The Secretary’s Report #2

We kicked off the meeting with magic from our featured performer Phil Mann the Magic Mann. Phil kicked us off with a little novelty paratrooper from magic wand. Then he displayed a bucket (duck) and proceeded to produce a variety of not-to-wild animals. First was a raccoon, which Phil (Mann, not to be confused with Punxsutawney Phil) has named Rocky. After producing an 8 foot pole, a variety of bunny rabbits were reproduced (sic). Then an unending fountain of silk flowed from the bucket. Phil showed the bucket completely empty and then wowed the audience by producing a four or five foot Teddy Bear from the seemingly empty bucket. Finally Phil did a bit of close up magic, a miniature version of Houdini's elephant disappearance with a few playing cards and a sponge bunny.

Then we attended to a few bits of business.

• A new prospective member Tom Johnson was introduced. Tom has returned to Michigan after living in Washington State. He now resides in Wixom.
• Several announcements of upcoming events: Our April Meeting will be our Close Up Showcase. Slots are filled but you can put your name on the waiting list. Remember to bring Friends and Family as we need audience members. Our May meeting will be a lecture by John Luka. You don't want to miss it. It is free to members. May 17 is Michigan Magic Day which is being put on by our friends Ring 22. If you haven't purchased tickets yet, get them now! If you have purchased tickets, let's help our fellow Ring by spreading the word any way we can. Remember the Evening Show is open to the general public with tickets only $20. A great opportunity to see some fantastic magic! Just one week after Michigan Magic Day will be our Parlor Show on May 24. Mark your calendars. Finally June 15 starts Magic Camp Week. We will be partnering with the Plymouth Community Arts Council for a Magic and Performing Arts Camp. Camp is Monday thru Friday from 9am to Noon. If you can teach at least one day, sign up now!
• Then it was time for a very special event. Member Ken Magee brought in a prize worth more than gold. One dozen farm fresh eggs. An impromptu $1 auction was held and Tom Johnson won the coveted prize. He kindly gave them to April Barrett having two dozen eggs in his fridge at home. Tom is indeed a wealthy man.

Then for our educational topic, we had an open discussion on Impromptu Magic and Every Day Carry (EDC).

• Mike Thornton shared that he no longer tends to carry magic in his pockets but always keeps a ten minute set of magic in a bag in his car "just incase". Mike also shared some impromptu coin moves including pretending to pick up a dropped coin but secretly sliding it under your shoe, performing a false transfer and depositing a coin on the back of your neck under the guise of rubbing it on your elbow, and a few others.
• April Barrett shared that having a similar kit of magic in her car has landed her a couple of great gigs.
• Phil Mann shared that he always carries a silver dollar. Phil recounted performing the French drop quite a few times for different kids in a serpentine ride line at Disney.
• Ken Magee recounted carrying duplicate coins and surreptitiously depositing one in the back of a young person's hoodie before making the duplicate disappear and reappear in that unlikely place.
• Dan Jones shared several items he always carries, including a 3-1/2 of Clubs, Card Warp using a dollar bill and a couple others.
• Johnny New York showed his discrete leather card holster so he is never without a deck of cards be it for practice or performance.
• Rob Krozal shared some coin moves he uses impromptu.

Then it was on to member performances.

• Mike Thornton performed his Gypsy Thread routine which utilizes UV Lights that make the thread glow.
• Dan Jones performed his 3-1/2 of Clubs comedy card reveal with Ryan Hoffman.
• Mike Doyle performed a birthday prediction effect with April Hubbs.
• Mike Bogdas produced an endless silk streamer from an empty tube.
• Johnny New York did a baffling gambling demonstration with a deck that was thoroughly shuffled by several spectators.
• Mike Thornton returned and performed his Professor's Nightmare routine.