* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #78 Date: Sunday 17th June 2001 Editor: Alan Watson www.magician.co.nz www.alan-watson.com e-mail AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. Mike Rogers Death - Cancer 3. It's Magic Cruise 2002 4. First country to give women the vote 5. Auction information 6. Lady magician - Escape Act? 7. GIMMICK from Solyl Kundu 8. Abbott's Triple Play Lecture day 9. Looking to purchase paper Chinese/Japanese lanterns 10. Magi-zette 'The Gimmick' 11. "Conventions link page" 12. Abbott's Suffered A Fire 13. "It's a Kind Of Magic" 14. Met Allan Williams And Richard Webster 15. Sky City Casino every Tuesday & Wednesday 16. The International Invisible Lodge Inc 17. Visiting Nova Scotia 18. A quick note to say thank you 19. Tenth Anniversary Of MAGIC Magazine 20. SAM Centennial Weekend 21. Here In Australia Longer Than I Lived In NZ 22. I visited the church of Notre Dame today 23. The Orchante Saga #34 24. Diarise these events 25. MagicNZ e-zine archives 26. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One A Terrible Loss To Magic Trade show pro Mike Rogers died of cancer. Apparently he had known of the cancer for some time but kept it quiet. Refer item 2 MagicCoach e-zine If you want to subscribe to a Magic Marketing newsletter go to: http://www.achieving.com.au/archive.htm ex-pat Kiwi Timothy Hyde is producing a very professional Marketing Magic e-zine. ------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ------------------------------------- 2. Mike Rogers Death - Cancer ------------------------------------- Message from Dick Dale (US) There will be a graveside memorial service this Friday at 10:00am at Oak Hill Memorial Park, 26 Glendale Rd., Escondido, CA. This will be followed by a remembrance reception at 11:30am at the Emmanuel Faith Church, 639 E. Felicita Rd., Escondido, CA. The cause of death was some fast sort of cancer. It was a total surprise and shock to me. I'd just talked to him the week before and all he told me was that they were running tests. I provided the above addresses in case you wanted to send a card or flowers. ---------------------------------- 3. It's Magic Cruise 2002 ---------------------------------- Message from David Sandy (US) You are invited to join many of the finest magicians in the world for an incredible, fun-filled magical getaway! It's Magic Cruise 2002 and the dates are February 11-17, 2002! Imagine you and your sweetie enjoying the fun in the Western Caribbean sun over Valentine's Day aboard the Carnival "Fun Ship" celebration for an incredible 5-night cruise. But wait, there's more... this just isn't ANY cruise... this cruise features lots of magical fellowship, shows and learning from many of the world's finest magicians. And if that weren't enough, we're throwing in a fabulous night at Houston's world-famous Magic Island nightclub plus overnight accommodations in a first-class Houston luxury hotel and much more! Interested? Just visit this website for more information: www.davidsandy.com/cruise.htm ---------------------------------- 4. First country to give women the vote ---------------------------------- Message from Marc Dominic (UK) I enjoy reading your newsletter and was prompted to write following a Radio Programme on BBC Radio 4 here in the UK. It talked of New Zealand as being the first country to give women the vote and how prominent women are in politics and commercial organisation. The question is how does that relate to the magic fraternity in on your lovely islands? Are they more than 20% of working pros? Or is it magic that doesn't attract as many women as men? I am playing with an idea for an article on this subject any info you could give would be grateful. Many Thanks Marc Dominic MMC Marc@marcdominic.com 0121 447 7411 ------------------------------------- 5. Auction information ------------------------------------- Message from Ted Bogusta Martinka & Co. (est. 1877) is running an online auction this week. Some of the material being offered was found as we cleaned out the back room of the 100+ year old magic shop. There are dozens of vintage magic items listed with more coming. The items include photos, programs, cards, posters and more. There are items related to Thurston, Houdini, Raymond and others. We have included material in a wide range of pricing and there are many interesting items listed for less than $10 and without a reserve. If you are a magic collector or a magician looking for something unique, I am sure you will find it here. The auction will run for this week only and will end Sunday, June 17th. Please see individual items for specific end times. You can view pictures of all the items by visiting www.martinka.com To ensure that you receive news of future sales, please join our mailing list. To join, just enter your email at: www.martinka.com ------------------------------------- 6. Lady magician - Escape Act? ------------------------------------- Message