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Houdini Days Magic Festival in Appleton, Wisconsin:
Page 6 of Photographs by Jeff Lindsay

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One of the coolest things about Appleton is that it has begun to regularly draw in world-class magicians as part of the annual Houdini Days magic festival, held in honor of Appleton's own Harry Houdini. The 2004 Houdini Days event (Sept. 2-5, 2004) was incredible. Sadly, the next one won't be before 2006. I give some details about my experience on my page about my delightful hobby, magic. I was simply amazed at the talent that came to Appleton during the event, with free street magic on Thursday night and most of the day Saturday, followed by a spectacular evening show at the Performing Arts Center. It was virtually all G-rated (except for a few moments of PG patter, perhaps), family-friendly, and thoroughly entertaining.

While there were many big names here, the main draw for many people was Jeff McBride, one of the most artistic and impressive performers you will ever see. Jeff brings many fields together in his magic - mime, music, dance, Japanese theater, and brilliant creativity and artistry. After his performance at the PAC, the crowd went wilder than I've seen in that setting, with a rousing and noisy standing ovation that brought him back several times and led him to do another amazing encore act. He was touched by the warm reception of the Appleton crowd, and promised that he'll be back. I'm a big McBride fan, especially after spending five hours with him in a "Secret Session Workshop" on Sept. 4 that he provided for about 25 amateur and professional magicians - what an amazing experience that was! He's the best.

I don't have any photos from the performance in the PAC - that's not kosher - but I do have a number of shots taken during the public parts of Houdini Days, mostly from Sept. 4, 2004, in downtown Appleton. These were taken digitally and reduced for the Web. The originals are usually available if you need them for worthwhile purposes (I'll be the judge). These are all copyright 2004 by Jeff Lindsay.

Jeff McBride performs the Chinese Linking Rings for an outdoor audience near Houdini Plaza.
Master magician Jeff McBride performs the Chinese Linking Rings for an outdoor audience near Houdini Plaza on Sept. 4, 2004.

Michael Ammar and Nate Nygren teach a free class for young magicians in the Appleton Art Center.
Michael Ammar (at the table) and Nate Nygren (standing behind Michael) teach a free class for young magicians in the Appleton Art Center.

Even local supermodels came out to see Houdini Days (this one is Kendra Lindsay).
Even local supermodels came out to see Houdini Days (this one is Kendra Lindsay).

Doc Eason, master of close-up magic, performs in a booth on College Avenue.
Doc Eason, master of close-up magic, performs in a booth on College Avenue.

Michael Finney's dry comedy and magic cracks up another audience.
Michael Finney's dry comedy and magic cracks up another audience. (His Website provides a couple of delightful videos of Finney's routines, if you'd like to see and hear a free sample.)

Jeff McBride begins a colorful production.
Jeff McBride begins a colorful production.

Magic superstar and master inventor of illusions, Franz Harary, next to your Webmaster, Jeff Lindsay.
Magic superstar and master inventor of illusions, Franz Harary, next to your Webmaster, Jeff Lindsay. I attended a lecture that Franz Harary gave at Houdini Days about his work. Amazing stuff! He's created over 200 large illusions, many of which are used by magicians all over the world, including David Copperfield. Harary performs to huge audiences, mostly outside the United States, and is one of the field's most significant innovators.

Rondini after freeing himself miraculously from padlocked chains.
Rondini after freeing himself miraculously from padlocked chains.

Bruce Hetzler shows Mayor Timothy Hanna a new hands-on way to cut taxes - or other objects.
Bruce Hetzler shows Mayor Timothy Hanna a new hands-on way to cut taxes - or other objects.

One of America's leading young magicians, Joshua Jay, wows the crowd with an effect he developed.
One of America's leading young magicians, Joshua Jay, wows the crowd with an effect he developed.

Jeff McBride and Jeff Lindsay.
My favorite magician, Jeff McBride, flashes "two" for "two Jeffs." The day before, I spent five hours learning from him in his "Secret Session Workshop" - what a treat! A most interesting and talented human being.

Mayor Timothy Hannah and an automobile suddenly appear out of nowhere (?) in an illusion performed by the two organizers of Houdini Days, Chris Cochrane and Mike Schroeder of the Comedy Magic of Chris and Mike.
Mayor Timothy Hanna and an automobile suddenly appear out of nowhere (?) in an illusion performed by the two organizers of Houdini Days, Chris Cochrane and Mike Schroeder of the Comedy Magic of Mike and Chris.

Appleton's Bruce Hetzler shows a puzzling effect he developed.
Appleton's Bruce Hetzler shows a puzzling effect he developed.

Magic enthusiast Walter Reade of Appleton enjoys a stroll around Appleton's magical epicenter.
Magic enthusiast Walter Reade of Appleton enjoys a stroll around Appleton's magical epicenter.

A child stands in front of the Metamorphosis sculpture on Houdini Plaza during a quiet moment at Houdini Days.
A child stands in front of the Metamorphosis sculpture on Houdini Plaza during a quiet moment at Houdini Days.

Danny Magic
Danny Magic performs for some passers-by near Houdini plaza. Based in Milwaukee, this fine magician and escape artist added a lot to the 2004 Houdini Days celebration with a great imitation of Harry Houdini.

Boston magician Jon Stetson wows a crowd with his fork. It's a hilarious mind-over-matter routine in which forks bend in the hands of spectators, or in Jon's hands.
Boston magician Jon Stetson wows a crowd with his fork. It's a hilarious mind-over-matter routine in which forks bend in the hands of spectators, or in Jon's hands.

Magician Lou Lepore of Menasha refreshes at a colorful vending cart on College Avenue.
Magician Lou Lepore of Menasha takes a break at a colorful vending truck on College Avenue.

Magician Lou Lepore amazes a child with some sleight of hand.
Lou Lepore amazes a child with some sleight of hand.

An audience listens to the introduction of mentalist Rex Sikes for a free public performance.
An audience listens to the introduction of mentalist Rex Sikes for a free public performance.

Thirteen-year-old Lee Haushalter of Brillion is just made a rabbit appear.
Thirteen-year-old Lee Haushalter of Brillion just made a rabbit appear. His work with doves also won an award that was presented at Houdini Days.

What's a magic festival without some balloons?
What's a magic festival without some balloons?
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Curator: Jeff Lindsay,  Contact:
Creation date: Sept. 8, 2004
Last updated: Nov. 13, 2004
URL: "http://www.JeffLindsay.com/aplshots6.shtml"
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