Egg Bag - December 2008

THE EGG BAG

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE LARRY WEST ASSEMBLY NO. 23, SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS

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

Join us for fun, magic and fellowship. Cocktails start at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., and meeting at 7:30 p.m.

OUR NEXT MEETING –DECEMBER 17, 2008

THE THEME OF THE MEETING

Transformation, Restoration, Optical Illusion! 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.

SPECIAL NOTE

Remember on February 18, 2009, the Assembly will sponsor a lecture by Kozmo a/kl/a Ted Brainard The lecture 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); A 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).

BROKEN WAND

Morton Rumberg reported on Dec. 13 that Phil Miller passed away in the AM.

His brother reported that at a lodge meeting last evening, he felt sick, went to the rest room
and passed out. He was taken to G.W. Hospital. He died there this morning. Phil was a member of IBM Ring 50, (Order of Merlin) and VMS (Virginia Magic Society).

The Memorial service will be next Monday, December 22, at Foundry United Methodist Church, 1500 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, at 1:00 PM. Mike Miller’s (Phil’s brother) daughters Ruth Ellen and Jeanette are both coming, as are Meghann Davidson (married last January), Joe Mausolf (16), Michael Elsbree (20) and Stephen Elsbree (18). The girls loved their Uncle Phil and so did his grand nieces and nephews.

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.)


Jan. -- Production, Vanish, Clairvoyance
Feb. -- Kosmo Lecture
Mar. -- Penetration, Prediction, Prestidigitation
Apr. -- National Press Club close-up show.
May. -- Escapology, math-magic, street bizarre
June -- T.B.A. / Mini Lecture teach in?
July -- T.B.A. / Make close-up mats?


DON’T FORGET TO LOOK AT OUR WEB PAGE FOR OTHER ASSEMBLY NEWS AND INFORMATION AT www.assembly23.blogspot.com

Egg Bag, November 2008

THE EGG BAG

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF

THE LARRY WEST ASSEMBLY NO. 23

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS

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

Join us for fun, magic and fellowship. Cocktails start at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m.,

and meeting at 7:30 p.m.

OUR NEXT MEETING –NOVEMBER 19, 2008

THE THEME OF THE MEETING

Psychokinesis, Precognition, and Mind reading! 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.

SPECIAL NOTE

We have been asked by the Press Club to provide some walk around magic for their annual children's holiday party starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13.

This is an excellent opportunity for our members to do some fun children's entertainment, going from table to table and bring smiles and laughter to many young faces and some adults as well.

This party usually lasts until about 2:30, but the magicians don't have to stay the entire time. This is one of the annual events we do for the Press club in exchange for our meeting space.

We will be calling on volunteers on the Nov. 19th. meeting and finalize the other upcoming magical events of the season.

Monkey Business:

Our October meeting was a lecture by TROY HOOSER. After the lecture several of the compeers met in the Reliable Source for more fellowship and magic.

At the September Meeting: (an abbreviated report)

Ray Eyler presented the floating bill and his handling of Lou Gallo’s “Penetrated Bill” where a is folded lengthwise and covered by a also folded in half, a cocktail sword is thrust through the card and bill and then removed. The bill and card are examined along with the cocktail sword and then again the card and bill are penetrated, however this time the bill is slid from side to side. When the sword and card are removed the bill is found not to be damaged.

Lee Eyler was next to perform and “Sidewinder Card” where the chosen card being returned to the deck on its own levitates from the deck.

Jim Flanigan regaled us with his presentation of his “Presidential Cards” showing us the various candidates and finally arriving at the choice (chosen card).

Joe Tessmer roped us in with his rendition of the “Magic Stiff Rope.”

It was no gamble when Sam Brothers provided us with his performance of “Blind Man’s Poker.”

Dwight Redman as always entertaining, performed “Shinkansen” and coin in the bottle.

Larry Lipman provided us with an effect he is developing for his children’s performance he calls “Reach for the Star,” it is sure to be well received.

Noland Montgomery was next up performing Simon Lovell’s “Card Transposition.”

Matt Hiller arrested our attention with his presentation of “Crazy Man’s Handcuffs.”

Brent Hatherill performed a visual card force and prediction.

Steve Javes ended the evenings presentations with an effect he created – a bill change to credit card.

