* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #256 Date: Sunday 9th May 2004 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. The Status Of Our Lease Of The Magic Castle 3. "Stars Of Tomorrow" SAM Performers Announced 4. FAB Taking Unfair Advantage Abbott's Magic Get Together 5. I.B.M. Convention Banquet 6. Moi-yo Miller (Montes) Turned 90 7. The Magic Moments - Steve Pradell 8. David Groves Lecture In Brisbane 9. What Is Jonathan Pendragon Doing? 10. My "Oscar Award" Weekend In Hollywood 11. Update On Lance Burton 12. New Owners - Hey Presto Magic Studio Sydney Australia 13. George Schindler Lectures 14. Everyone Has Asked What Can Be Done For The Gorhams 15. Bahrain in the Persian Gulf - Steve Burton 16. Magic Auction Eaton 17. Monash Young Magicians Club - Melbourne Australia 18. Florida Magicians Association Convention 19. Florida Magician To Appear On Daytime NBC 20. The Magic Gold Coin Of Egypt - By Jamie-G 21. The Amazing Orchante Saga 22. e-zine Archives 23. Subscription Management ------------------ 1. Editors Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Over the last month I have received a large number of e-mails asking if there was an update on what was happening at the Magic Castle regards the lease agreement with the Glover Family. Refer item 2 - message from Milt Larsen. ---------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. The Status Of Our Lease Of The Magic Castle ----------------- Message from Milt Larsen (US) As it has been some time since I have reported to you on the status of our lease on the Magic Castle, I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know about recent developments. I am pleased to report that over the last few weeks, positive discussions have taken place with the Glover Family representatives over a new lease for the Academy on the Magic Castle. The week of April 19th, the Academy, Milt and the Glover Family representatives reached an agreement in principle on the outline of a structure for the continuation of our club at the Magic Castle. It will most likely be several weeks before the details are ironed out, and much work remains to be done. As soon as we have completed working through the issues that remain to be discussed and decided, I will look forward to updating you again and scheduling a Special Meeting of the Academy Membership to fill you in and place before you the matters which will need to be approved to complete the process. We believe that the outline that has been agreed to serves the interest of the club and it’s members, the landlord and our future guests. We ask for your continued support (including your dues payments) as we finalize the lease. In the meantime, enjoy your Club and know that we are working with the Glover Family toward a positive and successful outcome Milt’s message: I am confident at this point that the Magic Castle will remain in its present location as the clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts under a new lease with the Glover family. Although we were prepared to move the club to another site that was only an option if lease negotiations failed. Thanks to the heroic efforts of Dale Hindman and Lew Horwitz, representing the Board of Directors who, in turn, represents the entire membership of the AMA, the future of the club looks very bright. Please join me in a huge thanks to Rich Bloch who stepped in to bring calm waters to a stormy sea. My personal goal is to see the Academy of Magical Arts remain as the world’s greatest monument to the art of magic for many generations to come. I am looking forward to working closely with the Glover family and the AMA on many new projects for the future. Stay tuned. Milt Dale's column: WOW! We did it! When I say we I mean each and every person that helped make the 36th Annual Awards show and Banquet a success, Thanks to a major turnout of the press for the event, thanks to the amazing efforts of publicist Steve Moyer, you’ll be reading about the night for weeks to come. This newsletter is a little late this month because we wanted to bring you the news of the awards winners. We congratulate them all. If there was ever any question about the idea of restoring elegance to the event the answer was very clear May 1, 2004. A star studded audience brimming with love for Roy Horn. Great compliments about the food and service and the grand ambience of the Henry Fonda Music Box Theater. This month we celebrate Memorial Day (yes we are closed) and that day is set aside to remember the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Well, several people made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that the Awards show was one of the best ever. They are not dead (although they probably still feel like that since this is the Monday after) and while space does not permit me to thank every one