* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #191 Date: Sunday 10th August 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. Larry White Honored By I.B.M.   3. Dante Memorial Fund Update   4. Greetings From Bonnie Scotland   5. Australian Death-Defying Escape Stunts??   6. Tom Craven Lecture Schedule   7. Flicking Fingers Book, DVD   8. Tony Griffith's 'Creative Magic/Teach In' day   9. Terry Seabrooke Winning M-U-M Award Of Excellence   10. Benefits - Of Joining The Society Of American Magicians   11. Wayne Rogers - Suva, Fiji   12. I.B.M. Convention 2004   13. Dirk Losander Lecture - Valencia   14. Alain Nu Performer & Lecturer - Miami   15. Fox Channels Television Australia   16. Fantasy In Black Fall Tour   17. Card Magic Companion 18. The Logical Coloring Book - Peter Marucci   19. The Amazing ‘Orchante’ Saga - Vol. Two - The Australian Years Magic New Zealand   20. e-zine archives   21. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One David Ginn’s New Zealand Lecture Tour begins this week. World-famous expert in children's entertainment, author, inventor, performer and lecturer David Ginn will present his new lecture: Auckland - Wednesday 13th August Start: 7.30pm Contact: Alan Watson Venue: Takapuna Senior Citizens Hall, The Strand, Takapuna Fee: $15.00 Adults /Under 15 years $10.00 Shore City Magicians Club financial juniors/under 18 years Free - Lecture fee sponsored by Magic New Zealand Ph: (09) 483 - 9274 or email alan@watson.co.nz to confirm your attendance Wellington - Friday 15th August Start: 7.30pm Contact: Michael Woolf Venue: 277 Horokiwi Road, Horokiwi Wellington Fee: $15.00 Adults /Under 15 years $10.00 Ph: (04) 587 - 0045 or email michaelw@ihug.co.nz to confirm your attendance Christchurch - Saturday 16th August Start: 7.30pm Contact: Greg & Sue Britt Venue: 23 Halswell Junction Rd, Christchurch 8003 Fee: $15.00 Adults /Under 15 years $10.00 Ph: (03) 322 - 9249 or email elgregoe@inet.net.nz to confirm your attendance -------------------------------- Bill Seagraves promoted to M.I.M.C. As The Magic Circle’s New Zealand representative I am very pleased to announce that Bill Seagraves has been promoted to the highest degree of The Magic Circle: Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star. We also hear that Bill’s recent trip to lecture in Queensland Australia was an outstanding success. The arrival of Bill and Marlene to live here was Scotland’s loss and New Zealand’s gain. Congratulations to a fine professional performer and popular man. Bill now joins the following Kiwis with M.I.M.C. with Gold Star Burns Scandrett - 1989 Alan Watson - 1995 Jim Reilly - 1996 Bernard Reid - 1996 Bill Seagraves - 2003 For more information on how to join The Magic Circle go to: www.themagiccircle.co.uk -------------------------------- Photos and report on FISM Sue-Anne Webster's full report on FISM 2003 (together with photos supplied by Christian Niss) is now online at: www4.tpgi.com.au/users/katzkin/PUBFISM2003.htm (Please note: this is a HUGE page so it may take a moment or two to load) -------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. Larry White Honored By I.B.M. ---------------------------------- Message from Bob Parmacek (US) Congratulations to S.A.M. M-U-M Magic Editor Larry White who was honored with two awards by the Linking Ring for this past year. Larry was given the award for the Best Trick "Child's Play" submitted to the Linking Ring in December of 2002 and for the Best Parade which Larry also submitted in December of 2002. It is wonderful to see how Larry's unique talent and creativity are recognized by magicians all over the world. ---------------------------------- 3. Dante Memorial Fund Update ---------------------------------- Message from Phil Temple (US) In the first 64 days of fundraising, the Dante Memorial Fund has received over $6,000 in donations! This encouraging news is enhanced by the San Francisco Columbarium's management offer to upgrade Dante's final resting place from the previously chosen $10,000 niche to a $25,000 niche (prominently located at the front entrance to the historical building), at NO ADDITIONAL COST to the Fund! (The Columbarium management staff is aware of Dante's place in the history of Magic, and wanted to participate in providing a fitting resting place for him and his wife, Edna). To further enhance the fund raising activities for the Dante Fund, magic collectibles have been offered at auction on eBay, on the internet, with new listings posted Sunday evenings. Donations from $1 - $500 dollars have been received from magic enthusiasts everywhere, all wanting to participate in honoring the "Last of the Great Masters" from the world of magic through this project. You can play a part in this historical event by sending whatever amount you can to the WestAmerica Bank, P.O. Box 