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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
In this issue:
Greetings and News KIDabra 2009 Conference Updates A Very Special Limited Offer for the Next 5 Registrants KIDabra Journal News Optional Liability Insurance Congratulations, Thoughts and Prayers KIDabra International Member News December Greetings! Happy Holidays! I hope this newsletter finds you busy with shows for the holidays! There is much to report in KIDabra world. Let me pause to do a little personal update - Tami had planned surgery on November 24th and did great with 3 days of hospital stay. Her recuperation is about 6 to 8 weeks at home and each day I see a little improvement. She went to the boys basketball game a couple of nights ago, her first social foray out in 3 weeks. It was tiring for her, but she enjoyed it. Our apologies if we have been slow to respond during this time. She is in the office now for short periods of time a few days a week. During all of this I took a bit of time off to help out, and as things go, I was ailing a bit as well. Many of you know that I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease (colitis) as a teenager and have had many ups and downs with it over the years. Unfortunately I've been having a major flare with it the past few weeks. Much time has been spent with doctors and treatments and this is on going until it's under control again. One day I'll write an article about maintaining a full time performing career while living with a chronic disease. It's quite an adventure! All this said we are actively engaged in tons of projects as usual, just at a slower pace momentarily:>) KIDabra International Member Laverne Seibert had the gorgeous full color KIDabra logo Cloisonne pins that some of you purchased at the conference. I visited with Laverne recently at his home in East Berlin, PA. (I'm eating a pretzel as I type in his honor:>) Laverne still has some of the pins available and they are very inexpensive! Wear them on your costumes, to chapter meetings, anywhere. I pin mine to the collar of my shirt. Purchase direct from Laverne for only $5.00 for one or 5 for $20.00 plus 2 dollars shipping, outside the US and Canada please add additional shipping. Checks and money orders only. Why not get one for everybody in your chapter? They make great gifts for your KIDabra friends too! Order from Laverne Seibert, 7479 Jacobs Mill Road, East Berlin, PA 17316 We have some really exciting things to tell you about KIDabra Conference and the KIDabra Journal in the newsletter. There is also a Very Special Offer for the next 5 KIDabra 2009 Conference Registrants, so read on. I have a favor, with times the way they are it's easy to let something like you're association dues slide. If you're dues are past due take please take a moment and renew on-line or by calling Tami at 336-492-7870. You don't want to miss any of the Journals. I'm blown away by the stuff we've got coming up and there are consistently 5 or 6 excellent routine ideas in every issue. (Many of them pet routines), business and performing ideas (often worth the price of membership alone), coupled with in depth articles about the people who make up our industry, then add in the latest from around the KIDshow world from Ken Scott and you get the only magazine that Mark Wade says he "reads cover to cover" every issue. Couple that with your other Benefits: Free website, the KIDabra Discussion Forum, optional Liability Insurance (the best policy in the industry), the KIDabra Chapters (10 so far), attending the Conference and the fact that it's all probably Tax Deductible. (That's important this time of year.) It literally pays to be a member of KIDabra International, so please renew or Join today! We love having you as part of the KIDabra family! Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and Happy Winter Solstice to all of our members around the world! Thanks, Mark and Tami KIDabra Conference 2009 News The 18th Year The Incredible Year of the Performer Pigeon Forge, TN • Music Road Hotel Complex August 12 - 15, 2009 (with Optional Seminars starting August 11th) Featuring: Max Howard, Mark Wade, Duane Laflin – and that's just for starters! Maybe we should call it The Amazing Year of Live Performances! KIDabra Conference 2009 welcomes back the extraordinary Max Howard for the first time in several years! A KIDabra favorite, the Emmy award winning actor/magician joins us with a live performance and more. Max approaches everything he does with incredible passion and the love of a master artist. Prepare to be inspired! Stay tuned, much more coming about Max's time with us! Next, another old friend returns after years as well: Mark Wade! Mark