* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #181 Date: Sunday 22nd June 2003 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com www.alan-watson.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================   1. Editor’s Message   2. Houdini Exhibit To Reveal Secret Of Metamorphosis   3. The Magic Circle Centenary Celebrations 2005   4. No Melbourne Convention In 2004   5. Colon, Michigan - “The Magic Capital Of The World”   6. Peter Strasser Has Had A Major Heart Attack   7. Shows In Orange   8. 'Superday Weekend' Sydney   9. Sean Taylor’s New Shop   10. Comedy and Magic - LA Mirage - Artesia   11. Betty Davenport A Grandmother   12. Terry Seabrooke - Now Well After Heart Attack   13. Harry Potter Book Flight Of The Phoenix   14. Fast Jimmy Appeared On Channel Nines Y? Show   15. Lance Burton Offers Magic & Tickets With Harry Potter   16. Timely Tip For Close-Up Cardicians   17. The Rising Business Card   18. The Amazing ‘Orchante’ Saga - Vol. Two - The Australian Years       Magic New Zealand   19. e-zine archives   20. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One There is good chance that Paul Daniels will be presenting his MasterClass Lecture and show in Auckland New Zealand in February 2004. Is there any Australians who would also like to be added to the list of possible attendees? ----------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. Houdini Exhibit To Reveal Secret Of Metamorphosis ---------------------------------- Message from Bob Bohm Yes, the city of Appleton, Wisconsin, Houdini's boyhood home, is planning on letting the general public "experience" the Metamorphosis. It has been confirmed they WILL actually have a working sub trunk, with trap door and all, which visitors to the Houdini exhibit can try out for themselves. Can you believe it? What we need, no, what we MUST do is contact the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the ones giving the museum the bulk of their funding for the exhibit. Let them know we as a magic community will not tolerate this exposure of Harry Houdini's most cherished illusion. In addition we must let them know that if the museum goes ahead with it's plans then any plans of us visiting the city of Appelton and partaking of its many fine restaurants, hotels and museums will be completely out of the question. Further more the bad publicity the city will receive from all the discussion of this exposure of one of magic's most guarded secrets, will only reflect negatively upon the image of Appleton. Here are the names of the people to contact immediately: Terry Bergan Director Houdini Historical Center: terry@foxvalleyhistory.org Lynn Peters, Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau: lpeters@foxcities.org Jennifer Allen, Appleton Downtown INC: jennifer@appletondowntown.org The Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Inc. (providing $10,000 grant) P.O. Box 563 118 So. State Street Appleton, Wisconsin 54912 cffvr@cffoxvalley.org David Copperfield (providing an unknown amount) www.DavidCopperfield.com Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau (pending $250,000 grant.) 3433 West College Avenue Appleton, Wisconsin 54914 tourism@foxcities.org Additional help: magiciansalliance.com ------------ The article below was in the Appleton, Wisconsin Post-Cresent newspaper. Posted June 08, 2003 Post-Crescent Newspaper, Appleton, WI New Houdini exhibit to unlock secrets of Outagamie's collection Grants pending for launch of new display in 2004 By Steven Hyden--Post-Crescent staff writer APPLETON - looking for 33 pairs of handcuffs? How about five pairs of leg irons? Does a full-body straitjacket tickle your fancy? You can find all that stuff and more locked inside a storage room in the basement of the Outagamie Museum in Appleton. This is where the Outagamie County Historical Society's collection of nearly 600 Harry Houdini-related artifacts is kept. These items will be the source for "A.K.A. Houdini," a new exhibit about the legendary magician who claimed Appleton as his boyhood home. It will replace the museum's 15-year-old "Houdini!" exhibit next year. Museum officials are working to secure funding to cover the exhibit's projected $780,000 budget. So far, the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region Inc. has given $10,000 and donors including magician David Copperfield have made individual contributions. Still pending are the two largest, most crucial grants - $250,000 from the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau and $150,000 from the federal government. While redoing the permanent Houdini display has been on the museum's calendar for three years, work has begun in earnest in recent months on the project, set to open June 2, 2004. "The current exhibit is really object-focused," said