47, Novato, CA 94948. Remember, it's not the amount, but the thought that counts. ---------------------------------- 4. Greetings From Bonnie Scotland ---------------------------------- Message from Jay Scott Berry Greetings from Bonnie Scotland. Coming up August 14th - 17th is the Palace of Magic Festival. This is a very unique event, held in and around the Royal Palace of Falkland, just north of Edinburgh. This year's guest stars are Ali Bongo, Pavel, Flip, Lisa Richards, Lewis Barlow, Mark Fisken and yours truly. Joining us is an amazing cast of over 25 magicians and wonder workers. The festival is part performance for lay people and part convention for magicians. Estimated attendance is around 2000. There will be Close-up shows, Stage shows, Illusion shows and strolling magic and throughout the weekend plus lectures, workshops and much more! Full info is on our website at: www.palaceofmagic.com If you're in the UK, come on up! If not, mark your calendars for next year and make a magical vacation out of it. Hope to see you there. All for wonder! Jay Scott Berry ---------------------------------- 5. Australian Death-Defying Escape Stunts?? ---------------------------------- Message from Dan Stapleton (US) An article was written, three or four years ago, in some periodical over your way (could have been in a news letter from Australia) by a Rudy Steffish, listing what he thought was the top 10 death-defying escape stunts. Are there any escape artists or magicians who may recall this and what publication was it in? ---------------------------------- 6. Tom Craven Lecture Schedule ---------------------------------- Message from Tom Craven (US) Well.. my September lecture tour is all booked and ready to go! Here's the schedule: Sept. 11- Kansas City, Mo. Sept. 12 - Joplon, Mo. Sept. 14 - Ft. Smith, Ar. Sept. 15 - Searcy, Ar. Sept. 16 - Memphis, Tn. Sept. 17 - Baton Rouge, La. Sept. 18 - Houston, Tx. Sept. 19 - San Antonio, Tx. Sept. 20 - Ft. Worth, Tx. Sept. 21- Dallas, Tx. Sept. 22 - Oklahoma City, Ok. Sept. 23 - Tulsa, Ok. Sept. 24 - 27 Visit with my brother in Arkansas Sept. 28 - Columbia, Mo. Sept. 29 - St. Louis, Mo. If anyone who reads this is in any of those areas during that time, I'd love to meet you and chat! ---------------------------------- 7. Flicking Fingers Book, DVD ---------------------------------- Message from Tim Ellis (Aust) For those interested in the FLICKING FINGERS book, DVD or assorted lecture notes, they are available from TAMMII TWISTER'S MAGIC FACTORY in Melbourne. Email Tammii at: kikkii@kikkii.com ---------------------------------- 8. Tony Griffith's 'Creative Magic/Teach In' day ---------------------------------- Message from Tony Griffith (UK) As a result of Tony Griffith's highly successful 'Creative Magic/Teach In' day held in July (see www.magicweek.co.uk and click onto REVIEW) a further such day will be held on Sunday 16th November at his home in Bristol. The material presented in this Lecture/Teach In day places emphasis upon sublety, routining and entertainment. Areas covered include Close Up Magic, After Dinner Speaking, Trade Shows, Promotions, Publicity and Organisation. Cost is £40 (and includes Morning Coffee, Buffet Lunch and Light Tea) £30 if registeration is made by 30th September. Seating is limited. HOUSE FULL notices had to go out well before the July event. Check out Tony's web site at www.tonygriffith.co.uk or e mail him at tony@tonygriffith.co.uk Tel/Fax is +44 (0) 1275 837017 ---------------------------------- 9. Terry Seabrooke Winning M-U-M Award Of Excellence ---------------------------------- Message from Terry Seabrooke Many thanks to the folks who sent congratulations on my winning the MUM award of excellence at the Las Vegas convention. I was amazed and thrilled. Now back home writing some more articles for the excellent MUM, and starting further tour with Sir Norman Wisdom and Jess Conrad. Then short tour with guitar legend Bert Weedon and October back again for week at Magic Castle in Hollywood. See you along the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------- 10. Benefits – Of Joining The Society Of American Magicians ---------------------------------- Message from Maria Ibanez (US) M-U-M Magazine As a Member of the Society of American Magicians, you will receive the monthly magazine M-U-M, named from our motto, Magic-Unity-Might. S.A.M. National Convention The S.A.M. sponsors an annual convention held in a different city each year. The four-day event features performances by famous magicians from around the world, with lots of stage shows, close-up shows and magic lectures, dealers and much, much more. National Magic Week Each year governors, mayors and other governing bodies throughout the country are requested to issue proclamations declaring the last week in October as National Magic Week, encouraging