SMC Close-Up Magic Contest - August 27th, 2022

This year's Close-Up Contest had 7 performances by Cameron Brow, Julia Hunton, Lam Chan, Taylor Kyle, Quentin Scott, Greg Boggs and Don "Flash" Fletschinger.

Winning performers were (left to right):

• Second Place:  Lam Chan
• First Place:  Cameron Brow

Congratulations to both of you, and to everyone who entered the contest.

SMC Stage Magic Contest - December 11th, 2021

This year's Stage Contest had 7 performances by Doug Stephens, Terry Fritts, Lam Chan, Julia Hunton, John Hill, Jon Bowne, and Gene Williams (with Jimmie Allan as "Professor Jimmy").

In case you're wondering, the Emcee is on the very left holding his microphone!

Winning performers were (left to right):

• Second Place:  Lam Chan
• First Place:  John Hill
• Audienc Choice:  Jon Bowne

Lecture and Q&A: What's it like to be an on-the-road pro? - August 23rd, 2021

What a treat! On August 23rd we had the pleasure of a lecture by three full time working magicians: Cecil Lewis, Louie Foxx, and Adam the Great. The topic was "Magic on the Road". Much of their work is county and state fairs. They answered questions about their experiences as traveling magicians. Everything from what they do when they can't get back home before the next gig to dealing with hecklers. During his downtime, Louie goes sightseeing looking for unusual things he can post on Facebook. All three pretty much ignore the few hecklers they get. The magician has the microphone; the heckler does not. It's easy to talk over someone in the audience.

The biggest take-away from their talk was that the most important thing is to be flexible. You may find yourself on a stage without stairs. There goes calling volunteers up. You might be faced with blazing sun or strong winds and have to modify your show to deal with that. You may be asked to do something not in your contract like judge a pie eating contest. It may be better to comply with those requests as long as they don't cut into your set-up time. The last thing all three emphasized is to hydrate! Not a bottle of water before the show. Start drinking extra water two days before your first show and continue throughout your run.

Our host venue was Shawn O'Donnell's on Monroe St. (I recommend the bangers and mash.) Our guests did not charge for their time. It was just magicians hanging out with other magicians, once again showing that ours is a true brotherhood (and sisterhood).

SMC Brown Bag Challenge - December 21st, 2019

This year's Saturday Session was held at Masselow's restaraunt in Northern Quest Casino.

This year there were enough guest, in additon to magicians, that teams of two performers were selected by drawing cards. After cards were selected, teams were set and the brown (actually white plastic) bag were picked by team members. They then hand time, through breakfast, to decide on their routines.

After breakfast, and much cogitation, each team did their magic and the non-magician guests huddled and decided the winners.

Winning teams were (top to bottom):

• First Place:  Greg Boggs and John Hill
• Second Place:  Don "Flash" Fletschinger and Cameron Brow

SMC Stage Magic Contest - December 7th, 2019

This year's Stage Contest had 7 performers including Lam Chan, Greg Boggs, Terry Fritts, Doug Stephens, Jon Bowne, Grant Gibbs, and Gene Williams (with Jimmie Allan as "Professor Jimmy").

Winning performers were (left to right):

• Second Place:  Lam Chan
• First Place:  Grant Gibbs
• Audienc Choice:  Grant Gibbs

Check out the Gallery page for a slideshow of all the contestants and Emcee John Hill!

SMC Close-Up Magic Contest - June 22nd, 2019

This year's Close-Up Contest had a large group of performers. Their routines represented a wide variety of magic and styles of performing. President Lam Chan congratulates the winners:

• First Place: Eric Stevens
• Second Place: Taylor Kyle

The contestants were (left to right):

• John Hill
• Jeff Sirek
• Terry Fritts
• Greg Boggs
• Eric Stevens
• Taylor Kyle
• Gene Williams
• Isaiah Daniels

Many Thanks to Eugene Flynn for providing the photos!

SMC Stage Magic Contest - October 27th, 2018

This year's Stage Contest had 7 performers including Grant Gibbs, Taylor Kyle, Greg Boggs, Dominic Faagau, Steve "From Spokane" Edwards, John Hill and Terry Fritts. They are shown, left to right, in the second photo.

Winning performers were (left to right):

• First Place:  Panama Jack (John Hill)
• Second Place:  Dominic Faagau
• Audienc Choice:  Dominic Faagau

SMC Close-Up Magic Contest - June 6th, 2018

This year's Close-Up Contest had performers of all different skill levels. And, their routines represented a wide variety of entertaining themes and stories. This year's winners are:

• First Place: Lam Chan
• Second Place: Taylor Kyle

Lam Chan will also have his name engraved on the large club plaque showing past Close-Up Contest winners.

Check out our Gallery Page for a full slideshow with all the performers, and some extras too!

SMC Stage Magic Contest - December 9th, 2017

This year's Stage Contest had 5 performers including Jeff Sirek and Cameron Brow not shown in the photo.

Winning performers were (left to right):

• First Place:  Lam Chan
• Audienc Choice:  Panama Jack (John Hill)
• M.C. for the evening:  Jon Bowne
• Second Place:  Isaiah Daniels

SMC Close-Up Magic Contest - June 21st, 2017

The latest edition of the Close-Up Contest had no less than 4 new performers along with three long-time members!

Shown (top to bottom) are:

• First Place: Jonah LaVelle
• Second Place: Steve Edwards
• Contestants with MC Barb Litchfield
  (Steve Edwards, John Hill, Taylor Kyle, Jonah LaVelle, Barb Litchfield, Jeff Sirek, Keith Layton & Terry Fritts)

SMC Stage Magic Contest 2016 Winners

President Jon Bowne presents the Prize Medals to the winners of the 2016 Stage Magic Contest.

Shown (top to bottom) are:

• First Place: Isaiah Daniels & Company
• Second Place: Lam Chan
• Audienc Choice Award: Isaiah Daniels & Company
  (Debrah Stark, Isaiah, Andy Schneider & Jesse Davis)

SMC Close-Up Contest Winners - July 23rd, 2016

Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 SMC Close-Up Contest! From left to right are Lam Chan, 1st Place Medal and the Traveling Trophy, President Jon Bowne, and Cameron Brow with 2nd Place Medal.

We had a small turnout for contestants this year but an enthusiastic and responsive audience! Thank You to everyone who showed up to see the magic and to the contestants for their hard work. And, it's not to early to start thinking about YOUR contest entry for next year!