* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #25 Date: Sunday 11th June 2000 Editor: Alan Watson www.alan-watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editors Message 2. Have you Diarised Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture? 3. Here is the latest exposure 4. New Zealand article - The Magic Circular (England) 5. Also being head hunted by Disney 6. John Teo, President of Ring 115 7. Julian Chen double at FISM and IBM this summer 8. Phil 'Trust Me' Cass is touring NSW Clubs 9. 1st stop Glastonbury festival 10. Acorn presented his "Puppet E.Motion" 11. 3rd place at the world championship of professional close-up magicians 12. Booked for a lecture tour in Scandinavia 13. Another successful tour of NZ 14. Timaru magic 15. South African National Magic Convention 16. A mental legacy, a journey into the paranormal 17. FREE Anti Virus program 18. For sale domain name - $2000US 19. Domain names for $13.50US a year 20. Diarise these events 21. News Items 22. MagicNZ e-zine archives 23. Benefit of subscribing to the MagicNZ e-zine 24. Subscription Management 25. Contact Information. ------------------------------------- 1. Editors Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One 'The Magic Circular' magazine England It was great to have the opportunity to promote New Zealand magic especially the'Magicana' magazine and the New Zealand Convention to be held next year in Christchurch. See item 4 for full article. North Shore Times Advertiser 6/6/00 page 3 Dave Sheridan as the concrete Captain Cook has earned a lot of fans over the years and has drawn attention to global warming and the effects of the sun. He says his eyes have suffered badly from hours of exposure to UV rays as a street performer standing as a 'concrete statue'. Good photo and good publicity for him. Pat-Trick & Melissa Check out Pat-Trick & Melissa's new website www.maskelyne-devant.com Pat-Trick gave an excellent lecture in Auckland on his last tour. Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: alan@watson.co.nz ------------------------------------- 2. Have you Diarised Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture? ---------------------------------- Auckland Sunday 25th June Contact: Alan Watson - alan@watson.co.nz Start time: 7.30pm Venue: Kd Car Park Training Room, Mercury Lane, Auckland (Opposite the Mercury Theatre) Phone 493 9274 Mobile 025 95 7070 Wellington Tuesday 27th June Contact: Michael Woolf - michaelw@ihug.co.nz Start time: 7.30pm Venue: 277 Horokiwi Road, Horokiwi, Wellington Phone 64 4 587 0045 mobile 25 577774 Christchurch Thursday 29th June Contact: Greg Britt - elgregoe@inet.net.nz Start time: 7.30pm Venue, 23 Halswell Junction Road, Christchurch ---------------------------------- 3. Here is the latest exposure ---------------------------------- Message from Graham Rogers Here is the latest exposure type thing from USA its the big thing on infomercials there being played a lot during the day and is heading the way of an infomercial company here in New Zealand http://www.jawdroppers.com/ ---------------------------------- 4. New Zealand article - The Magic Circular (England) ---------------------------------- Circling The World - June Page 323 News From Down-Under, with Alan Watson MIMC New Zealand is famous for its rugby team, the All Blacks, and recently gained international stature in yachting, with Team New Zealand successfully defending the legendary America's Cup. It is also home to a number of extremely successful, creative and professional magicians and illusionists. Wayne Rogers Auckland's Wayne Rogers is recognised as New Zealand's most creative and innovative magician, developing new commercial illusions and stage effects. We were all proud to hear that Wayne was judged winner of The Magic Circle's Millennium Magic Contest for his entry 'Signed Card on Blue Stake.' Along with this honour is registration for two at FISM 2000 or its cash equivalent. Wayne developed a new range of effects using the 'Appearing Pole' technology. View his latest innovations at: www.nzmagic.com. Ron Watson At 69, one of New Zealand's conjurors, Ron Watson, died. Known as Uncle Ron the Magician, he was entertaining stroke victims (including his wife Sheila) at Tokoroa Hospital, when he fell to the ground just minutes into his act. Like an action replay of the late Tommy Cooper's sad loss, the audience thought Ron's collapse was part of his act. Headlines such as "New Zealand Magician Dies During Act" were syndicated around the world. His son, John, remembers him being a former member of England's Bognor Regis Magic Circle before the family migrated to New Zealand. The unfortunate coincidence of our surnames resulted in my parents and friends receiving numerous cards, letters, emails and phone calls expressing their condolences. With sad irony, I can report that whilst I have 'died' on stage in the early days, I am very much alive! Magicana Over the last twenty years Jim Reilly, MIMC, was editor of Magicana; his final issue being April/May 2000. Jim certainly had a major impact on the New Zealand magic scene. In 1984 the New Zealand Variety Artists Club awarded him a Scroll of Honour "In recognition of his work in keeping magicians in contact and therefore together." In 1987 the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians presented him with the 'Grand Master of Magic' medallion, "In recognition of his dedication and contribution to magic in New Zealand." We are pleased that Magicana is to continue. New editor and publisher, Michael Woolf is respected as a professional actor, magic historian, writer and public relations consultant. Michael exhibits the necessary skills