from Salil Kumar Kundu - TVP of IBM for India (N) I need the following information as soon as possible. I request all if they know anything about my queries to send a personal mail to solylkundu@vsnl.com at their earliest. Is there any lady magician who performed any type of Escape Act any where in the world? Please provide me her name, stage name (if any) Date and Place of Performance(s), type of Escape and any other related info. ------------------------------------- 7. GIMMICK from Solyl Kundu ------------------------------------- Message from Sam Dalal, Ex. IVP of IBM I have received Volume 17, No.1 of the revived GIMMICK from Solyl Kundu. An obvious labour of Love, this is a 16-page A-5 size booklet, neatly printed and illustrated with some good magic, advice, tips and news. Solyl's objective is to showcase Indian Magic and Magicians to the International fraternity, and we feel the effort deserves support from all magicians. For further details contact: solylkundu@yahoo.com ------------------------------------- 8. Abbott's Triple Play Lecture day ------------------------------------- Message from Tom Craven (US) I've been contracted to lecture in Hilton Head Island in Sept. 2001, then lecturing at Abbott's Triple Play Lecture day on Oct. 6th. In November, I'm doing a workshop one day, then the next day a lecture in Hamilton, Ontario. Lecturing in Montreal after that, but tentative lecture dates in Ottawa and Quebec City. Then on to Utica, New York for a lecture. Then in Feb. 2002, I'll be lecturing and working close-up at the Columbus, Ohio Magi-Fest. If any of your readers are in those areas, I'd love to sit down and session with them. ------------------------------------- 9. Looking to purchase paper Chinese/Japanese lanterns ------------------------------------- Message from Peter Stammers (Cyprus) I'm looking for a dealer that sells quality paper Chinese/Japanese lantern for production purposes. I have quantity of ordinary paper lanterns but they don't open out automatically. I need the type that open as they are lifted from a box to give some impression they are solid. If any reader knows of a supplier, magic or otherwise, I would be grateful. May be a reader knows of a craft book that details their manufactor. A supplier of paper fans & parasols would also be appreciated. alcar38@cytanet.com.cy ---------------------------------- 10. Magi-zette 'The Gimmick' ---------------------------------- India's one and Only Magi-zette 'The Gimmick' had been folded over after 16 continuous year's publications on end 1998. Now with continuous appeal, pressure and requests from various angles made Solyl Kundu compelled to take decision to re-publish the same. Well, now it's ready for mailing. The April 2001 issue garnered with articles from Magician Someeran, Magician LK Roy, Magician Indranil Ray, and International Brotherhood of Magicians (USA) Past Intn'l President Don Wieberg plus choke full with news and views from around the world. The Gimmick is a quarterly publication and for Limited and private Circulation to Magicians Only. Overseas annual subscription is US dollar 15.00 only (via airmail) and money should be sent by money order only to: Mr. S. Kundu, 900, Wollaston St., Suite# 305 Victoria, .C. V9A 5B2 Canada and Domestic subscription should be sent to: Rina Roy Chowdhury, C-4, #10 Karunamoyee, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700 091 by money order only. Looking for you support. ---------------------------------- 11. "Conventions link page" ---------------------------------- Message from Don Crawford (Aust) I have updated the Melbourne Conventions web site http://convention2000.tripod.com seems to be getting quite a few hits still. I have added a "Conventions link page" and "magic links page" people can add there own links there it's automatic. I think it would be great to keep the site up and use it as a link to other magicians and conventions. ---------------------------------- 12. Abbott's Suffered A Fire ---------------------------------- Message from Hank Moorehouse (US) As most everyone knows by now, Abbott's suffered a fire that destroyed their woodshop; metalworking and paint shop the middle of May. The building was located outside of town, next to the supermarket. It was hit by lighting. It's now been less than one month and production will begin again this week. The wood and metal work is now located in the lower level of the main building. This was were the manufacturing was previously located. It's magic that it only took less than one month to resume manufacturing. ---------------------------------- 13. "It's a Kind Of Magic" ---------------------------------- Message from Wayne Rogers (NZ) Felicity and I will be performing Illusions at Sky City this week as part of the opening and closing sequence for a major convention. The theme of the convention is "It's a Kind Of Magic" and the illusions are being integrated into a special