Ring 216 held its first in-person
meeting in two years, on April 13, 2022. The group had been only online since Covid
started. Tonight was the first experiment with a hybrid meeting combining in-person
attendance at the Yu-Ai Kai Center with people on Zoom; there were about twice
as many people attending live as on line.
The evening began with people
re-introducing themselves. The in person group included Ring president Dave
Martinez, vice-president John Morgan, treasurer Tom Collett, and web master Dan
Chan, long time members Fred Rassmussen, Jim
Blashek, Cary Klenetsky, Joe Oliverio, and several new or recent members, among
them Magic Jeanie of the San Jose Magic shop, Jeff Frend, Codie Nichols and
Destiny of Dragon Theater (as well as people whose names escaped the Ring
secretary).
President
David Martinez commented on how well the Ring has done with Zoom lectures,
hearing lecturers from distant places whom we could not have gotten live. So we
may keep doing Zoom lectures a few times a year. Jim Blashek noted that, at the passing of Ken Gielow, Ken’s family had
donated all his magic to Jim, who invited people to come and buy with all money
going to magic groups. Tom Collett reminded us the Sunnyvale Wine Stroll, where
many magicians were performing, was coming May 7. Tom and Jeanie shared stories
of what they were doing in magic and what books they were reading: Jim recommended
Steve Cohen’s Malini book, Codie “Journeys into Black” by Eugene Poinc for
storytelling magic.
Then
gave the open performance section of the evening. John did an effect with five
red cards that turned into black cards; Jeff divined a spectator’s Zodiac sign;
Carey gave a card cheating demonstration in which the spectator dealt
themselves a royal flush; David tried out a guilt-driven presentation about
cheating spectators who selected cards from two decks; a new participant gave a
creative presentation with a signed sticker marking a card. Dan pulled a
selected card out of Instagram, Tom changed the color of handkerchiefs to match
his suit, and Codie divined a spectator’s hidden drawing. Feedback was given by
the audience and was much appreciated by the performers.
The
people on Zoom were able to see and hear everything that proceeded, thanks to
the concern shown by the people on site to address the camera - two years of
being on Zoom until tonight had left its imprint. The hybrid meeting seemed a
success and another was planned for the following month.
