It’s a tie!

Well I have always said that the friendliest convention in magic is the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians Convention. Not just because I have been running it on and off for the past 15 years, but because it is a super friendly event. I go so far as to ask those that have attended many years to look for the ones who haven’t and to make them feel welcomed.

This weekend here at Hank Lee’s Conclave has been just as friendly an event. I was amazed to see how many people would talk to me even though we have never met. One of my favorite moments was meeting a guy named Cameron Ramsay at the local deli in the hotel. I’m not sure he knew I was one of the headliners or not but I am sure the other magicians in the deli were not in anyway aware I was anything more than just another magician here for the fun. We had a super long chat about magic and what they had done in magic and I then told them a little about myself. It was great.

I hung out in a hallway with some beer drinking magicians until almost 3 AM on the first night, 5 AM on the second and tonight it was early as I had to pack so I got back to the room around 2:30 AM but by the time Lori and I had packed it was past 4 AM and we have to drive at 9 AM to get back to Boston for our first flight of the day!

The day at Hank’s was lots of fun as I had a lecture in the early afternoon and that was immediately followed by the close up sessions. The lecture was just an hour and I have so much to say. Ken, the videographer, told me it was best to do just a 45 minute lecture and save fifteen minutes to sell my tricks and notes as we had to be out of the room in exactly an hour. Well I just couldn’t do it! I have so much to say I raced through the material and talked for the full hour and then ended up selling my stuff in the hallway outside the room! Not a bad move as they emptied both of my suitcases of everything I had brought and I believe the really appreciated me taking as much time as I did to make sure they learned my material regardless of whether they bought something or not.

The close up was also lots of fun. I had only minutes to rush to my room to change into my purple suit, fill my pockets with my effects and race back down to the rooms I would be working. I am really bummed I did not get to see the other acts. I think the next convention I host I will make sure the acts all do their acts for each other at some point in the event. I missed so much great magic but at the same time I got to freak a few people out with my own stuff.

In one of the close up rooms I had a guy named Ozzie who when I revealed the signed card from the sealed deck, turned away to say something kid’s should not hear! Then he looked at me shook his head and mumbled something about the Devil and returned to his seat.

The evening show had some really great acts. I always love watching my friend Chipper Lowell work and tonight was no different! He was so “on” and the crowd loved him. I was buckled over in fits of laughter and after the show he told me several of the jokes he added just for me as he could see I was having so much fun.

It was the first time I had seen Andrew Goldenhersh work. I have seen a short segment of his work on the World Magic Awards TV show but it did not do him justice. On this particular night he could do no wrong! He had the audience in the palm of his hand and he dealt with them brilliantly. I was one of the first to rise to give him a standing ovation. I wasn’t the first though as I had to hide a runaway butterfly under my shirt so I could free up my hands to clap … but that’s another story in itself. I look forward to seeing Andrew work again. I suspect any given night will be just like tonight and I will be in for another treat.

Also on the show was David Sousa, Sonny Fontana, Lyn Dillies, Nick Lewin and David Kaye (aka Silly Billy) who all did outstanding performances as well.

The evening ended by watching “Magic Jeopardy”, meeting old friends, making new ones and sharing stories. A couple of my new friends include Henry and David Evans. Henry is a young magic enthusiast and David is his Father. David also happens to be the conductor for the Broadway show “WICKED”, which happens to be my other new passion. What a small world!

WICKED!

Farquhar Pose

The Farquhar Pose catches on ...

Life's a Beach ...

I want to take a second to thank everyone who made me feel so welcome at the Conclave and to everyone who has written me since the Conclave. I especially want to say thanks to Hank Lee for inviting me to be a apart of the 20th annual celebrations. It’s nice to be a part of the history!

Hank Lee’s Conclave

It’s been a great day here at the Conclave. It truly is a small and friendly convention. The people are great and the hotel is super nice. We are like a hundred feet from the beach. It’s really cold but still worth a walk on the beach.

I had a stage show this evening at the luxurious Mashpee High School auditorium. It was actually a great little theatre that was perfect for my style of show. I could see everyone in the audience and they responded well to me and my families magic. Hannah got a huge “ahhhhhh” when she appeared and Shape of my Heart went over very well. I was especially happy to have found a great volunteer for the hand/sweater routine. He was a young man named Zachary who was ten years old and stole the audiences heart. Rafael Benatar was the Master of Ceremonies and was brilliant. He introduced me using my name and credits and was even there at the end of the act to take me off too!

The show featured some incredible magic and great friends. Opening the show was Stoil and Ekaterina doing a quick change act, Sonny Fontana and the act he performed for FISM, Mikael Szanyiel with his FISM act too and the yours truly followed by Peter Samelson and his theatrical magic.

The entire show was a great success and it is all due to the hard work of the crew of the theatre. David Oliver and his crew worked super hard to not only make the show but to make sure the acts felt secure knowing they were in good hands. I would especially like to thank Arthur, the house tech, for working so hard to make the projector and my camera work together.

After the show we headed off to have some lobster, after all I am in Cape Cod! We found a little restaurant that was open after midnight called the Silver Lounge and I had a HUGE lobster salad. Yes a salad … pretty healthy choice huh? Hannah loved the place as it had a whole section made from an old Canadian Pacific Rail car.

After getting back to the Sea Crest hotel I found a small gathering of magicians and made some new friends. I called it an evening around 5 AM as I had to get up early for the close up show and lecture.

Travel day … again

Well I find myself again in an airport. What a surprise! This time the whole family is joining me on a trip to Hank Lee’s 20th annual Conclave. This is a smaller size event but has a reputation of being fun. I will be doing a stage show, close up show and lecture. This is my favorite way to do a convention. I have done others where they only wanted me to do close up or just stage and to be honest I don’t want to ever “just do” anything. I want to give it my all.

My first flight is from Vancouver to Chicago and then it’s on to Boston where we will rent a car and drive to Cape Cod. I have never been to Cape Cod or in fact Boston so I’ve brought “Gypsy” along so I don’t get lost.

So the next time you are on a plane and want to have some fun with the person in the seat next to you … try one of these ideas.

a) Bring along a box of crayon and a coloring book and once in the air just take it out and get to work coloring. First it’s fun to color and second the guy in the suit next to you with the PC will have a story to share at work for the next few weeks.

b) Grab the in flight magazine and seek out the crossword puzzle page. Every in flight magazine has one. Then as quick as you can just fill in all the spaces with any words and when finished just giggle and put it away while shaking your head like it was way too easy. The person next to you will be amazed at your intelligence! The really fun part will be the next person to sit in your seat will discover the crossword puzzle and wonder what kind of dyslexic savant tried to solve the puzzle!

Well it’s time to board the plane …

Words and Music make magic …

I am super busy getting ready to travel for the next few months but was taking a break and found this great video of another magician using the lyrics of a song to create magic. It is a great piece and deserves your few moments to enjoy …

Off to see Rascal Flatts concert tomorrow and then pack for Cape Cod.

Did I mention today was April Fools day … the day I got married …a long time ago …