Theme: Magic I saw/learned from Television

The assembly moved that we accept the gracious offer of Larry Kahlow to host the meetings at Eagle Magic.  It was decided that (with Larry’s final approval) we would start meeting there in September, after the three-month summer hiatus.

Adam and his lovely wife (and capable assistant) Lisa performed a wonderful version of metamorphosis.  Don French used two chairs and a rope to illustrate a story about a one-semaphore town in the 1940s.

Jack Nordin (left) demonstrated his latest moves in the now-infamous rope routine.

Darnay “took us home” (literally) with video of a complete performance from his home-theater during a SAM Assembly-12 meeting in the mid 1980s.  In that Halloween-themed performance, Darnay performed death defying illusions and a levitation with (then teen-age) Suzanne.

Justin Alan was our featured guest.

Prior to Justin’s lecture, we applauded the success of the November meeting held at Eagle Magic.  We voted against having meeting-locations rotate between member-homes.

The obituary that Darnay had graciously prepared for Jerry Johnson was read aloud.

It was agreed that the March meeting will feature and acknowledge past presidents of SAM Assembly-12. 

Then it was time for Justin.  In addition to a delightful sampling of his routine, Justin also shared some of his observations and rules on restaurant magic.  We saw a here, then there signed-card routine, a card-to-wallet using his preferred “Real Man’s” brand wallet, and a vanishing tissue sucker routine using a roll of toilet paper (one-ply).  We also were entertained with a teathered-folded card illusion and the “Instant M.C.” routine.  Justin closed with a tic tac toe prediction.  Thank you Justin.

Minneapolis, MN  This month’s meeting took place at the new location of the oldest, continuously-operating magic store in the U.S.A. — Eagle Magic.

Photo: Jennifer Kahlow

Owner Larry Kahlow shared with the members some of the rich history of the store since it’s inception in 1899 including visits by Houdini and Thurston.  On this night he performed two knots-on/off rope trick.  Jack Nordin followed with a different kind of rope trick; that of a cowboy, swinging and twirling a lasso.  Darnay shared a bent-nail puzzle similar to one that fascinated him as a small boy.  Aaron Timmerman  flashed all of us with a wad of bills that changed from ones to hundreds.  Geoff Williams entertained with Hart’s Link and Adam Moore performed a thumb-cuff escape and vanish.  Bob Miller closed with an entire routine he has been developing that included versions of Feeling Flushed, Shuffleboard, and a BAM method of tracking five cards.  Thank you Larry for opening your doors to us.