INSIDE THE LINKING RING
May, 2010
By Devon Elliott

Cover Story:
MOVING FORWARD WITH JOSHUA JAY
By Bobby Warren

Joshua Jay has wrapped up his second book of magic with Workman Publishing Company, but it seems hard to imagine what the next chapter will be in the life of this young magician who has already accomplished so much.

It is difficult to come to terms that Jay is not yet thirty years old. After all, he has been featured on television shows, written books, starred in instructional magic DVDs, traveled the world performing shows, exploring the art, and lecturing to magicians – and earned a degree in English and studied in France for a year and in Ecuador for six months. And he is also an entrepreneur who launched Vanishing Magic Inc. with friend and fellow magician Andi Gladwin.

“Magic is deeply rooted in the fabric of who I am,” said Jay, now twenty-eight. When he first developed a passion for the art as a child, it was at a time when Jay said he was “too young to impress girls, too young to impress friends. It was very fascinating for me; I really loved it.” (Read More)

RING EVENTS

Ring 45 (Miami, Florida) 2010 Installation and Awards Banquet
By Rick Del Vecchio

Members of Ring 45 celebrated their annual Installation Banquet and Awards ceremony at the Palace Suites on January 10, in conjunction with Assembly 280 of the Society of American Magicians. . .

Singapore Ring 115 Celebrates 59th Anniversary
By John Teo

Our 59th Anniversary Dinner was held on November 14 at the Mong Hing Restaurant. It attracted about 176 diners. VIPs included Mrs. Wong, wife of the late The Great Wong, our patrons, and representatives of two other magic organizations in Singapore. . .

Ring 189 (Galion, Ohio) Installation Banquet
By Rich Henry

January 9 was our installation banquet at the Brown Derby Road House. We had twenty-five members and their guests for dinner. After a wonderful meal, TVPRon Frank inducted the following officers: President Matt Everly, Vice President Al Sigg, Secretary Rich Henry, Treasurer Rich Herold, and Sergeant-of-Arms Joe Schivinski. We had a brief business meeting, just to catch up. . .

Ring 211’s 23rd Annual Hocus Pocus Party in Grand Rapids, Michigan
By Randy Vander Wal

On November 7, Ring 211 held its twenty-third Annual Earl Ray Wilcox Memorial Hocus Pocus Party at The Knights of Columbus Hall. Members sold tickets to another record crowd of over 325 people. This year Ring 211 made headlines as this event was the number three event of Gonzo’s Top Five Pick in “The Weekend!” supplement of The Grand Rapids Press and televised on the local NBC affiliate. Members, friends, and family enjoyed a fun-filled evening of magical wonderment which included a strolling close-up magic period, sponsored raffle giveaways with a cash-prize drawing, and a fabulous cabaret show. Again this year there was a program pamphlet which showcased each act and allowed advertisements for sponsors. . .

Ring 279’s National Magic Convention in Dhaka City, Bangladesh
By S. M. Showkat Hussain

It was a big night for Ring 279. The National Magic Convention organized by the Ring was held at Public Library Auditorium on January 31. Honorable Member of Parliament Mr. Asaduzzaman Nur was the guest of honor on that auspicious occasion. . .

Ring 321 (Surabaya City, Indonesia): Abracabali Magic Convention
By Sucahyo

This was the first two-day magic convention held in Indonesia. Ring 321 worked with the Magic Castle Bali (a daily theater illusion show) to produce the convention in Kuta, Bali, on January 9 and 10. The admission included two dinners and a one-hour illusion show. . .

Ring 325 (Branson, Missouri) “Show Me the Ring”
By Bill Klaus

February 6 marked the seventh Annual “Show Me the Ring” show at Kirby Vanburch’s theatre. Thanks to Producer Dan Farley and Director Yak Williams. Kirby’s stage crew were there to help with sound, lighting, and anything else we needed. . .

DALE SALWAK TO SPEAK AT 2010 ORDER OF MERLIN BREAKFAST

Noted performer, writer, and teacher Dale Salwak has been scheduled to speak at the 2010 Order of Merlin Breakfast, according to Committee Chairman Jack Greenberg. The breakfast will begin at 8:00 a.m., Sat July 10, at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego, California. . .

"NOTHIN' UP MY SLEEVE"
Tribute to Marshall Brodien
By Don Wiberg, Past International President

The Three Sheeters Professional Entertainers Club of Chicago honored longtime member, Marshall Brodien, at the Eighth Annual Nothin’ Up My Sleeve variety show and reception on April 10, 2010, at the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake, Illinois. The proceeds from the show went to benefit this beautifully restored theater. . .

APPROACHABLE
By Shawn Farquhar

I’ve always been a shy person. If you’ve met me, you will think this is not exactly accurate. It is, however, the truth. If it were not for magic, I would have few tools to introduce myself to others. Magic works wonders among those that are not magicians, but it’s not such a great tool when I want to meet my idols. Yes, I have idols both in and out of magic. Plenty, in fact. . .

