368: Day Four IBM/SAM Combined Convention 2017

FRIDAY JULY 14 SCHEDULE
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Registration Opens - Registration Area
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM - Order of Merlin Breakfast- Cochran
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Dealers Open - Exhibit Hall
9:30 AM - NOON - Close-Up Contest - Grand Ballroom
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM - Max Maven Lecture - Grand Ballroom
3:00 PM - 4:45 PM - Juliana Chen Lecture - Grand Ballroom
5:00 PM - 7:30 PM - Grand Banquet - Archibald-Cochran, Rivue Tower
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM - Internat’l Magic Competition - Whitney Hall (Ticketed Event)
10:00 PM - 10:45 PM - Murray Hatfield Lecture - Grand Ballroom
11:00 PM - 11:45 PM - Luis Carreon Lecture - Grand Ballroom
11:00 PM - Midnight - Invisible Lodge - Collins

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:18 - Steven Bargatze and Lance Burton talk about going to high school together in Louisville, Tennessee

00:08:56 - Mac King, co-honoree at this convention, chats about his record breaking run at Harrah's Casino in Las Vegas plus what might be coming up next for him.

00:15:01 - George Schindler, Dean of the S.A.M. Parent Assembly #1 talks about his predecessors whom he knew.

00:21:30 - Eliot Cohen represents the "Every Man" who is the typical convention registrant. We get a perspective from his point of view on the convention and why he attends magic conventions. Also included with this chat with Eliot is his friend, John McLaughlin, former Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

00:35:13 - Murray Hatfield will close the Saturday night show with his illusion show he brought down from Canada. He will also be a lecturer after the Friday night show.

00:47:41 - Ted and Marion Outerbridge, Canadian Illusionists, closed last night's show (Thursday night) after having rebuilt some of their illusions which were left in China awaiting their return in August.

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. Remember, you can download it through the iTunes store, too. See the preview page by Clicking Here

279: The Cardini Connection with Randy Pitchford

Randy Pitchford is the nephew of Richard Valentine Pitchford, who was better known as Cardini. More than just a familial connection, Randy is also a performer, entrepreneur and successful businessman. Randy is the CEO and President of Gearbox Software located in Frisco, Texas (a northern suburb of Dallas).

Randy purchased much of the Cardini collection from the 2013 Potter & Potter auction and put the bulk of the exhibit in a museum at the Magic Castle. His most recent purchase may have the furthest reaching impact in our community: he is the new owner of Genii Magazine.

Randy is building a home designed to be like Brookledge, the home of Bill and Irene Larsen in Los Angeles. He even plans to present regular shows for the public in his home not unlike the Bookledge Follies.

Magician Cardini performing in 1957

Cardini (Richard Pitchford) performing coins and cards for some lucky people on a cruise. This rare footage was shot by Dr. Morris Young, and hasn't been seen for 50 years. Edited and restored by Magicbymax Steven Max Droge Productions.

Borderlands 2 creator Randy Pitchford (President and Co-founder, Gearbox Studios) gives his keynote speech at the 2013 D.I.C.E. SUMMIT. Titled "Video Games Are Magic". Brought to you by Variety and Machinima. The D.I.C.E.

Randy Pitchford was born in 1971 and Richard "Cardini" Pitchford died in 1973 so Randy has no recollection of his uncle. In this podcast, Randy talks about the acquisition of his Cardini artifacts plus some stories that were passed down to Randy from the family and friends. He also talks about his experience in his early years of performing at the Magic Castle and his personal relationship with the late Irene Larsen.

Also, he briefly talks about his recent acquisition of Genii magazine from Richard Kaufman; however, since the details have not been fleshed out, there are not many details to share. At this point, I understand that no change of any kind is envisioned for the immediate future of the magazine. Randy just wants to preserve this part of magic history and make sure of the longevity, viability and vitality of Genii far into the future so it can "live on forever."

Here is the photo taken by Michael Wilcoxen, the winner of the contest, with the framed Peau -Doux card he received as he has it displayed in his home.

This is the framed fan of Peau Doux manipulations cards (used by Cardini) that was presented by Randy Pitchford to David Copperfield. This is NOT the number of cards nor type of frame that will be sent to the winner of the contest (which is now ende… — This is the framed fan of Peau Doux manipulations cards (used by Cardini) that was presented by Randy Pitchford to David Copperfield. This is NOT the number of cards nor type of frame that will be sent to the winner of the contest (which is now ended). The contest here was for one framed card (probably without the brass plaque) and I'm uncertain of the type of framing that Randy will prepare.

278: The Inner Secrets of the Outerbridges

Have you ever wondered what it's like to travel on the road with a large, stage illusion show across snow and ice? And what do you do when a herd of bison blocks your path? In this podcast we go behind the scenes, around the props,on the road and into the performers, the Outerbridges.

Ted and Marion Outerbridge are Canada's premiere theatrical touring magicians. Recognized as one of the greatest magic acts in Canada, the Outerbridges won the 2011 Award of Excellence from Ontario Contact, an organization of theatre presenters. In 2010, they won Touring Artist of the Year in British Columbia’s equivalent BC Touring Council. I first met them when I emceed their show at the 2013 Abbott's Get Together in Colon, Michigan where they were the feature illusion act. They later closed the I.B.M. convention in Jacksonville, Florida in 2015 and just completed a lecture tour of the U.S.

A professionally orchestrated theatrical production with over 20 custom-designed illusions and world-class lighting and set design, OUTERBRIDGE -- Clockwork Mysteries is a high-energy magical adventure for both adult and family audiences. Recognized as one of the most creative and dynamic shows of its kind, critics have hailed Ted and Marion Outerbridge as "the most successful magicians in Canada" and "champions of magic."

Ted and Marion sat down at midnight to enjoy acouple martinis and a chat about how they first met and their paths that followed. The myriad stories they shared revolve around working at performing arts centers, what it's like being on the road, how they book shows, and lots of stories and advice. For example, if you want to select volunteers from the audience by using a beach ball, then fill the ball with helium to keep it floating more.

Congratulations to Richard Tremblay who won the "Outerbridge Lecture Bundle" valued at $135.00. Please check out current blogs for the newest contest.

368: Day Four IBM/SAM Combined Convention 2017

279: The Cardini Connection with Randy Pitchford

278: The Inner Secrets of the Outerbridges

The Magic Word