The Original Close-Up Convention President: Obie O'Brien Board Of Directors: Glenn Brown Jimmy Cieslinski Dan Garrett Mike Hilburger Phil Willmarth Meir Yedid Executive Assistant: Joan Caesar Advisors: Tony Gerard Backstage Advisors: Lee Eyler Ray Eyler Staff/Working Crew: Jack Chancellor, Matt Episcopo, Leon Etienne, Dale Farris, John Miller, Scott Miller, Gary Ward, Rick Wilcox. Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic Convention Reviews: 2013 Convention Review 2012 Convention Review 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: 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 44th Annual FFFF™ Convention will be held on April 23-26, 2014. The Guest Of Honor will be Shawn Farquhar. Shawn Farquhar has been entertaining audiences around the globe for more than 20 years and has won just about every award in magic, including the 2009 FISM Grand Prix World Championship of Magic. His television appearances include performances on Penn & Teller Fool Us and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. His magic has been seen on television shows like the "X-Files" and "Highlander," and in motion pictures like "Spooky House" and the "Fly II." His corporate clients include IBM and Konica as well as being a very popular performer on the most luxurious cruise vessels such as Norwegian Star and Radiance of the Seas. The 43rd Annual FFFF™ Convention took place on April 24-27, 2013. The Guest Of Honor was Stephen Bargatze and the Lou Gallo MVP winner was Dani DaOrtiz. For a whimsical review of the 2013 convention click: HERE. Upcoming Guest of Honors: 2015: Oscar Munoz To find out more about our founder Obie O'Brien click: HERE. Tentative Schedule of Events: Wednesday April 23: 7:30pm: Lecture TBA 9:15pm: Lecture TBA 10:30pm: Hospitality Suite Friday April 25: 11:00am: Pat Page Workshop Noon: Lunch (on your own) 1:30pm: Mini Lecture TBA 3:30pm: 2nd Close-Up Show 5:30pm: Dinner Buffet 8:00pm: 3rd Close-Up Show 11:00pm: Hospitality Suite Thursday April 24: 11:00am: Lecture TBA 12:30pm: Lunch (on your own) 1:30pm: Teach A Trick 3:30pm: 1st Close-Up Show 5:30pm: Supper (on your own) 8:00pm: Shawn Farquhar Lecture 10:30pm: Hospitality Suite Saturday April 26: 11:00am: Lecture/Mini Show TBA 12:30pm: Lunch Buffet 1:30pm: Mini Lecture TBA 3:30pm: 4th Close-Up Show 5:30pm: Dinner Buffet 7:30pm: Shawn Farquhar Tribute 8:00pm: 5th Close-Up Show 11:30pm: 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: Since 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 2012- David Stone 2013- Stephen Bargatze 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. 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 2011- Steve Beam 2012- Denis Behr 2013- Dani DaOrtiz © Copyright 1971-2014 by Obie O'Brien. All rights reserved.