#207094 - 11/05/09 02:15 AM
2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
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sko
Member
Registered: 07/20/08
Posts: 5
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Though the festivities have already begun in the hotel bar, everything officially starts on Thursday. Now seems like a good time to start a thread. As always, I'm sure it will be a great convention.
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#207176 - 11/05/09 09:00 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: sko]
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Bill McFadden
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 96
Loc: Villesville
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Snobbiest event on the magic calendar . . .
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#207180 - 11/05/09 10:49 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Bill McFadden]
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Kent Blackmore
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 40
Loc: Sydney Australia
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Mmm, Bill, with only a single line of text and no explanation as to why you think the LA Conference is snobby, your post looks like a cheap shot rather than an informed commentary.
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#207194 - 11/06/09 03:17 AM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Travis]
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Richard Hatch
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 979
Loc: Humble, Texas
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Johnny Carson's nephew and CEO of Carson productions, Jeff Sotzing, spoke on Johnny's magic involvement this afternoon, Burton Sperber spoke on a set of 19th advertising cards teaching sophisticated card tricks and generously provided a book of full color reproductions for all attendants. Illusionist Chuck Jones spoke about his mentor, magicienne Dell O'Dell. This evening Mike Caveney spoke about the Ediophusikon, which will be demonstrated tomorrow. Jim Steinmeyer spoke about (and demonstrated aspects of) Devant's lost Beau Brocade illusion which will be performed on Saturday, and irrepressible sideshow showman and legend Ward Hall spoke on his life ("interviewed" by Todd Robbins, but the interview format didn't apply as Ward was off and running with stories before reaching his seat on stage...) and performed the classic blade box illusion and blow off. Dealer room buzz is mostly about the big Taschen book.
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#207207 - 11/06/09 08:29 AM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Richard Hatch]
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mrgoat
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 1138
Loc: Brighton, UK
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Johnny Carson's nephew and CEO of Carson productions, Jeff Sotzing, spoke on Johnny's magic involvement this afternoon, Burton Sperber spoke on a set of 19th advertising cards teaching sophisticated card tricks and generously provided a book of full color reproductions for all attendants. Illusionist Chuck Jones spoke about his mentor, magicienne Dell O'Dell. This evening Mike Caveney spoke about the Ediophusikon, which will be demonstrated tomorrow. Jim Steinmeyer spoke about (and demonstrated aspects of) Devant's lost Beau Brocade illusion which will be performed on Saturday, and irrepressible sideshow showman and legend Ward Hall spoke on his life ("interviewed" by Todd Robbins, but the interview format didn't apply as Ward was off and running with stories before reaching his seat on stage...) and performed the classic blade box illusion and blow off. Dealer room buzz is mostly about the big Taschen book.
Do keep info coming! Thanks for posting.
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#207214 - 11/06/09 09:17 AM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Richard Hatch]
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mai-ling
Registered: 05/10/08
Posts: 326
Loc: 60081
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the conference seems earlier than previous.
i would love to be able to go.
and performed the classic blade box illusion and blow off.
is that the one the Todd Robbin's used in his show
that my dad built for Uncle Jay?
_________________________
you will remember my namewww.mai-ling.net world's youngest illusionista
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#207232 - 11/06/09 03:59 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Dustin Stinett]
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John Signa
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 92
Loc: San Jose, CA
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There is only one snob here. I know this for a fact because no others attended the meeting with me last night.
Maybe the others were too good to show up.
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#207237 - 11/06/09 07:45 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: magicam]
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Bill McFadden
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 96
Loc: Villesville
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Yessir, it's that old air of exclusivity that can make a guy feel like the Irish Catholic businessman who keeps getting turned down for membership in the WASP country club. Ask the organizers about getting on the list and they just laugh at you.
Other than that, it's beyond compare as conferences go. And I think most of those cognoscenti and illuminati in attendance are all very nice people to one another.
