Weekly Round-Up
by SCOTT WELLS
February 9, 2009

Howdy friends. What a week we had in Houston! John Calvert's lecture was really more of an event with some in attendance all the way from Las Vegas and many we hadn't seen in years at any lecture. John will be lecturing elsewhere around the area this week, too. While he was in town, I sat down for a taped interview which is embedded in this blog. Chris Korn also gave a stellar lecture for a lucky few, again with some driving hundreds of miles to see him. This coming Sunday will be our much anticipated Annual Banquet. I also have an update on the remodeling of The Magic Island; the Kingwood area magicians will meet for lunch this week, and; other events are happening on the Houston magic scene this week. (Read More...)

The total count at the John Calvert event was 66 in attendance last Tuesday night. I understand from club after club that they, too, are seeing record attendance at his appearances. Many people showed up who had not been seen at a club function for years including some non-magicians. We promoted the event for both magician and non-magician alike since John was going to not only teach, but put on a performance. Plus the teaching portion was not so much of an exposé as it was another opportunity to hear his mellifluous voice and learn showmanship. John and Tammy have been on a cross country tour that included a week at Hollywood's Magic Castle. At 97 it is uncertain how many more times John might make this trek; however, he is still driving his Ford Expedition and pulling a small trailer with all of his equipment.

If you missed this event and you are anywhere near south Texas, then you might be able to make it to one of the following. John will appear in San Antonio tonight, Monday February 9th at the Alzafar Shrine Temple (901 N Loop 1604 W; San Antonio, TX, 78232; 210-496-1625), starting at 7:00 p.m. He will appear in Lake Charles, LA at the First Pentecostal Church (gym) at 320 Bunker Road, Lake Charles, LA at 7:00 p.m.

While John Calvert was in Houston, we sat down for a long chat in front of the video camera. I excerpted part of that interview and posted it on YouTube. Here you will see and hear John talk about mystery, puzzles and entertainment and his secret to long life.

Richard Hatch submitted the following report on the Chris Korn lecture at H & R Magic Books held there this past Saturday afternoon: Chris' lecture in Humble attracted a capacity crowd of nearly 30 despite the short notice. Korn was in Houston to perform at the NAPE convention tradeshow and stayed an extra day to do the lecture. Because of his other professional commitments, Korn rarely lectures (this was his first in six years!), which may explain why two magicians from Austin (including TAOM award winner Marcus Day) drove in for it.

Korn's material included two retention coin vanishes that anyone can do (with personal coaching by Chris on the fine points for anyone interested afterward), two commercial card tricks, one ideal for the bar and the other suitable for formal close up or parlor performances, as well as several innovative coin routines, both stand up and table top routines. There was even a pickpocket style routine in which the performer's sharpie is transformed into the spectator's pen, the sharpie being found in the spectators pocket. A good time was had by all and Korn enjoyed brisk sales of his two DVDs and lecture notes. Among the celebrities spotted in the crowd was Daniel Garcia, who had just sent his book to the printer, with copies to be released at his appearance in Blackpool, England at the famous annual convention there later this month.

And speaking of the Humble (Kingwood) area north of Houston near H&R Magic Books, the next luncheon for magicians living and/or working in the Kingwood area will be tomorrow, Tuesday February 10th at Monterey's Little Mexico on First Street in Humble in Bender Square, very near Highway 59. If you are coming north on 59, take the access road to First Street and turn right on First Street (there will be a Shell station across from a Chevron station).  They will meet at 12:00 noon.  This restaurant has a waiter who performs magic for the customers.  I think you will enjoy meeting him. 

And of course the big event we have been hyping for weeks is finally approaching...the Annual Officer Installation Banquet. This will take place this Sunday February 15th. We always have this around Valentine's Day so people can treat their sweethearts to an evening of entertainment and dining. The banquet will again this year be held at the SPJST Lodge 88 Hall (in the Heights), 1435 Beall, Houston, TX 77008. Doors open at 4:00 with close-up from 4:30 - 5:30. Close-up this year will be provided by a baker's dozen of local magicians who will stroll from table to table in a restaurant style. Performers will include: Ben Jackson, Michael Satterwhite, Bob Fostock, Josh Medenski, Zach Lambert, Jerry Gray, Rachael Dunn, Steve Shain, Mark Mendell, Grant Freeman, Becky Blaney, Jamie Salinas, Dennis Castro, and Scott Wells.

Dinner begins at 5:30. The dinner menu this year will feature Roast Beef or Turkey & Dressing, Green Beans, New Potatoes, Salad, Assorted Desserts, and Coffee/Ice Tea.

Following dinner at 6:30 we will have the installation of officers for the I.B.M. Ring #39, S.A.M. Assembly #19 and the H.A.O.M. and we will present our prestigious Bob Blau award and announce the Magician of the Year.

The stage show starts at 7:00 and will feature the talents of Austin area magicians Peter the Adequate, Ian Varella and Kent Cummins all hosted by T.A.O.M. Vice President Hull Youngblood. We will also be treated to Phil Kampf's stage show, Houston Boy's Choir star, Mark Medell and of course our perennial favorite piano player, Sam Gainer.

All of this is available for only $20.00 per person! Such a deal! For more information, Click Here to download a PDF flyer. Last year we had over 400 people in attendance and we expect all those plus more this year due in part to the anticipated attendance of a couple hundred of the Red Hat Ladies! Come one and come all to the biggest deal and best deal in Houston's Magic Community this Winter.

I stopped by The Magic Island last Friday and spoke with the manager about their status. He said that the work on the roof is complete but they have delayed work inside pending agreement on what they wanted to do. They discussed for a while about tearing down some walls and eliminating the theatre and making it into more of a restaurant and less of a magic-themed club. They finally decided not to do that but they are still uncertain if they are going with hard wood floors or carpeting. In any event, they are supposed to begin some part of their remodeling today and it should be completed within six weeks. I will continue to check on it from time to time, but my earlier prediction of an April Fool's opening may be fading.

And now to who is performing where: 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 February 12th from 7:00 to 9:00. Shane Wilson will perform there on Saturday February 14th from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Eric Falconer continues as 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.

One of the keys to John Calvert's long life is his avowed intolerance of overindulgence. So, I will close with an observation from John Calvert on the obesity situation in our country, "Nowadays you don't have to go to the circus to see the fat man or fat lady. You only have to go to Wal-Mart."

Be sure to watch this space for ever changing news of what's happening in and around the Houston magic scene. If you have any information or reviews on magic happenings or events in our area, then please send it to me. You can leave a public comment, suggestion, advice, opinion or question on this week's article by clicking on the link at the bottom of this blog. If you prefer, then you can leave a private message by sending an email to: Scott Wells