The Magic Word

Schedule

Friday, September 4

9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Registration Open

3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Dealer’s Room Open

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM TAOM Board Meeting

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Stage Show MC Jamie Salinas David and Jake Rangel Geoff Williams

9:30 PM - 11:00 PM Lecture: John Shryock

Saturday, September 5

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM General Meeting

9:00 AM - 6:30 PM Registration Open

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Lecture: John Bannon

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Dealer’s Room Open

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Lecture: Mike Pisciotta

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Lunch & Williard Luncheon (Ticketed Event)

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Lecture: Eric DeCamps

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Stage Rehearsals

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM Lecture: Jared Kopf

5:00 PM - 7:30 PM Dinner & Dealer’s Room Open

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM Stage Show Introduction of Guests of Honor MC – Caesar Chip Romero John and Mari Shryock

9:30 PM - 11:00 PM Lecture: Paul Vigil

11:30 PM - 12:30 AM Midnight Madness

I will post time stamps after I have gotten some sleep.

One of magic’s most creative minds, Dan Harlan, joins us this week. No doubt many of you have his “Card Toon” card trick or have watched him on Penguin Live videos or perhaps on the Tarbell Course of Magic on video. Maybe you once subscribed to The Minotaur which he co-published with Marv Leventhal. His life and career hasn’t all been roses and indeed had many bumps along the way. Currently he hosts MagiCon - The Mystic Tower convention in Raleigh, North Carolina plus he continues to create and perform.

Dan Harlan is quite candid about his successes and shortcomings as he openly shares many stories in this week’s episode. We learn that Dan doesn’t like card tricks and he tells us why. He also reveals a long time secret that Majoke was co-authored by him and Scott Alexander. He talks about the time it took to create and film “Every Trick in the Book” of Tarbell. Dan also tells us about his years with Penguin and other creative projects that hold his attention.

Schedule

Wednesday, August 6th

 24 hours          Bicycle Lounge, St. Charles

9:00 a.m.               Information Booth, Kiosk (9:00p)

10:00 a.m.             General Sessions, Showroom, (Noon)

10:00 a.m.             Focus Sessions (11:00a)

11:00 a.m.             The MAGIC Shop, Mardi Gras, (2:00p)

11:15 a.m.             Focus Sessions (12:15p)

11:30 a.m.             Cafe Live!, Esplanade K/L (2:00p)

12:15 p.m.             Lunch Break (2:15p)

2:15 p.m.               General Session, Showroom (4:15p)

2:15 p.m.               Focus Sessions (3:15p)

3:30 p.m.               Focus Sessions (4:30p)

 Live Tonight!

6:00, 9:00 p.m. - Live Onstage!, Showroom

10:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. - Farewell Party, Mardi Gras

10:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. - Souvenir Program Handout, Mardi Gras

I will give you the time stamps of who spoke when after I get some sleep.

Schedule

Tuesday, August 4th

 24 hours          Bicycle Lounge, St. Charles

9:00 a.m.               Information Booth, Kiosk (9:00p)

10:00 a.m.             General Sessions, Showroom, (Noon)

10:00 a.m.             Focus Sessions (11:00a)

11:00 a.m.             The MAGIC Shop, Mardi Gras, (6:00p)

11:15 a.m.             Focus Sessions (12:15p)

11:30 a.m.             Cafe Live!, Esplanade K/L (2:00p)

12:15 p.m.             Lunch Break (2:15p)

2:15 p.m.               General Session, Showroom (4:15p)

2:15 p.m.               Focus Sessions (3:15p)

3:30 p.m.               Focus Sessions (4:30p)

 Live Tonight!

5:45, 7:10, 9:00, 10:20 p.m.  The Close-up Experience, Bienville G

6:15, 8:00, 10:00 p.m. In Concert: Dani Daortiz, French Quarter

6:00 – 11:00 p.m. Curiosities Exhibit, Dauphine

7:00p – Midnight - Bicycle Lounge Cash Bar, St. Charles

I will give you the time stamps of who spoke when after I get some sleep.

Schedule

Sunday, August 2nd

 24 hours          Bicycle Lounge, St. Charles 

10:00 a.m.             Registration, Bienville G (10:00p)

10:00 a.m.             Photo Badges, Dauphine F (10:00p)

 Live Tonight!