The group then retired to the Reliable Source for more fellowship and magic.

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.)

Dec. -- Transformation, Restoration, Optical Illusion

N.P.C. Holiday Party, Sat. Dec. 13

Jan. -- Production, Vanish, Clairvoyance

Feb. -- Kosmo Lecture
Mar. -- Penetration, Prediction, Prestidigitation

Apr. -- National Press Club close-up show.
May. -- Escapology, math-magic, street bizarre
June -- T.B.A. / Mini Lecture teach in?
July -- T.B.A. / Make close-up mats?

Larry West

A Biography of Assembly 23 Namesake Larry West

Larry in the '70s with cards in hand

In the spring of 1993 Assembly 23 was renamed the Larry West Assembly. So that the newer members and magicians who may not have know Larry, below is a brief biography in order that they might become better acquainted with the person our Assembly is named for along with a group of photos showing his various faces.

Left to Right – Art Emerson & Larry West as they appeared on cover of MUM

Larry was born Gilbert Lorenzo West, Jr. on December 13, 1931 and at the tender age of eight years he received a Gilbert Mysto Magic Set for Christmas, and like so many of us, was never the same. In Larry's case, magic was never the same either! Larry attended Wilbraham Academy, Mass. Preparatory School and later Clark University where he took a degree in sociology. During this period he met and married Lois, a marriage which produced two children, Lon and Lori.

Larry at the piano at the National Press Club.

During his growing up years while visiting relatives in New Haven, Conn., he spent a great deal of time with slight-of-hand artist Rudy Reimer and inventor-manufacturer Todd Petrie. As the years passed he started developing his expertise in card magic, which was his forte.

Larry's full-time work was in broadcasting. After college, marriage and military service, in the 1950's, he started in radio in his home town of Pittsfield, Mass. Larry moved to Springfield, Mass., and for over two years produced a weekly television show (104 programs) for children on TV station WWLP, Channel 22, "The Mad House," under the guise of "MAX the Mad Magician." After working briefly for General Electric Broadcasting in Schenectady, N.Y., Larry went to Washington, D.C. for the Voice of America where he was an announcer and producer-director of documentaries and special English language programs.

Larry demonstrating for Mark Wilson

It was during the TV phase of his career that forced Larry to be inventive since the show used material at a rapid rate. With the appearance of Alex Elmsley's famous "Ghost Count" in the Dai Vernon "Twisting the Aces" routine, Larry found fertile ground for his inventiveness. Add this to his move to Schenectady, N.Y., where he met Vern Chesbro who had combined "Oil and Water" with the Elmsley count, and poor Alex's sleight would never be the same again. Alex Elmsley once commented to Larry, “I’ve created a monster.” Vern and Larry joined forces to write "Tricks You Can Count On," a book of card effects using the Elmsley Count and other counts (currently in its third printing,) which is still considered a classic of this genre of card magic.

Larry as “Witch Hazel” with Russ Glover in their National Award winning act “Professor Baldini & Witch Hazel”

At the 1967 national Magic Convention in Philadelphia, Larry met Art Emerson. The birth in 1968 of Emerson and West paired an inventive mind and a master salesman and introduced a line of exclusive magic effects under the Emerson and West banner at the Columbus Magifest in 1969. The line grew over the years and the Emerson and West packet card effects could be and even now can be seen particularly "Color Monte" the most popular packet ever marketed.

Many of the effects were Larry's. Many of the others, marketed by Emerson and West and credited to others have Larry's fine touch with modifications and improvements which have made the effects better than the original.

Larry as “Max the Mad Magician” during one of his TV shows.

In 1985, following the death of Charles Hudson, Larry volunteered to continue the Card Corner column of the "Linking Ring" with his first offering appearing in December 1985 and continued until his death in November 1989.

Art and Larry with Frank Garcia

In the beginning of the 1980, Larry teamed up with Ray Eyler to form KEE-West Productions. KEE-West printed and published lecture notes and various other magic and non-magic publications. Later in the mid 1980's Larry and Ray started putting together several effects for the magic market.

Three clowns at MAES: Ray Eyler, Larry, and Ed Sparrow

Those who knew Larry also know that mere words could not paint an accurate picture of the total man. His booming voice was recognized by all. His warm heart was always available to help others. And his sometimes off-the-wall humor brought laughter and pleasure. Above all, Larry loved magic and wasn't afraid to show it.