magicians throughout the country to participate in the activities. The Society of American Magicians adopted the idea of National Magic Week as a way of promoting the Art of Magic by performing shows at orphanages, hospitals and nursing homes for those who would have difficulty getting to a theatre to see a live performance. The members of the Society of American Magicians that participate in these shows find it a rewarding activity. Many people enjoy magic shows during this week that other wise would not be able to do so. S.A.M. Library The S.A.M. maintains a substantial library of books on magic for the benefit of its membership. Books are available for Assemblies and members to borrow for a nominal fee to cover postage and handling. Film & Tape Library The S.A.M. Film & Tape Library is an excellent video resource of the history of magic and magicians from around the globe. Performances by Harry Houdini, Dai Vernon, The Great Blackstone, Thurston, Tarbell, Slydini, Jay Marshall, David Copperfield and Harry Anderson are among the hundreds of performances available on VHS tape. Tapes are available for Assemblies and members to borrow for a nominal fee to cover postage and handling. Magic Endowment Fund, Inc. The S.A.M. Magic Endowment Fund, Inc., founded in 1986, is a non-profit foundation for the advancement of the Art of Magic. The Fund was established by the Society to administer several charitable programs designed to promote magic and aid magicians. Since its inception, the Fund has distributed over $250,000 to promote interest in the magical arts, support a youth development program, provide for hospital benefits to needy magicians and to provide scholarships and fellowships for magical education among adult and teenage magicians. Magicians who have fallen ill may be helped through the Houdini Hospital Fund, an integral part of the Foundation. The Fund will assist any magicians who are in financial need, with extra expenses normally not covered by insurance, such as nurses, oxygen, wheelchairs and other similar medical requirements. Over the past several years, the Endowment Fund has developed an after-school program entitled "Say 'Yes' to Magic." Through that program, youngsters are taught the history, techniques and skills of magic and are helped to use their imagination and self-confidence as they explore the wonders of magic. This program has been made possible through a major grant from the Eli Lilly Foundation. The Magic Endowment Fund each year has awarded anywhere from two to five scholarships for summer camps to those children in financial need. In addition, fellowships have been granted to professional performers so they have the ability to travel and deliver lectures for the promotion of magic. The Slydini Magic Fellowship Fund provides financial assistance to any magician who is confined in a nursing home or similar type of institution, as well as provides fellowships and scholarships for magicians who want to attend schools of magic. Through a matching grant, the Fund has established the Leslie P. Guest Memorial Award, created in memory of Past President and editor of "M-U-M," Leslie Guest. The award is presented each year for the most outstanding contribution to magic and is a matching grant to every dollar contributed. A matching dollar is made by two donors. Through its endowment, the Fund has made annual contributions to the S.A.M. Hall of Fame and Magic Museum, Inc., in Hollywood, California. Contributions are solicited from all those interested in magic. The Fund is a non-profit corporation and contributions to it are tax deductible under the Internal Revenue Code Section 501 c 3. For further information concerning the S.A.M. Endowment Fund, please write to the S.A.M. Magic Endowment Fund, 15 Warren Street, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601 S.A.M. Hall of Fame & Magic Museum The S.A.M. Hall of Fame and Magic Museum, Inc., is a non-profit educational corporation, founded in l967. The facility, located in Hollywood, California, features several attractions including tours, performances, lectures on the history of magic and a library. The museum illustrates the history of magic from ancient Egypt to the twentieth century. Life-size figures of magicians are displayed performing effects for which they became famous. One of the museum's main features is the Herbert Downs Memorial Library, which houses an ever-growing collection of magic books, magazines and other historical materials. The Ronald and Ruth Haines Memorial Gallery houses one of the most extensive collections of playing cards in the world. The Hall of Fame Gallery contains photographs of the most famous magicians in history. There is no charge for visiting the facility, however arrangements must be made in advance General Liability Insurance A $1,000,000 liability