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#207269 - 11/07/09 10:53 AM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Magic Newswire]
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Richard Hatch
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 979
Loc: Humble, Texas
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Yesterday's program included performances of the Eidophusikon (a "moving" picture from 1781!), Will Houstoun speaking on The Notebook (a circa 1800 manuscript of card magic in the Magic Circle library, much of it surprisingly modern in approach), Chris Woodward on the Great Rameses, David Charvet on Ade Duval, Richard Lane on fake vaudeville hypnotists, Peter Lamont on Annemann and Dr. Rhine, and a performance by John Carney of Robert-Houdin's Miraculous Orange Tree. Today the big event (until the evening presentations) will be a field trip visit to John Gaughan's new workshop/museum. Buses are standing by!
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#207271 - 11/07/09 11:10 AM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Dustin Stinett]
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Tabman
Registered: 03/17/09
Posts: 766
Loc: Tab & Koz at the Funny Bone
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Wow!!! Keep 'em coming. LA has its drawbacks but this aint one of em. Pictures???
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#207273 - 11/07/09 11:52 AM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Tabman]
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Jim Martin
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 179
Loc: St. Louis
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Was John C's 'Miraculous Orange Tree' from the Gaughan collection?
_________________________
Jim Martin
St. Louis MO
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#207279 - 11/07/09 12:23 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Jim Martin]
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Magic Newswire
Registered: 03/29/08
Posts: 999
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It was. I hear that John was pacing back stage while Carney performed it because he was so excited.
Edited by Magic Newswire (11/07/09 12:24 PM)
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#207282 - 11/07/09 01:04 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Magic Newswire]
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Diego
Registered: 06/16/08
Posts: 36
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Ward Hall is the man! As expected, Ward Hall, with Todd Robbins, grabbed the audience with his amazing stories of 60 years in show business, fascinating and funny at the same time!
Great to see Ward do the blade box as it has been done and should be done!
Wonderful at The History Conference, to see the man who is living history.
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#207313 - 11/07/09 11:14 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Diego]
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Jim Riser
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 549
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Snobs? I think not. It is my firm belief that any group of people has the right to assemble peaceably and to restrict their own membership. I have not been invited and I certainly do not feel snubbed. I know several people fortunate enough to attend these events and consider them friends not snobs. I will most likely never be invited. I can live with this. I go places and do things the attendees can not or do not do - this is as it should be. The is the natural order of things.
Fortunately I grew up learning that I was not entitled to anything just because I wanted it or was here on earth. Such is life - no big deal. I certainly hold no ill will towards the participants.
In fact, I very much enjoy and appreciate the info and pictures shared by the attendees. These conferences benefit all in the magic community not merely the few able at attend. They should enjoy our support rather than hear accusations of snobbery.
I wish them all the best and look forward to what trickles down to the rest of us.
Jim
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#207359 - 11/08/09 01:06 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Richard Kaufman]
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Magic Newswire
Registered: 03/29/08
Posts: 999
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It is a shame that the original purpose of the thread was derailed by some of these comments. It would have been fun to hear some day to day comments on what people were seeing and doing in LA.
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#207381 - 11/08/09 09:25 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Travis]
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magicalt
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 61
Loc: El Paso, TX
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I have a few friends who attend this conference and I dont believe them to be snobs. They are very giving people who do not hesitate to help out when ever they can. So I too would like to hear more about what is going on in LA.
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#207392 - 11/08/09 10:46 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Travis]
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Michael Edwards
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 16
Loc: Washington, DC
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Was there a featured reproduction of a classic illusion this year?
The Eidophuikon, Robert-Houdin's Miraculous Orange Tree, Devant's disappearing lady "Beau Brocade"; the Houdini/Morritt vanishing lady "Goodbye Winter," Paul Valadon's vanishing lady "Well, I'm...!" and "The Drum that Can't Be Beat."
