NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the February edition of the SAM 161 newsletter. We have several calendar updates to share with you. Two of the next three meetings will be outstanding lectures. All three meetings will be live and broadcast over our Zoom link. The link will be provided to members in a future email message. Each meeting begins at 7:30 PM at the Stoney Brook Grille. Come early and join us for a light dinner beginning at 5:30 PM. The Stoney Brook Grille is located at 1285 Route 28, North Branch, NJ. For more information, please visit our website at www.sam161.com
February 9th Meeting:
We are extremely pleased to feature Adam Elbaum as our first lecturer of the year. Adam Elbaum is well known for his engaging and interactive magic performances. He specializes in close-up magic (my favorite) and making each show personal and memorable. With years of experience, Adam has performed at various events, from private parties to corporate functions. His magic blends humor and storytelling and appeals to audiences of all ages. Adam is a true professional who enjoys sharing his passion and skills with aspiring magicians through lectures. Don’t miss this one!
February19th Magic Session:
Our Magic Session get-togethers are steadily growing in popularity. This is a great opportunity to learn new magic, hone your skills and share with our community. If you’re interested in attending, please reach out to Pablo Avila. The next session is scheduled for February 19th at 6:30 PM at Pablo’s home. To reserve your spot and receive the address, please RSVP to Pablo at cacuy@aol.com. He will also be happy to answer any questions you may have. Please note, you must be a member of SAM 161 to attend.
March 9th Meeting:
Our March meeting will be devoted to Dealer Magic. Bring a trick you've purchased from a dealer or learned from a book you purchased- Perform it or just talk about it. Review it, ask for suggestions or recommendations on how best to perform it. This is an informal night with no fees for guests. Consider bringing a friend or someone who might be interested in becoming a part of our Assembly.
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April 13th Meeting: Two Greats in One Lecture!
I cannot wait for this one! Please excuse the lengthy description…
Henry Evans: is an internationally acclaimed magician whose name has become synonymous with inventive, elegant card magic. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he rose from the local magic scene to become a truly global figure, captivating audiences and inspiring magicians across continents with his originality, charm, and technical mastery.
His ascent to international prominence was cemented in 2000 when he won First Prize in Card Magic at the FISM World Championship, the most prestigious competition in magic, often described as the Olympics of the art. That achievement placed him among the elite of the magic world and was followed by numerous awards and accolades, including multiple top placements in major international competitions such as FLASOMA and earlier FISM events, as well as repeated honors as Magician of the Year in Argentina. Evans has also been a featured performer and lecture nominee at Hollywood’s famed Magic Castle and has appeared as a guest of honor and lecturer at conventions in more than forty countries. Collectively, these distinctions reflect not only his technical brilliance, but also his lasting influence on modern magic.
Onstage and up close, Henry Evans is known for a performance style that is visually striking, clean, and deeply engaging. His card magic often unfolds in spectators’ own hands, with effects that feel impossible yet natural, achieved with minimal apparent manipulation. Visual changes, transpositions, and moments of quiet astonishment are hallmarks of his work, all framed by a presentation that blends humor, warmth, and thoughtful storytelling. For Evans, personality and connection are as important as technique, and his magic is designed to remain baffling even under careful scrutiny.
Beyond performance, Henry Evans is a prolific creator whose original effects have found their way into the repertoires of magicians worldwide. Signature pieces such as Modern Times, the visually stunning routine from his award-winning FISM act, and Ten Exact Cuts, a deceptively clever packet effect, showcase his creativity and precision. Other widely admired creations include Frozen in Time, Three Card Monte, Rising Card, Perfect Control, and the innovative Zooming Box, developed with Mag Gerard. These effects are regularly featured in lectures, instructional releases, and magic shop catalogs around the globe.
Equally respected as a teacher, Evans has devoted decades to sharing his knowledge and philosophy. His extended lectures—often lasting four hours or more—have toured the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, influencing a generation of card magicians. In these sessions, he explores not just methods, but also narrative structure, performance psychology, and creative thinking, encouraging magicians to approach their craft with greater depth and imagination.
Today, Henry Evans is widely regarded within the professional magic community as one of the finest card magicians of his generation.
Daniel Mormina: is an accomplished magician and illusionist from Argentina whose work has earned him international respect within the professional magic community. Known for his refined technique, creative thinking, and deep understanding of magic as an art form, Mormina has built a reputation not only as a performer, but also as a thoughtful contributor to the craft.
Early in his career, he distinguished himself by winning first place at a World Magic Championship, a rare and significant achievement that brought him global recognition. In Argentina, his talent was further acknowledged when he received honors such as Magician of the Year, marking him as one of the country’s leading magical voices.
Mormina has also been closely associated with competitions and events organized by the Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (FISM), widely regarded as the most prestigious international organization in magic. Within these circles, he has been recognized for work emphasizing originality, invention, and artistic innovation—qualities that define much of his approach to magic.
Beyond competition, Daniel Mormina is a familiar presence at major magic conventions, where he has presented lectures and performances alongside some of the field’s most respected names. Fellow magicians frequently note his expert-level close-up magic, which blends classic principles with modern methods in ways that feel both elegant and surprising.
Stylistically, his magic spans several disciplines, with a particular emphasis on close-up and inventive routines that highlight precision, subtlety, and intelligent construction. His commitment to lecturing and teaching reflects a broader mission: not only to entertain audiences, but to help advance the art of magic itself by sharing knowledge and inspiring fellow practitioners.
Stay Connected:
For more information about SAM 161, our members, upcoming activities, and events, please visit our website at www.sam161.com. Here you will find links to bios on our lecturers. In addition, our website now features a dedicated tab where you can find the latest newsletter editions.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Greg