* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #92 Date: Sunday 14th October 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. Over 30,000 People In Las Vegas Had (Temporally) Lost Their Jobs 3. Centennial Award To Be Presented By S.A.M 4. Jay Scott Berry Lecture Review - Auckland 5. No Magic On The Nationwide Telethon 6. Christchurch Casino Extends Magic Hours! 7. Dura Aluminium Stilts - For Sale 8. R Paul Wilson Is Going To Be In Town 9. Looking For Yigal Mesika Internet Address 10. The Orchante Saga #47 11. Diarise these events 12. MagicNZ e-zine archives 13. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One The 26th NZ Magician's Convention update: Another well known international magician (name to be announced shortly) looks at this stage is going to present a lecture/workshop and will also appear on the New Years Eve show. Have you registered yet???? Don't leave it toooooo long as you could miss out! For The registration form, Convention programme & The Official Competition Form go to: www.magician.co.nz/convention2.html New Years Eve Celebration, Banquet and Awards Presentation: Tickets are now on sale and we encourage you to invite your family and friends to this function to see in the New Year. We promise a great dinner, professional entertainment and certainly a night to remember. Tickets to this function are $45.00NZ. To obtain tickets contact: Convention Secretary, Tony Wilson, 14 Roadley Avenue, Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand. Ph: +64 (09) 576 9581 e-mail twilson@xtra.co.nz ----------------------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. Over 30,000 People In Las Vegas Had (Temporally) Lost Their Jobs ---------------------------------- Message from Peter Reveen (US) I feel that I need to expand on the report sent you by Wayne Bernath. Over 30,000 people in Las Vegas had (temporally) lost their jobs because of the events in New York and the subsequent canceling of overseas visitors. The Mandalay Bay Group of Hotels asked us to join them in offering local families two for one tickets. This was to last until Halloween. We, of course, happily complied. Most performers pulled back to one show a night. Lance did not wish to do so, and each week performed his full ten shows. The visitors, naturally, greatly appreciated this. Lance also invited, as his personal guests, 500 Firemen - 500 War Veterans- 1000 Servicemen from Nellis Airforce Base, and members of the Police department. This typical of Lance Burton. He is always for the community when the need exists. If there is a man with a more charitable heart, I am yet to meet him. The visitors are starting to return in droves and Las Vegas is rapidly returning to normal. ---------------------------------- 3. Centennial Award To Be Presented By S.A.M ---------------------------------- Message from George Schindler (US) Brad Jacobs, producer of the Society of American Magicians 100th Anniversary Convention, announced a special "Centennial Award" to be presented to one of the contestants selected by the judges at the convention in July 2002 at the New York Hilton (July 3-4-5-6 2002). The winner will receive registration, airfare, hotel and travel expenses and will represent the Society at the FISM 2003 World Magic Congress at The Hague in the Netherlands July 21-26 in 2003. ------------------------------------- 4. Jay Scott Berry Lecture Review Auckland ------------------------------------- Message from Michele Watson (NZ) I thoroughly enjoyed Jay's exciting and extremely visual routines with psychedelic coloured sponge balls, diamond cut silks, and also his laser light routine. I found the whole lecture very refreshing and from a woman's point of view, it was great not having to sit through long drawn out card routines. His ideas on using thumbtips, Sanada gimmick and the topit were very innovative and very commercial as well as entertaining. Jay is certainly a very polished performer and his eye for detail is first class. If you have a chance to see Jay's lecture - don't miss it! ---------------------------------- 5. No Magic On The Nationwide Telethon ---------------------------------- Message from Bev Bergeron (US) In the MagicNZ e-zine #90, Clive Court brought up a very perceptive question as to why there were no magic acts (or as far that that goes no variety acts) on the nationwide telethon. Only singers and musicians performers were used in the program that was carried by many networks around the world. He pointed out that similar non-use of variety acts not only has happened in the States, but other country programming and asked that it be stopped. I have written many personal letters to friends on this subject for over forty years. In fact, I'm thinking I'll write a very long more detailed essay on this subject and put it on the Magic Web Channel