The 19th Annual New England Gathering Of The Magi
Formely  known as The Inner Circle Of Bizarre Magic Gathering. 

DATE HELD: November, 11th., 12th., 13th., 2011.
At the Crowne Plaza Hotel & Resorts,
1284 Strongtown Road,
Southbury, C.T. , U.S.A.

  NOW READ AND SEE WHAT YOU MISSED!

 REVIEWS

Bruce Barnett writes:-

It was so great to see so many friends at the ICBM. It's such a great
group of people that the magic is just a bonus. I didn't take notes, so I'll have to rely on my memory.

Thursday Walt Anthony did an experimental version of Brother Shadow's seance.

Friday we started with two lectures - Craig Dickson and Henry Holova.
There were some great concepts and tips shared with the group. Some
may have found the information about Tesla shocking.

The Works in Progress was filled with some very well polished routines, There was a mishap or two, but it went over very well, because, well - we've all been there.  I was laughing through Professor Quacksilver (Scott Payne) routine, where he added an anatomical ode to Operation that was hilarious. We were continuously laughing at the non-stop presentation. I thought the tempo was excellent - like a roller coaster. We liked Johnathan Frost's presentation as well. Diane commented on his strong and memorable stage presence.  David Miller did a Miser's Dream silent - with music, He has excellent facial expressions and timing.

The Friday show was excellent. Daniel Greenwolf risked his life with the "Damocles"  Pillory escape. EvilDan and Colleen performed a very entertaining feat of daring. I liked the interplay between the two. I've seen this effect before, and it's hard for a solo performer to distinguish themselves from the others doing the effect. Colleen and Dan's presentation was both longer, and more entertaining. When this happens - it's a keeper. Marc DeSouza did a floating spirit table Diane and I both enjoyed. Harley Newman did a disturbing routine. I'm not quite sure how to describe it. Let's just say the secret squirrel people were quite impressed.

Carlyle closed the show with a spirit "cabinet". It was an unusual design - which is great for the traveling performer. It's lightweight and much easier to set up that traditional versions.

As an aside, Amanda  - a new face in the crowd - was the medium. Carlyle trained her in about an hour for the role, and she did very well. As another aside, Amanda also mentioned there was a Steampunk museum in Hartford Connecticut. She shows pictures and it looks like a Must See Place. Perhaps next year.

But the best part of the convention was the time we spend afterwords with each other. For instance, CJ did a Linking Ring routine, and afterwards, dozens of people came up to him to show him tips and moves. I think CJ's head exploded. I saw Marc DeSouza showing David Miller some coin tips for the Miser's Dream. People were spending time with others sharing and talking. The ICBM convention is one of the friendliest conventions there is, and it's impossible not to have a great time.

Joe Cabral has the hospitality room set up each night, and there are lots of food and drinks - people just hang out and schmooze to the wee hours. You know what's missing? It's the "I'm better than you" attitude other magic conventions have. We just don't have that type of people. Everyone does something different. The diversity and openness to new ideas is what makes the convention my favorite. We love seeing new styles, and even when they are imperfect, we applaud the effort it takes to be different.

Every year I go there - it rejuvenates me. I can;t wait to get home
and work on new inspirations. Diane and I missed out on Saturday's activities - but we went to a fantastic wedding. So I hope others can fill us in on what happened Saturday.

*****

Walt Anthony writes:-

Four days of madness and miracles  Thank you to all my gracious hosts, friends (new and old) and colleagues for making me so welcomed at the 20th Annivarsary ICBM Gathering of the Magi. I brought a great deal back home in m mind and heart!

