Hello gang,

The time is near for the 11th annual SCAM convention. The 2005 convention was a blast and I can only imagine what 2006 will have in store for us.

Talent booked to date: Jade, Tony Griffith, Joshua Jay, Gazzo, Daniel Garcia, Jason Michaels, The Fettucini Brothers.

Here is a note to you close-up Junkies (like myself). Tony Griffith ought to be a great lecture. I have never had the pleasure of seeing Tony live but I love what I have seen in print. His "All Backs Routine" in "Simi- Automatic Card Tricks" vol.5 is probably one of the best I have ever read. This will be an event to remember.

Of coarse Josh Jay needs no introduction. I have had the pleasure of meeting Josh on a few occasions and all I can say is this guy will knock your socks off.

Daniel Garcia is yet another talent that I have never crossed paths with before, but the feedback I get about this fellow trickster is that he is Deadly. His Version of the Torn and Restored card is flowing through the magic world like a brush fire, but based on what I have heard and read , this is only a sample of what this guy has to unleash. I can’t wait.

My aria of expertise is close up, but every year the SCAM convention brings a great number of stage performers for us to witness. So if your place is the stage, come check it out. I am sure you will find something that inspires you as well.

Check out the SCAM website if you would like more Details.

http://www.scamcon.org/

Hope to see some of you there.

Later Tater,

Robert Moreland

This convention is going to be great! Just take a look at the talent that they have lined up. There's always a session to be had in the lobbies at all hours of the day or night. If you're a closeup magician in particular you won't want to miss the 2006 SCAM convention.

Your friend in magic,
Luke Dancy

Truly a fun convention! Don't Miss.
Ken

Hey Ken,

Are you going to make it this year man? Hope to see you there.

Robert Moreland

It's going to be another great convention. Ken did a great job a couple of years ago when he was at SCAM. Always a great performance.

The close-up guys will love the convention this year (Joshua Jay, Daniel Garcia, Tony Griffith, Gazzo, etc.).

We're having a Magic Fiesta in the Dealer Room for Midnight Madness this year. I'll post some information on the website about this soon (Sombreros, Fiesta Music, Conga Lines, Pinates, etc.). If you were there last year for Midnight Madness, then you know just how much "MADNESS" I'm talking about. It's definitely the place to be during the late night hours on that Friday.

See you at the convention Robert.

I've been mexican for about...ummmm.... 24 years now...and ill tell you what....You say FIESTA...i start getting flashbacks....I LOVE PINATAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daniel Garcia

Let's keep the Pinatas out of this. I'm sure the Pinatas had no part in it. : )

It'll be fun. See you in January!

CAN'T WAIT!

I wanted to go but couldn't make it. Garcia is greast enjoy.

Posted: Jan 13, 2006 4:50pm
Whoops...meant greatest not greasiest.

How did the convention go to whoever went?

Christian

SCAM 2006

I arrived in Columbia last Thursday so that I could catch the "Master Class Session" by Tony Griffith. I tried to fit every event into my schedule but I missed a few due to one reason or another, so if I leave anybody out you have my apologies

Unfortunately I was only able to catch the last 2 hours of Tony’s session due to delays that I had getting into town. Tony is a wonderful performer and his dry wit is truly captivating. His handling of the "All Backs" plot is one of the finest that I have ever witnessed and is completely sleight free, yes you heard me right, SLEIGHT FREE. He was full of golden information about the Business of magic as well. If you ever want to perform for schools or trade shows I would definitely look into attending one of his classes, or picking up some of his notes. I know that I got tons of information that I plan to put into action this year.
http://www.njsmith.freeserve.co.uk/


Gazzo. What can I say about this guy? Gazzo did a fantastic job at this convention. The first night of the convention was Friday and Gazzo was set to MC the Cabaret show. Unfortunately, due to some miscommunications, there was some confusion as to who was actually performing in the show and there ended up only being 2 acts.

The first (and Last) performer introduced was Matt McCoy who performed a very well rehearsed variety act in which every once in a while he would make umbrellas appear. Nice work and very well received.

Then Gazzo appeared back on stage and performed a brilliant one man show for the duration of the cabaret. His gentle smile and unbelievable ability to pull the whole audience together was an inspiration and he brings true meaning to the term “Consummate Professional”. Thanks Gazzo, The convention would not have been the same without you. Also Check out his lecture if you are interested in the art of Busking and if you are ever in the same room he is performing in I would take time to turn off your cell phones JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT J.