Kim Louagie, museum curator of exhibits. "In the late 1980s, when it was put together, that's what exhibits were about. "Designers still don't know what the exhibit will look like, but the general idea is to create something that's more interactive and visual than "Houdini!" While "Houdini!" presents viewers with a "third-person perspective where you stand and look at something," the new exhibit is "going to be much more holistic," she said. One section will include a re-creation of the classic "Metamorphosis" illusion, where Houdini would lock an assistant in a trunk and "magically" switch places with that person. The exhibit will allow visitors to do the trick themselves. Other possible interactive aspects of the new exhibit include a lock-picking demonstration and a simulated escape from a jail cell. "Essentially what people most want in these kind of exhibits are experiences, the opportunity to try stuff," said executive director Terry Bergen. Along with examining Houdini's life, "A.K.A. Houdini" also will delve into the history of escape artistry and the magicians who preceded Houdini. "There's going to be a lot of context," Louagie said. It's not known how many artifacts will be in the new exhibit, but there will be a smaller pool to draw upon. Museum officials decided in October to let the lease run out on around 3,000 pieces lent to the museum by Sidney Radner, a Massachusetts man with one of the largest Houdini collections in the world. "Houdini!" is almost entirely stocked with materials borrowed from Radner. Of the 97 artifacts currently on display, 95 are leased. And the two that isn’t - a full-body straitjacket and a bound volume of "Houdini's Red Magic" newspaper inserts - were donated by Radner. While most of Radner's things will leave town at the end of the year, he has made important contributions to the museum's private collection that might end up in the new exhibit. He has allowed around 300 photos and other graphic material to be reproduced and has donated a scrapbook kept by Houdini that includes newspaper clippings, photographs, flyers and correspondence, including a letter dated April 10, 1894, from former partner Jacob Hymen ending their union. The museum's collection also includes the aforementioned handcuffs and leg irons, three other scrapbooks filled with personal documents, two German-language speeches given in Appleton by Houdini's father Rabbi Mayer Samuel Weiss, Houdini's mysterious "Trunk No. 8" containing tools used for escapes and a Houdini clay bust made for the magician. The current "Houdini!" exhibit will remain at the Outagamie Museum through Oct. 31. End of article Maybe with our influence and the backing of many of our friends and professionals in the magic community and entertainment industry, we can pursued them not to do what they plan. I thank you in advance for any help and or comments on this endeavor. Bob Bohm - devoted Houdini fan and fellow magician ------------------------------------ 3. The Magic Circle Centenary Celebrations 2005 ------------------------------------- Message from David Beckley (UK) Registration Now Open To All Magicians The Magic Circle celebrates its centenary 20 – 23 July 2005, but already, registrations have topped the 250 mark. From 1 July 2003, all magicians can register for the Celebrations, that consist of four packed days of the world’s best magic. The place: London University, Bedford Way, London WC1. The cost is £175 each for Members of The Magic Circle and their partners and £200 each for non-members and partners. For full details and an online registration form go to:- www.themagiccirclecentenary.co.uk For further information contact: David Beckley: Press Office, The Magic Circle Tel: +44 (0)1483 408 430 Mob: 07768 422 551 Fax: +44 (0)1276 855 037 Email:  davidbeckley@themagiccircle.co.uk ---------------------------------- 4. No Melbourne Convention In 2004 ---------------------------------- Message from Les Cohen (Aust) As you may remember I was the Treasurer for the last Melbourne convention. Without going into a long saga, it made a big loss. Magicians don't seem to appreciate that it costs big bucks to put on a major event of this type using convention centers. We have to pay corporate rates to get the venue. Anyway, contact Jason Clarke if you want to know what is being arranged. Last I know of there will be no convention in 2004. ---------------------------------- 5. Colon, Michigan - “The Magic Capital Of The World” ---------------------------------- Message from Rick Fisher (US) For over seventy years the little town of Colon, Michigan has been recognized as the “Magic Capital Of The World”. The greatest names in magic have either performed or lived here. Many of them have found a final resting place in the Lakeside Cemetery just outside of town. Among