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Meeting Report

January Meeting Report

The threat of a severe Minnesota winter snow storm didn’t keep many magicians away from the January SAM #12 meeting which featured our annual auction. More than 20 magicians brought pockets full of money to take advantage of the deals that would ultimately be offered by the four sellers that brought boxes, bags, and tubs of magic. Upon a final review of the auction tally sheets more than 60 items were sold (most well below wholesale pricing) to everyone. The club receives 10% of the sale price of each item sold to add to our finances. All area magicians were invite to attend. Non-members were charged a $5 fee to participate in the auction.

Some items featured in the auction included numerous DVD titles, special decks of cards and packet card tricks, some magic collectibles and a few books and pamphlets. Unusually absent from the sale were any gimmicked or specialty coin tricks. I’m sure that most people took advantage of the excellent prices and brought home a new trick or two for their magic collection.   

The SAM Assembly #12 would like to extend special thanks to our Treasurer Adam Moore who tracked all the sales on a time saving computer program created by former local member Geoff Williams (now living in Florida). And, David Stahl who logged every single transaction. And everyone that came to the auction. 

Following the 2+ hour auction, members had snacks and deserts provided by host Larry Kahlow and others who brought yummy treats. Conversations about the “deals” people got continued for another hour. The theme for our next meeting will be “Magic you’ve learned from the Internet” on Friday, February 15th at 7pm at Eagle Magic and Joke Store in Burnsville. Stay warm! Spring is just around the magical corner! 

The group of “buyers” anticipating the next great deal.
Savvas Nikolaides, one of the auction sellers hawks a dvd!
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Meeting Announcements

SAM #12 Auction


Sort through all your old magic because the next SAM Assembly #12 meeting is the annual auction event and will be an opportunity for you to sell all of it! I’m sure lots of great deals will be offered to the group on Friday, January 18th at the meeting. Plan to be there for all the fun! 7 pm at Eagle Magic and Joke Store in Burnsville.

There is no charge to sell for dues paid members. The non-member fee is $5. Everyone will pay a 10% u for props they sell to the SAM #12 treasury.

SAM#12 Auction on Jan 18th.
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M-U-M Reports

December Meeting Report

Everybody that attended the December Meeting of the Hocus-Pocus SAM Assembly #12 was most certainly in the holiday spirit. Prior to the a very short business meeting, casual discussion focused on stories about magician Ricky Jay who had recently passed away. Paul Ladig passed around a copy of the New Yorker Magazine feature article on Jay from 1993.
This month’s theme was “Rope Magic” and performers included Paul Ladig who demonstrated an ‘Acrobatic Jumping Knot of Pakistan.” He cleverly themed his presentation using small circus images surrounding a center ring over which the ropes did their “jumping act” to upbeat music. Next up Paul Black and Kevin Smith pulled the “Red Ropes of Blood” through audience member Jennifer Kahlow. Following the penetration, an appropriately large band aid was applied to the affected area. Drew Hanson was the only member of the evening that performed the Professor’s Nightmare. He included moves from the Tabary routine to extend the handling of the ropes. New member Tom Fagerstrom did a short coin routine for the group. Our host Larry Kahlow showed that he can easily “Shake a Knot” into a rope. Later he taught some that were interested how to do it, too. Practice is needed.
Another evening’s activity had the members breaking up into teams to sort colored M&M’s into bowls using spoons. The winners of this race were Kevin Smith, Paul Black and Paul Ladig each of whom received a magical prize for their efforts. I’m not sure how many M’s were consumed in the process, although I’m sure some were eaten.
A table full of holiday food and beverages magically appeared provided by Paul Ladig (subs), Tom O’Lenick (little hot dogs) and Jennifer Kahlow (scalloped potatoes). While others brought desert treats (cookies, bars and candy).
Everyone brought a wrapped gift for the final activity of the night, a holiday gift exchange. Magic trivia questions were asked of the group. A correct answer allowed the individual to choose one of the gifts. When all the gifts had been chosen, they were opened and shown to the group. Then the fun began as each person rolled two dice which decided the fate of the holder’s gift (stolen, frozen, passed to the left or right). Lots of laughter and even a few regrets were expressed as the game progressed. Two very popular gifts that were fought over and moved around often were the “Hickory Farms Gift Box” and the “Reshuffled Cards.” It was said that there may have even been some gifts traded after the game. Ho, ho, ho…Happy Holidays to all and to all a goodnight!