laser light show. For the "Awards Ceremony" on the last night we will produce the Host from the Flash Appearance, and Felicity will present her Butterfly routine and Shrinking Doll's House act. I will be working with Alan and Michele Watson performing close-up on the 26th June, then travelling to the IBM convention in Orlando to sell some New Zealand made magic. Back on the 12th July. ---------------------------------- 14. Met Allan Williams And Richard Webster ---------------------------------- Message from Esther & Bill VanGorder Having met Allan Williams, Richard Webster and so many others at the recent convention in North America, we are anxious to remind all of you that if you are planning to visit Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, please contact us and let us welcome you to our wonderful convention and vacation community. Too often we hear about visitors after they have gone home. Esther & Bill VanGorder Psychic Entertainers "Mind Miracles" Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada ---------------------------------- 15. Sky City Casino every Tuesday & Wednesday ---------------------------------- Message from Leo Ward Been really busy lately with corporate cabaret gigs it has really taken off. I am also doing the afternoon variety shows at Sky City Casino every Tuesday and Wednesday till the end of the month when I head back overseas to Alaska for the summer presenting the full Illusion show. ---------------------------------- 16. The International Invisible Lodge Inc ---------------------------------- Message from John Miller (US) The International Invisible Lodge Inc. will be holding meetings at the IBM Convention in Orlando, Florida, contact Roger Miller (July 4-7) and at the TAOM Convention, Corpus Christi, Texas (September 2), contact J.K.Miller. Arrangements are presently being made for meetings at the SAM Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, (July 12-15) contact John Apperson and the MAES Convention, contact James Fisher with information to follow. All IL members and prospective non-members are invited to attend. Direct questions to invislodg@aol.com. ---------------------------------- 17. Visiting Nova Scotia ---------------------------------- Message from Bev Bergeron (US) My wife and I will be visiting Nova Scotia for a few days about Aug. 9,10,11. I want to look up my family records from about 1610. Trying to find out why they were kicked out of France and sent to the "New" country. If there are any magicians in the area, please contact me at: bevbergero@aol.com - would love to meet with you. I'll be performing stage & close-up plus lecturing at the SEAM convention in Greensboro, N.C. on July 27 & 28 - then Norfolk, Va on Aug. 4 others are in the works for our trip to the strange land. ---------------------------------- 18. A Quick Note To Say Thank You ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Just a quick note to say thank you to everybody - particularly David O'Connor for your kind comments regarding my Saga. It brings that certain glow that encourages one to continue. Once again, thank you ---------------------------------- 19. Tenth Anniversary Of MAGIC Magazine ---------------------------------- Message from Stan Allen (US) I thought you might be interested in the latest update on MAGIC...Live!, our unconventional convention to celebrate the tenth anniversary of MAGIC magazine. While you may have seen our back-cover ads over the past few months, things are coming together at a breakneck pace. I'm very excited about not only the concept of bringing the pages of this magazine to life, but also the who's-who of magic willing to take part in this one-time-only, never-to-be-repeated event. Thanks for your time, and I hope you'll consider joining us in August. If you would like more details on any of the following, just drop us an e-mail back. ---------------------------------- 20. SAM Centennial Weekend ---------------------------------- Message from George Schindler (US) - SAM Publicity MAY 10th 2002 marks the 100th anniversary of the Society of American Magicians. In commemoration of this historic event, 2002 will be designated as the "Centennial Celebration" year for the S.A.M. A number of nationwide events are being planned leading up to and including our National Convention during the JULY 4 weekend (2002) at the New York Hilton. During the summer months many Assemblies plan their yearly programs. Please reserve the weekend of May 10-12 next year for a banquet or a show or dinner possibly open to the general public. "Be A Part of the History" The Centennial Committee will soon send your assembly detailed suggestions on displays, Press releases, booking facilities and celebration plans. We are committed to this project and will help you from the National level with your needs to make this a success. A letter to your Assembly will be sent from the President shortly. Associate members living in areas