Posts
Newsletter of IBM Ring #170 The Bev Bergeron Ring
Next general meeting Wednesday, 03/21/2007 at 7:30 PM SHARP
Board meeting at 6:30 pm
Meeting theme: Favorite Packet Tricks
Marks Street Center, 99 Mark Street, downtown Orlando
If you visit with us and do not know the room we meet in , please be aware that some of the people in the office at the Senior Center may not be aware we are meeting there! At the last meeting one visitor asked where the "IBM" was meeting and the management apparently thought they were asking for the International Business Machines group! They said that there was no "IBM" on the schedule. So, if you have never been to our ring meeting , please say "magicians" or "FAME" and if that doesn't get the room location , just walk around looking for us. The Senior Center is a public building.
Lunch meetings every Tuesday at noon at Goodings (next to the food court)
Website: http://www.ring170.com/F. A. M. E. is the Florida Association of Magical Entertainers
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Directory
Craig J. Fennessy – President – CraigFennessy@gmail.com
Chris Dunn- Vice President – Youngdunns@yahoo.com
Art Thomas – Treasurer – Art.Thomas@Disney.com
Dennis Philips- Secretary – Dennis@alliedcostumes.com
James Songster- Director at Large, - JjTjMagic@aol.com
Joe Vecciarelli- Sgt at Arms - talkingmute@tampabay.rr.com
Stefan Bartelski – Editor of “Famulus”- Famulus@illusioneer.com
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GET PUBLISHED!
Got an idea for an article to add to the next FAMULUS? Put it in the body of an email or in a Word document attached to an email. Send it to Famulus@illusioneer.com, and we will get you in print. Please, please, please, use the above e-mail address, your messages are in danger of getting lost if you do not do so.
Monday, March 12, 2007
2007-03 From the editor
Thanks to our contributors this month, Joe, Ian, Craig and as always Dennis. Don't forget to sign up for the Annual Show later this moth, see below or our ring web-site for more information.
2007-03 Ring Report
Ring Report Ring #170 The Bev Bergeron Ring
Prior to our regular meeting we had another open board of directors meeting. Joe Vechiarelli was elected to replace the late Charlie Cox as our Sgt. at Arms. We all miss Charlie and are thankful for the years of service he gave to our ring. President Craig Fennessey gaveled the regular meeting to order and we had seven quests:
Margery Knapp the guest of her son, Leah and Cory guests of Kerry Pierce, Jeremy Haak visiting from Ring 11, Philip Keiser visiting from Columbus, Ohio, Gary Morton from Youngstown, Ohio and Jim Garrison. Joe Vechiarelli was introduced as our new Sgt. at Arms and board member. Steve Hart, our hard working IBM territorial representative gave a short talk on the benefits of IBM membership. President Fennessey showed a recording of some funny ventriloquists on a recent special ventriloquist week on The David Letterman Show.
Dan Stapleton gave a review of some recent magic shows in the Orlando area. These included Marc Salem's appearance doing mental magic. Dottie's Comedy Club is a new magic venue in Orlando near the International Drive area. Dan gave a wrap up of the Saturday Night Show in Tampa for this year's Magic On The Bay Convention.
Dennis Phillips added a few words about the Friday Night show that featured Rocco, Sterling Steal, Mark Charles and Mr. Bones. Bev Bergeron has a new DVD out on the market.
Plans for the upcoming banquet and auction/flea market were announced. The business meeting concluded and Kerry Pierce volunteered to Emcee the evening's magic presentations. First up was visitor Jeremy Haak visiting from Ring 11 in Moline, IL. He began with the Dick Stoner paper-folding comedy bit known as "Grave Mistake".
He then presented his comedy linking rings with two volunteers and lots of funny lines. A standout was all the funny "impressions" he made with his rings. The funny impressions were in the fashion of David Williamson's Rocky. Dan Stapleton followed in the announced theme, Valentine magic, and presented an effect with 5 Valentine cards that had been handed out to spectators earlier in the evening. They were instructed to write a love-note on the card but not sign it. The cards where then sealed out of sight on Dan and he attempted to determine who had written each card. He was successful! This was a clever adaptation of Theodore Annemann's Pseudo-psychometry.
