May/June 2013

Now that we are just over 2 months away, I am really excited about how everything is coming together.  If you haven’t yet, now is the time to start following us on Facebook and checking our website on a regular basis.  Here are just a few of the things you will find:

Convention Schedule:
To help you make your travel plans, we have posted the convention schedule for (Aug 30) and Monday (Sept 2) on our website at http://taom2013.com/schedule/.  The full schedule will be added when it is set.  There are some fantastic lectures Friday afternoon AND Monday morning.  I’d hate for you to miss these which is why we are posting the schedule now.  Please note, that with such a fantastic lineup, it is impossible to schedule all the lectures after they have performed.  However, I promise you that you will be kicking yourself if you miss these fantastic lectures.

Convention Program Ads:
We are now accepting ads for the convention program.  Whether you would like to put in a personal message for Tom Mullica, our Guest of Honor, promote your business or just say Hi our rates are very affordable.  They range from $30 for a 1/8th page to $195 for a full page.  Be sure to check out all of your options under Advertising on www.TAOM2013.com

So what else is going on at the TAOM Convention:

• You will find our Convention Ads in the major magic magazine for June, July and August.  Just like a great magic trick, you will learn more and more with each passing month.

• You will find personal video messages from our fantastic performers inviting you to what promises to be the event of the year.  You can find these videos on our Facebook page, our website and on our YouTube Channel.  Make sure you check back often since we will be posting several more videos over the next few weeks.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TAOMConvention?feature=watch

• Surprises – Yes, we’ve been telling you about many of the great performers and one time only – never to be repeated events you can expect at our convention this year.  However, what is magic without some cool surprises – and that is just what we have in store for you.

Plus now is the perfect time to register and guarantee yourself a place at this fantastic event, so register today:  www.taom2013.com

I’m looking forward to seeing you all at TAOM this year.

Mark Jensen

The sooner you register, the better your assigned seats will be.  Online registration is simple at www.taom2013.com, but if you’d prefer to register with a check or credit card by snail mail, you can download and print a registration form at
http://taom2013.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/2013-Registration-form-Dallas-pay-DMC.pdf

How every you do it, just do it!  You’ll be glad you did,

Curt Miller has announced The Curt Miller Magic & Comedy Show will return to the beautiful Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston for the fifth great year in a row for summertime fun June 28 through July 6.  Curt blends dazzling magic, music, and great clean comedy in a theatrical show that will leave your whole family amazed, amused, and most of all, entertained!  Shows are at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. daily.  For tickets or more information, go to http://MagicComedyShow.com

The  2013 Austin Magic Auction was another resounding success, with over 1200 items and $24,000 changing hands. Auctioneers David Hira, Scott Wells, and Grant Walsh.  Auction Coordinator Trixie Bond did an outstanding job of managing the dozens of volunteers who made it happen!

Magic in Richardson
Diamond Jim Tyler appears every Thursday night at Texas Restaurant in Richardson from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m.  Go to www.djtyler.com to visit Jim’s site.

Monday Night Magic
Dallas/Fort Worth – Perform or just enjoy the magic at 7:00 p.m. each Monday evening at Humperdink’s Restaurant near Six Flags on Six Flags Drive.

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

The Improv in Arlington -Daryl Sprout and Snake Encounters
Daryl will bring the world’s only Stand-up Comedy Snake Magic Cheaper than a Shrink Get Over the Fear Someone Taught You as a Kid Show to Arlington Improv July 14 at 2pm, and will be a part of the WTF ensemble at Addison Improv (adult show) the evening of July 20.

Improv in Arlington
Comedy and Magic for All Ages at the Arlington Improv in  Arlington (in the Highlands) have shows every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. 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! Check www.improv.com for more details, or call (817) 635-5555.
June 23 – Mike Squires/Pix Smith
June 30 – Trigg Watson / Mike Squires
July 7 – Darren Collins/ Mike Squires
July 14 – Daryl Sprout
July 21 – Slappy and Monday/Mike Squires

THE WAR WIZARD – A TALE OF MAGIC AND THE CIVIL WAR – starring Max Howard and Diane Bray.  
This celebrated show is coming to the Beardsley Arena Theatre on the Austin College campus  in Sherman, Texas on October 4 & 5.  To reserve tickets now, contact Dr. Lawrence Hass at lhass@austincollege.edu and let him know how many tickets you need.

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

TAOM Past President and Life Member Don Stiefel is finally out of the hospital and on the road to recovery from the auto accident he suffered in March.  He reported that he has hired a driver.  Shrewd move, Don!

Joe Libby is also home from the hospital in San Antonio  where he was treated for subdural hematoma.

Tornado Victim Magician
J. David Teeman, his wife Sindee and their son Justin Teeman live in Moore, Oklahome, and were hit by the storm. They are okay but have LOTS of cleaning up to do and LOTS of out-of-pocket expenses. MANY magicians know this great family. You’ll recognize them at once — Justin is the “mad card shark” in the wheelchair tooling around at conventions.  You can help by making a donation at
http://www.fundsforyourlife.com/donation.php?page_link=VghA

Fort Worth magician Leland B. Van Deventer passed away peacefully at Kindred Hospital in Fort Worth on May 22, 2013.

Like the phoenix, the magic club in Lubbock has risen from West Texas Wizards.  An eager group of magicians have adopted the name “Magic Club Lubbock” is the reincarnation of IBM Ring 217.  This is exciting news for magicians across the State who encourage the growth of magic.  The club was officially welcomed by President Mark Jensen and Secretary/Treasurer Mary Cay Gold at the recent mid-year meeting of the TAOM board of directors.  If you plan to be in the Lubbock area, be sure to get in touch with the driving force and current president, Dr. Ricky Honea.  The club’s website at http://www.magicclublubbock.com/ has good info about the club and contact details.

Austin Fantastic Magic Camp – A fully inclusive summer day camp since 1993 that teaches life skills and confidence through magic, juggling, and puppets to kids ages 5-12.

Session 2: June 24 – July 5; Session 3: July 8 – July 19; Session 4: July 22 – August 2:
Session 5: August 5 – August 16; Session 6 (one week): August 19 – August 23

Details at http://magiccamp.com/

San Antonio Camp Illusion is a comprehensive summer camp that teaches magic and live audience presentation skills,  sharpens reading and comprehension, and builds self-esteem.
August 5-9, 2013.  Details at http://www.campillusion.com/index.html

Summer time doldrums!  That’s the only explanation I can offer for the dearth of lectures throughout the state.  This is the first time Magic Across Texas has not featured a “Coming Attractions” section.

It is also the first time I’ve combined two editions into one publication.  My apologies, but real life intruded.

I am getting excited about the convention in Dallas and just made our hotel reservations.  There are so many special shows and events!  Everyone says the best part of any convention is catching up with friends  and I look forward to that too, but the shows and performers run a close second.  If you haven’t registered for the convention or the hotel, NOW is the time.

Judy Hollingsworth
TAOM Club Coordinator