7:30 – 11:00 p.m. -  The Zombie Ball, Esplanade 

7:30 – 11:00 p.m. - The MAGIC Shop, Mardi Gras 

11:00 – 11:30 p.m. - Grand Prize Giveaway & Costume Awards, Esplanade

 Monday, August 3rd

24 hours           Bicycle Lounge, St. Charles

9:00 a.m.               Information Booth, Kiosk (9:00p)

10:00 a.m.             General Sessions, Showroom, (Noon)

10:00 a.m.             Focus Sessions (11:00a)

11:00 a.m.             The MAGIC Shop, Mardi Gras, (6:00p)

11:15 a.m.             Focus Sessions (12:15p)

11:30 a.m.             Cafe Live!, Esplanade K/L (2:00p)

12:15 p.m.             Lunch Break (2:15p)

2:15 p.m.               General Session, Showroom (4:15p)

2:15 p.m.               Focus Sessions (3:15p)

3:30 p.m.               Focus Sessions (4:30p)

 Live Tonight!

6:00, 8:00, 10:15 p.m. - Comedy Live!, Showroom

12:30, 5:45, 7:10, 9:00, 10:20 p.m. - The Close-up Experience, Bienville G

6:15, 8:00, 10:00 p.m. - In Concert: Dani Daortiz, French Quarter

7:00 p.m. – Midnight Bicycle Lounge Cash Bar, St. Charles

I will give you the time stamps of who spoke when after I get some sleep.

For many years, Scott Tokar has been helping clients at industrial shows across the country and indeed, across the globe. He structures trade show programs to engage, educate and entertain and sending the corporate message to everyone who passes by his booth. He co-authored Special F-X with Harrison Carroll that teaches magicians how to engage with hospitalized patients using magic. He also dabbles in photography and enjoys taking stills of friends. Scott also owns a booking agency for trade show magicians.

This week Scott gives us some tips and advice on booking trade shows and on the importance of networking. If you are a hobbyist photographer, he also give us some tips on the kind of camera he uses. During our discussion, Scott mentioned the compact sound equipment he carries. Here is a link to seeing what he uses: https://tinyurl.com/Trade-Show-Sound-Equipment

Tobias Beckwith used to manage Jeff McBride and Marco Tempest, just to name a couple “names” in our magic community. He has worked on Broadway with some of the most iconic plays such as “Oh, Calcutta” and “The Fantastiks” among others. He was one of the early staff teachers at the McBride Mystery School as it was formed and of course, was close friends with Eugene Burger, among others. Tobias has authored several books on production and direction and are well worth you inspection.

This week, Tobias shares some stories about the formation of the Mystery School, plus working behind the scenes of many of the great magic shows over the past few decades. He discusses the differences between being an agent and a manager, and why magicians should consider getting one.

In 1973 Alan Bursky burst on the comedy scene in a big was when he was just 17 and being the youngest comedian to ever perform on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show. He was also involved in booking entertainment in the early days of the Magic Island. But long before that when he was growing up in New York, he developed a friendship with David Kotke aka David Copperfield. Later while on the comedy circuit, he befriended Freddie Prinze who starred in “Chico and the Man” television series. He was a roommate with Freddie for a while. He also booked Steve Martin and Rodney Dangerfield, among many other notable comedians. Now he is preparing for going back out to sea doing comedy on cruise ships.

This week, Alan and Scott Wells chat in a room at the Magic Hotel in Hollywood, next to the Magic Castle. Throughout our chat, Alan kept looking/scrolling through his phone as he looked for old photos to back up many of the stories he shares in this episode (which are posted here on the website.) Among the stories, he tells us about attending Hugh Hefner’s parties in the Playboy mansion, he also shares some inside stories from the Magic Castle and gives us a personal glimpse of David Copperfield’s personal life.

Just Alan owned a magic shop near Woodstock, New York, for over 40 years. During that time he worked on his Zen archery, meditation, and relaxation. His search for real magic in his early years took him to India where he followed his heart and the stars as he was led to understand what is important in life. Also during the past several years, he studied with Jeff McBride, he entered magic contests, and he recently wrote a book, “Just Alan Not Just Magic.”