involved, there is some Presidential Medal of Honors that I want to identify. The first medal goes to Bellamie Blackstone. She is an incredible stage manager, production supervisor, calming influence, and resourceful (and the list goes on) without her efforts that night, I would be in the hospital with a nervous breakdown. Next, are all of the acts: Eun-Gyeol Lee who flew here from Korea on Friday to perform in honor of Roy, and then flew back on Sunday; Jason Latimer, David Sandy, Mirko, Norbert Ferree who flew in from France on Thursday and left on Tuesday, and of course Darren Romeo. Darren agreed to take time out of his busy Branson, MO production schedule to be here for his mentors, his club, his Princess Irene, and for the magical family. And then, there is Dale Kristien, a leading star of Broadway, who not only sang with Darren, but did an incredible job in the “floating lady” illusion with just one rehearsal. And of course, Gay Blackstone, from assisting me with production issues on video, staging, etc to doing the Light Bulb with Darren, she was of great assistance. And to Princess Irene, my ongoing hero, for her efforts in coordinating Siegfrieds attendance. And to Siegfried, for flying in just for the event with all that is on his plate. And finally to Roy, he is a Hero, for his recovery, his strength, his inspiration, and his courage. There are many others who deserve Purple Hearts; Dawn Wells for ticket sales, Lori Nahama for ad sales, all of my presenters, my incredible stage crew with the great Steve Dick, to the staff at the Henry Fonda, to the incredible staff of the Castle, to all who put up with me over these months. As you read in my other statement, we are moving forward with our lease, and we have restored elegance and glamour to our Awards show and returned your club to the eyes of the world. Congratulations to you all. As Darren sang in his tribute to Roy, “You raised us up” Until next time ----------------- 3. "Stars Of Tomorrow" SAM Performers Announced ----------------- Message from George Schindler (US) Society of American Magicians "Stars Of Tomorrow" Performers Announced The "Stars of Tomorrow" show is one of the highlights of Annual S.A.M. Conventions. Young performers on the show debut here for their future engagements and usually "steal" the show. Dan Cole, one of today's highly sought after stars began his career on one of these shows. Producer Hope Anderson announced the names of the performers for this year's show in St.Louis. Emcee Max Nover from Massachusetts , Dakota Rose from Ohio, Krystyn Lambert of California, Brian Ledbetter of Washington and Jonathan Shotton from England will appear. These are paid performances and not contests. It is interesting to note that Hope Anderson once appeared on the "Stars of Tomorrow" show. She is currently a performer and columnist for M-U-M. See www.magicsam.com for more information. ----------------- 4. FAB Taking Unfair Advantage Abbott's Magic Get Together ----------------- Message from Mark Holstein I feel compelled to write regarding your paragraph on the activities of FAB Magic. I wanted you to be aware that FAB is, in my humble opinion, taking unfair advantage of the efforts of Hank Moorehouse, Greg Bordner, and the entire Abbott's family. While there is no doubt that a free marketplace would allow FAB or anyone else to open a business in Colon, it seems profoundly unfair to conduct these activities during Abbott's Magic Get Together. If FAB were really interested in conducting a business on its own merits, it would seem to me that they would sponsor their own magic week. Those of us who regularly attend the Get Together know that this is a feeble attempt to bootstrap Abbott's efforts. But others may conclude that FAB's activities are somehow related to the Abbott's Get Together. While not strictly illegal, FAB's efforts offend my sense of good faith and fair play. Mr. Fisher must be guided by his own conscience, but I wanted to be sure that your readers understood the full story. ----------------- 5. I.B.M. Convention Banquet ----------------- Message from Mindy Burden (US) The I.B.M. Convention Banquet will bring you a delicious meal and plenty of laughs. Toastmaster Kevin Spencer will host the event as International President David Sandy passes the gavel to incoming International President Tony Wilson. You will enjoy the magic of Kevin Spencer and Cindy as the featured illusion act following the Gold Medal competition at Friday evening's show. They will also be presenting their 'Healing of Magic' lecture on Saturday morning at the Karrell Fox Memorial Lecture. At the banquet, Kevin will be performing some magic you won't see during any of his other convention appearances. Then, Kevin will bring Simon Lovell to the Banquet stage. This will be Simon's only performing presentation at the convention. Noted