Daniel Garcia. Before this convention I know I was seeing Daniel’s name on the net at lest 2 or three times a day. I can now say I know what all the hype is about. This guy is electrifying and his high energy style combined with his beautiful sleight of hand made him one of the highlights of the convention for everyone who attended I am sure.
You have to see his routine “Shade” it is a wonderful Chink-a-Chink effect that uses four coins and no extras.
http://dgarciaproductions.com/




Josh Jay. This was not my first time meeting Josh as he is one of the most traveled artists that I have ever met. Josh delivered a dynamite performance at the close up show and followed it up with what I consider to be one of the best lectures I have ever seen. All I can say is that if you get a chance to see his “Card at any Number” routine, make sure you got a pillow beneath you or your Jaw make break when it hits the floor. Also he performed a 3 coin vanish sequence that is one of the most magical things I saw at the convention. Look out for his column in the Linking ring cause he was definitely scouting material at this convention and has some great magic coming your way.
http://www.joshuajay.com/merch.htm
http://www.magicmagazine.com/tricks/



Underground Report:

The convention was also attended by some fantastic performers that just showed up to see old friends and make new ones.

Luke Dancy was there and nailed us all in the Lobby with his masterful card work and a new card control called “Under Control”. If you are interested it will be a feature Item in the upcoming “Cheetah’s Handbook 2” that will be released in the near future by the “Underground Collective”.
http://www.underground-collective.com/ne......ewsid=11

Adam Ryan, a very good friend of mine from Chattanooga, was frying the big dogs with some of his fantastic close-up card magic. You probably have never heard of Adam but he is fantastic, so be on the look out cause something tells me his material will be popping up soon.

Joel Givans made an appearance even though he darn near broke his foot earlier in the week. Joel’s work is amazing and roomer has it that there may be a book in the works featuring his material. Be on the lookout.

I also caught Steve Beam lurking around the dealer’s room at one point. No hype needed. And be on the lookout for the next in his “Simi-Automatic Card Tricks” series.
http://www.stevebeam.com/index.html


Also Disney took the leash off my good friend Mick Ayres this weekend and let him come and tell us a few stories. Not sure what Mick is working on right now but I am sure there is something.
http://www.mickayres.com/index.html

Woody Landers showed up and as usual played a huge part in the sessions that we had in the Lobby. Woody is one of my favorite sleight of hand guys to hang out with. If you ever find yourself in the same room with this fine conjuror get him to show you his fantastic trick where he changes a blank piece of paper into a bill.

Dan Garret managed to make it. Good to see ya Dan.
http://members.aol.com/dangarrett/

And also there was a live Magic Broadcast made By Chastain Criswell and Doc Doc Docherty (owner of Carolina magic), which will probably be re-running in the near future.
http://www.carolinamagic.com/
http://www.magicbroadcast.com


So there it is SCAM 2006. Sorry if I missed anyone.

Later taters,

Robert Moreland

Thank you Robert for the reveiew, It was nice to see you again.While watching the first contestant of the stage show I looked up at the stage and I saw Iggy Pop.Who would have ever guessed?

Robert - Great report on S.C.A.M. Tony Giffith gave a great "at home" and I agree his all backs routine is the best. The lecture notes are top notch and full of great practical real world material. Tony's "THE BILTION DIARY" from Steve's Beam's SEMI-AUTOMATIC CARD TRICK Vol. 3 is surely going to be one of my favorites. I loved the way he performed the effect. The talent at S.C.A.M. was the best with a good mix of styles.

Great convention and a whole lot of fun.

You, Luke, Adam and Rich all fried me with your work with the cards. I'm humbled after seeing you guys work the paste-boards so I left my cards in the case. Very beautiful routines. Nice work, When I grow up I want to be just like you. I love that fact you all are raising the bar, and showing us what close-up should look like and thanks for all the tips.

Thanks also for putting up the links on your post for Dan, Tony, Mick, Luke, and Steve.

Report on the Saturday show?

[/quote]
Josh Jay.
Look out for his column in the ("LINKING RING" oops) cause he was definitely scouting material at this convention and has some great magic coming your way.
http://www.joshuajay.com/merch.htm
http://www.magicmagazine.com/tricks/



Sorry about that Gang. Of coarse I meant to say "Magic Magazine". That is what happens when you try to write a review after 3 days and nites with no sleep.

Later,

Robert Moreland

I will keep my eyes peeled for some Robert Moreland material in the upcoming Magic Magazines! Cool!