November 2010 Meeting Event Reminder

You don't wanna miss the SAM Assembly 23 Special Presentation Event tomorrow night! We will be hosting "An Evening With Michael Vincent" on November 17th at the National Press Club in downtown DC. As always, dinner will be served in the McClenden Room and the presentation will begin shortly after meeting announcements at 8pm.

SAM Assembly 23 members are always FREE! If you are or know someone who is a member of a SAM group but not assembly 23 the fee is only $10. Any non SAM guests are $20.

You are also invited to join Michael Vincent AND A SPECIAL GUEST at dinner (before the presentation) around 6pm. If you are interested please RSVP to either of the following email addresses: rushint@yahoo.com or matgik@hotmail.com. Space is very limited and this SPECIAL dinner will NOT be held at the National Press Club. Don't Miss Out!

SAM 23 Whisperings (Audio Podcast): Michael Vincent

In this episode I interview Michael Vincent and talk about his latest presentation, "An Evening With Michael Vincent", in preperation for his visit to SAM Assembly 23 on November 21st. This is a brand new presentation for 2011. Michael has spent the last 18 months formulating this presentation in his mind. Most lectures by their very nature attempt to impart useful information but unfortunately in some cases, they don't teach, inspire or transform the status quo.

You may follow this link to hear our interview:
An Interview With Michael Vincent

"The Craft of Michael Vincent" - A Special November Event!

 
"The Craft of Michael Vincent"


This is a brand new presentation for 2011.

Michael has spent the last 18 months formulating this presentation in his mind.  Most lectures by their very nature attempt to impart useful information but unfortunately in some cases, they don't teach, inspire or transform the status quo.

Michael has attempted to transform the  "traditional magic lecture" into an interactive conversation, which entertains, educates and inspires.

With this new conversation, Michael will address:

• The Correct Attitude
• Why are you doing Magic and for Whom?
• Rapport and Connection
• Technical Mastery
• Audience Attention Control
• Classic routines and their Construction - (through performance and explanation)
• Contribution and Service
• The Two Most important Questions?

These are just some of the topics covered in a dynamic and experiential conversation.  To fully benefit from this conversation, Michael requests that you come fully prepared to participate.  It is important to mention that this presentation is not a passive experience; you will be required to bring a notebook and questions that you would like addressed relating to any aspect of magic that concerns you.  You will be required to bring one effect that you consider to be your signature effect.  This effect is your calling card, which defines you as a magical artist.

Michael is fully qualified to engage in this type of conversation. His ten years experience in corporate communication workshops and facilitation conversations has given  him the necessary skills in dynamic listening and delivery, so rest assured he will listen actively and assist you in transforming your concerns into new horizons.

Egg Bag - September 2010

Hello,

This month's meeting began with a discussion about November's guest lecture - Michael Vincent. Many of the members in attendance seemed very excited about the prospect of having Michael come to us from the UK. I would like to personally thank fellow member Matt Hiller for initially bringing us the news about Michael Vincent's availability and for getting the ball rolling.

Following the News and Announcements we proceeded with September's theme - "Show and Tell Us … Who". In this month's theme each member performed an effect that was taught to them or inspired by one or more of their favorite magicians. Our members came up with some very interesting effects and revelations.

Starting us off was …

Erik Feinberg - who performed a few iPod app tricks including: "X Card" by Filipe Freitas, "iKnow Your Age" by iMagic Apps, and "No Freakin Way" by Carl R Andrews. His inspiration was Steve Jobs - the man who help make these iPod magic/entertainment apps possible.   

Matt Hiller - presented "The Force That Can Not Be". This was a very interesting effect using a piece of wire that magically reshaped itself into the form of the spectator's card. Matt stated that he learned this effect from Eugene Burger, a highly respected magician.

Theo Rushin - demonstrated the separation between girls and boys by performing the "Ultimate Oil and Water". I was inspired by Dwight Redman to learn and perform more packet tricks. I found them to be a great way to entertain someone with a effect that is quick, visual, and impactful at a moments notice.

Scott McDonald - entertained us with the "Sailor Card Trick". It was taught to him by another sailor as one way to get free drinks.

Hugh Turley - entertained us with a wonderful effect involving a Chop Stick, two rings, and a Chinese Princes Robe. The effect was called "The Chinese Princess Trick". He learned this effect from Bob MCallister and then in turn taught it to James Munton.

Noland Montgomery - graced us with a portion of his street magic act by performing a routine involving a coin purse frame and sponge balls. Carl Andrews was his inspiration for his routine.

