885: Blackpool 2025 - Day Three Report

Time stamps for this episode:

00:00:17 – Dom Chambers ran into me in the hallway on his way to rehearsal for his show. But he agreed to chat for a bit and tell us about his experience performing here and a quick recap of what he’s up to lately. Dom was the focus of a chat on The Magic Word Podcast on Episode #664 where you can learn more about him.

00:06:12 : Nigel Quinn just arrived for the final day and gives us his perspective of why he came for the day and what he hopes to see and enjoy.

00:12:02 - Ger Godley, from Ireland, talks about this year’s convention compared with last year. He definitely thinks this year’s event is better organized.

00:21:14 - Jamie Allen, formerly known as the iMagician, has an all new show, one of which was directed by Jonathan Goodwin. Jamie was the focus Episode #584 where you can learn more about him.

00:33:48 - Javid with Pelican Stagewear talks about his efforts to take his wares to the U.S., but time and customs prevents his efforts from being profitable.

00:42:35 - Ron Spangler enjoys coming to Blackpool each year. He was one of the organizers of the Magifest before it was turned over to Vanishing, Inc.

00:48:28 - Eric Leclerq was the emcee (compere) of the Friday night gala. His insult comic type of humor is much like that of Mike Hammer, and that is to say that it wasn’t for everyone. He talks a bit about his choices and how he came about to get this engagement and why he chose to stick with what he does best.

00:57:08 - Ian Kendall is another magician who came in for the day from Scotland and watched a lot of lectures and shows. He was the subject of Episode #796 where you can learn more about him.

01:11:15 - we give a quick wrap-up of the convention as I give a quick review of Rick Thomas’ gala finale show. He was the subject of Episode #632 where you can hear a more personal side of him.

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.

Click on the banner above for more information about the 50th (and probably final) WInter Carnival of Magic in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

821: Arthur Benjamin - Genius At Work

Arthur Benjamin, Smallwood Family Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College and a professional magician, is perhaps better known in our community as the “Mathemagician.” He truly makes math fun, entertaining, and, yes…exciting. In his stage performance, Arthur calculates the square roots of double digit and even triple digit numbers all in his head with lightening quick precision that he can say the number faster than anyone can input the data in a calculator and read the answer. His routine does not use any stooges nor electronics, but is all done in real time in his real head. It is a fascinating display of mental acuity that he explains is within the capabilities of anyone who can do basic math.

Mathematician, magician and professor Arthur Benjamin performs high-speed mental calculations, memorization tricks and other astounding math stunts, many of which are taught in his many books on the subject which are all available through Amazon. In this week’s episode, Arthur talks about how he developed this act after starting out as a child magician then utilizing his unique skills to build an act around his passion for math. His TED Talks have been viewed over 11 Million times and his books are best sellers. I only wish everyone could have a math teacher like Arthur who would inspire the next generation to love math.

Register TODAY for this outstanding convention. You will become a better magician as a result of it! Visit: https://poesmagicconference.com/

820: Ken Weber - the ANSWER man

Ken Weber is the President of Weber Asset Management and also a mentalist, magician, consultant and author. This week we chat with Ken about these latter job descriptions. Ken has performed aboard cruise ships and as a young man in the Catskills of New York. He was an early member of the Psychic Entertainers Association (P.E.A.) and frequent attendee at MINDvention and other mentalism conventions. He authored “Maximum Entertainment” that was updated and re-published as “Maximum Entertainment 2.0.” More than just a reprint of the original, there is much more material added to the new book.

We have had Ken on this podcast from time to time as part of the content from a few magic convention reports in the past. But in this episode, we finally get to sit down and have a proper conversation about his book, “Maximum Entertainment 2.0” as well as some tips that he suggests when he is consulting with some of the top pros in the business. He has some good advice that will benefit you whether you are a close-up or stage magician or mentalist.