On the Cover By Karl Rabe

Magic Messenger November 2024

Bou-Yu Chen narrowly dodges a bullet as Karl Rabe performs Tom Stone's "Of Dice and Men", the well known Hug-Kill trick.

President's Corner By Dan Jones

Hello AAMC Members & Friends,

We live in an age where we have access to a myriad of information on any subject. Here we are talking mainly about the magical arts and associated performing arts. We can search the world wide web on our computers and phones from just about anywhere. From books to magazine and newspaper articles, instructions and instructional videos you can find most anything. And we here at the Ann Arbor Magic Club try to host at least a few lectures a year thanks to Mike Bogdas' wonderful efforts. The other clubs in Michigan & Ohio do the same and invite us there also.

We are hosting local magician Dreygon Hibbler at our November 13th meeting. You won't want to miss it.

But let me return to learning magic. Some will say there is nothing better than picking up and delving into a magic book. On the AAMC's recent TV appearance on FOX News Saturday Tara McAllister was asked by Charlie Langton how to get started in magic, and she immediately replied "books". I don't remember if her exact words were, " it's a bit old school but there are vast amounts of knowledge to be gained from books". And from visiting brick & mortar magic shops. Great advice Tara.

You don't have to recharge a book. As long as you have at least some candle light you can read it anywhere. It's less likely to be stolen or broken. Value your books. Revisit your books. Keep learning from your books.

Take a lesson from H.G. Wells and "The Time Machine" (1960 film adaptation) where the protagonist of the time machine (1960) takes three unnamed books with him back to the future to help restart civilization.

Which three (magic?) books would you have taken?

Dan Jones, President
Ann Arbor Magic Club

Secretary's Report By Karl Rabe

Our Monthly Meeting was led by Club VP Sean Howell as President Dan Jones was away on important business. First several guests were welcomed. Secretary Karl Rabe's brother John Rabe was in town for a visit from Los Angeles. Another Guest was Ryan Hoffman. Ryan's Father was a local performing clown. Ryan attended his first ever Abbott's Get Together this year and club President Dan Jones spotted him at a garage sale and invited him to our meeting. Finally a young man Lincoln Stone accompanied by Mom Wendy signed up to be a new member.

Then it was time for a few bits of business. Treasurer Rob Krozal gave us a rundown of the Pop-Up Magic Shop results. We sold-out 18 tables and had almost 40 walk-in buyers. The auction raised $168. Overall we netted about $325. Special thanks to all that made this a success including the donation of items for the auction, running the event, setup, teardown: Jackie Clark, Frank Machniak, Jim Molnar, Chuck Kimbrough, Bob Goodwin, Karl Rabe, Dan Jones, Rob Krozal, Ming Louie, and Barbara Louie, Phill Mann, Jim Folkl, Steve and Jeannette Schneider, and April Barrett.

Then Sean provided an update on the club's upcoming Fall Parlor Show on Saturday October 26 at 4pm and 7pm at the Plymouth Community Arts Council in Plymouth Michigan. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at aamagic.org or at the door. Those involved in setup should arrive by 1pm and performers should plan to arrive no later than 2pm.

We will be accepting nominations for board positions until October 25. Members should contact any board member if you are interested.

Then it was on to our educational session on Sponge Balls led by Don Oesterwind. Don recently ran into Bizarro so he had some tips to share straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak. Don walked us through  his standard routine, stage vs close-up, color options, shape options, how to rejuvenate your sponge balls, Goshman Super Soft vs others, several vanishes, bunnies and growing sponge balls. Mike Thornton then piggy backed with his routine and some simple vanishes. Mike recommended the Daryle DVD and Steve Dacri works as the best references around. Mike also shared a tip from Steve Dacri on managing pocket space by keeping your sponge balls in a separate cloth bag until you are ready for that part of your act.

Then it was on to performances. Phil Mann performed a number of routines included a haunted house routine with ghosts, a crystal cube used to appear a number of "sprites", a silk vanishing wand, and a pagota appearance. Phil finished with a nice silk to rose and a blooming bouquet of roses.

Next Karl Rabe performed Tom Stone's "Of Dice and Men" Hug/Kill routine which is published in the October 2009 issue of Genii. Bou-Yu Chen narrowly missed tragedy when he selected the "Hug" option.

Mike Bogdas used member Chuck Kimbrough as a spectator to perform John Bannon's Hawaiian Punch... a heads-tails coin routine where the final coin was predicted on a postcard from Hawaii held by member Mike Thornton.

