(left to right: Michael Van Horn, Sarah Stevenson, Chris Smith)

  Fedko Trophy for Magician of the Year
Michael Van Horn

Parlor/Stage Magician
Chris Smith
Close-Up Magician of the Year
Michael Van Horn
Junior Magician of the Year
Sarah Stevenson

Contest Summary

The competition started with our Junior members. First, Matthew Jarman demonstrated sleight-of-hand skills well beyond his years, as he used cards and coins to baffle his onlookers. Matt performed the routine he used to pass his recent Magic Castle membership audition. Congratulations Matt! Next up was Sarah Stevenson, who charmed the audience with some classics of magic including, silk in egg, rings, and a hilarious head chopper finale. Choreographed to the music of classic television shows, Sarah’s performance shined.

The adults took center stage with Ken Klein presenting a humorous mentalism act that was well rehearsed and very entertaining. With newspapers in hand, Jay Armendariz went on to show the many magical uses of these common objects. Stan Mittelman stunned the group by tearing an entire deck of cards in two and then producing a chosen card from the pieces. Stan was not done yet. He accepted a challenge and produced a chosen card a la Fruit of the Loom! Concluding the parlor performances, newly elected Ring president, Chris Smith, spellbound the audience with a very funny pun-filled rope act, Gregory Wilson’s new one-of-a-kind Kiss Off ‘chop cup’ routine, and concluded, with the assistance of Sarah Stevenson, with the well-timed classic toilet paper ruse.

After a short break, Michael Van Horn led off the close-up portion of the competition with a technically demanding gambler vs. magician card demonstration and an effective chop cup routine. Our final contestant was Chris Wynkoop, who clearly showed how rope, coins and cards, in the hands of a fine technician and performer, can be both entertaining and enjoyable.

While the votes were being tallied, we were treated to a wonderful surprise. Special guests Glenn Falkenstein and Francis Willard not only performed their world renowned mind reading act, but answered questions on the act and gave a brief history of its development. Thank you so much, Glenn and Francis, from your new friends at Ring 313.