Club Officers
President: Luis Villamonte 402-436-2434 (www.MagicMafia.com)
Member of: International Brotherhood of Magicians, Society of American Magicians, Texas Association of Magicians, Lincoln Magic Club SAM #293,Omaha Magic Society.
In 1986, Luis helped start the Bill Morton International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring and was a charter member. Luis was the President of this Ring for seven terms. For nine years, from 1989 to 1998, Luis and Rogene Villamonte performed magic professionally (almost 300 shows a year).
In 1995 Luis started The Computer Magician, a thriving computer business he continues to run today. In 2001, Luis launched yet another business - MagicKits.com. Today, this website generates millions of hits a month and ships magic kits all over the world. Luis has created, designed, and helped in manufacturing 12 "house brand" magic kits as well. His site has over 200 different magic kits available at any given time. Luis also owns and operates Nebraska's only "brick and mortar" magic shop - "MagicKits.com Magic Shop" which has over 3000 items available for sale. Luis enjoys spending countless hours searching for creative magic from all over the world to put in the shop.
Over the years, Luis has been a mentor to several students, with many of them helping manage his shows and performing with him on stage. Luis also helped start a group in 2002 called the Magic Mafia with three of his former students. Two members are still performing professionally today. Considered the "God Father" of the Magic Mafia group, Luis enjoys helping young people learn the art of magic.
Luis created the first Lincoln Magic Club website and forum, and was also a charter member of the LMC.
Luis will always tell you that his greatest trick was fathering eight children with his wife Rogene. And as the younger children grow, he hopes they will be in the entertainment field as well.
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Vice President: Bruce Jacoby
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, Omaha Magical Society, SAM.
Colorful Magic by Bruce - "Make every occasion more Colorful" - colorfulmagic.com
Bruce's interest in magic began four years ago when he attended a national Children's Pastors Conference in Kansas City, where he went to a workshop by David
and Teesha Laflin. He was amazed and captured by what they taught. "I have been eager to learn more and improve on my magic since then." Bruce specializes in children's and family magic (stage and close-up), school, church, and gospel magic. "If I could choose any magicians to eat lunch with it would be Duane Laflin, David and Teesha Laflin, and Andre Kohl."
Bruce is married to Lori and has a daughter, Emma, who is a freshman at North Star High School. He is a semi-professional magician, carpenter, and missionary (entrepreneur) with a passion for golf (he was a board member and past president of the Lincoln Municipal Golf Association) and his family.
Bruce is currently working on a new magic idea called "MAD Magic - Make A Difference Magic." As a missionary, he will go to hospitals, nursing homes, city missions, food programs, and other places that serve people in need, bringing joy into their lives through magic and messages. "By doing this, my hope is to change someone's day, or life even, through magic and messages in the Lincoln, Omaha and surrounding areas."
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Secretary Treasurer: Vizma Shaeffer
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, SAM.
One thing Vizma would like to make clear up front is this - she is not a magician. But, she quickly became a magic-groupie when her son (Gus) became a magician at the age of 6 and joined the LMC.
In her work life, she is the creative director for Runza/Braeda, producing advertising, TV & radio (among other things) for over 17 years.
In her real life, she is an avid runner, kayaker, writer, photographer, deep-thinker, gardener, book lover, nature lover, antiques-that-have-a-soul-and-can-actually-be-used lover, and seeker of solitude.
Magicians make her smile.
She is married to Jay, and in addition to her magician son, Gus, has two other non-magician children, Livija and Rolf.
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Board Member: Mark Robertson
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, Lincoln Magic Society, SAM, IBM, Order of El Gallo.
Mark specializes in mentalism. He's a nice enough guy, but sometimes, when he talks to you for a bit, looking you in the eye, it seems like he's reading your mind. Freaky. He has been doing magic for over 40 years, and became interested in magic through books at the library. He performs professionally and also just for fun.
In his real life he is a State Employee who likes to dabble with RC aircraft. He is married to his wife, Becky, and has two daughters, Maggie and Hannah.
And... did you know? Mark spent over 20 years as a disc jockey/morning radio show host. Ask him what his on-air name was!
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Board Member: Jeff Buttars
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, SAM, IBM.