for his laughable antics, Simon is sure to have you in stitches. You will also see Simon as the judge you love to hate at the Magic Idol contest, Wednesday evening following the Premiere Show. The Banquet is an extra-pay feature of the I.B.M. Convention and we intend to see you get more than your money's worth! Banquet tickets need to be purchased no later than Thursday, July 1 in order for us to guarantee your meal. The Banquet is followed by the exciting International Show at the Palace Theater which will feature Ali Bongo, Alan Shaxon, Sabrina Fackelli and Kil, Yuji Yamamoto, and Murray Hatfield and Teresa. The evening and convention conclude with the ever-fun filled Strolling Olympics. ----------------- 6. Moi-yo Miller (Montes) Turned 90 ----------------- Message from Kristina (Aust) Saturday the 24th of April saw Dante's leading lady, Moi-yo Miller (Montes) turn 90 years of age. Fifty of Moi-yo's family and closest friends gathered that night to celebrate at her home. Her daughter Cherisse and family organised the event, while her son Greg and his wife came out from the USA to be there. Also from America was Peter & Coral Reveen, who attended the occasion. Moi-yo looked beautiful (as usual) and was absolutely thrilled to have received the e-mails, faxes and birthday cards sent by magicians from all over the world. Thank you to all who sent their best wishes. It made her day even more special. She thoroughly enjoyed her birthday, and we are all looking forward to the next big party when she turns 100! Kristina Bernard’s Magic Shop Australia ----------------- 7. The Magic Moments - Steve Pradell ----------------- Message from Steve Pradell (Alaska) The Magic Moments ©2004 by Alaska Magician Steven Pradell Esq. Why do entertainers do what we do? It takes a tremendous amount of energy, time and effort to entertain an audience. After years of performances it is easy to become disillusioned. Rude spectators. Those who would rather talk or drink than watch our act. Undisciplined children we must manage because their parents won't. So at some point in our careers the day may come when you simply do not want to put on your costume, pack your gear and summon the strength to stage another show. What then? There are moments along the way when I understand and appreciate why I have chosen such an unusual profession. That I somehow make a difference. Reflecting on these moments can make us realize why we have devoted our lives to one of the most difficult yet rewarding jobs in the world; entertaining others. These moments can have a profound effect on our acts, on the way we relate to others, and on the directions we take in our lives. One such moment occurred early on in my career. I was a young magician about to entertain a group of mentally handicapped adults and I was petrified. At that time, many of my routines were "gag" items or "sucker" tricks designed to make fun of audience members. Back in the 1970's many of the role models for magicians advised that our job was to fool the audience, to be somehow better and more powerful than them. The magician was invincible. The audience members were the fools who we were fooling. How in good conscience could I exploit a mentally handicapped individual? I thought about this constantly, and finally came up with a plan. For the first time, I caused all of the props to backfire on me. The umbrella fell apart above my head. The clatter box broke in my hand. The audience roared. They loved it. Once I was the fool, and had acknowledged that I too was human and made mistakes, it was easy to have fun with the audience and the tension between powerful wizard and audience of muggles was broken. And the mentally handicapped adults easily understood my visual slap stick antics and were able to enjoy the show. I have used this approach often in my act with all types of audiences since that time. I have much more fun on stage not trying to convince anyone that I am perfect. We have fun and try to make magic happen together. I don't have to spend all my time trying to impress anyone anymore. I have blended my own personality into my act and the audience appreciates it more. Another magic moment occurred the day after I found out that I had a 3 1/2 inch mass between my heart and one of my lungs. Later I would learn that this was cancer. At that moment again I was petrified, and I had two shows already booked for the following day. What to do? I ended up going to the shows and, I realized later, during the entire time I was performing a birthday party show and leading the children's parade as a wizard at the local renaissance fair, I completely forgot about my own problems! I too was experiencing the sense of wonder we create for our audiences, sharing smiles and giving a part of myself to others. In those moments, and later performing for children who had terminal diseases, I realized that magic was an essential part of my being. 