4F 2017 Ebook V.18 Updated 04/21/2017 Contents Section 2 I B E

Home , Gary Ouellet, Juan Tamariz, Lennart Green, Mentalism, Misdirection (magic), Pat Page (magician)

F F F F F Obie’s 4F 2017 Contents

Welcome to the 47th annual Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic!

Magic...... 3 2017 Guest of Honor: Rocco...... 4 Workshops, Lectures, & Shows...... 5 Program...... 6

Info ...... 21 4F by the numbers...... 22 Attendees...... 23 Dealers...... 25 First-Timer?...... 26 Setup...... 27 Meals...... 28 Links...... 30 FISM...... 31

History...... 32 Guests of Honor...... 33 MVPs...... 34 In memory of…...... 35 Forks Hotel 1990...... 36 The XXL Files...... 38

Behind the Scenes...... 47 Thanks!...... 48 4F Staff...... 49 About this eBook...... 50

Next Year 2018 Guest of Honor...... 51

4F 2017 eBook v.18 updated 04/21/2017 Contents Section 2 I B E

F F F F F Magic

Contents Section 3 F F F

F F F F F Obie’s 4F 2017 Guest of Honor: Rocco

Master Magician Rocco Silano is an extraordinary Sleight-of-Hand Artist and International TV-Star who charms audiences the world over with his unique style of prestidigitation.

U.S. audiences will recognize him from his numerous appearances on TV’s “Masters of Illusion” and as one of the stars of VH1’s magic reality series “Celebracadabra.” Rocco’s International Television appearances include major variety shows in China, Japan, England, Spain, France and Italy with LIVE appearances at The Poly Theatres in China, The Grace Kelly Theatre in Monte Carlo and The Crazy Horse Cabaret in Paris, France to name a few.

Royal command performances include such luminaries as Her Majesty the Queen of England; as well as America’s King of All Media, Howard Stern; the King of Pop, Michael Jackson; and the Greatest of all time, Muhammad Ali.

If you’ve been in a novelty-magic-toy shop in the last 20 years, you’ve undoubtedly seen Rocco’s million-selling “lights from anywhere,” with his movie star looking face on the box, called “D’Lites.”

Legendary Broadway Magic Star Harry Blackstone Jr. described Rocco as “The epitome of real magic.” A native of Paterson, New Jersey; Rocco grew up in the shadow of The Great White Way where he still performs regularly in the long-running show “Monday Night Magic,” but was catapulted onto the international magic scene early in his career by Siegfried & Roy at their Las Vegas Magic Seminar presenting him with their top honor; The Golden Lion Award for Stage & Close-up Magic. Rocco is also a recipient of the Mandrake Award and a two-time winner of both the Manhattan Association of Cabarets Award and the prestigious Merlin Award. The Academy of Magical Arts-Magic Caste has nominated him 9 times, in 4 different categories as “Magician of the Year.” Rocco is the only American to win top awards at two different FISM competitions, once in Yokohama, Japan and the other in Stockholm, Sweden.

Contents Section 4 Obie’s 4F 2017 Workshops, Lectures, & Shows

Wednesday 8:00 pm 1st Show Opening Gala...... MC: Henry Evans 10:15 pm 4F 1st Timers Meeting ...... Executive Room 10:30 pm Lecture #1 Argentina...... Gustavo Raley 11:30 pm Hospitality Suite Opens ...... behind video screens

Thursday 11:00 am Lecture #2 Switzerland...... Pierric Tenthorey 1:30 pm 2nd Show Friends Old & New...... MC: Gary Morton 3:30 pm 3rd Show Magical Moments...... MC: Joe M. Turner 8:00 pm Lecture #3 USA...... Rocco 10:30 pm Hospitality Suite Opens ...... behind video screens

Friday 8:00 am Golf Tournament (extra cost)...... Bruce Trigg 11:00 am Workshop Double Face/Back Cards.... MC: Mike Powers 1:30 pm 4th Show Recognizable Faces...... MC: The Painters 3:30 pm 5th Show Friday’s Frolics...... MC: Steve Beam 8:00 pm 6th Show FISM Gala...... MC: Meir Yedid 11:00 pm Hospitality Suite Opens ...... Executive Room

Saturday 11:00 am Lecture #4 France...... Boris Wild 1:30 pm 7th Show Mini World Show...... MC: Dan Garrett 3:30 pm 8th Show Fechter’s Fabulous Frolics.. MC: Andost 7:45 pm Tribute to our Guest of Honor: Rocco...... MC: Obie O’Brien 8:00 pm 9th Show Closing Gala...... MC: Obie O’Brien 11:30 pm Hospitality Suite Opens ...... Executive Room

Contents Section 5 Obie’s 4F 2017 Program Wednesday 2:00-5:00 Registration & 4F Shop open 6:00 Dealers’ Room opens (closed during lectures/shows) 8:00 1 st Show: Opening Gala (MC: Henry Evans) 10:15 4F first timers meeting (Executive Room) 10:30 Gustavo Raley Lecture 11:30 Hospitality Suite (behind video screens) opens -- Free Donuts, Coffee, Soda 12:00 Dealers’ Room closes

Thursday 10:00-5:00 Registration open (closed during lectures and shows) 10:00 Dealers’ Room opens (closed during lectures and shows) 10:00-11:00 4F Shop open 11:00 Pierric Tenthorey Lecture 12:30 Lunch: on your own 1:30 2nd Show: Friends Old & New (MC: Gary Morton) 3:30 3rd Show: Magical Moments (MC: Joe M. Turner) 5:30 Supper: on your own 7:00-7:45 4F Shop is open 8:00 Rocco Lecture 10:30 Hospitality Suite (behind video screens) opens 12:00 Dealers’ Room closes

Friday 8:00 Bob Little Open Golf Tournament (see Bruce Trigg to register, extra cost) 10:00 Dealers’ Room opens (closed during lectures, shows, and dinner) 10:00-11:00 4F Shop open 11:00 Pat Page Memorial Workshop: Double Face/Back Cards (MC: Mike Powers) 12:00 Lunch break: on your own – Free Beer, Coffee and Soda starts 1:30 4th Show: Recognizable Faces (MC: The Painters) 3:30 5th Show: Friday’s Frolics (MC: Steve Beam) 5:30 Smorgasbord (ticket required) 6:45 Dealers’ Room 7:00-7:45 4F Shop open 8:00 6 th Show: FISM Gala (MC: Meir Yedid) 11:00 Hospitality Suite (Executive Room) opens 12:00 Dealers’ Room closes

Saturday 10:00 Dealers’ Room opens (closed during lectures, shows, and dinner) 10:00-10:45 2018 Registration & 4F Shop open 11:00 Boris Wild Lecture 12:15 Lunch break (ticket required) 1:30 7 th Show: Mini World Show (MC: Dan Garrett) 3:30 8th Show: Fechter’s Fabulous Frolics (MC: Andost) 5:30 Smorgasbord (ticket required) 6:45 Dealers’ Room & 4F Shop open 7:45 Tribute to our Guest of Honor: Rocco 8:00 9th Show: 4F Closing Gala (MC: Obie O’Brien) 11:30 Hospitality Suite (Executive Room) opens 12:00 Dealers’ Room closes NOTE: this page is not linked... Contents Section 6 Obie’s 4F 2017 Opening Gala Wednesday 8:00 pm

MC: Henry Evans (11th 4F)

1. Martin Braessas Argentina PhD 2. Gustavo Raley Argentina Bachelors; sponsors: Farquhar/Henry Evans 3. Nicolas Pierri Argentina Bachelors; sponsors: Braessus/Henry Evans 4. George Iglesias Peru Bachelors; sponsors: Braessus/Henry Evans 5. Bond Lee Hong Kong Bachelors; sponsors: Rocco/Tam 6. Jimmy Cieslinski USA 14th time at 4F — I N T E R M I S S I O N — 7. Yumi Japan 7th time at 4F; FISM winner (2000)

8. Thomas Barthes France Masters; FFAP winner (2014) 9. Dick Cook USA 43rd time at 4F; 2009 4F MVP 10. Astor Hungary 4th time at 4F 11. Yan Yan Ma China BA, sponsors: Tam/Rocco; FISM winner (2009)

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Obie’s 4F 2017 Lecture: Gustavo Raley Wednesday 10:30 pm

Gustavo Raley was born in the city of Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He began his career at the young age of four when his father directed his first live performance. Gustavo has travelled the world performing in over 40 countries, and is a popular television performer.

In1998 Gustavo became the illusionist most awarded at the Latin American Convention, FLASOMA. He competed at the World Championships in Holland and Sweden (FISM 2003 and 2006), and in 2007, Premios Magia.com named him as their Magician of the Year.

