067: T.A.O.M. Day 1 in Houston, TX

The 66th edition of the Texas Association of Magicians (TAOM) convention in Houston, Texas is underway at the Hilton Americas Hotel. President Daniel Garcia and his team (led by Chairman, Alex Rangel) have put together a great line-up of talent that most people would never expect outside of Las Vegas or come other mega-convention. Aside from the stellar line-up that the team has put together, many of Daniel's friends are just coming to hang out. I have seen Bill Kalush and Carl Heine and Rico de la Vega, just to name a very few. And I noticed on the schedule that Rudy Coby has been added back in the line-up. He is slated to close the Sunday night stage show. I would not be surprised to see David Blaine show up. I'm not saying he will...I'm just saying that I wouldn't be surprised. It's just that kind of very, very cool convention. It already has a great vibe. I can tell now that this will certainly be one for the record books.

It is not too late to travel to Houston and register for this convention as there is a ton of great magic yet to be seen. All the details, schedule, list of performers and more can be found at http://www.TAOM2012.com/ If you cannot make it for the whole convention, then there are daily tickets available plus there will be public tickets available for the Saturday and Sunday night shows. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.TopTalentProductions.com/

This brief intro to the TAOM includes a chat with Treasurer, Dick Olson, who was helping with the registration. Then we went back stage prior to the stage contest to talk to some of the contestants and Jamie Salinas, Contest Chairman. This is a little different angle than we have taken in the past, but this is the first year the TAOM has ever offered a cash award for the winner. And we're talking $5,000 in cash!

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042: The Session 2012

Joshua Jay and Andi Gladwin hosted the second annual Session convention in Cheltenham, U.K. on January 14-15, 2012. This is billed as the "U.K.'s Only Close-Up Magic Convention" and this year featured some really "knock-out" talent like Chris Kenner, Dani DaOrtiz, Wayne Houchin, Michael Vincent, Eric Jones, Christian Engblom, and many, many others.

Alex Rangel and Alan Rorrison attended this year's event and they talk about the experience on this episode of The Magic Word. And what an experience it was! Listen to their description of some of the greatest sleight-of-hand guys around plus what's new and what's hot. They also chat about the intimate seminar experience that must have been awesome. After listening to this podcast and if you want to learn more and don't want to miss next year's event, then visit their website at: http://www.sessionconvention.com/

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017: The Lost Episodes, Jan. 9, 2011 - Houston Magicians Annual Party

Gene Protas (creator of the Banachek-Protas Psi Kalc) and his wife, Betty, host a post-holiday party in their home each year with an open invitation to all local and visiting magicians. This was an episode that was destined for, but never posted on, The Magic Newswire. Hence the reason this is another of the "Lost Episodes". Although this party took place over eight months ago when the weather was much cooler, it has some interesting and rather eerie conversations.

We talk with Alex Rangel, Daniel Garcia and Banachek about their New Year's Resolutions, new projects they are working on in 2011 and "upcoming" convention and lecture appearances. There are also some voices and shout-outs from Dennis Castro, Bruce Chadwick and Cherie Kaye.

There is a rather unsettling chat with John Star with a foreboding report on the declining health of Terry Seabrooke who passed away just two days after this interview. You can read the obituary I wrote for my dear friend at: http:bit.ly/mPNNoAz I have posted a website with some of my photos I took of Terry at www.ScottWells.com/Seabrooke.htm

This is followed with an interview with Michael Satterwhite who was an integral part of our Young Magicians' Program and was named Houston's "Magician of the Year" for 2008. He also performed for many years at the Renaissance Festival in Magnolia, TX (just outside of Houston) as the magical Cardinal Wolsey. Michael unexpectedly passed away two months later in early March.

Trixie Bond wraps up the podcast with her reflections on performing for children over the years, the development of her "Mary Poppins" character and her future direction in magic. Fortunately, she is still alive and well.

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