14 years after my cancer was cured, and almost 20 years after I began practicing law full time, I still have the need and the desire to get out there and put on magic shows. The magic moments give me a high and a sense of sharing that I simply can't get anywhere else. So, look back upon your performances. Focus on all of the giving you have done for others, and the smiles you have brought to people's faces, rather than the return investment that you have received or have expected to receive. Pack up your bags and head out the door. What we get from magic is the thrill and enjoyment of sharing our passion with others. It is worth much more than money, the fame or the prestige. Being a magician is much more than a job. It is a vocation and an avocation. It is a way of living our lives, and of interacting with other people. How we perform magic impacts how we relate to those who we love. Enjoy the magic moments! ----------------- 8. David Groves Lecture In Brisbane ----------------- Message from Chris Murphy (Aust) David Groves Lectures in Brisbane on Sunday 16th May VENUE: THE PANCAKE MANOR (downstairs), 18 Charlotte Street, Brisbane. DATE & TIME: Sunday May 16th, 7pm. COST: $20 includes lecture, pancakes and coffee For further information, please contact Chris Murphy on 07 3420 0618 or e-mail chris@ozillusions.com Kerry Domann on 0421 694 786 Dave Lord on 0411 333 531. All welcome, we hope to see you there. David’s lecture uses his book, Be a Street Magician, as a starting point, but the lecture’s main feature is its diversity. David covers tricks from the street to the parlour, from close-up to stage, from kids’ tricks to adult miracles. In August, 1998, David burst onto the magic scene with his 8-page spread in Magic magazine titled, “Street Magic.” That was the first public mention of his little-known lecture notes, Be a Street Magician. The article was so popular that David re-published the lecture notes in book format in December, 1998, titled, Be a Street Magician: A How-To Guide. David has been a full-time magician since 1990. He appears several times a year at the world-famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. In addition, he appeared 65 times on Amtrak’s Coast Starlight run (Los Angeles to Seattle), a gig consisting of four solid days of magic performance. In the mid ‘90s, David performed for three years on the street, polishing the act that he eventually took to the Magic Castle. In 2003, he started his own weekly magic cabaret, Magic in the 'Burbs, for which he is co-host and weekly performer. David’s current specialties are stand-up-comedy magic and close-up, although in the early ‘90s, he performed 200+ kids’ birthday-party shows per year. ----------------- 9. What Is Jonathan Pendragon Doing? ----------------- Message from Walter Zaney Blaney (US) Dear friends in magic....a note from Walter Zaney Blaney: It has come to my attention that a newspaper story and an ad in the Appleton, Wisconsin newspaper (faxed to me today) says that The Pendragons will be performing at the Lawrence University Stansbury Theater, June 2nd (adult tickets $38.50, children $28.50) as a benefit for the Outagamie County Historical Society (OCHS), the museum that is exposing Houdini's Metamorphosis secret in their new "hands-on exhibit" honoring Houdini (dishonoring him is what theyare doing). A select group of magicians have worked hard for the last year to cordially try to get the museum's Board of Directors to cancel such plans. Instead, we asked them to accept help from some of the most creative members in the magic community worldwide to create an even better display, one more interesting and more fun ....without exposure....especially the secret of the number one illusion Houdini made famous, The Metamorphosis, which so many current performers still present. The recent national publicity on this story (Wallstreet Journal, The Today Show, and dozens of newspapers and other TV shows) which our group worked so hard on was designed to put greater and greater pressure on the business leaders in Appleton to pursuade the museum board to cancel their exposure plans. Just as our work had a chance of paying off, The Pendragons on the Paula Zahn TV show said it was okay to make this exposure, and now they are signed to appear and raise money for this exhibit. We need to discuss this matter and think about perhaps dropping the tenets on exposure from our "Ethics Code" from each of our magic societies if this is the new order of the day, the new "elite thinking" of the profession in 2004. I guess our group who fought this battle, including David Copperfield, Mark Wilson, IBM International President David Sandy, The Magic Circle and other magical luminaries are just all old fashioned enough to