Inside This Issue:

H
e
a A look at Mr.
r “Mindgames & Magic”
Eddie Pease
t Page 10

o
f
Panel Discussion on
t “The Business of Magic”
At October Ring Meeting
h Page 3
e
R
i
n
g
Ren-Fest Day Oct. Last Month’s Ring “Top Ten” Reasons”
3rd - Page 5 Report Page 6 Page 9

I.B.M. Ring 129 - Kansas City, Missouri - October 2009 Newsletter - Vol. 22, Issue 10
 Mark Your Calendars! Inside This Issue

Thursday, October 1st Mark Your Calendars 2

Oct. Ring Meeting, 7:00 pm, Crowne Plaza Hotel Ring 129 Board Members 2
95th & I-35, Lenexa, KS. News and Announcements 3
Saturday, October 3rd Renaissance Festival Outing Information 5
Last Month’s Ring Report 6-8
Sorcerers Circle Ren-Fest Day Newsletter Policy 8
Thursday, October 8th Message from the President 9
Oct. Board Meeting, 7:00 pm Eddie Pease - The Man Behind Mindgames & Magic 10-12
Denny’s Restaurant, I-35 & 95th St. October’s Teach-a-Trick 13
Magicians of the Month 13
Thursday, November 5th
The Professor’s Prose - Larry Poague 14
Nov. Ring Meeting, 7:00 pm, Crowne Plaza Hotel Magic for Sale 14
95th & I-35, Lenexa, KS. Our Web Page 14
Thursday, November 12th Magicism - The Backdrop Should Make you Look Good 15
November Board Meeting, 7:00 pm Exceeding the Limit 16
Photo Spreads 19-21
Denny’s Restaurant, I-35 & 95th St.

2009 Ring 129 Board Members

President - Rod Sipe Treasurer - Kirk DeWeese 1-Yr.Term - Alan Goodheart

816-916-3655 816. 224. 5000 913-648-0331
rod@eatfire.com kdeweese@micro.com magicaljewel@hotmail.com

Vice President-- Steve Steiner Sergeant of Arms -Eric

3-Yr. Term - Eddie Pease
816-668-8037 Woods 913-709-1606
816-554-2098
steves7@microdsl.net ewoods20@hotmail.com
epease@kc.rr.com

Secretary - John Hicks 2-Yr. Term - Chuck Macan Past President -

913-334-1392 913-681-0368 Julie Clark 816. 478. 9787
lhicks20@kc.rr.com cmacan@kc.rr.com theclarkx@comcast.net

2
 News and Announcements

t he Breakout Session - At the October

g u p a t
Comin tin g
meeting, beginning at 6:15 pm we will have
gM ee
October Rin
another “Breakout Session”. These ses-
sions run for a half hour and is an opportu-
nity for members to learn routines and
techniques from other members. This month’s breakout sessions will
be on “Rubber Band Magic” and be led by Steve Steiner. (Steve plans
to bring extra rubber bands for everyone that night.)

Rod Sipe will lead a Panel Discussion on

“The Business of Magic”
The discussion will include ideas and thoughts on how to promote
yourself and acquire additional business for your magic act.

Also!
 Dealers, Dealers, Dealers,
 Close Up & Stage Competitions
 Open Magic Competitions

Huge Turnout for Michael Ammar! We were de-

lighted by the huge turnout for the Michael Ammar lecture this
past month. We had 52 in attendance which was by far the best
turnout of the year for a ring-sponsored lecture. A special
thanks goes out to US Toy & Magic for their help and support
in making our lectures very affordable for ring members. (Be
sure and check out some of the pictures of the lecture in the
photo spread section at the end of this newsletter.)

Still Growing! We are pleased to report that Ring 129 is still growing!
We welcomed five visitors at our September ring meeting. Last month we
also signed up five more members to the ring, mostly coming from the Mi-
chael Ammar lecture. Darrin Springs and Jacques Cukierkorn re-enrolled
this past month and Brandon Beckman, Jason York and Jordon Biggs were
accepted for new membership! This brings our total membership total to
135! Keep up the good work!