them are two generations of performing Blackstone’s - Harry Sr. & Jr. – two of the finest magicians of the twentieth century. It was Harry Blackstone Sr. who first came to Colon in 1926 where he and his entire company would rest during the summer months and they would design and refurbish props for the upcoming season. In 1927 another magician – an Australian – Percy Abbott came to Colon at the invitation of Blackstone. He settled here and began a magic company that still operates under that name. Today there is a new chapter being written in the storied history of this town. Under the direct supervision of long time professional magician/ventriloquist Rick Fisher and his wife Cheryl, the FAB MAGIC COMPANY has been produced. Their slogan is “A New Era of Old Traditions” “Quite a “magical production!” Percy Abbott’s daughter Marilyn Abbott-Richards says, “This is the best thing that has happened in Colon and magic for many years!” FAB Magic Company will specialize in the design and manufacture of tricks and illusions for the entire magic world. The FAB MAGIC COMPANY will distribute their products through their Colon, Michigan retail store, which is still in the beginning stages of production along with mail order, and customers may also purchase products through the Internet. Many new and unique items will be available as well as some of the “classic” effects that magicians have used throughout the years. All of the products designed by the FAB MAGIC COMPANY will be manufactured here in the USA. With over thirty years experience in the magic industry, company president Rick Fisher promises quality made magic at affordable prices. Used and collectable magic is another area the FAB COMPANY will specialize in. They will also carry a complete line of props and books used by ventriloquists, jugglers and clowns. Fisher announces new magic theme events that will be of special interest to the magic community, which will also bring attention to area businesses in this unique village. It is the Fisher’s desire to once again bring prestige to Colon and it’s association with magicians that commenced over 75 years ago. For more information about the FAB MAGIC COMPANY you can contact them directly toll free at 877-44-MAGIK (877.446-6245) ---Please, join in the celebration!!!! ---------------------------------- 6. Peter Strasser Has Had A Major Heart Attack ---------------------------------- Message from David Brown (Aust) Peter Strasser, one of the founding members of Melbourne's I.B.M. Ring 84 has incurred another major heart attack things not looking too bright... will keep you informed. ---------------------------------- 7. Shows In Orange ---------------------------------- Message from Ross Skiffington (Aust) We have just returned from Orange in New South Wales (12 hours driving each way) where we were invited to present my cabaret show Lounge Wizard and my children's play that incorporates magic, Patrick's Hat Trick. We played at the Orange Civic theatre as part of the subscription season for the theatre that included The Bell Shakespeare Company presenting Hamlet, The Sydney Symphony and Oz Opera's new production of La Boheme. Such good company! I expanded Lounge Wizard out so that it sits really well in a theatre environment but maintains the intimacy that made it a hit at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. The audience really liked both shows and there were "mores" and "bravos" after each performance which was very gratifying for all the team involved. More importantly the reaction was such that the theatre has invited us back with a bigger illusion presentation. Its always good to leave a venue being invited to return and also be part of the theatre's subscription season. When a magic show is presented in such a way the perception of magic is raised and it can only be good for the "Art of Magic". It was something that I noticed when I toured with The Bell Shakespeare Company in The Comedy of Errors. People who would never go and see a magic show were genuinely surprised by the magic incorporated into Shakespeare and the wonder that it created for them. Magic can have artistic aspirations which also can be realised. The children's show is always a hit mainly because towards the end of the play everybody gets to make a magic hat out of their programme that they can wear home and the re-enforcement of values such as "think positive and have confidence and you can do anything." Everybody loves that hat! What a great week...!! ---------------------------------- 8. 