New Meeting Place, Day and Time!

I.B.M. Ring 50 is excited to announce our new meeting place, day and time!

Starting with the THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2012 meeting, we will meet on the first THURSDAY of each month (except July) at the

Bishop Ireton High School
201 CAMBRIDGE ROAD
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314

Our NEW agenda is as follows:

6:15 p.m. Counts of Conjuring (Magic Youth International)
7: 05 p.m. Teach-in
7:30 p.m. Meeting starts
9:30 p.m. Meeting ends



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2012-2013 Ring 50 Meeting Schedule

REMEMBER our NEW meeting location is

Bishop Ireton High School
201 CAMBRIDGE ROAD 
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314.

PLEASE NOTE: Please enter at the doors for the Whaley Auditorium, which face Duke Street and have a bog parking lot. Do NOT enter at the main school entrance facing Cambridge Road.

6:15 p.m.  Counts of Conjuring (Magic Youth International)
7:05 p.m. Teach-in
7:30 p.m.  Meeting starts
9:30 p.m.  Meeting ends

The many fine restaurants nearby Bishop Ireton make it easy to visit with your friends before the meeting!

2012-2013 Schedule

WEDNESDAY, Sept 5 ....... Teach-In by Members
WEDNESDAY, Oct 3 ......... ESP/Mentalism Night
WEDNESDAY, Nov 7 ........ Simon Lovell Lecture
WEDNESDAY, Dec 5 ........ Annual Holiday Children's Magic Show
WEDNESDAY, Jan 2 ......... Houdini Night
WEDNESDAY, Feb 6 ......... Lecture (TBA)
WEDNESDAY, Mar 6 ........ Auction
WEDNESDAY, Apr 3 ..... Dan Lacey Contest, Officer Nominations

**Apr 5-6 .... Magi-Whirl 2013**

WEDNESDAY, May 1 ........ Lecture (TBA)
WEDNESDAY, Jun 5 ........ Winton Carroll Contest “Most Humorous Magician”

**No Ring 50 Meeting In July 2013**
**Jul 17-20, 2013 IBM Convention Phoenix, AZ**

WEDNESDAY, Aug 7 ........ Teach-In by Ring 50 members
WEDNESDAY, Sept 4 ....... Brown Bag Magic
WEDNESDAY, Oct 2 ........ Hocus in Focus Night
WEDNESDAY, Nov 6 ........ Jay Scott Berry Lecture
WEDNESDAY, Dec 4 ........ Annual Children's Holiday Magic Show

New Meeting Place for Ring 50 in Vienna, VA

Beginning with our Wednesday, January 4, 2012 meeting, Ring 50 will meet at 8:00 p.m. in Louis Meyer's

ChildTime Magic Party Place,
312 Dominion Drive NE, Vienna, VA 22180.

While the Vienna Metro is not within walking distance, we hope those members who rely on Metro can team up with other Ring 50 members to and from meetings. And taxi rides are only a phone call away.

In terms of logistics, there is plenty of nearby parking and there are several excellent restaurants nearby. We can easily be find a restaurant that would hold an area for us to dine as a group. (Amphora, anyone?) Louis even mentioned that Ring 50 members could use the dining area of his place and call in for pizza delivery, if that's what some members would like to do.
- Bob Patterson

The Great Zucchini to Lecture Sept. 7

If you ever have preschoolers or Kindergarteners attending your show, you MUST come to the September 7 Ring 50 meeting! The Great Zucchini (Eric Knaus), Washington's funniest and most magical PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN entertainer will give a lecture at I.B.M. Ring 50 on September 7, 2011 at 8:00 PM following a brief Ring meeting.

"In the world of local kid's entertainment, there is no bigger name than The Great Zucchini! You're like a phenomenon ... all the parents know you!"
- Tony Perkins, Fox 5 News

"The Great Zucchini is instantly likeable, and effortlessly charming."
- Gene Weingarten, The Washington Post

The Great Zucchini has been entertaining young children as a magician and preschool teacher. He performs his hands-on, interactive magic shows for more that 400 groups a year. His experience, coupled with his gentle nature and wacky facial expressions, makes kids immediately feel comfortable and ready to laugh. He will have you laughing at the gags he does to entertain toddlers. We each have different styles, but it does come down to keeping the kids attention and keeping control. If you EVER entertain children, this is a lecture you will want to attend. There is a lot to be learned from studying Eric's approach to entertaining young children. The lecture is free to paid-up Ring 50 members, all other magicians $15 at the door.

July Magi-Gram is here!

Due to the IBM Convention, we do not have a July meeting, and usually, no July newsletter. But despite his enormous duties as Registrar for the IBM Convention, erstwhile Editor Bob Patterson has managed to create a July issue! You can view it online by clicking here, or see the link in the right hand column ---->

Ring 50 Officers 2011-12

Congratulations to our new officers!

