Tickets remain for the Ring 216 Banquet

There are still tickets available for the upcoming IBM Ring 216 Awards Banquet and Show starring Eric Buss and Big Al Catraz on Jan 17, 2015. Please contact Treasurer Will Chandler for purchasing tickets (treasurer@ring216.org). 

The event is for Club members, sister clubs, families and friends!

Click poster to enlarge.

About Eric Buss
Eric Buss has entertained and amazed audiences worldwide. His innovative and high-energy brand of comedy and magic has earned him some of the industry’s top awards, and a reputation as one of the funniest and most original magicians working today. Eric Buss is not a comedian telling jokes about airline food. He is not a magician wearing a bright yellow leotard. Eric is an imaginative, exciting performer with a knack for “fun.” Throughout his show, Eric Buss invites the audience into his world where hysterical antics are brought to life.

Learn more at EricBuss.com

Recap: Ring 216 Annual Stage Competition

Last week was the last Ring 216 meeting of the 2014 year: the annual stage magic competition.

Here are the results:

Standard Division Competitors: Perry Yan, Fantastic Fred, Fred Rasmussen, Vikram Singh

Masters Division Competitors: John Jones, David Martinez, Alan Leeds, Dan Chan

Winners in the Stage/ Parlor Competition, Standard Division:
- People's Choice Award: Perry Yan
- First Place Winner: Fantastic Fred

Masters Division winners will be announced at the Annual Banquet next month.

Hope to see you all at the banquet!

Upcoming Event: Stage/Parlor Magic Competition

Join us on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, for the IBM Ring 216 Annual Stage/Parlor Magic Competition.

If you are interested in competing, please send an email to Cal Tong (calvin.tong@ring216.org). In addition to the standard division, we will also have our Masters Division if there are enough competitors. So if you have won first place in one of the competition events in previous years, then you qualify for the master's division and can sign up for this event!

Where: Yu-Ai Kai Community Center (see map at right)
When: December 10, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free

Bring your friends or family with you to enjoy an evening of great magic. The more people we have, the better the magic.

Announcing the Ring 216 Banquet Starring Eric Buss

Coming Jan 17, 2015, is the IBM Ring 216 Awards Banquet and Show starring Eric Buss and Big Al Catraz. Tickets are selling fast. Please contact Treasurer Will Chandler for purchasing tickets (treasurer@ring216.org). 

The event is for Club members, sister clubs, families and friends!

Click poster to enlarge.

About Eric Buss
Eric Buss has entertained and amazed audiences worldwide. His innovative and high-energy brand of comedy and magic has earned him some of the industry’s top awards, and a reputation as one of the funniest and most original magicians working today. Eric Buss is not a comedian telling jokes about airline food. He is not a magician wearing a bright yellow leotard. Eric is an imaginative, exciting performer with a knack for “fun.” Throughout his show, Eric Buss invites the audience into his world where hysterical antics are brought to life.

Learn more at EricBuss.com

Reminder about upcoming meeting: Nov. 12

This week's monthly meeting will be an Open Performance Night as well as the election for Ring officers. Nominees are:

President: Cal Tong

Vice President: John Jones

Secretary: Gary Goldberg

Treasurer: Will Chandler

Web Master: David Martinez

Sergeant at Arms: Fred Lee

There will be free food and drink. See you at Yu-Ai Kai on Wednesday, Nov. 12, starting at 7:30pm.

Upcoming meeting: Officer Election, Open Performance, Free Food

On November 12, 2014, IBM Ring 216 will hold its yearly election of officers. In addition, we will have an open performance night for members to show their new routines, along with free food.

This is an opportunity for Ring members to get involved with leadership of the club. As an officer you will have a vote in the clubs direction, provide a valuable service, expand your social network, meet new magicians and have fun.

The nominating committee has been looking for candidates over the past two months. As a result of this the following candidates have been approved as nominees for the November elections for 2015:

President: Cal Tong

Vice President: John Jones

Secretary: Gary Goldberg

Treasurer: Will Chandler

Web Master: David Martinez

Sergeant at Arms: Fred Lee

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 will be October 20th.

