The Magician’s Oath
As a magician, I promise never to reveal the secret of any illusion to a non-magician unless that one swears to uphold the Magician’s Oath in turn. I promise never to perform any illusion for any non-magician without first practicing the effect until I can perform it well enough to maintain the illusion of magic.Who May Attend? And is the trip to San Jose worth it?
All serious students of magic are welcome to attend up to 3 meetings, after which we expect you to join the club. There is no cost to attend 3 regular meetings prior to joining, but special meetings (e.g., lectures, shows, or banquets) may incur a charge.Clubs offer an unparalleled platform for mastering magic within a nurturing atmosphere. Our members travel from across the Bay Area, finding the journey especially rewarding on lecture nights.
Where are the meetings held?
Unless otherwise noted, in-person meetings are held in San Jose at the Yu-Ai Kai Community Center located at 588 North 4th Street, San Jose, CA 95112 on the second Wednesdays of each month from 7:30-9:30 pm.Online meetings are held on the Zoom platform.
How Do I Join? What does it Cost?
If you want to join, please contact president@ring216.org for further details.
To join the club, you must:
- Have a sincere interest in the performance, history, and/or collection of magic and magic effects
- Attend 3 meetings
- Perform or lecture at least once per year by the end of your first year. Don't worry we'll help you get to that point.
We also encourage you to join the International Brotherhood of Magicians at www.magician.org.
What Happens with the Dues?
We use the dues collected to hire professional lecturers, pay for supplies related to the club, rent rooms for special events, and so on. As a privilege, our members often benefit from reduced or complimentary access to these enriching lectures.Who Are the Professional Lecturers? How Often?
Over recent years, we've been honored to host luminaries like Jay Sankey, Carisa Hendrix, Gregory Wilson, Jason Ladanye, John Lovick, Garrett Thomas, and others. Typically, we host 3 to 5 distinguished speakers annually. If these names don't ring a bell, I encourage you to explore their work. These visionaries, consultants, and some of the most innovative thinkers in the realm of magic will captivate and enlighten you, offering a glimpse into the mechanics of illusions. Their presentations are as compelling as a TED talk, sure to spark inspiration.Is this a Secret Society?
No! But we do keep secrets! We take an oath to not reveal secrets needlessly.What Is A Typical Meeting Like?
- Meetings begin at 7:30 PM and generally end by 10:00 PM.
- Attendance typically ranges from 20 to 65 individuals, with an open invitation to all age groups. However, most participants are between 12 and up, encompassing a wide spectrum from youth to seniors.
- Part of a meeting may be dedicated to a teaching session on some aspect of magic (e.g., a card trick, technique, or tip on creating a show).
- Part of the meeting is used to conduct business—that is, to inform people about club status and upcoming events and allow the members to share information about resources and events of general interest to the club.
- On certain nights, we offer attendees the opportunity to volunteer to perform through a sign-up sheet. Guests are always welcome to watch, except on lecture evenings, as lectures are ticketed events.
- Generally, the meeting has a theme, but it is NOT necessary to perform an effect that is in keeping with the theme. On some nights, we feature competitions for which an award is given.
- After the performances, we sometimes have a formal teaching session. The topic is usually related to the theme of the meeting.
- Next, we have an informal sharing time until 10:00 PM. You can learn how to do a fancy card flourish, teach others a new effect, solicit feedback on the routine you have performed or are working on, or catch up with the friendly folks there.
- Following the official gathering, numerous members often proceed to a nearby eatery to engage in a more relaxed "jam" session, while also savoring dinner or dessert, continuing the exchange of ideas and camaraderie.
