Weekly Round-Up
by SCOTT WELLS
July 21, 2008
Howdy friends.  Many of you will miss reading this week's column as you will be at the combined I.B.M./S.A.M. convention and experiencing the real thing.  All is ready and shaped up for this to be a spectacular event.  I wish for everyone that you have a great time, as I know you will.  Several local magicians will be in attendance so be sure to say "Howdy" when you see someone from Houston, and tell them that I sent ya!  Meanwhile, back at the ranch here in H-Town, the "H" stands for hot...but that is typical for this time of year.  But the magic here is always hot, too!  This week we had a lecture by Jeb Sherrill plus the circus has come to town.  Be sure to read on as there is more to report on both. (Read more...)

Jeb Sherrill visited us from Dallas to deliver a lecture on the zombie and some close-up magic.  I hate to report that, at least for my part, I was less than enthused.  I do not perform a zombie routine so the first hour of his lecture which was strictly on this prop left me rather cold...I guess you could say "zombie-like".  He has two DVD's for sale that goes into three hours of more detail on the zombie which again, for those who perform this will probably find invaluable.  One of the attendees at the lecture who performs Losander's floating table said he got some tips out of it which he will apply to that effect.  The second part of Jeb's lecture focused on close-up which again, to my perception, seemed a little stilted. That is, his palming techniques were less than average.  The routines themselves had some spark of creativity but his low-key delivery was not inspiring.  After most routines, a brief yet uncomfortable silence was followed by polite applause.

Now as I mentioned, this was my perception although a couple other attendees called me to give me concurring opinions.  During the second portion I heard coins dropping on the floor which indicated that some were practicing along with Jeb as he was teaching certain techniques.  Moreover, I know that he had brisk sales and Jeb reported to me that he sold more than he expected.  Many from our group bought his entire package of notes, the Dream Gimmick and both DVD's.  So again, I know this lecture is for some...but not for all or at least not for me.

The Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus came to town this week and will run through July 27th.  The reason I am mentioning this is because I was pleasantly surprised that Larry Clark, a magician from Memphis, is traveling with the show.  Larry is a close-up magician who is also a clown with the circus.  He has been with the circus for six years and tells me that the 139th edition of the circus next year will feature magic.  I don't know how much I am at liberty to discuss, but it will be an all new show with illusions designed by one of the top illusion designers and creators in our business.  Larry will also be featured in an article later this fall in one of the major magic magazines.  Then and there he will be able to tell much more of what is now rather hush-hush.  I'm excited and I know you will be, too.  BTW, if you haven't been to the circus in a while then you owe it to yourself to see what Irving and Kenneth Feld (producers of the Siegfried and Roy Show) have done with it today.  It's dynamite!

Well, now to what's going on around town. Steve Wallach continues his run with his one man mentalism show at Ruggles Grill.  Steve will appear there every Sunday night at 7:30 for a fun, interactive show at $25.00 per person. 

Phil Kampf and his young assistant, Ariana, began their six week engagement at Magic Island this week.  They will run now through August 30.  Phil will be doing his dove act with the assistance of 14 year old Ariana and then his comedy magic.  Discount coupons for Phil's performances are available at www.magicstreetproductions.com/mi.html  For a sneak preview of Phil's dove act check out the flash movie at the same web page listed.  Scott Hollingsworth and Jay Schwaush are the house close-up and mentalist performers, respectively.  Remember that the Island is open to the public every Friday and Saturday nights and some Thursdays but reservations are required by calling 713-52-MAGIC (or 713-526-2442).

Scott Wells will perform magic "on the grill" this week at Tokyohana's Grill and Sushi Bar at 3239 Southwest Freeway (I-45) on Thursday night on July 24th from 7:00 to 9:00 and Shane Wilson will return to the grill on Saturday July 26th from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Braeden Clark-Tarpley is the resident magician at Zake Sushi Restaurant where you can watch him this and every Saturday night from 8:00 to 11:00. 

Eric Falconer continues as the house magician at Sakekawa, a sushi restaurant in the Woodlands, a northern suburb of Houston. Eric will be performing tableside and "grill" side each Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:30 then again on Saturdays from 6:30 to 8:30.  You can call Sakekawa for reservations at 281-419-5988.

I will close this week's column with a quote from P.T. Barnum, "Every crowd has a silver lining."