Magi-Whirl 2009 promises entertainment galore

The leaders of the world’s two of American Magicians (SAM), will Noland Mongomery, DC’s four-time
largest magic organizations will be special guests for the event. Magician of the Year, also will be on the
perform in Ring 50’s Magi-Whirl stage Magical superstar Jeff McBride is bill.
show the night of April 18. Joan Caesar, the headliner for the two-hour Convention dealers will present their
president of the International Bro- entertainment extravaganza. The own show on Friday evening April 17.
therhood of Magicians (IBM), and evening program will be emceed by Jeff McBride has been confirmed to
Bruce Kalver, president of the Society Ring 50’s very own Eric Henning. do a special post-convention teach-in.

Jeff McBride

MAGI-GRAM
Official Newsletter of IBM Ring 50 -- The National Capital Ring Volume 63 No. 3 March 2009

N
I What’s new at Barry’s?
Magic master to demonstrate latest magic
G
Barry Taylor promises to have
50 something for everyone when he
International Brotherhood presents his “What’s New At
of Magicians Ring 50 Barry’s” night at Ring 50’s meeting
The National Capital Ring in March. The personable
President properietor of Barry’s Magic Shop
Louis Meyer will demonstrate a wide variety of
(703) 765-1923 magical items.
[email protected] “We will bring some new things
and some old things,” he says. “You
Vice President
Eric Redman know, what’s old is new. We might
(301) 927-7717 have some things that are old that
[email protected] nobody ever saw. They’ll go ‘wow, I
never knew that trick was available.’
Secretary And we will have some standard
Sam Brothers classics too that people are
(703) 550-9155 interested in seeing. We’ll give them
[email protected] a good variety. We’ll make it fun for
everybody.”
Treasurer Barry’s, which has served the
Mike Taggert is Bob Patterson Barry Taylor...super salesman
magic community since 1974, moved
readying a new (703) 490-1222
to a new location several years ago. then they should notify him before the
performance [email protected] It includes a main floor theater in meeting night and he will pack it and
venue in historic addition to attractive displays of bring it for them.
Virginia. Story, Sergeant-at-Arms magic, magazines and books.
page 7. Reggie Rice
The shop’s affable proprietor will
(240) 298-6077
be demonstrating (and selling) such MARCH MEETING
[email protected] Wednesday, March 4, 2009
items as HalfGone, an incredible
Magi-Gram Editor vanish of a coin from the back of a HOLIDAY INN
Jim Flanigan spectator’s hand, which he invented. IN ALEXANDRIA
(202) 554-3775 Barry adds that if anybody has 2460 Eisenhower Avenue
[email protected] something of interest that they want Alexandria, VA
Webmaster 6:00 Cocktails
Eric Henning RING 50 MAGI-WHIRL 6:45 Dinner
(301) 369-0025 April 17-18, 2009 8:00 Meeting
[email protected] Special Poster, pages 4 and 5
 Page 2
since Oct. 3, 2003, when Roy Horn
Coming Events was mauled by a white tiger on stage.
IBM 2009 Nashville--“The Greatest The Second Theory and Art of Magic
Magic Convention on Earth” Conference on Performing Magic
Date: June 30 – July 4, 2009. Place: Muhlenberg College in
Place: Nashville, Tenn. -- Music City Allentown, Pa.
USA Dates: March 19-21, 2009
If you only make it to one magic Keynote presentations and full-evening
convention in 2009, this is the one performances will be made by Eugene
where you should be! More than Burger, Roberto Giobbi, Max Howard
$20,000 in prizes, trophies and awards and filmmaker Michael Caplan. Extra
will be given for the stage and close- events for magicians only will be held
up contests. There will be outstanding on March 18 and March 22.
lectures, events and performers. Contact: Conference Director Dr.
Accomodations: Special hotel rates Lawrence Hass at his address
at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and [email protected] or visit
Convention Center of only $120 per www.lawrencehass.com.
night plus tax.
Zany foursome star in shows
Contact: Bob Patterson, I.B.M. Barry’s Magic Shop, 5544 Nicholson
Registration Chairman, by emailing him Comedy & Mystery Society Shows
Lane, Rockville, Md.
