Business of Art Event

For my artist and "creatives" friends, here's a TEDx event coming up in Chicago on the business of the arts: Website.

Meeting Planning Industry Trends Article

Here's an interesting article I just found on current trends in the meeting planning industry and how it's being effected by the economy and rising travel expenses, and how planners are seeking ways to make corporate meetings and events more efficient and effective in the current financial climate.

Haunted Venue

Well, it turns out that I'm not the only attraction with supernatural overtones at my regular Saturday night gig. Though I haven't met her yet, the Cherry Street Restaurant and Bar in Galesburg, where I currently perform on Saturday nights, reportedly has a ghost named Roxanne as a resident. Here's a recent article in the Galesburg Register-Mail.

I'm Top Rated in Springfield

Hey! I just found out I'm the top rated magician in the Springfield area on Thumbtack.com!

Art Works in Peoria: Update

For those of you who have been following my work with the arts community in the Peoria area, here's an update from Arts Partners on one of the projects I've been involved with.

Friends of the Arts,

We are pleased to report that Congressman Aaron Schock presented our Art Works in Peoria poster to NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman this past week in Washington, DC. In a follow-up phone conversation with us, Rocco mentioned that he couldn’t be happier with his new poster (which is going up on the NEA walls) or with his conversation with Congressman Schock, who is a strong arts supporter and has voted in favor of maintaining funding for the NEA.

Thanks again to our many local area artists who submitted over 2,700 images to comprise this mosaic image. Special thanks also go to photographer Doug Leunig for letting us use his photograph of the skyline of Peoria and to George Brown of Bradley University for creating the composite image.

My Restaurant Appearances This Week.

If you missed me last month at Tyroni's in Bartonville because of the snowstorm (I missed me too!), tonight's the night! I'm there from 5:00 to 7:30 PM.

And on Saturday nights, I'm at the Cherry Street Restaurant and Bar in Galesburg. I've got to say that Cherry Street is one of the funnest places I've worked in quite some time. It's well worth the drive up to Galesburg. Hope to see you there!

New Event Planning Site

Here's an article on a new event planning website that sounds interesting. It launches on February 20.

Snowstorms and Effective Meetings

They're calling it the winter storm of the century, and I'm...

Snowed in. Well, not strictly speaking, since I did get our driveway cleared. (Though I do have a sneaking suspicion the snow plows haven't yet finished with our street, and they'll be coming soon to seal my driveway back in again.... Winter!)

So what better to do than post here? A couple of news updates from Mitch:

First, though tonight was supposed to be my monthly night at Tyroni's in Bartonville, it would seem this month is off, due to the snow. It doesn't look like they'll be open tonight. So stay warm at home, and I'll see you next month.

Also, I am currently featured in an article in a popular blog for entrepreneurs called The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur. The article is on useful tips for having more effective meetings, and my tip is #34.

Meeting Planners Optimism Rising

Here's another new article I just found on the upturn in the meeting planning industry. Could indicate good things for 2011!

See Me at Cherry Street in Galesburg

I have a new close up magic venue on Saturday nights. It's the Cherry Street Restaurant and Bar in Galesburg, where I'm doing my strolling, tableside sleight of hand magic on Saturdays from 7:00 to 9:30 PM. It's a really fun place, and the owners, Lou and Stan Devlin are the nicest people imaginable, and they make everyone feel right at home.

Last Saturday was my first night working there, and my magic was a huge hit, and I had a great time.

I've also gotten some press coverage for being there, including an interview the other morning on WGIL Radio, and some upcoming newspaper spots. (I'll keep you posted on those as I know more about them.)

Anyway, it's a terrific time, so come join in the fun!