069: T.A.O.M. Day 3 in Houston, TX

The third and final full day was jam packed with even more great lectures plus the performances of the professional close-up artists. And the evening show really rocked with The Rhythm of Magic, Losander, Danny Cole and Dani DaOrtiz all hosted by Eric Mead.

I chatted today with Craig Fillesetti about his company, Promystic (http://www.promystic.com/) that produces some of the world's finest and most reliable electronic equipment for the complete conjurer. They have a new product that is worth a look. Next I talked with Losander about the state of the economy in Las Vegas as it applies to magicians, plus some moral and ethical issues dealing with undercutting your fellow magicians. Oscar Munoz weighed in with his opinion of how the convention has been going. Just before our conversation, we learned that Past President Bob Karlebach had died earlier in the day. The conversation turned rather serious as we talked about our own mortality. Next we talked with Richard Kaufman about some of the rich history of Genii magazine (www.GeniiMagazine.com) and the 75th anniversary party for Genii that he is throwing in Florida (www.GeniiConvention.com). Richard also shared his veiwpoint and predictions of the print media as it relates to the magic magazine industry (do you think magic magazines only have about ten years left before everything is digital?) Then finally we did a wrap of the convention with Chip Romero, one of the performers at this year's convention who will be featured with his larger show in Dallas at next year's TAOM convention in Dallas, TX (www.TAOM2013.com).

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Slydini Lecture by Bill Wisch

Bill Wisch stopped through Houston on the last leg of his 18 city lecture tour across the south and some parts of the Midwest. He left behind a string of compliments and testimonials about his lecture, his technique, and his personal character that stands next to none. Not only is Bill a more than adept magician with great talents, but also a wonderful gentleman, kind father and interesting conversationalist.

Bill studied with Slydini for several years in the 1970's and was the only magician with written authorization from Slydini himself to present this lecture. Bill toured in the late 1970's across the country covering over 30 cities as he helped promote the Slydini name and sold his (then new) books, "The Best of Slydini...and More" and "The Magical World of Slydini". On this redux tour, Bill presented some of Tony Slydini's favorite effects, plus he gave a primer of a couple original card moves of Bill's own devising including the "Wisch Wedge", which was given the appellation by Jon Racherbaumer while on this very tour. Bill taught many subtleties used by Slydini but either overlooked in the printed books and some which have never seen print.

Here are sample comments from a couple attendees: 

"I do not usually make comments but this is one time I have to. If you missed last night's lecture than you missed one of the VERY BEST lectures ever in Austin. Bill Wisch is a gentleman and scholar and a darn impressive magician. His stories about Slydini were mesmerizing as well as entertaining. His card work was a joy to watch and make any non-cardican want to grab a deck and start learning. Thanks to IBM Ring 60 and JD (and the boartd) for bring Bill Wisch in. This will be a difficult lecture to top in the future." - Carl Seagren, Austin, TX

"The lectures [in Houston] are almost always excellent but I thought this one was particularly good. Most lectures concentrate on skills and effects. This lecture had a lot of that material too, but used it to tell the story of a magician who was one of the most influential figures in modern magic. I walked away thinking about the way the Slydini techniques could be used to enhance the magic I already perform and am eager to try and create some things using the techniques and ideas that Bill shared with us at the lecture. This is something that every magician would benefit from seeing." - Ed Cotham, Houston, TX

Following the lecture, Bill sat down with me for an hour's discussion on stories about Tony Slydini plus some other interesting bits of business and behind-the-scenes, rarely told tales that only get discussed late at night.

042: The Session 2012

Joshua Jay and Andi Gladwin hosted the second annual Session convention in Cheltenham, U.K. on January 14-15, 2012. This is billed as the "U.K.'s Only Close-Up Magic Convention" and this year featured some really "knock-out" talent like Chris Kenner, Dani DaOrtiz, Wayne Houchin, Michael Vincent, Eric Jones, Christian Engblom, and many, many others.

Alex Rangel and Alan Rorrison attended this year's event and they talk about the experience on this episode of The Magic Word. And what an experience it was! Listen to their description of some of the greatest sleight-of-hand guys around plus what's new and what's hot. They also chat about the intimate seminar experience that must have been awesome. After listening to this podcast and if you want to learn more and don't want to miss next year's event, then visit their website at: http://www.sessionconvention.com/

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