November 2013

Greetings from Fort Worth,

     What a wealth of talent we have in Texas.  If you have not read the Fort Worth Magicians Club FlashPaper, I will encourage you to go to http://www.fortworthmagiciansclub.org/.  Geoff Grimes creates a wonderful publication of interviews and stories that bring you closer to the heart of magic.  For example, Arthur Emerson’s “Once Upon a Time” is always a fantastic read and gives you insight into one of the most amazing performers I have witnessed.  Growing up, Arthur was also one of the drawing cards that I looked forward to seeing at every TAOM. 

     This month also features Larry Hass.  Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching Larry work and got to witness the wonder of the Magic and Mystery School Associate Dean first hand.  Find out more about Larry’s work, magical events, and early hints for who will be coming to TAOM by reading this  monthly publication.

                                                         Best wishes for you all,
Bill Irwin
2014 TAOM President

YOU  CAN’T WIN IF YOU DON’T PLAY

Answer:  Fort Worth, Nebraska, Boston, Fort Worth

Question:  Where did the 2013 TAOM winners come from?

     With the New Year around the corner, make a declaration now to participate in the TAOM contests.   I had the pleasure of meeting the contestants last year and they were all a wonderful encouragement.  Each performer came with an enthusiasm to participate in the convention and experience the stage.  One of the contestants told me he was there to have fun, and I for one was glad he was there because his act was truly enjoyable, entertaining and fun.

     This year’s Contest Chair is an experienced two time winner, professional magician Ash Adams.  Rules and contact information will be posted on the http://www.taom2014.com/ site and we want to make your entry as easy as possible.  Need help??  Contact Ash; he will take care of you.  The only pre-requisite that you are registered for the convention; there are no entry fees!

     Speaking of the contests, I am going to make an appeal to the rings and assemblies right now.  The selection of judges comes from the members of your organizations.  It is your responsibility to select candidates to submit to the Vice President.  Just as you select your officers, I urge you to support the convention efforts and be represented at the TAOM.  Put this on your club’s agenda and send nominations and your support to VP Trixie Bond.  It is a great opportunity to encourage and support the performers, and it is a responsibility your club has as a member of TAOM.

After the publication of the October issue of  Magic Across Texas, I received several notes responding to the news that Houdini will be at the TAOM 2014 Convention.  Limited attendance for a private viewing of Arthur Moses’ Houdini collection will be available.  Invitations will only be given to individuals drawn randomly from registered attendees over the remaining year leading up to the convention.  Read last months MAT or the FlashPaper if you want more details about the exhibit and Arthur.  Information will also be posted to the TAOM2014.com site.

Time to announce the first invitation recipients – George Cornish, Terri Ciolek, Ron Cartlidge, and Eva Lancaster.  Congratulations to you all; this is a wonderful opportunity!   As a reminder, Arthur is opening up his home to a limited number of guests of the convention and we appreciate this opportunity to offer the experience.  Attending the event will require you to leave the convention for a short time at  tour times to be determined after all of the invitations have been offered.  You are not obligated to attend if you are selected and we would encourage you to give us the opportunity to reissue the invitation if you decide you are unable to attend. 

Bill Irwin

**WHAT NEXT? How can you get more out of the TAOM experience?**

First:         REGISTER  for the convention

Second:    SUBMIT your act to the Contest Chairman; you have to Play to Win and we need more TEXAS cities represented in the line-up

Third:       If you are not competing, JUDGE, support and promote those who are willing to get on stage.

Fourth:      See HOUDINI!  You must be registered to be eligible. A limited number of private invitations only offered to registrants leading up to the convention.

If you want to see the magic that you have enjoyed for years, or you seek new performers and an education in the magical arts, go to http://www.taom2014.com/ and sign up now. 

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Richardson – November 17
Eugene Burger Workshop
1:30—5:00 p.m., Spaghetti Warehouse, 1517 N. Central Expressway in Richardson. Tickets, $45.00.

