The Newest Tops

What a job this year by Abbott photographer David Linsell, great pictures of every act, every lecture, every contest and much much more.  David took over 500 pics and they bring the total pics for the 2010 Get Together at 760 which is a new record for Abbotts.  If there is another convention that has this type of coverage in the magic world I would love to see it.

New this year was the Colon Magic Capital Car Show which really utilized the new facilities in the new park and new pavilion.  If you ever wanted to bring a family to a magic convention this is the one to do it at.  Everything from Graveyard tours to Firework shows to Craft shows (not to mention 5 lectures, 4 evening shows, 1 closeup show, and a matinee).

But don’t take my word for it, check out the pictures from not only this Get Together but over twenty others at MagicGetTogether.com

Shipments of Computers are becoming common place at Abbotts

Things are changing for Abbott’s and in a very positive way.  Many people saw some of the results at the last Magic Get Together but please know that this is only the beginning of many new and exciting upgrades to the Abbott Magic Company.

New dynamic computer networking is replacing Abbott’s “static” system so don’t be surprised the next time you visit Abbott’s to find a HDMI demo coming out of a MAC computer in the showroom, or Greg able to check orders from the shipping dept (or any dept) without having to run to and fro to the office.   Julie (Abbott’s Accountant) has an upgraded Quick Books (which she will be interfacing to the Abbott website) and also she  has a new Dell computer (yeah, I know, its still a pc).  Abbotts old fax, scanner and printer have been replaced by a wireless version which will tie into the entire Abbott Network.   Redundant Array Independent Disk technology (aka RAID) will back everything up.

With this foundation in place the possibilities are endless for Abbott’s.   In the future don’t be surprised to see live streaming videos of shows, interviews, and new product demonstrations coming from Abbott’s Magic.

Abbott’s next upgrade project?   New carpeting in the front office (have no fear, the creaky floorboards in the showroom are not going anywhere).

Abbott Magic and the Bordner Family wish to thank everyone who made this years Get Together a success.  Next years Get Together is August 3-6 2011 so mark it on your schedule and remember if you want a full registration to register early and save money. Registrations for next years event are available at  AbbottMagic.com

For those who have never been to Colon, the closeup show is probably a little different than what you are used to.  First, no one sits on the main floor section of the auditorium.  Everyone is in the bleachers, divided into 4 groups.  Each group has their own host who introduces the 4 closeup acts as they rotate throughout the auditorium.  The performers were Maria Schwieter (As your Magic Teacher at Wizard School), John Carney (You saw him on Letterman’s closeup week earlier this year), Keith Fields (‘Close up Magician of the Year’ from the world famous Magic Circle and a super funny guy), and David Williamson (A brilliant performer with an insanely funny routine ).

Each act was fresh and different and had the audience on its toes not knowing what to expect next from these wonderful performers.

For more pics check them out by clicking the “continue reading” link… (continue reading…)

This was not what I expected, Mark and Sheila Cannon showed several ways to incorporate escapes into general magic to spice up any act, even closeup ( the ring on bicycle lock was sheer genius and you have to wonder how the sales are doing on bicycle locks at the hardware store).  Everything shown at this lecture you could make at home with the simplest of tools and if you missed the lecture be sure to stop by their booth at the dealers room and get a copy of the lecture notes. Other highlights included how to make your own gimmicked handcuffs (several different methods and several different handcuffs), How to make a gimmicked lock with nothing more than an allen wrench and a little know how, and how to call up the security guard, have him lock you in the handcuffs he uses, and still escape from them (yes, ungimmicked handcuffs, a security guard who is not in on it, and a gimmick you can make easily and may already have).  Throw in a method for getting out of being tied up with a rope (a method that actually saved a performer in Vietnam) and you have a wonderful and entertaining  lecture by a couple of great performers.

For more pics check them out by clicking the “continue reading” link… (continue reading…)

It was a perfect setting for magic as the quiet village of Colon Michigan transforms into the Street of Cards again, and this time inside and out. There was magic everywhere you went as the Busking Contest hit full stride and the Abbott Dealers Room was glowing with one demonstration after another. The annual craft show opened up for its first day and the Beggers Alley gang was at it on Dallas Street. The weather cooperated and it was simply a dreamy day for magic and fun in the Magic Capitol of the World, Colon MI.

For more pics (and more reasons why Colon is something to cheer about) check them out by clicking the “continue reading” link… (continue reading…)

The Colon graveyard tour, originally started by Karrell Fox as a way to honor the memory of fellow magician Duke Stern, took place Thursday Aug 5 in front of about 60 people.  Al the Only, the current “Tour Usher”, does a wonderful job and makes the tour entertaining and interactive for the crowd (Al was given the tour by none other than Karrell Fox over 15 years ago).  Al was aided in the tour by members of the families of some of the deceased who shared stories about their loved ones.

Appropriately, the tour ended at the Grave of Duke Stern and with a round of applause for Al.  Thanks to all who attended and the families and friends who participated.

George Schindler and company do such a great job with Vent O Rama that it really is a must see when coming to the Get Together.  Whether you are just curious about Ventriloquism, a beginner, or a pro, there is something for everyone at this annual event.  This year the event played to a standing room audience and some of those standing were from channel 3 news in Kalamazoo MI.   George went over the basics with the audience, showed several different types of puppets and dummies, then several hilarious vent routines by several professionals including Mark Merchant who was performing his act that evening.

Thanks to all the performers who contributed and the entire audience who took the time to visit one of the true gems of the Get Together, the annual Vent O Rama!

The 2010 Get Together began today in the Magic Capitol so I thought you might want to see some of the early pictures taken (most before noon).  Most of my morning was spent in the dealers room  but I did manage to pull myself away from the props and venture into a Keith Fields lecture which was filled with humor, fun and great magic.  I finally got a look at the stash of 70′s magic that Hank and Greg have kept under wraps and it was worth the wait, Neon Silk Fountains, Miracle Cage Vanishes, Twin Di’s, Suckerettes, and many others that I had never seen before were on display, some with their 21st century counterparts just a counter over so you could see the comparison between the 70′s versions and the 2010 versions. (continue reading…)

A Saturday Afternoon Show

For the 73rd time in its history, the Abbott Magic Machine is running full speed toward the convention dates of Aug 4-7, also known as the Abbott Magic Get Together.  Although preparation for these events begins over a year in advance (the dates for next years convention will be on your Abbott bag at this years convention), you do not really see the physical manifestations till about ten days before.  This year I thought I would try to capture the exact moment they switch on the “magic machine” and monitor some of the day to day activities as the machine switches gears and propels the Get Together into history…again. (continue reading…)