Also any Ring 216 member can challenge final nominees by a floor nomination at the election. Ring membership 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 Fred Rasmussen at fredemail@comcast.net or Doug Eakin at d_e...@yahoo.com

Thank You,

The Nominating committee,

Fred Rasmussen, Doug Eakin

Close-up competition recap

Fantastic event last night with over 40 plus attendees...... and with plenty of ballots for a people's choice award.

Congratulations to Perry Yan for winning first place in the Standard Division close up competition and for winning people's choice! Great job by Fantastic Fred and Rafael as well.

In the Masters Division, we had 4 competitors: Alan Leeds, Dan Chan, David Martinez, and John Jones. The first-place winner will be announced at the Annual Banquet in January. Will Chandler will be publishing more information on the Annual Banquet soon.

A big thank you to those of you who supported this event and helped out.

The November club meeting will our our annual elections for 2015 (which will be a very speedy process) and then OPEN PERFORMANCE NIGHT. Here is your opportunity to perform what you have learned and have been practicing through-out the 2014 year. Bring it! We want to see it! Sign up early by sending Cal an email (cal.tong@ring216.org). The last time we had OPN, we had more sign-ups than we had time to accommodate.

The December Club Meeting will be our Annual Stage Competition! Sign up in advance by sending Cal an email!

Upcoming meeting: Closeup Magic Competition 2014

We have our Annual Close Up Competition event on October 8th and we are still taking sign-ups. To sign up for the standard or masters division, send Cal (only Cal, no need to fill everyone's mailbox with un-necessary stuff) an email indicating your interest in competing: president@ring216.org

Check the rules and information on competitions:

For those competing:

• Be ready to perform your close up act several times through the evening. 
• Your act will be 6 minutes long (Max) with 2 minutes to strike. You may get more time depending on the number of performers
• No fire or adults-only (blue) material
• No engaging with the audience before the start of your act.
• Points will be taken off your score if you exceed the max time limit or violate any other rules
• You will be expected to help out with the execution of the competition event when you are not competing (ie...handing out pencils, ballots, timer, explaining rules, guiding lay people to their tables, gathering stuff back, etc...)
• There will be a table to work off of. If you need a close up pad, THEN BRING ONE. If you need something to cover the front of the table, THEN BRING WHATEVER YOU NEED.
• MOST IMPORTANT: HAVE FUN!!

Contact Cal if you have any questions or if you want to sign up!

Bring your friends or family with you to enjoy an evening of great magic. The more people we have, the better the magic.

Family and friends (non-members) will be the judges for the People's Choice Award, assuming we have at least 10 laypeople present. Paid members in good standing will be the judges for the masters division. The standard division will be judged by the master-level competitors.

The time and place are the same as usual: Yu-Ai Kai Community Center at 7:30 p.m. sharp. See you then!

Coming up: Jay Scott Berry Lecture, Sept. 10

IBM Ring 216 presents ....Jay Scott Berry Lecture

When: Wednesday, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m. (Be on time!)

Where: Yu Ai Kai Center in San Jose (see map at right)

Member Cost: $15, non-Member Cost: $25

Lecture Bio and Lecture Content: Jay Scott Berry – The High Art of Magic

"Impeccable magic, absolutely wondrous!" - Channing Pollock

"In my entire career, I have never seen anything as convincing. It was real magic, delivered with precision timing and consummate skill." - Mark Wilson

"Jay stands alongside the all-time greats; in the same league as Slydini" - Ed Rosenthall

"You've got to see this guy, He's a great Magician!"- Donald Trump

"A true visionary. A man who has gone beyond the boundaries. There are only a handful of magicians who are masters of the art. This man is one of them. Do whatever you have to do to get to one of his lectures or one of his shows." - Anthony Brook, International Deputy – SAM

"Over the past 70 years, I have seen almost every great magician in the world. I would rank Jay as one of the top 3." - Heinz Philipp, AKA "Phipps" - Friend and mentor of Siegfried and Roy

Recognized worldwide as a master performer and creator, Jay’s shows are often called, “The closest thing to real magic you will ever see.”

Berry regularly headlines top international venues and magic conventions, performing everything from close-up to stage with peerless grace and elegance.

In his new lecture, Jay pushes the frontiers of the Art ever further with powerful magic that is both practical and versatile.

