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| Vol. 1, #3 – August 2010 |
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President’s Message All I can say is thank you to so many people who helped support and improve TAOM this year. There are too many to mention them all, but here are just a few.First, I must thank Scott Hollingsworth (TAOM President in 2009) for putting TAOM back in connection with the magicians and magic clubs of Texas. He will give every President who succeeds him a solid platform from which to continue the improvement of TAOM.
Special thanks to Judy Donaldson for continuing that communication by taking over this TAOM newsletter. Judy knows the TAOM, its history, its clubs and so many of its members. She certainly has the skills and dedication to keep TAOM connected to its members.
To Carl, JD, Heather, Mary Cay, Doc, Chris, Tammy, Bob, and the whole TAOM 2010 Convention Committee (the hardest working convention committee in the world) your ability to face, tackle and overcome the most astonishing array of obstacles, is truly astounding.
Next, to my gracious and patient-beyond-measure, wife Gwen: thank you for your boundless encouragement.
Finally, to all of you who will attend the TAOM 2010 Convention, thank you for making the effort to join us in Austin, for what will be the time of your life.
Come early. Stay late. Make magic
Hull Youngblood
TAOM President 2009 – 2010
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TAOM Convention 2010 TAOM 2010 in less than 3 weeks!
The culmination of 2 years of planning!Dozens of volunteers. 20-plus performers.
11 lectures. 10 shows. 7 theaters. 4 Days of Magic.2 Contests. 2 Parties.They will all combine to be TAOM 2010.
The Austin TAOM 2010 Convention Committee has planned a sophisticated venue for Parlor Magic and constructed classic close-up rooms that get you right next to the magic. The legendary AUSTIN CITY LIMITS soundstage will host a TAOM show (first time in TAOM history). All of this is underway so that you can see, and experience, the full impact of world class performers and lecturers in venues that maximize the force of their magic.
The beautiful Sheraton Austin hotel at the Capitol, located at Eleventh Street and IH 35, will host this fabulous convention.
Online registration has closed and all remaining seats will be available for walk-in registration on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration booth at the Sheraton will be open on Thursday, September 2 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday beginning at 8:00 a.m. DO NOT miss the best magic shows, lectures, demos, and late-night legerdemain. YOU GOTTA BE THERE!
Street Festival: September 2, 2010
6 p.m. to 2 a.m. – Red River and 6th Street in downtown Austin
Convention:September 3-6, 2010,
at the Austin Sheraton
Convention Extra!
Award-winning professional photographers David and Donna Thomason will display some of their best promo shots at a booth outside the dealers’ room.The booth will be open for only a few hours during the convention so they can share the best of their forty-plus years’ photos of magicians and performers.
This view of their outstanding portfolio will give you insight into the myriad possibilities photography offers for the advancement of your career. You can preview their work at
http://dtstudio.smugmug.com/ but seeing the exciting action shots in person will be well worth your while.
Please check the schedule at the hotel for this brief window of opportunity to view the Thomason’s exceptional work. Whether you’re in the market for publicity photos or not, stop by the booth to visit with David and Donna. |
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 Tyler in the SpotlightIBM Ring 266 in Tyler has been around more than twenty years and has recently experienced a welcome resurgence of interest in East Texas magic and magicians. The club has a large group of active magicians and a hands-on cadre of officers intent on promoting magic in the area.President Gene Colteaux is the leading force with the able assistance of Vice President Mark Kilsby, Secretary/Treasurer Neta Colteaux, and Ring Reporter Paul Budd. They, and the rest of the Board of Directors, have weekly breakfasts to strategize and plan the many activities being undertaken by the club.
Monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at Trinity Baptist Church in Tyler. A special free lecture by Arizona magicians Eddie Siller and Emory Williams is scheduled for Friday, August 20th. These ground-breaking entrepreneurs will bring “The World’s First Fully Mobile, Full-Service Magic Shop’ to the parking lot of the church.
Club members and area magicians have lots of fun each year at the annual swap meet and everyone looks forward to the festivities at the annual installation banquet and show in December. As a member of the Tyler Chamber of Commerce, Tyler IBM Ring 266 gives club members the opportunity to partake of spirits and hors d’oeuvres at a Chamber gala on Thursday, August 26th at the Courtyard Marriott.
Magicians spread the good word about magic with various functions throughout the year, including a recent magic class at Tyler Junior College. Gene and Neta Colteaux, Tom Young, and Terry Teene spent two days teaching magic to a bunch of eager 9-to-14 year-old kids.
