9/05 Meeting minutes:
The September 12th Mystics’ meeting kicked off the new year
with a nod to the (long) past and a look to the future. Newly installed
President John Lepre opened the business meeting with news about next
month’s lecture by the Dean of the SAM, George Schindler, and encouraged members
to pay their dues before then. Treasurer Jeff Miller read the financial
report, and announced that as a courtesy, the club had decided to pay the
membership dues of one of the original founding members of the club who has been
suffering from health-related problems. Secretary Pat Darienzo announced
the revival of the club’s website www.limystics.org, and requested any ideas and
contributions for the site. Outgoing President Steve Rodman thanked
everyone for their support of a recent benefit show for the victim of a violent
crime, and John Lepre proposed the club perform a kids’ show benefit for
New Orleans Hurricane Relief. The business meeting concluded with an agreement
that John would investigate a suitable venue and/or sponsor for the benefit,
tentatively scheduled for mid-November.
The theme for the evening was "Old Book Night". Members were
encouraged to find an effect in a pre-1960 book and present it with their own
modern flair.
First up was John Lepre. Basing his effect on a 1932
Harry Blackstone trick, John had his volunteer wear a pair of paper "Harry
Potter" glasses and correctly divine the names of three cards chosen by audience
members. Auditioning member and long time Mystics supporter Lou Johnson,
performed a terrific Four Ace Assembly effect he found in a 1958 Bruce Elliott
book. What made the presentation unique was that Lou utilized clothespins to
hold the cards high up on the stage curtains, effectively turning a close-up
card trick into a highly-visible stage effect.
In a more conservative appearance than usual, Gary Dudash presented five members of the audience with a chance to win $100 by choosing the correct rolled-up sponge. Using a technique from a.1943 book on Thumb Tip magic, Gary managed to hang on to his money and the spectators went home empty-handed.
Mike Maione pulled a routine out of Bobo’s Coin Magic
(1952), and performed a very powerful and entertaining Coins Across using half
dollars with a surprise vanish ending..
Prospective member Ed Tinnally demonstrated a version
of "The Name of the Card is…" from Anneman (1944). Even more amazing was that,
according to Ed, he obtained all three props needed for the very professional
stage effect in the "Under $1" store!
"Magic Al" Garber, better known for his humor than his
sleight of hand, amazed even the card workers in the room with an elegant
presentation of Bert Allerton’s "Pump Room Fantasy" from Stars of Magic (1947).
At the conclusion, Al took time to explain how it worked, and offered to teach
it to anyone interested.
David Rosenberg pushed the age envelope a bit by
selecting a mystifying 1962 Harry Lorayne card prediction. (An allowance was
made on the grounds that if Harry printed it in ’62, he was probably performing
it before 1960.)
Pat Darienzo performed an updated "Hindu Turban
Mystery" from Tarbell #6 (1954). Essentially a cut and restored rope routine
with a 15 ft piece of cloth, it was a very visual effect that seems destined to
end up in a number of performers’ regular shows.
Bill Gleason wrapped up the formal show with a Chinese
coin shell routine he claimed to have found in the British Naval Admiralty Laws (1688). While not a standard
source of magic tricks, it provided an interesting historical ending to the
evening’s performance.
After the formal show ended, the magic continued with
additional demonstrations by John Lepre, Lou Johnson, and others both at
the meeting, and late into the night at the local diner.
Next month: A lecture by the Dean of the SAM, George Schindler.
-Pat Darienzo