think trying to stop flagrant exposure to the lay public of some of our main secrets is still a valid goal. I love the Pendragons. They have taken the Metamorphosis to heights undreamed of. I really would like to hear their Jonathan's thinking clearly explained on this subject. Maybe he can convince me and the rest of the worldwide magic community, who as yet simply don't understand this "new thinking". Cordially, Walter Zaney Blaney ----------------- 10. My "Oscar Award" Weekend In Hollywood ----------------- Message from Walter Zaney Blaney (US) Dear friends and family: I am writing a note about a special event in my life, just to a few close magic friends, to my family, and to a few close non-magic personal friends. You can skip over the parts that don't interest you. Each year the prestigious Academy of Magical Arts (AMA), in association with The Magic Castle of Hollywood, has a big annual banquet/award event in Hollywood. It is the magician's equivalent of the film industry’s Oscar Awards night. We call our awards "Fellowships" (not Oscars of course). This year I was awarded the "Performing Fellowship" for my 55 years as a professional magician, and for my contributions to the art of magic. My magician daughter Becky Blaney surprised me by flying away from a cruise ship where she had entertained, from Nassau to Baltimore to Los Angeles (14 hours in the air), in order to introduce me and make the presentation. They often have a movie star who likes magic (Cary Grant, James Stewart, Orson Welles, etc.), make the presentations. But I was honored even more to learn that they had chosen my magician daughter Becky to make the surprise presentation (amongst magicians and to me Becky is a star). There were about 400 attending, filling the "Henry Fonda Music Box Theater", near Hollywood and Vine. It was a "black tie affair". The magicians all appeared in tuxes (just our usual working clothes). The ladies were all dressed up to the hilt in gorgeous long gowns. Becky's light green formal went well with her red hair, and she was beautiful. Just prior to my introduction our current International President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, my good friend David Sandy, performed my original illusion invention, the Zaney Blaney Ladder Levitation. I have seen my own presentation of this levitation of a lady in the audience on a dozen TV shows in the past in 2-D, and I got to see David Copperfield and Lance Burton present it live on stage. David was only the third magician I have seen perform it live in 3-D, and he did it to perfection. As he closed the routine I was introduced as its inventor. Then Becky walked on with the award, and the three of us kibitzed and joked a bit. I said, "I thank the Academy for this wonderful award, and I thank my mother and father for making it all possible, and I thank my three daughters for making it all necessary." I vanished my birdcage a couple of times, then hugged Becky, hugged my award, and we walked off together into the Sunset (two blocks north of Hollywood Blvd.) It's been an incredible ride in life. I fell in love with magic at age nine, was the grade school and the high school magician, and then worked my way through the University of Texas doing my magic shows. I began magic as a full time profession in 1949, and that is 55 years ago. Unbelievable, as I think I am still only about 55 years old (except when I carry my heavy props around nowadays...then its 155 years old). I was able to impart my philosophy of life at the banquet in one simple sentence...and it fit every magician there: The Secret of Life is to die young.....as old as possible." Now I'm aiming at 155. Cheers and best wishes from your Texas friend, Walter ----------------- 11. Update On Lance Burton ----------------- Message from Wayne Bernath (US) + Lance Burton "Master Magician" performs at the Monte Carlo at 7 & 10 p.m. Tuesdays & Saturdays and 7 p.m. only on Wednesdays thru Fridays. The show is dark on Sundays & Mondays. There will be an additional 7 p.m. show on Sunday Memorial Day Weekend before he begins a two-week hiatus. Dark May 31-thru June 14. + So far this year Lance Burton has won three "Best Magician Awards from Nevada Magazine, What's On Magazine (five years straight) The Review-Journal's Reader's Poll (four years straight). + Lance Burton will be featured in an upcoming issue of USA Weekend Magazine. + Lance Burton will do a benefit show for the Zelzah Shrine Temple in The Lance Burton Theatre at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1. Tickets are only $25. Call 382-5554 for information. 