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On the Cover
By Karl Rabe |
Magic Messenger May 2022
At the May meeting, member Phil Mann was our featured performer.
In This Issue
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President's Corner
By Dan Jones |
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Spotlight
By Karl Rabe |
As a reoccurring feature of the Magic Messenger we will highlight a member and as them to answer a few questions about themselves. This month the "Spotlight" is on our featured performer for May, Phil Mann.
Where did you grow up / where have you lived?
I grew up in a very small town called Cedar Springs in Western Michigan. I have lived and traveled so far away, that I spent 1 year living in your tomorrow. But I'm back now.
How did you get started in magic?
The earliest magical influences on myself were on black and white TV. Mark Wilson and the magical land of Allakazam. Right between Captain Kangaroo and Mighty Mouse on Saturday mornings.
What type of magic do you perform?
I have a large collection of all styles of magical effects. When I'm in the mood I do close-up. When I get a chance it's parlor or stand-up. I can do and have done full scale stage productions. At the moment I am performing on tiktok, video at The.Magic.Mann, playing the part of a 1920-40 black and white stage magician.
What is your favorite magic book?
I have a large library of reference and magical history books. The most useful and the one I often give copies of to young magicians, as a gift, is Mark Wilson's Complete Course in Magic. Easy to read and understand plus packed with ideas for all. My prize book is a first edition of Suspensions and Levitations by Micky Hades.
Who is your favorite Magician of all time?
My favorite magician now that's a tough one. I would love to see some of the old masters in their prime. Adelaide Hermann or Howard Thurston. But then I am a big fan of the Blackstone's Sr and Jr, true masters of their art. Modern times Siegfried and Roy or pretty much any of the magicians in Las Vegas. As for the most talented and creative magician the one to watch is Stuart MacDonald, I feel he is going somewhere in the world of magic.
Do you have any words of wisdom for newer magicians?
Always look for a way to make your magic entertaining. Make it captivating, create your own style, it will evolve with time. Practice whenever and wherever you get the chance.
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Secretary's Report
By Karl Rabe |
We had a record turnout, fantastic giveaways and great magic at our April 2022 meeting. The theme was Egg Bag Magic.

Great Turnout
Phil Mann kicked us off in style as the featured performer with a whirlwind sequence of magic. Phil opened with the Bandana Banana routine, followed by a unique Multiplying Bottle routine using a beautiful set of wine bottles. Next was a presentation of Wonder Bubbles with a soap bubble turning into a solid glass ball. Phil followed that with an entertaining and unique torn newspaper to mouth coil routines. Next was a production of silks and a stuffed animal from a duck bucket, quickly followed by a card sword routine where Phil successfully skewered the chosen card out of the air with his trusty foil. Phil wrapped up his kickoff act with an 8 ring linking Ring routine with April Barett from the audience. I'm out of breath just writing this!
- Phil Mann
- Phil Mann
- Phil Mann
- April Barett & Phil Mann
Next up was a round of introductions, answering the question "What was the first magic trick you remember seeing performed?". Answers ranged from Rice Bowls on a TV commercial to the French Drop. We also learned a surprising number of wives did not learn that their husbands were magician's until it was too late, oops, I mean until after they were married :-). A number of new or not so often seen faces included Autumn Marshall, April Barett, John & Ronda Russell, Mary Oesterwind, Johnny New York, Dynamite and Debbie Mann.
President Dan Jones announced that Karl Rabe has agreed to assume Club Secretary duties.
A raffle was held for two framed Thurston prints Kevin Peshick framed and generously donated. Mike Bogdas and Barbara each won a print.

Mike Bogdas and Barb Louie
Next up was members performing. We may have set a new record for the amount of magic performed at this meeting.
- Mike Bogdas kicked us off with a beautiful vintage Square Circle passed down in his family. A rubber chicken was produced and then a full size bird cage, an egg bag and an egg.
- DynaMike performed a glass card frame routine where the audience matches a six card prediction of Mike's.
- Karl Rabe ordered a pizza on his iPhone and it was immediately delivered by Bill Rabe dressed as a pizza delivery man. The pizza kept disappearing from the Smokey Mountain Pizza Oven and finally appeared in an Egg Bag.
- Johnny New York presented an original routine on a classic multiple selection / multiple reveal card trick. A half dozen members of the audience received signs to hold designating them as members of Johnny's extended family (Uncle Joe, Aunt Sally, etc). As each card selection was made, we learned a bit about each relative's foibles and follies in a very funny bit of original comedy. Finally each relative's cards were revealed in unique ways.
- Ming & Barbara used some old business cards to collect random handwriting samples from the audience in a fish bowl. Ming was then able to correctly predict each author.
- Ken MaGee performed as Sandy Wedge golfer and successfully predicted a randomly selected golf score, revealed by the number of juggling bounces of the golf ball on Sandy's wedge.
- DynaMike was back up with a selected card reveal and as a climax the deck turned to a glass block in the spectator's hand.
- Finally, Phil Mann was back up. He led with a 20th century like sock trick where socks "washed" in paper bags magically changed places and one sock became knotted between two others. Then Phil performed a head sword box routine. After placing a spectator's head in a box, the box was penetrated with a half dozen illuminated swords. The box was opened to reveal that spectator's head had disappeared with the lit swords filling the box. Reversing the procedure the spectator was restored to normal health with possibly just a slight headache.
- DynaMike
- Ming Louie
- Ken Magee as Sandy Wedge
- Mike Bogdas
- Johnny New York
- Ken Magee as Sandy Wedge
- Johnny’s Relatives
- Johnny’s Relatives
- Karl & Bill Rabe
- Phil Mann
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Our Rich Magical History
By Kevin Peshik |
Secretary's Note: Beginning with the next issue of the Messenger, Kevin Peshik will introduce a reoccurring feature called Our Rich Magical History. This month we share the framed art Kevin has donated to be raffled off at our May meeting. Thank you Kevin!
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Around the Town
By Karl Rabe |
Club Events
Other Upcoming Events
Check out John Luka's Magic page and his well maintained list of Michigan Events.
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Funny Business
By Karl Rabe |
Little Johnny, the magician's son
I saw a magician who could make anything weigh exactly 28.3 grams.
Swag is now in stock and for sale. Contact Treasurer Rob Krozal to get your's today!
- Hat
- Tee
- Polo
- Hoodie
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The 2025 Ann Arbor Magic Club Board
- President – Sean Howell
- VP – Mike Bogdas
- Treasurer – Rob Krozal
- Secretary – Karl Rabe
- Sgt at Arms – Tara McAllister
Contact the board using these email addresses
- sean@howell.cc
- bogd19@me.com
- rkrozal@yahoo.com
- krabe@comcast.net
- mcallistermagic1@gmail.com