JANUARY 3, 2006

The Blue Ridge Magicians
IBM Ring 320 Officers:
President - Brian Bence
Vice President - Edward Schmitz
Secretary - George Buckley
Treasurer - Dave Clauss
Sgt. at Arms - Jim Champion
Newsletter Editor: George B. Buckley

IBM Ring 320 - Blue Ridge Magicians hold their meetings on the last Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Mary E. Switzer  Building, Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center, Fishersville, VA For info Contact: Brian Bence - (540) 294-2900

IN THE NEWS -- The AMA Awards and Masters of Illusion- Neil Patrick Harris, once a resident of my hometown, Ruidoso, New Mexico, was the host to the Academy of Magic Arts Awards Show on October 11, 2008. The AMA Awards aired on TV on Nov 26th and January 1, 2009. What a great way to ring in the New Year. You may remember Harris from Doogie Howser, M.D., Starship Troopers, or my favorite, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Harris, himself a magician of note, will produce and again host the AMA Awards on March 8, 2009 "penned by David Regal. Hopefully it won't take too long to air. You can see nominations for Magician of the Year and all the categories by Clicking Here.

World-renowned magician Jeff McBride is bringing you the most electrifying performance ever, with a one-of-a-kind illusion that will illuminate the stage! Plus, don't miss a cutting-edge escape of epic proportions and an astonishing appearance by the Amazing Jonathan. It's magic you can't miss on an all new episode of Masters of Illusion.

Well, that's the only write up My Network TV has on it's newest show Masters of Illusion. Gay Blackstone is the producer of the show, a new weekly series that has debuted on My Network TV (Monday Nights 8 pm or 9 pm EST). Blackstone is a former President of the Academy of Magical Arts and currently on its Board of Directors. She is also a respected television and stage producer, director, consultant, lecturer and author. Yes, she is also the wife of past magician Harry Blackstone, Jr.

The program has some excellent effects. My favorites were Kalin and Jinger's Origami Illusion, Jeff McBride's Miser's Dream' and the awesomely funny Kyle Eschen. You can watch full episodes at http://video.tvguide.com.

The Magician's Assistant documentary Women In Boxes will hit The Documentary Channel February 9th at 9 p.m. and Midnight EST. (Direct TV) It looks to be a great year for magic. Now if President Obama can work some magic on the economy!!!

SIDEBAR -- D. C. IBM Ring 50 - Magi-Whirl - 2009 - April 17th ! 18th, 2009

Magic Lectures by Kenrick ‘ICE' McDonald, Aldo & Rachel Colombini, & Eric Jones.
Close-up Performances with Wild Man Bob Little, Richard Kaufman, & The Lies of Brian Mortonle.
Gala Evening Show - 90 min. of exciting stage magic. Featuring Kenrick ‘ICE'McDonald, Aldo Colombini, DC's Magician of the Year Noland Montgomery, & Swami Yomahmi, w/ Master of Ceremonies Rich Bloch.

$45 until March 16
$60 after March 16
More Info at:
http://www.magi-whirl.org/

January 2009 Ring Report:

Members in attendance on our  January 26, 2009 meeting - Brian Bence, Edward Schmitz, Jim Champion, George Buckley, David and Nathan Clauss, Ralph McPhail, John Coleman, John Leeth, Jordan Berneking, Jim Oberg, Eric Jones, Steve Pittella, and our newest member Eddie Toby and his guest Yvonne Tomlin.

Brian opened the business portion of the meeting. He reminded members that IBM Ring 50 "Magi-Whirl" Convention will be held on April 17th and 18th, 2009. It will be in Alexandria, VA at the Bishop Ireton High School.

Brian and Jim reported on the Carroll Baker lecture they attended. Brian reported that it was a very good lecture with some great ideas about restaurant magic and an excellent twisted straw routine. Jim then performed the routine and taught it to interested members.

Ralph talked about an Ian May, a young veteran he met who was new to the area and needed some encouragement. He asked if we have the time to write the young man at ianmay@hotmail.com.

Brian reported that Steve Patella would be performing a children's show on February 5th at the Staunton Library. George reported that he had placed advertising for the Ring meetings with several local media, including The Hook, C-Ville magazine, Albemarle Family, NBC 29' Community Calendar and Craig's List. He stated that after the first month Craig's List and the Community Calendar were free, but all the others wanted to charge for the service. Members decided to forego paying for advertising as the money was better spent on lectures for the members.

