816: Protecting Secrets with David Sandy, Bill Smith and Mark Holstein

Over the last two weeks, we have presented two individuals who support and encourage magic exposure. This episode features three magicians who have vested interests in keeping magic secrets secret. David Sandy is a performer, producer and collector. Bill Smith is a builder, performer and collector. Mark Holstein is an attorney, performer and collector. What they all have in common is their passion for the keeping magic secrets from the prying public in order to keep our audiences amazed and mystified.

Each of our guests this week has a little different perspective on why we should protect the secrets of our craft. While agreeing that anything can be found online in an instant, it still takes time for someone to go to the effort of looking it up. They believe that magic secrets shouldn’t come across social feeds indiscriminately without the viewer requesting it. They believe that secrets are being shared with some people who would rather not know. The adage, “it’s fun to be fooled, but more fun to know,” is not what they believe. This week, they tell us why.

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812: Magifest 2024 - Day Two Report

Friday 26th January 2024

10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Dealer’s Room Open

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Arthur Benjamin Lecture

Dr. Benjamin combines his love of magic and mathematics in a way you've never seen before. He is astoundingly good. Whether or not you're mathematically inclined, this will be a fascinating foray into the intersection of magic and math.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Blaise Serra Lecture

You may not have heard of Blaise Serra, but you won't forget his prodigious sleight-of-hand skills and innovative techniques.

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Magifest Live Hosted by Randy Shine

This our most popular programming event. Watch Jason Suran, Lance Rich, and Richard Hatch give short talks on a range of topics.

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Youth Event

Young magicians, check back in with new friends for surprises, games, and more.

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Juliana Chen Lecture

A master of stagecraft and a FISM winner, Juliana will share her experience and work that she has taken all over the world.

5:30 p/m/ - 6:30 p.m.

Allan Ackerman Lecture

A legend in card magic, Allan Ackerman will be demonstrating new and unpublished material from his brand new hardbound collection. If you've never seen Allan work live, brace yourself for velvety-smooth presentations of diabolical card magic.

8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Jason Suran Show

One of New York's busiest mind-reading entertainers, Jason Suran's high energy performance is sure to be a convention hit. Think Woody Allen meets Derren Brown.

9:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Richard Turner: Dealt

In the final-curtain performance of his acclaimed one-man show, the legendary Richard Turner will deliver his heartfelt, funny, and amazing show one last time, just for us. History in the making.

11:00 p.m. - 11:45 p.m.

Richard Turner: Interview

A chance to get to know a living legend. This is your time to spend time with this year's Guest of Honor.

10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Bar Magic (Blaise Serra)

Don't miss this chance to see one of the world's finest exponents with a deck of cards, up close and personal.

Time stamps for this episode: (to be posted after I’ve gotten some sleep)

00:00:18 -

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775: Abbott's 85th Get Together 2023 Convention - Day One Report

Tuesday, August 1st

(Pre Get Together Events)
8:00AM THE OPEN COLON "NO FRILLS" GOLF CLASSIC (more info)
(with Al The Only - The cost is $10 plus the cost of golf)

2:00PM MAGICIAN'S TOUR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF MAGIC (This tour of the museum and archives is geared towards magicians and will include a special selection of artifacts never-before-on-display. $10 per person. Reservations not necessary.)

Wednesday, August 2nd

9:30AM REGISTRATION OPENS at the Abbott Plant
10:00AM ABBOTT'S DEALERS ROOM OPENS (more info) (requires registration)
10:30AM ABBOTT'S SLIGHTLY IRREGULAR BOOK SALE BEGINS (more info) (requires registration)
10:30AM ABBOTT'S SUPER SHOWROOM SPECIALS BEGINS (more info) (requires registration)
11:00AM ABBOTT'S NEW BOOK RELEASE SEANCE HOUDINI 26:26 (more info) (requires registration)
12:00PM FREE STREET PERFORMANCE (Odd Cory & JuJu Sideshow at Curlys)
1:00PM LECTURE - 1ST JAPANESE GROUP LECTURE (requires registration)
1:00PM MAGIC SHOW featuring John Shango at Abbott's Magic Theatre $5
2:00PM JAY BLACKWELL JUGGLING/FIRE EATING & MORE at Sterlini Magic & Theater $10
2:30PM FREE STREET PERFORMANCE (Jania Taylor at Grannys Place)
3:00PM LECTURE - 1ST SOUTH AMERICAN LECTURE (requires registration)
3:00PM-5PM COLON HISTORICAL MUSEUM is open (Colon Museum Webpage)
4:30PM MAGIC SHOW featuring Joe Bennett at Abbott's Magic Theatre $5
5:00PM LIVE AT 5 WITH THE STERLINI'S at Sterlini Magic & Theater $10
5:30PM FREE STREET PERFORMANCE (Captain Sean at Magic Capital Grill)
6:00PM-7:45PM DINNER on your own
7:45PM PRESHOW LIVE ORGAN MUSIC - by John Sturk
8:00PM ABBOTT'S STAGE SHOW - A ROCKING NIGHT OF MAGIC GALA
Featuring BJ Mallen (Welcome to Colon), Jeffery Jene, Steve Chezaday, Michael Trixx, Richard Hughes
10:00PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS ROOM OPENS (requires registration)

Time stamps for this episode:

00:00:18 – We arrive at the airport in Houston in preparation to take my “magic carpet” on Southwest Airline to Chicago for Abbott’s Get Together.

00:04:30 – Owner of Five Start Pizza in Colon, Carl Thornton, is a major figure in the Colon community and he talks about the city and how it rallies behind Magic Week.

00:11:01 – Al the Only is the coordinator of the annual Open Colon Golf Tournament. This is the 34th annual tourney. He chats a bit about that.

00:18:18 - While at his party in the Grand Magic Theater, David Seebach, tells us about his new location for this annual party.

00:28:19 – Kurt, Carol, John and Precious talk about the Grand Magic Theater and what they have been doing with it since Dwayne and Mary Laflin left this theater.

00:35:55 – Long time Stage Director, Mark Holstein, tells us what he and his team do each year to prepare for each evening’s show.

00:50:32 – Gay Blackstone tells us the story of how Harry Blackstone, Sr. got his stage name.

00:55:20 – Mike Woodward is the official photographer for Abbott’s Get Together and talks about his experience over the years.

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 or through iHeart Radio by Clicking Here..If you have a Spotify account, then you can also hear us through that app, too. You can also listen through your Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here