One of America’s oldest magic clubs, Oakland’s Magic Circle, turns 100—- Read Oaklandside article.

Read a terrific article by Martin Snapp in the East Bay Times

Schedule of upcoming 2026 meetings below.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR UPCOMING OMC MEETINGS- Tuesdays

Tuesday, August 11 -POSTPONED DUE TO FAMILY EMERGENCY. NEW DATE TBA.  Dale Salwak LectureThe Sound Room. 3022 Broadway, Oakland. Just off the 580. (Directions and free parking info below)

Tuesday, August 18- Hoshea Zeng will be joining us as our guest lecturer.

Doors open 6:00 PM- Food and drinks available. Library open. 

Free for 2026 OMC Members. $15 for non members. 

Hoshea is an exceptional stage manipulator and the recent triple winner at this year’s Society of American Magicians Stage Magic Competition:

🥇 First Place – Stage Magic Competition
🏆 People’s Choice Award
🏆 Award of Merit.

He will share his award-winning approach to manipulation along with unique insights into Chinese magic culture and performance traditions. It promises to be an inspiring and educational evening. It will be at The Sound Room.

Tuesday, September 1 – High End Magic Auction and “Antonio and the Last Wizard.” A beautiful 2o minute film unveils the relationship between a 19th-century technological marvel and a 21st-century craftsma, John Gaughan, the world’s preeminent designer of illusions. Standing ovation at Magic Live2026!  Trailer and website here. 

Auction follows film at 7:30.

If you have fine magic to sell there will be a minimum starting price set by each seller who keeps 90% with 10% of selling price benefitting OMC.

Details coming.

At the Sound Room.

Tuesday, October 6 – Gala Dinner and Show- location to be announced

Join here.

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The Gentleman of Magic Comes to Oakland!

An Evening with Dale Salwak – New Date to be Announced Soon.

The Oakland Magic Circle is proud to welcome one of magic’s true legends, Dale Salwak, for a special four-part, two-hour lecture.

Whether you’re a hobbyist, serious student, or working professional, this is a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the most respected teachers and performers in modern magic.

A Lifetime of Excellence
Known internationally as “The Gentleman of Magic,” Dale Salwak has built a distinguished career spanning decades as a performer, entertainment director, and magic instructor.

He is a longtime featured performer at Hollywood’s Magic Castle and has served as Entertainment Director. He has produced the Academy of Magical Arts Awards Show and, for 18 years, served as Entertainment Director/Producer of the I.B.M. Annual convention (beginning years ago in Oakland). He is also the director of the historic Chavez Studio of Magic.

His television appearances include The Merv Griffin Show and Masters of Illusion, and he has performed extensively across the United States and internationally.

A particularly notable chapter of his career includes five trips to North Korea, performing at the Spring Friendship Festival in Pyongyang—a rare cultural exchange that placed him among a very small group of Western performers to appear there.

Four Part Lecture:

1. Stories & Career Gems

A deep dive into decades of professional experience, backstage stories, and hard-earned lessons from a life in magic.

2. Magic to Music Workshop

An exploration of choreography for silent magic—how to select music, structure movement, and create emotional impact through visual performance.

3. Professional Coaching

Live coaching of two selected magicians, focusing on staging, clarity, timing, presentation, and professional polish. Observers will gain just as much insight as the performers.

4. Question & Answer Session

An open forum covering performance, creativity, career development, and the realities of working as a professional magician.

Bonus Gift

All attendees will receive free copies of selected Dale Salwak’s “Portraits of a Professional” articles, offering practical insights on performance, discipline, and artistic development.

This will be one of the most significant educational events of the year for Northern California magicians—an opportunity to learn from a true master of the craft.

Come be inspired. Leave a better magician. Hope to see you there!

Dale with OMC President Michael Nguyen and Chavez School of Magic Graduate

 

Dale Salwak, Ph.D is the director and owner (since 1978) of the Chavez Studio of Magic in Southern California.

He is also a popular language arts professor at Citrus College. He says in an interview about teaching, “Every day, there are new discoveries waiting for us.”

