September 2011

I would like to start off by first saying THANK YOU to all of you, and that it is an honor and a pleasure to be your TAOM President for 2012.  As may of you may know, the ball has been set in motion and a plan of action has been started for what we believe will be one of the biggest and best TAOM Conventions ever!  If you haven’t done so already, please check out the TAOM 2012 website at  www.taom2012.com and take a look around at the AMAZING line-up, the incredible contest prize, and the unbeatable hotel deals that we have worked out for our brotherhood.

As with any successful event, we are going to need your help, so please lend a hand and start promoting the TAOM 2023 Facebook page and Twitter account by visiting the website and sharing the links with your friends.

Once again, thank you all, and I look forward to a successful year of planning!

Daniel Garcia, Jr.
2012 TAOM President

Doug Anderson – Lecture in San Antonio on September 21, Austin on September 22, and McAllen on September 23.  http://magicdoug.com/

San Antonio IBM Ring 18 Past President’s Dinner & Show on September 22 at Las Carretas, 3975 Perrin Central Boulevard in San Antonio.  Contact Ring 18 President Ray Adams for more information.

Stan “Doc“ Seaton’s Wonderful Magic Sideshow in Austin on September 24 & 25. You can be part of the action as performer or spectator. This extravaganza of magic is part of Austin famous Pecan Street Festival. Details at www.magicsideshow.com

Dallas Magic Clubs Special Interest Group on “Family Entertainment” on September 28 at Midway Point, 12801 Midway Road in Dallas.  Call Derrel Allen at 469-337-9301 for more information.

Larry Hass Lecture, “Transforming Your Tricks into Magic” on October 2 at Main Street Magic & Fun Company in historic downtown McKinney.  Call 214-274-7802 or email mainstreetmagic@att.net for information.

“National Lecture Night of Texas” – an annual super-fun event on October 3 at I-HOP, 11654 Research Boulevard in Austin at 7 p.m.  This is one of Ring 60’s best-loved traditions with several magicians presenting mini-lectures and selling props or their notes for a buck.  That’s right – everything is only a dollar.  If you’ve never attended one of these events, you really should!  Come an hour early and cheer on the young magicians.  For details, go to http://www.ibmring60.org/

Fort Worth Magicians Installation Banquet on October 6 featuring first class culinary cuisine at the elegant Ridglea County Club with star-studded entertainment headlined by Chip Romero. make your reservations before September 30 at www.fortworthmagiciansclub.org

Austin Monthly Magic Clinic on October 15 featuring “Readings for Fun and Profit” by Shane Delon and Chris Walden at Texas Magic Supply.

Diamond Jim Tyler Lecture in San Antonio on October 20 at 7:00 p.m.  Contact Ring 18 President Ray Adams for for more information.

Houston Magic Auction on Sunday, October 23 at 3030 North Freeway (S.A.M. and H.A.O.M. regular meeting place) at 1:00 p.m.  Contact Doug Kornegay for more information.

Eugene Burger Lecture, “How to Haunt a House”, on October 28 at Main Street Magic & Fun Company in historic downtown McKinney. Call 214-274-7802 or email mainstreetmagic@att.net for information.

Eugene Burger – Workshop/Lecture in Dallas on October 29. This special seminar includes techniques and forces that he has never explained in print or on DVD.  Email Mark Jenson for details.

October means MAGIC!  Make plans now to have your mayor or city council to proclaim October 25 through 31 “Magic Week” in your town.  It will generate publicity for your club and all magicians.  The purpose of National Magic Week is to celebrate and highlight the charitable works that magicians do throughout the year.  For details about National Magic Week, go to http://www.magicsam.com/magicweek.asp or get in touch with Jeff Sikora, S.A.M. National Magic Week Chair.

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Guess who will be on the cover of the October issue of The Linking Ring?? He’s a Texas magician.  He’s talented.  He’s tall.

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David Copperfield will be awarded the highest honor in the annals of magic history when the Society of American Magicians dubs him “King of Magic” for his efforts to preserve, promote and enhance the art of magic during his long and illustrious career.

