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The Innovention 2010
Suncoast Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
4th - 7th October
Report and photo by Rick Tynan
Paul
Stone's Innovention delivered everything it promised. It was an intimate and
friendly convention with between 250-300 conventioneers in a fantastic location
dedicated to giving enthusiastic magicians the opportunity to experience magical
excellence at close quarters. The support for the Innovention amongst British
magicians was strong. There were 25 on our flight from Gatwick and we soon met
up with others as they arrived on different flights. It was good to see Pat
Fallon representing Ireland.
This was a convention with a difference. The schedule was carefully constructed
to ensure that participants could attend every event on the programme. The
specially selected dealers were open only at times that did not clash with
sessions and the hall was busy but never overcrowded. There was plenty of
opportunity to browse and chat over items for sale. The late night 'hang-out'
zone at the back of TGIs was popular and there was much mingling of performers
and conventioneers. The list of great contributors was exceptional and the whole
experience was, for me, inspirational.
On the first night the welcome reception saw many old acquaintances renewed and
new friendships struck. Alan Bursky hosted a glittering comedy chat panel
featuring Mac King, The Amazing Jonathon and the incomparable Johnny Thompson. A
surprise addition to the panel was Tom Mullica. A great first night
entertainment.
Over the next three days there was a variety of high quality workshops,
lectures, performances and special events. The lecture and workshop list was
awesome:
Brian Egerton – Website optimisation
Paul Stone and Gene Anderson - Nemo Rising Cards
Lennart Green – Late Night Lennart
Seth Kramer – Trade Show Magic
Richard McDougall – Stage Craft
Shep Hyken – Moments of Magic in Business
Joanie Spina – Developing an Act with Music
Teller – The 'Red Ball' Lecture
Gaetan Bloom – Gaetan's Creative Magic
The highlight of the entire convention had to be Teller's Red Ball Lecture, a
piece of pure theatre in its own right. It was truly a privilege to be in the
audience. Teller spent some considerable time with the audience after the
lecture, happily posing for endless photos.
Other shows included the incomparable Johnny Thompson Hour and Q and A session
and Graham P. Jolley who performed his one man show to great acclaim.
Mark Mason, Eric Jones, Lennart Green and Bob Kohler were all outstanding in the
Close-Up Sessions.
The Stars of Magic Show on Tuesday night featured high energy juggling from
Aaron Sparkes, classic comedy magic from the Great Thompsoni & Co, artistic
baton twirling from Nathalie Enterline, an excellent set from Mel Mellors and
Richard McDougall's very funny cigarette act. Mark Raffles made his Vegas debut
at the age of 92 and brought the house down. Kevin James closed the show as only
Kevin James can.
Gaetan Bloom was my personal highlight from the last night cabaret, and I
greatly enjoyed Jason Andrews' beautifully constructed and well presented
manipulation act.
Special events included an audience with Criss Angel which was open and frank
and won him many friends. Criss Angel was also happy to mingle with the
conventioneers for chat and photographs as long as they wanted.
Siegfried and Roy attended the convention for the launch of their book written
by Diana Zimmerman and Robert Gould. However, to call this project a book is a
misnomer. Zimmerman and Gould have in fact produced an interactive reading
experience which even contains authentic Siegfried and Roy memorabilia.
Also in attendance during the convention was the legendary Peter Reveen and Norm
Nielsen.
Paul Stone should be congratulated on having the vision, energy and stubborn
determination to deliver the Innovention 2010. It is unlikely that any other
single person would have the network or influence to stage a convention of this
standard. Within a 24 hour period Criss Angel gave a great session, Teller
delivered probably the best Lecture ever at any Magic Convention, and Siegfried
& Roy attended the official launch of their incredible book - 'Siegfried & Roy -
Unique in all the World'. At what other Magic Convention would you see that?
© Rick Tynan, October 2010