Dale has written over 30 books and dozens of articles ranging from magic to literature and language.

Listen to Dale on Scott Wells’ “Magic Word” podcast (2023)

Genii Magazine‘s “Magicpedia”entry.

Dale’s Instagram

Facebook

 

Getting to the Sound Room is easy.  It is at 3022 Broadway, Oakland. Just off the 580. Use your favorite mapping app. It is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute car ride from BART (19th Street or MacArthur stations) and bus service along Broadway is frequent.

Parking

Free parking is available on the street.​ Free parking at Grocery Outlet​ surface lot​ (a block away) or Sprouts across the street on their rooftop parking but their gate closes sometime between 9:45-10. Access on 30th Street off Broadway. Please patronize these businesses.

There are also supervised parking lots at Summit Medical Center and Kaiser Medical Center – both of which are 2 blocks away – that are available for a fee.

Wherever you park please do not leave valuables or belongings in your vehicle. 

 

2025 was the Oakland Magic Circle’s 100th  Anniversary that has featured a stellar line-up of great programs for both bay area and more distant members.

Paid 2026 members have received Jeff McBride’s Spellbinder video. More lectures and performance videos to come​ include Christopher Hart, Michael Nguyen on Stage Magic Preparedness, John Gardenier’s The Universal Toolbox, An Afternoon with Jonathan Pendragon​, The Magic of Play by Nathaniel Segal, Katy Grabel ​o​n her new book The Magician’s Daughter: A Memoir about her father, illusionist extraordinaire, Lee Grabel​, Olivier and Chloe Redon​ on creating impossible objects and optical illusions, plus Close-Up and Stage Magic Contests.

If you haven’t already done it now is the time to renew or join here and enjoy the many benefits. $25 for 2026; $10 for under 15-year-olds. If you are a new member please fill out the application and send it per instructions or bring it to the meeting to pay at the door. Please make sure that you include your contact information, especially an email.

Free admission to most meetings–future lectures include Dale Salwak, long-time director and owner of the Chavez School of Magic, in person in August) plus events, meetings, contests, video recordings, flea market table reduced price, and many benefits including discounts at Misdirections Magic Shop and Byron Walker Magic Books.

 

REPORTS on past 2025-6 meetings below including 2025 & 2026 Intra-Club Stage Magic Contest with photos and winners.  

Tuesday, July 7 –From ESP to Enterprise: Building Stronger Magic and a Stronger Magic Business

Dan Chan is well known for his wide range of performance styles. For years his family was part of the show. But as the kids needed more time for school, sports, and other interests, Dan knew he had to shift his strategy. This jam-packed leciure not only inclued teaching of many of Dan’s effects but lots of stories about his adventures—and the successes and mistakes of his career— and where he is taking it. .

www.MillionairesMentalist.com

Watch videos here.

Sunday, June 14- Flea Market – We are trying something different. A weekend afternoon in Alameda. Like other Flea Markets it will be outdoors. Everyone can visit the spectacular Bay Area Radio Museum (our host) for free.

OMC FLEA MARKET

WHEN: Sunday, June 14, 2026

WHERE: Bay Area Radio Museum. 2152 Central Avenue, Alameda, CA

May 5—Tarbell Night – Report and photos coming

April 23.- “Mystery, Magic & Mirth” starring winners of the OMC Northern California Stage Magic Contest had a great crowd for extended acts from

Germar, Jake Berg, and Michael Nguyen

Tuesday, April 7 APPARATUS NIGHT

From 6-7pm magicians gathered to enjoy excellent food and beverages from The Sound Room kitchen over conversations, check out books and DVDs from the OMC library, and take free Magic magazines.

President Michael Nguyen offered a Broken Wand Ceremony for Peter Winch followed by memories from Dale Chung.

Another great turnout with enthusiastic performances and discussions by Germar, Mark Tarses, Bill Austin, Hoshea, Michael Della Penna, Gary Meyer, Dan Del Bonta, Michael Nguyen, and Dale Chung.

