MAGI-GRAM

M
Official Newsletter of IBM Ring 50 -- The National Capital Ring Volume 63 No. 5 May 2009

Magi-Whirl 2009 a big hit

Ring 50’s Magi-Whirl 2009 ended he indeed was the master of masks
with a spectacular stage show and a and the king of cards. The stage --
standing ovation for headliner Jeff and the auditorium--at Bishop Ireton
McBride. The Las Vegas star proved High School in Alexandria, Va., was
transformed into a magical arena.
Jeff delivered an hour-long show
R that many will remember for years to
I
come. His unleashed energy was
spectacular. Much of the action was
N
done in an enchanted, fog-draped
G setting. But when the theater lights
came up he would easily bounce off
50 stage and move into the audience to
International Brotherhood create more moments of wonder.
of Magicians Ring 50 Perhaps the most poignant part of
The National Capital Ring the program though was a young boy Jeff McBride greets legendary magic
President named C.J. brought on stage by the dealer Al Cohen and his wife Rita before
Louis Meyer superstar. The youngster even the show.
(703) 765-1923 caught the performer off guard as he
president@ibmring50.org mimicked his every move and drew Former Ring 50 President Mike Taggert,
Vice President loud applause for his delightful who produced Magi-Whirl 2009, also
Eric Redman bows. announced the lineup for Magi-Whirl
(301) 927-7717 The evening program was 2010 which is already in the works.
vp@ibmring50.org emceeded by former Ring 50 Duane Laflin will be the headliner. Also
president Eric Henning. He also presenting a lecture on restaurant magic
Secretary performed several effects of his own and performing in the close-up show as
Sam Brothers well as the gala show will be Jim Sisti.
including an egg bag routine with a
(703) 550-9155
secretary@ibmring50.org lady volunteer from the audience. Giving a lecture on children’s
Noland Montgomery, who has entertainment and performing in the night
Treasurer won Ring 50’s Magician of the Year show will be Linking Ring Editor and
Bob Patterson title four times, was the opening act. author Samuel Patrick Smith.
(703) 490-1222 He presented a cut-and-restored
treasurer@ibmring50.org rope trick with a young lady from the
crowd and a Three Card Monte effect MAY MEETING
Sergeant-at-Arms for a befuddled male volunteer. Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Reggie Rice The leaders of the International featuring the annual
(240) 298-6077 Brotherhood of Magicians and the Magician of the Year Contest
sgtarms@ibmring50.org Society of American Magicians HOLIDAY INN
combined for a whimsical mentalism I-95 ALEXANDRIA
Magi-Gram Editor routine. SAM President Bruce
Jim Flanigan 2460 Eisenhower Avenue
Kalver first “hypnotized” the entire
(202) 554-3775 Alexandria, VA
audience with his special spinning
magi-gram@ibmring50.org
spiral illusion which deflated his 6:00 Cocktails
Webmaster head. He was then joined by IBM 6:45 Dinner
Eric Henning President Joan Caesar, who was able 8:00 Meeting
(301) 369-0025 to reveal the serial number on a spec-
eric@ibmring50.org tator's $5 bill from across the stage.