Steve Hart did a clever effect in the love them that he found in a Linking Ring Parade years ago. A female spectator played "He loves me-he loves me not" with a deck of cards and arrived at the card she had previously selected . Guest, Philip Keiser did a polished card routine where a signed spectator's card was revealed and later ended up in his wallet. Charlie Pfrogner had a cute prop with many colored beads. They were removed from their plastic holder and placed in a handkerchief only to disappear and reappear in the covered holder. For a while Charlie had a clever sucker explanation but he ended up with a real mystery.
Finally, Emcee Kerry Pierce, did a unique version of the "1089" trick using 3 spectators with pencils and paper. Random numbers were revealed. With the magic done for the evening we adjourned. A great Spring and summer of activities are planned. Join us when you visit Orlando! Good things are always happening in Ring 170.
Dennis Phillips
Prior to our regular meeting we had another open board of directors meeting. Joe Vechiarelli was elected to replace the late Charlie Cox as our Sgt. at Arms. We all miss Charlie and are thankful for the years of service he gave to our ring. President Craig Fennessey gaveled the regular meeting to order and we had seven quests:
Margery Knapp the guest of her son, Leah and Cory guests of Kerry Pierce, Jeremy Haak visiting from Ring 11, Philip Keiser visiting from Columbus, Ohio, Gary Morton from Youngstown, Ohio and Jim Garrison. Joe Vechiarelli was introduced as our new Sgt. at Arms and board member. Steve Hart, our hard working IBM territorial representative gave a short talk on the benefits of IBM membership. President Fennessey showed a recording of some funny ventriloquists on a recent special ventriloquist week on The David Letterman Show.
Dan Stapleton gave a review of some recent magic shows in the Orlando area. These included Marc Salem's appearance doing mental magic. Dottie's Comedy Club is a new magic venue in Orlando near the International Drive area. Dan gave a wrap up of the Saturday Night Show in Tampa for this year's Magic On The Bay Convention.
Dennis Phillips added a few words about the Friday Night show that featured Rocco, Sterling Steal, Mark Charles and Mr. Bones. Bev Bergeron has a new DVD out on the market.
Plans for the upcoming banquet and auction/flea market were announced. The business meeting concluded and Kerry Pierce volunteered to Emcee the evening's magic presentations. First up was visitor Jeremy Haak visiting from Ring 11 in Moline, IL. He began with the Dick Stoner paper-folding comedy bit known as "Grave Mistake".
He then presented his comedy linking rings with two volunteers and lots of funny lines. A standout was all the funny "impressions" he made with his rings. The funny impressions were in the fashion of David Williamson's Rocky. Dan Stapleton followed in the announced theme, Valentine magic, and presented an effect with 5 Valentine cards that had been handed out to spectators earlier in the evening. They were instructed to write a love-note on the card but not sign it. The cards where then sealed out of sight on Dan and he attempted to determine who had written each card. He was successful! This was a clever adaptation of Theodore Annemann's Pseudo-psychometry.
Steve Hart did a clever effect in the love them that he found in a Linking Ring Parade years ago. A female spectator played "He loves me-he loves me not" with a deck of cards and arrived at the card she had previously selected . Guest, Philip Keiser did a polished card routine where a signed spectator's card was revealed and later ended up in his wallet. Charlie Pfrogner had a cute prop with many colored beads. They were removed from their plastic holder and placed in a handkerchief only to disappear and reappear in the covered holder. For a while Charlie had a clever sucker explanation but he ended up with a real mystery.
Finally, Emcee Kerry Pierce, did a unique version of the "1089" trick using 3 spectators with pencils and paper. Random numbers were revealed. With the magic done for the evening we adjourned. A great Spring and summer of activities are planned. Join us when you visit Orlando! Good things are always happening in Ring 170.
Dennis Phillips
2007-03 Supporting fellow magicians abroad
My Kind of Magic’ is an e-book amassed and brought out by Solyl Kundu.
