Ok... How was the convention???

I was waiting for somebody to make a post but nobody has...

I'm sorry that I missed it. I'm sure a good time was had by all.

Let those of us that didn't get a chance to go, find out what we missed...

Michael

Give me a day or two, you'll have my full report,

Just please understand it was amazing!

I'll tell you one thing, Criss Angel can bring in the great looking girls. This thing is growing leaps and bounds. What a great time! A lot of new faces and many "old" favorites. I've got pics up on my page:

http://www.starry.com/magic/escapes.htm

Ace Starry

LOL! Criss' role in all future magic conventions is now well defined! I hope to make it next year. I do, I do!

I've got reviews of the convention on other message boards. I'll let someone else make the big post on the convention, here!

Margarette

The convention was great. Maybe next year more of you will make it. Please try as it's such a great time together. It seems like every year it just gets better and better. Here's a concise run down of the schedule of events from my perspective. I hope others will write about their experiences of the weekend, and post more pictures. Ace, thanks for posting your pictures so quickly. Good times!

Friday night kick off evening event had 78 of us in straitjackets while the local TV crew interviewed many of us on live TV. Kristen performed her dramatic water torture cell escape to an enthusiastic crowd. She held her breath over 3 minutes and her head never reached the top of the tank. Kristen's performance really rocked and was probably why the TV footage got picked up in other states. The TV crew got such a kick out of us that they stayed the evening and did 3 broadcasts that night from our convention. We left the convention hall around midnight on Friday.

Saturday had a fun Padlock Picking contest, Kevin Ridgeway's lecture on "bumping", Bill Shirk's lecture, a Handcuff Picking contest, Criss Angel's lecture, and finally our evening show. Good thing Mark booked a larger hall than last year because the place was packed! During the show, Kristen and Kevin were presented with the well-deserved Silver Cuffs Award. After the show, many of us headed up to Mark and Sheila's room for pizza, soda, and a chance to just relax together, share experiences, make new friends, and celebrate old friendships.

Sunday, after brunch at the hotel dining room, there was a "special' escape contest. It involved S&W model 104's, a blue box, a belly chain and a Master padlock. Pick the padlock open, remove the chain and blue box, pick open the handcuffs, and you win $500. Joe Fox flew through the challenge in 1 minute 30 seconds, with Margarette right on his heels. Great job Joe!!! Sunday closed with a very interesting and emotionally moving lecture by Mark Cannon on a Mid-19th century escape artist named Harry Cooke. Mark must be the foremost authority on H. Cooke as the wealth of information that he presented was just incredible. At 11am we all gave our last good-byes, hugs, pictures, and final book and handcuff purchases as one by one, escape artists sadly left the convention room. Sad because we were saying good bye to people we developed a bond with, people who we've grown to love and respect. People we are very proud to call our friends.

Now there's only 360 days left until the 5th Annual Escape Artist Convention! So start planning on attending and joining the fun with us!

Joe

Joe Marotta is being modest. He won the handcuff picking contest, opening a pair of S & W 104s in about two seconds. Wow!

Joe

Yes Joe Marotta was being very modest, he did a great job in that contest.

Also to clarify something, Kristen and I were awarded the Masters Award from Thomas Blacke and Escape Masters Magazine. Bill Shirk won the Silver Cuffs award and deservedly so.

The convention was amazing, Mark & Sheila Cannon really outdid themselves. Time and time again people noted how great the people were, how open and sharing everyone was.

Congrats to all the contest winners!!!


Kevin & Kristen

Hi Guys,

4 reports and a bunch of pictures are now available

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cannons4/

see you there.

Cliff

P.S. feel free to add reports or pictures if you so choose. I had such a great time at the convention, I want to be able to remember it forever!

Joe and Kevin&Kristen: Thanks you guys, but really, I think it took me more like 4 or 5 seconds to get out. I think the shocked look on my face when I won really said it all.

Kevin& Kristen, sorry for my poor memory. That's right, you guys were awarded the Masters Award and Bill received the Silver Cuffs. Thanks for the correction.

Now that I own a pair of S&W 104's, I'll be spending the next few months "picking" them open....

*Sigh*

I REALLY hope I can make it to the next one.

Hope you guys had a ball. And congrats to all those that got awards. :o)

Regards
Wolflock

Hi,

I am new to escapes, I am a full time performer, but have always been fascinated with Escapoloy. I wish I could have been there, but I had prior bookings. Thanks for sharing your experiences, and I look forward to the opportunity to learn from all of your expertise as I learn!

I can't wait to see Joe "The Sultan of Shim" Marotta take on "Mighty" Joe Fox at next years convention.