Van McGee Memorial Lectures

05/25/2024

Hey Guys Here is a link to the Glenn Morphew 1:30 Lecture SUNDAY at 14050 Heartside Place Farmers Branch on Map Quest:

05/17/2024

Here's a preview of the May 26th Lecture
Glenn Morphew.
TEMPORARY LOCATION: Farmer's Branch Community Center
(to make it easy for the convention goers to make it.)
14050 Heartside Place Farmers Branch TX
Cost: $25. (It'll be well worth it)

05/05/2024

05/04/2024

I got a message today that one of our past lectures was on Channel 8 the other day. There's no magic but its worth a peek to see what John G's "cooler job" looks like :

Hyundai Hope on Wheels Executive Director tells us how the non profit campaign is supporting children with cancer through donations.

04/27/2024

Its been a few months. There's been so much magic in DFW there hasn't been room to bring in lectures for a little while. For Example right after the Magic Pebble convention Next Month we'll be bringing in Glenn Morphew the afternoon AFTER the convention giving some of the folks from the convention a little bit of entertainment before they dash off to the airport for their flights.

You can notice that Glenn was recently on Penn & Teller "Fool Us" but if you are paying attention he used his REAL WORKING MATERIAL. He performed it on TV the exact same way he performs it in every show. That's because Glenn has honed is material to be best when its practical and NOT a pipe dream. And his A-list material as performed on TV will be taught at the lecture. (along with some more great stuff with rings, ropes, dice and more)

FOR THIS LECTURE ONLY we will be moving from or regular location to the Farmers Branch Recreation Center which is less than 5 miles from the host hotel of the Pebble so some the folks from out of town will also be able to attend. And the price to attend the lecture will be $25.

I'll be giving more updates but here's the bare bones you'll need to attend:
Van McGee Memorial Lectures Presents:
Glenn Morphew
Sunday May 26th
AT the Farmers Branch Recreation Center
14050 Heartside Place (Behind the Dog Park)
Farmers Branch TX
1:30pm (Doors open at 1:15)

E=mc² (6 Signed Cards to Pockets) http://www.povmagician.com

02/26/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVifBSSgLW0

On March 18, 2019 Van McGee joined Bryan Weatherford in the studio to film an interview. At that time, Van was in the early days of his battle with cancer. a...

02/26/2024

Just an update on what's going on. We've taken a few months off as the Dallas Club has been bringing in a few lectures to the area that has taken up the slack in a very busy time for me. We do have a lecture coming up that will be announced in the coming weeks and Ihave spoken to a couple others we hope to arrange soon.

11/13/2023

Hey guys, Some people asked for my patter for Professor's Nightmare. So I thought I'd post it here. You can probably learn the patter in about the same amount of time it originally took you to learn the trick. (2 days to get through it and 7 days to "rock it". ) Its for anyone to use who takes the time to learn it. 🙂

Come one, come all, gather 'round,
To witness three ropes that will astound.
Each one different in length and size,
and a special talent that you'll recognize.

The first is short for which it's great,
For tying closed that open gate.
The smaller size has more might,
It's perfect for tying a gate up tight.

The next is long enough for which to fly,
Upon a swing and touch the sky.
To pull a curtain or hoist a fountain,
it can even help you climb a mountain.

The final rope is just as keen,
Its not long or short its in between.
But it is no useless piece of string,
It's good for binding most anything.

Now watch me close as I cast my spell,
One will shrink and the other swell,
Which is which is hard to tell,
But each purpose doesn't fit as well.

This one's no good to close a gate in haste,
You can tie a knot, but there's too much waste.
To make a swing, this one's too short,
There's no fun in that, where's the sport?

Ropes the same size? Sometimes that will do,
But each rope was special and unique LIKE (everyone of) YOU.
So when they're all the same, it's really not that great,
Having different sizes made these ropes first-rate!

So raise your hands if you agree with me,
That different sizes they should be.
Let's break the spell of what you see,
And count the ropes one, two, and THREE.

Now let's give a cheer they're again unique,
Being large or small didn't make them strong or weak.
'We're all different, so shout horray! ,
And celebrate being yourself EVERY DAY.

