316: The End of MAGIC Magazine? Plus: Thommy Ten & Amelie Van Tass - Joined at the Mind

First place winners for Mentalism at the 2015 FISM Championships, Thommy Ten and Amelie Van Tass have "wowed" crowds all over the world with their two-person clairvoyant act. Currently starring in "The Illusionists 1903" touring magic show, they were finalists in the 11th season of America's Got Talent (sic) television show.

But topping this podcast, we have a chat with Stan Allen who brings us up to date with the latest "bombshell" announcement. With the August 2016 issue, MAGIC Magazine marked the end of an era with its "last" MAGIC Magazine after publishing 300 issues over the past 25 years. But rather than going out "cold turkey", Stan Allen has a plan to reinvent the magic magazine and publish just 25 more issues over the next 20 months with a new publication: MAGIC Legacy. These will not be available digitally, but only by hard copy and it will be a limited run. So if you don't subscribe, then you may miss out entirely if you think you will "jump in" later.

Thommy Ten and Amelie Van Tass on their first outing on 2016 "America's Got Talent" (sic)

With perfect lightness the Austrian and German Champions of Magic make you discover a fabulous world by their art of mindreading and unique illusions. Smart, bright and charming! Get in contact with Thommy Ten & Amélie today! www.thommyten.com +436766213176

00:01:41- Stan Allen brings us up to date with the latest news and all the details on his new venture: MAGIC Legacy. This limited run publication was announced during MAGIC Live! last week. Many people signed up for the new magazine at the convention, but others will be given the chance to subscribe and to pply the balance of their subscription payment towards a limited time price for MAGIC Legacy.

00:18:17 - Later in this podcast, Thommy and Amelie talk about their experience on "America's Got Talent" TV show and what it's like backstage. They also talk about meeting and starting to work together in Austria. This is a couple who practically finish each others' sentences...but what else would you expect?

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302: Day Four -2016 I.B.M. Convention

The final day of the convention was no less packed than the others starting off with the annual Order of Merlin breakfast. This is for I.B.M. members with 25 years or more of consecutive membership. This year's speaker was Richard "Rick" Heath who spoke about 40 years of artwork in Le Grand David show. The final day of the Triple Treat followed. Then after lunch, the pages of The Linking Ring magazine came alive with lectures by the columnists and editor in several break-out rooms.

Eric Jones gave the final lecture in the banquet hall and the evening show entertained the registrants and public alike with a show hosted by Steve Bargatze and included Joseph Gabriel, Thommy Ten and Amelie, and a special appearance by Johnny Thompson and Shawn Farquhar dressed as doves. The show closed with the illusions of Scott Pepper. We then retreated to the hotel where we had a farewell party/reception for everyone.

Time Stamps for this podcast:

00:02:34 - Richard "Rick" Heath was the artist who worked for Le Grand David magic show. Here he gives a talk to the Order of Merlin members at their annual breakfast meeting. He talks about the 40 years of artwork in the show: posters, props, backdrops and portraits. you can download and view the special, full color booklet that Rick gave to attendees by Clicking Here.

00:38:39 - John McLaughlin, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, talks about how he has been enjoying the convention and what he's learned and what magic he's doing in his daily life.

00:53:00 - Joshua Jay talks about his recent lecture during the convention, "Tragic Magic" plus other things that he and Andi Gladwin are working on with Vanishing, Inc. and the MagiFest.

00:55:56 - Former National President of the Texas Association of Magicians, and the Entertainment Director of the former Magic Island in Houston, Scott Hollingsworth, talks about some of his favorite parts of the convention. He also talks about the upcoming T.A.O.M. convention coming in September 2-5 in Corpus Christi, Texas,

01:06:52 - Past National President of the S.A.M. talks about his favorite parts (so far) of this convention, plus a plug for the upcoming S.A.M. convention in Indianapolis and the Magic Compass.

01:14:03 - Steve Bargatze tells about his behind-the-scenes as he prepared topical humor for the convention.

01:25:18 - First International Vise President of the I.B.M., Michael Finney, talks about the changing scene on magic conventions plus his upcoming "Dry Heat Classic" charity golf event.

Thank you everyone who entered the contest to win one of two hard copies of Rick's booklet that accompanied his speech before the "Order of Merlin" members' breakfast. Watch for upcoming opportunities to win prizes from The Magic Word.

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301: Day Three - 2016 I.B.M. Convention

Another full day beginning with the second day of the Triple Treat that featured three different magicians repeating their performances and lectures on three different days: Paul Vigil, Richard Turner and Brian Gillis. I saw my friend Paul Vigil today and expected perfection and received it. He was awesome. Be sure to catch our conversations at the Magic Castle in previous podcasts here.

I then served as a judge in the close-up competition in the afternoon. The afternoon "Super Session" featured four magicians teaching four pet effects: John "Handsome Jack" Lovick, Steve Bargatze, Chris Randall and Shawn Farquhar. The evening brought the annual banquet including a special performance by Cody Fisher. The evening show was the "Champions of Magic" show that was the six finalists in the stage competition hosted by Joel Ward and with the final act by Trevor and Lorena Watters.

The late night lecture was a special treat: Joshua Jay giving his lecture on "Tragic Magic". This was a fascinating, if not macabre, lecture on those magicians, some famous and some not, who died tragic deaths.

An award-winning cups and balls routine performed by Doug Gorman and Michael Tallon of San Antonio, Texas.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:13 - Local San Antonio magician, Doug Gorman, talks about how the local magicians helped promote the IBM convention plus Doug gives some tips on working restaurants, how to get booked and problems unique in this area when competing with mariachis in restaurants.

00:17:43 - Talent Chairman, Shawn Farquhar, tells how hi got the talent booked for this convention plus he gets sidetracked into telling lots of stories including one about the time at the Body Shop in Los Angeles when he punched a security guard.

316: The End of MAGIC Magazine? Plus: Thommy Ten & Amelie Van Tass - Joined at the Mind

302: Day Four -2016 I.B.M. Convention

301: Day Three - 2016 I.B.M. Convention

The Magic Word