'Superday Weekend' Sydney ---------------------------------- Message from Sean Taylor (Aust) The All New 'SUPERDAY WEEKEND' 27th and 28th September As I have hinted previously Superday, like the shop, takes on a new look this year. The event will now take place over a whole weekend at the fabulous Zenith Theatre. The extra day will allow us to have more of the intensive workshops which have proved very popular over the past couple of events. Our aim is to attract more interstate visitors and expanding to a full weekend and being closer to the city is part of that master plan. The Guests this year are Juan Mayoral, Bob Read and Mike Austin. We have been trying to entice Juan Mayoral to Australia for about 4 years now. He comes to us from Spain and is one of magic's true innovators. He won first place for stage magic at FISM in Yokohama and also has a FISM gold medal. He has won numerous stage awards since then. He had a cover story in MAGIC magazine and has been featured on many international conventions such as The World Magic Summit in Las Vegas. Juan's lecture covers a range of really modern and unusual stage and stand-up effects. He is known for radio control, pyro, smoke and flash effects in addition to really clever use of tiny lights. He is, in fact, the uncredited original inventor of D'lite. He also has rope tricks, mental items and much more. He will also present an intensive workshop and his stage act will certainly be a feature of the Gala show. BOB READ is probably the funniest man in magic, I first saw Bob almost 20 years ago at a British convention and I laughed so loud it hurt. A friend of mine recently commented that he had to leave the room the last time he saw Bob as he couldn't stop laughing. Bob recently performed his last lecture ever in England and we have coaxed him to come down under for one more time. Bob's lecture has been featured at British and US conventions many times and it has been known to run anything from 2 - 4 hours. His feature effects of bottle productions, knife through coat, hat loads and dice stacking are so packed with lines and business you almost forget the trick itself and I don't believe you could ever see a more entertaining lecture. In addition to the famous lecture, Bob will be featured on the gala show and will present a unique look at his collection of documentation on the history of the Cups and Balls known as "The Oldest Trick In The Book". This is to be Bob's last magic convention and will be a unique opportunity for you to see and learn from a comic magic legend. MIKE AUSTIN also comes to us from the UK where he is known primarily for close-up magic and has won awards for the entertainment value of his performances as well as his sleight of hand skill, at one time being voted 'card sharp of the year', he also won the Zina Bennett Cup for Close-up Magic at the IBM Convention in 1988. Mike began as a cruise ship illusionist and has recently begun to perform mentalism along with his stage magic. His handling of classics such as the egg bag and linking rings is testament to his skills as a sleight of hand master. Since his last successful trip down under Mike has used his tremendous teaching ability to bring his brand of magic to his fellow performers through lectures, personal tuition and a new series of 20 superb videos with Kaymar Magic which will be seen in Australia for the first time. Mike will lecture, perform close up and stand-up on the gala shows and run workshops. The Superday weekend will feature 4 lectures, three intensive workshops (you will get to choose 2 out of 3), a close-up gala show, The International Stars Of Magic Gala Show, Video Presentations, Dealer Demonstration, Oldest Trick In The Book and a unique new event "Taylor's Magic Shop, Close-up Magician Of The Year" A magic contest with a first prize of $1000 in cash. Registration forms for this unique weekend will be available in the next 2 -3 weeks and you will be able to book via the website. ---------------------------------- 9. Sean Taylor’s New Shop ---------------------------------- Message from Sean Taylor (Aust) After what seems like an eternity, the new shop site is finally a reality. We will officially move on the 1st July. The first week or two will be shaky with new stock and equipment coming in but we'll be there so feel free to come in for a coffee. When I return from FISM on August 1 we will have a series of special opening events. The New Address is:- SHOP 3, 11 Spring Street, Chatswood, 2067 Telephone and everything else remain the same. Spring Street runs along the eastern end of Westfield and the 3 hour free car park is just 80 metres from the shop. To get there from our current location walk down Victoria avenue alongside Westfield and take the third turning on the right which is Spring St. Our shop is approximately half way down on the left hand side. The new shop is almost 5 times the size of our current one and will make us one of the world's largest magic shops. It has space and facilities for lectures, workshops and demos for upwards of 50 people. We plan