Larry with his wife, Lois

Larry was not only an excellent magical performer but was adapt at the piano even though he could not read music. On occasion he combined the two talents to provide entertainment for his audience.

Larry died of a sudden heart attack during the night of November 24, 1989. In 1993 the Assembly 23 of the Society of American Magicians was officially renamed the Larry West Assembly in his honor and to carry on his memory.

Troy Hooser Lecture

Totally Troy!!!

TROY HOOSER LECTURE
OCTOBER 15, 2008
FREE FOR MEMBERS
NON-MEMBERS $10

Straight from the mind of Troy Hooser and into your repertoire. Discover the new lecture from Troy Hooser. This lecture is packed with Troy's favorite routines. Each routine is demonstrated and concisely explained. In addition, Troy describes all the subtleties and finesses required to perform each routine.

HERE'S A PREVIEW OF THE NEW LECTURE

Three coin effects, Three card effects, Three Miscellaneous effects, and a few extra routines thrown in. JUST TWO COINS-Just 2 normal coins vanish and appear at will. COINS ACROSS 101-Start loaded and end clean COINS TO THE BAG LESS PURSE -Three coins melt away visually as they are tossed to the bag less the purse. FOUR CARD MONTE-Troy's favorite card routine. Easy and fun to perform and worth the price of the lecture. TROY'S ACES -An easy to do Ace production with an incredibly colorful ending. PERSONALITY PROGNOSTICATION -A prediction with a killer ending that is easy to perform. RUBBER LOCK -Two rubber bands link and unlink and then they lock themselves together visibly. BOTTOMLESS BOX -Two crystal balls are magically produced from a bottom less box. LACES AND RING -A ribbon and ring routine with the bottomless box. Visual and fun for any audience. If you have any of Troy Hooser's DVDs, books, or effects then you know how good this lecture is going to be.

Sponsored by The Larry West Assembly No. 23, S.A.M.
National Press Club, at 14th and F Streets, N.W. in Washington, D.C.
Cocktails - 6:00 pm
Dinner - 6:30 pm
Lecture - 8:00 pm

Egg Bag - Sept 2008

OUR NEXT MEETING –SEPTEMBER 17, 2008

THE THEME OF THE MEETING

Levitations, Penetrations and Teleportation! 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.

SPECIAL NOTE

WED., OCTOBER 15, 2008

TROY HOOSER LECTURE

FREE FOR MEMBERS – NON-MEMBERS $10

Straight from the mind of Troy Hooser and into your repertoire. Discover the new lecture from Troy Hooser. This lecture is packed with Troy's favorite routines. Each routine is demonstrated and concisely explained. In addition, Troy describes all the subtleties and finesses required to perform each routine.

HERE'S A PREVIEW OF THE NEW LECTURE:

Three coin effects, Three card effects, Three Miscellaneous effects, and a few extra routines thrown in.

JUST TWO COINS-Just 2 normal coins vanish and appear at will. COINS ACROSS 101-Start loaded and end clean COINS TO THE BAG LESS PURSE-Three coins melt away visually as they are tossed to the bag less the purse. FOUR CARD MONTE-Troy's favorite card routine. Easy and fun to perform and worth the price of the lecture. TROY'S ACES-An easy to do Ace production with an incredibly colorful ending. PERSONALITY PROGNOSTICATION-A prediction with a killer ending that is easy to perform. RUBBER LOCK-Two rubber bands link and unlink and then they lock themselves together visibly. BOTTOMLESS BOX-Two crystal balls are magically produced from a bottom less box. LACES AND RING-A ribbon and ring routine with the bottomless box. Visua land fun for any audience. If you have any of Troy Hooser's DVDs, books, or effects then you know how good this lecture is going to be.

ANNUAL DUES ARE NOW PAST DUE IF YOU HAVE NOT PAID

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.

Monkey Business:

Although due to vacations and other outside activities the meeting was not well attended we forged forward with the individual presentations.

Pres. Matt Hiller had Ray open several canisters, one inside the other, and examine them. He then turned a die to show a number, he chose, on top without exposing it to anyone. He then placed it inside the smallest canister and then placed that canister in the next canister, etc. After the various canisters had been nested, Matt then proceeded to divine the number Ray had chosen.

