Have You Heard...
January 12, 2009
by Maria Ibâñez 

Greetings, celebrating Three Kings Day, working the Redlands Festival once again, sharing in the joys of planning a baby shower for our first grandchild, E.J., due to arrive the middle of next month, a surprise phone call from Jania Taylor on her way out of town, the annual banquet of I.B.M. Ring 45 and the Magic City Conjurers featuring the talents of Chad Long, Nelson de la Prida and Julio "Warlok" Carraciolo with Ron Olmsted as M.C. in addition to all the other day to day happenings made for a very busy week. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the support received from Mel Kientz with last week’s issue of "Have you Heard?" and all the graphics; thank you Mel for your help and lessons. (read more) (read in Spanish)


Some say that we never know how something we do is going to be received by others; how a touch or a kind word may make a difference to someone. This week I discovered that to be true. After the email speaking about Three Kings Day and the childhood traditions of my homeland were celebrated, I received a flood of emails from around the world of many fellow magicians who were not just thankful for receiving the email, but who also shared their experiences either personally celebrating the tradition or who had celebrated it through friends who do so. Touching words from many and some, such as Shawn Farquhar, Tom Sobotka, Claude Jan, and Steve Dacri, added pieces to the legend as taught to us as children. Thank you for sharing all that information and emails with me; it truly is a small world. I’ve shared just a handful of the emails received with you to show you that the celebration, while held around the world, is held differently in each country.

Tom CravenNow it’s back to plans for the upcoming visit and lecture from Tom Craven, and for the one day event that Ring 45 and Magic City Conjurers (MCC) are hosting on March 1. A full day magical event which will consist of a fleamarket, lectures, and surprise magic activities. Those who attend will receive a pass for the day which will give them entry to the fleamarket, John Calvertlectures that day, surprise magic activities, a chance at a door prize, lunch and dinner. Did I mention that dinner will be a dinner with a show? Before you ask, I should tell you that this will be a historic dinner show featuring two greats of magic, John Calvert who will be performing his buzz saw illusion as a finale to his show and the one and only Levent. There will also be close-up magic at the tables and a great deal more. This will take place on March 1, in Miami, and if you don’t want to be left out of this limited space event, watch for the "Newsflash" this coming week when cost, location and all the other information will be officially released.

Until next time, keep a dream in the making for your create your tomorrows by what you dream today.

Maria Ibáñez

IN THIS ISSUE

*     From Colleagues
       *Luis Rodriguez Diaz (Mago Luis) - Spain
       *Shawn Farquhar — Canada
       *Sheila Rubin — Boynton Beach
       *Ted White — Cometa Magico
       *Tom Sobotka
       *Mark Pettey — Naples, Florida
       *Claude Jan — France
*     Coming Conventions
       *I.B.M.
       *S.A.M.
       *Blackpool
       *World Magic Seminar
       *Midwest Magic Jubilee
*      Birthdays for the week
       *Gilbert Camps
       *Andrea Friedman
       *Jay Gorham
       *Tim Mannix
       *Fritzner Paul

FROM. . .  LUIS RODRIGUEZ DIAZ (MAGO LUIS)

I am sending you and congratulations in this new year, 2009. Once again I wish to take the time to express my gratitude for all the news you send.

In your last issue you made passing mention of Ernesto Planas and since I am not sure whether or not you know him, I thought I'd give you some background. Let me explain better. Ernesto Planas is a good friend of mine and lived in the same province of Santiago de Cuba where I lived. He is currently living in Italy where he has lived for a few years since immigrating as so many other compatriots.


In my opinion Ernesto is a young man with a great deal of talent both in stage and in close up magic.hope some day you will be able to meet him personally and then personally see his talentexplore his knowledge of the art.is a terrific magician, great actor, a innovative transformer of all he touches and does, and in my humble opinion, is today one of the best magicians that Cuba has has produced.tell you this with confidence in what I say.an eye on his name and you will see this in the future and his name will be come a household word in the magic world in the future.

