January 2012

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Vol. 3, #1 – January 2012
 

*****

Official Newsletter

of the

Texas Association of Magicians

*****

for all magicians everywhere!

In This Issue:
Houston 2012 Convention Update
Coming Attractions
Bits and Pieces
Spotlight on Fort Worth Young Magicians
The Rest of the Story….
The Last Word
2012 Convention Update – Houston is THE PLACE TO BE!

hilton_americas_montage

Not only will the 2012 TAOM Convention in Houston be the best convention in 2012, the Hilton Americas is the best hotel. Room rates are an unbelievable $102 for this 5-star hotel.

The Hilton Americas , the jewel in Houston’s crown, offers 1,200 luxurious accommodations in downtown Houston. The sleek contemporary furniture combines with sumptuous appointments from the Hilton Serenity Collection™, including lush pillow top mattresses, high thread count linens, down pillows and cozy duvets. Enjoy luxurious, spacious guest rooms, FREE wireless high speed Internet access available for TAOM registrants, dual line phones with voice mail, in-room safe, full size work desk and ergonomic chair, 37” flat screen high definition LCD TV, alarm clock with MP3 connection, Hilton Signature Cuisinart® coffeemaker, and luxurious bath amenities.  The bathrooms, which have a residential feel, offer ample space to take care of your personal needs.  Extraordinary features combined with the Hilton tradition of highly acclaimed professional service ensure a memorable and productive guest experience.

The 40,000 square foot Grand Ballroom is the largest in Houston, and it features state-of-the-art technology enhancements with floor pockets, motorized screens, smart walls and “show power” lights and sound.

The Cafe offers an elaborate breakfast buffet, traditional American Cuisine with a local flair for breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring a la carte menu selections.

For guests on the go, Java Jive @1600 serves Starbucks coffee, sandwiches, fresh pastries and healthy snacks.

Spencer’s for Steak and Chops is the new standard for steaks in Houston. You’ll find only USDA Prime beef
and one of the city’s most extensive wine lists. The adjacent piano bar and lounge provides intimate seating for cocktails and conversation.

More information, hotel, and online registration are at www.TAOM2012.com

If you prefer to mail your registration, you can print a hard copy at www.HoustonMagic.com/TAOM2012.jpg Register today and be a part of history!

 

Monday Night Magic in North Texas – Each Monday evening at Humperdink’s Restaurant at Six Flags Drive, Arlington, magicians gather around 7 p.m. to share magic and magic stories. Strolling performers are appreciated in the dining area before 8 p.m.
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Austin Ring 60 Master Class Workshop led by Brad Henderson – Saturday, January 21 from 10 until 1 at Texas Magic Supply in Cedar Park.  Free to Ring 60 members; $5 for non-members.  RSVP to Roger Gorss at roger.gorss@us.army.mil or call 254-289-4305.
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Chris Randall will lecture in Dallas/Fort Worth on January 22.  Details at  www.thats-impossible.com/lectures.htm He will lecture in Houston on January 24 at the IATSE Hall, 3030 North Freeway, and in San Antonio on January 25 at 607 East Sonterra, Suite 102.  He will share his insights on restaurant magic, street magic, and how to successfully travel the world with a commercial, marketable magic act.
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“The Perfection of Deception” by Harry Maurer. Harry will give his unique insights as a professional magician in exploring the colorful lives of historic magicians and discuss how they have changed the course of history in ways you would never have imagined! He will talk about how magicians have used their unique talents to avert political uprisings, influence world leaders, write “Manuals of Deception” for the CIA, aid the U.S. Secret Service and England’s MI-5 with vital pre-war information, and how one magician used “Principles of Magic” to win one of the decisive battles of World War II !  Catch this intriguing FREE lecture at Lone Star College-CyFair, 9191 Barker Cypress Road, Cypress, Texas, on January 25th, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in the Center for the Arts Building, Recital Hall 102. For more information, go to www.hmmagic.com
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Nathan Kranzo will lecture at the February 6 meeting of Austin Ring 60 at IHOP, 11654 Research Boulevard in North Austin.  Come early to encourage the youngsters at the Austin Magic Youth meeting.
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TOP TALENT PRODUCTIONS will present “The Man Who Fooled Scientists” featuring BANACHEK at the luxurious Hilton Americas in downtown Houston on February 11.  Mix and mingle from 7:00 to 8:00 with strolling magic by Rick Hebert.  Check the website at www.toptalentproductions.com
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Alan Sands will lecture in Dallas/Fort Worth on February 12.  Details at
www.thats-impossible.com/lectures.htm He will lecture in Houston on February 14 at the IATSE Hall, 3030 North Freeway; in Austin on February 15 at 1050 South Bell Boulevard in Cedar Park; and in San Antonio on February 16 at 607 East Sonterra, Suite 102.
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Bits and Pieces of Interesting Stuff

jan_2012_bits_montageGood News!  The Magic Castle in Hollywood has completed repairs to all damage caused by the fire several weeks ago.  EXTRA Good News!  Doug and Fran Gorman will perform at the Castle from January 23rd through January 29th.
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Banachek is the featured performs at this year’s installation banquet in Houston.  Once a year Houston’s three magic clubs come together for a gala installation banquet and magic show.  Scott Wells will act as Master of Ceremonies for performers Mesmerize Magic, Rick Hebert, Jamie Salinas, and Robert B and Honey.  Scott Hollingsworth, Ben Jackson, John Star, and Michael Christian will entertain with close-up magic before dinner.  All this fun and magic will take place on Sunday, February 19 at the SPJST Hall, 1435 Beall Street.  Tickets are only $20 and everyone is welcome.  For more information and to make reservations, email olyson@swbell.net
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Dallas Magic Clubs Founders Event –   Dallas IBM Ring 174 is the “Willard the Wizard Ring” and is pleased to announce that Frances Willard Falkenstein will be the special guest at the  February 21 meeting of the Dallas Magic Clubs.  It will be a closed, members only meeting.  If you are not a member, now is the time to join!  Contact DMC President Mike Smith at phylmike@att.net for details.
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THE WORLD FAMOUS AUSTIN MAGIC AUCTION – APRIL 14, 2012

