2004archive icbm
The Inner Circle Of Bizarre Magic Convention, U.S.A.
| "The Gathering has once
again come and gone and I have to say that this was the BEST to date.
Everything was great; the lectures, the shows, the people, everything. We had a few new attendees this year and they were quickly acclimated to the group feeling like family. The lectures kicked ass this year. Charles Pecor gave an excellent one dealing with stage direction; where to stand, where to place your volunteers, etc. You might think that this was one of those "academic" or "theory" lectures that everyone attends and then blanks out on BUT it wasn't so. At various times after the lecture, performers, including myself, made references to the principles taught showing that they were LEARNED. Headmaster White will be so proud to hear this. Speaking of Headmaster White, all attendees received a special "something" from the very man. Remember that chemical lecture he gave at last year's Gathering, well, he gave us all "something" that would enable us to blow up the world if we so chose to do so. He is very insightful or wise beyond his means because the world is still intact. Dave London...a good friend and a most creative performer. His three performances were definitely personal highlights for me. I love his Satan routine. Rigor and Mortis...these two had the task of hosting the close-up show on Saturday morning. They arrived freshly fallen from the side of the bed in bat pajamas and Sesame Street's "The Count" slippers. A sight to behold indeed. They then proceeded to cleanse the room of any evil spirits and cook for us the "perfect omelet" proving that not only are they talented emcees....but that they can multi-task too. Circe...she performed this vent routine where she interviewed the devil (ladies and gentlemen, tonight's role of Satan will be played by Charles Pecor). This was a great piece and had most of us on the floors rolling with laughter. Someone told me that they hoped this would inspire Bob Neale to get together and perform his "Bob Neale and his argument with God" piece that he had talked about. Who knows...perhaps next year. Something really magickal happened this year. I performed a piece this year for the close-up show that I call "Death Wish" and it involves wishing the death upon someone and having them die by being burned to death. Well, this was based on a story I had read probably sometime around the late 80's to 1992. I couldn't remember the name of the story or the author or what book it was published in. I tried to find it because I wanted to read the passage about the pain and suffering this person endured as he was locked in a spaceship hurtling towards the sun. Prior to me describing what I remembered of the story, I asked the audience if they happened to have any info about the story to please let me know because I'd like to read the story again. Well as it turns out, during the intermission of the Saturday evening show, an attendee by the name of Mark Thompson calls me over and tells me that HE IS the one who wrote the story. He thought I was joking or maybe that it was just a coincidence but when I described the part about the eyeballs popping and the fluid running down the cheeks, he knew it was his story. So, he's going to send me the story. Oh, and he doesn't remember ever having it published. He wrote it as part of a writing assignment when his was in college. Go ahead and figure the odds of this chance meeting happening. Oh what else (I'm pretty tired due to the lack of sleep at these things). The evening show was a knockout. Guest of honor Todd Robbins was fantastic. He showed and told everyone what the sideshow was about. This is definately an art perform worth saving and he is doing all he can to keep it alive. To help keep it alive Todd held a workshop on Sunday afternoon. Let's see, we all walked on glass - ate fire and blew "blasts" or what I call fireballs, stuck our hands in animal traps and excelled in the "human blockhead." (Bless you Melvin B. wherever you are.) It was a hands on workshop and we all left more than satisfied. And the lessons are not even over yet. Kardor; almost didn't make it. But he did. Came a little late but still put on a stellar performance in the evening show. Mary Tomich, (we love you Mary). What's a bizarre convention without Mary anyway? I'm so glad she was able to make it. The Hospitality Suite - what can I say. This IS the heart of the Gathering. Food was well stocked by Cathy Mousch keeping us well fed into the wee hours of the morning. Discussions poured from every corner of the wall. The help, advice and encouragement that flowed in this room are truly the spirit of bizarre magick. I had a great time and it was a blast meeting and talking to all of those that I did. Thank you Joe Cabral, thank you fellow ICBM members and thank you to all the attendess." Live well, Die well, EVILDAN. ************ "I want you all to know what
a great time I had at the 2004 Gathering.I have never felt more welcome nor appreciated at any convention. I
told my wife how I had been treated and she said, "You should go back
every year." Maybe I'll hold her to that!!!!!
Hey, I even have ************ "I simply must share my
thoughts on the weekend in Connecticut with the Gathering of the Mages at the ICBM. Space
does not allow for a full description or full list of participants, but in bits and pieces, those
of us who were fortunate enough to attend will share our personal highlights. ************ |