Magic Live, the largest gathering of Magicians in North America, was back to their typically scheduled conference times in August of this year. I was excited to return—after a three-year absence, it felt good to return. The Orleans feels good. It’s undoubtedly not posh, but clean, comfortable, and familiar. I’ve attended Magic Live since about 2011. It started as an “every-other-year” event. It soon morphed into an every August get-together of the Art of Magic Enthusiasts: professionals, part-time pros, hobbyists, collectors, creators—anyone who loves the art and wants to partake of 3 full days of world-class lectures, talks, demonstrations, and shows. Seeing the shoulder-rubbing of average guys with the likes of David Copperfield and Penn & Teller feels great.

 
Each year, Stan Allen, the founder and creator of Magic Live, and his team build a fantastic conference around a theme. This year, trying to return to “normal” after the turmoil (especially in the field of live performance), they chose the word “Beginnings.”

 
One of my goals was to take as many pictures with friends as possible at the conference. And, honestly, I kept putting it off until about the last day and a half. But there were certain moments—or people—that I knew I wanted to grab a picture with. I wanted to be intentional about it. So, below, you’ll see selfies with friends—and if I can remember, how we first met, and a little, just a little about them. It’s a simple way to express my love of the art and those I consider my friends. So, let’s begin.