Dallas/Fort Worth Fellowship. Magicians gather at Humperdink’s Restaurant at Six Flags Drive in Arlington every Monday evening to entertain the dining patrons and then visit with one another to share their news and tricks after the dining hall closes.

The Order of Aggie Illusionists, an officially sanctioned organization of Texas A & M University in College Station, meets every Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. in Room 307 of the Academic Building.  Contact Clay Dipple at clay@oai.tamu.edu or 832-514-1291 for details.

On a very sad note, Carol Palmer, beloved wife of Houston magician and President of IBM Ring 39 Bill Palmer, passed away on August 31, 2011, after a valiant fight with cancer.  She will be missed.

According to 2011 TAOM President Justin Botter (and the many former leaders who have walked in his shoes), the past president’s medallion weighs much less than the one he placed around the neck of incoming president Daniel Garcia, Jr.  No one doubts young Daniel is up to the task of moving our organization ever onward and upward.  We are all looking forward to the creative innovations the new generation of magicians can bring to our 66th year.

John Cornelius was honored at the 2011 TAOM convention in San Antonio for his many years of contributions to the magical arts.  He is one of the foremost magical thinkers of our time, a man many have hailed as a creative genius. John won the World Championship of close-up magic in Brussels, Belgium, the World Championship of Card Magic in Madrid, Spain, and (three times) the International Brotherhood of Magicians Creativity Award.  He has created some of the finest close-up magic in the world, including Marked for Life, The Fickle Nickel, Shrinking Card Case, original Pen Through Anything, Unseen Forces, Thought Transmitter, original Bendable Pen, Perfect Pen, and many, many others.  His creations have been performed by such greats as Doug Henning, Siegfried & Roy, and David Copperfield.  San Antonio and Texas are proud to claim this remarkable magic performer and innovator as one of our own.

2012 TAOM President Daniel Garcia, Jr., Junior Close-up winnerDrake Stanton of San Antonio; Senior Close-up Winner David Gabbay of Los Angeles, California; Stage Winner Peter Pichfordof Hatfield, Pennsylvania; and 2011 Justin Botter.  In addition to the coveted TAOM trophy, young Drake received a check for $200 from an endowment made by Carol Brin.  The fund was established by Mrs. Brin to honor her husband Royal Brin, TAOM Past President and Legal Adviser Emeritus, who has always encouraged the development of young magicians.

Magic for and by young magicians in Austin has seen numerous permutations during the past thirty-something years.  Back in the 1970’s, Fred and Judy Donaldson taught classes for aspiring young magicians through the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department.  The kids grew up and a new generation seemed more interested in video games and girls than magic.  A new group formed in the early 90’s and was active under the sponsorship of the S.Y.M.  Then Kent Cummins’ magic camp provided a new supply of eager prestidigitators every summer.  Both IBM Ring 60 and SAM Assembly 206 provide willing instructors and guidance for young magicians, so the future of magic in Austin is assured.

Currently, Chris Walden provides leadership to an active group of youngsters with Bertil Fredstrom’s assistance.  The kids have their own club and must pay (token) dues and adhere to the “Five Rules of Magic”.  Performance has high priority with each member encouraged to develop a “show” rather than “doing tricks”.  Their presentation as the evening’s main entertainment at the July Ring 60 meeting is a prime example of their growth.  Derek, Kayson, Catherine, and A.J. held the standard high for Austin magic youth.  After seeing a video of his performance, the Round Rock Fire Department invited Derek to perform at an upcoming function.

The club offers a “lending library” set of props and teaching media that members can take home to study.  Besides teaching basic magic skills, Chris and Bertil strive to instill an appreciation of the joy of entertaining in their pupils.  They share their love of magic and stress the importance of respect for the craft and one another. Chris said he is proud that this attitude is already built into most of the students and that their receptive minds are eager to learn.

The young magicians meet each month just before Ring 60’s monthly meetings. Many Ring 60 members come early to encourage the youngsters and share their knowledge.  As part of the meeting organization instituted by the youngsters, they give each other feedback at the end of each “open mic” session.  Teachers stress the importance of the kids learning on their own and encourage them to invent magic with props made from everyday objects.

Austin magicians have a long history of support for and nurturing of young magicians.  This group will undoubtedly provide the stars of the future.