The Session Turns 20
Everything you missed at the magic convention organized by the team at Vanishing Inc.
What started as a small close-up convention has grown to become a highlight of the magic convention calendar. This year's Session was a nonstop ride of lectures, performances, inspiration, and connection, leaving attendees tired but united by their love of magic.
“You’ve got to give back to the craft.” Michael Vincent
As this was my first time attending The Session, or any magic convention, for that matter, the basecamp session was a welcome opportunity to meet others and learn more about magic. Expertly led by Dustin Grimm and Alexander Hermann, we were treated to the perfect balance of welcoming chit-chat and hands-on instruction in performing close-up tricks.
Meanwhile, young magicians attended exclusive lectures moderated by Gaia Rossi and Edward Hilsum.
For those unable to attend in person, The Session was streamed live for the first time, with the whole convention available to watch at any point over the next week.
“If you have a particular style, you don’t have to fit every single room… Find who your audience is and make yourself great for them.” Rachel Wax
On Friday, each lecture felt better than the last: whether it was Helge Thun's parlor tricks and coin magic; lectures from fellow Flicking Fingers character-actor Gaston or comedic master of misdirection Manuel Muerte; Giacomo Bigliardi's hands-off approach to close-up magic; Rob Tay's masterful advice on reinvention in magic; or guest-of-honor Jim Steinmeyer's fascinating examination of the relationship between magic, marketing, and cigarettes in the US, followed by an insightful Q&A led by Andi and Josh.
But the highlight had to be The Rachel Wax Experience, which was aptly named and fully deserving of the standing ovation it received.
Rachel's magic was impeccable, and her script was as fresh and funny as it was cutting. She performed timeless magic classics with props altered and updated to suit her well-realized character.
Rachel shared her incredibly tangible approach to creativity with a mind-mapping workshop, demonstrating how this has helped her create and curate her performance persona over the years.
For anyone unfortunate enough to have missed her lecture, Damian Jennings interviewed her for The Insider, Vanishing Inc.'s podcast. They discussed updating magicians' clothing, the puzzling similarity between magic and fashion, and the importance of collaboration and feedback, among other topics.
“When you practice, that’s a gift between you and the craft.” Michael Vincent
On Saturday, Karl Hein kicked off a series of elegant performances with a routine showing off his mastery of card, coin, and Rubik's cube magic.
Michael Vincent delivered an impassioned lecture on the anatomy of strong magic that was sure to inspire everyone present (particularly the young magician who volunteered to help him on stage). He highlighted the importance of a strong opening to disarm and relax the audience, moving away from magic as a confrontation to magic as a game you enjoy together.
Jörg Alexander's performance was as moving as it was skillful, highlighting the elegance of close-up magic. His lecture had the room simultaneously chuckling and scratching their heads as they wondered how his sleight-of-hand explanation was still fooling them (he's just that good).
Josh Jay ran over his Particle System and the variety of awe-inspiring, highly competent effects designed to expand magicians' toolboxes and come together to create an entire parlor show.
“I don’t think about technique as a move but as a movement.” Giancarlo Scalia
Giancarlo Scalia built upon key points from the day's discussions, performing impossible sleight-of-hand with an easy and endearing charm. He spoke about magic as an act of communication and a game we play with our audience, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and eliminating tension in ourselves as performers. Audiences take their cues from us; if they see we're relaxed, then they'll immerse themselves in the fiction we create for them.
The evening was filled with performances. First, The Flicking Fingers presented a unique variety show filled with magic and mayhem. One after the other, Flicking Fingers members demonstrated their skill as entertainers and magicians, with each set punctuated by a series of running gags tailored to the convention.
Then, we all turned our chairs around for an impromptu jam session with some of the convention's premier magicians like Ondrej Pšenička, Dustin Grimm, Jade Tjin, and Alexander Hermann.
“If you’re doing a top change the same all of the time, you’re probably doing it wrong some of the time.” Karl Hein
Before Pit Hartling's lecture on Sunday, there was a somewhat subdued atmosphere as magicians groggily wandered around with cups of coffee after a long night. But Pit's upbeat charm quickly had the whole room energized and engaged in memorized deck magic. He went over many mathematical card tricks, playing with stacks, poker routines, and more.
Karl Hein seemed to stop time as he performed with a casualness that belied his impeccable talent. During his lecture, he discussed the importance of tailoring one's techniques to suit one's surroundings and style, stating that performances are fluid and ever-shifting.
“It’s astonishing that there are tricks that are lost.” Jim Steinmeyer
Jim Steinmeyer treated us to a few performances, despite having stopped performing himself 20 years ago—a perfect way to commemorate The 20th anniversary. He went over his trick, Dining Out, and used psychological forces to remove pressure from the performer and allow them to focus solely on their presentation.
“In great simplicity hides extraordinary complexity.” Luke Jermay
Luke Jermay's lecture included his updates to the classics of Dai Vernon, how a flawless dinner-date routine helped him attract his wife, and the importance of not letting worry over small details get in the way of spectacular magic.
Not only did Jermay lecture for the 15th year in a row, but he also performed his show How to Write a Love Letter throughout the weekend. His show goes back to the beginning of love letters and the history of magic. Initially performed in his hometown of Leeds, this new show took many classics of magic and put a unique twist on them. It proves, conclusively, that magic is, indeed, wonderful.
“This is what magic is about—lying, with quality.” Giancarlo Scalia
There are so many takeaways from the weekend that it feels somewhat overwhelming. I can see why people return year after year. But The Session goes beyond lessons in magic theory or practice. More than anything, it's a chance for magicians from around the world to connect, learn, and share. One thing is clear: everyone present loves magic.
Jim Steinmeyer noted that magicians are the opposites of charlatans; rather than lying in order to take for themselves, magicians lie in order to give their audiences a gift. This was something that many of the lecturers touched on in one way or another from their perspectives and experiences.
Michael Vincent proclaimed, "If ever the world needs us, it's right now."
Sure, we're not surgeons or lifesavers, but the world is a strange place right now; maybe, if we do our job right, we give people the opportunity to experience this strangeness in a way that feels a little more positive and a little less scary.
