Recent Lectures

October 5, 2009
Michael Ammar
http://www.ammarmagic.com

On October 5, 2009 master magician Michael Ammar visited Knoxville as part of his lecture tour. Ammar started off his almost 3-hour lecture with a 20 minute show that included among other effects, a fire effect and a few card tricks. The show ended with Ammar’s world renowned cups and balls. The final load on the cups was a lemon containing the borrowed $100 bill he had torn to pieces to start the act.

The lecture material covered the principles as well as the mechanics behind the various tricks in the act. Ammar demonstrated the use of the Topit device and gave tips for learning how to use it properly. Right before the break, Michael went through what he called the Lightening Round. He discussed the principles and ideas behind the Bunny Cannon, Handkerchief on Curtain, Winding up the Deck, Vanishing a Glass, Coins Through Pocket, Cut and Restored Silk, Sheer Surprise, and The Little Hand.

During the lecture, Ammar also demonstrated a few tricks that can be done with an I-phone and the photo application, talked about the wallpaper tear principle and how it can be applied to magic, demonstrated the Albo card, explained the bill to lemon effect and briefly covered his cups and balls routine. The lecture was both entertaining and informative. Ammar’s relaxed style allowed him to concoct a mixture that contained just the right amounts of performance, humor, and instruction.

June 25, 2009
Axel Hecklau
http://www.axelhecklau-shop.com/index.php?currency=USD)#uage=en

Axel was making a few stops in select cities before going to the I.B.M. convention, and we were glad we could have him visit in Knoxville in addition to his stops in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Louisville.

Just to warm up the group, his lecture began with a fast way to fold a shirt. It was a whimsical way to start, and our group enjoyed this seemingly magical effect. Next up was his highly acclaimed News Flash.

His Spoon Around effect showed his personality, and the magic as the spoon turned into a fork in his mouth caught us all off guard. Throughout the lecture to this point, Axel used music that was controlled by his own wireless transmitter.

While most magicians are familiar with the Chop Cup, Axel’s handling of “Just a Cup” had us bewildered and impressed. His Out of This World Extreme was a great version of the classic that could be done standing up and surrounded. To end the lecture his Cola Cap effect was a giant “Wow!” for our Ring. His creativity and thoroughness of development of routines was very impressive.

April 16, 2009
Mark Leveridge
http://www.markleveridge.co.uk/display.htm

It's always a treat to have lecturers visit your ring. It's a great opportunity to learn a few tricks without having to travel any farther than your local ring meeting. Anyone looking to learn a few tricks from Leveridge got more than their gas money's worth. Mark demonstrated and explained how to create the props and perform the effects for over a dozen different tricks. For those without good note taking skills, he offered the entire lecture on DVD with videos at a fair price as well. In addition to showing a couple different utility envelopes, Mark explained some very intertaining tricks including 1-2-3 Jumbo Cards across, Risky Business, and Spot the difference.

May 22, 2008
Bob Sanders

Many people consider Bob Sanders to be the expert when it comes to silk. In his lecture he demonstrated several of the silk products he produces. He also gave tips on cutting silks and making your own silks. He finished the lecture with a comparison between square silks and diamond cut silks and gave a brief over view of where silk comes from and where he purchases his. The lecture was entertaining as well as educational and Bob had thousands of silks and other products with him for purchase after the lecture.

November 15, 2007
Martin Cox
http://www.marmonmagic.com/

The week before Thanksgiving, we were entertained by England's Martin Cox. He performed and explained a number of practical card routines, a rope routine and a children's card effect. The routines were both practical and effective for close-up or platform use and there was great emphasis on making them entertaining. In addition to explaining the routines, Martin went through a mind mapping exercise to show how to develop many ideas using a single trick, prop or subject.

June 26th, 2007
Jim Pace
http://www.jimpacemagic.com/

Several ring members and a handful of guests were present for the Jim Pace lecture. The lecture started out with a one hour demonstration of several tricks that could be performed with objects that audience members would have on their person. Jim talked about how to scout a crowd and find materials that can be used that belong to the audience members. Jim worked magic with a deck of cards, a few coins, a borrowed watch, and a water bottle. After a brief intermission, Jim continued his lecture by giving a twenty minute demonstration of several of the items he brought to sell. Jim is probably most known for his card trick The Web, (which sent one of our guests away shivering) but he also had a variety of fire effects (Hot money clip, Hot Leads, Sparkle Flash) and some other gimmicks that can be quickly added to a routine (All stuck up, Float FX, Finger through Sleeve). Everyone present had an enjoyable time and many of the magicians were just as awed as the lay people by the ease and skill with which Jim performed.

April 26th, 2007
Tim Sonefelt
http://www.timsonefelt.com/

Tim Sonefelt gave a two hour lecture on his PEARLS of performance. He performed many magic tricks that involved silly or out of the ordinary props. Tim also brought a wide variety of merchandise to the lecture. His lecture described the secrets and demonstrated the performance of many of the items that were for sale.

October 13th, 2006
John B. Born
http://www.johnborn.com/

John B. Born lectured for Ring members in guests. His lecture included an in depth look at his performance of Any Card at Any Number. John also covered several routines involving coin work. He had copies of his book Meant to Be and was happy to autograph it for anyone purchasing a copy.