Egg Bag - November

JEEPERS CREEPERS

Several members being out of town this month, the Assembly 23 gathering was relatively small for October with only eight attendees, so we were able to move to a more intimate setting for cocktails and dinner: the large roundtable by the fireplace in the National Press Club bar. Following a long dinner in which several decks of cards somehow found themselves on breadplates, the group retired to the backroom lounge for the performance section of the evening, which was eyed surreptitiously by the National Press Club members. Our rat-pack theme this month was “Jeepers Creepers.”

The gathered magicians cut a (probably) ungimmicked deck to determine performance order. Winner (or loser, depending on your point of view) was new candidate for membership Hudson Taylor. Hudson performed his own impressive version of the Haunted Deck in which ghosts, represented by aces, magically appeared on the face of the deck when it was shaken. Matt Hiller followed with a totally inexplicable 2-ring version of Jay Sankey’s “Three-Ring Circus.” Theo Rushin then performed Chris Kenner’s “Five-Speed,” the climax of which produced audible gasps from the audience. He was followed by Lars Klores, who performed “Masque of the Red Death,” his original handling of Robert Neale’s “Thirteen at Table” inspired by a conversation with David Parr. Tom Kee performed a killer Marlo sandwich effect which left everyone befuddled, then Jonathan Walker, who had apparently spent all day with a playing card in one shoe and a piece of Halloween candy in the other, performed “Trick ‘R’ Treat” in which a chosen card was discovered in the magician’s shoe. Dwight Redman demonstrated a beautiful wooden finger chopper, then followed with “Further Than That” in which a Ten of Spades shows up in increasingly impossible locations. Final performance of the night was Sam Brothers, who favored us with a classic from Royal Road to Card Magic entitled, “Gary’s Spelling Trick.”

The performance segment concluded, attendees were already in the bar, so we stayed where we were and continued with drinks and sessioning.’

NOVEMBER’S MEETING

The McClendon Room has been reserved for dinner and the general meeting. All compeers are encouraged to join us for dinner.

The Theme for the November meeting is “Dancing in the Dark”. (Remember, although we have a theme you may perform something else, the most important thing is that you perform.)

THE $100 LARRY WEST PRIZE

In July 2010, Assembly 23 will have a drawing for a $100 magic-shop gift certificate. To be entered into this drawing, simply show up to the meetings. Each member in good standing at each meeting will be entered into the drawing. Every month, you have another chance to be entered, so at the end of the year those with perfect attendance should have 12 entries.

A bonus entry each month will be awarded to the member whose magic performance best exemplifies that month's theme.

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 past due! Dues are $10 per year. If you have not yet paid dues for the new fiscal year (April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010), you may pay the Treasurer, Dwight Redman, at the meeting or mail. Make your check payable to “SAM Assembly 23”.

MEETING AT THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB

In the future a member of the National Press Club needs to be in attendance at all SAM assembly meetings held at the National Press Club. This is a requirement of the Press Club. The secretary Joe Tessmer, a member of the National Press Club, will be in attendance at the November and December meetings.

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.)

The monthly themes for 2009-2010 are:

November: Dancing in the Dark

December: I've Got You Under My Skin

January: (Ray and Lee Eyler Lecture)

February: Come Fly With Me

March: You're Getting to Be a Habit

April: (NPC Show)

May: (Lecture TBA)

June: I Got Plenty of Nothing

July: What Kind of Fool Am I?

OTHER NON-ASSEMBLY EVENTS OF INTEREST:

It is now required that all members of any assembly be national members of the Society of American Magicians S.A.M.

Ray Eyler has a DVD of over 800 high-resolution professional photographs that document the entire 2009 S.A.M, convention for review by Assembly 23 compeers.

The Kapital Kidvention, a three-day convention for Children's Magic Show entertainers to be held in the D.C. area in January. More information is at http://www.kapitalkidvention.com/.