No. 9, Atlanta, Georgia – Georgia Magic Club

3^rd Monday, 7:30 PM, Dunwoody Library, 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road

JOE M. TURNER, President (jmturner@mindspring.com)
RICK SILVERSTEIN, Vice President (rick@mindspring.com)
SCOTT HORN, Secretary (g.scott.9881@worldnet.att.net)

Ring 9 Web Site: http://rick.home.mindspring.com/ring9.html

February was an active meeting for Ring 9 in Atlanta! We congratulated two members for having work published in magic journals. Matt Wagner wrote an article describing character development for young performers in the "Junior Forum" of the Linking Ring. Christophe Foque was generous enough to describe his handling of "Impromptu Paul Fox" in the February edition of "Magic" magazine. The February "Linking Ring" also had a review of the 25th Atlanta Harvest of Magic. IBM president Jerry Schnep was at the Harvest to award Diane and Jim Maney a Presidential Citation for their years of work with the Harvest.

The club treasurer, Scott Horn, led the meeting because the other officers had commitments that night. The local FOX television station was on hand to film a segment on the Georgia Magic Club to air after the FOX network special, "Street Magic Exposed." Even with last-minute notification by FOX, Scott was able to prepare the club to represent the IBM and local magic community in a professional manner.

Two local magicians performed for the FOX TV. (Without explanations!) Howie Marmer performed a well-developed routine with plenty of poses for the camera. King Chapman performed a cake pan routine with the help of Nathan and Ben Altemus, sons of member Jay Altemus.  Jay and his family are leaving Georgia for a four-year mission trip to Africa, and King dedicated his routine to wishing the boys a fun trip. They will be missed!

The cameras were turned off, then the business meeting began. There were discussions of "Project Magic" opportunities in Atlanta, upcoming lecturers, and magic "jam sessions" outside of the regular meeting. It was announced that Jay Altemus would sell his library of magic books at a Ring-sponsored auction, and plans were made for a group of Ring members to attend the upcoming David Copperfield magic show.

The camera remained off as the club performed theme magic. The theme was "your favorite trick," which allowed a variety of magic. Matt Pollus had a spectator apparently mix and deal four piles of cards, which amazingly ended with an ace on each pile. Matt liked the impossibility of the effect. Chris Labowicz performed a version of Scotch and Soda, which is his favorite effect because it does not require sleights and gets a strong audience reaction. Bill Packard performed a rope routine with many knots, cuts, stretches, and puns (we added the groans!). Bill likes the versatility of rope magic, which could be used for close up, stage, or surrounded. Also, Bill likes a routine with magic happening constantly.

K.C. Roberts gave a very professional demonstration of two routines. The first was a haunted matchbook, which opened, closed, and moved on his hand. It was the first effect K.C. made by himself! He then had a spectator choose a line from a newspaper article that ended up matching (pun very much intended!) his prediction. Paul Sponagle had a laid-back, humorous routine using safety pins. The pins linked, unlinked, and penetrated a handkerchief. The handkerchief was then folded into a mouse that squeaked and became animated in Paul's hands. Paul said this routine was his favorite because there was constant magic and laymen loved it. (Similar to Bill Packard's logic!) Scott Horn finished with a card-to-pocket routine that climaxed with the entire deck traveling to his pocket while a selected card remained in his hand.|

The club voted for a favorite theme effect of the night, and Paul Spanogle was awarded a writing pen with the IBM logo on it. In a separate door prize drawing, Paul also won a gift certificate to the local "Eddie's" magic shop. Congratulations, Paul! The meeting adjourned, then the cameras were turned on to interview Ring members. After the FOX crew saw the fun at our meetings, the interviews were very informal and painted a good picture of our wonderful hobby!

Please contact us if you will be in the Atlanta area, we would love to get together!

Submitted 13 March 2000

Jason Partin