President
Danny Selnick
703-347-5540
president@ibmring50.org

Vice President
Kevin McGuire
703-675-5323
vp@ibmring50.org

Secretary
Wayne Spillner
secretary@ibmring50.org

Treasurer
Bob Patterson
(703) 490-1222
treasurer@ibmring50.org

Sergeant-at-Arms
Scott McDonald
703-491-7989
sgtarms@ibmring50.org

Webmaster
Theo Rushin, Jr.
240-988-3441
webmaster@ibmring50.org

Magi-Gram Editor
Bob Patterson
(703) 490-1222
magi-gram@ibmring50.org

Special Magi-Whirl Newsletter is Here!

In addition to the May Magi-Gram, Editor Bob Patterson has put together a special edition of the newsletter, with an extraordinary look at Magi-Whirl 2011, which is rapidly becoming the best little convention in the East. You can also look in the right-hand column for the current links to the Magi-Gram and many other great things!

Wayne Alan Lecture Debut Impressive

I.B.M. Ring 50’s April 6th meeting was opened by President Arnie Fuoco. After a few business details he introduced our lecturer, Wayne Alan, Corporate Illusionist.

Alan opened his lecture with balloon to bouquet and then two more bouquets appeared. After explaining the production and giving a few tips, he had two spectators join him on stage. He did a Two Card Monte with a regular size Ace and a Queen and then he did it with jumbo cards. Finally, removing the table cloth he showed two very large cards (40”x30”) which were set up on the stage. From these two cards a live Queen (Cassandra) was produced! He explained the workings of the effect and how to build it for less than $300. Next was a coin routine with his version of coins across and the coins appearing under a glass.

Alan's lecture was based on his decades of experience and proven show business concepts, covering 1/3 talent, 1/3 marketing, and 1/3 publicity. Wayne Alan says, " Be a showman and act like a star, be mysterious without being hokey, dress like a star, have beautiful assistants, and ride the coattails of the famous."

Other effects that he demonstrated and taught included the famous rabbit from a hat, card shark gags, a card routine ending with his business card, chop cup, a white board card revelation, a comedy mind reading routine using a spectator blindfolded with a Mardi Gras mask.

Alan also did a torn and restored card with the card reappearing in a frame held by a spectator. The card had a corner missing and it matched the one held by another spectator. He ended the evening with a crystal silk cylinder routine. Throughout the lecture he gave credits to contributors of the effects and routines. A great lecture by Wayne Alan! The May meeting is the Dan Lacey contest for Washington DC Magician of the Year.

- Bob Patterson

February Magi-Gram Newsletter is Here!

The February Ring 50 Magi-Gram Newsletter is here! You can view it here, or look for the link in the right column.

TLR Reviewers Perform the Latest Items

The November 3rd meeting will be demonstrations of the latest magic items on the market by our Ring 50 product reviewers for the "Hocus in Focus" section of The Linking Ring. New items arrive at TLR editor’s office for review. He sends them to the Associate Editor, Jason Goldberg, for his reviewers to examine, tear apart, perform, and evaluate. Many are new items, books, DVDs, and some are revisions or modifications to classic magic effects. This will be a good chance to see a demo of an item you have seen advertised and want to know more about.

We appreciate the time the "Hocus in Focus" team spends on their reviews. It is not an easy task to critically examine the hard work of others. Our Ring 50 reviewers are:
Jason Goldberg, Tom Bohacek, Sam Brothers, Dick Christian, Eric Henning, Dick Kahane, Arnie Levin, Larry Lipman, Kevin McGuire, Louis Meyer, Bob Patterson, Tom Paxton, Dwight Redman, Danny Selnick, Dave Shepherd, Ed Spells, Michael Taggert, Geoff Weber, Rucj Uffelman, Bill Wells and Paul White.

Comedy Magician Contest

(Click on photos for larger view)

The other main event at the June meeting was the annual Winton Carroll Humorous Magician Contest, named after a former Ring 50 President known for his love of magic and his comedic routines. First up was former TVP John Roberts (right) as a screwball magician character whose magic went all wrong, especially the Needle Javelin through Balloon! He got big laughs with a Paper Balls over the Head in which he threw the balls over his own head!

Next was Bob Carnathan (left), who did a Spotted Silk Can with rhyming patter from his famous “Black and White” act. He followed with the Leopard Silk and Karrell Fox’s Invisible Deck routine.

Geoff Weber (right) did some original material, opening with a rod holding six index cards. He asked the audience helper to get him out of his daily rut by picking a random action written on one card. Her card read “HUG,” and when he turned to hug her, we saw that all the other cards said “KILL”! Geoff, or Geo as he is known professionally, then did a beautiful version of the Malini Egg Bag, followed by an original presentation for Bob Sheets’ Hang ‘Em High.