Jeff considers himself an amateur magician who was a performer at one time, and is now getting back into it. His forte is stage magic, parlor magic and ventriloquism. He became interested in magic at the age of eight after reading about magicians and seeing various magical performances. He has maintained this interest off and on throughout the years.
If he was to eat dinner with one magician, it would be Houdini. In his real life he has two children, who are all grown up, and his other interests are
hot rods and muscle cars.
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Board Member: Robert Overkamp (Robertus Von Lincoln)
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club.
Robert is a mentalist and international man of mystery. Growing up on a regular diet of Leonard Nimoy's tv series/documentary "In Search Of..." (from the 1970's) and specials featuring the likes of "The Amazing Kreskin" and "Max Maven," he was influenced very early to tap into his hidden and mysterious mental powers.
Having moved to Lincoln, Nebraska from Las Vegas, he spent some time out by Area 51. He says that while he didn't see any green Martians on those occasions, he definitely did run into Elvis back in town on several times... He can neither confirm nor deny that his time at Area 51 was spent by invitation of the U.S. Government for a classifed E.S.P. study.
Born in Germany, he speaks the language fluently (and a smattering of Croatian too). 99% of his relatives still live in Europe.
When demonstrating his unique abilities, he performs as Robertus Von Lincoln - "The Man With the X-Ray Mind" www.robertusvonlincoln.com
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Our Other Magicians:
SAM Regional Vice President:Jeff Sikora
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, Omaha Magical Society, SAM
Jeff is the Midwest Regional Vice President of the Society of American Magicians for clubs such as the Lincoln Magic Club. He is also Chairman of the National Magic Week Committee for the S.A.M. Jeff has been performing comedy, stage and standup professionally since 1991, and as a full-time pro since 2000.
He became interested in magic when he wandered into a magic shop in Hagerstown, Maryland in the late '80's and bought a few tricks on a whim. "The magic bug bit me hard that day."
Jeff enjoys magician Walter "Zany" Blaney. "I had the chance to talk with him a few years ago at a convention and was just enthralled by his warmth and genuineness. He has a lifetime of stories to tell and I'd love to hear them."
Jeff is a recent newlywed and has two wonderful daughters.
Besides magic, Jeff's other interests include traveling, cryptozoology (you'll have to look that one up), and skunks. And, a little known fact about Jeff... he can make his stomach growl on command. Ask him sometime.
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Youth Coordinator: Chase Hasty
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club
"Hi I'm Chase Hasty and I am 13 years old. I live in Holdrege Nebraska and have two sisters named Amanda and Paige. My Mom's name is Amy and my Dad's name is
Patrick. Wait I can't forget about my four favorite doves (Romeo, Juliet, Chatter and Ace).
I first got into magic when I was only five. My first magic kit was a Marvin's Magic Kit. Then I started buying single tricks and before you know it I was doing shows and parties all over my town. I have done shows such as birthday parties and a corporate show (which was very tough).
I have had many magic mentors such as Luis Villamonte, Reza, and Jonathan Meyer. I also have had many life mentors such as my parents, grandma, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Kenny, and also God. My favorite magician is Jeff McBride because of his talents and achievements all over the world.
Where I want to go with my life is pretty much decided. I want to be a magician of course but I don't know how or where to take that yet. Many people have said I am very talented now I need to figure out where to take that talent. I love comedy and stage magic but try to focus on close-up magic because to me that is what gets a future customer. I will continue to practice and strive to my goals to someday be a famous magician but that might take a while so for now I will continue doing shows in and around my area."
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Kevin Anderson
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, Lincoln Magical Society
Kevin is a creative guy who has been intrigued with magic since he was 10 years old. He specializes in slight of hand and has been doing magic for 15 years. He performs magic mostly for fun and sometimes for profit.
If he could eat dinner with any magician it would be Tom Mullica. "He's funny and I love his style."
Kevin has two sons, Kyle and Jared, and one daughter, Mallory.
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Rob Beals
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, Omaha Magic Society, SAM
Rob has been a magician for the past 17 years or so, specializing in close-up, parlor, stage and comedy magic. He became interested in magic when he walked past a Magic Makers store in a mall in Washington D.C.. The store would perform a 10 minute magic show and then sell stuff. "I really overpaid to learn how to make a silk disappear!" He is now a semi-pro magician that performs locally.