Tuesday, March 3- GYPSY THREAD Teach-In

 

The first meeting at our fabulous new home, The Sound Room. 3022 Broadway, Oakland, was a great success.

A “Gypsy Thread” Teach-in by Kim Silverman with special guest Patrick Martin offered his own takes on the classic. Two hours of invaluable lessons and conversation. Thread was supplied for an interactive evening. 

Watch Kim’s Ted Talk here.

Following the Teach-In Phil Ackerly fooled us with a paper money effect, his version on Gypsy Thread, Mark Tarses offered a torn and restored string performance and tutorial, Kim returned with a card mystery, and  Michael Nguyen performed an act of intricate manipulations with balls and cards.

 

 

 

February 3: Northern California Stage Contest and Pasta Dinner

Our final event at the historic Oakland Scottish Rite Center.

Click here for OMC 2026 Northern California Stage Contest Performers -Feb. 3,2026 names, photos and websites.

(Photos below courtesy of David Samet,Alan Sands and Gary Meyer)

Before and during dinner Dennis Thompson, Jeffrey Korst, Timothy James, Chris Britt, and Ytian Liang joined several stage contestants to amaze our guests.

 

Emcee Frank Olivier launched the evening with hilarity, juggling, and teaching tricks the audience can do.

                                                             The contestants:

Jake Berg – The Magic Garage

Jonathan Chen – IBM Ring 216

Doug Hofkins- The Surfing Magician – Santa Cruz Magic Shop

Germar Martinez – SAM 112

Doug McCay – SAM 80

Perry Yan – Oakland Magic Circle

Meriam Al Sultan – SAM 94

And the winners:

 

First Place winner: Perry Yan- $250 + trophy and paid appearance at the September Gala show.

Second Place: Jake Berg – $150

Third Place: Germar – $100

The full contest video will be sent to all 2026 OMC members by March 5.

Websites and contact information for all the contestants, strolling magicians, and the emcee, Frank Olivier.

The Judges:

John Gardenier is a professional magician with over 25 years of experience and is the new owner of the California Magic Club, the Bay Area’s premier magic dinner theater.

C.J. Hirschfield served for 17 years as Executive Director of Children’s Fairyland where she booked magicians and other performers. Prior to that she produced live events and was an executive in the television industry.

Azucena Rasilla is a longtime reporter for The Oaklandside on Oakland arts, culture, and community and the producer and host of Culture Makers.

January 6, 2026: Christopher Hart. 

Christopher Hart, known for his original taes on magic and as “Thing” in the Addams Family movies returned to the Oakland Magic Circle (He was the Gala headline act on the early 90s).

He performed some of the highlights of his act and went into details about his approach, methods and showmanship tips.

More info and a video of the lecture for 2026 members coming soon.

 

2 Photos by Gary Meyer

Photo by David Samet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2025 OMC Meetings, Lectures, Contests and Shows.

December 2 – A very full meeting featuring John Gardenier’s lecture.

Library open with new books and DVDs.  Free Linking Ring magazines.

Sale of magical apparatusdonated by the family of Abhijit Datta, a popular performer from Fremont. He was an electrical engineer who loved and performed magic since his childhood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Election of Board Officers. Single nominees for  Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant of Arms, Librarian, Membership, Tech Director, Historian, and Members at Large were confirmed.

(An online election resulted in Michael Nguyen being chosen at the 2026 President.)

John Gardenier Lecture: THE UNIVERSAL TOOLBOX: Ideas Pulled From Every Corner.

John is the new owner of the California Magic Dinner Club in Martinez who discussed what he looks for in booking acts, his exciting future plans for the venue, taught four tricks, and offered many valuable tips for magicians of all levels.

A video of the lecture will be sent to all 2025-2026 members in mid-December.

Websites: https://johngardenier.com/adult-magic-shows

https://johngardenier.com/birthday-party-magic-shows 

www.calmagic.com

 

November 4

The OMC Intraclub Stage Magic Contest.

