093: 2013 F.F.F.F. Day One

Day one from Buffalo, New York...well, actually, Batavia, which is just a short drive from Buffalo. After a pleasant flight from Houston through Chicago where I met up with Don Wiberg, we were picked up at the airport by Mike Seege. I ran into Dan Garrett who had set up his dealer table and had time to chat with me about his latest incarnation of a character, Doctor Conundrum. You can learn more about him on his Facebook page at http://Facebook.com/DrConundrumsCabaretOfMiracles/

At dinner at Alex's Restaurant Don and I were joined by Steve Friedberg, Bruce Kalver, Pattrick Przysiecki, and Gary Hughes.

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Obie O'Brien, the Chief Forker, welcomes us to he first night of fun.

Hiro Sakai was the first lecturer to kick off the convention.

Welcome to te 2013 Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic

049: F.F.F.F. 2012 - Day One

Obie O'Brien, the Head Forker, chatted with me for a few minutes and talked about his expectations for this 42nd annual event. Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic is the Original Close-Up convention having always been held on the last weekend of April. Some of the best close-up magicians in the world attend this "invitation only" event and share some of their innermost secrets with one another. This is the place where everyone feels a true brotherhood and bond with one another. Every year some special magician is selected as the "Guest of Honor" and this year is David Stone. He was featured on the cover of the April issue of "The Linking Ring".

Also sitting with me in the lobby for a few minutes was Past S.A.M. President, Bruce Kalver who talked about apps for the iPhone and iPad. I think you'll enjoy this brief opening salvo from the first evening activities at the 2012 F.F.F.F. convention.

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The 42nd Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic Has Begun

Dateline Batavia, New York, April 25, 2012 - The fun is just beginning as magicians gather from all parts of the globe to share close-up tricks and cammaraderie.

Several new things have been introduced this year including an additional room for dealers and one room just for selling the 4F regalia. There is also a cool gobo illumination of the FFFF logo on the back wall of the performance area.

Obie blew his hockey referee whistle that indicated it was time to sit down and get ready for the first lecture.

Several magicians arrived early to catch the opening night lectures. Some in attendance you can pick out include Daryl, Gene Anderson, Mike Powers, Marc DeSouza, Marv Leventhal, Harvey Berg, Gene Protas, Richard Levin and many others. And this was just on one side of the room.

Will Houstoun, from England, opened the festivities with a lecture on a couple of his books, "The Notebook" and "Hellis in Wonderland" both of which were fascinating views into the lives of 18th century magicians Will is working on his PhD in Victorian magic. He also showed us some most marvelous card and coin work.

Gyula Czili, from Hungary, gave us a dealer demo of his 2012 line of clever apparatus he has for sale at his dealer booth. I'm certain that his items sold briskly after this demo.