* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine
* www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #82
Date: Sunday 21st July 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. A greater honour for the I.B.M
3. Congratulations to Tony Wilson
4. "Rip-offs" by Magician Exor of South Africa
5. Choreography is the property of the choreographer
6. Rip-off someone else's design
7. New Metal Bending Video
8. Three Month Whirl Wind Tour
9. No! It Is Not Okay To Rip People Off
10. "Report" on the IBM convention
11. The South Eastern Alliance of Magicians' convention
12. MAGIC...Live!
13. Celebrity guest moderator Lance Burton
14. "Entertained" by a "master magician" - Joe Labero what a laugh
15. Up Date On Magic...Live!
16. More Sad News
17. Lecturing @ Mind Over Magic in Burbank
18. IBM Convention in Orlando - Wayne Rogers
19. The Orchante Saga #38
20. Diarise these events
21. MagicNZ e-zine archives
22. Subscription Management

------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
-------------------------------------
Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One

Does anyone have any contacts for other professional magicians or magic
clubs in Tokyo that they can forward to me as I am making my first trip to
Japan in September from 3rd to 17th.

-------------------------------------
Pleased to hear my good friend Shawn Farquhar was awarded first place in
close up category at both IBM & SAM. - CONGRATULATIONS. Also Richard Forget
and his lovely assistant Anne-marie also took top honors at both IBM & SAM
making it a clean sweep for the Canadians.

Having won first place in the Close-up category at IBM, Shawn now becomes I
think the magician in the world to have won both first place in stage and
the close up competition.

-------------------------------------
Joshua Jay Lecture - Auckland
Date: Friday 10th August 2001
Time: 7.30pm Entry $15 seniors. (Includes supper)
Contact: Alan Watson
Phone 483 9275 Mobile 025 95 7070
Venue: The Senior Citizens Club Rooms
Address: The Strand, Takapuna
(Behind the Library) (Same room as the North Shore Society of Magicians meet
at)

Joshua Jay Lecture, Hosted By S. A. M Assembly 250 Christchurch.
Date: Monday 13th August 2001
Venue: Greg & Sue Britts
Address: 23 Halswell Junction Road. Halswell.
Time: 7.30pm Entry $15 seniors $10 Juniors.(includes supper )
Please phone 322 9249 to confirm your attendance or email
elgregoe@inet.net.nz

-------------------------------------
Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line:
AW@Alan-Watson.com

----------------------------------
2. A greater honour for the I.B.M
----------------------------------
Message from Jack K. Greenberg (US) I.B.M. Past International President

Danny Phillips notes that Tony Wilson has been nominated to serve as
International Vice President of the I.B.M. from 2002 - 2003. And Danny says:

"In July 2003 he is likely to become President-Elect and in July 2004
International President. International Presidents in the past have only
come from USA Canada (2) and UK. (3) This is a great honour for Tony."
I agree with you, Danny. But it's even a greater honor for the I.B.M., and
for magic in general. It's not only a coup for "internationalism," but also
for those who recognize (and who will benefit from his) ability and
dedication.

Personally, I'm looking forward to Tony's service as an International
Officer.

-------------------------------------
3. Congratulations to Tony Wilson
-------------------------------------
Message from Jann Wherry Goodsell - Immediate Past President, S.A.M

Congratulations to Tony Wilson on being nominated to move up the ladder,
ultimately becoming International President of the I.B.M.!

-------------------------------------
4. "Rip-offs" by Magician Exor of South Africa
-------------------------------------
Message from Walter Zaney Blaney (US)

I forwarded the comments on "rip-offs" by Magician Exor of South Africa to a
number of magic inventors and builders around the USA and Europe. Exor says
it's really okay to rip-off these inventors in 2001, as we just rearrange
old ideas and nothing is new, and we are just scamming the magic community.

I guess EXOR thinks the new illusions and tricks we create just fall from
the sky and happen to land in our workshops and on our drawing boards by
accident. It just amazes us how those who rip-off the inventors of magic,
and those who buy these rip-offs, go to such great lengths to try to justify
the stealing. And they want so badly for their victims to tell them it's
really okay that they are being victimized. If anyone out there is familiar
with Ayn Rand's philosophy of "Objectivism", this irrational behaviour is
called "The Sanction of the Victim".

After reading EXOR's "original thinking", I think I would be happy to see
Magician Exor "EXORCIZED" out of magic.

----------------------------------
5. Choreography is the property of the choreographer
----------------------------------
Message from Bruce G. Schneider

> The art of Magic
> belongs to nobody, and can be equated to various operas, musicals and
> symphonies. Who can tell any company that they cannot perform the Swan
> Lake ballet?