Rob grew up in western NE in a large family. He is the youngest of 5 (3 brothers and 1 sister). His other interests include reading books, "All kinds of books! I am a nerd and like role playing games and computer games too." Good thing we love nerds! Rob's perfect magician dinner party would be composed of Doug Henning, Teller, Dai Vernon, Slydini and the elusive Erdnase...
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Lambert Bright
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, Lincoln Magic Society, IBM, SAM
Lambert became interested in magic simply by being an 8-year-old boy. And he has been into magic for the past 60 years. Lambert specializes in mathematical magic and puzzles. Give him a playing card, business card, you name it, and he can manipulate the paper in such a way that you will be truly amazed. Martin Gardner has been a big influence for Lambert and he attends all of the Martin Gardner gatherings. With his wife Sandy, Lambert has two sons (the String Beans).
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Sandy Bright
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, Lincoln Magic Society
What could be better than being the wife of a magician? Nothing, really. Besides her husband, Sandy's favorite magician is Jay Marshal. She enjoys collecting antique dolls, teddy bears and Victoriana. Sandy is also a nature lover who adores music and people. In addition to her husband, Lambert, she has two sons and four grandchildren.
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John Chism
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, IBM, SAM, IAHA
John became interested in magic like most magicians, with a Bill Bixby TV magic kit.
In 1985 he started designing, constructing, and operating haunted attractions. In this
field his magic interest was renewed through misdirection, illusion design and acting.
For 13 years John worked with multiple attractions in Lincoln and Omaha including
the Chamber of Terror, Nightmare on O St, Little Shop of Horror, Tomb of Darkness,
and Mystery Manor. He is currently a member of the International Association of
Haunted Attractions (IAHA).
In 1987 he met and befriended Luis Villamonte."This is where I learned and met
some of my lifelong friends in magic. With them I was one of the founding members
of the Bill Morton re-launch of the Lincoln Magic Society IBM Ring 259. I also opened
Underground Novelties, a store with Halloween, magic, jokes and gag gifts in Lincoln,
operating it for two years before moving to Spencer Gifts Inc. and managing multiple
positions with them for 6 1/2 years." John is a founding member of the SAM #291
Lincoln Magic Club.
"My magic interests include weird and bizarre, outrageous, and entertaining. My outlook
on magic is to get as many people involved and to do something that is going to
get them talking. Make it fun and easy for your audience."
Interesting facts you may or may not want to know about John: he has owned three
hearses (yes, like dead body cars) but he doesn’t own one currently. He is also the
owner of Travelcadabra.com an internet based travel agency.
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Art Curtis
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club
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James Dingwell
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club
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Chris Goering
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club
Chris has been interested in magic for about 4 years now. His favorite type of magic to perform is close-up.
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Oren Goering
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club
Oren is Chris' dad.
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Andrew Haar
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club
Andrew's favorite type of magic is card magic, and his favorite magician is Chris Angel.
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Paul Haar
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club
When Paul's son, Andrew, became interested in magic he decided to join him. He has been interested in magic for about three years now and specializes in card magic. Paul is a physics professor and enjoys performing magic tricks in his classes. He is married to his wife, Elizabeth and had three kids, Jenny, Andrew and Alicia.
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George Hansen
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, SAM, IBM
George became interested in magic over 30 years ago. Once, while attending a grocery store promotion, he saw a man making balloon animals. He checked it out
and added it to his own show. He started with balloon basics - bunnies, puppies and giraffes. Now he has about 50 balloon creations in addition to his magic that he brings to schools, libraries and gatherings.
During a typical show, he uses about 400 balloons. "Most of what I do is volunteer. I take (paid) shows, but mainly to replenish my supplies." Many times, half of his earnings or tips go to charities. "My favorite is Make-A-Wish." George's wife, Sue, sometimes assists along with sons Travis and Eric.
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Jay Humann
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club,Lincoln Magical Society, Omaha Magical Society, SAM, IBM
"I am not a freak. I am Jay Humann." Jay received his first magic kit on his 5th birthday, learned his first trick, and performed at his own party and was instantly transformed into a full-fledged stage junkie. For the next several years he soaked up magic knowledge, developed an enormous ego, alienated peers (pathetic mortals) and hustled them for their lunch money (suckers!). The first person to hire him for a job just so happened to be Luis Villamonte and Jay became a student and apprentice. Five weeks after celebrating his 30th birthday, he ran off and joined the circus. Seriously. He toured the East Coast to perform a carnival side show. When he was not performing on stage, he would demonstrate (or "pitch") magic tricks which he would then sell.