at [email protected]. Now starting its 6th season, this
Beginning & intermediate magic classes
entertainment presentation is co-
Lectures at Denny and Lee’s taught by Barry Taylor.
produced by Bob Sheets, Brian Curry,
Denny & Lee Magic Studio, 9004 Dates: The five-week beginner’s magic
classes are on Saturdays from Barry Wood and Mark Phillips.
Yellow Brick Road, Suite H Place: The Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square
Rosedale, MD 21237. 10 to 11:30 a.m. starting Feb. 28 and
ending March 28. Ages 8 years to Road in Gaithersburg, Md.
Lecture by Shawn Farquar Date: March 13 at 8 p.m.
The only magician in history to win adult. The five-week intermediate magic
classes will be on Fridays from Cost: Tickets are $12 for residents
first- place stage and close-up awards and $15 for nonresidents for
7:30 to 9:30 p.m. starting Feb. 27 and
from the International Brotherhood of Wednesday performances, and $18 for
ending March 27.
Magicians. Cost: $79.99 for beginning classes residents and $21 for nonresidents for
Date: Friday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. Friday performances. Tickets can also
and $89.99 for intermediate.
Cost: $20 be purchased online at
Contact: 301/933-0373 or email
Contact: Denny’s at 410-686-3914 www.gaithersburgmd.gov/RecXpress.
[email protected]. Contact: www.comedymysterysociety.com
or email [email protected].
Visit Barry’s web site http:// for details or 301-258-6394 for information
www.barrysmagicshop.com for the latest and tickets.
events. Future Dates: Friday performances set
April 24 and May 22. Wednesday shows
Society of American Magicians planned June 3 and 17.
(SAM) Larry West Assembly 23 Special Note: The family-friendly shows
Date: March 18 at 7 p.m. are perfect for ages 10 and up.
Evans O’Brien Theme: Penetration, Prediction, Directions: For information and
FFFF Fechter’s Finger Flicking Frolic Prestidigitation directions visit the Arts Barn online at
“The Original Close-Up Magic Convention” Place: National Press Club, 529 14th www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn.
The most prestigious gathering of Street NW, Washington, D.C.
close-up magicians in the world Contact: Ray Eyler at 410/798-0176
[email protected] Glenn Gary Parlor Show in an
featuring the best performers, intimate 19th century setting
creators and lecturers in the world. Coming Event: Annual National Press
Club close-up family show the night Dates: Wednesdays and Fridays
Date: The 39th annual FFFF conven- at 8 p.m.
tion will be held on April 22-25 by of April 15.
Place: The Westin City Center Hotel,
invitation only. 1400 M Street NW, just off Thomas
Place: Batavia, New York. Magicians Siegfried & Roy Circle at 14th and M, in the Fireplace
Special Note: The guest of honor will The noted duo will perform a brief, Parlor adjacent to the dining room.
be Henry Evans, a Gold Medal winner one-night only, magical spectacular on Cost: Pending available seating day of
at FISM 2000. The 40th annual FFFF Feb. 28 at Keep Memory Alive’s “Power performance, any IBM member can get
convention will be held on April 21-24, of Love” gala at The Bellagio in Las in at a discounted rate of $25 cash at
2010. The guest of honor then will be Vegas to benefit the mission of Lou the door.
Obie O’Brien, one of the original Ruvo’s Brain Institute. The legendary Contact: 703-963-0790 or
founders of the 4-F gathering. duo will take the stage for the first time www.glenngary.com.
 Page 3
THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER who are arriving or ushering the night
of the big stage show.
February’s meeting was a blast for Mike Taggert, who preceded me as
everyone in attendance. Five of our Ring 50 president, is the coordinator for
top-notch magicians offered an inside Magi-Whirl. Contact him to see the best
look at some of their specialties in a fit for you to make this convention and
round robin format. We are so blessed show a success. He can be reached at
with the amount of knowledge and 540-370-0752 or email him at
prestige that our members possess. I [email protected]. Also don’t forget
want to once again thank Arnie, Rucj, to encourage your friends, family,
John, Glenn and Eric for teaching our neighbors and co-