Report by Michael Nguyen

On November 4th, 6 members competed in our very own Oakland Magic Circle Intra-Club Stage Competition. This contest had three handsome cash prizes and the 1st place winner will get to represent the Oakland Magic Circle in the Northern California Stage Contest on February 3, 2026.

Each contestant showcased their unique styles of magic. The show was something to behold as it offered a great variety of entertainment.

Starting us off was Jeff Friend, a magic club regular, who had the audience vanish a card using a shredder and shared some poetry.

Next was Sean Lin, a talented magician from Taiwan. He presented a themed Journey to the West act where impossible coincidences happened.

Perry Yan, a professional Bay Area magician, performed classic card manipulations making cards appear from thin air, shooting them around the house, and ended his act with fascinating visual story-telling.

Meriam Al-Sultan, exquisite magician with quite the resume, made many wine bottles appear and strung together a unique Oakland Magic Circle finish brandishing our logo!

Fred Lee, professional magician and mentalist, performed a Houdini influenced act with his take on an impossible escape act and a ghostly visitor, blending humor and magic.

Greg Lum, champion florist and our Secretary for the OMC, expertly performed rope magic ending with a classical silent act to music with roses.

The results were close and are as follows:

1st Place – Perry Yan winning $250, a trophy, and representing OMC in the Northern California Stage Contest

2nd Place – Meriam At-Sultan winning $150

3rd Place- Sean Lin awarded $100

Sunday, October 19 at 4pm

Partners in Preservation Award for Oakland Magic Circle

Oakland Heritage Alliance  recognized Oakland Magic Circle with a 2025 Partners In Preservation award. Michael Nguyen accepted the award for the OMC and performed his classic magic act.

Michael reports,”It went very well. Magic was a hit. Attendance was about a little over 80 people. They had chicken skewers, veggies, cookies, wine, and beer. A paper certificate was issued to Oakland Magic Circle which I will deliver next month.”

Watch Kathryn Hughes make the presentation and Michael’s act here.

You might notice a few errors in her comments: Mark Richardson is president, not Gary Meyer; OMC is not the oldest but the oldest “independent” magic club west of the Mississippi; and yes, Byron Walker is still very much with us.
Brad Sasser, Manya Helgerson Casto and Gary Meyer sent them dozens of historic photos but they only used on of the performers at the last Gala, gathered on stage.
Recorded and sent to all members

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Lecture: Stage Magic Preparedness – Michael Nguyen-A practical lecture on what to bring to a stage show, organizing cues, handling tech rehearsals, and preparing for contests. All members will be sent a video and detailed lecture notes.

Several members did Open Stage/Close Up Magic,

His website with videos is here.

Recorded and to be sent to all members

Tuesday, September 9- OMC 100th Anniversary Gala Stage Show and Banquet

The Oakland Magic Circle was founded in 1925 and has operated non-stop ever since. Many famous magicians have been members, performers, and lecturers. To celebrate this anniversary over 150 people enjoyed dinner and a top-notch evening of award-winning acts who have been part of the club. Paige Thompson, Uki the Unique, Timothy James, The Amazing Caine & Stella with emcees Captain Jack Spareribs and Cousin OTiS.

Recorded and to be sent to all members when editing is complete

==================

Tuesday, August 12- An Illusion Daughters and Fathers Double Header

60 people enjoyed a fascinating evening. Details, photos and a video will be coming soon.

Katy Grabel presented her new book The Magician’s Daughter: A Memoir about her father, illusionist extraordinaire, Lee Grabel. She was introduced by Jay Alexander and joined by her sister Cindy.

Recorded and to be sent to all members

Plus  Olivier and Chloe Redon “We didn’t know it was impossible to create impossible objects so we did it.”

Their amazing illusions were viewed up closed by all.

Read Richard Wiseman on their work.

Check out the website.

Recorded and to be sent to all members

Tuesday, July 1

THE MAGIC OF PLAY- A New Lecture by Nathaniel Segal

Oakland Scottish Rite Center

50 people attended. Six new members.

The library was very busy as members discover the treasures there.

