I.B.M. Ring 250 Presto-Digitators Fort Collins, CO

I.B.M. Ring #250 Vol. 21, Number 3
Ft. Collins, CO. March, 2000

There’s a lot of magic happening in the next couple of months so hang on to your hats!

On Thursday, March 23rd, at 7:30 pm in Rm. 210 of the Colorado State Office Bldg., We will be presenting Street Magic: The Lecture by David Groves (author of "Be A Street Magician"). David’s lecture will cover close-up, stage, mentalism and kid’s magic; plus a discussion of "invaluable street skills". Even if you’re sure you’ll never be a Street Performer, you’ll find David’s perspective on this unique venue provides an interesting lecture. Admission will be $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

Finally, on Thursday, April 20th, at 7:30 pm, our Annual Money Magic Contest will once again call forth aspirants to the coveted Susan B. Anthony Silver Dollar prize. Dig into your wallet and warm up those bills, coins and credit cards. It’s time to amaze us all with your financial wizardry. Previous winners are ineligible to compete (but not to perform), until such time as we are all previous winners. Same place, same time.

Wallets, wallets, and more wallets! Wallet magic was the theme of our February meeting and despite some of the worst weather we have had all winter, we had a great turnout. A large number of members not only showed up but presented something to the group as well. President Bob Blea opened the meeting with what he claimed to be the easiest card to wallet using a forcing deck, a duplicate, and a kicker ending.

Barry Fernelius was a pleasant addition at our meeting (he usually has a prior commitment). He demonstrated an excellent handling of the Mullica wallet. Ed, Mr. Magic, Hurtubis had a card freely selected from a deck, which then was shown to match a previously selected card in a wallet, a la Collector's Workshop. Geoff Thompson contributed to the evening's festivities with a unique application of a wallet in a Simon Aronson effect. He used the wallet as a card index to reveal the spectator's final selection. Lew, The Great Loudini, Wymisner really showed the variety of wallets used in magic when he brought out his entire collection. The quick rundown he shared were: the Miracle Wallet from the Paul Williamson estate, a Johnson Himber wallet, Bob King's Solution Wallet, Charles III's Shogun wallet, LePaul wallet, Supreme AddANo wallet, his version of the easiest card to wallet, a Bendix wallet to do a repeat card to wallet (Karrel Fox method), Nemo 15 wallet that Doug Henning had performed on the Tonight Show, a prediction of a spectator's friend's name he learned from Eric Mead, and he finally cleaned up his act with a Bob King wallet that opens to a bag! Whew!

When we first announced the theme of the meeting, we weren't sure what the turnout would be. But despite the horrible weather and our expectations for a small turnout anyway, we had a large portion of the membership show up as well as Jerry Stoll from the Denver Ring and a couple new members. Curiosities were also raised with rumors flying around about our upcoming Magic in the Rockies 2000 September 8, 9, and 10. There are plans for some great headliners and lectures from around the globe. The most current details and club information can be found on our website at www.byrini.com/presto.

Larry Davis

TVP THOUGHTS

Anyone interested to "Shuffle off to Buffalo" to attend the IBM national convention (July 5, 6, 7, and 8, 2000)? I plan to go, and it would be great to have a Colorado contingent attend. Would anyone be interested in a car pool with me to Buffalo, NY? Please contact me at (970 223-8767 or hurtubis@gateway.net).

I am reluctant to mention the last FOX special, "Secrets of Street Magicians Finally Revealed," which exposed several close-up and street magic effects. Certainly I was not pleased with the earlier FOX shows; but this show really impacted me. Why? Maybe it is because they exposed "stuff" I do. That really hit home. I believe that we need to understand what is being exposed besides tricks; such as, out-takes and special camera work (this might be a stretch to call these techniques illusions). However, I do not believe that we should "put down" the people nor the program. Remember our actions speak much louder that our words. For instance, now when I perform the rising cards, I need to be aware that some audiences may have the knowledge that the deck might have a special pack of cards. My approach might be to convince the spectator that the deck is not ‘gimmicked’ or to use an entirely different method. Let’s make our performances and behaviors model what a real magician and entertainer should be. In other words, let’s not lower ourselves to the lowest common denominator. Remember that most people do not want to be made to look "foolish", but they do want to be entertained.

Please mark your calendars for "Magic in the Rockies", Marriott, 350 East Horsetooth Road, Ft. Collins, CO 80525, September 8, 9, and 10, 2000.

Ed Hurtubis

IBM TVP CO / WY

I.B.M. Ring 250 is the Presto-Digitators of Fort Collins, CO. Meetings are on the third Thursday of each month, at 7:30 p.m. in the Colorado State Office Building, at 3842 South Mason St., Ft Collins, CO. 80525

To see a list of the board of directors and their contact information, click here...
Board of Directors

Presto-Digitators website: http://www.byrini.com/presto/