900: Dan Sperry - The Anti-Conjuror

With this episode we celebrate the 900th episode of The Magic Word Podcast. Every 50 episodes we like to present a special guest who is well known throughout our worldwide magic community. And who better for this episode than Dan Sperry. He was a regular member of The Illusionists who toured the major stages of the world from Sydney, Australia, to Broadway in New York City. He has headlined in nightclubs, Las Vegas casinos, and performing arts theaters. For many years he has appeared on Masters of Illusion television show as well as many other TV shows. Now residing in Florida, he continues to travel the globe, but when at home, he enjoys (believe it or not) performing for children’s birthday parties.

In this week’s episode, Dan shares his story of how he developed his act and his character. He tells us about his early journey as he worked with doves and learned from some of the true masters like Joseph Gabriel that developed into a residency at a casino in Las Vegas. He toured Canada with Murray Hatfield as he honed his dove act and began to settle into his Shock Illusionist persona. He also talks about developing his talking act that led to work with the Illusionists and television appearances.

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822: Pat Fallon - Magically Delicious

From Dublin, Ireland, Pat Fallon joins us as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a little early this week. Pat is a performer of the highest rank, Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star. He is a stage performer as well as performing close-up and his venues are weddings, corporate trade shows, children’s parties, and grand theaters across Great Britain. Pat usually stays within the borders of the U.K. but is known outside his country for his lectures and creativity and good sense of humor.

In this episode, Pat tells us how Ireland celebrates St. Patrick’s Day, also he chats about working at weddings in Ireland and why he doesn’t like performing aboard cruise ships.

Click on the banner above for more information from our sponsor this week, Wonder Bash.

310: 2016 Abbott's Get Together - Day Four

DAY FOUR - SATURDAY, AUGUST 6TH 2016
9:00AM REGISTRATION OPENS at the Abbott Plant
9:00AM MAGIC MINISTERS SESSION (more info) at the Methodist Church
9:00AM COLON ARTS & CRAFT FAIR (more info) until 4:00PM
9:30AM LECTURE - Joaquin Ayala at the High School
10:00AM ABBOTT'S DEALERS ROOM OPENS (more info) at Grade School
11:00AM COLON STREET PERFORMERS - at Craft Fair featuring Jania Taylor
11:30AM MAGIC SHOW at Abbott Plant with BJ Mallen or Gordon Miller
12:00PM COLON STREET PERFORMERS - outside American Legion featuring Jania Taylor
1:00PM COLON HISTORICAL MUSEUM OPEN TILL 4PM (more info)
2:00PM ABBOTT'S BENEFIT MATINEE "THE ABBOTT BOYS" at High School
Featuring Mark Holstein, BJ Mallen, Artie Kidwell, Gordon Miller, Mike Miller, plus the Talent Contest Winning Act!
(view seating chart)
2:30PM MAGIC SHOW at Abbott Plant with BJ Mallen or Gordon Miller
3:00PM COLON STREET PERFORMERS - outside Colon Historical Museum featuring Adam Arcana
3:00PM - 6:00PM FACE PAINTING outside 5 Star Pizza by Carol Hendrix
4:00PM COLON STREET PERFORMERS - outside Five Star Pizza featuring Trino
5:00PM MAGIC AND MORE LIVE - Sterlini's Magic Shop (more info)
5:30PM RIVER LAKE INN’S MAGIC SHOW & DINNER with Ron Carnell
8:00PM ABBOTT'S STAGE SHOW at the High School (Preshow Live Organ Music)
Featuring Nick Diffatte MC , Jay Mattioli, Martin Cox, Doc Swan, Tony Chapek, Ayala
(view seating chart)
10:00 PM DEALERS ROOM OPENS at Grade School after show
10:30 PM ABBOTT PERFORMER AWARDS at Grade School after show

Winners of Special Awards:

Jerry Conklin Award (for outstanding service to the Get Together) - Steve Chezaday

Bill Baird/Neil Foster Award (manipulation) - Denny Haney

Senator Crandall Award (comedy): Puck and Scott Alexander

Jack Gwynn Award (presentation) - Jay Mattioli

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:12 - Gene Anderson has finished the book of his lifetime magical achievements and is autographing copies at this convention. Gene tells us some stories from the book and some that are not. He also talks about his association with the late Doug Henning.

00:20:48 - Brenda and Marty Hahne (Dazzling Magic) talk about their experiences in Branson, MO and here at Colon over the past several years. For a thoroughly enlightening podcast with Marty from the archives (March 2014) about his "Rabbit Tales" and the international notoriety he received for his permitting problems, Click Here.

00:29:22 - George Schindler, the Dean of the Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) tells us what it's like to be "the Dean" plus many more stories about his travels and many friendships. This could have easily been a whole podcast...and perhaps some day I will record a full podcast with this legendary figure.

00:44:34 - Past President of the S.A.M., Ice McDonald, tells us about his experience here at the Get Together and what he likes best about it. Ice is part of the talent booked this week.

00:48:50 - Unveiling ceremony for renaming of a street in White Pigeon, Michigan to "Hank Moorehouse Avenue"

01:04:34 - Hank's widow, Jackie Moorehouse, talks a bit about her 28 year marriage to Hank.

01:07:10- Jeff Bibik helps me wrap up the convention as we say "so long and farewell" to the 79th annual Get Together.