3
 News and Announcements

Board of Directors for 2010 - At the October ring meeting, the

ring nominating committee will present a slate of board nomina-
tions for the 2010 year. The election will then take place at the
Regular Ring Meeting in November. Ring members not able to
attend the November meeting but still wish to vote may send their
ballot to the chairman of the nominating committee, Eddie Pease,
at least 24 hours before the November meeting. At that meeting,
candidates may also be nominated from the floor, provided the
nominated member is present or has sent the Ring President written communication
that, if elected, they would accept the position.

John Carney Lecture - John Carney will present a lecture on Octo-

ber 15th, 7:30 pm at U.S. Toy and Magic. This is not a Ring 129
sponsored event and the cost will be $25 at the door. John is a
seven-time Magic Castle Magician of the Year winner and has writ-
ten several classic books on magic during the last decade. His lec-
ture promises to be both informative and stimulating, packed with
great routines and helpful advice.

Ren-Fest Date Set - The annual Sorcerers Circle

Rennasiance Festival Date has been tentatively set for Saturday, October
3rd. Ring members can purchase a regularly priced $17 ticket for only $10
by contacting ring president, Rod Sipe. Attendees will get a behind-the-
scenes look at the magician performer’s shows.

Last Month’s Ren-Fest Tickets Winner was John Weaver.

The Spencers to Appear - The Spencers will per-

form their “Theater of Illusion” show on Saturday, Octo-
ber 10th, 7:00 pm at Johnson County Community College’s Carlsen Cen-
ter. Contact JCCC or the Spencers’ website for more information.

Contest Committee - The contest committee should

complete their review of the rules and procedures that govern our
magician of the year contests. If you have any suggestions or com-
ments, please contact Julie Clark by October 8th.

4
 Socerers Circle Sponsored Event

Renaissance Festival Day

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009
What: The Sorcerers Circle sponsored Renaissance Festival Day has
been set for Saturday, October 3rd. Ring Members wishing to enjoy a
day of fun and frolic at a discounted ticket price of only $10 per person
should contact Rod Sipe at the October ring meeting, by email at
rod@eatfire.com, or by phone at 816-916-3655. Everyone should plan
to meet behind the Mermaid Stage at the VIP Patio between 12:30 and
1:00 for fun and fellowship. Refreshments are included.
Rod Sipe

2009 Kansas City Renaissance Festival gates are awaiting to open

for the 32nd season! Nearly 16 acres of shaded lanes come to life
with over 500 costumed characters, more than 160 artisans, 13 stages
brimming with unique, live entertainment, festive and beautiful mu-
sic and food befitting royalty!

Terry Elton

Where:
Fifteen minutes and five hundred years
from downtown Kansas City. Located
in Bonner Springs, Kansas, just off I-
70 and K-7. Turn right after exiting I-
70 and banners and signs lead you to
the Festival gates.

Terry Elton
Rod Sipe

5
 s
th’

Ring Report
n
t Mo
s
La
By Stu Lewis

We’ve had a busy end-of-summer

season, with a couple of big events
besides our regular meeting. Several
of our members took part in the sec-
ond annual Lawrence, KS
“Buskerfest,” in which the entire
downtown of this beautiful college
town less than an hour from Kansas
City was given over for three days to
street performers.

Three members of Ring 129 were on

the bill and had scheduled perform-
ances: Daniel Jackson, Rod Sipe, and
Terry Davolt. Several others also set
up impromptu magic and/or balloon-
ing acts, including Joe Zeman, Alan Goodheart,
Gene Hernandez, Stu Lewis, Justin Scott, Matt
Gurley, and Dale Huffman. It’s a shame more
cities don’t provide this sort of opportunity for
street performers. The weather was perfect,
though maybe a bit too warm, and the crowds
were appreciative. On Sunday of the festival
there was a music competition, and Ring mem-
ber B.J. Talley won the state championship for finger-picking style guitar playing.