I would ask on his behalf that you add him to list of those who receive your emails and have provided his address. You can see some of his performances on You Tube by searching for Magic Ernesto or Ernesto Planas. His parasol routine is incredible and you will be able to see the routine that won him the prizes just awarded him by Ali Bongo, President The Magic Circle and Domenico Dante. . .  Have a look!

FROM. . . SHAWN FARQUHAR

Happy holiday. It was very interesting to learn about this special day in your life.

I have many friends in Italy and of Italian decent and today is special for them too as it is La Befana.

Christian legend has it that La Befana was approached  (by the biblicalkings) a few days before Christ's birth. They asked for directions to where the baby Jesus was, but she did not know. She provided them with shelter for a night, as she was considered the best housekeeper in the village with the most pleasant home. They invited her to join them on the journey to find the baby Jesus, but she declined, stating she was too busy with her housework. Later, La Befana had a change of heart, and tried to search out the three kings and Jesus. That night she was not able to find them, so to this day, La Befana is searching for the baby Jesus.

In popular folklore Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of theth of Januaryfill their socks withpresents if they are good or a lump ofdark candy if they are bad. Being a good housekeeper, many say she will sweep the floor before she leaves. The child's family typically leaves a small glass ofa plate with a few morsels of food, often regional or local, for the Befana. She is usually portrayed as an old lady riding athe air wearing a blackis covered inshe enters the children's houses through thechimney. She is often smiling and carries a bag orwith candy, gifts, or both.

FROM . . . SHEILA RUBIN

Looking forward to seeing you Sunday. January 6 will always have a special meaning for me since 2008.. Today is exactly one year since I was brought into the hospital - 911 - unable to breathe. And here I am now. Happy 3 kings day -Now I will have a Happy 3 kings day because the Magi gave me a gift - the gift of life.

FROM . . . STEVE DACRI

Thank you for that nice message on ThreeDay. Our dear friends have family in Nogales, so we have had the pleasure of celebrating this great holiday with them a few times over the years. Many people are unaware of it, so glad you chose to spotlight it. Always lots of food, laughs, music, and food.Did I mention food? Couldn't be there this year, but we are already planning next year there.

FROM . . . TED WHITE — Cometa Magico

Happy Three Kings Day. For Catholics, the celebration of Christmas and the manger with gifts from the Kings on the night of the 5th were the fantasy and brought happiness.The marketing and commercialization of Santa Claus has somewhat displaced this tradition.Let me tell you that Saint Nick was a bishop in Bari, Italy, and that was the beginning of the tradition for the night of the 24th, if you want more info CLICK HERE  to find many interesting things. We are now preparing for the January 31 feast which honors the patron saing of magicians, San Juan Bosco.

FROM . . . TOM SOBOTKA

Thanks for that e-mail. To add to your list of Three Kings Day traditions, one that my family did (may be a Polish or Slavic tradition), and one that I still continue, involves burning incense some time during the day and using blessed chalk to write the initials of the three kings and the year (e.g., K + M + B2009) on the top door frames at entrances intohouse. The "K" is for Kaspar (an alternate spelling for Caspar), "M" Melchior and "B" Balthazar.

Happy Three Kings Day to you and your family (sorry but I don't know how to say that in Polish). Sincerely, Tom Sobotka

FROM . . . MARK PETTEY

And happy Three Kings Day to you as well !

It is sad that there was no Santa in your childhood, as I feel that every child should experience the magic of believing in Santa in some way or another.He is a big part of all the Christmas shows I do for preschoolers every year.However, I also talk about Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Noelle (Haittian Christmas), Kwanza, and Channukah on my shows. There are many ways to celebrate the December holidays!

Thanks also for all the wonderful news from the world of magic that you send every week via email.Some of the things I learn from you would never make it into the national publications or e-groups, and you seem to have a finger on everything that goes on.Must be nice to have such a huge group of friends !

You are indeed blessed... Mark Pettey

FROM . . . CLAUDE JAN

Thank you for your wishes. In France the tradition is different. We sampled simply a special pancake, with the family or with friends. The pancake is different according to regions, with a bean inside. The one who wins bean has to offer another pancake. It lasts all January long.

COMING CONVENTIONS

IBM Nashville LogoIBM Convention June 30—July 4, 2009 Nashville, Tennessee
Pre-convention activities on June 30, 2009.

