Many of you have been asking about what is happening with the 2020 Pacific Coast Association of Magicians convention. Unfortunately, due to the current situation with the COVID 19 pandemic, the PCAM convention is officially on hold. In the interest of everyone’s safety in our PCAM family, we hope that you understand that this is the best action to take at this time. Also, the venue where the convention was to be held is not comfortable in scheduling any large groups at this time.  Once the Government (State of California) announces that large groups can gather safely again we will proceed with planning the convention. 

We ask that all our PCAM family to be patient and standby until we know that it is safe to proceed. On behalf of the 2020 PCAM Convention planning committee, we thank you for your understanding on this matter. 

On April 24th and 25th, 2019 I had the privilege of facilitating the Joint Philippines International Magic Convention and 86th Pacific Coast Association of Magicians magic competitions at the SMX Convention Center, Taguig City, Philippines. During the two days of competition, we saw some exciting and talented magicians from South Korea, Japan, China, the United States, and the Philippines. According to the judges, it was a tough two days of scoring all the great presentations they saw.
During the 3-day convention there were 18 competitors, with 2 also competing for Innovative in the following categories:

Close-up Magic Juvenile – Category #2, 1 competitor
Close-up Magic – Category #6, 1 competitor
Platform Magic – Category #8, 1 competitor
Stage Magic – Category #9, 12 competitors
Children’s Entertainment – Category #12, 3 competitors
Two Stage Magic applicants also have chosen the Innovative Category #7

Our judges were:
Raul Fernandez, Past President PCAM
Jeff Evans, Past President PCAM
Alex Zander, active member (President-Elect IBM)
Billy Hsueh, active member and awarding winning PCAM magician
Dale Salwak, Professional Magician

Our winners:

Close-up Juvenile:
Jouella Marie P. Sellado, Philippines

Platform:
Chris Herren, United States

Stage:
Min Wo Na, South Korea – 1st Place
James Ting Pong Ng, China – 2nd Place

Children Entertainment:
James Cuevas, Philippines

Innovative:
Rosela Torres Rondez, Philippines

Again, I was very honored to facilitate the 2019 competitions during the PCAM-PIMC joint convention and I know that all the judges also felt honored to be part of this event.

Frank Padilla Jr.

Schedule subject to change without prior notice
* Bus pick up and drop off is exclusively for registered hotel guests of Holiday Inn Express only
(Holiday Inn Express is the exclusive hotel for the convention)
Hotel Reservation needs to be made through PCAM/PIMC 2019 to avail the discounted package

Tuesday April 23, 2019

ARRIVAL DAY

6 am – 8 pm :     ARRIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES @  NINOY  AQUINO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT and HOTEL CHECK-IN

8:00 pm – 9:00 pm  PCAM/PIMC EXECUTIVE’S MEETING
Venue to be confirmed
9:00 – 10:00 pm   PCAM / PIMC JUDGE’S MEETING
Venue to be confirmed

 DAY 1

Wednesday April 24, 2019
OPENING DAY

6 am – 7 am :                       BREAKFAST
7:30 am :                             BUS PICK UP
10:00 am :                           REGISTRATION OPENS
Dealer’s Table opens 9:30 am till 7 pm
10:30 am – 11:30 am :         Welcome and Opening Ceremony
11:30 am – 12:30 pm :         Contestant’s Meeting with the Judges ( Contestants and Judges Only / Back Stage)
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm :           LUNCH BREAK
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm :            MENTALISM , CLOSE-UP & PLATFORM
4:45 pm – 5:45 pm             LECTURE: Dale Salwak
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm :           LECTURE: Jeff McBride
8 : 00 pm                            BUS PICK UP

DAY 2

Thursday April 25, 2019
COSTUME DAY
Everyone come in Costume
Best Male & Female Costume will be awarded

6 am – 7 am :                     BREAKFAST
7:30 am :                           BUS PICK UP
9:30 am :                           REGISTRATION OPENS
Dealer’s Table opens 9:30 am till 7 pm
10 am – 11:30 am :             LECTURE: Master Fukai and Albert Tam
11:45 am – 1:15 pm :              CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINMENT COMPETITION
1:15 pm – 1:45 pm :                LUNCH BREAK
1:45 pm – 4:45 pm :               COMEDY & STAGE COMPETITION
5:00 pm :                               GROUP PHOTO
5:30 pm – 7:00  pm :            BAG OF TRICKS: Lead By:
ALEX ZANDER  and  BILLY HSUEH
7:00 pm – 10:30 pm             GALA SHOW SOUNDS AND LIGHTS CHECK                                             (Gala Show Performers Only and crew only)
11:00 pm                               BUS PICK UP