Yet every program for the ballet points out that the choreography is the
property of the choreographer. Similarly, the staging of an opera or a
musical is - as are the contents of his promptbook- the property of the
director.

Sorry, that analogy doesn't hold up. Bruce G. Schneider

----------------------------------
6. Rip-off someone else's design
----------------------------------
Message from Scott Wells

If all the ideas are "just changes ... by either using modern-day technology

e.g. electronics, ultra-fine thread, magnets etc or blatantly copies the old
fashioned idea," then why is it that we haven't seen any "improvements" from
South Africa? Has there been anyone from South Africa actually giving
something back to the magic community by inventing or creating something
innovative? Or have they only been "takers"? If it's that easy to change a
design or update an old classic, then why aren't they doing it?

The exchange rate is a real issue but perhaps someone down there could make
a fortune by creating something rather than using their sweat to rip-off
someone else's design.

----------------------------------
7. New Metal Bending Video
----------------------------------
Message from Scott Wells

In recent issues, Gary MacFarlane asked about a metal bending video and Bill
Fleming followed up with kindly advice about the excellent quality of
Banachek's general material and specifically his metal bending routine.

Well, Banachek's routine has been guarded and not available; however, he has
just completed a tape of his entire professional routine that will soon be
available to the magic/mental community.

This tape is hosted by Gerry McCambridge and includes Banachek's routine and
explanation along with some video segments in a restaurant where he
performed the routine in an impromptu setting.

The tape has been edited and is completely finished and being duplicated.
We're now in the process of the boxes/video sleeves being designed. We hope
to have the tapes ready to market by late August. They will be available in
VHS format, but if there is enough demand, they may be converted to PAL,
too. The tapes will be wholesaled through an exclusive arrangement with
Murphy's Magic Supplies and will be available to you through your favorite
dealer or through our company, Magic Inspirations (a partnership between
Banachek and myself, Scott Wells) at our website or by direct mail. You can
keep up with what's going on with the tape and learn when it's available
through our website at http://members.aol.com/swells4691/index.html

----------------------------------
8. Three-Month Whirl Wind Tour
----------------------------------
Message from Paul Romhany (NZ)

Well, this week sees the end of my 3-month whirl wind tour. This week alone
has been amazing with visits to Denmark, Norway, Holland, Germany, Brussels
and France (Paris). Simply amazing!!! Tonight I finish my work performing 2
comedy shows, then I have a walk about as Chaplin in 2 nights then it's off
to London for me for a few days then I head off to Australia before heading
out to New York to work.

What an amazing 3 months this has been, visiting places in the world that
will live with me forever from Egypt to Paris to Amsterdam to Nice to Italy
etc. There must be a harder way to make a living:)) hehehehe! Actually it's
been a real learning curve re work, having passengers comment on your act
and if you don't make the grade you are on
the next ship out ... it certainly isn't easy as every show counts!!!

It can be a very lonely life on board ship, because really there isn't
anywhere to go. Imagine living in a hotel for 3 months with nowhere to go,
that's what it is like. The shows are geared for cruises and I can see why
it's quite different than 'land' work. It has however given me the chance to
develop my material and my Charlie act is coming on nicely. I am very very
happy with my new illusion 'the floating broom', I am currently looking at
new illusions for the show.

Well, the next time you get an email from me I will probably be in England
so until then my friends, all my love, hugs and smiles

----------------------------------
9. No! It Is Not Okay To Rip People Off
----------------------------------
Message from Tim Ellis (Aust)

Exor, from South Africa, must have a bad case of a guilty conscience judging
from his post in the last MagicNZ where he justifies ripping off other
people's marketed effects because his dollar is low against the USA
currency.

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD EXOR! The Aussie dollar is low too, but there is a
thing called RESPECT. Within the magic world it is becoming a very rare
commodity, and people like Exor and his South African friends who mass
produce rip-offs are diminishing the value of that very rare currency too.

Respect for the creator of an illusion or a trick is VERY IMPORTANT. Exor
says: "If one were to purchase Don Wayne's Stretching the Lady Illusion,
with freight costs, tax, and import duties, one would be able to be a very
smart car with the money." So buy a smart car instead and get out of the
magic business. You can buy the illusion, and make money from it, just as
you can buy a car and make money by becoming, for example, a courier.

Instead, you feel that somehow you DESERVE Don Wayne's creation, but don't
feel you should have to pay him for it because your government has wrecked
your economy??!! Does Don Wayne get a say in this? No. You have decided
instead to rip him off! Have you ever considered writing to him, explaining
your position, and perhaps buying the plans and performance rights from him
THEN building it with his blessing? No? Think about it then.