Terry Richison, Convention Chair, has announced that the special $210 registration fee has been extended until the end of January. After that, it will jump to $250. For full information on the convention including registration forms and accommodations as well as the latest news, please visit www.magician.org.

Dale Salwak, Executive Producer of Shows, has announced that the talent this year will bring a truly international flavor to the convention and will feature as guest of honor, Shimada, who will be celebrating fifty years in show business.

Tentative schedule with more to come:

Wednesday - July 1 Banquet
Charlie Frye (magic) - Las Vegas

Thursday - July 2 GalaJorge Blass (as emcee/performer and under whose artistic direction the show will be produced) - Spain
An Ha-Lim - South Korea (winner IBM/SAM Competition, stage)
Yugi Yamamoto - Japan
Kyle Eschen - Hollywood (brilliant 15-year-old comedy magician)
Jason Latimer - Los Angeles (cutting edge illusions)

Friday - July 3 Competition Night
Rich Bloch as emcee - Washington, D.C.
Charlie Frye (juggling) - Las Vegas
The six finalists for the stage competition (over $20,000 in cash, prizes, and trophies including the Gold Medal)

Saturday - July 4 Gala
Shimada - Japan (doves)
Juliana Chen - China (world champion magician with a surprise act)
Timo Marc - Germany (finalist, IBM/SAM Competition, stage)
Scott Land - Los Angeles (brilliant marionette parody of Carl Ballantine)
Oscar Munoz - Texas
Shimada (parasols, dragons)

July 2, 3, 4 Close-Up
Ed Ellis - Ohio
Hayashi - Japan
Marc Oberon - England (winner IBM/SAM Competition, close-up)
Shoot Ogawa - Japan
J.C. Wagner - Arizona

Lectures:
Rich Bloch • Juliana Chen • Charlie Frye • Hyashi • Oscar Munoz • Shoot Ogawa • J.C. Wagner •
Yuji Yamamoto

Big-3 Lecture
B. J. Hickman - New Hampshire (kid show magic)

You may register online at www.magician.org at the special rate of $210 (good until the end of January) or call the international office at 314/845-9200. All daily events will take place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville. Evening shows will be held at historic old Ryman Theater and at the Grand Ole Opry Theater

Those interested in competing in either stage or close-up categories may apply online by clicking here or by calling IBM Contest Chairman, Don Greenberg, at 330-457-2345.

 

S.A.M.
July 15-18, 2009, Buffalo, New York
www.magicsam.com

The S.A.M. is seeking young performers for the Stars of Tomorrow Show, a professional stage show that features magicians ages 7through 17. The show is part of the annual S.A.M. National Convention that will take place July 15-18, 2009, in Buffalo New York.

Along with an application, interested young magicians should submit a video or DVD of the five-to-10-minutge stage act that they would like to perform in the show, a biography and a photo for the convention program. Young magicians interested in emceeing the show should also include samples of introductions, jokes, and emcee bits in their videos. The deadline for receiving applications is April 20, 2009.

For information and an application form, please contact Marlene Clark, click here or visit the S.Y.M. website at http://www.magicsym.com/and click on the "Stars of Tomorrow" photo.

BLACKPOOL
February 20-22, Blackpool, England
http://www.blackpoolmagic.com

 

WORLD MAGIC SEMINAR
March 1-4, 2009 Las Vegas, Nevada
Orleans Hotel and Casino
http://theworldmagicseminar.com

 

MIDWEST MAGIC JUBILEE
August 13-15, 2009
Airport Hilton Hotel
St. Louis, Missouri
www.mmjubilee.com

BIRTHDAYS FOR THE WEEK

Gilbert Camps - Andrea Friedman - Jay Gorham - Tim Mannix - Fritzner Paul 

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear friends
Happy birthday to you!

[Visit the Portal often for the latest in news and all things magic.  This blog is published and emailed out weekly so please be sure to share any news, information or tidbits you have by sending me an e-mail through clicking at the link on the bottom of this page or click here to send me a private e-mail.  Looking forward to continued mutual communication.   As always, don't hesitate to contact me if I may be of any assistance.]