100 percent of the proceeds go to The Shriners. + Lance Burton will appear on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno from the Paris Hotel on The Strip on Tuesday, May 11 and as a co-presenter with Josh Turner at the American Country Music Awards at Mandalay Bay on Wednesday, May 26. + Lance Burton will be headlining the Hope is Eternal Charity Ball III at the Marriott in Summerlin. Mark Phister will be one of the hosts. In addition to Lance Burton of the Monte Carlo, The Scintas of The Rio, Johnny Potash of The Stratosphere, Tyler Linkin, Grant Griffin and The Summerlin Drill Team (ladies age 40 and up). ----------------- 12. New Owners - Hey Presto Magic Studio Sydney Australia ----------------- Message from Wayne Black (Aust) Just letting you know that I together with a partner Garry Cohen, have acquired Hey Presto Magic Studio. We have just about completed the shop make over and would like to be up and trading this week. Address: Shop P34 Imperial Arcade City: Sydney NSW Phone Numbers 61 2 9232 7660 ----------------- 13. George Schindler Lectures ----------------- Message from George Schindler (US) Richmond Virginia - (Monday) May 24 at the Divine Magic Shop 5409 Lakeside Avenue- Phone 804-262-4170 Florida State Convention - (May 28-29-30) Lecture, Stage Show and Close-up - Details www.floridamagic.org Baltimore , Md (Thursday) June 3 - Denny & Lee Magic Shop 325 South Marlyn Avenue- Phone 410-686-3914 ----------------- 14. Everyone Has Asked What Can Be Done For The Gorhams ----------------- Message from Maria Ibanez (US) To the friends of Jay and Pat Gorham Everyone has asked what can be done for the Gorhams. At this time, love and prayers are all that is needed. Tim was a free spirit dedicating his life to the earth and its treasures. His memory will be that of a loving person that used the gifts of nature to expand his life and the lives of those around him. On Monday, His family will take his cremated remains to his home in West Virginia where he will become one with the earth that he loved. Please extend your love to those around you while thinking of the life of Tim Gorham. A college fund is being established for his daughter Jasmine. Please send donations to the fund in care of: Clem Kinnicutt Box 4191 Albany, NY 12204-0191 Thank everybody for their concern. Clem Kinnicutt ----------------- 15. Bahrain in the Persian Gulf - Steve Burton ----------------- Message from Steve Burton (US) Steve Burton, president of the Texas Association of Magicians, will be appearing May 5-9 in Bahrain in the Persian Gulf. His show "The Quicker than the Eye Guy" is being toured in military bases of the United States Navy. ----------------- 16. Magic Auction Eaton ----------------- Message from Larry McMechan (US) We will be holding our 10th annual Magic Auction 2 days May 29th and 30th starting at 10:00 AM each day. Preview starts at 4:00 PM Friday May 28. We have contents from 2 Estates plus other consignors. We have many collectables including several Warner items, P&L, Owens, and other - Stage and parlor effects - Posters - Illusions - Books including complete collection of Linking Rings from 1939 to present, Magic Mag., Tops, Genie, Mum, and many other books - Many Many Close up effects. Auction will be held at 210 Nation Ave. Eaton, Ohio Eaton is located 25 miles West of Dayton, Ohio or 89 miles West of Columbus Ohio 90 miles East of Indianapolis, Ind., 50 Miles North of Cin. or 11miles east of Richmond Ind. From East or West take I 70 to 10 mile marker then go South on St Rt 127 into Eaton turn East on St Rt 35 in the middle of Eaton go across RR to 1st Street South go 1/2 block to Auction From Cin take 127 North to Eaton to Rt 35 turn East go across RR to 1st Street South go 1/2 block to Auction For More Information Contact Larry McMechan, Auctioneer Phone 1-937-456-7136 or 1-937-456-4260 or E-mail mcmechan@infinet.com ----------------- 17. Monash Young Magicians Club - Melbourne Australia ----------------- Message from Brenton Foale (Aust) The variety show which the Monash Young Magicians Club had intended to perform has taken a change of direction. Instead of everyone auditioning and performing short acts, the Monash Young Magicians Club, in Melbourne Australia, are looking for some older magicians to perform on stage, promoting magic throughout Melbourne, while the junior members perform a couple of small routines between. Thus an adult performer would perform maybe a 15 to 20 minute spot, followed by a junior performing a trick or two, followed by another adult performing 15 to 20 minutes, then another junior, and so on and so forth. Interested magicians, jugglers, comedians, etc should contact Brenton Foale at Monash_Young_Magicians_Club@hotmail.com for full details. This should be a great performance, and those who support it will receive free advertising in the club's newsletters and the programme for the variety show. At this stage only names and contact details, as well as a description of the performance is needed, to be filed on record to await auditioning/selection processing. Also, backstage