Oakland Magic Circle presented Nathaniel Segal’s early iteration of his new magic talk, “The Magic of Play.”

It was recorded and will be sent to all paid 2025 OMC members.

Past OMC president and Bay Area native, Nathaniel graduated in a double major of math and theater arts from U.C Berkeley where he founded a campus magic, taught classes on magic, and was asked to perform at his graduation for 30,000 people.

“The Magic of Play” is part lecture, part magic show, and part hands-on workshop. Nathaniel taught some of his strongest and most practical original magic, giving everyone props that can easily be made at home. Designed to be both entertaining and informative,  we learned new secrets and unexpected ways of thinking. A full 2 1/5 hours of magic including breakout groups for an interactive idea session.

Before and after the lecture Nathaniel offered a selection of his magical creations available for sale including lecture notes and his newest mind-blower, “Binary Prediction” (performed on Masters of Illusion https://youtu.be/brkG3ErH834?si=D5KNIlvMoDR88sUG ).

Nathaniel is a seasoned professional magician and consultant who spends as much time behind the scenes as he does in front of audiences. Featured on Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Masters of Illusion, Nathaniel has also served as a magic consultant for Trigg Watson’s AGT semifinal act as well as Jason Latimer’s Impossible Science program. He currently has five residencies at the Los Angeles area venues.

Recorded and sent to all members

Watch him on Penn & Teller’s Fool Usyoutu.be/an7mZPGBU8g

Many more videos here. https://www.youtube.com/@MagicalNathaniel/videos

Instagram: instagram.com/segalmagic/

Website: SegalMagic.com

Tuesday. June 3, 2025 

“The Oakland Magic Circle’s Close-Up Contest

Contest video has been sent to all current members.

1- Rishabh Agrawal – Card Magic

2- Jonanthan Golib (Jammin Johnny) – Card Magic with surprise climax

3- Tom Marquette – Card Magic

4- Yitian Liang – Rubik’s Cube – The Science behind it!

5- Alex Wu – Magic Poker Card

6- Sean Lin – Red/ Brown Envelope Card Magic

7- Meriam Al Sultan – Card Magic

8- Uki Pitts – Coins and Linking Rings

9- Louis Himmelstein – Coin/Paper Money/Fork

10- Jeff Friend – Mentalist Mind Over Matter/ Aspects of the Missing Dollar Mystery

11- David Martinez – Japanese Origami, Sasquatch

12- Alan Sands – Variety including Dean’s Box, Money Magic, Ropes and more.

The winners 

First Place: Uki the Unique- $250, a Chocolate Gift Pack, trophy

Second Place: Rishabh Agrawal $150

Third Place: Meriam Al Sultan- $100

Recorded and sent to all members

Magic Flea Market & Auction- May 13, 2025

Thirteen sellers with multiple tables were greeted by dozens of happy magicians who found bargains and discoveries. “I have always wanted that,” was heard often.

Apparatus Night- April 1, 2025- Watch video here. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN53z1U71ro

-John Owens Broken Wand- Mark Richardson with comments by Gary Meyer
-Bill Austen on two Abbotts’ Snake Baskets, one from about 1944 and another
probably from the 1990s.

– Dale Chung on Harbin inspired folding table.
– Jeff Friend talks about Bad Luck with Broken Mirrors using the Art Deco style Mr.Magic/Ickle Pickle Flexible Mirror.

– Jon Silver- Chinese Flame Clock invented by Edward Massey . Described
Massey “Original Magic” book.
– Mark Richardson on Tenyo’s Mr. Danger
– Gary Meyer shows three Magic Wagon effects donated to the club by the late
Chuck Rubey. Ghost Box, Mystic Vault, and Ghost Dice.
– Donovan Rittenbach- Mikame’s Visible Block Penetration and Wooden Coin
Tube.
-BONUS Post Apparatus performance of original card routines in progress by
Kim Silverman and Marc McGuire


In Memoriam- John Allen Owens
October 17, 1945 – February 25, 2025

Obituary here.

One of our longest running members who joined the OMC’s Myst-O-Teens in the 1960s, John Owens, passed away after a battle with cancer.

