The Original Close-Up Convention President: Obie O'Brien Board Of Directors: Glenn Brown Jimmy Cieslinski Dan Garrett Mike Hilburger Mike Joseph 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: 2014 Convention Review 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: 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 45th Annual FFFF™ Convention will be held on April 22-25, 2015. The Guest Of Honor will be Oscar Muñoz. Oscar Muñoz is a multi-award winning magician who is known throughout Texas for his educational and motivational magic shows for students of all ages. Oscar has also appeared on TV, featured in numerous magazines, and lectured and performed for magic organizations worldwide. Among his many awards are the IBM Gold Cups, SAM Gold Medal and he is also a three-time TAOM close-up champion. The 44th Annual FFFF™ Convention took place on April 23-26, 2014. The Guest Of Honor was Shawn Farquhar and the Lou Gallo MVP winner was Michael Dardant. To read the 2014 convention review by Robin Dawes click: HERE. To find out more about our founder Obie O'Brien click: HERE. Tentative Schedule of Events: Wednesday April 22: 8:00pm: 4F Kick-Off Show 10:00pm: Lecture 11:00pm: Hospitality Suite Friday April 24: 11:00am: Pat Page Workshop Noon: Lunch (on your own) 1:30pm: Lecture 3:30pm: Finger Flicking Show 5:30pm: Dinner Buffet 8:00pm: World Close-Up Show 11:00pm: Hospitality Suite Thursday April 23: 11:00am: Lecture 12:30pm: Lunch (on your own) 1:30pm: Teach-A-Trick 3:30pm: 2nd Close-Up Show 5:30pm: Dinner (on your own) 8:00pm: Oscar Muñoz Lecture 11:00pm: Hospitality Suite Saturday April 25: 11:00am: Lecture 12:30pm: Lunch Buffet 1:30pm: Lecture of Show TBA 3:30pm: Fabulous Frolics Show 5:30pm: Dinner Buffet 7:30pm: Oscar Muñoz Tribute 8:00pm: Grand Finale Show 11:30pm: Hospitality Suite "Fechter's Finger Flicking Frolic" commonly referred to as the 4F™ or Obie's 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 2014- Shawn Farquhar *Deceased. 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 Stencel* 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 2014- Michael Dardant *Deceased. © Copyright 1971-2015 by Obie O'Brien. All rights reserved.