INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA [Assembly Report for December 2005]
Harry Riser Assembly No. 31
Meets the first Monday, 7 PM at Mystic Tai Lodge, SE corner of Illinois & North St.

Assembly 31 & Ring 10 Host Gala Annual Christmas Party and Magic Show

Assembly 31, Ring 10, S.Y.M., gathered together for an evening of food, magic, fun, and fellowship at the Annual Christmas Banquet and Magic Show. Thanks to All Souls Unitarian Church, Chef Cheryl Kern, producer Harry Riser, sound engineer Paul Harnishfeger, and stage manager Bob Vasileff. Emcee Harry Riser opened the evening with clever mind reading card trick where a spectator selected a card and Harry correctly divined the selection. Chris Henderson set the tone of excellence with a rhyming three card Monte using Elvis as the focal character. Harry Riser then performed a card trick where 4 aces are seen to magically disappear. Jared Sherlock, S.Y.M., updated the classic bullet catch as he performed a paint ball bullet catch. A shot was fired and a signed paint ball magically appeared between his teeth. Harry did another trick. Bill Burdette, also from S.Y.M., was next with an excellent Cups and Balls presentation with many magical moments. Harry performed a beautiful Malini egg bag routine astounding his assistant and the audience. Ken Kern, appearing as Prof. XXX, demonstrated that in his hands the laws of nature do not apply. He showed that solid penetrated solid with Vampire Block and Rope through Body. He also showed that matter can with stand the ravages of fire with a clever rendition of Cremation where a scarf is placed into a box, the space above the scarf is set afire and yet the scarf was removed unharmed. Harry Riser then presented his famous three rings Linking Rings to thunderous applause. Ryan Siebert did three of his card tricks. Taylor Martin, AKA Rodney the Younger, kept the audience in stitches as he closed with his superb comedy Sword through Neck assisted by Debbie Martin and a brave volunteer from the audience.

Photo lineup: Jared Sherlock & Bill Burdette front and kneeling. Second row; Bob Vasileff, Chris Henderson, Ken Kern, Harry Riser, Ryan Siebert, Taylor Martin and Debbie Martin. Photos courtesy of Dee Saul

Bob Vasileff, Scribe