Obie's FFFF Convention - The Original Close-Up Magic Convention

The Original Close-Up Convention

President:
Obie O'Brien

Board Of Directors:
Dan Garrett
Mike Hilburger
Phil Willmarth
Meir Yedid

Executive Assistant:
Joan Caesar

Technical Advisor:
Jim Cieslinski

Advisors:
Jim Gabor
Tony Gerard

Helpers:
Glenn Brown, Jack Chancellor, Lee Eyler, Ray Eyler, Dale Farris, Bob Follmer, John Miller, Gary Ward, Rick Wilcox.

Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic

Convention Reviews:
2011 Convention Review
2010 Convention Review
2009 Convention Review
2008 Convention Review
2007 Convention Review
2006 Convention Review
2005 Convention Review
2004 Convention Review

Photo Galleries:
Tony Gerard Photos
Mike Powers Photos

Upcoming Conventions:
2012 - April 25-26-27-28
2013 - April 24-25-26-27
2014 - April 23-24-25-26
2015 - April 22-23-24-25

In Memory of Eddie Fechter

OBIE'S 4F™ convention is the "Original Close-Up Magic Convention" and the most prestigious gathering of close-up magicians in the world. Since 1971 the By-Invitation-Only event continues to feature the best performers, creators and lecturers in the world.

David Stone The 42nd Annual FFFF™ Convention will be held on April 25-28, 2012. The Guest Of Honor will be David Stone.

David Stone is one of the most popular magicians in Paris. He is also known as a comedian, writer, producer and multi-award winning close-up magician. His worldwide reputation for creativity and skill has allowed him to release many best-selling books, DVDs and magic routines for magicians. David was also voted the 2003 FFFF™ MVP.

Steve Beam The 41st Annual FFFF™ Convention took place on April 27-30, 2011. The Guest Of Honor and Lou Gallo MVP winner was Steve Beam.

To read a complete report of the 2011 FFFF convention click: HERE.

Upcoming Guest of Honors:

2013: Stephen Bargatze :: 2014: Shawn Farquhar :: 2015: Oscar Munoz

Tentative Schedule of Events:
Wednesday April 25: 7:30pm: Lecture TBA 9:15pm: Lecture TBA 10:30pm: Hospitality Suite	Friday April 27: 11:00am: Pat Page Workshop Noon: Lunch (Dutch Treat) 1:30pm: Mini Lecture TBA 3:30pm: 2nd Close-Up Show 5:30pm: Smorgasbord 8:00pm: 3rd Close-Up Show 11:00pm: Hospitality Suite
Thursday April 26: 11:00am: Lecture TBA 12:30pm: Lunch (Dutch Treat) 1:30pm: Teach A Trick 3:30pm: 1st Close-Up Show 5:30pm: Supper (Dutch Treat) 8:00pm: David Stone Lecture 10:30pm: Hospitality Suite	Saturday April 28: 11:00am: Lecture/Mini Show TBA 12:30pm: Lunch 1:30pm: Mini Lecture TBA 3:30pm: 4th Close-Up Show 5:30pm: Smorgasbord 8:00pm: David Stone Tribute 8:15pm: 5th Close-Up Show 11:00pm: Hospitality Suite

"Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic" commonly referred to as the 4F™ convention was started in April 1971 at the famous Forks Hotel in Buffalo, New York by Eddie Fechter, Bill Okal and "Obie" O'Brien, who decided that it would be nice to have a convention dedicated strictly to the art of close-up magic. Bill Okal is no longer involved with the convention and Eddie Fechter passed away on March 31, 1979, leaving Obie O'Brien who continues to produce "The Original Close-Up Magic Convention."

If you would like more information or would like to attend a future FFFF™ Convention read the open letter from our president by clicking: HERE.

The FFFF™ Guest Of Honors:

Beginning in 1977 every convention was dedicated to a single "Guest Of Honor" for his contributions to close-up magic. The Recipients were:
1977- Jim Ryan 1978- Eddie Fechter 1979- Larry Jennings 1980- Gene Gordon 1981- Bob Read 1982- Sid Lorraine 1983- Steve Dusheck 1984- Rick Johnson 1985- Tom Mullica 1986- Jay Marshall 1987- Tom Craven 1988- Phil Willmarth	1989- Gary Ouellet 1990- Shigeo Takagi 1991- Harry Lorayne 1992- Daryl 1993- Paul Gertner 1994- Derek Dingle 1995- Paul Daniels 1996- Jerry Andrus 1997- Johnny Thompson 1998- Juan Tamariz 1999- Lennart Green 2000- Bill Malone	2001- Herb Zarrow 2002- Max Maven 2003- Meir Yedid 2004- Pat Page 2005- Gene Anderson & Dan Garrett 2006- Aldo Colombini 2007- Ton Onosaka 2008- Boris Wild 2009- Henry Evans 2010- Obie O'Brien 2011- Steve Beam

The Lou Gallo MVP Award:

In honor of Lou Gallo (1932-2004) the annual Most Valuable Participant award is named the "Lou Gallo MVP Award." The award, which is voted on by all attendees, is given annually to the person whom they thought contributed the most to make the 4F convention a big success. Steve Beam was the recipient in 2011.

Previous FFFF MVPs:
1982- Karl Norman 1983- Steve Dusheck 1984- Bob Stencil 1985- Jerry Andrus 1986- Shigeo Takagi 1987- Rocco 1988- Gary Kurtz 1989- David Williamson 1990- Juan Tamariz 1991- Aldo Colombini 1992- Lennart Green	1993- Jim Krenz 1994- Steve Beam 1995- Paul Daniels 1996- Pat Page 1997- Alex Elmsley 1998- Tom Gagnon 1999- Lennart Green 2000- Bill Malone 2001- Tim Ellis & Sueanne Webster	2002- Henry Evans 2003- David Stone 2004- Armando Lucero 2005- Reed McClintock 2006- Flicking Fingers 2007- Shoot Ogawa 2008- Boris Wild 2009- Dick Cook 2010- Obie O'Brien

4F™ Updates will be posted from time to time.