DAY 3
Friday April 26, 2019

GALA & MAGIC SHOW DAY

6 am – 7 am :                         BREAKFAST
7:30 am :                               BUS PICK UP
9:30 am :                              REGISTRATION OPENS
(Dealer’s Table opens 9:30 am till 4 pm)
10:00 am – 12:00 pm:          Award Ceremony and Closing Announcements
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm:           LUNCH BREAK
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm :           TONY ENG PEOPLE CHOICE AWARD SHOW:  Free Children’s Show
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm :            MAGIC JAM SESSION ( Magicians ): Open to all Magicians (Pre-registration required)
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm :            JEFF McBRIDE’s SUPER SESSION (Optional) :  (Separate Venue)
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm          DEALER TABLE CLOSES / Gala Show set up
6:00 pm                           Door opens for Gala Show
( Venue exclusive to Gala Show Pass Holders Only)
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm :          BELIEVE Gala Show
10:30 pm :                          BUS PICK UP
10:30 pm – 2 am :              AFTER GALA PARTY  ” TBA”

Convention Registrants : All access Inclusive of Open Lectures / Gala Show / Magic Competition
Gala Show Pass Only : No Access to Lectures
Public : No access to Gala Shows, Lectures and Competition

Pacific Coast Association of Magicians &
Philippine International Magic Convention
PCAM / PIMC 2019
April 24 – 26, 2019
SMX Convention Center / SMX Aura
Taguig City, Philippines

The first International Magic Convention held in the Philippines for this century produced and organized by Cecile and Mighty International under the management of Raul Fernandez. This convention opens up the way for Asian magicians and magic enthusiasts to experience the teachings, the competition and the fellowship of Magicians and Gurus from the West and to be part of an International Magic Convention.

This convention is a tribute to the late Magician Sword Swallower  ” DEMILO “, Asia’s pride.

The location is the SMX Convention center in Taguig City.  Here’ a short video:

The city of Taguig, Filipino: Lungsod ng Taguig is a highly urbanized city located in the south-eastern portion of Metro Manila in the Philippines. Taguig lies on the western shore of Laguna de Bay and is bordered by Muntinlupa to the south, Parañaque to the southwest, Pasay to the west, Cainta and Taytay on the northeast and Makati, Pateros, and Pasig to the north. The Taguig River, a tributary of the Pasig River, cuts through the northern half of the municipality and Napindan River, also a tributary of the Pasig forms the common border of Taguig with Pasig.

Visit the website:  https://www.smxconventioncenter.com/smx-aura

Closest Airport: Ninoy Aquino International AirportManila, Philippines

Master Payne has an entertainingly offbeat outlook on the performance of magic. He is known for his thematic, character driven presentations, an aspect of magic he has specialized in ever since he was asked to create an act for the Camlann Mediaeval Faire in Carnation Washington. A venue which he has been the official Faire Magician since it’s opening in 1981.

He has presented his Mediaeval\Renaissance act abroad, delighting audiences in England and even traveled to Guam to appear at a Renaissance themed Arts Festival held in the posh Tumon Bay Hilton.  His other accomplishments include being a Columnist for MAGIC Magazine from May 2012 to December 2014, A product reviewer for MUM Magazine a “Guest Geek” in the Jim Rose Circus Sideshow as well as being the inspiration for the Master Payne character in the Hugo Award winning Girl Genius web comic.

He is a regular speaker at Jeff McBride’s Magic and Meaning Conference, and reprised some of these presentations at the 2011, 2013, and 2016 MAGIC Live Conventions. He has appeared at the Magic Castle where he performed his trademark Twenty minute Coin in Bottle Routine. Thus setting a record of being the only performer to present a single trick set in the Parlor. In 2005 was the Gold Medal Winner of the PCAM Pro Challenge. He is the author of Sometimes the Jokes are Just for Me a slim volume on the performance and presentation of thematic magic. He is a native of Washington State and currently resides in Seattle

For more information read all about him in the February 2010 edition of MAGIC or visit his website www.masterpaynemagic.com

Chris Capehart is an accomplished master magician. He is respected throughout the world by his peers, applauded for his skills by the most famous of magicians and sought after for repeat performances by clients. Chris has done it all. In thirty-five years he has performed on the big stage, lectured to magicians, become a famous, accomplished street performer, created routines and mastered the linking rings. He has been published and imitated throughout the world. His skill at close-up is no less than astonishing. His quick comeback verbal skills sharpened on the streets of New York City have made him an outstanding comedian.

