Coming in August: Ring 216 Virtual Magic Competition

In normal times, we would be planning the annual Walk-Around Magic Competition in August. But these are not normal times. So come join us for something brand new: the first ever Ring 216 Virtual Magic Competition. And if you would like to perform, we're taking signups now!   DATE: Wednesday, August 12, 2020 TIME: 7:30 p.m. PDT HOW: Live online via Zoom Invite your friends and family so the show can be more fun!

Competition rules Perform an act up to 6 minutes long broadcast from your location on Zoom The act must be live, not pre-recorded You may call on audience helpers over Zoom to help, but no stooges allowed You can also use an assistant at your location Voting will be done online and will encompass the same categories as the regular competitions Make sure your lighting, camera, and sound are acceptable so that people can enjoy the show No adult-oriented material or danger acts Only paid-up members of Ring 216 for 2020 are eligible to perform, but you can pay for your membership now We'll invite non-magicians to enjoy the show and possibly vote for a people's choice

Meeting Report: July 8, 2020 - Naathan Phan Zoom Lecture

    Ring 216 hosted a live on-line lecture by Naathan Phan on July 8, 2020. Energetic, cheerful and humorous, Naathan entertained with both his innovative magic and his acting skills in his lecture “It’s the Little Things.” 

    Nathaan began with his “Three-Phase Opener,” his go-to impromptu trick, which culminates in the transposition of selected cards between the table and his pocket. Then he demonstrated his “every day carry trick,” a selected card appearing folded in a wallet (a variation of the effect that wowed the panel on America’s Got Talent), explaining the unusual touches he added to sharpen the handling. His enhancement to the “Pen Through Bill” greatly improved the illusion of the penetration and restoration. 

    Naathan then shifted to parlor magic. He demonstrated his clever innovations for the Torn and Restored Newspaper that allows him to tear today’s paper, restore it, and hand it out as a souvenir. In the funny routine “Shake and Splash” using four cans of soda, Naathan is required to avoid the soda can that has been shaken up by the audience as he holds cans with their openings to his face and pops the tops. He succeeds in avoiding drenching himself, and the last can remaining is popped to spray harmlessly. It is a totally impromptu routine that Naathan will do at a moment’s notice on cruise ships. He rounded out the set with one of his favorite routines, the triple-prediction “Not Another Mental Epic.”

    Throughout the lecture, and for over a half an hour at the end, he answered many questions asked by the Ring members. He talked about how he applied his background in acting and stand-up comedy to his magic. He emphasized the importance of showing yourself in your magic: “It’s the YOU show, not the floating lady show.” A particular delight was when he demonstrated how he could speak in a wide range of accents, a skill he had developed as a Vietnamese-American youth growing up in Scotland. Ring 216 thanks Naathan for the wonderful time!

Coming July 8th: Naathan Phan Lecture and more

We're excited to announce another in our series of free lectures, this time with the wonderful Naathan Phan! Naathan Phan is a multi-talented, award-winning entertainer who has headlined stages across the globe, appeared in films such as Superbad, has been regularly featured on national television networks including NBC, Syfy, the CW, and Comedy Central since the age of 23, and is a regular performer at the exclusive, world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. For Ring 216, Naathan will deliver an evening of instruction and discussion on his unique approach to creating and presenting magic which emphasizes character and theatricality. Naathan will dive into his approach to comedy, some of psychology behind character building and will teach some easy effects that every magician can add to their toolbox, some of which have been featured on TV shows like Masters of Illusion. This lecture will be aired live via the Zoom platform on the date and time listed below.

LECTURE DETAILS DATE: Wednesday, July 8, 2020 TIME: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. PDT PRICE: Free for all Ring 216 members, guests, and friends HOW TO WATCH We're using the Zoom platform to run this online meeting. You can participate using the Zoom app (for iOS, Android, Mac, or Windows) or any web browser. Check your email for the link to view the lecture.