In this .PDF file (1,277 KB) e-book 10 complete routines plus several effects collected from reputed magic journals and lecture-notes that Solyl has contributed to or created over the years has been lucidly explained within 48 pages, with several clear line drawings and color photographs. The e-book contains 28 effects of conjuring and close-up variety.
Magicians who know Solyl know him to be a versatile performer. There are routines to satisfy any magician, whether his/her interest is close-up, conjuring, Children’s party or school assembly and club shows.
There are routines / effects with Cards, Matchboxes, Silks, Confetti, and Feather Flower Bouquets, Calling Cards, Spring Flowers, and a Self-vanishing cane that is a Gem of a stage magic. There are effects that will amuse the lookers-on as well as fetch you bookings (keep your fingers crossed :-) too. The routines supplied are complete with presentation and patter suggestions. Solyl is a professional entertainer who knows what audiences like and will pay for.
Solyl (or Salil Kumar Kundu in real life) is TVP for India – N and collecting a little donation for raising funds to organize a Magic Convention in early 2008 in his territory under banner of PC Sorcar Ring #83 through this digest. Therefore if you care to learn or use (magic from this e-book) or just want to add an offbeat digest to your magic library just send a mail to ibmring83@gmail.com or solylkundu@gmail.com for additional information.
In this .PDF file (1,277 KB) e-book 10 complete routines plus several effects collected from reputed magic journals and lecture-notes that Solyl has contributed to or created over the years has been lucidly explained within 48 pages, with several clear line drawings and color photographs. The e-book contains 28 effects of conjuring and close-up variety.
Magicians who know Solyl know him to be a versatile performer. There are routines to satisfy any magician, whether his/her interest is close-up, conjuring, Children’s party or school assembly and club shows.
There are routines / effects with Cards, Matchboxes, Silks, Confetti, and Feather Flower Bouquets, Calling Cards, Spring Flowers, and a Self-vanishing cane that is a Gem of a stage magic. There are effects that will amuse the lookers-on as well as fetch you bookings (keep your fingers crossed :-) too. The routines supplied are complete with presentation and patter suggestions. Solyl is a professional entertainer who knows what audiences like and will pay for.
Solyl (or Salil Kumar Kundu in real life) is TVP for India – N and collecting a little donation for raising funds to organize a Magic Convention in early 2008 in his territory under banner of PC Sorcar Ring #83 through this digest. Therefore if you care to learn or use (magic from this e-book) or just want to add an offbeat digest to your magic library just send a mail to ibmring83@gmail.com or solylkundu@gmail.com for additional information.
2007-03 "Magical" tables
I saw this and thought that other members may be interested in it as well.
Michaels Crafts
They are about 22" tall and break down for travel very nicely.
As far as stability goes...I think they are pretty stable and go
together very easy. I was planning on taking the center spindle to Home Depot or Lowe's and seeing if they had a taller version that can be used when I want a taller table. If they don't have a taller version ready to go I don't see it as too much of a hassle to make one up. I also took two spindles, one from each set I bought, and attached them together to make a taller table. It looks pretty good and still seems pretty stable.
I will bring them to the next FAME meeting in case anyone want to see them.
Joe Vecciarelli
www.joeduhclown.com
www.bunniesinperil.com
www.itsunbelievablemagic.com
www.myspace.com/itsunbelievablemagic
Michaels Crafts
They are about 22" tall and break down for travel very nicely.
As far as stability goes...I think they are pretty stable and go
together very easy. I was planning on taking the center spindle to Home Depot or Lowe's and seeing if they had a taller version that can be used when I want a taller table. If they don't have a taller version ready to go I don't see it as too much of a hassle to make one up. I also took two spindles, one from each set I bought, and attached them together to make a taller table. It looks pretty good and still seems pretty stable.
I will bring them to the next FAME meeting in case anyone want to see them.
