ring 50 magi-gram january 2010
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/14/2019 Ring 50 Magi-Gram January 2010
1/5
MAGI-GRAMOfficial Newsletter of IBM Ring50 -- The National Capital Ring Volume 64 No. 1 January 2010
The Spirit of Houdini at Ring 50
RI
NG
50International Brotherhood
of Magicians Ring 50The National Capital Ring
President
Louis Meyer(703) 765-1923
Vice PresidentArnie Fuoco
(703) 521-6286
Secretary & WebmasterEric Henning
Treasurer
Bob Patterson(703) 490-1222
Sergeant-at-Arms
Tom Paxton(301) 596-7407
Magi-Gram Editor
Jim Flanigan(202) 554-3775
President Louis Meyer openedthe January 6
thmeeting promptly
at 8:00 PM. After announcementsabout Magi-Whirl, I.B.M.
Convention in San Diego, and the
Kapital Kidvention the Houdini Night program began before a
crowd of 62 people.
Rucj Uffelman began with an
escape from a chain dog collar(aka Siberian chain) lockedaround his wrists. Houdini
discovered this system in use totransport prisoners in Siberia and
we all know no one escapes fromSiberia. Rucjs wrists weresecurely bound with the steelchain and padlocked by aspectator. He amazed the audience
by getting out of the chain in amatter of seconds.
Challenges by
the Postal Servicelead Houdini into
escaping from a
sealed and locked
mailbag (a canvas bag, with metalgrommets on top).
Danny Selnick re-created that
event with his ankles and wriststightly secured to the ends of long
metal shackles by means of twoheavy duty chains and locks
before being locked in a mailbagusing a solid steel bar is passingthrough the grommets, with
padlocks on both ends of the bar.A backdrop was placed around
him and within a record time hemade his escape as the crowdapplauded him.
(continued on page 2)
FEBRUARY MEETING
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
HOLIDAY INNAlexandria, VA
6:00 Cocktails6:45 Dinner
8:00 Meeting
-
8/14/2019 Ring 50 Magi-Gram January 2010
2/5
P a g e 2
The Spirit of Houdini Continues
John Roberts (below) claimedHoudini fail to have a timingdevice when performing hisescapes. John displayed a small
pole with a woodpecker at the topthat he used to time his escapefrom his securely rope tied wrists.
His hands were covered with acloth as the woodpecker made hisway down the pole, John beganhis escape. When the woodpeckerreached the bottom before Johncould escape, he reset the timerand in a flash was free of theropes.
Louis Hofheimer (Capt Token)and two lovely girl assistants
performed two stage escapes.Using several pieces of rope onegirl was secured to a 4 inch squaretotem pole 6 feet tall. A rope wastied around her neck, her waist,
her legs and her ankles. In theblink of an eye, in full view of the
audience, she magicallymaterializes through the ropes!
Next a large mystic looking boxwas brought onto the stage area. Ayoung lady entered the box. Thedoors were closed and withouthesitation the magician stabbedten swords into all parts of the
box. The audience could plainlysee the smallness of the box didnot permit the girl evading theswords. The box was then opened
and the girl had vanished! The boxwas revolved so that all sides werevisible. The doors were closed ...the swords quickly withdrawn ...the top of the box was opened ...and up popped the girl, unharmed.
Arnold Fuoco told the storyabout the time Dai Vernon fooledHarry Houdini (who in his earlyyears billed himself as "The Kingof Cards"). Houdini often boastedthat if he saw a card trick
performed three times in a row hewould be able to figure it out.Vernon then showed Houdini atrick, where he removed the top
card of the deck and placed it inthe middle, and then turned overthe top card to again reveal the
original card. Houdini watchedVernon do the trick seven times,each time insisting that Vernon
"do it again". Finally Houdini's
wife, and Vernon's friends said,"Face it Houdini, you're fooled."For years afterward, Vernon usedthe title The Man Who Fooled
Houdini in his advertisements.The trick Dai Vernon chose tofool Houdini with was his ownversion of the classic ambitiouscard routine, so named becausethe spectator's chosen card alwayswants toget to the top of the deck.Arnie demonstrated this as he told
the story.
(continued on page3)
-
8/14/2019 Ring 50 Magi-Gram January 2010
3/5
P a g e 3
The Spirit of Houdini Continues
Wayne Alan showed somepieces from his Houdini collectionfrom his home Houdini Room.One was a hand cuff that wasmade by a spectator and was usedon Houdini during a performance.He also had the metal grate fromthe air vent in the hospital room inwhich Harry Houdini died.Waynes new cookbook, MagicalMeatless Meals shares over 100healthy and delectable vegetarianrecipes collected during his storiedand award-winning career in show
business. Many of these and thepictures are linked to the Houdinifame.