Mike Melito led the teach-a-trick session

which opened our September meeting with a
routine called “Face Value” (similar to
Daryl’s “Untouched”). Mike’s son, Jarod
Melito, incidentally, won the junior close-up
competition at the recent Midwest Magic
Jubilee in St. Louis.

Cont. on Next Page (See “Ring Report”)

6
“Ring Report” (Continued from Previous Page) Seven performers took
part in the non-
Two members competitive open session.
competed in each Marty Isenberg predicted
category of our the selection of an ESP
monthly competi- card.
tions. Larry Po-
ague led off the
stage contest with Joe White did a com-
some highlights from his children’s show, mercial effect in which a
including a jumbo three-card monte and spider helps locate a
topsy-turvey crayons, as well as the vanish of chosen card.
water from a glass and some sponge rabbits.

Steve Steiner did a

number of effects, the Tim Zagar produced a silk
highlight of which was as part of a story about a
an original patter for wizard.
the pom-pom poll, de-
scribing how he and
his friends set up their
tent (pulling at the Shawn Rivera did an
various ropes) when he was a Boy Scout. incredibly clean torn-
This was a refreshing approach, compared to and-restored card rou-
the “red pompom’s connected to the yellow tine which left some
pompom” we hear so often. mouths gaping.

Jordan Byrd opened the

close-up contest with a
card routine in which the
spectator cut to the four
aces and a version of
Daley’s Final Ace.
John Hicks did a card
routine in which he
forced four of a kind.

Dale Huffman fol- Jason Dean had several

lowed with a card rou- spectators select cards
tine build around some and revealed the cards
gags involving a three- with in a variety of
minute timer. Steve and ways.
Jordan were declared
the winners after the Cont. on Next Page (See “Ring Report”)
membership voted.
7
“Ring Report” (Continued from Previous Page)
Newsletter Policy
Finally, B.J.
Talley per- The following basic principles will serve as
formed some guides in the Ring 129 Newsletter.
music instead The Emphasis will be Local and Personal
of magic, The publication will concentrate on local news
showing us the and club members.
If it is Local Magic News, Then its Fair Game!
We will attempt to promote all local magic
news.
guitar skills Club News First
which had Since this is an I.B.M. Ring 129 publication, the
made him the club news will have top priority.
state cham- Disclaimer
pion. It was We reserve the right to unintentionally omit
beautiful, mel- events, pictures & news, and misspell individ-
low music, and it was amazing to see him
produce so much music from one instrument.

Michael Ammar A Little Humor!

was in town for
a workshop and
lecture Septem-
ber 9, and he
drew an espe-
cially large
crowd. His ap-
proach is to per-
form an entire, unified act rather than several
disjointed tricks, and then to break it down
and discuss the methods and the thinking be-
hind the act. As always, he was informative
and congenial. Among the items covered
were the cups and balls and a bill in lemon,
all seamlessly sequenced.

Stu Lewis can be reached at

ANDIAM@KC.RR.COM
8

A message
from the
President
By Rod Sipe
I’ve got just a couple of things this month…
Coming up is the Sorcerers Circle outing at
the Renfest on OCT 3rd. See me at this
month’s meeting, email me at
rod@eatfire.com, or call me with your reser-
vation (816-916-3655.
Also, next month we will have a mini lec-
ture which will be a panel of your fellow
magicians answering questions and covering
the business side of magic. If you want to
be on the panel or have questions you wish
submitted, please email me. The format will
be questions submitted before that evening
and questions from the floor.
Now, I submit to you this month in no spe-
cial order my:
TOP TEN REASONS TO BE A
MEMBER OF RING 129
10. We have local magic dealers who treat
us each month to the latest miracles.
9. Once a month we get THE NEWSLET-
TER, a junior version of GENII MAGA-
ZINE.
9
8. Being able to watch the newest members
of any age perform and share their enthusi-
asm for our craft.
7. Getting to meet new people from all
walks of life, who have a common interest.
6. Having the opportunity to be an elected
member of the board that shapes and directs
our group.
5. Being a contestant or audience member at
one of our two yearly competitions.
4. Being happy to pay your yearly dues of
only $25, the biggest bargain in magic.
3. Going to a lecture, learning something,
seeing magical icons perform live, and
knowing that it should have cost more.
2. Attending the annual auction and selling
your old stuff so that you have space for
your new stuff.
1. You get to stay out late with the boys (and
girls) without fear of being arrested.
Rod Sipe can be reached at
rod@eatfire.com
Eddie Pease...
The Man Behind
Mindgames & Magic
By Steve Steiner

