Well, if all lectures were geared toward the experienced and knowledgeable magicians, the newbies would get pretty turned off in my opinion. No matter how much you know, there is always something to learn. I personally thought the ideas for the method of using a topit were great. I also learned a new move turning a ball in to a silk. Maybe that's an old method but new to me. I've always felt that a lecture was meant to spur ideas and not be taken out to be used word for word and move for move. For that reason, I thought David's lecture was good.

As for Barry's act, remember there are quite a few youngsters in the audience. Barry did a good job presenting something they could relate to.

There's always a lot of extra time to kill at Bob's and a few other one day conventions around but that's part of what makes it good. Lot's of time to meet new friends, and talk to old ones.

One nice feature this year was the addition of the video camera screen during the lecture. The only draw back was that Dennis (no disrepect meant) isn't exactly a small guy and me spent a lot of time standing up behind the camera to move it left or right to follow David on stage. Those sitting directly behind him did have a hard time seeing what was going on. Perhaps the camera could have been set a little lower so adjustments could be done from a seated position or set farther back in the auditorium with the zoom maxed. Just a suggestion for next time.

Yep, I agree Dave. I was sitting too far in the back for this to be a problem for me but I know what you mean--I had the same sight line problem at M.A.E.S. in August, when Dennis was opperating camera. Let's face it--- he's huge. Guess we'll just have to saw him in half next time I know from experience that the best place for the camera is either behind the entire audience or off to the side and on a riser.

I thought David Oliver's lecture was fun and entertaining as well. I enjoyed his stories about working at Hank Lee's, having a "commando act" etc. as much as I did seeing his work with the topit.

My son and I are relatively new at this (serious amateurs for over a year), and we really enjoyed connecting with friends and meeting new folks. We've been to many lectures, and as far as they go, David was articulate and had a lot of performance tips in his lecture. It has to be a tall order to render a 1 hour lecture relevant to all.

I agree that the video of the lecture on a big screen was a valuable and welcomed addition this year.

I truly enjoyed David's performance (although his show seemed more of a "sampler" to me). I'm not being critical here, but I got the sense he was combining elements of several types of shows into one. It's the first time I'd seen him perform, but again, a thoroughly enjoyable performance.

I didn't connect with Barry's performance, although I just started using (and love) one of his effects. Funny, my son had the opposite experience and found him funny (translated "entertaining").

Bob L. was hilarious. The chocolate was plentiful. A Sunday well spent, imho.

OK Guys, here the cool news...The camera is new and I knew I was blocking some people. I tried moving the seats behind me but someone put them back.

Next time I will try using the remote for zooming. A big problem in new technology the lecturers are unfamiliar with projections, so they move around, causing me to stand up to adjust the camera. The purpose is to show those in back what is really happening.

Another problem is the best shot is directly in front of them. As far as being "HUGE", I lost 46 six pound this year and hope to lose the same by the next Super Sunday. In a couple of years I will be able to hide behind the camera stand.

In addition, I tried to shoot lower but the guy in front of the camera was tall so I had to raise it. I'll give it some thought for next time. Suggestions are welcome!

As for the Convention. After carefully analyzing why Bob Little's Super Sunday is such a success, this is what I have come up with:

Bob Little's Super Sunday...

• 1. is made up of a wide variety of talents, professionals, amateurs, clowns, card manipulators, and entertainers from as far as Singapore, Canada, and Florida. (Some are dealers)
  
• 2. has a variety of dealers which rarely have competitive products.
  -Hank Moorehouse has lots of unique older booklets, and a variety of items that can't be often found.
  -This Year Barry Mitchell has the most unique products, mostly geared for the children entertainers, and gospel entertainers, all delivering some uplifting message.
  -Fred Mitchell had a variety of books including the latest on the market.
  -Marty Martini had the latest in card splitting as well as unique routines for the finger flickers and hobbyist that just love card tricks.
  -Denny Haney has his exclusive products, some great books and a variety of multiplying balls and much more, as well as his vast knowledge and experience.
  -Joe Mogar had his thimbles, knives, and diamond silks.
  -Scott Correll, always has those props and gadgets that enhance an act with that comedy element.
  -Almar has his Famous Magicians posters, as well as fire products.
  -There were two new dealers one (Jeff) who bought and Cresty products and one who sold peachy Keene products as well as face painting items.
  -Then there was Bob Little’s table with a variety of items which included coins, cards, props, comedy items etc.
  
