Magic Mutterings

Easing Back In

2011-05-29T17:10:00.000-07:00

The last year and a half have not been good for me for too many reasons to bore you with. Let's just say I have not been up to writing much of anything. But now I had better jump back in or just retire to the basement. Too many bugs in the basement, so, let me try this approach again.
Yesterday, May 28, I attended Nashville Magic Day, sponsored and organized by Nashville's Society of American Magicians (SAM) assembly #50. Things actually started Friday evening with open mic night and a talk about reviewing Magic videos by Joe Turner. It was a good way to start the weekend.
Saturday morning local Magician/Entertainer Alan Fisher picked me up at home (this really big limb fell on my pickup truck Wednesday night, leaving me with no transportation for the weekend) around 8:00 AM and we headed across town for the event.
The opening lecture, at 9:00 AM, was by Stephen Bargatze. This really made my day and provided the boost I have been needing for months. Great material and many laughs were featured, and anyone who has not seen Stephen lecture or perform is really missing a treat. Stephen really represents what Magic can do for the audience and I cannot thank him enough for helping to bring me out of a very dark place.
A workshop scheduled for the 10:00 slot was moved to the afternoon and my memory is already playing tricks on me. Now I remember. We had the impromptu closeup session with some excellent magic by Alan Fisher, Bob Escher, and Tom Gibson, among others. This was followed by a dealer show featuring Steve Varro, Barry Manley, and another whose name has fled my brain.
After a break for lunch we returned for Gene Anderson's lecture. I have seen him lecture before and found it informative and entertaining as always. David Sandy's lecture on the business side of Magic was the next lecture. Then came the Feedback Workshop which was interesting so see how the panel of professionals offered their expertise to help performers improve their acts. I did not take any notes so I have no names to report.
The Workshop ran long which resulted in a shortened supper break. Off we went to Sonic, then back to the site of the Magic Day for the evening show.
In addition to the event attendees we were joined by a lot of civilians for an excellent evening's entertainment, MC's by Wayne Clemons. Gene Anderson, Joe Turner, David Sandy, Wayne Clemons and Shank (Outsourced), Scott Cantrell, and Stephen Bargatze. The show was very well received by the audience and I had a great time. My ribs still ache a bit from laughing so much, but it is a pain I will happily endure and expose myself to again.
The event was not perfect of course; after all, it was staged by mere mortals. The biggest problem involved getting things started on time and allowing some thing to run over the allotted time. Also, having the MC for the closeup session stay in the room and not go running off would help. Still, for a first attempt it was very good overall. (I speak from experience, having worked on several magic conventions and Science Fiction conventions. I am now very happy to be an attendee and let others do all the work, thank you very much.) In all, I had a great time and will happily attend when they do this again next years. I salute SAM assembly 50 for a job well done. I request of any reader if you can fill in any names please send them so I can correct this entry.
My biggest disappointment was not with the event but with the sparse turnout by members of the local Magic clubs including two IBM rings, FCM and an unaffiliated group. I realize this is a busy time of year for a lot of people but it seems like there could have been a few more bodies in attendance. Nashville, and the surrounding counties have a population of over 1.5 million people, yet it cannot support a magic shop for any length of time. I can think of a half-dozen attempts in the last twenty years, most lasting under two or three years. People at yesterday's Magic Day came from as far away as Atlanta, Chattanooga, Louisville, and Huntsville. But there were only a few locals, as usual. I hope this will change, but I am not holding my breath. I will offer my congratulations and encouragement to the local Magicians who put together this very enjoyable event. I look forward to next year.

Magic and October

2009-10-03T09:15:00.001-07:00

Magic.

The word conjures up images of amazing sights, mystical feats; invigorates the Sense of Wonder and promises the impossible. Magic and October go together, thanks to Halloween and its connections with other worlds, and the death of the Twentieth Century's most famous magician on October 31, 1926.

Magic has been a part of human experience as long as humanity has existed. Early Man saw the wonders of the world and could only attribute it to non-human beings or spirits. Magicians and priests were a part of the court of kings and performed works of wonder. One only need to remember the priests of Pharaoh who changed their staffs into serpents.

Over the centuries Magic has played different roles from Merlin as King Arthur's advisor to the Middle Ages and beyond when purveyors of Magic were regarded as tools of devils and demons, and thousands of innocent men, women and children were tortured and murdered by authorities after farcical trials. Such madness even reached the New World as reflected in the Salem Witch Trials.

