‘Trick or Treat’, cliché as it sounds, but Singapore Ring 115’s members weretreated to an evening of ‘Trick N’ Treat’ – performing members were encouraged to share and explain how their effect is done. Held on 15 June 2010; 38 people congregated at the usual Bay View Hotel, among them were 4 guests.

The meeting commenced with MC Low Hwee Lang who made an announcement about the club’s upcoming Norm Barnhart Lecture, and urged members to register for it. Kenneth Chia took over the floor and proudly announced details of the forthcoming Singapore Ring 115’s 60th Anniversary Convention.

Jimmy Lee then came forward and presented to the members about a national event ‘Yellow Ribbon Run’ and how members could take part in it – he made reference to the successful event held last year 2009 in which our members also took part.

Tan Teck Seng, the first performer of the evening, shared with us an interesting variation of a coin effect, 4 Fly, using 4 non-gimmick coins.

Chew Liang Huat taught 3 effects using straws: Psychokinetic Straw, impromptu Straw Thru Straw and Cut & Restore String with an easily made gimmick straw.

Bernard Sim taught a convincing 2 coins across the hand using non-gimmick coins.

Jeremy Tan explained 2 variations of Sandwich Card with a gimmick and non-gimmick card.

Before the break, Jeremy Pei demonstrated several effects. First was the magical combination of 4 coloured handkerchief and a production of a multi- colour cane. He also explained the difference between a Dye Tube and Palmo Ball and did an explanation of a silk change using the Palmo Ball. Lastly, he explained the D’lite, and to use it and how to do a D’lite switch during performance.

During the 15 minute break, members fellowshipped with one another and purchased magical items from the dealer’s booth set up by Jeremy Pei.

There was also a Yellow Ribbon Run Information Booth set up by Jimmy Lee.

After the break, Alvin Terence performed and explained his version of ACAAN.

Tang Sai Thiong shared with the members Max Maven’s Lucky Deal and some rubber band effects.

Alexander Yuen taught 3 coins to glass.

George Seam recapped an effect from TQR using printed cards with the patter on lies. He also taught a rubber band effect using hair bands.

Jonathan Low taught and performed an Elmsley effect where a card was selected, placed back in the deck, vanished and reappeared face up when the cards were ribbon-spread.

Wei Liang Lee performed and explained a packet card effect where the backs of the cards were changed from red to blue and vice versa.

Enrico Varella performed an effect from Steve Ehler. He mentally predicted the card that each of the 3 spectators cut to and the packet of cards that they held on in their hands.

Ending the meeting, Bernard Sim taught another coin effect.

Norm Barnhart was in Singapore for a gig and we took the opportunity to get him to give us a lecture. Norm is from Minnesota , USA and has been a full time entertainer for over 29 years specializing in comedy, ballons and in kid and family magic.

54 people jam-packed the function room of Bayview Hotel on the evening of 8 July 2010.

It was an evening full of fun and laughter for everyone. When all 60 people laughed, we almost brought the entire ceiling of the room down!

There were 3 segments in Norm’s lecture. Norm commenced with his comedy routines for kid and family shows. These included his version of needle through a smiley balloon, his comedy mind-reading rubber chicken and a comical hot dog trick. They all had fun interactions with the audience and great unexpected magical endings.

He also presented original tricks such as a rainbow (mouth coil) from a sea shell, some funny business with the fun-kin ring, and a routine where baseball and soccer cards were dropped into a hat and the #1 player was found with a huge foam finger – and the birthday child’s photo was discovered as #1!

Norm made a giant rubber spider magically appear from an empty insect book. More amazing than this effect was his method, which could be adapted to cause any object to come out from any book – Norm then showed how he used this to highlight a theme when performing at libraries.

Norm is also experienced in performing close-up magic for corporate banquets and restaurants, as well as strolling magic at festivals. His close-up tricks included a logical and entertaining color changing silk effect and a fast and visual card trick using three kids, picking three cards.  His approach to close up is to present fast and direct tricks due to the distractions that can occur at corporate events, restaurants and festivals.  His idea for stand up and surrounded type magic is to have lots of comedy and fun interspersed. This was evident as we all laughed almost non-stop throughout the lecture, even during his explanations.

Norm is also a quick balloon artist and shared a few of his original magic ideas, including a bare handed inflated balloon from nowhere and a surprising and amazing stacking of acrobatic balancing balloon animals.  For those who do not do balloons he shared an interesting idea using an inflatable penguin that is ideal for birthdays where the child gets to keep the animal object.

In the second segment of his lecture, Norm donned a Charlie Chaplin/ Red Skelton type suit and did his 12 minute silent comedy magic skit about a hobo finding an old suitcase filled with magic. This routine included billiard ball manipulations, a fantastic Zombie ball and fun eggs and rubber chickens production. This hilarious act brought the first part of the lecture to a close.

During the 20 minutes break, participants swamped his table to purchase his tricks and DVDs. All items were sold out and Norm had to take back-orders!

After the interval, we were surprised to see a different person at the front. We thought Norm had brought his brother or his friend along to continue with the remaining part of the lecture. Actually, this was the third segment of his lecture.

Completely transformed to a character known as the Amazing Normondo, Norm gave us his award-winning act that won him the coveted 1^st place as America ’s Funniest Magician in Las Vegas . It was not recommended to laugh too hard after food and drinks, but we could not help it. We were in stitches at the bumbling antics of this fall-apart comedy act that featured a proud Las Vegas magician who was having an off-evening.

This was a great way to end the evening, and everyone had to get a photo with the Amazing Normondo, posing in Normondo style! Norm was generous in giving all participants a free 14-page lecture notes. People left the room with big smiles still on their faces!

Norm Barnhart can be contacted at NormBarnhart.com.

It was a much anticipated lecture from Dr Anthony Darkstone, a.k.a. Tony Brook, because most of us are familiar with him, having read his weekly column “Tony Brook In Conversation With …” in Alan Watson’s cyber magic magazine “E-Zine”.

We arranged the lecture to coincide with our Ring’s May monthly meeting since it fell on a Saturday.   The event took place on the afternoon of 15 May 2010 where 46 people congregated at a function room in the Bayview Hotel.  Immediately after the lecture, the participants took time for a quick dinner and then stayed back in the evening for the Ring’s May magic gathering where Tony was the guest.

Tony is not only a great magical performer, he also produces and manages many outstanding magic shows in Europe and the United States of America .  His approach to magic is not in creating complicated routines, but in using simple ideas to produce strong commercial magic for the paying audience.

Tony started his lecture with a visual coin bend.  He then talked about the theory of magic.  “Weave the spell, create the magic’ was his favourite phrase for the entire evening.  He taught us how to think “outside-the-box” and gave several applications of the down-under card deal.  He showed us many effects taken from his own performing repertoire.  Included were a ring off string effect, a comedy card revelation using a banana, a coincidence trick inspired by Las Vegas gamblers, his version of the clear force bag, and many others.

During the 20 minutes break, brisk sales were observed at Tony’s dealer table.

After the break, Tony revealed his Pythagoras Force – a simple concept that could force several cards.  He demonstrated many applications of the Force by using it in an amazing poker deal, an interesting card prediction, and to force the four Queens .  Tony completed his lecture with stacked deck effect and a cell-phone prediction.

Participants got a double portion of Dr Anthony Darkstone as they stayed back for the Ring’s May meeting where Tony Brook was the guest of honour.