GUEST LECTURER
Maestro Bill Pearce
Tuesday, April 26, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Yes, that Bill Pearce! He is my go-to guy when I want to check on the provenance of a magic trick or to track down an out-of-print magic text first printed in the early twentieth century. Bill can either answer my query or send me to where I can discover more information. Yes, he has good products and publications for sale, but he is also an outstanding performer in many kinds of magic.
I met Bill Pearce more than twenty years ago when we were auditioning for membership in the Academy of Magical Arts at the Magic Castle one December evening. He and I were two of twenty-six folks auditioning. I became friends with Bill Pearce after I joined IBM Ring 313 in 1997. I always admired Bill’s deep knowledge of the provenance of the tricks he performed. His understanding of who developed a trick and why always fascinated me. I felt as if I were sitting next to the trick’s inventor and was part of the secret. When you understand "why" a trick works then you can play with this essential element and make your performance your own. Bill's revelations on the provenance of a magical effect are the key to understand why the inventor choose the specific words and moves to make the magic come alive for the audience.
When Bill was invited to lecture for the April 26, 2022, meeting of Ring 313 the question was what subject he should feature since his knowledge is not merely deep it is wide ranging. Bill told me he has always enjoyed studying the history of magic and the magicians who wrote the story. In June this year Bill Pearce will celebrate fifty years membership in IBM. He will become an Order of Merlin, Excalibur.
Bill is also an Honorary Life Member of the Orange County Magic Club and of IBM Ring 96. He has served our community as a dealer of magic since 1981. You will often find his exhibit booth at major conventions of magicians.
This introduction was written by Philip Henderson. This year marks my 25th year as a member of Ring 313. Bill has been an IBM member twice as long as I have. Among the concepts he will introduce to us on April 26, 2022, are the following magic effects.
The Gilbreath Principle
Will the Cards Match
The Paranormalist
A Dave Gray Favorite, Max Maven's Mental Match
Rough and Smooth Principle
Stewart James’s Challenge Trick
Pop-Eyed Popper Frill
Tween Twice, my first creation.
Random Match a variation of a Hen Fetch original.
The Hardy Memorized Deck
Diary, Datebook Predictions
Bill's Frills, Some Tricks from my first Lecture.
Al's Speller
Papyrus, Torn and restored straw.
Dots Implussible, an Al Cohen Classic.
Rainbow Match Revised for Flowers.
Other Effects
Stars and Triangles
Starcle, Dan Harlan's Torn and Restored Napkin.
Endless Chain and bracelet.
The Trick that Fooled Einstein, John Bannon Variation and Koran
Elaboration.
Trost Poker Deal, Scott Boeger's Favorite.
Fedko's Poker Deal
Larry Jenning's Close-up Illusion
In Person Reservation Rules: You can begin making an RSVP on April 10, 2022, at 10:00 am. Only RSVPs made after that time are valid. A waiting list will be formed for the 26th person and everyone thereafter.
The waiting list works this way. If you are one of the first 25 to RSVP but something comes up at the last moment and you can't attend, then you are expected to cancel your reservation by April 23, 2022. Cancelling in this circumstance is the responsible and polite way to behave.
You can cancel your RSVP anytime but no later than Apri; 23, 2022. The next person in the queue will be admitted to the meeting room. If you do not cancel, and do not attend, then you will have denied another person a seat in the meeting room. Please cancel your RSVP if you cannot attend. This allows the next person in the queue to get your ticket.
If you have a confirmed RSVP, then it is your responsibility to attend or cancel in time to allow the next person in our queue to take your place. You cannot send someone else in your place, only the next person in the queue can fill your seat.