to have a monthly get together along the lines of the Melbourne Magic Nights and regular guests from overseas and around Australia. We will have courses for kids and adults starting later this year. Watch this space! ---------------------------------- 10. Comedy and Magic - LA Mirage - Artesia ---------------------------------- Message from Jeff Ezell (US) Hi everyone, I am part of another production that starts next Tuesday, June 24th. This is a new Comedy and Magic Venue in Artesia in a club called LA Mirage. The address is as follows: La Mirage (aka Club ILLUSIONS) 17104 Pioneer Blvd Artesia, Ca Exit Pioneer Blvd off the 91fwy East and you are literally exiting into the driveway of the club. This is an 18 and over club. All ages will be there for the shows, but I am sure mostly the young crowd will stick around for the nightclub after party. All are invited Doors open at 8pm Comedy and Magic Show starts at 9pm The Dance Club starts at 11pm (the dance club will not be open while the show is going on) $10 cover charge at the door and a 2 drink minimum. (sodas included) Tacos will be offered for $1 This is a multi talent showcase. There will be Comedians such as the host,CHILI, from the Laugh Factory and HA HA, A freestyle Rap Artist named J Dizzle and closing the show with the MAGIC of Jeff Ezell Fun for everyone! When the club opens at 11pm, there will be 2 dance floors, ADJ spinning the best Hip Hop, R&B, House/Trance, Spanish Rock/Salsa + a Rap Freestyle Show at Midnight. I hope to see all of you there! Jeff Ezell www.JeffEzellMAGIC.com ---------------------------------- 11. Betty Davenport A Grandmother ---------------------------------- Message from Bill Davenport (UK) Thought that you might like to know that my brother Roy’s wife Anne, had their first child last Saturday (7th June), a boy. All are doing very well. This makes Betty Davenport a grandmother (and me an uncle)! ---------------------------------- 12. Terry Seabrooke - Now Well After Heart Attack ---------------------------------- Message from Terry Seabrooke (UK) To folks who have enquired, all is going well after heart attack.. flying off to USA on 29th June for week in Palace at the Magic Castle. Then on to Las Vegas for S.A.M. which is always great. Back to UK to continue tour with comedy legend Sir Noramn Wisdom until later in the year. Back to the Castle in October and so it all goes on. July 4th will be in Hollywood and BBC radio want to do radio link and interview on the Limey in Hollywood on July 4th. Looks like it being a good set up when I was told not to wear good clothes!!!!!!. ---------------------------------- 13. Harry Potter Book Flight Of The Phoenix ---------------------------------- Message from Terry Herbert (UK) 21st June will be the general release of the new Harry Potter book Flight of the Phoenix. This has given a load of magicians over here a stack of work particularly if they portray a Wizard. Waterstones a well known chain of Bookshops in the U.K will be using magicians in all their stores to promote the release of the book I myself as Mr Woo the Wizard a character I created several years ago, together with Peter Scarlet also portraying a Wizard will be appearing on that date at the two Waterstone stores in Bluewater in Kent which is one of UK's latest and largest shopping malls. ---------------------------------- 14. Fast Jimmy Appeared On Channel Nines Y? Show ---------------------------------- Message from Fast Jimmy (Aust) Australian magician Fast Jimmy was on the Y? show on channel nine on Thursday the 19th of June performing a flash paper production of a red bouncy ball which he bounced on the ground and then vanished as well as vanishing the lighter using the topit. ---------------------------------- 15. Lance Burton Offers Magic & Tickets With Harry Potter ---------------------------------- Message from Wayne Bernath (US) Master Magician also celebrates his seventh anniversary performing at Monte Carlo Lance Burton will debut in "Magic Road Trip," "National Lampoon's Funny Money," "Lance Burton: Guerrilla Magic: Taking it to the Streets" and will make an appearance at the new Barnes & Noble in Las Vegas to introduce the new book "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" giving away 100 show tickets. At 11:30p.m. Friday, June 20th Lance Burton will do some magic at Barnes & Noble's newest Las Vegas store located at 8915 W. Charleston Blvd. just before "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" flies into bookstores and libraries at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, June 21st. Some 8.5 million copies of the 896-page, $29.99 book are for sale. The magician hopes that the teen wizard proves his magic and young people will read. It's also a magical day for Lance Burton because of his seventh