Jay was the co-founder and charter member of the Lincoln Magical Society. He has also been presented with awards recognizing "achievement in" and "outstanding contribution to the field of magic" from the Omaha Magical Society Assembly #7 and the Society of American Magicians.
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Bob Katz
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, IBM, SAM. Wizards Award recipient (IBM)
Bob has been doing magic for over 30 years, specializing in a little bit of everything, but spending most of his time performing children's magic. He has always had an interest in magic. As a youth, Bob bought a Hot Rod at Tannens in NYC but couldn't figure it out. When his family went to San Pedro, CA he stopped in at a magic store where the clerk sold him a cheap Cups and Balls trick and explained how to do it. He was hooked. Bob has since acquired additional Hot Rods and has mastered the move.
If Bob could eat dinner with any magician, it would be Mark Wilson as he was the first magician he saw as a child, and, Doug Henning because "he made magic wonderful and amazing."
Outside of the magic world, Bob is an unemployed Mainframe Programmer by trade. In the meantime, he manages a motel. Irma is Bob's bride of 37 years, and Brenda, Kent and Melissa are his children. He has 8 grandchildren! But he claims to have no goats - hmmm. He also enjoys reading, computers, TV, and Genealogy.
Bob has performed a handful of shows but mostly does magic for fun. He truly enjoys performing for the children at the motel, watching their eyes light up when the magic happens.
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Darren Kauk
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, Omaha Magical Society, Lincoln Magical Society, IBM
Darren has been doing magic for 13 years and specializes in close-up. Gregory Wilson would be the magician he would most like to eat dinner with. Darren is married to his wife Daina and has a daughter, Darian, who is 5 years old. He owns a heating and air conditioning business.
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Richard Lebeau
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club
Richard is the grandson of Dan Sheen. He loves any type of magic. And in addition to magic, his other interests include playing the trumpet and violin.
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Charles Link Jr.
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club
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Albert Lucio
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, SAM, Order of El Gallo
Albert is originally from Texas, where he was Secretary and Past President of the Lettie Barnes ring 157. He was also the Jacks of Sleight President in 2003, and the Texas Association of Magicians: Convention Board Member & Co-Chair in 2006. Albert received the Corpus Christi magician of the year awards for 1999, 2006. Albert has been interested in magic for over 16 years now. "I was just a curious kid. I would hear about or watch a magic trick then try to figure out how it worked. Usually my first props were items made from cardboard and scotch tape. Sometimes after reading about Houdini and his escapes I would attempt similar feats. Much to my sisters humor, and my parents concern, these little adventures usually resulted in failure. But I love the challenge. Magic to me then, as it is now, is a place for me to focus that curiosity and creativity."
Albert is a semi-professional who enjoys the development side of magic. "I almost always have a notebook close by, ready to be filled with ideas and blank pages for new ones." Albert loves hanging out with anyone interested in magic. "The most joy I receive from magic is creating new things and sharing ideas
with others." Other interest include competitive sand sculpting, kayak fishing, cycling, and reading.
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Clint Runge
After my grandfather first pulled a quarter from my ear, I made my elementary classroom a stage mastering every trick in the magic kit. In high school I apprenticed under a professional magician, touring with him as a stage hand and assistant. I eventually worked my way to performing forty shows at Coca-Cola's Hoop City the finale week of the NCAA March Madness tournament and as the half time show of the championship game. Magic paid for most of my college with weekend prom shows, corporate holiday parties and event gigs. Then I went into architecture school and disappeared. Spooky!
Today I'm the Creative Director for youth marketing agency Archrival, kicking the tires and lighting the fires for a host of national brands. Now safely under control, magic has again reappeared. This time around, I'm less interested in illusions and classic magic but instead tricks that deal with mental oddities, chance occurrences and noway- that's-luck coincidences. I like doing a few shows here and there, mostly for adults.
A few years ago I started to convert an old community grocery store into a house at 2nd and F Streets. Of interest to the club, I turned the old meat freezer into a magic room! It weirds some people out. My wife Kristin and I live there with two crafty cats named Dini (catch-me-if-you-can) and Izzo (yes, named after the Jay-Z song).
