252: Day Two - T.A.O.M. Convention 2015

The first full day of the TAOM was chock full of activities, some of which required you to choose what to see and what to miss. For example, the Bob Fitch lecture was opposite of the close-up competition. The day kicked off with Ken Scott talking about working Library shows while in another room, Mica Calfee taught how to make a home made "Card Fountain". Keeping with the kid show theme started by Ken Scott, Oscar Munoz performed then taught some ideas for a "School Show".

Next up was Bob Fitch who gave us some practical advice on how to improve our acts. After lunch was a special tribute to our veterans complete with live music and a color guard. Five magicians gave abbreviated lectures including Doug Gorman, Oscar Munoz, Scott Wells, John Cornelius and Diamond Jim Tyler all capably compered by David Hira. The professional close-up show followed with Suzanne the Magician, Peter Samelson, John Carney, Jay Scott Berry, and Robert Baxt.

The evening gala was an all "women" show hosted by Ali Shelley and featured Margaret Steele, Amanda Eve, Rachael Dunn, Jesse Pattersson (a hula hoop expert who drew the first sustained ovation that turned into a standing ovation), Tiny Bubbles, and closing the show was Jade.

Late night activities started with Robert Baxt talking about comedy followed by another lecture named "Two Extra-Ordinary Women" lectures by Randi Rain as "Vamp-IRA" and Steve Daly aka "Tiny Bubbles". This lecture competed with the traditional "Roger Klause Midnight Madness" show hosted by Jamie Salinas. This show always featured some of Roger's friends performing their one pet effect. Jamie continues this tradition by hand picking his friends to do just one thing.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:12 - David Hira and Suzanne the Magician talk a bit about their thoughts on the previous days magic activities

00:10:19 - Diamond JIm Tyler tells about his relationship with Brian Brushwood's "Scam School" and how he became the most frequent guest.

00:17:39 - Past President of the T.A.O.M., cover boy for Genii and and former Guest of Honor for the T.A.O.M., Ramon Galindo, talks a bit about his illustrious career as a tailor and parakeet magician and how Siegfried changed his life.

00:25:12 - From Las Vegas, Nevada, Steve Daly, tells us about his Abra-CORN-dabra convention in Iowa and what it's like to work a popular, sold-out show in Las Vegas.

00:33:59 - Multi international award winner and creator, John Cornelius, tells what he's been up to the past sever years and tells us about working with Doug Henning and Roger Klause.

00:45:32 - Ray Anderson has some surprises in store for the attendees tomorrow night at Esther's Follies and he might have tipped a little of it between the lines in our chat.

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240: I.B.M. 2015 Convention - Day Three

Day three of the 87th annual convention continued with the second day of the "Big Three" events (see yesterday's blog). The afternoon event was four hours of close-up contests with 14 or so contestants. After the contest, David Kaplan lectured before the evening banquet. The diners were entertained by Bill Abbott and Soma before they let out and everyone hustled over to the theater for the evening show, hosted by Dave Cox. The show was the top six finalists (listed in yesterday's blog) who were competing for the Gold Cups. The winners of all the contests will be announced on the Saturday night show. The late night lecture was by Chad Long.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:02:29 - Multiple award winning magician, Michael Dardant, talks about entering contests and his FISM experience of being entered and competing in both stage and close-up in Italy.

00:16:47 - I.B.M. President Elect and Contest Committee Chairman, Oscar Munoz

00:28:57 - Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) Close-Up Magician of the Year, Suzanne, talks about restaurant magic. She is joined late in the discussion my Oscar Munoz who also talks about school shows.

#203: Banachek - The Mentalist on "The Supernaturalists"

As a friend and business partner, The World's Number One Thought Reader, Banachek has joined me on dozens of podcasts over the years on The Magic Word. But I don't think I have ever had him as an exclusive guest. I just never think about recording our conversations; however, I have heard from listeners who have asked for "more Banachek". So, this one is for you.

Criss Angel recently announced the new show "The Supernaturalists" which is slated for a three week debut in June 2015 in Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. The show will feature some of the magicians that filled in for Criss Angel in the "BeLIEve" show earlier this year during his shoulder surgery. This show is supposed to be something completely different and nothing like the other magic touring show, "The Illusionists". This show promises to do for magic shows what Cirque du Soliel did for the circus. They hope and plan to take the show on an international tour after their Foxwoods run.

For those few of you living under a rock who are not familiar with Banachek, here is a short bio from "The Supernaturalists" website:

“THE MENTALIST” BANACHEK (SOUTH AFRICA)
Lifetime Achievement award recipient, two time Entertainer Of The Year, awarded Outstanding Contribution To The World Of Mentalism, Banachek is the only man to fool scientists with the power of his mind, and is known by his peers as the greatest mentalist alive. He has performed all over the world, is an author of eight best selling magic/mentalism books, has appeared in countless TV specials and has been the magic producer of the most successful magic series in television history, MINDFREAK.

Banachek begins his chat with a short discussion and appeal for magic donations to his favorite charity, The College of Magic in South Africa. He also talks in detail about the upcoming show The Supernaturalists" which will include: "The Illusionist" Brett Daniels (U.S.), "The Mystfier" Cosentino (Australia), "The Mentalist" Banachek (South Africa), "The Street Magician Phenom" Adrian Vega (Spain), “The Femme Fatale Of Legerdemain” Krystyn (U.S.), “The Dog Whisperer Of Magic” Johnny (Columbia), “The Joker” The Great Maestro (Mexico)

He also talks about James Randi, The Amazing Meeting (TAM), The Million Dollar Challenge and his new documentary which trailer you can view below. For more information about "An Honest Liar"" then visit http://AnHonestLiar.com

Live Q&A Session: November 19th - Banachek - Mentalist (Wednesday 4pm ET 9pm UTC 9pm UK) Hosted by Paul Draper

On this podcast, Banachek also talks about his early years of working hundreds of shows annually the college circuit which he still does a dozen or so dates a year. He then talks about how he first met Criss Angel and started working with him on television. He talks extensively about his TV experiences and work in Las Vegas and his view of the future on what he wants to do and where he wants to go.

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.