and technicians will be required. Performance dates, times and venue are yet to be confirmed, pending interest from outside the club. ----------------- 18. Florida Magicians Association Convention ----------------- Message from Maria Ibanez (US) Greetings everyone -- We are now 23 days and counting away from the Florida Magicians Association Convention which is scheduled, as always, for Memorial Day Weekend. Please note that tomorrow, April 6th is the cut-off date to get the special rate at the hotel. If you do not make your reservation with the hotel before tomorrow, they do not have to honor the special discount fee. We have updated the website to include a page listing alphabetically both those who are registered and those who are registered but still have an open balance. Feel free to check it out and let us know if we can answer any questions. Seating assignments will be made in the order in which payment in full is received so send in your balances. Looking forward to seeing each of you there. www.floridamagic.org ----------------- 19. Florida Magician To Appear On Daytime NBC ----------------- Message from Maria Ibanez (US) Just received this from the "biking magician", Nick Parlin of Tampa, Florida who will be attempting to ride his bike in 52 days from Tampa to California and arrive there on October 31st of 2004. Nick will also ride his bike to Ft Lauderdale in order to attend the Florida Magicians Convention and plans on arriving early the morning of the 28th in time to pick up his registration packet. Be sure to look for him at the convention and wish him well on his trip. On May 14, 2004 (Friday) at 10am, Nick Parlin will be on Daytime NBC. They are interviewing him about his upcoming bike adventure. Tune in. For more details visit the News page in the Florida Magicians Association webpage at www.floridamagic.org. ----------------- 20. The Magic Gold Coin Of Egypt - By Jamie-G ----------------- Message from Jamie-G (Canada) Effect: A gold coin vanishes from the magicians hand and then reappears in his pocket. The coin then vanishes from the magicians hand again then reappears back into his hand. The magician then asks the spectator to open his hand the magician then adds heat to his finger and starts to physically and visually melt the coin. This is going under the spectator's hand and the spectator can see little piece's of gold land in his hand as the magician is melting the coin. This is a very strong and powerful effect. The spectator is blown out of the water because they cannot believe there eyes on what is happening to this gold coin. Props: You need a gold coin-(the bigger the coin the better but the size of a 50 cent piece is the best size.) Gold foil-(gold foil from my magic foil system) Method: First you need to put at least 10 layers of gold foil on one side of the coin. You put the gold foil on as you would with the magic silver foil. The foil will bond to the coin so you won't even know that it is on there once this is done you are ready to go. You start by vanishing the coin by the method you know best and make the coin reappear in your pocket this gets the spectator to watch the coin and have an interest in what you are doing. Vanish the coin once more and make it reappear back into your hand now you are going to set them up for some unbelievable magic. You blow on your fingers making it look like you are heating up your finger to melt the coin. You start rubbing the coin but in real time you are using your finger nail to scratch the gold foil off the coin. Also don't forget to get the spectator to hold there hand so the little piece's will fall into there hand this is the most important part in the whole effect. Note: Until I came up with the magic foil system you could not melt a coin physically and visually like this before. Also when you are scratching the coin to make the gold foil come off make sure you go around in circles this make's it hard to see that you are using your finger nail and your just rubbing the coin. Patter: Hello have you ever seen a magic coin from Egypt before well I have one here it does all kinds of magical things. The first thing is the coin can go invisible and than return back into my pocket. Or it can just turn invisible and than reappear again. But the most amazing thing is when I add heat to my finger watch just what happens hear let me show you can you please hold out your hand. When the effect is over toss the coin in your pocket and the effect is done. Note: It takes about 20-25 minutes to gimmick the coin with the gold foil take your time because the slower you go the better the coin will look don't rush with the foil make it nice and neat. Also before you start the effect it's a good idea to put the coin in the spectator's hand once so they touch the coin this will prove that the coin is normal. For example you could say watch if I put the coin in your hand and you close it the coin disappears tell them to keep there hand closed pause for a minute and now say the coin has now appeared back into your hand. They will get a good laugh but the most important thing is you now have had the gimmicked coin in their hand and they didn't even know it. Special Dedication: I would like to dedicate this effect to my friend Bruce Spangler and his family they have been most helpful to me. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the magic gold coin from Egypt. If you are not familiar with the magic foil system you can go on the main web site of ring 2100 (www.ring2100.org) go down about half the page were you see my name click on it and it will explain the magic foil system to you........................................Jamie-G www.windsormagiccircle.homestead.com (I.B.M. ring-116) ----------------- 21. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 22 1961/62 It’s a Time Warp! I’m stuck in the ‘60s well I was, for 10 years! I have a very large aluminium trunk – stuffed full of programmes, newspaper clippings, magazines, write-ups, posters, etc., from 1960 to 1996 (and if I hadn’t contracted Emphysema, I’d still be stuffing them in). Charles Hikana, ‘The Voice of the Pacific’ (he had won the Canterbury heat of Joe Brown’ s Talent Quest 1960) teamed up with Trevor King of Christchurch, and put a show together, featuring some of the Artists from Joe Brown’s show. They called it ‘TALENT TOPPERS – RADIO AND STAGE SHOW - on Tour’. This hit the road around March 1961. I found the original programme (in ‘the trunk’), but unfortunately, it doesn’t show the touring dates. The following, from the programme, are the brief descriptions (not by me) of myself; in the first half Quote: ‘Act Three - The Amazing Mr Orchard, versatile teen-age magician who created a sensation in his previous tour through the Islands, and New Zealand’ Unquote. The second half - Quote; ‘Act Eleven – The Amazing Mr Orchanti (spelled with an I instead on an E) sensational teen-age Fire-eater of the Mysterious Orient’ Unquote. (The Mysterious Orient? Gawd almighty! I ask you!) Looking in the mirror, a reflection of silver hair, goatee, been there, done that, seen-it-all, craggy face, stares back, and I think ‘Dear God – it’s 2001 – was that sixteen years old teenager really me, all those years ago? There is one incident from that tour (forty years ago), which I have never been allowed to forget, to this day. I decided how clever it would be to ‘show off’ my juggling skill, using three ‘Fire-balls’ approximately 3” in diameter, during my fire-eating act. I can tell you, it looked quite spectacular, as the Theatre lights were faded to ‘black-out’ during the fire performance. One night, in the Invercargill Town Hall (Invercargill - the most Southerly City of the South Island of N.Z) I dropped a fireball. It ambled across the stage, and bounced off the front upstage side curtain. Now, curtains in old theatres become quite dusty, (dust is extremely flammable) and these were no exception. When the ball ‘hit’, the dust (not the curtains) caught fire. It ran continuously, like a child’s sparkler, right up the curtain, 20 feet above the stage, to the pelmet curtain, then uninterrupted, took off on that, across the 30 foot wide stage to the other side front curtain, sparked and spat all the way down again - then just petered out! The packed auditorium had gone ‘WOOOAAAHHHHH’ at the start, and then fell into a hushed silence during this rather startling episode, spontaneously bursting into wild applause at the finish!! As far as they were concerned, it was all part of the act. The late Frank Stapp, then Theatre manager (‘The Master’ – another New Zealand legend among entertainers far and wide) was in hysterics – he nearly had a fit! Over all these years, Trevor King has never stopped reminding me of ‘that’ incident’ it’s become our ‘running joke’. Let me quote, word for word, from his latest letter received last week, where he is telling me about Mary Throll (a retired Auckland agent) who is writing a book about New Zealand ‘Stars and Entertainers’. Quote; ‘I will tell her of the fire-eater (Tommy Orchard - Orchanté) who set fire to stage curtains in Invercargill; Council sent A/c to promoter (Mr King) in Christchurch. Both late Charles Hikana and Max Merritt (H.M.V. recording Star, now resident, and still working in L.A) are still laughing over this ‘accident’. ‘Poor Mr King, he is still paying $20 a week to Council at Invercargill – (ha, ha!)’ Unquote. Come on Trev. old mate. $20 per week since 1961 x 40 years; that’s $41.600, so far! There is a strong whiff of bull manure hanging in the air! ------------------ 22. 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. 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