Author Archive

December Virtual Meeting

Monday, December 14th, 2020

Time once again for a virtual assembly meeting! Our next one will be Friday, December, 18th at 7:00 PM. Connection info will be sent out by email.

After a lecture and a show last month, we’re going to switch back to a more traditional virtual meeting (is that a thing?)

Randomly selecting something from my list of potential magical themes, I’ve decided this month’s theme is Magic with Paper! Could be a trick with a paper prop, newspaper, napkins, or even gift wrap!

As before, be prepared to demonstrate and teach if possible, and provide guidance and suggestions for others. There will be time for the usual updates, stories, performances, and Show and Tell!

Let me know if you have any connection questions or other agenda ideas.
–Kevin 

Cameron Francis Lecture!

Friday, October 30th, 2020

On Friday, November 6th at 7:00PM, we’ll be treated to a lecture by Cameron Francis. Connection info will be sent out by email.

Cameron Francis is a magician and actor currently living in Orlando, Florida. He is a regular performer at Wizardz Magic Theatre and The Magic Mansion, both in Orlando. Cameron has also performed in the close up room at the prestigious Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. As a creator of close up effects, Cameron has worked with some of the biggest producers in magic including Big Blind Media, Paul Richards, Murphy’s Magic and Penguin Magic. He has had several tricks published in Genii Magazine, Magic Magazine, The Magic Menu, The Linking Ring, and Magicseen Magazine, and has lectured in eight countries including England, Germany, Canada and the U.S.

Cameron has a brand new lecture of material that can be done in person or over Zoom, including 2 brand new items!

Note: If you haven’t been receiving meeting/lecture invites, or have connection questions, please contact Kevin Smith at kjsmith@umn.edu

October Virtual Meeting

Monday, October 12th, 2020

Time once again for a virtual assembly meeting! Our next one will be October 16th at 7:00 PM. Connection info will have to be sent out by email, in order to reduce the likelihood of a repeat Zoom bombing…

Because of the last-minute nature of this meeting announcement, our performance and teaching topic is “Stuff You Do When People Ask You To Show Them A Trick!”

As before, be prepared to demonstrate and teach if possible, and provide guidance and suggestions for others.

There should be time for the usual updates, stories, performances, and Show and Tell!

Let me know if you have any connection questions or other agenda ideas.
–Kevin 

Kozmo Lecture!

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2020

On Friday, October 9, 2020, at 7:00 PM, we’ll be having a special lecture from Kozmo:

The connection info for the Zoom conference room follows. Email Kevin at kjsmith@umn.edu if you have any questions!

Topic: Assembly 12 Zoom Meeting

Time: Oct 9, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89972565163?pwd=enB4TVBBWThVRzh3eGtEK2FMZHY2UT09

September Virtual Assembly Meeting

Monday, September 14th, 2020

David Jonathan Lecture!

This month, we’re hijacking our regularly scheduled Assembly Meeting to present a lecture by David Jonathan!

“Known for his clever thinking, David Jonathan has built a reputation for consistently releasing strong, practical effects to the magic community.His best sellers SNAPS (co-created with Dan Harlan), Fourtunate (produced by Mark Mason), You Know (UNO) and Fortuity have all received critical acclaim and have been performed by countless magicians across the globe.For this online lecture, David has handpicked some of his favorite creations to teach, including some of his marketed items as well as unpublished effects. Additionally, he will give a crash course on how to create original magic, which will not only spark your creativity, but it will also help improve your existing routines.Following the lecture there will be exclusive discounts and bundles for David’s products offered to all attendees.” 

The connection info for the Zoom conference room follows. Email Kevin at kjsmith@umn.edu if you have any questions or agenda ideas.

Topic: SAM 12 Zoom Meeting
Time: Sep 18, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86156599263?pwd=TXlndldScTVmczRxQUFBTC9rTWpVUT09

Meeting ID: 861 5659 9263
Passcode: 244674

August Virtual Assembly

Wednesday, August 12th, 2020

Time for a virtual assembly meeting! Our next one will be August 21st at 7:00 PM. As always, our Zoom room is courtesy of the SAM National Council and President Joel Zaritsky.

This month, our performance and teaching topic is Bar Tricks, Betchas, After-Dinner Diversions, and /or Scientific Amusements. (There are many names for this type of trick–let me know if you need examples!) Be prepared to demonstrate and teach if possible, and provide guidance and suggestions for others. I’m hoping everyone learns something new.

And I’m sure there will be plenty of time for the usual updates, stories, performances, and Show and Tell!