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Gus Shaeffer
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club
Gus became interested in magic around the age of 6. Once his interest took hold, he began devouring any magic book or DVD he could get his hands on. Being the only magician in the house he was completely self-taught through these books and DVD's. He joined the LMC at age 7 after meeting several of the members who happened to be performing magic at a hardware store grand opening. In addition to magic, Gus loves the outdoors, frogs (he owns two green tree frogs), science, legos and figuring out how stuff works.
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Dan Sheen
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, SAM, IBM
Dan has always been interested in magic. For the past two years he has been performing magic as a fun hobby. In the real world, Dan has the impressive job of being a driller on an oil drilling rig. He has two kids and 12 grand kids! If he could eat dinner with any magician, past or present, Dan would dine with Harry Houdini and Dai Vernon.
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Jacob Skoda
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, SAM, IBM
Jacob became interested in magic after receiving a "Marvin's Magic" set for Christmas. It has been three years now that Jacob has been a magician. Magic is
fun and a great hobby.
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Luis Villamonte Jr.
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, SAM, IBM
Louie has been interested in magic for a few years now and in 2009 he started helping his older brother Vincent, do his magic shows. Louie loves comedy magic and is well suited for that area. In 2009 Louie performed with Vincent in the youth competition at the national convention of The International Brotherhood of Magicians (he appeared out of a Sword Box and did an appearing cane).
Louie is not doing magic shows on his own yet but hopes to one day. For now he is content with helping Vincent become successful. Louie has been to several national conventions and his picture is on the cover of one of MagicKits.com's best-selling magic kits that's been sold all over the world.
Louie prides himself on being a very good reader and enjoys playing basketball, video games, and anything that needs to be built (Legos, Origami, Guns made of paper, K'nex, etc.).
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Vincent Villamonte 402-436-2434 (www.VincentVillamonte.com)
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, SAM, IBM, TAOM
Vincent has been doing magic since he was 6 years old. And following in the footsteps of his father, magician, Luis Villamonte, Vincent has been performing magic shows on his own since age 11.
At age 13, he won 2nd place in the close-up competition at the International Brotherhood of Magicians 2007 convention in Reno, NV. He has since performed and
competed in Kansas, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, Austin, and Houston. Vincent has developed and performed an original and unique stage show for the past year for many audiences. In 2009 (one month past his sixteenth birthday), he won 1st place at the Texas Association of Magicians convention in the close-up competition. At the 2010 T.A.O.M. convention, Vincent was a feature performer. In 2009 and 2010, Vincent was chosen to compete at The World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas Nevada, and was presented with two "Lance Burton Award of Excellence" awards for these years.
Vincent has a part in the Movie Make Believe which won first place at the 2010 Los Angeles Film Festival. You can also see him on the Travel Channels "Extreme Magic Conventions". He has enjoyed participating in classes with notable magicians such as Lance Burton, Jeff McBride, Max Maven, Mac King, Gene Anderson, Oscar Munoz, Johnny Thompson, Charlie Frye, and many others.
Vincent"s other hobbies are playing the guitar and flying airplanes. He is very proud to have spent money earned doing magic shows on an Epiphone "Les Paul" and his "John Lennon EJ-160E" Acoustic. He is currently saving his earnings for college. And, is also taking flying lessons and should be a pilot by the end of 2010. Oh, and as if that isn't enough, he can also juggle pins, ride the unicycle, and create a large gathering with a Yo-yo!
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J.T. Wetherington
Member of: Lincoln Magic Club, SAM
J.T. became interested in magic at the age of 5. "My aunt worked at Prairie Winds art gallery in Grand Island and the theme was 'the magic of art.' The magician they had hired cancelled so they needed to find someone else. My aunt knew that I liked to dress up as a magician, so she bought a magic kit for me online. Instead of arriving 2 weeks before the show, it arrived 2 days before! I pulled off the show in the short amount of time and magic has just stuck with me every since. I now perform professionally as Illusion Confusion and have traveled all over central Nebraska doing platform and stage shows for school assemblies and corporate events."
J.T. would love to meet Siegfried and Roy. "Their take on magic is incredible and the use of animals fascinates me."
J.T. loves music and has won many awards in competitive speech, including district champion state qualifies for 2 years.