Gustavo is considered to be one of the most creative and prominent hand shadow artists in the world, and has an original line of magic products. His lecture will cover the creative process for the development and performance of magic effects.

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Obie’s 4F 2017 Lecture: Pierric Tenthorey Thursday 11:00 am

Pierric Tenthorey is a Swiss actor, director and author. As a magician, he performs and lectures throughout the world (Busan, Las Vegas, Londres, Hambourg, etc.) Since 1999, he regularly participates in programs on Swiss and French National Television and Radio as a writer, actor or magician. Recently, he performed his award winning act in Le Plus Grand Cabarets du Monde on France 2.

Pierric has won numerous prizes: he was awarded France Champion of close-up magic in 1997 in La Baule. In 2006, he won the invention prize in the world’s championship of magic in Stockholm and in 2012 the 1st prize at the International close-up competition Ron MacMillan London. In 2015 he became the World Champion of Magic (FISM Grand Prix Close-Up) in Rimini, the highest title in the magical world. He’s the first and only Swiss person to get this title.

Pierric also works as a consultant for film and theater — he designed the magical effects in the show Le Concours by the Béjart Ballet Lausanne (May 2009) and in Miss Poppins, a children’s play now on tour.

In this lecture, Pierric shares his expertise on topitting, sleeving, comedy, creativity and his experience as a writer, actor, film and theater director and as a Grand Prix FISM winner.

Contents Section 9 Obie’s 4F 2017 Friends Old & New Thursday 1:30 pm

MC: Gary Morton (24th 4F)

1. Garrett Thomas USA 15th time at 4F

2. Sam Slaven USA Bachelors; sponsors: Farris/Powers

3. Ken Abbott USA Bachelors; sponsors: Craven/Scott Miller

4. Gene Gordon USA PhD; 17th time at 4F

5. Daniel Sylvester USA Masters

6. John Dahlinger USA Bachelors; sponsors: Doug Gorman/Tallon

7. Marcus Taylor England Masters

8. Auke van Dokkum Netherlands 7th time at 4F

Contents Section 10 Obie’s 4F 2017 Magical Moments Thursday 3:30 pm

MC: Joe M. Turner (13th 4F)

1. Steve Brundage USA Bachelors; sponsors: Trigg/Trabucco; AGT semi-finalist

2. Neil Stirton Scotland Masters

3. Edouard Boulanger France PhD; FISM winner (2017)

4. Shamon Lay Japan Bachelors; sponsors: Caesar/Obie

5. Zhenghua Jiang China Bachelors; sponsors: Bill Cheung/Eswin

6. Chong Huang China Bachelors; sponsors: Eric Jones/Kam

7. Gyula Czili Hungary PhD

8. Max Sinbad China Bachelors; sponsors: Daly/Friedberg

9. Derek Ostovani USA Bachelors; sponsors: Eason/Eric Jones

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F F F F F

Obie’s 4F 2017 Lecture: Rocco Thursday 8:00 pm

What can you say about our Guest of Honor? He’s a truly Legendary Master at close-up, stage, manipulation, sleeving... the list goes on. His newest lecture covers his revolutionary work on cards, coins, closeup, and stage magic, including new effects with the timing and misdirection needed for various sleeving and lapping techniques, and some of Slydini’s moves to show the foundation needed for misdirection. Here’s your chance to learn from one of the best!

Contents Section 12 Obie’s 4F 2017 Pat Page Memorial Workshop Friday 11:00 am MC: Mike Powers Double Face/Back Cards

1. Eric DeCamps USA 17th time at 4F

2. Mark Zacharia USA 13th time at 4F

3. John Luka USA 20th time at 4F

4. Alain Ianonne Italy 6th time at 4F

5. Dave Neighbors USA 35th time at 4F

6. Doug Gorman USA 15th time at 4F

7. Gene Gordon USA 17th time at 4F

8. Mike Powers USA 29h time at 4F

Photos by Roland Meister

Contents Section 13 Obie’s 4F 2017 Recognizable Faces Friday 1:30 pm

MC: The Painters (7th 4F)

1. Karl Hein USA 8th time at 4F

2. David Corsaro USA 11th time at 4F

3. Scott Robinson USA 15th time at 4F

4. Christian Schenk Germany 8th time at 4F

5. The Painters USA 7th time at 4F

6. Steve Bargatze USA 20th time at 4F

7. Bob Bengel USA 14th time at 4F

8. Miguel Puga Spain 4th time at 4F; FISM winner (2003)

Contents Section 14 Obie’s 4F 2017 Friday’s Frolics Friday 3:30 pm

MC: Steve Beam (27th 4F)

1. Michael Dardant USA 6th time at 4F

2. Diego Allegri Italy Bachelors; sponsors: Ianonne/Negroni

3. Hiromasa Fukai Japan Masters; FISM winner (1985)

4. Matt Baker USA Bachelors; sponsors: Aronson/Dan Garrett

5. Antonio Zuccaro Italy Bachelors; sponsors: Caesar/Obie

6. Matthew Whittaker USA Bachelors; sponsors: Brown/Trabucco

7. Jimmy Ichihana USA Masters

8. Willy Monroe Spain 10th time at 4F; 4 time World Balloon Champion

9. Howard Hamburg USA 4th time at 4F

Contents Section 15 Obie’s 4F 2017 FISM Gala Friday 8:00 pm

MC: Meir Yedid (36th 4F)

1. Pierric Tenthorey Switzerland Masters; FISM Gran Prix winner (2015) 2. David Pricking Germany Masters; FISM winner (2015)

3. Andost USA 7th time at 4F; FISM winner (2012)

4. Galambos Hungary Masters; FISM winner (2003)

5. Lodewijk de Widt Netherlands PhD; FISM winner (2006) 6. Boris Wild France 21st time at 4F; FISM winner (1997)

— I N T E R M I S S I O N — 7. Woody Aragón Spain 8th time at 4F; FISM NA winner (2011)

8. Jaque Spain Masters; FISM winner 2012)

9. Kelvin Chow Hong Kong PhD; FISM winner (2015)

10. Rick Merrill USA 13rd time at 4F; FISM Gran Prix winner (2006) 11. Henry Evans Argentina 11th time at 4F; FISM winner (2000) 12. David Stone France 10th time at 4F; FISM winner (2006)

Contents Section 16 I B E

F F F F F Obie’s 4F 2017 Lecture: Boris Wild Saturday 11:00 am

Boris Wild is a French Champion of Magic, a Monte Carlo Magic Stars Award Winner and a FISM Winner in 1997. He was both Guest of Honor and MVP Award recipient at 4F in 2008. He has appeared on the cover of several international magazines such as The Linking Ring, Magicseen, GENii and REEL Magic. He has been featured in the photo exhibition “The World’s Greatest Magicians“ in Stockholm and is the recipient of the Robert-Houdin Medal for his representation of French magic abroad.

Sensations Lecture Do you like card magic when it is simple, direct and effective? Do you like to be fooled by impossible effects that leave a strong impact on the audience? Do you like routines that make your spectators feel a magical emotion? Then Boris Wild’s new lecture « Sensations » is made for you!

Contents Section 17 Obie’s 4F 2017 Mini World Show Saturday 1:30 pm

MC: Dan Garrett (35th 4F)

1. Takamiz Usui Japan Masters

2. Vincent Mendoza USA Bachelors; sponsors: Farquhar/Desouza

3. Lorenz Schär Switzerland Bachelors; sponsors: Beam/Roumestan

4. Marc Trudel Canada Bachelors; sponsors: Huot/Lacroix

5. Brian Curry USA Bachelors; sponsors: Bargatze/Sheets

6. Ludovic Julliot France PhD

7. Albert Chen Taiwan Bachelors; sponsors: Caesar/Obie

8. Adrian Vega Spain Bachelors; sponsors: Caesar/Obie; FISM winner (2017)

9. Kevin Bethea USA Masters; 5th time at 4F

Contents Section 18 Obie’s 4F 2017 Fechter’s Fabulous Frolics Saturday 3:30 pm

MC: Andost (7th 4F; FISM winner 2012)

1. Tomonori Kurokawa Japan Bachelors; sponsors: Satoshi Onosaka/Yumi

2. John Jemola USA Bachelors; sponsors: Joseph/Weiland

3. Quentin Reynolds Ireland Bachelors; sponsors: Roger Nicot/Obie

4. Alec Tsai Taiwan PhD

5. Miika Pelkonen Finland Masters; FISM Europe Card Magic winner (2011)

6. Luis Olmedo Spain Masters

7. Fabio Marchegiano Italy Masters

8. Lion Fludd USA Masters

9. Jim Vines USA Masters

Contents Section 19 Obie’s 4F 2017 Closing Gala Saturday 8:00 pm

MC: Obie O’Brien (47th 4F)

1. Shoot Ogawa USA 4th time at 4F 2. Bill Cheung Austria PhD; FISM Europe Gran Prix winner (2017) 3. Mike Finney USA Bachelors; sponsors: Caesar/Obie 4. Shawn Farquhar Canada 12th time at 4F; FISM Gran Prix winner (2009) 5. Paul Gertner USA 30th time at 4F;FISM winner (1985) 6. Rocco USA 19th time at 4F; FISM winner (1994); 2017 4F GoH — I N T E R M I S S I O N — 7. Will Fern USA 4th time at 4F; PhD 8. Seol Park South Korea Masters; FISM winner (2015) 9. Axel Hecklau Germany Masters; FISM Europe winner (2017) 10. Horrett Wu Taiwan PhD; FISM winner (2015) 11. Ed Kwon South Korea Masters 12. Bargatze/Merrill USA 20/13th time at 4F; FISM GP winner (2006)(Merrill)

Contents Section 20 I B E

F F F F F Info

Contents Section 21 I B E

F F F F F

Obie’s 4F 2017 by the numbers 2017 is the 47th 4F — here’s the number of times people here have attended since 1971:

47 Tom Craven & Obie O’Brien

43-45 Ed Eckl, Dick Cook, Tim Williams.

