I just got the word from Fellowship of Christian Magicians annual convention coordinator, Barbara Varro, that we can expect a full slate of ventriloquism lectures again in July of 2009. I look forward to serving again as lecture coordinator and putting together a wonderful team of teachers to help everyone, from novice to accomplished vents, improve and aspire to improve.
Ventriloquism is growing-- Terry Fator of America's Got Talent fame, has signed a $100 million dollar contract in Vegas. Ventriloquists in other talent competitions are placing high in the standings. It seems that the art of "belly talking" has once again captured the imagination of people longing for entertainment. It is a skill that anyone can learn. Pastors and church workers would do well to add this as yet another tool in their belt to enable them to inspire and entertain.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
FCM Convention 2008 - Fun & Inspiring
The Fellowship of Christian Magicians (FCM) annual international convention was a success again this year. It was the 50th meeting of the FCM and the facilities at Indiana Wesleyan University, about an hour North of Indianapolis couldn't have been better. Each year it seems that new buildings are popping up on that beautiful campus.
The ventriloquism section at FCM enjoyed 14 lectures during the week with an average attendance in the 20s. Dave Mitchell's lecture was packed with over 30.
In 2009, the puppets and ventriloquism section will likely be combined. There are many natural areas of overlapping and it promises to double the numbers for many of the lectures.
The most inspiring part of the ventriloquism lectures this year was watching new students discover that they could do ventriloquism. Some picked it up immediately, and nearly everyone was plugged in to the lectures, seeking to pick up and develop their skills. I look forward to encouraging them in the months to come and see them perform next year!
The ventriloquism section at FCM enjoyed 14 lectures during the week with an average attendance in the 20s. Dave Mitchell's lecture was packed with over 30.
In 2009, the puppets and ventriloquism section will likely be combined. There are many natural areas of overlapping and it promises to double the numbers for many of the lectures.
The most inspiring part of the ventriloquism lectures this year was watching new students discover that they could do ventriloquism. Some picked it up immediately, and nearly everyone was plugged in to the lectures, seeking to pick up and develop their skills. I look forward to encouraging them in the months to come and see them perform next year!
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
FCM 50th International Convention
Christian ventriloquists will enjoy a fun filled week at the Fellowship of Christian Magicians annual international convention held near Indianapolis, IN. This year will be the 50th year of this grand convention that features week long tracks in ventriloquism, magic, balloons, clowning, storytelling, puppets, and so much more. Held on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN, the convention allows vents to sharpen their skills as well as pick up talents in other areas that will enhance their performances. Our family loves this convention because there is ventriloquism for me, chalk art for my wife, juggling for my son, and all kinds of top notch performances every night to entertain and inspire.
The convention runs from July 14-18.
For ventriloquist junkies, it is possible to score a triple play by attending IFEST in Illinois (July 7-12); FCM in Indiana from July 14-18, and VENTHAVEN (July 16-19).
For more information on FCM's year of jubilee 50th convention, visit fcm.org.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Country Figures & Church
A few of my figures are decidely "country." Ida Claire is a soft spoken woman with Southern charm. Slim Chance, a cowboy, is also "country." The interesting thing, is, however, how well these two characters lend themselves to use in church. My church is in Virginia, but I suspect that these two characters would play well no matter where they would find themselves. It seems that there is a little bit of country in everyone.
Speaking of country, on a trip last Spring to Nashville, I came to understand and appreciate the country music genre. Prior to the visit, I thought country music was about dead dogs, cheating spouses, and runaway trains! Sitting in a session with a prominent Nashville song writer, the light finally went on inside my head and I saw country music in a whole new light. Country music is about telling the story. These country music writers are gifted at painting pictures in our minds in about 4 minutes using nothing more than music and words. Ventriloquists should learn from these folks. Their music is about real people and real situations people face. Good ventriloquist routines should be as well.
As Paul Kingsbury and Alanna Nash have pointed out in their 2006 book, Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Country Music in America, country music is "corny sometimes and the puns are encouraged and savored" (p.8). That too is something any ventriloquist can appreciate. Kingsbury and Nash continue, country music is concentrating on communicating common experiences and on storytelling.
What story are we telling with our ventriloqust figures? Beyond entertainment, ventriloquism has the power to inspire as well as inform as we tell our story. Christian vents understand their work as an opportunity to tell His story. We should be good stewards of the opportunities that we are given to bring a smile and to inspire thoughts and actions.
So, what's your story?
Speaking of country, on a trip last Spring to Nashville, I came to understand and appreciate the country music genre. Prior to the visit, I thought country music was about dead dogs, cheating spouses, and runaway trains! Sitting in a session with a prominent Nashville song writer, the light finally went on inside my head and I saw country music in a whole new light. Country music is about telling the story. These country music writers are gifted at painting pictures in our minds in about 4 minutes using nothing more than music and words. Ventriloquists should learn from these folks. Their music is about real people and real situations people face. Good ventriloquist routines should be as well.
As Paul Kingsbury and Alanna Nash have pointed out in their 2006 book, Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Country Music in America, country music is "corny sometimes and the puns are encouraged and savored" (p.8). That too is something any ventriloquist can appreciate. Kingsbury and Nash continue, country music is concentrating on communicating common experiences and on storytelling.
What story are we telling with our ventriloqust figures? Beyond entertainment, ventriloquism has the power to inspire as well as inform as we tell our story. Christian vents understand their work as an opportunity to tell His story. We should be good stewards of the opportunities that we are given to bring a smile and to inspire thoughts and actions.
So, what's your story?
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