I.B.M. Ring 9
Ring Reports
We kicked off our May meeting with an excellent Pre-Meeting Mini-Lecture by Bill Packard, entitled "Obtaining a Twisted Reputation." No, it was all about twisting balloons. While he only shared a couple of actual twistings, Bill imparted a boatload of balloon worker wisdom, gathered from his years as one of Atlanta's best balloon artists, to those who came out at 7:00 for the PMML. Thanks, Bill!
After a short business meeting, (we like 'em that way!) we enjoyed Preston Burt's performance for membership. Preston, an elementary school teacher by day, did a very enjoyable set involving a knotted rope and a torn and restored paper routine. Our theme for May was Illusions/Stage Magic, and Carey Huddelstun started us off with a very fun routine using a Bunny Fluffer and producing a borrowed rabbit. (Only at a magic club meeting!)
Joe M. Turner followed Carey with a very different color-changing silk routine and his version of an Eric Lewis card trick with the help of guests Erika and Bobby. Ring 9 President David Smith performed a very entertaining combination card trick and straight jacket escape with guests Kim and Bob. Lynn Fox worked very hard to do a self levitation using a magic carpet, and Bill Packard transported the entire group (by foot) to another theatre in the complex where we meet, to levitate a young volunteer from the audience. The levitation included music and smoke and was VERY impressive, even from a few feet away!
After the theme magic, while we counted the votes for the theme winner, Ken Scott shared with us stories from his recent appearance at the Magic Castle in Hollywood where he performed over 20 times in a week. The Ring 9 scribe was privileged to visit Ken and see his shows and confirmed the rumors that Ken did a great job there. In the category of general magic, David Smith performed a close up card trick with the assistance of the lovely and talented Amanda Finley, and Cesar Vega amazed the audience using three volunteers to impossibly locate a card. It was like magic! After the votes were counted, congratulations were offered to out May theme winner, Carey Huddlestun!
We would love to share some of our famous Ring 9 Southern Hospitality with you if you ever make it the Atlanta area. E-mail us and let us know that you are coming and we'll get together and make some magic!
Tommy Johns
Ring 9 Scribe (and VP)