* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #30 Date: Sunday 16th July 2000 Editor: Alan Watson www.alan-watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editors Message 2. I apologize profusely Tim 3. Tape on the Classic Force 4. Just come back from Australia 5. The Magic of Robert Harbin 6. Hoax messages on virus 7. I have joined a magic club 8. IBM convention In Buffalo 9. Hallmarks of being a hoax message 10. Paul Green video on The Classic Force 11. FISM 2000 report 12. Just saw Michael Finney in Buffalo 13. I.B.M. Convention in Buffalo - Bev Bergeron 14. A couple of interesting web sites 15. Dave Sheridan - suffered a stroke 16. I.B.M. Convention in Buffalo - Don Wiberg 17. Toy Box Production - For sale 18. Rally of New Zealand Sky City Magic Presentation 19. Diarise these events 20. News Items 21. MagicNZ e-zine archives 22. Benefit of subscribing to the MagicNZ e-zine 23. Subscription Management 24. Contact Information. ------------------------------------- 1. Editors Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Pleased to meet up with Dave Upfold and son Wesley from South Africa on their visit to Auckland. Wesley is a full time professional and has been working on cruise ships and has some quite innovative ideas. Speaking of South Africans we now have 17 subscribing to the MagicNZ e-zine. Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: alan@watson.co.nz ------------------------------------- 2. I apologize profusely Tim ---------------------------------- Message from Greg Hudson (Aust) Well that was me that posted the definitions. They were sent to me via e-mail with no credit given. I just passed them along as I thought magicians might get a chuckle. If they are in fact the property of Tim Ellis I apologize profusely, although I can see that with this medium these things will happen. Thanks for pointing it out Lee. Have a look at: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~hocus ---------------------------------- 3. Tape on the Classic Force ---------------------------------- Message from Mike Easterbrook (NZ) Just to let you know that Paul Green sent me a copy of his tape on the Classic Force and I highly recommend it. It is a good teaching tape and if you have this video together with Paul Gertner's little booklet on the force and the Tullock book anyone should be able to master the classic force with diligent practise. The video has good explanations of how to get reluctant spectators to take the force card. ---------------------------------- 4. Just come back from Australia ---------------------------------- Message from Mike Easterbrook (NZ) I have just come back from Australia and while there, met up with Steve Walker and Bill Walsh...at the Genii club meeting. Bill is going on tour with Peter Reveen later this year. He has a great set up in his own pub for performing magic. We had a beer there too! All going well on the magic scene here. The day after we got home I was involved in shows for a holiday programme for Punaruku School (where?) and a Manger's conference in Helensville. A fair amount of driving that day! Just getting back to normal. Our local concert band that Andrew plays in, won a silver medal at the Aust Music Festival and are attending the NZ champs in Auckland at the Aotea Centre in a couple of weeks. ---------------------------------- 5. The Magic of Robert Harbin ---------------------------------- Message from Steve Walker (Aust) A friend of mine in the UK, Christopher Woodward is researching the Harbin Book [or should I say The Magic of Robert Harbin]. It was published in 1970 and he is trying to find out who bought the original 500 copies and where they are now. I have one, No. 274, originally owned by Kevin Cooper and Allan Sullivan has No 12, which was originally Rooklyns. If any NZ members have a copy or know someone who has, can they let me know the number and the original owner if possible? Chris is also looking to complete his collection of Genii Magazine and is looking for a copy of Genii Volume One number 2. He would be willing to take a complete Volume one if need be. Can anyone help please? You can let me know: stevewalker@one.net.au Or direct to Chris: C.Woodward@tesco.net ---------------------------------- 6. Hoax message on virus ---------------------------------- Message from Jack Poulter (Canada) In a previous edition we received a message from Guy Cater passing along a warning of a couple of supposedly new viruses. "Wobbler" is not a new virus, but variants of it have appeared with different identities. Any warnings which include references to AOL and IBM are usually hoax messages, often generated by bored college students who want to see how far the message will go, or how long it takes to come back to them. IMO, it is better not to forward warnings to all your friends, enemies or mail lists. If you wish to verify the existence of a virus or worm, there are a number of sites, which provide current and valid information. These include: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html http://vil.nai.com/villib/alpha.asp (McAffee site) http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac (US government site) Having said this, if you receive mail from an unknown source, it is prudent to leave it unopened, until you can check the subject