09/20/2023

09/19/2023

09/19/2023

Hey guys, although its not connected with OUR lectures the Dallas Magic Club(s) will be hosting Cody Clark for a lecture at tonights DMC Meeting. This is why we have no lecture this week for our 1 year anniversary. (which happens to be Van's Birthday) But I will be attending the lecture tonight. And I hope to see you there.
https://fb.watch/n9Aoj7q3p3/

08/21/2023

I'd like to thank Steve Reynolds for a wonderful lecture. I'd especially like to thank Ian R. and Mike W. for their help making this event super-awesome, while I struggled handling this event without the assistance of Micheal S. who was under the weather and possibly wanted to attend last night more than anyone. (if that is even possible) Here are a couple of your much awaited pictures :)

08/20/2023

Picked Up Steve Reynolds at the Airport today and ran into some of you magic folks for lunch!
Don't forget His lecture is at a NEW TIME 7PM
Doors open 6:30
Sunday Aug. 20th.

08/12/2023

I'm looking forward to Steve Reynolds' lecture on Sunday August 20th !
Because Steve is coming in early there is a possibility that he'll be able to do a hands on workshop. Where he will be giving one-on-one instruction on his handling of the Zarrow Shuffle. (and Steve's handling is well known as one of the best) In speaking with Steve regarding his other workshops he says he has taken complete novice from "Zero to Zarrow" in 30 minutes ! That means taking a laymen and teaching him a deceptive Zarrow Shuffle in 30 min. The rest of the workshop will be centered around other false shuffles and any questions you have about card Handling. Steve is a top notch expert in this field. IF there is interest let me know. The price of the workshop would be $50. But as of now we still do not have a time or location. (It will be either Saturday or Sunday. before the lecture)

Learn this and much more here: https://www.stevereynoldsmagic.com/products/output-holiday-sale

08/01/2023

I've been hearing great reviews from people who saw Steve Reynolds at the SAM convention in New Orleans. They told me they are eager to come see his lecture here in DFW Sunday August 20th at 7 pm. (Doors open at 6:40)
Although our lecture admission is $20, thanks to a generous regular patron we will be offering a free gift to the first 12 people who attend. (maybe more than 12 but at least 12) So be sure to get there early or you might just lose money.

07/29/2023

Find out what Steve Reynolds is doing here that made Doug Conn's jaw drop. Before he teaches it in his Lecture at the Magic Circle in London. ... I'll admit I had to watch this at least 10 times after I realized something was going on here that "just shouldn't be able to happen" with a false shuffle. I finally came to the conclusion Steve is just smarter than me. This false shuffle is only 40% skill and 60% just being clever. Join us August 20th for the lecture Steve will be taking to Europe in September.

07/21/2023

New Lecture NEW TIME!
Please Join us for a Lecture from Steve Reynolds.
Sunday August 20th at 7pm (or a little after)
222 E. Irving Blvd. Irving TX

03/10/2023

Thanks to all of you who braved the weather tonight to come join us for what I consider magic to be all about. I had never seen Jeff Corn perform before. But I knew he'd be a polished working "pro". And boy was he! The magic Jeff performed was top notch. And his style is engaging and exciting. My first thought when the lecture was over was we need to have him back so he could do this again. (It might be a while but I really want that to happen!)

Bravo Jeff! And thanks to all that attended!!

03/09/2023

JEFF CORN LECTURE
Thursday March 9th
At the Main Stage 222 theater
222 E. Irving Blvd. Irving TX
7:30 PM (doors open 6:45)
Parking is DIRECTLY across the street in the parking lot between the bank and the pawn shop. (Keep in mind that there is a lot of construction right in front of the theater. Be careful crossing the street.) Admission $20. Cash is best or we can figure something out.

02/28/2023

We really want to keep the momentum going with our string of great lectures. And even though it is a little bit sooner than normal we have another performer with some impressive credentials lined up.
Jeff Corn will not only be lecturing but giving us a performance on THURSDAY March 9th. (Thats just a few days away) At our regular venue at 222 E. Irving Blvd. At 7:30 pm. (doors will open at 6:45)

Jeff is a well known name around Las Vegas having performed there for years. He has performed in casinos. and worked in Television with Penn & Teller's Fool Us. He has studied with masters like Johnny Thompson and Armando Lucero. And is a true student of magic and is becoming known as a magic historian as well.

Jeff will begin the evening with a performance similar to what you might see him give at Mystic Dining, The Magic Castle in Hollywood, or at his own theater where he performed at the Grand Canyon Sky-Walk for 6 years. As well as at pop-up venues in cigar bars and breweries around the Southwest.

Following his performance we will transition into a lecture. Where he will focus on teaching us how to transform what we normally consider close-up magic to something suitable for a larger parlor sized audience.

