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.

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).

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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).

077: Day 3 - MINDvention 2012 in Las Vegas, NV

Another MINDvention breezed by that will go down as one of the best yet. Danny Archer and Robert Allen always find some new twist for us each year. In the opening chat with Danny, he talks about this year's event but he also tips some stuff exclusive for our listeners such as next year's dates, a special Guest of Honor (hint: his initials are B.C.), a special contest that is in the making, and more.

After the convention, I took my roving Blue Microphone Mikey into Jake's Irish Bar in the Palace Hotel & Casino. I took a broad sampling from many of the attendees from this year's MINDvention. The overwhelming highlight seemed to be Satori's act this evening. It was spectacular. He came into the bar and I asked to chat with him on the record but he politely asked not to be interviewed because, he said, "Now is the time for everyone to talk about me, not for me to talk about myself." And indeed he was correct. Everyone was talking about him.

One of the friends I cornered was Colin McLeod who was another one of the hits of the convention. He compered the "2nd Masters of Mentalism" show this evening and did an outstanding job. In our half hour chat, Colin discussed a lot of stuff he didn't have time for during his regular lecture. So for those who wished they could have heard and learned more from Colin, then I know you will enjoy this podcast.

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017: The Lost Episodes, Jan. 9, 2011 - Houston Magicians Annual Party

Gene Protas (creator of the Banachek-Protas Psi Kalc) and his wife, Betty, host a post-holiday party in their home each year with an open invitation to all local and visiting magicians. This was an episode that was destined for, but never posted on, The Magic Newswire. Hence the reason this is another of the "Lost Episodes". Although this party took place over eight months ago when the weather was much cooler, it has some interesting and rather eerie conversations.

We talk with Alex Rangel, Daniel Garcia and Banachek about their New Year's Resolutions, new projects they are working on in 2011 and "upcoming" convention and lecture appearances. There are also some voices and shout-outs from Dennis Castro, Bruce Chadwick and Cherie Kaye.

There is a rather unsettling chat with John Star with a foreboding report on the declining health of Terry Seabrooke who passed away just two days after this interview. You can read the obituary I wrote for my dear friend at: http:bit.ly/mPNNoAz I have posted a website with some of my photos I took of Terry at www.ScottWells.com/Seabrooke.htm

This is followed with an interview with Michael Satterwhite who was an integral part of our Young Magicians' Program and was named Houston's "Magician of the Year" for 2008. He also performed for many years at the Renaissance Festival in Magnolia, TX (just outside of Houston) as the magical Cardinal Wolsey. Michael unexpectedly passed away two months later in early March.

Trixie Bond wraps up the podcast with her reflections on performing for children over the years, the development of her "Mary Poppins" character and her future direction in magic. Fortunately, she is still alive and well.

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