Joe Vecciarelli
www.joeduhclown.com
www.bunniesinperil.com
www.itsunbelievablemagic.com
www.myspace.com/itsunbelievablemagic
2007-03 Upcoming Events
This is a reminder of the up coming magic events for Ring 170, Orlando Florida in March. The F.A.M.E. banquet and magic show is back this year, do not miss out! A great bargain for a dinner and top notch magic show featuring M.C. and Headliner act Aldo Colombini.
We still are looking for two more acts to share the stage at this years event. If interested in performing this year contact Chris Dunn at: Youngdunns@yahoo.com or Craig Fennessy at cfennessy@lycos.com, 407-947-1182.
MARCH EVENTS:
1. Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - John Born lecture at Kirkman I-Hop
(See attached for more lecture details)
2. Wednesday, March 21, 2007 Normal Ring Meeting night – Theme “Favorite packet tricks”
3. Saturday, March 24, 2007 - Ring 170 Banquet & Magic Show – Featuring Aldo Colombini as M.C. and Headliner along with some of Florida’s best performers.
$20.00 per person get both a dinner & show. Reservations only!
E-mail reservations to: Art.Thomas@Disney.com Payment at the door.
We still are looking for two more acts to share the stage at this years event. If interested in performing this year contact Chris Dunn at: Youngdunns@yahoo.com or Craig Fennessy at cfennessy@lycos.com, 407-947-1182.
MARCH EVENTS:
1. Tuesday, March 13, 2007 - John Born lecture at Kirkman I-Hop
(See attached for more lecture details)
2. Wednesday, March 21, 2007 Normal Ring Meeting night – Theme “Favorite packet tricks”
3. Saturday, March 24, 2007 - Ring 170 Banquet & Magic Show – Featuring Aldo Colombini as M.C. and Headliner along with some of Florida’s best performers.
$20.00 per person get both a dinner & show. Reservations only!
E-mail reservations to: Art.Thomas@Disney.com Payment at the door.
2007-03 Tampa Bay Convention
The 2007 convention in Tampa sponsored by the Magic shop in Tampa had an impressive line-up of talent and in my opinion delivered. The highlite of the convention was Roccos internationally acclaimed F.I.S.M. act with productions of cards, coins, liquids, fruit, ice cream and transpositions all done at the fingertips with exciting music and a European flair.
This was followed by Sterling Steal technica metal act with chrome steel apparatus productions of steel balls, giant tubular rings and some great manipulation and futuristic mechanistic costume and music.
MC Tom Jones was just the right touch of mild comedy to do the transition between acts. Mr. Bones, a pirate ensemble of characters was a bit long but had some great illusions. Other competant acts were Garett Thomas, Sam Sandler, Danny Archer and Duane Laflin.
Saturday nights stage show, opened with Tony Chapek featured on Genii mag in January. The vanishing of a live video camera was a stunning beginning and then it got better with a large screen hi-def tv image of Chapeks mischeivous other self interacting with the live Tony
Chapek pouring the Tv image a drink, answering a phone by reaching into the image and doing silk vanishes and card effects perfectly timed to give an impressive depth to this performance. He then did a personna and costume transposition as a finale. You should have been there. This first act got the first of two standing o's for the night.
The second one came when Rocco did misers dream, snowstorm in China, card and coin productions and some of the bits from his FISM act. What a showman.
Sam Sandler did the second half with a vigorous barrage of effects, illusions and juggling. An energetic act and well done but the audience stayed seated.
The MC was Ronald McDonald, a lackluster, poor excuse of a performer.
That and some sound glitches were the only complaints.
The dealers rooms stayed opened til midnight but everyone attended the Rocco Lecture which was fantastic and lasted till 12:30 am.
---------
Other performance of note were Gregory Wilson who did some afternoon magic along with Danny Archer. Archer did a Mafioso accent while entertaining and it sold well.
Lectures of not were Sterling Steal, Gregory Wilson, Garrett Thomas, Magic Ian, Sam Sandler and Rocco.
This convention warranted better attendance that it got, producers Marty Capitano, and Aaron Michaels worked hard and delivered, so make sure you get there next year.