Houdini's career was going intoa slump as he approached 50. Hisescapes were becoming toostrenuous for him and theaudiences had become jaded
regarding his "death-defying"feats. Vaudeville itself wassuffering from increasing
competition from radio and themovies. Houdini then, like othermagicians, switched to exposingfraudulent spirit mediums.
Louis Meyer presented theoriginal Fraudulent SpiritMedium Expose Lecture and
pictures that Houdini performedduring his career. This lecture wasgiven in the 1920s. People were aLOT more gullible back then andreally wanted to believe, whatthey were hearing from themediums was true and honest. Thelecture included the 50 photo'sHoudini used for his lecture
BBIIZZZZAARROO,, tthhee OOppttiiccaallIIlllluussiioonniisstt,, ssllaatteedd ffoorr
FFeebbrruuaarryy 33rrdd MMeeeettiinnggIn a world full of reality TV and
lackluster entertainment, Bizzaro,
The Optical Illusionist strives toopen peoples eyes and prove thatDifferent isnt Bad. Bizzaro has
performed from coast to coast and
appeared on FOX, NBC,Americas got Talent, and theTravel Channels Extreme
Conventions. "My lecture has alittle bit for everyone. Anyonewho has seen me before knows a
big part of my lectures isabout building creativity andcharacter as well. All of that andsome new products developed and
performed in Las Vegas await youso come join the party and bring afriend! The lecture is free to paid-up Ring 50 members, all othermagicians $10 at the door.
RRiinngg 5500 TTrreeaassuurreerrCCoolllleeccttiinngg DDuueess ffoorr22001100
Ring 50 annual dues of $15 for2010 are due by February.Anyone, wishing to do so, can paytheir dues at the February 3rd. TheRing 50 Treasurer, Bob Patterson,
requests that you pay by check, asthis eases therecord keeping.
Make checks payable to IBMRing 50. Cashwill be accepted
providing you have the correctchange ($15). If you are unable tomake the meetings, you can alsosend a check to his home addressat 3450 Wainscott Place, LakeRidge, VA 22192-5362. Enjoyyour Ring activities throughout2010 by paying your dues now.
NNeeww AApppplliiccaattiioonn ffoorr
RRiinngg 5500One new member has applied to
become a member of Ring 50. Heis Thomas Cushing of FallsChurch Virginia. His I.B.M.membership is pending. Thomashas been interested in magic sincehe was a kid. Recently he has
become more active in cardmagic. Thomas will be voted upon
by the membership at the next
meeting he attends.
-
8/14/2019 Ring 50 Magi-Gram January 2010
4/5
P a g e 4
Coming Events
Washington DCs Conventionfor Childrens EntertainersDates: Jan. 27 starting at 5 p.m. toJan.29, 2010.Where: Washington, D.C.Host: ChildTime MagicCost: $125.00 per personContact: Louis Meyer, (703) 765-1923 or
www.kapitalkidvention.com
PRESENTERS *******************Julian Franklin, Barry MitchellLouis Meyer, Tim SonefeltChris Capehart, Mark WadeTommy Johns, Jolly RogerJim Snack, James MuntonArthur Stead, Greg McMahanBrad Ross, Steve KissellKerry Ann Smith, Gen KellerBob "Bunky the Clown" Gretton
and Teresa "Blondi" GrettonMarcela "Mama Clown" MuradShonna and Dustin FlaniganLeon McBryde, AKA "Buttons","Oz", and Santa ClausKitty Sunshine KuhrDEALERS ************************Arthur Stead Music and Magic,Daytona Magic, Kenosha magicGiggle Magic ProKnows,Success in Magic, Chris CapehartSilly Farm, Make Magic MoneySWC MAGIC, Wonder ImageryBarry Mitchell ProductsSkyhigh EntertainmentSunshine and CompanyJulian Franklin
IBM Ring 50 ScheduleFeb 3 Lecture by Bizzaro,
The Optical IllusionistMar 3 Auction NightApr 7 Kyle Peron, Lecture
Nominations for OfficersApr 9 & 10 Magi-Whirl 2010May 5 Dan Lacey Contest
Jun 2 Winton Carroll ContestJuly No Ring 50 MeetingJul 6-10 ..IBM Convention
Magi-Whirl 2010,Washington, D.C.
The best little convention in
the National Capital Area
Dont miss the InternationalBrotherhood of Magicians, National
Capital Ring 50, Magi-Whirl 2010,April 9 & 10, 2010. There will befour lectures, plus three close-up
performances, and a Gala eveningshow. Magi-Whirl is being held atBishop Ireton High School, 201Cambridge Rd, Alexandria VA.Only $50 until March 21st. AfterMarch 21st its $65 for everyone.You can register and pay on ourwebsite: www.Magi-Whirl.Org ordownload the registration form andmail it in. Save money and register
early.Come to Magi-Whirl and hang
out with other magicians and peopledevoted to magic. You may learnnew tricks, ideas, presentations, andof course see some great
performances. You wont want tomiss these great lecturers: DuaneLaflin, Sammy Smith, and Jim Sisti.
