Official Newsletter of IBM Ring 50 -- The National Capital Ring Volume 63 No. 5 May 2009

MAGI-GRAM

ING

International Brotherhoodof Magicians Ring 50The National Capital Ring

President

Louis Meyer(703) 765-1923

president@ibmring50.orgVice President

Eric Redman(301) 927-7717

vp@ibmring50.orgSecretary

Sam Brothers(703) 550-9155

secretary@ibmring50.orgTreasurer

Bob Patterson(703) 490-1222

treasurer@ibmring50.orgSergeant-at-Arms

Reggie Rice(240) 298-6077

sgtarms@ibmring50.orgMagi-Gram Editor

Jim Flanigan(202) 554-3775

magi-gram@ibmring50.orgWebmaster

Eric Henning(301) 369-0025

eric@ibmring50.org

Magician of the Year ContestHOLIDAY INN

MAY MEETING

Wednesday, May 6, 2009featuring the annual2460 Eisenhower AvenueAlexandria, VA

Ring 50’s Magi-Whirl 2009 endedwith a spectacular stage show and astanding ovation for headliner Jeff McBride. The Las Vegas star provedhe indeed was the master of masksand the king of cards. The stage --and the auditorium--at Bishop IretonHigh School in Alexandria, Va., wastransformed into a magical arena.Jeff delivered an hour-long showthat many will remember for years tocome. His unleashed energy wasspectacular. Much of the action wasdone in an enchanted, fog-drapedsetting. But when the theater lightscame up he would easily bounce off stage and move into the audience tocreate more moments of wonder.Perhaps the most poignant part of the program though was a young boynamed C.J. brought on stage by thesuperstar. The youngster evencaught the performer off guard as hemimicked his every move and drewloud applause for his delightfulbows.The evening program wasemceeded by former Ring 50president Eric Henning. He alsoperformed several effects of his ownincluding an egg bag routine with alady volunteer from the audience.Noland Montgomery, who haswon Ring 50’s Magician of the Yearrope trick with a young lady from thefor a befuddled male volunteer.The leaders of the InternationalBrotherhood of Magicians and theSociety of American Magicianscombined for a whimsical mentalismroutine. SAM President BruceKalver first “hypnotized” the entireaudience with his special spinninghead. He was then joined by IBMFormer Ring 50 President Mike Taggert,Duane Laflin will be the headliner. Alsopresenting a lecture on restaurant magicand performing in the close-up show aswell as the gala show will be Jim Sisti.Giving a lecture on children’sentertainment and performing in the night

Magi-Whirl 2009 a big hit

Jeff McBride greets legendary magicdealer Al Cohen and his wife Rita beforethe show.

6:00 Cocktails6:45 Dinner8:00

Meeting

title four times, was the opening act.He presented a cut-and-restoredspiral illusion which deflated hisPresident Joan Caesar, who was able

I-95 ALEXANDRIA

who produced Magi-Whirl 2009, alsoannounced the lineup for Magi-Whirl2010 which is already in the works.show will be Linking Ring Editor andauthor Samuel Patrick Smith.crowd and a Three Card Monte effectto reveal the serial number on a spec-tator's $5 bill from across the stage.

Coming Events

Barry’s Magic Shop,

5544 Nicholson Lane,Rockville, Md.

Danny Archer Lecture

Danny has lectured and performed in 44of the 50 states as wellas worldwide. His

Lectures at Denny and Lee’s

Denny & Lee Magic Studio, 9004Yellow Brick Road, Suite HRosedale, MD 21237.

Comedy & Mystery Society Shows

Now in its 6th season, thisentertainment presentation is co- produced by Bob Sheets, Brian Curry, Barry Wood and Mark Phillips.

Place: The Arts Barn, 311 Kent SquareRoad in Gaithersburg, Md.Dates: Last Friday performance of seasonset May 22. Wednesday shows plannedJune 3 and 17. Shows start at 8 p.m.Cost: Tickets are $12 for residentsand $15 for nonresidents forWednesday performances, and $18 forresidents and $21 for nonresidents forFriday performances. Tickets can alsobe purchased online at

www.gaithersburgmd.gov/RecXpress

.Contact:

www.comedymysterysociety.com

for details or 301-258-6394 for informationand tickets.Special Note: The family-friendly showsare perfect for ages 10 and up.Directions: For information anddirections visit the Arts Barn online at

www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn.