And as for your mates who feel it's okay to buy a new product, then mass
produce it and sell it rip off copies to everyone in South Africa... I hope
Rocco, or one of the other ripped off creators comes down on them like a ton
of bricks. Let me be clear here in case you're not getting the message: NO!
IT IS NOT OKAY TO RIP PEOPLE OFF. THE END. THERE IS NO POSSIBLE
JUSTIFICATION YOU CAN OFFER!!!

You try to explain that : "The supposed 2001 inventor just changes it by
either using modern-day technology eg electronics, ultra-fine thread,
magnets etc etc or blatantly copies the old fashioned idea - not all the old
books are still in print! So most modern day purchasers are none the wiser."

Exor, the old books are still in print, or in your library, probably in
photocopied form. You've stated: "After all, we also want to perform various
new items." then immediately said they are just old ideas. How about this
concept: If you can't afford it, don't buy it. As you said, there are plenty
of ideas in the old books that you can use without having to spend up big on
"the latest releases".

Russia has an economy far worse than yours, yet they constantly produce
original, innovative, FISM Award Winning acts. Many Russian magicians can't
even get books, they simply make the magic up.

You state, "The art of Magic belongs to nobody". Well actually, it belongs
to everybody, and the individual tricks you guys are ripping off belong to
specific people. May I ask, do your friends also buy one CD then sell copies
in Record Stores? Do they buy one video, then sell hundreds of copies in
Video Stores? Or are they aware they could get fined and thrown in jail for
such offences???

Well the same goes for magic. It takes a lot of time and money to invent a
new effect, and the creators really don't earn anything close to what they
should get for their effort. And you don't think they should get ANYTHING AT
ALL???!!! Where's your respect for your fellow magicians Exor? Magicians who
are obviously more creative than you? You want to perform their effects, so
you must think they've done a good job in creating them... so THANK THEM,
and the best way to do that is by paying for the effect.

It's all about RESPECT Exor, and until you start to respect others I can
tell you this much, they'll have absolutely no respect for you!

Visit Our Amazing World On The Web At
www.MagicUnlimited.com

----------------------------------
10. "Report" on the IBM convention
----------------------------------
Message from Bev Bergeron (US)

Here is my report on the IBM convention here in Orlando - 2001.

It was a good one, one of the best. The main reason it was good was that
everything seemed to run smoothly. Except for a little confusion for people
registering and picking up their packages on the first day, most of the
events started on time and finished when they were supposed top.

Our local Ring, The Bev Bergeron Ring #170, (notice how I got that plug in)
set-up all the curtain, lights, sound and ran the tech for all the events
except the night time shows. My son-in-law set-up and ran his video
projector. Without that video most of the attendees would never have seen
most of the lectures. I would say that, today, no convention could run a
happy lecture without a video projector unless the attending numbers drop to
around 30. All of the tech people did a good job and helped make the
convention better for everyone. I just hope that they get some respect from
the rest of the IBM.

Tuesday, July 3: Opening night before: The registration had a little trouble
finding some people's paper work, but things got better by the next day.
Only the dealers opened that night. I was too busy to get into their room
that night.

Wednesday, July 4: The stage contest started at 8:30 A.M. and ran until
almost 1:00 P.M. causing the Pendragons' Lecture to be delayed a few
minutes. Earlier that morning Anne White and Boris Wild lectured. White was
on publicity photos and Boris told of his method of marking a deck of
playing cards so that they were easy to read and use in magic.

The spouses had an introductory tea and some event almost every day. One
day, Marty and Wayne Scott, who build magic props and clown shoes,
entertained them. Most who attended were happy to learn about the funny
business.

The youth were looked after also all during this conclave with some event
just for them every day. I was conned into teaching some magic for over two
hours.

The nighttime shows were at Tupperware Auditorium about fifteen miles away.
The buses were schedule to shuttle all within "twenty minutes." No one
listen to me: I said it could not be done. The next day, extra busses were
added. All shows were good. No really bad acts. The opening night show was
the weakest, but most conventions plan it that way.

The show had: Murray - "man with the CDs and the hair;" Randy Pryor,
juggler, magic and crazy-leg dancing; George Saterial, Gold Medal winner
with doves; Jay Marshall closed the show with tears and Lefty. The M.C. was
Lee Bayless who was good, but was required to do too much material (about 
45 minutes) to bring the show to an hour and half run. All the acts were 
good - real good, but the production lacked a show quality. Later that night 
Jerry Andrus lectures. Jerry had called me a few months earlier wanting me 
to recommend him and do what we did here at a Florida convention ten years 
ago. I had put him in a room of his own full of his optical illusions on 
his own time schedule. Jerry loved it and so did the attendees. The IBM 
conclave did not take advantage of Jerry the way they should.

