Author Archive

Make the magic happen for our 100th Anniversary Gala

Sunday, June 11th, 2023

Our 100th Anniversary Gala is a little over 4 months away on October 15, 2023. We have reserved a beautiful venue (see below for some photos from our site visit). We have a delicious, catered Italian dinner lined up. Now we need you to really make the magic happen.

Choose how you want to get involved!

You can help with PR, decorating, performing, tech, etc. to create an amazing evening for the magic community.

Broken Wand – Dan Witkowski

Friday, May 26th, 2023

Dan WitkowskiDan Witkowski passed away peacefully on May 20, 2023. He was 67. Dan was a respected magician and businessman. He began his career in high school as a magician on the convention and banquet circuit throughout the Midwest. From 1974 to 1976, Witkowski worked at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis as a promotional assistant. During his time at WCCO, he produced the magical special “Abracadabra!”, as well as a documentary based on the life of Houdini. In 1977, Dan founded MagicCom, Inc., a company specializing in marketing strategies, product development, and stage and screen presentations. His company worked closely with numerous Fortune 500 companies, including: Procter & Gamble, Disney, Coca-Cola, General Mills, Hormel Foods, and Target. Additionally, Dan is known for creating the long running seasonal event, The Holidazzle Parade, which was a Twin Cities tradition for 21 years. Among other accomplishments; Dan produced “BeBop Bamboozled,” the 1989 Super Bowl XXlll Halftime Show for the NFL; he was an author for Random House with the unique imprint “AbracaDazzle!”; he worked on broadcast productions for CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS and BBC TV; and he completed special assignments for multiple administrations of the White House.

Listen to an interview with Dan in Episode 220 of Behind the Page: The Eli Marks Podcast

What’s happening in May?

Monday, May 15th, 2023

We are going to cancel the May meeting because quite a few people are going to be at AbraCORNdabra on our “normal” day (the third Friday of the month). We talked about having a hybrid meeting on the 19th with the in-person location being at AbraCORNdabra. Kevin and Adam looked into it, but logistically, it’s not going to work very well.

For those going to AbraCORNdabra, we are meeting at the hotel restaurant (Bennigan’s) on Friday at 4:30pm. Please send us a message if you’re going to be there so we reserve the right size table.

In case you’re curious, we didn’t meet on the second Friday because several others were at the Magic Collector Expo and weren’t sure they’d be back in time for a meeting, and several other people were unavailable. We’re not going to meet on the fourth Friday because there wasn’t much enthusiasm for meeting on the 26th since that’s Memorial Day Weekend.

100th Anniversary Gala

Wednesday, March 29th, 2023

One hundred years ago, a group of fourteen local magicians chartered the Society of American Magicians’ 12th Assembly. We will be holding a celebration gala on October 15, 2023, and you’re invited! Please save the date and watch for more details.

Auction on Sunday, February 26th

Thursday, February 2nd, 2023

This month’s meeting will be held on a Sunday afternoon, and it will be the …

ASSEMBLY #12 AUCTION
Sunday, February 26, 2023
Doors open at 3:00 p.m.
at Eagle Magic, 11995 County Road 11, Burnsville

FEE:

  • Assembly 12 members who have paid their local dues ($15) for 2022–2023 may participate for FREE!
  • There is a $5 fee for any non-Assembly 12 member (buyer or seller).

Speed up check-in on auction night and REGISTER ONLINE

BUYERS:

  • Fee allows you to bid on any auction items
  • Bring cash or checks

SELLERS:

  • Fee allows you to sell any auction items.
  • Sellers go in registration order.
  • Each seller will have a limited time. Please bundle smaller items and be prepared with a minimum bid for each item (if desired).
  • Sellers will pay Assembly 12 a commission of 10% of the selling price.
  • All accounts are settled at the END of the auction.
  • Sellers will be paid with cash and/or check.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

August meeting canceled

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2022

Due to circumstances beyond our control, we need to cancel the meeting originally scheduled for Friday, August 26th.

Magic Picnic Canceled

Thursday, July 14th, 2022

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Magic Picnic originally scheduled for Sunday, July 17th has been canceled. So, we will not meet in July but will instead look to meet in August.

No June Meeting

Friday, May 20th, 2022

We’re taking a break in June. Stay tuned for details on our picnic to be held on Sunday, July 17th.

Starship Magic

Friday, November 6th, 2020

On Friday, November 20, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., we will host Starship Magic — a 50 minute science fiction themed magic show. Science fiction effects such as transporters are presented as magic tricks with humor and multiple references to Star Trek and other SF genres. The show is highly interactive, involving all the members of the audience.

“I really enjoyed STARSHIP MAGIC… this will be a fun and magical event!”
— Jeff McBride

Vulcan’s Greatest Magician, S’kai, is presented by Dr. Willie Yee, who has attended the world famous McBride Magic and Mystery School in Las Vegas. Starship Magic has been presented at Trekonderoga, Northeast Trek Con, and Farpoint.

Following the show, Dr. Yee will join us for Q&A and conversation.

Connection info will be sent out by email. If you haven’t been receiving meeting/lecture invites, or have connection questions, please contact Kevin Smith at kjsmith@umn.edu.

March meeting cancelled

Tuesday, March 17th, 2020

The meeting originally scheduled for this Friday, March, 20, 2020, has been cancelled per public health guidance. We will evaluate and communicate plans for the April meeting closer to the meeting date, based on the latest guidance. Until then, take care!