896: Obie's 4F 2025 Close-Up Convention - Days One and Two Report

Wednesday April 23

1:00pm: Registration
1:00pm: 4F Shop Open
5:00pm: Dealers’ Room Opens (closed during events)
7:30pm: 1st Show: Opening Gala (MC - Jay Scott Berry)
11:00pm: Hospitality Suite Opens
12:00am: Dealers’ Room Closes

Thursday April 24

10:00am: Registration Open (closed during events)
10:00am: Dealers’ Room & 4F Shop Open (closed during events)
10:30am: Lecture #1 - Horrett Wu
1:30pm: 2nd Show: Magical Moments (MC - Will Fern)
3:30pm: ED Talks #1 (MC’s - Christian and Katalina)
7:30pm: 3rd Show: Friends Old & New (MC - Michael Dardant)
9:30pm: Lecture #2 - Eric DeCamps
11:00pm: Hospitality Suite Opens
12:00am: Dealers’ Room Closes

Time Stamps: These will be posted after I have gotten some sleep.

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Happy birthday for our Friend of the Magic Word, “Fancy” Nancy Anderson. Originally from Lima, Peru, she now resides in the Chicago area where she lives and performs. She is a self-proclaimed BIG fan of magic and is often seen enjoying live shows at the Chicago Magic Lounge and the Rhapsody Theatre. Her actual birthday was this past week, April 21st. So, mark your calendar for next year so you don’t forget to wish her a happy birthday.

823: Ian Rowland - A Cold Reader

Have you ever been captivated by the mysterious world of magic and mentalism? In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with the remarkable Ian Rowland, a man whose life is as fascinating as the subjects he writes about. From the Blackpool convention to the art of Kirigami, Ian takes us on a journey through his experiences as a magician, mentalist, and classical guitar lover.

Ian Rowland is not just a master of illusion; he is also an acclaimed author renowned for his books on cold reading. In this episode, he generously offers one lucky listener the chance to win a copy of one of his books. Imagine holding the secrets of cold reading in your hands, unlocking the doors to understanding an art that has mystified and intrigued audiences for generations.

As we delve deeper into the conversation, Ian shares his unique perspective on the magic community, his work with the FBI, and his adventures as a corporate speaker. His stories are not just tales of wonder but lessons in life and success. Ian's philosophy, centered on treating people with kindness and respect, resonates through his words, offering listeners a guide to a more fulfilling path.

But the magic doesn't end there. Even if you're not the contest winner, Ian extends the opportunity to receive free materials by visiting his website at https://ianrowland.com/magic It's a treasure trove of knowledge waiting to be explored.

So why should you listen to this episode? Because it's not every day that you get to hear from someone who has truly lived a life of magic, both on and off the stage. Ian Rowland's experiences, insights, and stories are a testament to the power of curiosity, passion, and the human connection.

Tune in to this magical episode and let Ian Rowland enchant you with his wisdom and wit. Who knows, you might just be the lucky winner of a book that could change the way you see the world. Listen now, and be prepared to be amazed!

Ian has graciously offered one of his books on cold reading to one lucky entrant in this week’s contest. This contest is not limited to U.S. residents but can also be sent to our international friends in the U.K., Canada and Europe. But even if your name isn’t drawn, you can still be a winner because Ian is offering three different items for you at his website at: https://www.ianrowland.com/magic And while you are there, please take a moment to view the video for one of the items he sells, “Think Link” which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIjEslya-qo

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 Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly 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.

808: Daniel Garcia - Ideas Unlimited

Daniel Garcia is a highly respected magic creator and consultant. But he is an awesome performer in his own right, too! Daniel helps create magic for David Blaine, Dynamo, Cyril Takayama, and Dynamo, (just to name a few) for their performances on stage and screen and online, too.

Daniel talks this week about some of the celebrated magicians with whom he has worked, as well as how he comes up with his creative ideas. He has a system for developing these ideas that he shares in this episode. He also surrounds himself with other creative types like Blake Vogt, Alex Rangel, Brent Braun, and others who are titans of trickery in their own right.

Aha!: 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas

By Ayan, Jordan

Buy on Amazon

How to Fly a Horse: The Secret History of Creation, Invention, and Discovery

By Ashton, Kevin

Buy on Amazon

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

By Gilbert, Elizabeth

Buy on Amazon

The Creative Act: A Way of Being

By Rubin, Rick

Buy on Amazon

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 Pandora and SiriusXM (formerly 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

Hail and Farewell

**to those in our Magic Community who left us this past year.**

In 2023 we suffered the loss of many friends who have passed away, but whom are not forgotten. Perhaps as we grow older, we are more aware of those who pass. But this last year saw the passing of almost twice as many as were listed in the magic obituaries of 2022.

Although the list below is not exhaustive, it does reflect the names of many well-known (and some lesser known) magicians, spouses, assistants and magic aficionados who passed on in 2023. Some may not be as well-known to you, but they were my personal friends (hey, it is my blog!). If you are unfamiliar with any of these names, then it would behoove you to do a little online search of what these people have contributed to our craft. If you have someone you think was overlooked, then please post the name in the comments below on this blog.

Those whose names are highlighted with a “hot link” were featured or interviewed here on The Magic Word Podcast. It was not my original intent when I began this journey to chronicle the voices before they left us, but I am so thankful that I did sit down with many of these friends for lively, and sometimes intimate, conversations. You can click on their name to revisit and listen to their voices again.

Joe Stevens

Scott Alexander

Bob King

George Kimery

Karl Fulves

Véronique Ross

Greg Koren

Maria Ibanez

Thom Peterson

Gloria Metzner aka Gloria Dea

Harry Lorayne

Dr. Edwin “Eddie” Dawes