anniversary of performing at The Lance Burton Theatre in the Monte Carlo is Saturday, June 21st. Lance Burton has six more years left on his 13-year contract. "Lance Burton: Guerrilla Marketing: Taking it to the Streets" will air on Animal Planet at 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 1. The one-hour special was written, produced and created by George Prod. Johnny Thompson is the magic consultant. It was filmed on the streets of Las Vegas and stars Ed Alonzo, Mac King, Dr. Larry Bloz, Dana Daniels, Andrew Goldenhearst, Penn & Teller, Kevin James, Maria August, Fielding West and Apollo. It's chockfull of animals and magic. This Thursday, June 19th the second episode of the magical wizardry of Lance Burton will premiere on The Travel Channel at 10 p.m. called "Magic Road Trip - Episode 2." Las Vegas-based master illusionist Lance Burton kicks off this episode with a death-defying stunt as he chains himself to the tracks of a roller coaster and narrowly escapes being maimed or death. Nash Entertainment Productions filmed this travel entertainment show worldwide during late March. Lance Burton goes up against ventriloquist Ronn Lucas on "National Lampoon's Funny Money" at 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 29th on The Game Show Network. The winnings were donated to the entertainers' favorite charities. For ticket information or reservations call (702) 730-7160 or (877) 386-8224. Show times are 7 p.m. Tuesday thru Saturday with additional 10 p.m. shows on Tuesday and Saturday. Ticket prices are $60.45-$65.95 including tax and program. ---------------------------------- 16. Timely Tip For Close-Up Cardicians ---------------------------------- Message from Chris Roth (US) Timely Tip For Close-Up Cardicians Who Perform In Restaurants And Coffee Establishments The national edition of _The New York Times_ for Sunday, June 15th, 2003 included a full-page advertisement that may be of use to close-up cardicians. The final page (page 14) of section 9 (also identified as the SundayStyles section) is dominated by a high-fashion image of a Queen of Diamonds. Unlike so many props used by amateur magicians, page 14 looks chic, adult, and is a “natural" (not contrived) prop. You may still be able to obtain a discarded copy from retailers. The following are two ways to use this: First method: 1. Leave the Sunday Styles section, and only that section, in full view of spectators. Location: at the perimeter of your performing space. Because of the natural fold, the large Queen of Diamonds will not be visible. A newspaper section looks quite natural in many settings. Therefore it is psychologically invisible. 2. Force the Queen of Diamonds. Shuffle the deck. Ask the spectator to name his or her card. At the climax of the effect, using one hand and one smooth motion, unfold the section so as to display the high-impact image. It should be emphasized that this motion is something you should practice as if it is a flourish in itself. Second method (preferred): Follow the steps presented above with one exception. Do not force the Queen of Diamonds. Rather, wait until the spectator freely selects or merely thinks of (and later names) the Queen of Diamonds. Most of the time, the spectator will not name the Queen of Diamonds. Therefore, you will need a strong "out," ideally, in the form of a published card effect not identified as an "out." Discussion: The following are ways to enhance the performance: 1. Perform a brief, one-handed magical gesture above the folded newspaper section before the same hand swoops down and smoothly reveals the Queen of Diamonds. 2. If you are using the second method (free selection), then do not appear pleased if the desired coincidence occurs. 3. If you are using the second method (free selection), then after the spectator names the card, deliberately miscall it. (Example: "You selected the Queen of Clubs.") Your spectator will correct you. If not, pause and say "You react as if I made an error. Was your card in fact the Queen of Clubs?" Then the spectator will correct you. Why do this? This makes it appear as if you can make any card appear as part of the newspaper ink. And it appears as if you can do this late in the effect. 