• 3. A location for dealers to bring their goods to a variety of entertainers.
  
• 4. A lecture,
  
• 5. An auction,
  
• 6. A celebration where many can demo their latest in finger flicking magic.
  
• 7. A meeting place for the northeastern magicians.
  
• 8. Hooter's sports bar across the street, which many attend.
  
• 9. Near by Philadelphia Park Casino where some go during the break to win money or leave money.
  
• 10. AND...An evening show.
  

All this for $30.00... then there was the cake, chocolate, and champagne!

What seems to work well for most are comedy magicians ans those entertainers who are excellent manipulators. Many time the lecturers who focus on the finger flickers goes over very well. I've heard from several people who really liked David Oliver, and I too liked him. The biggest problem with comedy, is ... what one person finds funny another may not.

The kids love the stuff that Barry Mitchell does as well as most children entertainers, however, it's understandable if those who are not attuned to this style. Obviously, I know Barry Mitchell very well and know has gotten standing ovations on this material. It is not for everyone.

Bob Little also likes to give young magicians a chance at a live audience. That is something other conventions do not do!

I will be there June 8th 2008 for the next Super Sunday.

Dennis

Dennis I was reffering more to your height than anything else and just kidding you a little bit. However, Loosing ANY weight is an incredible accomplishment, but 46 pounds! That's fantastic keep up the good work and If you need a any relief from operating the camera next time let me know- I have lots of experience with image mag and would be happy to fill in if you need it-

I had a great time and you guys do a great job always-

Mark Walsh

Mark,

Thanks and a BIG Yes for the help. I am new at this and still don't know this excellent HD camera or how to best use all the options!

I also got the pun and feel good telling others it is a long process in gaining the weight and recogonize it just as long to lose it to do it properly. My goal is to lose 117 pounds. (Weight Watchers works for a variety of reasons)

Today I thought of a way to increase the screen size for a low cost.

Dave , what do you think the percentage was between newbies and oldies?
And for a good lecture should have a good mix. I traveled the whole world to see conventions and the best lecturers do a mix/variety of magic and thoughts behind magic. I personally was looking forward to see Davids lecture, he is so knowledgable it's crazy, but in the short time he had, he decided to do more jokes than anything, save that for the show. I was there to learn that's why I go to Bob Littles. Perfect Example I was at a convention last week and they had two lectures Daryl and Jay Mattioli, they both taught very easy and some more difficult tricks. They also had a good mix of close-up, parlour, stage in there lectures, so everybody can learn something.

Dennis, in know way was I complainng about Barry Mitchell, He is a very good friend of mine we go back a long way. I learned so much from him it's creepy. What I was saying is his performance was equal to Davids and Barry was out of his element with not enough children there.
I know , no matter what I say you guys will always lean toward Super Sunday because that's your home. I'm just being honest with my opinion and I would like to see more at Bobs.

Inidyls, I don't know what the percentage would be between newbie and oldie but I have been going to Bob's convention for quite a few years and have performed there as well so I think I have a pretty good idea of the type of audience that goes there. I think if you listened to some of the conversations and during the day and watched a lot of the people, you'd see a fair share of people that are not experts but have a love for the art and are looking to expand their abilities. I guess you could call those people newbies.

If you're going to Super Sunday for hard core lectures and advanced techniques, then you will be disappointed more often than not. It's a fun convention and the lectures are done with that in mind. At least that has been my experience there. I personally go to those lectures to pick up a few tips, not to watch an expert do something that is most likely not going to be used by me. As I said, I learned a new move, at least for me for changing a ball into a silk. I picked up some valuable tips on using a topit.

To each his own as they say. The same folks keep coming back every 6 months so Bob must be doing something right. And there always new faces as well.

Inidyls,

There is no offense in what you say. Like Dave I've been going for many years.

Bob Little and I go way back to the 1960s Houdini Club of Philadelphia. Bob Little is a rare man with a "Big Heart". Mike Miller pretty much gets the acts and runs the event for Bob Little.

In the area there are no Brick and Mortor magic shops. Except a recent one that just opened in Bristal, PA.

Because Bob has touched most of our live in a kind and caring way, he is well loved by most of the magicians in the area. You may call this "a click", to which I am a proud member. Many of us really don't care who is performing, we like the social gathering of all the magic and clown clubs in the area. I know about 25% by name, and 50% by sight, (Not very good with names).

