May 2014

My oh my — WHAT A LINE-UP!!!!!  Feast your magical appetite on this outstanding list of performer (and this doesn’t even include them all….)

World headliner KEVIN JAMES
Gold Cups winner DR. STEVEN BEDWELL,
FISM award winner SONNY FONTANA,
multiple awards recipient DANA DANIELS,
International Battle of Magicians winner DAVE CHANDLER,
Emmy winner MAX HOWARD,
The Amazing MASTER PAYNE,
Opener for the stars IAN VARELLA
TAOM winners Stephen Banta and James Irwin,
Dr. Geoff Grimes,
Dr. Rick Honea,
PIX!,
SHEL!,
The internationally influenced CARNIVAL OF ILLUSIONS,
NEW LECTURES, BOOK RELEASE, AND REAL WORLD PERFORMERS performing material exclusively for the TAOM 2014 convention.

I HOPE YOU HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED. If not, go to www.taom.org right now! You’ll be glad you did.

Bill Irwin
2013 President

Roland Sarlot and Susan Eyed will bring their “Carnival of Illusion” to Texas for the 2014 TAOM Convention.  It’s filled with vaudeville, mystery, excitement, and “an evening of worldly magical delights!”  Their fresh approach to choreographed magic, music, and illusion will thrill and amaze you.

Sonny Fontana is the world’s foremost expert in the ancient art of hand shadows.  He has performed his Shadow Act in 38 countries and served as “Shadow Consultant” for Hollywood films.  You simply will not believe the “magic” he creates with his hands.

 SPECIAL EVENTS AND GIFTS
Lectures, multiple close-up shows. (What does Kevin do close-up and what does a Gold Cups winner do now?)  You will have to be here to see it.), contests, dealers (some new), and evening shows will all be there, but there will be other opportunities as well, and a partial list is below.
You should already know about the production of the WAR WIZARD which may be one of the final presentations of the play, but there are other SPECIALS that will be part of the convention.
·         The HOUDINI TOUR is limited to those who have sent a note to president@taom2014.com  with HOUDINI in the title and an expression of their desire to attend.  Those who submit a request will be entered for a drawing for the tour.
·         There is also a very SPECIAL GIFT being developed for registrants that historians and longtime attendees will appreciate.  If you knew Ed Watkins or Noel Coward, you will appreciate this gift that documents 10 years of TAOM and will become an instant collectors’ item.
·          DOUG WILSON was a woodworker with many national carving honors.  Sadly we lost Doug shortly after the 2013 convention.  Doug had a gift for carving amazing wands and canes which will be on display, but before he left us he provided a very special GIFT.  Doug had carved a single cane (with a very interesting secret) just for the TAOM 2014 that will leave with one lucky registrant.
·         A Friday night reception will feature our own ARTHUR EMERSON and an unbelievably magic lifetime of events.
·         MIDNIGHT MADNESS returns with Klaus protégé Dan Strange
·         MAGIC CAMP for our young performers to learn and perform
·         Sponsor reception for Evening Show sponsors
·         Displays are being arranged for MAGIC COLLECTIONS never exhibited previously
·         And some very nice SPECIAL ITEMS in your registration bag the day you arrive.
·         Cook Children’s Hospital will also have a special place in our evening shows
·         Have you ever seen Harry Potter? Your souvenir bulletin will be able to SHOW you videos and even the winners of the contests AFTER the convention.

Go to TAOM CONVENTION on FACEBOOK to get more information, register on TAOM2014.com.   Would you like to include a message (which can be a video) for the TAOM,  our guest of honor Arthur Emerson, or advertise your business?  Send a note to president@taom2014.com  and I will get that information to you.

Bits and Pieces of Interesting Stuff

Everyone Welcome!  Enjoy the food, fun and magic at the San Antonio S.A.M. Assembly 52 Installation Banquet on June 7 at Pompeii Italian Grill, 16109 Nacogdoches.  The evening’s entertainment will feature the exciting magic of David Hira.   You do not want to miss this show!  RSVP to Ray Adams at rhainsa@satx.rr.com

  June 7 marks Main Street Magic & Fun Company’s Seventh Anniversary in McKinney.  To celebrate, they will begin sending newsletters to let interested parties know about the exciting events that take place.  The Magic Attic is available for birthday parties on Saturdays and two shows every second Saturday bring family-friendly magical entertainment.  Call 214-274-7802 for reservations, as seating is limited. Also scheduled:  magic classes and summer camps for students of all ages and ability.  Email mainstreetmagic@att.net  for more information.

Public shows at Casa Manana during the convention in Fort Worth will benefit Cook Children’s Hospital.  Invite your friends if they are not attending the whole convention.  For tickets to the two different spectacular stage shows (August 30 and 31, both at 8:00 p.m., call Casa Manana box office at 817-332-2272 ext. 284.

BROKEN WAND

Magicians were saddened to learn of the death of Stella Coward on April 19, 2014.  She and her late husband Noel traveled the world performing their special brand of magic.  She was an active member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and the Texas Association of Magicians for 54 years.  She also served as TAOM Secretary for 11 years.  Stella will be missed by her children and all the magicians who knew and loved her.

