Magic Competitions - Ring 216 Close-Up Magic Competition

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!

Ring 216 Flea Market and Auction

 

Bring your magical friends and join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, June 13, 2024 beginning at 7:00 PM to shop the collections of your fellow magicians — and/or sell the stuff you don't use anymore. Flea Market A few tables are still available to reserve, so don't miss out! Reserve your table today using our easy online form. Full table: $10 for members, $20 for non-members Half table: $5 for members, $10 for non-members When you reserve, you can view the table layout and request a particular table (although requests are not guaranteed). The earlier you reserve, the more likely you will get your preferred location.

Reserve a table

Invite your friends We want this event to be well attended, so please invite your friends in magic. Auction 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. Make a Donation If you have some unwanted stuff, consider donating it to the club. We'll auction it off that night, and the proceeds will go to Ring 216. Evening Agenda 6:30 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. Want more details about the auction? Read our FAQ. So bring your friends and your stuff — and your cash.

RESCHEDULED for May 17: Zoom lecture by Joe Rindfleisch

ABOUT THE LECTURE

This lecture is more like a workshop where Joe will teach several rubber band effects. This will be a hands-on event where people will leave knowing how to do several rubber band effects. The only thing that will be needed is a few rubber bands.

ABOUT JOE 

Joe is known as a pioneer in the field of rubber band magic. His new rubber band effects are visual foolers and have helped to revitalize the interest in rubber band magic. In addition, Joe has traveled the world teaching not only his incredible rubber band effects but also hundreds of published close-up effects using cards and coins. Joe received a standing ovation at the 2016 invitation only Fechters convention and after you see his performance and lecture, you will understand why. 

LECTURE DETAILS 

DATE: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 

TIME: 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. PDT 

PRICE: Free for paid members, $15 for non-members (see below) 

HOW TO WATCH THE LECTURE

This is a Zoom-only lecture, so join us on the day/time from your own device. Paid members will receive a Zoom link on the day of the lecture.