I.B.M. Ring 362
Dr. James William Elliott Ring
Bangor, Maine

Minutes of May 2006 Meeting
May 21, 2006

The May Meeting for I.B.M. Ring 362 was held at the Sebasticook Valley Community Center in Newport on May 21, 2006. The meeting began at 3:00 pm with magical performances. The performances were followed by the business meeting.

The theme of the performances was Silk Magic. Wes Booth was the emcee. Please see the Ring Report for a description of the performances.

The meeting was chaired by Alan Drew with no public agenda or formal motion to specify the Rules of Order.

In Old Business, Alan reported no progress on the scheduling of Charter Night.

In New Business, Carroll Chapman suggested that the Ring engage in a fundraising charity event of some kind. Several members spoke suggested that it is too late to pursue this for the All-Star Magical Revue on July 4, and Wes Booth pointed out that since the September 16 show is to benefit the Sebasticook Valley Community Center in exchange for the Ring's use of the building, we cannot add an additional charity component to this show. There was a consensus to table this discussion until after our September show.

In New Business, Wes Booth raised the issue of whether we should consider scheduling the business meeting before the magic, a change from the Ring's meeting schedule from that used for the Organizational Meeting and the first three Ring meetings. After some discussion, the consensus was that the meeting should begin at 2:30 PM with a teaching table (following the theme of the meeting if possible), followed by magical performances, followed by the business meeting. For the June meeting, with its theme of Coin Magic, the teaching table should be on coin sleights, with several members contributing. Wes agreed to schedule to use of the SVCC for 2:30 PM on June 18 and subsequent meetings.

Alan called for the Treasurer's Report. Treasurer Randy Von Smith reported that the situation is largely unchanged from last month, with no money in and no money out. Randy also reported that incorporation papers would be filed before the July 4 show.

Alan called for the approval of the minutes, which were approved unanimously.

Alan called for a volunteer to be appointed Ring Historian, whose duties are described in the Policy and Program Manual. No one expressed an interest in being Ring Historian.

In Old Business, Alan called for a report on the All-Star Magical Revue.

Stage and Theater Management Chair Randy Von Smith stressed the importance of prior rehearsal, even with cardboard boxes simulating large props, prior to the show. The performers agreed to a technical rehearsal on Sunday, June 25 (time to be determined), at the Sebasticook Valley Community Center. Wes Booth agreed to arrange the use of the SVCC on Sunday, June 25, and possibly on Sunday, July 2. For these rehearsals, performers Dr. Wilson, Professor Miller, Wes Booth, and Alan Drew must be present with as many props as possible, with music submitted in advance to Paul Szauter.

Randy also asked that performers be present at 8:00 AM at the Criterion Theatre on July 4 for a walk-through and technical check.

Dayton Salisbury volunteered to help out backstage on July 4.

Publicity and Ticket Sales Chair Paul Szauter described current publicity efforts in Bar Harbor. Sarah Hinckley of the Mount Desert Islander was present for the first phase of The Two Paths, a publicity event at Eden Rising, located next door to the Criterion Theatre. The second phase of this event will be on June 7, timed to make the papers the week of the Legacy of the Arts insert. A different publicity stunt, The Perilous Garden, is scheduled for Saturday, May 27, at 5:00 PM on the sand bar in Frenchman Bay. Dr. Wilson is performing, with Professor Miller handing out promotional materials and Randy Von Smith and Aubrey Smith assisting. All members are invited to attend.

Paul and Geoff met with Michael Boland and Colin Capers on Friday, and Michael seemed uncomfortable with the distribution of discount coupons in the parade, so this idea will be dropped, and Paul will let Michael and Colin know.

The "Magical Trip Around the World" drawing in the All-Star Magical Revue will provide the opportunity to hand out genuine door prizes fairly. Paul will obtain prizes from Eden Rising, Cafe Milagro, and other businesses near the Criterion Theatre, with gift certificates and discount coupons being the likely prizes. The prize drawing will be featured in pre-show publicity.

Dr. Wilson, Professor Miller, and Wes Booth agreed to march in the parade, which begins at 10:00 AM. They will be joined by Eostara Dancers and possibly other costumed marchers.

Geoffrey Miller showed a beautiful set of scale drawings of the Criterion Theatre. Randy and Geoff emphasized that backstage space is extremely limited, ruling out the use of more than one or two large props. Danny Baker's tip-over trunk, a very large prop, is one of these. After some discussion, it was clear that Alan Drew's levitation was not practical, as it cannot be brought into the theater, and cannot be set on stage for the whole of the second act. Wes and Alan discussed possible material of a scale more practical to the constraints of this show. The performers reviewed the order of performances and discussed the transitions.

Wes Booth agreed to cut the Temple of Benares and substitute the Daggers through Head illusion as more practical. He will also consider a Jumbo Monte routine using stage-sized cards. Alan and Wes discussed other possible magic effects that would be practical for their segments.

The problem of obtaining volunteers from the audience was raised. Audience members cannot take the stairs onto the stage, as these will be blocked by sound equipment. A stagehand or performer must lead the volunteer through a front exit door, through the backstage area, and onto the stage. Because of this, effects requiring audience members on stage must be kept to a minimum. Alan Drew agreed to change his act accordingly, using Sign Girl Sue McClatchy as a volunteer for the milk pitcher routine, and a genuine audience volunteer only for the sawing.

Paul will provide the basic sound system: a Fender PD-250, which has six inputs and speakers of modest size, a wireless lapel microphone which unfortunately must be passed from one performer to the next for talking acts as none of the other performers has a wireless microphone, one or two microphones on stands, and a music system consisting of an iPod with a Griffin Airclick radio-controlled remote. There will be a CD player as a backup. We will make every attempt to connect the PD-250 to the house speakers.

In Old Business, for the September 16 show at the SVCC, Alan appointed the committee chairs: Talent Coordination - Wes Booth; Publicity & Ticket Sales - Paul Szauter; and Stage and Theater Management - Geoffrey Miller, Chair; Randy Von Smith.

In Old Business, Alan Drew obtained a count of the number of members wanting copies of the Charter, and agreed to obtain eight copies.

In Old Business, Alan Drew announced that he would plan the Parlour Contest for some time after the September 16 show, endowing the contest, writing the rules, and providing prizes and participation certificates.

Congratulations were offered to: 1) Angelique and Markus Steelgrave on their upcoming marriage on June 10, 2) Wes Booth for coverage in Rolling Thunder of his victory in the Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge, and 3) Dennis Labbe for winning the Ralph Greenwood Comedy Magic Contest in Portland.

With no further business at hand, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.