Atlanta Society of Magicians

2012 Holiday Banquet/Magician of the Year

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The Atlanta Society of Magicians and the Georgia Magic Club held their annual holiday banquet on January 7, 2012 at the Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church fellowship hall.

Merritt Ambrose was voted 2011 Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year by members of both Atlanta clubs. The award was announced before the banquet show and the Magician of the Year trophy was presented to Merritt by ASM President Rick Hinze and GMC President Mike Quinn.
ASM vice-president Debbie Leifer was recognized for Exceptional Performance by GMC president Mike Quinn for her behind-the-scenes contributions to the Georgia Magic Club.
Keith Rainey received the Award for Excellence in Professional Development for his presentation to the ASM on Coins Across routines. He was also recognized by the GMC for his mini-lecture on a genre of sleight of hand with playing cards.
The entertainment for the evening was provided by members of the Atlanta Society of Magicians:

Emcee Dan Garrett

Merritt Ambrose

Jim Driscoll

Mark Hatfield

 

Jay Schanerman

Victoria Skye

Rick Hinze

       
       

 

 

Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 February 2012 21:29
 
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The Atlanta Society of Magicians meets at the Piccadilly Cafeteria (2226 North Druid Hills Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 map) on the second Tuesday of each month. The business meeting begins at approximately 6pm. Join us early for dinner and conversation.
Our Professional Development Series is presented by an ASM member each month and focuses on a particular topic. In 2012, members will make presentations about a variety of magicians who have influenced our art throughout time.

All attendees are encouraged, but not required, to perform at each meeting. The performances are not required to relate to the topic of the Professional Development Series workshop.

Last Updated on Saturday, 07 January 2012 15:50
 

2011 Top Dog Cups & Balls Championship Results

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The first Top Dog Cups & Balls Championship is in the books! Congratulations to President Rick Hinze for his win!

National S.A.M. President Vinny Grosso present Rick Hinze with the Top Dog Trophy (alternate caption National Top Dog presents Local Top Dog with Top Dog)

 

 

Our guest judges Mark Hall ( Athens, GA Assembly 295 President), Jay Schanerman ( Assembly 295 Vice-President, Assembly 30 member) and National S.A.M. President Vinny Grosso had their plates full in determining the winner of Assembly 30's innaugural contest.

Judges (l to r): Jay Schanerman, Vinny Grosso & Mark Hall

 

Contestants
Mark Hatfield Merritt Ambrose
Rick Hinze Gene Hendrix

 

 

Last Updated on Tuesday, 20 December 2011 20:47
 

Donnie Golson & Tim Wolfe Honored by National President Vinny Grosso

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ASM members Donnie Golson and Tim Wolfe were honored by National President Vinny Grosso for their many years of dedication to Project Magic in the Atlanta area.

Last Updated on Saturday, 07 January 2012 15:18
 

Annual Holiday Banquet 2012

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The annual holiday banquet jointly held between the Atlanta Society of Magicians and Georgia Magic Club has been set for Saturday, January 7, 2011 at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.

 The Atlanta Society of Magicians will provide the entertainment for the evening and Georgia Magic Club will provide the main course for dinner. 

Dinner at 6pm, Awards at 7pm, "A Potpourri of Magical Curiosities" Show at 7:30pm 

If your Last Name begins with A through P - Please Bring a SIDE DISH
If your last Name begins with Q through Z - Please Bring a DESSERT.


 

Last Updated on Thursday, 01 December 2011 14:17
 

Debbie Leifer Elected Regional VP

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Congratulations to Assembly Vice President Debbie Leifer on her election to Regional Vice President for the South Atlantic States for the Society of American Magicians. Debbie succeeds Rick Hinze in his multi-term service in the RVP role.

Isn't it good to see Atlanta represented at the national level in our organizations?

Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 10:11
 

Joe M. Turner: 2010 Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year

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Joe M. Turner: 2010 Greater Atlanta Magician of the YearJoe M. Turner has been voted “2010 Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year” by the combined memberships of IBM Ring 9 (The Georgia Magic Club) and SAM Assembly 30 (The Atlanta Society of Magicians).  The presidents of the local clubs announced the news at the clubs’ joint banquet on January 8, 2011.

The award dates back to 1971 and is based on excellence in seven categories including performance skill, use of talent for charitable efforts, teaching, and creativity.  The accompanying “Duke Stern/Hal Martin Memorial Trophy” is engraved with the names of all the previous winners.  The winner is honored to keep the trophy for a year, and then receives a commemorative plaque to keep after passing the trophy to the next winner.

