News
Main Event: Autism Event Draws Record Crowd
By Debi Neville, Rochester Post Bulletin
The RT Autism Awareness Foundation hosted its second annual “Mending Minds, A Magical Gala for Autism” on Jan. 27 at the Rochester International Event Center. Headlining the event was Lance Burton, designated Best Magician 11 years in a row by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“When I was asked to join the performers for this event, I was happy to jump on board,” Burton said.
Michael Goudeau, lauded as the “most successful juggler in Las Vegas history,” was the first to be contacted to entertain.
“I have a 12-year-old, autistic son, so of course this is of special importance to me,” he said. “I made a few phone calls and here we are.”
Comedian Bob Zany and comic-magician Mac King joined the others to provide an unforgettable night of entertainment. Also joining the group was Tim Decker, speed painter and entertainer.
The group was brought together by Keith West, a magician who performed last year.
“I thought it was such a great cause,” West said. “I wanted to be involved again and make it even a bigger event.”
His efforts paid off. The sell-out crowd of 680 was the largest dinner crowd in the event center’s history. read more
Fielding West in MAGIC Magazine
Fielding West — Chasing Funny
Fielding West has been a performer of magic, hypnotism, sideshow skills, and more. After being inspired by another act who would soon become famous, Fielding realized the road to his success was paved with wild and crazy comedy.
Fielding West is featured on the cover of the March 2012 issue of MAGIC Magazine, and he will be in Iowa March 24 - 31, 2012. Don't miss your chance to book this Las Vegas performer at a special routed-date price!
Call today for details! (888) 470-7948
Bob Zany's One Man, 2 Chicks, & a Bay-BEE!
Bob Zany’s One Man, 2 Chicks & a BAY BEE! Show stars Bob and Tom comic, Bob Zany, with magician Keith West and the Zanettes! (Showgirls Brandy Belle & Kelsey Ford) and is perfect for a gala dinner, post golf tournament banquet or just a fun night of comedy for your country club guests. This 90-minute show includes comedy, magic and illusions along with the one and only Bob Zany.
Special routed-date pricing is available for these dates:
April 27 & 28, 2012
May 11 & 12, 2012
June 1 & 2, 2012
June 29 & 30, 2012
Bob Zany is also planning the 2012 Golf and Country Club Tour. August & September 2012 dates are available. Click here for more info about the 2012 Golf and Country Club Tour.
Call today for details, press kits, and special prices!
(888) 470-7948
Click here for more info, video, photos, etc.
Click here to view promotional pdf
Keith West's Library Tour 2012
Booking NOW for the SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2012.
Keith West has provided an exciting and educational Magic Show for many libraries' summer reading programs for the past 20 years. Let Keith West share his years of experience in providing memorable and enjoyable library fun at your library this summer.
Keith offers routed and multi-show discounts for nearby libraries on the same day. Here is the schedule so far:
Monday, June 4, 2012 - Kids Company, Clive, IA - 11:00 AM
Monday, June 11, 2012 - Kids Company, Waukee, IA - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - Boone, IA - 10:00 AM
Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - Perry, IA - 1:30 PM
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - Remsen, IA - 10:00 AM
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - Hawarden, IA - 1:30 PM
Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - Lemars, IA - 4:00 PM
Thursday, June 14, 2012 - Tipton, IA - 1:00 PM
Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - Central Library, Des Moines - 10:30 AM
Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - Franklin Ave. Library, Des Moines
- 3:30 & 6:30 PM
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - Sanborn, IA
- 1:00 PM
Wednesday, June 20, 2012 - Sheldon, IA - 3:00 PM
Thursday, June 21, 2012 - Hartley, IA - 10:00 AM
Thursday, June 21, 2012 - Kingsley, IA - 1:00 PM
Thursday, June 21, 2012 - Boyden, IA - 4:00 PM
Friday, July 6, 2012 - Coon Rapids, IA - 10:00 AM
Friday, July 6, 2012 - Pleasantville, IA - 2:00 PM
Tuesday, July 10, 2012 - Ottumwa, IA - 10:30 AM
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 - Fort Dodge, IA - 10:00 AM
Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - Manning, IA - 11:00 AM
Tuesday, July 31, 2012 - Glidden, IA - 2:00 PM
If your library is within 45 miles of another scheduled library performance, or if your library is on the route back to the Des Moines area from another library performance, then you would be eligible for the discount price.
Call today for special pricing, press kits and booking details! (888) 470-7948
Library Show pdf (7 MB)
Big names, big cause
Lance Burton, Mac King bring their magic to help fight autism
Click to watch video on youtube
By BRYAN LUND, Rochester Magazine
On Friday, Jan. 27, the Reece Trahan Autism Awareness Foundation (RTAAF) will hold its second-annual gala—Mending Minds: A Magical Gala for Autism—at the International Event Center. Headlining the event is master magician Lance Burton, who will step out of retirement to perform. Burton retired in 2010 after 31 straight years performing in Las Vegas (that’s roughly 15,000 shows), which ended with a 15-year run at the Monte Carlo. And he’s a magician’s magician—he’s twice been named “Magician of the Year” by the Academy of Magical Arts. read more...