As a follow-up Matt demonstrated his ability to bend a cigarette in half without breaking it.

Noland Montgomery was next up performing an excellent cut & restored rope routine. Very well done.

Ray Eyler presented Larry West’s “Famous 4-Card Trick.” After having a card chosen, he attempted to mental locate the card to no avail after four tries, however, after the announcement of the chosen card showed that all four cards to be the chosen card only to have them change to the four suits and same value.

Lee Eyler regaled us with a new effect based on the “Paper Clipped Prediction.” After placing a folded bill inside a paper clip on the table, he borrowed a bill and had it signed. He then folded into a small package only to unfold it into a piece of paper with I..O.U. written on it. Picking up the bill that had been on the table in sight of everyone, removed the paper clip and unfolded the bill to expose it as the signed bill.

Joe Tessmer entertained us with his well done presentation of the “Coin Squeeze,” causing quarters one at a time to pass through an opening in a brass cylinder that was small than the couns.

Cristian Vidrascu presented his four card monte using three 7 of Hearts and an Ace of Diamonds. He dealt the cards to the table discarding a 7H and asked us to point out the AD – it had vanished. He then introduced an Okito Box and caused a coin to vanish, this was followed by his performance of a matrix.

He ended the performance with a series of vanishes, appearances and color changing of a poker chip that magically turned int a jumbo coin.

The group then retired to the Reliable Source for more fellowship and magic.

AL COHEN TO BE HONORED

The King Magic Ring will honor Al the evening of Wed., Sept. 24, 2008 at the Hagerstown American Legion Ballroom, 405 Northern Ave., Hagerstown, MD.

The evening will be a montage of interview and experience of a most magical nature. They will explore the history and purpose behind the Great Magic Demonstrator of the last century. I will be a blast. Admission $5. Contact John Swomley, 304-279-7780, e-mail trickyperson@peoplepc.com.

Egg Bag -- August 2008

OUR NEXT MEETING – AUGUST 20, 2008

ANNUAL DUES:

Dues are now past 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.

Theme for this meeting: “Show us what you want to show us,” which is to say, there is no official theme this month. The meeting will be an opportunity for each member to show us a work in progress, or showcase a favorite routine, as he or she chooses. This is also an opportunity for performers looking for constructive feed back on their routines to ask for and receive it from other members.

FUTURE THEMES: To be announced.

IT HAPPENED IN JULY (Monkey Business):

The social portion of the meeting was started off by Phil Milstead performing what he called “Into the Temple We Went,” a tale about Indiana Jones at a Mayan Temple. He laid out 4 rows of cards 4 to a row. He then turned over several cards showing their randomness and with the assistance of a volunteer turned one row at a time onto itself until there was only one stack of cards. When he had finished the only face up cards were the Aces. Repeating the lay-out and folding in showed that the cards could be made to end with various outcomes. Very puzzling.

Joe Tessmer regaled us by causing a borrowed quarter to be pushed through the bottom of a water bottle.

Ray Eyler next introduced us to one of KeeWest’s Instant Magic Tricks called “A Frog Kissing.”

With the use of cards which had cartoons of a Princess, a Frog, and a Prince Charming on them, told us told tale of a Princess looking for her Prince Charming with a surprise ending.

He followed this with a performance of Larry West’s “Another Stretch on the Elongated Lady.” Showing 3 cards that represented an illusion, caused the Queen to be stretched. After the stretching, she was restored, the illusion turned around and opened as the Queen took her bow. Ray showed that he used more than 3 cards, he had used 4 instead, two spot cards as the cabinet of the illusion, the Queen and last but not least the card showing who had performed the magic. This card had Ray’s name printed on its face.

Our Prez, Matt Hiller, was next to introduce us to “Greed.” He displayed a $1 bill and upon folding it showed that it had turned into a $5, a $10, a $20 and a $50 which he turned into a Half Dollar Coin.

Dwight Redman had a card chosen and then with the help of some cards that we could see through showed us his performance of “See Thru Prediction.” After showing the cards to be transparent and blank proceeded to correctly predict the chosen card which could be seen through the transparent cards. He then performed the “One hand Card Trick,” producing the chosen card from his pocket. Don’t remember what he was doing with the other hand.

