105: 2013 I.B.M. Convention - Day 4

The final day of the four (plus) day convention draws to a close with even more stuff packed into the day. It started off with the annual Order of Merlin Breakfast. This is for those who have at least 25 consecutive years of membership in the I.B.M. Immediately following the breakfast was the third and final day of the Big Three Events.

In the afternoon, there were six, one hour events going on simultaneous with each other. It was repeated again one half hour later which meant that you could only choose two out of the six. Well, you can't do it all...but I tried. I slipped in and out of a couple events but the one that had everyone fascinated was the "Carney Knowledge" event by Todd Robbins. He taught us how to walk on glass and also how to hammer a nail in you nose ("Human Blockhead"). Wow! I can check that off my bucket list now. After the Six Pack Sessions, Diamond Jim Tyler lectured on close-up.

Before the show began and the general public was let into the theatre, the contest awards were presented and the transition of the Presidential medals was made. Here are the awards that were given out at the Awards presentation.

Recipient of the McBride Magic & Mystery School Scholarship

Tamer Qafiti from San Diego, Ca.

Recipients of the IBM Endowment and Development Scholarships to the Sorcerer's Summer Safari Magic Camp

Salvatori Adler

Jason Knight

IBM Close-Up Competition

Youth Winners

1st place - Drake Stanton- San Antonio. TX

2nd place - Tamer Qafiti- San Diego, CA

Adult Winners

1st place - Alberto Lorenzo- Miami FL

2nd place - Rune Carlsen - Norway

People's Choice Award - Close-Up and winner of the Obie 4F Close-Up Award

Alberto Lorenzo - Miami, FL

IBM Stage Competition

Youth Winners

1st place and winner of the FANTASMA Prize Package - Eli Portala - Toledo, OH

2nd place -"Smart Magic" Thirawat Kongnugul

Adult Winners

1st place- Ming Ya Liu - People's Republic of China

2nd place - Chris Randall - Las Vegas, NV

People's Choice Award

Ming Ya Liu - People's Republic of China

Karrell Fox Comedy Award

"Caramel Machine" Sadaharu Suzuki and Toshiharu Odjima - Japan

The evening show played to a nearly packed theatre with Todd Robbins doing an incomparable job as the Master of Ceremonies. The show began with Luna Shimada followed by Eugene Burger, Peter Samelson, Francis Tabary, Valerie and closing the show was David DaVinci. After the show ended most people retired to the hotel to say their final farewells at the "no host" bar in the ballroom.

This final mega-podcast has it all. With this being the final day, I knew that I had to get around to everyone in fairly short order in between my attending some of the other event. The time stamps for this Podcast are:

00:00:08 - Todd Robbins talks about the evolution of the one man play, "Play Dead" , that we viewed last night on film. He discussed his association with creative consultants like Teller (of Penn and Teller), and where it might go from here. He also chatted about his association with Monday Night Magic, carnival side shows, and much more. He also talked about the success on television that his young son, Fin, has been receiving on soap operas (that is Fin in the picture above with the realistic looking wooden cigar).

00:45:14 - The Associate Dean of McBride's Mystery School, Larry Haas, talks about what the school does, the importance of scripting, finding good words, developing your character, publishing books and more.

01:05:27 - C.W.O. (Chief Wizard Officer) of Fantasma Magic, Roger Dreyer, talks about the development of his company and association with and dedication to the development of youth in out art. Roger tips his hand with some inside information about the future projects that you can only hear here on The Magic Word.

01:17:00 - Francis Tabary, performer, creator and inventor of a novel rope routine talks about how he created the routine.

01:21:31 - Fielding West talks about how he got started in Las Vegas. He gives us a couple of great stories with celebrities that you will find memorable.

01:41:50 - Jade, one of the previous I.B.M. Gold Medal winners, talks about what she's been up to over the past few years. We also hear a bit from Lance Burton and Fielding West in this segment.

01:49:01 - Sammy Patrick Smith, Editor of The Linking Ring (official journal for the I.B.M.) talks about the new app for the I.B.M. with the digital edition of the journal and the new design of the http://magician.org website. which will be released soon.

01:53:14 - Co-Chairman of the convention, Mike Stratman, is breathing easier now that the convention has ended. Here he talks about the numbers and successes and feedback.

01:59:42 - Walter "Zaney" Blaney tells us a funny story from the early 1960's shortly after he developed his Ladder Levitation. This involves David Hoy and a prank he played on Walter.

02:11:15 - I give a quick wrap up as I walk back up to my hotel room and begin to edit this podcast.

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099: My Week at Hollywood's Famed Magic Castle

After a 17 year absence since my last appearance at Hollywood's famed Magic Castle, I decided it was time to return. In retrospect, I don't know what took me so long. I had forgotten how much fun it was: audiences that are excited to see magic, a chance to see old friends, time to spend quality time with those friends plus meet new people, too.

My magical mystery tour of California began with a flight from Houston to Los Angeles, renting a car, the obligatory stop by In-N-Out burger, then a long seven hour drive up the coast to Oakland to visit my childhood friend, Walter Turner. We toured some wineries in Napa Valley and did the tourist thing in San Francisco at Fisherman's Wharf. My wife and I drove back to Los Angeles on Monday June 10th to check in to the Nirvana Apartments which is just across the street from the Magic Castle. The Castle provided accommodations for me in the newly remodeled and redecorated Don Lawton suite. Very nice. When I arrived for my performance in the Close-Up Gallery, I was surprised with the nice gifts that awaited me in the dressing room: a bottle of wine, a Magic Castle wine opener, some chocolates, and a deck of Magic Castle playing cards. Also, one of the nice touches throughout the week is the "butler" that is assigned to each performer who looks after our every need for food and drink. They are at our beckoned command. it was an awesome touch.