Eddie Pease remembers as a child being intrigued by puz-

zles, illusions, and magic. However, his real interest in magic
began in the late 1990’s when he was in Las Vegas. It was
there that he saw a Lance Burton show and purchased his first
magic trick, a $25 set of plastic cups & balls.

He became even more interested in magic after seeing magi-

cian and fire-eater, Rod Sipe, perform at the Renaissance Fes-
tival. Eddie still remembers assisting in Rod’s act and getting
to hold a rope during Rod’s son’s straight jacket act. After his
third time visiting and watching Rod perform a trick with an
Invisible Deck, Eddie had to learn more about the art of
magic.

After visiting U.S. Toy & Magic, Eddie learned about the local International Brotherhood of
Magicians Club in the Kansas City area. He eventually visited and joined the local I.B.M.
Ring and finally got to meet his magical idol, Rod Sipe, personally. The two of them have
now become good friends.

Eddie comes from an Internet Technologies background. His main line of work has been
managing internet and computer networks for large corporations. That background made it
very easy for him to start his own internet magic business, “Mindgames and Magic”.

In only a few short years, Eddie has built his home-based

business up from scratch, putting his profits back into
additional inventory each year. Even though the major-
ity of his business comes from internet sales, he really
considers that his forte is providing personal service to
his customers. He will go out of his way to find that spe-
cialty item for a fellow magician.

Cont. on Next Page

10
 Eddie also does a lot of special ordering for other magi-
cians. “If someone is looking for something special, they
should talk to me and see what I can do to get it for
them.”

Eddie will tell you that he has found that, “Magicians

don’t buy magic”. He feels that most of the established
magicians have their acts down and already have more
magic in their closets than they will ever use. Therefore,
he feels they do not spend a lot of money on new magic
anymore.

“They will spend money on perishables though. I sell a lot of “replenishing type items”, like
card decks”, says Eddie. If you look through Eddie’s inventory, he maintains a substantial
amount of different card decks. He has just about any color and type of cards one could re-
quest.

He also carries a good variety of DVD’s and

puzzles. The puzzle inventory no doubt comes
from his boyhood love of puzzles and is re-
flected in the “Mindgames” part of his com-
pany name “Mindgames & Magic”. One
would assume that the DVD inventory mirrors
the fact that he is still learning to do magic
himself.

Eddie says, “I can do a million tricks, but I can’t perform to

save my life!” However, though he has rarely done any
magic outside of his close friends and family, he has shown
that he can perform and be very entertaining. Last year he
performed and won one of the monthly close-up contests
for close-up magician of the month with the local I.B.M.
Ring 129.

He also did quite well assisting and entertaining with Rod

Sipe at the Kansas City Fringe Festival this past summer which should come as no surprise.
Eddie’s true magical love is “Geek Magic”. The first magic book he purchased and read was
“The Art of Astonishment” by Paul Harris. Should one ever have a question about geek
magic, he would be the person to ask.
Cont. on Next Page
11
 Eddie lives in Lee’s Summit with
his wife, Lisa, and their three
children, Eddie, Alex, and
Logan. Little Eddie is five years
of age and Alex & Logan are
three year old twins which keep
everyone in the house on their toes! His hobbies include jug-
gling, collecting magic, and “building & making things”.

Eddie currently serves on the Ring 129 board of directors

and coordinates the club’s special lectures throughout the
year. Although he will tell you that it takes a lot of work,
he really enjoys the job. “I love meeting people and get-
ting to know more of the inside workings of the trade.”