After that we wrapped up and jammed and socialized for another half hour.

Around the Town By Karl Rabe

Join us for an unforgettable evening with Draygon!

At our November meeting you will be treated to a lecture by none other than Michigan's own Draygon.

Hailing from the vibrant magic scene of Detroit, Dreygon has been captivating audiences with his innovative performances since childhood. Now, at just 21, he’s graced the stages of prestigious venues like The Magic Soiree, The Chicago Magic Lounge, and The renowned Magic Castle in Los Angeles. And guess what? He’ll soon be dazzling viewers on major television programs!

In this dynamic lecture at the Plymouth Community Arts Council, you’ll dive into a treasure trove of original effects and methods spanning Card Magic, Mentalism, Parlor, and Stage. Learn the very card set that left audiences spellbound at The Magic Castle, plus discover the secret behind what many call "The Best Opener" for any performance.

Dreygon will also share his insights on creativity and crafting your own magical creations.

Free for all regional magic 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.

Past Events

The 2024 Fall Parlor show was a huge success. The first show was sold out! In fact it was standing room only and extra chairs were added to accommodate the crowd. The second show had a healthy turnout too. It looks like the TV appearances by Sean, Dan and Tara really helped get the word out.  Members selling tickets was also a huge help.

Thanks to all that made this possible....

• Sean Howell, Producer, Emcee and Performer (with Mirf)
• Performers
  • Ron Hoole
  • Sean Howell
  • Dan Jones
  • Tara McAllister
  • Karl & Bill Rabe
  • Lincoln Stone (Warmup)
  • Mike Thornton
• Volunteers
  • Jim Molnar (Stage Hand, Balloons)
  • Frank Machniak and Jackie Clark (Ticket sales)
  • Rob Krozal (Concessions)
  • Dan Jones (Front of house, back stage, etc)
  • Ming & Barbara Louie (Ushers)
  • Patty Rabe (Ticket office)
  • Bob Goodwin (Posters, ticket sales)
  • Phil Mann (Concessions)
  • Mike Bogdas (Popcorn)
  • Austin Peczynski (Stage Hand)
  • Mike Palko (Photos)
  • Lincoln Stone (Balloons)
  • David Papow (Stage hand)
  • Carl Wallace (Sound)
• Ticket Sales by Members
  • Sean Howell (Top seller)
  • Jackie Clark (Tied for 2nd)
  • Bob Goodwin (Tied for 2nd)
  • Karl Rabe
  • Dan Jones
  • Wendy Stone

Photos by Mike Palko

The Broken Wand By Karl Rabe

Harriet Jacobson

Harriet Jacobson, 80, of West Bloomfield, died on Oct. 9, 2024after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

Harriet, was a beloved figure in the Michigan, National and International magic world.

Born in Detroit, Harriet made her home in West Bloomfield Michigan with her now diseased husband and fellow magician Michael.

Interestingly, her interest in magic began with assisting her son Matthew in the late 1970s. In the decades that followed, she performed as a magician herself and as an assistant to her husband.

Harriet served as ambassador for the American Museum of Magic and was active in organizations such as International Brotherhood of Magicians, Society of American Magicians and London’s Magic Circle. In 2024, Harriet was inducted into the Michigan Magic Hall of Fame.

Harriet was something of a "grande dame" of magic. Loved by everyone, it was a tradition that Harriet was brought up on stage as a volunteer at any magic show. Harriet graced the stage at the Plymouth Community Arts Council at one of our Parlor Shows where she assisted Sean and Mirf.

Long time AAMC Member Jeff Boyer remembers...

I first met Harriet and her family in the 80s when their son, Matthew, was in the contest. Harriet was like a mother figure to many of us younger magicians. We got to know Harriet, Michael and Matthew really well. We heard a rumor that Michael had a hit song in the 50s. We asked him to tell us about it, but Michael wasn’t one to talk about himself. Harriet was the same way. Both of them wanted to highlight other people in their lives instead of them. I see Matthew has taken on the same philosophy. In the 40 years that I’ve known Harriet, she always had a smile on her face. I’ve had hundreds of conversations with her about lots of little things. After Michael passed away, Harriet started making her magic jewelry. I asked her why she chose to do that. She said because it brings her joy. She said she does things that brings her joy. 

Many of us last saw Harriette at the 2024 Get Together in Colon. She will be missed by so many magicians across the globe. Rest in peace.

Harriet Assist John Reid at Abbott's Get Together