 Monday, February 5 6:30 PM Magic, Inc. Created by famed Chicago theatrical director Mick Napier, Trigger Happy is a completely unique presentation of Chicago’s signature long-form improvisation, combining elements of magic and comedy to create a theatrical avant-garde experience that quite literally cannot be imitated by any other cast in the world. Over the course of years, this cast has developed a literal coded language, hidden within their improvised scenes, that cause things to happen all together - as if by magic!
No, really - Mick Napier is also a renowned cardician and mentalist, who has performed a code-act with his on-stage partner and off-stage wife, Jennifer Estlin. Mick, Jen, and the cast will take questions and demonstrate their unique code exclusively for SAM 3 Members. Learn more about Trigger Happy: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TriggerHappyComedy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triggerhappycomedy/ Show Page: https://www.theannoyance.com/show/Trigger-Happy  Three of Chicago's top magicians will perform a family-friendly matinee of the conjuring arts. Sponsored by the Chicago chapter of The Society of American Magicians and Sideshow Gelato, all ages are welcome! All three performers are award-winners and can be seen performing shows all over Chicagoland.
Edd Fairman has been performing magic for birthday parties, family gatherings, kid's shows, and more since April of 2002. Edd holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre and a certificate in Comedy Writing from the world-famous Second City Conservatory in Chicago. His education and training have helped him hone his craft and become a skilled performer. Brian Carter is the Chicago chapter president of The Society of American Magicians, and has been a magical performer for over 50 years. Brian has performed for corporations including Motorola, Ronald McDonald House, Snap--On Tools and many others. He also volunteers performances to area hospitals through the non-profit organization Open Heart Magic. John Sturk is a comedy magician who has been performing professionally since 2005. John moved to Chicago to be a product specialist for Fun, Incorporated, America's largest magic manufacturer. He is also a faculty member at the Second City Training Center - Chicago, and has lectured on magic and improv all over the midwest.  Join us for an annual tradition! All members and their guests are invited to celebrate the New Year! Assembly 3 will sponsor a scoop of gelato for all members (guests not covered). We will also offer pizza and salad from Lou Malnati's!
Sign up to join the Open Mic with a short (5 min or less) performance! Please RSVP by January 6th.  Saturday, December 16, 2023 3:00 PM Location: Sideshow Gelato, 4819 N. Western Ave, Chicago, IL Free for SAM 3 Members, $20 for guests RSVP Here S.A.M. Assembly 3 presents Mentalist Bill Gladwell It's not just a crash course in tricks — it's a deep dive into mastering the art of engaging with your audience, building rapport, and creating a sense of wonder. This lecture is ideal for mentalists, magicians, or anyone fascinated by the power of the mind. It's designed to help you deliver a genuine and unforgettable performance. A Word About Patter Language and context are incredibly important in any performance. I'll share some of my unique phrasing, but I encourage you to make the words your own. Authenticity is the key to connecting with an audience — so don't settle for sounding like a script. We'll delve into ways to tailor your patter, adapting it to evoke different emotions through music, memorable dates, or cherished childhood memories. The $13,000 Bit Let's talk about my current opening act. This time-tested routine has been a mainstay in my full-stage shows for years. It accomplishes two key things swiftly:
Favorite Things "Favorite Things" is designed to engage your audience immediately. You'll learn a simple yet powerful method involving five questions to reveal what an audience member is thinking. But the engagement doesn't stop there — we'll explore how to involve another audience member and create a real-time mental drawing on a whiteboard. The Human Ouija Board This is one of my hallmark acts, honed in front of a wide array of audiences. It's so captivating, in fact, that I often choose it for my TV appearances. I'll guide you through the steps to mystify and captivate your audience with this unique routine. Bonus Insights On top of all this, I'll share some of my experiences securing long-term residencies across various locales. You'll pick up valuable tips on timing your dialogue for maximum impact. If you're intrigued, we can also delve into the nuances of hypnosis and how it can be a valuable tool for any magician. The lecture notes will provide in-depth details, including bonus content. I look forward to sharing these insights with you and your magic club! Lecture Note Costs: My most budget-friendly lecture package, labeled as Package #1, is priced at $30. This package includes detailed lecture notes that cover every topic I discuss. These notes also feature templates that I've designed and use in all my performances. The lecture notes are a comprehensive 33 pages. In addition to the notes, I include some bonuses. You'll get my magic square routine as well as a copy of my published book, "In The House of Ideas." Next, there's lecture Package #2, priced at $75. This package contains everything from Package #1, plus you'll receive my 4.5-hour stage hypnosis training. Last but not least, lecture Package #3 is available for $125. This package encompasses everything from the first two options and adds my collection of videos, audios, and documents. These materials come from my 