Weekly Round-Up
by SCOTT WELLS
February 16, 2009

Howdy friends.  It's relevant that today is President's Day in the U.S. so we should give some space to talk about our Officer Installation Banquet. As expected we had a record breaking crowd this year with over 400 people in attendance. We had 15 of Houston's finest close-up magicians strolling the room before dinner and more than a half dozen stage performers including our guest performers from Austin. February is only half way over and we still have a lot to do this month with magic meetings and local performances. (Read More...)

This year's annual gala brought out hundreds of magicians and magic aficionados. Many who had attended our banquet in past years continue to spread the word and help increase the size. This year we had a large number (nearly 100) of Red Hat Ladies who seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. This is our second year at the larger venue and as such we learned a lot on how to better utilize the space. First of all, registrations at the door were more organized than last year. Also we decided not to put people in the smaller rooms to see the close-up magic shows as they were too small to comfortably accommodate everyone. So this year we had strolling magicians roaming around the room and entertaining from table to table in more or less of a shotgun style. Some groups had several magicians performing for them while others only had one as the performers tried to make as many as they could.

The close-up workers included: Josh Medeski, Jerry Grey, Zach Lambert, Steve Shain, Michael Satterwhite, Grant Freeman, Mark Mendell, Rachael Dunn, Bob Fostock, Jamie Salinas, Jordan Merrick, Scott Wells, Ben Jackson, Dennis Castro and Becky Blaney. As the strollers strolled, Sam Gainer tickled the ivories as he does every year as he regaled everyone with piano selections of popular tunes. It looked like everything was coming together and working well as people seemed to be having a festive time.

After the group went through the buffet line and enjoyed their turkey or roast beef dinners, we began with the traditional installation of officers. Dal Sanders, Regional Vice President for the S.A.M. was our guest from Dallas who represented the S.A.M. and inducted the officers for the local Assembly #19. Michael Thomas, President of the local Ring #39 presented the prestigious Bob Blau Award to Steve Shain. This award is presented annually to the one who has most selflessly contributed to the good of the organization and the benefit of the magic community. Steve Shain has been a contributing member of our group for so many years giving selflessly to the betterment of the magic community and the Houston community at large. Steve has long been in charge of the charity shows in Houston. Next Scott Wells, the Territorial Vice President for the I.B.M. inducted the incoming officers for Ring #39 then finally, Frank Price inducted the new officers for the Houston Association of Magicians.

It was at this point that Gene Protas awarded the Magician of the Year trophy to Michael Satterwhite for his contributions over the past year to the magic community through his attendance at meetings, performances at meeting and charitable events, his participation as an officer and newsletter editor, help with the youth program and so many other efforts. Gene introduced Scott Hollingsworth, President of the Texas Association of Magicians, who encouraged people to sign up and attend the T.A.O.M. convention later this year in Houston. He also awarded one lucky person a free registration for the convention who won the raffle. Finally it was time for the show.

Scott Wells, the perennial MC of the banquet, welcomed everyone to the night of magic then introduced Hull Youngblood from Austin who was to be the official Master of Ceremonies for the special evening. Hull introduced Mark Mendell, from the Houston Boys' Choir, who sang a lovely song. Unfortunately the sound system(s) used had some feedback problems that plagued the rest of the evening, too. Hull next brought on the only featured Houston stage magician of the evening, Phil Kampf, who presented a very entertaining dove routine with his young assistant, Ariana. Phil received a great reaction from the group for his efforts. Hull asked for a five minute break to separate the Houston portion of the program from the Austin part.

When everyone took their seats again, Hull brought on Ian Varella who was a very entertaining ventriloquist. Ian mentioned that he had DVD's and other items for sale after the show. Next up was JD Stewart who presented a mentalism piece that began with "Abraham Lincoln's Dream" from Banachek's "Pre Thoughts" and used audience volunteers who provided three digit numbers. The effect ended with a predicted total "tattooed" on his forearm. Hull next introduced Kent Cummins who presented a "Blade Box" with his daughter, Carolyn, in an old style carnival type pitch that included offering patrons the opportunity to peer into the box for "any cash they could fold up and place in the top hat." The proceeds were to go towards his non-profit magic camp.

During this free-for-all while people were filing towards the stage and others just stood up to stretch, many were uncertain whether or not the show was over or if anything else would follow after this solicitation for donations. Ian had set up his stand to sell vent stuff on the stage so it could have been construed that this was the end of the show.

After about five or so minutes, those who had not left the building seated themselves. Hull brought on Paul Q who also presented a mentalism effect as he "failed" to correctly predict the name of Spiderman from the "freely selected" page in a book of celebrity sketches. During the presentation, Paul wore a hood and when it was removed, he was wearing a Spiderman mask thus proving he was correct after all. 

Due to the continuing sound problems, John Maverick wisely chose not to try and fight it. He worked to music as he selected a volunteer who helped him into a straight jacket from which he just as quickly exticated himself.

Peter the Adequate closed the evening with an entertaining rope escape routine involving two audience volunteers. You could certainly tell from his professional manner in the way he selected and handled his volunteers that he had done this hundreds of times before. His facial expressions, witticisms and presentation were "spot on" and moved along quite nicely. His personality and professionalism really shined through. He closed with a heartfelt message to the audience as he created a little confetti shower from his hands.

The Houston magic community appreciates the efforts all the Austin magicians made to make this evening special and memorable. Indeed it was. Special thanks also goes to the tech guys who came along including Chris Walden (producer), Carl Seagren and Ashlynn Hebert (stage crew), James Caldwell and Fernando Ulloa (technical crew),  We have many others in Houston who made this special including Trixie Bond who produced the whole event again this year. Gene Protas filmed the event and also printed the programs. Dick Olson was in charge of registration and getting everyone in, seated and fed. John Star coordinated the efforts of the close-up guys and gals. A special thanks goes to Rick Hebert who took the pictures for the evening (some of which you see here). And there were too many others to name who worked behind the scenes to make this such a wonderful gala. But let me just say thank you all.

I have mentioned all the wonderful lecturers we have had and those still scheduled for the next few months. Well, we have yet two more to add to the mix. Doc Eason will be in San Antonio for other business and while there he will lecture for their group. He will then head southeast to Houston to lecture at H&R Magic Books on Sunday afternoon April 19th. We haven't seen Doc here in Houston for a lecture in several years so this will be a real treat. Also, the date is set for Troy Hooser's lecture in Houston. He will be the first lecturer in our new Lecture Series set for Tuesday June 9th at the IATSE Meeting Hall. More on these lectures as we get closer.

I mentioned that construction was supposed to have begun inside The Magic Island last Monday; however, I spoke with their accountant today who said to her knowledge nothing has been started or done since they finished work on the roof. So, we will have to see what is going on and when it will be done...if ever. We sincerely hope the Island will not close forever. I will continue to give you updates as I find out any concrete information. But my prediction of an April Fool's opening was apparently too optimistic.

And now to who is performing where: John Star 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 19th from 7:00 to 9:00. Shane Wilson will perform there on Saturday February 21st 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.

I will close this week with an apropos quote from an award winner and truly distinguished magician, Eric DeCamps who said, "You must be willing to fail in front of your audience in order to succeed and grow as a performer."

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