BOBBY WARREN:
A Newspaper Reporter Brings Skills to The Linking Ring and the I.B.M. Web Portal
By C. Dennis Schick

Bobby Warren is a man of many talents, and he is applying several of them to the I.B.M. He has been writing feature cover stories for The Linking Ring since 2007 (Mac King, Terry Evanswood, Richard Osterlind, Jon Racherbaumer, etc.). Last year Executive Editor Samuel Patrick Smith contacted Bobby abbecoming Portal Editor at www.magician.org. He accepted the position. Now he has bylines in two media. So who’s the man behind the bylines? . . .

ENHANCING THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF MAGIC
By Art Thomas

There probably aren’t very many ideals that all magicians would agree upon, but one that seems almost universally accepted is that we should never reveal the secret of a trick to the public. Another ideal that I believe magicians should agree upon – yet we clearly do not all agree – is the idea that it should not be acceptable to embarrass, humiliate, or ridicule members of our audience, particularly those who have agreed to help on stage. We have all seen it. “Hold out your hand. No, the clean one.” There are numerous stock put-down lines that are used all too often by magicians. My contention is that attempting to get laughs by the use of such patter or by belittling spectators or making them appear to be inept or foolish is not only bad magic, it is also bad entertainment. . .

HOW WE REVIEW
By Jason Goldberg, Associate Editor

It feels like my birthday a few times each year when Sammy Smith sends me a new box filled with what producers hope will be the “latest and greatest,” the creations they want to share with the magic fraternity. Sometimes they are great, and sometimes they turn out like that sweater we all want to exchange. . .

MILLENNIALS RISING: MAGIC STARS OF TOMORROW
Jesse Boyes: The Art of Entertainment
By Cliff Bumgardner

Jesse's path in magic is quite a winding one, especially considering his young age. Though he had experienced magic when he was young, his interest wasn't triggered until he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, when he was six years old. During his three years in Vegas, Jesse went to several magic shows and visited a few local shops, but his interest in the art still remained at a hobby level. It was his move back to Canada just before his tenth birthday that had the greatest effect on Jesse and his magic. . .

CLASSICS REVISITED
Mock Epic
Written and Illustrated by Vanni Pulé

The concept of the Mental Epic has fascinated me for a long time. I finally settled on making up a basic adaptation that is quite simple but works. This is not necessarily better or worse than any other version, but it might be worth trying out for those who like to experiment with different methods and like their props to look as unsuspicious as possible. . .

CUTTING UP JACKPOTS
A.M. Warwick: He Helped a Kid
By Bev Bergeron

There are so many to thank for helping me with my love for magic. One such person was A.M. Warwick. A simple man who worked in what was then the world’s largest oil refinery, Humble Oil (now known as Exxon), in the 1940s and through some great mystery found a phone number that joined us together. . .

THE BUSINESS OF MAGIC
A Strong Financial Defense
By Julian Franklin

I know this article might seem out of place in a column on business and magic, but all year long I write about how to create a strong offensive financial plan (how to earn more money), and I feel I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention from time to time the importance of a strong financial defense. . .

OUR SIDE OF THE POND
By Elizabeth Warlock

May never seems to be as busy as April, although there is one important event this month and that is the Bristol Day of Magic, this year celebrating its fiftieth year. It will take place at the Winter Gardens and Playhouse Theatre in Weston Super Mare on May 9. This has to rank as one of the best one-day conventions in the world with a range of activities during the day covering every facet of magic, followed by a Gala show in the evening. Among the many stars to take part in this special anniversary are Rafael, Pilou, Graham Jolley, Michael Vincent, Geoffrey Durham, David Stone, and Etienne Pradier to name but a few. It looks like being more exciting than ever. . .

2009 LINKING RING INDEX:
Volume 89
Compiled by Roy V. Barnes

Articles, tricks, and effects are listed under alphabetically arranged categories. When a trick makes use of two or more items, it will be listed under each specific category. Contributing authors are listed separately and alphabetically in the section following the list of articles, tricks, and effects. . .

HOCUS POCUS PARADE
Joshua Jay One-Man Parade
Written by Joshua Jay
Illustrations by Tony Dunn

PREDICTAMATION
EFFECT: A spectator is invited to cut off a small packet of cards. You correctly estimate the amount of cards she cut. But in the process, you also find four aces.

SHRIEK OF THE MARSHMALLOW
EFFECT: Atoothpick, a small scrap of paper, and a lighter are handed to a spectator to be examined as the magician talks of his favorite childhood memories of summer camp. The magician takes the paper and the toothpick back and rolls the paper into a small ball. He explains that campfires were the best part of summer camp and that roasting marshmallows was his favorite pastime. The toothpick is pushed through the small ball of paper, and the toothpick is handed to the spectator. The magician ignites the lighter, and the flame is touched to the small ball of paper. In a flash of fire, the ball of paper turns into a marshmallow, which is warmly toasted to perfection.

