The Salt City Club

December 2020

“Stay at home” advisories? I only leave my home one day a year! And when I DO go out, it’s “Social distancing” to the max! Check it out! By Bruce Purdy

One of the best shows on NPR radio - and also available as a podcast - is “This American Life.” Every week, host Ira Glass explores several stories that fit into a given theme. I recently listened to an episode that had originally aired in 2017, entitled “Magic Show.” At the outset, Ira and producer David Kestenbaum reminisce about their childhoods - each having been a kid Magician. Ira was performing for money at birthday parties at age twelve Harris Solomon - and now, looking back in embarrassment, he supposes that he wasn’t really good. Talking with a local mom that had hired him, she insisted A monthly newsletter of the how impressive he was! He tells a wonderful tale about how he got started, and eventu- Harris A. Solomon Ring #74 ally became involved in the Magic community. David started performing International Brotherhood of Magicians at parties in the fourth grade. (the Salt City Magic Club) The next story involves an interview with Teller (Yes, he does President: Ken Frehm talk!) and tells his story of the creation of his “Red Ball” routine. Start- Vice President: Theresa Barniak ing with David Abbott’s Foating Ball, Teller mastered the original then Secretary: Joey Hoffman ! modified it to make it what it is now. Teller details all of the steps he Treasurer: Bruce Purdy went through, along with input from Penn and Johnny Thompson. Sgt. At Arms: Dave Kilpatrick Although it is made clear that it is done with thread, the actual setup is not exposed. Actually, the fact that it is done with thread is told to the IBM Ring #74 meets at 7:30pm audience, it’s virtually impossible to see HOW it could be done. the Third Thursday of every month (Usually) To see Teller’s “Red Ball” routine, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2T-YUd_Om4 Please submit material for publication in the Wandogram to: [email protected] Finally, David Copperfield’s Vanish of the Statue of Liberty is ex- amined, and yes, the secret is revealed. Ira thought long and hard about or by Snail Mail: doing so, but in the end, realised that the same information is readily Bruce Purdy available on-line. Doing some detective work, a couple of people that P.O.Box 213 were involved were tracked down and interviewed. Cayuga NY 13034-0213 Although some “secrets” are revealed throughout the show, Questions? Call (315) 256-9095 many of them would really only be understood by someone with Magic Submission deadline: knowledge already, and not mean much to the average layman - but it 1st Thursday of the month does give a loving appreciation of what goes into our art. I highly recommend listening to this episode. You can down- www.saltcitymagicclub.com load the entire show, or listen on-line to each story individually all at: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/619/the-magic-show 3 He also showed us Piano Sans with a bunch of monsters written on Salt City Magic Club Keyboard. The spectator deals out cards as well as an envelope contain- two seemingly even piles of cards ing his prediction of which one we November 2020 Secretary Report and adds an extra card to one stack, would choose. After we eliminated by Joey Hoffman making an odd number of cards. all of them except for one, he sur- The spectator “magically” makes prised us, his prediction which was a card disappear and deals out the spot on! The patter was great and We had a great turnout for Mike Stanley showed us 6 little cards, and to their surprise, there’s I’m sure it would play very well at November’s meeting with 11 people cards of different colors. After they an even number of cards. any Halloween party. on zoom! It’s great to see our num- were turned over and mixed up and bers staying strong and we appreci- one was selected. He then pulled I performed a trick I saw Ken Frehm ended the night by ate each and every one of you who out a piece of paper with a bunch years ago called The Devil’s eleva- showing us a paddle chalkboard and join us every month. of different colored squares with tor. There’s 4 black cards and 4 red drew 3 X’s on them. He erased one numbers. Rem selected any number cards 2-5. The red cards are laid and brought it back with a magical We’d like to be able to give that was our color and after some face down one at a time. When the gesture, and since magician’s aren’t you all something to take away from adding and subtracting we came to 2 is put in the second position of the supposed to do the same trick twice, the meetings whether it’s notes or a a new number. And that number just black cards, it jumps to the top. The he naturally did it again but with 2 chance to win a prize. For those that so happened to be the same color as 3 is put in the third position and it X’s and then 3. At the end he flipped attend the meeting, we will email our prediction! also jumps to the top. The magician the paddle over and to our surprise, you all with notes or tricks that are turns the black cards over to show there was 1 large horizontal line shared. Ken gave us a riddle for ev- Mike also had his daughter that they are just regular cards and that Ken said, “Please applaud, this eryone to try and figure out. “What Michelle perform and they exhibited proceeds to do the same thing with mystery is over.” nine letter word in the English lan- to us a beautiful box with a wand the 4 and 5. guage is still a word when the eight inside of it. Sticking out of the box Next Month’s meeting will be letters are removed one by one in were 5 different color strings. We Christmas came early and December 