What seems to work is that most of the dealers have different items, along with each year there are new dealers. The lectures with the most success are close-up because they out number the stage performers "Big Time".

I would guess most of the attendees are over 30, with a high percentage over 40. The younger ones love to entertain us with their newly learned skills, hence the close-up tables in the back, of the room. (Some pros also step in)

As for Barry Mitchell, he had no idea what kind of audience he would be entertaining. If he had to do it over, he would have done his corporate show, which is adult oriented. Having said that, Barry did let all the children entertainers in attendance what his major focus is on...Creating new and comical routines in a story telling fashion for children and gospel entertainers.

My personal feelings are that this audience loves comedians and skilled magicians, as well as enjoys and support new acts from skilled beginners. I would love to know how many pros started at Bob's Super Sunday. Close-up lecturers seem to be loved by most. There is a lot packed into this one-day Convention. Others try to compete with it, however, they haven't formed a bond the way Bob Little has done with many of us over the many years.

Quite simply, we go to support Bob, give back to Bob that gift of friendship he has given to so many. And of course, buy new stuff and bid on old broken stuff at the auction, or get rid of stuff we never used! Add in eating of hot-wings, a beer or two and socialize. What you have is a big twice a year magic club meeting of area magicians with a fine diversity of entertainers.

There are now pictures of the Convention on Bob's Web site:
Photo Gallery

Thanks for posting. Convinced me I need to lose weight. (You lost 46 pounds? Weight Watcher's? Great job!).

By the way -- the close-up tables were a great idea too. I couldn't peel my son from one of them all afternoon.

Bob's is always fun. I picked up a few new treasures, DVDs, and old copy of Trapdoor I had been hunting. I thought David's lecture was good, and for me, he was the highlight of the show. It was really tough to see what Blaze was doing/trying to do with his act. At one point people applauded and someone next to me had to tell me he did a costume change. Black to black didn't do it for me, and his giggling flame didn't look so hot either. The real reason I go to Bob's is to meet new people, and visit with those I only see a few times a year. Had a great time hanging out with Cinemagician and Danny Borneo. Here's a funny story: Danny's a sideshow performer, he showed me a new addition to his blockhead act. A switchblade in his nostril. 5 minutes after doing this in the lobby for me and some friends, we were back in the main room talking and were approached by one of the "trick kids." (You know, the ones who want to show every adult, every trick they do.) This kid had no idea who Danny is, or what type of magic he does. He proceeded to "vanish" a bic pen up his nose using a very obviously gaffed pen. Danny just nodded and said, check this out and then took out his switchblade. The kid's jaw hit the floor!

I look forward to Bob's next convention to get together with my friends and making new ones.

PS, Dennis, if you see this; no hard feelings on our Mac/PC "discussion". We didn't mean to gang up on you!

Not at all Pepka, Mac/PC discussions will still be around long after I'm going. Eventually, Macs will have Intel processors, parts and coding to be compatable with the PC, however, the reverse will never happen.

It's called survival. If it wasn't for the iPod and iPhone, Apple would not have survived. Now Apple stocks have going up.

Here we go again... and it has nothing to do with Bob Little's Super Sunday.

Ummm, Dennis I hate to break it to you, but Macs have had Intel processors for almost 2 years. They even run windows!

And you're 100% correct. If Jobs hadn't come back and spearheaded the iMac, iPod and now iPhone, I really believe Apple would just be a memory.

I enjoyed David Oliver’s lecture. I even took some notes. I too enjoyed the stories about Hank Lees and the rebuild of Jeff McBride’s Las Vegas Show. An old saying to keep in mind “You can please some of the people some of the time, but not all the people all the time”.

Bob Little’s Supersunday must be good; as I believe for a one-day convention he had somewhere around 250 people attending. Attending a convention with many dealers is like going to a shopping mall with nothing but magic shops. There were items of every category available. The evening show had a variety of entertainers. The young troops stood their ground and performed very well. Some may still need a little polish. But it’s from experience like this that they learn to become the greats of tomorrow.

Bob Little, Fred’s Books, Scott Carroll, and seven other dealers will be at Magi-Whirl 2008 in Washington DC, March 28 & 29. See our website for more details: http://www.Magic-While.Org and come on down!

With Those dealers, it should be a draw. Consider pitching Magic-Whirl as a "Magic Dealer's Mall" as one of the highlights which one never thinks of, yet it is a serious drawing for the area magicians.