"NATIONAL MAGIC WEEK" PROCLAIMED
BY SOCIETY OF AMERICAN MAGICIANS
October 25 to 31
New York- September 15, 2011 - Vinny Grosso, National President of the Society of American Magicians,
proclaimed the week of October 25 to October 31 as National Magic Week throughout the United States and
Canada. For more than forty years the Society has recognized the anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini
with a special "week" of events to highlight the charitable work of the Society throughout the year.
Magic Week History
Houdini died at 1:26 PM on October 31 in 1926 and was president of the
Society for the previous nine years. His grave is
in New York City. Click the image at the left
to view the gravesite.
During the year the members of the S.A.M. perform for Senior Citizens in
nursing homes, plus in VA Hospitals and for schools and libraries for children
who cannot afford the luxury of live entertainment. The free shows are part
of the service programs by its members. Magic Week is when the magicians can
take their bows. Public magic events and exhibits will be taking place all
over the country.
Each year governors, mayors and other governing bodies throughout the country are requested to issue
proclamations declaring the last week in October as National Magic Week, encouraging magicians throughout
the country to participate in the activities.
The Society of American Magicians adopted the idea of National Magic Week as a way of promoting the
Art of Magic by performing shows at orphanages, hospitals and nursing homes for those who would have
difficulty getting to a theatre to see a live performance. The members of the Society of American
Magicians that participate in these shows find it a rewarding activity. Many people enjoy magic shows
during this week that otherwise would not be able to do so.
The roots of National Magic Week go back over 80 years. Before there was a National Magic Week there
was a National Magic Day. It all started with a "Houdini Day" in the summer of 1927, less
than one year from the death of Harry Houdini. A trophy in honor of Houdini, who served as the President
of the Society of American Magicians for nine years until his death on October 31, 1926, was presented
by Mrs. Harry Houdini in New York City.
New York City 2011 Proclamation of Magic Week. Click the image to enlarge. |
There were many other "Houdini Days" following, but it was not until 1938 that Les Sholty,
a Chicago member of the Society of American Magicians, sought official sanction for a "Houdini
Day." A friend of the Houdini's requested and obtained permission from Mrs. Houdini to proclaim
October 31 as National Magic Day in honor of Harry Houdini. The plan was formulated at that time to
have free performances for shut-ins and handicapped people.
Many newspapers carried the story about National Magic Day and various magical societies kept the idea
alive. It was not long when National Magic Day became National Magic Week.
The first radio broadcast about National Magic Day occurred over radio station KQW on July 20, 1938.
Mrs. Harry Houdini participated in that broadcast.
Magic displays can be found at libraries, stores and malls throughout the country during National
Magic Week.
Each Assembly of the Society of American Magicians is encouraged to send in a list of their planned events so they may be published on the website.
Additionally, each Assembly is encouraged to submit their Magic Week activities photos, publicity received, scans of Proclamations and letters of
recognition and all other Magic Week items for publication on the website and to have them included in the annual CD. Items should be sent to the
Magic Week Chair, Jeff Sikora at jqmagic@cox.net.
National Magic Week is the S.A.M.'s and the magical fraternity's way of sharing with others in a great
art form that is deeply loved by those who participate in it.
To read the current Society of American Magicians Proclamation of Magic Week,
just click the link. The News Page will list upcoming
magic week events around the country as the time approaches.
Click Here for the MAGIC WEEK EVENT REPORT FORM.
Download the Magic Week Informational Flyer here.
Click here to read the article, "Our Assembly Wants to Participate in National Magic Week... What now???"
ALL publicity, press, proclamations etc relating to Magic Week are to be sent to:
Magic Week Registrar: Jeffrey Sikora 402-339-6726 jqmagic@cox.net
Magic Week News
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Assembly #200 Performs for Magic Week |
Posted November 12, 2011 - Washington State Magic Week performance by Assembly 200 on October 30, 2011, for the grateful residents of Sunrise of Mercer Island Assisted Living Center. Performers were Jim Earnshaw, Mark Paulson, and Fredrick Turner. Click the image to enlarge.
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Assembly #120 Performs for Magic Week |
Posted November 12, 2011 - SAM Assembly 120 celebrated magic week with a performance at the Danville Veterans Hospital by Andy Anderson, Christopher Bontjes, Rob Higgins, JR Thomas, and Dave Wernick. Justin Dudley celebrated magic week with performances at two hospitals in Decatur, Illinois. Click the image to enlarge.