where there are no Assemblies can participate with exhibits in the area. Information will be available from the Committee soon. Chairman "SAM Weekend " Wally Libenson - 845-462-6243 "Publicity"...........George Schindler 718-336-0605 ---------------------------------- 20. Here In Australia Longer Than I Lived In NZ ---------------------------------- Message from Timothy Hyde (Aust) ex-pat Kiwi Just thought I'd drop you a line a tell you how much I've been enjoying MagicNZ e-zine over the last few months. I certainly hope you or someone is thinking of putting the The Amazing Orchante narrative down on CDRom. If you can combine this with photos documents etc, it would be a hugely entertaining and important document in NZ entertainment history. (The real "bums on seats" entertainment history, not the funded dross that masquerades as entertainment so often these days) I realised a while ago that I've been over here in Australia longer than I ever lived in NZ, and all that time working as a full time pro. (Almost forgotten who to barrack for in the rugby.) Seems a long time since I was busking the Cuba Street Mall & Parnell Market back in 77 -78. (And I guess we don't call it busking now, but Street Magic or Interactive Roving Entertainment.) Work is good, with our ever increasing focus on a couple of niche markets. (Corporate After Dinner and Conference KeyNotes). I've always been one to bump the price up each year by a few hundred and look around for who's willing to pay. Two trips to the USA this year. Firstly my regular trip to the Meeting of the Minds Convention in New Orleans, where it is always great to meet up with Richard Webster, (the only place I get to see him). Then I'm back in a couple of weeks to attend the National Speakers Convention in Dallas which should be a lot of fun, the first time I've gone to that one. Our MagicCoach e-zine continues to grow in subscriber base and reputation. When we started 66 issues ago we were the only Magic Marketing newsletter on the net, now there are many, but I guess that was inevitable. Growth is now mainly through word of mouth which is very gratifying. There's still a lag between publishing and archiving each issue, but if your readers are interested, there are nearly 50 issues available at: http://www.achieving.com.au/archive.htm and you can subscribe from the same page. On a personal note we are still firmly based up in the Blue Mountains (90 minutes west of Sydney) but with the recent purchase of 100 acres a further two hours west, we are spending more time "in the bush". However if anyone is passing through the Mountains please be sure to contact us. ---------------------------------- 21. I visited the church of Notre Dame today ---------------------------------- Message from Jason Burn (US) Hello Everybody!!! Finally a moment to write you all. I'm fine and busy as usual. Although there has been a little time to relax. Today I got the proper cord to use my computer at the hotel. So far, this trip has been wonderful. Let's just say it cost me about $400 in taxis and import fees. Audiences here have been very good. Usually the venue is jammed pack the first show and the second one has about 400 people. It has been a long awaited dream of mine to perform here and now it is reality. So sweet indeed. I visited the church of Notre Dame today. Breathtaking to say the least. We have been getting along wonderfully and making our way all around town. God, how I love this city. A magician came to see the show tonight. His name is Jean Mad and he is an illusionist that once worked the Lido 20 some years ago. I will go to see his matinee show on Sunday. My agent for the job is more than happy to have me here. She has never seen me perform live and she said that she was extremely happy. The other day she offered me a gig but unfortunately, I'm not available. It felt great to say I was already booked. This week I will network and invite more agents and producers to the show. It is a great venue for me to be showcasing in since it is the best place in all of Europe to be performing as an act. Wish you could all be here. ---------------------------------- 22. The Orchante Saga #34 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) TEX MORTON plus The Great Orchante 'POTSHOTS' - but first, a little more history about Tex. Since 1932, he had been a famous folk-singer. In 1936, throughout Australasia his records sold more than ALL THE ARTISTS IN THE WORLD. His sales were in the millions, long before 'gold' records were heard of. His programmes of folk-songs, poetry, and country music had been a feature on A.B.C. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) and overseas networks, for many years, and he had become known as a combination of Burl Ives and Charles Laughton (the famous actor/poetry reader). Ranging from cowboy folk songs and sea shanties, to readings of Shakespeare, Kipling, Dickens and the like, one classical critic when reviewing a record of Tex's readings from Kipling, 'Banjo Patterson' etc., wrote; 'he has a voice like a quartet of cellos!'