International Brotherhood of Magicians Annual Banquet in Minneapolis

The International Brotherhood of Magicians had their annual banquet this past Sunday eventing at the Twin Cities Magic and Costume company. A huge turnout of over 75 people enjoyed a delicious Famous Dave’s catered dinner followed by awards and a terrific show.

First up was the installation of new officers, Kenny De3wit the outgoing president installed the new president. Next the organization named past president and convention coordinator, Paul Chimzar the Magician of the Year. Dave Walbridge was the M.C. and got things started off with a laugh as the audience settled in for an evening of comedy and magic.

The first act on the bill was Norman a Charlie Chaplin type character who discovers a box of magic on the stage and when he opens it amazing tricks start happening to him. He is astounded as a magic wand made a silk scarf appear. He replaces it for his tatter old one, then discovers that the scarf makes an egg appear, then the egg is cracked and a rubber chicken surprises him. Then a rapid ammount of items appear, balls jumbo coins and then a large silver ball is found and it begins to float magically. A hat is discovered in the case and then a water bottle is found in the hat, then more balls and sausages and he begins to eat them with comic results. Finally a ton of paper cascades from the hat and another rubber chicken surprises him.

Next was the comic musings of Dave Walbridge from the Big Fun Show. He amazed the audience with silks appearing and disappearing at his bare hands as well as other  comic effects.

The next act was from of the younger members of the club Nick. He did a dynamic comedy routine with cards and audience invovlement. He wrapped it up with some comedy fire eating that had the crowd in stitches.

Next on the bill was The Amazing Normondo the Great. a comic act by Norm Barnhart where he performs as a haughty Vegas performer who is having a train wreck of a show. Flower bouquets are shredded, a newspaper is torn and restored, (almost), a dollar bill disappeared to be lost forever, A cannon ball is vanished, a card sword routine goes wrong where the sword is accidentally stabbed through his shoe and the spectator’s card is seen pinned to the bottom of his foot by the sword. He finishes with a hilarious comic pickpocket act that ended with the spectator’s tie being swiped. Fresh roses are passed to the ladies in the audience as he exited to thunderous applause.  THis is the 11th time this act has been invited to appear at the Minneapolis Magicians Club Banquet.

The final act was the Amazing and comical George Tovar. George did his delightful Eleven Bill trick as well as a hilarious discovery of cards selected by 7 spectators. George was one of the performers in the now classic Triple Espresso Show as seen at the Music Box Theater in Minneapolis and at other major cities. He also is a regular performer at the Magic Castle and is there this week doing 3 shows a night. George is a charming and magical entertainer.

Reported by: Magician in Minneapolis – MagicNorm.com

Magic Minnesota Seminar a Success!

Steve Kissell and crew put on a dynamic seminar last weekend in Minnesota for magicians and entertainers.  Many professional magicians showed up to study and improve their skills. Many classes were presented by a Professional Staff of Family Entertainers.

This conference is now celebrating 18 big years of “Leading The Way To Laughter and Learning!” The event featured 14 entertaining and educational classes plus 6 Break out sessions. The participants had opportunities to work in small groups to learn several new tricks and routines!Steve Kissell taught several newspaper magic effects, Brad Roberts taught clever coin magic and Norm Barnhart  taught several of his inventions including a magical flower production, an original origami dollar trick plus his dollar turning into a $20 trick.  Norm also shared his trick that involves a jumbo penny.

The Saturday night Magic show was hosted by magical M.C. MagicNorm who presented two 10 minute sets of comedy magic and also interspersed the show with bits of business including having an audience member learn how to do the tablecloth pull! and wad a funny set by Steve Kissell. The contestants for the 2010 America’s Funniest Magician Contest competed and received trophies. Rochester magician Greg won the first place trophy.

A dynamic stage show on Friday night was excellently hosted by M.C. Penne Peterson, a Minnesota Speaker and trainer kept the show moving with her witty barbs and comic stunts..

The Friday eventing show featured, Brad Roberts, known as B-Rad from Las Vegas. Brad’s interactive show was a delight to the audience. He performs at a Casino Resort Every Weekend in Las Vegas with a very popular show that has run now for over a year.  This is very good for Vegas and it looks like he will continue to play to full houses for weeks and years to come.

Comedy magician Norm Barnhart brought several of his original routines and had the audience laughing with his comedy magic with a dollar that changed to a $20, his original hot dog trick and his mind reading chicken routine.  Norm also did manipulations magic with appearing balls and a very comical floating ball illusion.

Also featured on the Friday night show was Jeff Russ. Jeff is a very busy magician known as, Mr Magic is from Louisville, KY.. Jeff performs over 600 shows a year. He presented a magical routine with invisible cards and had the audience amazed and kept the crowd in stitches with his routine with a snake in the basket! The audience loved him and it is no wonder that in 2008 he won THE BEST OF LOUISVILLE AWARD for CHILDRENS ENTERTAINERS. Jeff also won the award for Best Birthday Party Magician in 2005, 2006 and 2007 as voted on by the readers of the Kentuckiana Family Magazine. Jeff has entertained at many corporate events and include clients such as the Historic Churchill Downs, Ford Motor Company, Thomas The Train, General Electric, UPS and just about every Country Club in his area.

Also on this entertaining show was comical magician Fred Baisch from Twin Cities Magic and Costume Company in St. Paul, MN. Fred blew the audience away with his comedy magic. His comic approach with colored light bulbs, crazy props and boxes that fit inside boxes in amazing ways. It was an evening of magical fun for everyone.

B-Rad from Vegas came back and closed the show with his witty and wild comedy magic.

Classes included Norm B. teaching on Thinking Theatrically and Penne Peterson teaching about the Care and Feeding of the Voice and Body and shared many valuable and practical ways to keep the voice healthy for performers. Steve Kissell presented a powerful workshop on how to have sensational Stage Shows. Jeff Russ taught several fun classes including one on Restaurant magic  they love to see. Brad Robert shared his expertise on effectively making family audiences laugh with comedy magic.

Don’t miss your opportunity to attend Magic Minnesota next year!