740: P.T. Murphy - Big Fish in a Small Pond

This episode hopes to inspire you to dream it, make your dream a reality, then follow your dream. Patrick P.T. Murphy was doing well in Chicago and performed regularly with David Parr in the Chicago Magic Cabaret. But ten years ago the stars aligned which took him three hours away to a tourist destination to Northeastern Illinois where he began performing in a small theater with his own one-man show. Sometimes it’s best to “buck the norm” and become a big fish in a small pond.

If you are more of a visual person, then you will enjoy this video of our conversation recorded via Zoom.

This is the original 1947 black and white version of “Nightmare Alley” which differs a bit from the 2021 and well worth your attention to view.

P.T. shares some personal stories about his magical life and his brushes with magic celebrities like Bill Malone, Tony Andruzzi, Paul Harris, David Roth, Ricky Jay, Eugene Burger and others. Plus he talks about the magic dealer scene in Chicago. We also talk about making a dramatic change in his life by picking up and moving his family and belongings three hours northeast of Chicago where he has become recognized by Trip Advisor as the top attraction in the small pond of Galena, Illinois.

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Nightmare Alley was discussed in this week's episode. To order your copy of the book and also help The Magic Word Podcast with your purchase, please follow this link.

721: Don Deich "Vlad" - Interview with a Vampire

Vampires never die. And they capture the zeitgeist of the Halloween season more than any other character. This week we feature a chat with Don Deich whose character as “Vlad” is more of a lifestyle than just a seasonal act. Vlad has been a friend for a few years and shows up (or should I say, “rises up”) periodically for magic conventions where he is featured with his rather spellbinding performances. Join us as we learn about the differences between “vampires” and what they truly do at night with their “free” time.

A two and a half hour audio broadcast in 2019 between Vlad and Laurie Notch (Paranormal World Magazine)

This “Interview with a Vampire” took place at night (of course) during the recent Poe’s Magic Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. During our chat, Vlad shares his penchant for horror movies and monster models, how he developed his character, how he puts together his outfits, and a peek into the underworld of nightclubs where like-minded vampires “hang out.”

703: Abbott's Get Together 2022 - Day One Report

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3rd 2022

9:30AM REGISTRATION OPENS at the Abbott Plant Purchase Registration/Tickets

10:00AM - 12:45PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS' ROOM at Colon High School Requires Abbott's Registration

10:00AM TARGET: MIDNIGHT RELEASED in Dealers Room Target Midnight Release (High School) Requires Registration

10:15AM SLIGHTLY IRREGULAR BOOK SALE in Dealers Room (Available Book List) (High School) Requires Registration

10:30AM SHOWROOM SPECIALS in Dealers Room Spooky Collectibles and Super Deals (High School) Requires Registration

11:15AM LECTURE - Duane Laflin "Making Magic Fun" at Laflin's Grand Magic Theater Free

12:00PM STREET PERFORMER - John Sturk (On Blackstone at Dawn's Cafe past picnic tables)

1:00PM OLD FASHION MAGIC SHOW with John Shango at Abbott's Magic Theatre $5

2:00 PM JAY BLACKWELL JUGGLING/FIRE EATING & MORE at Sterlini Magic & Theater

2:30PM STREET PERFORMER - Jania Taylor (Granny's Place by American Legion)

3:00PM LECTURE - Bizzaro at High School Requires Abbott's Registration

3:00PM-5PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS' ROOM at Colon High School Requires Abbott's Registration

3:00PM-5PM COLON HISTORICAL MUSEUM is open (Colon Museum Webpage) Free

3:00PM-6PM FACE PAINTING with Award Winning Artist Carol Hendrix

4:30PM OLD FASHION MAGIC SHOW with Joe Bennett at Abbott's Magic Theatre $5

5:00 PM LIVE AT 5 WITH THE STERLINI'S at Sterlini Magic & Theater $10

5:30PM STREET PERFORMER - Bibik! (Magic Capital Grill by bridge)

6:00PM-7:45PM DINNER on your own

7:45PM PRESHOW LIVE ORGAN MUSIC - by John Sturk Requires Abbott's Registration or Ticket ($30/$45)

8:00PM ABBOTT'S STAGE SHOW Requires Abbott's Registration or Ticket ($30/$45)
Featuring Bizzaro, Nick Diffatte, Doug Stafford, Joel Hodgson
NOTE: Tickets for the Abbott evening Stage Show must be purchased in advance at the Abbott Plant or online before 5pm that day.
You will be able to pick up tickets at a will call window at the show, but Abbotts will not be able to sell any at the door.

8:00PM GRAND MAGIC CLASSIC SHOW - 8 PM at the Laflin's Grand Magic Theater - $14.95 adult, $6.95 child

10:00PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS ROOM OPENS at Colon High School Requires Abbott's Registration

Time stamps for this episode:

00:00:16 - After departing FISM Quebec, we are on the road from Detroit, Michigan, on an early, early morning drive to Colon.

00:04:44 - David Seebach, one of the perennial registrants and also one of the performers this year. Lance Burton joins us as he talked about his new tour bus. Lance also talked about the cemetery where Gary Darwin was just buried.

00:10:51 - Kevin James joins us for lunch as he talks a bit about the Illusionists tour and what he’s doing now. He also talks about piracy of magic.

00:18:00 - Abbott’s Magic proprietor, Greg Bordner, is a co-organizer of this convention. He talks a bit about this convention and expectations for this year.

00:28:30 - Steve Chezaday is one of the stage hands for the past 25+ years and talks a little about what makes this convention special to him.

0036:36 - The first evening show is about to begin, but first we chat with the creator of “One Hundred Monkeys”, Chris Philpott. This is the first Get Together for him, too.