John brought knowledge, order and enthusiasm with his dry sense of humor as a bonus. He reorganized our library, created a catalog, and added new titles. It is one of the best magic club libraries we know about and members have full access to books, DVDs and pamphlets.

John’s specialty was collecting rare magical apparatus. You could bring him items that stumped you and he probably knew how they worked, who made them and when. He might even have the original instructions in his collection.

In his honor the OMC’s April 1 meeting started with a Broken Wand ceremony and then members and guests demonstrated and discussed their own favorite and/or rare apparatus.

Watch here as John shows a Robert-Houdin Coin Casket from the 1850s with an interesting provenance (2019). John routined this nicely with another antique piece – a Drawer Box hallmarked Wilkinson, believed to be of British manufacture in the 1890s.. Plays from  2:19 to 6:00.

For more about the 2019 Apparatus Night go here.

Northern California Stage Magic Contest & Pasta Dinner

Tuesday. March 4, 2025  at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center

A video of the show has been sent to all 2025 Members.

As the doors opened audience members found their tables and were entertained by several magicians including Patrick Martin, Glen Micheletti, Jonathan Chen, Donovan Rittenbach, Michael Nguyen, Fred Lee and Greg Lum.

This was our most successful show ever with over 200 guests.

Chef Joshua Yue prepared a banquet of Pasta Alfredo, Spaghetti Bolognese, perfectly steamed fresh vegetables, Ceasar and green salads and dinner rolls. Mark Tarses then provided cookies dipped in his homemade chocolate.

Master of Ceremonies Frisco Fred Anderson got the show off to a hilarious start  and kept the audience engaged between acts juggled swords, balls, bowling pins, audience involvement quizzes, balloons, hats and more.

Dr. Jonathan H. Chen (International Brotherhood  Ring 216, San Jose) opened the show with his stunning and totally unique presentation of the Chinese Linking Rings with the assistance of Simone, an audience volunteer who deserves her own show.

Uki the Unique (Ukoma Pitts) (Misdirections Magic, San Francisco) presented his surprising and funny “Hole Card” series of illusions, a frisbee tossed into the audience helps make a series of interactive mind readings, ending with an audience volunteer helping solve a Rubik’s mystery.

Meriam al Sultan (Society of American Magicians 94, Silicon Valley ) presented a series of cards featuring animals to an audience volunteer and revealed her correct prediction in two surprising ways involving eight cards clipped to a long string and balloon animals.

Trenton Caine (Society of American Magicians – Assembly 80, Hayward ) appeared as a scientist exploring the possibilities of Avian Bird Flu (that has caused the price of eggs to soar) appearing in a collection of seven eggs. With a deadpan and dry sense of humor he offered a series of audience randomly selected choices of eggs to examine with commentary about their origins. A sort of Russian Roulette to find the infected egg.

Fred Lee (Oakland Magic Circle ) presented his version of a game show with six audience members involving two killers and four survivors with Fred as the detective deducting the murder suspects with a series of most unusual questions.

The Amazing Caine and Stella (Magic Garage, Fremont & Society of American Magicians 2, San Francisco) concluded the contest with two stunning full stage illusions. Stella climbed into a cabinet and Caine proceeded to push laser tubes in from many angles, then showing the cabinet to be empty, even tilting it in half and showing it all around. Astonishingly Stella reappeared and they showed an empty trunk which was padlocked. A cloth was raised around the trunk and Stella and rapidly dropped. She was gone. The trunk was unlocked and out came Stella in totally different clothing.

Frisco Fred went into the audience to interview the three judges, C.J. Hirschfeld, Jeff Raz and Lou Lou Rosenthal.

The contestants came on stage for another bow and to receive special Mark Tarses’ chocolate dipped cookies (not in a force bag).

The judges left the room and Fred presented an act full of stunts, juggling, magic, a crystal ball, a straitjacket escape and lots of comedy set to an uplifting selection of music. The audience participation was at the highest level.

And now for the moment you have been waiting for—Drumroll please.

