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Samletter 181 At the next Assembly 181 meeting, Thursday, June 1, 2017, there will be an exciting member lead workshop on Costume Magic by George Hann. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Meetings start at 7:30 PM.

George has been performing Costume Magic for 20 years, as a wizard, a pirate and Groucho Marx, and he is ready to share those experiences.

Following their performance, we will open the stage for others to perform in our “No Judgment Zone”, so bring something to share.

Society of American Magicians Assembly 181 of Hightstown meets the first Thursday of every month, September thru June at the First United Methodist Church, 187 Stockton Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520. Doors open at 7:00 PM. Meetings start at 7:30 PM.

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From the Prez - How much is too much?

There is an expression, "not seeing the forest because of the trees". I am sure most of us had heard it and have at least a vague idea of what it means. However, when it comes to magic, for many of us, myself included, it's more like "not seeing the trees because of the forest". In other words, we have so much, we do not know where to start and what to do. How many books do we own that we have not read or may never read? How many DVDs do we have

that we do not have the time to watch let alone the time to practice? Finally, how many tricks do we own that we will never get to or be able to perform? Yet, when a new book is released or a new trick is available we fall into the same trap and buy it as if we do not have enough. The psychology of why, would be interesting to understand but that does not resolve the dilemma which is, where do we begin?

I think the quest to find a way out of this forest will have to be a personal choice. But here are a couple of suggestions. Focus on the works of your favorite performer. I personally like Rick Lax, Penguin Magic's poster boy. He is able to turn mundane tricks and puzzles into show pieces just with presentation. His work is small, portable, clever and engaging. Or do you favor Wayne Houchin or Danny Garcia? It really does not matter, pick one and learn everything you have of theirs. Then start on another magician whose works you connect with. Maybe, you would want to accumulate all you have in one genre such as a single coin routine. Then move up to two coins, etc. Or, perhaps gather all you own on tricks with an normal deck of cards with no slights or gaffs. Or maybe, mentalism which will fit in your wallet. The possibilities are endless, it really just a matter of picking one, pursuing it and sticking to it.

If the above describes a situation you have found yourself in, I wish you luck in your quest. The only solace I can offer up right now is that you are not alone. If by chance you start to wade through the mountain of magic we have all accumulated and actually begin to thin out the forest, let me know what you did and how it worked for you, I'd love to hear it.

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IT’S ALL IN THE PAPERS It is thought that paper was invented in ancient China about two thousand years ago during the Han Dynasty, and magicians have been using paper ever since in their performances.

Mike Dziubas aka Magic Mike started as a prodigy of fellow Assembly 181 member, Dennis James, and has been performing magic on his own for over 11 years. Mike has some good ideas on quickly making paper items for your magic shows, as well as improving your marketing. He shared them all at this month’s workshop.

As an impromptu comical opener, the “No” joke can be used as a prediction, and you might be right one out of fifty-two times. Mike showed how a sixteen number matrix can be used to fairly force the number 34. From there, the routine is yours and only limited by your imagination.

It was Dr. Joseph Rodes Buchanan, who coined the word "psychometry" (measuring the soul) back in the 1840s when describing his idea that all things give off an emanation. Magicians and mentalists have been keen on performing versions ever since. Mike showed us, using index cards, that a quick Pseudo-Psychometry can be setup and performed on the fly.

After the workshop, the stage was turned over to individual performances. Starting off was Rocco with his original creation, “The Key in Box”. The Dork of Deception, who will be doing a future workshop on busking and street performing, also did an original routine. Reba gave us a “Choice or Chance”.

Tim Paul gave us his “Silent Treatment”, an original routine set to music, where a chosen card is revealed from an impossible location, his mouth. Technology has afforded every magician with a smartphone and a portable Bluetooth speaker the ability to set his performance to music. Dave Sharlin presented a card routine with the premise of performing for a blind audience member. Dave got the prediction correct

even though all the cards were blank.

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George Hann performed his version of Michael Pizzolla’s “Synchronicity III”. Jeff using a dye tube did a great Billy McComb routine and finished with showing the (W)hole Thing as an homage to the “The Magician’s Magician”, the late Daryl Easton.