June 7 – Austin Clinic – Creating a Show.  Panelists Kent Cummins, Chris Walden, and Edward Boswell present diverse styles and approaches to producing an entertain show.  Clinic starts at 10:00 a.m. at Heroes Night Out facility at 1050 South Bell Boulevard in Cedar Park (Austin).

June 8 – Fort Worth Magicians Club Annual Picnic from noon until 4:00 p.m. in pavilion #2 at Fort Worth’s Trinity Park.  For more information, contact one of the officers listed at www.fortworthmagiciansclub.org

June 8 – Austin Ring 60 Annual Picnic from noon until 4:00 p.m. at the Grittiths family compound on Lake Austin, 3103 Westlake Drive.  Get in touch with Ring 60 President Carols Santillan at csantill@gmail.com  for details.

June 10 – Michael Dardant present his famous “What the Fork?” lecture at 7:30 p.m. at the IATSE Hall, 3030 North Freeway in Houston.

June 14 – Mark Byrne Lecture  in Fort Worth.  For more information, contact one of the officers listed at www.fortworthmagiciansclub.org

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

Lubbock magicians meet on the first Monday of every month at 7 p.m. at 1414 Avenue K in Lubbock.  You are most welcome to join us. Contact Rick Honea at drh@ricksmagic.com

Monday Night Magic, The Humperdink’s Restaurant at Six Flags of Arlington, La Quinta Inn & Suites, 6 North Six Flags Drive in Arlington. All magic aficionados are invited to attend these informal gatherings that meet in the back meeting room each Monday evening. Bring your cards and props and practice your “chops”!

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.improv.com for more details or call 817-635-5555.

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 http://www.improvhouston.com

South Austin Card Group meets on the last Saturday of each month, usually at the home of Ron Cartlidge.  Get in touch with Lou Hornung at lhurnung@sbcglobal.net  for details and to be added to the meeting notice distribution list.

Claude Crowe was roasted, toasted, and done to a turn on May 10 at a dinner party in his honor at Beethoven Hall in downtown San Antonio.  The memorable evening was made even more special with a Presidential Citation presented to Claude by Past International IBM President Mike Stratman.

The large crowd was treated to an opening laser light show by Ring 18 Secretary/Treasurer John Ward and then excellent food catered by Las Palapas.

Joe Libby served as Roastmaster, introducing Alex Gutierrez, Bill Winters, Kent Cummings, Scott Wells, and Trixie Bond.  They poked fun jabs into Claude with good humor and kind respect for a great pillar of the magic community. Magicians from around the country sent letters of congratulations and remembrance.  Gene Anderson sent a person video wishing Claude happy magish-ing.

8Dwayne Stanton, Alex Gutierrez, Joe Libby, Scott Wells, Claude Crowe, Trixie Bond, Kent Cummins, Bill Winters, and Mike Stratman.

The whole evening was filled with good fellowship and fun.

A majority of the members of the TAOM Board of Directors met for the mid-year meeting at the luxurious Worthington Hotel in downtown Fort Worth on Saturday, May 17.  While a bit under the weather, President Bill Irwin conducted the four-hour meeting with aplomb.  Major items decided included the following:

1.  Action to “officially” designate a TAOM logo.  The committee assigned to research previous logos and submit new designs had performed their tasks diligently.  After viewing the proposals and much discussion, the Board voted to retain the current logo and specify in the bylaws how it can be used.

2.  Action to amend the TAOM contest rules.  The committee assigned to review and make recommendations to amend the contest rules presented few changes for consideration.  The category of “club” was combined with “stage”.  The time frame for submissions was altered to require applications be submitted 45 days prior to the convention.  Contestants must submit a video or a letter of recommendation from two members of a TAOM Member Club.

3.  Action to embrace a TAOM brand platform, as a leader in the world of magic and because there is a world of magic in Texas.  It will be posted on the website.

4.  Action to approve purchase of computer software to allow the webmaster to provide web pages for use by Member Clubs for individual conventions’ registration, seating assignments, and payments. The software will also allow convention websites to be created and managed by host cities and will remain accessible after each convention.

5.  Action to approve the bid from Corpus Christi IBM Ring 157 to host the 2016 TAOM convention.

Despite the length of the meeting, Board members were upbeat about the accomplishments.

Having missed the last two Board of Directors meetings, I was pleased to be able to attend the meeting in Fort Worth on May 17.  More gratifying was the fact that the Board agreed to provide the means for convention managers to take advantage of the continuity of forms and contact information.  Having the option to use a standard online registration form will make registering more secure for registrants and efficient for registration chairmen.  Speaking as someone who will be intimately involved in registering magicians for a TAOM convention in the future, I was very happy with this advancement.
While the meeting seemed to last indeterminably, it was gratifying to see that representatives from  the various clubs around the State could work together for the benefit of all.  The advancement and enjoyment of magic is our unifying goal and these dedicated Board members showed their sincere desire to further that goal.

                                                         Judy Hollingsworth
TAOM Club Coordinator