Slowly Magic became associated with entertainers who were held in the same low regard as actors and other criminals. The negative elements of Magic were featured in plays such as Macbeth and Doctor Faustus. Then Magic became the thing of children's stories thanks to the chroniclers of folklore such as the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. Fairies and other supernatural beings featured in plays by Shakespeare and others. Later Magicians such as Robert-Houdin and Alexander Herrmann elevated the Art of Magic into the performing arts and this was built on by those who followed.

The popularity of supernatural literature in the Nineteenth Century (think Mary Shelly, John Polidori and Bram Stoker) made the subject quite respectable and it became considered safe for children, too. Writers such as M. R. James, Arthur Machen, H. P. Lovecraft, August Derleth, Robert Bloch advanced Supernatural Literature while Magicians such as Kellar, Goldin, Dante, Blackstone and Houdini elevated theatrical Magic to new heights.

All Hallows Eve, traditionally the time that the line between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, became the holiday Halloween, when children dress in costumes and extort sweets from neighbors with the cry of "Trick or Treat!!" Magicians also become very popular during this time, performing in many venues.

J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books have helped to bring the idea of Magic back to the forefront of popular culture and have reintroduced the Sense of Wonder that was slipping away. Magicians have benefitted from this, regaining popularity as entertainers. And this brings us to the Big Question. Is Magic real?

Just look at the face of a child or adult who has watched a Magician seemingly do the impossible. There is a look, especially in the eyes, that shows the Magician has momentarily taken them away from the worries and pains of the rel world. For one brief moment a human has been transported away from the world of miserably reality into a world where anything is possible.

In a time such as today when financial realities crush many dreams the idea of Magic can offer a bit of relief from the fears that many people face and help enable them to face the real world with some degree of optimism. It may be something as simple as changing the color of a silk scarf or as large as making a body appear to defy gravity. Magic can give hope and bring a smile to a child. That is real Magic, and that's why we do it.

The Big Convention-What Happened Next

2009-07-29T10:21:00.000-07:00

(Dealer's room doors finally open. Security heavy.)

Friday, July 3:

My feet are starting to get used to all the walking. But they still hurt.

This morning there is a gathering of members of IBM Ring 2100, the Internet Ring. Mike Durant, our fearless web master makes a brief appearance before hurrying off to get the finals of the Close-Up Competition ready. I meet several nice people but have no memory for names (wish I could blame this on being old). Then a run to the Marc Oberon lecture in the ever popular Presidential Ballroom D, then back upstairs for the Gold Cups finals. There are some fantastic acts here. Following is the official info from Mike Durant.

Here is the complete and final compilation of results for the 2009 I.B.M. Convention Contests in Nashville

Close-up Contest:Finalists:

South Korea; Yoo Hyun Min

USA; Micah Johnson

USA; Ray 'Magic' Adams

Singapore; Shin Lim

Canada; Atsushi Ono

USA; Christian

Adult Category Awards:1st Place Winner: Yoo Hyun Min# (receives a $500 (U.S. currency) cash prize.)2nd Place Award of Merit: Ray "Magic" Adams

Youth Category:1st Place Winner: Micah Johnson* (receives a $500 (U.S. currency) Savings Bond prize.)2nd Place Award of Merit: Shin Lim

Other Awards:FFFF's People's Choice: Atsushi OnoThe I.B.M. Gold Cups International Award of Excellence in Close-up Performance was not awarded.

The Adult category winner of the I.B.M. Close-up Contest (Yoo Yhun Min) will be offered a contract to perform at the I.B.M. Annual Convention.

Since I was not involved in judging any of the close-up I feel I can express my disagreement with the judge's selection for Adult Category. Ray "Magic" Adams had some good magic, but much of the routine hung on the various dialects he used and he kept slipping out of character, far too many times. I guess that's my Theatre bias sneaking in. Still, all of the finalists did some great magic.

My badge group (red) was due to attend the Big Three Special Event, but I slipped my way into the close-up show to see it again. Keep in mind, I am not a big fan of close-up, but these guys were worth seeing again. I then spent a good deal of the afternoon just hanging out and meeting different people. Then several of us headed over to the mall for supper before going to the Acuff Theater to see the Gold Medal Finalist Show. Rich Bloc was MC and Charlie Frye also entertained.

Stage Contest:Finalists:

South Korea; Minsoo Choi

USA; Nathan Kepner

Japan; Yo Kato

USA; Peter Pitchford

Canada; Richard Forget

South Korea; Jei Min & Hanna

Adult Category:1st Place Winner: Richard Forget# (receives a $1,000 (U.S. currency) cash prize.)

2nd Place Award of Merit: Peter Pitchford

Youth Category:1st Place Winner: USA; David Mlakar* (receives a $500 (U.S. currency) Savings Bond prize.)