He at once embraces classic methods and effects while challenging outdated and outmoded ways of thinking. In doing so, he is able to fuse the best from the past with the best of the present to create magic for the future.

Everything in the lecture is directly from his personal “A” list of effects and, as such, is time-tested in real world conditions. His original methods are ultra-smooth, starting clean and ending clean.

He will perform and teach the very latest, state-of-the-art effects with The Thumb Tip and Eclipse Tip, The Cloaking Device, The FS/2 Gimmick, The Finger Fazers, The Ring and Ribbon and more!  He will also demonstrate his brand new JSB Topit design, widely regarded as the best ever conceived.

In this presentation, Jay will pay close attention to a number of effects and techniques that work exceptionally well for strolling magic. His personal criteria demands that all of these effects be strong, highly visual, angle-proof and instantly reset. These are routines that Jay uses in strolling and table magic around the globe where he regularly commands $500 an hour and up.

When time allows, Jay will also perform and teach a number of original card effects and techniques. This is often the biggest surprise for magicians, who don’t realize Jay’s mastery also extends into the realm of cards.

In short, an evening with Jay Scott Berry is filled with wonder, surprises and inspiration. He is a consummate entertainer and approaches every lecture with the same commitment to excellence, attention to detail and enthusiasm that have become his trademark in the Art of Magic.

Recap of last week's competition

Wow! That was a fantastic event last week at our Annual Walk Around Competition! With over 50 people in attendance including a record setting non-magician (laypeople) guests, we had 10 competitors amazing us with their magic!

In the Standard Division Walk Around Competition (including the People's choice Award), Raahul won first place and Perry Yan came in 2nd place by a matter of hairlines. Great job by Vikram, Fred Rasmussen and Fred Lee as well.

In the Masters Division Walk Around Competition (including the People's Choice Award), the following Magi's competed and amazed the audience: David Gerard, Dan Chan, Alan Leeds, John Jones, and David Martinez. As is customary, the results will be announced at our next Annual Ring 216 Banquet in January 2015.

The majority feedback is that the quality and level of magic really sky-rocketed in both the standard division and masters division. Great job by all our competitors!

I would like to thank everyone (at least 11 members) who helped me that night. It takes a great deal of effort to plan and execute a competition event. In addition, a million thanks to all of you who attended, filled out a ballot, brought guests, and provided valuable feedback to our magicians. As many of you know, I normally compete in the Masters divisions and run the competition event simultaneously. However, this year I have been a bit over-comitted so my apologies to those who were expecting to see me compete in the competition.

Here is a quick look at our future events:
- September, we have the legendary Jay Scott Berry lecturing for Ring 216
- October, we have our annual close up competition
- November, we have our annual officer elections for 2015 and Open Performance Night
- December, we have our annual stage competition event.

Looking forward to seeing you at all of these meetings!

Cal Tong
President
IBM Ring 216
San Jose, CA

Next meeting: Ring 216 Walk-Around Competition

Join us on Wednesday, August 13, 2013, for the IBM Ring 216 Annual Walk-Around Magic Competition.

If you are interested in competing, please send an email to Cal Tong (calvin.tong@ring216.org). In addition to the standard division, we will also have our Masters Division if there are enough competitors. So if you have won first place in one of the competition events in previous years, then you qualify for the master's division and can sign up for this event!

Bring your friends or family with you to enjoy an evening of great magic. The more people we have, the better the magic.

Read the competition rules.

The time and place are the same as usual: Yu-Ai Kai Community Center at 7:30 p.m. sharp. See you then!

CORRECTION: Free Lecture for Members, Open Performance Night

IBM Ring 216 has a treat for our fellow magicians this upcoming meeting night.

First, a lecture from magician Bill Ragsdale about a legend in our art.

"John Scarne, More Than Magic"

There is more to legendary John Scarne’s career than the first three tricks in Stars Of Magic and six references in Greater Magic. His efforts spanned platform magic; book and magazine authorship; game design; casino operations in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Panama; and television performances as well as creating a newsletter and specialty advertising.

