One of life?s lessons is that it doesn?t matter so much where you go ? what matters is who you are travelling with.Batavia New York is pleasant enough but with nothing much to recommend a visit … unless you happen to be travelling there during the last weekend of April, when you will be in the best company in the world: the collection of 150 or so oddball geniuses that Obie O?Brien summons each year to convene for the gathering affectionately known as FFFF or 4F, more formally titled Fechter?s Finger Flicking Frolic.
2003 marked the 33rd iteration of this gathering of close-up gods and goddesses (and a few mortals such as myself) for more than three days of virtually non-stop teaching, learning, laughing, and bonding.
The invitation says ?The Magic Starts Wednesday 8 PM? and by golly, it does!One of the features of FFFF is that Obie never announces his roster of lecturers in advance, so the Wednesday night lecture is always a surprise.This year the opening lecturer was none other than Patrick Page, FFFF stalwart and possessor of an astonishing breadth and depth of magical knowledge and wisdom.Pat demonstrated and taught (not just explained) eleven items, ranging from insightful advice on top-change misdirection to a brilliant alternative to the Devil?s Handkerchief … and that was all before the break.After the break, he taught nine more lessons, ranging from a routine with ESP cards to billiard ball manipulations.I use the word lessons intentionally.Each item, be it a trick, sleight, or utility prop was infused so thoroughly with his insight that it became a true lesson in magic.I don?t think I have ever seen a lecture with so many excellent effects from such a variety of fields (cards, coins, mentalism, beer,… Continue reading Inside Magic View of FFFF by Robin Dawes
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Speaking
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Petrick and Mia were late for the lecture.They had gotten lousy directions to the Garden City Magic Shop and were there just about a minute before the lecture was to start.I was in the parking lot as they pulled up.
Petrick asked me if I was a magician and I told him I was.He asked if I could get the rear door open so they could load their show.In the meantime, the incredibly beautiful Mia came running back in her high heels to say they were opening the door.They did, the show got loaded and the lecture began just five minutes late.
Incredible.
As loyal readers of Inside Magic know, I try to take notes during the course of the lectures I cover.I try to write down the name of each effect, the impact of the effect, the explanation and my rating of both the explanation and effect.
Petrick and Mia – Attractive Couple of Magic
Tonight, I had my compact computer ready and got through two effects.That?s it.I couldn?t keep up with them.This couple work together to put on a great show ? sure, we?ve all seen it ? but they also work together to make a ?bang-bang? lecture.… Continue reading Petrick and Mia Lecture – Outstanding!
It was time for another IBM Ring #117 Annual Installation of Officer’s Banquet show, and ticket sales were going very well. A good show was lined up, and I was MC once again.
One of our scheduled performers, and Ring #117 members, Al Scott, was on the bill and he was scheduled to close the show with his homemade version of the “Girl Without A Middle.”
His assistant was his wife.
When it came time for Al to perform, again, everything seemed fine. Al though had a tendency to patter quite a bit, and also he spoke slowly with a lot of posturing and gestures. No doubt he looked the part of an old time stage magician, complete in tails and tuxedo, but again he tended to drag his patter along.
He performed several effects in advance of his grand show finale, which was the Girl Without A Middle. Finally time came and the illusion was rolled on stage. His wife made her appearance and stood by quietly while Al went through several minutes of explanation about the illusion.
Eventually his wife entered the cabinet and the cabinet was closed. After several more minutes of patter and explanation, the illusion was open to display that Al’s wife no longer had a middle.
Meanwhile I was standing backstage timing the illusion. By now Al’s poor wife had been in the cabinet, in an extremely uncomfortable position, for close to 5 minutes.
Our prayers go out to Roy and Siegfried after a white Bengal tiger attacked Roy during the duo?s act last night at the Mirage Hotel.
“For more than four decades, I have had the great privilege of standing at the side of this remarkable man, and I will continue to do so during this very challenging time,” Fischbacher said in a statement Saturday. “We are grateful and overwhelmed with the tremendous support we have received from around the world, and ask for your continued prayers and reflection.”
Most of the news outlets are reporting the same story from the AP, but The Independent of England has a very positive article detailing the event but also what Siegfried and Roy have risked over the years and what they have done for the animals and the art they love. Check it out for a more comprehensive view.
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