This will be a lecture of magic that is not only with cards and coins but will include his handling of the bill-switch and rope magic. Its the type of material that every magician needs weather they are a stage magician booked for a smaller venue or, a close up magician working for a larger one.

In addition to all of the above because door prizes have become rather popular at our lectures. (At our last lecture 1/4 of the attendees left with prizes valued more than their admission) We will again be giving away at least two door prizes and at least one valued more than the $20 admission.

02/27/2023

Well, I told y'all it was going to be good.- Great magic, great insight, and a great guy! What more can you ask for ? Thanks to Robert Bengel and even more importantly thanks to all of those who attended his lecture yesterday afternoon. Thanks to the combined efforts of our attendees and Robert we experienced a "first" in VMML history. Our lecture fund is now resting comfortably in the low to mid THREE DIGITS ! (that's an improvement and with a little bit of luck we're going to be "one-ahead" in no time. ) So thank you Robert. And thanks to all that attended any and all of our past events. Or as we like to call you "friends" and some times "Van-imals".

02/24/2023

Here are our next two upcoming lectures.
Sunday Feb. 26th Robert Bengel (doors open 4:15)
Thursday March 9th Jeff Corn (Details Coming Soon)

Hi guys, opportunities keep presenting themselves to some great talent for these lectures. Robert Bengel made a lasting impression on me 30 years ago not only is he an excellent magician, he's also a true gentleman I believe You'll have a great time when you join us this Sunday. - Jeff Corn I'm just this month becoming more familiar with but he seems to have something to offer for everyone. If your interests are history, performance, technique he'll have you covered. He'll be bringing us not only his lecture but show as performed at venues across the country such as the Magic Castle and Mystic Dining. I've heard great things and I am excited to be able to see him live and in person for the first time.

02/20/2023

Robert Bengel Will be lecturing for us February 26th at 222 E. Irving Blvd at 5pm. For those of you unfamiliar with Robert he has been lecturing for over 30 years. (see the picture below that he doesn't know I have) He was a regular at the F.F.F.F. convention. And you can see his work published in Apocalypse and Harry Lorayne's Best of Friends books. For the last several years however he has been traveling the world performing magic at trade shows and corporate events in both English and Japanese. Still not impressed ? He's also a physicist. Its rare that Robert will give a lecture to magicians these days. He's doing this lecture just for us because he heard about what we are doing and he really wanted to help out and took time out of his busy schedule just to make this happen for us. This week he is working in Denver CO, San Diego CA, Pheonix AZ and just to stop in to see us Irving TX.

All he's asked of us is to bring our questions about Card and Coin Magic and any questions about Corporate, Trade Shows or Business along with our cameras and or phones to record any or all of the lecture that you'd like to remember to keep and to share with others. (He considers this the old-school version of going viral) He's even bringing door prizes. and doing this as a fund raiser for the Van McGee Memorial Lectures. So, inspired by his generosity. the price of this lecture will be a reduced $15.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, the magic he'll be doing and teaching at the lecture is really good too.
We hope to see you there!

02/07/2023

I got a note to y'all from our Lecturer Rober Bengel. Who will be lecturing on Feb 26th at our experimental new time of 5pm at our regular location Main Stage at E. Irving Blvd. Be SURE to bring your cell phones and cameras. Robert is inviting everyone to record any and all parts of his lecture. He also is providing his e-mail in the flyer for anyone who has questions prior to the lecture. Or if you'd like to request for him to discuss specific topics.
FEBRUARY 26.
222. E. Irving Blvd. Irving TX
5pm (doors open 4:40)

02/02/2023

Its weird, even I am noticing I gush over all these lecturers. But, I haven't said anything I don't mean. And I have no intention to. So, buckle your seat belts because I think the world of Robert Bengel and I have for about 30 years.
Robert Bengel is just an all around "good guy" he's the sort of guy you wish your sister WOULD HAVE married that first time. He's smart, he's funny, he's generous, he's kind and he is a true gentleman.
Robert, began lecturing to Magicians in the early 1980's but it wasn't long before his time was divided between magicians and the corporate world. Where his variety of talents have taken him around the globe.
When people ask me what type of magic Robert does I jokingly say "He does BOTH kinds of magic . Both Cards AND Coins. " But the truth is he does true "corporate magic". He has been performing for major companies you've heard of for decades in both a casual and business setting. He doesn't use a lot of props. He is ready to go with the few half dollars he carries with him daily and a deck of cards. So if you were hoping to spend a lot of money at the dealer's table after the lecture I am afraid you will be out of luck. The only thing Robert will have for sale after the lecture is a thumb drive containing everything he's published over the last 40 years.

