Magic Stories

Gingerbread Magic Men: Good Times in Colon

I missed the Abbott?s Get-Together and the FAB MagiCelebration in Colon this year.  The Get-Together is one of my favorite times and the addition of Rick and Cheryl Fisher?s FAB MagiCelebration to the week only made the trip more inviting. 

I heard there were great shows and great contests.  Ron Jaxon picked up a couple of prizes in the Close-Up and Stage competitions at the MagiCelebration.  Mr. Jaxon is one impressive magician.  I watched him win the close-up contest at Curly?s Bar a couple of years back and read the very positive review of one of his newly released effects in Genii this month.  He is good and it is good that people outside of the Magic Corridor (US-12 running from Chicago to Detroit, through Colon) have a chance to see his stuff.

Read On . . .

Mr. Fisher reports that he had nearly sold out houses for his big shows and the dealers at the flea market did very well.  Congratulations to the Fishers.  I look forward to seeing what they have planned for next year. FAB Magic definitely has the jump on Abbott?s in the electronic marketplace.  For some reason, the venerable Abbott?s cannot find a way to produce a website worthy of their name.  Abbott?s has had the same awkward and rudimentary website since Al Gore first funded the Internet.  C?mon guys! 

FAB Magic has the talents of Cheryl Fisher to guide them into and successfully along the information superhighway.  Their pages are easy to navigate and the offerings are plentiful.  

Okay, I?ll close with this.

I read Abbott?s own review of the Get-Together and was dismayed that there was no mention of the FAB Magic or Marilyn Abbott ? although you would have to walk by the FAB Magic store on your way to or from the performing and dealers? venues from the Abbott?s shop.  I was also dismayed ? as opposed to being ?mayed?? ? at the rather negative tone towards the dealers that line Dallas Street.  

The Abbott?s website suggests:

As has become fashion, Dallas Street was chock full of people selling magic out of the trunks of their cars, and we noticed this…

I missed the Abbott?s Get-Together and the FAB MagiCelebration in Colon this year.  The Get-Together is one of my favorite times and the addition of Rick and Cheryl Fisher?s FAB MagiCelebration to the week only made the trip more inviting. 

I heard there were great shows and great contests.  Ron Jaxon picked up a couple of prizes in the Close-Up and Stage competitions at the MagiCelebration.  Mr. Jaxon is one impressive magician.  I watched him win the close-up contest at Curly?s Bar a couple of years back and read the very positive review of one of his newly released effects in Genii this month.  He is good and it is good that people outside of the Magic Corridor (US-12 running from Chicago to Detroit, through Colon) have a chance to see his stuff.

Read On . . .

Mr. Fisher reports that he had nearly sold out houses for his big shows and the dealers at the flea market did very well.  Congratulations to the Fishers.  I look forward to seeing what they have planned for next year. FAB Magic definitely has the jump on Abbott?s in the electronic marketplace.  For some reason, the venerable Abbott?s cannot find a way to produce a website worthy of their name.  Abbott?s has had the same awkward and rudimentary website since Al Gore first funded the Internet.  C?mon guys! 

FAB Magic has the talents of Cheryl Fisher to guide them into and successfully along the information superhighway.  Their pages are easy to navigate and the offerings are plentiful.  

Okay, I?ll close with this.

I read Abbott?s own review of the Get-Together and was dismayed that there was no mention of the FAB Magic or Marilyn Abbott ? although you would have to walk by the FAB Magic store on your way to or from the performing and dealers? venues from the Abbott?s shop.  I was also dismayed ? as opposed to being ?mayed?? ? at the rather negative tone towards the dealers that line Dallas Street.  

The Abbott?s website suggests:

As has become fashion, Dallas Street was chock full of people selling magic out of the trunks of their cars, and we noticed this year some even had miniature magic shops set up. This practice is in no way endorsed by the Abbott Magic Company. If you buy junk from a trunk, don?t expect us to exchange it. Stop and think before spending your money. If you want to buy quality magic from a reputable dealer, shop in the dealer?s showroom. The dealers in the dealer?s room have spent quite a bit of money to be able to bring you their wares, and they are doing it ethically. If you want used junk, tattered feather flowers, broken book bindings, etc? and if you want to support the underhanded techniques, contrary to the attitude and atmosphere that the Abbott Get-Together is all about we can?t stop you. But do be aware that Dallas Street is a street and not a flea market, cars will be driving by and they have the right of way, personally I almost eliminated three morons this year who obliviously walked right into the road in front of me. Abbott?s would like to encourage you to not support any unauthorized vending.

I count myself as a proud moron under this definition.  I have to admit that I have looked, bartered, purchased, and looked some more as I strolled up and down Dallas Street on my way to the High School from Abbott?s or Curly?s.  I have not, however, failed to buy from the dealers in the gymnasium. 

My shopping on Dallas Street consists of parking in front of a dealer?s table, thumbing through all of the old books and pictures, examining closely all of the need close-up utilities and dreaming about purchasing the one or two illusions available.  When I enter the gymnasium ? after paying my fee ? I do exactly the same.  

I know that the stuff I can buy on Dallas Street is used and may not be in the best shape.  I also am aware that it is unlikely I will ever find this particular dealer again should I buy from his table top stand and so the sale is likely to be final.  

But, I don?t want to be killed by a driver ? so I am careful walking ? and I don?t want to be considered a ?Moron? simply for checking out what a brother magician is selling.

While I was once quoted as saying I would risk my life to be Melinda?s stagehand, I was just using hyperbole.  I don?t want to die trying to compare used P&L Reels or antiquated editions of Modern Magic.  And now that Melinda is no longer performing, I don?t think I would still risk my life to be her stagehand ? it would get boring and my wife would feel awkward introducing me at social events. 

Q:      What does your husband do?

A:       He?s a stagehand for a female illusionist.

Q:      Oh, I see.  So he?s on the road all the time?

A:       Uh, no.  She doesn?t perform anymore.  She stays at home with her baby.

Q:      But your husband still works with her as a . . .

A:       (Embarrassed) No, I?m just joking around.  He?s not a stagehand for some beautiful blonde illusionist who is happily married and caring for her child. 

Q:      (Smiling, relieved) Oh, boy, you had us going there.  Heh heh.  So what does he do? 

A:       He?s a Crack Addict and steals car stereos for dime rocks.  He?s going to start a business franchising crack houses.

Q:      (Backing away) Heh, how about that.  Well, we have to go and stuff.  Take care.  Our best to your family.

A:       The houses will be look like gingerbread homes from Hansel and Gretel and the staff will wear storybook-themed clothing.  The Crack Hoes will dress like the wicked witch and if customers get the munchies, you can eat the walls . . .

Q:      (Walking quickly away) Poor girl.  So sad.  How did she get mixed up with him?  Fortunately she has such a strong husband to help her through this time of mental dysfunction.

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