is one of the top children's ventriloquists in the world, producer of the annual Vent Haven Convention, columnist for The KIDabra Journal, and along with Max among our most popular lecturers. Mark is pulling out all the stops for us. You'll see him for the first time ever present a live performance of his Character Education School Show before an invited audience of children. Then we'll take a break and he'll dissect for you what goes into the make up of his very successful performances. We're just warming up! Duane Laflin during his traditional Thursday evening period is going to be anything but traditional. He is inviting friends from the area to serve as his live audience for us to enjoy and learn from their reaction to his performance of A Very Special Family Show Evening with Duane and Mary Laflin. Afterwards, we'll excuse our guests and Duane will teach the ins and outs of this approach to this venue. If you see a trend developing, hold on to your hats, KIDabra Conference 2009 is going to be a roller coaster ride of thrills, fun and education. A live school show, a live family show, a live birthday party show, a live preschool show - wow! Stay tuned for breaking news and more surprises revealed! The Year of the Performer is a KIDabra Conference like never before! A Special Offer for the Next 5 Primary Conference Registrants! Register Today for KIDabra Conference 2009 and get a Stylish KIDabra Portfolio Free! The next 5 primary registrants receive a Deluxe Embroidered Portfolio! The black portfolio features a zippered outside pocket, two large inside pockets, a mini organizer, an adjustable and detachable canvas shoulder strap with a rubber pad, brass hardware, leather trim and a canvas handle beautifully embroidered with the KIDabra International logo. A $30.00 value free to you, but there are only 5! Call today 336-492-7870 or register on-line. While they last, first come first serve. Give yourself a great year end present/tax deduction with the conference and Portfolio too. KIDabra Journal News The October/November with Emmanuel Shabum on the cover should be in most everyone's hands now. Ours arrived last week. It went out just a bit late this go round as we transitioned with designers. We have a new designer for this issue, Jessica Friend at SPS, and she did a wonderful job! There is terrific stuff in the issue like Skip Way's inspiring article about Emmanuel and the incredible business he's built in Puerto Rico, along with the really fun article about a little group of us attending the International Toy Fair in Manhattan. Plus 5 routines, six if you include Barry's idea on the mental photography deck. (I've seen Jozo Bozo's perform the Jewel Trick from his column and straight out of one of his shows. It's great and highly commercial, ditto for all the others too!) Plus business and marketing ideas, even tax strategies, wow! Our thanks to the incredible Journal Staff! Coming in the December/January issue you're going to meet courtesy of Skip Way one of the movers and shakers in our industry. He was one of the first guys to ever do 600 plus preschools a year and many of the standards of the modern preschool show came from his fertile mind. He's been a clown, magician, speaker and a success coach. You're about to meet the one and only John Cooper as never before and I promise he's fascinating! Two New Columnists Join the KIDabra Journal! "Jolly" Roger Blakiston joins us as a new columnist. Roger is a full time children's performer originally from the UK and now living in Phoenix, AZ. He has a diverse background in theater and magic and much to share. He was with us for the first time at KIDabra conference this past year and everyone found him charming and fascinating! If you know of him only through his often opinionated, sometimes controversial postings on the discussion forums you know only one side of this interesting man. Not only will you get to know him through his column as he shares his insights, routines and performing techniques, I think you'll grow fond of him as well. We also welcome Donald Dunphy as the new product reviewer columnist for the KIDabra Journal with John Cooper's blessings. Neither John nor I could think of anybody more qualified. Donald is knowledgeable, curious, opinionated, thorough and fair. Please Send your products for KIDshow or family show entertainers, for review to: Donald Dunphy 4487 Majestic Drive (Basement) Victoria, British Columbia, V8N 3H8 Canada ** Do let Donald know when you are sending something, so he can look for it. Especially if it is coming Internationally (from the U.S., etc.) Just send him an PM here on the Magic Café. ** Also, if you want the item returned after the review, don't send a SASE, because for