Thursday, July 5: The day before I was tied up with a board meeting in the
afternoon and did not get to see everything. Then early Thursday morning we
had our Annual I.B.M. Business Meeting. We started out with a good
attendance - about 75 members. Three hours later, after a lot of wasted time
by members we lost most of our audience, only the board members were present
in the room - I guess that really tells one something. Keep the business
part short and know where you're going before you start a meeting. Amen.

The length of the Business meeting caused me to miss Mark Wilson's lecture
on illusions, which I understand I was being featured - without pay, I might
add. I understand that Mark gave me credit for not only appearing on the
tapes as Rebo, but also creating much of the material shown. Shimada lecture
followed in which he covered most of his dove act.

The "Big Three Event" this year had Trevor Lewis lecturing on children's
magic (all good material), Tom Mullica presenting Red Skelton and in the
close-up part: Henry Evans (whom I'm crazy about), Fukai, Bob King, Barrie
Richardson and Boris Wild. Everyone seemed happy with the close-up guys. Gay
Blackstone lecture followed the Event. She spoke on the Blackstone family
shows and her new productions. The Collectors' had a gathering that I wanted
to attend but had to perform for a youth event.

Thursday Night Show: Was the best show in the series. A real show with a
real opening act from Japan, Fukai & Kimika producing umbrellas; Dale
Salwak, doing his cards and Zombie; closing with The Pendragons. Jonathan &
Charlotte have a well rehearsed act of modern looking illusions and M.C.ing
the show was Trevor Lewis at his best - opening with a song and having a
turn with a kid from the audience. He could have done more, but kept the
pace of the show moving.

Friday, July 6 Close-up contest starting at 7:30 A.M. - the problem here is
to find a way that everyone who wants to see the event can see it. The
talent gets better every year. Greg Wilson lectured on video production and
promotional tapes. This was followed by Fukai's lecture. Another board
meeting where we went up to show time and had to continue the next day to
take care of business to keep from being sued again. Yes, it is crazy, but
some people are.

Friday Night Show: Gold Medal Competition: This year was one of the weakest
years for all round talent. Some acts were very good and very innovative;
however, and the judges complied, no one act met the standards of a Gold
Medal winner. You'll have to get the names of winners off the Internet or
wait for the Linking Ring. Rick Walker & Company was the closing illusion
act. Rick was not up to his past performances. He was OK, but his assistants
were always behind him in the routines. He was well received by the
audience, but needs to troupe the cast. Master of Ceremonies Richard Block
was good as I've pointed out before - in the past three years, he has taken
a giant step in his performances and M.C.ing. Barrie Richardson lecture to a
late crowd.

Saturday, July 7: Last day of the convention opened with a breakfast for the
older members of the I.B.M. - the Merlin, Excalibur and whatever the real
old folks are called. The hotel came out the winner by charging $17 for two
eggs, two uncooked strips of bacon, some potatoes and coffee - NO bread. I
raised hell and got bread on our table - no one else got it. Jep Hostetler,
the convention chairman and stabilizer for the I.B.M. gave a very good
motivational speech using magic as a prop.

Bob King lectured with his well-received card work. Henry Evans from
Argentina was the hit lecture and close-up act of the conclave. The Gold Cup
Finalist competed for the next hour - first time for this event to do this
run-off. The winners were presented from the stage that night.

Reception for all before the banquet did not draw the numbers that it
should. Mostly members who were attending the banquet, though all were
welcomed, showed up to socialize. The banquet was quick with passable food
and got everyone to the busses on time. We were lucky in that we lived only
about three miles from the Hilton hotel and therefore did not stay at the
hotel and had a car to go to the theatre.

Saturday, July 7: A shocker of an opening, with no introduction, was a young
man who really had a voice and sang the Star Spangle Banner with a quick
rising audience. After the song the curtain opened to a stage size U.S.A.
flag. Then a more or less confused Fielding West walks onto the stage as
M.C. to pull it all together - he did. Shimada was a good choice for an
opening act. Dario was a killer of a juggling act - aren't they all? Greg
Wilson and Lyuda was the closing illusion act. These two have really become
a great act. Their finish, which had been used at an earlier I.B.M.
conclave, had Greg vanishing from a glass trunk and being replaced by Mark
Wilson, his father. Greg was found in the audience. Fielding West kept the
action going and us proud of his magic. A well paced show.

