A lot is going on in February, and folks have many conflicts, but in an effort to keep our meetings consistent and on the “every third Friday schedule,” we’re keeping the meeting on February 20that 7:00 and moving the location to Discovery United Methodist (thanks, Sandy!), located at 275 Lake Dr E, Chanhassen, MN 55317.
[Also note: We’re moving our annual auction to the March meeting. This gives you an extra month to dig through your magic junk drawer!]
Our February meeting theme is: Party or Birthday magic (in honor of Jennifer Kahlow’s and Kevin Smith’s birthdays this month!)
Continuing with The Royal Road to Card Magic, we’ll be discussing Chapter V: The Glimpse. (We’ll discuss Chapter IV: The Glide in April.) Please try to read Chapter V prior to the meeting — you’ll get more out of the discussion!
Please bring potluck snacks to share. Connection information for the virtual view of the meeting will be sent prior to the meeting.
See you on the 20th!
Location address: Discovery Methodist Church 275 Lake Drive East Chanhassen, MN 55317
Time again for our annual Chili Dinner! It was a great crowd at Discovery United Methodist Church–13 people were there in person, andTodd Anderson joined us via Zoom. Special thanks go to Sandy Meyer (and Steve!) who catered the dinner. The menu was chili, cornbread, veggies, dessert, and more! Very good food, and everyone enjoyed it.
The business portion of the meeting was short (mostly because our mouths were full!) We continued our conversation on where and when we should perform in 2026, and discussed venues, show ideas, size, cost vs goodwill offering, etc. We are definitely going to do something during Magic Week this year.
Since performances were optional this year, we only had one: SAM12 President Kevin Smith demonstrated “Revised Mexican Poker” by David Solomon.
More good things to come!! Next month is our Annual SAM12 Auction, and then in March we’re planning another Movie Night, which usually includes a special guest. You won’t want to miss it!! Join us for our next meeting, in person or online from anywhere in the world via Zoom. Get the details at SAM12.org!
It’s time for our annual Holiday Party! It will be held on Friday, January 16th at 7:00 PM at Discovery Methodist Church in Chanhassen.
There will be chili, salad, cornbread, and dessert! Bring your own non-alcoholic beverage. Special thanks to Sandy Meyer for doing all of the cooking, and arranging the location, too!
Like last year, there’s no performance theme this month, so it’s entirely up to you if you want to perform anything.
We’ll be setting up the Zoom camera setup in case anyone wants to attend virtually — although technology hasn’t advanced enough for virtual chili eating. We’ll send out connection information before the event.
Location address: Discovery Methodist Church 275 Lake Drive East Chanhassen, MN 55317
We’re meeting on Friday, December 19, at 7:00 PM at Eagle Magic Store. (Eagle Magic is in Burnsville, MN, 4 lights east of 35W on Hwy 13, southeast corner, next door to the BP gas station.)
This month’s theme: 2025 Magical Retrospective! Perform an effect you learned this last year. Or give a report on the best magic book you read. Or even talk about your best show of the year (either one you performed or saw).
Continuing with The Royal Road to Card Magic, we’ll be discussing Chapter III: Flourishes. Please try and read Chapter III prior to the meeting — you’ll get more out of the discussion!
Please bring potluck snacks to share. Connection information for the virtual view of the meeting will be emailed before the meeting.
We’re meeting on Friday, November 21, at 7:00 PM at Eagle Magic Store. (Eagle Magic is in Burnsville, MN, 4 lights east of 35W on Hwy 13, southeast corner, next door to the BP gas station.)
Our theme this month is “Cornucopia of Magic.” In other words, it’s your choice! Show something you’re working on, or one of your favorites, or an old effect you haven’t performed in a while, or … anything you want!
Continuing with The Royal Road to Card Magic, we’ll be discussing Chapter II: The Riffle Shuffle. Larry will be demonstrating the sleights and some of the tricks described. Please try and read Chapter II prior to the meeting — you’ll get more out of the discussion!
Bring potluck snacks to share. Connection information for the virtual view of the meeting will be emailed before the meeting.
For our October meeting, we will be treated to a lecture by cognitive scientistAnthony Barnhart! The lecture is at 7:00 on Friday, October 17th, at Eagle Magic and Joke Store. (Eagle Magic is in Burnsville, MN, 4 lights east of 35W on Hwy 13, southeast corner, next door to the BP gas station.)
Here’s some info about his lecture:
Recent years have seen widespread interest in and a call for a “science of magic” that learns from the psychological insights and methods of magicians. In just the last decade, renowned magicians, like Teller, Mac King, James Randi, and Apollo Robbins, have authored papers meant to be read not by magicians but by scientists who study attention and perception. Although much of the work up until now has been one-sided (in that scientists are benefiting from magicians), the collaboration should be a two-way street. In his presentation, Dr. Barnhart will illustrate some of the ways that magicians can enhance their performances by integrating principles and discoveries from cognitive science.