With all the original effects that there were presented, it was difficult for the audience to vote a clear cut winner for the Coffee Cup Award for the best performance of the night. For the first time, there was a four-way tie between Rocco, the Dork, Dave, and Tim. Congratulations to all for sharing.

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Do You Believe In Magic - Magic for the general magician

Presentation is what makes the magic happen. Proper performance can take a very basic trick and turn it into a show piece. In prior reviews, I have done the review around some sort of trick or a source for such tricks such as a DVD set or book. This month, I am going to change it up a bit. This review is going to feature a technique. The technique is called the Meridian Technique and it is by Mark Elsdon. Mark Elsdon is a British performer who transitioned from magic to mentalism. He is fairly prolific and I personally rank him as one of my favorite mentalists. Mark Elsdon is not just a performer but studies magic and what makes it work. As a prior strolling magician he faced a dilemma that many strolling magicians face. Which is how do you develop a climatic ending when you are working in a venue such as cocktail hour or a business party? What typically happens is that the magician comes in, performs for several groups, and then just rides off into the sunset with no real ending to the performance. The Meridian Technique addresses this dilemma. I am not going to reveal the technique, you will have to purchase it to find out but it is clever and it will be one of those "why didn't I think of that myself" moments. The Meridian Technique is available as a booklet or as a two DVD set. The DVD set features some performances and trick revelations but the main focus is the technique. I recommend the DVDs.

To see a review of the Meridian Technique click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q0w8knlUog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q0w8knlUog

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Magic performances tend to fall into a few special categories. If I asked you to name the types of magic performances magicians taken years to perfect, you probably could name a few of the most common types like stage illusions and close-up magic. Take a moment to name as many as you can then check below to see if you got them right, which ones you missed, and the ones you never thought about!

Stage illusions are performed for large audiences, typically within a theater or auditorium. This type of magic is distinguished by large-scale props, the use of assistants and often exotic animals such as elephants and tigers

Parlor magic is done for smaller audiences than stage magic. In parlor magic, the performer is usually standing and on the same level as the audience, which may be seated on chairs or even on the floor. A better term for this branch of magic may be platform, club or cabaret.

Close-up magic or table magic is performed with the audience close to the magician, sometimes even one-on-one. It’s usually called table magic, particularly when performed as dinner entertainment.

Escapology is the branch of magic that deals with escapes from confinement or restraints. Harry Houdini is a well-known example of an escape artist or escapologist.

Mentalism creates the impression in the minds of the audience that the performer possesses special powers to read thoughts, predict events, control other minds, and similar feats. It can be presented on a stage, in a cabaret setting, before small close-up groups, or even for one spectator.

Theatrical séances simulate spiritualistic or mediumistic phenomena for theatrical effect. This genre of stage magic has been misused at times by charlatans pretending to actually be in contact with spirits.

Children's magic is performed for an audience primarily composed of children. It is typically performed at birthday parties, preschools, elementary schools, Sunday schools or libraries. This type of magic is usually comedic in nature and involves audience interaction as well as volunteer assistants.

Corporate magic or trade show magic uses magic as a communication and sales tool, as opposed to just straightforward entertainment. Corporate magicians may come from a business background and typically present at

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meetings, conferences, and product launches. Their patter and illusions enhance an entertaining presentation of the products offered by their corporate sponsors.

Gospel magic uses magic to catechize and evangelize. Gospel magic was first used by St. Don Bosco to interest children in 19th-century Turin, Italy to come back to school, to accept assistance and to attend church.

Street magic is a form of street performing or busking that employs a hybrid of stage magic, platform, and close-up magic, usually performed surrounded by the audience. Describe as a style of guerilla performance in which magician’s approach and perform for unsuspecting members of the public on the street.

Shock magic is a genre of magic that shocks the audience. Referred to as Geek magic, it takes its roots from circus sideshows, in which freakish performances were shown to audiences. Common shock magic or geek magic effects include eating razor blades, needle-through-arm, string through neck and pen-through-tongue.

Comedy magic is the use of magic in which is combined with stand-up comedy.

