Egg Bag - May 2009

THE LARRY WEST ASSEMBLY NO. 23, S.A.M. MEETS ON THE 3RD WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB IS ON 14TH STREET BETWEEN E & F STREETS, IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

OUR NEXT MEETING – MAY 20, 2009

THEME OF THE MEETING

Escapology, math-magic, street bizarre! As well as show us what your working on! While we have a theme you are at liberty to show us something else and perhaps you will be able to fit what you are working on into the theme. Remember the most important thing is that you perform.

APRIL’S MAGIC SHOW:

Performers included: Hugh Turley, Allen Cleveland, Laurie Curry and Greg Clements, Noland Montgomery, Larry Lipman, Cristian Vidrascu, and Dwight Redman. In addition Jim Flanigan and Steve Javes were the performing masters of ceremony for the evening.

Allen Cleveland performed using the Pom Pom sticks, the vanishing (Nielsen) ketchup bottle and the invisible deck.

Laurie Curry and Greg Clements did the Gypsy Rope Mystery to the amazement of the audience.

Noland Montgomery opened with a short card routine involving the four aces, he then produced an apparently live mouse named George from an empty hat. George then engaged in a number of comic antics. He closed with a four-ring linking ring routine also with a child from the audience.

Larry Limpan did a version of "What's Next" with the multiplying dots and the "mismade flag" with the American flag that kept coming out incorrectly. He was assisted by a child portraying Abraham Lincoln.

Cristian Vidascu chose a random member from the audience by throwing a ball to the public. Cristian then asked the volunteer to choose a Jack (Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, or Clubs). The whole time he had an envelope in his hand. He pulled out the four cards and showed that the Jack of Diamonds was upside down. He then showed that he did not rely on sleight of hand, because the chosen Jack had a different color back. As a climax, he showed that the experiment wouldn’t have worked had the volunteer chosen another Jack, because the remaining three cards were blank. Finally he vanished a red silk, made it reappear, and subsequently transformed it into a flower, which he gave to a girl in the front row.

Dwight Redmand did a torn and restored card with an auto insurance story. He then did the anniversary waltz (two signed cards merge into one) and finished with his card to bottle routine with a Star Trek story.

Jim Flanigan, who was one of the evening's emcees, came to the rescue and filled some blank time with magic of his own. He showed a Spiderman coloring book in which the pages were colored magically with the audience's help. He also asked two men from the audience to hold the ends of a long rope which he pulled through his body in his version of the popular "Hang 'Em High" illusion.

DRESS CODE:

Please remember that the Assembly is a guest of the National Press Club. Gentlemen should dress in business casual or better–no Tee-shirts, shorts, jeans or flip-flops to the dinner meetings. Ladies should dress correspondingly appropriately.

ANNUAL DUES:

Dues are now due! Our dues are only $10 per year, a real bargain. If you have not yet paid dues for the new fiscal year (April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009), you may pay the Treasurer, Noland Montgomery, at the meeting or mail your check payable to “Larry West Assembly 23” to Noland Montgomery, P.O. Box 581, Beltsville, Maryland 20704-0581.

KOZMO LECTURE REXCHEDULED:

Due to a death in the family, the Kozmo lecture has been rescheduled for our June Meeting. The lecture by Kozmo aka Ted Brainard will contain a performance of his Professional Street Act; Translocation Coins (The reasons why Kozmo opens with this effect); Coins in the Cup (How to make this effect play big rather than play small); Card Trick (How to make this trick play big or play small); The Sugar Packet Trick (Why this effect plays so strong), and Chop Cup Routine (Kozmo’s complete routine with all its nuances).

OTHER NON-ASSEMBLY EVENTS OF INTEREST:

June 5 and 6, 2009 will be the annual Parlour Magic Foray of Famous Unknown Magicians and Clowns. This year’s featured performers will include Bruce Kalver, 2008 S.A.M. President, Mike Miller, 2009 S.A.M. President, and Andy Dallas, 2007 S.A.M. President. The event will be held at the Hall of Fame of Famous Unknown Magicians and Clowns located near Cooperstown, New York. Admission is $35. Checks may be sent to: Charlie Zuis, Hall of Fame of Famous Unknowns, Box 72, Schuyler Lake, New York 13457. Please contact Charlie Zuis (Chazoo) at 315-858-2576 for more information.

UP-COMING THEMES & ACTIVITIES OF THE ASSEMBLY – SUBJECT TO CHANGE:

(Remember, although we have a theme you may perform something else, the most important thing is that you perform.)

June – Lecture by Kozmo aka Ted Brainard

July -- T.B.A. / Make close-up mats?