It's November already... so much has happened, and yet there's a ton more to go for this season!
First, something which was (for me) AMAZING. Anyone who knows me will know that I like reptiles. I have a boa constrictor that has been my pet since I was 18 years old. To this day, I get a thrill any time I'm lucky enough to find a snake in the wild. Now, lots of non-snake people aren't exactly as excited when they see a wild snake. Usually it will be a harmless variety such as a corn snake or rat snake- but of course, when you ask them, it was always a copperhead (and quite often it chased them through the forest...). Anyway, look what I found sunning itself on the road:
First, something which was (for me) AMAZING. Anyone who knows me will know that I like reptiles. I have a boa constrictor that has been my pet since I was 18 years old. To this day, I get a thrill any time I'm lucky enough to find a snake in the wild. Now, lots of non-snake people aren't exactly as excited when they see a wild snake. Usually it will be a harmless variety such as a corn snake or rat snake- but of course, when you ask them, it was always a copperhead (and quite often it chased them through the forest...). Anyway, look what I found sunning itself on the road:
That's actually a southern copperhead! These sightings are quite rare. Yes, it's a venomous snake, but if you admire it from a distance (this photo is zoomed in), there's no need to worry. What a privilege it was to see this beauty in it's own setting!
A couple of entries back, I mentioned a fellow magician by the name of Dave Hamner. Dave came and saw our show, and we were finally able to get out to see his. Here we are after the show:
A couple of entries back, I mentioned a fellow magician by the name of Dave Hamner. Dave came and saw our show, and we were finally able to get out to see his. Here we are after the show:
If you come to Branson, you absolutely need to see the "Hamner's Unbelievable Variety Show" while you're here! Dave and Denise specialize in magic with big parrots. They also perform stage illusions with their own unique twist- including a levitation with an ending that I absolutely did not see coming.
More than that, though, Dave and Denise are truly kind and friendly human beings. Dave is also a pastor and on Sunday mornings, there's a church service in their theater. We had been looking for a church home while in Branson and we've found it at Dave's place. We're blessed to call the Hamners our friends!
Here's a "fun" thing that happened last week. This is an illusion that we call "Table of Terror":
More than that, though, Dave and Denise are truly kind and friendly human beings. Dave is also a pastor and on Sunday mornings, there's a church service in their theater. We had been looking for a church home while in Branson and we've found it at Dave's place. We're blessed to call the Hamners our friends!
Here's a "fun" thing that happened last week. This is an illusion that we call "Table of Terror":
For this illusion, I'm chained to the table beneath those spikes. The spikes are held up by a single rope, which is set on fire. I have to escape before the rope burns through, sending the spikes crashing to the table. Well, we were filming some video and I had a close call. See these holes in my costume?
We do several illusions which appear dangerous but are actually very rehearsed, and this is one of them. Still, having two spikes driven through a garment- while I'm wearing it- is not something I want to do again!
We've had some great guests at our show recently. Here's a guy and his wife that we knew from way back:
We've had some great guests at our show recently. Here's a guy and his wife that we knew from way back:
That's William Smith and his wife Luna. William is pastor of Lakeshore Baptist church in Monroe Louisiana. Back in 2017, we performed for a wonderful audience at Lakeshore- and more than three years later, we were surprised to see William and Luna in our audience in Branson!
And... here's the most incredible thing that has happened in a VERY long time. See these two?
And... here's the most incredible thing that has happened in a VERY long time. See these two?
Last Wednesday, I was at the customer service counter at a Branson Walmart. The guy in the picture, Cody, was next to me. He asked about the purple beard (it's a great business card!) and when I told him I was a magician, he bought two tickets from me right there on the spot. What? Who does that? Well, that night, we had just begun a new time slot for Wednesdays- and that usually takes time to catch on. Cody and his wife ended up being the only two in attendance. Not good, as we still have to pay our tech team! So, I'm beginning the show and I'm certainly going to give my all even if there are only two people- but still, I'm going into it knowing that we're going to lose money tonight (and we really can't afford that).
Well, have you ever had a moment where God grabs you and says "I've got this"? Long story short, Cody and Elizabeth left us a very nice tip that night. Cody didn't do it to gain recognition so I promised him I wouldn't go into details. Here's what's astounding, though- this season has been rough for every performer in Branson (Covid) so we're all experiencing less-than-stellar ticket sales. So, with us being a family of seven, we're saving every penny we can to make this thing work- and at a time when we really needed help, this random guy buys two tickets at Walmart (based on my story that I'm an illusionist at a theater in town) and then leaves us an incredible blessing that he didn't know how much we needed. Again, I promised him that I wouldn't go into great detail but wow, thanks Cody and Elizabeth!
So, here we are into November. We were able to take the kids trick-or-treating in a nice neighborhood, along with our friends Banachek and Anna. Their show is finished here in town so yesterday morning they headed back to their home in Las Vegas. November is also when the Christmas season officially begins here in Branson. We'll be adding several new Christmas pieces to the show soon.
If you're thinking of visiting Branson, right now is a perfect time! This is one of the few places anywhere that live entertainment is actually happening. Yet, with all the craziness in the world, it's not nearly as jam-packed as usual. We'd love to see you at the show!
Well, have you ever had a moment where God grabs you and says "I've got this"? Long story short, Cody and Elizabeth left us a very nice tip that night. Cody didn't do it to gain recognition so I promised him I wouldn't go into details. Here's what's astounding, though- this season has been rough for every performer in Branson (Covid) so we're all experiencing less-than-stellar ticket sales. So, with us being a family of seven, we're saving every penny we can to make this thing work- and at a time when we really needed help, this random guy buys two tickets at Walmart (based on my story that I'm an illusionist at a theater in town) and then leaves us an incredible blessing that he didn't know how much we needed. Again, I promised him that I wouldn't go into great detail but wow, thanks Cody and Elizabeth!
So, here we are into November. We were able to take the kids trick-or-treating in a nice neighborhood, along with our friends Banachek and Anna. Their show is finished here in town so yesterday morning they headed back to their home in Las Vegas. November is also when the Christmas season officially begins here in Branson. We'll be adding several new Christmas pieces to the show soon.
If you're thinking of visiting Branson, right now is a perfect time! This is one of the few places anywhere that live entertainment is actually happening. Yet, with all the craziness in the world, it's not nearly as jam-packed as usual. We'd love to see you at the show!
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