2nd Place Award of Merit: USA; Reuben Moreland

Other Awards:I.B.M. People's Choice Award: Jei Min and Hanna (receives a $500 (U.S. currency) cash prize.)

Karrell Fox Comedy Award: USA; Jeffrey Alan Sabra (Note, this is the first time this award has been awarded.)

The I.B.M. Gold Medal International Award of Excellence in Stage Performance was not awarded.

The Youth Category winner of the I.B.M. Stage Contest (David Mlakar,) and the Youth Category winner of the I.B.M. Close-up Contest (Micah Johnson) will each also receive the Fantasma Youth Prize PackageThe Adult category winner of the I.B.M. Stage Contest (Richard Forget) will be offered contracts to perform at the I.B.M. Annual Convention, and at the British Ring Convention.

Again, there was some fine magic performed by the contestants and the show was very entertaining.

Afterwards there was a lecture by Ed Ellis and a workshop offered by David and Dania.

Saturday, July 4:

It's almost over. My knees and feet are rejoicing.

At 8:00 AM there is a Judge's Critique session offered to contestants who want feedback on their acts. At 10:00 Hayashi lectures. Other than the Big Three events, there is not a lot scheduled for the afternoon, so many of us head to the Dealer's Room looking for THE TRICK. It's also a good opportunity to hang out and meet even more people. At 4:30 there is an Autograph With The Stars. I had several sign my Program Book. No one wanted my autograph. It'll be valuable some day. Honest.

Off to Cracker Barrel for supper.

Now, the Big Show of the Big Convention.

Shimada opens with his dove act. Then the stage is invaded by four of the Irish dancers and MC Stephen Bargatze. After a good routine the acts continue. Juliana Chen introduces her new act; Scott Land amazes with his marionettes; Oscar Munoz does his usual excellent magic and Shimada closes the show with his classic Dragon act. Another great show and the audience leaves happy, but wet. It has started raining during the show and by the time it ends and we all get a bit wet.

At this point I head for home and miss the Strolling Olympics. And here is where I will insert the remaining awards.

I.B.M. Originality Contest: USA; Michael P. Lair, for shrinking soda can (receives the Gene Gordon Cash Prize, a $100 (U.S. currency) cash prize.)

I.B.M. Strolling Olympics:

Funniest: USA; Andy Root

Most Original: USA; Loudini (Louis Malamed)

Best Overall: Micah Johnson and Shin Lim (duo)

So, it's over for another year. In 2010 the Big Convention will be in San Diego. I would love to go, but doubt I'll make it. Who knows, maybe I'll finally win that lottery.

In closing I had a great time, met some wonderful people from all over the world, renewed old friendships and avoided spending too much in the dealer's room. Not a bad way to spend a week at all.

The Big Convention

2009-07-22T16:37:00.000-07:00

It's been about three weeks since the International Brotherhood of Magicians annual convention opened here in Nashville. This was my first time at the BIG convention; usually they are held too far away for convenient travel, along with a few other lame excuses. But this year it was held about three miles from my house, so I was stuck this time.

(Picture shows crowds waiting for registration to open.)

Tuesday, June 30:

Opening day. Things start out bad for me before I even leave the house. Misplaced billfold, panic mode. Finally I spot it under the bed. Not a good omen.

I have volunteered to work registration, so, of course, I'm late. I register, then claim a chair for a few minutes before I go to help out. The recurring Vertigo (cue Bernard Herrmann music track) hits and I'm pretty much worthless for the rest of the day. I do get into the ticket booth and help with registration some some of the hard-working volunteers can escape for lunch.

The main really big plus for Tuesday is getting to meet people I have only known through the pages of the Linking Ring or through the internet. I attend the opening ceremonies at 6:30, go to the contest judges' briefing at 7:00 (which runs a little long) then drop into the First Time Atendee's party. Now for the important part: the dealer's room is open and I make my first scouting run. Here I get to meet Fantasio (a truly nice gentleman) and buy a few things from him. I also encounter Gay Blackstone and talk with her for a few minutes. After a while I make my way up to the Presidential D Ballroom (the big one) and see Losander's excellent lecture. I then painfully make my way back to my car and go home.

Did I mention I hate the Opryland Resort Hotel? It's big but the problem is the layout has serious problems and it seems to be hostile toward us old folk with limited mobility. The restaurants are overpriced and the quality of the food is lacking. And you can't get from point A to point B without going through point Z. Again, I hate this hotel.