Dwight Redman - performed for us an oldie but goodie, "The Magic Ring Escape". His routine involved a borrowed ring that was trapped and locked onto a brass bolt with a nut and lock. Under the cover of a hank he was able to effortlessly make the ring vanish only to reappear in a locked box. He bought this effect a long time ago from the famed Al Cohen.

And that brought an end to September's meeting. The theme for next month - October 20th - will be "Show and Tell Us … How". This will be a bit of a teach-in for our members. Each member in attendance will demonstrate an effect and/or routine and hopefully answer one or more of the following questions:

• HOW to make this effect more entertaining.
• HOW did I change this effect to make it my own.
• HOW does this effect/routine fit my character.

I would like to thank everyone who attended this month's meeting. Your attendance contributes much to the success of this organization. We value each and every one of your opinions and views and I feel that we all can learn something from each other. I look forward to seeing each of you at our next meeting.

Thank You,

Theo Rushin Jr.
Vice President - S.A.M. Assembly 23

Egg Bag - August 2010

Summertime brings about warm weather, sunny days, and family vacations. So there was no surprise that our happy little group of Compeers was somewhat smaller than usual. We began to gather for dinner in our usual meeting place, the backroom lounge of the National Press Club, but found that the previous storms disabled some of the lighting in that room. Fortunately we found refuge in the well lit area of the balcony dinning space.

In the absence of our newly elected President, Cristian Lavidra, Theo Rushin lead the meeting starting with a few announcements including:

• The Magician’s Alliance of Easter States convention starts August 19th.
• The NEW S.A.M. Assembly 23 web site is complete. All that is left is to acquire the domain name and hosting account.

The announcements were followed by the drawing for the Larry West Prize – a $100 gift certificate or check to be spent at the magic shop of the winner’s choosing! The Winner of the 2010 Larry West Prize was awarded to ... (drum roll please) … Noland Montgomery!

The theme for this night’s meeting was “Show and Tell Us … Why”. In accordance with the theme each magician must perform an effect AND then tell us “WHY” they chose that effect. Many of the members were caught by surprise with this announcement but everyone stepped up to the challenge and entertained the group with one or more tricks and their explanation.

First up was …

Noland – started off with a trick involving a borrowed, signed $10 bill. He followed it with a card trick and then finished by finding the borrowed, signed $10 bill in a Sharpie marker. Why? He wanted to test out a new routine that he can use in his street magic set.

Turley – started with a gag, Bed Bugs. This was followed by Turley’s Triangle, a fantastic effect where no matter how many dimes were added to a triangle of dimes each side always added up equally. Why? He just wanted to do what he knows best.

Dwight – performed a ring penetration onto a small sword. The effect was called Samurai Sword. Why? He wanted to dust off this old effect and present it to the group (at the request of yours truly)

Matt – performed the Butterfly Effect (using the 2004 movie as its premise) using a deck of cards. Why? He really likes Joshua Jay.

Apurea – performed a mentalist effect by exploring the mind. His effect was called Intuition (evidently I had Julia Roberts on my mind). Why? He wanted to practice this effect for an upcoming performance.

Eric – performed the mini Zig-Zag, Ring on Wand Box, Clearly Mental, and Cubio. Why? He wanted to try out some of the oldies but goodies.

Lars – performed Card in Zip Lock Bag (very similar to Witness) and Solo. Why? Those effects just happened to be what he was working on.

Theo – performed Rubik Predicted as he spoke about his obsession for the Rubik’s Cube. Why? I really do love the Rubik’s Cube.

That wrapped up our meeting for Wednesday, August 18th. Next month’s theme will be “Show and Tell Us … Who” where, each member must perform a trick that was inspired by one or more of their favorite magicians AND then reveal to us who that magician is.

I would like to thank those who chose to brave our hot summer weather, managed to fight the downtown traffic, and was able to survive our strong summer storms in order to attend our meeting. Our assembly offers more than a chance show off the latest trick. It also helps to foster community, fellowship, and education in our magical arts. Every gathering of our local assembly 23 brings about a chance to strengthen the bonds between each of our members and represent to the world around us that we are indeed a part of “the oldest and most prestigious magician’s society in the world!”

Thank You,

Theo Rushin Jr.
Vice President - S.A.M. Assembly 23

David Acer in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, May 19

S.A.M. Assembly 23 is proud to host the great David Acer on Wednesday, May 19 at 8:00 P.M. Admission is free for SAM 23 members and $20 for non-members. Lecture will take place in the Zenger Room at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street, 13th Floor.

