February Teach-in Declared a Success

Before the meeting James Munton had his downsizing sale and all the early birds took home a box of magical goodies. Then President Dwight Redman opened the meeting and introduced the guests to the audience of 64. Three candidates were voted into the National Capital Ring 50. They were: Gary Goodwin, John Hornick and Carlton Silvestro. Dwight reminded everyone to register for Magi-Whirl before the price goes up after April 1st. The February program was “Teach a Slight/Move/False Shuffle/etc.” Several tables were set up to allow a hands-on instruction. The instructors changed tables every 20 minutes.


Bud Smith explained and demonstrated the multiple uses of various applications of the Thumb Palm, Finger Palm, and Bobo Switch in Coin Magic.

Sam Brothers taught two effects: The Poker Player's Picnic from the "Royal Road To Card Magic" by Jean Hugard and Frederick Braue. His second slight was 4 Aces Squared from Lennart Green Volume 7: Green Lite.

James Munton explained his version of the Ambitious Card ending with the signed card appearing in his wallet. He went on to teach the double-lift and top palm.

Larsen Eisenberg performed a version of the Cards Across Plot where he had a spectator choose a card and was not shown to the audience. A second spectator cuts off a group of cards and placed them in his pocket. The first spectator’s card is then revealed and that many cards are caused to join the second spectators cards.

Rick Beatty demonstrated the many ways to use the key card principle. He taught us his method of using the Alex Elmsley, Hammond, and Jordan counts. He talked about stage fright, and posed the question of what do you personally want out of this art; from just being a hobbyist, or a semi-pro, or a collector, etc. tried to get the audience to think about more then just sleights, or tricks.

Glenn Gary closed the meeting with a discussion on the art of stage blocking, and framing your act. He also suggested that you video your act and view your movements on stage and insure you draw the audience attention to magic at hand.

Magi-Whirl 2007

IBM Ring 50’s Magi-Whirl 2007, April 13 & 14. We have lots of dealers scheduled for the dealer room. You can see and talk to real magicians and look at new magic items for sale. On Friday night, April 13, there will be a dealer’s show with the dealers demonstrating the latest magical items, silks, accessories, and supplies. The dealers are: Silk King Studio - Ruth Rice Crone, Bob Little's Guaranteed Magic, Fred Mitchell's Magic Books, DoveLite - Bob Sanders, Hughes Magic, Inc – Richard Hughes, Magic Goods - Pravin Ponnuri, Wonder Imagery - Tim Sonefelt, Sorcery with Class - Scott Correll, Magic by M.P. Lair and Wayne Alan with some preowned Magic & Books. For details go to: http://www.magi-whirl.org./

~ ~ Bob Patterson

"Ring Night" at Ring 50

After the guests were introduced and two new members, Matt Hiller and Richard Kahane, were voted into the Ring, president Dwight Redman began the “Ring Night” performance with a ring and rope combination passing solid thru solid. We learned very early and repeated throughout the evening that a ring really does have a hole in it.

Noland Montgomery performed a rapid-fire, streamlined linking ring routine using 3 very large 13-inch rings and involving the participation of one member from the audience.


Bob Carnathan performed a multiple routine with knots on a rope that came off the rope several times. Then he amazed us with a ring and rope routine.

Rucj Uffelman used a borrowed finger ring and made it pass thru a rope. He ended his routine showing the ring was hypnotic and floated to a vertical position at his fingertips.

Kevin Sievers routine was a mix of parts of Aldo Colombini and Jeff McBride's Linking Ring routines set to music.

Scott McDonald performed two Rope & Ring tricks he learned from a seminar by Tom Craven. The first trick was called Quicksilver where a single ring is removed from the rope even though the spectator can see that the rope is firmly wrapped around the ring right up to the point where it seemingly melts right through the rope. The second part is called Double Quicksiler where two rings of different sizes are tied onto the rope with a very strong knot, and while the spectator holds the ends of the rope, the ring of their choosing is removed from rope even though it appears that to do so is quite impossible since they are holding the ends that need to be used to untie the knot!

Eric Henning, announcing "an experiment in alchemy," brought two men up on stage, borrowed a gold wedding band from one, which the other gentleman examined. The helpers then examined a wand and a length of ribbon, all of which were pronounced solid. The ring was threaded onto the ribbon, and while the audience helpers held both ends of the ribbon and the wand, the ring magically left the ribbon and was seen merrily spinning on the center of the wand!

Lorenzo the Great (Larry Lipman) closed the evening performances with a version of David Ginn's "Comedy Linking Rings" with the help of two volunteers from the audience.

Photos by Bob Patterson and Jim Flanigan

Magi-Whirl 2007 News
Don’t miss I.B.M. National Capital Ring 50, Magi-Whirl 2007 April 13 & 14, 2007. Four lectures, plus two close-up performances, and a Gala evening show. Magi-Whirl is being held at Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Rd, Alexandria VA. $45 in advance, $50 at the door. Details: http://www.Magi-Whirl.org.

Lectures by Michael Lair, Tim Sonefelt, Eric Henning, and Barry Taylor, plus two close-up performances with Scott Correll and Larsen Eisenberg. Gala evening show includes: The Magic of Krandl & Co., Michael Lair, Tim Sonefelt, Magic by Sanders, Magician Extraordinaire Michael Taggert, DC Magician of the Year Dwight Redman, and a host of others “The best little convention in the National Capital Area”

Time to Pay Your Dues $$$
Ring 50 dues for calendar year 2007 are due at the February 7th meeting. Treasurer, Bob Patterson, will be collecting the $15 annual dues. Checks are preferred but cash will be accepted. However, please try to have the exact amount. Make checks payable to IBM Ring 50. You can also send a check to his home address at 3450 Wainscott Place, Lake Ridge, VA 22192.

~ ~ Bob Patterson