to continue production of this world-class publication. In three years Magicana will celebrate its golden anniversary - a significant event, but even more so for a magic magazine from such a small country. To subscribe to, or provide articles for Magicana, contact: Michael Woolf - Editor PO Box 38046 Wellington Mail Centre Wellington New Zealand e-mail: michaelw@ihug.co.nz 26th New Zealand Magicians' Convention The 26th NZ Magicians' Convention is to be held in Christchurch 13th - 16th April, Easter 2001. The convention committee is seeking contacts for lecturers. If you know of potential lecturers, perhaps someone thinking about visiting New Zealand next year, please contact: Brennan Sharp - Secretary CSM 2001 Convention Committee 10 Geraldine St. Christchurch New Zealand e-mail: brennanzl@xtra.co.nz For information and on-line registration go to: http://mysite.xtra.co.nz/~NZMagic2001/ MagicNZ BBS In 1993 my good friend, Chris Parkinson and I created the MagicNZ BBS. Graphical-based and state-of-the-art it became the first magic bulletin board in the world to be connected to the Internet. Before then, subscribers had to dial-in - in some cases, overseas magicians made expensive international calls to connect. If you have Internet access, you can connect to MagicNZ BBS - follow the instructions on: www.magic.gen.nz/magicnzbbs.html MagicNZ WebRing Recently we also created the MagicNZ WebRing, a new feature for NZ magic organisations, and resident and internationally based Kiwi magicians to enhance, and increase visits to, their web sites. Check: www.magic.gen.nz Membership of the MagicNZ WebRing is free to NZ magicians. For more information e-mail: Chris Parkinson - Ringmaster: parky@webmaster.co.nz MagicNZ e-zine In November 1999, we launched the free weekly MagicNZ e-zine, aimed at New Zealand and overseas magicians interested in the New Zealand magic scene. MagicNZ e-zine membership has exceeded our wildest expectations. As of April 2000, the MagicNZ e-zine emails 428 subscribers - 138 New Zealanders and ex-pats, and 290 international subscribers in 14 countries. To subscribe go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html. Coming to New Zealand? Visiting magicians are always welcome. For over 20 years it has been my pleasure to co-ordinate lecture tours of visiting international magicians. If you plan to visit New Zealand, please write to: Alan Watson 14 Vandeleur Avenue Birkdale Auckland New Zealand e-mail: alan@watson.co.nz www.alan-watson.com ------------------------------------- 5. Also being head hunted by Disney ------------------------------------- Message from Ross Skiffington I am in the thick of producing my kids show Patrick's Hat Trick for the school holidays at Highpoint Shopping & Entertainment Centre Maryibrynong, Melbourne. Two shows daily at 11.30 and 1.00pm. I am not on stage, but will be backstage helping, as I am writer and director on this one. Currently I am writing a new cabaret show for myself to be presented later in the year for 4 weeks in Sydney and Melbourne with touring to follow. It is called "Lounge Wizard" and is a theatrical presentation of magic through various characters. Still working on a show for China that I have been writing, directing and consulting for. We go into production soon to open the first company in Beijing with a second and bigger version of the show in Las Vegas. It is an acrobatic show with a story line that incorporates some big illusionary effects. Also being head hunted by Disney. Must be due to the work I did on the musical Beauty & The Beast a few years ago. Very nice that they remember. Enough gossip. There are some who will no doubt think I have no humility what so ever! I almost forgot to mention that we are performing in the two public shows for the Melbourne International Magician's Convention this weekend at 4.30 & 8pm at the John Batman Theatre at the world trade centre. ------------------------------------- 6. John Teo, President of Ring 115 ------------------------------------- Message from Joyce Basch I thought that you would enjoy this news from Singapore. I realize that my 'foreign' Friends might have received this already, but just in case..............it's interesting news and worth seeing.......even a second time! I must relate that when I was in Singapore in 1986, the Singaporean magicians wined and dined me and were gracious and welcoming. There is a lot of excellent magical talent in Singapore. John Teo, who is President of Ring 115, has created some original magic tricks and is a fine Magician. You might enjoy reading about Ring 115, every month, in the back of "The Linking Ring" journal. ------------------------------------- 7. Julian Chen double at FISM and IBM this summer ------------------------------------- Message from Clive Court Juliana Chen and Greg Frewin complete their contract at Genting's International Showroom in Malaysia Highlands. The variety spectacular Odyssey which features Tara, one of the tigers from the movie Gladiator, finishes June 18. Both Greg and Juliana will be appearing at the 72nd annual IBM Convention in Buffalo, July 5-8. When NHK-TV--Japan's public broadcaster--got down to the final details on their contract for exclusive coverage of FISM2000, they specifically requested Juliana in the guest performer line-up. FISM runs July 3-8 and Juliana was already booked for Buffalo. A little cooperative shuffling by both groups of magi and Juliana will appear on the gala shows of both conventions. She also gets to appear on another NHK-TV special next September. It seems that Juliana evoked quite a dramatic response from NHK-TV's viewers when she appeared on the Dresden coverage special