Two-time winner Reggie Rice (left) followed, with an unusual bowling ball production (no pad!), and a nice handling of Barry Mitchell’s Moo Masher with a young girl from the audience. As usual, Reggie got the most laughs of anyone in the show.

Brian Garner (right), the “Funny Magic Dude,” did a nifty bottle production and a nice routine with the Axtell Drawing Board. A card trick with a jumbo deck went wrong, whereupon Brian went into full “American Idol” mode, singing and getting dissed by the voice of Simon Cowell. He ended with a nice Kabuki Streamer and produced silks from the streamer.

Next up were two of our junior members, Alina Selnick and Karl Keat (left). They did a comedy sketch in which the Alina was the magician and Karl was her bumbling assistant who got the magic wrong. It was great to see them aiming so high so young, and we look for more from them.




Bert Udovin (right) had three people select cards and failed to find them and then cut holes in a folded newspaper to reveal the pips of each card in succession. He then did an Invisible Deck routine.



Last year’s winner, Hugh Turley (left), did an observation test with kids from the audience miscalling the colors of several silks, which were placed inside a tube, changing into a 20-foot rainbow silk streamer. This routine had lots of laughs and great interaction with the kids.

The final contestant was Theo Rushin (right), who has reworked the old Vanishing Bandanna bit with his own recordings on CD. He borrowed a signed $20 bill, sealed it in an envelope marked “Mine.” He gave an empty envelope marked “Yours” to the lender, who sealed it. Chaos ensued as the first envelope was shredded, the bill not in the helper’s envelope or seemingly anywhere else. A lemon contained the wrong $20 bill. Theo, dutifully following directions, found $1 bills in each shoe, all his pockets, and even taped to his chest! Finally, the borrowed bill was found in the CD case. Congratulations to our new DC Comedy Magician of the Year, Theo Rushin!

- Eric Henning
Photos: Bob Patterson

Area Magicians for Hire

GOT MAGIC?

These professional magicians, based in the Washington area,

are listed in alphabetical order.

Please contact them directly to discuss your entertainment needs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wayne Alan

America's only World Champion Stage Illusionist,

as seen on national TV and The White House.

Innovative Illusions Inc.

3103 Newcastle Lane, Riva, MD 21140

Phone 410-956-8132 Fax 410-956-0338

Email: Wayne@WayneAlanMagic.com

Web: WayneAlanMagic.com

Bob Carnathan

Classic Magic for Elegant Events

Bethesda, MD

Phone: 301 469 5030

Email: Bob@BobCarnathanMagic.com

Web: BobCarnathanMagic.com

Stuart Finley

Tel: 703-860-8924

Email: ahome4u1@cox.net

Glenn Gary

The Classical Magic of Glenn Gary

Winner, Clint Reidel Trophy for Best Act of Competition AND
Best Stage Manipulation at Magicians' Alliance of Eastern States

Tel: 703-963-0790

Email: info@GlennGary.com
Web: www.glenngary.com

Eric Henning

Conjuror
Magic for Corporate, Private and Community Events

as seen at the National Christmas Tree Lighting!

Tel: (toll-free) 1-800-485-0029

Email: Eric@HenningMagic.com

Web: www.HenningMagic.com

Larry Lipman

"Lorenzo the Great"

Specializing in Magic for Children

Tel: 703-859-8526

Email: lorenzomagic@cox.net

Web: www.lorenzomagic.com

Noland Montgomery

Magical Entertainment for All Ages

Tel: 301-572-7743

Email: noland@nolandsmagic.com

Web: www.nolandsmagic.com

Eric Redman
As seen on network TV: "Lance Burton's Young Magicians"
& "Showtime at The Apollo"
Tel: 301-927-7717 Email: blaq__majik@hotmail.comWeb: http://magicalexperience.freeservers.com

Reggie Rice
"Super MAGIC Man" - Truly a One-Of-A-Kind Entertainer
Tel: 240-298-6077
Web: www.SuperMAGICMan.com

Michael Taggert

Magician Extraordinaire

"Nominated Best in the 'Burg." Award-winning magic for the whole family, renaissance entertainment, platform and stage performances.

Tel: 540-370-0752

Email Michael@MichaelTaggertMagic.com

Web: www.MichaelTaggertMagic.com

TEO

The Prince of Conjuring

Family and Corporate Entertainer - Voted "The Most Humorous Entertainer of the Year"

Tel: 240-988-3441

Email MAGIC [AT] IAMTEO [DOT] COM

Web: www.IAMTEO.com

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If you are a performing magician and a current Ring 50 member

and would like to be listed in this section,
please email Eric Henning with your information.

Meeting Info

Ring 50 meets the first Wednesday of the month (except July) at

Bishop Ireton High School

201 Cambridge Rd  Alexandria, VA 22301


Click here for a map & directions.

6:00 p.m. Counts of Conjuring (Magic Youth Int'l chapter) meeting.

8:00 p.m. Meeting

All magicians and magic enthusiasts are most welcome!