Mike Close was on a keyboard that never ran out of music during and in
between acts. Dale Salwak produced the shows with Dale Hindman as the stage
manager. Everything was on time and with few mishaps, which is good on a
first time run.

Tony Wilson was nominated by the Board for the position of International
Vice-President. NZ was represented in the Dealer's Room by Wayne Rogers and
his appearing magic items.

The International convention is just so big that one questions whether a
member can see most of the events. I guess that it is planned that away, so
that everyone, no matter how odd their taste in magic, will have something
to see or do. Jep Hostetler and his convention committee worked hard and did
a very good job. The rest of the Officers and Board Members also worked hard
all year for nothing (no pay), so tell them all thank you

----------------------------------
11. The South Eastern Alliance of Magicians' convention
----------------------------------
Message from Bev Bergeron (US)

Bev Bergeron and his carpetbag will be working at the South Eastern Alliance
of Magicians' convention in Greensboro, North Carolina July 26-28. Others on
the bill are: Peter Marucci, Rich Block, Paul Cummins, Wood Landers, Chris
Capehart, Dan Alan, Lanny Miller and the Oriental Magician. The next week
Bev will be working an one-day conclave in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He'll
be heading up to Nova Scotia to party with the Halifax Ring on Aug. 10th,
and then the return trip through N.Y. City and lectures back to Florida.

----------------------------------
12. MAGIC...Live!
----------------------------------
Message from Stan Allen (US)

MAGIC...Live!
MAGIC Magazine's Tenth Anniversary Celebration
August 19-22, 2001
The Orleans Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada

In This Update:
1. List of Performers & Presenters Grows
2. Advertising Fair Unveiled
3. Space Available Shrinks
4. How to Register
5. Additional Information

1. List Of Performers & Presenters Grows
We're continuing to book more and more of the best magical talent on the
planet for our upcoming celebration.

Here's the latest to be added to the list:
Gregory Wilson
Apollo Robbins
Gaston Quieto
Gary Quellet
Nicholas Night & Kinga
Earle Oakes
Chad Long
Rune Klan
Charles Greene
Joseph Gabriel
Bob (Bob Sheets)

This is, of course, in addition the previously announced:
Topas
Marc Summers
Jim Steinmeyer
Eberhard Riese
Jon Racherbaumer
The Pendragons
Bill McIlhany
Jeff McBride
Max Maven
Bill Malone
Mark Kornhauser
Mac King
Richard Kaufman
David "Silly Billy" Kaye
Rory Johnston
Joshua Jay
Guy Hollingworth
Jeff Hobson
Paul Gertner
Michael Finney
Michael Diliberto
Dana Daniels
Michael Close
Mike Caveney
Lance Burton
Michael Ammar

And we're still not finished!

2. Advertising Fair Unveiled
A number of people have been asking which dealers will be attending, so
here's the list to date:
Nielsen Magic
Kevin James' Imagination Unlimited
Meir Yedid
Tom Yurasits Productions
Dean Dill
Hocus Pocus
Mike Caveney's Magic Words
Douglas L. Tilford
Showplace Magic
Bill Smith's Magic Ventures
Houdini's Magic Shop
Showplace Magic
H & R Books
Hughes Magic Inc.
Magic Cobra
See-More Magic
Elmwood Magic & Novelty
Wellington Enterprises
Daytona Magic
Amberg Entertainment
Kennedy Enterprises
Magic Crafters and, of course, MAGIC Magazine

3. Space Available Shrinks
We are quickly running out of space. The Orleans is trying to allocate us
more hotel rooms, but our original room block is just about gone. If you've
been planning on attending but just haven't gotten around to it, we urge you
to delay no longer. Please call today.

4. How To Register
Visit our secure web site, www.magicmagazine.com, and follow the
instructions in the MAGIC...Live! section.

You may also register by:
- phone (702/798-0099, ext. 101)
- fax (702/798-0220)
- e-mail (live@magicmagazine.com)

We accept VISA, MasterCard, or checks in U.S. funds payable to MAGIC...Live!

Registration is $235 per person.

Please, don't delay. Register today!

5. Additional Information
Here is the basic information from previous updates:

Hotel
The Orleans Hotel & Casino, 4500 W. Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada.
This is a great property, just a short distance off the Strip, with
everything we need. Meeting rooms are conveniently located close together,
all on one floor, isolated from the casino.
There is a gem of a theater with 842 great seats and state-of-the-art
equipment, plus restaurants for every taste and budget. At this time, we
plan to have all events under one roof. In fact, you may not need to go
outside once you settle in. Of course, if you do want to visit some of the
other Vegas attractions, the hotel offers free shuttles every half-hour.