Page 2

IBM 2009 Nashville

“The Greatest Magic Convention on Earth”

Date: June 30 – July 4, 2009.Place: Nashville, Tenn. -- Music CityUSAIf you only make it to one magicconvention in 2009, this is the onewhere you should be! More than$20,000 in prizes, trophies and awardswill be given for the stage and close-up contests. There will be outstandinglectures, events and performers.Accomodations: Special hotel ratesat the Gaylord Opryland Resort andConvention Center of only $120 pernight plus tax.Contact: Bob Patterson, I.B.M.Registration Chairman, by emailing himat

Magic.Bob@Comcast.Net

Glenn Gary Parlor Show in anintimate 19th century setting

Dates: Wednesdays and Fridaysat 8 p.m.Place: The Westin City Center Hotel,1400 M Street NW, just off ThomasCircle at 14th and M, in the FireplaceParlor adjacent to the dining room.Cost: Pending available seating day of performance, any IBM member can getin at a discounted rate of $25 cash atthe door.Contact: 703-963-0790 or

www.glenngary.com

Society of American Magicians(SAM)

Larry West Assembly 23Date: May 20 at 8 p.m.Theme: Escapology, math-magic, streetbizarrePlace: National Press Club, 529 14thStreet NW, Washington, D.C.Contact: Ray Eyler at 410/798-0176

ceyler1026@aol.com.

Footnote: Kosmo has rescheduled hislecture for June 18.

Lecture by Giacomo Bertini

Giacomo Bertini is the hottest performerof coin magic in the world today!Date: Thursday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m.Cost: $20

Lecture by Chris Capehart

Contact: Denny’s at 410-686-3914or email

dennymagic@aol.com

S.A.M. National Convention in Buffalo

The Society of American Magiciansconvention is filled to the brim withmagic, fun and even some surprises. Italso includes a day trip to Canada forsightseeing and a visit to the fantasticGreg Frewin Theatre in Niagara Falls,where convention participants see EricDeCamps in his critically acclaimedOne Man Magic Show.Dates:July 15-18Place: Buffalo, N.Y.Special Event: Norm Nielsen honoredCost: Register on line with credit cardor Paypal.Contact:http://www.magicsam.com/ samshop/convreg.asp. More informa-tion atwww.magicsam.com.

The annual Parlor Magic Foray of Famous Unknown Magicians andClowns

featuring Bruce Kalver, 2008S.A.M. President, Mike Miller, 2009S.A.M. President, and Andy Dallas, 2007S.A.M. President.Date: June 5 and 6.Cost: $35. Checks may be sent toCharlie Zuis, Hall of Fame of FamousUnknowns, Box 72, Schuyler Lake,New York 13457Place: Hall of Fame of FamousUnknown Magicians and Clownslocated near Cooperstown, New York.Contact Charlie Zuis (Chazoo) at 315-858-2576 for more information.

Danny Archer

lecture is filled with solid, audience-tested effects.

Date: May 15 at 8 p.m.Cost: $20. Tickets are non-refundableand may not be exchangedThere are always fun things happeningat Barry’s. There are magic classes andmagic shows plus lectures andbirthday parties. Check the shop’s website for the latest happenings.

Visit Barry’s web site

http:// www.barrysmagicshop.com

for the latest events.

Contact: 301/933-0373 or email

info@barrysmagicshop.com.

