Posted July 13, 2010 - Continuing its long tradition the Milbourne Christopher Foundation presented its annual awards during the Installation Banquet at the S.A.M Annual Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, July 3. The MCF honors the memory and accomplishments of a Past President (1957-1958), Author and Historian, Performer, Editor and World Traveler. This year’s honorees are Johnny Ace Palmer (Close Up); Johnny & Pam Thompson (Masters of Magic); Joseph Gabriel (Illusionist); PNP Michael Miller (Ambassador Award); and John Harrison (Literary Award). Image courtesy of Dale Farris, click to enlarge.

Posted July 10, 2010 - The contest chairperson has released the names of the all the winners at the Atlanta Comnvention. Here are the recipients of awards for The S.A.M. Contest:

Close-up:

• Chairperson's High Score Award - Johan Stahl
• Second Highest Score Award - Chaz King
• People's Choice Award - Johan Stahl

Stage Contest:

• Chairperson's High Score Award - Ito Shinichiro
• Second Highest Score Award - Andy Hung (Andost)
• People's Choice Award - Ito Shinichiro
• Originality Award (to be presented in 2011) - Andy Hung (Andost)
• Mystic Craig Award for Professional Promise - Eric Gilliam

Presidential Award - Close-up: Brian Roberts
Presidential Award - Stage: Andy Hung (Andost)

Posted July 7, 2010 - Tom Prete Assembly 127 of Wallingford, CT, will celebrate its 30th annual New England Magicians Conference (NEMCON) on Saturday, March 12, 2011 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Cromwell, Connecticut.

The all-star lineup for this great one-day event includes 16 year-old Reuben Moreland, 1st place winner, Long Island Magic Arts Convention; Dean of American Magicians, ("Mr. Showbiz") George Schindler; Geoff Williams, First Place winner in Stage, Close-Up and Comedy categories at the annual Houdini Magic Convention; Angela Funovits, who is ranked among the "Best of 2009" by Corporate Entertainer Magazine and runner up on NBC's primetime series "Phenomenon"; Oscar Munoz winner of the IBM Gold cup and SAM First Place Gold Medal Competition; Rocco Silano, winner of the Worlds Most Original Magician at the 2006 FISM in Stockholm; and Eric DeCamps, winner of the prestigious SAM Gold Medal of Excellence for Close Up Magic.

The conference will honor Assembly 127 member and NEMCON dealer chairman Patrick Guida for his contributions to Assembly 127 and his tireless contributions to NEMCON. The fun begins at 9:30 A.M. and includes a close-up show, 3 lectures, 13 dealers, a silent auction to support the Tom Prete Scholarship for the Arts, and a Gala All-Star evening show. Information is available at www.ctNEMCON.com or by contacting conference chairman Henry Holava at 203-238-1940 or email HHolava@ctnemcon.com.

Posted May 16, 2010 - The Society of Young Magicians invites kids to attend a three day weekend of concentrated magic, with special sessions for young people between the ages of 7 and 17 on all aspects of the art taught by professionals, all famous magicians. Whether you are a beginner or already performing magic shows you will have great fun and benefit by learning from experts, all well known in their fields, who are youth approved mentors. The three day event covers illusions, escapes, card and coin magic, close-up, stage and parlor magic. All sessions are for kids only. You will especially enjoy the "Kids Do Magic for Kids" show and an "All Star Magic Revue."

FAQ:

Where can I get all the details of this fabulous magical WOW weekend? For more information, please see the information on the SYM Website at http://www.magicsym.com/wow.asp

When is it? - July 23, 24, 25, 2010.

Where? - Ontario -California at the Doubletree Hotel – Ontario Airport - 1-800-222-TREE (Special WOW rate of $89.00 single/double)

How much does it cost? If registering before July 1 each SYM Member pays only $150.00. If you are not a member the price is $170.00, which includes a membership. Parent or guardian pays $75.00. (After July 1 add $25.00 to each category)

Who are some of the famous magicians I will meet?