One of the things I love about LA is the robust magic activity in and around the area and the many accomplished magicians who reside there. On Wednesday afternoon I took advantage of my long locks and took my head to Dean's Barbershop in nearby Glendale. Unaware as I was, apparently Wednesdays are magic days at Dean Dill's shop. So while only planning to get a haircut, I stayed to over two hours and had a chance to meet some of the local guys and learn a few tips from Dean. What a great guy and what a great place. Be sure to visit there when you are in the area. http://www.deandill.com/shoppe.htm

On Thursday afternoon, I traveled to Venice to visit with Chris Korn who was working the early evening shows with me in the Close-Up Gallery. Since it was Magic & Martinis Thursday, we enjoyed a special martini at his favorite bar, Hal's Bar & Grill. We then went for lunch at Gjelina's which was exquisite. The Marinated Beets, Avocado, Citrus, Hazelnuts & Sherry salad was one of the best things I had all week including my visit to Napa and my dinner Tra Vigne. We then went back to Chris' apartment where Paul Vigil had just checked in as an overnight visitor. We got to enjoy a very nice chat.

I performed at the member's lunch on Friday and enjoyed seeing Peter Fryer, another long time friend who was transplanted from Texas to Los Angeles.

Saturday afternoon I drove to Vista, CA (outside San Diego) to present my lecture "Alternate Streams of Revenue in Magic". I started off with lunch upon my arrival with Jeff Pearson and his wife, Laurie, There was a good turnout at 3 Generations of Magic who sponsored my lecture. BTW, I recommend that if you are anywhere near San Diego that you stop by this shop. It is fully stocked with all the new stuff and James will be glad to help you out. Great place.

On Sunday I was joined by Cameron Ramsay who was a fellow podcaster on Dodd Vickers' "The Magic Newswire" for our weekly "This Week in Magic" podcasts. Cameron was in town for a few weeks while working on a film project. Cameron helped me load in my lecture notes and stuff for my afternoon lecture at the Castle. There was a healthy turnout despite the occasion of it being Father's Day. I appreciate all those who attended and especially those fathers (and their families) who sacrificed the afternoon to be with me and listen to my lecture.

And all to soon, it was all over and I woke up from the dream as I winged my way home to Houston early Monday morning. What a great time and memorable experience. I was fortunate to have been given the time of many friends who spoke with me for the podcast that you can enjoy here.

On the red carpet in front of the Magic Castle.

This is the Golden Anniversary (50 years) of the Magic Castle and I was glad to have been one of the performers in this most prestigious year. I also want to thank all those who came out to say hello, see my performance and attend my lectures. Here are the time stamps for the chats I had during my week at the Castle:

00:02:15 - Walter Turner, a childhood friend who inspired me to find an interest in magic

00:13:37 - Dean Dill talks about his barber shop, his creative process, and a story about his association with Johnny Carson

00:29:00 - Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell discuss their magic class for adults that they teach at the Magic Castle. Mark also talks about the popularity of the Mark Wilson Course on Magic. They also talked about their experiences of performing in China for the first time. For information on signing up for the Student Pass, then please contact Nani at NaniWilson@SBCglobal.net or call 661-257-6070

00:55:35 - Paul Green talks about his long association with the Magic Castle

01:08:12 - Howard Hamburg tells us a few interesting stories about some of the legends of the Castle including Dai Vernon, Larry Jennings, Charlie Miller and others.

01:24:51 - We sit down with Chris Korn for Thursday's "Magic and Martinis" but begin with a quick story about seeing Mac King in Las Vegas. Chris chats about the Magic Castle and some of his television projects.

01:38:23 - We moved from the bar to Chris's home where we were joined by Paul Vigil who, along with Chris, shared his philosophy of creative process. Please forgive the quality of this section of the podcast as we had some severe technical difficulties. But I felt that the quality of the content was too important to lose just because of the audio quality.

02:03:22 - Darren Romeo, the "Voice of Magic", talks about his association with Siegfried & Roy and where he was and how he handled the tragic end to their run at the Mirage.

02:16:00 - Cameron Ramsay, my friend from our days of podcasting together on the Magic Newswire, talked about what he's been up to over the past few years.

02:25:35 - Jack Goldfinger, Entertainment Director for the Magic Castle, and Doc Eason talk about the Magic Castle. Lots of great stuff in this chat. I suggest that when listening to this one you might want to have a pad and paper to jot down some of the "gems of wisdom" that Jack dropped on us.

02:57:00 - Shoot Ogawa talks about moving to the U.S. and in particular his move directly to Los Angeles just to be near the Magic Castle.

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020: MAGIC Live! Day Two Convention Report

On the first official full day of MAGIC Live! we have a chat over breakfast of yesterday's opening party with Mel Kientz, Steve Bryant and Alan Kroznek. In the Dealers' Faire we meet up with Craig Mitchell and David (Sillly Billy) Kaye. After the evening show we do a wrap up of the day with Scott Tokar, Cameron Ramsay and even hear a few words from one of the morning's speakers, Giovanni Livera.

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