Recently, Eddie turned one room in his house into his magic
shop and from the way things are going, it will not be long
before he has out-grown it. “I plan to be in this for the long
haul”, says Eddie. “I see this as something that I will con-
tinue for a long time.”

To reach Eddie Pease, you can email him at:

epease@kc.rr.com
or visit his website:
mindgamesandmagic.com

12
 Magician of the Month Winners Congratulations!
The following monthly winners have qualified to compete in the Jordon Byrd- September’s
Stage Magician of the Year Contest Close-Up Magician of the
Month!
Month Winner
January Devin Henderson
Jordon is now eligible to compete in the
February Joe White “Magician of the Year” competition next July!
March John Weaver
April Rachael Melito Steve Steiner- September’s
May None This Month Stage Magician of the Month
June Justin Scott Steve is now eligible to
July Eric Woods compete in the “Stage Magi-
August Roger Miller
September Steve Steiner
cian of the Year” competition in January!
October
November
December Teach
Teach--a-Trick
The following monthly winners have qualified to compete in the
Close-Up Magician of the Year Contest The October “Teach-
a-Trick” will be taught
Month Winner by Duane Roberts and
July John Hicks be a variation of an
August Mike Melito effect known as
September Jordon Byrd “Bank Night”.
October
November
December To sign-up to do a “Teach-a-Trick”,
January contact Eric Woods at
February ewoods20@hotmail.com
March
April
AL
May i ttl
June eH
um
Reminder
The Heart forof
allthe
members
Ring isthat wouldmonthly
published like toascom-
a ser- or!
pete
viceintothe
the monthly
members ofcontests
IBM Ringand129.
open perform-
Views and com-
ances:
ments do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Ring 129
officers, the IBM, or the Editor.
Members
Pleaseare
make sure that
encouraged your performances
to submit are
articles and comments
forwithin the and
publishing allotted time of 10
earn additional minutes.
Sorcerer’s Circle Points.
 Make sure that
Articles you be
should areemailed
awaretoofthe
the fire policy.
editor,
 You can find all the details for performance
Steve Steiner by the 20th of the month. rules
on the ring website.
steves7@microdsl.net

13
The Professor’s Magic For Sale
Prose Snow Animator V
By Larry Poague This is the latest in
the Snow Anima-
You Might be a Magician If… tor line. This is a
 You have more than one chipped folding chair that
teeth from biting the wrong quarter. sets up in literally
2 seconds. It packs
 When you were a kid some of your
up just as fast. You
English papers were about magic. perform the illu-
 “Bikes & Ho’s” is not a funny phrase sion while sitting on the chair. The
to you. snow soars over 20 ft. high! I am ask-
ing $1,650. It is in brand new condi-
 You never throw out old decks be-
tion, only used in a few rehearsals.
cause you “can make something out
of them”. Do not hesitate to give me a call or
 You have convinced yourself that email if interested.
feathers actually look like flowers!
Kyle Scheel
816-331-6155
kyleshceel@gmail.com
Our Web Page
Much helpful information can be found on the Ring
129 Web Page: www.ring129.com
The following password is needed
for members to access special areas of the website:
Password: aj
For questions concerning the website, contact
Kirk DeWeese at kdeweese@micro.com

