A little more than 60 days to the tenth annual Daytona Festival of Magic in beautiful Daytona, Florida. Last year the weather was perfect with blue skies and sunshine and temperatures warm enough for the pool area swarming with people on all three days.

This year the line up includes Mark Wilson, Mike Ammar, Steve Darci, Marc DeSouza, Jonathan Pendragon and about a dozen more. While this is considered a regional convention last year had registrants & participants from as far away as California (domestically) and Brazil (internationally).

What makes it great for us Floridians is we get to spend time with friends that we may only see once or twice a year at the occasional club lecture or show. The facility is great and right on the beach, a small kitchenette with a grocery store right across the street.

Of course there are dozens of fine dining establishments within a few minutes drive and several national chains within walking distance (Denny's is right across the street if you get the late night munchies).

Whose going? For those on the fence its really a great deal for the money and for those who live in colder climates it may be the last time this year you can swim in the ocean or get a real tan before winter arrives.

Call Harry or Irv or go to their site for more information: http://www.daytonamagic.com/pages/2010-Convention.html

I had a great time last year and I hope to do it again this year!

The Daytona Festival of Magic starts this Friday. Unfortunately due to other commitments I'll only be able to attend on Saturday but can't wait to get there.

A full day of lectures, close up & stage contests, teach-ins by Jonathan Pendragon & Mike Ammar plus the full evening show with legend Mark Wilson performing the second half of the show.

The weather is forecasted to be chamber of commerce type weather this weekend. Highs in the mid 70's with lows in the 50's, blue sky and of course being right on the ocean always a breeze.

Elmwood Magic will be there...looking forward to it!

Hey Paul - just ordered something online from you guys and am impressed with your service & communication. Looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

I was scheduled to lecture, but had to drop out. I am booked for next year.

Recently I had the privilege of attending the magic convention in Daytona Beach - hosted by Daytona Magic.

The convention went from Friday to Sunday and had plenty of good magic to experience. My guess is that there were around 400 in attendance.

Friday evening we dined to a deli buffet - along with a Strolling Magician Contest. The contest was open to anyone who wanted to sign up for it. The magicians ranged from a 9 year old who could barely reach the table - to a magician on stilts - who stood 8 feet tall. The magic was entertaining and the younger set showed great skill with cards. The more experienced magicians knew how to entertain without the fancy moves. The performances were very entertaining and enjoyed by all.

Next came the Cabaret show
Dan Stapleton - president of the Florida Magicians Association - tied a piece of rope between 2 mike stands on either side of the stage. Cutting the rope in the center and tying them together - he moved the knot to various locations along the rope and untied it to show the rope was still cut in two. Well done Dan.

Mark DeSuza was up next and performed a very nice routine with gold plated - heart shaped rings. The linking and unlinking of them was magic to behold. His multiplying billiard balls were also impressive. Mark - you have a class act. Thank you for entertaining us.

Lukas Dudek was the "non-magic" act of the night. We were all impressed by his skill at balancing objects on the edge of a knife that he held in his mouth. A wine bottle - and wine glass - then a pair of golf clubs.
He finished with a sword swallowing routine that had us all in stitches.
Very funny and very entertaining. He knows how to keep the audience involved. Bravo Lucas - well done.

Closing out the show was the ever theatrical Johathan Pendragon. The magic was very good - but the theatrics that he weaves around it make it special.
Thank you Jonathan.

The MC of the show was Ken Scott - and his bits between acts were ideal for the show and audience. He kept us well entertained while waiting for the next act to setup.

The dealer’s room was open late with a decent selection of magic to be purchased or just admired. Everyone was demonstrating their Hot! Items - including a self-lighting cigarette from Texas.

Saturday morning, Jonathan Pendragon did a "teach in" - where he showed us some clever techniques for making a bird cage disappear. His insights gained from performing this were well received.

