dick Swandby. Convention organizer, Marc DeSouza, chats with us about the M.A.E.S., the registration numbers and its rich history. David Oliver recaps his brush with death due to dove dust. Yes, dove dust and it was serious. The full details are in this month's Genii magazine, but hear it here first from his own mouth. Whew! We're glad that David is okay now. But this is a serious issue that affects more magicians than you might expect. Then we chat with S.A.M. President Vinny Grosso and Past President Mike Miller about some of the activities they have planned for the organization. And finally we talk with George Gee about his love for and allegiance to the M.A.E.S. This short conversation is what regional conventions are all about and why they need to survive.

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013: Magicians' Alliance of Eastern States (M.A.E.S.) Convention - Day One

Come along with me and enjoy three days of fun at a festival of magic in Cherry Hills, NJ just outside of Philadelphia, PA. Every year this small regional magic convention hosts some of the biggest and best names in magic along with featuring aspiring and rising new talent.

In this first podcast from the M.A.E.S. convention you will hear interviews with Denny Haney from Denny & Lee's Magic as he talks about his debut in a short film (about nine minutes) and can be found at: http://bit.ly/qTo24N Next we visit with Phil Messina who tells about the Hall of Fame of the Unknown Magicians and Clowns (more info at http://bit.ly/qTo24N ). And finally we have a fascinating conversation with William Rauscher, life chronicler of John Calvert, Dr. Neff, The Great Raymond and many others. Following on the heels of John Calvert's 100th birthday, Bill tells us some fun stories and adventures he shared with this charismatic centurian.

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