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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Duke Stern said Colon is not a one horse town...

Guess he was right!

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Welcome to the Magic Capital of the World. Abbott's Magic mission is simple: to provide the best magic products and service to our customers at the lowest prices possible. We take great pride in our company (which has been doing business since 1934), our commitment to customer service and in the products we sell. Our online store is designed to provide you with a safe and secure environment to browse our product catalog. The Abbott plant provides year round employment for our staff. More than 50,000 square feet is divided into the following departments: Business Offices, Printing Department, Art Department, Silk Dyeing, Computer Room, Sewing Assembly, Silk Screen Processing, Blacksmith Shop, Lathe, and Precision Metal Work, Plastic and Chemicals, Metal Casting, Tool and Die Making, Shipping, Experimental, Wood Working, Sheet Metal Shop, Stock Room, Paint Shop, Showrooms, Demonstration Stage and Magic Theatre. Our phenomenal success proves that we are the recognized leaders in magic - not only in America but the entire world. We are credited with instituting real and modern innovations for the benefit of buyers of magical apparatus - proof enough of our sincerity in wanting to give those buyers a fair deal always. Our factory facilities are such that we are in the position to make anything in magic. Also we own our factory buildings - the only buildings in the world designed for the sole purpose of manufacturing magic. Abbott's leads the entire magic field in producing original magic effects. To us, your first order is the beginning of a lasting friendship in magic. Abbotts is the publisher of Tops Magazine (30's - 50's), New Tops Magazine (60's - 90's), and most recently our free online version the Newest Tops Magazine with informative articles by some of todays top magic performers. Abbotts Magic Shop and Abbotts Magic Get Together have been in business since 1934. Annual events include the Closeup Magic Convention, Summer Magic shows at the Abbott magic plant, a 4 day Magic Convention in August aka Magic Get Together, and Magic Flea Market and Auction. The Magic Get Together magic convention is well over 70 years old and has had many of the worlds greatest magicians perform on its magic stage including Blackstone Sr, Blackstone Jr, Karrell Fox, Lance Burton, Mac King, Jeff McBride, Jeff Hobson, Harlan Tarbell,Cardini, Neil Foster, and about 900 more. Publications include Tops Magic Magazine, Abbotts Illusions, Colon MI aka the Magic Capital of the World, Abbott Magic Movies, Abbott's Magic Compendium, and Abbott's Magic Catalog which includes thousands of magic tricks, magic books, and magic illusions for magicians of all ages and all magician skill levels including beginner magician and professional magician. Abbott's believes that this website, www.magicgettogether.com, is the largest magic site dealing with a magic conventions in the world.