warren stephens lecture

Chris Harper Shares the Magic of WARREN STEPHENS

Johnny New York

At our club's November 18, 2025 Meeting, guest magician and I.B.M. Territorial Vice-President, CHRIS HARPER, presented a Mini-Workshop featuring the creative magic of RING 22's official namesake, WARREN STEPHENS. 

In addition to the entire video of that meeting (currently available for our club members on the MEMBERS-ONLY section of our website), click the link below to view brief written/diagrammed  descriptions of two clever Warren Stephens creations:

  • "RING HANK PENETRATION"
  • "CRISS CROSS SILK".   

Have fun with these outstanding effects - special thanks to CHRIS HARPER!

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magic meeting

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 CLUB MEETING!

Johnny New York

RING 22 is excited to unveil “THE MOMENT YOU’VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR” - another ACTION-PACKED THRILLER CLUB MEETING, on TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025, 7:15 PM (at the SPIRIT OF CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 749 W 14 Mile Rd, Clawson, MI)!  You’ll experience NOT JUST ONE but several important FIRST-TIME EVER activities you simply MUST SEE to believe!   Make club history and be sure to attend this one!

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025, 7:15 PM EDT
Spirit of Christ Lutheran Church, 749 W. 14 Mile Rd., Clawson, MI 48017

MEETING AGENDA - check it out!

  • WARREN STEPHENS WORKSHOP!
    Our IBM Territorial Vice-President and guest, CHRIS HARPER, will share and explain several masterful magic effects created by our club’s official namesake!  Learn a piece of our club’s history with this “show & tell” presentation!

  • ELECTION/INDUCTION of NEW CLUB OFFICERS!
    All current members will have a chance to vote for our club’s future administration (effective 2026).  If ANYONE is interested in serving for a managerial position, please contact me as soon as possible.  Current candidates include ROBERT PURCELL (President), ANDY MAKAR (Vice-President), and FERRAN POAGE (Treasurer).

  • ANYTHING GOES EXTENDED PERFORMANCE TIME!
    EVERYONE will have a chance to perform a MINI-ACT - not just ONE but SEVERAL MAGIC EFFECTS - and you’ll be allowed a whopping TEN MINUTES (or less, if you prefer) on our wide-open stage!  This is YOUR CHANCE to be discovered (or even re-discovered)!  Several members have already signed up to participate - PLEASE RESERVE A SPOT AND LET ME KNOW (ASAP) IF INTERESTED (we want to make room for EVERYONE).  

  • AND MORE IMPORTANT STUFF!
    There’s always our now-infamous RAFFLE (one lucky spirit will go home with a special prize) and don’t forget our AFTERGLOW at the nearby Hideout.  

Remember, we’re more than a monthly meeting, we’re a BOISTEROUS BAILIWICK filled with BANG-IT-UP BURSTS of BEWILDERMENT, and YOU are the BEANS that make us BOUNCE!

THIS IS A MUST-SEE EVENT - please attend if you can (you’ll be so glad you did)!

gordon russ

Getting The Gigs – Gordon’s Advice

Gordon Russ

More Practical Tips from the Real World

As magicians, we love performing — but getting booked, showing up prepared, and communicating like a pro are just as important as the tricks themselves. Whether you’re an amateur looking to start performing for the public or a seasoned professional refining your business approach, these tips can help you build a solid reputation and book more shows.

1. Setting Your Price Range and Show Length

Let’s start with one of the toughest topics — pricing. Many magicians undercharge early on, thinking lower prices will get more gigs. But clients aren’t just buying tricks; they’re buying your experience, presentation, and reliability. Setting clear, fair prices helps you attract serious clients and sets expectations.

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get more gigs

5 Ways to Get More Gigs with Digital Marketing

Andy Makar

If you’re a kids party magician or family entertainer, you don’t need a huge marketing budget to grow your bookings. You just need smart, consistent digital marketing that helps parents and event planners find you online.  The majority of my kids' entertainment leads comes directly from being found online using a mix of digital strategies.  

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get more magic show bookings and keep your calendar full year-round.

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A Special Message from an MMD 2025 Attendee!

A Special Message from an MMD 2025 Attendee!