instance, U.S. postage doesn't work for letters / packages mailed from Canada. He'll work out return arrangements with you when necessary, or keep them & turn them over for KIDabra Conference and the annual auction. (Proceeds from donated items go to support THe Imagination Library.) New KIDabra Member Benefit - Optional Liability Insurance Optional Liability Insurance is now offered to members of KIDabra International through K&K Insurance, a strong company that specializes in insuring performers and athletes. Their motto is "We Insure Fun!" If you currently are in need of or are considering this insurance for your performing business, here's some things to ponder. Who can be covered? Magician, Balloon Artists, Caricaturists, Clowns. Comedian, Face Painters, Jugglers, Puppeteers, Storytellers, Santa and other Holiday characters, Ventriloquists and more! The Important Details:This policy is not part of a group insurance pool, and importantly begins when you want it to. For instance some other policies, especially the group insurance pool policies, renew every year at the same time. An example, some policies renew every August, so if you take out the insurance in April you still pay the full fee. Not true with K&K. The insurance begins shortly after you apply, and upon acceptance. Also you will receive a certificate of insurance with your acceptance and additional free certificates of insurance as needed. How do I get started?Please download the PDF application, study it carefully for what's insurable and what's not. I'm told by Kevin Kutz in sales for K&K that Rabbits and Doves are fine, other animals and all fire related effects are not covered. We think you will find it to be one of strongest, if not the best policy in the industry. You'll find their rates very competitive. Also there are 2 options of insurance, depending on the amount of coverage you desire. Please note there are 2 categories of insurance based on gross performance income- 0- $30,000.00 and $30,000.00 to $100,000.00. You will need to be current with KIDabra International and enter your KI Member number on the application. This insurance is available to KI members in the US. Canadian members must check with the company individually. (K&K does have a Canadian office) KIDabra International is delighted to make this optional benefit available to members. Please understand KIDabra International has no stake, nor receives any compensation from K&K. Any agreement you enter into is between you and K&K. Please direct all insurance questions to K&K. (That's the legal stuff) Congratulations Roger "Skip Way is our Journal's Feature Editor and a busy fellow. Congrats to him for making the cover of the current Funny Paper magazine which includes a must read article about his work. And add in just winning a Linking Ring Magazine Award for Best Article and the "Skipster" is on a roll! Thoughts and Prayers Folks have been asking us to update them on how John Cooper is doing. What follows is a note from his close friend Glenn Strange: The doctors sent John home this past weekend, after 33 days in the hospital. (Most of those in intensive care) As you can imagine he is extremely weak. He goes for his dialysis treatment 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday). from 12 noon to 5 pm, currently. Amazingly John is still positive and says the word quit isn't in his vocabulary. John and Cathi's full income has always come from John presenting his educational programs. Obviously, they can no longer have that income. They are trying to qualify for assistance so they cannot have money in their checking account for fear of not qualifying. The last time they applied, they had $150 in their account and failed to qualify. It has been an ongoing battle for them. But, they do not complain nor whine. They face each day with much courage. Since so many of you are asking how you can help John and Cathi. In order to not show a lot of money in their checking account, they have asked you to send only cash, Visa or AMX gift cards to them at their home address. (Below) Here's another way you might can help John and Cathi. This past year, Cathi started an on line book store.http://sunnysideupbooks.com/ You can go to her store and see if there are some books you would like to purchase. But better yet, please check around your home and see if you can round up any old books that you know you will never reread or refer to again. Any type book, even old college books. She says a lot of professors and teachers like to have them for reference. I know many of you live hundreds of miles away and shipping these books might be expensive. You may have some clever ideas on how to get the books to Cathi that's not too expensive. I