31-40 Gordon Boyd, Harrison Carroll, Paul Critelii, Mark Fitzgerald, Dan Garrett, Richard Hughes, John Miller, Joe Mogar, Dave Neighbors, Gary Para, Bob Rees, Vic Trabucco, Meir Yedid.

26-30 Gene Anderson, Steve Beam, Glenn Brown, Gary Freed, Paul Gertner, Alan Kronzek, Marv Leventhal, Mike Powers, Keith Randolph, Prof. Rem, Buddy Smith, Bruce Trigg.

20-25 John Bannon, Stephen Bargatze, Craig Dickson, Alan Drew III, Antony Gerard, Mike Hrab, Yannick Lacroix, Richard Levin, Bob Little, John Luka, Bob Macey, Raj Madhok, Richard Mattner, Gary Morton, Gary Plants, Charlie Randall, Don Voltz, Randy Wakeman, Boris Wild, Gary Wiseman.

People from 22 countries on 4 continents are attending 4F this year: 16 from Canada, 8 from England, 7 from Japan, 6 each from France, Italy and Spain; 4 each from Argentina, Germany, Hungary, and Taiwan; 3 each from China and Switzerland; 2 each from Hong Kong, Netherlands, and South Korea, 1each from Austria, Ireland, Norway, Peru, and Scotland; and about156 from the USA. We have about 32 contest winners from conventions around the world, including 25 FISM Winners; 9 past Presidents of the IBM; 7 past Presidents of the SAM — st and 29 magicians attending 4F for the 1 time.

Contents Section 22 I B E

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Obie’s 4F 2017 Attendees

Argentina Chris Payne Fabio Marchegiano Switzerland Martin Braessas Darryl Rose Riccardo Negroni Roland Meister Henry Evans Bob Swadling Tony Polli Lorenz Schär Nicolas Pierri Marcus Taylor Antonio Zuccaro Pierric Tenthorey Gustavo Raley Finland Japan Taiwan Austria Miika Pelkonen Hiromasa Fukai Albert Chen Bill Cheung Tomonori Kurokawa Alec Tsai France Shamon Lay Horret Wu Canada Thomas Barthes Shimpei Glenn Brown Edouard Boulanger Yumi Nakajima USA Joan Caesar Ludovic Julliot Takamiz Usui Ken Abbott Rod Chow Rémy Robert Katalina Absolon Robin Dawes David Stone Netherlands Gene Anderson Steve Duperré Boris Wild Auke van Dokkum Andost Shawn Farquhar Lodewijk de Widt Augie Arnstein Derick Finn Germany Matt Baker Terry Greenwood Axel Hecklau Norway John Bannon Michel Huot Clemens Ilgner Rune Carlsen Stephen Bargatze Yannick Lacroix David Pricking Steve Beam Allan Nackan Christian Schenk Peru Bob Bengel Chris Pilsworth George Iglesias Harvey Berg Brian Roberts Hong Kong Kevin Bethea Bruce Trigg Kelvin Chow Scotland Bill Bishop Marc Trudel Bond Lee Neil Stirton Thom Blacke Gary Wiseman Gordon Boyd Hungary South Korea Jack Browne China Zoltan Astor Ed Kwon Steven Brundage Chong Huang Gyula Czili Seol Park Joe Cappon Yan Yan Ma Susan Czili Harrison Carroll Max Sinbad Ferenc Galambos Spain Jack Chancellor Jiang Zhenghua Woody Aragón Evert Chapman Ireland Jaque Jimmy Cieslinski England Quentin Reynolds Willy Monroe Dick Cook Harold Cataquet Luis Olmedo David Corsaro Simon Lane Italy Miguel Puga Tom Craven Mark Leveridge Diego Allegri Adrian Vega Paul Critelli Amanda Nicot Alain Iannone

Contents Section 23 I B E

F F F F F

Obie’s 4F 2017 Attendees (cont’d)

USA Darryl Harris Rick Merrill Ed Ripley Brian Curry Rick Hebert John Miller Scott Robinson John Dahlinger Terry Hedges Mike Miller Fred Rosenbaum Michael Dardant Karl Hein Scott Miller Rolando Santos Eric Decamps Henry Holava Joe Mogar Michael Seege Michael Dedee Mike Hrab Harry Monti Rocco Silano Marc Desouza Gary Hughes Joe Monti George Silverman Craig Dickson Richard Hughes Gary Morton Sam Slaven Eric Dockery Jimmy Ichihana Thomas Mosier Buddy Smith Alan Drew III Brad Jacobs Dave Neighbors David Solomon Ed Eckl John Jemola Todd Nelson Dick Steiner Roy Eidem Mike Joseph Roger Nicot Daniel Sylvester Matt Episcopo Bruce Kalver Obie O’Brien Michael Tallon Tyler Erickson Michael Kaminskas Shoot Ogawa Garrett Thomas Bill Evans Michael Kirschner Derek Ostovani Vic Trabucco Buddy Farnan Jim Klayder Christian Painter Joe M. Turner Dale Farris Larry Kohorst Gary Para Arie Vilner Michael Feldman Ray Kosby Kirk Patrick Jim Vines Will Fern Shank Kothare Gary Plants Don Voltz David Finklestein Allan Kronzek Andrew Pojman Randy Wakeman Michael Finney Rian Lehman Mike Powers Gary Ward Mark Fitzgerald Pete Lentini Gene Protas Tony Weiland Lion Fludd Marv Leventhal David Prouty Bill Wells Gary Freed Richard Levin Pattrick Przysiecki Matthew Whittaker Steve Friedberg Bob Little Andrew Quinn Don Wiberg Dan Garrett John Luka Charlie Randall Rick Wilcox Tony Gerard Bob Macey Keith Randolph Geoff Williams Paul Gertner Raj Madhok Eric Redman Tim Williams Gene Gordon Mike Maione Dwight Redman Sr. Mike Winters Doug Gorman Richard Mattner Bob Rees Mark Yeager Joel Greenwich Ice McDonald Prof Rem Meir Yedid Andy Greget Jay McLaughlin Paul Richards Hull Youngblood Howard Hamburg Vincent Mendoza Joe Rindfleisch Mark Zacharia

Contents Section 24 I B E

F F F F F

Obie’s 4F 2017 Dealers Astor astormagic.com E. Boulanger edouardboulanger.com Craig Dickson wizardcraft.com Gyula Czili jokermagic.com Dan Garrett dangarrettmagic.com Andy Greget 480 284-4363 | cell: 602 524-6444 Bond Lee magiclismstore.com Mark Leveridge markleveridge.co.uk Bob Little boblittlessupersunday.com Joe Mogar joemogar.com Pattrick Przysiecki pattricksmagic.com Gustavo Raley gustavoraleyproducts.com Charlie Randall magicbookshop.com C. Schenk/R.Nicot card-shark.de Twister Magic twistermagic.com Meir Yedid mymagic.com

Contents Section 25 I B E

F F F F F

Obie’s 4F 2017 First Time?

If this is your first time at 4F, I’m sure you have a few questions. Let’s see if I can answer a few:

Queue Sheets One of the things Jimmy C needs to know BEFORE you get to 4F is whether or not you will be supplying music to accompany your performance, and if so, instructions so that things will run smoothly. If Jimmy does not receive this information by April 11th, 2017, then you may be performing without music. You will need to complete the form ‘4F 2017 Music Que Sheet’* and email to Jimmy ([email protected]) with your music; if not, bring the files on a USB Flash drive, or as a last resort on a CD or DVD to the convention.

