625: 2021 Abbott's Get Together - Day One

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4TH 2021
9:30AM REGISTRATION OPENS at the Abbott Plant
10:00AM - 12:45PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS' ROOM at Colon High School
10:30AM SUPER SHOWROOM SPECIALS in Dealers Room
12PM STREET PERFORMER (Gordon Russ) at M&M Grill (sponsored by IBM Ring 386-Percy Abbott / Monk Watson Magic Club)
1:00PM LECTURE at Colon High School (Eric Decamps)
1:00PM MAGIC SHOW at Abbott's Magic (with BJ Mallen; $5 cash at the door)
2:30PM STREET PERFORMER (Nick Eaton) Colon Historical Museum (sponsored by IBM Ring 386-Percy Abbott / Monk Watson Magic Club)
3:00PM LECTURE at Colon High School (Nick Diffatte)
3:00PM-5PM COLON HISTORICAL MUSEUM is open
4:30PM MAGIC SHOW at Abbott's Magic (with Joe Bennett; $5 cash at the door)
4:30PM-6PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS' ROOM at Colon High School
5:30PM STREET PERFORMER (Jania Taylor) at Village Market (sponsored by IBM Ring 386-Percy Abbott / Monk Watson Magic Club)
6:00PM-7:45PM DINNER on your own
7:45PM PRE-SHOW LIVE ORGAN MUSIC - by John Sturk
8:00PM ABBOTT'S STAGE SHOW - (view seating chart)
Featuring Jeff Hobson, Kevin James, John Jansky, Stuart MacDonald, BJ Mallen
10:00PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS ROOM OPENS at Colon High School

Time Stamps for This Episode:

00:00:18 - Greg Bordner, owner of Abbott’s Magic Company, is our first stop as we pick up our registration for the Get Together

00:18:03 - Mark Holstein updates us on the Thursday night surprise guest, Michael Carbonaro, had to cancel and will be replaced by David Charvet

00:20:28 - Walter “Zaney” Blaney’s celebration of life graveside service with his daughter, Shannon Blaney, and hosted by Daniel Summers who introduced Past International President of the I.B.M., David Sandy, who did the “Broken Wand” ceremony followed by Lance Burton who performed Walter’s Vanishing Bird Cage.

00:45:24 - Chad Long was one of the attendees at the service

00:46:14 - Gay Blackstone talks about this convention that honors the Blackstone family

00:49:42 - Daniel Summers talked about the Blaney service, his headstone, and more

00:52:58 - John Jansky was one of the Wednesday night show who is a “speed painter” and created a portrait of Johnny Thompson

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261: Project Alpha with Mike Edwards

After viewing the highly acclaimed documentary, "An Honest Liar" about the career of James "The Amazing" Randi, I wanted to talk with Mike Edwards, the "psychic" who was "tested" along with Steve Shaw (Banachek) over a three year period in the late 70;s to the early 80;s. I have discussed Project Alpha with Banachek many times privately, on the podcast and on an L&L Video (Psi Series Volume 4 - Psychokenisis) but I had never met or spoken with, Mike Edwards, his partner on the project.

The stars aligned with my travel plans to Phoenix, Arizona and Mike's availability so we were able to find a relatively quiet corner in an otherwise busy restaurant and record this chat. It is a completely different perspective from the one I have heard from Banachek and the revelation during the last few minutes of our conversation figuratively "bowled me over". I was not expecting that news. You might be surprised and excited once you hear it, too.

Recorded: 5/27/2010 Original Alpha Kid, Michael Edwards pays a visit to the foundation and recalls some of the behind the scenes tricks that he and Steve Shaw (Banachek) did during the MacLab test. From Wikipedia: Project Alpha was an elaborate hoax orchestrated by the stage magician and skeptic James Randi.

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#203: Banachek - The Mentalist on "The Supernaturalists"

As a friend and business partner, The World's Number One Thought Reader, Banachek has joined me on dozens of podcasts over the years on The Magic Word. But I don't think I have ever had him as an exclusive guest. I just never think about recording our conversations; however, I have heard from listeners who have asked for "more Banachek". So, this one is for you.

Criss Angel recently announced the new show "The Supernaturalists" which is slated for a three week debut in June 2015 in Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. The show will feature some of the magicians that filled in for Criss Angel in the "BeLIEve" show earlier this year during his shoulder surgery. This show is supposed to be something completely different and nothing like the other magic touring show, "The Illusionists". This show promises to do for magic shows what Cirque du Soliel did for the circus. They hope and plan to take the show on an international tour after their Foxwoods run.

For those few of you living under a rock who are not familiar with Banachek, here is a short bio from "The Supernaturalists" website:

“THE MENTALIST” BANACHEK (SOUTH AFRICA)
Lifetime Achievement award recipient, two time Entertainer Of The Year, awarded Outstanding Contribution To The World Of Mentalism, Banachek is the only man to fool scientists with the power of his mind, and is known by his peers as the greatest mentalist alive. He has performed all over the world, is an author of eight best selling magic/mentalism books, has appeared in countless TV specials and has been the magic producer of the most successful magic series in television history, MINDFREAK.

Banachek begins his chat with a short discussion and appeal for magic donations to his favorite charity, The College of Magic in South Africa. He also talks in detail about the upcoming show The Supernaturalists" which will include: "The Illusionist" Brett Daniels (U.S.), "The Mystfier" Cosentino (Australia), "The Mentalist" Banachek (South Africa), "The Street Magician Phenom" Adrian Vega (Spain), “The Femme Fatale Of Legerdemain” Krystyn (U.S.), “The Dog Whisperer Of Magic” Johnny (Columbia), “The Joker” The Great Maestro (Mexico)

He also talks about James Randi, The Amazing Meeting (TAM), The Million Dollar Challenge and his new documentary which trailer you can view below. For more information about "An Honest Liar"" then visit http://AnHonestLiar.com

Live Q&A Session: November 19th - Banachek - Mentalist (Wednesday 4pm ET 9pm UTC 9pm UK) Hosted by Paul Draper

On this podcast, Banachek also talks about his early years of working hundreds of shows annually the college circuit which he still does a dozen or so dates a year. He then talks about how he first met Criss Angel and started working with him on television. He talks extensively about his TV experiences and work in Las Vegas and his view of the future on what he wants to do and where he wants to go.

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. (please note: this RSS Feed subscription system may not work with Android systems). Remember, you can download it through iTunes. See the preview page by Clicking Here.