members some outstanding magic and workers to come out
theory. You can read about them in for the stage show
this issue. with Jeff McBride.
We have had a great year for magic My year as your Lance Burton
and there’s more to come. This club has president will come to Sponsors teen contests
many members who have a vast array an end in a few
of knowledge and experience. I look months. As I World Magic Seminar
forward to see what others have to mentioned at the last
show us! And even more talent will be meeting I will be up Louis Meyer preceeded by teen-age
on display at a “New Member” night for taking on this leadership role for performance trials
in the future. another year or we can vote in a new
This month is “What’s New at person. Normally, we would be moving Bill Wells, a former president of
Barry’s” with Barry Taylor, the operator up the line as other officers step up to the International Brotherhood of
of Barry’s Magic Shop, scheduled to these leadership posts. However, this Magicians, is the coordinator for
demonstrate the latest magic tricks as time some of those in various offices are the Lance Burton Teen Weekend
well as some old classics. He always unable to assume leader spots that will magic competition preceeding the
brings items from his shop to buy! If be open. annual World Magic Seminar in Las
you have never been to Barry’s then Please start thinking about whether Vegas. His wife Becki also is helping
try to make the trip up there because you would like to take a part in our with the event. They also are active
he has one of the best magic shops in leadership positions. We will need a in Ring 50. He is an honorary
the country. new secretary, new sergeant-at-arms, member of the ring.
Meanwhile, it’s time to start thinking and perhaps a new vice president or The teen event is open to any
about what you can do to make Ring even a new president. Please think young person registered for the
50’s Magi-Whirl a success. This biggest about volunteering and getting WMS at the Orleans Hotel in Las
event of the year for our group is now involved in our Ring. If you are Vegas. Bill has been reviewing tapes
just days away. Your support is needed interested please contact me and I will and DVDs of potential entrants in
not only by registering for the get you involved. the teen stage competition.
convention in mid-April. You also can The popular seminar, which is a
Louis big draw for the Nevada
pitch in by helping set up the day of
the event and assisting in breaking entertainment capital, will be March
Ring 50’s constitution 1-4. Preceding the WMS will be the
down when it’s over. There also are
other volunteer assignments open. amended by membership Lance Burton-sponsored youth
Think about helping register people Ring 50 Treasurer Bob Patterson judging Feb. 27-March 1.
introduced some changes and additions WMS, now in its 32nd year, will
at the March meeting to the Ring 50 feature an international stage
Constitution and By-Laws which were competition for the $5,000 Gold
Ring 50 Schedule adopted by a vote of the members. Lion’s Head award and the $5,000
March 4…......What’s New at Barry’s Among the changes was one adding Siegfried & Roy SARMOTI award.
April 1......Auction, nomination of officers the Dan Lacey award to the document For information you can check out
since it has become a permanent part www.theworldmagicsummit.com.
April 17 and 18…...…Magi-Whirl 2009
of the organization. The late Dan Lacey Some of the performers at WMS
April 19....Masters Class -Jeff McBride
was a president of Ring 50. will be Johnny Thompson, Hun Lee,
May 6………..….Dan Lacey Contest,
Rafael Bentar, Charles Gauci, Pete
Election of Officers Biro, Luis Manuel, Yo Kato, Bill
June 3.......................Winton Carroll “Most Stay up to date always Palmer, Rannie “The Boss”
Humorous Magician” Contest Between Ring 50 Magi-Gram issues, Raymondo, Eric Jones (aka
July ………..........No Ring 50 meeting check out the latest news events and Godhandz), David Kaplan, Han Seol-
June 30-July 4….81st IBM Convention performances at the official Ring 50 Hui, Rick Marcelli and Antonio
blog site IBMRing50.org. Romero.
 Page 4

