246: Day Two - MAGIC Live! 2015

Stan Allen opened the conference with the keynote speech that set the tone for the convention. His one word this year: curiosity. The morning session was a variety of outstanding presentations but the highlight everyone was waiting for was David Copperfield "In His Own Words". He was genuine, humble and charismatic and enjoyed by all. He admitted some of his failures and talked about continuing to work on projects and being forever committed to excellence and tweaking effects to make them perfect. He also discussed his disgust for those who steal from creators.

The afternoon sessions (for my colored badge) included Ian Rowland on mentalism (his third appearance at MAGIC Live!), Joel Bauer talking about trade shows, and Steve Valentine talking about variations of Cards to Pocket.

The evening show was outstanding hosted by Jorge Bass and opened with one of my favorite acts, Charlie Frye & Company. It concluded with not one or two, but three illusionists: Nathan Burton, Mike Michaels and Greg Gleason.

My evening rounded out with the 11:00 close-up show. Not your typical professional close-up show. In fact, this was perhaps for me, one of what will remain asa highlight of this MAGIC Live! Michael Weber hosted an evening of top professionals presenting one trick from the original "Stars of Magic" series. This featured Johnny Thomson, R. Paul Wilson, Paul Vigil, Julie Eng, Eric Mead and David Ben with a special guest appearance by the Professor himself, Dai Venon, perfectly portrayed by Jared Kppf.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:26 - Host Stan Allen explains the theme of this year's convention.

00:07:26 - Jamie D. Grant talks a bit about the show he just finished presenting on the memorized deck

00:08:50 - Michael Chaut, producer of Monday Night Magic talks a bit about his 18 year run at producing the show. We are intermittently joined by several people who are passing through the casino near the entrance of the theater.

00:22:00 - Simon Coronel was the master of ceremonies for the morning session and he talks a bit about not scripting his show.

00:28:55 - Shep Hyken and Seth Kramer talk about MAGIC Live!

00:41:16 - Bill Cook talks about performing on "Penn & Teller Fool Us" and "Wizard Wars".

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177: Day 2 - Abbott's Get Together 2014

Jeff Hobson's lecture was the first event of the day and he happens to be my first guest on the podcast, too. This lecture was in the high school gym on the stage. And as soon as he finished, registrants took their seats in the bleachers as Joshua Jay gave his lecture. After lunch, Losander presented his lecture. Of course during this time, the dealers were selling in the elementary gym plus those outside vendors under the tents. The evening show featured "The Next Generation of Magicians" with some very clever and outstandingly talented young men and women like Trigg Watson, Timothy Cripe and Bill Cook

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:16 - Join Jeff Hobson and others at Clancy's for lunch and hear Jeff as hbrings us up to date on his performance including the "Illusionarium" on the cruise ship and thee "Illusionists" tour.

00:13:55 - Creator of the Napkin Rose, Michael Mode, chats about his creation including the Get Together documentary that is being filmed by The Verge this week. He also talks about the phone app that he and Jeff Hobson developed.

00:34:10 Bill Cook talks with us before he takes the stage for his performance on the evening bill. Believe it or not, this is Bill's first Get Together.

00:36:41 - Jania Taylor joined me at the bar in Clancy's for Magic & Martinis Thursday. This chat includes some dialogue with a local patron who has been living around these parts for decades. He and Jania recount some interesting and historical stories about the old "Magic Carpet" bar and Clancy's, too. There is a close-up contest going on in the bar so it is a little rowdy but I know you'll enjoy the feel of this chat.

00:46:42 - Anthony Gerard tells us about how the "Street of Cards" came about as we scale cards across the street from Five Star Pizza with an aim to get it over the top of the second floor of the nearby building.

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.

Magic & Martini's Thursday

166: Day 1 - IBM/SAM Combined Convention 2014

July 1st was the first full day of magic starting with a close-up show on stage complimented by large screen image magnifiers with an overhead camera, all very well done to assure good viewing for 1,000+ people in the audience. The show was hosted by Shawn Farquhar in place of Steve Bargatze who was unable to attend at the last minute due to some health issues. David Stone opened followed by Shawn and concluding with Henry Evans.

After lunch, we first of the FISM North America Stage contests. Although I understand that the rules were change to allow only residents of North America though it appeared that some of the stronger candidates were not from around these parts. Perhaps they are being considered for whittling down the field for the IBM and SAM competition.

Opposite of the stage contest was the David Stone Lecture. The evening activity was the Fat Brothers: Dani DaOrtiz, Christian Engblom and Miguel Angel Gea. Richard Turner closed out the night with two late night , one man shows.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:0 - Richard Hatch and Charlie Randall, formerly of H&R Magic Books, are standing in line awaiting their Starbucks order. Dick Hatch brings us up to date on the Hatch Academy of Magic in Utah.

00: - Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger tell about the incredible experience of working with the youth program for two full days at this convention.

00: - Greg Bordner, Abbott's Magic Company, tells us a little of what to expect at this year's Get Together.

00: - Dale Salwak and Lance Burton talk about the incredible talent that is coming out of Korea, China and Japan and they talk about some of their mentors and instructors.

00: - Bill Cook and his mother/agent, Chris, talk about the 2010 movie "Make Believe" that featured Bill and how it has influenced his life. Bill also gives tips for young magicians.

00: - Lance Burton brings us up to date on the status of his film project, "Billy Topit, Master Magician" and when we might see that film hit the theaters.

246: Day Two - MAGIC Live! 2015

177: Day 2 - Abbott's Get Together 2014

Magic & Martini's Thursday

166: Day 1 - IBM/SAM Combined Convention 2014

The Magic Word