THE CAPITAL MAGIC CONNECTION

       THE CAPITAL MAGIC CONNECTION

September 27, 2026

October is the most magical month of the year. October is International Magic Month, the last week of October is International Magic Week, and October 31 is International Magic Day. Many people think the 31st is magic day because it coincides Halloween, but that is not how it came about. The 31st was first called Houdini Day to honor the memory of Harry Houdini who died on October 31, 1926. It was later changed to Magic Day.

Halloween, while not directly connected to magic month, week, or day, conjures up supernatural and magical forces in the form of witches, warlocks, vampires, zombies, ghosts, and other spooky incarnations.

We will celebrate this magical time of the year with our annual SAM banquet on the October 11. We also encourage all members of our magical community to take this month as an opportunity to demonstrate to family and friends the wonders of magic as a performing art.

BANQUET UPDATE

The sign up for the banquet has been going well. The banquet will be just two weeks from today. So if you plan on attending and haven’t yet completed the form sent by Tom McKiernan, do so as soon as you can. Dave is asking anyone planning to attend to make their reservations no later than noon on October 2. That is next Friday. At that point, Dave will be contacting the Holiday Inn with the final number attending as well as the food choices.

So don’t wait, or you’ll be too late!

MORNING MAGIC GROUP

The next meeting of the morning group will be on Tuesday morning, October 6, at 8:30 am at the Ugly Rooster off Exit 12 of the Northway. Everyone interested in magic is welcome to join us. 

If you need more information or directions, call Cliff Bruce, Dave McClements, or Ken Marcinowski.

OCTOBER MEETING OF THE SAM ASSEMBLY 24

SAM Assembly 24 will meet on Tuesday, October 13, at 7:00 at S. W. Pitts Hose Company, 226 Old Loudon Road, in Latham, NY. Dave has suggested Halloween or spooky tricks as a suggested topic for this meeting. I would also suggest Houdini related or escape type tricks as an additional topic. As always, these are suggested topics. Anything you would like to share with group will be welcomed.

Gary Doorman has volunteered to bring the refreshments for this meeting. Nobody has signed up for the November or December meetings. If you would like to volunteer, please let Dave know.

SPECIAL OCTOBER MEETING OF IBM RING 186

IBM Ring 186 will meet on Tuesday, October 27 at 7:00 at S. W. Pitts Hose Company, 226 Old Loudon Road, in Latham, NY. For this meeting Dave has arranged for a lecture by Jackie Reynolds, an award-winning clown magician, who will demonstrate some of her best children’s routines. This is not a public lecture; it’s just for our local IBM and SAM club members. No charge.

KEN BECKLEY RECEIVES ORIGINALITY AWARD AT MAES CONVENTION

Ken Beckley received the originality award at this year’s Magicians’ Alliance of Eastern States (MAES) Convention at Cherry Hill, PA for his routine. I have no information about what he did, but it must have been good. Congratulations, Ken.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING SHOWS AND EVENTS

Sunday October 11: Our annual SAM Banquet at the Holiday Inn in Saratoga. Friday (October 2) is the last day to sign-up

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

If you know of a magic related event or show which might be of interest to capital area magicians, send that information to me in time for it to be announced in our next newsletter.

Also if you would like to contribute an original article, trick or review of a book, DVD, trick or internet site, send it to me for inclusion in this newsletter. PLEASE DON’T COPY WHAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS WRITTEN UNLESS YOU DOCUMENT THE SOURCE AND HAVE PERMISSION TO SHARE IT.

Send contributions and announcements to: cliffordbruce@earthlink.net