Noland Montgomery Joan Caesar

Magi-Whirl 2009

Eric Henning
Bruce Kalver

“The best little convention in the National Capital Area”

 Page 5

I.B.M. Ring 50
The National Capital Ring
Presents

Magi-Whirl
2009
April 17 & 18

Bishop Ireton High

School
201 Cambridge
Road
Alexandria,
Virginia
http://magi-whirl.blogspot.com/

Jeff McBride

Magi-Whirl headliner Jeff McBride

with one of his masks impaled on sword.
 Page 6

Magical
Cornermen
Five magical cornermen acted as trainers at Ring 50’s meeting in
February. They offered inside tips and techniques to members. Participants L
o
rotated to each table where the performers were set up. It proved to be
an excellent learning experience.

Arnie Fuoco

Arnie Fuoco presented his version

of Jay Sankey’s “Paper Clipped”—an
effect in which a folded playing card
with a red back was paper clipped
and clearly placed on a table. Another
card was freely chosen by a spectator
from a blue-backed deck, signed and
shuffled back into the pack. Moments
later, the paperclip was removed from
the folded card that was on the
table from the very beginning. It
turned out to be the signed card.

Eric Henning
Eric Henning counseled that sleight
of hand is all about making a magic
move look natural. With that in mind,
he noted that a wand--or even a pencil-
-can provide the perfect cover for an
unnatural movement such as a coin
vanish.. John Roberts

John Roberts pulled a long, colorful

sash through his neck with the aid of
an audience assistant. He noted that
the effect also could be done with a
rope, ribbon or even a string of
sausages Rucj Uffelman

Rucj Uffelman used various egg bags

and a carton of eggs to demonstrate
“egg bag” routines made famous by
Malini, Tarbell, Senor Mardo and
others. He used a prepared regular egg
with its contents emptied, plastic
Glenn Gary taught sleight of hand
eggs, wooden eggs and golf balls.
moves used in a routine where a
miniature basketball kept returning
to his hand before transforming into a
small soccer ball instead.
Glenn Gary
 Page 7
resources for the arts in the
downtown area.
“This will be a part of a larger effort
by several groups to establish quality
arts programs in the downtown area of
Fredericksburg while utilizing much of
the unused ‘upstairs’ spaces of this
historic downtown,” Michael
emphasizes.
This project, called “Jumpstart
Fredericksburg ,” is a part of an overall
plan to focus Fredericksburg as a
regional tourist center. This will
coincide with the opening of the
“Kalahari Water Park” in 2010, the
recent opening of the Fredericksburg
Expo center and the ongoing
development of the “Celebrate Virginia”
recreation and shopping attraction.
The Fredericksburg area has seen a
population explosion in the past few
years. Service businesses are
Photo by Becki Wells scrambling to catch up. The area has
RED’S NIGHT OUT--A group of Ring 50 members and supporters grown from approximately 85,000 people
turned out for a performance by Tom Mullica, center, when the in 1998 to more than 500,000. This
magician-actor impersonated the legendary comic Red Skeleton at coupled with anticipated growth at the
Marine Corps base at Quantico is
the Riverside Center in Fredericksburg, Va. Shown, from left, are expected to send the population to in
Eric Jones, Steve Simmons, Bill Wells, Reggie Rice, Mullica, Eric excess of 750,000 people by 2025.
Henning, Michael Taggert and Dick Christian. Fredericksburg offers hands-on
history, delicious dining spots, and
comfortable bed & breakfasts among
Magic venue expected other features as well as entertainment
like the new magic theater taking shape
now.

in historic community
Former Ring 50 President Michael considered Fredericksburg ’s top variety
“I am happy that several people all at
one time have come together to provide
this much needed service,” Michael
Taggert plans to open a new entertainer and a staple of family says. “We need people to buy
performance venue in the historic entertainment in the Mid-Atlantic advertisement space and we are selling
Virginia community of Fredericksburg region. His performance location is sponsorships of businesses. This will
in the early fall just in time for the located above the toy store operated speed the process of getting the space
holiday season. This ambitious project by Quilts and Things on Caroline open.”
was brought about to serve the Also in true theater fashion, Michael
Street.
g r o w i n g population of the is inviting anyone interested to lend a
The intimate performance area will hand if you are handy with a hammer
Rappahannock area, he says. have seating for approximately 30 or paint brush.
“For me this is a dream come true,” people plus a small raised platform.
Michael declares. Historic Fredericksburg is a vibrant
Funding for the project is being city located about halfway between
Michael, who lives in Fredericksburg, solicited from businesses and
explains that the focus of the space Washington and Richmond. It is 50
organizations that support the miles south of the U.S. capital and 58
will be for families seeking quality
community arts and are specifically miles north of Virginia’s capital.
entertainment in an intimate setting. He
interested in providing a fair cost Situated on the Rappahannock River,
indicates that the downtown location
alternative to commercial entertainment. Fredericksburg gained strategic
will be “sprinkled with magic” for
people of all ages. “I will be presenting The whole project is made possible importance during the American Civil
my levitation there so it will be a because of a business partnership War because of its location midway
wonder-filled time for all.” between Taggert’s production company between the opposing capitals of the
Michael, who bills himself as a and the toy store. This alliance is a Union and the Confederacy.
“magician extraordinaire” in his act, is way to provide the much needed