​We are super excited to have Chris at PCAM 2018!

Kayla Drescher is excited to bring her unique style of magic to the 2018 PCAM Bakersfield! Kayla has performed for clients such as Microsoft, IBM, Johns Hopkins University, and many more.  You may have seen her on The Today Show when she won David Copperfield’s “Search for the Next Great Magician”.  More recently, she was featured on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us on the CW Network.  Kayla focuses on combining magic with organic objects, hilarious comedy, audience participation, and lots of fun.  Outside of magic, Kayla enjoys sports, snacks, and big dogs.

Joshua Jay has been called magic’s Renaissance man by MAGIC Magazine. It’s not hard to see why: he is a performer, lecturer, author, and photographer of all things mysterious. He maintains a globetrotting performance schedule–Jay has performed in over fifty countries and appears regularly on national television (most recently on Good Morning America and the Today Show). His performance style is completely unique: he performs with ordinary, borrowed objects, causing them to twist, bend, appear, and vanish at will. At only seventeen years old Joshua Jay was crowned world champion for close-up magic at the World Magic Seminar, and he is now regarded as one of the leading creative forces in the magic world.

Joshua Jay is the author of thirteen books for magicians. In 2009 he penned a best-selling magic book, MAGIC: The Complete Course, and had his fine-art photography exhibited in several shows (appearing recently at the Culture Museum in Linz, Austria). From corporate functions to private parties to VIP backstage events, Joshua is performance-driven. His track record of success includes the production of his 2010 sell-out one-man show, “Unreal,” that enjoyed runs in New York, Ohio, Florida, and Las Vegas.

This will be Joshua’s ONLY west coast lecture and we are so excited to have him at PCAM Bakersfield 2018!

Trevor and Lorena Watters have become one of the hottest teams in the comedy magic world. Their show is a unique blend of classic comedy and magical innovation. Their show has been described as “priceless” and “fun”.  With over 20 international awards including the Siegfried and Roy “Golden Lions Head” from the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas it is clear to see why they are the most sought after comedy magic duo in North America. Trevor and Lorena take their audience on a roller coaster ride of laughter, mischief, audience participation and spectacular illusions. Both are truly two of a kind. PCAM is so excited to have these two at this year’s convention.

You still have time to save money and secure your spot at PCAM 2018.

REGISTER NOW

Hi Everyone!

Joshua Jay is coming to PCAM Bakersfield 2018.

We are very excited and that is just the beginning of our line up!
So keep checking the website and facebook page to see who we announce next.

CONTESTS
So we have the contests page up and ready to go. You can now sign up to compete in two categories. As a competitor I can tell you it is some of the most fun you will have. Yes it is a competition and your probably thinking “I am not good enough to compete.”. I will tell you right now STOP IT and SIGN UP! There is absolutely no pressure like you think there would be. Everyone is very supportive and nice. There is no bad mouthing or making fun of any act. It really is fun, exciting, and builds your confidence to a new level. (Especially if you win) I highly encourage you to sign up and give it a try, and I promise you will not regret it.

HOTEL
Ok so some of you want to come in a day early and/or stay a day later at the hotel. We are working with the hotel in getting those extra dates. There will be only a small amount of rooms available for before and after the convention so make sure you get them when it is announced.
Also, make your room reservations NOW! We only held 50 rooms for the $119 price and 20 rooms are already booked up. So I suggest you make your reservations sooner then later, because once they are gone there is no guarantee we can add more rooms. You can click on the link http://www.pcambakersfield.com/hotel.html
and you can make your reservations.

FLYING TO LAX
So if you are flying to LAX there will be a shuttle van that will be picking people up on August 9th. As of right now the shuttle will pick people up between 12pm (noon) and 1pm. If you can arrange your flights to be before noon that would be great! We can only reserve a certain number of seats for the shuttle van, however if we get enough people for another van then we will arrange it.
There will be more information coming in the next few months of how to reserve your spot, and price.
We will ONLY be providing a shuttle van from LAX airport.

