ac King • Doc Eason • Christopher Hart • Bob Read
Mike Caveney • John Shryock • Fred Walker
Mike Close • Johnny & Pam Thompson • Jay Marshall

Kansas City Ring #129 organized and hosted a three-day magic event appropriately entitled "The WORKSHOP," on October 22-24, 1998 in St. Joseph, Missouri, a suburb of Kansas City. The WORKSHOP's purpose was to offer something different in an age when magic conventions are bountiful. This year's event was a complete sell-out with a waiting list of several dozen. Over 150 magicians from all over North America paid the nominal $125 fee and attended this unconventional event. Billed as "A Revolutionary New Concept in Learning the Strong Commercial Magic of Today's Working Professionals," the focus was on learning marketable magic routines in a unique, hands-on environment from performers who really know how to work.

Ring #129 brought in some of magic's finest professionals as instructors, including Doc Eason, Christopher Hart, Mac King, Mike Caveney, Fred Walker, Mike Close, John Shryock, Johnny & Pam Thompson (The Great Tomsoni & Co.), Bob Read, Tom Burgoon, Jay Marshall and others to entertain and share with the participants. WORKSHOP attendees were also treated to a wonderful banquet and dinner show honoring Johnny & Pam Thompson (complete with video salutes from Penn & Teller and Lance Burton), and a fabulous Saturday night Stage Show at the historic Missouri Theater at no additional cost. In addition, Bob Read had everyone in hysterics during his late-night session.

Some of the highlights of the WORKSHOP were the unique break-out sessions. Participants were able to spend several hours in organized small group settings learning magic hands-on with the performers. During the full group learning sessions, the instruction was enhanced by having a giant screen video projection showing close-ups of all moves, handling, etc.

Over the two and one-half jammed-packed days, the learning opportunities were abundant, but the WORKSHOP also offered several events just for the fun of it. . . the opening night dinner and show, a top-notch close-up show, plus the Saturday night full evening show. According to those who were fortunate enough to attend, the WORKSHOP was a big success.

Here are a few snapshots of just some of the many highlights and people. Hope you enjoy these!

Johnny & Pam Thompson (The Great Tomsoni & Co.) were a big hit on the Saturday night show.

Saturday Night Show curtain call featuring (l to r) Jay Marshall, John Shryock & Mari, David Sandy, Pam Thompson, Johnny Thompson, Christopher Hart & Mac King (emcee Mike Caveney not pictured)

IBM Executive Board Member Bob Escher and England's Bob Read.

Christopher Hart teaches hands-on technique with the dye tube to WORKSHOP participants.

Fred Walker teaches some of the business side of being a magician.

Doc Eason actually entertained behind the bar at the WORKSHOP hotel.

IBM Int'l Secretary Don Wiberg, IBM Int'l President Elect Jerry Schnepp, Ring 1 President Randy Kalin and IBM Int'l Treasurer Roger Miller.

Mike Caveney teaches a small group during one of the break-out sessions.

One of Bob Read's newspaper magic WORKSHOP Break-Out session classes.

WORKSHOP Executive Director David Sandy performing the Blaney Ladder Levitation on the Saturday night public show.

Jay Marshall, Jay Godwin, Mac King and Michael Close.

Pickpocket Gene Turner and Jay Marshall.

Michael Close teaches a small group during a break-out session.

Mac King entertaining during one of his close-up performances at the WORKSHOP.

Christopher Hart, Johnny Thompson and Pam Thompson following breakfast one morning.

Gene Turner entertains lay people waiting in line to get into the sold-out Saturday night stage show at the beautiful 1,200 seat Missouri Theater.