with one of the anti-virus authorities. Of course, a virus protection program on one's computer is encouraged, as long as it is kept up-to-date. ---------------------------------- 7. I have joined a magic club ---------------------------------- Message from Lori (USA) The newsletters are wonderful. At the time I can't think of anything to delete or add. You have announced so many great activities that I only wish I were closer so that I may attend some of them. I have joined a magic club recently) (well almost) I have to meet all their requirements first. You know make meetings and perform in front of them. So if you are interested in what's going on in this part of the U.S. I can update you. Other than that I have only personal information about my magic and performance that I am not sure you would find that interesting. I am not as good as you guys, at least not yet. I am just getting started but, I'm getting there and I am having lots of fun doing so. I am working on my performance and style. The magic I buy and use are not difficult at all. They are very cute for the children and adults love them as well. I would like to develop routines and tricks that are more original. So that is what I am working on at the time. Anyway, I talk too much. Keep your newsletter as it is and if I do think of something in the future I will let you know. If you ever have any information of anyone travelling in this area for performances, please let me know, I will go by to see them and they are welcome here. ------------------------------------- 8. IBM convention In Buffalo ------------------------------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) Meanwhile, a few bits of news from the IBM convention In Buffalo, New York (July 5 to 8) I just got back this morning and that I would send it to you soonest: The International Brotherhood Of Magicians' annual convention -- held this year in Buffalo, New York, drew more than a thousand magicians and their significant others from around the world. New Zealand was well represented by executive committee member Tony Wilson of Auckland. He and I spent some time together, hashing over magic tricks and routines in one of the rare, free moments in an event-packed four days. Mary Wilson, Tony's charming wife, was a fellow judge of mine in the junior and adult close-up competitions -- no simple task, with seven juniors and 15 adults all-competing. The level of talent was such that it took the wisdom of Solomon to finally come up with first and second places. The details of the convention, contests, and the winners, will appear in the Linking Ring magazine later, so I won't take up space here with that. ------------------------------------- 9. Hallmarks of being a hoax message ------------------------------------- Message from Kent Blackmore (Aust) Without having checked it out, the "Wobbler" virus warning has all the hallmarks of being a hoax message designed to cause problem itself. The suggestions that we should warn everyone we can, is a pretty good indication that this is a hoax. ------------------------------------- 10. Paul Green video on The Classic Force ------------------------------------- Message from Tony Griffith (UK) I notice reference was made to the Paul Green video on The Classic Force. This is a superb video, very well produced. The shots of Paul executing and explaining the Force are excellent. I have no hesitation in recommending this video to any magician who wishes to learn The Classic Force. Paul has rendered a great service to magicians. I never knew the Classic Force was so easy to do.............you do, however, have to practise it lot until you get the timing correct. I will be appearing at The Magic Castle once again week commencing 19th February 2001. I will be performing the early shows in The Parlour, having already given 100 performances at this Mecca of magic. In March I have a 10-day lecture tour organised for Norway and Sweden. I still have high hopes to visit New Zealand once again in late 2001. My kindest regards to all my friends in the land of The Long White Cloud. ------------------------------------- 11. FISM 2000 report ------------------------------------- Message from MOZZIE- Timothy Hyde (Aust) It was very very good and it was very very bad. Interestingly though, no two people would have the same FISM experience. Because of the number of events and the number of participants attending you can't possibly see everything on offer. Also, most of the shows are repeated, up to 5 times in some cases, and obviously performers adapt their shows, lectures and material as they go, to "work" with the difficult audience. I found the whole convention gruelling, exciting, frustrating and compelling. And I'm booking to go to the Hague in 2003. Highlights..... Watching Juan Tamariz work a live audience in our Hotel bar area each night. Incredible effects, personality and reaction that in my opinion just does not come across on video. Bill Malone in the Close Up Gala. A comedy act winning the Grand Prix for the first time. Experiencing the full range of World Magic and not just the staple diet of USA/UK magicians we normally experience. (The Spanish, Russian and South American magicians in particular take a unique approach. Also watching some classic and modern Chinese magic.) Being