Late Saturday morning, Mark DeSuza did his "teach in" on the History of Magic. He taught us so much about the history of magic and entertained us in the process. He explained each trick he performed - and even repeated the effect after the explanation. Very nice act, Mark. He says he performs it for lay audiences too - but without the explanation of how the tricks are done. I can see where it would still be entertaining and enlightening to all who witness it.

Saturday afternoon was the stage contest - and we were treated to some very nice magic. Sorry - I did not get the names of the contestants - but the performances were great and very entertaining.

Saturday night was the big stage show - with Bev Bergeron as MC.
Rumor has it that at least one act backed out at the last minute - causing issues with scheduling the show. But, two of the acts that were there, were able to do a second performance each - so the gaps were filled.

Latks, a young magician from South America was amazing - and very modern and flashy.
His show started with the stage in total darkness - as you heard the sounds of a motorcycle speeding and crashing. As the lights came on, you could see parts of a motorcycle all over the stage - and the rider was lying on the floor with the front wheel over his head. He stood up and proceeded to rebuild the motorcycle with magic - making handle bars appear from a streak of light. Directional lights appeared from nowhere - as did the headlight. Finally, he produced a sparkler and fanned it out to resemble the missing spokes from the front wheel. He then picked up the wheel and fused the sparklers to the wheel and placed that on the motorcycle to finish the build. He put on the helmet and climbed on the bike as the stage lights went out. With the stage dark, the motorcycle headlight turned on and the sound of the engine roared to life. Great act - I can see why he has won so many awards and contests around the world. Very visual and entertaining.

Mark Wilson and Nanny Darnell were brought onstage where Mark, Nanny, and Bev (aka Rebo the clown) were given awards by Dan Stapleton for their many contributions to magic. Mark then proceeded to show us how a torn and restored napkin is done. After restoring the napkin - he opened the torn pieces to show they were restored too.

Amos Levkovitch came on with a very nice Dove act. The birds were well trained - flying a short distance but always returning to Amos's hand or the cage. Another class act. Thank you Amos.

As with every magicians magic show, you need an unusual act - one that involves a skill rarely seen on stage. Bruce Bilodeau and company did a very well-choreographed routine with devil sticks. They kept the spools spinning and flying across the stage with such precision that you just had to marvel at their skill. They work with Cirque du Soleil. Their professional act impressed the audience greatly.

Up next was Stoil and Ekaterina. They showed us some very colorful magic with some very fast costume changes. Katerina must have changed her clothes 6 times during the act. Very colorful - Very nice.

Bruce Bilodeau came back on - solo this time - with a double rimmed wheel that was 7 feet in diameter. Riding on the inside, he had it rolling from one side of the stage to the other. For his finale, he tipped it on its side and rode it while it wobbled around the stage. Again, very unusual and entertaining show of skill.

Stoil and Katerina were up again for a second helping of costume changes amid colorful magic.

Bev kept the show going with lots of laughs in between the acts.
He has an almost dry sense of humor that gets a laugh one minute and a groan the next. Keep it up Ben - nice job.

Back to the hotel after the show - and right in to another "teach in". This one by Michael Ammar. A limited group of 20 were treated to Michael's detailed explanation of some of his favorite effects. There was nothing left out, as he showed everyone how the effects were done - pointing out the logic and strong points of each routine. He gave out gaffed cards and silks for us all to practice what we learned. The session went from 11:00 to around 1:30 in the morning. Michael is very happy to share his knowledge with fellow magicians - and it shows. Thank you Michael.

Sunday morning was the Auction - where almost everything that the dealers had brought with them - and didn't sell - went up for auction.
Proceeds from the auction went to a local Hospice organization - so besides winning a magic effect - you also got to help those who need it in their final moments. Bless you all who contributed to this worthwhile organization.

To Harry Allen and Irv Cook - I thank you for a most enjoyable convention - and I look forward to next year's show.

It was a fun convention.

Ken