His lecture will be divided into three sections. He will not only be discussing the magic he performs for us, and its methods he will also be lecturing on performing in the real world for corporate venues and trade shows.
I mentioned Robert was generous. But here are two examples of his generosity. Not only was he moved by what we are trying to do bringing live lectures back to the DFW area he volunteered to bring us this lecture at his own expense so the proceeds could be used to bring us more lectures in the future. And that isn't all. He also requests that those in attendance bring their video cameras, phones etc... to record any and all parts of his lecture. And if you'd like further instruction on any point after the lecture he will be available to do anything again for you while you record it. Tricks/methods, tips and advice he doesn't care what you record he wants you to have and keep the knowledge he shares with you. I've never heard of anything like that in all my time going to lectures.

I saw Robert's lecture 30 years ago when he came to Dallas to lecture for Bob Karlbach. I still remember much of it vividly. I've only run into Robert a handful of times over the last 30 years but each time I like him and his magic more.

So PLEASE join us at our same location of 222 E. Irving Blvd. in Irving, TX. SUNDAY February 26th, 2023 at a new experimental time of 5pm. Which will allow those of you who'd like to join us to get some dinner after the lecture, and still get you back home to get rested for work on Monday.

01/30/2023

Well yesterday I thought I had good news to share with the bad. Unfortunately there is more bad news. The DMC's lecture to replace the lecture that was canceled I just heard was ALSO canceled. I was very much looking forward to attending. It is however, a good time to mention:

Before the pandemic lectures were already taking a hit. It was hard to get attendance due to on-line lectures. Which have their own advantages. Now as someone who has brought in lectureres both years ago and now starting up again with VMML I can say there are a lot more issues. And that is why we are committed to go the extra mile to bring in LIVE LECTURES where you actually get to meet interact and learn from some the best magicians in the world live and in person.

01/29/2023

Hey guys and gals. I'm sorry I just heard from the DMC that the replacement lecture was also canceled. Disregard the information below. (Bavli/Goldberg where canceled and Now Ben and Jonah are ALSO canceled)

Well folks I've got GOOD NEWS and I've got bad news. I just heard from the Dallas Magicians Club that the Goldberg/Bavli lecture for next Sunday was Canceled. The Good news is They've got an EXCELLENT replacement at the same time and place. Next Sunday February 5th at 3pm in Richardson Texas.

It is another lecturing duo and as you can see from their flyer if Starsky and Hutch were Canadian Magicians and dressed 40 years behind the times.... hmm. Maybe I should Try again. I met Ben Train in 2008 and managed to spend a lot of time at a convention with him .He was smart witty and amazing. He has a high degree of skill his magic is fun and smart. (and he's a blast to hang out with) He and his "special magic friend" Jonah Babins Created the Toronto Magic Company, have a fun You Tube Channel and have appeared on Penn&Teller "Fool Us" and now are on this lecture tour in the US.

Long story short: If you are not having loads of fun at 3pm on February 5th. Then you are not in the same room with Ben and Jonah!

* This is a completely unbiased announcement. This is not part of the Van McGee Mememorial Lectures. This is me REALLY wanting you to go see this lecture . I think you'll enjoy it.

01/26/2023

"Psst! Seats are filling up at the Young and Strange Show. If you want a ticket you should probably get one now".
https://arlingtonmusichall.net/events/young-and-strange/

01/26/2023

Wow! I couldn't have been more pleased with tonight's lecture from John Guastaferro. It was exactly what I know Van would have wanted this to be. A bunch of guys from all over the area getting together just because they love magic. (Oh, and there was a great lecture too.) I can't speak for anyone else but John G. and Matt made all of my efforts seem worth while tonight. When John asked Matt to give a toast. Matt said, "To Van" and the room cheered. There isn't enough of those heart shaped emoji's on this platform to describe how we all felt.

These are just a few of the pictures we took tonight. I'd like to thank John for the lecture tonight, and all of our returning VANimals. I'd also like to thank a few new faces even though some of them we've known for a while they are new to VMML's So special thanks to Caleb, Jeremy, Chris, Don, and a guy we'll call James. (he knows who he is)