- Ian
This was followed by Sterling Steal technica metal act with chrome steel apparatus productions of steel balls, giant tubular rings and some great manipulation and futuristic mechanistic costume and music.
MC Tom Jones was just the right touch of mild comedy to do the transition between acts. Mr. Bones, a pirate ensemble of characters was a bit long but had some great illusions. Other competant acts were Garett Thomas, Sam Sandler, Danny Archer and Duane Laflin.
Saturday nights stage show, opened with Tony Chapek featured on Genii mag in January. The vanishing of a live video camera was a stunning beginning and then it got better with a large screen hi-def tv image of Chapeks mischeivous other self interacting with the live Tony
Chapek pouring the Tv image a drink, answering a phone by reaching into the image and doing silk vanishes and card effects perfectly timed to give an impressive depth to this performance. He then did a personna and costume transposition as a finale. You should have been there. This first act got the first of two standing o's for the night.
The second one came when Rocco did misers dream, snowstorm in China, card and coin productions and some of the bits from his FISM act. What a showman.
Sam Sandler did the second half with a vigorous barrage of effects, illusions and juggling. An energetic act and well done but the audience stayed seated.
The MC was Ronald McDonald, a lackluster, poor excuse of a performer.
That and some sound glitches were the only complaints.
The dealers rooms stayed opened til midnight but everyone attended the Rocco Lecture which was fantastic and lasted till 12:30 am.
---------
Other performance of note were Gregory Wilson who did some afternoon magic along with Danny Archer. Archer did a Mafioso accent while entertaining and it sold well.
Lectures of not were Sterling Steal, Gregory Wilson, Garrett Thomas, Magic Ian, Sam Sandler and Rocco.
This convention warranted better attendance that it got, producers Marty Capitano, and Aaron Michaels worked hard and delivered, so make sure you get there next year.
- Ian
2007-03 Dennis' Deliberations
My good friend, past ring president Richard Hewitt, invited me to tag along to Tampa to the "Magic on the Bay" Convention. This is a convention that is smaller but similar to the Fall Convention presented in Daytona Beach by Harry and Irv from Daytona Magic. This convention was held at the Doubletree Hotel and the big Saturday Night show was in the Jefferson High School auditorium across the street. The big act was Rocco, of "De-Light" fame. He was a recent winner of the FISM contest for originality and he presented his act on the Friday night Cabaret show. It was a minimalistic act with a small side table and an attaché case opened and on top.
Rocco accomplished almost all the act by "sleeving". His choice of hand items was almost bizarre, milk to ice-cream bar, lots of ice appeared, a red silk turns into a plastic strawberry and then a real strawberry. Rocco revealed his methods at his lecture the following day. Also on the Friday night show was Sterling Steal, a middle-age and pudgy bald gentleman with a chrome headpiece that was shaped like Max Maven's hairstyle. He also had a highly decorated full-evening dress tail outfit.
In spite of his over-the-top dance and posing , I enjoyed his act. I had seen him before at the Daytona Convention but for some reason I enjoyed this go around more.
Steal has a video he plays before his act begins and it is designed to make him appear to be an android from outer space. In his lecture the following afternoon he also revealed his methods and sleeving was a big part as well as clever drops and a toppit. His act uses 4 inch chrome balls, disks, doves and Linking Rings.
Also on the Friday Night show was Mark Charles, a well known East Coast promoter. He did a three giant mirror box Monte in a "Where is Carmen Santiago" routine.
It was a lot of heavy props and assistants for a small amount of effect. The closing act was Mr. Bones with a pirate themed act that mostly featured the Alan Wakeling sawing made popular again recently by Mark Kalin and Ginger. "Mr. Bones" is the photo model in most of the Douglas Tilford illusion advertisments in Magic Magazine.
My Saturday was spent in lectures, one good one was Duane Laflin. There was also a small dealer's room. I did pick up a used "Beads of Prussia" for a few bucks. It was made by my old friend , John Fedko, who is retired in California.
