147: Day 1 - East Coast Mind Jam 2014

The East Coast Mind Jam is a one time only event that features some of the top names in the mentalism field today including Docc Hilford, Richard Osterlind, Marc Salem, Ted Karlilovich, Devin Knight, Joe Atmore, Patrick Redford (George Tait) and Jim Sisti. This event is also an opportunity for the convention organizer, Eric Citron, to honor the former owner and president of Tannen's Magic, Tony Spina, with a lifetime achievement award. That award will take place on Sunday afternoon. But first...

Day one featured an extra cost workshop for early arrivals by Patrick Redford and was attended by about 15 people. The evening show opened with a one hour show that was supposed to be filled with attendees who want to perform; however, only one brave soul did: Joshua Lozoff, who put on a great show and was given a great adulation by the audience and by the host, Docc Hilford. Docc filled out the hour, took a break then came back for the first half of a workshop, not a lecture, but a really great instructional workshop. After an hour and a half, he took another break only to return with another two hours of great material and advice. He could have gone on much longer and the audience was right there with him with nary a soul departing, but rather, hanging on his every word.

Here are the time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:00 - Leaving Houston and a recap of what's about to happen over the weekend.

00:04:42 - Convention organizer, Eric Citron, talks about putting together this convention and what we can expect this weekend.

00:12:47 - Richard Osterlind talks about what will be in his eight hour Monday workshop. He is excited about performing his one hour stage show on Saturday night that is rarely if ever performed for his peers. Tim Trono talks about how much fun this convention is because of its small size.

00:16:32 - Attendees, Ed Russe, John Sergott and Andy Hofer talk about why they came to this convention and what they are looking forward to seeing and doing here.

00:24:42 - Patrick Redford (George Tait) talks about what he was teaching in his workshop during the afternoon.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here and then right click to save the file. You can also subscribe to the RSS feed by Clicking Here. (please note: this RSS Feed subscription system may not work with Android systems). Remember, you can download it through iTunes. See the preview page by Clicking Here.

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.

Download a MP3 file of this podcast by Clicking Here then right click to save the file. You can also download the MP3 media file directly from the RSS feed by Clicking Here.

051: F.F.F.F. 2012 - Day Three

Another full day (and night) of non-stop, world class, innovative magic was in store for all the attendees on Friday. The day started with mild snow flurries but it did not deter a hearty band of golfers who regularly play in the frigid weather at the F.F.F.F. annual tournament. But my first chat on the podcast of the day was immediately before and after the Mathieu Bich lecture. Long time attendee Dick Cook, from Ohio, told me a couple funny stories from his attendance at the Columbus MagiFest.

I then caught up with the Man of the Hour, Guest of Honor, David Stone. I caught him when there was no one else around him in the otherwise jam-packed lobby between events. We got to chat about his experience at the F.F.F.F. as well as his take on creativity and what his long term plans are in magic and, well, maybe the movies.

The day quickly slipped past me and before I knew it, it was dinner time. I dined with Chris Capeheart and Ice McDonald who shared some stories and experiences with me. Then to round out the day, I sat down with Mark Leveridge, from England, after the final show. He talked about his bi-monthly publication, MagicSeen Magazine, the Magazine for Magicians and Mentalists. More information at http://www.magicseen.co.uk/ It was interesting to get his take on the English economy, conventions, and publications in the U.K. as they directly impact the English magic community.

Download this podcast in an MP3 file by Clicking Here then right click to save the file.