The great news is that we've locked down a $49 room rate, double occupancy.
That means if you're sharing, it's only $24.50 each, plus tax. That's less
than $100 for the four nights for the room. And I think you're going to be
pleasantly surprised with the quality of the accommodations. I don't think
you can beat this deal and still have the convenience of staying right in
the heart of the action.

Call The Orleans, (800) 675-3267 or (702) 365-7111, and ask for the
MAGIC...Live! group rate. We have arranged for this special room rate to be
available on Thursday night, as well, should you desire to extend your stay.
Please call early, as rooms are limited. Reservations are taken from 7 a.m.
till 11 p.m., Pacific Time, weekdays; and 9 a.m. till 5 p.m. on weekends.

Schedule Of Events
Sunday
- 12 noon, Registration Booth and Help Desk open
- 7:30 p.m., "Cover 1" opening ceremonies
- 9:30 p.m., Advertiser's Fair (till 11:30 p.m.)
- 11:00 p.m., Hospitality Suite opens (24 hours)

Monday
- 9:30 a.m., Morning Session
- 11:45 a.m., Advertiser's Fair (till 6:30 p.m.)
- 2:00 p.m., Afternoon Session
- 5:00 p.m., Happy Hour at the Hospitality Suite
- 7:30 p.m., "Best Show: Stage" (part one)
- 10:30 p.m., "Who Wants to be a Lifetime Subscriber?"
- (Hospitality Suite open 24 hours)

Tuesday
- 9:30 a.m., Morning Session
- 11:45 a.m., Advertiser's Fair (till 6:30 p.m.)
- 12 noon, MAGIC Showcase (till midnight)
- 2:00 p.m., Afternoon Session
- 5:00 p.m., Happy Hour at the Hospitality Suite
- 5:00 p.m., "Best Show: Close-up" (repeating at 7, 8:45, and 10:30)
- (Hospitality Suite open 24 hours)

Wednesday
- 9:30 a.m., Morning Session
- 11:45 a.m., Advertiser's Fair (till 6:00 p.m.)
- 12 noon, MAGIC Showcase (till 6:00 p.m.)
- 2:00 p.m., Afternoon Session
- 5:00 p.m., Happy Hour at the Hospitality Suite
- 7:30 p.m., "Best Show: Stage" (part two) and "Finally"
- (Hospitality Suite open 24 hours)

Session Subjects
Each day (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) there are two presentational sessions
(morning and afternoon)... each approximately two-and-a-half hours long...
each hosted by one of MAGIC magazine's Contributing Editors... each a blend
of tutorials, talks, videos, stories, and performances... including a
special marketing-for-the-2000s presentation, a lecture on lecturing, five
hours of close-up tutorial (and that's not counting the sessions on stage
and parlor tricks), a discussion on the competition act, a presentation on
television magic, our unique look at the marketplace, a teach-in for the
family-show performers, rarely seen footage of magic in the movies and as
seen on TV, our own special game show, "Who Wants to be a Lifetime
Subscriber?," hosted by Marc Summers... and, as before, that's only just the
beginning.

Don't Miss This One-Time-Only, Never-To-Be-Repeated Event!

----------------------------------
13. Celebrity guest moderator Lance Burton
----------------------------------
Message from Kevin James (US)

Every month we have celebrity guest moderators come on my website message
board and discuss various topics. This month we will have Lance Burton from
July 18 through the 24th.

Next month will be Daryl.
www.kjmagic.com

----------------------------------
14. "Entertained" by a "master magician" - Joe Labero what a laugh
----------------------------------
Message from Alfred Hayes (Aust)

So AKL - NZ is to be "entertained" by a "master magician" - what a laugh -
pity he isn't a real professional in his craft! Reports from the general
public in Oz are not so favourable - in fact - they were giving free tickets
to get people into the showroom ... yes, he has several very expensive
tricks - but tricks don't necessarily make you an entertaining magician ...
he has little respect for his audience, and in particular those he calls
upon - is extremely rude and discourteous ... his dress is not that of a 
quality entertainer (acceptable if acting a part) ... unquestionably, 
there are some high points in his show and a certain amount of good 
production - but - buying a piano doesn't make you a musician ... see 
the show - don't be captured by the hype and self appraisal. Remember, 
you are BUYING those tickets ... (Said as seen by Alfred Hayes)

----------------------------------
15. Up Date On Magic...Live!
----------------------------------
Message from Stan Allen (US)

August 19-22, 2001
The Orleans Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas, NV

Hotel
We've just been notified by The Orleans Hotel, that we have exceeded our
block of rooms we had reserved for MAGIC...Live!

