Hanging out with magicians is always an adventure, and conventions are no exception. I attended the Midwest Magic Jubilee this year, mainly because it was accessible by train, and I like visiting St Louis. Joel could not go with me because of a show conflict. Needless to say, i made some friends immediately, and had a great time.
I must admit that some parts of the convention were better than others, but I can confidently say that it was an experience I will likely repeat. If I had to travel by airplane and stay in an expensive hotel for several days, I don’t think it would be worth it. The crowds were fairly manageable, the lectures were great, and the shows had some great magicians scattered throughout. The competitions were what you would expect, and the winners clearly deserved the honor. The dealers in the “magicians french market” were fun and had some good stuff.
I got to meet Eric Jones in the dealer room, and see his incredible coin work. Right next to him was Tony Miller from Channel One fame (or infamy). He and I hit it off, mainly because we have the same sense of humor, which is a dangerous thing. I managed to keep my mouth shut and did not add any fuel, which I would typically do. Several other dealers caught my attention; Mark Mason, the Columbinis, and Andy Greget. Admittedly, there were several others, but I just focus on card stuff. Anyway, I got some good things from Tony and Andy. I have already worked three ideas from Tony’s Parking Space, and have been through Jim Swain’s Miracles With Cards twice. I read a manuscript on Hand Mucking in the hotel room during a break. All of it is fantastic.
Friends were easy to come by as well. I met some cool locals, and there were a few people that came in from Chicago. I am not known for my constant besiegement of card tricks on everyone around me, but I did enjoy watching some cool and funny stunts by people around me, and feeling a little twinge of discomfort when a magical pirate showed up in the bar to the horror of the bartenders and a hapless but hot waitress. That was entertainment enough. Fortunately, lectures from Regal, Mendoza, Columbini, and many others tore me out of the bar fcequently enough that I did not blow my book budget on booze.
Anyway, it was fun, educational, and I will be back.