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David Gabbay in Fort Worth – Sunday, November 17, 2:00 p.m. at The Illusion Warehouse in the store’s Party Room and Magic Theater, 3917 McCart Ave., FortWorth (three blocks north of Seminary Drive.
For details, call 817-832-6062 or see http://www.fortworthmagiciansclub.org/ 

David Gabbay in Austin – Monday, November 18 at  7:00 pm, at the Omni Hotel Southpark, 4140 Governors Row in Austin.

David Gabbay in Houston – Tuesday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the IATSA Meeting Hall, 3030 North Freeway.  For details, see http://www.houstonmagic.com/

David Gabbay in San Antonio – Wednesday November 20.  Contact Lecture Chairman Michael Tallonfor location and details.

Sherman – Magic Event, Austin College on Monday, November 18th, 4:30—6:30 p.m.   Performances by Larry Hass, Donald Camp, and Eugene Burger,  Dennis Gallery, Forster Complex, Austin College, Sherman, Texas.

Austin Magic Christmas Party – Monday, December 9th.  Contact austinstreetmagic@gmail.com for details.

Corpus Christi Magic Christmas Party – Tuesday, December 17.   Contact Marilyn Douglas for details.

SCOTT HOLLINGSWORTH – MAGIC COACH EXTRAORDINAIRE

(Excerpts from Scott Well’s blog about his podcast at the conclusion of a three-lecture series on restaurant magic by Master Magician Scott Hollingsworth.)

“Some people clap,. Some people throw money. Some people just say…WOW!” – Scott Hollingsworth.

Over the 25 years that Houston’s Magic Island was open, Scott Hollingsworth served as the House Magician. He was also the Entertainment Director. As such, he booked and coordinated the talent that came through the Island that included the well known and celebrated as well as the lesser known. During that time, Scotto  (as he is known to his friends), provided invaluable advice and stage direction to many of the acts. Today Scotto offers coaching through his website at: http://www.magicianscoach.com/index.php .  It is well worth the visit.

But prior to that, Scotto was one of the country’s early restaurant magicians and one of the first, if not THE first, to publish a set of lecture notes exclusively for the restaurant magician on the “business” of working restaurants. The year was 1974 and the notes, called “Cashing In With Close Up – Restaurant Magic”, included how to move from being a Salesman Entertainer (planning and proper attitude) to the Host Entertainer, to being the Entertainer.

The notes have long been out of print and some of the advice is antiquated, but the bulk of the basics are still as solid gold as they were nearly 40 years ago. He has now reprinted and completely updated those notes and added supplemental material that makes this a “must have” for the working and the aspiring restaurant magician.

During a series of recent meetings of our Houston Association of Magicians, Scotto was asked to give us a series of three mini-lectures.  The podcast this week features his third and final excerpt from this series. He talks about the secrets of “show business”, the importance of networking in getting work at restaurants, how to do it, how to interact with patrons at the restaurant, being prepared for the unexpected, and much more. It is great to hear his professional patter that has been honed to perfection over decades of constant repetition.
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For Well’s complete podcast, go to http://themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/scott-hollingsworth

 A new performance venue in Austin gives all performers a stage and audience to try out new material.  Spider House Ballroom at 2908 Fruth Street offers a variety show at 9 p.m. on the first and third Sundays where any performer is given six minutes of stage time to do ANYTHING they’d like!  THE ONLY RULE: It must be something new, untested and which they’ve never performed or tested in front of an audience before! Hence the name: “The Dress Rehearsal”.

Monday Night Magic in Arlington
Magic aficionados meet informally every Monday evening at Humperdink’s Restaurant at Six Flags in Arlington. Anyone interested in magic is welcome to attend.

