Michael Ammar

January 2016 Vol. 13 Issue 1 January 2016 We meet the first Thursday of the month at Beth Sholom, 1050 S. Tuttle Ave. Sarasota FL. 34237 Workshop at 6:00 pm. Officers meeting 6:30 pm. General meeting and presentation 7:00 pm. Visit our Web Site at HTTP://www.ibmring81.com Next Meeting on Tuesday January 19th Michael Ammar Ammar was born in Logan, West Virginia. He is of Lebanese Christian heritage Ammar earned a degree from West Virginia University in business administration in 1978. In 1982 Ammar competed with magicians from 30 countries to win the "Gold Medal in Close-up Magic" at Lausanne, Switzerland. It was during the 80's that he developed a close friend- ship with his mentor, Dai Vernon ("The Professor") – whose influence can be seen in every show Ammar performs. Ammar was invited to perform on Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show" – where he was a repeat guest. He moved to Los Angeles - where he became a regular performer at the Playboy Mansion, and made appearances on the Merv Griffin Show, The Tonight Show, CNN, and Travel Channel. Ammar appeared at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. By 1990 the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood had awarded him its "Oscar" in six separate categories (the maxi- mum number of awards for which he is eligible). He appeared on NBC's 1998 "Worlds Greatest Magic special, and has been a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman. Ammar has made private performances at Universal Studios and the Vatican. He performed and coordinated the magic talent at George W. Bush's Presidential inaugural banquet. He was the first featured performer at the "Caesars Magical Empire" at Caesars Palace. Ammar has performed on television in many countries, including: England, France, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Australia and Russia. Ammar helped pioneer the magic lecture tour industry, and has been lecturing to other magicians since about 1982. In 1999 Magic Magazine named Ammar as "One of the Most Influential Magicians in the Twentieth Century" On August 26, 2010, Outside Magazine cited Ammar as the "go-to source" for magic instruction. The magazine published a list of "100 Things to Do Before You Die", and num- bered 45 as "Learn a magic trick"—suggesting studying with the master, Michael Ammar. Vol. 13 Issue 1 Page 1 January 2016 From the President Hope to see you at the meeting. Dues are to paid prior to the Ammar lecture on Jan. 19th. Please have your IBM card with you to show that your dues are current. If dues have not been paid the lecture is $20 per person. EXTRA February lecture—Saturday Feb. 13th Pop Hayden at Cigma House of Magic. Limited seating, Sign up early. $20 per person. See below for address Jan. 19th Michael Ammar Feb. 4th Geoff Williams March 3rd Flea Market April 7th Magic Show CIGAM “Stevie “Dee” HOUSE OF MAGIC Parties, Conventions, Support 1834 Tamiami Tr. 14 St W Graduations. Bradenton FL 34205 You name it, JONTI Head Magician He does it. Our Slight of hand, DVDs, Steve can be reached at: Lessons 941-752-9123 or Phone: 941-746-3200 FAX 941-727-7410 Members Email: [email protected] Vol. 13 Issue 1 Page 2 January 2016 HARDEEN The man who would become known as Theodore, “Hardeen” was born February 29, 1876 in Budapest, Hungary. His real name was Ferencz Dezso Weisz. He had a famous brother whose name would eventually become one of the most celebrated names in magic history, but “Hardeen” would outlive him by many years. His brother was, of course, Ehrich Weiss — soon to be known to the entire world as Harry Houdini. When both brothers were in their teens, Theo was added to Harry’s act and became his partner. They billed themselves as the “Houdini Brothers.” Interestingly, Theo became a part of the act when the original partners (who were not related to Harry) dropped out. Harry generally called his brother “Dash” which was probably because of his original Hungarian middle name. Though Dash was taller than Harry, he usu- ally stayed in the background, more as assistant than partner. They would almost always finish the act of fairly standard magic effects with an illusion they called “The Metamorphosis.” it was the substitution trunk illusion with the two brothers making a rapid change. Even though the Houdini Brothers were being kept fairly busy, when Harry met Beatrice “Bess” Rahner, love bloomed and brother Theo was soon replaced by the more attractive Bess. A short time later, Harry and Bess married and Theo was forced to go off on his own. He continued to perform using the name Theodore