Assembly #147 Middletown/Newburgh, New York
National SAM History
Since 1902, the Society of American Magicians (SAM) has been a nonprofit international organization dedicated to uniting those associated in magic. This includes not only professionals, but amateurs, manufacturers, collectors, and all who are in any way interested in theatrical magic. It was originated by thirteen men in the back room of a magic shop in New York City on May 10, 1902. Among its members were Mark Wilson, David Copperfield, Siegfried & Roy and the immortal Harry Houdini (Eric Weiss), who was National President for nine years.
Where the SAM is for people 17 and older, the Society of Young Magicians (SYM) is for those under the age of 17. This organization was just formed within the last ten years. The local Assembly #147 has just started their own SYM group. This small, but enthusiastic group gets together to learn magic through instruction and performing.
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Assembly #147 History
The local Assembly of the international organization was formed on July 29, 1977. Its charter provides support for magicians in the Orange, Ulster, and Sullivan counties of New York State. Its latest members have included several magicians who have gone on to become international stars of magic. Besides receiving numerous awards from the magic community, Jeff McBride from Goshen, NY has opened concerts for Diana Ross as well as toured with the Radio City Rockettes.
In between network television appearances, he has just had his own sold-out show at the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. Jeff was one of the originators of this Assembly. Rudy Coby will soon be broadcasting his third network television special on the Fox network. (Look for it before the end of this year.) And one of our members is the illusion builder for the superstars of magic Doug Henning, Harry Blackstone, and David Copperfield.
In the past three years, Assembly #147 has tripled in size. The Assembly has brought its magic to the local community by establishing regular performances every Friday night at local restaurants. At its regular monthly meetings, it has acquired the best lecturers in magic (Jamy Ian Swiss, Jim Sisti, Charles Reynolds, and Todd Robbins, to name a few) to help improve the quality of local magic by continuing education. At those meetings where we don�t have a major lecturer, members help other members �get their act together� by suggesting better ideas for routines or showing the latest magic effects or moves.
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Membership Information
To be a member of Assembly #147, one must be a member of the National Society of American Magicians. To find out about their membership requirements, please check their web site.
After becoming a member of the National organization, one can become a member of Assembly #147 by attending one of the monthly meetings and demonstrating their proficiency in the magical arts. If accepted by the membership committee, the prospective member will be entitled to attend all meetings and events.
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Middletown/Newburgh, NY., All rights reserved.