Bill Ragsdale, the foremost authority on John Scarne, will cover the little known aspects of those activities. Today we will see John Scarne in action in film from 1933, 1950, 1970, and 1979.  Bill will answer the questions: “Was Scarne that good?”  “Why was his son named Teeko?”  “Why did Houdini tell him ‘The farther you get ahead, the more your magician friends will turn against you’?” and “What was it like to entertain three US Presidents and Fidel Castro?”

The presentation is supported by extensive video, previously unreleased photographs, a statistical computer analysis and Bill’s  seventy-two page research report.

The lecture is free for paid Ring 216 members, $10 for non-members.

Following Bill's lecture, we will spend the rest of the evening with open performances by members and attendees. Come show the group something you're working on, something you're polishing, something fun, whatever. And if you have an announcement to make about upcoming shows, bring that too.

See you at the regular time and place: 7:30 p.m. at Yu Ai Kai Community Center.

Ring 216 Flea Market and Auction is Coming June 11

Got magic stuff you want to get rid of? Is there anything you have your eye on? Join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, June 11, beginning at 7:00 PM to shop the collections of your fellow magicians — and/or sell the stuff you don't use anymore.

Tables for the flea market are available now. You must contact Ring 216 treasurer Will Chandler (will_chandler@comcast.net) to reserve your table today. The costs are:

• Paid Ring 216 members: $15 for a large table, $10 for a small table
• Non-members: $20 for a large table, $15 for a small table.

View a layout of the tables

There will also be an auction of magical goods. If you're interested in the auction, just show up. Anybody can sell at auction. The club takes a 10% fee for auction sales, but no fee for table sales.

Among the many items to be auctioned off will be two pieces of equipment currently owned by Ring 216:

• A small PA system that's perfect for solo performers
• Portable stage lights for indoor use

If you have questions about those items, just contact webmaster@ring216.org and we'll get your questions answered.

Here's the itinerary for the evening:

6:45 PM: Sellers may arrive to set up their tables for the flea market.

7:00 PM: The doors open to buyers.

8:15 PM: The auction begins.

9:30 PM (approximately): All sales end and it's time to pack up.

Bring your friends and your stuff — and your cash.

Want more details about the auction? Read our FAQ.

Upcoming Lecture: Juan Luis Rubiales coming May 14

With the help of Raahul, we have another lecturer from Spain, Juan Luis Rubiales.

Until now, magic with coins has always been more technical than intellectual, in this lecture Juan Luis Rubiales gives his unique touches with this kind of magic to make it more accessible to your spectators. Revamped methods under the clear influence of Dai Vernon through his writings and Juan Tamariz, as his direct teacher.

But not just this, he also will teach a few of his card magic works, works from his studies at the prestigious Escorial convention, like his version of "triple coincidence" by Tamariz... BUT with a bound deck, stabbed cards, card in the glob and a few bits more that make us believe in real magic.

Click for larger image

Reminder about Ring 216 Magic Book

Ring 216 Members: It’s your chance to share your magical creations and see them in print.

Submit your original effects for publication in a new book to be produced by the Ring. Closeup, walk-around, parlor, or stage. Coins, cards, ropes, whatever. We’re looking for at least 10 effects featuring either creative plots, new methods, or original presentations—or all three.

How It Works:

• Write up your effect in the style of a typical magic book: Effect, Setup, Method. 
• Be sure to include credits.
• Submit your writeup to the editor (see below) for review by our advisory panel. 
• If your trick is accepted, your description will be edited and prepared for publication.
• If photographs are required, we’ll set up a photo shoot at the Magic Garage.

We’ll produce ebook, paperback, and hardcover versions of the book using print-on-demand technology. All Ring 216 members will get the ebook free and printed copies at discounted prices.

Don’t wait too long to submit your ideas. The deadline for entries is May 1, 2014.

Editor: David Martinez, davidhmartinez@gmail.com
Advisory Panel: Cal Tong, David Martinez

More about Shoot Ogawa

Here's our flyer about Shoot Ogawa's lecture in April:

Click for a larger version.

Upcoming Meeting: Magic Lecture and more from Shoot Ogawa

Just confirmed. SHOOT OGAWA will be in town:

• April 9th (WED): Shoot lecture @ Ring 216, 7:30pm-9:30pm, $15 for club members/$25 - nonmembers
• April 10th(THUR): Shoot "Stage Show Appearance" at Dan Chan's Dinner Show, Dynasty in Cupertino - (check Bay Area Dinner Show for details or contact Dan Chan)
• April 11th (FRI): Available for Private Mentoring/Coaching sessions, contact Cal Tong for details.
• April 12th (Saturday Morning): Workshop (or Friday April 11th, TBD), more details to come.