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#207438 - 11/09/09 11:35 AM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Michael Edwards]
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Tabman
Registered: 03/17/09
Posts: 766
Loc: Tab & Koz at the Funny Bone
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Maybe the head Genii covered it for Genii and we'll get to read about it soon.
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#207449 - 11/09/09 12:50 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Richard Kaufman]
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Magic Newswire
Registered: 03/29/08
Posts: 999
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I am very much looking forward to that and knew that Richard would deliver.
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#207479 - 11/09/09 03:40 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Magic Newswire]
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Magic Newswire
Registered: 03/29/08
Posts: 999
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Just posted several interviews and some coverage of the conference for those interested. READ MORE AND LISTEN HERE
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#207491 - 11/09/09 04:23 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Magic Newswire]
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Dustin Stinett
Dark Fascist Overlord
Registered: 07/22/01
Posts: 6343
Loc: Southern California
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I would like to share a couple of personal notes that will not be a part of the article.
As has been my belief since my first one (the seventh edition), the History Conference is the only magic event that I feel the need to attend. If I go to no other event, I would be perfectly happy with just this one that happens every other year.
Besides the joy of seeing old friends and making new ones, this year had a special touch in that there where many new—and young—faces. One, who I’ve known for about ten years, was especially fun to watch. I had the opportunity to introduce him to folks that he’d only read about. I got a real kick out of seeing these fresh faces walking about in a state of awe and wonderment. It made me think of how I must have looked at my first event, and it reminded me that I still have that same feeling every time the conference starts.
Attending the conference reminds me of how generous many of these folks truly are (these “snobs” as someone has intimated). The young man I alluded to above—a student of the work of Dai Vernon—was given, without solicitation, several Vernon pieces by a couple of these wonderful people simply because they found out where his interests lay. I was given a Johnny Carson piece, two books, and I also received a valuable lesson in a technique I’d never known. Furthermore, I had many conversations with people where stories, facts, and factoids where shared. These, of course, only add to my knowledge base. I have absolutely no doubt that my young friend’s and my stories are not unique; I suspect there is a lot of this going on. So not only are these people generous with their property—something that can be quantified—they are also generous with their time and knowledge. You cannot put a price on that.
And, of course, the organizers—who do this because they love to do it (because they sure as hell aren’t making any money on it)—are unbelievably generous. They don’t have to put on this event. But they want to do it and those of us lucky enough—and that’s what it is; being lucky enough—to be on the invitee list give them an excuse to spend the enormous amounts of time, energy, and money that they do to do it.
I cannot thank Jim Steinmeyer, Frankie Glass, Mike Caveney, John Gaughan, Joan Lawton, and their amazing all volunteer staff enough for including me.
Dustin
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#207508 - 11/09/09 06:48 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Magic Newswire]
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Tabman
Registered: 03/17/09
Posts: 766
Loc: Tab & Koz at the Funny Bone
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#207586 - 11/10/09 04:08 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Dustin Stinett]
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Magic Newswire
Registered: 03/29/08
Posts: 999
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Just posted several interviews and some coverage of the conference for those interested. A fine job as usual Dodd. However, a quick correction: Ricky Jay is not one of the organizers of the event. He stopped doing that a long time ago. Dustin
Ahhh.. Thanks Dustin. My error.
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#207593 - 11/10/09 04:56 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Travis]
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Lisa Cousins
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 28
Loc: Hollywood
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I'll clue you in on the "Ring Flight," Travis.
Mike Caveney selected a spectator from the audience, borrowed her ring, vanished it, and caused it to reappear in his key case. Except that it wasn't the ring that she'd loaned to him. Scotto was called onto the stage from his crew-member position behind the curtain, and asked to try to determine the nature of the problem of this seemingly-flubbed trick. Scotto took the ring from Mike's key case in order to examine it - and got down on his knee and proposed to the lady.
Congratulations, Scotto and Pamela!