Cognitive scientist, Anthony Barnhart, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Interim Chair of Psychological Science at Carthage College and a part-time professional magician. He borrows hypotheses and techniques from magic to study attention and perception in the laboratory, and has authored both empirical and theoretical works on the interface of science and magic. A leader in this burgeoning field, he was a founding member of the Science of Magic Association and frequently appears in national and international media. Most recently, his work was featured on an episode of the CBC’s The Nature of Things with David Suzuki devoted to the science of magic. He regularly teaches a college course devoted to the cognitive science of magic.
The lecture is free for SAM Assembly #12 members! The meeting will also be held over Zoom for those who can’t make it in person (although we strongly encourage you to be there!) Connection information for the virtual view of the meeting will be sent before the meeting.
Please bring potluck snacks to share. Note: Because of the lecture, we will probably not have time to do the book club, so we’ll do Ch 2 of Royal Road to Card Magic at our November meeting.
Time for the first meeting of the 2025-26 SAM Assembly #12 Meeting Season!! The meeting is at 7:00 on Friday, September 19th, at Eagle Magic and Joke Store. (Eagle Magic is in Burnsville, MN, 4 lights east of 35W on Hwy 13, southeast corner, next door to the BP gas station.)
Our theme this month is our usual September theme: “What I Did This Summer, Magically Speaking.” Talk about the conferences you attended, the books you read, show us what you’re working on or what you performed. As always, be prepared to demonstrate, teach, and provide guidance and suggestions for others.
We’re also kicking off our SAM #12 Book Club! Remember, the plan for the book club is to spend 15 minutes after the performance section of our meeting to discuss a magic book, one chapter at a time. We’ll take turns leading the discussion and teaching or demonstrating moves and effects. Participation is optional!
Our first book is the Jean Hugard and Frederick Braué classic intro to card magic, The Royal Road to Card Magic. We’ll be discussing Chapter I: The Overhand Shuffle. I’ll be demonstrating the sleights and some of the tricks described. Please try and read Chapter I prior to the meeting–you’ll get more out of the discussion! Also, if any of you do not have a copy of the book (digital or physical) please let us know!
Bring potluck snacks to share. Connection information for the virtual view of the meeting will be emailed before the meeting.
We just wanted to remind folks that we usually take the summer off, so there will not be an official meeting in June, July, or August. We’re thinking about doing some informal online hangouts during the summer, though. In the meantime, here are some things to look forward to and check out.
Royal Road
Starting in September, following a quick business meeting and performances, we’ll have a 15–20 minute book club for those who are interested. We’ll start with the first chapter (“The Overhand Shuffle”) of The Royal Road to Card Magic. If you don’t already have a copy, pick one up before then!
Open Mic Magic Night at the Midway Saloon
Steven Paul Carlson asked us to let you know about a magic night open mic that’s starting on either the first or last Tuesday night of the month, 8–10 PM. Steven will set up the acts for the evening and introduce them, acting as an MC. Depending on how many participants there are, each will have approximately 10 minutes to perform. Participants and guests get in for free, no cover charge. Age 21 and over. Please email Steven (spc@legendarycreations.com) if you are interested, and he’ll give you more information.
The Midway Saloon is located on University and Snelling Ave, across from Allianz Stadium in St. Paul. Steven Paul Carlson is performing bar magic there every Tuesday night from 7–9 PM
Penn & Teller at the Renaissance Festival
As you’ve likely heard, Penn & Teller will be at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival on August 16th. If you’re going and interested in meeting up, please let us know.
Every May, many SAM12 members head to Des Moines, Iowa, to attend Abracorndabra, and it often happens at the same time as our monthly meetings. This year was no exception.
Nine SAM 12 members got together Friday afternoon, between lectures, at the Bennigans attached to the hotel. The “official meeting” was pretty low-key, and everyone had a great time!! Food, drinks, and friends!!
Our next formal meeting is set for September, as we usually take a break in the summer. We’re thinking about doing some informal online hangouts during the summer, though. Check SAM12.org for updates on these and future meetings. Everyone’s welcome to join in.
On Friday, May 16th, in lieu of our normal meeting, there will be an Assembly 12 meet-up at AbraCORNdabra in Des Moines, Iowa. We will meet during the dinner break (4:30–6:00 p.m.) at Bennigan’s, located in the convention hotel. See details.
If you’ll be joining us, please RSVP so that we reserve a big enough table.