Chris will present his“Kiddin’Around”lecture.Date: Thursday, May7, at 7:30 p.m.Cost: $20

Lecture by Ben Robinson

Robinson now enthralls with acompletely new lecture built around hisnewbook ”The MagiCIAn: JohnMulholland’s Secret Life”.Date: Saturday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m.Cost: $20

Lecture by Axel Hecklau of Germany

Date: Wednesday, June 24, at 7:30 p.m.Cost $25

Page 3

THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Louis Meyer

Louis Louis Louis Louis Louis

May 6………..….Dan Lacey Contest,Election of OfficersJune 3.......................Winton Carroll “MostHumorous Magician” ContestJuly ………..........No Ring 50 meetingJune 30-July 4….81

IBM Convention

Ring 50 Schedule

Ring 50 elections set

Magician of Yearcompetition readyto pick title holder

Dan Lacey

Two former winners of the DanLacey Memorial Trophy for Ring 50’sMagician of the Year will be back tocompete at the May meeting. NolandMontgomery andDwight Redmanhave both indicatedthey will beperforming for thetitle.The winner willreceive a rotatingtrophy and a spot toperform at the 2010Ring 50 Magi-Whirlstage show.Other entrants expected to seek the titleare both new and veteran members of Ring 50. A panel of judges will declarethe winner.The late Dan Lacey was a presidentof Ring 50 who inspired others--especially newcomers to magic--tohone their skills.Louis Meyer is seeking a secondterm as Ring 50 president in electionsset to be held in May. The officerschosen will be sworn in at the Junemeeting.Positions to be held besidespresident are vice president,secretary, treasurer and sergeant-at-arms.If you are interested in holdingany of these offices, contact LouisMeyer.Magi-Whirl 2009 is over. Wow!Wasn’t this yearly convention andshow great fun? Weren’t you bowledover by Jeff McBride? His lecture andshow were incredible! And our specialguests—including Joan Caesar of theInternational Brotherhood of Magiciansand Bruce Kalver from the Society of American Magicians—were an addedtreat. Then there wasthe Magic Castle’sClose-up Magician of the Year Paul Green.I just want to take amoment to thank all of the volunteers whohelped make Magi-Whirl a success. Youall did so much to helpmake our club stand out and I want tothank you for your work. You ushered,set up and tore down, assisted ourspecial guests, helped sell tickets,entertained show attendees before thetheater doors opened and much more.We hope that the success of thisyear’s convention will entice moreRing 50 members next year.. Those whodidn’t join this biggest event of theyear missed a very special time.* * *We will have our competition forMagician of the Year at our meetingthis month. Whoever wins this Maywill be featured in next year’s Magi-Whirl gala show! Noland Montgomerydid a wonderful job this year and iscoming back to defend his crown.If you would like to compete pleaseemail me and let me know ASAP.Come to our meeting and watch thecompetition. You will witness a greatmagic presentation.Also, the following month, the MostHumorous Magician competition will bestaged. If you have a comedy magictrick or act please email me and join thecompetition. I know Reggie Rice islooking forward to performing again andonce again defending his trophy!* * *Lastly, this is the last call for peopleinterested in joining our officer ranks.Several people have let me know thatthey are interested. If that is you pleaseemail me and remind me that we spoke.If you are willing to give of your timeand service, please contact me beforethe May meeting so that we canspeak. I would love to hear fromsome of you. This is just anotherterrific way to help out our club overthe next year. I have indicated I willserve as your president again if elected but I am looking for a greatcabinet to back me up.The host of “The Dick CavettShow” — which aired on ABC from1968 to 1975 and on public televisionfrom 1977 to 1982 —recently recalledhis relationship with the card andcoin master Tony Slydini in hisregular New York Times blog.“He was a rare artist of incomparable skill and style,” Cavettremembers. Cavett was made alifetime member of The Magic Castlefor conducting two interviews withSlydini on his show.“Tony was a bit bowled over bythe reaction on the street the dayafter the first show aired,” Cavettrecalls. “At his tobacco/newspapershop, where he said he’d beenanonymous for decades, he wasnow lionized.”“An element of Tony’s personalitywas his goodness,” he said. “Hetaught kids who couldn’t continueto pay instead of taking newstudents who could — although heneeded the income.”Johnny Carson of the “TonightShow” – who himself was anexcellent card man and all-aroundmagician—took Cavett to TheMagic Castle in Hollywood his firsttime. The legendary Dai Vernon satwith them.Cavett, who brought a Svengalideck at the Nebraska State Fair whenhe was 11, said. “Magic became mylife.”

Noted show hostrecalls Slydini

SlydiniCavett