17th at 7P.M. Thank you any order?” Email him the answer were asked to call out different colors Santa (Mike Ihrig) was on the call. to everyone who came out. Continue and first correct response will receive and each time the string was pulled He showed us these incredible hand- showing your support and come a prize. out. When there was just one string made sponges he had custom made hang out with us! left the box was open and the only that look like Santa, Mrs. Claus, and We had a lot of great effects this color not name was actually tied a reindeer. He also had a paddle that Joey Hoffman month. David Kilpatrick started us onto the wand! utilizes a strip of dry erase board to Secretary off by taking out his wallet and hav- erase colors which I thought was very ing Ken name any card he wished. Professor Rem had two great clever. We got to see a very clean The queen of hearts was chosen and effects for us. He demonstrated the tear and restore using Christmas Dave very cleanly pulls out one card. Seven Card Lie Speller, but with a cards. Then he showed us a “Hippity The queen of diamonds! We thought twist! After performing the trick, you Hop Santa” where there’s a picture it was impressive that he was that explain that you knew what card of Santa in a stocking, he turns it close but when he turned the card would be chosen, and then reveal all around and it’s Mrs. Claus. When around it said, “Sorry, I was off by the cards to show that they selected it’s turned back around it’s an elf! one”, we, or I at least, was stumped. the only red card out of the seven. “TJ” Yeldon performed a trick 4 5 physician a card effect. Health care negative news is welcome. Don’t you workers are really under a lot of agree? How exciting to have the skill, stress, continuing to face daily dan- and ability to bring a small amount gers. My thought was to brighten of joy and wonder into a needy his day in a very small way. He was person’s day! There is an old wise astounded at the effect and asked if saying, “This too shall pass”. – We I would teach him one. He’s always all want you to be around when we enjoyed magic and the thrill of sus- begin to meet and socialize together pending his reality for a short time. as masters of magic & mystery. After his taking the Magician’s Oath, I explained the way it was done. PLEASE. banded together and they are offer- Our November meeting Watched him perform it, made WEAR YOUR MASK IN- ing us many opportunities to see and was quite a successful one with elev- him do it a couple more times. He DOORS, KEEP SOCIAL DIS- learn great effects. Our Salt City en magicians participating. It was promised to “Practice and never tell TANCING, DON’T ENGAGE IN Ring, Rochester’s Ring, Twin Cities really great to see to TJ and Drew. the secret” and then he went home. GROUP ACTIVITIES, WASH Ring, Boca Raton’s SAM Assembly Thanks also go out to our compa- Yesterday, he called me to tell me just YOUR HANDS ! as well as the I.B.M. International triots from our sister cities who at- how astounded his wife was and the and S.A.M National are providing tended. Almost all members of the whole episode left him wanting to Your spouses, partners, sons, great programs throughout every group performed an effect and we learn more! Do you remember the daughters, family members, friends month. Most are free, some have had a “Show & Tell” session headed smiles and amazed faces experienced all need you! WE NEED YOU! fees to attend (minimal & realistic) up by Dr. David Kilpatrick. We saw when you do, “Real Magic”? How Hope to see you at our Zoom meet- and yes, some are “lecture dealer Dr. Dave Hanselman’s beautiful and much fun it is to be able to brighten ing December 17,2020. types” BUT, they all are open to you! amazing wooden magic box puzzle someone’s day? I have used my iPhone to record a demonstrated. Mike’s daughter, ABRACADABRA couple. This really helps me learn Michelle Stanley performed the ef- Anything to help us cope with Ken Frehm at home. There is a “Record” but- fect. We were happy to see our own all the depression, sadness and President Santa (Mike Ihrig) perform from his ton on the Zoom page that lets you studio at the north pole. Even Mike record whatever you want as well. had to change his modus operandi Please do not use the excuse of not and developed a way to do Virtual having the ability to see or do magic. Meet & Greets to his loyal fans in So much of it is out there for all of N.Y. and from far & wide. He’s us. You generally do not have to "The expert magician seeks to deceive the mind, rather going to be a very busy celebrity for perform if you don’t care to. You than the eye." Sol Stein the next month (and he’ll be able to don’t have to spend money to take earn some money as well:). Mike part. Just some of your time and met this challenge, became success- attention. See some old friends and "The real secret of magic lies in the performance" ful when he put on his sleigh bell have the opportunity to meet and David Copperfield hat and improvised, innovated and make some new ones. overcame!… Good Job! Mike…! During a recent Doctor’s visit, “It’s better to fail in originality than succeed in imitation” Hundreds of magicians have I had the opportunity to show my Herman Melville 6 7 palming and sleight-of-hand, to fool (1978); Flim-Flam! (1980); James their testers. He followed up with Randi: Investigator (1991), a long magazine article detailing which coincided with a Granada everything that had happened. The television series; and An Encyclope- university lab closed; and other dia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes inquiries into the in of the Occult and Supernatural academia were abandoned. (1995).

