With all that is going on in the world, it was nice to venture off this last week to Colon, Michigan--"The Magic Capital of the World"--for Abbott's Magic Get-Together. This time spent with friends at what most call a family reunion was a much needed break from the crazy news that is happening day-to-day.
The town of Colon is very secluded, with one stoplight and the struggle to find "normal" phone service and WiFi, which makes it a perfect getaway. The Webster's dictionary includes multiple definitions of magic, but one really stood out to me: "A quality that makes something seem removed from everyday life, especially in a way that gives delight." This definition really describes Colon and Abbott's Magic Get-Together well. I took this one step further and asked magicians and their family members the simple question of "What is magic to you?" The responses are listed below. Please feel free to add your own definition in the comments below and remember to share magic in your everyday life.
"Magic is the vehicle that carried me through life. It is the art form that allows me to create and express myself, sharing my view of the world with others," -Franz Harary
"Magic is believing the impossible is possible," -Christina
"Magic is the fellowship shared through our passion for the art of illusion," -Joe
"Magic is all around us," -Beth
"Magic, to me, is making a child smile; that means I've done my job," -Rob
"The hand is quicker than the eye; that's why you see so many black eyes," -DeYip Loo
"Magic, to me, means the art of fooling someone eye without insulting their intelligence. Also, creating a magical experience for someone," -Anthony
"Magic is what we call stuff that science hasn't made boring yet," -a t-shirt
"Magic is life, love, laughter, longing and lusting. Magic is funny, skill, and wonder. Quite simply, magic makes the world spin," -Mark
"Though I'm not a performer, magic is my family's legacy. But to me, Magic is a feeling. Magic is believing. Magic is being able to open my mind and absorb the wonders of the seen and not seen. Not only on the stage, but in the everyday. Magic is life," -Laura
"Magic is where the cross-word puzzle meets the poem. Some want the challenge of solving it, while others are content to simply enjoy the beauty. Neither is wrong," -Ron
"Magic is my life, it's my reason for waking up each morning, it's my adrenaline rush, it's the blood that pumps through my veins. Magic fulfills me," -Dameon
"The greatest sound I know is a crowd of children laughing," -Mister Greggy
"Magic is the look in your audiences eyes young and old: the wonder, excitement, happiness, disbelief, belief: taking them away from their daily lives for a short period of time and providing a true entertainment experience," -John
"If you know one more thing than everyone else, you can do magic. (A sleight, a cleverly positioned mirror, etc) it's all about leveraging that information," -Keith Fields
"Magic is that little twinkle in the eye. You see it when someone sees the impossible. When they are brought back to childhood. When they see a long lost love. That moment you forget the world around and believe everything is going to be okay," -Josh Sager
"Creating wonder," -Windley
"Abbott's Magic Get-Together and the people who attend is what magic means to me," -Mike