The club prides itself on being a friendly group of men and women dedicated to practicing, preserving, and performing the art of magic. Check out the website at
http://www.tylermagicclub.org/ Email links to the officers are available on the “Clubs” page of the TAOM website at www.taom.org
If you happen to be in East Texas, look up this bunch of friendly magicians; they will welcome you as a brother and make you feel at home.
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Bits and Pieces of Interesting Stuff Good Publicity
Ash Adams has been named Executive Vice President and Program Chairman of the Fort Worth Magicians Club, an umbrella organization for IBM Ring 15 and SAM Assembly 138. He was recently featured in 360 West, a Dallas-Fort Worth culture magazine.Go to
http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=43368&77&p=77 for an interesting article about Ash in the August issue.It contains a nice bio and several insights into Ash’s personality and perspective. Good reading!
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Send in the Clowns!
Don Billings was featured in the August 11th issue of the Bay Area Citizen, with an interesting article about his clowning and jewelry business. Don is an active member of IBM Ring 39, SAM 19, and the Houston Association of Magicians. You’d never guess from his unassuming demeanor that he was named Texas state champion clown twenty times and won the international clowning competition eight years. For the complete article, go to http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/08/12/bay_area_citizen/news/the_clown_8-12.txt
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Flash fromDallas
The Dallas Magic Club (SAM 13 and IBM 174) has a different location for a special “Beat the Heat” meeting where members will share their coolest tricks. The August issue of The Wizard’s Scroll has information about the August 17 meeting, which will be at Crosspointe Church/Community Center at 2425 Parker Road in Carrollton. Check out the entire newsletter at http://www.dallasmagic.org/charter/index.php
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Fourth Time’s a Charm
The magicians of Austin SAM Assembly 206 don’t just put on grand conventions, they win awards!For the fourth time in seven years, SAM 206 won the Harry Houdini Award for membership growth. Austin took that award in 2004 and 2005.Philadelphia won in 2007 and 2008, but Austin followed with a win in 2009 and again in 2010.An astounding 120 members are on the roster of this vibrant, growing club.Only perennial number one winner New York City has more.
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And the Winner is
Mark Holstein received the Jack Gwynne Award for Performing Excellence at Abbott’s in 2006 and reprised the role of winner by taking top honors with the Jerry Conklin Abbott’s Family Award earlier this month at the get-together in Colon.Here’s a link to a video of Mark talking about the Abbott’s competition:http://www.magicgettogether.com/compete.html Houston magicians were happy to welcome him to their ranks after his recent relocation to Texas.
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Congratulations, M’lady
Thelma Blau, widow of Bob Blau for whom Houston IBM Ring 39 is named, recently reached a double milestone.She was awarded the Order of Merlin by the International Brotherhood of Magicians and passed her 100 birthday.Congratulations and happy birthday, Thelma!
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Joan Lehr Update
Joan Lehr is making good progress in her recuperation with the able assistance of Doctor Chuck.She’s able to spend time in a wheelchair rather than in bed.They’ve even made two successful shopping trips in addition to doctor and therapy appointments.Yea, Joanie!Send your best wishes toklownchuck@aol.com
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Last Call for Magic at the Museum
The outstanding display of magic memorabilia on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science will be closing after September 6.If you haven’t visited the museum to enjoy the live performances and antique magic, plan to do so before the TAOM convention. You’ll regret it if you miss this historic tribute to magic. The website for more information is www.hmns.org
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Farewell to a Great One
Long-time magician and creator J. C. Wagner died on August 15 after fighting a losing battle with cancer. Many magicians were fortunate to have seen him perform one last time at the IBM convention in San Diego last month.Many TAOM members remember his stellar performances at conventions past. |
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Top Talent Productions Present “Las Vegas in Houston” World-famous magicians Harry and Carol Ann Maurer will appear at the Hilton Americas Hotel in downtown Houston on September 18 for one show only.As award-winning and world-renowned entertainers, they have mystified untold thousands in Vegas, Atlantic City, on numerous cruise lines, and in cities around the world.Harry’s quick wit and charming personality combine to amaze and amuse audiences of all ages.For tickets and information go to:http://toptalentproductions.com/ |
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| The Last WordThanks for reading Magic Across Texas to the very end. That tells me you are serious about magic and Texas magicians.So, I have a big favor to ask.Please send an email to taomnews@yahoo.com with some news about you or your magic club.I get several newsletters from the larger clubs around the state, but it’s difficult to keep in touch with everyone.Besides that, I love to include tidbits about people that may not be included in the official news.
I’ll admit I’m a fair magician and a decent newsletter editor, but I’m not a mind reader!I really want to include news from all quarters, but you gotta tell me stuff because I can’t divine your thoughts.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Judy Donaldson, Editor
Magic Across Texas
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