(Scott Wells • May 12, 2008) Howdy friends. Lots of changes this past week on what was scheduled versus what actually happened on the Houston magic scene.  First, Banachek's show was canceled; second, a local member was involved in a tragic car accident; third, the show in Kemah has been postponed, and; other minor schedule changes and more. (read more...)

Banachek's show at the Houston Improv was canceled on the day before the scheduled performance.  Despite the great attendance of last month's show, the Houston Improv management is in some kind of dispute with the Dallas management who started the magic night.  This also puts all future "Ta Da! Comedy and Magic Nights" at the Houston Improv in jeopardy and in fact, none are on the schedule.

Banachek performed in Dallas at the Ta Da! Comedy and Magic Night last week to a full house with people even standing in the aisles! Here is an example of one unsolicited e-mail review I received: "Banachek had a PACKED house tonight in Dallas and blew 'em away, as always.  We had three friends with us that had their mouths open in disbelief all night!  Banachek was on Channel 8 today and LITERALLY had the host jumping up and down with excitement. It was a beautiful moment for Banachek and for magic!"

I recently reported on a scheduled show on Saturday May 4th with Robert Berry and our octogenarian magician, Jerry Grey, performing their mentalism show at Cigar Cigar.  All went well with that engagement, but the following night Robert was involved in a tragic car accident when another car traveling at 90 MPH struck his vehicle.  The two in the other car were killed and Robert had to be extricated from his vehicle by the "jaws of life"; however, he only suffered bruised ribs and was treated and released.

It was reported here that Joshua Ragland was to have begun his magic show last month on the Kemah Boardwalk.  It is now understood that he has not yet started that show but it is slated to begin some time this summer.  I will report this again when this event actually gets going.

Hopefully there will not be a change in the following.  Local magician Bob Fostok is starting a regular magic engagement at Rocket City this Friday, May 16th.  Rocket City is an all-you-can-eat pizza and gaming restaurant with special rooms for birthday parties and events. Rocket City is located on 99 Grand Parkway and I-10 behind the Time Square shopping center. The magical fun begins at 7:00 p.m.

The Kingwood Magic Roundtable will convene tomorrow, Tuesday, May 13th, 12:15 pm at Luby's Restaurant in Deerbrook Mall, Humble, TX.  This is a small group of dedicated "north-side" magicians who welcome all local and visiting magicians to good food and fellowship and fine magic.

This coming Saturday March 17th, the Society of Young Magicians will be meeting at Frankel's Costume and Magic Shop.  Michael Satterwhite will again lead the group this month.  There is usually a group of 12-15 young boys and yes...girls, too, along with their parents who attend this group each month.  If you are in town, then please stop by and enjoy the fun and learning experience from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Frankel's. 

We have a very active group of young magicians mentored by several of our members.  "Mr. Phil" Kampf is one such instructor who should be commended for the time he takes to work with the youth.  Many of the youth presented a performance at this week's H.A.O.M. meeting.  Click Here to view a short slideshow featuring the young magicians at work.  Thanks, Phil, for taking these photos and for all you and Michael Satterwhite do!

Eric Anderson's lecture was well received by 36 attendees though with some mixed reviews.  Those who enjoyed it got a LOT out of his marketing tips.  Those who came to learn tricks were disappointed.  But the questions were lively and the answers were informative, insightful and extremely helpful to the working magician.  I would highly recommend any serious magician traveling any distance to hear this gentleman lecture.

Next up on our Houston lecture schedule is Bob Sheets next Monday evening, May 19th commencing at 7:30.  Here is a teaser on Bob's lecture: "After 40 years in magic Bob Sheets is a triple threat being proficient at Close-up, Stage, and Bar Magic.  The lecture includes items from all of these forms with specific attention to close-up and walk-around magic with material from his new DVD series "Bob Does Hospitality". The walking through the rope known as "Hang 'em High" is pure magic that anyone can do, and the bar and close-up items are sure-fire audience-tested material. No one does the Three Shell Game better than Bob. No fluff.  All of Bob's routines have been tested in true-life performance conditions. Bob's thirteen years in the bar and restaurant biz allowed him to perform more shows than most magicians perform in their entire career.  Here is experience for all levels to draw from and he's a pretty funny guy, too. The lecture should be well received by beginners as well as the seasoned or over seasoned practitioners of our art."  This lecture will be held at the world headquarters of H&R Magic Books in Humble, TX which suburb is a short drive north of Houston. Space is limited at their book store so please contact Richard Hatch soon to reserve your spot.

Phil Kampf enters the fourth week of his engagement at the Magic Island with his dove and comedy act. Phil has added an assistant to his show, Araina, his 13-year-old prodigy.  She will be helping Phil in his expanded dove act which has been extended an additional two weeks so you can see them now through Saturday June 1st.  Scott Hollingsworth and Jay Schwaush are the house close-up and mentalist performers, respectively.  Remember that the Island is open to the public every Friday and Saturday nights and some Thursdays but reservations are required by calling 713-52-MAGIC (or 713-526-2442).

Shane Wilson will be performing "magic on the grill" at Tokyohana's Grill and Sushi Bar at 3239 Southwest Freeway (I-45) on Thursday night on May 15th from 7:00 to 9:00 then again on May 17th from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.  Rob Jenkins is performing at Tokyhana's Grill and Sushi Bar North at I-45 and Richey Road each Thursday from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Dennis Castro will be performing magic at another nearby Asian restaurant, Zake Sushi Restaurant, this Saturday night from 8:00 to 11:00.  A new addition to the line-up of regular magicians at Zake now includes Braeden Clark-Tarpley.  Welcome, Braeden and we hope to see a lot more of your performances around the city.

Eric Falconer filled in for Scott Wells last Thursday at Tokyohana's as Scott was hosting a friend, Bill Duncan, who was at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) from Scotland.  Last week we had the President of the Aberdeen Magic Society, David Goulding visiting from Scotland. Dave got to enjoy fellowship with several magicians at the I.B.M. Ring #39 meeting and both enjoyed seeing Phil Kampf perform at the Magic Island last Friday night.  It was great to see both of these gentlemen on our shores and we welcome back both Bill and Dave any time.

During the past week, the OTC was in Houston.  There were over 70,000 energy professionals from across the globe who attended this event.  In over 4,000 exhibits there were but only three magicians (I know of) who were working that included Mark Phillips, Paul Nathan and Scott Wells.  

This week’s quote comes from Albert Einstein…“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”