Dec. 13: Ring 216 Parlor/Stage Magic Competition

 


The 2023 Stage & Parlor Magic Competition is just around the corner — Wednesday, Dec. 13. Come on out to support your fellow magicians as they present their best material in a parlor setting... think the Parlor of Prestidigitation at the Magic Castle (without the cover charge).

And be sure to bring your friends and family because magic is always better when there are more people to enjoy it! Your guests can be fellow magicians or, preferably, non-magicians who love magic.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and performances start at 8:00 p.m. sharp! We'll be at our usual location at Yu-Ai Kai Senior Center, 588 North 4th Street, San Jose, CA.
 

Sign up to perform!

Whether you're a past winner, a brand-new entrant, or something in between, now's your chance to share your routines and show off your skills. This is a great, low-stress way to hone your act and get feedback. Remember: The goal is to do your best and not focus on winning. Just have fun!

Send email to president@ring216.org to sign up!

If you're thinking of competing, please keep in mind the following information:

  • Parlor is defined as an act presented in a formal stand-up setting with a sound system and curtains. There will be 5-6 rows of seating.
  • But remember that we don't have raked seating, so be aware that people in the 2nd or 3rd row will not be able to see the top of a table.
  • All paid members are allowed to compete, including past winners.
  • If you've won in the past, you must perform a different act.
  • Acts should be around 6 minutes long, so start timing yourself. (Depending on the number of participants, this number may be larger.)

Check out all the competition rules.

Ring 216 November Meeting: Coming Nov. 8

Officers elections, teaching, and open performances 

On Nov. 8, 2023, Ring 216 will host our monthly meeting both live and streaming on Zoom!

Here's what's on the agenda:

  • Officers elections (see below)
  • Teaching magic: If you would like to share a move or idea, teach it to us!
  • Open performances: Show us your magic! We'll provide feedback and suggestions if you want.

The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.! We'll be at our usual location at Yu-Ai Kai Senior Center, 588 North 4th Street, San Jose, CA.

And we will stream it on Zoom for those who can't make it. You will receive the Zoom link on Wednesday.


2024 Officers Elections

There is one open position this year on the slate. This is a great opportunity for “qualifying candidates” to get involved with leadership of the club. As an officer you will have a vote in the club’s direction, provide a valuable service, expand your social network, meet new magicians and have fun. Candidates must be 18 years or older.

  • Treasurer – A great opportunity for a key position to run the club finances.

Current Candidates that have qualified by nominating committee are:

  • President: Dan Chan
  • Vice President: Mitch Kothe, Syd Kashima (Note: Two V.P. positions are proposed)
  • Secretary: Gary Goldberg
  • Treasurer: OPEN
  • Webmaster: Dylan Levine
  • Sergeant at Arms: Yitian Liang
  • President Emeritus: David Martinez

All paid up Ring 216 members are invited to submit their names to also be considered as a nominee for any of the above positions. Deadline is ASAP.

Also any Ring 216 member can challenge final nominees by a floor nomination at the election. Ring membership and qualification must be validated at the election to be nominated as a floor candidate. If we have more than one nominee for a position then a secret ballet will be held to determine the winner.

For inquiries contact Cal Tong at calvinloutong@yahoo.com or Fred Rasmussen at fredemail@comcast.net.


2023 Parlor/Stage Magic Competition

Coming Wednesday, Dec. 13

We are now taking signups for the final competition of the year, the 2023 Parlor/Stage Magic Competition.

Please learn about the competition and read the rules here.

To sign up, send email to president@ring216.org.

Coming Oct. 11: Ring 216 Close-Up Magic Competition for 2023

 On Oct. 11, 2023, Ring 216 will host its annual Close-Up Magic Competition, both live and streaming on Zoom!


Mark your calendars and plan to come out to support your fellow magicians as they present their best material in a formal close-up setting.

And since magic is always better when there are more people to enjoy it, bring your friends and family!

The performances start at 7:30 p.m. sharp! We'll be at our usual location at Yu-Ai Kai Senior Center, 588 North 4th Street, San Jose, CA. And we will stream it on Zoom.
 

Sign up to compete.


Whether you're a past winner, a brand-new entrant, or something in between, now's your chance to share your routines and show off your skills. This is a great, low-stress way to hone your act and get feedback. Remember: The goal is to do your best and not focus on winning. Just have fun!

Sign up now ›

If you're thinking of competing, please keep in mind the following information:
  • The goal is to create an atmosphere as close to a formal close-up environment as possible. If you've visited the Magic Castle, picture its close-up room. Guests will join together in groups and will be seated typically in 1-3 rows arranged in a semicircle. The last row will likely be standing to allow all to view the table.
  • You'll perform your act up to 4 times for different audiences, depending on the number of guests in attendance.
  • All paid members are allowed to compete.
  • Acts must be no more than 6 minutes long, so start timing yourself. Note: We may increase this limit based on the number of participants (fewer participants would mean longer acts).
  • The competition usually has two divisions: Masters Division is for previous winners of any competition; Standard Division is for everyone else. Each division must have at least four competitors; if not, we will have a single division.
  • We hope have at least many non-magicians among our audience members, and we'll try to mix the non-magicians throughout the groups.
  • If you've won in the past, you are free to compete, but you have to perform a different act.
Check out all the competition rules.

Coming Sept. 13: Highlighting "The Real Magic of Silicon Valley"

Back in 2014 and 2015, Ring 216 published two books of magic developed by members of the club: The Real Magic of Silicon Valley Vol. 1 and Vol.2.

Yes, it's true! You can even learn more and order your own hardcover copies here and here!

At this month's meeting, we're going to pay tribute to those books by inviting contributors to perform their tricks... and even teach them! 

We'll provide e-book versions of the books for all attendees, and we may possibly have a limited number of hardcover versions for sale for $20 each.

We'll also have food and drink. You can bring something if you want to share, but otherwise we'll have pizza, water, and maybe wine or beer.

Date: Sept. 13, 2023
Time: 7:30 p.m. PDT
Location: Yu-Ai Kai Senior Center, 588 North 4th Street, San Jose, CA

ALSO WILL BE STREAMED ON ZOOM:Check your email for the Zoom link
See you then!

Coming July 12: Focus on Self-Working Magic

 This month's Ring 216 meeting will focus on magic everyone can appreciate: sleight-free magic, sometimes known as "self-working magic."

This is magic with cards, objects, words, and more that require no special moves or sleights... but instead rely on special counts, subterfuges, and subtleties.

Bring your favorite tricks to perform and teach (with permission). And come prepared to learn some new ideas that you can add to your repertoires with just a little practice.

Date: July 12, 2023
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Yu-Ai Kai Senior Center, 588 North 4th Street, San Jose, CA

See you then!