Staging If you have any staging requirements, please complete and return the ‘4F 2017 Staging Instructions’* to Jack Chancellor ([email protected]) as soon as possible.

Airport Rides If you are flying to Buffalo for the 4F this year, and you’d like a ride to or from the airport, Jimmy C is managing rides. One way is $40, and to/from is $75. Jimmy needs the form ‘4F Airport.doc’* completed and sent to him at [email protected] as soon as possible.

Performing Everyone is asked to perform their first time at 4F. You have 5-7 minutes to do your routine (a bit more if it is a FISM act); my advice is to do what you do best -- some solid magic, rather than a new routine you are still working on. The 4F audience wants you to succeed, so take a deep breath and relax and enjoy yourself.

First Timers Meeting Every year, Obie hosts a meeting for First Timers; the meeting this year is 10:15 Wednesday night in the Executive Room (just off the main hotel lobby.) Attendance is mandatory, and it will give you more information about Obie’s 4F.

* all of these forms were sent to those who need them — if you can’t locate them, please let me (Glenn Brown)([email protected]) know and I will send them to you.

Contents Section 26 Obie’s 4F 2017 Setup

Hotel lobby 4F Shop

Backstage Dealers’ Room backstage setup video screen video screen

risers

Jimmy C & A/V crew

beer and soda

This is a rough approximation of how things will be set up in the main room. Thanks to Jimmy C, there are large video screens on each side of the stage that can be viewed from both the front and from backstage. There is a large closeup table center stage with three chairs which can all be removed if needed. The backstage setup area is used by Lee Eyler and his crew to mic up performers prior to their performances. The backstage area will be the Hospitality area on Wednesday and Thursday nights.

Contents Section 27 I B E

F F F F F Obie’s 4F 2017 Meals: on your own This year the exciting news is that Thursday and Friday Lunch offer for 4F registrants only: there’s a free breakfast buffet included with your room (see the Hotdogs: $2.25 next page for details.) Some of your Hamburgers: $2.50 meals at 4F are provided (Friday Cheeseburger $3.00 dinner, Saturday lunch and dinner), Pizza: $2.00/slice and there is good food in the hotel. Chips/Snack Bags: $1.00 For those who want to explore, here’s 24 oz. Pop: $2.00 what we have found locally:

Alex’s Place Red Osier 8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY 6492 Main Rd. (NYS Route 5) 585 344-2999 Stafford, N.Y. A decent steakhouse, and the 585 343-6972 (reservations closest restaurant to the hotel; best recommended) to make a reservation first. Easily worth the 20 minute drive. Show your 4F badge to get a Prime Applebee’s Rib dinner for $23 (a $10 saving.) 8322 Lewiston Rd, Batavia, NY Includes potato, salad, and a 585 344-0600 sixteen ounce portion of Prime Rib Reasonably priced family carved tableside. restaurant. Sport of Kings Peking Buffet Chinese Restaurant 419 W Main St, Batavia, NY 8322 Lewiston Rd, Batavia, NY 585 343-1274 585 343-8828 Decent breakfast spot. One of Obie’s favorites. Subway Settlers Restaurant 8351 Lewiston Rd, Batavia, NY 353 W Main St, Batavia, NY 585 343-7827 585 343-7443 Fast food, submarine sandwiches. You’ll find a lot of 4Fers having breakfast here.

Contents Section 28 Quality Inn Batavia 8250 Park Road Batavia, New York 14020 585 344-2100 Now included with your room is a FREE breakfast buffet with:

• Cereal • Danishes • Muffins • Whole Fruit • Yogurts • Bagels • English Muffins • Bread, Toast • Eggs

• Sausage 4F 2017 Guest of Honor • French Toast Sticks Rocco • Syrup • Beverages (Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice, Milk, regular and decaf Coffee, Tea)

Contents Section 29 I B I E B E

F F F

F F

FF FFF

F F F F

Obie’s 4F 2017 Links • 4F Web Page: http://www.ffffmagic.com • Pat Page Memorial Workshop: http://www.mallofmagic.com/pp2017 • Denis Behr’s Magic Book Archive: http://archive.denisbehr.de

A quick search of YouTube and you’ll find a lot of 4Fers — the names inbold are attending 4F this year: Andost Yann Frisch Oscar Muñoz Gene Anderson Akira Fujii Marc Oberon Jerry Andrus Dan Garrett Shoot Ogawa Woody Aragón Paul Gertner Miguel Puga John Bannon Lennart Green Ouka Stephen Bargatze Chris Hannibal Del Ray Bébel Pit Hartling Juan Luis Rubiales Denis Behr Hayashi Bob Sheets Giacomo Bertini Vincent Hedan Rocco Silano Mathieu Bich Guy Hollingsworth Johan Ståhl Chris Capehart Alain Ianonne Sergio Starman Charlie Caper Robert Jägerhorn David Stone Harrison Carroll Joshua Jay Frances Tabary Mike Chao Eric Jones Juan Tamariz Bruno Copin Shin Lim Garrett Thomas John Cornelius Gazzo Macee Joe M. Turner Dani DaOrtiz Bill Malone John van der Put Michael Dardant Jay Marshall Scott Wells Marc Desouza Max Maven Boris Wild Henry Evans Rick Merrill David Williamson Buddy Farnan Willy Monroe Yumi Shawn Farquhar Michael ‘Six’ Muldoon Zeki Eddie Fechter Tom Mullica

Contents Section 30 * those in grey text are deceased The blue logos you see throughout this eBook signify FISM winners (25 at this year’s 4F -- tap here to see more 4Fers at FISM.)

According to Wikipedia, the International Federation of Magic Societies (FISM) (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques) was founded in 1948, and is one of the most respected organizations in the magician community. It is an international body coordinating dozens of national and international clubs and federations around the world, representing approximately 50,000 Magicians from 32 countries. The organization hosts a FISM conference every three years (the World Championship of Magic), where magicians compete for “Best of” categories. The last FISM was held in 2015 in Rimini, Italy, and the next will be July 9-14, 2018 in Busan, South Korea.

Want to learn more about FISM 2018? For details, surf to:

http://www.2018fismbusan.com

Contents Section 31 I B E

F F F F F

Obie’s 4F 2017 History

Forks Hotel sketch by Earle Oakes

Contents Section 32 I B E

F F F F F

Obie’s 4F 2017 Guests of Honor

• 1977 Jim Ryan • 1998 Juan Tamariz • 1978 Eddie Fechter • 1999 Lennart Green • 1979 Larry Jennings • 2000 Bill Malone • 1980 Gene Gordon • 2001 Herb Zarrow • 1981 Bob Read • 2002 Max Maven • 1982 Sid Lorraine • 2003 Meir Yedid • 1983 Steve Dusheck • 2004 Pat Page • 1984 Rick Johnsson • 2005 Gene Anderson/Dan Garrett • 1985 Tom Mullica • 2006 Aldo Colombini • 1986 Jay Marshall • 2007 Ton Onosaka • 1987 Tom Craven • 2008 Boris Wild • 1988 Phil Willmarth • 2009 Henry Evans • 1989 Gary Ouellet • 2010 Obie O’Brien • 1990 Shigeo Takagi • 2011 Steve Beam • 1991 Harry Lorayne • 2012 David Stone • 1992 Daryl • 2013 Stephen Bargatze • 1993 Paul Gertner • 2014 Shawn Farquhar • 1994 Derek Dingle • 2015 Oscar Muñoz • 1995 Paul Daniels • 2016 The Fat Brothers • 1996 Jerry Andrus • 2017 Rocco • 1997 Johnny Thompson

* those in grey text are deceased

Contents Section 33 I B E

F F F F F Obie’s 4F 2017 Lou Gallo MVPs

1982 Karl Norman 2005 Reed McClintock 1983 Steve Dusheck 2006 Flicking Fingers 1984 Bob Stencel 2007 Shoot Ogawa 1985 Jerry Andrus 2008 Boris Wild 1986 Shigeo Takagi 2009 Dick Cook 1987 Rocco 2010 Obie O’Brien 1988 Gary Kurtz 2011 Steve Beam 1989 David Williamson 2012 Denis Behr 1990 Juan Tamariz 2013 Dani DaOrtiz 1991 Aldo Colombini 2014 Michael Dardant 1992 Lennart Green 2015 Amanda/Roger Nicot 1993 Jim Krenz 2016 Jimmy Cieslinski 1994 Steve Beam 1995 Paul Daniels 1996 Pat Page 1997 Alex Elmsley 1998 Tom Gagnon 1999 Lennart Green 2000 Bill Malone 2001 Tim Ellis/Sue-Anne Webster 2002 Henry Evans 2003 David Stone 2004 Armando Lucero

* those in grey text are deceased

Contents Section 34 Obie’s 4F 2017 In memory of...

