Tag: Gay Blackstone

IBM 2011 Closes on High Note

Inside Magic Image of IBM Convention LogoAnd now the 2011 IBM Convention is complete.

It ended with a wonderful show entitled “Legends of Magic & Comedy.” The show began with Jeff McBride. He was in top form and served as the perfect entreaty to the special night. His energy unique ability to take advantage of any unplanned surprise ensured a wonderful start.

The lovely Frances Willard introduced son-in-law Michael Ammar and his beautiful wife, Hannah as they performed their rendition of The Spirit Cabinet. Hannah has learned well from her mother — the effect was perfect.

Max Maven introduced the concept of “suspension” by correctly reading the minds of the sell-out house and segued into clips of Walter “Zaney” Blaney performing his Ladder Suspension over the years and in many venues. But this evening Walter did not perform his world-famous illusion. That honor was bestowed on Becky Blaney and Walter’s granddaughter. They did an outstanding job and Walter’s pride clearly showed.
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Cannon’s Great Escapes Invites You to Taping

We reported on Gay Blackstone’s exciting new project to bring Magic to television this winter in our multi-award winning, November 13, 2008 edition of Inside Magic.

Ms. Blackstone announced she would soon be taping the 13 episodes for the Fox MyChannel network and invited Inside Magic readers to attend.

We received inquiries from readers about the performers committed to appear on the series and are happy to report Mark and Shelia Cannon will be taping their contribution tomorrow, November 20th.

Ms. Blackstone has always had a special place in our pantheon of Magic Greats.

Similarly, Mark and Shelia Cannon are exactly what we hope to be when we grow up — well at least Mark Cannon.  We have worked through many issues related to maturity and gender role models.

Mark and Shelia Cannon put on one of the best Escape shows we have ever seen and we have seen plenty.

Their on-stage personae genuinely reflect their off-stage ethos of hard work, sincerity and incredible skill.

Theirs is one of the very few acts to bring our blood pressure into the very unsafe range.   We were worried sick until it was over and Mark Cannon emerged alive.

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