2-walling and 4-walling seminars where I guide you through the process of selecting a suitable venue, negotiating contracts, and marketing a successful long-term show. The lecture notes are complete — they contain all the materials you'll need to understand and perform what I discuss and demonstrate. No other items will be available for sale. Bill Gladwell Biography: In 1990, I was practicing as a hypnotherapist in Lima, Ohio. I focused on weight loss, smoking cessation, and easing fear of the CPAP machine — common factors in sleep apnea. I shared office space with a pulmonologist who had just opened a sleep clinic. Imagine my surprise when, during a dinner at a local Italian restaurant, the owner recognized me and came over. "You're the hypnotist, right?" he asked. After I confirmed, he told me his scheduled band had been canceled. On the spot, he offered to pay for my dinner and give me $500 to perform a stage hypnosis show. I accepted, and that evening marked the start of my ongoing 32-year career in entertainment. My initial success led to a weekly show at the restaurant. My growing popularity caught the attention of local businesses, which began hiring me for corporate events. Soon, I was performing across Ohio, and eventually, calls came in from all over the U.S. However, 2008 brought a setback — the economic downturn. Entertainment was among the first cutbacks in corporate budgets. Adapting to the change, I started performing at county and state fairs nationwide. By 2011, I turned my focus toward Tennessee, specifically the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge areas. After months of searching, I signed a multi-year contract to perform my mentalism show. Within three months, I was rated the top performer in the area. Life had another twist in store in 2014 — my son's severe allergies forced us to move to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Within 45 days of the move, I opened a comedy club and took the stage seven nights a week. My show quickly became the #1 nightlife activity on the island. Then, Hurricane Matthew hit in 2016, destroying my venue. But opportunity soon knocked again. I landed a contract to perform for Diamond Resorts' VIP guests, traveling across the U.S. In just six months, I was rated the top act, even ahead of Céline Dion. However, the contract ended when Hilton Grand Vacations bought Diamond Resorts. During the 2023 summer season, I performed my "Mind Reader" show in Wisconsin Dells. I also take gigs on cruise ships, in other U.S. theaters and clubs, and at corporate and private events globally. Bill Gladwell and His Captivating Performance: 15 Fascinating Facts
Recent testimonial: Bill, Just wanted to send you a quick thank you. I attended your lecture in Pigeon Forge at the 2023 Winter Carnival and was inspired to get back on stage after a 20+ year hiatus. I decided to enter our local county fair's talent show, and I do your $13,000 bit. They have three categories: 12 and under, 13-19, and adult. Since I'm 62, I was in the adult category. Each group receives an award for the top 3 performances. And they have an award called the Crowd Pleaser Award, which is chosen from all the groups combined. And thanks to you, I won the Crowd Pleaser Award! So again, thank you for sharing this amazing routine, and I hope to see you again in the future! Rick Herbert A 2018 Ring report of Bill performing at the Midwest Jubilee in St. Louis: Bill Gladwell performed a mentalist act on Sunday night. He also lectured and shared some of his effects. The attendees enjoyed hearing how he ended up becoming a hypnotist, magician, mentalist, etc. Places Bill Has Lectured: MINDvention, Magifest, Magic Master Summit in 2016, Well Attended Summit in 2018, 2023 Winter Carnival in Pigeon Forge, 2018 Midwest Jubilee in St. Louis, Magic, Inc. in Chicago, and Wacky Zack's Magic in Phoenix. Let's not forget the local clubs I've visited over the years. RSVP Here  Join us for our December meeting with the theme [Any] Holiday Magic!
Magic routines can be created for more than just the end-of-year holiday seasons, and we want to see your routines for any holiday throughout the year! Yes, that could include any holiday, like Halloween, St. Patrick's Day, 4th of July... or even stuff like National [anything] Day, Talk Like a Pirate Day. So, when we say ANY holiday, we really mean it! Monday, December 4, 2023 6:30 PM Magic, Inc.  https://dom.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1513&fbclid=IwAR0Nc7b9PUWB_Y6i5GQGWYUuXQAmnW3vFHLjlGCOyD6ViSslBnNg90p_Tsk
Dominican University Performing Arts Center Martin Recital Hall Friday, Oct 13, 2023 at 7:30 PM (CT) to Friday, Oct 13, 2023 at 9:30 PM (CT) Borders of the Mind The psychic show for the whole family! Can he read your mind? Discover your inner superhero in Mentalist Joshua Kane’s amazing interactive performance. Entire audiences experience simultaneous telepathy, and witness dazzling feats of lie detection and what must be psychic phenomena. People of all ages leap to participate in the strange happenings at the Borders of the Mind. Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 6:30 PM ***NEW VENUE*** Sideshow Gelato - 4819 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 Free for SAM 3 Members - Guests: $30 RSVPs requested for accurate head count Due to overwhelming response, we'll be moving to a larger venue!   Lecture Details: When: Saturday, September the 9th, 2023 at 2 PM Place: Jasper Theater Club at Magic, Inc. 1838 W Lawrence Ave. Chicago, IL 773-334-2855 Cost: $25.00 Paid on or before the 8th of September $30.00 Paid the day of the event Tickets will be available for pick up at Magic, Inc. the afternoon of the lecture. "Nothing New, Just Different"
