I.B.M. Ring 9

Ring Reports

September 2008

See photos from this meeting

No. 9, Atlanta, Georgia - Georgia Magic Club
3rd Monday, 7:00 PM, Funny Farm Comedy Club, Alpharetta Hwy, Roswell, GA

DEBBIE LEIFER, President (Debbie@MagicDebbie.com)
LYNN FOX, Vice President (lynnfox@bellsouth.net)
GUY PHILLIPS, Secretary (guyphilips@bellsouth.net)
Ring 9 Web Site: www.GaMagicClub.com

Our September 2008 theme was "The ABCs of School Magic". As with most magic clubs, the majority of entertainers in our midst focus on children's performances, so this was the most popular theme so far this year.

Our business meeting was focused on the recent huge success of our SEAM Convention. Chairperson Ken Scott gave an interesting recap of the exciting and profitable weekend, including the announcement that our convention will be featured in upcoming issues of both Magic Magazine and Linking Ring. Ken shared his appreciation for the extensive work and dedication of several club members who headed the many committees that made our convention so successful. Our treasurer Guy Phillips followed with a very impressive and greatly detailed report on the income, expenses, and profit that resulted from the very successful and highly acclaimed 2008 SEAM Convention.

The meeting also covered reminders of our upcoming October lecture by Levent, our November lecture by Joshua Jay, and our November Stage Magic Contest.

Theme performances were plentiful this month, beginning with Tommy Johns who performed a stunning and heartfelt performance of one of his signature pieces from his educational school shows. Tommy demonstrated his talents as a powerful magical storyteller by sharing the message of a book titled "Lincoln's Whiskers", a touching story of a little girl who wrote a letter to President Abraham Lincoln. A picture of Lincoln magically transformed as Tommy's narration unfolded the inspirational message that anyone of any age can have a huge impact on the world.

Victoria Skye presented "The Key To Knowledge". Six audience members chose a single key, with the option of switching before committing to their choice. Their keys (none of which were capable of opening a lock) were exchanged for corresponding messages that discouraged too much play time and encouraged studying. The final key that remained after all audience participants made their choices was the only one capable of opening the lock.

Howie Marmer presented an entertaining yet confusing 21 card routine that resulted in a chosen card being revealed in a very elaborate manner. Carey Huddlestun presented a nice routine that demonstrated the danger of bullying with the assistance of audience member Rick Silver. Multiple "Bad Bullying Behaviors" were disclosed as the 6 boxes not chosen revealed negative behaviors, and the chosen box contained a purple silk resulting in a valuable positive message.

Terry Winham really showcased his inimitable British humor as he combined a card trick with a scary knife through arm routine, including stage blood streaming down his arm. The "humorous" aspect was that the theme was school show magic! Aragorn displayed silk "fish" hanging from a wooden rod, one silk fish vanished leaving the message "Gone To School", reappearing with the others at the conclusion of his amusing routine.

Debbie Leifer displayed a customized prop built for her summer library performances. Larry the Library Lion was the star of her presentation that focused on different types of children's books. After disappearing, with the help of an enthusiastic audience cheering for his return, Larry magically reappeared in a colorful library in between the image of children enjoying reading books.

Ken Scott presented the dramatic finale of his most recent library program that he performed in almost 100 libraries throughout Georgia this past summer. He caught a series of magical lightening bugs in a mason jar, each "delightful" lightening bug lit up as it was captured, accompanied by an intriguing story and musical background. Ken concluded his "Catch The Magical Reading Bug" presentation by pouring all the lightening bugs into a previously displayed book, "The Very Lonely Firefly", where they lit up a colorful scene.

For General Magic, Howie Marmer surprised us with a cool visual transformation of a seemingly incorrect prediction of a chosen card by visually making one diamond instantly vanish from the five, magically transforming it into the four of diamonds. Keith Rainey told a story about visiting Las Vegas, complete with references to Lance Burton and an interesting topless buffet, while performing a marvelous Three Fly routine.

The Coveted Royal Blue Pen for September 2008 was awarded to Ken Scott.

If you happen to be in Atlanta on the third Monday of any month, please join us. Ring 9 has an awesome membership full of enthusiastic, very talented and creative magicians who are consistently generous with their knowledge. With our monthly Mini Lectures and fun Theme Performances, every meeting is a great opportunity for inspiration, friendship, and fun.

Debbie Leifer