travel a good bit, and I know, many of you as entertainers also travel. There may be a way we could meet somewhere. You never know when we might be traveling in the same area. I would be happy to pick your books up and get them to Cathi. We might could do it like an old time fireman's bucket brigade. Just pass the books from one friend to another until we get them to Cathi. Contact Glenn at Glenn@GlennStrange.com This would be a big help to John and Cathi. At this time they have no income at all. Cathi needs to be with John 24/7. With the online book store she can have a little income and care for John. Their address is: John and Cathi Cooper 101 Beulah Drive Anderson, SC 29625 Coop would still love to get periodic emails from you as that is his most reliable resource to the outside world. His email is johnvcooper@mindspring.com Please email him or send him a greeting card to his home. They could use some of our attention during these tough times. Thanks for your consideration in helping. Terry Herbert: The KIDabra KIDshow Superstars DVD Volume 1 Now Available and Perfect for Gift Giving! Terry Herbert is one of the great kid show magicians in the world today. He has been performing magic for over 50 years. His DVD "Children's Magic the Herbert Way" is considered a classic in the world of children's entertainment. One of the highlights of KIDabra 2007, was this fascinating and entertaining interview between Terry Herbert and David Kaye. David found gold visiting with this lovable, one of a kind, personality. You'll discover a smart journeyman entertainer who has loved every second of it. You'll hang on every word of the easy rapport between Terry and David, plus thrill to the stories and cartoon voices from this wonderful storyteller. Among other things Terry discusses his early start performing in the Summer Holiday Camps in England. And straight from Terry's private collection, you will see video of his award winning comedy act for adults, The Great Fiasco, and his new character Mr. Woo the Wizard. Terry also performs live for the KIDabra audience. Watch as he presents an amazing coin trick that will absolutely fool you, and his hilarious five-minute puppet routine, with an adorable monkey, that will have you rolling on the floor. You'll enjoy time well spent with a legend and master performer, Mr. Terry Herbert, in this first volume of KIDabra KIDshow Superstars! Available from kidabra.org, sillymagic.com and from Terry himself during lecture appearances. Only $29.95 plus $5.00 shipping in the US and Canada from kidabra.org. Actual shipping charged to other countries. Important KIDabra International Member News Contacting Us - If at any time, you need assistance with any aspect of your KIDabra membership, please contact Tami directly at kidabraconf@aol.com. For help with your KIDabra website or logging on to the Discussion Forum, contact Dennis at dennismichael@dowhy.com. Change of Address/Change of Email If you move, please tell us! If any part of your address changes, please tell us! Also keep your email address up to date with us for breaking news! There is a link at the bottom of this email to delete or add email addresses. Thanks! KI Member Number You will need your KI member number frequently. It's required when you first sign on to the KIDabra forum at kidabra.org. You also need your member number to take advantage of the free website, for signing a KIDabra Chapter Charter, purchasing Liability Insurance from K&K and more. To keep up with my card I put it in my wallet, then it's always there. If you misplace yours, your number is always printed above your name on your KIDabra Journal envelope. KI Membership Join and Renewal It's easy at kidabra.org, click on the Join button, then scroll down to register. If it's time to renew your KI membership, you can do it now at kidabra.org, click on Join, scroll down to Renew. If your membership has lapsed, or due for renewal, you will or may have received a reminder in the mail. You don't want to miss a single issue of the KIDabra Journal and all the other great benefits! Treat yourself to KIDabra International today! KI Member Logo As a KIDabra International Member in good standing you may use the special Member Logo (created by Ralph the Great) on your website and promotional materials. Find it at kidabra.com, click on the Logo button on the left. Chapters may use the KIDabra logo for chapter business with their Chapter identification immediately under the logo. The original KI logo is reserved for Headquarters' usage. The Discussion Forum at kidabra.org - KI Members Benefit Posting on the informative KIDabra discussion forum is an important KI member benefit. All of the incredible content on the forum is available