319: Day 3 - TAOM 2016

Schedule for Sunday, September 4

7:00 a.m. - ? - Grab ‘n’ Go Breakfast Bar – Ballroom Foyer
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Church Service - Ballroom
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Dealers Room Open - Beachcomber
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. - General Meeting – Ballroom
9:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. - 2017 Registration – Ballroom Foyer
9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Lecture – David Stone – Ballroom
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Lecture – Cody Fisher – Ballroom
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Magic Luncheon – Kokomos
2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Professional Close-up Show – Catamaran, Longboat, Outrigger & Kokomos featuring: David Stone, Danny Orleans, David Rangel, Stuart McDonald, Ben Jackson, and Doug Gorman
7:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. - Stars from Around the World – Ballroom Featuring Dal Sanders as MC with Danny Orleans and Jan Rose, Dal Sanders, David Stone and David Thomas
10:30 pm. - 12:00 a.m. - President’s Party – Kokomos
10:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. - Dealers Open - Last Chance

Trigg presents his unique blend of tech-magic for Masters of Illusion TV show and the legendary magicians Penn & Teller "Fool Us"

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:00:14 - Banachek talks about some of his latest adventures plus reminisces about working in the Corpus Christi comedy club and other T.A.O.M. conventions.

00:16:28 - David Thomas was the director of Six Flags theme park productions for many years and he tells us how he selected magicians for working the parks.

00:22:27 - We continue our chat with David Thomas following David Stone's lecture.

00:32:36 - Trigg Watson talks about performing for Pann & Teller Fool Us television show plus preparing for contests and other TV shows.

00:38:37 - Close-up competitor, John Dahlinger (with whom we chatted on the first day) won the close-up competition and we do a follow-up chat.

00:42:46 - David Stone was busy today with an early morning lecture followed by his "professional close-up show" then the evening's finial stage gala. He unwinds a little with us at the President's Party.

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096: 2013 F.F.F.F. Day Four

The 43rd Annual Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic is now history and what a year it was. Everyone I talked with seemed to agree that this year was filled with excitement, mystery, energy and creativity unlike some past conventions. It was in no small measure attributable to our Guest of Honor, Steve Bargatze. In this final podcast from Batavia (just outside Buffalo, New York) we start with a nice chat with Stephen who talks about his work in Las Vegas substituting for Mac King plus his family including his professional comedian son, Nate.

00:29:15 - Chris Hannibal talked about his restaurant/bar work and how he turns it into corporate work. He also gave us his viewpoint of the convention as a participant this year rather than having to prepare for being on one of the scheduled performances.

00:38:45 - Enjoy a cigar and a glass of scotch with Jason Juliano and Roland Meister as they gave a rundown of what impressed them at this year's convention.

00:52:00 - Ali Shelley and Katalina Absolon gave us a view of magic from the distaff side with tips and encouragement for your women who want to go into magic.

01:04:45 - More insight from the perspectives of long time attendees George Silverman, Donald Voltz and Steven Duperre.

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Obie O'Brien presents the official award to Stephen Bargatze as the 2013 Guest of Honor.

The final night show always reads like a "Who's Who" of magic. Tonight was no different. The photos below features (in order) those who entertained us for three hours of magic, mystery and mayhem: Michael Dardant (from the U.S.A.) assisted by Ed Ripley, Bebel (from France), Red Tsai (from Taiwan), David Stone (from France), Willy Monroe (from Spain), William Watt (from France), Angel San Martin (from Spain), Shawn Farquhar (from Canada), Dani DaOrtiz (from Spain), Paul Gertner (from the U.S.A.), Woody Aragon (from Spain), and Rick Merrill (from the U.S.A.) assisted by Geoff Williams.

David Stone U.S. Lecture Tour

David Stone visited the U.S. to be feted as the Guest of Honor at the 42nd F.F.F.F. (Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic) Close-up Convention. He arrived early to lecture in several cities in upper Midwest. Following the F.F.F.F. convention, he continued through another 19 cities with his outstanding lecture.

He was not as well known in the U.S. but after this tour, I doubt that many people will forget him. And those who missed out, well...you can hear the stories.Many said his lecture was the best they had seen in many years. I hear that comment from time to time about other lecturers but never have I received so many saying the same thing as I have regarding David's lecture.

For example, one unsolicited testimonial I received about his lecture said, "David Stone was AWESOME!!! He is a fun, amazing, charming, phenomenally talented lecturer. We had a huge crowd, and I received many thanks from our members for bring him to Atlanta, and have heard and read ONLY rave reviews from those who were lucky enough to attend. Many have said it's the best lecture we've had in a very long time... and you know we have a LOT of lectures!

"David's communication leading up his visit was very pleasant and professional. His lecture material was accessible to all skill levels, and he covered a tremendous amount of highly commercial magic that appealed to us all. And the fact that English is his second language, it's nothing short of remarkable that he is such a strong instructor and that his lecture was perhaps the funniest I've ever seen!" - Debbie Leifer

His lecture contained many commercial, creative ideas that were well within the capabilities of any magician from beginner to professional. He covered coin and card moves all of which can be performed in a stand-up situation and great for restaurant or walk-around work. As he reached the end of his tour, I know that he was running low on many items and had to make a few "on the road" to replenish his stock for the next city. But no one was disappointed.

Pictured above in Houston - Daniel Garcia, David Stone and Ben Jackson

Beyond his skill was his presentation. As an actor, he portrayed the part of a magician with ease and aplomb. He said in our interview (hear the podcast here), David stated that he lacks confidence. But is was never evident from his lecture performance. He exuded confidence and hit every mark. For those who didn't buy any of his amazing items (though I can't imagine anyone who didn't buy at least something), I know they came away having been thoroughly entertained by a true magician.