Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic - The Original Close-Up Magic Convention

The Original Close-Up Convention

FFFF Chairman:
Obie O'Brien

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

Executive Assistant:
Joan Caesar

Advisors:
Jim Gabor
Tony Gerard
Trevor Hamilton
Hank Moorehouse

4-F Helpers:
Rodger Bucy
Jack Chancellor
Jim Cieslinski
Lee Eyler
Ray Eyler
Dale Farris
Bob Follmer
John Miller
Gary Ward
Rick Wilcox

Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic

Upcoming Conventions:
2009
April 22-23-24-25
2010
April 21-22-23-24
40th Anniversary
2011
April 27-28-29-30
2012
April 25-26-27-28

In Memory of Eddie Fechter

The FFFF (Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic) 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.

The 39th Annual FFFF Convention will be held on April 22-25, 2009 in Batavia, New York. The Guest Of Honor will be Henry Evans.

The 40th Annual FFFF Convention will be held on April 21-24, 2010 in Batavia, New York. The Guest Of Honor will be Obie O'Brien.

For a review of the 2007-4F Convention click: HERE.
For a review of the 2006-4F Convention click: HERE.
For a review of the 2005-4F Convention click: HERE.
For a review of the 2004-4F Convention click: HERE.

In honor of Lou Gallo (1932-2004) the annual Most Valuable Person 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. Boris Wild was the recipient in 2008.

2009 Tentative Schedule of Events:
Wednesday April 22: 8:00pm: Lecture TBA 10:30pm: Hospitality Suite	Friday April 24: 11:00am: Pat Page Workshop Noon: Lunch (Dutch Treat) 1:30pm: Mini Lecture TBA 3:30pm: First Formal Show 5:30pm: Smorgasbord 8:00pm: Second Formal Show 11:00pm: Hospitality Suite
Thursday April 23: 11:00am: Workshop 12:30pm: Lunch (Dutch Treat) 1:30pm: Teach A Trick 3:30pm: 4F Old Timers Show 5:30pm: Supper (Dutch Treat) 8:00pm: Henry Evans Lecture 10:30pm: Hospitality Suite	Saturday April 25: 11:00am: Lecture/Mini Show TBA 12:30pm: Lunch 1:30pm: Mini Lecture TBA 3:30pm: Third Formal Show 5:30pm: Smorgasbord 8:00pm: Henry Evans Tribute 8:15pm: Fourth Formal 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 F.F.F.F. Convention read the open letter from our chairman by clicking: HERE.

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

4F Updates will be posted from time to time.