773: S.A.M. 2023 Convention in New Orleans - Day Three Report

Tuesday, July 25th

9:00 AM SAM EVENT 2: S.A.M. Life Members Reception: The Magic Castle 60 Years “Matinkas Back Room”

10:00 AM EXHIBITORS Open “Kellar Exhibitor Hall”

10:00 AM Registration Open Vieux Carre Foyer

10:30 AM SHOW 4: International Pro Close-Up Show: R. Paul Wilson and Friends. Featuring Jason England (USA), Paul Nardini (Scotland), Giancarlo Scalia (Spain/Italy), R. Paul Wilson (Scotland), and more - “Thurston Lecture Hall”

1:30 PM SAM EVENT 3: Convention Honoree: Tina and Friends – panel discussion “Matinkas Back Room”

2:00 PM Registration Close Vieux Carre Foyer

3:30 PM SAM EVENT 4: Magic in America: The Story of the Society of American Magicians by David Goodsell – discussion by Editor David Charvet “Matinkas Back Room”

5:00 PM Dealers Close “Kellar Exhibitor Hall” 6:00 PM PARTY 3: Cocktail Hour & Magic in the USA Book Release - Vieux Carre Foyer

7:30 PM SAM EVENT 5: SAM Banquet and Comedy Magic Show 5 “Thurston Lecture Hall”

10:30 PM SHOW 6: SAM LATE NITE: Masquerade Magic: magic by Michael Dardant and Dante; Minx Burlesque with Trixie Minx, Madame Mystere, and Mamie Dame; guest starring : Meadow Perry

Time stamps for this episode:

00:00:18 – Past International President, Shawn Farquhar, tells us a bit about the I.B.M. convention last week and a preview of where it will be next year. But he talks extensively about his theater in Vancouver, Hidden Wonders.

00:11:09 – Past National President of the S.A.M., Vinnie Grosso, is the Contest Chairman for the convention and talks a bit about how that all came together.

00:25:52 – Harry Allen tells us what’s new and what’s hot in magic as we visit with him in the Dealer’s Room.

00:36:03 - Owner of the TrickSupply.com, Wolfgang Wollet, tells us what conventions he attended this year. He also shares with us what is new and hot in his shop.

00:38:53 - David Charvet is the author of the S.A.M. history book and tells us about completing the book after being handed down to him by David Goodsell.

00:43:53 – Arden James checks in with us and we also chats with the convention’s Guest of Honor, Tina Lennert.

00:47:00 – Christopher Hart and Mike Caveney talk a bit about their upcoming performances

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231: FISM Italy - Prelude

The 26th World Championships of Magic is about to get underway...tomorrow. But first, let's learn a little about FISM and how it's judged and more about the point system and more, plus hear from a few friends I met while waiting to check in at the registration desk.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:59 - Craig Mitchell is joined late in our chat by Shawn Farquhar.

00:09:19 - Peter Rogers and Raymond Crow

00:20:40 - Aaron Crow

00:23:27 - Paul Daniels

00:31:14 - Boris Wild

228: The Illusionists - Hearing the Impossible

Almost everyone has heard of "The Illusionists" touring troupe of magicians, and, over the past year or so, I suspect many of you have had an opportunity to actually see their live show when it came through your area. They have traveled around the world from Sydney, Australia to New York City and many lands and States in between. If you haven't seen them, don't fret. After proving to be box office titans, they are contracted to continue their show for years to come. And there is a television project in the works, too, that may give them even wider recognition.

When I saw their show in Houston, Texas, I was not only fascinated with their skills but also with the audience reaction. As a magician who attends a lot of magic conventions, I have seen thousands of performances over the years. The main difference between magician audiences and lay audiences is what it is that each reacts to and how they react. I loved watching the expressions on people's faces in the theater who had never seen a live magic show. Certainly there are a lot of magic shows on television currently, but this live show is nothing like what people see on the small (or large) screen at home. I loved seeing people sit on the edge of their seats when Andrew Basso was in the water torture tank, and the quizzical expressions when they were trying to figure out who Dan Sperry was and what kind of magician he is, and the gasps from the audience when Aaron Crow shot an arrow through an apple on a volunteer's head. Marvelous@ I loved every minute of it.

And one of the interesting things that I didn't even think of until later during our conversation was that there were no large "box" illusions like zig-zags, sub trunks and Origami. Yet their skills and personalities reached and resonated to the highest seat in the back of the balcony.

If you haven't yet seen "The Illusionists" or even if you have, then you will enjoy this podcast with some of the cast and crew.

http://www.magicsam.com/ Direct from Broadway , the world's best-selling magic show is touring the United States! This amazing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of seven of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage.

Trying to get the whole cast together is darn near impossible. I tried but was only able to wrangle a few of the guys. But as a bonus, we get to hear from David Williamson who showed up mid-way into the podcast. Jeff Hobson had a prior commitment to travel back home for his son's high school graduation ceremony, but he arranged to have David Williamson fill in for him on Saturday. This was a unique opportunity because it is rare when any of the cast have to miss a show. The hilarity that ensued was spontaneous and fun. But what else would you expect when you have both Jeff and David in the same room?

After we finished recording the podcast, we retired to the lobby for a light lunch when several of the crew were heading over to the theater for rehearsal and to prepare for that evening's Friday night show. As Antonio Hoyos walked by, Jeff suggested that I corner him for a few quick stories which I did. Antonio used to work with Siegfried and Roy but for the past several years has performed as Charlie Chaplin "living doll" (little person) with Kevin James. He did have some great stories that, if we had the time, could make for a separate and complete podcast.

The Magic Compass brings you Breaking Magic News, Viral Videos, Exclusive Offers and Specials, Magic in the Media, Links to Hot Topic Blogs, Podcasts, Regular Webcasts Contests and Polls. You can follow this page at http://www.magic-compass.com or c… — The Magic Compass brings you Breaking Magic News, Viral Videos, Exclusive Offers and Specials, Magic in the Media, Links to Hot Topic Blogs, Podcasts, Regular Webcasts Contests and Polls. You can follow this page at http://www.magic-compass.com or clicking on the banner above.

773: S.A.M. 2023 Convention in New Orleans - Day Three Report

Tuesday, July 25th

231: FISM Italy - Prelude

228: The Illusionists - Hearing the Impossible

The Magic Word