insurance policy is an optional benefit available to members of the S.A.M. This policy is available at a reasonable cost through a Best 'A' rated insurance company. The program covers all participating S .A.M. members who are residents of the United States for their performances in the U.S.A., Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and Canada. Coverage provides spectator liability and premises liability including property damage. The Society of Young Magicians In 1984, five members of the Society of American Magicians founded the Society of Young Magicians (S.Y.M.) to encourage young people between the ages of 7 and 17 to consider magic as a hobby. In 1988 the S.A.M. amended its Constitution to admit Young Members (Y.M.), and adopted the S.Y.M. as its youth program. All members of the S.Y.M. automatically became Y.M. of the S.A.M. The amendment paved the way to chartering the 31 already existing S.Y.M. Assemblies. Access to S.A.M. Leaders, guest lecturers, special programs, newsletters, special activities at the convention and more. Young Membership Young Members receive a membership card, membership pin and a monthly publication The Magic SYMbol. Written especially for young magicians, it features news about the youth program, articles by well-known magicians and by Young Members themselves. Also included are easy-to-perform magic tricks and advice on how to grow and become proficient in the Art of Magic Theatre. Curious? — visit www.magicsam.com for more information ---------------------------------- 11. Wayne Rogers - Suva, Fiji ---------------------------------- Message from Wayne Rogers (NZ) The Amazing Chicane (Wayne Rogers) will be performing at Showtime in Suva, Fiji from the 9th-17th August. Two shows nightly. Among the illusions and effects are some Robert Harbin classics, Visible Sawing, Chair Suspension and the Barrel Penetration. All items Chicane has been entertaining with for nearly 30 years. Any local or visiting magicians will be made welcome after the show, so please make yourself known to Chicane if you get the chance. ---------------------------------- 12. I.B.M. Convention 2004 ---------------------------------- Message from Mindy Burden (US) Cleveland Rocks! June 29 – July 4 Hotel Headquarters: Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Tower City Center 24 Public Square Cleveland OH 44113 216-696-5600 www.renaissancehotels/CLEBR Hotel Room Rate: $99/night Amenities: Work desk, TV w/ cable, satellite, movies, 2-line phone w/ speaker, voice mail, data port, Minibar, complimentary in-room coffee, iron, ironing board, trouser press, hairdryer, in-room safe 2 Restaurants, In-door pool, exercise room Quick, easy access to waterfront nightlife, ‘The Avenue’ shops & restaurants, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Airlines: Cleveland is Hub to Continental Airlines Southwest Airlines again offers 10% discount to IBM Driving: 3 interstates intersect Cleveland; I-77, I-71, and I-90 Transportation from Airport: Rapid Rail Transit, lower level of airport, $1.50 to Tower City Center (where the hotel is located), 20 minutes Taxi: $18 per trip Cleveland Hopkins Express Shuttle Van: $11 per person, per trip Talent Already Booked: Murray Hatfield, Yugi Yamamoto, Henry Evans, Fackelli & Kil, Mystina, Tim Hannig, John Carney, Jeff McBride, Jason Latimer, Ali Bongo, Alan Shaxton, Stuart & Lori McDonald, Michael Close Convention Registration: I.B.M. Members, spouses, adult children $145 I.B.M.  Junior Members $100 Child, under 12 $75 Non-Member $200 Order of Merlin breakfast $17 Optional Banquet $35 Send name, address, phone, e-mail, IBM #, fees (US dollars) to: Mel Kientz, I.B.M. Registration, 2020 West Yucca Dr., Wickenburg AZ 85390 E-mail: napamagic@aol.com ---------------------------------- 13. Dirk Losander Lecture - Valencia ---------------------------------- Message from Jeff Ezell(US) I.B.M. Ring 280 invites you to an evening of information and entertainment!! Come see Dirk Losander, a master of the art of levitation and animation of the intangible and the inanimate. Imagine a beautiful red rose blooming inside a delicate soap bubble or the dances and antics of an ordinary handkerchief or an enchanted table flying all over the room! Magic happens everywhere in any place when Losander is there. World renowned across three continents, Losander has performed his magic in exclusive venues from some of the finest Variety Theaters in Europe to the famed Magic Castle in Hollywood, California. Among many of Losander's talents is his ability to custom create shows specifically for Trade show and Gala venues, being able to perform as Master of Ceremonies to close-up magic, walk-around or stage show or a full evening show. Some of the clients Losander has performed for includes: Nintendo, Mercedes Benz, Proctor & Gamble, VW Volkswagon, Magic