In just a few days I’ll be heading to Europe for the Nordisch Nobel Congress in Luebeck, Germany, followed closely by the Annual Congress of the Italian Magic Club outside of Padua, Italy. As you know from previous posts, I’m on the road a considerable amount. I think I’ve been to more magic conventions then just about anyone I know and I’m often asked about where to get info on such events. I always start by saying, “Go.”

If you have the opportunity to attend a magic convention, then GO! These events are a huge amount of work and the cost to mount one takes a great deal of expense, time, and energy. Support from attendees like you is the ONLY thing that makes them survive and grow. They tend to be very inexpensive compared with other professional conferences and you’ll have the opportunity to learn and share with a wide variety of performers, creators, and enthusiasts. The experience you’ll gain is invaluable and frankly, IMPOSSIBLE to acquire any other way. To get the most from the event you’ll need to extended yourself a bit and take an active role. You’ll get more from the convention if you participate in the experience and not just act as an observer. Don’t be shy, everyone was or is just like you and the only way to grow is to take advantage of the opportunites around you.

So get your magic buds together, load up the car, and hit the dusty highways. It’s time for a magic road trip! Here are a few places to get your planning started...

MAGIC Magazine's Convention Guide

The Magic Convention Guide

The Magic Cafe's Convention & Lecture Section

Genii Magazine's Convention Forum

I’ve written quite a bit about the value of conventions and live lectures as part of your magical education. The live experience offers benefits that you simply can not get from any other format. If you’re not taking advantage of these events you really are missing a significant component of your education…not to mention the camaraderie and friendships that can be built.

If you are hitting the road to a convention or two this year, my hope is that our paths will cross. If they do, PLEASE let make yourself known…it’s always great to meet our customers face to face. And this year you’ll have plenty of chance to do that. Here’s our current convention schedule for the rest of 2011:

April 2
Long Island Magic Arts Convention in Hicksville, NY 

April 8-10
Cape Cod Conclave in Hyannis, MA

April 27-30
Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic (4F) in Batavia, NY

May 1
Magicians Alliance of Western New York (MAWNY) in Batavia, NY

May 5-7
International Battle of Magicians in Canton, OH

May 20-22
Abra-Corn-Dabra in Altoona, IA

June 25
Magic on Manhattan in New York, NY

August 14-17
Magic Live in Las Vegas, NV

October 7-8
NON Nordisch Nobel in Lubeck, Germany

Yikes, I’m going to be busy boy…and dates are still being added! If you have any good convention recommendations, drop me a line. See you on the road...

In less than a week I’ll be boarding a plane for the Blackpool Magic Convention. Well over 3000 magicians will magically appear in the coastal town of Blackpool in Lancashire, England for three plus days of magical mayhem. It’s a remarkable event in which the entire town seems to be taken over by magicians - the stores, restaurants, hotels, banks, coffee shops, pubs - it’s like an invasion! There is nothing like it in the world.

In truth, it won’t be anarchy.

In fact, it may be one of the best run conventions on the planet. It stays on schedule, delivers an astonishing and diverse array of talent, and provides more bang for your buck than just about any convention I’ve ever been too. I can’t fathom keeping a group this size satisfied, but somehow the team from Blackpool does just that and more - year in and year out.

Of course, you may hear the odd complaint here and there. Keep in mind this is a resort town...a summer resort town. So mid-February may not be the best time to visit Blackpool. Some will tell you that the town has seen better days, but frankly it has its own charm and I’ve always enjoyed our visits. In the end, a convention is about people...and the people here are warm, enthusiastic, and ready to enjoy themselves.

From my perspective - it’s a marvel.

Once again, I’ll send updates via Twitter and try to keep you abreast of the fun. Of course, there’s nothing like the real thing - so if you’ve never been, make an effort.

And if you WILL be there this year, then stop by our booth and say hello. We love to meet our customers face to face and I can’t wait to show you the latest goodies!

Trying something a little different - a “guest” post to let you know about a great event taking place just north of the border. My good friend and corporate magician Anthony Lindan is producing a fantastic convention in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Anthony, along with his partners David Peck and Brian Roberts, will be bringing some to notch talent to the Greg Frewin Theatre to share their time, insight, and expertise in an incredibly intimate setting. Here’s the word direct from Anthony...

The 2010 Magic By The Falls convention is only a few weeks away. It's held September 24-26 at the beautiful Greg Frewin theatre in Niagara Falls, Canada.

This year's line up includes John Archer (from the UK), John Carney, Joshua Jay, Tyler Wilson, Greg Frewin and more!

Registration is only $125.00 (US)

Complete details and registration information at magicbythefalls.com

What makes this convention so special is its small, intimate size - we cap it at 50 attendees. There are no lines or jockeying with hundreds magicians to talk to the stars. It is like having some of the biggest names of magic in living room. It's laid back, informal and a blast.

Another unique feature is the amount interaction provided by our round table and panel discussions. After the Friday night public show we hold a round table Q&A session with the performers so attendees can ask them about the performances and the show. We also hold another round table with all the performers involved in the convention where attendees can ask questions about anything and everything magic.

A highlight of the convention is our Sunday morning 'routining' workshop with comedy magician extraordinaire David Merry. You bring an idea or routine you're working on and David Merry brainstorms it and develops the idea with you and the audience. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to get creative with this one. This workshop has been pure gold in previous years and several attendees have said it alone was worth the registration fee!

We provide time to meet and talk with the headliners as well as hospitality time to hang out with other convention attendees.

Come and see some great magic, meet some great people and have a great time! If you have any questions or would like to register drop me a line.

Anthony Lindan
Founder Co-Organizer
Magic By The Falls
(416) 606-3151
magic@anthonylindan.com

No, my keyboard’s not stuck.

This week marks the beginning of the 4F convention....the "Original Close-Up Magic Convention" and the most prestigious gathering of close-up magicians in the world. This Invitation-Only event continues to feature the best performers, creators and lecturers in the world. 2010 marks the 40th anniversary and it’s destined to be one of the most memorable.

The first time I ever performed at 4F I was surprisingly calm. I had worked a lot of conventions and performing for magicians never really rattled my nerves. Then, I stepped behind the table to begin...

The first few rows at 4F are filled with former Guests of Honor and I didn’t really realize that until I looked up! You stand before of a wall of talent and skill that would make any magician tremble. Where ever your eyes come to rest you’re looking in the face of a legend. If you’re not humbled by it...then you’re not paying attention. I pushed forward with legs of jelly and I can honestly say that I remember little of what actually occurred during my spot. When it was done, the reaction was good, the audience applauded, and I was never so relieved to be finished with a show!

Each year I look forward to the event as a time not only to see some of the best magic, but to catch up with friends that I see but once a year. Eddie Fechter passed away in 1979 but his impact has extended across the globe and through the decades. But most remarkable to me is that to this day, when I perform locally, his name and the Forks Hotel are mentioned frequently by non magicians who remember the place and the man fondly.

We should all be so lucky to leave that sort of legacy.

Dick Cook put together a wonderful photo montage on the Eddie, the Forks, and the Convention. It was originally played at the 2009 Convention but an updated version is now online for all to see.