Larry Lipman offered James Munton’s “Three Card Bunny,” a beautiful rendition of the classic monte effect with faces of large male and female bunnies on them with a surprise ending all to accompaniment of cleaver verse.

Steve Javes offered us a view of a monte-type printing effect he hopes to market. He showed us a packet of bland cards and then caused a “Gift Card” to printed on the face of a blank card.

Ending the evening’s presentations was Christian Vidrascu stretching our evening with a rendition of “Crazy Man’s Handcuffs” which was followed by the vanishing rubber band that turned up in the pocket of our President.

We then retired to the Reliable Source for more fellowship and informal magic.

New Officers

Phil Milstead presents officers Ray Eyler, dean and secretary, and new president Matt Hiller. (Photo by Larry Lipman)

Photos from National Press Club Picnic

Assembly 23 members performed again at this year's National Press Club picnic. Top down are Larry Lipman, Noland Montgomery, Eric Redman, and Dwight Redman (photos by Joe Tessmer)

Treasurer Noland Montgomery Featured in Washington Post

Assembly 23 Treasurer Noland Montgomery was featured in a great article and video for The Washington Post. Check it out:

Here's the Real Trick: Practice Makes Presto

Former Assembly President James Munton Gives Free Lecture

An email from James:

Hi everyone!

I can't wait to get back and see all my old magic buddies! I'm really excited about this lecture. If you came to the previous lecture I did for SAM 23 you'll know I put an emphasis on workable material that you'll be able to go out and actually use. Several of the routines are from my own performing repertoire that I use every week to earn a living. I'll also have new material (and products!) so if you did attend the previous lecture there will be plenty of new stuff, including a brand new mentalism routine that I think is well worth coming to the lecture to learn.

Anyway, the lecture is F-R_E*E but only if you register in advance. Otherwise it is $5 at the door.

Here is the info:

When: July 11 at 8PM

Where: Falls Church Community Center, 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, VA

There will be over $300 worth of fantastic door prizes for a few lucky people, but only if you register now!

For more information about the lecture and a registration form, please click on the link below:

http://www.jamesmunton.com/lecture/Lecture.html

Big thanks to Larry Lipman for helping to organize everything. Look forward to seeing you all there!

Best regards,

James

P.S. I hope you can also make it to one of my shows at the International Spy Museum.

More info at http://spymuseum.org/programs/calendar_pages/2008/q3/2008_07_13_ks_prog.php

--

James Munton

www.jamesmunton.com

james@jamesmunton.com

Egg Bag - June 2008

Monthly Newsletter of the Larry West Assembly No. 23 Society of American Magicians

The Larry West Assembly meets the 3rd Wednesday every month at the National Press Club, at 14th and F Streets, N.W. in Washington, D.C.

Join us for magic, fun and fellowship. Cocktails start at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting at 8 p.m. Dress code: please remember that the Assembly is a guest of the National Press Club. Gentlemen should dress business casual or better–no Tee-shirts, shorts, jeans or flip-flops to the dinner meetings. Ladies should dress correspondingly appropriately.

OUR NEXT MEETING – JUNE 18, 2008

ANNUAL DUES:

Dues are now past 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.

Theme for this meeting:

The theme is “Show us what you want to show us,” which is to say, there is no official theme this month. The meeting will be an opportunity for each member to show us a work in progress, or showcase a favorite routine, as he or she chooses. This is also an opportunity for performers looking for constructive feed back on their routines to ask for and receive it from other members.

OFFICER ELECTION: The following officers for the new term (July 2008-June 2009) were nominated at the May 2008 meeting, and will be voted on at the June 18, 2008 meeting: President: Matt Hiller; Vice President: Lars Klores; Treasurer: Noland Montgomery; Secretary: Ray Eyler. The incoming president is also responsible for appointing the Assembly reporter and Web Site Administrator.

FUTURE THEMES:

July-“Show us what you want to show us”

(Additonal themes to be added after installation of Assembly’s new President)

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:

I’ve been president of enough organizations to know that while the president often gets the credit for a successful year, many people contributed to that success.

I believe we have had a successful year in the Larry West Assembly 23 and a lot of people are responsible for it.