BEFORE THE LECTURE: Discussion of Zoom magic The Ring meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a pre-lecture discussion of performing magic on Zoom. David Martinez and John Mosch will lead this discussion by sharing what they've learned from performing live shows for hundreds of audience members on Zoom and Facebook Live. David and John will discuss the technology they use and how they've marketed their show. And as a group, we can all share ideas about the best kinds of magic that work on Zoom. DATE: Wednesday, July 8, 2020 TIME: 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. PDT PRICE: Free for all Ring 216 members, guests, and friends

COMING IN AUGUST: Zoom Magic Competition In normal times, we would be planning the Walk-Around Magic Competition in August. But these are not normal times. So the Ring officers have decided to experiment with a Zoom Magic Competition, and we're taking signups now! DATE: Wednesday, August 12, 2020 TIME: 7:30 p.m. PDT Here are the basic rules: Perform an act up to 6 minutes long broadcast from your location on Zoom The act must be live, not pre-recorded You may call on audience helpers over Zoom to help, but no stooges allowed You can also use an assistant at your location Voting will be done online... details TBD No adult-oriented material or danger acts Only paid up members of Ring 216 are eligible to perform, but you can pay for your membership now We'll invite non-magicians to enjoy the show and possibly vote for a people's choice... details TBD Interested? Sign up now by sending email to president@ring216.org.

Meeting Report: June 2020 - Jan Sankey On-line Lecture

Ring 216 held a live on-line lecture with Jay Sankey on June 10, 2020. The Zoom Room was packed for what can only be called a brilliant and fast-paced presentation (to use Jay’s words). With one eye to the demand for socially distant effects, Jay set off with a selection of three cards and a swift three-coins across routine, followed by linking zip ties and predicting an item chosen randomly from a list—with a surprise handling of the reveal. His presentation was peppered with advice and Sankeyisms: “Give the magic its due. Slow down.” “Be self-effacing, not challenging.” He demonstrated one of his favorite openers: four cards named from a face-up deck turn into four queens—a good example of a card trick suitable for remote work. (Jay: “I am a bit wacky. I do go on and on about details.”) Tips on vanishing a coin were followed by an impromptu spoon bending and forcing the bowl of the spoon through a borrowed finger ring. Tricks with soda straws followed, including what was perhaps the biggest magician-fooler of the night: a borrowed finger ring placed on a straw is visibly pulled through the straw's center. In the closer (updating the version done by David Blaine), mentally selected cards pass into a balloon. He rounded off the evening by answering questions and reminiscing. And giving more advice: “Most magicians are perfectionists. Perfection isn’t real. It is this shiny thing. It is an illusion. Relax. Seeing the imperfections around the edges is what is most interesting to people.”

Coming June 10th: Free Lecture by Jay Sankey

Dear Ring 216 members and friends,

Get ready to enjoy an epic lecture by one of the most prolific creators of magic in the world, Jay Sankey!

For more than 30 years, Jay has entertained audiences at private events, trade shows, hotels, banquets and corporate functions all over the world. As a creative consultant, Jay has worked with many of the world's most famous magicians including David Blaine, Criss Angel and David Copperfield. Jay also holds the world's record for creating more original illusions than another other living magician.

For Ring 216, Jay will present a 90-minute lecture, featuring a really FUN variety of 8-10 tricks for ALL skill levels, followed by a 30-minute Q&A. Any merchandise he mentions during the lecture will be available for a very good, attendee-only price.

This lecture will be aired live via the Zoom platform on the date and time listed below.

LECTURE DETAILS
DATE: Wednesday, June 10, 2020
TIME: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. PDT
PRICE: Free for all Ring 216 members, guests, and friends.

HOW TO WATCH
We're using the Zoom platform to run this online meeting. You can participate using the Zoom app (for iOS, Android, Mac, or Windows) or any web browser. There is a limit of 100 guests for the event, so arrive early.

If you're on the Ring 216 email list, your inbox for the link to join the meeting. Or request the link at president@ring216.org.