THURSDAY NIGHT
We arrived in Dayton last night around 6:30pm. We got checked into our hotel and then explored downtown, checking out the decorations and in search for local cuisine. I also wanted to find my way to the Victoria Theatre because I would have to pull the truck to the loading dock the following morning. As we walked that direction, we came across the giant Christmas Tree in the center of town – couldn’t resist a picture!
After clicking a few pictures, we walked on to “Coldbeer and Burgers” – yes, that’s the name of the restaurant. I ordered the loaded nachos while Ethan and Alan ordered burgers. Cindy decided to stay at the hotel and eat a Subway sandwich.
We found the loading area for the Victoria Theatre and then walked back to the hotel. My Friday morning would start very early!
FRIDAY MORNING
I was up early to get ready for a 7:50am arrival at the local FOX 45 station for an interview. I had a hard time sleeping and started waking up around 4am worried that I might oversleep. Diane from the theatre was here at 7:30am to pick me up and take me to the TV station.
I did a couple of “bumps” before the interview and then Kylie, the morning anchor, and I talked about the upcoming weekend performances and the work I would be doing at the Dayton Children’s Hospital today and Saturday morning.
After the interview, Diane brought me back to the hotel. I met Alan in the lobby and we took the truck over to the Victoria Theatre. Cindy, Ethan, and Keith would work with the crew and start loading in the production around 12noon.
Alan and I met up with David and Emily (also from the Victoria) and made our way to the local Easter Seals facility. We had a great time working with several of the children and staff. From Easter Seals, we drove over to the Dayton Children’s Hospital to meet some of the staff there and have some lunch. I just have to say, the chicken lasagna was amazing!
After lunch, we all walked to one of the conference rooms for an afternoon workshop with some very special people – all ages, all diagnoses, and great fun!
Alan and I wrapped up at the hospital. David and Emily took us back to the hotel where we quickly changed clothes and ran over to the theatre to help the guys with the rest of the show set up. They were almost done, did a great job with out us. I’ll remember that….
We left the theatre around 5pm and took off for the Oregon District – a very cool area in Dayton. We found a great restaurant, Thai9, and all sat down for a nice dinner.
It was a great day – tomorrow, two shows, one at 1pm and the other at 3:30pm. But first, I’ll be conducting a workshop for physicians and therapists from 10am – 12noon. It’s going to be another great day!
Great to see your “show” with the kids on Friday at Children’s. Even better was your show on Sunday. You had my 9yo coming up with all sorts of unbelievable ways the illusions were performed. Thanks for an enjoyable afternoon!
Kevin & Cindy,
Not sure if you guys remember me, but this is Michael West, formerly of NACA and Georgia Southern University, Armstrong State, etc. I live in Springboro, OH, just south of Dayton, and I was out with a friend of mine last night. He mentioned he’d taken his kids to the Victoria to see a magic team named ‘The Spencers.’ I asked him if it was Kevin & Cindy, and he said, “Yeah! How’d you know?” I told him the long story, about how you guys were the first performers I signed when I was a wee college tike way back at Armstrong State in Savannah.
Anyway, he said that y’all put on a great show! I hate that my wife and I had our heads in the sand and weren’t able to bring our kids to see you. It’s good to see that y’all are still tearing up the circuit, and keep it up! Hope to see y’all when you swing back through.
Michael West
hey Spencer’s!i saw your magic show yesterday at the Victoria theater and it was amazing!my favorite trick was the fan trick.what was that called again?any way i just had a question.how did you do the walk through a brick wall?I’ve seen a million ways to do that but you proved them wrong.just wondering.