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

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
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.

The 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.
The 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.