Photos from Abbott's 2012 Day 3

Day Three of Abbott's Get-Together was another beautiful, sunny day in southern Michigan. People were still coming in to Abbott's Magic Factory to pick up their registration packets. The bulk of their magic inventory, however, was relocated from the Factory to the dealers' room that was set up in the elementary school.

You never know who is going to show up at a Get-Together. Perhaps if I would have waited for the owner of this car to return, I could have solved an age old question.

Buskers fanned throughout the village to entertain the guests. One was appointed to the downtown area where the annual arts and crafts fair was taking place.

Jania Taylor (http://www.magicbyjania.com/) was assigned to the grocery store that had a throng of people who were there during the lunch hour for the Kiwani's Club benefit. They were offering lunch for $1.00 that included a hot dog, chips, soft drink and an ice cream sandwiich. You could order an extra hot dog for just 50 cents.

Michael Mode (http://www.magicmode.com/) was one of those who helped Jerry Costello with the "Happy Hour" party at Jerry's lake house that took place after Adele Friel's lecture and before the evening show. (Jerry is on the left and Michael is on the right).

You never know how people will be dressed for the Friday night show. Have you ever seen a dress made entirely from balloons? Never mind WHERE did she sit in the show last night. The question is HOW did she sit?

Following the evening stage show, the city presented an enjoyable fireworks show just outside the high school.

058: Abbott's Get Together Day 0 - 2012

It was a bright, cheerful sunny day as I arrived in Colon, Michigan for the 75th annual Abbott's Get Together. After checking in at the motel in nearby Sturgis (there are no motels in Colon), I traveled to "Blackstone Island" where I had been invited to a little "night before" party hosted by David Seebach. Among the guests, I had a chance to visit with Adele Friel Rhindress, perhaps better known as the woman who was the "Elusive Moth" in Blackstone's famous illusion. She traveled with the Blackstone show for the last two seasons. I found it interesting that she had not returned to this idyllic spot since 1948, nearly 65 years ago.

I also had a short chat with the owner of Abbott's Magic Factory and organizer of the Get Together, Greg Bordner. And of course we talked with our host for the evening, David Seebach.

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036: Magi-Fest 2011 - Day Two from the file of "Lost Episodes"

January 28th and it's Day Two of the 80th Magi-Fest. Come along with me as we go into the Dealers' Room and enjoy an "off-the-cuff", funny and informative chat with David Williamson and Rick Merrill. The synergistic energy of these two guys is just out of this world. We then have a much more serious conversation with Joanie Spina who talks about directing and choreographing magic acts plus some of her time with David Copperfield. We also have a brief chat with one of her students, David Malachor. She has done so much for helping and improving many of the top acts today. Back in the Dealers' Room I have a chat with Greg Bordner talking about Abbott’s Get Together, the genesis of Abbotts plus Harry Blackstone and more.

We then walk over to the booth where Jim Steinmeyer is signing his new book, The Last Greatest Magician in the World, a biography about Howard Thurston. As with all of Jim's books, it is a most fascinating read. We also chat with Jim about some of his consulting with Broadway theatrical productions.

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