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July 18, 2006
DENNY AND LEE,  LAS VEGAS
With Kentucky behind us, Chris nad I traveled across the United States to Las Vegas, the magic capital of the world.  Earlier this evening we went over to Denny and Lee's to see their shop.  We were in for a surprise when Tom, the manager of the store, let us know that not only was Denny in town but that tonight was the monthly "open mic" night in their backs the room stage.  We not only got a chance to tour the shop for the DVD but stayed and shot some of the performers as they tried out new material.  The performance ended with Denny getting up on stage and showing that decades of experience can make magic look effortless.

July 22, 2006
NORM NEILSON
My other son, Jeff, came over to Vegas to spend some vacation time with us so we went to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam.  Then it was time for Chris and I to go back to work.  I had heard of Norm's amazing poster collection for years and had bee nwaiting for the time when I could see it for myself.  Well, that day was yesterday and I barely have words to describe it.  The collection is, well, astounding.  And equally impressive is the story Norm has for each and every poster he owns.  With the reveal of each new poster, Norm threw us into the past, recounting where the poster's had originated, where they hads mirgated to, and why each one was important.  Chris made the statement that viewing Norm's collection was like going to a vast art museum . . . one where you wanted to see every painting they displayed.  I'm glad we took video of the tour because there was so much to see I'm sure I'll see more watching the segment once Chris finishes editing it.

GARY DARWIN
Yesterday evening was filled with the museum that is Gary Darwin's home.  A staple of Las Vegas for over fifty years, Gary was gracious enough to invite us in to videotape a little of his collection.  I say that because it would have taken Chris and I weeks to actually go through everything Gary had collected over the years.  I barely know where to start when talking about his collection. Over 10,000 books on magic and related subjects.  Signed memorabilia from such magic luminaries as Lance Burton, Doug Henning and Seigfried and Roy.  A whole room devoted to classic magic built of wood.  Honestly, I can't do him justice in this short space.  Gary is quite a character, too, spouting one liners like a true Vegas veteran.  And though he's close to my own age (and I'm the one who told God if he mixed dirt and water he'd get mud) he's still highly active, writing books and creating DVDs for different companies.  When we head back to Vegas, he'l be the first person we look up.

July 25, 2006
MAGICOPOLIS
This afternoon was spent in Santa Monica, CA at the Magicolopis theatre on Fourth Street.  Steve Spill took us on a tour of the theatre and then sat dow with us and described what it took to get this project realized.  Their website doesn't give you the true sense of real theater that going there in person gives.  You walk in the front door and are greeted by a floating woman statue and gigantic stained glass windows depicting magic throughout the ages.  They have a magic bar which will get re-invented by the end of the year.  The main stage is an intimate affair, holding 150 people who get to watch Steve and his wife perform on the weekends.  Steve built the whole place from scratch with a magic theater in mind, so it's no wonder the space fits like a glove.  Steve tells us that the place will be renovated by the end of the year with even more to do and see.  Unfortunately, we weren't able to catch the show but we'll make the effort next time we're on the West Coast to be there on the weekend.

THE MAGIC CASTLE
Well, another dream has come true.  My son and I were invited to the Magic Castle to see Denny Haney perform.  I've wanted to go to the Magic Castle for decades but have never had the chance.  Mark Wilson and Carl Ballantine were in the audience as Denny gave an incredible performance.  I'm sorry to say I never saw Deny perform publicly before this and he was the ipitamy of a seasoned professional.  Talking with Mark Wilson after the show, we will be going back to California to do a profile on him in the near future.  And look for a one-on-one interview with Denny coming up in one of the next couple of issues.

July 27, 2006
WILLIAMS MAGIC SHOP
We arrived in Tucson, Arisona and drove over to the Williams' shop.  It opens at noon, but when we got there at 10:30am, ---Junior--- was already teaching a magic student in the back.  His father, Emory, was more than happy to talk with us as it turns out he started the shop quite a while ago and it turned into a family affair over the years.  No hardcore selling here.  People would walk into the shop - and quite a few, too - and Emory would dazzle them with cute stories and sleight of hand.  You could see in their eyes that the magic bug was catching.  And the times that he
didn't sell anything to them was all right, too.  We got the chance to interview both father and son and you'll be able to see why their shop is unique.  We had to get on the road after a few hours, but if you're in the Tucson area look them up.  It'll be worth the trip.