Johnny New York

 

 

Recently, through our our website CONTACT US form,  RING 22 received a message submitted from STEVE ISRAEL (former President of the Toledo RING 68).  As this year's host of MICHIGAN MAGIC DAY 2025, we have received countless similar messages and comments (texts, emails, cell conversations, and otherwise!) commemorating our club's efforts and we cannot thank everyone enough for the tremendous support, kind words, and willingness to be a part of Michigan's most exciting annual magic event!  YOU ARE ALL VERY MUCH APPRECIATED -   nothing could ever be accomplished without our fellow magi and friends participating, stepping up, providing a helping hand when needed, and sharing/enjoying magic with others during our two-day celebration!   The following words are from STEVE ISRAEL:

Thank you, Ring #22!  I want to thank the members of Ring #22 for a WONDERFUL Michigan Magic Day! It was my first, so I didn't know what to expect. I was delightfully surprised! Here's why:

    1. Are there any people friendlier than magicians? Every time I used the hotel elevator, I had to chat with the other occupants! And at the event, as I looked around the big presentation hall, I thought - This place is full of people just like me! No wonder we get along!
    2. Wonderful performances and lectures!
    3. I love the Celebrating Michigan Magic booklet given to each attendee! At first I thought you were passing out copies of the "Linking Ring"! I can't imagine how much time and coordination it took to compile! It's excellent!
    4. The "Carousel of Close-Up Magic"! What a clever idea. I've been in halls where 300 people squinted trying to see a close-up performance. Not good. The Carousel of Magic was an inspired idea! Worked beautifully!
    5. I LOVED seeing the video clips of some of Michigan's best-know magicians talking about their home state, including Kevin James and Franz Harary.
    6. The support staff. Johnny New York's wife was particularly kind to me. (I'm sorry I don't remember her first name.) The wraps in those box lunches were SO DELICIOUS. When she saw I was still hungry after devouring the contents of my first box, she insisted I take another and she refused to be paid for it.
    7. Johnny New York. I've learned that Johnny never does anything half-way. Despite a million little details on his mind, he still found time to casually wander among the participants and greet each of us personally.

An amazing job! I hope the entire club is basking in the warmth of our sincere appreciation for a job well done!
Steve Israel (Former President, Ring #68, Toledo)

sterlini magic capital close up convention

Ring 22 Takes 1st and 2nd place at Sterlini Magic Capital Close Up Convention

Andy Makar

Sterlini Magic Capital Close Up Convention 2025 Recap

Ring 22 was well represented at the Sterlini Magic Capital Close Up Convention (March 14-March 15th, 2025). John and Tamara Sterlini always put on a great convention providing outstanding close up and more importantly outstanding camaraderie amongst its guest. This year the features performers included:

Caleb provided a close-up magic lecture and an outstanding lecture on his approach to marketing to corporate events. I learned a lot from the marketing lecture especially his approach to avoiding being perceived as an hourly rate vs. value based pricing to a client. Ofcourse his card magic was outstanding and his close-up show in the night was excellent. His multiple card selection routine with revelations that built on top of each other was excellent.

Nick Locapo was OUSTANDING as well. He provided an excellent close-up lecture on the invisible thread and a device we all have purchased years ago but likely rarely used. As the official magician for Penguin Magic, he could have lectured on thousands of different tricks but I appreciated the focus on effects we all likely have in our magic drawer..or cases...or bookshelves. His close-up show was also amazing and very creative with scripting, call backs and a feeling of time travel.

Next year the Magic Capital Close Up will be march 13 and March 14, 2026. Registration information will be available at https://magiccapitalcloseup.com/

Don't bother asking who the headline performers will be. Sterlini keeps it a secret until you get to the convention. I love this idea as the convention is built around its attendees and the experience every year connecting with friends and making new ones!

One Trick Contest and Ring 22

Ring 22 had a number of performers enter the One Trick contest which opens the Sterlini Close Up Convention every year.

One Trick Content Performances

Congratulations to Ferren Charles (1st Place) and Fred Lenter (2nd Place)! It was great to see Ring 22 was well represented and took home some accolades!

invoke

PETER X/Bicycle INVOKE DECK NOMINATION!

Johnny New York

As you may already know, the outstanding work of one of our truly esteemed club members, PETER X (aka Peter Botros, developer and creator of the Bicycle INVOKE DECK) is being honored as a candidate for the exciting and highly-coveted DOTY 2024 "MAGIC DECK OF THE YEAR" award!    Many of you are using this incredible playing cards already to create unexplainable miracles.  RING 22 is asking YOU to SHOW YOUR SUPPORT for PETER's incredible contribution to card magic - CLICK HERE to cast your vote!  Please hurry, the voting deadline ends on JANUARY 27, 2025!  WAY TO GO, PETER X!