Castle Hollywood, Royal Caribbean International, Wizards Los Angeles and Tokyo, Honda, Siemans, Firestone, Sigfried & Roy, Roger Moore and countless others! For more than 15 years he has been specializing in the art of levitation and animation. He is the creator of a lot of new effects such as the famous "floating table" and his original Bubble Levitation. In this lecture he will show you many new effects as well as some variations on classics which he has improved upon. He will also explain how you can improve your levitation methods and what you need to do in order to have perfect lighting on stage. Most of his material can be performed under any conditions, surrounded close-up or on stage. Especially the tricks he has created to be shown over and over again without any reset preparations. Very visual! A "must see"! Guests are $10.00 Thursday August 14, 2003 at 7:00pm Hilton Garden Inn Valencia at Six Flags 27710 The Old Road, Valencia Hosted by I.B.M. Ring 280 "The Mark Wilson Ring" For more information, please contact Jim Thomson (661) 297-7884 Or e-mail him at jim@www.magicmaniacs.com See you there!! ---------------------------------- 14. Alain Nu Performer & Lecturer - Miami ---------------------------------- Message from Maria Ibanez (US) Who: IBM Ring 45 - Syd Bergson Ring is proud to host the Alain Nu Miami Lecture When: Tuesday, September 9, 2003 Time: 7:30 P.M. Where: The Polish American Club 1250 NW 22nd Ave Miami 305-635-2240 Details: All members of I.B.M. Ring 45 are invited to attend the lecture at no charge. Non members of Ring 45 will be charged a nominal fee of $15.00 at the door. Straight from Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Alain Nu is a world renown performer and lecturer that you will not want to miss. "Alain Nu is a magician of the highest order. To watch him is to throw out all the rules of physics. Time and space are malleable in Nu's deft hands." Eric Brace, The Washington Post ---------------------------------- 15. Fox Channels Television Australia ---------------------------------- Message from Fast Jimmy (Aust) Multi award winning Australian illusionist Brendan Montana and close-up magician Fast Jimmy will both be performing several magic tricks on Fox Channels television show called "Studio D" on the 5th and 7th of September. Studio D is on the Fox Kids channel and normally airs in the afternoon between 3 and 6pm. ---------------------------------- 16. Fantasy In Black Fall Tour ---------------------------------- Message from Don Drake (US) Attention all you clubs who have said they would get back to me on whether you want me for the Fantasy In Black Fall tour, I am leaving Las Vegas on September 15, and I need to hear from you by then, if you wish to book me. Also you might contact LECTURENET@aol.com who will be my agent for bookings in the future, most likely. I hope to see you all this Fall, and remember, my package is downloadable from my web page, /Lectures. See us at http://blackartsecrets.com ---------------------------------- 17. Card Magic Companion ---------------------------------- Message from Paul Gordon (UK) Paul Gordon's NEW hardback book - Card Magic Companion - is soon to be available in New Zealand & Australia. See www.natzler.com/cmc. Paul is a professional close-up magician, author, creator & lecturer! --------------------------------- 18. The Logical Coloring Book - Peter Marucci ---------------------------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) At least 75 per cent of the magicians reading this do children's parties. (The number is probably closer to 90 per cent -- but I don't want to start an argument.) Of those, a good number use the coloring book; it's an ideal trick for a young audience -- it's colorful: it's quick; it can get the kids involved. And, of those who use it, almost all of them are doing it the wrong way. Think about it: You show the pages of the book to be blank; you get them to shout the magic words and then show the pages of the book to have black and white pictures; you then get them to shout the magic words again, and show the pages of the book to be colored. That just doesn't make any sense. The late Sid Lorraine used to say that magic had to be logical, no matter how bizarre the logic was. And doing the coloring book that way just isn't logical: What good is a coloring book if all the pictures are colored? Try a little different and original thinking. THE LOGICAL COLORING BOOK Effect: The magician shows a box of crayons, closes the box, makes the crayons "invisible," and tosses them one at a time out to the audience, then opens the crayon box, showing them gone. He shows the coloring book to be blank and has the kids throw the invisible colors at the book. He then shows the book to be filled with colored pictures. But, he says, that's no good as a coloring