327: Kozmo - Street Legend

What makes someone a legend? Some say being one of the best in your field. Others might say it comes after many years of doing that thing you do so many times. Still others think it is when that one name keeps rising to the top of others listed in one category. Such is my definition of why I think Kozmo has reached that status along with only a handful of street performers.

One of the "cover boys" of MAGIC Magazine, Theodore "Ted" Brainard (aka "Kozmo") has built a reputation as a street magician after decades of experience and over 30,000 shows. He has made a comfortable living from the street having performed around the world and nearly every kink of climate.

But as Kozmo is moving away from frequent street performances, his time and attention has been divided between the street and his video production company, "Kozmo Magic". Not only does he direct, produce and market DVD's by some of the top professionals today (like Doc Eason, Garrett Thomas and others), he also produces the bi-monthly digital magazine, Reel Magic.

327 on The Magic Word Podcast with Kozmo talking about street magic and Reel Magic. This was recorded using Facebook's Live Streaming feature. Be sure to Like our Facebook page and not miss future opportunities to join us LIVE! http://facebook.com/themagicwordpodcast For the audio only, please enjoy the podcast at: http://themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/327-kozmo-street-legend

Kozmo talks on the podcast about his mentor, the late Jim Cellini, working the street, how to get crowds, similarities to trade show magic, and Reel Magic.

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. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

Congratulations to Tim Rappel, winner of this week's contest prize "Cool Cash". Watch for upcoming contests on The Magic Word.

For a FREE 48 hour trial of Reel Magic, send an email to KozmoMagic@me.com and Kozmo will turn it on for you.

John T. Sheets presents a collection of impromptu bill switches that are perfect for any magician. Included is everything you need, except the bills. On this DVD, John teaches: Cool Cash: Two bills, of different denominations, visibly change places between the magician's hand and the spectator's hand.

290: F.F.F.F. 2016 Day Four

The final day (and night) of the "Original Close-Up Convention"

Saturday April 30:
11:00am: Luis Otera Lecture
12:30pm: Lunch Buffet
1:30pm: 7th Close-Up Show "Asian Gala"
3:30pm: 8th Close-Up Show Fechter's Fabulous Frolics (Steve Beam emcee)
5:30pm: Dinner Buffet
7:30pm: Fat Brothers Tribute
8:00pm: 9th Close-Up Show Grand Finale Show (Obie O'Brien emcee)
11:30pm: Hospitality Suite

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:00 - Geoff Williams gives us some of his best "Puns of the the Day"

00:04:25 - We follow-up with Lion Fludd after his first appearance and performance at the 4F.

00:10:54 - Scott Robinson, organizer of TRICS magic convention in North Carolina, talks about his upcoming event plus highlights from this convention.

00:14:49 - Matt Episcipo loves this convention because of the camaraderie, a term we frequently hear.

00:19:13 - Steve Bargatze and Rick Merrill have closed the Saturday night show for many years, but this year they are taking a break but talk about what they could have "riffed" on from this year's convention.

00:25:25 - Gary Morton, emcee of the Friday afternoon show, talks about some of the seminal moments from this and past 4F conventions.

00:30:58 - Paul Gertner tells us a little about his planning for his portion of the final night show.

00:36:28 - Michael Dardant and Boris Wils talk about some of the outstanding acts at this year's 4F.

00:47:55 - Mike Maione and Darryl Rose talk about doughnuts and give their impressions on some of the outstanding acts.

01:00:23 - Obie O'Brien sits back and relaxes now that the convention is officially over. He looks back on the successful convention as the 46th annual 4F convention goes into the history books.

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