Abbotts 70th Get Together 2007
by John Moehring
Published in the Sept 2007 issue of MUM
I am genuinely surprised how many members of the S.A.M. turned out for the Michigan magic manufacturer's gathering that's been held each and every year for the past 70 years. Of the 500 people attending the 2007 Get-Together (which was the only major magic convention east of the Mississippi this summer), it seemed that at least half of them were S.A.M. members including our National President Maria Ibanez, Dean George Schindler, S.A.M. Ambassador of Magic Brad Jacobs, S.A.M. Contest of Magic Chairperson Paul Critelli, and Past National Presidents Andy Dallas, Frank Dailey, and Hank Moorehouse. Incidentally, Hank is Abbott's show producer and responsible for convincing all that top international talent to make the trek to the somewhat-hard-to-get-to farming village that still regards inself the "Magic Capital of the World".
Each evening's show boasted of two or three acts that really had the crowd astonished and abuzz. On Wednesday night, it was classic manipulator Romaine and wild-'N'-crazy Circus Boy who wowed 'em. Japan's billiard ball Maven Toritto impressed on Thursday night, along with I.B.M Gold Cups winner Oscar Munoz, who would add another award to his arsenal by taking home the Senator Crandall Comedy Magic Trophy. Friday night's show saw the triple triumphs of ever clever Kerry Pollock, zany Bob Little, and brash young illusionist Jason Bishop, who eventually won the crowd as well as the Jack Gwynne Award for Excellence in Stage Magic. And Saturday night's show provided attendees with a grand slam - a show that headlined 2006 FISM award winner Arthur Trace, the witty Stunt Johnson Theater troupe, the sophisticated sorcery of London's Magic Circle President Alan Shaxon, and the inimitable Jeff Hobson, who was given one of the grandest and longest standing ovations that I have ever witnessed at a magic convention.
Abbott's continues to put on a fun and friendly convention experience unlike any other, and if you've never been to a Get-Together you owe it to yourself to get to the next one.
C2007 M-U-M AND REPRINTED HERE WITH PERMISSION OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS. TO JOIN: www.magicsam.com.
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