Tricks for Selecting Entertainment for Special Functions
Posted by Henry at www.melancthonwind.com
Are you wanting your guests to continue raving about your function for a very long time? You could make that transpire by selecting outstanding performers. Creating a number of very good remembrances might make our lives more stimulating considering that as soon as one of our events has ended, the only thing you have left is merely a memory, whether it’s positive or negative. It is precisely what life is about. When you are putting together a function, whether it’s a marriage ceremony, holiday celebration, or another sort of celebration, undoubtedly the number one issue that you’re thinking about is to do whatever you can to make it successful for all of the people concerned. If you wish to plan an event which will have everyone speaking about precisely how terrific it was, the best quality performers are the key. read more...
Lance Burton and Mac King Endorse Keith West
Click below to watch the videos on YouTube!
Comedy-Magician Mac King to Perform at Benefit Gala in Minnesota to Support RT Autism Awareness Foundation Inc.
Joins fellow magician and childhood friend Lance Burton at “Mending Minds: A Magical Gala for Autism” in Rochester, Minn.
LAS VEGAS – Jan. 4, 2012 – Harrah’s Las Vegas Headliner and Comedy-Magician Mac King will perform a special benefit show in Rochester, Minn. at “Mending Minds: A Magical Gala for Autism.” King joins a masterful lineup of entertainers including his childhood friend, Master Magician Lance Burton, Comedian Bob Zany and the comedy & juggling of Michael Goudeau.
The event takes place on Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 at Rochester International Events Center. Doors open with social hours from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. featuring live music from the JNH Band and a silent auction. Dinner will begin at 7 p.m. with performances by the night’s featured entertainers and a live auction. Tickets for the event are $100 and are available for purchase by calling (507) 254-8901. More information on the event is available at www.mendingmindsgala.org.
Founded in 2003, The RT Autism Awareness Foundation is devoted to ensuring that individuals diagnosed within the Autism Spectrum Disorder receive the care, helpfulness and resources they merit. In addition, the organization strives to increase Autism Awareness in the community and the effects it has on children and their families. More information on The RT Autism Awareness Foundation Inc. is available at www.rtautismawareness.org.
click here...
The Don Reese DVD is here!
It Came From Iowa! is Don Reese's new comedy DVD - recorded live at the 2010 Monster Bash. It's packaged in an 8mm film box and it's only $15. click here...
Locating the Best Entertainers For Your Event
Choosing the highest quality corporate event entertainment you can afford is vital if you’re hoping to put together the most enthralling and fun-filled celebration ever. In regards to employee morale, there’s nothing which will boost it higher than great entertainment at a corporate function. An additional advantage is elevated work productivity along with bonding among personnel. However, the quickest approach to wreck an event is to book low quality corporate entertainment that will have party guests moving toward the exits in mobs.
It’s imperative to book entertainment of the best quality, which is definitely the best strategy to keep the guests contented, but it’s also important to be sure the entertainment you book is wholesome. Choosing corporate entertainment strictly based upon their price is a large blunder and can often lead to unexciting occasions, turning a possible employee morale booster into a catastrophe of an event. Exciting entertainers are the most important element of a function whenever you would like to create an unforgettable experience for your invitees. Folks become fired up about the entertainment, not the food items or table decorations. If you need to lower costs, pay less for food or other items, but get the most impressive entertainment you can get, because it is the entertainment that will make the party memorable.
It isn’t always easy to obtain the perfect event entertainment. High-end live party bands will keep a crowd happy for a while, but if you decide to employ other sorts of corporate entertainment, for example world-class dancers, they might only have the strength to perform their numbers for a few minutes at a time. An additional thing that will have to be evaluated is whether you would like to actively involve the crowd with the performers. Some entertainers such as comedians, accordion players, or motivational speakers will keep individuals in their seats while party bands will keep the guests up and dancing. Before making the final choice about which entertainers to get, several things need to be taken into consideration.
Chatting with your party guests about what kind of corporate entertainers they’d most like will be the fastest way to make a final choice about who to get. There is no simpler way than this. It’s very hard to make a mistake with this particular approach. It really is as simple as generating a checklist and letting your guests to pick out the performing artists they like best. Nearly all of the time, it is the age of the invitees that will determine what entertainers ought to be used. A good dance band churning out dance hits from the big band period, or possibly some sort of variety show, can be a nice fit for an aged group. Much younger crowds of people, however, could possibly appreciate a high-energy dance or party band churning out current hits which will make it possible for them to stay on the dance floor. Look into what could be the best kind of corporate entertainment for your guests, write down a list of choices, and offer it to these people to think about. Just be sure to do your homework and book entertainment that will ensure the successfulness of the party.