14
Magicism #9
The Backdrop Should
Make You Look Good!
By Duane Laflin
When we were in the retail magic business
part of our line was backdrops. When cus-
tomers were contemplating an investment in
a backdrop they would usually as us, “What
color should I get?” We found that often
they did not want a practical answer to that
question. What they wanted was for us to
name the color they had already decided they
liked. They were hoping we would confirm
their personal preference.
When we would
give them an answer
we posed it in the
form of another
question. We would
ask, “What color is
your costume?” It
was surprising to see
how this tended to
confuse the cos-
tumer. They thought
we were switching subjects. They were talk-
ing backdrops and we were talking costumes.
To clarify the matter we would explain how a
decision about backdrop color should be
based on costume color. It is not a good idea
to have black backdrop if you wear all black.
The concern is that the backdrop be a pleas-
ing contrast to your apparel and props so that
what you do as a performer will be show-
cased.
Time and time again we found people strug-
gling with the idea that the backdrop they
15
thought was prettiest or most appealing was
not the best one for them. I remember a ma-
gician friend who was especially proud of a
shiny backdrop made from silver Mylar
streamers. He had purchased it for a low
price and thought it looked wonderful on
stage. It did.
However,
when he was
in front of it
this bright and
busy back-
drop, it was
hard for peo-
ple to focus
on the props
he was trying
to show them.
It may have worked as backing for a brief
presentation, but as a set piece for a full
show, it was a disaster. It actually seemed to
tire the eyes of those watching him. To his
credit, he eventually realized it was a bad
choice and got rid of it.
The principle in this is that the set of the
show, especially the backdrop, is not there to
look good on its own. It is there to make the
performer look good. Your favorite color
may not be the best color to have behind
your. This applies to close-up pads as well.
Don’t buy a blue one because you really like
blue. Buy it because the things you use in
your close-up act look best when done over
blue. If they don’t look best over blue, get a
different color (blue balls for the cup and
balls trick are not easy to see when done over
a blue close-up pad).
Cont. on Page 15 - See “Magicisms”

Exceeding the
Limit
By Kyle Peron
If you have ever driven a car, played a video
game or watched NASCAR, then you know
there is something to be said about the "need
for speed." There is something exhilarating
about going fast and feeling the power and
adrenalin rush that comes from it. In many
ways it becomes a drug and becomes habit
forming. You experience it, enjoy it and
crave more of it. But in the world of magical
performance, speed doesn't always mean a
good thing.
As a performer,
teacher and
contest judge,
one of the
things I see so
often of per-
formers is the
tendency to
talk too fast,
move too fast and have the show paced at a
higher RPM than is really needed. It hap-
pens to all of us and in many cases we are
not even aware of it unless it is pointed out
to us.
However, most of us do know it is happen-
ing even if we are not always certain as to
why. If you have ever done magic to music,
you will notice that in some cases when you
perform the act on stage, you are ahead of
16
your music but it was timed perfectly in re-
hearsal. So what is it that causes us to "speed
up" during shows and how can we learn to
control it?
The first step in learning to control speed is
simply being aware that is does happen and
will happen to every performer. Making
yourself aware of it is the first step in learn-
ing to control it better. But why control it?
How can speed be seen as a negative thing?
Well what happens when a performers
speeds up is that the audience never gets a
chance to fully enjoy what is being pre-
sented. Keep in mind that we are there to en-
tertain an audience through the usage of the
magical arts and its tools. It is very hard for
an audience to hear what the performer is
saying if he or she speaks too fast. It is diffi-
cult to enjoy a routine if the audience is
never given a chance to rest and absorb what
is taking place. We can say in essence,
speeding up causes a hindrance to the enter-
tainment experience.
One of the most common areas of
"speeding" is when a performer talks too fast
during the act or addressing the audience or
helper. As a performer you know the script
of every routine so well that you can proba-
bly recite it in your sleep. I know many of
you probably have found yourselves on auto
pilot during some shows and not even real-
ize that you are half way through the act.
Sound familiar?
Cont. on Next Page - See “Kyle Peron”
“Kyle Peron” - Cont. From Previous Page
Because we are so accustomed to knowing
what we have to say, we do not have to con-
sciously think about it much. When you are
forced to think about anything, the body and
mind automatically forces oneself to slow
down. So first take time to be in the moment
and to think about what you are saying even
if you have done it 1,000 times before. Re-
member that your audience is experiencing
it for the very first time. Then learn to
breathe properly. This sounds crazy but there
is much to be said about learning to breathe
properly when on stage. It slows down the
metabolism and keeps you calm.
Another reason why performers speed up is
simply out of fear and anxiety. There are
many reasons why one can be nervous dur-
ing a performance. It can come from trying
out a new routine or act for the first time. It
could be because the client is very impor-
tant. Whatever the reason, anxiety and fear
will make a person move and talk faster. It is
the body's natural reaction to try and escape
from what it fears and get itself into a safe
place.
17
So what you can do to combat this is to take
time to get to any event early. Give yourself
not only proper time to set up the show, but
also proper time to set YOURSELF up. If
you are rushing too much to get the show
ready, you are not allowing enough time to
get your body and mind into the moment.
Always take time to yourself before every
show to simply relax and rest and get your-
self in a relaxed state. When you are more
relaxed and properly prepared, you will not
feel the need to speed up. You can relax
knowing everything is as it should be.
Speed is also something you can actually
work on and counter attack by adding breaks
into the routines and acts you perform.
Too many performers do not manually place
pauses into what they present. Every routine
I create, I take a look at and place pauses
into the routine. These are actually thought
out long before the routine is ever shown to
an audience. The pauses allow me to take a
quick break but more importantly it gives
the audience a chance to take in what just
happened. All it takes it adding in a simple 3
second count at various logical spots in rou-
tines.
But speed does not always happen just to the
performer alone. Speed can also come from
poor pacing of the show in general. In many
ways how your show is set up is very much
like a movie. Your entire show cannot be
like a 45 minute car chase. If everything is
paced at the same speed, then the audience
simply has no way of keeping up with it or
having a chance to applaud you. Like a good
Cont. on Next Page - See “Kyle Peron”
“Kyle Peron” - Cont. From Previous Page “Magicisms” - Cont. From Page 13