 

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Meeting Announcements

Holiday Event Friday, Dec 21st

Here comes our Holiday event gathering! The next SAM Assembly #12 will be Friday, Dec 21st at Eagle Magic and Joke Store in Burnsville at 7 pm. The performance theme will be “Ropes” so bring something to perform. We’ll also have a White Elephant Gift Exchange so please bring a wrapped present valued at about $20 for the exchange. The gifts will be distributed after answering a magic trivia question. Then, the next round so will be able to steal another person’s gift (all in FUN). Following that we will devour all the food that everyone brings to share with the group. 

Plan Ahead for the January 18th meeting which will be the annual magic auction!

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Meeting Announcements

Moore Magic is SAM#12 October Meeting

Adam Moore conducts the backstage tour for the group. He points out a massive electrical box once used for lighting in the theater but, now is totally non-functional. Impressive but useless.
Below, Adam is in front of a double door that can not easily be used as it exits underneath an outside deck of the restaurant that is directly above the Moore Magic Showroom.
Members of the SAM Assembly #12 Hocus-Pocus Club were treated to a  fun performance by Adam and Lisa Moore’s “Moore Magic” show at the Plymouth Playhouse Theater for our October meeting. The 90 minute show featured a Palaquin Production; Metamorphosis (aka Sub Trunk); and a fast paced Stock Exchange. Many smaller effects were individually presented by the magic couple such as, multiple rope tricks; bottle tricks; some scientific demonstrations which incorporated magical moments; multiplying billiard balls; a self dividing banana, and a clever baseball themed dart board card trick. Adam even showed how to perform a couple of simple tricks with colored handkerchiefs and and egg.
Following the actual performance which also showcased audience participation, Adam gave the SAM #12 group a backstage tour. He showed his sound and music set up, lighting controls and how his stage crew (his kids) maneuver around the huge concrete pillars on each side of the curtained  black box  area, where props are stored when not being used. They also have a simple closed circuit video system that allows them to see what’s happening on stage while preparing for the next trick backstage.
The show is truly a family affair as Adam and Lisa and their two children Carter and Jason work the concession stand, take care of all box office activities and ticketing, handle the theater marketing tasks, booking shows, creating of new magic routines for the show, emptying the trash and even cleaning the bathrooms. Anything and eveything you can imagine!
Then, during an informal question and answer session Adam offered tips about setting up and reopening the 211 seat theater venue that sat empty for nearly six months. Their future plans include hosting an Shakespearian acting troupe that will present a play, a local singer’s event and even a family magic show during the Christmas Season with Santa Claus. If you will be visiting the Twin Cities why not plan on a visit to the Plymouth Playhouse.
Our November meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 9th. One week earlier than our normal meeting date. We will return to the regular meeting place – Eagle Magic and Joke Store in Burnsville at 7pm. The theme will be to show something new that you’ve recently been practicing. Until soon, best magical wishes, TomOL.
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Meeting Announcements

SAM#12 to see Moore Magic @ Plymouth Playhouse

 

 

 

Sam Assembly #12 is excited to announce that our next meeting on Friday, October 19th at 7 p.m. will be held at the Plymouth Playhouse to see Adam and Lisa Moore (Moore Magic) perform their 80 minute magic show. Following the show there will be a backstage tour of the theater and a question and answers session. individuals that join the SAM #12 (dues $15) prior to the meeting will be able to get into the show for free. Dues may be paid online at SAM12.org. Become an SAM Assembly #12 member right away and take advantage of the free admission to see Moore Magic at the Plymouth Playhouse on Oct. 19th.