4. Once the coincidence occurs, do not perform any other chance-based effect nor any effect involving any kind of written or printed prediction. Also, do not perform any other take-a-card nor think-of-a-card feats. Instead, perform a four-of-a-kind feat, or a gambling-related feat, a noncard effect, a flourish, or a stunt. If you cannot obtain the 15 June 2003 section: You can use this same effect if you can find a book or periodical with a pre-printed card as part of the dust jacket or back page. Once you begin looking for such printed materials, you will know that single card images are not as rare as one might guess. I own many such books and periodicals. (c) MMIII by Chris Roth. All rights reserved. ---------------------------------- 17. The Rising Business Card ---------------------------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) If you are a widget salesman and you hand out your business cards, then all the recipient expects is to learn your name, your business and how to contact you. But, if you are a magician, your business card should do more than that: It should do something magical. The following is old -- so old that it's new again. It's usually done with playing cards and can be found in most beginner's magic books. But add a new twist, use it for something else, and you've got a trick with your business cards -- if not as impressive as making a jet plane disappear, at least somewhat magical and memorable. THE RISING BUSINESS CARD By Peter Marucci Effect: The magician is asked for his business card (now, that's really likely to happen, isn't it?) or (much more likely), the magician offers to give his card to an unsuspecting spectator. To do so, the magician whips out a deck of playing cards in their case, eliciting (we hope) a small chuckle. The magician flips open the case and one of the cards rises out of the pack. The magician takes the card and give it to the spectator; it is a Joker, with the magician's name, phone number and other pertinent information, across the face. Working: As I said, this is an ancient trick but may still be new to many people. You'll need a deck of Jokers (see Second Thoughts), a card case, some self-sticking labels with your business information on them, and a sharp knife or razor blade. Stick a business label to the face of each Joker; you'll only need about 30 to 40 in the deck at any one time because of the added thickness of the labels and the fact that you want the cards to slide smoothly. Keep the extra cards as replacements for the ones you give away. On the back of the case (the side with the flap hinge) use the knife to cut a small rectangle; it should be about half an inch wide and an inch and a half long, centred on the back of the card case. Put the cards in the case, facing the front (the half-moon side of the case), and hold the case in your right hand, with the front of the case facing the audience and the whole case perpendicular to the floor. The case is held with your right thumb on the left side of the case and your second, third, and fourth fingers on the right side of the case; your right index finger is out of sight behind the case, with its tip touching the top card of the deck, through the slot at the back of the case. Without moving the other fingers of the right hand, slowly push the right index finger up the slot, sliding the top card of the deck up with it. To the spectator, facing the pack, it appears that the card is rising from the deck on its own. When the card is about halfway up (or as far as you can slide it), pull it out of the case with the left hand and give it to the spectator, pointing out your name, phone number, and whatever else. Pocket the deck; go home; wait for the phone to ring. Second Thoughts: So, you ask, where do I get a deck of Jokers? Being a bit of a packrat, I keep the Jokers I discard from a new deck of cards. It's amazing how quickly you can accumulate a huge stack of Jokers. As an alternative, you could use blank-faced cards, available from your favorite dealer (or even from a dealer you don't like). And, in a pinch, if neither of those options is open to you, you could use an ordinary deck of cards, with the labels on the faces of the individual cards. I personally feel the Jokers are more effective -- but that's just me. This idea stems from an old routine where a card was chosen, noted, returned to the deck and controlled to the top. The deck was then put in the case and the selected card make to rise from the pack. But it has been decades since I have seen anyone do this, so what you have essentially is a new routine. You can make the card rise easier if you moisten the tip of the index finger before you touch the card. But, for heaven's sake, do it delicately and discreetly; don't slurp your finger as if you've been eating chicken wings. Ideally, you could keep a piece of damp sponge in a plastic bag in your pocket and use that to moisten your finger (and, incidentally, keep from turning off your audience). I have deliberately left out any details as to how you get into a situation where you are handing out your cards. There are dozens of ways to do this and, if you don't know at least one or two of them, then you shouldn't be handing out your cards at all; you should be staying at home reading Erdnase or working on your sponge-ball routine. You can make this up in minutes at a cost of just pennies. But