431: 2018 I.B.M. Convention - Day One Update

Tuesday July 3, 2018

9 AM - 9 PM Lance Burton Teen Seminar

9 AM - 5 PM Dealer Load In

4:30 PM - 9 PM Early Bird Registration Open

5 PM - 7 PM Dealer's Room Open

7 PM - 8 PM EDF Distinguished  Lecture - Gary Brown

9 PM - 10 PM Lecture - Rick Merrill  

Wednesday July 4, 2018

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Stage Contestants Meeting

9 AM - 10 AM Stage Contest Judges Briefing

9 AM - 12 NOON Registration Open

9:30 AM - 1 PM Lance Burton Teen Seminar

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM Stage Contest Rehearsal

8 AM - 10:30 AM Dealers last minute load in

10:30 AM - 5 PM Dealer's Room Open

11:00 AM I.B.M. Board Meeting

1 PM - 3 PM Stage Contest - Part 1

1 PM - 5 PM Registration Open

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM Lecture - Pop Hayden

6:15 PM Autograph Session  & Welcome Reception

7:30 PM - 9 PM Welcome Show/June Horowitz Honoree

10 PM - 11 PM Lecture - Steve Valentine

11:30 PM Eugene Burger Legacy Lecture

Larry Wilson Reveals Ford's New 2017 Escape from White Rabbit on Vimeo.

Nov. 19, 2015 UPDATE: Larry Wilson teamed up with Jimmy Kimmel co-host Guillermo and “YouTube sensation" Meghan Rienks to reveal the new 2017 Ford Escape. The Internet spot, filmed on Hollywood Boulevard across the street from the studio where ABCs latenight show Kimmel Live is shot, featured a vanish of the sidekick inside a “piñata of doom” and his distant reappearance. Wilson performed the trick at his Spellbinder convention on October 24 and the next day received a call from Kimmel’s people. Quick arrangements were made, the routine was rehearsed for two days, and then it was shot live on November 16.

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Time stamps for this podcast:

00:02:45 - I.B.M. International President Bob Patterson and First Lady, Nancy Patterson

00:05:40 - Gay Blackstone talks about the new season of "Masters of Illusion" on the CW Network.

00:12:13 - Jeff McBride talks about the youth seminar

00:19:42 - Bill Cook also talks about the youth seminar.

00:26:25 - Larry Wilson will part of the upcoming show "Legends of Comedy Magic" on Thursday July 5th with Jeff Hobson, Michael Finney and Nick Lewin

00:47:57 - Tim Stolba with Iowa Magic Shop in the Dealer's Room talks about brick and mortar shops

00:52:37 - Lance Burton talks about his youth seminar that was held over the past couple days

00:58:17 - Keith Fields talks about working at magic theaters around the U.S.

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Season Five of MASTERS OF ILLUSION debuted on The CW Network Friday, June 29, 2018

279: The Cardini Connection with Randy Pitchford

Randy Pitchford is the nephew of Richard Valentine Pitchford, who was better known as Cardini. More than just a familial connection, Randy is also a performer, entrepreneur and successful businessman. Randy is the CEO and President of Gearbox Software located in Frisco, Texas (a northern suburb of Dallas).

Randy purchased much of the Cardini collection from the 2013 Potter & Potter auction and put the bulk of the exhibit in a museum at the Magic Castle. His most recent purchase may have the furthest reaching impact in our community: he is the new owner of Genii Magazine.

Randy is building a home designed to be like Brookledge, the home of Bill and Irene Larsen in Los Angeles. He even plans to present regular shows for the public in his home not unlike the Bookledge Follies.

Magician Cardini performing in 1957

Cardini (Richard Pitchford) performing coins and cards for some lucky people on a cruise. This rare footage was shot by Dr. Morris Young, and hasn't been seen for 50 years. Edited and restored by Magicbymax Steven Max Droge Productions.

Borderlands 2 creator Randy Pitchford (President and Co-founder, Gearbox Studios) gives his keynote speech at the 2013 D.I.C.E. SUMMIT. Titled "Video Games Are Magic". Brought to you by Variety and Machinima. The D.I.C.E.

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Randy Pitchford was born in 1971 and Richard "Cardini" Pitchford died in 1973 so Randy has no recollection of his uncle. In this podcast, Randy talks about the acquisition of his Cardini artifacts plus some stories that were passed down to Randy from the family and friends. He also talks about his experience in his early years of performing at the Magic Castle and his personal relationship with the late Irene Larsen.

Also, he briefly talks about his recent acquisition of Genii magazine from Richard Kaufman; however, since the details have not been fleshed out, there are not many details to share. At this point, I understand that no change of any kind is envisioned for the immediate future of the magazine. Randy just wants to preserve this part of magic history and make sure of the longevity, viability and vitality of Genii far into the future so it can "live on forever."

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

Here is the photo taken by Michael Wilcoxen, the winner of the contest, with the framed Peau -Doux card he received as he has it displayed in his home.

This is the framed fan of Peau Doux manipulations cards (used by Cardini) that was presented by Randy Pitchford to David Copperfield. This is NOT the number of cards nor type of frame that will be sent to the winner of the contest (which is now ended). The contest here was for one framed card (probably without the brass plaque) and I'm uncertain of the type of framing that Randy will prepare.

#191 - Buy Magic Online?

With the proliferation of online magic shops, we are seeing the slow demise of the mom and pop, brick and mortar magic shops. I posted a podcast featuring three dealers (which you can hear by Clicking Here)  This podcast shows the other side of the two-headed coin by getting a perspective from some people in key positions with two of the largest online dealers: Penguin Magic and

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00:02:29 - Tim Trono was with Murphy's Magic for a dozen years but is now working with Penguin Magic. He talks about how they work together to help brick and mortar shops. In particular, Penguin recognizes that they can't be the sole seller of magic to the world, so they He also talks about their business model and how it differs from some others like Ellusionist and Theory 11. In particular, they try to offer unique products and have a singular look and brand. He also discusses the Penguin lecture series and why it has become so successful. He talks about their growth, bumps along the road, and more.

00:27:33 - Jason Brumbalow, Director – New Product Development with Murphy's Magic Supplies talks about Murphy's role as a jobber which wholesales to retail owners, both online as well as brick and mortar shops. He talks about their model for success and how they have moved with the times. He also discusses market trends, online videos, the proliferation of playing cards, and the pros and cons of online shops versus brick and mortar shops and the future of buying 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. (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.