to KI members! If you have friends who would like to learn all about KIDabra they may view select sections of the forum as guests, however posting is exclusively for our members. Please join in the sharing! See you there! kidabra.org click on Forum and log in with your membership number. Free Website - KI Members Benefit One of your most valuable benefits is completely free to you and couldn't be easier to use. I was checking the other day and a ton of KI members have taken advantage of this and you should too! Your website is as easy as fill in the blanks. Use it to advertise your services, shows and talents. Available to paid members in good standing. To get started go to kidabra.org and click on the Free website button on the left. (You'll need your membership number) Optional Liability Insurance is offered to members of KIDabra International through K&K Insurance, a strong company that specializes in insuring performers and athletes. Their motto is "We Insure Fun!" Click the insurance button on the kidabra.org website and download the PDF insurance application. Chapter News Please keep us informed if you're working on starting a Chapter in your area. We'll help promote it. Please direct Chapter questions to Chapter Development Coordinator Dennis Michael. He is eager and ready to help at DennisMichael@MagicalBirthdayParty.com or 856-753-9754. Chapters - please send your meeting reports for the Journal to Tate Elliott, Story Editor as a word document the address is Tate_Elliott@juno.com Please place in the subject line Chapter # and Meeting Date, for Issue #. Pictures should 300 dpi and converted to B&W and sent to Tami at kidabraconf@aol.com. KI Journal Reminders Product reviews - Yes! We do want to review your product in The KIDabra Journal. Do you have a new trick, prop, book, DVD, E-book or Show-In-A-Box? Then send you item to KIDabra Journal Product reviewer Donald Dunphy. Submission Guidelines: (1) All review items must be KIDshow/family show focused. (2) All effects submitted need to contain at least one developed show script. (3) Books, CD's & DVD's must be pertinent to the kidshow/family show entertainer or their business. Please include retail pricing, ordering information, your phone # and e-mail address (in case Donald has questions) and if possible a disk containing a high-resolution picture of your item. Please indicate whether you want the product returned. Donald will work with you on this or if it will be donated to the 2009 KIDabra Auction with proceeds to charity. Send your review items today to: Donald Dunphy 4487 Majestic Drive (Basement) Victoria, British Columbia, V8N 3H8 Canada Journal Advertising To advertise in the KIDabra Journal contact Tami 336-492-7870 or kidabraconf@aol.com. Great rates and the perfect way to get the news out to the KIDshow world about your products and services. We now offer full color ads as well, please inquire about pricing. The Music Road Hotel Complex hosts KIDabra Conference 2009 Great rooms, on property water parks, pools – indoor and outdoor, water slides, lazy river and more, coupled with an excellent free continental breakfast each morning make for a great whole family treat. Melanie Michaels from Australia and John Reid from Long Island both say the Music Road is like going to a retreat. We'll be housed in both the Music Road Hotel and the Inn with the conference center between. The Inn is only a few steps further from the free standing conference center, the Hotel is best if you have special needs, also half of the rooms at the Hotel overlook the river. If the whole family is coming pick the inn for the most water activities, although no matter which building you're in you have full access. The complex is located at Traffic light 1 in Pigeon Forge in a quiet cul de sac just off the main drag, turn at the Ruby Tuesday's Restaurant. Surrounding it for a mile in every direction are restaurants to please every taste and that huge Wal-Mart in Sevierville is only 4 or 5 minutes drive, not to mention every outlet store known to man. Call Music Road Toll Free at 866-615-6353 and tell them you're with KIDabra. Every room night counts toward our reserved block and makes the conference possible. See more at musicroadhotel.com. Take a moment and make your reservation today! Don't forget you can read past newsletters at the website to gain the full story of KIDabra! We can't wait to see you next August or at your local KI Chapter meeting! Join KIDabra International Today at kidabra.org. click on Join Primary Members receive a Membership Card, The KIDabra Journal, Free Member Websites, the Amazing KIDabra Discussion Forum, and more. Member dues are $60.00 which includes an initiation fee and thereafter $49.00 