book because it's all filled in. So the kids call out the magic word again and the magus shows the book to be filled with back and white pictures. He then asks the kids to throw the invisible crayons back at the box and, after they do, he opens the box and shows it full of crayons again. Preparations: You'll need a small, flat drawer box full of crayons and, of course, the magic coloring book, available from any magic dealer. Presentation: We'll assume you are working a birthday party and, to get the magic to work, the kids shout the magic words "Happy Birthday." "I have to go to another birthday party soon. It's for my niece (granddaughter, whatever fits you) and I had a hard time thinking of a good present for her. She's about the same age as (Mary, Billy, whatever) and I thought I would get her crayons and a coloring book." Ask the youngsters: "Is that a good present?" Get them involved in the routine as early as possible. Bring out the drawer box with the crayons inside. "I got her these magic crayons." Open the box and show the crayons then close it and set it up for the vanish. "They are magic because they can turn invisible -- that means you can't see them." Toss the "invisible" crayons out to the audience one at a time, naming the colors as you toss them to various individuals: "You take the red, and you get the orange, the yellow to you, the green to you, the blue to you and you get -- the purple". (For some reason, kids think the color purple is hilarious; don't question that fact, just use it and enjoy it.) "And I thought I would get her a coloring book, too. (Bring out the coloring book.) But when I got home I found that all the pages were blank. (Show the pages blank.) But then is remembered the magic words -- what are they? (the audience will -- or should, if you did your job right --scream 'Happy Birthday') -- now toss the magic, invisible crayons at the book." When the kids do so, show the pages of the book to be filled with colored pictures. "But wait a minute! That's not a very good present -- a coloring book that already been colored, is it? So we'd better say the magic words again and see if we can fix it." The kids holler the magic words and you show the book to be filled with black and white pictures, waiting to be colored. "Well, now that we've got the book fixed, I'm going to need the crayons back. (Show the box empty, and close it, setting it up for the re-appearance of the crayons.) Toss the invisible colors at the box -- red, orange, yellow, green, blue -- and purple." Open the box and show the crayons back in the box. "And now I can go to my niece's birthday party after all." Second thoughts: I hope you see how much more logical that routine is than the usual way of doing, as spelled out in the instructions. Of course, most of those doing the coloring book will keep right on doing it the other way. But that's okay, because those of you who use this routine will have a real winner on their hands. And that's from experience; I have used the coloring book and versions of this routine for every children's show I have done for more than 10 years and I has never failed to be a highlight of the show. Another variation is to show the book fully colored to start and then have the colors vanish and appear in the crayon box, while the book goes to black and white. This way you don't use the blank pages at all. Steve Taylor, at last year's Kids' Komedy Klinic (along with David Ginn and Sammy Smith) did a similar routine and said that some magicians got upset because he was asking them to take a $15 prop and only use $10 worth of it. And they were serious! Remember, the audience doesn't care what you paid for a trick or how much you like it; what matters is how much THEY like it. There are many other tricks in magic -- I'm inclined to say "most other" -- that need some original thinking to make them a whole lot better. Unfortunately, most magicians are content to keep doing the same stuff the same way. For the sake of magic and of your audience, don't be one of them. Peter Marucci 270 St. Andrew St. East Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 1R1 e-mail: showtimecol@aol.com --------------------------------- 19. The Amazing ‘Orchante’ Saga ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page – 14 Queenstown, the leading tourist centre of the South Island of New Zealand, is an old haunt of mine. First worked there in 1960 and performed there regularly over the years until we left for Australia. So we are staying in a motel (just outside of the town), which was set well off the road and surrounded by numerous tall trees – quite a charming setting. It was our last day in Queenstown and had arranged with the motel to book out late in the afternoon. We head off into town to do some shopping, leaving Brigitte behind which didn’t please her at