Magic Tricks

Here's my down and dirty review of the Atlanta Penguin MAAX event.

Let’s start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.

The line to the Registration table was slow. Once you got to the table though it was quick and easy. The Friday night show was fraught with issues, both technical and otherwise. (I need not go into detail.) The Penguin crew, capably led by Brent Braun, did their level best to stay atop the technical problems and did a fine job of fixing most of them by the midpoint of the show.

Many of the performers had off nights. They were, in some cases, inadequately prepared, and in others not in best form. Several tricks and effects failed, and there were glitches galore. (Again, I need not go into detail. Everyone has off nights and performances.) That said all of the performers handled the problems with aplomb and professionalism. Even to the point of calling-back the incidents on Saturday for laughs.

Dan Harlan did a jam-up job as emcee. He kept the show rolling, kept the audience laughing, and glued everything together seamlessly.

Michael Weber’s Friday night lecture was excellent. Lots of wonderful ideas, several of them incorporating a deck of marked cards given to attendees.

Gazzo was the highlight of Friday night. I am so glad I had the chance to see him live. Irreverent, not at all PC, and sharp of wit, he opened his set with a solid 15 minutes of wise cracks, jokes, and comments directed toward audience members, including me. While some of the humor was, perhaps, ill-advised in these times, Gazzo managed to get away with it. His technical skill is impeccable, his stage presence relaxed and confident. He was always in control, even when a volunteer assistant opted to be less-than cooperative. Gazzo gave the unruly kid a bit of business, but took care of him in the end. His act was filled with magic, mirth, and bits of business.

After his formal set and Q&A, Gazzo asked if we’d like to see his current sit-down cups and balls routine. (He is doing more shows while seated now because, “I’m getting old.”)We declined the offer. Not! He set up and performed the new set and it was fantastic. I had a second row seat and despite being on the lookout never saw the final loads being shoved inside the cups. I’ll say it again: I am so glad I had the chance to see him. (There’s a current thread around here about funniest magician, well I now have a new number one!)

Saturday began with the opening of the dealer’s room. Penguin Magic, Michael Weber, Dirk Losander, Diamond Jim Tyler, Michael Kaminskas, and Daniel Garcia were doing brisk business from the moment the doors opened at 10:00 until the closed at 4:00. Chad Long set up later in the day and was a hit as well.

(I managed to keep my wallet in my pocket while in the Dealer’s Room. Well, almost. I could not resist one of Michael Kaminskas’ beautiful Chop Cups. Hey, I have been in the market for a while, so it wasn’t an impulse purchase, was it?! Man, I could gush over that thing! The action is smooth and it doesn’t require slamming it onto the table top.)

The hourly mini-lectures were nice, with performers offering pet routines, advice, and answering questions. The proper lectures began in the afternoon and were all wonderful. The highlights for me were Brent Braun and Diamond Jim, although Losander was a close second. (This in no way diminishes the other lecturers. The three I mentioned appealed to me, that’s all.)

I did not stay for the late-night jam session. After a long week, a lack of sleep, and a magic overload this old man was ready to head home.

Overall impressions: Brent Braun and his crew worked their ever-loving arses off to make the event a success. Brent really impressed me: His energy, enthusiasm, and skills as a magician, as well as his work ethic and obvious desire to see that everyone had a great time. I’d attend another Penguin event without hesitation. I had fun, made friends, met some great people and even ran into a couple of old acquaintances. Great value for the price – I got in on the 40% discount rate of $60.00, but even at full price I think the value was there. I'm going to give this event five stars despite those aforementioned issue since in the end they did not detract from the fun.