in 1997. Juliana also returns to Tokyo for a two-week cabaret booking at the end of July. ------------------------------------- 8. Phil 'Trust Me' Cass is touring NSW Clubs ------------------------------------- Message from Phillip Walsh Phil 'Trust Me' Cass is touring NSW Clubs enjoying well attended appreciative audiences who just can't seem to get enough of his very funny entertaining shows. Sydney magician Jarek Jawarski recently returned from a six month stint in the Arabian Kingdom, Taiwan (http://www.leofoo.com.tw) and promptly set about constructing new illusion apparatus for a proposed New South Wales tour but the Leofoo folk besieged him to return for a further six month engagement. Jarek has been training cub tigers in Taiwan to use in his act. ----------------- Editor - Phill Walsh is an e-pat Kiwi from Palmerston North ------------------------------------- 9. 1st stop Glastonbury festival ------------------------------------- Message from Nick Nickolas Well I'm off on my travels soon 1st stop Glastonbury festival, if you don't know this is the biggest performing arts festival in the world and I'm invited again the 4th year in a row, then am off to perform across Ireland with my cups and balls show culminating 3/4 festivals. Then in August doing stand up throughout Holland maybe try to pop into Portugal for the convention. ------------------------------------- 10. Acorn presented his "Puppet E.Motion" ------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany On Monday 5th May at the Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber Jonathon Acorn presented his "Puppet E.Motion". I think this was Acorn's last show before heading off overseas this week with is International Tour taking him through Europe and Asia. The show started off with Jonathon performing his 'bag of wonder' material. The combination of acting, story telling and magic had not only the children laughing but all of the adults. While there were children in the audience, I think the credit of Jonathon's work is that he has proven that puppet shows are not only for children, but for the children in all adults. My favourite part of his opening routine, which lasted about 20 minutes, was his well-known 'peg-o-puncture' and the additions he has made to this routine using a glove puppet were hilarious. The premise for the puppet show was an ugly witch who wanted to look beautiful and captured a young lady to take her beauty away from her ... jealousy! Like all good shows, a young hero wins the day and the evil witch is destroyed. Of particular interest, this show had no dialogue but relied on Jonathon's wonderful facial expressions, puppetry, mime, movement and to add to the drama the choice of music. For those people who thought that puppetry had no drama then you need to see this show. After the show, people's comments included "I haven't been moved so much by a show", "This was brilliant" ....... The puppet show also included a few illusions and pieces of magic that added to the emotion. For those who want to learn a lesson in theatre and art then you must watch Jonathon's work ... he was brilliant. Good Luck Acorn on your ventures overseas and I look forward to seeing more of you wonderful work here in New Zealand. ------------------------------------- 11. 3rd place at the world championship of professional close-up magicians ------------------------------------- Message from Carl Andrews I am still on the road doing an East Coast lecture tour and will not be back on Maui until the end of the month. No news other than my winning 3rd place at the World Championship of professional close-up magicians in Vienna, Austria April 9th (more info on my website www.maui.net/~carl) I had a great time at the FFFF convention as well and my lecture tour is going very very well. Also did a guest spot in NYC at Monday Night Magic. ------------------------------------- 12. Booked for a lecture tour in Scandinavia ------------------------------------- Message from Barry Price Personal news: I play the Magic Castle from 10 July to the 16th, with a new lecture on the 16th. I'm also booked for a lecture tour in Scandinavia, starting in November. ------------------------------------- 13. Another successful tour of NZ ------------------------------------- Message from Greg Hudson Well I made it back to Sydney after another successful tour of NZ. It was great to catch up with all the guys. For the ones that I missed I will try and contact you next time. In some areas I just ran out of time. I'm now travelling to Adelaide for another school tour. I imagine the weather has now cleared in Auckland as the rain seems to be following ME everywhere I go. ------------------------------------- 14. Timaru magic ------------------------------------- Message from Bill Watson Not a lot happening in the magic line down here at the moment. Our junior magic club is in recess for a while, due to the members having so many other commitments. Russell Hendry was laid up for quite a while with a real bad back problem, but is now back at work and feeling a lot better, though he is still not completely right. We have only three members in Timaru, Wes Jack (who comes to meetings but does not perform anywhere else) Russell Hendry, and myself. Our Society only meets every two months, and because our membership is now wide spread we meet in Timaru one month and Christchurch the other month. Usually on the second Sunday of the month, but this can alter. I have only performed a few times, this year, though I have some shows coming up with the Savage Club, and the RSA. I think Michael has kept up the high standard set by Jim Reilly for "Magicana" and I enjoyed his first