In our conversation this week, Just Alan, talks about how he came to open a magic shop and why it was located in upstate New York. He also talks about developing his relationship with Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger. He continues by telling the inspiration behind his “Three Treasures” presentation of Professor’s Nightmare. Towards the end of our conversation, Just Alan shares how he traveled to India and found real magic.

Schedule

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2026

TBD - YOUTH ACADEMY

9:00 AM - 1:00 PM REGISTRATION OPEN - 2027 CONVENTION

10:00 AM- 2:00 PM HOUDINI COLLECTION DISPLAY - Adjacent to Dealer Room

Rare Houdini artifacts provided by various collectors and museums

10:00 AM- 2:00 PM DEALERS ROOM OPEN

9:00 AM THE S.A.M. AWARDS & RECOGNITION SHOW

Contest winner awards, recognitions and installation ceremony

10:30 AM LECTURE - John Shyrock

2:00 PM SPEAKEASY CLOSE-UP SHOW

Featuring Shawn Farquhar, Boris Wild, Daniel Garcia, Dale Penn, Alyx Hilshey

4:30 PM PRESIDENTS RECEPTION

Cash Bar

5:30 PM HOUDINI BANQUET (Extra Pay Event)

7:00 PM THE JONATHAN NEAL SHOW

I will give you the time stamps of who spoke when after I get some sleep.

Schedule

FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2026

TBD - YOUTH ACADEMY

10:00 AM- 2:00 PM HOUDINI HISTORICAL CENTER @ MUSEUM at the CASTLE

Free admission for convention attendees

12:00 AM- 5:00 PM HOUDINI COLLECTION DISPLAY - Adjacent to Dealer Room

Rare Houdini artifacts provided by various collectors and museums

12:00 PM- 5:00 PM DEALERS ROOM OPEN

9:00 AM S.A.M. NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING

11:00 AM LECTURE - BORIS WILD

2:00 PM LECTURE JONATHAN NEAL

3:45 PM LECTURE - DANIEL GARCIA

7:00 PM MAGIC OPERA SHOW

Featuring Mike Caveney, Shawn Farquhar, Christopher Hart, Puck, John Shyrock

10:00 PM CREATIVE COACHING PANEL & SHOWCASE - Hosted by Bruce Kalver

I will give you the time stamps of who spoke when after I get some sleep.

Schedule

THURSDAY, JULY 2, 2026

TBD - YOUTH ACADEMY

11:00 PM- 4:00 PM HOUDINI HISTORICAL CENTER @ MUSEUM at the CASTLE

Free Admission All Day for Convention Attendees

12:00 AM- 5:00 PM HOUDINI COLLECTION DISPLAY - Adjacent to Dealer Room

Rare Houdini artifacts provided by various collectors and museums

12:00 PM- 5:00 PM DEALERS ROOM OPEN

9:30 AM WORLD RECORD CHAIN ESCAPE @ Houdini Plaza

Join 300 magicians attempting a world-record escape. Siberian chains and training is

included

10:30 AM UPSIDE-DOWN STRAIGHT JACKET ESCAPE @ Houdini Plaza

Featuring Houdini II

11:00 AM STAGE CONTEST BRIEFING / TECH REHEARSAL

11:00 AM LIFE MEMBERS ONLY LUNCH (Extra Pay Event)

Trolley to brewery & metamorphisis sculpture

2:30 PM CLOSE-UP CONTEST & PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD

4:30 PM HOUDINI FAMILY INTERVIEW, PHOTO's and AUTOGRAPH SESSION

7:30 PM STAGE CONTEST & PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD

9:30 PM MIKE CAVENEY INTERVIEWS HOUDINI HISTORIAN JOHN COX

I will give you the time stamps of who spoke when after I get some sleep.

