243: Tea TIme with Paul Daniels hosted by Luis de Matos

FISM is more than just days of contests and shows. There are also schedule lectures and "talks". One such "talk" that was a regular feature on several days of the congress was "Tea Time With..." hosted by Luis de Matos. Each day Luis spent an hour interviewing legendary magicians including Paul Daniels, Silvan, Lu Chin and Cyril. When it came to chatting with Paul, all Luis had to do was ask one question and Paul filled in the rest with amazing stories. This man has lead a charmed life and his future looks bright, too!

I chatted with Paul earlier during the first day of the congress and posted our brief conversation. My regular listeners will remember the two part podcast that was broadcast earlier this year (#206 and #207). I asked if I could record the lecture in the hall for broadcast and Paul said, "I don't know that many other people will want to hear all of this from me again." I disagreed because I knew he would relate new and different stories than those he related in the aforementioned podcasts. So, he relented and graciously agreed to allow me to record and share this podcast with you. So, if you were at FISM but missed this event, or if you heard it but would like to hear it again, or if you missed FISM entirely, then here is your chance to sit beside me and listen to a master story teller and magician weave some magic.

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242: A Few Words With FL!P

Part of the fun, wonder and beauty of FISM is getting to see, talk and spend time with friends whom you don't regularly see. I recently saw a posting on Facebook saying, "Why is it that all the people I want to spend time with live so far away from me?"

Well, while I was in RImini, Italy for FISM this year, I had a chance to sit down and chat with an old friend of mine from Holland, Flip Hallema. We first got to know each other many years ago (I think it was 2001) when he was part of the talent line-up at a Texas Association of Magicians (T.A.O.M.) convention. He was my house guest for several days and during that time, we became good friends and established a bond. I learned so much from Flip during that time, and not just about magic. We went to museums where he brought everything to life with his incredible knowledge and background in graphic art design and art history.

Well, when we got together in Rimini, I turned on the microphone as we talked about so many things. And although I had heard the story about how he invented his now famous "Flip Stick" move, I asked him about it so it would be archived for you to know. This move is mentioned in the Tarbell Course, Volume 7. Flip has won many international awards but none less prestigious that the Performing Fellowship Award he received from the Academy of Magical Arts in 2006.

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241: I.B.M. 2015 Convention - Day Four

The 87th annual IBM convention drew to a close after another full day that began with the Order of Merlin breakfast that honored long time members of the organization. The Big Three events wrapped up by noon then the "Six Pack" events began. This is similar to the Big Three except here, registrants pick two from the six events they want to see. The afternoon lecture was by Bill Abbott.

Before the 8:00 public show, the organization presented its awards at a special 7:00 time slot in the Florida Theatre. The judges did not see an act worthy of the Gold Cups or the Gold Medal this year. Here are the winners:

Close-up
McBride Magic & Mystery school faculty award - Jolie Dreiling
IBM endowment and development fund scholarship to Stephanie Trott and Avi Littky
Sorcerers Safari Camp - Jolie Dreiling
Obie Award for People's choice went to Shin Lim
Second place adult - Ed Ripley
First place adult- Shin Lim
Second place junior - William Zaballero
First place junior - Jolie Dreiling
No Gold Cups
Peoples choice award - Shin Lim

Stage
Second place youth - Hannah Kikuchi
First place youth - Daniel Hernandez
Fantasia Magic Package went to Daniel Hernandez
Second place adult - Trent James
First place adult - Chris Randall
No Gold Medal
Peoples choice award - Hannah Kikuchi

The evening show was hosted by Tom Mullica who featured his new pickpocketing act. Also on the bill was Ken Scott, Soma, David Kaplan, and the Outerbridges. Registrants returned to the hotel where they said their goodbyes at the Farewell Party.