Coming Events
IBM 2009 Nashville--“The Greatest
Magic Convention on Earth”
Date: June 30 – July 4, 2009.
Place: Nashville, Tenn. -- Music City
USA
If you only make it to one magic
convention in 2009, this is the one
where you should be! More than
$20,000 in prizes, trophies and awards
will be given for the stage and close-
up contests. There will be outstanding
lectures, events and performers.
Accomodations: Special hotel rates
at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and
Convention Center of only $120 per
night plus tax.
Contact: Bob Patterson, I.B.M.
Registration Chairman, by emailing him
at Magic.Bob@Comcast.Net.
S.A.M. National Convention in Buffalo
The Society of American Magicians
convention is filled to the brim with
magic, fun and even some surprises. It
also includes a day trip to Canada for
sightseeing and a visit to the fantastic
Greg Frewin Theatre in Niagara Falls,
where convention participants see Eric
DeCamps in his critically acclaimed
One Man Magic Show.
Dates: July 15-18
Place: Buffalo, N.Y.
Special Event: Norm Nielsen honored
Cost: Register on line with credit card
or Paypal.
Contact: http://www.magicsam.com/
samshop/convreg.asp. More informa-
tion at www.magicsam.com.
Society of American Magicians
(SAM) Larry West Assembly 23
Date: May 20 at 8 p.m.
Theme: Escapology, math-magic, street
bizarre
Place: National Press Club, 529 14th
Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Contact: Ray Eyler at 410/798-0176
ceyler1026@aol.com.
Footnote: Kosmo has rescheduled his
lecture for June 18.
Lectures at Denny and Lee’s
Denny & Lee Magic Studio, 9004
Yellow Brick Road, Suite H
Rosedale, MD 21237.
Lecture by Giacomo Bertini
Giacomo Bertini is the hottest performer
of coin magic in the world today!
Date: Thursday, April 30, at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $20
Lecture by Chris Capehart
Chris will present his
“Kiddin’Around”
lecture.
Date: Thursday, May
7, at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $20
Lecture by Ben Robinson
Robinson now enthralls with a
completely new lecture built around his
newbook ”The MagiCIAn: John
Mulholland’s Secret Life”.
Date: Saturday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $20
Lecture by Axel Hecklau of Germany
Date: Wednesday, June 24, at 7:30 p.m.
Cost $25
Contact: Denny’s at 410-686-3914
or email dennymagic@aol.com.
Barry’s Magic Shop,
5544 Nicholson Lane,
Rockville, Md.
DannyArcher Lecture
Danny has lectured
and performed in 44
of the 50 states as well
as worldwide. His Danny Archer
lecture is filled with solid, audience-
tested effects.
Date: May 15 at 8 p.m.
Cost: $20. Tickets are non-refundable
and may not be exchanged
There are always fun things happening
at Barry’s. There are magic classes and
magic shows plus lectures and
birthday parties. Check the shop’s web
site for the latest happenings.
Visit Barry’s web site http://
www.barrysmagicshop.com for the latest
events.
Contact: 301/933-0373 or email
info@barrysmagicshop.com.
Page 2
Comedy & Mystery Society Shows
Now in its 6th season, this
entertainment presentation is co-
produced by Bob Sheets, Brian Curry,
Barry Wood and Mark Phillips.
Place: The Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square
Road in Gaithersburg, Md.
Dates: Last Friday performance of season
set May 22. Wednesday shows planned
June 3 and 17. Shows start at 8 p.m.
Cost: Tickets are $12 for residents
and $15 for nonresidents for
Wednesday performances, and $18 for
residents and $21 for nonresidents for
Friday performances. Tickets can also
be purchased online at
www.gaithersburgmd.gov/RecXpress.
Contact: www.comedymysterysociety.com
for details or 301-258-6394 for information
and tickets.
Special Note: The family-friendly shows
are perfect for ages 10 and up.
Directions: For information and
directions visit the Arts Barn online at
www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn.
The annual Parlor Magic Foray of
Famous Unknown Magicians and
Clowns featuring Bruce Kalver, 2008
S.A.M. President, Mike Miller, 2009
S.A.M. President, and Andy Dallas, 2007
S.A.M. President.
Date: June 5 and 6.
Cost: $35. Checks may be sent to
Charlie Zuis, Hall of Fame of Famous
Unknowns, Box 72, Schuyler Lake,
New York 13457
Place: Hall of Fame of Famous
Unknown Magicians and Clowns
located near Cooperstown, New York.
Contact Charlie Zuis (Chazoo) at 315-
858-2576 for more information.
Glenn Gary Parlor Show in an
intimate 19th century setting
Dates: Wednesdays and Fridays
at 8 p.m.
Place: The Westin City Center Hotel,
1400 M Street NW, just off Thomas
Circle at 14th and M, in the Fireplace
Parlor adjacent to the dining room.
Cost: Pending available seating day of
performance, any IBM member can get
in at a discounted rate of $25 cash at
the door.
Contact: 703-963-0790 or
www.glenngary.com.

