377: Day Four - 2017 MAGIC Live!

Final day of MAGIC Live! filled with more sessions and conversations with friends. One of the best things about this convention is the opportunities to visit with old friends and make new ones. Certainly that can be said about all magic conventions, but because this one is during the weekdays, more professionals can attend because they are usually working on weekends.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:16- Jon Stetson shares his favorite moments from the convention

00:04:04 - Lance Rich talks about this convention plus David Sandy's "Workshop" coming soon to St. Joseph, Missouri

00:09:01 - Kerry Pollock tells us what he has been p to recently and at 00:18:33 Brad Henderson tells us about puzzles.

00:26:57 - Brian Gillis was here for just one day so his experience was limited but he talks about the recent movie he was in.

00:25:34 - Joe Turner tells what he has enjoyed most from this convention

00:39:25 - John Shryock and I have not seen each other until this last day so he gives us a recap of his highlights from the convention plus what he has been up to recently.

00:44:40- David Hira gives us some of his highlights from the convention

00:54:25 - Marvyn "Mr. Electric" Roy tells us why it's important to celebrate our history

01:00:58 - Keith Fields and John Archer talks a bit about comedy

00:10:12 - Ray Anderson was one of the presenters during the General Session and here he talks a bit about one of his alter egos in "Esther's Follies"

01:14:44 - Stan Allen wraps up his perspective of the convention as we give him thanks for all he and his team have done.

01:21:48 - Scott Wells gives his personal wrap of the convention.

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330: Bob Schulien on "Schulien's" Bar Magic

Schulien's was one of the legendary magic bars in Chicago that thrived throughout most of the 20th century. At the soul of the restaurant was its owner, Matt Schulien. Chicago-style magic was born here where the magic came fast and furious as drinks were served and the motto was "GTFM" (Get The F'ing Money).

In this podcast, Robert "Bob" Schulien, the grandson of Matt Schulien worked at Schulien's under his father who was heir to the bar and who encouraged Bob to perform magic for the patrons. He was told that people came to the bar not only for food and drink but also for the magic. They expected magic and so Bob became the "designated magician by default". Other magicians later came to work and perform at Schulien's (like Al James and Chuck Morris) until it closed on January 27, 1999. There is an excellent article online that tells its history at The Chicago Bar Project.

Bob carries on the tradition of bar magic each week at The Chicago Magic Lounge along with a bevy of prestidigitators who entertain every Thursday and Saturday night. You can listen to a previous episode with the owners/managers that was broadcast #213: Chicago Magic Bars and Lounges

Chicago Magic Lounge quickly became 2015's speakeasy for many professional traveling magicians. Not only to perfom but also relax by enjoying the camaraderie of fellow Chicago magicians, as well as honing their craft. I've been collecting fun behind the scenes video and photos taken over the first year of shenanigans at the CML.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:04:36 - Bob Schulien talks about the early years of his grandfather Matt Schulien's Bar in Chicago from its earliest days until it finally closed. Bob regales us with many stories about his grandfather and the magic and pranks he used to perform for and on his customers.

00:56:45 - "Brother Paul" West invented a new product called the CellGrasp which makes it easier to hold you mobile phone while taking selfies. This is a product I keep on my cell phone all the time and I find indispensable. He also has a special offer to listeners of The Magic Word Podcast.

01:03:54 - "Flaming Coffee" by SansMinds is a visual stunner that takes the Fire Wallet to a new level. Recommended with reservations. Also, not available to those under 19.

01:07:49 - "The Deceased" by Jamie Daws is a creepy, dark and bizarre bit of magic that could have your audience feeling the goosebumps. This is a :Living or Dead" test that is well made and can be carried around in your wallet to creep out people at a moment's notice. Recommended.

Order a CellGrasp and receive your choice of any one of Brother Paul's five downloads from his website. Order two CellGraps and receive two free downloads. Oder three, and...well, you get the idea.

Order your copy of this book and help The Magic Word Podcast through your purchase.

216: Brad Henderson, the Esoteric Escamoteur - Part Two, Tales from the Mansion

We continue our conversation with Brad Henderson telling stories about his good friend Richard Garriott, aka Lord British in Ultima and General British in Tabula Rasa, but perhaps more well known to the general public as a game developer magnate and civilian astronaut. As mentioned in the blog last week, Brad was the curator of Richard Garriott's magic collection though now Richards primary residence is in New York City following his nuptials in 2011.

We begin this second part of our chat discussing more of the practical than the theoretical side of magic. But since we are talking with Brad, it does eventually slide into a little more theory towards the end.

Brad planned elaborate parties for Richard Garriott, one of which nearly cost Brad his life due to the stress and physicality of the planning. These parties were not your typical birthday parties but elaborate, extravagant events that that attracted the glitterati and Illuminati and literally cost a small fortune. The details and behind the scenes stories are incredible and almost "fairy tale" like.

Many of you are aware of the embezzlement proceedings that involved Hank Lee and Richard Garriott. Well, Brad tells a little more about that affair now that some time has been served, literally.