Brian reported that Wes Iseli wanted to provide the members with a lecture on restaurant magic and Eric Jones said he was also willing to provide the members with his lecture that he has been giving around the country.

George then asked Eric to report on the SCAM convention he had attended. Eric reported that he had attended the South Carolina Association of Magicians Convention in Columbia as a dealer and had participated in the Close up competition and had taken first place. He reported that IBM Ring 105 did an excellent job of hosting the convention and that he had the privilege of meeting Mark Mason and Barry Mitchell.

Dave reported that John Calvert and Tony Econ might be available for lectures this spring. John C., Jim and Jordan reported they had a great turn out and a great performance for the Big Brothers/Big Sisters benefit show.

George and Brian then presented letters of recognition to last years officers. Brian then presented "Magician of the Year" to Jim Champion for all his outstanding support and performances promoting IBM Ring 320 during the past year.

The business meeting was closed at 7:35 pm.

While Greg, Lynn, and Michael Coudoures from Smith Mountain Magic and Science set up for their dealer show, Jordan performed a mental effect predicting the name of a country chosen from Creative Street Magic's "Change Cap". Greg gave a brief history of Smith Mountain Magic and Science Shop, then presented and performed various new and used effects he had brought for sale.

Of note were his routines for the Bending Spoon, Haunted Key, Free Will, Decipher, Twisted Spoon, and Stage size Princess Card Trick. While members browsed the dealer's table, Ed performed his "Friday Night Allowance" (Hundy 500) and a four ace production, followed by his version of "Spectator Cuts the Aces". Eric performed his "Standing Room Collectors" routine from his DVD and lecture as well as several other phenomenal effects, including an excellent finger ring routine. The evening's magic finished at around 9:45 p.m.

Our next meeting is on February 23rd, 2009. The theme will be Packet Tricks - Cards to carry in your wallet. Everyone should always have one card effect they can perform at any given time. Bring your favorite packet trick, to perform, to learn, to refine. We'll have some double backers, double facers, and blanks, so bring your note books, a deck of cards and a willingness to learn. Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. 

My thanks to my wife Susan for being my Mystic Proof-reader and Muse.

Brian Bence - From the Pen of the President

Building on Tomorrow!

I would like all of us to focus on two things for our upcoming meetings in 2009. I would call these our New Year's Magic Resolutions, but those always get broken or forgotten within days. Hopefully we can do better with ours

1.  I would like to build upon our great attendance at our monthly meetings and continue to invite friends or those we meet who have an interest in magic to come out and visit our club. We have had some great excitement and great magic at our meetings and consistent attendance and inviting guests will help continue the trend.

2. I would also like to encourage every! one to bring some magic to share at each meeting in 2009. Maybe you are working on a new item, maybe it is just a simple routine you enjoy performing or a new gadget or utility item you want to demonstrate. As I look around at the amazing amount of talent we have at any given meeting I think we can all learn something new every time someone else performs or shares with the club. Also, with that being said, anyone performing has the right to share the secret, method, or gimmick or to NOT share the secret, method, or gimmick...it is up to you. Sometimes it is even more beneficial to really think about how the effect was accomplished or completed instead of just seeing the answer immediately...just a thought. "I just want to make sure we have made that point clear and those who perform don't feel like they must reveal a super secret or pet routine...nuff said

Well, that's all for me this month. If you have purchased the new Paul Harris DVD True Astonishment set, yes, I am jealous, but I'll get over it! "A large investment, ,300.00# but surely I can find a way to justify this to my wife.

Keep the Magic Alive and Thriving,

Your Prez,
Brian B.

The Musings of a Magical Mind...

Sometime you run across something that rings true so loud it hurts your metaphysical ears. It can be a photo, a story, a saying, or in this case a poem. I read this the other day and thought I'd share it with you.

The Magician's Reward
by Ed Parrish

He set his table in the streets, and there he made his way,
He conjured in the evening, earned his money day by day,
He started as a young man, the magic fit him right,
With coins and cards and cups and balls, he worked the bars at night.