Magic at the Houston Improv
Magical entertainers Ted Schwank and Carter Blackburn take you on a high-energy adventure of magic, illusion, and comedy. Details at www.improvhouston.com

Fort Worth – Second Saturday at Magic, Etc., 9:00 a.m., Forest Park Blvd. at I-30.

Family Magic in McKinney
Second Saturday Family Magic Shows at Main Street Magic and Fun Company, 2111 North Tennessee.  Call 972-542-5010 for reservations; tickets are $10 each; seating is limited to only 20 patrons.

B Magic Children’s Shows
Saturdays at 5:00 and 6:30 and Sunday at 1:00 and 2:30.  1903 West Pioneer Parkway in Arlington.  Call 817-795-0404.

Comedy and Magic for All Ages at the Arlington Improv every Sunday at 2:00.  This show is designed to have you in awe no matter your age!  With a combination of comedy and magic, the FUN doesn’t stop.  Go to www.improve.com for more details or call 817-635-5555. 

Curt Miller Presents
“A Magical Christmas 2: Home for the Holidays”
December 19-28, 2013

A Magical Christmas 2 is a visual performance that combines dazzling magic, family comedy, inspiring music and beautiful dance to celebrate the childlike wonderment of Christmas. Watch as people appear and disappear before your eyes. Enjoy your favorite Christmas melodies and experience traditional Christmas narratives enhanced with the spectacular creativity of Curt Miller.

A Magical Christmas 2 runs December 19 through 28. Doors open at 6:30 pm for guests to enjoy a sumptuous holiday buffet dinner prepared by renowned Executive Chef Urs Schmid.

Each ticket to A Magical Christmas 2 includes one admission to the show, a holiday buffet dinner, admission to the Festival of Lights – the Gulf Coast’s largest holiday lighting event, complimentary parking, all taxes and gratuities.

 For details, visit MoodyChristmasShow.com or call 409-683-4186.

FAREWELL TO A DEAR FRIEND

Lifelong illusionist and magical entertainer Fred Arthur Story passed away at the age of 82 on Veteran’s Day November 11, 2013. Born in Plainview, Texas on October 17, 1931 to Robert E. and Nadine Story. Fred became interested in magic tricks at the age of five when his barber Harvey Gaddis in Plainview, Texas would perform sleight-of-hand in trade of him sitting still in the barber chair.

Fred graduated from Kemper Military School in Booneville, Missouri in 1951. He married his lifelong sweetheart Ann on August 9, 1952, and the two celebrated their honeymoon at that summer’s Abbott’s Magic Get-Together. Fred earned a BS degree in History and Education from Texas Tech University in 1954, was discharged from the US Air Force in 1956, and later was discharged as a Captain in the Air Force reserves.

Fred and his wife Ann performed professionally for over 20 years throughout the United States with one of the last great touring illusion shows. Fred’s career included owning The Magic Shop in Lubbock, Texas and a photography studio in Tulia,Texas. Fred is perhaps most known in magic circles for his finely crafted and highly collectible Camelot Creations magic props. Fred and Ann were honored with the lifetime achievement award at the 2003 Lubbock, Texas Association of Magicians convention.

An avid magic collector and historian, Fred was a member of the West Texas Wizards in Lubbock, the Magic Collectors Association, the Society of American Magicians, and an Order of Merlin Excelsior of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He was preceded in death by his parents, and twin brother Robert C. Story.  Fred is survived by his wife Ann, his daughter Carol Allen of Tulia, son Larry in Lubbock, four grandsons, and four great grandchildren.

This is truly a magical time of year.  Families and friends gather to cement the bonds that keep the world spinning around.  Magic happens whether or not there’s a magician in the room.  Remind your dear ones that you care. 

For a change of pace, why not bring your party to Galveston this year?  The magic extravaganza and trail of lights at Moody Gardens are awe-inspiring.  We’ll be there a few days and plan to see the Christmas Eve magic show.  Hope to see you too!

                                                             Judy Hollingsworth
TAOM Club Coordinator