July 29, 2006
ROUNDTABLE IN AUSTIN, TX
While we were at the SAM convention, my son videotaped an interview of Kent Cummins for their archives.  Talking with him afterward, we thought it might be a good idea to do a roundtable discussion about the benefits of teaching children magic.  Kent has a summer camp in Austin, TX and has access to magicians who are in a similar position.  So we made a date for July 29th, which brings us to today.  Chris and I arrived over at Kent's place just as Trixie Bond and the rest showed up.  Everyone was gracious and eager to talk about their part in teaching magic to children and the discussion turned out to be highly informative.

August 2-5, 2006
THE ABBOTT'S GET TOGETHER
Chris and Arrived in Sturgis, Michigan yesterday, which is right outside Colon.  We stayed in a local motel because we had heard that Colon is so small (the mice are hunchback!) that there are no motels there.  When we arrived this morning in Colon, we realized they weren't joking.  One stop light, two gas stations and, oh yes . . . Abbott's Magic Shop.  I had seen the picture of the store in magazines before, so I knew it was small.   But as we entered the store you could feel the history of the Get Together.  Creaking wooden floors, posters lining the ceiling, paraphernalia everywhere . . . this was exactly what I thought I would find.  We talked with Greg and B.J. and found out what was on the docket for the week.  And then headed over to the elementary school, where the dealers were set up in the auditorium.  The lectures that began that afternoon were held in the auditorium of the high school, a stone's throw away from us.  What we had come for, though, was not to document yet another convention.  This was Abbott's.  This was a tradition, a history, ripe with stories that were being told in private among friends.  This is what Chris and I decided the feature should be about.  Steve Hart appeared in the street outside and helped guide us in the right direction, introducing us to such perennial luminaries as Al The Only and Vic, Jim, Dave (and Shag.)  George Schindler, who seems to be everywhere on the face of the Earth - and loving it - introduced us to Jerry Conklin, and our path was set.  Gerry and George took us on a tour of the famed cemetery, while we followed the others as they told us stories of past Abbott's Get Togethers.  This WAS the get together.  Not the magic, not the dealers, not the lectures or the nightly gala show, although it all fell into place clockwork.  No, the heart of the get together is seeing old friends and making new ones.  Being in a place where Blackstone, Sr. walked the streets.  Standing in the same landmarks as some of the greatest magicians in history.  Chris didn't know what to expect when we arrived here, but he's leaving with a better appreciation for what this small town means to so many of us.

FAB CONVENTION
But wait, there's more…
As many of you know, Rick opened the FAB magic store in Colon a few years ago and for the past three years has been having a convention at the same time at Abbott's.  This is not a political piece so I won't delve into those waters.  But Rick was a great host and he put on a wonderful convention, with lecturers and dealers and a magic show on Friday and Saturday night.  His shop is packed with magic and he continually keeps it fresh by acquiring estates and selling the used magic at a decent price.  The people in the shop, both workers and customers, were friendly and interested in talking about any and every thing.  While the average magician might only attend Colon in August for the Abbott's get together, the FAB shop is definitely a  place worth spending some time in.

September 2, 2006
CELESTE EVANS
Chris and I took a trip this past weekend to the Gulf coast of Florida to meet up with female magic legend, Celeste Evans.  She greeted us at her home with her daughter and was instantly charming.  I always feel I have a lot in common with the "older set" of magicians and can relate in more ways than one.  Our interview was extremely comfortable and I was taken at how much she had actually accomplished during her magic career.

September 10, 2006
KEVIN AND CARUSO
Set at the Ramada Marco Polo Resort in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, Kevin and Caruso sat down with us after one of their amazing Las Vegas styled shows to talk about what it takes to put on such an elaborate production, especially when they are doing cruise shows for Carnival AT THE SAME TIME!  These two truly head up a terrific troupe and it bewilders me that more people don't know that north Miami Beach has a magic show like this going on every week.

September 13, 2006
JIM MOODY
Jim belongs to a Ring just south of where we live and I was intrigued when he told me about a lecture he gives that doesn't include giving away magic secrets.  Instead, he centers on how to step around the many pitfalls that can happen to a performer when they are performing.  My son and I listened for ten minutes as he gave tip after tip on a variety of subjects from clothing to bookings to heckling.  After the cameras were off, we sat and listened for another half hour and were amazed at how many ways a performer can prevent "accidents" from happening.  I now keep his lecture notes on my wall to remind of what to do and what NOT to do when performing.
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