all; we could hear her ‘mouthing off’ as we got into the car. We get back around 3pm and the owners come running up to say that Brigitte was up in one of the trees. As we later discovered, she had found a small louvre window in the bathroom that was open slightly and had flown out, taking off after us as were heading down the driveway but we were well away by then, so she planted herself in the top of a tree and gave vent to her feelings about being left behind, flitting from tree to tree - ‘swearing’ her little heart out. I don’t know if you have ever heard a cockatiel in full cry but when they get wound up the whole neighbourhood knows about it! The owners said that it was quite obvious that she was utterly ‘Pissed Off’, and that whatever she was spouting forth in bird language –‘It sure wasn’t polite and, it sure was loud’! Oh boy, did she punish us! No amount of cajoling could entice her down from her lofty perch and when I say lofty, those trees where at least forty feet high – no way I could climb up to reach her. An hour has gone by and Brigitte resolutely refuses to come down and I’ m starting to get mad. We go and pack the car, hoping that seeing us doing that will bring her down but NO! ‘The Little Bitch’! Now it’s getting late and I’m fuming - It’s ‘caveman’ time. I start throwing stones, sticks, anything to get her down; if she’d had two fingers she would’ve given me the time-honoured - ‘Up Yours’, salute! How can something so small create so much grief? I’m going from, ‘C ’mon Brigitte, I’m sorry, we all love you’, to - ‘you rotten, little so and so, guess what’s for dinner tonight’? I’m beginning to feel like ‘Wily Coyote’ from the cartoon, ‘The Road Runner’! Finally she flies down to a lower branch; as I approach her, expecting her to use my shoulder as a landing pad she always does, she takes off again - up into another tree, bloody hell, I could have ‘killed’ her! It is starting to get dark and we have to hit the road soon. We make arrangements with the motel owners that if she is still around the following day, and if she comes down to them, they would care for her until we can get back. A final cup of coffee, I start the car, it is almost dark now – in a last desperate attempt I climb out of the car and roar - ‘Brigitte, we’re leaving now, are you coming or not’? A flutter of wings and the Brigitte lands on my arm twittering away, you could almost hear her saying, ‘What’s all the fuss about’. We didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, or wring her bloody neck! Looking back now, I find it strange that in all of my years in show business performing magic etc., I’ve never had the inclination to use doves or parrots in my act. I guess that it’s because to me, and Veronica, they have always been pets, to love and cherish as you do (or should) your cats and/or dogs. So, crossing back over the Tasman Sea to Australia, we have been residing in Sydney for quite a few months and have been accepted and are fully entrenched on the club scene, working our little butts off and making good money. We decide to get a Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, something we have always wanted but could never afford in N.Z. Apart from that, you really need to get one while it is still a chick, rear and hand feed it so that it grows up as part of your family. We didn’t know that then. We head off to a market and buy a young bird, but not young enough as we were soon to find out. All parrots have one hell of a nasty bite. Sulphur Crested Cockatoos in particular, can take your finger right off quite easily, and if they haven’t been tamed early on, are very vicious. The problem is finding a pet shop that has more to offer in the way of advice to newcomers, especially in regards to potentially dangerous birds etc. than just making money as a priority by selling pets. I guess we were wide open to an unscrupulous Australian pet seller at an open market - our New Zealand accent was a dead giveaway as to our more than likely lack of any real knowledge of large cockatoos. In our case, going to a market because ‘You can pick up a cockatoo really cheap there’, was the wrong one, and the seller took full advantage of his assumption that we were as green as hell when it came to Australian cockatoos. - Continues - ------------------------------------- 20. 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. Eg 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999) ------------------------------------- 21. 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 Magic New Zealand e-zine: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Magic New Zealand e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday. The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors and not those of Magic New Zealand. 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