in the audience at the Gala Show when the Water Tank escape destructed. Wow!! A tide of water swamped the front few rows of audience and caused damage to the stage, electricals and probably didn't do much good to the velvet curtain that they quickly lowered. Mozzies backstage informant told us the performer had been advised in the past that his Perspex was too thin. What was really amazing though, was how quickly he got out of his handcuffs. A social Highlight for us was the Gala Dinner. Arriving at the official starting time we discovered to our dismay that the time had been shifted an hour earlier. As 95% of the tables were by then full and our chances of teaming up with people we knew, let alone English speakers, was minimal, we took up a position at an empty table at the back of the room by ourselves and settled in for the night. Shortly afterwards we were invited to join a table near the front by someone we had met the previous evening and subsequently spent a delightful evening dinning and chatting with Irene Larsen, Topper Martyn, Jay Marshall, Billy McComb and Marshall Brodien. A pity the food didn't match the company. I'll let others describe the Lowlights. They were very low. Richard Robinson, sums it up pretty well at... http://allmagic.com/magicshow/fism2000/index.html Another view from the Opus team at... http://www.opusmagazine.co.uk/FISM%20HOME.htm ------------------------------------- 12. Just saw Michael Finney in Buffalo ------------------------------------- Message from CordiaLEE (USA) Just saw Michael Finney in Buffalo, and everything seems to be fine now, thank goodness. His wife is a neat lady. ------------------------------------- 13. I.B.M. Convention in Buffalo - Bev Bergeron ------------------------------------- Message from Bev Bergeron (USA) Quick report of the I.B.M. Convention in Buffalo, N.Y. July 2000. It was a good convention. The hotel, Adam Mark, was very good, except for the prices on food. They added a "food court" where sandwiches, soup, etc. could be gotten for a lot less, but because of the location of the hotel, outside eating was at a premium. The theatre was one of the old ones. Just a pleasure to walk around and look at the architecture. Designed to accommodated the largest of Broadway shows. Shows were all good. The weak point would be in one M.C.Michael Finney M.C.ed on the closing show was good and did the best I have ever seen him work. He used no profanity, which I'm heard him use fifteen years ago. He was dressed nice, gave applause to the performing act (which he did not do years ago) and was very funny. It can be done. All lectures were good as was the close-up workers. One of the big hits of the conclave was Paul Gertner's Ten Fingers: A Play of Magic (many remembers when Irv Weiner was Mr. Fingers). An hour fifteen-minute version of his show in Pittsburgh last year, present four times. It was slow moving, but very entertaining and his skills with card, coins and props added to the presentations. The down side was his refusing to use a wireless mike to a very large room of spectators. I was just one of several who brought this up to him. There was plenty for the registrant to see and do at the convention. There were lectures on magic, theatre, computers, business, etcetera was food served to ladies, old folks and banquet lovers. There were dealers with products that would wonder anyone. There was singing in the bar, but not as much as last year. All of this for one low price. I have always felt that the magic conventions are the best entertainment value. Off from the convention: Louise and I went to the big City first and saw a couple of musical, "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Cabaret" Both great shows! Cost was $170 for one show - that was a "discount." Louise fell and twisted her ankle while visiting China Town and on a cancelled visit to Charlie Reynolds that slowed us up a bit for the next week. Just before we left the city we got to "lunch" with Ben Robinson and his wife. Alouise got to make a limited visit to Niagara Falls, which I could not do because of I.B.M. meetings, and listening to the problems with our still pending law suits and threats. It takes the fun out of magic. We returned to Orlando with me getting with Sea World and working out a deal where I'm no longer working for them. I came out the winner. With their changing my location from shade to direct Florida Sun, messing up my sound, etc., I just could not see myself working to a wall. In the past, I had gathered up to 100 spectators to watch my foolishness; if I had stayed, I would work to only a handful in the HOT Sun. It also ceases to be fun. Don't need that. ------------------------------------- 14. A couple of interesting web sites ------------------------------------- Message from BERNARD DYER (SA) Anyone interested in buying puppets from the TV Series "Spitting Image" can go to the site; www.sothebys.amazon.com They are on auction at the moment. Another interesting site is; www.houdinitribute.com This has video as well as audio. Optical illusions can be found on; www.sandlotscience.com ------------------------------------- 15. Dave Sheridan - suffered a stroke ------------------------------------- Message from Guy Cater (NZ) On Tuesday Night Captain Cook was rushed to hospital. Entertainer