NEWSLETTER
Greetings SAM 161 Members and fellow Magi,
Our recent March meeting was a resounding success. The evening was filled with member magic performances (both live and Zoomed), as well as lots of performance tips and hints. If you couldn’t attend, you might enjoy watching the Zoom video I finally figured out how to transmit.
Magic Sessioning: Pablo Avila’s monthly magic sessions continue to grow in popularity. Last month’s meeting drew 7 magicians and went into the wee hours of the morning. If you want to join the sessions, contact Pablo at cacuy@aol.com for the address and directions. The next meeting begins at 6:30 PM on Thursday, March 19th. Please note, you must be a member of SAM161 to participate.
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April 13th Meeting: Two Greats in One Lecture!
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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.
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Beyond performance, Henry Evans is a prolific creator whose original effects have found their way into the repertoire 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.
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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.
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May 11th Meeting: Tim Fortune’s Family Entertainment Teach-In
The focus of this lecture will be how to provide the maximum enjoyment for your audiences using simple techniques.Tim will review current routines with updated premises, explore the reasons why family entertainment is still a growth business, and share his experiences in performing for families and kids over the past 22 years. This lecture will also teach you how to make your performance unique.
That’s all folks!
Greg