Camera magic is aimed at viewers watching broadcasts or recordings. It includes tricks based on the restricted viewing angles of cameras and clever editing and often features paid extras posing as spectators who may even be assisting in the performance. Camera magic can be done live, such as David Copperfield's Floating Over the Grand Canyon and many of Criss Angel's illusions.

Online magic tricks were designed to function on a computer screen. The computer essentially replaces the magician. Some online magic tricks are based on mathematical, geometrical, and optical illusions. One such online magic trick, called Esmeralda's Crystal Ball became a viral phenomenon that fooled so many computer users into believing that their computer had supernatural powers!

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Affiliates & CONTACTS

http://www.mjmmagic.com/store/index.html?referrer=CNWR_67701383693799

Read Jeff Stone’s reviews at:

http://magicreviewed.com/

Visit Eric Jones at https://lostartmagic.com

Visit Joshua Jay at: http://www.joshuajay.com/

SAM 181 President Stephan Sloan stephansloan10@gmail.com

SAM 181 Vice President David Zboray dzboray@aol.com

SAM 181 Treasurer Dennis Thomas DennisG514@aol.com

http://www.mjmmagic.com/store/index.html?referrer=CNWR_67701383693799http://magicreviewed.com/https://lostartmagic.com/http://www.joshuajay.com/

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Magic Calendar

TUE MAY 16

I.B.M. Ring 200 will be meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at the Stelton Community Center, 328 Plainfield Ave, Edison, NJ 08817., usual time; 7:00 PM

THU MAY 18

S.A.M. Assembly 4 will be meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2017, at the Bustleton Memorial Post 810 American Legion, 9151 Old Newtown Road, Philadelphia, PA 19115, usual time; 7:00 PM http://www.sam4.org/

THU MAY 18

Alain Nu – Magician’s Lecture is Thursday, May 18th at the Sparta Ave Stage, 10 Sparta Avenue, Sparta, NJ 07871 starting at 8PM. (973) 769-2893. Co-Sponsored by SAM #168 and #25, only $15 for guests.

WED MAY 24

I.B.M. Ring 123 will be meeting on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at the King of Kings Lutheran Church, 250 Harmony Road, Middleton, NJ 07748 starting at 7 PM.

SAT MAY 27

The Amazing Kreskin evening show at the Sparta Avenue Stage, 10 Sparta Avenue, Sparta, NJ 07871 starts at 8PM on Saturday, May 27, 2017. Tickets are $30 in advance. Call (973) 769-2893 or go online at: http://www.spartastage.com/upcoming-events/

THU JUNE 1

S.A.M. Assembly 181 meeting will be on Thursday, June 1, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church, 187 Stockton Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520. Workshop by on Costume Magic by George Hann and No Judgment Zone performances, usual time; 7:00 doors open. http://magicsam181.com

MON JUNE 5

I.B.M. Ring 165 on Monday, June 5, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church, 704 Garden Street, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035.

SUN JUNE 11

Bob Little’s Super Sunday “The Best One Day Magic Convention in the World” No Registration Required. Sunday, June 11, 2017, 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM All for a Low-Low Fee of $40.00 http://www.boblittlessupersunday.com/

FRI JUNE 16

Prepare to be astonished by THE AMAZING KRESKIN at the Broadway Theatre of Pitman in a must-see mentalist mind event! Friday, June 16, 2017 at 8:00 PM. The Broadway Theatre of Pitman, 43 S. Broadway Pitman, NJ 08071. Tickets are only $25. CALL: 856-384-8381 Visit: http://thebroadwaytheatre.org/

TUE JUNE 20

I See Magic and the BBBA have partnered up to bring you Unbelievable, A Magic & Illusion Extravaganza at the Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA 19007 on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 7:00 PM. Only $13 for kids and $18 for adults. Box office: 215-785-0100. http://www.brtstage.org/special-events/unbelievable/

http://www.sam4.org/http://www.spartastage.com/upcoming-events/http://magicsam181.com/http://www.boblittlessupersunday.com/http://thebroadwaytheatre.org/https://www.facebook.com/iseemagic/http://www.brtstage.org/special-events/unbelievable/