site. Clive is not the only one asking the question as to why certain people got on that program and not others. By the way, I watched a little of the show off and on for several hours and was bored. I have breakfast with about a dozen professional musicians (not magicians) once a week and all were very upset over the content of the show and especially the talent selected. OK, so why were the ones on the show and not others - why not David Copperfield? The reason is money. Sad but true. Even with a national disaster, you just can't change the habits of the people who have the power to put on such shows. As I was once told when I was turned down for a similar event many years ago: "Bev, you are not signed with the right studio or agency." It is not just magic acts. Two world known singers/actors, Liza Minnelli and Bette Midler, both did not appear on the show. But the next night Liza sang "New York, New York" during the seventh inning stretch at the N.Y. Mets baseball game. Bette Midler likewise stopped the proceedings at a afternoon tribute to the fire fighters, policemen and rescue workers by singing "Hero." I have a very personal feeling that both of these very talented performers were turned down by the producers of the telethon because they are now out of the loop. Another time I was told, the reason I was not being used on a network TV show: I had nothing to sell. The girl singer that went in my place had records, the producer of the show owned the girl's agency, recording company and the publishing house that produced the songs. I hate to point some of these things out in this magic magazine, because most of the readers are not in magic to make a living. It is hard for many to understand what a professional must face day to day to make a living. Yes, it would have been nice to have a magic act on the telethon, but let's face it, the music industry is a big money maker, run for teenagers and they spend the money on junk. www.bevbergeron.com ------------------------------------- 6. Christchurch Casino Extends Magic Hours! ------------------------------------- Message from Greg Britt (NZ) Elgregoe Magician, Greg Britt has been performing at the Christchurch casino since its opening and over the past 3 years has been doing close-up in the Grand Cafe (Buffet Restaurant) every Friday 7 to 9pm, as of 12th October you will be able to catch him in the bar and rest areas of the casino as well as he now presents his close-up magic between 6 and 10pm + extended hours for Halloween and Xmas. Tell him you heard about his appearance on the MagicNZ e-zine and he will arrange for the waiter to get you and your partner a free drink! Friday nights are simply magic at the Christchurch Casino. ---------------------------------- 7. Dura Aluminium Stilts - For Sale ---------------------------------- Message from Morgan Wayne (NZ) Set of Dura aluminium stilts. Ideal for walk around, busking. Adjustable and in excellent condition. $750-00 (cost $1100 new) Morgan 09-298-2814 waynesnz@xtra.co.nz ---------------------------------- 8. R Paul Wilson Is Going To Be In Town ---------------------------------- Message from Jeff Ezell I have GREAT news!! R Paul Wilson is going to be in town for a few days only in November and is looking to do a workshop. The workshop allows only 10 people total and if there is enough interest. we will do 2 workshops. It will take place on Monday, November 12th at 7pm. There will be no postcards sent out for this so act quickly. The fee is $45 per person and again, only 10 seats will be available by his request. This way R Paul Wilson can give more individualized attention to you. The workshop will cover teaching of his entire Restaurant Act Video in person as well as teaching three other effects in the workshop. Matching the cards for professionals, Thumbelina and one other surprise. These are designed to demonstrate variety in the act and are not on the video. This is an experiment, of course, but I think it would be a valuable one. There would be some conditions for all those attending - you must be wearing a jacket and pants and have a thumb tip, silk, sponge balls, chop cup and a card to wallet, preferably Kaps or Balducci style. (the Wallet is less important). If you do not have any of these items, I will make a special deal for you so that it does not hurt the pocket book. Of course, I would need to know ahead of time so that I can have it in time for the workshop.