This past year we began two new endeavors I hope will continue in the future.

The first was the mini-lectures at the end of our regular meetings. Many thanks to all those who lectured. I learned some things and I hope others did as well. I hope we can continue the practice of having one member a month offer a mini-lecture.

The second new endeavor was the inaugural “Sammy Award.” This year we honored Barry Taylor at an evening I think many will remember for a long time. Many thanks to our incoming president, Matt Hiller, for taking on this task and organizing a great event. I hope we continue the Sammy Awards. It gave us great exposure in the magic community and we should do all we can to continue encouraging the area’s top magicians to be a part of S.A.M. Assembly 23.

Over the years, we have had a long and excellent relationship with the National Press Club and this year we expanded that in a couple of ways.

After a long hiatus, the Press Club last year held the first of what is likely to be an annual summer family picnic and they asked us to be a part of it. Many thanks to Sam Brothers and Dwight Redman, who joined me doing walk-around magic and a kid’s show for the NPC picnickers. They’ve asked us back again this summer.

As usual, we participated in the Press Club’s annual holiday party in December. Hugh Turley, Dwight Redman and I did walk-around for the adults and children – many thanks.

Once again, we were called on to be a part of the NPC presidential inauguration. Thanks to Noland Montgomery for filling the bill that night.

It only comes around once in a hundred years, but this year the Press Club celebrated its centennial and asked us to be a part of the entertainment. A big thanks to Dwight Redman, “The Legendary” Rick Beatty, and Cristian Vidrascu for doing walk-around magic at the centennial.

And finally, we capped the year with our annual Close Up Magic Show in April. Based on several successful previous years, this year we had an overflow turnout and were forced to open a third room.

Many thanks to our performers: Bud Smith, Hugh Turley, Lee Eyler, Sam Brothers, Dwight Redman and Lars Klores. This marked Lars’ debut performance before a large audience and I hope it was just the first of his many performances. A big thanks to Noland Montgomery, who jumped in to help perform because our performers had to do three rooms instead of two. Steve Javes, as usual, did his elegant emcee role; and a huge hand to Ray Eyler, practically fresh out of the hospital, who pitched in as the third emcee.

There were some other highlights to the year, primarily our lecture with George Schindler. Again, that event reached out to the greater Washington magic community and I think we should continue striving for such top quality lecturers.

We tried something this year that, I think, had mixed success. Instead of having a monthly theme as we have had for many years, I thought maybe we should have a breather and allow members to just “show us what you want to show us.”

I hope that worked for you, but now that we’ve had that breather, I for one, would welcome monthly themes. Sometimes I find them restraining, but they also challenge us to think about new material or new ways to use old material, and I think that is a good thing.

As I said earlier, many people are responsible for our success. I want to particularly thank Ray Eyler for his advice and encouragement at the beginning of my term. Ray was largely responsible for our selection of George Schindler. It’s good to have Ray back after a rough several months.

Thanks to Sam Brothers for keeping track of what we did every month and to Lars Klores who kept up our website. I hope we continue to make good use of that site and hopefully attract new members.

Finally, I want to express my appreciation to Noland Montgomery. Not only is Noland an award-winning magician, he is also one of the most organized people I know. The club would not have run as efficiently as it did this year without Noland.

In addition to serving as our treasurer, (and with our hefty $10 dues he has made a substantial down-payment on a leaky rowboat) Noland also jumped in and took over publication of the Egg Bag in Ray’s absence. And Noland was constantly giving me suggestions and making sure that what needed to be done was being done. We are truly lucky to have Noland as such an active member.

A lot of people contributed this past year, but if there is one weakness in our club it is that we are stretched awfully thin. If we are to survive and thrive in the future we need to attract more new members who will contribute. One such new member is Joe Tessmer. Not only has Joe taken an increased interest in the performance of magic but he has also generously contributed his talents as a photographer to help us document and promote our activities, such as taking pictures at the evening to honor Barry and at the close up show.

We need new blood and people willing to pitch in and carry the load of responsibilities for running this club and performing at future events for the National Press Club. I encourage each of you to be on the lookout for new members who can make a contribution to our assembly. And I encourage those who have not been as active in the past as they could be to also contribute more.

If you review the list of those who participated and contributed this past year, many of them are the ones who have contributed significantly in the past. We need more participation and willingness to serve.