The David Acer Lecture

Featuring

David Acer

David Acer is a Gemini-award-nominated writer and comedian who has done crazy things on dozens of television shows around the world. The Gemini Awards is the Canadian equivalent of the Emmys. David has appeared on a multitude of international specials: BBC England’s The Secret World of Magic, NHK Japan’s F.I.S.M. 2000, Discovery’s Grand Illusions; a plethora of Canadian comedy classics: CBC’s Just For Laughs, CTV’s Comedy Now, CHCH’s Comedy at Club 54; and an array of American prime-time standards: A&E’s Comedy on the Road, ABC’s America’s Funniest People; not to mention live at The Riviera in Las Vegas, The Magic Castle in Hollywood, and 10 times at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. But younger viewers are more likely to recognize him as “Doubting Dave” from Discovery Kids' Mystery Hunters, which garnered him two Gemini nominations for Best Writing in a Children’s Non-Fiction Series, and the publication of his new book, “Gotcha: 18 Amazing Ways to Freak Out Your Friends.”

As a lesser known sideline to these slightly more public careers, David has been performing, inventing and publishing original close-up magic for over 20 years, beginning in 1984 with Perfect Magicʼs release of his popular coin-through-deck routine, Quartermain. In 1990, David teamed up with The Camirand Academy to release Nomen Omen, one of the most clever versions of the classic “name deck” available.

Since then, he has written three critically-acclaimed books of ingenious effects: Natural Selections, Natural Selections II, Random Acts of Magic, released a handful of popular instructional DVDs: Extreme Close-Up, Open Traveller, On Screen, and marketed a bevy of best-selling tricks: Nomen Omen, Spare Change, Swiss Pack, Deadlock. His innovative material has also appeared in The Magic Manuscript, Apocalypse, M.U.M., Franceʼs Arcane, The Magic Menu, The Linking Ring, MAGIC, and of course, Richard Kaufmanʼs Genii, where heʼs been a columnist since 2002, and now writes the Magicana section.

David Acer skillfully combines comedy and magic. David will teach and perform both close-up and stand-up effects at his lecture.

National Press Club Show

On April 14th, members of SAM Assembly 23 performed at the National Press Club. All photos below by Jim Flanigan.

Sammy Award Recipient Ray Eyler mystifies onlookers.

Larry Lipman Amazes

Theo Rushin Astounds

Noland Montgomery Perplexes

Dwight Redman Bamboozles

Sam Brothers also performed, and the event was MC'd by Cristian Vidrascu and Rick Beatty.

Ray Eyler Receives SAMMY Award

Ray Eyler presented with his Lifetime Achievement SAMMY Award by S.A.M. Assembly 23 President Lars Klores

At a special meeting this month, S.A.M. Assembly 23 presented longtime member Ray Eyler with its second annual SAMMY award, honoring his lifetime contributions to the assembly and the world of magic. Following a dinner in Ray’s honor, attendees repaired to the National Press Club’s Zenger Room where the award ceremony was begun. Buddy Smith led the speakers, telling everyone, “Get comfortable. This is going to take a while.” Buddy regaled us with tales from his longtime friendship with Ray, concluding on an emotional note about the nature of true friendship and true love of the art of magic. It was a tough act to follow, but Augie Arnstein and Charlie “Chazoo” Zuis were up to the challenge and told their own stories of hanging out with Ray. Assembly 23 President Lars Klores then presented Ray with an honorary plaque, and Ray made a heartfelt and humble speech in which he stressed that while he appreciated the award, it was his love for magic that made him give as much to others as he has.

Toward that end, Ray then called up his son Lee and grandson Max, and the entire Eyler family presented to the club a 90-minute version of their latest lecture, “Inside a Close-Up Session.” Among the highlights were an “Eternal Purse” routine, an Elongated Lady Routine, and one of Lee Eyler’s specialities: a 3 cup and 3 ball routine where only one of the cups and one of the balls are visible at one time. Lee also gave a mini-lecture on card-splitting, and offered breakout sessions for attendees at the end of the lecture.

It was a great night honoring Ray Eyler, one of the stalwarts of Assembly 23: a true class act and the apparent scion of a local magic dynasty.

Ray begins his lecture, treating attendees to over a half century of magical knowledge.

Ray's son, Lee, one of the foremost card men in the world.

S.A.M. Assembly 23 Magicians watch Lee's portion of the lecture.

Charlie "Chazoo" Zuis roasts his old pal Ray

Buddy Smith, giving a heartfelt appreciation

Augie Arnstein, roasting Ray

Hudson Taylor - The Wrestling Magician

Kudos to Assembly 23 Member Hudson Taylor for his appearance on the Washington Post's "D.C. Sports Bog." Check it out here.