Magicians and Show Folk
2000 - 2003
FFFF
Here I am performing on the Saturday night show at the venerable 4F — Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolics — convention in Buffalo (actually now Batavia), New York. I first attended the 4F convention in 1981, if memory serves. I was a fairly regular attendee through the ‘80s and ‘90s, and I think this photo was taken the last time I attended, in the early 2000s after a gap of some years. The convention was never the same for me once it left the Forks Hotel.
Photo by Mike Powers, who writes on his web site (http://www.mallofmagic.com/ffff02_4.htm): "Writer, performer and reviewer Jamy Ian Swiss performs an excellent coin routine. (This is the one he performed on The Art of Magic on PBS). Way cool... " Thanks, Mike.
Melvin Burkhart
On October 8, 2001, my dear friends Todd Robbins and Krista Brown were married at the Sullivan Street Playhouse, the old home of Monday Night Magic. This was unlike any wedding I - or anyone else in the crowd for that matter - had ever attended, being in fact a fabulous variety show of friends that Todd hosted. (I performed close-up magic and also served as Best Man.) The highlight of the program for many was the performance by sideshow legend Melvin Burkhart, creator of the Human Blockead act, which is a staple of Todd's own repertoire. Melvyn also was the first to perform the turnover move with giant dice - an idea he came up with circa 1930! - a feature routine of his magic performances. As it turned out, the wedding was Melvin's last performance. About a week after returning home to Florida, he attended a meeting of his local magic club where he proudly showed photos of his performance at the wedding, where he was treated as royalty by the likes of Todd, myself, guest Penn Jillette and many others. He passed away the next day, a great showman and a wonderful man. His original costume, pictured here, along with the gigantic nails he used for the Blockhead, were bequeathed to his protégé and adoring friend and fan, Todd Robbins.
Chuck Smith
In June of 2001 I made a pilgrimage to the wilds of West Texas to visit with underground legend Chuck Smith. You can read reviews of several of his lecture manuscripts in my collected book reviews CDROM, and if you don't own them then you've missed some of the most innovative and practical material I've ever come across. It's a privilege to know Chuck, and a joy to have seen him do some of his remarkable magic. On this same trip I also had the pleasure of sharing several terrific meetings with Texas underground maestro Bob White.
Billy McComb
What can be said about Billy McComb that hasn't been said already? This was taken in NYC when we were privileged to have Billy headline at "Monday Night Magic." Jay Marshall appeared on the same bill -- a great show!. When I grow up I want to be Billy McComb - he is a constant source of joy and inspiration to me.
Five Magi
On a (6/02/1999or2000) visit to Las Vegas, sitting around at Penn Jillette's house with (L-R), Todd Robbins, Lance Burton, Penn, and Michael Close.
Ward Hall
During the week of the S.A.M. 100th convention, I took a visit, as I do every year, out to the Meadowlands Fair to visit with the last great touring sideshow impresario, Ward Hall. Here I am with fellow carnie trash Aye Jaye, Ward, and Todd Robbins.
Carney Trash
Out at the Meadowlands Fair with some more of my showfolk carnie pals. With Penn Jillette, Todd Robbins, and legendary sideshow impressario partners, Ward Hall and C.M. Christ.
31N
For as long as it lasted, the 31N conference — an invitation-only gathering named because of the 31 seats that could fit in the meeting room — was typically among the best three days of my year. This photo was taken at the inaugural 31N gathering in Toronto, August 20 - 24, 2003. At the left you can see Tommy Wonder, Performing Guest of Honor.