I've never attended a SAM Convention. However, I'm considering attending this year. Has anyone been to the convention before? Is it worth attending?

Definitely worth attending, and my friend Joseph Young will be competing in Adult Stage with his award winning Rubik's Cube act - not to be missed.

Scott

Kev,

I have been to so many national conventions that I have lost count. It is worth it?? simple answer.. YES!!!!!! The lectures are wonderful, the dealers room is like a kid in a candy store, the evening shows are a blast and the best part about the convention is simply meeting so many other magicians from all over the world. You exchange stories with them, learn, hang out and in the late evenings after shows we get together and just jam. It is an absolute wonderful experience that I think you would really enjoy for sure.

Kyle

I've gone to the last three conventions (and brought my family to the last two). We ALL have a blast. My kids especially love the SYM lectures and programs. It really is a "Family Friendly" convention. - Joel

Kev,
Kyle is correct. It is such a good time just meeting other magicians and talking magic. Many of the famous magicians are willing to spend some time and talk with you. One of my favotire highlights from my first SAM convention was walking to the evening show one day, when another magician had walked up and asked if he could accompany me on the way to the show. It turned out to be Andre Kole. What a great guy. After we reached the theater he introduced me to Raymond Corbin, then Jay Marshall joined in among others. What a great time listening to those great performers exchanging stories. I cannot recall not being welcomed to join in one conversations.
This year should be a good time with the likes of Gene Anderson and Mac King being in the shows. I should be good to see the renewed Enthusiasm for the SAM from the new MUM.

Hope to see you there.
Best regards,
Jim

Hi Compton

Great to hear your friend, Joseph Young will be competing in Adult Stage with his award winning Rubik's Cube act...I saw the clips ..it is very good!

Just curious, if the SAM stage International contest is considered the top 3 stage competition the world....FISM, IBM & follows by SAM.....correct me if I am wrong..

Heard IBM will select the contestants after seeing the act LIVE...just curious if the SAM competition needs a hard standard to enter & be selected......thanks for any feedback

Have a great day!
dove-boy

First, although I am somewhat biased. I believe the SAM Contest to be the most professional in quality, concept and final result in the world, bar none. Every three years our winner goes to FISM (FISM is every three years) and also the winners are invited to other World Conventions as a bonus also. We have a pretty invloved process to screen for world class quality, and there is not just one criteria like seeing the act once at a convention. The Contest info appears below if you are interested in competeing. I had the honor of serving as a judge back a few years so I know the process, and it is a system of judging that many other organiztions have used as a model.

So if you are interested, here are the details.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Convention Contest Information

You will have four days of constant Magic and fun.

You will meet and share wonderful times with old and new friends.

The S.A.M. Contest of Magic Shows promise to be several of the highlights of an outstanding Convention, and YOU WILL be one of the Stars if you are selected to perform. Apply to The S.A.M. Contest of Magic to experience our great Convention in an impressive and memorable way, and if you are selected to be a Contest Performer, YOU WILL experience some Special Magic that only The S.A.M. offers. If you would like to apply for The Contest of Magic, just mail a request for an Application Packet to:

Paul Critelli
858 Iroquois SE
Grand Rapids MI 49506

Include your full name, full address, phone number with area code.

PLEASE PRINT ALL INFORMATION!

DEADLINE for REQUESTING APPLICATIONS: May 6, 2006 (Obviously too late for this year, but around the same deadline each year)

Only mailed requests will be honored. NO FAXES. NO EMAILS. NO PHONE CALLS.

The Application Packets will first be sent on January 7, 2006 for those who have requested before that date. After January 7, 2006, if you do not receive anything from Paul within 10 days after you requested it, call him at: 616.245.6835. DO NOT SEND ANY VIDEO OR DVD UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE ENTIRE APPLICATION PACKET AS THIS WILL DELAY YOUR APPLICATION FROM BEING PROCESSED!

