Meeting Report: December 12, 2018 - Stage and Parlor Competition

December was Stage and Parlor Competition time at Ring 216! In the Standard Division: Alexander Thorn caused a blindfolded spectator to divine a chosen drawing. Suyash Joshi combined technology and magic in several effects. Susan Zeller performed her musical cups and balls. Mitch Kothe showed his ability to balance. And Miriam Al-Sultan found half of a spectator’s bill in a candy bar.

In the Masters Division: John Jones caused a spectator’s chosen king to lose his head. Fred Lee excited with billiard ball manipulation and card productions. Tom Collett explained the difference between science and magic as he made red and white knots change places. David Martinez showed that a set of free mental choices by spectators had been predicted before the show.


The voting was close, as always. The winners were:

Standard Division
First – Susan Zeller
Second and People’s Choice – Mitch Kothe

Master’s Division:
First and People’s Choice – Tom Collett
Second Place – Fred Lee

Congratulations to all contestants for a good show!

Coming Dec. 12: Stage & Parlor Magic Competition

The 2018 Stage & Parlor Magic Competition is just around the corner — Wednesday, Dec. 12. 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.

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.

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!

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're new to the club, you have to attend at least three meetings this year to become a member and compete.
• 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 or smaller.)
• Check out all the competition rules.

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

Meeting Report: November 14, 2018 - Jon Armstrong Lecture

“Card tricks aren’t boring. Card trick presentations can be boring.” Jon Armstrong’s lecture on bringing your personality to card magic was the treat for Ring 216’s November meeting. In this well-attended and highly anticipated presentation, Jon displayed the professionalism and concern for the audience for which he is famous. Don’t have a predictable presentation, was his first piece of advice: go for originality in leading into an effect and “Get rid of the lack of surprise!”

His opening, a “lucky chip” handling, demonstrated how to stun by managing audience memory before it is formed. The spectators will recall one of them looking through the deck and selecting any card, and then another spectator dropping a chip on a face down spread deck and turning over the card it landed on – without the performer touching it. Jon similarly provided tips on the classic force, sandwich card effect, collectors, and the deck-to-block surprise. He ended with an in-depth study of his famous “Tiny Plunger,” including many detailed tips and hints for maximum performance.

Before the lecture, the annual elections were briskly held. The officers will be instated in January.

Coming November 14: Workshop and Lecture by Jon Armstrong

Join us on Wednesday, November 14th, for a magic workshop and lecture by Magic Castle Close-Up Magician of the Year Jon Armstrong.

About the Lecture
At the lecture, Jon will show you a mix of both close-up and stand-up, some with cards others with things like neckties and novelty rings, that are fun to learn and even more fun to do.

We know you are going to love watching Jon perform, not only because he is funny, but the magic you will learn is incredible. And in this lecture Jon covers a huge variety of strong magic including: Bottle productions, his ring and tie routine, Tiny Plunger and  tons of killer card magic. Including his famous Card Under Watch routine.

Plus a few items never seen in a lecture before!

TIME: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m.
PRICE: $15 for members, $30 for non-members
No RSVP necessary... just show up!

About the Workshop
The workshop is called “The journey from Close up to Parlour” The two-hour workshop will be about taking close-up magic and making it play larger. It will cover card, coin, and rubber band magic and ways to make it play to groups of up to 100 people.

If you do great close-up but have wanted to do something that played for a larger group, at open mic night, a family gathering or show, this is the workshop for you.

TIME: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
PRICE: $30 for members, $45 for non-members
RSVP Required: Send email to president@ring216.org

About Jon Armstrong
Winner of numerous awards, including Close Up Magician of the Year, Jon Armstrong has brought his amazing skills and magical comedy to prestigious audiences in over 40 countries worldwide. 

Meeting Report: October 10, 2018 - Close-Up Magic Competition

The President of Ring 216 is happy to announce the winners from this year’s Close Up Magic competition:

Standard Division
First Place: Meriam Al-Sultan
Second Place: Mitch Kothe

People's Choice: Tetra Ken

Masters Division
First Place: Perry Yan
Second Place: Luke Adams
People's Choice: Luke Adams

We had a great turnout... close to 40 attendees, about half of whom were non-magicians.

Congratulations to the winners! And thank you to all the participants and guests!