The Blackstoneian

The official newsletter of I.B.M. Ring 200

Volume 5, No. 6, June, 2009 Editor, Eugene Raymond Soucek

PRIMED FOR COMPETITION

EXCELLENCE IN MAGIC

On Tuesday, June 16th, Ring 200 will be hosting the seventh annual Al Hillman Excellence In Magic Competition. This annual competition is open to only Ring 200 members that would like to compete, however, any and all magicians and friends are welcome to join us and be entertained as the competition takes place.

DANNY ARCHER LECTURE

Last month Danny Archer lectured for Ring 200.Everyone in attendance agreed that Danny’s lecture was filled with solid, audience tested effects that can be learned and performed by anyone. He showed us close-up, parlor and stage effects, all with the Archer Touch. Danny also has a great sense of humor and there was a lot of laughter along with the great magic.

DONATIONS FOR EARL “PRESTO” JOHNSON

As you know, PRESTO was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside, with out a Broken Wand Ceremony and without a headstone. Ring 200 is appeal-ing to all Magicians to help raise enough money to at least give Presto the dignity of a decent headstone. Donations will be greatly appreciated.

The committee from the John McNicholas Magician's Roundtable (JMMRT) has decided to enter into this fundraiser by providing one of , IF NOT THE LAST, video taken of Presto doing a lecture for them. Taken back in February, 2004, this 100+ minute video has Presto doing many of his signature pieces and having a lot of fun with fellow magicians. It has been determined that approximately two thousand dollars will be needed

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Now here is the deal. For every donation of $25.00 or more, you will receive a copy of this DVD. Gene Soucek will have copies available at the Ring 200 meeting, or, you can send a check to Eric Appel, 54 New Brunswick Ave. Hopelawn, NJ 08861-2241 along with your name and address and he will get a copy out to you ASAP.

THIS WILL ONLY LAST UNTIL THE $2,000 IS REACHED AND THEN, JUST LIKE DISNEY, THE DVD WILL GO BACK INTO THE VAULT! DO NOT MISS THIS CHANCE TO HAVE THIS DVD.

Once we get the stone and have it set, we will call for a gathering at the cemetery to hold a broken wand that we will try to get something into the Linking Ring, MUM and any other magazine that wishes to cover it. PLEASE PASS THE WORD TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW IN MAGIC! LET’S DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND GET HIM A MARKER.

KYLE’S KORNER

At the Venue: A Simple Check List - Kyle Peron
I have recently been talking with someone about some things that performers should be aware of when going to a venue and setting up. These are things we discussed that often times get overlooked or not thought about until it is too late. I thought I would list for you my own top 10 list of ideas and suggestions. I hope they may be of help to you.

1) Give yourself plenty of time - Simply stated you do not ever want to get to a place with "just" enough time to set up. There will ALWAYS be unexpected problems or issues you may have not thought of. For the manipulator, rushing is a huge obstacle and problem you want to try and avoid. By rushing you tend to 1) get more nervous and 2) not set up properly. Allow yourself enough time to get to the event so you can set up and relax and have extra time for unexpected items that come up from time to time.

2) Do NOT just start setting up - Too many times a manipulative act will just arrive and start setting up where he or she finds a place. This is a bad practice. Make sure to always be a professional and greet and meet the client and the stage techs first before anything else. They are the ones who you are working for and with and you need them to be on your side. Show them the respect up front and they will thank you for it.

3) Be watchful for where you set up - First I always ask where would be a good spot for me to set up and I work with the people to choose a spot. They know the show and other acts better then I do and may have an idea as to what will work out best for them. I can then work with them on this location for set up. Also be cautious when setting up hat you are not setting up in a high traffic area or next to doors and windows that may cause wind issues.

4) Take time to Strike the stage - This means to take the time out to go out on the stage (when proper to do so) and go over the best spot for your tables and for yourself. Check every aspect of your act and movement in the act. You should be checking for lighting areas to make sure you are lit well (go over this with the tech crew) and also make sure you have friends or someone who can check your angles for you from the far extremes (front and back) of the audience area. This will help you to know where best to mark the stage and what you can and can not do in the performance that day.

