Harry Riser Assembly Focuses On a Classic

Indianapolis, Indiana

 

The Harry Riser Assembly has chosen The Classics in Magic as its theme for the year.  At our September meeting we focused on our first classic, and one of historyâ??s first documented  magic tricks, the Cups and Balls.  Each month we plan to spotlight a different classic effect and learn about its history and the multiple variations that have been developed over the years.

 

Chris Wilcox acted as host for the evening.  He began by sharing with us some amazing videos of several of the worldâ??s great magicians doing their version of the cups and balls.  First was a Dan Rider cups and balls cartoon.  Very funny!  The cartoon was followed by Ricky Jay presenting a cups and balls history lesson along with his version of the illusion.  We also had the opportunity  to see variations on the theme by  Dai Vernon, Penn and Teller, and Jason Latimer.  Jason Latimerâ??s clear cup routine was mind blowing!

 

Following the videos, Chris introduced Assembly 31 member, Taylor Martin, who demonstrated his cups and balls routine, which he learned from the Mark Wilson Complete Course in Magic.  Taylor included interesting conversation about a 1605 version of leather cups and balls (described in Hocus Pocus, Junior), the use of magnets in the cups and balls routine, and his Fatherâ??s chop cup.

 

As always, the highlight of the evening was when Harry Riser was introduced.   Harry shared a number of interesting stories relating to cups and balls and then showed us his version which he developed in conjunction with Charlie Miller.  He called his version the Bosco routine. As a bonus, Harry demonstrated, and then taught the members present, the famous walnut trick. We were all very impressed.

 

We then had the opportunity to tune up our cups and balls techniques by working  one on one with Taylor Martin and Harry Riser.

 

Next monthâ??s classic:  the Professorâ??s Nightmare.

 

 

Submitted by:  Dale Benson, Secretary

September 18, 2008

 

Harry E. Riser Assembly No. 31, usually meets the first Monday of the month at 7 pm at Mystic Tie Lodge (2nd floor), corner of Illinois and North Street.