Tom's Night Magic III Event took place on Sunday.

I had a blast! The only thing that would make it better would be if I could see the Show and be in it as well.

The move to another table every ten minutes schedule was a little hard for some of the Magicians to adhere to but it did allow everyone there to see every Magician.

This event is only possible because of the generous cooperation (the schedule is grueling) of the participating Magicians. This years performers were: Dennis Loomis, Kim Silverman, Steve Johnson, Ken Garr, Gary Berard, Rich Aylward, Roman Spinale, Tom Allen and me. Grand Illusions Magic Shop, I.E., Steve, Leora and Don Johnson were incredibly supportive as they have been every year.

Looking forward to next years performance (but not setting up the event).

-Mary Mowder

Mary-

Is that not what Tom is for???

Tom certainly does most of the set up. My part is living with Tom during that process, LOL.

-Mary Mowder

Mary- sounds like it was a lot of fun!
Hudson

I think my focus next year will be honing my best Magic till I do it justice.

I have a lot of Magic that I like and do often but I know that it could be better with a little house keeping. Cleaning up extraneous lines and handling, motivation and justification of moves or props, Writing and segues.

I want to get some video for my website as well. I hate being recorded.

What are your projects for the coming year?

-Mary Mowder

It takes a little time to get comfortable with being recorded. You'll get there, Mary. Keep at it til you get a take you like.
Would you post a link to your website? I'd like to have a look.
As for me, I want to get cracking on that goose ball/vase routine, and the black sheep! I've been very busy with all kinds of things, need to get some solid practice in.

Laurie

Hi, all!

So, Mary, what do you consider your "best magic"?

For me, it is definitely rope magic, but I love to work on many things. My plans for next year include serious work on coin magic. Currently, I am working on Feher's "One Coin" and a couple of retention vanishes. Also want to get back to cups and balls.

I took up harmonica, of all things, so am splitting my free time a bit.

Hope you all had a great holiday. I did, and my waist line shows it!!

Take care...

Jim

Great question, Mary.

I have been working on card slights, but have been lax in my practice for the last several months. Over the next 12 months I'd like to work up a couple of sets where all the magic happens in the spectator's hands. I've got a couple now e.g., sponge balls, color changing knives, but haven't worked them into a smooth routine. Really just one-offs.

Hope everyone had a happy holiday!

Hudson.

Nathan,

Please accept my apologies for the delay in getting back to you about this book. I did finish it awhile ago, and I would certainly recommend it to anyone interested in Slydini, or Close-Up Magic, or Magic generally. Many classic Slydini routines in here. Wonderful quantity and quality of information here. I'm hoping to get working on his Helicopter Card. I'm not much of a card girl, but that one got my attention. On a side note, another great card effect I recently stumbled upon- Eddie Fechter's "I've got a Surprise for You", which was covered in Scripting Magic by Pete McCabe. Seems many have tried to "fix" or "improve" it, including the writers in Scripting Magic. The description of Eddie Fechter's presentation written there right off the top was the only card effect in the book I liked right off. Might be the only one I liked at all. Didn't need any fixin' far as I can see. Very clear, direct, straightforward, respectful of the spectator. ie. People have brains, I'm gonna let them use them. I'd like to get the Fechter books and have a closer look at his stuff. Of course, I've been aware of him for awhile and he's been on my list. A lot of books out there... I want these.

Laurie

Laurie, I P.M.ed a link to my site.

Jim, I have a lot of good Magic that could use a once or twice over but Top of the list would be:

For Close-Up:
"String Theory," a Gypsy Thread effect that describes String Theory (very briefly but should be more brief).

"Warp II," Bruce Cervon's take on Card Warp.

"Leaving Home" a Jay Sankey effect that I've made into a ring and string effect, quite amazing but short. I want to add more ring and string bits to make a routine.

"Alchemy Queens" a version of Peter Kane's "Jazz Aces" with an Alchemy slant.

You can see that I do some of these to follow my own interests rather than to be commercial.

For Stand-Up:
"Daryl's Amazing Acrobatic Knot" which is working great but I'm not comfortable using his patter (almost).

"Snap-a-Silk" and "Silk through Glass," just a few handling problems.

A Large Three Ring Linking Ring Routine with comedy patter. I currently do "Ninja Rings" silently to music to great effect but for some shows I need an alternative.

Some new lines for my Juggling routine.

55 Hudson,
Keep in mind that while Magic in the Spectator's hands is good (I do some myself) never give them anything you can't wash or replace. A bent or sticky Card can make a two hour Close-Up gig a little challenging. On the other hand it could be an advantage, I.E., a crimp and easy disappearing card.

-Mary Mowder

Well, I suppose my rehearsal time paid off as I passed my audition this week and am finally a magician member of the Academy of Magical Arts! I only got three card tricks in when they said they'd seen enough, even though I had another ten minutes prepared. Better safe than sorry! I also felt surprisingly at ease - and in fact really enjoyed working for a room full of seasoned professionals. Not at all what I was expecting. I even managed to get a few laughs and an applause break, which I'm told is rare.

Very happy to finally add this to my list of accomplishments!

Andrew-

Congratulations! This is a serious accomplishment!! Working a room of experts has to be bone chilling- good on ya'!!

Jim

Congratulations Andrew!

-Mary

Well done Andrew! Congratulations.

Hudson

Excellent, Andrew. Very good news!

I knew you'd do it, Andrew!

(I'm a physic.)

And all this time I thought you were a physicist. Or was it pharmacist? Something using your brain anyway.

In the sense that, if one takes enough of you, then ... ???

Forgive me, but my WV hillbilly past is "coming out" as they say...

Jim

Jim, are you from West Virginia originally?? I've spent a decent amount of time out there...I was just there in October actually. Hillbilly is putting it mildly....

Lots of family in the Clarksburg area, Andrew, but I was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Product of the "3 R's"- readin', rightin' and route 23...

Jim