on renewal. Associate/Spouse (who assist or are married to a Primary Member) $30.00 Includes a one time 15.00 initiation fee and thereafter $15.00 on renewal. Junior Member (10-18 years old who are the child of a Primary Member) $30.00 Includes a one time 15.00 initiation fee and thereafter $15.00 on renewal. If a youth is interested in joining and does not have a parent that is a KI member, we suggest joining at the Primary rate so they can receive the Journal and full benefits. International Member (outside of U.S. and Canada) $95.00 Includes a one time 15.00 initiation fee and KIDabra: The Journal, thereafter $80.00 on renewal. Register Today and Save For The 2009 KIDabra International Conference! (Until December 31st, afterwards add $15.00) Member Performer $184.95 Spouse $90.00 Child under 16 with full paying adult $75.00 New Member Performer/ includes Conference Registration and KI Membership $244.95 (US and Canada) New Member International Performer $274.95/ includes Conference Registration and KI Membership You can register by online, by phone or fax with Mastercard, Visa, and Discover phone (336) 492-7870 fax (336) 492-2199 Online at kidabra.org Check and moneyorder to MSD Productions KIDabra 2009 Convention P.O. Box 1296 Mocksville, NC 27028 What if there was a place and a group of people that existed to meet the special needs of folks who perform for kids and families? What if there was a place to motivate you, educate you and point you in the right direction? What if there was a place that helped person after person build successful performance careers? What if all of this really existed? A place so good that your competitors won't tell you they're a member because they want to keep all the resources for themselves. It does! It is KIDabra International! KIDabra International PO Box 1296 Mocksville, NC 27028 Phone 336-492-7870 Fax 336-492-2199 e mail kidabraconf@aol.com website kidabra.org discussion forum kidabra.org
Dennis Michael
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-12-15 14:36, Dennis Michael wrote: Just send me a PM through my profile here on the Café, or PM me for my email address. My mailing address (for product submissions) is as follows: Quote:
Product reviews - Yes! We do want to review your product in The KIDabra Journal. Do you have a new trick, prop, book, DVD, E-book or Show-In-A-Box? Then send you item to KIDabra Journal Product reviewer Donald Dunphy. Submission Guidelines: (1) All review items must be KIDshow/family show focused. (2) All effects submitted need to contain at least one developed show script. (3) Books, CD's & DVD's must be pertinent to the kidshow/family show entertainer or their business. Please include retail pricing, ordering information, your phone # and e-mail address (in case Donald has questions) and if possible a disk containing a high-resolution picture of your item. Please indicate whether you want the product returned. Donald will work with you on this or if it will be donated to the 2009 KIDabra Auction with proceeds to charity. Send your review items today to: Donald Dunphy 4487 Majestic Drive (Basement), Victoria, British Columbia, V8N 3H8, Canada. Thank you! I'm looking forward to seeing your kid show product. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Congrads., Donald,
Looking forward to those reviews.
Dennis Michael
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JimbosMagic Inner circle 1334 Posts |
Hi Donald, Hi Dennis. Hope your both well.
I have just registered for the convention and just been told by Tami I got a portfolio, wow great to show off here in England. Cant wait to meet you all. Donald how did you like my stuff I sent you? have you had time to have a good luck at it? I know you are probably busy with shows like me. I have 58 shows in December and my first day off is the 28th, as I do Christmas day and Boxing day in a Hotel in London for Family Audiences whilst they have their meals.
JIMMY CARLO. KIDabra International Family Entertainer of the Year 2009.
IBM Triple Award Winner. Uk Champion of Comedy Magic. Represented the UK in the United Slapstick Awards on German TV. European Children's Entertainer of the year 2007/8 |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Hi Jimmy -
I got the promo samples that you sent a while ago, but I haven't recieved any products for review. Have you sent anything recently? (You mentioned some magic you were working on, on another thread.) I'm just trying to understand which "stuff" you are referring to. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The Association of Family and Kidshow Performers » » KIDabra December 2008 Newsletter from Mark Daniel (0 Likes) |
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