Van Abernathy Bob Elliott Dave Lederman Charles Reynolds Don Alan Mike Ellis Jim Lee Joe Riding Mike Amico Alex Elmsley Neil Lester Fred Robinson Jerry Andrus Tony Eng Lou Locacio Rollan Rochelle Arturo Ascanio Don England Sid Lorraine David Roemer Chris Ball Ken Erle Leo Lyno Mike Rogers Howard Bamman Ralph Erlewine Howard Lyons Ed Rosenthal Jos Bema Bob Escher Joel Machtinger Jim Ryan Roger Bernheim Ray Eyler Dennis Mackenzie Dave Saunders Frank Bierovic Joe Farina Jay Malbrough Jack Sandorse Jack Birnman Eddie Fechter Ray Mangel Dick Schick John Blake Bob Follmer Dennis Marks Craig Schneider Ernie Blau Kevin Fox Jay Marshall Willie Schneider Ed Blodgett Winston Freer Marty Martin Jerry Schnepp Ali Bongo Lou Gallo Bob McAllister Bud Schreiber Vanni Bossi Frank Garcia Billy McComb Max Scott Gordon Braun Brian Glover Baron McCormick Terry Seabrooke Wesley Braun Eli Goldberg Dan McDonald Mark Sicher A. C. Brickell Gene Gordon (Avery) John Menard Mike Skinner Rodger Bucy Albert Goshman Jerry Mentzer Neil Stafford Sr. Frank Callahan George Graham Ray Mertz Chuck Stanfield George Campbell Ace Greenberg Phil Messina Bob Stencel Del Cartier Dick Grigsby Bill Miesel Warren Stephens Bob Cassidy Ed Hagan R. H. Bob Miller Mike Stollar Jim Cellini Bob Haines Jack Miller Mel Stover Dom Cervas Claude Hale Harry Milliken Allan Strauss Aldo Colombini Doug Henning Hank Moorehouse Silky Sullivan Tim Conover Mike Hilburger John Mueller Jim Surprise Del Copley Jim Hill Tom Mullica Shigeo Takagi R. C. Crabb Al Hillman Al Munro Peter Tappan Roger Crabtree Reggie Holden John Murray Mahka Tendo Walter Cummings Bill Hollen Tony Musto Ward Thomas Father Cyprian Sam Horowitz Martin Nash Hans Trixer Steve Dacri Norm Houghton Ed Newman J. C. Wagner Paul Daniels Peter Isaacs Hal Newton Steve Walker Daryl Larry Jennings Karl Norman Fred Watson Cliff Davis Rick Johnsson Earle Oakes Carl Weisinger Mike Desimone Tom Jones Mike O’Dowd Larry West Bud Dietrich Willis Kenney Wayne Osinski Bob Wicks Derek Dingle George Kirkendall Gary Ouellet Joe Willard Pat Doolin Roger Klause Pat Page Phil Willmarth J.C. Doty Paul Kois Pavel Wally Wilson Doc Dougherty Mike Kolis Dick Pecorella Ronald Wohl Herb Downs Joe Lamonica Peter Plotkin Jim Zachery Dave Drake Woody Landers Bruce Posgate Herb Zarrow Tony Econ Fred Langer Del Ray Ron Zollweg Tommy Edwards Geoff Latta Bob Read Charles Zuis Neal Elias Peter Layne Jerome Remenicky * the names in red have passed since the last 4F Contents Section 35 Photo by Richard Hughes Photo by Richard Forks Hotel 1990: How many can you name?

Contents Section 36 F F F

F F F F F Obie’s 4F 2017 Forks Hotel: 1990 1. Mike O’Dowd 39. Dana Berent 2. Tom Craven 40. 3. Ray Mertz 41. 4. J.C. Wagner 42. Scott Wells 5. Keith Walker 43. John Miller 6. Karl Norman 44. David Drake 7. Larry Martinez 45. 8. Eric Dockery 46. Mike Hilburger 9. Peter Tappan 47. 10. Glenn Strange 48. Bob Macey 11. 49. 12. Curt Higgins 50. 13. Jamie Ian Swiss 51. 14. Tommy Edwards 52. Dan Harlan 15 Denis St-Jean 53. 16. 54. Bill Okal 17. 55. 18. Mark Yeager 56. Dan McDonald 19. Ton Onosaka 57. Paul Critelli 20. Takeshi Nemoto 58. 21. Warren Stevens 59. 22. 60. Gary Ouellet 23. Meir Yedid 61. Jim Surprise 24. Steve Beam 62. Jim Gabor 25. Howard Port 63. 26. Glenn Brown 64. 27. Allan Kronzek 65. Joey Gallo 28. Roy Miller 66. 29. 67. Charlie Decker 30. Neil Stafford 68. Joel Mactinger 31. Earle Oakes 69. Danny 32. David Williamson 70. Jim Krenz 33. Obie O’Brien 71. Tim Williams 34. 72. June Horowitz 35. Joe Mogar 73. 36. Roy Cottee 74. Bill Malone 37. Dave Berent 75. Paul Gertner 38. John Mclachlan 76.

* those in grey text are deceased Contents Section 37 I B E

F F F F F Obie’s 4F 2017 The XXL Files

Every year, Robin Dawes prepares a 4F writeup for the Linking Ring; here’s his 2016 report:

The XXL-Files

To: Director, Federal Bureau of Investigations From: Special Agent Drane Fully Security Level: Triple Omega Verification Key: 20FA16TB04RO26TH29ERS

Madam Director: The following is my confidential report on the field investigation to which you assigned me on April 20, 2016 (reference Sealed File 2016-7325). As per your orders I am submitting this report directly to you. I know this report is months late. When I have explained the circumstances you will understand why I could not submit it before now.

April 27, 2016

As instructed, I proceeded to Batavia New York to rendezvous with Agent Randy “The Fox” Muddler. I had received instructions to contact Muddler at the Clarion Suites Hotel. I discovered that the hotel was hosting an event called Obie’s FFFF Convention (the Original Close Up Convention – By Invitation Only). The hotel’s records revealed that approximately 200 guests had booked in as FFFF attendees, and that a significant percentage were foreign nationals. I guessed that this group was the focus of Agent Muddler’s investigation, and I decided to infiltrate and observe. I adopted a disguise as one of the hotel’s cleaning and maintenance staff.

The event began when a tall white-haired man walked throughout the hotel blowing a whistle. From his name-tag I knew this was Obie O’Brien, the chief organizer of the convention. As Contents Section 38 he blew his whistle, scores of men and a few women left whatever they were doing and followed him obediently into a large darkened room. Had some kind of Pavlovian training been applied, or were they all under post-hypnotic suggestion? I knew I had to find out.

Armed with a clipboard, I entered the room and engaged in covert surveillance. O’Brien was delivering a welcoming speech. He was speaking in a strange code or jargon with many words that I did not recognize, but his audience clearly understood and approved. When he announced the hours for “the Dealers’ Room” I began to formulate a theory that this mysterious FFFF organization was an international crime cartel. I soon discovered that I was completely wrong.

O’Brien announced the commencement of a Canadian Gala and passed the microphone to Joan Caesar, herself a Canadian national. Madame Director, I was completely unprepared for what happened next. What I am about to report will sound impossible but on my honour as an FBI agent I swear it is true: over the next 84 hours I witnessed no less than 387 verified demonstrations of supernatural abilities and paranormal phenomena. It began without warning when Ms. Caesar introduced Shawn Farquhar, who immediately made a bottle materialize from thin air. He then telekinetically transported thought-of playing cards into randomly chosen locations. He was followed by Chris Pilsworth, who was able to teleport bubbles in and out of a small flat envelope. ThenRod Chow used an unidentified power to perfectly repair a torn $5 bill, and to transform cash into a credit card. Next was Jean-Luc Dupont, who was able to establish direct communication with a potato. Michel Huot and Yannick Lacroix combined their arcane abilities to make coins materialize and dematerialize again. Eric Leclerc showed a box in which he had placed an object, having foreseen that the object would be named: Mike Powers asked for a picture of a parrot, and that is exactly what the box contained. Then Bill Abbott demonstrated the ability to make cards materialize so that no matter how many he dropped, he always had the same number. David Merry used telepathic powers to identify a number held in a volunteer’s head. Hayashi was able to move coins under cards without touching them. Closing the exhibition was Mike Robinson, who actually brought to life a wooden figure of a man. The small homunculus engaged in witty conversation with Robinson but seemed to take a strong dislike for Obie O’Brien, repeatedly threatening to “kick Obie’s a**”. The crowd rewarded Robinson with a standing ovation.

