#mark holstein

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1st 2025

9:30AM REGISTRATION OPENS at the Abbott Plant 10:00AM ABBOTT'S DEALERS ROOM OPENS (Requires Registration) 11:30AM LECTURE Jeff Hobson (Requires Registration) 1:00PM MAGIC SHOW at Abbott's Magic Showroom Theatre $5 2:30PM ABBOTT'S CLOSEUP SHOW John Shyrock, Marc DeSouza, Tom Ewing, Diego Vargas (Requires Registration) 3:30PM MAGIC SHOW at Abbott's Magic Showroom Theatre $5 6:00PM-7:45PM DINNER (on your own) 7:45PM PRESHOW LIVE ORGAN MUSIC - by John Sturk 8:00PM GET-TOGETHER STAGE SHOW - Friday Night Gala Show      Featuring Dale Salwak, Tom Ewing, David Charvet, Marc DeSouza,Craig Diamond      Requires Registration or Tickets 10:00PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS ROOM RE-OPENS (Requires Registration)

Time Stamps: These will be posted after I have gotten some sleep.

Over the last two weeks, we have presented two individuals who support and encourage magic exposure. This episode features three magicians who have vested interests in keeping magic secrets secret. David Sandy is a performer, producer and collector. Bill Smith is a builder, performer and collector. Mark Holstein is an attorney, performer and collector. What they all have in common is their passion for the keeping magic secrets from the prying public in order to keep our audiences amazed and mystified.

Each of our guests this week has a little different perspective on why we should protect the secrets of our craft. While agreeing that anything can be found online in an instant, it still takes time for someone to go to the effort of looking it up. They believe that magic secrets shouldn’t come across social feeds indiscriminately without the viewer requesting it. They believe that secrets are being shared with some people who would rather not know. The adage, “it’s fun to be fooled, but more fun to know,” is not what they believe. This week, they tell us why.

Friday 26th January 2024

10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Dealer’s Room Open

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Arthur Benjamin Lecture

Dr. Benjamin combines his love of magic and mathematics in a way you've never seen before. He is astoundingly good. Whether or not you're mathematically inclined, this will be a fascinating foray into the intersection of magic and math.

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Blaise Serra Lecture

You may not have heard of Blaise Serra, but you won't forget his prodigious sleight-of-hand skills and innovative techniques.

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Magifest Live Hosted by Randy Shine

This our most popular programming event. Watch Jason Suran, Lance Rich, and Richard Hatch give short talks on a range of topics.

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Youth Event

Young magicians, check back in with new friends for surprises, games, and more.

4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Juliana Chen Lecture

A master of stagecraft and a FISM winner, Juliana will share her experience and work that she has taken all over the world.

5:30 p/m/ - 6:30 p.m.

Allan Ackerman Lecture

A legend in card magic, Allan Ackerman will be demonstrating new and unpublished material from his brand new hardbound collection. If you've never seen Allan work live, brace yourself for velvety-smooth presentations of diabolical card magic.

8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Jason Suran Show

One of New York's busiest mind-reading entertainers, Jason Suran's high energy performance is sure to be a convention hit. Think Woody Allen meets Derren Brown.

9:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

Richard Turner: Dealt

In the final-curtain performance of his acclaimed one-man show, the legendary Richard Turner will deliver his heartfelt, funny, and amazing show one last time, just for us. History in the making.

11:00 p.m. - 11:45 p.m.

Richard Turner: Interview

A chance to get to know a living legend. This is your time to spend time with this year's Guest of Honor.

10:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

Bar Magic (Blaise Serra)

Don't miss this chance to see one of the world's finest exponents with a deck of cards, up close and personal.

Time stamps for this episode: (to be posted after I’ve gotten some sleep)

00:00:18 -

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4TH 2022 9:30AM REGISTRATION OPENS at Abbott Plant Purchase Registration/Tickets 10:00AM-12:45PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS' ROOM at Colon High School Requires Abbott's Registration 11:00AM LECTURE - Handsome Jack at High School Requires Abbott's Registration 12:00PM STREET PERFORMER - B.J. Mallen (Magic Capital Grill by bridge) 1:00PM LECTURE - Reynold Alexander at High School Requires Abbott's Registration 1:00PM OLD FASHION MAGIC SHOW with Jeffrey Alan at Abbott's Magic Theatre $5 2:00 PM JAY BLACKWELL JUGGLING/FIRE EATING & MORE at Sterlini Magic & Theater 2:30PM STREET PERFORMER - Bibik! (Granny's Place by American Legion) 2:30PM VENT O RAMA (Vent O Rama Webpage) at Abbotts Plant Requires Abbott's Registration 3:00PM-5PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS' ROOM at Colon High School Requires Abbott's Registration 3:00PM-5PM COLON HISTORICAL MUSEUM is open (Colon Museum Webpage) 3:00PM-6PM FACE PAINTING with Award Winning Artist Carol Hendrix 3:45PM FAMOUS MAGICIANS GRAVEYARD TOUR (Graveyard Tour Webpage) ushered by Al The Only 4:30PM OLD FASHION MAGIC SHOW with Joe Bennett at Abbott's Magic Theatre $5 5:00 PM LIVE AT 5 WITH THE STERLINI'S at Sterlini Magic & Theater $10 5:30PM STREET PERFORMER - Thom Bedlem (Magic Capital Grill by bridge) 6:00PM-7:45PM DINNER on your own 7:45PM PRESHOW LIVE ORGAN MUSIC - by John Sturk Requires Abbott's Registration or Ticket ($30/$45) 8:00PM ABBOTT'S STAGE SHOW Requires Abbott's Registration or Ticket ($30/$45) Featuring Mac King, Mike Caveney, Tina Lenert, Lucy Darling, Lance Burton NOTE: Tickets for the Abbott evening Stage Show must be purchased in advance at the Abbott Plant or online before 5pm that day. You will be able to pick up tickets at a will call window at the show, but Abbotts will not be able to sell any at the door. 8:00PM GRAND MAGIC CLASSIC SHOW - 8 PM at the Laflin's Grand Magic Theater - $14.95 adult, $6.95 child 10:00PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS ROOM OPENS at Colon High School Requires Abbott's Registration 10:15 PM JONATHON LACHANCE LAUGH MAGIC LIVE at Sterlini Magic & Theater 10:45PM CURLYS 30TH CLOSEUP CONTEST at Curly's, more info including signup here.