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Assembly #4 at the Silver Springs Martin Luther School |
Posted November 1, 2011 - Image at right is from the show that Assembly #4 participants Dennis (CoCo) James, Helene Schad, Kurt Garwood, Michael Bonacci and Bill Brown peformed. The show was at Silver Springs Martin Luther School on Tuesday morning, October 25 for National Magic Week. Click the image to enlarge.
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Magic Week Calendar 2011
States reporting Magic Week activities are being listed below. Click the state name to be taken to that
state's listing:
National Magic Week Chair Jeff Sikora performing with members of Chi Omega Sorority in Omaha, Nebraska at a charity fundraiser for Make-A-Wish.
Magic Week Alaska
- Monday, October 24 - Magic Week Kick Off Show at the Wilda Marston Theater in the Loussac Library. 6:30pm. Several of our local magicians will be performing a show themed "Reading Is Magic." Magic books will be donated to the library and the Mayor's Proclamation will be presented.
- Wednesday, October 26 - Magic Week Luncheon - Our regularly scheduled noon luncheon at Lily's Family Restaurant will be enhanced by opening it to the public and performing table magic upon request.
Magic Week California
- Assembly 291 is providing magic to eight schools in the Los Angeles area for a reading week program. Each magician will perform about a 30 minute routine at each school to about 100-150 students, teaches and parents. All of this is on Saturday, October 8.
Magic Week Colorado
 Sunday, October 30, 2011 - The SAM Magic Center presents: Inspector Magic's "Frankly Fun Magic and Illusion Show" at the Mainstreet Center Gallery, 19650 E Mainstreet, Parker CO.
Admission is Free. Join the Mad Scientist for this Family Friendly Show that is sure to keep you entertained. See magic tricks, illusions and search for Frankenstein’s brain! Bring your littlest ones too, as this show is more silly than spooky. Call: 303-362-0575 for more info. Inspector Magic is Mark Weidhaas, a Colorado Springs magician and Past National President of the Society of American Magicians. Click the image to view a larger copy.
Magic Week Nebraska
- On Thursday, October 27th, Midwest Regional Vice President and National Magic Week Chair Jeff Sikora will perform for at-risk youth at the Open Door Mission in Omaha. This show is part of an event to recognize and celebrate homeless or nearly-homeless children who are beating the odds by excelling in school.
Magic Week New York
Parent Assembly #1:
- October 20- SYM #69, Kid Zone TV Mt. Sinai Hospital
- October 20- Norfolk VA Hospital-Al Rubenstein
- October 23- Sheephead Bay Seniors 3643 Nostrand Ave ( Brooklyn-) Benjalini
- October 24- Glenwood Seniors Brooklyn - Richard Bossong
- October 25- Ronald McDonald House (Bruce Lish) NYC)
- October 26- St Albans Vet Hospital Isaac Rodriguez
Taiwan Center Seniors- Paul Hsiao, Renee Clement, Thomas Solomon; 37-44 Northern Blvd, Flushing NY 11354 718-445-7007
nytaiwancenter.org Paul, 917-668-8888
- October 27- Brooklyn NY Harbor VA Hospital ( 2 SHOWS) (Pat Colby & George Schindler)
Magic Week Pennsylvania
Magic Week Texas
- The Fort Worth Magician's Club, Ren Clark I.B.M. Ring 15, Bruce Chadwick S.A.M. Assembly 138, are proud to announce that on October 25th, 2011,
The Fort Worth City Council will declare by proclamation, the week of Halloween will be officially deemed 'MAGIC WEEK'!
We ask that all those members who are able to attend the Fort Worth City Council meeting at 10:00am on October 25, be there to represent our club.
FWMC President Ash Adams will be there to accept the proclamation from District 9 Fort Worth CityCouncilman Joel Burns.
The Coucil meeting starts at 10:00am, in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 1000 Throckmorton St., and the proclamations are usually the first items on the agenda.
So please try to be in attendance to show support of our club!
Magic Week Washington
- October 30, 2011, Sunrise of Mercer Island Senior Center
Jim Earnshaw, JR Russell, Fredrick Turner, and Mark Paulson, of Seattle's Assembly 200 (The Emerald City Wizards), will perform a benefit show for the Sunrise of Mercer Island senior center on October 30.
Assembly 200 also received a Proclamation for Magic Week from the governor of Washington, Christine Gregoire
Proclamations
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