Newsletter: 165 for April 2010 ACES April 2010 Dave welcomed everyone along tonight and introduced our guests, ACES old friend and hopeful member renewal, Tricks on Sticks, Peter Bennett and another Peter, Peter Metcalfe who hails from Southwick who is also thinking of joining. Two new members would be great and we hope to see plenty of at least one of the Pete’s in the future. There were apologies from Mike Elvin and Colin ????? Dave gave everyone an update on this year’s Tri-Wizard event which will be taking place at the Hassocks Hotel and hosted by the Sussex Magic Circle. The categories for 2010 that have been chosen are close-up, stage and mentalism. Could all members please think about how they can help and David Croucher has already put himself forward for stage. Nicky handed members papers regarding July’s AGM and reiterated that no further copies of the agenda would be available on the night. Dave said that after this year he would be standing down as Chairman. Please ensure your nominations are with her at the latest by June’s meeting and if you are voting for new committee members or want a change of committee member into another role, please ensure you speak to that person first to find out whether they are interested. It’s always a shock if someone is nominated during the AGM and then feels obligated. As part of 2010-11’s programme, we were also delighted to announce that Michael Vincent (3 times Magic Circle Magician of the Year) had agreed to join us for a lecture. Members agreed that free invitations to members of the Southdowns would be handed out with other guests being charged £5 on the door. This would be advertised on Magic Week and it was hoped this would bring in quite a few visitors. Nicky also gave everyone an update on the Annual Dinner and handed papers to all members and asked that we should all try to get at least 2 guests to come along so we can make the evening not only a fun but a financially sound evening too. Cabaret for the event had been booked and Dave Allen (Magic Dave) would be joining us. Dave also let everyone know that Scott Penrose would be hosting a lecture at the Southdowns on 5 May and new President Paul Gordon would be lecturing at the Sussex Magic Circle on 22 April. So it was onto the evening proper and the Challenge this month was “Ice Cream”. Martin, as Challenger, was up first with Spike the mind-reading dog and with the help of Dave Croucher Spike managed to sniff his way to finding a freely chosen ice cream card having been blindfolded. One of Martin’s favourite kids routines with his own presentation and patter was very funny! Stan took to the floor showed us four aces (we think he meant ices!) and covered them with three cards each only to discover appearing ice lolly cards and a finale of the ace (ice) of clubs appearing. Definitely going to be close again this month. Our theme tonight was show us a trick and Peter Bennett was up first with a Howard Taylor/Edward Victor/Danzi inspired Hindu rope trick which he himself had seen many years ago. This consisted of a continually cut and restored rope routine which was very clever and the explanation fascinating. It was good to have Reg back and he shared with everyone the linking safety pins and had in fact bought along enough for everyone to join in. He learnt this trick from a couple of brothers who used to perform on the Palace Pier in Brighton before the war and is currently on sale in Belgium for £32(!) for two safety pins. Very easy when you know how even if the instructions supplied by Reg were foreign. Clever stuff and even after the club night finished, this continued to be discussed at the pub later. John Holden shared with us an appearing four aces, a little something from Bob Rickard’s reportoire. John’s explanation was funny and everyone was happy to remember Bob and his special way of doing things. Geoff had decided to do what he does best with a little manipulation. First there was a red spot on a silk and next a billiard ball appeared. He followed this with a spot paddle effect which Dave Pattenden was thrilled to see. The presentation of the billiard ball was particularly good and the patter alongside the spot paddle was very funny! After tea the Challenge winner was announced as Stan. Voting was close (no honestly it really was!) and he was challenged for May by Mike Pettett to “Silks” so hopefully these guys will show us all something new and inspiring next month, can’t wait. Talking of Mike Pettett he was up next to show everyone a three sponge ball routine which he has developed especially for a show at St Michael’s Hospice during the week. One sponge ball became two and then instantly became a much larger one. The very generous explanation of how he had worked this out received a great response and we all wished him well for the effects’ first public performance. The notes for Stan’s effects are a little sketchy but what I did write down was that Stan thinks himself as a grumpy old man who doesn’t understand all these new card shuffles, slights, moves, etc. He showed us a great linking rings routine which was somewhat of a homage to the late and very funny Tom Hooper and everyone agreed that audience participation is an absolute must when doing this. Had members giggling for quite a while this effect. Martin had decided to show everyone a new routine which he had been working on and asked Stan to choose a card. He then told everyone which card had been chosen which was one away from the correct card but out of thin air appeared a heart which when added to the incorrect guess gave the actual choice. A simple but effective explanation and then onto one of Martin’s favourite routines which he uses for kids, close-up, mix and mingle and for family cabaret “Skip and Snip”. He obviously couldn’t give away this secret but suggested for those who were interested this was for sale via Practical Magic. Last up was Dave Croucher who shared with us a red silk, turning into a yellow silk which turned into a half and half dyed silk and then disappeared completely. This whole routine was inspired by Mike Pettett. Good and straightforward explanation of this and was followed by a new Mark Oberon routine whereby any thought of card can be instantly displayed from a full deck. As with so many effects, Dave wasn’t able to share the secret but did say he recommended this to anyone who does close-up as it was a great routine. Loads of participation tonight which was excellent with many members joining in. Next month would be the Tony Richards competition so lots of competitors please. Dave P. offered his apologies as he and Paula would be away in Jamaica so Mike E. would be charge for the night. A really fun evening with plenty of laughs and we eventually finished at 10.15pm. Written by: Nicky Lewis Back

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