All requests for Application Packets must be in Paul's possession by May 6, 2006. All completed applications and videos or DVDs must be in Paul's possession by June 10, 2006 (agin, unless you have already applied, there is always next year, but here is the process).

Good Luck!

Craig, I will second the motion on this contest. Paul Critelli, following Father Cyprian's lead, has fine tuned the contest so it is very professional and consistent in it's approach. There is very little room in the judging process for personal bias to overrun subjective judging. The pre screening process raises the level of the competition, eliminates embarrassment for performers who are not quite ready, and minimizes the often long preliminary competitions.

I have been honored to have judged this contest twice and it is always a rewarding experience.

Richard

Thanks Dick. The level has risen so high now, it is a featured show at the convention, not just a contest. The other point, and I think one of the most important, is that almost universally the contestants have said it was their most rewarding experience in magic. They made friends, new relationships and entered an environment where they not only received a score and feedback, but they grew so much just for the experience. I have seen many who met during the process go on to become life long friends, and some even joined forces. There is something you just can buy, but worth its weight in gold, the camaraderie.

I also would agree with Craig and Richard. The SAM screening process and the way they handle the stage contests is probably one of the best around. The level has risen indeed and the caliber of acts that get accepted are at a very high level. I feel this makes others work harder and strive to get to this level.

The convention is just simply wonderful. Even if just for the people that you meet, I would go for that alone. You meet so many new people and make friendships that last a lifetime.

Kyle

I agree with Craig. I have been to both, and there always seems to be some issue with the IBM contest (stage). At the 2004 IBM convention, one performer had trouble with the start of their act. The music started, then nothing happened. Most people knew what was supposed to happen, but there was a technical problem with the opening effect. The curtains closed and after a few minutes (it sure seemed longer), the act restarted. I do not believe it was fair to the other acts. Also, the peoples choice winner did not win the first place award. There were many people in the audience rumbling about that, both magicians and lay people. The competition seemed to be better at the SAM conventions I have attended. Hopefully this year will continue on with great performances. I love to watch the competitions. It is one of the better parts of the convention. God bless those who have the guts to perform in the competitions. A group of magicians can be the hardest audience to perform for.
Regards,
Jim

Great stuff Jim. I hope to meet you at the convention. Make sure if you go to pick up your "A proud member of the Magic Café" stickers we will have available at the registration desk and on the information board. just peel one off and attach it to your name badge. This way any Café member can know and meet and greet other Café members.

Kyle

I'll be there! I can't wait for this convention, it is sure to be a blast! I'll definitely be putting a "Proud Member of the Magic Café" sticker on my badge. I hope to meet many of you there!
-Michael Platt

Michael,

We will be sure to meet and such. I am looking forward to talking with you as well as seeing your act and working with you in the Stars of Tomorrow show. It should be a pleasure.

Kyle

Kyle,
Will do. It will be good to meet the Café members in person. Hopefully more friendships can be made and we can keep in touch on the Café. A BIG THANKS to Steve Brooks for the Café.
After reviewing my last post I know why I did not make it the the spelling bee finals. COMPETITION...COMPETITION... 98 more times and I will remember.

Regards,
Jim

I agree. Last year I met a few Café folks, but I only met them out of pure coincidence. I think the sticker idea will now give people a much better and easier way to make contact with other Café folks and hopefully in turn make more friendships and sharing.

JIM, the SAM Forums have spell check. Do not fret.

I checked the convention website, but couldn't find any reference to video/photo restrictions. Does anyone have the inside scoop? There's no reason to carry my video camera if I can't use it!

-Phil in KC

There is no video, or audio recording allowed during any show, or lecture. For contests, I believe recording of a specific contetstant with their permission, and apporval from contest chairman is the only exception I can remember. For other
informal events, possible, but always ask permission. Some will say yes, but give the respect and ask. That has been the standard for most conventions worldwide.

Thanks, Craig! Being new to the Café, I'm surprised and pleased by the quick reply. I look forward to meeting you and other Café members at this summer's convention.

-Phil in KC