Last night was a roller coaster. Dinner in an excellent Sushi restaurant, we removed our shoes and sat on little cushions, drinks in the suite (way too many), Steve Youell’s lunatic lecture, smoking Beutler’s cigars and cards, cards, cards. The Crowne Plaza is comfy, clean and friendly just as always and the group is even better than last season. Right now were between lectures and I’ve got a little much needed down time. The lobby is crowded with conjurers and from the upper balcony you can play a game of count the card decks - at every lobby table fellows are dealing piles, choosing or locating cards, shuffling, flourishing and telling lies. (I mean patter)
Howard Hamburg lecture was a little earlier today. Howard was an attendee last season who, between lectures, was destroying everyones brains with his smooth, well paced and immaculately thought out magic - it was only logical that Howard be invited this year as a guest speaker. Let me tell you, dear reader, that Mr. Hamburg did not disappoint our high expectations. Howard was a friend of the Professor’s and had some excellent anecdotes and reflections in addition to some terrific magic of own. (For those readers who have come into Grand Illusions, last year Howard taught me that terrific Triumph with the one hand fan that I show to anyone who passes by, I love it so.)
Back in the hotel lobby for a turnover pass session with Roman when Gary spies a new friend, Kim. Gary calls him over and Kim performs two pieces for us - Linking Rings and a finger ring and string routine. Dear reader, when Kim finished we had tears in our eyes - his magic was that beautiful. I don’t think I’ve been that moved since I saw Armando Lucero at the ‘07 GGG - Just enchanting. Thank you Kim, you’re an inspiration to us all.
Time to sign off, J.C. Wagner is next and I want a really good seat.
- Steve
Finally, all the craziness of bringing this beast of a convention together is coming to fruition. Theron is sessioning with the Buck boys, Kent is starting to ramble something about starting the first lecture and I have made my last run to the airport.
I can’t believe all the lecturers are here… ALL SEVEN OF THEM!!!
Again this year we have a sold out attendance and it’s hard believe everything has come together without a hitch. The hotel is happier to have us back than they should be after the way we left the suite last year…let’s just say that we’re happy that they even let us have the suite again.
I’ve just hooked up the projector and the camera so even though we have a full house everybody can see what’s going on. People are starting to come in and get seated for Steve Youell’s brand new lecture on key cards and palming. All I have to do for the next three days is hang out with my friends and do magic…
… this is gonna be awesome.
- DN
If you’re looking to share a room with another GGG attendee, be sure to drop me an email and I’ll see if I can pair you up with a like minded person to share the hotel expense.
Drop a line to steve@grandilludions.com and don’t delay, the sooner you get on the list, the better your chances of finding a roomie.
- Sj
Dorian Rhodell, Theron Schaub and Ricky Smith convinced Kent Gunn and myself to go with them to a small magical gathering in Buffalo called the 52 and it was AWESOME! Everybody there was technically proficient and put their heart and soul into their magic. It was inspirational and, at times, a little intimidating. The only problem was the flight to New York from California sucks.
Dorian suggested we do one over here, a West Coast convention that let us bring our friends into town and session with magicians we wouldn’t get to see otherwise. After a couple of years of discussion and very little action we started looking for hotels.
The 2009 Golden Gate Gathering dates have ben announced!
This years festivities will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on June the 11th, 12th and 13th. (Thursday through Saturday) Registrations are pouring in quickly so, if you haven’t already, register immediately or miss out on what will surely be a spectacular gathering.