Magician of Year
competition ready
to pick title holder
Two former winners of the Dan
Lacey Memorial Trophy for Ring 50’s
Magician of the Year will be back to
compete at the May meeting. Noland
Montgomery and
Dwight Redman
have both indicated
they will
performing for the
title.
The winner will
receive a rotating
trophy and a spot to
perform at the 2010
Ring 50 Magi-Whirl
Dan Lacey
stage show.
Other entrants expected to seek the title
are both new and veteran members of
Ring 50. A panel of judges will declare
the winner.
The late Dan Lacey was a president
of Ring 50 who inspired others--
especially newcomers to magic--to
hone their skills.
Ring 50 elections set
Louis Meyer is seeking a second
term as Ring 50 president in elections
set to be held in May. The officers
chosen will be sworn in at the June
meeting.
Positions to be held besides
president are vice president,
secretary, treasurer and sergeant-at-
arms.
If you are interested in holding
any of these offices, contact Louis
Meyer.
Ring 50 Schedule
May 6………..….Dan Lacey Contest,
Election of Officers
June 3.......................Winton Carroll “Most
Humorous Magician” Contest
July ………..........No Ring 50 meeting
June 30-July 4….81st IBM Convention
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Magi-Whirl 2009 is over. Wow!
Wasn’t this yearly convention and
show great fun? Weren’t you bowled
over by Jeff McBride? His lecture and
show were incredible! And our special
guests—including Joan Caesar of the
International Brotherhood of Magicians
and Bruce Kalver from the Society of
American Magicians—were an added
treat. Then there was
the Magic Castle’s
Close-up Magician of
the Year Paul Green.
be I just want to take a
moment to thank all of
the volunteers who
helped make Magi-
Whirl a success. You Louis Meyer
all did so much to help
make our club stand out and I want to
thank you for your work. You ushered,
set up and tore down, assisted our
special guests, helped sell tickets,
entertained show attendees before the
theater doors opened and much more.
We hope that the success of this
year’s convention will entice more
Ring 50 members next year.. Those who
didn’t join this biggest event of the
year missed a very special time.
***
We will have our competition for
Magician of the Year at our meeting
this month. Whoever wins this May
will be featured in next year’s Magi-
Whirl gala show! Noland Montgomery
did a wonderful job this year and is
coming back to defend his crown.
If you would like to compete please
email me and let me know ASAP.
Come to our meeting and watch the
competition. You will witness a great
magic presentation.
Also, the following month, the Most
Humorous Magician competition will be
staged. If you have a comedy magic
trick or act please email me and join the
competition. I know Reggie Rice is
looking forward to performing again and
once again defending his trophy!
***
Lastly, this is the last call for people
interested in joining our officer ranks.
Several people have let me know that
they are interested. If that is you please
email me and remind me that we spoke.
If you are willing to give of your time
Page 3
and service, please contact me before
the May meeting so that we can
speak. I would love to hear from
some of you. This is just another
terrific way to help out our club over
the next year. I have indicated I will
serve as your president again if
elected but I am looking for a great
cabinet to back me up.
Louis
Slydini Cavett
Noted show host
recalls Slydini
The host of “The Dick Cavett
Show” — which aired on ABC from
1968 to 1975 and on public television
from 1977 to 1982 —recently recalled
his relationship with the card and
coin master Tony Slydini in his
regular New York Times blog.
“He was a rare artist of
incomparable skill and style,” Cavett
remembers. Cavett was made a
lifetime member of The Magic Castle
for conducting two interviews with
Slydini on his show.
“Tony was a bit bowled over by
the reaction on the street the day
after the first show aired,” Cavett
recalls. “At his tobacco/newspaper
shop, where he said he’d been
anonymous for decades, he was
now lionized.”
“An element of Tony’s personality
was his goodness,” he said. “He
taught kids who couldn’t continue
to pay instead of taking new
students who could — although he
needed the income.”
Johnny Carson of the “Tonight
Show” – who himself was an
excellent card man and all-around
magician—took Cavett to The
Magic Castle in Hollywood his first
time. The legendary Dai Vernon sat
with them.
Cavett, who brought a Svengali
deck at the Nebraska State Fair when
he was 11, said. “Magic became my
life.”

