2008-07 Ring Report

June brings the tourist season alive in Orlando. President Craig Fennessey is also our lecture chair and he does a great job in providing lectures and event at the ring meetings. To spice up the summer activities Craig began with a program for the June meeting that was a “Dealer Demo” by Aldo Columbini and his recent bride Rachael Wild. The meeting drew 32 enthusiastic people.

Aldo and Rachael are sort of the “Sonny and Cher” of the magic world. He has an Italian accent and she has an English accent and the ethnic differences make for a lot of comedy by-play between them. Rachael is not shy about showing her curvaceous figure by wearing a tight fitting camisole top and leg enhancing stiletto heels. Aldo contrasts with her by looking a bit disheveled. Their team work is the real magic. They alternate in the presentation of their effects with great comedy lines and interaction. Aldo quipped, “Gas prices are so high, even the Amish are worried!”

All of their original effects are priced at just $10 each. Their collection of some 45 tricks and DVDs and books is one of the best bargains in magic today. Old timers can remember in the 1960s when Jack Chanin sold a single effect for ripping and restoring a dollar bill for $10 and the one dollar bill was not included! In terms of inflation, Aldo and Rachael are selling magic tricks, books and DVDs today for $1.63! You can calculate the effects of inflation on any thing you buy or any magic item at http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

Their original effects included cards, mentalism, rope and tricks using magnets. Even though their presentation was a dealer demonstration they did reveal enough of the method so buyers could determine if the method was suitable for their use. Several standouts were their book-test called “Words of Wisdom” and the classic “Wild Levitation” where the performer holds his jacket in front of his legs and floats upwards and rocks side to side. There are no external gimmicks for the magician to position.

Aldo’s presentations were peppered with a continuous barrage of funny lines: “I took a job with the circus as a human cannonball- Got paid $50 a day- plus mileage. I was the only guy that got hired and fired the same day!” He was selling a great collection of his books filled with one-liners. Don’t pass up a chance to see either the regular lecture or dealer demonstration of Aldo and Rachael.

Good Things are always happening in Ring 170!

Dennis Phillips