Elevate the Art of Magic

For our October meeting, we will be treated to a lecture by cognitive scientist Anthony Barnhart! The lecture is at 7:00 on Friday, October 17th, at Eagle Magic and Joke Store. (Eagle Magic is in Burnsville, MN, 4 lights east of 35W on Hwy 13, southeast corner, next door to the BP gas station.) 

Here’s some info about his lecture:

Recent years have seen widespread interest in and a call for a “science of magic” that learns from the psychological insights and methods of magicians. In just the last decade, renowned magicians, like Teller, Mac King, James Randi, and Apollo Robbins, have authored papers meant to be read not by magicians but by scientists who study attention and perception. Although much of the work up until now has been one-sided (in that scientists are benefiting from magicians), the collaboration should be a two-way street. In his presentation, Dr. Barnhart will illustrate some of the ways that magicians can enhance their performances by integrating principles and discoveries from cognitive science.

Cognitive scientist, Anthony Barnhart, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Interim Chair of Psychological Science at Carthage College and a part-time professional magician. He borrows hypotheses and techniques from magic to study attention and perception in the laboratory, and has authored both empirical and theoretical works on the interface of science and magic. A leader in this burgeoning field, he was a founding member of the Science of Magic Association and frequently appears in national and international media. Most recently, his work was featured on an episode of the CBC’s The Nature of Things with David Suzuki devoted to the science of magic. He regularly teaches a college course devoted to the cognitive science of magic.

The lecture is free for SAM Assembly #12 members! The meeting will also be held over Zoom for those who can’t make it in person (although we strongly encourage you to be there!) Connection information for the virtual view of the meeting will be sent before the meeting.

Please bring potluck snacks to share. Note: Because of the lecture, we will probably not have time to do the book club, so we’ll do Ch 2 of Royal Road to Card Magic at our November meeting. 

Welcome back! We hope you enjoyed your summer. 

Time for the first meeting of the 2025-26 SAM Assembly #12 Meeting Season!! The meeting is at 7:00 on Friday, September 19th, at Eagle Magic and Joke Store. (Eagle Magic is in Burnsville, MN, 4 lights east of 35W on Hwy 13, southeast corner, next door to the BP gas station.) 

Our theme this month is our usual September theme: “What I Did This Summer, Magically Speaking.” Talk about the conferences you attended, the books you read, show us what you’re working on or what you performed. As always, be prepared to demonstrate, teach, and provide guidance and suggestions for others.

We’re also kicking off our SAM #12 Book Club! Remember, the plan for the book club is to spend 15 minutes after the performance section of our meeting to discuss a magic book, one chapter at a time. We’ll take turns leading the discussion and teaching or demonstrating moves and effects. Participation is optional! 

Our first book is the Jean Hugard and Frederick Braué classic intro to card magic, The Royal Road to Card Magic. We’ll be discussing Chapter I: The Overhand Shuffle. I’ll be demonstrating the sleights and some of the tricks described. Please try and read Chapter I prior to the meeting–you’ll get more out of the discussion! Also, if any of you do not have a copy of the book (digital or physical) please let us know!

Bring potluck snacks to share. Connection information for the virtual view of the meeting will be emailed before the meeting.