NEW PLANS FOR CONVENTION BANQUET
AND CLOSE-UP GALA ANNOUNCED
The I.B.M./S.A.M. 2008 Committee has just released details of the Gala Banquet and Close-Up Gala Show at the July Combined Convention in Louisville.
“With registration now approaching 1800,” said Brad Jacobs, Convention Co-Chair, “we are able to put into motion a plan that makes these two events something very special. It began over two years ago when Artistic Director, Hank Moorehouse, first saw the intimate Bomhard Theater. I remember him saying ‘This is exactly the venue we need for our Close-Up Gala!’ But we had to put those plans on hold until we had a better idea of what our registration was going to be.”
Instead of being held in the 2400 seat Whitney Theater, the Close-up Gala will be held in the stadium-raked Bomhard Theater holding just 500 people. The semicircular layout of this repertory theater – within the same Kentucky Center Performing Arts complex adjacent to the Galt House Hotel headquarters – not only provides an intimate setting with excellent sight lines for close-up work, but also uses a mammoth video screen overhanging the close-up worker on stage to give everyone truly close-up image of each performance.
The “East Meets West” Close-up Gala, starring Martin Eisle, Simo Aalto, Hiro Sakai, Dr. Sawa, Brian Gillis, Rick Merrill and hosted by David Williamson, will be held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 6 PM and 9 PM. Only 500 registrants will attend each performance. Reserved seat tickets will be in each registration package
and the performance is not open to the general public.
While the Close-Up Gala will be enjoyed by 1000 people each night, the dress-up Gala Banquet will likewise be host to a separate 1000 guests each night at the same time. Those who attend the banquet on Wednesday will go to one of the Close-up Galas on Thursday; those who go to either Close-up Gala on Wednesday will go to the banquet on Thursday. Although banquet tickets will be provided in each registration package, there is no head table and no reserved seating. Everyone is encouraged to enjoy the evening with old and new friends in magic.
Starting with the Southern Hospitality Cocktail Party adjacent to the Grand Ballrooom at 6:30 PM, banquet attendees will have the opportunity to exchange the coins they received at registration for two free glasses of beer, wine or soft beverages while enjoying the sounds of the Double Vision Trio.
At 7:30 PM attendees will proceed to the Grand Ballroom to enjoy a great party. Music for dancing will be provided by the Double Vision Orchestra. A seven course banquet will be served during the evening, interspersed by entertainment featuring Terry Seabrooke, Compere, music and magic by The King and Presto, and the antics of that incomparable banjo playing juggler, Todd Charles. Incoming and outgoing officers of both organizations will be there to greet you and the focus of the entire evening will be a hearty mixture of magic, music and conviviality.
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