CRAPmagic's Blog

CRAP 5/10/11

Shawn — Thu, 12 May 2011 05:36:04 +0000

This week CRAPpers included Bill Pryor, Jeff, Patrick, Rick G, OM Rich, Joh H, Dave and Dennis. There was also a visitor from Johnson City TN. Cliff stopped by The Magic Shop earlier in the day and spent a couple of hours hanging out with our group.

Plans were also discussed for the coming Maifest in Covington, the first festival of the season. Dave R has agreed to demo magic goods in the lawn in front of The Magic Shop. Come to Maifest and and watch Dave do some magic.

Of course there will be street magicians performing through out the festival too!!!

Bill P and Cliff discuss magical things as OM Rich and Jon work on "bar bets.

Patrick, Rick G, Jeff F, Bill P and Cliff

A few of us are heading to Lousiville Sunday to see The Magic and the Wonder 2011 looking forward to seeing a great show!

: Dave R and Dennis M

Well, that’s all the CRAP and nothing but the CRAP for this week!!!

CRAP 4/26/11

Shawn — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:37:40 +0000

This weeks CRAP meeting was held in the outside dining area of Wertheim’s. Like most of the mid-west we’ve endured days of rain and since we had a brief break in the weather it was nice to be outside. This weeks CRAPpers included Jeff, Patrick,Kevin, Spencer, Jon & John. There were discussions of internet videos including one about a frog and a monkey, viewed on Kevin’s phone, words cannot describe… A fair amount of sharing, at times our CRAP group doubles as a support group where things are discussed just to help each other.

It was great to see John S. back at a CRAP meeting, it seems his job as in IT has him traveling extensively. He just returned from a 9 weeks on the road.
Patrick and a few of us are looking forward to the Louisville Magic show which has Mac King and Dirk Losander starring with a yet unannounced special guest. Patrick got our tickets early and we’re gonna be in the front row!
Shawn shared stories of meeting Mac King when he did a lecture at Brewe’s Magic Shop and a show at the local Funny Bone around 1991. Shawn commented on down to earth Mac seemed. Shawn shared how the manager of the Funny Bone sent him Mac’s advertising materials because Shawn wrote a letter praising Mac’s performance.
All in all it was a good night to be a CRAPper and we look forward to seeing you at an upcoming meeting!!!

CRAP 3/8/11

Shawn — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 05:58:19 +0000

CRAP was a little CRAPpy this week. We had a new waitress named Kristi at Wertheim’s this week. She eventually stopped by to ask to see a card trick. I suspect she thought her co-workers were messing with her but… Shawn got appointed to demonstrate a couple of card tricks that we all really are magicians. She seemed pleasantly surprised.
Members this week included Colonel Kidwell, Sir Patrick, Victor, OM Rich, Jeff, Jon H and Shawn. Todd posted on our facebook page that he would be absent due to transmission issues. There were a some business discussions mostly between Shawn and Victor.
Victor told a tale of roofing shingle issues that you had to be there to appreciate his story telling abilities.

Sir Patrick shared his special effect work for the upcoming Wizard of OZ play is coming along well. he also announced Mr. Woodward has invited any CRAPpers that would like to a Lexington magic club meeting this Sunday are invited. It appears Patrick and Jeff will be going, so if your interested in tagging along contact Patrick.

Patrick also mentioned Duane Laughlin will be lecturing at this Friday’s SAM meeting.

Not a lot of CRAP this week, but sometimes it’s like that. Till next time…

CRAP 3/2/11

Shawn — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 05:37:03 +0000

Let’s see this week’s CRAPpers were the Colonel Kidwell, OM Rich ,Jeff, Patrick, Victor, Dave, Chris and Shawn (your humble scribe). Shawn showed OM Rich the Elevator Card Trick as requested tipping the handling for those that wish to do this trick. After a wide variety discussions including Chris’s position with a bar-tending school and his nano brewery. Chris shared an interesting story about a recent graduate’s tenacity to get a particular bar tending job.

Patrick gave a report on a recent lecture given. Overall, a positive report.

Todd showed off his nearly straight pinky finger. Todd damaged some of the tendons in his pinky causing it to gradually curl up. Eventually, Todd saw the doctor and has had to undergo a series of “casts” to re-straighten the pinky.

OM Rich showed the “green jacket” that he has complained about for the last few week. Some of us have come to realize OM isn’t happy unless he’s complaining about something!

But, then the magic started to really happen. Victor appeared to be ready to show a card trick. He showed a clever card trick where the freely selected card was the only card with the word YES on the back. The rest of the deck all said NO. Victor then proceeded to entertain the group with a variety of magic tricks. Ranging from a trick with an Oreo cookie to one with a psychic cockroach. Victor’s delivery was spot on with lots of lines and bits of business that were hilarious! Well done Victor, well done! One of the tricks Victor did involved a half dollar and a washer, by tricks end the half dollar changed to a penny. Victor commented he likes the trick but is still working on a routine/story to make it more entertaining. He challenged Shawn to create a routine on the spot. After a few minutes Shawn changed the routine to more of a transportation. I will leave it to those present to opine to the quality of the routine.