5) DO make a tech sheet ahead of time - If you are working with any stage type crew whether a theater or a smaller venue or even a festival, make sure you have a tech sheet for your act. Tech sheets can include placement of your equipment, all music and cues for it as well as lighting cues. This should be on a sheet that is easy to read and follow. This way you are already for the tech crew to be able to assist you better.

6) DO make back ups of your music - Always carry a back up of your music and pack it in 2 different spots. This will help in the event you misplace one. It also helps in the event a tech crew misplaces your music or if they forget to give it back to you after your show. It is just a good practice.

7) DO find out where you are in the show - If you are performing your own show and you are the only act, then just simply verify the start time. If you are part of a show where you may be sharing the stage with others, find out who is before you and after you so you know when to finish your last set ups for your "get ready". Knowing who follows you can help you to be courteous of their needs as well.

8) Do carry extra props as needed - It is always a good practice to carry extra sets of cards or silks or items that you use in your act. In the event something goes wrong or gets damaged or lost, it is nice to know you have back ups ready.

9) DO be aware of how warm or cold it is - simply take into consideration how warm or cold it is where you are performing. If your hands are cold, it will be much harder to do any sleights that may be needed in the show. Keep the hands warm with some gloves if need be.

10) DO check the stage flooring - Not all stages are built right and if you are doing a small venue or a festival, then you may also run into stages that areas sectioned together. Walk through the stage area and check to see if there are uneven areas or areas you need to be aware of when you are moving about. Try and mark these areas with tape so that you can be aware of them when setting up a table or walking on stage.

I hope these 10 ideas are of help to you. As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your thoughts. So if you have any thoughts on my articles or suggestions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me directly at magic4u02@aol.com. I would love to hear from you.

JEFF McBRIDE

Jeff McBride will be in the area from June 13 through June 15. At the SAM #161 meeting this month, Jaysin said he plans to see him and would be happy to bring along anyone who would like to join him. If you would like to go, please contact Jaysin at matrix1370@aol.com for complete details.

WORDS OF WISDOM

"The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease."
Voltaire

"I've got a wonderful doctor. If you can't afford the operation, he touches up the X rays."
Henny Youngman

He may be a quack but you can't duck his bill.

BACK ISSUES AVAILABLE

If you would like to obtain back issues of The Blackstoneian, these are available in PDF format for your own collection. Simply request what issues you would like and they will be sent to you. The first issue of The Blackstoneian was published in August of 2005, and has been continually published every month since.

SCHEDULE FOR THE YEAR 2009:

June 16           Al Hillman Excellence in Magic Competition
July 21             Childrens Magic
August 18        Annual Picnic/Pool Party
Sept. 15          Jeopardy Game Show Nite
October ?      Jim Angelo Mentalism and Card Magic Competition
Nov. 17           Nomination of officers and Lecture TBA
Dec. 15           Holiday Party & Initiation

We meet at: The Stelton CommunitWe Community Center, 328 Plainfield Avenue, Edison, NJ; on the third Tuesday of every month; doors open at 6:30 p.m. – Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. You are invited to join us for coffee at the Duchess Diner in Metuchen after the meeting.

THE MAGIC SPOTLIGHT

Article 12 in a continuing series spotlighting Ring 200 members

Will Fern

The many Magicians that comprise the membership of the Harry Blackstone Magic Society IBM Ring 200, fall into many categories.

Some members are hobbyists. Some members are collectors. There are members that are just getting started in magic. We have young members that we think have the talent and potential to become another superstar of magic like our most famous alumni, David Copperfield. And, of course, we have members that make their livelihood as full-time Professional Magicians.

That brings us to the focus of this month’s MAGIC SPOTLIGHT, Will Fern. Will is a seasoned magician with over 20 years of performing experience. Friendly, jovial, and very personable, Will has all the qualities that have delighted thousands of smiling spectators from around the world. An accomplished entertainer, he is at home whether he is doing close-up magic performed as an icebreaker at affairs, corporate team building workshops, sales meetings, or after dinner banquet programs. Will provides a wide array of magical services. Along with such clients as Pfizer, Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs, Will has been employed as the resident magician at several top Caribbean resorts and 4-star New York area restaurants. Will is also a regular performer at the world-renowned Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA.

You can catch Will at the Stage Coach Restaurant and Tavern in Scotch Plains. Check with Will or the restaurant for his schedule.