PREDICTION PIECE
EFFECT: The magician offers to demonstrate the same trick in two different ways: as a mentalist and as a magician. A prediction envelope is tabled. The performer invites several spectators to tear a few cards into small pieces and then has one piece selected at random. The card inside the envelope is shown to perfectly match the value and suit of the selected piece: the “mentalist” has predicted the correct card! “A mentalist would predict the future,” the performer adds, “but a magician would change the past.” So saying, the performer removes the card from the envelope completely to show that the prediction card is missing a corner…and that the selected piece is a perfect fit.

THINK SMALL, DRINK TALL
EFFECT: The magician presents a very tiny envelope and explains that his prediction is inside. The magician then asks a spectator to imagine three invisible objects: a paperclip, a coin, and a straw. She is invited to select any one, and she selects the straw. The magician proceeds to remove a full-length straw from the tiny envelope.

CLOCKED IN SPACE
EFFECT: After a deck has been thoroughly shuffled by an audience member, she is instructed to deal twelve cards in positions similar to those on a clock. One card represents each hour, and all cards are dealt face down so that nobody can see the values of the cards utilized. While the magician’s back is turned, the spectator thinks of any hour in the day. She is instructed to look at the card corresponding to that hour, remember it, and place it back on the table. She collects the other cards and reassembles the pack. The magician then turns around, quickly spreads through the deck to remove one card. Not only does he remove the noted card, but he also announces the thought-of hour!

THE OSE TRILOGY
EFFECT: Three workings of a Jay Ose's seminal false cut.

JOHN PYE AWARDED HONORARY MEMBERSHIP IN ORDER OF THE MAGI

John Pye, I.B.M. Executive Committee Member and British Ring 25 Secretary, was recently awarded Honorary Membership of The Order of The Magi (Manchester’s Magicians’ Society, England) for exceptional service to the art of magic and his help and assistance to The Magi over the years. . .

THE CARD CORNER
Way Too Many
By Mike Powers

EFFECT: Two cards are selected and lost in the deck. The magician then spreads the cards face down and asks the first spectator to touch three cards in the spread. These are removed as the magician explains that these cards will reveal the identity of the selection. The first card will reveal the color. The next two will reveal suit and number respectively.

The magician discovers that he has mistakenly taken four cards. One is tabled as the cards are counted again. Strangely, there are still four cards. Another card is tabled as the packet is again found to contain four cards. This happens two more times. As a last resort, the magician hands the packet to a spectator to count. The spectator discovers a single card – her selection!

The magician tells the second spectator that he will need the four aces to find her card. Luckily, the four tabled cards are found to be the four aces! The magician removes the two red aces and places them face up in the deck. When the cards are spread, a face-down card is found between the aces. Of course, it is the second selection.

HAVENLY CLOSE-UP
By Tom Craven

This is another excellent item from that card guy Mike Powers. I think you’ll want to use this in your performances for magicians and laymen alike. His “$185 for Your Thoughts” garnered a lot of favorable mail. Enjoy Michael’s: BOUNCER . . .

SHOWTIME
The Time Traveller
By Peter Marucci

EFFECT: One card is face up in a face-down deck. The card is removed and the deck turned face up. The card is returned to the deck anywhere and, when it is turned face down again and spread, the card has again turned face up.

STORYTELLING MAGIC
From the Chronicles of DeNomolos: History Lesson, as related by DeNomolos
By Ed Solomon

I really prefer not to discuss politics with DeNomolos as he becomes quite adamant and generally indignant. He knows all the buttons to push and does so at a moment’s notice. Arbitrary by nature, he takes great delight in making attacks on random members of both parties with equal vigor, primarily because he wishes to be contrary. At one of our recent gatherings, he got started on an election tangent, and while quite knowledgeable on the subject, he once more ran it into the ground with his rhetoric. . .

HOCUS IN FOCUS
Reviewed this Month:

BOOKS
La Magie des Cartes, Etienne Pradier | Psychological Subtleties 3, Banachek
Five for £5: Coffee, Five for £5: Kids, and Five for £5: Stage, Oliver Meech

VIDEOS
An Evening with Carpenter: The Seattle Sessions (Night One), Jack Carpenter, William Conine, Tobias Pashia, Steve Mayhew, Steve Dobson, and Stephen Hobbs
Extreme: Human Body Stunts for Professionals, Luis de Matos
Stain/Shiv, Andrew Mayne

FAST FOCUS
DiaMonte, Diamond Jim Tyler - Trick | Dough or No Dough, Brandon Smith - Trick
The Magical Interview Series: No. 2, Anthony Owen, Jay Fortune - CD
The Magical Interview Series: No. 3, Jonathan Goodwin, EMagicalMedia - CD
Thought-full Telepathy, Chuck Hickok - Book | Vectra Line, Steve Fearson - Trick

THE LINKING RING

All members receiving our journal are also able to read it on line the day it is published and mailed. This gives you a heads-up on ads, tricks to perform for others before they see them, plus access to any area of special interest. This is especially important for non-US members who receive their journals later due to the distances involved (Read More)