176: Day 1 - Abbott's Get Together 2014

Wi-Fi continues to be a problem but I will sleep when I get home. After all, it's only a four day convention, right?

Day One began with the 25 annual Open Colon No Frills golf tournament hosted by Al the Only for a few hardy folks who wanted to enjoy the spectacular weather. After the dealers opened in the elementary school, the first officially schedule event was Fred Becker's morning lecture. Another cruise ship magician, John Shyrock, lectured in the afternoon. Both suffered with being in the early spots while not all the registrants had yet arrived.

The evening show at the high school was emceed by David Oliver and opened with Alex Boyce, followed by Gordon Miller, John Sterlini, John Jansky. After the intermission, Jeff Hobson performed a new act and the evening show was concluded by Dan Sperry.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:05:10 - Kerry Pollock talks about his comedy and magic club in Hilton Head, South Carolina

00:14:31 - David Seebach will present his Halloween shows again this year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but in a different venue. He talks about this and other projects he's involved with this year.

00:24:28 Greg Bordner, proprietor of Abbott's Magic Company, gives us an update on this convention and what to expect.

00:34:37 - Steve Chezaday has been working on the stage crew at the Get Together for decades and tells us what it's like.

00:37:00 - BJ Mallen has been working at Abbott's behind the counter and has been a fixture here at the Get Together since he was a small child. He appeared on a local television show to promote the Get Together. You can Click Here to visit the station's website and view the video that features Sean Begonia's newest illusion, Dancing Hank in a Bottle

00:43:47 - Gabe Fajuri, Potter and Potter Auctions, talks about the upcoming Houdini auction. David Linsell was the photographer for the auction booklet and also the official photographer for the Get Together.

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175: Ground Zero - Abbott's Get Together 2014

Lots of stuff to do on the day before the official opening of the 77th Get Together. Upon my afternoon arrival , we headed over to Shipshewana, Indiana for an "all you can eat" chicken dinner that as fantastic. Fifty people joined the group that was arranged by Michael Mode. After dinner we went to the farm home of Merle and Marlene Hostetler who invited many of their Amish neighbors and families to enjoy a magic show that was put on by about ten magicians. After the show they gave us buggy rides and had cake, ice cream and lots of food for us to enjoy. I was going to head over to David Seebach's party, but by the time I got back to Colon, Michigan, it was a little late in the evening plus I needed to get this podcast edited and uploaded. If it wasn't for the nice hospitality of Losander's son, Timothy Cripe, then I wouldn't have had access to wi-fi tonight. Thanks, Tim.

This podcast is a little shorter than the usual one I post. To help put you in the mood, I think you will enjoy a video I found that I recorded 30 years ago when I first attended the Get Together. I brought along my video camera and recorded some of the sights and sounds of the city. I really didn't know too many people back then so unfortunately I didn't record any interviews with the attendees; however, I did get a personal tour of Abbott's from a very young Greg Bordner.

Enjoy a trip to the past as I walk down the streets of Colon, Michigan and record all the sights and sounds on the street, at the cemetery, and the Magic Carpet restaurant plus a guided tour of Abbott's Magic Company by Greg Bordner. See some of the street vendors as well as the dealers in the gymnasium.

The end of the film is the tech rehearsal for Rick Walker, my very good friend who was an illusionist from Dallas, TX.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:02:36 - Mike Miller talks about his experience in China and working with the recent touring magicians over there. Jania Taylor, a long time attendee, tells why she never misses this week.

00:07:22 - Ken Dumm and his son Austin tell us what is most important about the Get Together...Family.

00:16:38 - Local Amish farmer, Merle Hostetler opened his home to us for a delightful evening of food and buggy rides as many of us performed magic for his family and neighbors.

00:20:50 - Michael Mode was the one who put together this Amish magic show. He talks about how it can to be.

00:23:09 - Enjoy the last few minutes of my buggy ride as you hear the "clip clop" of horses hooves along the trail.

174: Michael Dardant - Bitten By A Wizard

Multiple award winner, Michael Dardant, wrapped up his "Bitten By A Wizard" lecture tour in Houston where he stopped by to chat about a lot of stuff he's involved in now and in the future. Since this podcast was recorded, Michael continued to win even more magic contests. In particular, he took first place with the I.B.M. close-up category which included a $2,000 cash prize! He also secured a spot to compete in the close-up category next year in Italy at F.I.S.M.

In this podcast, Michael talks about entering magic contests (how and why he did); working the streets; performing as a emcee; mentoring others; burlesque shows; customizing your act; comedy and improv; working in movies; advice, tips and more. He has a funny story with Sylvester Stallone, too. Wow, Michael can also do great accents and impressions, too!