We have ten dealers scheduledfor the dealer room. You can seeand talk to professional magiciansand look at new magic items forsale. This gives you the chance tosee them, touch them and see themin action before making a purchase.The dealers are: Magic Goods-Pravin Ponnuri, Magic Vault-MarkReed, Sorcery with Class-ScottCorrell, Magic Stars Studio-JoeMogar, Wizard Craft Magic- CraigR Dickson, Duane Laflin, SammySmith, Jim Sisti, and more TBA.
The 90 minute Saturday nightGala Evening Show includes:
Duane Laflin, Sammy Smith, JimSisti, DC Magician of the Year-Dick Christian, with MagicalMaster of Ceremonies-TBA.
II..BB..MM.. CCoonnvveennttiioonn,,
JJuullyy 66--1100,, 22001100The I.B.M Greatest Annual
Magic Convention for 2010 will be held in San Diego California,July 6 - 10, 2010. Be sure to registerthru the I.B.M websitewww.Magician.Org, click theconvention tab in the upper rightcorner, and then click on RegisterOnline. Read the pricing matrix
and begin registration at the bottom.You will need your IBM number.Be sure to check the box for yourspouse if you are bringing one andgive her name in the AdditionalRegistrant Information section. Ifyou are unable to register onlineyou may download a printable formand mail it in. I.B.M members canregister before January 31 for $235and save. After January 31 theregistration fee will be $260 untilJune 21. After June 21 and at the
convention the price will be $285.The convention will be held at
the Town and Country Resort Hoteland Convention Center. The rate atthe Town and Country Resort Hotelis $113 plus taxes per night. Youcan make the hotel reservations on-line though the IBM website. Clickon Convention (upper right corner),then click on To Reserve YourHotel Accommodations. Or youmay call them for room reservations
call 1-800-772-8527; tell them youare with the InternationalBrotherhood of Magicians. Anyquestions contact, Bob Patterson,I.B.M. Registration Chairman for2010 San Diego at:
You Know That You're A
Magician When...You worry about spending certainchange in your pocket
You carry 6 decks on you
-
8/14/2019 Ring 50 Magi-Gram January 2010
5/5
P a g e 5
RRiinngg 5500 MMaaggiicc YYoouutthh IInntteerrnnaattiioonnaall
""TThhee CCoouunnttss ooffCCoonnjjuurriinngg""Dont forget to encourage a youth to attend the
Ring 50 MYI. The youth meeting starts at 6:00 pm
at the Holiday Inn in Alexandria. The Youth Ring isopen for children ages 7-17. Please let Louis knowif you are bringing any youths so that we can be
better prepared for them. A Magic YouthInternational Ring will offer a fun, interactive, andsafe environment for the young magicians. We haveaveraged about 5 kids per meeting but we wouldlove to build that up
The Counts of Conjuring is slowly growing withmore and younger magicians joining every month. Inthis month's meeting we reviewed the sponge balland bowl routine learned up to this point. Another
portion of the routine was taught, the 10 Count, andseveral members came forward to present what theylearned so far. An impromptu coin prediction effectwas taught in the "Take it to the Street" portion ofthe meeting. Each member received their own set ofcoins and stickers to take home and practice theeffect. The monthly and annual prize drawing washeld and two lucky members went home with magiceffects and a gift certificate courtesy of Barry'sMagic Shop.
The website for the IBM Ring 50 Counts ofConjuring is: http://countsofconjuring.blogspot.com/
Theo Rushin, Chief Wizard for the youth group, presents the New Year Annual Award to Karl K.Each January we will be giving away a large (orhigh value) prize to a present member in goodstanding of the youth group. For every meeting they
attend, they get one entry into the annual drawing.
The award given this year was from Barry's MagicShop. A monthly drawing is held at each meeting.This month's drawing winner was Sarah C. Thismonth's prizes were donated by Barry's Magic Shop.Tannen's Magic Shop in NYC has also donated
prizes to the youth group for future drawings. Ayouth member can win a monthly prize no more thantwice in a 4 month period.
RRiinngg 5500 LLiiffee MMeemmbbeerr,, RRaayy EEyylleerr
PPrreesseennttss LLeeccttuurree aatt SS..AA..MM.. 2233
RRIINNGG 5500 MMEEEETTIINNGG LLOOCCAATTIIOONNI.B.M. Ring 50 meets the first Wednesday of each
month (except July) at the Holiday Inn I-95 atTelegraph Rd., Alexandria, Virginia. The locationoffers many amenities you will appreciate:- Easy access from all parts of the DC metro area.- Across a parking lot from Metro (Yellow Line -
Eisenhower Ave.)- Full bar that welcomes members to perform before
and after the meeting. (We can perform in therestaurant, too.)
- Full service restaurant with excellent food, withentrees from $7.00 up - get what you like, paywhat you can afford. The hotel has added a one-
price buffet for our convenience!