038: Winter Carnival 2011 - Another "Nearly Lost Episode" in Pigeon Forge, TN

This hour and a half podcast covers all three days of the convention including chats with Tom Ladshaw, Steve Beam, Mike Stratman, Duane Laflin, Doc Eason, Bob Little, Kozmo, Tom Vorjahan, Steve Gronowski, JC Doty, Dan Harlan, Daniel Herron, John Hopper, Steven Bargatze and of course, Banachek. There is a lot of interesting material in here and some rather revealing and candid conversations that go well beyond the convention.

But whether or not you attended the Winter Carnival and want to relive some of the moments or to hear some of the sounds you may have missed, then please listen to this podcast. I think you'll enjoy it and might even learn a little something along the way.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here then right click to save the file.

2011 Winter Carnival of Magic in Pigeon Forge, TN

During late winter of 2011 (March 3-5) in the vacation resort community of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, organizers presented the 37th annual edition of The Winter Carnival of Magic to a burgeoning group of nearly 250 magicians. This is not your typical convention. WCM schedules many different programs, shows, parties, and well...just about everything including a final night pizza party. For one thing, this is held in the Country Tonight theatre complete with a full stage and professional sound and light with people who know how to use them. The dealers set up in the lobby so everything is pretty much self-contained. The hosting hotel is just a 100 yard walk down the hill from the theatre. It is kind of like Brigadoon that appears overnight but in a twinkle of the eye, is gone and remains as just a fond memory.

This year seemed to be the Year of the Lectures that included Troy Hooser, Carroll Baker, Aldo & Rachel Colombini, Ricky Boone, TJ Shimeld, Tom Craven, Banachek, Scott Wells, David Acer and Sandy Marshall plus close-up performances by Carroll Baker, David Acer, Rick Merrill and Doc Eason plus a workshop by Kozmo.

Elsewhere here on The Magic Word I posted the last of the "Lost Episodes" that I recorded for (but never aired on) another podcast. Since it is winter, now would be the perfect time to get a nice cup of hot cocoa and listen to the sounds of the Winter Carnival of Magic. I hope it will get you excited about registering for next year's event so you don't miss the fun.

For more information and pictures from the convention plus registration for the 2012 convention, please visit: http://wintercarnivalofmagic.com/ 

Daytona Festival of Magic

We are in Daytona Beach for the 47th edition of the Florida magic convention. Although this is only the fifth (or sixth) year of combining the conventions between the Florida Magicians' Associaton (FMA) and Daytona Magic Shop's annual conflab. It ranks right up there with any other large regional convention for fun, surprises, cammaraderie and, oh yes...did I say fun? This is a really great way to see out the end of the magic convention season.

The stars came out to shine at the Daytona Festival of Magic (DFM) over the weekend of November 4-6, 2011 including John Calvert, John Ekin, Banachek, Eric Buss, Sylvester the Jester, Johnny Ace Palmer, Geoff Williams, Losander and many, many more. (Thanks to Peter Gould for the great photos above).

The beautiful view from our balcony window overlooking the crashing waves on the shoreline of the Daytona Beach Resort.

Johnny Ace Palmer holds his doves following his close-up perfomance (yes, he uses doves in a close-up show) while the original bird man, Jack Kodell, looks on.

Still performing and getting standing ovations at 100 years of age, John Calvert opened the Saturday night gala with his cigarette production routine.

Registrants bid on new and used magic at the annual auction. I'm sure that some of these items willl be seen on the auction block again next year.