88th I.B.M. Convention Underway in San Antonio

Category: Convention   Posted by: C. DENNIS SCHICK

Actually, the I.B.M. Annual Convention began two days earlier when the Lance Burton Teen Seminar began on Thursday, June 30. It ran through noon on Saturday. Saturday evening it was announced that special teen pizza lunches had been added to the convention. 

The always-popular Stage Contest took a large chuck of the time on Saturday. There was a meeting in the morning of all participants, followed by official rehearsals, Then in the afternoon was Stage Contest Performances, Session One.

 

Outgoing I.B.M. President Joe M. Turner held his final Board Meeting, and popular magician Joshua Jay gave the first

lecture of the convention. He blends magic theory with magic methods, offering a number of his own products for purchase. Jay is doing

 quadruple duty during the convention, with a second lecture, an appearance on the “Fool Us Winners Panel,” and a performance on the “Fool Us” evening show.

 

Prior to tonight's evening show, two 

dozen convention performers and lecturers sat at a long line of tables and autographed a beautiful souvenir poster of the convention. Of course everyone had to stop and chat with the stars, including Johnny and Pam Thompson, who ended the line.

 

It was largely because of all that chatting that the “In the Spotlight” program got started thirty minutes late. But the wait was well worth it. The salute to Johnny and Pam Thompson was a delightful two hours. First there was an extensive video of clips of videos expressing love and appreciation from lots of close friends. Interspersed were dozens of photos of both Thompsons from over the years. A highlight was a video of a complete performance of their act.

 

Then the Thompsons were interviewed while sitting on chairs of the stage. Johnny did most of the talking, about his life (born in Chicago, adopted, played with the Harmonicats, etc.) and about his career (how 

he got into magic, met Pam, etc.). With every colorful story the listener wondered why he didn’t write them down. He revealed that he is, in fact, writing a three-volume history of his entire life and career. Everyone applauded. As he was talking about how he helped Lance Burton develop his career, Burton himself came out on stage and confirmed it.

 

Then only thirty minutes later was another terrific session -- sixmagicians who had fooled Penn and Teller on their television reality 

show, “Fool Us.” Shawn Farquhar, who fooled the magicians on the first season of the show, moderated the panel. All 

six panelists gave a fascinating benind-the-scenes look at the popular CW Network show.

What a terrific first day of the 2016 I.B.M. Convention. Read complete

reviews and further coverage beginning with the August issue of The Linking Ring. As the old saying says, “Wish you were here.”

 

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