“Vinny Grosso is a true gentleman, one of the most gracious guys in magic. That said, he also fooled us badly and made us love it.” -Teller “Not only did he fool Penn & Teller, he also fooled me. Which I believe to be way harder.” -Mac King Who is Vinny Grosso? Las Vegas headliner and the first comedy magician to fool Penn & Teller twice. Vinny served as National President of The Society of American Magicians, is a member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, world record holder for jumping on broken glass (RHR) and former tour manager and technical director for artists like Cesar Millan (the dog whisperer), Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood (whose line), Ina Garten (the barefoot contessa) & Mel Brooks. What’s in this lecture? As the title suggests - unique handling, technique, and performance premises for several existing routines including a tossed out deck (without a deck!), name a card, Kellar rope tie, mental epic, and more. In addition Vinny will discuss his routine Tasteless that fooled Penn & Teller and wowed the judges on America’s Got Talent. Vinny will reveal the genesis of the routine, earlier methods and all the behind the scenes info including walking off the stage thinking he didn’t fool them! “Vinny Grosso is one of my favorite magicians. Anytime he talks, I listen, and so do lots of other magicians in the know. Don't be fooled by his nice guy image, it's real. And like most top magicians, he realizes that sometimes the best material lies in uncovering a classic and making it new again. Vinny also knows that the real secret to success is in how an entertainer treats an audience and being likable, and he's a master at both.” -Michael Mode “Vinny Grosso is one of those rare magicians. He has experience in almost all areas of magic, from behind the scenes to theater booking other acts and creating rare, unusual, off-the-wall yet highly entertaining performance pieces. Vinny is hands-on funny, and amazing. You need to see, to learn, and to experience Vinny Grosso. You will walk away with your life changed. Oh, and if that was not enough, he is kind of okay as a human being as well." -Banachek Monday, September 11 - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Rhapsody Theater, 1328 W. Morse, Chicago, IL 60626 The return of an ancient and annual tradition! Assembly 3 will hold the longform Initiation Ritual for any member in good standing of the S.A.M. who wishes to participate. This is the only meeting we hold each year that is strictly MEMBERS-ONLY - and we'll be checking that your dues are paid! It's important we get an accurate headcount! Please RSVP to let us know if you wish to participate in or observe the ceremony. RSVP by clicking here. Should you have any questions about your membership status, or about the ceremony (and there's only so much we'll answer about that, wink), please contact us at [email protected]  Monday, June 5, 2023
6:30 PM Magic, Inc. What Every Magician Can Learn From Mentalism It's not your imagination: Magic shops are selling more mind-reading tricks than ever these days. But how do you add them to your repertoire for the strongest response? Find out on Monday, June 5th at 6:30pm from experienced mentalist Neil Tobin in this exclusive S.A.M. Assembly 3 lecture: What Every Magician Can Learn From Mentalism Pick up these practical, real-world insights: • What mentalism teaches to improve ALL your magic • Which mental effects to avoid • How magic and mentalism are different (and why it matters) • When to mix the two effectively ... and when NOT to Original and entertaining effects to be explained include: • Compatibility Test Teach half of a couple how to pick up their partner's vibrations using a pendulum. Then take it one step further by telepathically revealing the name of the loved one they've been thinking of! Packed with emotion, this is a closeup stunner. • Psychic Spelunking You and a participant imagine diving into a borrowed, shuffled deck of cards they're holding—and clairvoyantly "see" two cards at its center! Can be performed standing up, impromptu, and without a table, so it's useful almost anywhere. • Epic Blockbuster Your audience creates the basis for an imaginary, big-budget movie. Then, show how you anticipated their every choice (with a twist ending they won't see coming)! A dynamic parlour piece that gets multiple people involved. • Unannounced Surprises Guess you'll just have to show up to find out. ;) "A release from the ever-creative Neil Tobin is always a delight." Joshua Kane, M-U-M Award-winning performer and creator Recognized with the prestigious Lederman Award for Creativity from the Psychic Entertainers Association (see pretty picture above), Neil has created material featured in Oracle, Vibrations, Genii and M-U-M; collected in publications by Neal Scryer, Ted Lesley, Kenton Knepper and Richard Osterlind; and trusted by working performers worldwide. Acclaimed effects, books and e-books include The Xpert, Cut & Color, Hands-Off Multiple ESP System, Rider-Waite Readers, Zoom Pendulum, and Alphadex. As "Neil Tobin, Necromancer," Neil has performed in environments ranging from walkaround to TV, parlour and stage. Theatre productions: Near Death Experience (Audience Choice Award — Indy Fringe Festival), Palace of the Occult (Highly Recommended — Windy City Times), Supernatural Chicago (Top 10 Attractions — Tripadvisor.com). Broadcast: Ghost Adventures(Travel Channel), Dead Famous (Biography), Forbidden History (Discovery). We look forward to seeing you on Monday, June 5th at 6:30pm! Meet us at Magic, Inc. 1838 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago. Free for members, $20 for nonmembers. |
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