For more info on Shoot Ogawa, go to: www.holyshoot.com/about.htm

Call for Entries: Ring 216 Magic Book

Ring 216 Members: It’s your chance to share your magical creations and see them in print.

Submit your original effects for publication in a new book to be produced by the Ring. Closeup, walk-around, parlor, or stage. Coins, cards, ropes, whatever. We’re looking for at least 10 effects featuring either creative plots, new methods, or original presentations—or all three.

How It Works:

• Write up your effect in the style of a typical magic book: Effect, Setup, Method. 
• Be sure to include credits.
• Submit your writeup to the editor (see below) for review by our advisory panel. 
• If your trick is accepted, your description will be edited and prepared for publication.
• If photographs are required, we’ll set up a photo shoot at the Magic Garage.

We’ll produce ebook, paperback, and hardcover versions of the book using print-on-demand technology. All Ring 216 members will get the ebook free and printed copies at discounted prices.

Don’t wait too long to submit your ideas. The deadline for entries is May 1, 2014.

Editor: David Martinez, davidhmartinez@gmail.com
Advisory Panel: Cal Tong, David Martinez

Next meeting: Open Performance Night + Free Food

It's been a long time since we've had a meeting entirely dedicated to performances by you. So come join us at the next meeting — March 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Yu Ai Kai Community Center — and bring a trick to perform. Something you're working on, something you're polishing, something fun, whatever. And if you have an announcement to make about upcoming shows, bring that too.

Best part is, the club is providing some free food to enjoy in between performances. 

See you all on March 12!

Check out our Calendar of Events

Be sure to check out the calendar of events in the right column of this page. We've added lots of events for the entire year, including lectures, competitions, and our annual auction. Lectures are subject to change, so be sure to bookmark this page and check often.

Upcoming Event: Magic Lecture by Fritz Alkemade

Join us at our next meeting for a lecture by Netherlands-based Fritz Alkemade.

When: February 12, 2014, at 7:30pm sharp
Where: Yu Ai Kai Community Center
Cost: $15 for paid Ring 216 members / $25 for non-members

Fritz Alkemade's stage show "Let's Go Dutch" sold out shows in the Netherlands, Scotland, and Romania. In the latter show, he received the "International MagicArtFest Award." This is Fritz's current working card magic repertoire, featuring an amazing collection of practical card effects that were designed for performing in the real world. Now you can learn these routines that will astonish your audience.

Fritz's effects have been published in Magic, Genii, Informagie, Escamoteur, and MagicSeen, who dubbed Fritz "Holland's Hottest."

Learn more about Fritz by visiting his website.

Click to enlarge

Upcoming Events: Pop Haydn Lecture + Ring 216 Banquet

January 8, 2014: Magic Lecture from Pop Haydn

Join us for a lecture from the great Pop Haydn. Pop will be discussing the School for Scoundrels and how the study of pitchmen con men can affect the way we do magic. Routines discussed will include Comedy Four Ring Routine, Mongolian Pop-Knot, Routine for the Blind, Chicago Surprise, Intricate Web of Distraction, Shell Game, Three Card Monte, Fast and Loose, and more.

The cost will be $15 for Ring 216 members / $25 for non-members. The lecture will begin at 7:30pm sharp. 

Members, our treasurer will be there to collect $25 for your Ring 216 dues for 2014.

January 11, 2014: IBM Ring 216 Dinner and Magic Show + Awards Ceremony

There are still a few tickets left now on sale for Ring 216’s 2013 Awards, Banquet and BIG Show featuring Pop Haydn and Ryan Kane!

When:
Saturday, January 11, 2014
6:30 PM Cocktails, 7:30 PM Dinner, 8:30 PM Magic Show!

Where:
Biltmore Hotel
2151 Laurelwood Road
Santa Clara, CA 95054
Admission $60 – Evening Attire

For tickets, contact Will Chandler at will_chandler@comcast.net