The selection of the winner is made in stages.  Each of the participating organizations elects two finalists from their membership, and those nominees then go on a ballot for a final comprehensive round of voting by both clubs.  This year, Turner had the rare honor of being selected as a finalist by both local groups.

Turner, a corporate speaker and entertainer who is often billed as "the Chief Impossibility Officer," is now a two-time Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year, having also received the award in 2000.  He is a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the Society of American Magicians, the London Magic Circle (AIMC with Silver Star), and the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood.  He serves as the IBM Territorial Vice President for Georgia, as well as the Global TVP Counselor.  He is currently serving a three-year term on the IBM Board of Directors.  He writes a bi-monthly review column for Genii Magazine.

Find out more about Joe M. Turner’s magic entertainment and keynotes at http://www.turnermagic.com and http://www.turnertalks.com.

Last Updated on Monday, 10 January 2011 09:36
 

ASM Member Milestones

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Congratulations and thanks to ASM members Dan Garrett and Nolan Robinson for their devotion and support to the Society of American Magicians. This year, Dan will reach 35 years and Nolan will reach 25 years of continuous membership in the S.A.M.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 July 2010 17:42
 

ASM Member Spotlight Section

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All members of the Atlanta Society of Magicians are encouraged to submit a short biographical sketch with photo and link to their website. That's all that is needed to add your profile to the Featured Member section on the ASM home page.


Each time the site is accessed, a member profile is selected at random from those available and displayed on the home page. Members must be current on club dues to keep their profile active in the mix.

Submit your profile or questions to Keith Rainey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 September 2010 18:53
 

Meeting Schedule/Professional Development Series

The Atlanta Society of Magicians meets at the Piccadilly Cafeteria (2226 North Druid Hills Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 map) on the second Tuesday of each month. The business meeting begins at approximately 6pm. Join us early for dinner and conversation.
Our Professional Development Series is presented by an ASM member each month and focuses on a particular topic. In 2012, members will make presentations about a variety of magicians who have influenced our art throughout time.

All attendees are encouraged, but not required, to perform at each meeting. The performances are not required to relate to the topic of the Professional Development Series workshop.

 
  • January 10, 2012 Willard the Wizard presented by Jim Mangham
  • February 14, 2012 Duke Stern presented by Jim Driscoll
  • March 13, 2012  Emmerson/West presented by Darryl Berman
  • April 10, 2012 Dai Vernon presented by Dan Garrett
  • May 8, 2012  Harry Lorayne presented by John Miller 
  • June 12, 2012  Tommy Wonder presented by Merritt Ambrose
  • July 10, 2012 William Coffrin presented by Joe Morrison
  • August 14, 2012: TBD
  • September 11,2012: Neil Foster presented by Rick Hinze
  • October 9, 2012:  Al Goshman presented by Debbie Leifer
  • November 13, 2012: Larry Jennings presented by Joe M. Turner
  • December 11, 2012: 2nd Annual Top Dog Cups & Balls Championship
 

ASM Member Spotlight

 

 

“Chief Impossibility Officer” Joe M. Turner is a popular entertainer and speaker at corporate and private events in metro-Atlanta and across the United States.  He combines his theatrical and business experience with sleight-of-hand, illusions, and mentalism to create customized presentations for meetings, product launches, trade shows and other occasions.
Joe performs all over America each year – from Hollywood’s Magic Castle to Monday Night Magic in New York, and for hundreds of great clients in between.  On television, he has performed on CNN Headline News, Good Morning America, Nightline, Good Day Atlanta, Good Day Xtra, and Better Mornings Atlanta.  He has been featured in Atlanta and Jezebel magazines, and even on the radio!
Joe is a two-time “Greater Atlanta Magician of the Year,” having been awarded the honor in 2000 and again in 2010.  He is the first magician to with the Doyne Michie Close-up Magic Award and the J.C. Doty Stage Magic Award, and he’s the only Georgia magician to ever perform in all three rooms at the Hollywood Magic Castle: Close-up, Parlor, and Stage.  Joe was one of a select group performers invited to entertain when the SAM National Council met in Atlanta, and he later starred on the opening night show at the SAM Convention in Atlanta in 2010.  Joe writes instructional DVD reviews for Genii Magazine and occasionally publishes his own material and lectures for magicians.
Visit www.turnermagic.com to find out more, or call 404.644.6791 (metro Atlanta) or 1.866.859.2458. (Toll-free call in the U.S.)