Wednesday, July 1:

I arrive at the judges' chamber shortly after 7:00 AM. Soon we make our way to Presidential Ballromm D (notice a trend here?) and take my place as one of the judges of the Preliminary Stage Contest. There are 29 entries. Yep, we sit through 29 acts and do our best to accurately score each performer based on the criteria. The quality is uneven, but no one is really bad. And every one of them deserves congratulations for having the nerve to enter. The variety of acts is good. There is no "theme" this year and the familiar effects usually get performed with some new twists. There are some gorgeous acts from South Korea, a colorful presentation from Hawaii, and many more from other parts of the globe. It is good to see young people this talented.

The contests run over so I miss Juliana Chen's lecture. Later there is a lecture by J. C. Wagner, but I think I missed it. At least I have no conscious memory of the event. Unfortunately I miss a fascinating lecture by Mark Horowitz due to not being able to find the room. Also, I'm in pretty bad pain by this time. The back, legs and feet are all complaining. I head home about 6:00 since I am not attending the "Grande Banquet and Cabaret Show". My aching muscles thank me.

Thursday, July 2:

The hotel is invaded. Everywhere you look there are Irish dancers. Any open area you see the girls (and a few boys) practicing, exercising and generally taking over. I spoke with someone from the group and they said there were between two and three thousand dancers taking part.

I watch a little of the Gold Cups Preliminary Close-up Contest and then make my way back to (all together now) Presidential D Ballroom for Oscar Munoz's lecture. Good stuff as always. I make my way back upstairs to the "Big Three Close-up Show. Pain, pain and more pain. My brain always hurts when I watch Shoot Ogawa. His sleights are incredible, mystifying and entertaining. I think they defy Newtonian Physics. Also performing are Ed Ellis, Hayashi, Marc Oberon and J. C.Wagner. Good magic by all.

After Rich Bloch's lecture some of us head over to the mall in search of food.

Finally we come to the first of three big shows at the Acuff Theater, located over by the Grand Ole Opry House. Billed as "International Stars of Magic" performers are David & Dania (she deserves top billing), Jorge Blass, Yuji Yamamoto, Kyle Eschen, Latimer and An Ha-Lim. For some weird reason a couple of close-up acts were part of the stage show, so a camera made closeup shots which were projected on a screen. Unfortunately the screen was so far upstage that about a third of the audience was unable to see anything. Also, no one introduced the acts and except for Dania & David I didn't know who was who.

I will complete this report in about a week. Keep looking out for it. And thanks for reading.

Why Magic?

2009-04-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

Why Magic, indeed? We who are magicians, or call ourselves such, are drawn to perform, but the question might be "Why?". What draws us to try to befuddle, fool and even amuse our fellow human beings?
I remember watching magicians on the television variety shows in the nineteen-fifties, but the catalyst that drew me from viewer to wanting to perform was Mark Wilson's The Magic Land of Alakazam. That and the discovery of magic catalogs in the back of issues of Science & Mechanics and other magazines, and some basic books in the library helped lure me in.
But what draws us to continue after childish enthusiasm starts to fade? There are many reasons from the need to gratify the ego to the desire to entertain. Borrowing a phrase from Science Fiction, most Magicians like to create a "Sense of Wonder" in their audiences; to bring the unexpected into the mundane world.
The Fawcett Ross publicity shot above is a good example. It presents an unexpected look at the roles of the magician and his famous assistant. Whoever looks at it is sure to get a chuckle at the least.
Magic, when well performed can draw the viewer away from the dismal, everyday world for a while; escapist entertainment at its best. It's nice to escape from thoughts of the economy, high unemployment and another dreadful TV season to a world where anything is possible. "There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination" from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory pretty much sums it up.
Entertain, Amaze, release from the hum-drum everyday world. Next to music, Magic has the most potential to send the audience into another plane of existence for a while. Magic can transcend the "fooled you" level, but it takes hard work and the desire to go beyond the tricks you find in a magic set. Or, and more importantly, take those old, familiar tricks and take them in a new direction.
I love watching Magic and, even if I know how the "trick is done" a creative approach can amaze me as much as someone who is seeing it for the first time. And that's when I know the Magician on stage is real. For the true magic of our craft is releasing the audience from the confines of Reality, if only for a short time.

We Don't Get No Respect

2008-12-19T16:19:00.000-08:00

Magicians do not seem to get any respect on television dramatic shows. Just think back to these examples. CSI (the original) features a magician who is a murderer and another who is just plain weird. CSI New York has Kris Angel as a psychotic magician and real bad actor. Well, Kris was just plain awful when he delivered dialogue. Law and Order Criminal Intent has one magician who is a washed up lush along with the requisite murderous magician. And the creepy detective gets to expose a couple of tricks.

Related variety arts do not fare any better. Ventriloquists tend to come off worse than magicians with the added bit of thinking their dummies are alive or being possessed by said dummy. At least I haven't seen any homicidal jugglers this season.