copy. ------------------------------------- 15. South African National Magic Convention ------------------------------------- Message from David J O'Connor The Bloemfontein Magic Society will be hosting this years South African National Magic Convention in Bloemfontein, from September 21 through September 25, 2000 inclusive. Details of this event can be obtained from the South African Magical Society Web Site: www.sams.org.za Application forms are also available and can be down loaded from this site. The Convention will be called; The Nedbank Millennium Magic Convention and it would be so nice to welcome overseas visitors from down under. If you can't make it, then please drop into our web site to get to know us. ------------------------------------- 16. A mental legacy, a journey into the paranormal ------------------------------------- Message from David J O'Connor David J O'Connors new book, A MENTAL LEGACY, A JOURNEY INTO THE PARANORMAL, is now available for immediate shipment and has received favourable comments in South Africa. The price of the book in New Zealand dollars is $46-00. Postage & packaging via surface mail is: $8-00 Postage & packaging via airmail rate is: $45-00 Regrettably South African postal rates are excessively high, and these were the best rates obtainable. The book is packaged in a mail-light padded packet. ------------------------------------- 17. FREE Anti Virus program ------------------------------------- Message from Bill & Mandy Reid The following is for a FREE Anti Virus program that you can download off the net, plus has FREE upgrades. Some of the people I know that are using it are finding it better than NORTONS. It is called InoculateIT Personal Edition http://antivirus.cai.com/ ------------------------------------- 18. For sale domain name - $2,000US ------------------------------------- The above Internet domain name has been placed on sale priced $2,000, at www.shoutloud.com Europe's leading domain name exchange. Due to the apparent synergies between the name, and your own business, we felt it appropriate to contact you directly. If you would like an opportunity to acquire this name please either visit our website or simply reply to this e-mail. Remember, it might never come up for sale again! To go directly to the details for this name, follow the link below: www.shoutloud.com/cgi-bin/qslist.cgi?3983 If you would like further information or advice, or have any domain related questions that we can assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you. Hilary Kenning Marketing Support http://www.shoutloud.com Europe's Leading Domain Name Exchange ------------------- Editor - They are also auctioning the domain name: the-magic-circle.co.uk ------------------------------------- 19. Domain names for $13.50US a year ------------------------------------- Message from Wayne Logue Domain names Get one for $13.50US a year at Get one free (yes, FREE) at Hosting for your web site Use or if you MUST have a free site. But remember, it is now cheap to put your site on your own ad-free, fully-featured web site labelled with your own domain name. Costs are dropping all the time. -------------------- Editor - Netgate customers, please speak to Chris before you registering any Domain names Ph: 025 936 702 ------------------------------------- 20. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- Sunday 25th June Auckland - Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture Tuesday 27th June Wellington - Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture Thursday 29th June Christchurch - Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture Sunday 22nd October - IBM Ring 160 Day of magic Thursday 12th - 16th April (Easter) 2001 - 26th New Zealand Magicians' Convention If you require more information about the above events go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive to research for more information. ------------------------------------- 21. News Items ------------------------------------- If you have any news items that you feel the majority of our subscribers would be interested in please e-mail me so I can include them in the next e-zine. The magician who e-mails me a particular news item FIRST will receive full credit at the top of that item. If the news is of major importance I will send them out immediately as a Newsflash. ------------------------------------- 22. MagicNZ e-zine archives ------------------------------------- Back issues of the MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: ezine Password: magicnz When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001nov6.txt first three numbers denote issue number then the date. ------------------------------------- 23. Benefit of subscribing to the MagicNZ e-zine ------------------------------------- You will now be informed well in advance of coming events and kept right up to date with the latest news. MagicNZ e-zine is published weekly, late on Sunday night. ------------------------------------- 24. Subscription Management ------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the MagicNZ e-zine: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors. Neither MagicNZ nor Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via MagicNZ e-zine. We reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions as we see fit. >> This publication may be freely redistributed to other magicians if copied in its ENTIRETY << (c) Copyright 2000 Alan Watson ------------------------------------- 25. Contact Information ------------------------------------- Alan Watson Ph. (9) 483-9274 Fax. (09) 483-9274 Mobile 025 95-7070 e-mail alan@watson.co.nz www.magician.co.nz www.magicianz.com