Well that is all there is to report. Keep checking the website and Facebook page for announcements, schedule, and other special things that are happening.
Oh and tell people about PCAM and get them to register!

We want to wish you all very Happy New Year!
Here’s to 2018!

Cheers!
PCAM Team

PCAM’s new President, Christopher Lopez has announced that the 85th annual PCAM will be held in Bakersfield, CA from August 9th to the 12th. It’s perfect timing to allow you to attend both MAGIC Live and the PCAM. Who could ask for anything more?

Advance registration is now open and questions can be sent to:

[email protected]

•Category #1: Stage Magic – Juveniles (aged 13 and under)
First place – Theo Chattra
Second place – Cole Farden

•Category #2: Close-Up Magic – Juveniles (aged 13 and under)
First place – Theo Chattra
Second place – Cole Farden

•Category #3: Stage Magic – Juniors (aged 14 to 18)
Uncontested

•Category #4: Close-Up Magic – Juniors (aged 14 to 18)
Uncontested

•Category #5: Mentalism
First place – Ryan Lackey
Second place – Ron Saylor

•Category #6: Close-Up Magic
First place – Ryan Lackey
Second place – Henry Tom

•Category #7: Most Novel or Innovative
Not awarded

•Category #8: Platform Magic
First place – Billy Hsueh
Second place – Care Elise

•Category #9: Stage Magic
First place – Sandra and Heather McNeill
Second place – Ron Saylor

•Category #10: Comedy or Novelty Magic
First place – Alex Seaman
Second place – Christopher Lopez

•Category #11: Best Assistant
First place – Valerie Saylor
Second place – Gwyn Auger

•Category #12: Children’s Entertainment
First place – TIE – Christopher Lopez and Chris Gowan

And of course, we can’t forget one of the crowd favourites,

• “Bag O Tricks” competition.
First place – Glen LaBarre

• S.A.M. #95 One Hand Cut-A-Thon
First place – Jesse Bedard

Category #1 Juvenile Stage Magic
Gold Medal Miles Tresser
Silver Medal Logan Graupmann

Category #2 Juvenile Close Up Magic
Gold Medal Miles Tresser
Silver Medal Devin Graupmann

Category #5 Mentalism
Tied for Gold Medal
Gold Medal Ron Saylor
Gold Medal Will Zhang & Matt Stewart

Category #6 Close Up Magic
Gold Medal Leo Kanzelbereger
Silver Medal Zac Daniels

Category #8 Platform Magic
Gold Medal Bob Bolivar

Category #9 Stage Magic
Gold Medal Jonathan Sywulka
Silver Medal Dean Apple

Category #10 Comedy Magic
Gold Medal G Sparks
Silver Chris Lopez

Category #11 Best Assistant
Gold Medal Debbie Apple
Silver Medal Gwyn Auger

Category #12 Children’s Entertainment
Gold Medal Chris Lopez

•Category: Stage Magic – Juveniles (aged 13 and under)

GOLD – Hannah & Haley Biane
SILVER – Devin Graupmann

•Category: Close-Up Magic – Juveniles (aged 13 and under)

GOLD – Theo Chattra
SILVER – Devin Graupmann

•Category: Stage Magic – Juniors (aged 14 to 18)

GOLD – Elliott Hofferth
SILVER – Ben Eskenazi

•Category: Close-Up Magic – Juniors (aged 14 to 18)

GOLD – Ben Eskenazi

•Category: Mentalism

GOLD – Jeff Christensen
SILVER – Ron Saylor

•Category: Close-Up Magic

GOLD – Jim Vines
SILVER – Junichi Tamura

•Category: Most Novel or Innovative

GOLD – Not Awarded

•Category: Platform Magic

GOLD – Jeff Christensen
SILVER – Ron Saylor

•Category: Stage Magic

GOLD – Steve Hamilton
SILVER – Bruce Meyers

•Category: Comedy or Novelty Magic

GOLD – Steve Hamilton
SILVER – Chris Bange

•Category: Best Assistant

GOLD – Gwyn Auger

•Category: Children’s Entertainment

GOLD – Christopher Lopez
SILVER – Mike Norden

And of course, we can’t forget one of the crowd favorites, the annual “Bag O Tricks” competition.

FIRST PLACE – Joe Turner and Glen LaBarre (tie)

S.A.M. #95 One Hand Cut-A-Thon

FIRST PLACE – Matthew Jones