Meir Yedid hosted our morning workshop on effects without props.  This years workshop was decided as a group but was the brain child of Pat Page, who is dearly missed among the members.

Bruce Kalver and Joan Caesar started thing off with a two person mentalism act to decern the serial number of a bill.  It was an effective display and to our surprise, later in the program Bruce came back to tip the workings.  It is a code created by his Grandfather, Samuel Woolf.  It is also interesting to note that Mr. Woolf constructed Houdini’s first Milk Can Escape.  It was an awesome start to the day.

Harvey Berg attempted to demonstrate a “lift” technique but it fell a little short.  Phil, Joan, Maria and Gene were supposed to be able to easily lift a volunteer, but failed to lift Tony Dunn any significant height.  The idea however was sound and I believe Harvey added value to the workshop.

Bob Reese schooled us on a system to learn to say the alphabet backwards.  In fact within a ten minute period most of the participants of the workshop were reciting it with ease!

Raj Mador demonstrated an interesting technique to fool a persons senses with a demonstration using Gene Anderson.  It was a well received piece that deserves more investigation.

Gene Gordon used some blank cards, technically a prop …  but hey, they were blank.  Soon words appeared on the cards and he turned nothing into something.

Roland Meister had four volunteers demonstrate the chair-less suspension.  I have sen this many times and it was an appropriate effect for the theme.

Mark Zacharia did a invisible coin toss with great effect.

Michele Asslin showed us an interesting strength test where people, who’s finger tips are touching could repel the strength of another individual attempting to pull their arms apart.  A variation with the arms being pulled while he merely twirled a closed watch band was fascinating.

Tim Ellis shared a bar bet with us by suckering Obie into taking his bet.  Basically Time asked Obie to stand on a chair.  At that point he would walk around Obie three times, but by the time Tim made his third trip he believed Obie would step down off the chair.  Yes, Tim won and it was an excellent method.

Meir Yedid was next to share more stretching appendages ideas and offered an explanation.  Meir then recognized Steve Bargatze to the crowd.  It seems the new nickname for Steve is catching on.  Recently Steve was run over by a golf cart and is not in good health.  In fact he is in a wheelchair.  The good news is the nickname shares the same initials!   Well enough about “Speed Bump”.

To close the workshop we had Lina’s favorite magician, Joe Rindflesch, who gave us a sneak peak at the work behind his upcoming DVD about twisting fingers.  Joe really is a super creative worker and this generous offer to tip the work in these effects was awesome.  I have always known Joe to be the Rubberband Guy but this finger stuff was great too!

(Shawn’s note to the reader: I was unable to confirm the correct spelling of many individuals.  I am sorry if I have not spelled something correctly.  Please let me know so I can rectify the situation.  With a name like Farquhar I understand the need and desire to have someone spell my name correctly.)

Follow all the updates from Shawn Farquhar from The 40th Fechters Finger Flicking Frolic as he posts them.