The connection info for the Zoom conference room follows. Email Kevin at kjsmith@umn.edu if you have any questions or agenda ideas.

Topic: SAM 12 Zoom Meeting
Time: Aug 21, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83891908474?pwd=RU9ZUWlJT0VEUjBYby81NzMraWs1UT09

Meeting ID: 838 9190 8474
Passcode: 598246

July Virtual Assembly

Monday, July 13th, 2020

Once again, we’ll be having a virtual assembly meeting for July, this Friday, the 17th, at 7:00 PM. As always, our Zoom room is courtesy of the SAM National Council and President Joel Zaritsky.


This month, I’d like to do something different and look at a particular technique and have us explore it a bit. I was thinking, after last month’s lecture and the effects taught, our technique of the month should be Card Forcing. Be prepared to talk about your favorite card forces and where you learned them, demonstrate and teach if possible, and provide guidance and suggestions for others. If you don’t have a favorite force, you might after the meeting!


Of course, there will be plenty of time for the usual updates, stories, performances, and Show and Tell!

The connection info for the Zoom conference room follows. Email Kevin at kjsmith@umn.edu if you have any questions or agenda ideas.

Topic: SAM #12 Meeting Zoom

Time: Jul 17, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87586777459?pwd=R1Z2NC9MOHBNK2d5N1dmOUtXQXR2dz09

Meeting ID: 875 8677 7459

Password: 830525

June Virtual Assembly

Thursday, June 11th, 2020

It’s time once again for a virtual assembly meeting, June 19th at 7:00!

This month, we have a couple of special guests!

The Other Brothers (Darryl Davis and Daryl Williams), of Abstract Effects, will be stopping by for the first 45 minutes or so.

They’ve offered to talk about their new magic and give us a bit of a lecture!

After the visit from the Other Brothers, we’ll do yet another Show and Tell—perform something you’re working on, do a book report, or just tell us a story.

As always, our Zoom room is courtesy of the SAM National Council and President Joel Zaritsky.

The connection info for the Zoom conference room follows:

Topic: Assembly #12 Video Zoom Meeting

Time: Jun 19, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87429523692?pwd=NzVIU2JCN1JyWCtvTjFzV1F6Z2wrZz09

Meeting ID: 874 2952 3692

Password: 661576

One tap mobile

+16465588656,,87429523692# US (New York)

+13017158592,,87429523692# US (Germantown)

Dial by your location

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

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        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

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Meeting ID: 874 2952 3692

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kb9Dv167gg

Email Kevin at kjsmith@umn.edu if you have any questions or agenda ideas.

May Virtual Assembly

Sunday, May 10th, 2020

Once again, we’ll be having a virtual assembly meeting May 15th at 7:00. As always, our Zoom room is courtesy of the SAM National Council and President Joel Zaritsky.  Connection info will be sent out soon. I was thinking our theme should be “Magic that Can Be Performed Virtually“. If you’d rather, since the Show and Tell format worked so well last time, feel free to present a Show and Tell as well or instead!

The connection info for the Zoom conference room follows. Email Kevin at kjsmith@umn.edu if you have any questions or agenda ideas.

Topic: SAM Assembly #12 Video Zoom Meeting
Time: May 15, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86373999840?pwd=cm5sV3RpcW9UcnU2dExwV1pJY2N0QT09

Meeting ID: 863 7399 9840
Password: 525784
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,86373999840# US (New York)
+13017158592,,86373999840# US (Germantown)

Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 863 7399 9840
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kb9Dv167gg

April Virtual Assembly Meeting

Monday, April 6th, 2020

We’ll be having another virtual assembly meeting April 17th, at 7:00. Thanks again to the SAM National Council and President-elect Joel Zaritsky for setting up the Zoom meeting. The theme is “Magic Show and Tell!” In other words, be prepared to show and talk about something you’re working on, a prop you made, a piece of magic history you’re proud of, the book you’re currently reading, etc.

The connection info for the Zoom conference room follows. Email Kevin at kjsmith@umn.edu if you have any questions or agenda ideas.

Topic: Assembly 12 Video Zoom Meeting

Time: Apr 17, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/592720018?pwd=K0lVUXIrZDBYNk5zNkFUQW5GT3ZFUT09

Meeting ID: 592 720 018

Password: 003700

One tap mobile

+16465588656,,592720018# US (New York)

+13126266799,,592720018# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location

        +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

        +1 253 215 8782 US

        +1 301 715 8592 US

Meeting ID: 592 720 018

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aYYYwmd1n