movie, you need to be aware of the pacing
of your show. Take time out to see how one
routine is backed up to another. Perhaps a
fast moving illusion number should be fol-
lowed up next by a slower audience partici-
pation number in front of the curtain.
This does not mean we should have no con-
cern about the background of our shows be-
ing attractive. We certainly do not want the
background to look bad. It means we under-
stand it is there to enhance, not distract or
overshadow what the show is about.

I hope some of these tips and ideas will be Bottom line: If you are making decisions
of help to you. I know many of them are not about color in backdrops, props, or set
new and certainly was not created by my- pieces, think in terms of contrast and re-
self. However, I think we all can benefit member that the key question is not, “Does
from being reminded of these important it look good?” The key question is, “Does it
things from time to time. Sometimes simply make me look good?”
printing out these reminders, so we can see
them, help us to realize the things we should This article
Laughlin’s was reprinted
Magicish by permission
Next Month: “Words
always be doing. from Duane Laflin’s book,
and Actions Affect Logic, Music Affects
Magicisms, copyright 2008.
Emotion”
As always, I encourage you the readers to let
me know your thoughts. So if you have any Duane Laflin can be
thoughts on my articles or suggestions or reached by email at:
comments, please feel free to e-mail me di- montanawonderthea-
rectly at magic4u02@aol.com. I would love ter@yahoo.com
to hear from you. His products can be
found at one of the
- I would like to let everyone know that I following websites:
just released a NEW book and E-Book to the www.laflinmagic.com
magic Community. "Blue and Gold! The www.montanawondertheater.com
Complete Guide to Working the Scout Mar-
ket!" is now available as a soft cover printed
book as well as an e-book download.
The Heart of the Ring is published monthly as a ser-
vice to the members of IBM Ring 129. Views and comments
This article was used by permission do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Ring 129 officers,
from Kyle Peron. the IBM, or the Editor.
Kyle Peron, Magician and Illusionist, Members are encouraged to submit articles and comments
for publishing and earn additional Sorcerer’s Circle Points.
can be reached by email:
Articles should be emailed to the editor
magic4u02@aol.com or by visiting his by the 20th of the month.
website: www.kyleandkellymagic.com steves7@microdsl.net

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 Photos
and Pics
Photos from the September Ring Meeting

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 Photos
and Pics
Photos from the September Ring Meeting

20
 Photos
and Pics
Photos from the Sept. 9th Michael Ammar Lecture

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