picture missingThis blog has been set-up to provide daily information about the 2006 IBM National Convention to members of Ring 170.

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Day 4 - Stage Show Competition & Results

This evening 6 competitors trod the hallowed planks of the Olympia theater, 5 adults and one junior. The first performance was a unique motorcycle themed act. It started with the sound of a crash, then the curtain was raised to show Latko, from Argentina, sitting amongst a number of motorcycle parts scattered around the stage. He then proceeded to treat them in magical ways, including productions, disappearances and transformations, adding the end result to the skeleton of the motorcycle standing center stage. After production of a helmet, probably the best effect in the act, he "rode" the repaired bike forward about 20 feet.

He was followed by Hikari of Japan, a young lady that performed a stylish traditional Asian themed act. She worked with silks, balls and rings, mixed with dance and elegant movement.

The next act was a comedy act, Dave Kaplan (Columbus, OH) appearing as the Great, and sometimes Above Average, Kaplan. He included a very clever way to do a bowling ball production, which later was cleverly removed by floating up and away (switched for a black balloon). He also produced a lighted candelabra from inside his jacket, and played a tune on a balloon.

Wookie (Seoul, Korea) performed a manipulation act based on a young girl's dreams, producing all sorts of girl realted articles, finishing with a transformation of her clothes to a wedding dress.

Kyoko (Japan) performed a fast paced beauty palor themed show, producing relevant items, such as combs, scissors and hair-dryers. She finished the act by transforming from the black clad hairdresser to the stylishly dressed client, by climbing through the hairdresser's chair..

Finally, we were treated to an excellent junior performance by the ten year old Eli Portala. he did some excellent productions, tap dancing, even a dancing cane, all to a 40's theme. Watch that name, this young name has a huge potential.

While the judges were tabulating the results, Roy Houston came on to entertain us with some classical illusions. In his introduction we were informed that Roy had performed at the Olympia before, in fact it had been 50 years ago. Roy treated us to three classics, the 'Girl (and objects) From Suspended Drum', 'Light Bulbs Through Girl' and 'Sawing a Girl in Half'. For historians, Roy mentioned that the first illusion has been featured for over 40 years in Abbots's catalog, with Roy's picture.

After Roy's show, the results of the competitions were announced. Firstly for the close-up, the award of merit (runner-up), and People's Choice, went to M.C. Chow of Hong Kong, China. The first prize of $500, but not the Gold Cups, went to John Born of New York.

The junior award ($500) went to Eli Portala, who also won an all expenses paid trip to Fantasma Magic in New York, or Las Vegas.

The stage competition runner up was Dave Kaplan, from Columbus, OH, who also won the People's Choice. Winner of the $1000 first prize award, but again not the Golf Medal, was Kyoka of Japan.



The late lecture this evening was given by Aldo Colombini, who was as entertaining as ever, showing some easy to do, but very powerful, effects. He also had a couple of guests, who have contributed to his book "Impromptu Card Magic", Ivan Amodei and Aldo's new partner, Rachel Wild. Coincidentaly, both of them managed to fluff their tricks, adding to the merriment of the late evening.

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