it fulfills a basic -- but all too often ignored -- fundamental of magic: Everything you do as a magician should, in some way, be magical. Read that last sentence again . . . Hey! That means you! . . . and take it to heart. Peter Marucci 270 St. Andrew St. East Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 1R1 e-mail: showtimecol@aol.com ---------------------------------- 18. The Amazing ‘Orchante’ Saga - Vol. Two - The Australian Years Magic New Zealand ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page - 12 There is little doubt that the hugely successful and popular ‘Mike Walsh Show’, (MWS) can draw the public’s attention to artists, especially the regular performers - like Mike Williams for example. He brought out a single called ‘Slow Dancing’ which sold in excess of 12,000 copies, and his club show bookings jumped dramatically. Other regulars have also benefited - Diana Horder, Maria Venuti and, Jade Hurley, who was a ‘Bonanza For The Show’ according to David Price. Newest addition to the regular stable is Geraldine Doyle. She in some ways typifies the success of the ‘zany’ personalities in the shows format. The overall cross section of talent that has appeared on the show is simply mind-boggling. Visiting overseas stars, club circuit singers, comics, ‘Unusual’s’ like John Michael-Howson and ‘The Amazing Orchanté’, a Kiwi entertainer who emigrated from New Zealand with his wife/stage assistant less than two years ago - have made quite an impact on the local club scene; and there is more to come. The company has signed Barry Humphries for his first stage appearances in Australia in three years. Needless to say he will appear on the show regularly. Tentatively titled ‘Isn’t It A Shame At His Age’, the show opens in Melbourne on May 24th before coming to Sydney. It is another move in the diversification of the Hayden Price organisation. There is the Regent Theatre at Richmond, where Mike Walsh shows current movies, like ‘Star Wars’ - and live stage shows - like Kamahl and Slim Dusty. The Mike Walsh Show, apart from being a major employer of Australian talent provides more than just an ego trip. It is a valuable experience for artists who seldom get a chance to work in front of TV cameras these days. There is also always the possibility that purely through exposure on the MWS, their Careers get a healthy boost. The audience is vast, national, and regular. Mike Walsh, who spends a good nine hours a day at being something of a phenomenon and a legend in television, is a vital element in the show's success. And yet in the down to earth, no bullshit atmosphere of ‘The Family’ in ‘The Cottage’, he blends. This is a little evidence of – ‘This is the Mike Walsh residence’ - the job is too exacting for any of that rubbish. “Sometimes I say ‘Poor Mick’, I don't feel like being Mike Walsh today, it’s not always possible to be on top of the world for five days a week”. But the point is, ONLY HE ever knows that. EPILOGUE I wonder if any of those artists are still performing today (I surely would be, if I hadn't contracted emphysema, which forced me to retire from show business seven years ago - Dec. 1996). Mike Williams for example, has become some sort of carpenter on one of those ‘Do-It-Yourself’ type Television programmes. Jade Hurley was one of the top performers on the Sydney club circuit (maybe he still is - do remember that I am talking about 1976/78 here, 27 years ago); where are all those regular ‘stars’ now, and what are they doing? The mind boggles! As I said in the first paragraph of page 10, we were most fortunate to appear on the Mike Walsh Show - twice in just over a month; we had been in the country barely three months! No wonder there was ‘mutterings’ among other speciality acts, especially those who had been on the club circuit for years before we arrived, but had never managed to ‘crack’ television. There’s no doubt that our exposure on the MWS played a part in our early success on the Sydney club circuit, and beyond. Another popular television show which created enormous publicity for us was: Simon Townsend’s ‘Wonder World’; we appeared on that several times. It wasn’t a live broadcast as was the MWS. Although aimed specifically for a younger audience, a hell of a lot of adults watched it as well. Wonder World, which broadcast daily at 4pm - again with a viewing audience of ‘millions’, was also networked across Australia. ‘God’, or whatever, was very kind to us - most of the time, in Australia! ------------------------------------- 19. Magic New Zealand e-zine archives ------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand 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: magic Password: kiwi When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. 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