Joseph Friedrich stuck his neck out for Ring 50’s auction,
but in the end didn’t lose his head. Glenn Gary was at the
guillotine.
Auction sparks bids
Reggie Rice drew a bead on the
young volunteer who once again
escaped injury as a knife penetrated
his neck. Dick Christian looks on.
Bill Wells offers a set of
linking rings as he invites bids.
Ring 50’s annual auction sparked a
lively evening as more than 120 items
were sold as auctioneers Dick Christian
and IBM Past President Bill Wells did a
fantastic job coaxing out the best dollar
from bidders.
Overall lucky bidders bought some
fine magic equipment, publications and
videos. A Berglass book drew very
active bidding but Wayne Alan gave
the final bid of $250 and walked away
with it. A head twister was another piece
of magic that was purchased for only
$175.
Reggie Rice succeeded in winning a
gumball machine effect. A lot of active
bidding took place on the 25 items that
an anonymous magician donated to
Ring 50 for the live auction. He also
donated 48 items for the silent auction.
Mike Wolfson took home Double
Coincidence. Kevin Sievers was top
bidder for a vintage Tannen’s Stars of
Magic book.
Another 151 items brought in more
revenue in the silent auction.
Ring 50 made $1,624.80 from both
the live and silent auctions including
donations of magic items.
A special bonanza of books, videos,
magic tricks and other material was
donated to Ring 50 for the auction by
Peter Porrazzo.
Page 4
PRESS CLUB SHOW--The Society of
American Magicians presented a free
family-friendly magic show at the
National Press Club in mid-April.
Performing were Noland Montgomery,
winner of the Magician of the Year
contest sponsored by Ring 50; Hugh
Turley, a top children’s magical
entertainer; “Lorenzo the Great”
(Larry Lipman); Allen Cleveland, a
restaurant entertainer; Laurie Curry
with illusionist Greg Clements;
Dwight Redman, another winner of
Ring 50’s Magician of the Year
contest; and Cristian Vidrascu (not
pictured).
Magic gigs down
for performers
Magicians are finding themselves
digging deeper into their bag of tricks
in the hope of conjuring up new gigs
in the down economy, the Los Angeles
Daily News reports.
An article written by Daily News staff
writer Barry Sokolsky, who is a magician
himself, noted that magicians across
the country are seeing their work
vanish. Event organizers, convention
planners and moms and dads are cutting
back to make ends meet.
“There is still that desire to be
mystified,” said Jack White, incoming
president of the 12,000-member
International Brotherhood of
Magicians.
Between Ring 50 Magi-Gram issues,
check out the latest news events and
performances at the official Ring 50
blog site IBMRing50.org.
 Magical Moments
Magi-Whirl 2009
April 17-18

featuring
Las Vegas
headliner
Jeff McBride
Sponsored by National Capital Ring 50
Photos in portfolio by Dwight Redman, Kevin Curry and Jim Flanigan
 Page 6

Magi-Whirl
Opening Night

Bob Sanders of DoveLite Silks unfurled his wares in

dealer demonstration show as convention opened.
Laurie Curry with Paul Green after his lecture

