On the Cover By Karl Rabe

Magic Messenger March 2024

Balloon artists extraordinaire April Barrett, Brian Campbell and Kay Janiczek joined a few others in teaching the club all about balloons.

President's Corner By Dan Jones

Hello Fellow Magi of the Ann Arbor Magic Club and Friends,

What was that joke in the Magic Messenge newsletter?

Q: "What's the difference between a magician and a computer?

A: The computer has 32 gigs.

Well if you're looking for opportunities to perform magic we can help.

At our April AAMC meeting on the 10th we are hosting the 2nd Annual Close Up Showcase where 6 members will perform a 5 minute close up routine to be voted on by the remaining members. Who wants to sign up? It's fun. It's easy. It's great practice and it's a confidence builder. If interested please see Mike Bogdas at the meeting.

Another chance to perform and hone your skills will be at our Plymouth Library Open House before the May Parlor Show. We are looking at the date of Saturday, May 18th usually around mid-day. We reserve a room and advertise to promote our club and the parlor show by performing magic and balloon animals. We'll need as many members as we can get to commit to a hour or two. We have a great time and manage to eat lunch in Plymouth also.

We try to make time at every meeting for you to show us your latest effect, move or routine that you're working on. And we're seeing some really good stuff.

I'm looking forward to the Kranzo lecture coming up at our March meeting. You won't want to miss it!

The AAMC is a great place to learn, perform, share and teach magic. We'll see you at the next meeting.

Dan Jones, President
Ann Arbor Magic Club.

Secretary's Report By Karl Rabe

Our meeting was called to order by President Dan Jones. We Kicked off with a new feature - Rob's Corner. Our club Treasurer Rob Krozal will periodically share apparatus from his collection. This month Rob showed us his Sword Thru Dove (from Essel Magic) and an Oriental Production Box built in the Okito-Berg Style.

Then we covered some business.

• A reminder that annual dues are due.
• A quick review of our annual goals
• A discussion on achieving tax-exempt status (501.c.3)
• Treasurer Rob Krozal walked us through the proposed budget for 2024.
• During the business discussion questions were raised from members on a) club insurance for shows and b) hosting events at a time when "working performers" can participate.
• A reminder that we will be hosting a lecture by Nathan Kranzo at our March meeting. This will be free for members.
• Sergeant at Arms Mike Bogdas informed us that we will be holding the Second Annual Close-up Showcase at our April Meeting. Look for an email about this shortly.
• It was stressed that all members should make sure to read the February Newsletter for a recap of this important information.

Then it was on to our education session for the month - Balloon Artistry. Dan Jones, April Barrett, Kay Janiczek, Brian Campbell and Jim Molnar are all club members with expertise in balloons. First Dan kicked us off with some basic and how to make a dog. Then April shared a number of resources for balloons and lights and showed us how to take a simple dog and jazz it up with glitz and glamor. Kay shared some line work tips, walked us through a variety of pump styles then walked us through a tutorial on making an improved sword. Brian jumped in with advice throughout sharing tips and tricks from his experience.

Then there was just a bit of time for member performances.

• Bou-Yu Chen did an impromptu Deck of Cards in Balloon
• Michael Doyle did a mysterious Bosun Whistle (boatswain's call or pipe) story and then a Mental Die routine also using the Bosun Whistle.
• Tara McAllister performed a Charming Chinese Challenge ribbon and coin routine. The coins penetrated the ribbon multiple times, several times in the spectator's hands. She then did a comedy ribbon escape routine using Dan Jones and Kay Janiczek as assistants.
• Alex Heath. Did a four queen assembly, an impromptu ring on finger routine and finally a card discovery routine based on an ambitious card move.
• Charlie Palko then did a nice deck of cards / box penetration then a selected card was returned to the deck which then transformed into an envelop containing the selected card. Finally he wrapped up with a selected card turning out to be the only non-blank card in the deck.
• Phil Mann wrapped up the evening with an Abbott's effect with a martini glass being shattered by spirits while under a crystal cube.

Spotlight By Karl Rabe

As a reoccurring feature of the Magic Messenger we will highlight a member and ask them to answer a few questions about themselves. This month the "Spotlight" is on Tara McAllister. Tara is a newer member to the Ann Arbor club and is also a member of The Detroit Magic Club.

Where did you grow up / where have you lived? 

All over the place.

How did you get started in magic? 

I have always been interested in magic and read a lot about it. It was always around during childhood; Penn/Teller's shows/books. I saw Copperfield as a kid. Magic became an active hobby late in the pandemic because I could no longer pursue my current hobby as an aerialist; (Flying trapeze, silks, and hoop,) and needed a new way to be in the lime-light!

What type of magic do you perform? 

