Welcome back to another edition of Monday Mail Call, where I share the latest magical treasures that have made their way into my possession over the past week. Today, I'm excited to share with you the magic magazines that dropped on my doorstep, and my ticket to an awesome magic convention. Join me as I dive into each so we can discover together what kind of magic these things have in store for us!
Genii, July 2023
For the first time in what feels like years, this month's issue of Genii arrived before the 1st of the month! As is usual, the digital version arrived mid-June, but the physical find-it-in-your-mailbox copy surprised me this past Thursday, just hanging out there with the bills and junk mail.
Featured on the July cover is Jeff McBride. I'm not really sure what his outfit is supposed to be. Maybe a clown, or a vampire sorcerer? His name sounds really familiar to me, but doing a quick search I don't recall if it's familiar just because, or maybe I do know his material and have simply forgotten. Anyways, once I dive into the issue I'll know more about him -- and what's up with the face makeup.
A few weeks ago, err rather, a month ago during another edition of Monday Mail Call, I mentioned how I was behind on my reading and needed to catch up. Well, I've just about done it! I'm halfway through June's edition of Genii -- featuring Bernard Bilis, a wonderful French magician. I've read the article all about him and he sounds like a really neat magician. Now I'm diving through some of his routines they're teaching and whoa are they much more sleight-intense than what's normally in Genii! I love it (^_^)
Love Letters, No. 13
Speaking of the last time I wrote about magazine subscriptions, I mentioned that I was thinking the previous edition of Love Letters would be the last. Turns out, I was wrong!
Right on time, the 1st of the month, a new letter appeared in my inbox -- a love letter by The Jerx. I haven't opened the issue yet, but the email says that it includes the following:
- A handling for a Michal Kociolek effect, fully taught in this issue. Nothing you need to buy.
- Attempts to de-gimmickify an excellent gimmicked book-test.
- Some ideas for the first new magic app I've (Jerxy) started using regularly in months.
Each issue typically includes product reviews and open letters as well, so there's more to it than just the few bullet-points above. Overall though, the newsletter is more of a further-uncensored expansion of his blog.
Magifest 2024
I know what you must be thinking, "how did @gbabbits get Magifest 2024 delivered to his mailbox?!" While the logistics of that would be intriguing, it's much simpler than that -- I bought my ticket to the convention =P
Tickets are on sale now, though the schedule is far from being populated. There are a few folks that are already listed as being on the schedule, but given that the thing is 6 months away, I'm under the assumption that it'll change drastically between now and then.
The ticket price is $300, though they did say it would bump up to $350 on July 1st (it... hasn't yet). I attended this year's -- which only cost $275 -- and it was well worth the price. The number of people there, jam sessions, talks, and vendor room... it was just amazing! I'm excited to attend again and, now knowing how things work there a little, I hope to enjoy it even more.
I would love to be able to do one of the other conventions like Blackpool, but the international travel costs are just way too high -- just getting there would cost more than my entire trip to Columbus, Ohio. Though, I'd prefer to go to England than Ohio...
As I wrap up this edition of Monday Mail Call, I'm actually left wondering if there's going to be another Genii Convention in the future. I don't recall hearing about it before the June edition of Genii (in the article for Bernard Bilis), but it was highlighted enough times to make me curious! Also, due to the holidays, Scott Baird posted on Instagram that The Hermit will be late this month, so I'll likely write about it next week =]
Stay tuned for the next iteration of Monday Mail Call, there's a lot more to come!
p.s., if you'd like to offer suggestions for books, tricks, decks or if you have questions about magic (performing, routines, sleights, etc.), please reach out here.