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.

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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.

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109: MAGIC Live! 2013 - Day 4

Every day and every show and nearly every session was great this year with lots of surprises and spectacles. This final day brought more of the same. And the big surprise for the end of the evening was the last performance of The Great Tomsoni and Company. It was as much of a surprise to us as it was for Johnny as he was joined on stage by good friends Lance Burton and Penn & Teller.

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Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:08 - Noel Britten, from Bath, England, talks about the importance of giving back and the rich rewards magicians are given in the form of love when working at charity events and hospitals. 

00:18:15 - S.A.M. International President, Dal Sanders, and the First Lady, Sindie Sanders, talk about conventions and the evolution of how the S.A.M. is keeping up with keeping their conventions new. 

00:28:56 - Paul Stone talks about his plans for the Innovention convention in 2015 in Liverpool

00:33:12 - Steve Chezaday talks about the recent Abbott's Get Together.  Steve was one of the featured performers of this years Get Together.

00:37:02 - Mark Korhouser gives us an update on his "First Trick" video project. 

00:40:52 - Doug Anderson, cruise ship magician, talks about this being his first MAGIC Live! convention and relates his experience with this event. 

00:43:43 - Auke Van Dauken, creator of metal products (cups, coins and more),  talks about some of his exciting new products especially some created from Tommy Wonder's ideas.

00:49:41 - Doc Eason is another first time registrant at MAGIC Live! and he gives his observations on this event.

00:55:06 - Stan Allen thanks everyone for coming as he introduces Johnny and Pam Thompson presenting his last performance as The Great Tomsoni and Company. 

00:57:36 - Lance Burton is the first voice you hear then Penn followed by Teller. 

01:04:46 - Stan Allen gives us his quick perspective on this convention now that it is over. 

01:08:37 - Milt Larsen, the Godfather of the Magic Castle, talked about the 50 years of the Academy of Magical Arts.

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