Dave R. then proceeded to open his case-o-tricks and shared a few gems from his large repertoire. Playing cards turned to money, five dollar bills turned into a large bill (big money) Dave always does a great job making his tricks entertaining!!!

So, that’s all the CRAP and nothing but the CRAP, for this week. Hope to see you at our meeting soon . Stop by Wertheim’s in Covington Kentucky any Tuesday night around 7 ish you’ll find this group of magicians sharing our magic. Any questions call The Magic Shop 859.491-1313.

CRAP for 2/22/11

Shawn — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 08:14:09 +0000

Well, as OM Winter reminds us that he isn’t gone yet, with a dramatic drop in temperature, we take solace in knowing in a few short weeks Spring will spring forth and bring out the lovely colors of nature and it’s wildlife. Hence this pictorial reminder of the lovely “PeaWell” and his lovely plumage. (I went with” PeaWell” cause “KidCock” just sounded wrong…) None too soon the rare “PeaWell” will again be out cavorting on the streets of Covington.

But for now he is in his Magic Shop waiting, waiting for you, waiting for you to come in visit and perhaps make a purchase. For if you make that trip, visit and purchase you can ensure the plumage of this endangered species will indeed be festive and this creature will continue to thrive awhile longer. Translation: Folks please stop by the shop or the website soon and get yourself something nice, you know you want to, go ahead, do it!

Our CRAP meeting was attended this week by Colonel Kidwell, OM Rich, Jeff, Sir Patrick, Spencer, Robert R, Dave R and Shawn. It was great to see Dave back with his “briefcase-o-magic”. There is not doubt Dave could do a two hour show based on just what he carries in that case!

Discussions were varied as always but the magic of the night appeared to be mostly card stuff. OM Rich labeled Shawn a failure because Shawn didn’t have time to review the elevator trick he had shown OM last year. Of course, if OM grew a pair and used his new computer to check out our CRAPpy archives he could find the information he sought, but I digress…

Spencer performed some of his card effects and Dave worked out the handling for a packet trick he hadn’t done in a while. We discussed the upcoming show in Louisville with Mac King, 5/15/11.

Of course we enjoyed a conversation about about the Chinese Magician Fu Yandong Performs Magic Fish Trick Lunar New Year festival youtube video and the PETA type uproar about the mistreatment of goldfish.

Todd did start us a private Facebook page, if you haven’t yet been invited contact Todd on his Facebook page and he’ll get you added.

Sir Patrick mentioned he’s going to be checking out hotel room rates for this years Abbott’s Get-Together . So if anyone wants to share a room this year make sure you talk to him.

There was also some discussion about Artie’s youtube postings, mostly about how there should be more of them. Check it out and subscribe so we can get the Colonel to share more!

So that’s about all the CRAP fit to print Hope to see you soon, on a Tuesday night in Covington KY.

CRAP 2/15/11

Shawn — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 05:17:00 +0000

Well, it was another CRAPpy night in Covington Kentucky. CRAPpers in attendance included, Colonel Kidwell, Jeff, Todd, OM Rich, Kevin, Spencer, Josh and Amanda.

It was great to see Josh and Amanda back!!!

OM Rich has officially retired from his 37 year career with the US Postal Service. Talking (read as bit**ing) of his retirement and the GREEN jacket. Hopefully, once OM Rich gets his retirement issues settled he can focus on learning the magic he wants to do.

Spencer showed a novel card routine that appeared to this writer to be from Aaron Fisher’s Paper Engine. Very well done Spencer!!! Jeff showed us a unique “natural breather” revelation he is developing, by squeezing the cards the cards rise, as a kind of double vertical ribbon spread where the spectator can remove their card from the peak. Jeff is a clever thinker. Spencer showed Todd a coin and pen routine that has some very surprising transformations. Shawn, Jeff and OM Rich discussed forcing.

Shawn claimed he was reading a book he “just couldn’t put down”, he said it was about …”Anti-Gravity“. The group allowed Shawn to stay, because this is CRAP, the magic club with no dues, no hierarchy, no organization and no rules. Hopefully, sometime soon, you’ll be in the area some Tuesday night and stop in Wertheim’s to share a CRAPpy night with us.

Thanks for stopping by our blog.

Until next week, may all your crap be happy crap.

CRAP 1/18/2011

Shawn — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:00:28 +0000

The CRAP was flying this past Tuesday evening with a plethora of magical activity. Colonel Kidwell was joined at Wertheim’s by his following of fellow brothers in magic: Jeff Fryman, Patrick Thernes, OMR (old man Rich), Shawn Dion, Victor Phillips, Spencer Malone, Todd Simpson, and two very special appearances by Bill Pryor and Chris Wyllie. Conversations spanned the gamut of performing tips, trick demonstrations, Spencer’s skilled card magic, Cincinnati magic-club politics, Columbus Magi-Fest, promoting/marketing ourselves, our economy, and more.