It's our understanding that the hotel will continue to honor our $49 room
rate, space available, until midnight on Friday, July 20, 2001. According to
our calendars, that's tomorrow!

If you still haven't made your hotel reservations, please call today.

After Friday, hotel rates will increase to "the going rate." So, please
don't delay.

The Orleans: (800) 675-3267 or (702) 365-7111, and ask for the MAGIC...Live!
group rate.

Registration
To register for the convention, visit our secure web site,
www.magicmagazine.com, and follow the instructions in the MAGIC...Live!
section.

You may also register by:
- phone (702/798-0099, ext. 101)
- fax (702/798-0220)
- e-mail (live@magicmagazine.com)

We accept VISA, MasterCard, or checks in U.S. funds payable to MAGIC...Live!

Look forward to seeing you in August.

Stan Allen

----------------------------------
16. More Sad News
----------------------------------
Message from Mike Heidtman

Friends,

I regret to inform you all that I have received a call from my brother, Joel
advising me of the passing of our own Gunther Gebel-Williams approximately 2
hours ago. Joel was called by a friend in Feld management saying that
Gunther past away in Venice, Florida. No further information is available at
this time in regards to services, memorial, etc.

Let us all keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.

Peace be with you all,

Aloha,

Cap'n Mike Heidtman

----------------------------------
17. Lecturing @ Mind Over Magic in Burbank
----------------------------------
Message from Jeff Ezell

Aldo Colombini will be lecturing @ Mind Over Magic in Burbank, Ca on Monday,
August 20th. The lecture starts at 7pm and goes for 2-3 hours. Call
1-818-562-1921 for reservations or directions. As for the rest of the year:

September: Losander will be lecturing on the art of levitating. If you ever
wanted to float objects and have it done correctly, this is the man to see.
(Coincidently, he is married to Lisa Shimada and they are having a baby in
July.) The lecture will be on the 10th of Sept. (also a Monday)

October: Doc Eason will be working at the Magic Castle from the 8th to the
14th and will be lecturing here on the 15th. WOW

November: Jeff Martin will be here on the 19th. He is known as the "blonde
curly haired magician" who will share his secrets as a stage, close up,
parlour and kids show magic. This guy can really handle the kids! If you
ever thought of doing kids shows and needed hints.....this is the guy.
www.jeffsmindovermagic.com

----------------------------------
18. IBM Convention in Orlando - Wayne Rogers
----------------------------------
Message from Wayne Rogers (NZ)

Just got back a few days ago from the IBM Convention in Orlando, and am
pleased to be able to say the Appearing Shovel and Missing Spades were a
complete sell-out. I am still working to complete additional orders coming
in. Dick Stoner has a great idea for using the Appearing Shovel as a follow
up to his Grave Mistake Routine. Drop Dick a line at Fax +1 (219) 426 1101 I
am sure he will be happy to share his idea and sell you the full kit.

IBM Stage Contest winner, Canadian Richard Forget was my room mate at the
convention. I am pleased to report that he had more equipment than me in the
room! I'd hate think what the housekeeping staff thought.

Richard's winning act based around a modern telephone box, concluded with
the spectacular production of his assistant Anne-Marie. My only criticism is
that Anne-Marie doesn't appear until the end! The routine also includes a
very smart broom production. I have been credited with supplying the broom
as I market my own Appearing Broom. This is not the case. Richard developed
his own broom independently, and I must say the prop is rather ingenous and
can be produced from a much smaller space than mine. Richard makes all his
own props and has some great ideas. You will be hearing a lot more of this
young illusionist from Toronto in the years to come.

Following the convention I had the pleasure of staying a couple of days with
Bev Bergeron and his wife Elouise at their home in Orlando. New Zealand
magicians will remember Bev from the Lower Hutt convention two years ago. He
is a mine of information and has contributed so much to magic over the
years. Many will remember Bev as Rebo the clown in the Television shows The
Magic Land of Alakazam and The Magic Circus. It was great just to relax in
his company and hear so many wonderful anecdotes from a life time in show
biz.

It rained every day in Orlando. It has rained in Auckland every day since I
got back. Only difference is the temperature.