The opening night lecturer at Ring 50’s annual “Magi-Whirl” convention

wore a light green shirt and a dark green tie. He performed rope tricks--including the
Professor’s Nightmare”--with green rope. He showed his favorite classic card
force with a green-backed deck.
It wasn’t difficult to know who was keeping his audience spellbound. They
were watching Paul Green, who was the Magic Castle’s 2008 Close-up
Magician of the Year.
He invited convention attendees to put themselves in the position of laymen.
“I want you to say, ‘Wow, how did he do that?’ How do you want an audience
member to react? If you can’t think like a lay person, your experience here at the
convention will not be fulfilled,” Green declared.
“Our magic is a gift that we have,” he stressed.
After the lecture, some of the convention dealers opened shop and showed
their wares. Some of them even performed on a makeshift stage to demonstrate Richard Hughes of Hughes Magic
their own magical skills. produces a rainbow bouquet.
While the dealers hawked their merchandise, a rehearsal was taking place in
an empty auditorium for the big show to come on Saturday night. Students The 2009 DEALERS
from Bishop Ireton High School’s Theater Department, under the direction of
Kevin Curry, worked with performers to make sure lighting and sound cues
DoveLite Silks - Bob Sanders
would be perfected by the time the theater was filled with convention and
Fred’s Magic Books - Fred Mitchell
public attendees.
Green’s Magic - Paul Green
A total of 145 magicians attended the two-day convention. They experienced
a terrific weekend of wonder. Nearly 600 people attended a grand stage show Hughes Magic, Inc. - Richard Hughes
on the final night that was opened to the public. Kalver Magic - Bruce Kalver
Magic, Balloons, & More - John Reid
Magic Goods - Pravin Ponnuri
Magic Vault - Mark Reed
McBride Magic - Jeff McBride
Sorcery with Class - Scott Correll
 Page 7

Magi-Whirl Lecture by Jeff McBride

Jeff McBride and Mike Taggert, producer of the

2009 Magi-Whirl convention and show, chatted after
Jeff’s lecture.

Jeff McBride admonished a crowded room of

magicians at the 2009 Magi-Whirl “to give magic from
the heart, not just your hands” when performing.
Jeff shared some of his best moves as well as his
philosophy in his presentation. “I love teaching my
magic, sharing my magic,” he declared.
Jeff McBride stands in the back of the lecture room coaxing a “Magic is much more powerful than we think it is,”
chosen card to rise from a slide held by a spectator in the front. he emphasized.
Several times during his lecture he showered confetti
into the air as he produced a silk and did other effects.
“Confetti is the new fire,” he told his listeners.

Attending the Jeff McBride lecture were, from left, IBM Territorial Vice President Jim
Flanigan, IBM International President Joan Caesar, former IBM President Bill Wells and
former Ring 50 President Dwight Redman.
 Page 8

Lecture by Bruce Kalver

Bruce showed off his popular

shrinking and growing head illusion
which he invented.

Bruce Kalver has taught his

After calling his daughter at home in Rhode Island, Bruce
Kalver asked her to predict the serial number of a dollar bill
held by a volunteer from the audience.
magical craft at colleges and
universities and other venues around
the country. The New England native
has lectured at the Magic Castle in Los
Angeles and London’s prestigious
Magic Circle. And he has appeared at
other magic groups
elsewhere.

Lecture by Paul Green

Paul Green opened the 2009 Magi-

Whirl convention on Friday night
with a lecture that included his
incredible mastery of the classic card
force. He has appeared everywhere
from Hollywood to Hong Kong.

Paul Green does a bit of card magic for convention participants.

 Page 9

Close-Up
Magic
A classroom was turned into a close-
up casino for a brief moment as a
trio of magicians showed their skills
at intimate performing.
The entertainers were:
--Bill Warren, from Hampton, Va.,
who has been performing for more than
25 years.
--Jeff McBride, the guest star at this
year’s Magi-Whirl convention.
--And Paul Green, who was chosen
last year as the Close-Up Magician of Bill Warren captures the attention of a young assistant as he performs.
the Year by the Academy of Magical
Arts at the Magic Castle in
Hollywood.

