850: David Williamson - RIngmaster and Headmaster

Many in our community consider themselves as “comedy magicians” but few achieve the level of David Williamson. Not only is he adept at sleight of hand (and in fact is the headmaster of Sleight School) but also he is a master of comedy as he directs children on stage to literally jump through hoops to achieve maximum laughter for all. He is the Ringmaster of “Circus 1903” and has toured with The Illusionists. Always a hit with local TV morning shows in the cities that host his shows, he makes everyone comfortable with laughing. He has authored books including the seminal “Williamson’s Wonders.” He has been recognized with top awards by the Academy of Magical Arts and The Magic Circle. This milestone episode #850 is one that I’m sure you will enjoy now and for years to come.

In this episode, David talks about his experience of traveling the world with touring companies as well as aboard cruise ships. He also discusses his passion: Sleight School. And for listeners of this podcast, David is offering the first month free to Sleight School by using the promo code: FEST when checking out at https://sleight.school

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 graphic illustration above to visit the convention information site for the Yankee Gathering 2024.

847: Abbott's Get Together 2024 - Day Three Report

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2ND 2024
9:30AM REGISTRATION OPENS at the Abbott Plant
9:30AM ABBOTT'S TALENT CONTEST at High School (Requires Registration)
10:00AM ABBOTT'S DEALERS ROOM OPENS (Requires Registration)
11:00AM - 5:00PM COLON ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR
11:30AM LECTURE TERRI COOK - Tannens Camp - (Requires Registration)
12:00PM FREE STREET PERFORMANCE - John Sturk @ Granny's Place
1:00PM MAGIC SHOW at Abbott's Magic Showroom Theatre $5
2:00PM JAY BLACKWELL JUGGLING/FIRE EATING & MORE at Sterlini Magic & Theater $10
2:30PM ABBOTT'S CLOSEUP SHOW (Requires Registration)
     Featuring Clemens Ilgner, Axel Hecklau, Danny Archer, Chris Capehart
3:00PM FACE PAINTING till 6PM outside 5 Star Pizza by Award Winning Artist Carol Hendrix (Standard Fees)
3:00PM-5PM COLON HISTORICAL MUSEUM is open
4:00PM FREE STREET PERFORMANCE - Gordon Russ @ Colon Library
4:30PM MAGIC SHOW at Abbott's Magic Showroom Theatre $5
5:00PM LIVE AT 5 WITH THE STERLINI'S at Sterlini Magic & Theater $10
5:30PM FREE STREET PERFORMANCE - Just Joe Chasney @ Curly's
6:00PM-7:45PM DINNER (on your own)
7:45PM PRESHOW LIVE ORGAN MUSIC - by John Sturk
8:00PM GET-TOGETHER STAGE SHOW - Friday Night Gala (Tannens Magic Camp Alumni)
     Requires Registration or Tickets (Floor / Bleachers)
     Featuring Ian Rich, The Evasons, John Reid, Alex Boyce
10:00PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS ROOM RE-OPENS (Requires Registration)
10:30PM ABBOTT'S TALENT CONTEST AWARDS (Requires Registration)

Time stamps for this episode:

00:00:18 – Alex Boyce and his father, Alexander Boyce, join us to talk about the importance of family in supporting magic. Alex will be the emcee of tonight’s show and he is also involved with the Tannen’s Magic Camp presentation.

00:08:55 – Matt Schick, another of the presenters for the Tannen’s Magic Camp show. Matt travels with Michael Carbonaro and he talks about how he became associated with him.

00:19:17 – Robert Baxt is not involved at all with this year, but he is here to conduct a funeral service for Charles Windly. He tells us about Windley’s background and why we should remember him.

00:28:16 – we take a stroll through the dealers’ room where we stop to chat with Kurt Richy and John Shango who are working behind the Abbott’s counter and some of what’s new.

00:32:49 – Joel Hobson and Mac King and David Williamson and Mike Caveney talk about this convention and some of the good times they have shared together when they were all booked or attended previous Get Togethers.

00:38:10 – Another one of the dealers/lecturers/performers at this convention is Danny Archer who tells us about his onstage character, Geno Mozzarella, Smoke and Mirrors Theater and the MINDvention.

00:49:39 – in the dealers’ room, they talk about the flooded floor that was cleaned up before the awards were presented. Senior Stage second place went to Carl and Bill Raynes. Senior Stage first place Buddy August. We chat briefly with Buddy to see how excited he is and what he plans to do with his winnings. We also chat with Carl and Bill about their win.

00:56:17 – Jania Taylor at the Legion talk about her long association with the Get Together and some of her memories. She also talks about the American Museum of Magic in which she is very involved.

734: Magifest 2023 - Day One Report

Thursday 26th January 2023

5:00pm - 8:00pm

Dealer’s Room Open

5:30pm - 6:30pm

Charles Greene Historical Lecture.

Presenting his groundbreaking research on one of magic’s most elusive figures, Charles Greene will recount the unusual life story behind Ionia. Ionia was a pioneering figure in the world of magic—all the more difficult in her era because of great biases against female performers. She astounded the world and then…disappeared from public view. Greene has uncovered what happened, and how she lived the remainder of her life. This talk will feature many of the astounding visuals we associate with Ionia, including several newly uncovered images. 7:00pm - 7.45pm

Michel Huot Lecture

The creator of the hit trick “Socks” is making his Magifest debut with a lecture packed with unusual, non-card parlor material. Mr. Huot comes from Quebec, and he will astound people with his unique, creative brand of magic. 8:00pm - 9pm

Mark James Show

Straight from a successful tour of the UK, Mark James has a truly “parlor” magic show–a rarity in these times. You’ll be amazed and delighted by his high energy approach to the classics, and you’ll be amazed by the clever twists along the way. 9:00pm - 9:45pm

Youth Program Welcome Event

We invite all young magicians (and guardians) to attend this welcome party. You’ll meet our directors, a couple of our headline performers, and get insider tips on how to make the most of Magifest as a young person. There may even be a surprise or two… 9:30pm - 11:00pm

Peter Turner Show and Lecture

Hailing from the UK, Peter Turner is a radical, disruptive performer and thinker who has taken the mindreading community by storm. He will perform and then speak on his powerful, unique approach to mentalism.

Time stamps for this episode:

00:00:18 - Early morning departure from Houston to Columbus. Thank you, Andy Lacky, for the Dunkin’ Donuts gift card! It helps keep my eyes open for the 5:30 a.m. departure.

00:04:58 - Lance Burton and Gwyn Auger chat about his old Kentucky home

00:11:45 - Francois Xavier aka FX discusses this as his second Magifest and why he returned to see some stars of magic

00:16:04 - Nancy Anderson tells why she enjoys the podcast and some of her favorite episodes plus a chat with two other Chicago magicians, Scott Levens and T.J. Tang

00:19:35 - David Williamson is from Ohio and talks about the Magifest and his childhood memories of attending this event, plus what he’s been doing during COVID. He gives lessons through an online community at https://www.sleight.school/

00:22:52 - Jim Krenz is one of the many employees with Vanishing, Inc.

00:27:38 - Mark James is one of the performers who will also be lecturing this weekend.

00:33:14 - Charles Greene III will kick off the convention with his talk about his historical book, Ionia and his journey to uncover her story.

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 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