Saturday Night was the big show across the street at Jefferson High School. The Emcee was a somnambulistic Ronald McDonald. Duane Laflin and Mary are a journeyman silk and flower act and they got a warm response. Rocco had already done his FISM act the night before so he did mostly filler material such as the water in newspaper known as the 7 buck trick, "In the News". At this point several things became obvious to most of the audience. One was that Rocco acted stoned and the other was that the tech crew has incompetent. The microphone kept going on and off. The music was not cued up or coordinated. There was no logic to how they pointed the spotlight other than that maybe the operator had gotten his experience by pointing lights while poaching deer in Wachula.
After the intermission we came back and the entire second act was Sam Sandler and wife. In between Modern Art and a Sub Truck he filled with a few standard effects and a spectator and a mouth coil. It is surprising that in our day of modern hygiene anyone can find a slobbery -drooling mouth coil production entertaining. Somewhere in the act Sandler did a "Bullet Catching" using an air pistol and laser guided dart. Again, does anyone really find this entertaining, especially in a family show? It is important for every entertainer to be aware of their body shape and their movements and never engage in body movement that makes a pot belly obvious. The show wasn't a bust but could have been a lot better.
Sunday Morning was a short flea market. It was less than crowded. Richard and I headed home. I just don't know how long the "Magic on the Bay" event will last. Some said the attendance was less this year than last. I hate to see any magic event founder. The magic arts needs more person to person activitiesand event because the Internet will ultimately be self-defeating in promoting magic. The problem is the expenses needed to stage a convention and what can be afforded in ticket prices.
Tommy Jones got one of the best laughs of the Friday Night show. He did a great job as Emcee. I don't know all the details, but his long-time companion, English female magician, Rachel Wild, left him for Aldo Columbini. Columbini and Wild were recently married in Italy and back in America on the circuit. Tommy was introducing an act on the Cabaret show and dusted off his turquoise sport coat and said, "How do you like it?". He went on, "It was a gift from my ex-wife. I came home one night and it was draped over the bedpost. I had to have it taken in a little". He then opened the coat, "It even came with a Himber Wallet in the pocket!". Those in the know in the audience roared with laughter. It is good that Tommy can laugh about his personal turmoil. I was talking to him at his table and he said, "I am working on more lines. Maybe I will say the Himber wallet is made from Italian Leather!".
Apparently Tommy Jones intends to stay on the lecture circuit and he will probably appear at conventions with Aldo and Rachel also lecturing. There have been some seemingly amicable break-ups in the magic world, John and Irene Daniel is an example. Irene left John and married Bill Larsen Jr. of Magic Castle and Genii magazine fame. The Dick and Dianne Zimmerman break-up was another .
Show business is a business of dreams, hopes and emotional commitments and marriage partnerships can come unglued very easily. My high school friend, Wayne Alan had a FISM winning act with his wife Sandy and a very successful corporate and trade show business and later their own magic theater in Annapolis, Maryland. The pressures were too much and the marriage dissolved and Wayne took a long time emotionally getting over it.
Brittany Spears is an example of a show business emotional breakdown. So far, I do not know of any magicians shaving their heads on a whim. I do know more than one that needs to be in rehab. That is another whole discussion for another time. This is a crazy business or , at least, being in it will drive you crazy!
Dennis Phillips
Rocco accomplished almost all the act by "sleeving". His choice of hand items was almost bizarre, milk to ice-cream bar, lots of ice appeared, a red silk turns into a plastic strawberry and then a real strawberry. Rocco revealed his methods at his lecture the following day. Also on the Friday night show was Sterling Steal, a middle-age and pudgy bald gentleman with a chrome headpiece that was shaped like Max Maven's hairstyle. He also had a highly decorated full-evening dress tail outfit.
In spite of his over-the-top dance and posing , I enjoyed his act. I had seen him before at the Daytona Convention but for some reason I enjoyed this go around more.
Steal has a video he plays before his act begins and it is designed to make him appear to be an android from outer space. In his lecture the following afternoon he also revealed his methods and sleeving was a big part as well as clever drops and a toppit. His act uses 4 inch chrome balls, disks, doves and Linking Rings.