----------------------------------
19. The Orchante Saga #38
----------------------------------
Message from Tommy Orchard (Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi)

Raging Ocean, 'Going Mental'

Fishing, off the Coast of Tahiti, December 1967. It is around 3 pm, time to
head back - we noticed that land - Tahiti - was not in sight. The shark, in
its fight to escape, had towed us over the horizon. Now the 'FUN' part
starts. It turns out that our 'Captain', who "no speaky English", DIDN'T
KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE. He, like us, didn't have a bloody clue which way to
go - he couldn't even read the compass. SHIT!!!

Earlier in this narrative, I said we headed West - actually it was
South-West, out from the beach front of the Maeva Hotel - logic tells you
that heading North-East would put you on the right track, but, we DIDN'T
KNOW then, that we'd gone South-West. After all these years, I've just
worked it out. The 'Maeva Beach Hotel' is a few miles down from the Faaa
International airport at Papeete, which is on the West coast.

I came up with the bright idea of tuning into a radio station - (if it was
broadcasting in French, it would have to be Tahiti)- slowly turn the launch
around until we got the strongest signal, and head off in that direction.
That didn't work - out in the middle of the ocean radio signals are the same
strength, no matter what direction you're facing. More SHIIIIIT!

Then we noticed a slight breeze had come up, and the sea was getting a
little choppy - nothing much really, but the sky was darkening. Someone said
"why not send out an S.O.S. on the radio" - great idea - why the hell hadn't
WE thought of that in the first place, or our so-called 'CAPTAIN', for that
matter. We wrote S.O.S. on a piece of paper, thinking he (the Captain) would
at least understand that for Christ's sake, then pointed to the radio. He
looked at it as if it was something from Mars -NOT ONLY COULD HE NOT
NAVIGATE - HE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO USE THE BLOODY RADIO!! By now we, the
Swede, the Norwegian and myself, were praying that there was plenty of
toilet paper on board - we were going to need it.

Outside, the wind has come right up and is blowing quite hard. The smooth
sea has rapidly transformed from a large ground-swell, to angry, surging,
foaming waves that were breaking over the stern of the launch, froth flying
every which way - our shark was breathing water - the once beautiful blue
sky, now obscured by darkening ominous cumulonimbus clouds, the torrid air
heavy, laden with moisture. 'El Capitan' (who speaky no English), has
started the outboards, his eyes staring straight ahead, fixated like a man
in a trance, face vacuous, holding the wheel as the launch wallowed,
slapping and thudding at the bottom of each trough.

It became frighteningly obvious that our so-called Captain's (who no speaky
English) only sea-going experience was limited to cruising and fishing
around, and just off, the Tahitian reef, in smooth, calm waters, where he
could also 'show off' with his watery 'wheelies'. The guy didn't have a
FCUKIN CLUE - OUR LIVES WERE IN HIS HANDS - Jesus Christ!!!

One of the 'boys'  (I can't remember which one), was becoming extremely
agitated, yelling at anyone to 'do something', while his mate did his best
to calm him down; 'El Capitan' was on another plane of existence. My only
experience with boats was trout fishing on lakes in New Zealand - Taupo and
Rotorua in the North Island, and Queenstown in the South Island.. I vaguely
remembered being told, and/or reading, that if caught out in rough weather
in the middle of a lake, the surface can and will whip up like ocean waves -
that you should power down the motors when going into a trough, and full
power back on when going back up, and not to go straight up or down, but
cross each wave on an angle - going down, say, to the right at 45 degrees,
and back up to your left at 45 degrees, and continue this action ad finitum,
much like a board surfer does on those huge waves that they tackle. Get the
angle wrong, and/or too little power, and you will flip, swamp, and sink!

It's a wonder I have any memory at all of what happened, considering the
extreme circumstance - I have very clear memory of the chap who 'lost it',
he went totally crazy, screamingly insane. His mate had to lock him in the
cabin - I can't remember where our Captain was - probably in the cabin as
well. Somehow, I had taken over the wheel, attempting to put my very limited
knowledge of boating into some sort of practice. The other Scandinavian was
on deck with me, doing what, I don't know, but I remember he was calm and
cool, the total opposite of his now utterly demented 'mate'. We were in the
middle of a raging, tropical cyclonic hurricane, and rainstorm. With the
tempestuous wind howling, the turbulent ferocity and intensity of it all was
terrifying!

Continues next episode.

-------------------------------------
20. 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

-------------------------------------
21. 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

-------------------------------------
22. Subscription Management
-------------------------------------
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To subscribe or unsubscribe from the MagicNZ e-zine:
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MagicNZ e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday.

The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual
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Neither MagicNZ or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or
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© Copyright 2001 Alan Watson