Weekly Round-Up
by SCOTT WELLS
August 25, 2008

Howdy friends.  Houston isn't the only place in Texas where magic is alive and well. We are a big state with big ideas (perhaps you have heard about our penchant for all things large).  Well, Austin, Texas is now publishing a slick, full color magazine about magic around our great state...including Houston.  The premiere issue is out and ready to read. The cover of the first issue features Walter "Zaney" Blaney who will be the featured guest of honor at this year's T.A.O.M. convention next week in Ft. Worth.  We are proud to have Walter and his family as members of our Houston magic community.  Also this week, the I.B.M. Ring #39 annual flea market is tonight, upcoming lectures, who's working where plus other happenings around town. (read more...)

Yes tonight, Monday August 25th is the annual flea market for Bob Blau I.B.M. Ring #39.  This annual event helps bring in a little income for the club but it offers great opportunities for great deals for the local magi.  Tables are available for $10.00 where magicians can bring their gently used stuff plus items that have been neatly stored away in cabinets and drawers and still wrapped in their original packages.  Video tapes are a popular used item now that go for small dollars but still have great material worth viewing...if one still has one of those old relics we used to call VCR's (who knows how to use those in this I-Pod era?).  Doors open for sellers to set up their tables at 6:30 and the buyers are welcome after 7:30 p.m. Members are allowed to shop for free and all others must pay a nominal $5.00 fee. If you are interested in getting a table, then contact Bob Fostok at 281-802-0303 or by e-mail to havefun@partybusiness.net to reserve one. It's not too late to ACT NOW! More details on the website at www.houstonmagic.com

I received notice this past week that S.A.M. Assembly 206 in Austin is just releasing their new publication with the clever title, "Austin Magic Magazine" That's right.  A magazine dedicated to all the magic people, places and happenings in Austin, Texas. And not only will Austin Magic Magazine cover magic in Austin, but it will also cover the big magic events around the entire State of Texas. That's why the preview edition features the T.A.O.M. Convention in Fort Worth, Texas from August 29 to Sept. 1.  For subscription and advertising information go to: www.austinmagicmagazine.com

And speaking of the T.A.O.M. convention, it certainly looks like it is shaping up to be another jim cracker of a conflab.  In this day and age of the mega, joint conventions, the T.A.O.M. still retains its down home, family picnic atmosphere where friends get together and have time to jawbone over the new tricks they learned since the last get together.  Join the fun over this coming Labor Day weekend in Ft. Worth for some great magic and a wonderful learning experience.  Word has it that attendance might be down to around 500 this year which will give everyone even more time to visit with each other. For more information, go NOW to www.TAOM2008.org

Mike Powers delivered a great lecture to an interested crowd at H&R Magic Book Shop over this past weekend. I was unable to attend due to performing commitments but I am assured that it was (as they say) well received.  I have seen Mike lecture and perform before and I highly recommend his lecture and encourage anyone who is in a nearby radius of him when he lectures not to miss it.  You will be richly rewarded with the knowledge you learn from this gifted gentleman.

And for our next lecture, Dal Sanders is on deck as the second in our H.A.O.M. Lecture Series. He will lecture on Tuesday September 9th at the IATSE Meeting Hall. Dal's lecture will reflect that broad range of experience and should offer something for everyone who performs magic either full time, occasionally, casually or just for fun.  Even the "Pure Sleight of Hand" artists will enjoy his "Watch Steal in Five Easy Steps." The magic he demonstrates in the lecture is also the magic he performs in real life. He assures us that nothing will be held back.More information at www.HoustonMagic.com

Robert Berry is still performing at select appearances over the next few weeks.  Robert perform on Tuesday, August 29th and again on September 9th and 23rd at Olives Martini Bar and Grill, 2268 Texas Drive, Sugar Land, Texas 77479   Phone: (281) 980-2823 The magic starts at 7:30 p.m.  Robert will also perform his Comedy Hypnosis Show on Oct 25th at Cigar Cigar, 2278 Texas Drive, Sugarland TX.  Be sure to catch him at one of these venues.

Steve Wallach continues his run with his one man mentalism show at Ruggles Grill.  Steve will appear there every Sunday night at 7:30 for a fun, interactive show at $25.00 per person.  Phil Kampf and his young assistant, Ariana, continue their engagement at Magic Island this week and they will run now through August 30.  Phil is performing his dove act with the assistance of 14 year old Ariana followed by his comedy magic.  Discount coupons for Phil's performances are available at www.magicstreetproductions.com/mi.html  For a sneak preview of Phil's dove act check out the flash movie at the same web page listed. Scott & Kathy Wells will begin their two week engagement at The Magic Island on September 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).

Scott Wells will perform magic "on the grill" this week at Tokyohana's Grill and Sushi Bar at 3239 Southwest Freeway (I-45) on Thursday night on August 28th from 7:00 to 9:00. Shane Wilson will hit the grill on Saturday August 30th from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Braeden Clark-Tarpley continues as the resident magician at Zake Sushi Restaurant where you can watch him this and every Saturday night from 8:00 to 11:00.

Eric Falconer is the house magician two nights a week at Sakekawa, a sushi restaurant in the Woodlands, a northern suburb of Houston. Eric will be performing tableside and "grill" side each Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 then again on Saturdays from 6:30 to 8:30.  You can call Sakekawa for reservations at 281-419-5988.

I left you with a quote last week from Walt Disney.  Well, I have had such a glut of e-mails (yeah, right...no one but my wife reads this column and that's because I make her do it) that I have excerpted yet another Disney quote; "If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing started with a dream and a mouse."