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.

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853: Michael Mode - Getting in the Mode

One of the regular attendees at the annual Abbott’s Get Together, Michael Mode (from Detroit) used to be a very busy trade show magician specializing in auto shows. Now settled with another full time job outside of magic, he maintains his roots by keeping in the loop each year at Colon, Michigan. For a while, Michael used to coordinate the Amish dinners by providing magicians to perform for their families during the Get Togethers. Back in the days of the iTouch, he and Jeff Hobson developed a joke app that sold very well and is now available as a book entitled “Best Jokes Ever.” Michael is also the creator of the two-colored napkins that magicians use for Napkin to Rose.

This week Michael Mode talks about his work with auto shows, his relationship with Michigan magicians including Franz Harary and Jeff Hobson. Michael discusses the joke app he and Jeff Hobson developed that later became an encyclopedic book. You just look for a subject then find a joke to fit that subject, either clean or mature. Michael also talks about his development of the two-colored napkins used for Napkin to Rose.

824 - Keith Leff - the Everyman Magician

There are many magicians around the world who grind out a living as a magician meaning that they take any and all magic jobs and perform anywhere. Keith Leff is one of those magicians who is not one the “celebrity magicians” who is well-known in the magic world, but is one of those “everyman magicians” who is dependable, reliable, solid, and capable who keeps busy with the business of magic, whatever it takes. Moreover, after so many years “in the trenches” he has recently been traveling across the country with his magic lecture where he sells some of his original creations and lecture notes.

If you are a more visual person, then perhaps you might enjoy watching our Zoom chat for this episode.

In this episode, Keith gives tips and advice from his lecture and his many years of professional experience including working at fairs and festivals as well as corporate parties and restaurants.