--- I would need to know rather quickly of any interested attendees so that I can tell R Paul Wilson whether it is a go or not. Thanks for time!!!! Jeff Ezell Mind Over Magic 2214 Burbank Blvd Burbank, Ca 91506 818 562 1921 ---------------------------------- 9. Looking For Yigal Mesika Internet Address ---------------------------------- Message from Obie Obrien (US) rjobie@gisco.net I need the e-mail address of Yigal Mesika. Please -e-mail me if you can help. ---------------------------------- 10. The Orchante Saga #47 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) "things" happen! The other night on television I was watching a factual/documentary style programme hosted by Michael Parkinson - his guest was the famous English comedian and television presenter, Jim Davidson. Jim is extremely successful - in the millionaire bracket - quite amazing really, considering that he's been through four marriages and all of the resultant alimony that he must have paid out. On top of that, he became an alcoholic, almost to the point of suicide! The bottom line of this is, he is now completely reformed, but what really impressed me, was that he 'pulled no punches' - telling his story straight down the line, on live television, with complete honesty, no matter how bad, or big a bastard it made him look. I liked that - have much the same attitude myself. If segments of what I'm going to relate, with regards to my outrageous, at best -mischievous behaviour, makes me also, look like a complete/**/&#*##*%/???-, then so be it! Before I get started on what was to become and did have - a major impact not only in my life but also, that of two others - better make that four - I had better explain that, almost three months to the day, 15th of July 2001, my ex wife Sharon and her husband John arrived here the in U.K. from New Zealand, on the first leg of an extended European holiday. Sharon and John came and stayed with Veronica and I for three days before heading off to Europe. It was the first time I'd seen Sharon in more than 17 years (in Sydney Australia) - we had a great time, during which I asked Sharon for her permission for me to relate the following - happily, she gave it. Thank you Sharon. Some time late February (I think) of 1971 -I have been booked for a six-night engagement at the Milford Marina Hotel, which is situated on the north shore of Auckland City, with accommodation provided, if required. At this point I am married, to Sharon. We have one son - Jason, who is two years of age, going on three - and another one almost on the way. Although I lived just a few miles away from the 'Marina' I took advantage of the accommodation because I was only too well aware of the 'Marina's' private bar which, although mainly used by hotel guests and visitors - was also the favourite after-hours drinking hole/haunt for the off-duty staff and those in the 'know' - some of the 'sessions' could and often did, run into the wee small hours (although that depended on the barman/manager's mood and the type of company in the bar). Even back in those days, I was so sensible enough not to drink and drive - well, most of the time! It was also a great spot to perform close-up magic! The only thing wrong was the exorbitant prices of the drinks, especially if you were into drinking 'shorts' or cocktails - you needed a wallet with a bottomless pit! Mind you, most of my drinks were paid for - one of the 'perks' of performing good magic! Upon arriving at the hotel I waltzed up the front stairs to the reception desk where I was confronted by an extremely attractive, in fact, quite beautiful - Redhead. Now, I must digress for a moment. Always, in the right hand pocket of my trousers always, there is a thumb tip -also in the pocket I carry a thimble, which nestles quite nicely inside the tip. Over the years, that thimble has created more astonishment and introductions than I care to recall. It has 'popped ' out from the most extraordinary places - creating always, much amusement followed by such comments as "how did you do that - where did that come from, do it again" As I signed the registry and explained than I was a magician and the guest artist for that week I couldn't help but notice that this 'vision' was wearing a frock with a modest bit of cleavage showing - that was enough for me. With a twinkle in my eye I said, "I see you like to sew" and in a flash produced the thimble from you know where. Always, I repeat, always - without exception, the reaction is - sheer amazement! "How dare you touch me - nobody touches me like that". Before I had time to say that I hadn't 'touched' her, this 'iceberg' had given me a smack, right across the kisser! Continues, next episode. ------------------------------------- 11. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- The 26th NZ Magician's Convention Auckland Friday 28th to Monday 31st December 2001. For The registration form, Convention programme & The Official Competition Form go to: www.magician.co.nz/convention2.html ------------------------------------- 12. 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 ------------------------------------- 13. 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 << (c) Copyright 2001 Alan Watson