Rich was kind enough to share a cool little challenge trick using a piece of bottling cork. The object was to hold the cylinder shaped cork about 3 or 4 inches over the table, drop it, and have it land upright on either end. Pretty cool lesson in physics too. Everyone was presented with their very own piece of cork to take home. Thanks Rich!

Bill Pryor stopped by to drop off a supply of his latest magic creation. If you didn’t know it, The Magic Shop stocks about 20 of Professor Pryor’s most popular effects like The Impossible Dream, OOPS, The Puzzled Poker Player, and many more. Bill took the level of our conversations to new heights! He recounted, with Artie and Pat’s help, details of the IBM/SAM Holiday Banquet that took place Saturday evening. The subject of entertainment that evening stimulated much discussion.

The 80th Annual Magi-Fest is right around the corner and one of our members will be competing in the adult stage competition. Let us all wish Pat good luck and to “break a leg” in the contest. Participating in regional contests like the Magi-Fest is a very good way to widen you magical social network, see and meet fellow performers, learn new stuff, and grow as an entertainer. Hopefully more of our CRAP members will participate in these types of contests in the future.

For those of you that haven’t seen Chris Wyllie in a while, he is alive and well. The rumors of his death have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, he’s doing so well that he is now married and his wife is expecting this August. Congratulations Chris! Did you know that Chris was one of the original members of CRAP and is the man behind LightPowerMagic?

The meeting wrapped up around 10:30pm as we made our individual exits. If you missed the meeting, shame on you. It was a real fun night. Don’t get me wrong, every CRAP meeting is fun. But every once and a while, the night is extra fun. That’s the best way to describe this evening.

Come join us some Tuesday evening and experience the magic of CRAP…

CRAP 12/28/10

Shawn — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:07:11 +0000

CRAP was attended this week Colonel Kidwell, Sir Patrick, Jon, Todd, Jeff, Spencer. Discussions ranged from Sir Patrick contest act, SD cards (secure digital), Mike Woodwards’s holiday party in Lexington to unexpected trips to Toledo! Spencer demonstrated the new deck he won from another clubs meeting. It involved the cards having actual names on the backs and the spectator choosing the name for a card. Well done Mr. Spencer! A few of us retired to The Magic Shop so Jeff could get a couple of things. And afterwards we called it a CRAPpy night and went home.
A few us CRAPpers were able to drive down to Lexington and visit with IBM’s Ring 198 party (the ring that puts on the Unconventional Convention) at the aforementioned Mike Woodwards holiday party. Mike’s basement is a museum of mostly P&L items. Magical posters adorn the walls and even a large Carter the Great Poster on the ceiling. Mike was very generous to invite our group to his festivities, magic was performed by most in attendance and a good time was had by all. We tried to be on our best behavior, really we did. Jeff did the things he does so well with dollar bills, Spencer did a variety of card, coin and pen stuff. Of course, others shared their magical talents as well, one only had to look around to see a plethora of magic being shared. Thanks for inviting us Mike!

CRAP 12/21/10

Shawn — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 01:16:01 +0000

This weeks meeting attendees/crappers were, Artie, Ron, Patrick, Jeff, Todd, Bobby, Robert and his friend Jenna. Various topics were discussed early evening including Hitler, Charlie Chaplin and silent movies. Patrick made delicious holiday cookies for each of us so as we snacked on those the main focus of the evening became a review of a competition act performance by Sir-Patrick. This performance was a rehearsal/critique opportunity for his entry at Magi-Fest in January and possibly elsewhere later in the year. Everyone had a positive reaction to the performance. Critiques and suggestions opened up a dialogue about routining a show. All in effort to help our friend. Too many ideas and suggestions for him to integrate for his upcoming competitions but food for thought. It was just like these crappers, to ask for advice and then respectfully offer opinions, again trying to help another performer. We all wish Patrick well in this venture and know he will do his best. Happy Holidays to one and all.

CRAP for 11/30/10

Shawn — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 02:49:06 +0000

Artie at The Magic Shop

Well, CRAP went on for another Tuesday. Artie, Todd Patrick, Jeff, Kevin, Dave R, and Spencer shared a CRAPPY night of magic and camaraderie.

Patrick announced he is registered for Magi-Fest where he is expected to enter his competition act. He performed part of his act recently at the Unconventional Convention in Corbin Kentucky. Reviews were positive, we expect him to do our CRAP group proud. Speaking of the Unconventional Convention, Mike Woodward invited members of our group to his post Christmas party on 12/29 those of you interested should contact Patrick for details. Patrick is also getting ready to start rehearsals for Seussical, playing the magician in the second scene.

Well, that’s all the crap fit to print for this week.

Hope to see you on a CRAPPY Tuesday soon!