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M-U-M Reports

September Meeting Report

 

September was a busy month for SAM Assembly #12. On September 18th the group hosted a fun lecture with Steve Marshall from Florida by way of Tokyo Japan. Steve has been touring the Midwest Region for most of the summer. His lecture was filled with lots of clever magic inspired by Japanese magicians. The Ben-san Bowl routine with sponge sushi; the Color Changing Rubber bands and the Little Triumph were each remarkable in their own way. As well as being a former “Ringling Clown,” Steve is a very entertaining magician.    

Then on Sept. 28th,  President Tom O’Lenick called the regular meeting to order by reminding the dozen people in attendance that dues is due for the 2018-2019 year. If paid prior to the next meeting (which can be done on the website www.sam12.org), the assembly will pay (as a special perk) your admission to the magic show that Adam and Lisa Moore are presenting that the Plymouth Playhouse theater. Adam recently made the offer for SAM #12 to hold its October 19th meeting at their show. Following the show, Adam and Lisa will conduct a backstage tour and answer questions from the attendees.

Since the group has been on summer vacation without meetings in July or August, it was fun catching up on member activities. Some included discussions about the Sam National Meeting held in Orlando, the IBM in Grand Rapids, Magic Live in Las Vegas and FISM. During September, the Minnesota group had an excellent representation at the Houdini Club of Wisconsin convention in Appleton (the community where Houdini grew up).

Meeting performances this month included: a Rubber Band effect by Manny Benitis; a Enlarging Chinese Coin presentation by “Magic” Brad Gudim; a Vanishing and Reappearing Coin held high above his head by Larry Kahlow; and a quick coin routine by Drew Hanson. Presentations were followed by snacks broght by Jerry Martin and Tom O’Lenick and deserts hosted by Jennifer Kahlow. Magic chats and sessioning by everyone continued for another hour.

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Meeting Announcements

Steve Marshall Lecture

Plan to attend the Steve Marshall Lecture on Tuesday, September 18 at 7pm at the Regency Woods Apts Community Room, 2200 South Plymouth Road  in Minnetonka. Regency Woods is just west of Ridgedale Center Mall with easy access from I-394 and I-494, Current SAM Assembly #12 members may attend without charge. Others will be charged $20. You can register online.

In Steve’s lecture you will learn magic that Steve has personally used in his shows for paying audiences so he knows that it works and the strong reactions the material gets. You will learn Steve’s original effects as well as magic from Japanese magicians who are friends of his and have a unique way of thinking about the art and presentation of magic. You will also learn items for close-up and stage routines as well as Steve’s presentational tips that make everything play well.

Bring your questions as well as Steve loves to discuss magic with you and tell stories of his life and travels.

 

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Meeting Announcements

No July or August SAM #12 Meetings

Hello Everyone:

Just wanted to alert you that there will be no July or August SAM#12 meetings. Its summer vacation time. Have fun!

We will be back with a great lecture (free for SAM#12 members) on Tuesday, September 18th at 7 pm featuring Steve Marshall who is well know for his skill with dice. He was trained by Jim Zachary (who wrote the book on Dice Stacking). The lecture will be held at the Regency Woods Apartments Community room in Minnetonka.

Our next official meeting will be on Friday, September 28th (moved back one week to not conflict with the Houdini Club of Wisconsin Magic Convention) at 7 pm at Eagle Magic and Joke Store in Burnsville. Have a great summer!

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Meeting Announcements

SAM#12 June Meeting

SAM #12 meeting

at 7 pm 6/15/2018 

 

The theme will be “Dice.” Do a dice stacking routine; show how the numbers on opposite sides of the dice can magically change; cause the dice to shrink or change colors. Or how about a dice box effect? Never say die. See what you can up with! And remember if you perform at the meeting you will be eligible to win a magic trick donated by one of the gracious dealers who have contributed to the SAM 12 “Performance Award!”