The winners:

First Place: Uki the Unique- $250, a Chocolate Gift Pack, and a paid performance at the OMC Gala in the fall.

Second Place: Jonathan Chen- $150

Third Place: Trenton Caine-$100

“OMC Board Member’s Choice Award”: The Amazing Caine and Stella – $150 and paid appearance at the OMC Gala.

Thank you to all the Board members who worked so hard to make this a great success. And to the team at the Scottish Rite Center, Chris, Leanne, Erma, Trevor, Calvin and their staff.

And to Donovan Rittenbach for most of the photographs.

Recorded and sent to all members

 

“Michael Weber presents: A Century of Secrets”

Tuesday, February 4, 2025- You had to be there. No video was made at the request of Mr. Weber.

Around 60 members came to the Michael Weber lecture on February 4.
It was a terrific event and the Oakland Magic Circle thanks Michael for his generosity and genius.
And we thank all those who could make it–rain storm be damned.
We learned a simple way to make a “rubber band” disappear, fascinating new ways to approach card routines, and saw his beautifully made take on the Jastrow Illusion. Perry Yan looks stumped.
Plus most importantly, words of wisdom about presentation, psychology, showmanship, and outcomes.
Michael fools David Gerard.
Michael also got nostalgic about the days of hanging out at a magic store and reminded us that we are lucky to have Joe Pon’s Misdirections Magic Shop in San Francisco where local and visiting magicians often gather and Joe will teach you the effects you buy. (Don’t forget that as an OMC member you get a10% Discount on orders of $30 or more—in-person, by phone, or online).
The lecture was not recorded at Michael’s request. 
Michael asked that 100% of lecture fee be contributed to the Oakland Magic Circle membership fund to support and promote the ongoing growth of the organization.
In this linked Michael Weber Book List he discusses essential books that you should own—mostly not difficult to find.
OMC member Byron Walker is a magic book dealer and can provide you with many of the books mentioned at the best price (and you also get a 10% discount on orders of $40 or more).
There are also links to many of the books which are legally available at the online library Internet Archive.
Additionally many of the books on Michael’s list are in the Oakland Magic Circle Library (along with DVDs, lecture notes, and much more). Attached here is a printable list of what is currently available..

 

Saturday, January 18 – An Afternoon with living legend Jonathan Pendragon

THE LECTURE- Tricks, theory, and history of Jonathan Pendragon.

From Avalon, Jonathan’s home on Lake Champlain, Jonathan covered the rise of the Pendragons and discussed his performance philosophy, his life at the heart of the Magic Castle, and his marriage to West McDonough, the granddaughter of Tom Glover who made the deal with the Larsen Family to lease the Castle property. He showed his emergency magicians toolbox that he takes with him on all his shows for quick repairs.

He explained how to know your audience quickly, offered insights into his theories on presentation, all from his very special Great Hall where he showed some signature props including his Origami illusion.

-The Magic Trick Section included his performance and instruction of Pendragon Aces which was published in Genii, January 2025.  He taught his very visual Coins Across,  his unique John Gaughan built Metamorphosis Trunk, discussing the thought, design and practice of what has appeared on many top ten lists of the greatest illusions ever. All followed by an in depth Q&A.

This lecture was recorded ands sent to all members.

-January 7“Card, Coins & Close-Up.”

The evening started with a Card Warp teach-in. Mark Tarses demonstrated the basics based on a Fred Casto lecture and Marc McGuire showed the Eugene Burger presentation. Cards were provided for this two card miracle you can carry everywhere.

This was followed by several members performing favorite close-up effects.

Recorded and sent to all members

OMC HIGHLIGHTS 2023-24 -Lectures, contests & more

 

You don’t want to miss out so renew or join now. Check out the discounts, library and other great benefits at the link.

OMC MASTER LIBRARY CATALOG -Books, DVDs, pamphlets, lecture notes -Jan. 2025

Michael Weber Essential Magic Books List

Newsletter Archive with highlights for each issue noted

Buy a Lecture Pass

OMC Facebook