Conrad C. Bush, Jr. Ring Hosts Paul Cummins ACME Card Magic Workshop and Lecture

Depicted from left to right. Top row: Ring 284 President Richard Coon, Brian McCree, Robert Bustamante, Tom Mallette, John Gondos (from Pensacola), Darrel Hidle, Zak Asiago. Front row (seated) John Spurny (Pensacola), Lecturer Paul Cummins, Ring 284 Corresponding Secretary Ron Hudspeth

(May, 2001). The International Brotherhood of Magicians, Ring 284 recently hosted a lecture and workshop by Florida Magician and Author Paul Cummins. Mr. Cummins, widely respected throughout Florida and the Southeast for his FASDIU lectures emphasizing card work "from a shuffled deck in use" presented his ACME card magic workshop.

The workshop features card effects that can be done with little or no sleights but instead rely on subtleties of presentation and timing to still capture the awe of the audience. All of the attendees enjoyed the workshop format which had Paul demonstrating an effect, showing the workings and then the group splitting into pairs and working the effect hands on until comfortable with it, with Mr. Cummins individually reviewing their progress. This approach helped to assure the retention of the key points of the presentation for the future when reviewing the included lecture notes.

Our group ranged from novice to experienced close-up performers and we agreed that we could highly recommend this workshop to others interested, as each effect was definitely a "worker."

Paul Cummins and Ron Hudspeth

Ron Hudspeth (standing) introduces Paul Cummins while (left to right) Mark Chancellor, Tom Mallette and Zak Asiago look on.

Paul prepares to start a presentation

Demonstrating an effect

Paul explains some fine points in the presentation

Ring 284 President Richard Coon demonstrates an effect during a break to John Spurny, John Gondos, Tom Mallette, Zak Asiago and Robert Bustamante (right).

Paul teaches on of the workshop effects, hands-on to Brian McCree, while Robert Bustamante (behind Paul), looks on.

Demonstrating the Vernon pass-though color change

Mark Chancellor, Tom Mallette, and Zak Asiago practice the routine.

John Gondos and John Spurny make sure they have the fine points down.

Paul makes some final points to Zak Asiago with Tom Mallette looking on

"wanna see a card trick?"

Paul Cummins and Ring 284 - together again for the first time for the Acme Card Workshop