Time stamps for this episode:

00:00:16 -

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4TH 2021 9:30AM REGISTRATION OPENS at the Abbott Plant 10:00AM - 12:45PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS' ROOM at Colon High School 10:30AM SUPER SHOWROOM SPECIALS in Dealers Room 12PM STREET PERFORMER (Gordon Russ) at M&M Grill (sponsored by IBM Ring 386-Percy Abbott / Monk Watson Magic Club) 1:00PM LECTURE at Colon High School (Eric Decamps) 1:00PM MAGIC SHOW at Abbott's Magic (with BJ Mallen; $5 cash at the door) 2:30PM STREET PERFORMER (Nick Eaton) Colon Historical Museum (sponsored by IBM Ring 386-Percy Abbott / Monk Watson Magic Club) 3:00PM LECTURE at Colon High School (Nick Diffatte) 3:00PM-5PM COLON HISTORICAL MUSEUM is open 4:30PM MAGIC SHOW at Abbott's Magic (with Joe Bennett; $5 cash at the door) 4:30PM-6PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS' ROOM at Colon High School 5:30PM STREET PERFORMER (Jania Taylor) at Village Market (sponsored by IBM Ring 386-Percy Abbott / Monk Watson Magic Club) 6:00PM-7:45PM DINNER on your own 7:45PM PRE-SHOW LIVE ORGAN MUSIC - by John Sturk 8:00PM ABBOTT'S STAGE SHOW - (view seating chart) Featuring Jeff Hobson, Kevin James, John Jansky, Stuart MacDonald, BJ Mallen 10:00PM ABBOTT'S DEALERS ROOM OPENS at Colon High School

Time Stamps for This Episode:

00:

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3rd 2021 (Pre Get Together Events) 8:00AM THE OPEN COLON "NO FRILLS" GOLF CLASSIC (with Al The Only - The cost is $10 plus the cost of golf) 2:00PM MAGICIAN'S TOUR OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF MAGIC (This tour of the museum and archives is geared towards magicians and will include a special selection of artifacts never-before-on-display. $10 per person. Reservations not necessary.)

Time stamps for this episode:

00:00:16 - Scott Wells takes off from Houston, Texas

00:03:24 - Trixie Bond

00:10:42 - Mark Holstein

00:20:03 - Al the Only talks about the Open Colon golf tournament

00:28:16 - Michael Mode talks about the Amish dinner

00:31:48 - Alex Boyce

00:36:55 - David Seebach talks about the “Night Before” party

This week we have a unique podcast. Join along with The Magic Word as we attend a Surprise Party (or rather Surpri"Z"e Party with the "Z" for "Zaney") held a week after his actual February 11th birthday. This was hosted in the home of one of his three daughters, Shannon, who lives across the street from Walter. Walter's eyesight is not what it used to be and he has to nearly be right up on you before he can recognize you.

We had a few surprises for the guests, too, including the presentation of an I.B.M. Presidential Certificate, a baritone horn performance by one of Walter's relatives, a couple of songs by his grand daughter, a banjo performance, and a Skype call by one of his admirers who couldn't make it...David Copperfield.

Time stamps for this podcast:

00:03:45 - Walter is surprised.

00:06:40 - David Hinkin presents Walter with a special Presidential Citation from Bob Patterson, International President of the I.B.M.

00:08:51 - Tim Drake and Daniel Summers talks about putting this together plus the special exhibit Tim created in David Copperfield's museum.

00:12:41 - Walter's daughter, Becky Blaney, invites us into the living room.

00:13:03 - Jeff Lanes talks about the S.A.M. awards that have been conferred on Walter.

00:14:50 - Walter "Zaney" Blaney talks about being surprised and enjoying the celebration

00:19:44 - David Copperfield joins us on Skype to pay homage to Walter.

00:30:28 - Scott Hollingsworth, Entertainment Director of the former Magic Island, talks about when Walter was in his "hey day" and the development of his Ladder Levitation.

00:35:24 - Walter's daughter and professional magician, Becky Blaney, talks about her dad and what it was like growing up with him.

00:40:03 - Mark Holstein chats about Walter being a pioneer in the trade show business with Marshall Brodein.

00:45:35 - Product Review - Project Swiss Army by Brandon David and Chris Turchi. A gimmicked deck of cards and card box does a variety of amazing thing. Recommended.

00:49:30 - Product Review - NeoMix by Jim Krenz. Specially printed cards used for the conclusion of an "Oil and Water" routine. Recommended.

00:53:34 - Starlight by Chris Perrotta. A beam of light from a borrowed mobile phone shines through a selected card and the card's value is seen as a spotlight through the card. Recommended.