I just wanted to take a moment to let anyone who is planning on attending the National Convention, to please make time in your schedule to check out the Stars of Tomorrow Show. These are SYM members from around the world who have been selected from a video submission process and get the honor of performing their unique brand of magic for all of you.

It is quite an honor for these SYM members to be selected and we should all try and lend our support by attending, watching and showing them our appreciation for all their hard work. After all, these young members are not only the future of magic, but also the future of the SAM as well.

The Stars of Tomorrow show, I believe, will be held on Friday afternoon. Please check the schedule on http://www.magicsam.com for more information.

It would be great for the curtains to open and for these performers to see a packed house of fellow magicians. Thanks in advance.

Kyle

I really wish we were going to the convention. I would love to see the young magicians at work! Please follow-up on the post and let us know how they do!!! Like you, I believe our youths really need to be supported in their endeavors.

Thanks so much. I will be sure to follow up and let people know how everything went. I will probably also doa daily journal or log here or in the SAM section on the daily events and happenings.

Kyle

Do you by chance have any bios on the performers? I would love to hear about them as individuals. Ages, how long they have been performing, the type of magic they perform, etc. I think my daughter would also find it very interesting!

There's photos and a short description of the Stars of Tomorrow magicians on the convention web site. I'm pretty sure MUM Magazine has more extensive bios for each, but I don't remember which month.

http://www.magicsam.com/SAM2006/news.html

-Phil in KC

Thanks for the information!

I attended the Stars of Tomorrow show, and let me be the first to say - WOW! I already anticipate that I'm going to use a lot of adjectives for "excellent" in this report.

This was a highly impressive display of talent and creativity. Kayla Drescher did a fantastic job as MC, and her interplay with Duane Laflin as her assistant was hilarious!

I had never seen a young magicians' show before and didn't know what to expect. All of the acts were superb, which I didn't expect. I'll mention some of the highlights.

Sterling Dietz did Gene Anderson's T&R Newspaper (with Gene in the audience, by the way) using a theme of how "restoring the family will restore the world". I never thought that effect could be themed beyond "here's a newspaper - now it's torn - now it's together." (By the way, I do love the effect that way too.) His whole act was impressive and a lot of fun to watch. Lots of energy.

Kayla showed another side of her talents by displaying her musical abilities during her act.

I enjoyed the "brotherly love" interaction of Kevin and Matthew Puckett - having a duo in the mix was a nice variation and their comedy shackles routine was fun.

Shari Nelson, Michael Platt and Joe Rey also all performed excellent routines as well. Cool Zombie baseball, Michael.

As an added bonus, we were treated to some pre-show entertainment. About 20 minutes before the show, one of the doves escaped during the pre-show warm-ups and perched on a high chandelier to the left of the stage. Café regular Kyle Peron tried to coax it down by climbing a ladder and nudging it with two brooms tied together with masking tape.

After several failed attempts, all he actually succeeded in doing was annoying the bird to the point that it decided to head over to the more peaceful chandelier on the other side. (Kyle swore the bird was mocking him as it flew away.) After dragging the ladder and brooms over to that side, Kyle nudged it some more. I mean, he was really nudging it and it wouldn't budge for anything. Finally, Kyle's arm muscles couldn't take it anymore, but someone else gave it a try and was able to coerce the bird over to the broom.

Kyle might disagree, but it was a fun way to spend the 20 minutes while waiting for the show to start.

- Steve

The Vent on the ladies show and the stars of tomorrow were the convention hits for me. The whole convention was good especially Mac King

Hi,

I'm interested in auditioning for the stars of tommorow show for this year's convention, however while I've attended magic clubs and conventions, I've never gone to the national one. Sounds like I'm competing with a lot of talented individuals!

Alexa

Hi Alexa,
This is not a competition, but a wonderful opportunity for young magicians to be showcased. I was fortunate enough to be involved as a performer this past year, and I can tell you, working with Hope Anderson was a real joy. Do not be intimidated, you are the future of magic, and the organizers of SAM convention will only encourage you. Go for it!!!
Sterling
http://www.magicsterling.com

Alexa,

My brother and I were in the Kentucky Stars Show. I agree with Sterling. The Stars show is not a competition. Also, part of growing is trying new things! Do notbe afraid to try!!! You'll never know if you are good enough for the show unless you try! As Sterling said, "Go for it!!!"

As part of the back stage crew for the Stars of Tomorrow show over te past several years, I can say that it is a golden opportunity for any young performer to really showcase his or her magical talents for entertaining. It is a show and not a contest and is a way of letting people see the future stars of magic in a national spotlight. I encurage any young magician to try out for it and submit your tapes today.

I also must say that it was an absolute pleasure working with both Sterling and Kevin and his brother last year. You guys did an exceptional job and I want to thank you both for your level of professionalism you showcased that day. I hope you will be at the convention again this year as I look forward to seeing you both again.

Kyle

Hi Kyle,
I have signed up for the convention. I am hoping to compete in the adult section this year. My understanding is that you cannot do the Stars of tomorrow if you compete, so I had to make a choice. I sent my written request in today to Paul Critelli for the entry application. In the last few years they havent had enough contestants for the teen competition, but that's okay with me. I'm anxious to get in there with the big boys. I enjoyed being part of the "Stars of Tomorrow" showcase, and I am sure it will be good again this year. I look forward to seeing you there.
Sincerely,
Sterling

Kyle,

Thanks. I don't expect that I'll be attending the SAM convention this year. I greatly enjoyed the convention last year. But it appears that I am booked for the weekend of the convention. Hopefully I'll see you and other magic friends in the future!

~Kevin