The Original Close-Up Convention

FFFF Chairman: Obie O'Brien
FFFF Chairman:
Obie O'Brien
FFFF Board Member: Dan Garrett FFFF Board Member: Mike Hilburger FFFF Board Member: Phil Willmarth FFFF Board Member: Meir Yedid
FFFF Board Of Directors:
Dan Garrett
Mike Hilburger
Phil Willmarth
Meir Yedid
Executive Assistant:
Joan Caesar
Technical Advisor:
Jim Cieslinski
Advisors:
Jim Gabor
Tony Gerard
Trevor Hamilton
Hank Moorehouse
4-F Helpers:
Rodger Bucy, Jack Chancellor, Lee Eyler, Ray Eyler, Dale Farris, Bob Follmer, John Miller, Gary Ward, Rick Wilcox.


Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic

Convention Reviews:
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:
2011 - April 27-28-29-30
20
12 - April 25-26-27-28
2013 - April 24-25-26-27
2014 - April 23-24-25-26
2015 - April 22-23-24-25

Regeister for FISM 2012 in Blackpool UK

In Memory of Eddie Fechter
Eddie Fechter

Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic

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.

Steve BeamThe 41st Annual F.F.F.F. Convention will be held on April 27-30, 2011. The Guest Of Honor will be Steve Beam.

Steve Beam has authored more than 25 books including the best-selling 8-volume set of Semi-Automatic Card Tricks and was the publisher, writer and editor of The Trapdoor magazine for 15 years. As a lecturer he is in demand worldwide and is best known for the sharp wit and humor which accompanies his powerful magic.


Obie O'BrienThe 40th Annual F.F.F.F. Convention took place on April 21-24, 2010. The Guest Of Honor was Obie O'Brien.

Obie O'Brien is one of the founders of the F.F.F.F. Convention and has been it's organizer since its inception. In 1993-1994 Obie served as the President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and has served as a F.I.S.M. judge and currently runs their close-up shows. He was also the official Hockey scorer at the 1980 Olympic Games.


Upcoming Guest of Honors:
2012: David Stone
2013: Stephen Bargatze
2014: Shawn Farquhar
2015: Oscar Munoz
Tentative Schedule of Events:
Wednesday April 27:
8:00pm: Lecture TBA
10:30pm: Hospitality Suite
Friday April 29:
11:00am: Pat Page Workshop
Noon: Lunch (Dutch Treat)
1:30pm: Mini Lecture TBA
3:30pm: Friends Old & New
5:30pm: Smorgasbord
8:00pm: Friday's Finger Flinging Frolic
11:00pm: Hospitality Suite
Thursday April 28:
11:00am
: Workshop
12:30pm: Lunch (Dutch Treat)
1:30pm: Teach A Trick
3:30pm: Kick Off Show
5:30pm: Supper (Dutch Treat)
8:00pm: Lecture TBA
10:30pm: Hospitality Suite
Saturday April 30:
11:00am: Lecture/Mini Show TBA
12:30pm: Lunch
1:30pm: Mini Lecture TBA
3:30pm: Fechter's Fabulous Frolics
5:30pm: Smorgasbord
8:00pm: Steve Beam Tribute
8:15pm: Grand Finale
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.

The F.F.F.F. 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
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. Obie O'Brien was the recipient in 2010.
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
4F Updates will be posted from time to time.
www.FFFFmagic.com
© Copyright 1971-2010 by Obie O'Brien. All rights reserved.