After a great day in the theatre in Bartlesville on Monday, I spent Tuesday morning working with a group of students from the local elementary school. Â They came to the Community Center to learn a few tricks with the Hocus Focus project. Â There were about 40 students in attendance who earned the privilege of being at the workshop based on behavior, reading, and academics. Â They learned quickly and had no problems getting up in front of their friends and performing on the stage. Â It was great fun!
After the workshop, we all jumped in the rig and started the drive to Columbia, MO. Â It took a bit longer than we expected after a longer-than-expected stop at the Kansas Point of Entry to pick up my Trip Permit. The officer was very nice and we ended up talking for a while, then hit some traffic around Kansas City, and the search for food/fuel on Interstate 70. Â We finally pulled into Columbia around 8pm.
Today started off early, up at 7am. Â Ethan and I were picked up at the hotel and made our way to the University of Missouri Elder Care program. Â We worked with a wonderful group of Senior Citizens with the Healing of Magic program. Â Next, we worked with some speech pathology children teaching them magic tricks to help with vocabulary and socialization. Â Once we finished with these groups, we were heading to the Occupational Therapy department to do an hour of teaching with several students who will be entering the field of rehabilitation medicine in the next few years, exposing them to different treatment modalities.
After a quick lunch at a very cool restaurant, we were heading to the University Medical Center to do a small performance for the Arts In Healthcare program there. Â This is a fun program that incorporates the performing arts in the medical system and is gaining popularity across the country. Â After wrapping up here, we were off to the University again to work with a group of Physical Therapy students! Â We finished up this part of the day around 5pm – and drove back to the hotel for a bite to eat (and to see Cindy for a while!).
Tonight, I conducted a Continuing Education workshop for a group of Physical and Occupational Therapists who are alumni of the University. Â This is always a fun time for me – a chance to work with professionals in the field and challenge them to re-evaluate their practice and their methods. Â By teaching them to use “magic therapy,” we can also empower them with new treatment tools that will motivate their patients.
I also received an email today from Kirby VanBurch. In his email to me he stated that he had read my blog and was disappointed that I had not mentioned the fact that he and his lovely wife Bambi attended our show in Bartlesville.  He asked if I wouldn’t mind amending my blog to include that fact.  Well Kirby if your reading this, here it is:  Kirby is a great magician. He has his own theatre in Branson where he has played to huge crowds for the past 15 years. I have know him since we were both kids attending the “Texas Association Of Magicians” convention in Houston, Texas.  We have remained friends all these years and although I was truly happy and surprised to see my old friend again (and could not believe he drove 4 hours in each direction to see us), I did forget to mention that fact in my blog.  Kirby – thanks for the visit. I wish we had more time to spend together talking about our mutual journeys in the art of magic.  Keep up the great work and next time, I will come to Branson to see you!