Madame Director, you can appreciate the position I was in. I realized that the powers I had witnessed were possessed by no humans. The beings at FFFF were not aliens in the sense of foreign nationals … they were aliens from beyond our planet. I realized that with respect to their origin, the truth was “Out There”. What’s more, these aliens (who for the most part were quite human in appearance) were demonstrating powers that if unleashed could overturn our entire society. I knew it was my duty to report immediately, but I also felt that it was vital to remain and gather as much information as possible.

Contents Section 39 After a brief interval, O’Brien announced that a lecture was about to begin. The lecturers were Michel Huot and Yannick Lacroix – names which now struck me as being unearthly. Michel and Yannick demonstrated their arcane powers over playing cards, coins, billiard balls, thimbles and other mundane articles. Then they gave explanations for their miracles … but the explanations were patently ridiculous! Magnets, self-retracting spools of monofilament, specially engineered coins … these “explanations” were clearly false, and I did not understand their purpose until much later.

After the lecture the crowd dispersed. I attempted to locate Agent Muddler without success. I conducted covert surveillance in several rooms where members of the FFFF association were gleefully engaged in paranormal activities until late in the night, but I was no nearer understanding the purpose of it all. I determined to resume my investigation in the morning.

April 28, 2016

The day began with another lecture, presented by a being named Lukas. Lukas looked more human than Huot and Lacroix, but his paranormal powers were just as impressive. He materialized, disintegrated and transformed thimbles, playing cards, silk handkerchiefs, coins, and candles. After exercising his supernatural abilities he too offered preposterous explanations based on combinations of manual dexterity, intricate devices, and psychological manipulation. It was clear that these explanations were meant to distract from his actual powers, but to what end? The crowd was completely delighted with the lecture and rewarded Lukas with a standing ovation.

In the afternoon another show commenced. This was co-ordinated by Gary Morton and featured eleven aliens. First Karl Hein instantaneously solved a Rubik’s cube without physical manipulation. Then Lion Fludd transported a small ball between several metal cups. Francis Menotti communicated with an invisible person named Siri, and made a freely named card materialize in his hand. Michael Kirschner used nothing but mental energy to bend silverware. Daniel Collado used paranormal powers to guide a blindfolded volunteer in the separation of a deck of cards into red and black piles. Greg Frewin used precognition to predict which four US states would be chosen by audience members. Juan Carlos Rodarte told a wonderful story as he teleported four signed cards to the top of a deck of cards. Edouard Boulanger reached into an alternate dimension and brought back flaming coins.Joe Rindfleisch compelled rubber bands to violate the laws of physics by linking and unlinking. The crowd rose to its feet in appreciation of Joe’s impressive feats. Roy Eidem introduced themes from The Lord of the Rings as he exercised his ability to completely control rings and coins. Finally Miguel Angel Gea showed his mastery over Past, Present and Future with coins and playing cards. The audience showed their appreciation with a standing ovation.

Contents Section 40 I had developed a theory regarding these shows: perhaps they were an opportunity for the FFFF beings to demonstrate their paranormal powers and thereby gain recognition and status within the group. I had wondered if this ritual was somehow related to the bizarre courtship dances of tropical birds, but the almost total absence of potential mates rendered this unlikely. With very little pause another show was announced. This was the British Gala, with Darryl Rose as MC. A being named Will Houstoun was able to psychically control 52 objects in motion at the same time, making a deck of cards arrange themselves into a particular order while being shuffled by a volunteer.Kieron Johnson used time travel abilities to go back and freeze a signed card into a block of ice. Mark Leveridge manipulated the atomic structure of three odd-sized pieces of rope, making each one permanently the same length. Geoff Ray repeatedly made coins de-materialize from one hand and re-materialize in the other hand. Neil Stirton was able to gather information by speaking to the four Aces from a deck of cards. Fay Presto earned a standing ovation with her presentation of varied miracles, ending with pushing a glass bottle through a volunteer. Martin Cox made a signed fish materialize in his mouth. I must confess that despite the frightening implications of discovering that beings of such power are walking the Earth, I was laughing out loud during Martin’s turn on stage. Marcus Taylor made Aces invisibly transpose one by one with other cards in a jazzy way. Bob Swadling used a power that I will call chromogenesis to transform blank playing cards into fully printed ones. Amanda Nicot used mind-reading to perfectly identify a word chosen at random. Keith Fields induced telepathic abilities in Gene Anderson, permitting him to read the minds of four volunteers.

The momentum of the FFFF gathering was building. I could feel the psychic energy flowing through the group. I realized that the performers in the shows were focussing the attention of the attendees, channelling and co-ordinating their energies like a resonating beam of light in a laser. Was this the real purpose of the shows – to create a huge reservoir of shared paranormal power? But what was the goal?

The evening was given over to another lecture, this time presented by three brothers: Dani daOrtiz, Miguel Angel Gea, and Christian Engblom, collectively known as The Fat Brothers. The family structure on their home world must be very complex since the brothers showed no visible evidence of consanguinity. I learned that the brothers were the Guests of Honour at the FFFF gathering and I guessed that their powers would be very great. I was not wrong. Miguel demonstrated phenomenal paranormal control over coins and cards, seemingly able to transport and transform them at will. Christian repeatedly shuffled cards face up and face down, then used telekinetic powers to turn them all the same way. Dani was able to use a combination of clairvoyance and possibly mind-control to find chosen cards at audience-chosen locations in shuffled borrowed decks of cards.

Once again, the lecturers then denied their powers and provided convoluted instructions for

Contents Section 41 achieving their miracles using purely natural means. As before, I knew these explanations could not be true, because I am a trained observer and would surely have detected these ruses had they been in use.

April 29, 2016

I still had not made contact with Agent Randy “The Fox” Muddler, and I was concerned. I left a message for him at the hotel desk and continued my surveillance.

The first event the next day was advertised as “The Pat Page Memorial Workshop”, hosted by Mike Powers. The alien beings engaged in this workshop focused their demonstrations of otherworldly powers on rings of all sizes. The first up wasJoe M. Turner, who showed that by pure mental exertion he could release a ring from a string it was threaded on. Raj Madhok reversed the process and passed a ring onto the middle of a string. Glenn Brown used multiple large rings and defied nature by repeatedly linking and unlinking them.Marc DeSouza made a ring and a rope pass through each other, then teleported the ring into a card box. Eric DeCamps demonstrated his mastery of the elements using a shoelace and a 4-inch ring. Mark Leveridge showed that he could pass a ring through the hinge of a pair of eyeglasses. Finally, Roy Eidem used his telekinetic power over rings to pay tribute to Harry Houdini. I now suspect that Houdini was in fact an alien as well. I should mention that each of the aliens who demonstrated their powers gave some sort of ridiculous explanation of how their results could be simulated with natural means. Mike Powers announced that a PDF of these “methods” would be available to all attendees — the crowd was delighted. Clearly the FFFF group placed value on these bogus explanations of their supernatural abilities, though I could not yet be sure what that value was.

In the afternoon, Christian and Katelina (The Painters) hosted another show. Leading off wasMichael Dardant, who showed an unearthly power over playing cards and poetry. Fred Rosenbaum used precognition to predict the outcome of four random choices related to planning a funeral. Thomas Barthes used blank cards to show he could accurately sketch future events. David Finkelstein demonstrated his power to control coincidence by making a freely named playing card appear in the same position in two decks of cards. Katelina and Christian then demonstrated their telepathic powers by transmitting information about a chosen card. Alexander Great used inter-dimensional manipulation to create a permanently twisted playing card. Vincent Hedan demonstrated his supernatural familiarity with the irrational number. Javier Piñeiro focussed so much mental energy into a coin that it burned halfway through a deck of cards. Jimmy Ichihana applied his powers to dealing playing cards from a shuffled deck in groups of matching colour, then matching suits, then in order.Rémy Robert made huge coins transport invisibly from one hand to another. Michael Kaminskas impressively teleported a signed playing card into a lemon. Howard Hamburg precisely

Contents Section 42 predicted the sum of four randomly selected playing cards. Lodewijk de Widt tore the corners from four different cards and manipulated their molecular structure to meld them into a whole card. The audience responded to this display of superlative skill with a vigorous standing ovation.

Soon after, Alain Ianonne took the stage as host of the Italian Gala. The first performer was Riccardo Negroni, who materialized and transformed coins and flowers with grace and elegance. Manfredi Corradino used his powers to transpose Aces and Kings. Fabio Marchegiano supernaturally controlled the order of two decks of cards simultaneously. Sergio Starman made rings materialize inside his mouth! Michele Trabona made coins materialize, disintegrate and multiply in a bravura demonstration. Alain Ianonne gazed into the future to predict the choices of socks, shirts and underwear made by The Fat Brothers. Tony Polli closed the show by making coins and a wine glass materialize from thin air.