EVILDAN writes:-

Finally recouping from the Gathering in CT this past weekend. Once again, it was a great event. I performed a piece in the "Works in Progress" show and Colleen and I performed a two person "stabbed " routine that we called "The Nail Under the Cup." It was well recieved and we're thankful since it was our first time performing in front of a live audience and the rehearsals in the room beforehand were less than encouraging. Special thanks to Rich Lavengood for being our  stooge and calling out the needed lines at the right moments. Now we're working  on how to do it without a stooge. It's almost there. And another special thanks  to Craig Dickson who provided the silver dollar that made the coin toss that  much more visible.   We got to meet Tony Hassini up in the hospitality suite after the Friday night  Bizarre Show. He told us that he enjoyed our performance. He went on to tell us  who he was. I told him I knew who he was . He then went on to say that he sees  thousands of magic shows. He's seen shows with millions of dollars worth of  equipment. He's seen shows with millions if dollars worth of lighting. Tonight,  he saw a show without the millions of dollars worth of equipment or lighting and  it was one of the best shows he's ever seen. So kudos to all who performed in  the Friday night bizarre show. We saw him Saturday morning and he said that he  had to leave because he had prior commitments in NYC. The only reason he was  there was as a favor to Craig Dickson to tape his lecture. But...he said he had  a great time and is planning to come for all three days next year.

Colleen and I quickly became friends with Enrico and Amanda Leoni and their  bulldog Grace. Grace was up in the hospitality suite one night and I had to  point out to Colleen that Grace had to be the cleanest dog I've ever seen, even  the paws were immaculately clean. Grace is a friendly dog and it's amazing how  an ugly dog can be so cute. Enrico and I talked about mentalism and performing.  Colleen and Amanda talked to great lengths. Looks like everyone is going to be  staying in touch.

Leslie Melville was there with his son who looks like a younger Leslie Melville.  It's always great seeing Leslie. Colleen found out that his son juggles. So I  guess the entertainment factor is in the family.     Ed Fowler was in attendance and performed his spirit cabinet enlisting the  services of Heather Leoni who learned the act that day. She did really well and  looked like she had been doing this all her life.

Daniel Greenwolf was there in rare form. For those that know Daniel, I approached him and asked him where his other half was. He assumed I was talking about his better half and proceeded to tell me where Rachel was. I stopped him and touched my belly and restated the question asking where his other half was. Daniel has slimmed down. He's getting in shape for his wedding and he looks  good. He even lit a fire under my butt to hit the gym. Next year we're looking  to see two slim Daniels in attendance. I being one of them. And not to take away  from his performance, his Sword of Damocles illusion is pretty menancing  looking.

It was a real treat meeting Roger Jones. Roger works a seance in Myrtle Beach,  SC and we talked at great length about seances. Most people work seances only  around Halloween. Roger's season is from March thru Oct. Roger is happy doing  seances and when he talks about it and where he's working, the man is beaming!!!  Never saw a happier guy than Roger. He had a number of Outlaw products with him  and spread the word that he would be showing them in his room at 5pm. Colleen  and I were in attendance and were impressed with a great many pieces. We have  our eye on one or two for now.     Some sad news...Studio of Magic is closing it's doors. They have been a long  friend and fixture at the Gathering as long as I have been in attendance.  Another brick and mortar magic shop bites the dust. We thank you for having been  with us for  so long and may your future plans be bright.

Mary Tomich was there  with her usual batch of goodies. Colleen and I managed to  obtain two steampunk styled watch pendants that work very well as pendulums. She  was also taking pre-orderes for the bound edition of the Altar Flame. And I  forgot to place my order.  So many more memories but I have to do some work now.    Hope to see you all at the Gathering next year.    EVILDAN.

Cyril May writes:-

Thanks to all those who sold and purchased items at ICBM's first silent auction
this last Saturday. We had 50 items, or collections of items. Everything from
'immortality' to packet tricks to a 'big honkin' knife' were for sale. Ninety percent of the proceeds were returned to the sellers. The most successful seller earned $195 if I remember correctly. The 10% kept by ICBM added up to $111 (ironic given Friday's date) plus another $5 I am sending Joe. I had kept it in reserve for 2 small items for which the owners never made claim of their share of the earnings.  They didn't put their names on the cards either...so the money goes to ICBM.  Many participants were generous in granting to ICBM a greater percentage than 10 or even tossing in a few extra bucks. This auction turned out to be a great way we can circulate around some great books, tricks and props while also insuring the gatherings continue with adequate funding.