Also on the Friday Night show was Mark Charles, a well known East Coast promoter. He did a three giant mirror box Monte in a "Where is Carmen Santiago" routine.
It was a lot of heavy props and assistants for a small amount of effect. The closing act was Mr. Bones with a pirate themed act that mostly featured the Alan Wakeling sawing made popular again recently by Mark Kalin and Ginger. "Mr. Bones" is the photo model in most of the Douglas Tilford illusion advertisments in Magic Magazine.
My Saturday was spent in lectures, one good one was Duane Laflin. There was also a small dealer's room. I did pick up a used "Beads of Prussia" for a few bucks. It was made by my old friend , John Fedko, who is retired in California.
Saturday Night was the big show across the street at Jefferson High School. The Emcee was a somnambulistic Ronald McDonald. Duane Laflin and Mary are a journeyman silk and flower act and they got a warm response. Rocco had already done his FISM act the night before so he did mostly filler material such as the water in newspaper known as the 7 buck trick, "In the News". At this point several things became obvious to most of the audience. One was that Rocco acted stoned and the other was that the tech crew has incompetent. The microphone kept going on and off. The music was not cued up or coordinated. There was no logic to how they pointed the spotlight other than that maybe the operator had gotten his experience by pointing lights while poaching deer in Wachula.
After the intermission we came back and the entire second act was Sam Sandler and wife. In between Modern Art and a Sub Truck he filled with a few standard effects and a spectator and a mouth coil. It is surprising that in our day of modern hygiene anyone can find a slobbery -drooling mouth coil production entertaining. Somewhere in the act Sandler did a "Bullet Catching" using an air pistol and laser guided dart. Again, does anyone really find this entertaining, especially in a family show? It is important for every entertainer to be aware of their body shape and their movements and never engage in body movement that makes a pot belly obvious. The show wasn't a bust but could have been a lot better.
Sunday Morning was a short flea market. It was less than crowded. Richard and I headed home. I just don't know how long the "Magic on the Bay" event will last. Some said the attendance was less this year than last. I hate to see any magic event founder. The magic arts needs more person to person activitiesand event because the Internet will ultimately be self-defeating in promoting magic. The problem is the expenses needed to stage a convention and what can be afforded in ticket prices.
Tommy Jones got one of the best laughs of the Friday Night show. He did a great job as Emcee. I don't know all the details, but his long-time companion, English female magician, Rachel Wild, left him for Aldo Columbini. Columbini and Wild were recently married in Italy and back in America on the circuit. Tommy was introducing an act on the Cabaret show and dusted off his turquoise sport coat and said, "How do you like it?". He went on, "It was a gift from my ex-wife. I came home one night and it was draped over the bedpost. I had to have it taken in a little". He then opened the coat, "It even came with a Himber Wallet in the pocket!". Those in the know in the audience roared with laughter. It is good that Tommy can laugh about his personal turmoil. I was talking to him at his table and he said, "I am working on more lines. Maybe I will say the Himber wallet is made from Italian Leather!".
Apparently Tommy Jones intends to stay on the lecture circuit and he will probably appear at conventions with Aldo and Rachel also lecturing. There have been some seemingly amicable break-ups in the magic world, John and Irene Daniel is an example. Irene left John and married Bill Larsen Jr. of Magic Castle and Genii magazine fame. The Dick and Dianne Zimmerman break-up was another .
Show business is a business of dreams, hopes and emotional commitments and marriage partnerships can come unglued very easily. My high school friend, Wayne Alan had a FISM winning act with his wife Sandy and a very successful corporate and trade show business and later their own magic theater in Annapolis, Maryland. The pressures were too much and the marriage dissolved and Wayne took a long time emotionally getting over it.
Brittany Spears is an example of a show business emotional breakdown. So far, I do not know of any magicians shaving their heads on a whim. I do know more than one that needs to be in rehab. That is another whole discussion for another time. This is a crazy business or , at least, being in it will drive you crazy!
Dennis Phillips
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