Gone are the days of The Magician with Bill Bixby as a crime fighting magician and Black's Magic with Hal Linden as a crime fighting magician. There was a British series Jonathan Creek, where the crime solving hero invents and builds magic effects. But the magician is a bit of a dolt. Like I said, no respect.

Exposure shows such as the Masked Magician on myTV, the least watched broadcast network, also take a dim view of magic and magicians. Build an illusion, hire some sleazy assistants and you to can become David Copperfield.

Magic does not get the respect of the other performing arts. But some of that is self-inflicted by magicians who do not take their art seriously. It is also too easy for someone to learn a few tricks and start advertising their availability for parties. Even amateur actors and singers have to audition to get a part in a show, but the Amazing Gilhooly can peddle his shows like an experienced performer and usually leaving a dislike for magic and magicians in his wake.

Is there a solution? Hanged if I know, but it is worth thinking about the next time you turn on your television.

October Is Magic Month

2008-09-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

October has long been associated with Magic due, in part, to Halloween and the fact that Harry Houdini died in October 31, 1926.

Magic clubs often schedule shows during October and Middle Tennessee is no different in that regard. IBM Ring 37 in Nashville is staging Magicpalooza Twooza on October 4 at Nashville's Belcourt Theater in Hillsboro Village. Featured is one of my favorite magicians, Stephen Bargatze, along with Tony Chapek, Jason Michaels, Terry Hedges and Wayne Clemons appearing on the matinee show. The evening show features Bargatze, Chapek, Michaels, Gary Flegal, Jerry Fraley and James Hargrave. Other magicians will be performing in the lobby before the show and during the intermission. For further information, go to the Ring 37 web site: http://www.nashvillemagicclub.com/

Murfreesboro's Ring 252 (where I hang out) hosts their annual Howl-O-Ween Spooktacular in Murfreesboro at the Center For the Arts (just off the town Square) October 24 and 25, both evening shows. Performers are Eldridge Alexander (MC), Loco Magic (Wayne Lovell and Rob Covert), Mayhem Magic (Jimbo Hooten and Jeff Mullins), Jerry Fraley, Dr. Gary Flegal, David Williams and Jeff Lewis. For additional information go here: http://ibmring252.com/

The magic wand has long been seen as a symbol of magicians. over the years the standard wand evolved into the black stick with (usually) white tips. It looks great with a tuxedo, for example. But, thanks to Harry Potter more "organic" wands have become available and magicians who use a wand should look at some of these. Some excellent examples are to be seen here: http://www.wizardwands.net/

And here: http://store.valueweb.com/servlet/orderofm/-strse-Magic-Wands-cln-Real-Wood-Wands/Categories

Magic can thrive and grow in the 21st Century, despite the latest failure of the dreary David Blaine and his latest show, which lost viewers throughout the boring two-hour program. Harry Potter has helped bring Magic back into the spotlight and good magical performers can use that to help revive interest in the art. And I don't mean by doing "Boy Wizard" shows. Take advantage of the "Sense of Wonder" the field offers and bring audiences into the world of Magic.

2008-08-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

Welcome, travelers through the realms of Magic. In this forum I hope to share my thoughts (whatever they may be) on the subject of Magic, both in the world of Theatre and the world of Fiction. And maybe even a bit on Real Magic as it touches us each day.

By way of introduction I have been interested in Magic for around fifty years now. I used to watch the variety shows such as Ed Sullivan, eagerly awaiting the magician. I really got hooked by Mark Wilson's The Magic Land of Alakazam, rarely missing an episode. I even got to see him perform live at the TVA&I Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. I purchased my first tricks about this time, inexpensive plastic tricks purchased in a local drug store. I recall getting a die box and a vase of Allah. Like many others of my generation my first magic catalog came from Douglas Magicland.

Unfortunatey, never being able to find a supportive adult as mentor I developed all the bad habits of new magicians and had a hard time sustaining my interest. Flash forward to 1976 when I encountered Austinini (Larry Austin) and was introduced to the International Brotherhood. I also became involved in community theatre and drifted back and forth between Magic and Theatre. I rejoined the IBM in 1988, in Nashville, and have been involved ever since.

I have discovered over the past few years that I do not enjoy performing magic as much as being involved back stage. We have a number of really entertaining magicians in Middle Tennessee and I would rather let them be on the stage while I lurk in the back. [A note to all magicians. Treat your stage crew with great respect. They have the ability to make your time on stage a living hell.]

The Art of Magic is a wonder field and has potential to entertain many people of all ages. More thoughts next time.

c 2008 by Eric Jamborsky