Jeff McBride recruited IBM President Joan Caesar to help him.

Paul Green kept his audience laughing.

 Page 10

Q&A Session with magic’s leadership

Moderator Michael Taggert presents IBM President Joan Caesar a memento of her visit
to Washington. She and SAM President Bruce Kalver, right, were guests at an
afternoon question-and-answer session before the evening’s gala program.

Joan Caesar performs
The presidents of the International
Brotherhood of Magicians and the
Society of American Magicians offered
insights into their own introductions
into magic at a question-and-answer
session moderated by former Ring 50
President Mike Taggert.
Joan, who is from Eastern Canada,
said her interest was sparked when she
took a young son to a magic show. “It
just blossomed from there,” she
declared.
Joan, who has traveled the world
since assuming the helm as the IBM’s
international president, confessed she
loves magic conventions.
“I do kids shows,” she said. She
performs parlor and close-up magic at
birthday parties, libraries, schools,
corporate family events and fall fairs.
SAM President Bruce Kalver was
literally born into a world of magic. His
grandfather, Samuel Woolf, was a
magician who built magic for Harry
Houdini. Bruce started magic when he
was 4 and first performed when he
was 10.
By the time he graduated from
college he was doing dinner theaters
all over the country and he went from
there to performing on cruise ships. His
wife Arlene was his assistant.
Bruce is an inventor of magic as well.
He is best known for his Growing and
Shrinking Head illusion.
During the discussion both the IBM
and SAM presidents emphasized the
need to embrace more young people
into the world of magic. “Youth is our
future,” Joan stressed. Bruce said that
SAM now has 100 youth assemblies
worldwide.
 Page 11

Strolling
Magicians

Capt Token
(Louis Hofheimer)

Dwight Redman

Sam Brothers

Lorenzo The Great

(Larry Lipman)

Eric Redman

A band of close-up magic performers entertained the pre-

theater crowd at Bishop Ireton High School before the gala show
on Saturday night.
Teo (Theo Rushin)
 Page 12

The Big Show

Magician of the Year Noland Montgomery did a cut-and-

restored rope effect with the help of a young assistant
from the audience.
Jeff McBride proved he is the master of masks.

Jeff McBride’s show provided a

signature fusion of mask, myth,
drama and illusion. His act showed
his own personal fascination with
Japanese Kabuki theater.

Bruce Kalver

Eric Henning served as master of ceremonies.

Joan Caesar
The respective presidents of the
Society of American Magicians A group of young people watch
and the International as Eric magically adds color to
Brotherhood of Magicians a flower silk.
offered a clever mentalism
routine.
 Page 13

The master magician kept his class in rapt attention as he shared his ideas and thoughts.
Jeff McBride gave a special post-
Jeff McBride’s convention workshop for a group of
more than 30 magicians. The 4-1/2-
hour session ranged from philosophy
Special Workshop to prestidigitation.
Jeff shared his own life story and
lessons learned along the way to
becoming a Las Vegas headliner and
noted performer around the world.
The classroom session began with
a brief video on McBride’s Magic &
Mystery School in Las Vegas. Jeff
explained how participants there learn
everything from presentation and prop
construction to pantomine and public
relations.
The school is held in an intimate
setting. There are both group and
one-on-one sessions. Eugene Burger,
who is considered one of the finest
closeup magicians in the world, is the
dean of the school.
Jeff demonstrated his own skills as
a pantominist in his class here. His
piercing eye contact and nonstop
agility were mesmerizing. And he was
a stickler on insisting that his class
take copious notes.
He told how he scouts an auditorium
or theater before a show looking for
Former Ring 50 President Eric Henning watches as Jeff McBride
possible candidates to come on stage
explains an effect to a young participant in the unique magic class.
when he is performing. He emphasized
he never calls for volunteers.
While giving his presentation, Jeff
offered recommendations on various
resources to help performers including
books and computer sites.