News
April Meeting and Salute to Magic Report
New York, New York
Friday April 7th was the day of PA#1’s monthly meeting at Soldier’s and
Sailor’s. At 7:30pm our MI President Don Engstrand opened the meeting. First of
all was a touching Broken Wand Ceremony marking the passing of David (Del)
Cartier. Dean George Schindler spoke the words as President Engstrand broke the
wand. It was a well-attended night with notable guests from national including
Clem Kinnicutt and his wife. Assembly business was conducted and after the
nomination committee was elected the meeting was adjourned. Our after meeting
entertainment this month was the long anticipated lecture by Gene Anderson. It
was a great lecture and very well received.
The next morning many of us were up to watch the CBS Morning Show that featured
a segment on that night’s 97th Salute to Magic. In the interview portion a
nattily dressed Ken Schwabe touched on all the highlights of the upcoming show,
George Schindler baffled the host with his classic sponge ball routine and
Levent gave us all a taste of what was the coming that evening.
Then before we all knew it the night of the show was here. It started at 7 PM
with a street performance by Chris Capehart in the Tribeca Performing Art
Center’s lobby. Masterfully working the crowd Mr. Capehart was incredible. As
8pm approached we filed into the theater and took our seats. Soon our MC of the
evening, Gene Anderson, started the show. After a few funny bits he introduced
our Salute Producer Ken Schwabe. Ken thanked his committee and then began the
segment of the evening honoring our Dean Sam Schwartz. One by one the honors
were bestowed. First was the plaque honoring Sam as the Parent Assembly’s
Magician of the Year by the Dean of the National George Schindler. Then to Sam’s
surprise from behind the curtain came National President Richard Dooley with an
award from the National followed by National First VP Maria Ibanez with another
from the Sam Schwartz Assembly in Florida. Then finally Sam received a portrait
painted by PA#1 member Joe Danciger. As Sam warmly thanked all those who honored
him the audience responded with thunderous applauses and a standing ovation.
Then the Salute continued on with the art of magician George Saterial who was
wonderful. Levent then in a non-stop presentation amazed and alternatively
destroyed us with laughter. The Evasons chilled us with the kind of mind reading
that is rarely experienced. Then after a brief intermission Illusionist David
Garrity continued the entertainment puzzling us to no end. And then when you
thought you had seen it all came the amazing Norbert Ferré. It was truly a
wonderful evening in Magic here in NYC.
Click here to view photos from
the 97th Annual Salute to Magic Show.
reported by Tom Klem, Reporter and Trustee of the S.A.M. Parent Assembly Number 1 -
April 18, 2006
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