841: Benjamin Barnes - Talented Booker

Benjamin Barnes is the Director of Entertainment for the Chicago Magic Lounge. Prior to that, Ben booked the talent for Magic Chicago. He has a broad knowledge and database of talented performers from around the world. He regularly performs at the Magic Castle and has been on Masters of Illusion TV show and three times on Penn & Teller Fool Us. He is multi-talented as a professional close-up and stand-up (parlor) performer.

In this week’s episode, Benjamin tells us what he looks for when booking talent for the Chicago Magic Lounge. He has some specific needs and demands, so if you are interested in getting booked there, perhaps you should heed some of the advice he offers here. If you are not a professional performer or have no interest in getting booked there, it is still interesting to learn what a talent director is looking for and what it takes to be an act that qualifies for performing in this elite venue.

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It is not too late to register for the I.B.M. 2024 international convention that starts next week, July 10-13. For more information and to register for the convention, please visit: https://ibmconvention.com/

687: Luis Carreon - La Bestia ("The Beast")

Luis Carreon has been a regular performer at the Chicago Magic Lounge for over a decade. He “earned his bones” by working at magic shops as a demonstrator and has parlayed his chops into performing for nightclubs (like Nashville’s “House of Cards” and Hollywood’s “Magic Castle” among others) and also for corporate events. He currently is a demonstrator for Magic, Inc. in Chicago and will soon have a “residency” at the Chicago Magic Lounge.

Luis talks about the importance of performing whenever and wherever you can to develop your skills. He also talks about being a Spanish speaking magician. We also go into some detail about what performers can and can’t say in today’s “sensitive” environment like nightclubs. He even talks about the workshops taught at the Chicago Magic Lounge and how to talk with your volunteers and audience. He also talks about the importance of scripting but being able to improvise, too. He also tells a horror story about a problem with a volunteer.

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. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

458: MagiCuba 2018 - Day One Update

Schedule - Wednesday November 7, 2018

12:00 - 6:00 p.m. All-Day Magic at Cereceria Antigo Aimecen de la Madera y Tobaco in Habana Vieja (“Cerveceria”) - essentially, a craft brewery

3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Registration/Information Desk (Hotel Nacional)

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Welcome Reception (Hotel Nacional, Sala 1930)

8:00 p.m. Magic, Rum & Cigar Dinner at Hotel Sevilla (Extra Event)

10:30 p.m. Late Night Magic @ Salon Rojo

12:00 a.m. Nightcap @ Hotel Nacional Terrace

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:01:51 - Peter Rogers tells what attracted him to travel from Australia for this festival

00:06:12 - Chris Korn will be one of the performers and lecturers at this event

00:09:06 - Chris Gartner is a listener of The Magic Word Podcast ans was enticed to attend

00:12:19 - Jon Stetson is one of the hosts and organizers of MagiCuba and talks about some of the challenges facing the event. During the end of our conversation we are greeted by Asi Wind, Mitch Praver and Eric Mead.

00:24:56 - At the evening opening party, we chat with Ashley and Michael Trixx about this convention and others he has recently attended.

00:28:50 - Scott Wells recaps the evening “Cigars and Rum dinner” extra-cost event.

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. You can download or listen to the podcast through Stitcher by Clicking Here or through FeedPress by Clicking Here or through Tunein.com by Clicking Here or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

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