The December meeting of Atlanta's Ring Nine got off to a great start with Dan Garrett and JC Doty doing mini-lectures on color changing knives.  I know a lot of us went home and got our sets out and revisited this classic.  It makes a difference when a real master shows how it can be done!  And when TWO masters demonstrate it - well, I've been working on my routine!  Jim Mangham also shared a mini-mini-lecture on real vs. virtual magic.  Jim is a real student and a lot of research went into his presentation.  The mini-lectures by club members continue to be high quality and relevant.  It is amazing how many experts there are in our club.  Probably in yours, too! 

 

During our brief business meeting we welcomed several guests, VP Joe M. Turner gave gifts to all in attendance, and we discovered that Kennesaw Magic Shop had just opened in the northwest metro area.  Welcome to Atlanta, Jeff and crew!

 

David Fontenot performed for club membership, and executed a beautiful floating cigarette routine, even if the filter end did not fully cooperate!  Our theme for the meeting was "Leftovers," an appropriate category for the after Thanksgiving, pre-holiday meeting.  As always we had more varied magical entertainment than you could shake a stick at!

 

Ted Harty was assisted by James Smith and later by Joe Morrison as he performed some amazing magic with cards, causing James' card to change places with a card that was clipped and in full view, and Joe's card went to Ted's pocket!  Gene Hendrix's production of a streamer was fun and unique.  Brad Parker, a guest and friend? of David Spier's blew the room away with a card trick he had put every bit of 15 minutes practice into!  Lynn Fox was Brad's victim and still doesn't have a clue how the trick was done.  (You woulda hada been there!)  Brad is an interesting person and we hope he'll come back again soon! 

 

Guy Philips, a guest and new Atlantan from Greensboro, NC, performed a new trick to be featured in an upcoming issue of The Linking Ring.  The effect is called Sharky and was developed by Guy's good friend Jeff Case.  Guy was followed by Michael Leath, who performed Insomnia.  What a great routine for three ropes!  Finally, Jim Mangham discussed the unreliability of ropes with a "nightmare" of a trick!  After the votes were counted, Ted Harty was awarded the Coveted Royal Blue Pen and a certificate, suitable for framing. 

 

Thumb Tip of the Month: From Dan Garrett on covering moves that don't need to be covered - "If they aren't chasing you, there's no need to run!"

 

If you are ever in the Atlanta area, let us know!  We'll show you some of that Southern Hospitality and that International Brotherhood!

Tommy Johns, Humble and Contrite Ring 9 Scribe