287: F.F.F.F. 2016 Day One

The annual gathering of international close-up stars begins..It's been a long day and it's after 2:00 a.m. and time to upload this half hour podcast from Batavia, New York. I'll update this blog later with more links and info about some of the folks I've chatted with today.

Wednesday April 27:
8:00pm: 4F Kick-Off Show - Canadian Gala (Joan Caesar emcee)
10:00pm: Huot/Lacroix Lecture
11:00pm: Hospitality Suite

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:05- We're off to see the wizard. We depart Houston leaving for Buffalo, New York and the 46th annual F.F.F.F. convention.

00:03:49 - We ran into Lion Fludd on the airplane on our connection in Chicago. This will be his first 4F convention and we discuss how he has prepared for it and his expectations.

00:11:50 - Obie O'Brien, the "Head Forker" explains his title as the organizer and founder of this convention.

00:18:44 - Geoff Williams talks about the evening Canadian Gala Show.

00:22:25 - Chris Pilsworth, Keith Fields join Geoff Williams to talk about what makes this convention unique from the others.

00:28:29 - Weekly trick reviews: Double ACAAN and Transcend (both by Creative Artists), Post-It Mysteries by Mr. Bless, and Fusion by Zolo

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238: I.B.M. 2015 Convention - Day One

The I.B.M. convention opened the first day with a bang. The first of two days of stage contests began plus an opening night party that featured Fantasio and Storm Troopers from Star Wars. How often can you see those two things in the same sentence? I.B.M. International Presiden, Shawn Farquhar, was introduced with fanfare and with a local group of Storm Troopers for his processional. I remember in New Orleans, Louisiana when then International President Earl Christenberry had a Creole Jazz Band parade in his processional throwing bead to the registrants as if we were in a Mardi Gras parade. Shawn's parade was quite different.

Fantasio was honored at the evening show as we enjoyed a performance by a troupe of performers from Argentina who delighted the audience with their magic, mind-reading, manipulation and comedy ending with a hand shadow act. Another nice feature at I.B.M. conventions is the "Autograph Party" where the performers are all lined up sitting at a table and signing free posters that feature their photos. Lectures of the day included Boris Wild and Soma.

In the "Night Before" party, those who arrived early enjoyed a double feature of magic films: one by Kevin Spencer on his "Healing of Magic" program and the second with Christian Cagigal called, "Now And At The Hour" which was a documentary about his one man show. The well-attended ate night lecture was with Kozmo.

Christian Cagigal brings an illusion from his show "Now and at the Hour" to the Ferry Building in San Francisco, CA. The show played in San Francisco June 5th to August 15, 2009 as well in in New York in February 2009.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:03:05 - Obie O'Brien talks FISM 2015 and IBM conventions he's attended.

00:21:34 - Ken Scott, Talent Chairman, talks about booking the acts for this convention and how he selected the performers.

00:33:09 - Steven Kline talks about how important good sound is for your show.

00:46:39 - Garrett Thomas talks about creativity.

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235: FISM Italy - Day Four

It may have been a little overcast outside, but the weather and the magic was perfect in the convention center. After viewing the stage competition from 8:30 to 12:30, I got to walk around the dealers a bit more, chat with friends, and attend a couple lectures. And of course, it was Thursday which meant magic and Martinis in the evening with friends at the bar.

After watching Luke Jermay's one man show, was the evening gala featuring: Cyril Takayama and Eun Gyeol Lee as co-MC's with Mike Chao, Topas, David Kaplan, Tony Frebourg, Alberto Giorgi, Rob Zabrecky, Sos & Victoria and Samuel.