During the dinner break I attempted to ingratiate myself with a small group of these strange beings. I discovered that by agreeing to pick a card, I earned immediate entry into their circle. I found their conversation to be chilling: they spoke openly of how they had used their powers to “blow people away” and “slay them in the aisles”. I was beginning to see the darker side of these aliens.

The evening brought another show, this one master-minded by an alien named Meir Yedid. Meir introduced Alec Tsai, who demonstrated his extraordinary ability to control the behaviour of stickers attached to playing cards. Next up was Billy Debu, showing that he could cause specific cards to materialize exactly where he wanted them.Willy Monroe laid a big bet on his otherworldly ability to predict which colour of balloon would be selected. Lawrens Godon pulled coins through space to appear at his fingertips.Michel Huot and Yannick Lacroix showed that these aliens understand the human sense of humour very well. They performed as “The Human Deck of Cards” … ironic since they themselves are clearly not human. After a short break, Angel San Martin showed the astonishing ability to cause balls and other small objects to materialize under metal cups. Rune Carlsen twisted reality by causing everything he touched to go blank – including cards and coins. Miika Pelkonen reached into volunteers’ minds to extract the identity of cards they had chosen. An alien named Joe Monti was next – he caused a quantity of beer to increase, again and again. Jacob Schenström ended the show by using pan-optic vision to locate freely named cards in a shuffled deck. The audience was strongly impressed by this ability and rewarded Jacob with a standing ovation.

April 30, 2016

I knew I was running out of time: I had only one more day to discover the aliens’ plan. Were

Contents Section 43 they the advance scouts of an all-out invasion, or was it something else entirely? One thing I did know: the frequency and intensity of paranormal activity was increasing. Something big, something very big was going to happen.

The day began with another lecture. This time the speaker was Luis Otero, claiming to come from Venezuela but clearly an extraterrestrial. Among many superhuman abilities, Luis controlled the mind of a volunteer to make him place 4 bills in a deck directly beside 4 cards chosen by the volunteer. Luis also caused two decks of cards to materialize from inside one card box. As with the other lecturers, Luis gave “explanations” for his abilities, ranging from ingenious hidden devices to extensive preparation to extreme manual dexterity.

I still had not fathomed the purpose of providing the alien audience with these preposterous explications, but suddenly an explanation occurred to me. I realized that the aliens attending FFFF were planning to spread out across our planet and exercise the same powers that the lecturers had demonstrated. They would run the risk of being observed by humans, and to maintain their cover they would need some sort of mundane explanation for how they could do what they did. The gullible humans would accept the ridiculous stories of “Faro shuffles” and “back palms” – as if those were real things – and the aliens could carry on undetected. At last I knew their intentions – from Batavia they would disperse throughout the world, using their alien powers to change the course of human history. I knew I had to find some way to stop them.

Even as I made my plans, the next show was starting. This was the Asian Gala, hosted by Andost. The first demonstration of superhuman ability came fromToto , who caused chosen cards to leap out of the deck when the volunteers yelled “Bang!” Then Daly used extremely precise telekinetic power to mentally manipulate the chemicals in a Polaroid photograph. Next, Yumi was able to untie knots with nothing but the power of her mind. Beomseok Jun told a charming story while psychically controlling the cards in a shuffled deck. Shimpei made cards gather and transpose without touching them, and received a standing ovation for this amazing display of power. Ed Kwon used extrasensory perception to find the four Queens in a shuffled deck, then transformed them into Aces, then made the Aces gather in one place. He too received a standing ovation. Hide Kimoto made solid metal rings link and unlink. Takamiz Usui was able to use mental powers to solve Rubik’s cubes while they were spinning in the air, and the crowd stood and applauded in appreciation. Billy Cheung made a freely named card materialize in a wine glass, then caused named cards to rise from a deck, and caused the faces of the cards to go blank, all without touching them – earning an enthusiastic standing ovation. Mo Yukimasa was the final performer in the show. He made red and black cards transpose without touching them.

This show was followed immediately by another – this one helmed by Steve Beam. Steve began the show by introducing Eric DeCamps, who repeatedly transformed matches into

Contents Section 44 coins, then made metal beads pass through ropes. Joe Cabral told a tale about a gypsy fortune- teller, while gigantic cards transformed their faces to illustrate the story. Andy Quinn was able to discover volunteers’ chosen numbers when they moved metal bars around a ring. Jim Vines caused the materialization from thin air of coins, paper money, and credit cards. Luis Olmedo demonstrated the power to pass solid through solid by pushing playing cards through the table. Clemens Ilgner showed that he can breathe fire at will.Pete Lentini teleported rolled-up balls of paper from his hand into a box on the table. Martin Braessas pulled coins out of flames and fed them back into the flames – amazing control over the elements. The final performer was Christian Engblom. Christian used his alien mind-power to make selected cards fly invisibly to his pockets, including a pocket that he mind-controlled all of us to see, even though the pocket did not exist.

I knew that The Fat Brothers were, as Guests of Honour, somehow central to the FFFF plan for world domination. During dinner I gained their confidence by handing each of them an unopened deck of cards. I nonchalantly asked where they were going after FFFF. There was a moment of uneasy silence, then with one voice they said “Home. We are going home.” I made a casual comment about wishing I could see their home, then changed the subject. I did not want to let on that I was aware of their plan to conquer Earth.

The final show of the FFFF gathering began at 8 PM that evening.Obie O’Brien stepped into the spotlight to MC this show. The event commenced with the presentation of many gifts to The Fat Brothers. Then Obie introduced the first performer –Shoot Ogawa. Shoot made a number of items materialize from a piece of artwork, and then compelled all the objects to transform – an astonishing demonstration of the ability to control multiple objects. Alberto Lorenzo brought enormous energy to the stage, focussed into a bowl under which small objects repeatedly materialized. Horret Wu demonstrated a power I had not yet seen – he transformed giant playing cards into regular cards. The audience responded with a standing ovation. The Magic Brothers (not to be confused with The Fat Brothers) engaged in a duel of sorts, using their superhuman powers to contend for control of small balls materializing under cups. They were rewarded with a standing ovation. Satoru Furukawa manipulated the laws of nature to create perfect fans of enormous playing cards, and also received a standing ovation.

After a short break, Obie O’Brien announced that Jimmy C was the winner of the MVP award. Jimmy received a sustained standing ovation. Then Woody Aragón recruited Shawn Farquhar’s wife Lori (contacted by telephone) to think of any card. Without touching the deck, Woody transported Lori’s card to the exact position reached by spelling “Juan Tamariz”. Then Lukas, who had lectured earlier, showed his uncanny ability to make balls and playing cards appear as if by magic (though it was clearly hyper-developed mental powers, because magic isn’t real). Paul Gertner used his extraterrestrial powers to place five chosen cards at the precise locations where volunteers would find them by spelling their own names.

Contents Section 45 Before the final performance, Obie expressed his gratitude toGlenn Brown and Joan Caesar, both of whom received warm standing ovations from the crowd.

The last demonstration of more-than-human ability was given by Dani DaOrtiz. In an unmatched display of power, he simultaneously controlled the actions of four volunteers as they randomly mixed and discarded playing cards until each had only one card left – the cards they had selected and signed earlier! The crowd leaped to its feet for one final standing ovation.

The FFFF event was over, and it was time for me to put my desperate plan into action. I ran forward and took the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated. I am Special Agent Drane Fully of the FBI. Before you attempt to conquer our world, there is something you need to know. It will be more trouble than it’s worth. Even with your incredible powers, humans are going to be completely ungovernable – we’ve proved that over tens of thousands of years. trust me, you do not want the headaches of trying to run this planet!”

There was silence for a moment. Two hundred pairs of alien eyes gazed at me. O’Brien turned to The Fat Brothers and said “What shall we do with him?” Dani DaOrtiz said “He said he wanted to visit our home”, Miguel Angel Gea said “We have room in the ship” and Christian Engblom said “He can pick a lot of cards between here and Arcturus” … and then I lost consciousness. When I awoke, Earth was nothing but a tiny blue point in the vastness of space that I could see through the thick window of my tiny cabin on board their ship.

I was held captive for four months. I must admit it was pleasant captivity – The Fat Brothers were very gracious hosts. It was not until today that they returned me to this world. Madame Director, the reason my report is so late is that I was kidnapped by aliens.

This concludes my report. At no time was I able to communicate with Agent Randy “The Fox” Muddler, and I can only hope that his report confirms my own. Therefore, in conclusion may I ask one crucial question … What does the Fox say?

Contents Section 46 I B E

F F F F F Behind the Curtain

Contents Section 47 I B E

F F F F F

Obie’s 4F 2017 Thanks!