. My old friend Johnny (the Maori Cowboy) Cooper (now QSM) - aged 71, started HIS musical career listening country stars like Tex Morton, copying and singing his songs. MARKSMANSHIP- Get set, steady, s-t-e-a-d-y, take aim, FIRE! Tex was regarded as one of the finest snap, standing-shooters in the world. Night after night, I watched Tex's sharp-shooting act - he never missed - Tex never 'got set', or aimed - it was simply, from rifle held at his side, to - up, point, fire - hitting the target, whatever it may have been, with unerring accuracy. He was a holder of many CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES, CUPS AND MEDALS, in several parts of the world, and originally developed his sharp-shooting act for presentation for Rodeos and 'Shooting-meets' before the public. He often doubled in difficult shooting scenes, for film stars in Hollywood, where he lived for a time, becoming well known as a fine character actor on Television and Radio, and also on films, plus doing a tour each year to some part of the world. WHANGAREI - First night, we bowled into town, and Tex, ever the showman, to drum up publicity (which he didn't need, as the Town Hall was sold out) headed for the best, biggest local pub for a drink - with me in tow - to meet 'the boys'. When Tex walked into any pub/bar, the place would be in an immediate uproar. He and his famous hat were instantly recognisable - every man and his dog wanted to shake his hand. Although he was world famous, he was just 'one of the boys' - that's how he came across, and how he was accepted, but with the greatest respect. Anyhow, this particular pub, that was right across the road from the local police station, sported one of the longest bars I've ever seen, and the place was packed with drinkers. I guess we'd been there around half an hour or so, with me doing Close-up magic at the bar, in between Tex regaling everyone with his stories, when Tex said quietly 'Hey, Tom - go out to the car and get my rifle and stand!' Tex used a .22 rifle for his sharp-shooting act. It broke down into 3 pieces, and fitted into a wooden case. His target was about 2 - 2 !/2 feet in diameter, steel backed, and sat upright on a special stand. I KNEW WHAT WAS COMING! I just couldn't believe what he was about to do, in a pub that just happened to be opposite the local 'Cop Shop'. Tex grabs some poor, hapless bloke, who seemed to be reasonably sober, and plants him to the left hand side of the target - gets him to hold a playing card by the bottom corner, his arm outstretched, with the card in front of the target, and edge-on to Tex. Tex, down the other end of the lengthy bar, slots a .22 bullet into the rifle, warns the chap not to move, and tells everybody to stand still, and then, in a blink of an eye, he lifts the rifle and fires all in the same instant - THE PLAYING CARD, HIT BY THE BULLET, SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE, AS THOUGH CAREFULLY PEELED APART. It was an amazing feat, which I saw, time and again - but this, was AFTER he'd had a few drinks. Astonishing! One day, we were driving between towns on a dusty road, somewhere up Kaitaia, Kerikeri way, and a pheasant flew across the front of the car and landed on the road behind us. By the time Tex pulled up, we must have been 100 yards or so down the road. Tex jumped out of the car, grabbed the rifle case from the back seat, put the rifle together, and - talk about timing - by the time he got the rifle loaded, the pheasant took off, and Tex, like a skeet-shooter, (except this wasn't a shot-gun) with one shot, downed the bird. Guess what we had for dinner that night! CONCLUSION NEXT EXPISODE! ------------------------------------- 23. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- Joshua Jay (US) NZ Lectures: Auckland Friday 10th August 2001 Christchurch Monday 13th August 2001 The 26th NZ Magician's Convention Auckland Friday 28th to Monday 31st December 2001. The registration form and information is now available on the web go to: www.magician.co.nz/convention1.html ------------------------------------- 24. MagicNZ e-zine archives ------------------------------------- Back issues of the MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: ezine Password: newzealand When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001nov0699.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (nov06) and the last next two numbers the year (99) If you want to print copies of MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive ------------------------------------- 25. 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 MagicNZ e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday. The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors. Neither MagicNZ or 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 << © Copyright 2001 Alan Watson