and Mime, Dave Sheridan suffered a small stroke, which affected his face and voice. He was unable to speak for some time but I am happy to report he is now happily sitting up in Ward 5 of North Shore Hospital flirting with the nurses. He had a brain scan this afternoon (even Dave was surprised that they were able to find one!!) and the reports are good. He will have another four or five days in hospital while they control his blood pressure etc but he will be fine as long as he takes this as a warning. Maybe a lot of us around the 50 age group should also take a lesson from this and start taking a little more care of ourselves. Dave's stroke is a direct result of his lifestyle ... one that many of us share. ------------------------------------- 16. I.B.M. Convention in Buffalo - Don Wiberg ------------------------------------- Message from Don Wiberg (USA) I just returned from the IBM convention in Buffalo and it was really great. Lectures by John Shryock, Jon Allen, Joe Givan, Giovanni, Paul Cummins, Martin Lewis, Howard Hale, Rich Block, Davey Marlin Jones, General Grant, Dick Stoner, Steve Bedwell, and Abb Dickson kept everyone satisfied. Marie Blood, the niece of Houdini presented a wonderful talk of her rembrances of that great man. Paul Gertner presented "Ten Fingers: A Play of Magic" that was very well received. The Stars of Magic Premiere Show featured Dick Stoner, Jamalh Keyes, John Shryock. Howard Hale & Gena Kil. The International Stars of Magic Show had Martin Lewis as the M.C. and Carol and Marvin Roy, Tom Burgoon, Gakelli & Kil (jugglers) and Ed Alonzo. The Gold Medal Competition and Show had the winners of the daytime competition with Rich Block as the M.C. and Greg Frewin finishing the second half of the show. The final evening had the Stars of Magic Gala with Michael Finney, M.C., James Cielen, Juliana Chen, Stephen Knowles (vent) and the Majestix. The convention was filled with many more activities and events that will be covered in depth in the Linking Ring. ------------------------------------- 17. Toy Box Production - For sale ------------------------------------- Message from Mike - Debbie Dorday's husband (NZ) The Toy Box Production for sale. Cost me $200.00 to build but happy to sell for approx. $50.00. If you are interested please give me a ring Ph 532 9490. Message from Wayne Rogers The Toy Box Production was designed and built by me especially for Burgandy's in Parnell, and never failed to get a good reaction from audiences whenever the "doll" (a live dancer) appeared. The prop was pushed on straight from the wings to centre stage. Debbie Dorday presented the illusion in mime, but no onstage performer is required. The illusion is self-contained and entirely under the control of the hidden person who is to appear. The door of the toy box, facing the audience, is hinged at the bottom and lowers magically by itself. After a brief pause the door closes and the production begins. My original concept was to have a toy doll sitting on top of the door frame. After the door opened and closed the doll was to drop down inside. Instantly hands would pop up over the top and a dancer dressed in an identical doll outfit would appear. For magicians familiar with the book Device and Illusion by Jim Steinmeyer, the Toybox combines elements of two illusions, "Small Packages" and "The Lady in The Puzzle". The Toybox has one large door that lowers, (motorised) and is open at the top. It appears to sit on a low cart or trolley. Because of the narrow stage at Burgandys, the illusion was designed to be viewed from the front. It would need some minor modifications and different wheels if you were to turn it around. ------------------------------------- 18. Rally of New Zealand Sky City Magic Presentation ------------------------------------- Message from Wayne Rogers (NZ) The Amazing Chicane and Felicity will be involved in a special presentation Sunday 16th for the Rally of New Zealand, to be held at Sky City Casino. Chicane will produce Felicity from his Delivery Truck Production, and then the two of them will perform the Sub Trunk. Their particular version of this classic is specially suited to the Casino setting as it is made in the form of a large Dice. (An idea given to them by Billy McComb) Climax of the short illusion sequence will be the Flash Appearance of the winning rally driver and co-driver. ------------------------------------- 19. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- Sunday 22nd October - IBM Ring 160 Day of magic - Auckland Thursday 12th - 16th April (Easter) 2001 - 26th New Zealand Magicians' Convention - Christchurch If you require more information about the above events go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive to research for more information. ------------------------------------- 20. 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. ------------------------------------- 21. 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: magicwand 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. ------------------------------------- 22. 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. ------------------------------------- 23. 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 ------------------------------------- 24. 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