#198 - Henning Magic - Part Two

In this second and final podcast of my "pre-Halloween" coffee talk with Eric Henning, he picks up where we left off talking about his experience of performing at a Halloween party in 2010 in the White House for President Obama. This story, as most of Eric's stories, goes down several side roads before it all comes to a satisfactory conclusion. But it is a delightful journey.

In addition to his story about performing in the White House for the President, Eric also talks about some additional thoughts and tips since he published his book "Tips: Real World Ideas from a Working Magician". His website for magicians, http://thewand.net is where you can find this excellent set of lecture notes which I highly recommend. During our conversation, One of the tips that is not in his book if for Amazing Insoles for anybody who's on their feet a lot (like most all performing magicians).

He also talks about the importance of learning to be a better public speaker by joining Toastmasters in your area. We also talk about the importance of taking pictures with your client and sending it to the client with a hand-written "thank you" card. Eric shares a few additional tips like ideas from the old Linking Ring columns by Rick Johnsonn, "Come A Little Closer" He finishes with a great tax tip that every magician should do BEFORE the end of the calendar year.

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.

Eric "The Financial Wizard" Henning will be one of the professors at M.B.U. in 2015

Join Trixie Bond and Charles Gauci and Scott Wells for lunch in Houston in this short podcast.

Fill your Christmas stockings with all things Banachek.

171: Simon Lovell & Joanie Spina July 2014 Health Updates

Simon Lovell is in the Elmhurst Hospital in New York...and he's not happy about it. Joanie Spina is in Houston anxiously awaiting a donor for her lungs and liver. Each has their own health issues that have been widely reported on social media, but I know that many in the magic community are interested in hearing from them in their own words.

I spoke with Simon via Skype on the day before he left for the U.K. where he will be attended by his father. Randy Wakeman has set up a website where he is posting updates on Simon's status. Randy reported this morning (July 10, 2014) that Simon is back in the U.K. with his father. According to Tony Lovell,

"Simon has arrived safely. All OK but there is a long road ahead for both Simon and me. I am concerned about Simon and his appearance. As you say he is skeletal. We are going to the doctor on Monday - first steps in the road to recovery. Simon has promised that he will be totally honest with the doctor especially about his drinking!!!."

You can find updates from Randy Wakeman by Clicking Here. If you are interested in more details on Simon's status, plus if you are able to donate to the fund set up for Simon, then please visit his site. And here is a video of one of Simon's last projects, a short film called "Redemption" in which Simon plays the Devil. Typecast? Hmm.

Redemption from Chris Carden on Vimeo.

Joanie Spina was awarded the Lifetime Achievement award from the Academy of Magical Arts at the recent banquet this past Spring. Many people got to congratulate her and tell her how much she has meant to them. And during the recent I.B.M./S.A.M. Combined Convention, over $5,500 was raised for her to help defray some of her extraordinary medical expenses. They will continue to accept donations in this account until July 31, 2014. You can donate funds today by sending it through PayPal to registrar@ibmsam.com.

She has recently relocated to Houston where she is now awaiting both lungs and a liver transplant. Daniel Summers has graciously provided her with a place to live during this waiting time plus he drives her back and forth to the hospital, as needed. He should be deeply thanked by the magic community for his wonderful, kind spirit. During this time, Joanie has been arranging for the disposition of her property in Las Vegas and many personal belongings in preparation of whatever happens next.

Walter "Zaney" Blaney, Daniel Summers, Scott Wells and Joanie Spina

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:01:26 - Simon Lovell talks about his "interment in Hell" though he seems to have retained his sense of humor while going through all this ordeal. Unfortunately the quality of the phone reception on his end was very poor. You will have to listen closely and you may even have to listen a second time I tried my best to clear it up, and the quality you hear is 100% better than the raw data.

00:34:07 - Joanie Spina gives us an update on her wait for lungs and a liver. She also expresses her appreciation to all those in the magic fraternity who have sent her prayers, emails, good thoughts and financial assistance.

00:46:02 - Walter "Zaney" Blaney was at the home of Daniel Summers while I was visiting with Joanie. He gives us a delightful story of when David Copperfield bought his Ladder Levitation. He also talks about the time he and Joanie first met.

The latest information on Simon Lovell can be found by clicking on the image above. Thank you, Randy Wakeman.

167: Day 2 - IBM/SAM Combined Convention 2014

The second full day of the combined convention began very early for me, especially considering the late night I had in uploading these podcasts. The S.A.M. sponsored a very nice boxed breakfast event in the presidential suite in the hotel which featured guest speaker, Shawn Farquhar. Immediately thereafter was a lecture and workshop from the Korean College of Magic. Following lunch was the second in the FISM North American Stage Contest. The lecture by Miguel Angel Gea started about the time as when the contest ended.

Busses loaded at 6:30 for the gala show at the Peabody Opera House then after the show was more of the Richard Turner Experience.

Purchase Tickets here http://www.magicinc.net/Celebration.aspx In 1964, Magic Inc. held its grand opening at 5082 N. Lincoln Avenue. Now 50 years later, we're holding a big celebration / mini-convention with some of the best magicians from all over the world. Golden Tickets are only $100, prior to June 1st; after that, only $125.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:03:27 - Alan and Michelle Watson, talks about the New Zealand Ezine. Tens of thousands subscribers keep up to date on magic activities around the world. All your updates and stories can be sent to Alan at Editor@magicnewzealand.com He also talks a little about the business of magic and setting up your website.

00:10:52 - Shawn Farquhar was the guest speaker at the breakfast and tells about his life in magic. I picked up the recording part way into his speech.

00:26:41 - The Dean of the S.A.M., George Shindler tells us how he became the Dean, what the "job" entails, plus more information about the Houdini Fund for those who are hospitalized, ill or in need some financial help. More details are on the S.A.M. website.

00:42:13 - Alex Ramon tells us about the new illusion that he will present during the gala show tonight. He also tells us what he's been up to since we last chatted in our two part interview in Lake Tahoe earlier this year. Part One here and Part Two here.

00:51:11 - David Oliver tells us how his health is doing since his double lung transplant last year and what he is doing today including a busy schedule of performing and teaching the youth. He also tells us that his new passion is telling people the importance of organ donations.

01:04:27 - Sandy Marshall, owner of Magic Inc., gives us a health update on Simon Lovell plus the new book he is releasing today, "Betcha! How To Win Free Drinks For Life" which will be available from Magic Inc. He also tells us about the 50th anniversary of Magic Inc. convention coming July 17-19.

01:18:18 - Join us for lunch with Michael Close, editor of the M.U.M., and Don Wiberg, International Secretary of the I.B.M. and proof reader for The Linking Ring, as we talk about many things including the magazines/journals.

#198 - Henning Magic - Part Two

171: Simon Lovell & Joanie Spina July 2014 Health Updates

167: Day 2 - IBM/SAM Combined Convention 2014

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