Schedule

Tuesday June 30, 2026

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

7:00 PM - 11:00 PM OPEN FORUM SESSIONING

8:00 PM - 9:30 PM HOUDINI SÉANCE HISTORY, DISCUSSION and METHODS

Featuring Dorothy Deitrich and Bruce Kalver

Wednesday July 1, 2026

10:00 AM- 1:00 PM YOUTH ACADEMY

Youth-focused lectures, workshops and group events for SAMY members ages 7-17

12:00 PM- 5:00 PM DEALERS ROOM OPEN

10:00 AM S.A.M. LEADERSHIP TRAINING

with Past National President Joel Zaritsky

10:00 AM CLOSE-UP CONTEST BRIEFING / TECH REHEARSAL

1:00 PM LECTURE - CHRISTOPHER HART - MOVIE MAGIC

2:30 PM LECTURE - SHAWN FARQUHAR

4:00 PM HARRY AND BESS HOUDINI WELCOME PARTY

7:00 PM HER SHOW

Featuring Lyn Dillies, Tiffany Sauvage, Alyx Hilshey, Julia Dryas and Cydney Kaplan

9:30 PM SCREENING OF THE LOST HOUDINI FILM: THE GRIM GAME

Hosted by Dorothy Dietrich. Live musical accompaniment by S.A.M. Past President

I will give you the time stamps of who spoke when after I get some sleep.

Last episode we visited with Scott Pepper, the proprietor of the Magic Saloon in San Antonio, Texas. This week we chat with the featured stage entertainer who performed there: Jade. She was the winner of the I.B.M. Gold Medal for Stage in 1990, which is a distinctive honor in so many ways. The Gold Medal and Gold Cups (for close-up) are not awarded every year, but only when a performer is so outstanding and their execution is so perfect, that you cannot deny that it’s the best. Jade has gone on to perform around the world in clubs, aboard cruise ships, on television, in resorts and nightclubs, as well as the Magic Castle in Hollywood.

This week, Jade tells us her journey from a shy magic demonstrator behind the counter in San Francisco to becoming the confident, dynamic stage performer that has defined her career. She also talks about how she developed her act, trick selection, and finding venues in which to perform.

Scott Pepper hails from England but is soon to be a Texan through and through once his citizenship papers are completed. In the meantime, he is successfully running the Magic Saloon as a magic venue in the heart of San Antonio, Texas, just across the street from the Alamo. Soon, people who have been shouting “Remember the Alamo” will be chanting “Remember the Magic Saloon!” This is a great venue that features stage magicians as the main entertainment, but also has close-up magic at it’s best at the gift shop featuring I.B.M. Gold Cups winner and Past National President of the I.B.M., Oscar Munoz.

Scott has come over from the U.K. after a successful career of performing with Oliver Tabor at “holiday camps” across England, and tons of exposure on board cruise ships as their resident magician. He opened the “Magician’s Agency” several years ago and suffered through the COVID years. He considered selling the venue and moving to Colorado, but decided to give it one more shot. Fortune and serendipity set in when one evening some hospitality entrepreneurs stopped by and loved his show and the venue. He partnered with them and hasn’t looked back. He discusses all of this and more in this week’s episode.

Kenrick “Ice” McDonald is a man who stands on many well deserved accolades. Aside from the many performance awards, he was the first African American to become the National President of the S.A.M. and he has been recognized for his work in the community by being inducted into the S.A.M. Hall of Fame. He served on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Magical Arts (The Magic Castle) and appeared on multiple television shows across the U.S. and abroad. He has done much to advance the black magicians in our culture today.

This week, Ice is open and honest about his time on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Magical Arts and some of the challenges he faced. He also talks about the way he has handled personal issues like dyslexia. He discusses his work with livestock and touring, plus he chats about his many talks and speeches on the way to ultimately presenting a TED Talk.

Gary Brown is a U.S. District Judge from New York, but he knows a con man when he discovers one. His recent revelations about Claude Alexander Conlin who had several aliases, but is most well know among magicians as “Alexander, the Man Who Knows.” Judge Brown has written several scholarly books about the history of magic including an innovative book, “Wandcraft” as well as “The Inventive Magicians Handbook.” His monograph on Alexander was published in Bill Kalush’s “Gibecière".

This week, Gary tells us why wands are important to magicians and why we should use them. He also tells us some delightful stories about Al Flosso, the Coney Island Fakir. He then tells us a bit about what he uncovered about Alexander’s very shady and polygamy ridden career as he narrowly escaped the law by traveling from one State to another. He also talks about the non-existent silver mines that he sold over and over again.