Start gathering up your auction items now!  Co-Chairs Ron Cartlidge and Trixie Bond will start registering items very soon.  Many previous sellers will return for the 2012 auction.  Items must be in before April 1, 2012, and will be stored at Kent Cummins’ warehouse prior to the auction.  S.A.M. Assembly 206 will collect a 12% consignment fee, but ONLY if your item sells.  You may place a minimum bid on your item.  Send an email to texashoudisni@msn.com to get your seller’s number for up to 100 items.  There is NO buyers’ fee and the $10 admission fee gets you the best show in town!

Auctioneers Kent Cummins, David Hira, and Scott Wells will cajole and entice buyers with magic demonstrations and Judy Hollingsworth will offer some standard items at warp speed.   Hundreds of items will be displayed in the foyer on silent auction tables.  snacks, drinks, and lunch are fringe benefits.

Other scheduled events:  Texas Magic Collectors’ Meeting at the home of Dr. Stan Seaton on Friday April 13 and Texas Association of Magicians Board of Directors Meeting on Sunday, April 15.

One hundred eighty-five people enjoyed the show and spent almost $25,000 for over 1,500 magic items at last year’s auction.  Make your plans NOW for this marvelous magic spectacle.  Doors open at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 14, at the First Baptist Church, 901 Trinity in downtown Austin.

Spotlight on Fort Worth Young Magicians

fort_worth_young_magicians_jamesSeven-year old James is a seasoned performer at Cook Children’s Hospital as part of the magic club sponsored by the hospital.

He is just one of the young magicians in Fort Worth who get more than a magic education with membership in the Cook Children’s Hospital Young Magicians Club.  This enthusiastic group of seven-to-seventeen- year-olds make a serious commitment to magic and to helping others.  They meet monthly at the atrium of Cook Children’s Hospital to study magic one month and to entertain the next.  Leaders Bill Irwin and Susie Schulwitz guide these aspiring magicians through the rigors of background checks and immunizations to qualify for the club and to perform in a pediatric hospital.  Performers and teachers from the Fort Worth Magicians Club are frequent guests at the meetings.

Lessons revolve around interactions with patients, routining, and presentation. The physical and mental rehabilitation of the patients is the most important gift the youngsters provide and their shows take that into consideration.  Laughter and enjoyment are always appreciated, but must be accomplished without sharp objects, loud noises, and latex balloons.  By placing the patient and their family first, the performance becomes a more meaningful experience with an intentional effort given to what is being performed.

Performing experiences are also very different from shows outside a clinical setting.  Here, the patients IV sensor may go off during the show and some parents are holding a child who is going through chemo treatments.  Interruptions for patients needing attention during the show is not uncommon.

These dedicated young magicians return month after month to display their talents and provide a little relief for kids who can share their joy.  The life lessons they learn are invaluable.

 

For the Rest of the Story….

newsletterMagic clubs across the State are active and moving forward into 2012 with great plans, ideas, and goals.  Most have a newsletter that tell of past feats and upcoming events.  There is some really great writing in these newsletters and each has a wealth of information about the various clubs.

Copied below are web links for those clubs that post their newsletters online:

Austin Ring 60: http://ibmring60.org/
Click on “Now You See it”

Dallas Magic Clubs:  http://www.dallasmagic.org/charter/index.php
Click on “The Wizard’s Scroll”  (If the current issue is not up, send an email request to Editor Dal Sanders at Dal@stagemagic.com)

Fort Worth Magicians Club: 
http://fortworthmagiciansclub.org/http://fortworthmagiciansclub.org/
Click on “Flashpapers” or email editor Geoff Grimes at ggrimes1@aol.com

Houston Association of Magicians, S.A.M. Assembly 19, and I.B.M. Ring 39:  Combined newsletter edited and published by Lynn Skelton.  To request a particular issue, send an email to redskelton76@yahoo.com Some information from the newsletter is published at http://www.houstonmagic.com/

San Antonio S.A.M. Assembly 52 and I.B.M. Ring 18:  Separate newsletters are written, edited, and published monthly by Doug Gorman.  Send an email to douggorman@att.net

The Last Word

judy_passportI hope this wonderful New Year finds you healthy and happy with a renewed dedication to enhance and advance your magic.  Many opportunities are coming your way with several outstanding conventions, lectures, and workshops.

Much can be learned and shared through newsletters too.  If your club has any sort of mail-out or web posting you’d like to share with TAOM members around the State and the world, just let me know.

Speaking of “new”, did you notice the new masthead for this newsletter?  Our friend and wonderful disseminator of news about magicians, Mel Kientz, created the new design.  Thanks, Mel.

Judy Hollingsworth
TAOM Club Coordinator

 

 

Texas Association of Magicians | 2111 West Bayshore Drive | Palacios | TX | US | 77465

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