At Wednesday night’s meeting, we will elect a new slate of officers. I offer them best wishes for an even more successful 2008-2009. It has been an honor to serve this past year as your president.

Larry Lipman, President,

Society of American Magicians Assembly 23

The Larry West Assembly

A Brief History of The Larry West Assembly 23

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LARRY WEST ASSEMBLY 23,

SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS

In 1930 the magicians in the Washington, D.C. area formed what was to be Assembly 23, of the Society of American Magicians.

Its first official meeting took place at the National Press Club in December of that year. The SPHINX, An Independent Magazine For Magicians, (then the official organ of the Society) records in its issue of January 1939 that the 6th Annual National Press Club Show for the NPC members and family was a great success. In the early days the Assembly met regularly in what was know as the Silver Room where it entertained the notable magicians of the times as they either performed in Washington or were passing through. This included other well know show biz personalities who dabbled in the art.

The Assembly from time to time has also been home base for many of the well known national and local magicians, too numerable to mention. The SPHINX reports that Arthur Godfrey, Arch McDonald, a well known sports-caster, Joe Kuhel, then manager of the Washington Senators baseball club, applied for and were granted membership in the mid 30's while in later times many of our present day magic notables have enjoyed membership with the Washington Assembly.

The Assembly's association with the National Press Club has remained steady through the years. On December 11, 1980 in the old Ballroom we jointly celebrated our 50th year of association at a show given by the Assembly for the members of the N.P.C. and S.A.M. Joining the celebration was President of the National Press Club Drew von Bergen and President of the Assembly, Dr. William A. Wells. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Mr. John Harter, local T.V. news anchor. The close-up performers were: Al Cohen, Larry Davidson, Leon Picon, Barry Taylor, Hugh Turley, Dr. Wells, Larry West, Joe Sobel and Charles Zuis. On stage were: Christian the Magician, The KEE & Co. (Ray & Lee Eyler), Dr. Chang and the Gustafsons.

Members of the Assembly have provided the talent for the annual N.P.C. Christmas (now Holiday party), they have taken part in many activities of the N.P.C. and were a part of the the Wrecker's Ball at the "close of the old Press Club" and at the "Grand Opening" of the New Press Club facilities.

After the untimely death of Larry West, a well know magical personality and well known among National Press Club members, in April 1993 the Assembly was officially renamed the Larry West Assembly in his honor. Representing the national Society for the renaming ceremony was Fr. Cyprian, then President of the Society of American Magicians. Charles Zuis, the Assembly President opened the ceremonies and then turned over the podium to Ray Eyler as master of ceremonies for the evening. In addition to the renaming of the Assembly the past presidents were recognized and Dave Lederman was installed as our Dean of Magic. Today Ray Eyler serves in this capacity.

Past presidents of the Assembly No. 23, of the Society of American Magicians as they gathered for the re-naming of the Assembly to the Larry West Assembly (1993). Left to Right top row left to right: Alan Drew, Kenneth Trombley, Ray Eyler, Ron Bacon, Charlie Zuis (then Assembly President). Middle row: Ken Norris, Chuck Nuneville, Don Williams, Dr. Dick Wunderlich, Scott Bueller. Front row: Lee Eyler, Fr. Cyprian, Dr. William Wells, Harold (Doc) Dougherty.

Others who have service as President of the Assembly: (In the 1930's) C. F .R. Ogilby; Charles H. Small; R. E. Otterback; Theo T. Golden; Harry H. Baker; F. H. Untiedt; Charles Nyquist; (In the 1940's) Ralph Mittendorff; Carl D. Shoemaker; Trenis L. Jones; C. B. Petree; Hon. Fritz G. Lanhan; George C. Hench; Franklin V. Taylor: Fred M. Johansen; George Walter: (In the 1950's) Carl E. Brockway; Robert Shaw; Willard S. Swayer; Raymond M. Hicks; Orville Meyer; Mario DePrato; Fred M. Johanson; Willam Adamson; Hans Raab; (In the 1960's) Edward Campagna; Edward Tindal; Allan W. Houghton; Dr. I. Rutkoski; Henning Nelms; Wenton Carroll; (In the 1970's) Jim Temple; Larry West; Matthew Permick, Ron Bacon (In the 1980's - 90's & 2000's) Eric Wolf; Scotty Scafidi; Dwight Redman; James Munton; Hugh Turley; Scott Miller, Lee Eyler, Eric Feinberg; John Flanagan, Walter (Bud) Smith; Noland Montgomery. Today Larry Lipman serves as our Assembly President

There were others that served during the period of the 1960's to the present which are not listed. If anyone has additional information please send it to ceyler1026@aol.com.