Obie and Executive Assistant Joan Caesar would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their ongoing help with Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic: • Joe Cappon – Video Assistant • Craig Dickson – Dealers’ Room • Matt Episcopo – 4F Setup • Dale Farris – Official Photographer • Roland Meister – Official Photographer • Tom Phelps – Hotel Manager • Scott Robinson – Database • Bruce Trigg – Golf Tournament Organizer • Gary Ward – Assistant Sound/Video • Rick Wilcox – Assistant Sound/Video

The Backstage Crew: Thom Blacke, Jack Chancellor and Scott Miller.

Those staffing the 4F Shop: Rod Chow (manager) Alain Ianonne, Simon Lane, Rajneesh Madhok, Jay McLaughlin, Amanda Nicot, Tony Polli, Michael Tallon, and Jim Vines.

Our Masters of Ceremony: Andost, Steve Beam, Henry Evans, Dan Garrett, Gary Morton, The Painters, Mike Powers, Joe M. Turner, and Meir Yedid; lecturers Gustavo Raley, Pierric Tenthoney, and Boris Wild; all those who performed, and of course our Guest of Honor Rocco.

All of our dealers, and the 4F Board of Directors: • Glenn Brown – Registration, Publications • Jimmy Cieslinski – Head Sound/Video Technician, Airport Rides • Dan Garrett – Diplomas • Mike Joseph – 4F Setup • Meir Yedid – 4F web site

Contents Section 48 I B E

F F F F F

Obie’s 4F 2017 4F Staff

It takes a lot of people to make 4F work every year, here are a few of them:

Backstage crew: Thomas Blacke, Scott Miller, Ray Eyler (d), Jack Chancellor, and Lee Eyler AV crew: Dan Grayson, Larry Kohorst, Matthew Whittaker, Joe Cappon, and Jimmy C.

Registration & Publications: Glenn Brown and Joan Caesar. 4F Shop: Simon Lane, Amanda Nicot, Rod Chow, Raj Madhok

Obie and the 4F Board of Directors Official Photographers: Dale Farris and Roland Meister Contents Section 49 I B E

F F F F F

Obie’s 4F 2017 Help/About the 4F eBook

Windows or Mac users can use Bookmarks to navigate through the document.

If you are viewing shows then tapping on the MC will take you back to the show summary page, tapping on the rabbit or 4F logo will take you to the Contents page.

Click or tap on shows to see the lineups.

Click or tap on contents or (next) section to go there.

Tablet users iPad: open iTunes and select “Books” from the Library list on the left. Drag this file into your books listing. After syncing your iPad you’ll be able to view this in iBooks (just remember to select PDFs from the Collections list.) Android: use Adobe’s free reader to view the file.

This document was created using Adobe’s Creative Suite — InDesign for layout and Acrobat for publishing. I used Adobe Photoshop and Corel Painter for photo edits. GoodNotes was used for proofing and PDF edits.

Unless otherwise noted, all photos are thanks to Dale Farris or Roland Meister.

You can find the latest version of this file on the 4F web sitehttp://www.ffffmagic.com ( .)

Contents Section 50 F F F

F F F F F Obie’s 4F 2018

2018 4F GoH: Pit Hartling

see you there!

Contents Section 51 I B E

F F F F F Obie’s 4F 2017 FISM Winners at 4F

1961 Liege, Belgium Cards Piet Forton 1 Micromagic Claude Rix 3

1964 Barcelona, Spain Cards Piet Forton 1 General Magic Finn Jon 2 (tie) General Magic Claude Rix 2 (tie) Micro Magic Claude Rix 2

1967 Baden-Baden, Germany Cards Piet Forton 1

1970 Amsterdam, Holland Cards Ascanio 1 Micro Magic Los Mancos (Anton-Tamariz) 2 Micro Magic Ascanio 3

1973 Paris, France Cards Juan Tamariz 1 Cards Tony Cachadina 3 Manipulation Magic Christian 1 Micro Magic Camilo 1

1976 Vienna, Austria Cards Cachadina 2 Manipulation Magic Christian 1 Micro Magic Aldo Colombini 2

Contents Section 52 FISM Winners at 4F (2)

1979 Brussels, Belgium Cards Jean-Jacques Sanvert 1 Invention Close up Magic Christian 3 Manipulation Magic Christian 1 Micro Magic John Cornelius 1 Micro Magic Tommy Wonder 2

1982 Lausanne, Switzerland Cards Daryl 1 General Magic Jay Scott Berry 2 Micro Magic Michael Ammar 1 (tie) Invention Pavel

1985 Madrid, Spain Cards John Cornelius 1 General Magic Fukai (& Kimika) 2 Manipulation Mahka Tendo 2 no 1 Micro Magic Paul Gertner 1 Micro Magic Michael Weber 3

1988 Den Haag, Holland Comedy Tom Mullica 3 General Magic Tommy Wonder 2 Micro Magic Joe Given (tie) 1 Micro Magic John Carney (tie) 1

1991 Lausanne, Switzerland Cards Lennart Green 1 Cards Helge Thun 3 Manipulation Wladimir 3 Micro Magic Tabary 1 Micro Magic John Carney 2 Micro Magic Simo Aalto 3 (tie) Micro Magic J.P. Vallarino 3 (tie) Special Award Tim Ellis

* those in bold are attending 4F this year

Contents Section 53 FISM Winners at 4F (3)

1994 Yokohama, Japan Cards Ramblar 1 Cards Pit Hartling 2 Cards Henry Evans 3 (tie) Cards Yugi Wada 3 (tie) General Magic Greg Frewin 1 Micro Magic Carl Cloutier 1 Micro Magic Tim Ellis 2 Micro Magic Rocco 3

1997 Dresden, Germany Cards Boris Wild 2 no 1 Cards Jörg Alexander 3 General Magic Junge-Junge 1 Mentalism Jörg Alexander 3 Micro Magic Simo Aalto 2 Micro Magic Manuel Muerte 3 invention Juan Carlos Rodarte 2

2000 Lisbon.Portugal Cards Henry Evans 1 Cards Mago Migue 2 Cards Thomas Fraps 3 (tie) Cards Gaston 3 (tie) General Magic Yumi 2 General Magic George Saterial 3 Micro Magic Simo Aalto 1 Micro Magic Manuel Muerte 2

2003 Den Hague, Holland Micro Magic Jason Latimer Grand Prix Cards Mago Migue 1 General Magic Mirko 3 (tie) General Magic George Saterial 3 (tie) Micro Magic Nicholas Einhorn 2 (tie) Micro Magic Shawn Farquhar 2 (tie ) Micro Magic Ferenc Galambos 3 Parlor Magic Robert Jägerhorn 3 Invention Jason Latimer * those in bold are attending 4F this year

Contents Section FISM Winners at 4F (4)

2006 Stockholm, Sweden Close Up Rick Merrill Grand Prix Stage Pilou Grand Prix Cards Helder Guimaraes 1 Cards Lodewijk de Widt 2 Micro Magic Martin Eisele 1 Micro Magic Shawn Farquhar 2 Micromagic David Stone 3 Parlor Gaston 1 Parlor Shawn Farquhar 2 Comedy Rick Merrill Invention Mathieu Bich Invention Pierric Most Original Act Rocco

2009 Beijing, China Card Magic Shawn Farquhar Grand Prix Card Magic Kristian Nivala 2 General Magic Soma 1 General Magic Yan Yan Ma 2 Mentalism Tony Montana 3 Mentalism Charming Choi Most Original Act Micro Magic Vittorio Belloni 2 Micro Magic Johan Ståhl 3 (tie) Parlor Marc Oberon 1 Parlor Charlie Caper 2 History, Research Bill Kalush Theory, Philosophy Juan Tamariz

* those in bold are attending 4F this year

Contents Section 55 FISM Winners at 4F (5)

2012 Blackpool, England Micro Magic Yann Frisch Grand Prix Cards Jann Logemann 1 Cards Patrick Lehnen 2 Cards Zeki Yoo 3 Micro Magic Andost 1 Micro Magic Jaque 2 Micro Magic Red Tsai 3 (tie) Micro Magic Vittorio Belloni 3 (tie) Parlor Yann Frisch 1 Parlor Johan Ståhl 2 Parlor Pierric 3 (tie) Parlor Matthew Wright 3 (tie) Invention Tango Original Close-up Simon Coronel

2015 Rimini, Italy Stage Héctor Mancha Grand Prix Close Up Pierric Grand Prix Card Magic Horret Wu 1 (tie) Card Magic Shin Lim 1 (tie) Card Magic Kelvin Chow 3 Manipulation Héctor Mancha 1 Micro Magic Mario Lopez 1 Micro Magic David Pricking 2 Micro Magic Seol Park 3 Parlor Magic Pierric 1 Parlor Magic Magic Brothers 3 History, Research Magic Christian Invention Daniel Collado Original Stage Yann Frisch

* those in bold are attending 4F this year

Contents Section 56