The musician In 1996 he founded the James hired him to devise effects for his Randi Educational Foundation. Billion Dollar Babies tour (1973-74), Through this, he offered a prize of and he appeared on stage each night $1m to anyone who could demon- as “the executioner”, decapitating strate evidence of any paranormal, ( Excerpted from The Guardian ) Cooper with a trick guillotine.After supernatural, or occult power. The gaining more fame over his attacks money was never claimed and the , who has died has never worked or that it doesn’t on Geller, Randi started travelling challenge was officially closed in aged 92, was a magician and escap- ever work. All I can say is my experi- and lecturing, completing three 2015. A documentary film about ologist who performed under the ence is 100% failure.” name “The Amazing Randi”, but world tours and writing books. These Randi, An Honest Liar, was released included Houdini: His Life and Art that year. was perhaps even better known for Randi’s detective work also campaigning against extinguished academic studies of the and debunking claims about the paranormal after an embarrassing paranormal. Among his targets were episode for Washington University faith healers, evangelists claiming in St Louis in the early 80s. The spiritual powers, and homeopathic aviation tycoon James McDonnell Along with James Randi, 2020 has also seen the passing of a number of other medicine. What brought Randi to had donated $500,000 to research Magicians. world attention, though, was his psychic phenomena in a study called Roy Horn - of the famous duo Siegfried & Roy - barely survived pursuit of , the self-styled . Randi had warned an attack onstage by one of their white tigers, but it was complications of practitioner of psychokinetic metal the researchers of various ways in COVID that finally did him in. bending, or twisting spoons and which they might be duped, but he COVID also took away David Haas who had a quick-change act forks. was ignored. The laboratory team with his wife, known as “David and Dania”. focused on two men, Michael Ed- Norm Nielsen - beast known for his act that centred around Among the 11 books Randi wards and Steve Shaw, who claimed music and musical instruments - and for his generous help of upcoming wrote was Faith Healers (1987) in – and seemed to display – remark- Magicians - died at 86 in April. which he studied 104 cases. He able powers of . Marvyn Roy was best known as “Mr. Electric” with his act in- divided believers into three kinds: As the university prepared to volving light bulbs, which he and his wife Carol toured with for fifty years. those who were not really ill; those announce the positive results of their Marvyn passed away in July. who remained ill after claiming a study, in 1981, Randi leaked to the Bev Bergeron ( Rebo the Clown in the CBS/ABC-TV 1960-64 TV cure; and those who died before he press that Shaw and Edwards were series Mark Wilson’s The Magic of Alakazam ) just passed away recently. could interview them (one only hours in fact conjurors planted by him, and Of course, our own Ray Cerio - the last of the charter members before he arrived at the house). He that they had used tricks, including of our Ring 74 - also passed away this year, and so did Scotty Matthews. wrote: “I can’t say that 8 9 Cultural Appropriation Next meeting: By Bruce Purdy th A hot topic in the news (be- characters printed on it? With some Thursday, 17 December, 2020 fore COVID pushed it to the back) thought and bit of artwork many ON LINE Virtual meeting. has been “Cultural Appropriation.” of these can be updated to not only One need look no further that to be acceptable, but made to fit your see the many sports teams criticised own personal style. (Barry Mitchell https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7941606677 for using names or images of Native sells his “Super Screen” which allows Americans. you to insert a WIDE assortmant of (Please sign in at about 6:45pm) custom pictures.) Within our world of Magic, cultural appropriation has been a William Ellsworth Robinson long-standing and in-grained part of used to perform as “Chung Ling our culture, and the time has come Soo” around 1900 - An American of Suggested themes of the month: for it to stop. props like the “Indian Scottish descent, he dressed as - and Dove Chest” adorned with imaged performed as - a Chinese Magician. of feathered indians are not only Actually, he had copied the act of Christnas or Chanukah Magic, inappropriate, but utterly meaning- an actual Chinese Magician “Ching Winter or snow Magic, Ling Foo”. A hundred years later, our less - what do Native Americans have “Thank goodness 2020 is ending!” Magic to do with vanishing a dove? late friend Gene Doane performed as “Yang Chu.” With all due respect Before world travel became to Gene, the time has long gone so easy and the world became small- that such acts are acceptable. No er, there was much interest in “The one would argue that performing in mysterious Orient.” China is now a Black Face - a caucasian performing Save the Date! known part of our modern world, as a Black person - is acceptable. and yet Magic props are still made Performing as an Asian, Native th December and used with phoney “Chinese American or other person that you Thu.17 Monthly meeting writing” and imagery. Tricks such as are not is no less acceptable. Neither on ZOOM “Sands of India”, “Buddha Papers” are props that “Pretend” to be from Thu.21st January Monthly meeting some other culture. “Hindu Rope trick” or “Chinese on ZOOM Laundry Ticket” are all examples Thu.18th February Monthly meeting of cultural appropriation that can Even in close-up coin work, be insulting to many. Why does the why perform tricks with “Cinese on ZOOM “Temple Screen” have pictures of coins” that are nothing like actual Thu.18th March Monthly meeting Chinese coins? the Buddha and phony Chinese on ZOOM

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