117: Doug Conn, "Street Sense" plus M&M's Thursday for Sept. 19, 2013

During this past week, New Orleans street magician, Doug Conn, lectured in Houston as part of his nationwide tour. During his stopover, we sat down to talk about how Hurricane Katrina changed the landscape and affected him, his family and magic business. We also talked about working the streets in New Orleans, the competition, the brick and mortar magic shop he owned plus his background in the business, and more. 

I also had the honor of performing a parlor show at a private party for a senior magician who was celebrating his 80th birthday. It was a fun event, and I was told that the entertainment was "spectacular"! :)  

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This week for M&M's (Magic & Martini's) Thursday I have a little light reading and video viewing of Doug Conn's material from his lecture here earlier this week.

116: John Star's Birthday - Magic & Martinis Thursday - Sep. 12, 2013

This week has been about helping others and spreading some joy into the lives of some who may never get to see live magic. I was the Master of Ceremonies for the annual Grandparents' Day at Bayou Manor here in Houston. This is how we pay back the people who allow our local I.B.M. Ring #39 to meet in their facility each month.  The retired people from the Manor invite their children, grand children and some great grand children to come and enjoy them for an afternoon of fun.

On Thursday, our Chairman of the Charity Shows, Stephen Shain, had arranged for some of us to do our regular visits to the hospital. Today it was at the Texas Children's Hospital. 

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After we finished the morning at the hospital, Steve Shain, Gene Protas and I went to a local Chinese restaurant where we met up with John Star for his birthday. Before the others arrived, John and I had a brief chat about his early years in the U.K. working with those like Terry Seabrooke, Tommy Cooper and so many others of the great U.K. magicians of yesteryear (i.e. David Nixon, Ali Bongo, Wayne Dobson, Billy McComb and others). 

Happy birthday, John Star. 

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After the day was over, it was time to set down the cut-and-restored magic stethoscope and have a martini. Cheers!  

After performing magic at the hospital, it's time for a little R&R...well, actually, M&M (Magic and Martinis).

115: Exposed and Fearless with Vinny Grosso

Past International President of the S.A.M., Vinny Grosso, is working with a short fuse for raising money on Kickstarter for a really interesting book project. "Exposed and Fearless" will be a book that will contain a collection of personal short stories about some amazing people, how they are able to do the seemingly impossible and conquer fear. 

Some of those who will be in the book already include Banachek, the World's Number One Thought Reader, who will talk about whether or not E.S.P really exists. Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, from Who's Line Is It Anyway, will talk about whether improvisational comedy is really made up. Also, there will be stories from Richard Turner, the world's best card cheat who lost his vision at an early age plus Doc Swan, a veteran side show performer, and many, many others.

After listening to this short podcast with Vinny Grosso, and you are moved to action, then you can visit his Kickstarter page and decide what level of participation might best fit your financial situation. This podcast it "time sensitive" because time is short (October 3, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. EST is the deadline) and he is near his goal. But Vinny will not receive ANY of the money pledged unless he reaches or exceeds his goal before the deadline. And it can't be reached without a few more people helping...like you!

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