Scheduled Guest performers and mentors (subject to change):

• Mark Cannon- Escape Artist
• Tony Clark- Birds and illusions
• Sterling- A young Las Vegas World Seminar winner
• Shawn Farquhar- World Champion Magician
• Bruce Kalver- Past National President of Society of American Magicians
• "Ice" McDonald- International performer with his famous Macaw
• George Schindler- Magicomedian and author" Dean of Magicians
• Joel Ward- Young magic rising star
• Alan Zagorski- Illusions

YOU CAN SAVE $25.00 IF YOU REGISTER EARLY RATES INCREASE JULY 1

Posted January 30, 2010 - S.A.M Executive officers and their counterparts, met at the IBM mid-year meeting in San Diego to discuss mutual goals to help build both organizations. Meaningful discussions included topics such as FISM, Ethics, Convention Planning and Membership goals. Seated left to right: IBM President-Elect Rolando Sanchez, IBM President Jack White, SAM President Mike Miller, Standing, left to right: SAM 2nd VP Chris Bontjes, SAM President-Elect Mark Weidhaas, IBM VP Vanny Pule, SAM 1st VP Vinny Grosso.

Posted November 27, 2009 - The SAM Area's Best Recruiter Award (ABRA)

The Society of American Magicians is encouraging you to be involved in the latest membership campaign with a special contest: Win one year free extended membership in the SAM ($65 value - 11 to be awarded) AND a free Atlanta Convention Registration ($260 value)

• Campaign begins December 1, 2009 and ends May 1, 2010
• Open to all SAM Members in good standing (excluding National Council
• Recruit at least 3 new SAM adult members (excluding trial members)
• One Free extended Membership awarded to the top recruiter in each Region.
• Grand Prize of one Free Atlanta Convention Registration to the recruiter bringing in the most members.
• Winners will be honored by the National President in Atlanta and in M-U-M
• Inform the National Administrator by May 1 that you are the designated sponsor of the new recruits: samadministrator@magicsam.com or 775-751-0505
• Tie breakers to be determined by the Membership Committee.

We are providing extra tools to help you succeed: Free October issues of MUM (contact the administrator), the $45 Paperless Member Option, Four Free Nielsen Posters to new recruits December - February, I Have a Friend in the SAM collector pins. GOOD LUCK!

Questions? Contact Mark Weidhaas, presidentelect@magicsam.com or 719-637-9965.

Posted November 12, 2009 - S.A.M. Members attending the annual Broken Wand Ceremony at the Houdini Grave Site, Nov 10, 2009. PA#1 members left to right are Paul Hsiao, Jim Stranges, Bruce Lish, Rabbi Noach Valley, George Schindler, Arthur Ashendorf, and Rabbi Jack Glickman, Plus Tony Corrao of Assembly #77. Click the image to enlarge.

Posted September 17, 2009 - www.flypmedia.com has a great story on New York's Magic Table at the Cafe Edison. Featured names include Mike Bornstein, George Schindler, Jerry Oppenheimer, Eric DeCamps, and more! Click here to view - be sure to flip the pages! Why not join us on Fridays?

Posted September 5, 2009 - The Trustees of the S.A.M. Magic Endowment Fund have recently voted to continue the popular lecture program started a number of years ago to provide free magic lectures to those Assemblies that did not get them in the past. Click Here for full information!

Posted August 23, 2009 - If you've been curious about the Society of American Magicians, you can experience what the world's oldest and most prestigious organization has to offer by taking advantage of the S.A.M. Trial Membership option. Trial Membership is a four month, temporary membership option that gives you the advantages of full membership, without a long term commitment. Click here for full details, FAQs and info to pass along to your friends!

Posted July 29, 2009 - At the annual meeting of the Society of American Magicians, the S.A.M. National Council unveiled a new, eco-friendly option for new and renewing members. Members may choose to go "paperless". For many months, M-U-M, the official magazine of the S.A.M., has been available on-line. The e-edition continues to be available as one of the many benefits the S.A.M. offers to its members.

In an effort to save paper, trees and mailing expenses both in the U.S. and abroad, the council voted a special savings to those who choose not to receive the printed version of M-U-M. All other full membership benefits will not change, and printed copies will be made available when requested.

See a FAQ list and all the details allowing new and renewing members to pay only $45.00 of the usual; $65.00 fee.