Houdini. In the years that followed, Harry Houdini would develop his escape act and became known as the “Handcuff King.” But when Bess and Harry went off to Europe, their reputation suddenly exploded. They got so many bookings and were often held over for many weeks so they could not fulfill all the engagements. Harry quickly realized he needed an “alter ego.” He cabled his brother Dash: “Come over. The apples are ripe.” Vol. 13 Issue 1 Page 3 January 2016 Continued from page 3 Dash took the next boat. When he arrived in Germany he was presented with a new name: Theodore Hardeen. Hardeen was billed as an English escape artist, supposedly having no relationship to Houdini. As a matter of fact, they de- cided there would be a theatrical rivalry between the two escape artists — each trying to outdo the other. It was all being done for the publicity, but it worked. Over the next five years Houdini and Hardeen were kept very busy fulfilling bookings all over Europe and in England. In 1907 Houdini sailed back to the U.S. and began working the Keith Circuit. Again he cabled Dash to come back, and his brother was quickly signed by the rival booking circuit Klaw and Erlanger. The friendly rivalry between Houdini and Hardeen continued for quite a few years, though it was Houdini who generally got most of the head- lines. Tragically on that ill-fated Halloween in 1926, after being punched in the abdomen, Harry Houdini would die. All Houdini’s equipment had been willed to his brother, and Hardeen would continue to perform many of the escapes for almost the next twenty years. He became more famous after a spot in the long running "Hell's A Popping" Broadway review. An amazing incident once occurred when Hardeen was performing Houdini’s famous Milk Can escape. It was a wholesale liquor dealer’s convention. Some- one got the idea to fill the can with whiskey instead of the normal water. The fumes from the alcohol were so overwhelming that Hardeen was overcome, and Houdini's ever-ready assistant, Collins, who went with Harddeen after Harry's death, had to break the locks with an ax to get the unconscious performer out! Hardeen would perform for the last time in 1945 when he was 69 years old. He did the Milk Can one final time (fortunately, with water.) In June of that year he entered Doctor’s Hospital in New York for a minor operation. But complications ensued and he died on June 12. Theodore Hardeen in his time was a highly respected magician and escape artist. Unfortunately, his career was eclipsed by his brother’s vast personality. It is truly sad that he never became the kind of world-famous personality that Harry became. With virtu- ally an entire library of books available on Harry and his career, little has been written about the equally impressive life of the man called Theodore Vol. 13 Issue 1 Page 4 January 2016 Trick of the Month. Blackstone’s Locator Card L.C. Collier in TLR May 2006 Effect: A deck of cards, the magicians or one from a spectator is briefly shuffled. A card is selected and replaced in the deck. The deck is spread face down. One card is found to be reversed. This is not the selection but the magician states that this is a locator card. The spectator removes the locator card and counts that number of cards to reveal the selection. Setup: The bottom card must be reversed (uyfm) and sighted. Performance: For explanation purposes assume the reversed card on the bottom of the deck is a seven. While talking to the spectator shuffle six cards to the bottom of the deck. (This is always one number less than the reversed card). Spread the cards, being careful not to expose the bottom few cards, and have the spectator select a card. Have him look at the card and if possible show it to others. Set the deck down on the table asking the spectator to cut the deck as you motion with your hands showing an ordinary cut. Have him replace his selection on the top portion that was cut. Have the spectator pick up the bottom portion and place it on top of his selection. You state, “Wouldn’t it be amazing if one card in the deck was reversed?” They will assume it is going to be their selection. Fan the cards revealing the reversed card and act as if you’ve accom- plished a great feat. Spectator will tell you that this is not their card. You state, “I did not say that the reversed card would be your selection. I only asked if a reversed card would be amazing”. Remove the cards above the reversed card. In our case it would be a seven and move them aside or place them on the bottom of the deck.

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