Hello everyone,

I'm not new to magic, but I am planning to move soon for non-magic reasons, and will therefore be in geographically new magic territory. I'm headed for the Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo/Battle Creek area of Michigan, and am wondering about the magic climate there.

I'm aware of Abbott's in Colon and the big Get Together: is the state overrun with magicians, then? Is there enough market for another small-time performer looking to grow, or are those of you working the area having a hard time getting gigs? I guess I'm asking a pretty broad question, here, and any answers from people living in the region would be helpful.

Hej!

It all depends! ==Do you speak Minnesotan?

Youse gotta remember. Ole and Lena, dey don't live here, eh! We got Toivo 'n' Eino! So! kuinkaa semena!

Us guys up here in da YooPee, well, we don't talk much wit dem trolls dat live down below da bridge.

Ha ha--yes, I do speak Minnesotan, but I never was much of a one for Ole and Lena jokes. I'm not terribly worried about cultural differences; it's all part of the Midwest, and my experience is that there are a lot of similarities. But seriously, how competetive is the market there?

I'm retired, from 50 years on the road, in ESCANABA (Upper Peninsula) --100 miles north of Green Bay on US 41. Which corner of Minnesota do you inhabit?

Peter Stobie is a very good friend (since he was about 12). He's now in the 50ish neighborhood. he lives in suburban Grand Rapids.

Pete is moving to Pennsylvania in about a month. He may be extremely busy "packing"! PM me your email, and I'll forward it to Pete. He has been very active in the IBM ring in Grand Rapids. He could give you a much more up to date "story" .

He's not a professional, but perhaps he could "bird dog" for you.

Brad Lancaster is full time -- a 40 miler. Gil Scott -- ditto. But, I don't have addresses. They're both from Grand Rapids. I've known both of them for "eons".

Always remember: "GOOD competition never hurts you!"

Hope this helps!

Dick

I've lectured for Grand Rapids, and Kalamazoo IBM rings. I don't think that Battle Creek has an active ring anymore, but, I could be mistaken. Colon has a new small ring.

Thanks, Dick, I PM'd you. Anyone else who has a perspective on this is free to chime in as well.

Currently it is 64 degrees and mostly sunny.

Expected high is 84.

There is a International Brotherhood of Magicians in 2 of those cities. I has it all referenced, and then I hit a key and it all disappeared. So their are lots of magicians in Michigan. Check the IBM website for location and times of the club meetings.

Isn't Patrick Redford located in Michigan? Maybe he could give some input.

There's quite a bit of magic going on here in Michigan! Kalamazoo has a great group of magicians (get in touch with Anthony Gerard and check out his shop!)

You're also a stone throw away from the American Museum of Magic which is one of the largest magic collections open to the public in Marshal Michigan.

If you come to the Metro-Detroit area you'll Find a few IBM and SAM rings. You'll also find the Wunderground magic shop - which is one of the best shops in the country. I'm also out of that same area.