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#207594 - 11/10/09 05:06 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Lisa Cousins]
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erdnasephile
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 165
Loc: USA
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Good show, Scotto! Many congrats!
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#207609 - 11/10/09 09:10 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Scotto]
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JimAlfredson
Registered: 01/18/08
Posts: 31
Loc: MI
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All I can add to the positive comments on the LA Conference is Amen! Amen! Amen! And, like you Dustin, I wouldn't miss it. It was first-rate, as usual, and nobody works harder than that crew. No, mai-ling, it was not Louie's blade box, but was borrowed locally.
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#207711 - 11/11/09 03:22 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: JimAlfredson]
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mai-ling
Registered: 05/10/08
Posts: 326
Loc: 60081
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No, mai-ling, it was not Louie's blade box, but was borrowed locally.
Thanks for replying Jim.
I've been trying to pin down a photo of
Todd performing with it for a couple of years now.
(along with a story for my book project
I've had a difficult time trying to pin down Todd to do that for me)
I thought I might have had my chance!
darn.
_________________________
you will remember my namewww.mai-ling.net world's youngest illusionista
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#207883 - 11/12/09 04:29 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: sko]
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sko
Member
Registered: 07/20/08
Posts: 5
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For me, the highlights (aside from seeing everyone) were John's performance of Goodbye Winter and the tour of his shop.
Goodbye Winter looked fantastic. Man that girl moves fast...
And the visit to John's shop was amazing. His old place was a lot of fun, but the room that he's built to house the core of his collection is just spectacular. The write-up in a recent issue of one of the magazines (Magic? Genii?) was good, but didn't compare to actually seeing the collection in its new home.
And the burgers were delicious...
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#207885 - 11/12/09 05:14 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: sko]
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Magic Newswire
Registered: 03/29/08
Posts: 999
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I spoke with the two lead snobs from the conference today and you can listen to Jim & Mike reflect on the conference tomorrow.
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#207957 - 11/13/09 02:13 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Bill McFadden]
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norman beck
Member
Registered: 01/17/08
Posts: 1
Loc: dallas texas
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Bill,
It saddens me to see a person make such an ill placed comment.
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#208002 - 11/13/09 09:59 PM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Richard Kaufman]
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Magic Newswire
Registered: 03/29/08
Posts: 999
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As promised, my chat with the self confessed (Tongue firmly planted in cheek) Magic Snobs is now online. Mike Caveney & Jim Steinmeyer talk about the LA Magic History Conference in past present and future tense, then discuss the piece of furniture that looks like a book just released by Taschen. They'll be making an appearance in LA Next week to sign them as well.
Listen Here and Read More
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#208048 - 11/14/09 09:09 AM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Magic Newswire]
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Phil Schwartz
Member
Registered: 10/27/09
Posts: 3
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For anyone interested in magic history and collecting, this Conference is as good as it gets. Where else can we learn "Where Did The Doc Go?" (thank you, Diego) and see illusions not performed for one hundred or two hundred thirty years.
While we never know if they'll do it again, it might be worth letting them know now in the event there's a waiting list.
Mike used to introduce each Conference by saying "We do this for ourselves and invite our friends." I have never felt he meant anything other than all of us.
Phil Schwartz
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#208049 - 11/14/09 09:51 AM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Phil Schwartz]
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Magic Newswire
Registered: 03/29/08
Posts: 999
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Obviously, Mike & Jim specifically addresses this thread in our chat.
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#208144 - 11/15/09 10:53 AM
Re: 2009 Los Angeles Conference on Magic History
[Re: Magic Newswire]
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Dave Mithaca
Registered: 10/23/08
Posts: 38
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Even if I never get to attend such a cool gathering of magical minds, it's still reassuring and nice to know that people can concert their efforts to bring about such a wonderful event. It's things like this convention and the Magic Castle which help make me feel proud to consider myself a "magician." Thanks for everybody's willingness to share info about the conference.
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