October Magi-Gram

The October Magi-Gram is here! Just click here to read it.

News Flash – Schedule Change

The monthly event schedule for IBM Ring 50 meetings has been changed. The October 1st meeting will feature “CHILDREN’S MAGIC”. The “History of Magic, Mini Lectures by Members” has been moved to the January meeting.

Children’s Magic Scheduled for OCTOBER 1st Meeting

We would love to get as many people into the October performance as possible! Please, let Louis know if you are interested in performing. This is a great chance to see how your magic entertains children. We always have a great show for children, please bring (and invite) as many kids as you want. Any Ring member interested in performing for Children’s Magic should contact Louis Meyer, 703-765-1923, or email: louis@childtimemagic.com.There is no fee to attend Children’s Magic Night.

MYI - Ring 50 Approves Initiation of Youth Program

Mike Taggert discussed and introduced a motion to initiate a Magic Youth International program sponsored by Ring 50 for the Washington DC area. The motion was seconded by Bill Wells and members unanimously approved the establishment the program. Magic Youth International is the highly respected junior branch of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. The membership of the I.B.M. actively supports this dynamic youth focused program to promote, educate, and enhance the activities of talented young magicians around the world. Syndicated columnist Ann Landers once wrote, “It is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.” So it is that our primary goal is to help our youngest members to become productive adults and the backbone of future I.B.M. Rings. Properly mentored, magic can enhance a teen’s creativity, social interaction and personal confidence. Learning and performing magic provides a fun and challenging outlet for fertile young minds; minds that are bombarded daily by creativity inhibiting video games, televised litter and bone-crunching stunts. Mike Taggert will be looking for members to become mentors in this program. If you are interested contact Mike at 540-370-0752 or email: mtaggert@cox.net.

Barry Mitchell Lectures at Ring 50

Barry Mitchell, a motivational speaker, family entertainer and humorist, captivated the attention of Ring 50 members at their September meeting. “I try to do everything to not think like a magician,” he told the crowd. “A lot of the stuff I do has a moral or an idea.” Opening his presentation by singing, Barry quickly stressed that involving the audience is very important to succeed. “You want to be part of them,” he explained. “Let me tell you a story,” he began. Those words, he pointed out, immediately set up a mood of anticipation. His first story was a legend called “The Mother of All Diamonds” where lumps of coal poured into a goblet turned into diamonds—all except one. He pulled out a key chain with a single lump of coal dangling from it. He explained he had doubted coal could change to diamonds and kept the memento to remind him they really could. In another routine, Barry had the audience chanting “Mash the Moo” as he poured milk to diminishing sizes of glasses without losing a drop. He joked that he had created condensed milk. He ended by changing the “mashed moo” to M&Ms. “Everything I do is very scripted,” he emphasized, adding the biggest difference between an amateur and a professional is a script. Barry’s home-spun humor and easy delivery supporting this philosophy came across in another segment. Four audience members played different roles for a fairy tale he called “The Selfish Sultan and the Magic Box”. Barry ended the night with a moving patriotic presentation that included a 13-star Betsy Ross flag. ~ ~ Jim Flanigan

Magician Joins Ring 50

Ring 50 gained another new member, Thomas Kee, of The Plains VA. Tom started magic when he was 8 years old and performed for about 12 years. He stopped when he went to college and recently renewed his interest in magic again.

Dick Christian Encore Appearance at Alexandria Supper Club

Ring 50's Dick Christian will be performing as the opening act at The Carlyle Club at 411 John Carlyle Street in Alexandria again on Saturday, Sept. 6. Dinner service starts at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $20 and dinners are $24.95 (for a 3-course dinner) and up. The atmosphere is that of a classy 1940's supper club with live music during dinner and for dancing after the show. Tickets can be purchased either at the door or by reservation at (703) 548-5953 or online at either www.tasteourlaughter.com or www.thecarlyleclub.com. They are expecting a close to capacity crowd on Saturday (one party group of 80+ has already made a reservation). Another performance, with Dick as the headliner (45-minute to full 1-hour show) is in the works for October with the exact date still to be determined.