Playing for throw money, "The bills, please. Keep your change."
And for the pay showed miracles, impossible and strange,
A million people gasped in awe, a million laughed and clapped,
Sometimes a hundred in the crowd dropped money in his hat.

The years went by so quickly; the streets all became the same,
And everywhere he chose to work, they learned the wizard's name,
But once when they expected him, he didn't come that day,
And not the next and nevermore. They heard he'd passed away.

He didn't know he'd died that night, not /til he saw the gates,
Saint Peter showed puff-cloudy heaven, a grin upon his face,
"Jehovah understands the cups - and the little balls therein,
"He says to ask you how the big ones get there at the end."

"Is that my price for paradise?" The magician asked politely,
"Yep,. Just give it up. I'll let you in. You'll be with our God Almighty."
Now heaven looked so pretty, and Saint Peter's deal seemed fair,
But the magic man thought of all the magicians who'd preceded him up there.

And not a one had told the tale, no one had spilt the beans,
Well, he wouldn't be the first one. I know just what this means,
"But keep your heaven to yourselves. I choose to spend eternity,
"With those like me who keep the faith, the magical fraternity."

"And though it means I'll burn in hell, then that's the price I'll pay,
"You may get the secret sometime, but not from me today."
That's when Saint Peter transformed, became a hid'ous beast,
And the illusion just be'ind him changed from the great - into the least.

And cussin' like a sailor, the devil blew away,
The magician found himself in glory on a bright, sunshiny day,
He met the real Saint Peter there in the golden halls,
Saint Peter cheered and clapped and asked,

"Would ya' do the cups and balls?"

****LOCAL MAGIC****

Our very own Wes and Natalie Iseli will be performing at the following locations. February 21st Wes and Natalie's Opening Night - William Monroe High School at 7:30 pm. Tickets are ,5.00 and on sale at the Greene County Child Care Center . This is the season premier of their all new Illusion Show and will include Natalie's dove work and $I Love Lucy% theme. Members are encouraged to attend and support one of our own.

27th Illusion Show in South Boston, VA. Show will start at 7:30 at Halifax County High School. 28th Illusion Show in Preston, MD. Show will start at 2:00 pm at Preston Elementary School. For more info on any events call Wes or Natalie at 1(877) 987-4201.

****REGIONAL MAGIC****

I.B.M. Ring 50 ! $The National Capital Ring% meets the first Wednesday of each month (except July) at the Holiday Inn I-95 at Telegraph Rd., Alexandria, Virginia. Dinner at 6:30 p.m., Meeting starts at 8 p.m.

I.B.M. Ring 180 - The Horace Bennett Ring, meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220. Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.

I.B.M. Ring 222  -The Jim Murphy Ring, meets on the 1st Sunday of each month at 3:00 p.m. at the Ronald McDonald House 2224 South Jefferson Street Roanoke, Va.

The Hersy Basham SAM Assembly 32 meets on the third Tuesday of every month, at 7:00 p.m. at The Tharp Funeral Home, 220 Breezewood Drive in Lynchburg.

February

6th - DC Ring 50 will be hosting Lawrence Hass for a lecture starting at 8:00 pm, at the Holiday Inn I!95 at Telegraph Rd., Alexandria, Virginia. Cost is ,10.00.

8th - The Spencers will be performing Sunday, Feb 8, 2009 at the Martinsville High School Auditorium, 351 Commonwealth

Blvd, Martinsville, VA 24112. Show time is 7;00 pm. Cost ,10.00

22nd - Paul Gertner will lecture at IBM RIng 180 at the Va. Science Museum on Broad Street.. The time is 7:30 pm and the

cost is IBM members ,15 ! Non members ,20.

March

5th - 7th -Winter Carnival of Magic. Pigeon Forge, TN. More info at www.ibmring58.com/wcm

15th # Lynchburg SAM Assembly 32 has booked Tony Econ, previous writer of the Card Corner in the Linking Ring Magazine, to lecture on Sunday, March 15th at 2 pm. More info to follow.

April

17th - 18th - National Capital Ring 50&s Magi!Whirl 2009, held at Bishop Ireton High School, 201 Cambridge Rd, Alexandria VA. Only ,50 until April 1st. http://www.Magi!Whirl.Org

http://www.magictricks.com/wedomagic/ibm320.htm