Ray Eyler, Fr. Cyprian and Charlie Zuis at the Renaming of the Assembly

Fr. Cyprian making the formal announcement of the change of name of Assembly 23 to the Larry West Assembly

Egg Bag - May 2008

Monthly Newsletter of the Larry West Assembly No. 23 Society of American Magicians

The Larry West Assembly meets the 3rd Wednesday every month at the National Press Club, at 14th and F Streets, N.W. in Washington, D.C.

Join us for magic, fun and fellowship. Cocktails start at 6 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting at 8 p.m. Dress code: please remember that the Assembly is a guest of the National Press Club. Gentlemen should dress business casual or better–no Tee-shirts, shorts, jeans or flip-flops to the dinner meetings. Ladies should dress correspondingly appropriately.

OUR NEXT MEETING – MAY 21, 2008

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.

Theme for this meeting:

The theme is “Show us what you want to show us,” which is to say, there is no official theme this month. The meeting will be an opportunity for each member to show us a work in progress, or showcase a favorite routine, as he or she chooses. This is also an opportunity for performers looking for constructive feed back on their routines to ask for and receive it from other members.

OFFICER NOMINATIONS: Officers for the new term (July 2008-June 2009) will be nominated at the meeting. The officers proposed for nomination by the Nominating Committee are as follows: President: Matt Hiller; Vice President: Lars Klores; Treasurer: Noland Montgomery; Secretary: Ray Eyler. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the meeting. Election of the officers will be held at the June meeting.

FUTURE THEMES:

June-“Show us what you want to show us” and election of new officers

PERFORMANCES AT THE ANNUAL ASSEMBLY 23 NATIONAL PRESS CLUB SHOW:

The annual close-up magic show at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. is one of the highlights of the year for the Larry West Assembly, S.A.M. #23 and this year’s show, which assembly members put on in lieu of the regular April meeting, lived up to its billing. Seven magicians performed for an overflow crowd that required the use of three rooms, instead of the two rooms the assembly has performed for in recent years. The annual show is free to Press Club members and their guests as part of an arrangement the assembly has with the club in exchange for free meeting space.

The magicians offered a variety of comedy, close-up, children’s and adult magic. Assembly President Larry Lipman, Assembly Dean Ray Eyler and longtime member Steve Javes did the honors as masters of ceremony in the three rooms. Only six magicians were scheduled to perform, but because the overflow crowd forced the opening of a third room.

Dwight Redman stumped the crowd with his rendition of Dean Dill’s Box and with a torn and restored card routine in which he compared the torn card to an automobile’s body work. (Photo by Joe Tessmer)

Lee Eyler offered classic magic with his renditions of What’s Next, cut and restored rope and the Chinese Linking Rings. (Photo by Joe Tessmer)

Turley the Magician (Hugh Turley) brought his brand of children’s magic with a torn and restored napkin routine that worked for the child but somehow left Turley’s napkin in tatters. He had better luck, thankfully, with his sword through the neck of a trusting volunteer. (Photo by Joe Tessmer)

Bud Smith, who rarely performs for children, kept the family audience in stitches with his version of Fred Kap’s variation of Edward Victor’s 11-card trick done with dollar bills. Bud kept counting the bills, but when the volunteer counted them there was always a discrepancy. (Photo by Joe Tessmer)

Lars Klores, making his public debut, did several card tricks including a clever routine in which a card was nailed and stapled to a board, only to wind up free and a different card was found attached to the board. (Photo by Joe Tessmer)

Sam Brothers also did a series of stunning card tricks including his version of Rainbow Deck. (Photo by Joe Tessmer)

Noland Montgomery filled in with comedy magic featuring his puppet “Chester the Rabbit,” who delighted the children by doing just the opposite of everything Noland told him to do. (Photo by Joe Tessmer)