At the moment close up and parlor. Lots of mentalism/mental magic. I would like to eventually do stage illusions.

What is your favorite magic book? 

Strong Magic, by Darwin Ortiz

Who is your favorite Magician of all time? 

Depends on the day. Copperfield or McBride. And that could change.

Do you have any words of wisdom for newer magicians?

Get around people who are better than you. Join a Ring. Practice and perform for as many people as you can; whether it's your grandpa, or a sold out theater, as often as possible. Read books. If you fail, fail BIG. Learn from it.

Around the Town By Karl Rabe

NATHAN KRANZO IS BACK with an ALL NEW LECTURE

Don't miss him at the Ann Arbor Magic Club meeting on Wednesday  March 13 at 7:00 PM at the Plymouth Community Arts Council 774 Sheldon Rd, Plymouth, MI.

Nathan Kranzo has performed and lectured all over the United States, Europe and Asia for the last two decades.

Nathan has written SEVEN magic books and created hundreds of magic effects. His original creations have been published in MAGIC, GENII, MUM, The Linking Ring, PENUMBRA...and the list goes on. He was also a columnist for MUM magazine for multiple years.

Nathan has worked as a consultant for Penn and Teller, appeared on the SyFy show "Wizard Wars", as well as the FOX show "Houdini and Doyle". Most recently Nathan was featured on the Chinese hit television series "The Amazing Magicians" which was the #1 show for TEN weeks in China!!!

FOR THE CLOSE UP GUYS

• EZ OIL & Water
  This is an amazing self working "oil and water" routine that happens in the spectators hands.
• Dark Triumph
  Magic that happens in the spectator's own hands is a theme that you see a lot in Nathan's work. Why? Because it's hard to get anything stronger than that! Imagine, performing a version of Dai Vernon's TRIUMPH where the spectator gets to Shuffle. They immediately spread the cards and they are all facedown, except for their selection!!!!!!
• THE OPENER COIN ROUTINE
  This is a routine that Kranzo uses as an opener for small groups. It combines visual magic with comedy and Kranzo uses this routine to talk about the psychology of social dynamics.
• Moneyball
  This effect will astonish a four-year-old and a 94 year old. A quarter visually transforms into a rubber bouncy ball and can be immediately given away.
• Schrödinger's Card
  Don't worry we won't poison a cat. But this piece of card magic is guaranteed fool you. Quite possibly the cleanest card transposition effect you'll ever see.

FOR THE STAND UP/Parlor GUYS

• Repetition
  This was nominated for trick of the year in 2021!!! This is nathan's modern take on "six card, repeat". A stand-up card routine that can be done for a small or large audience, young or old, with built in comedy and a surprise ending. Oh and it's self working.
• GAGS GALORE
  Kranzo will teach several bits, gags and effects from his classic books Comedy For Magicians and Mentalists. http://kranzomagic.myshopify.com/products/comedy

FOR THE MENTALISTS

• THE TRU TEST/MAGAZINE TEST
  Take any modern magazine and perform a MIRACLE. Imagine if you could perform the Mother Of ALL Book Tests with a page from a MAGAZINE.

All this and much MORE!!!!!!!

“I love your stuff…..great work!”

-David Copperfield

 

“VERY good lecture!”

-Jay Marshall

 

“One of the best lectures I’ve ever seen!!”

-Jack Carpenter

 

"Nathan never fails to astonish me every time we meet, he fools me badly."

-Joshua Jay

 

“Nate is part of The Next Generation of Magic. He has amazing work with everything from cards and coins to breath mints and tan lines (really!).”

-Steve Mayhew

 

"I was fortunate enough to catch Nate's lecture recently and he did an excellent job. His magic is extremely visual and very well routined."

-Steve Bedwell

 

“Magicians often claim there are no new effects in magic. Nathan Kranzo proves that’s a lie.”

-Teller

 

“This lecture was one of the bes t I have attended i n a long time. If your group is looking for a GREAT night of entertainment with something for everybody I highly endorse booking Nate Kranzo.”

- Steve Zuehlke I.B.M. Ring 1 Presdent

All this is absolutely free to AAMC Members and Regional Club Members.

Other Calendars

• Check out John Luka's Magic page and his well maintained list of Michigan Events
• All AAMC Events and details can be viewed on the website calendar.

Funny Business By Karl Rabe

This month we have a Flashback Funny Business.

This cartoon was run in a prior Magic Messenger many moons ago. How many moons? That is your challenge. Get the answer right and win a prize. You must get both parts right to win. Other disclaimers below.

• What month and year of the messenger did this appear in?
• Who was the Club Secretary at the time this was run?

HINT: The answer is remarkable.

Email Karl Rabe with the correct answer before the April meeting to be eligible to win.

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