* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #306 Date: Saturday 1st January 2005 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. Looking For New Editor For M-U-M Magazine   3. New Year's Resolution? - Attend The S.A.M. Convention In Boston!   4. IBM Ring 26 Past President Liz Konzen Has Died   5. Glass City Conjurors Conclave   6. New MSN Community Group For Magicians   7. Tim Ellis & Sue-Anne Webster's Latest Set Of DVDs   8. Magic Show Conference May 12-14, 2005   9. Al Sharpe Collapsed And Passed Away   10. Magic-Fete 2005 In Kolkata, India   11. Comedy Smoking Flower - Jamie-G   12. The Amazing Orchante Saga   13. e-zine Archives   14. Subscription Management ------------------ 1. Editors Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Michele and I would like to wish you and your families a happy and prosperous New Year. ----------------- Nicole and I are performing daily at Rainbows End until the 4th January. From the 5th January to the 31st January Melanie, Aleshia and I will be performing our new magic and illusion show on centre stage at Rainbows End. -------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. Looking For New Editor For M-U-M Magazine ----------------- Message from George Schindler - S.A.M - Public Relations Society Of American Magicians Announces A Search Committee For New Editor Of M-U-M Magazine. David Goodsell, editor of M-U-M Magazine, the house organ of the Society of American Magicians, plans to step down in 2006 after 30 years of tenure. To insure continuity, the Society has begun a nationwide search for a replacement for this paid multi-year contractual position. The selected individual will be allowed flexibility to build and implement his/her business plan subject to approval of the National Council of the Society of American Magicians. Interested persons residing anywhere in the United States may apply. For full qualification details see the Society of American Magicians home page news at www.magicsam.com or contact Richard Dooley: doolini@aol.com The selection of a small group of finalists will begin on March 15 so if you are interested you are encouraged to obtain application materials as soon as possible. ----------------- 3. New Year's Resolution? - Attend The S.A.M. Convention In Boston! ----------------- Message from Maria Ibanez Society of American Magicians - National Second Vice President The year 2004 is coming to its end as 2005 rapidly makes its entrance; so, as you prepare to grab the horns, whistles and celebration hats, why not take a few minutes to celebrate your New Year's resolution to attend the S.A.M. convention in Boston? There are many great reasons to attend this year (not that there aren't other years).. The "Big Dig" has been dug Relive history at the Old North Church Stroll Beacon Street to the State House Shop Faneuil Hall Market Shop to save real bucks at Filene's Basement Visit the U.S.S. Constitution and Bunker Hill Eat bit at Durgin Park Listen to the Boston Pops by the Charles River Ride the Swan Boats at Boston Public Gardens And the #1 BEST reason... to attend the 77th International S.A.M. Convention. There is less than a month left for you to register before the costs go up. Take a minute now to send in your registration Register now and save! Virginia Apperson, Registrar 2812 Idaho Granite City, IL 62010 Tel: 618-451-9749 E mail: sam@appsmagic.com Register online www.magic.sam.com ----------------- 4. IBM Ring 26 Past President Liz Konzen Has Died ----------------- Message from Jerry Wiesenberg - President, Ring 26 It is with deep regret that I announce that IBM Ring 26's beloved past President and long term Secretary and newsletter editor passed on last week, after a short illness. Liz was well known throughout the IBM Brotherhood for her love of magic, friendliness and innovative Ring programs which have been adopted by many other Rings. Liz's "EST" night was a favorite Ring 26 program in which members performed a short routine based upon an "est" ending. Funniest, strangest, hardest routines were accepted, but never a longest!!! Ring 26 will continue this annual tradition in each of our future years. Liz attended all of the annual IBM conventions with her husband Steve and their suggestions and contributions there were well accepted. And her involvement and guidance in our Ring's operations were more than appreciated. She will be missed, not only by the New York magic community but other magicians throughout the world! ----------------- 5. Glass City Conjurors Conclave ----------------- Message from Harold Twaddle The Toledo Society of Magicians, Ring 68 in Toledo Ohio is presenting its 31st year of hosting the Glass City Conjurors Conclave. This is going to be held on March 18 and 19 in 2005. And is going to be another great convention like those in the past. Some of our performers already lined up are Sylvester The Jester, Bob Sheets, Robert Baxt, Dean Hankey, Tim Wright, The Great Bobini, The Magic of Evad and Rick Allen, with more to come. Also see our ad in the Linking Ring. For a current update, please check out the Glass City Conjurors website at: www.glasscitymagic.com/. ----------------- 6. New MSN Community Group For Magicians ----------------- Message from Brenton Foale (Aust) Brenton Foale, from Melbourne, Australia, has been busy putting together a new MSN Community group strictly for magicians and students of magic. Participation by members in the group is always welcome in the form of contributing articles, joining in with the discussions, announcing any public appearances, news, sharing ideas and tips, routines, anything to do with magic. You can even sell, buy or trade items of magic with other interested members. The group, run through the MSN Community Groups, is only open to magicians, clowns, and the allied arts. Please click on this link, and fill in an application form including what your interest in magic is. http://groups.msn.com/WorldWideSecretSociety ----------------- 7. Tim Ellis & Sue-Anne Webster's Latest Set Of DVDs ----------------- Message from Craig Mitchell (South Africa) If any of you are looking for a great new year's gift - do yourself a favour and check out Tim Ellis & Sue-Anne Webster's latest set of DVDs .. they're simply fantastic! Its not often you come across a DVD which has unbelievable material, great production values and is downright hilarious .. If you haven't had the privilege of seeing them lecture live - this is definitely the next best thing .. can't recommend them highly enough .. www.murphysmagicsupplies.com/catalog/dvd/html/DVDTE24YE.html www.murphysmagicsupplies.com/catalog/dvd/html/DVDTEELLI.html ----------------- 8. Magic Show Conference May 12-14, 2005 ----------------- Message Marty Hahne Lafling Magic and Dazzling Magic are pleased to announce the second Magic Show Conference, to be held May 12-14, 2005, in Branson, Missouri. Those of you who read MAGIC Magazine probably remember reading all about the numerous magic acts now working in Branson. It is the perfect location for a magic conference. Duane and Mary Laflin, and Marty and Brenda Hahne, will present a 3-day conference, focusing on how to perform better shows. Yes, you'll learn some new tricks and routines, but the emphasis will be on how to present entertaining magic in various markets. We'll have TEN Lectures, a show performed by our staff, and we'll attend two big Branson shows! All this for just $125 dollars! And we have a fantastic room rate at the Cobblestone Inn and Conference Center, of just $49 dollars a night. You can read reviews from last year's attendees, and get more information about this year's conference, just by going to www.dazzlingmagic.com. Thanks, and we guarantee everyone will have a great time in the Ozarks! ----------------- 9. Al Sharpe Collapsed And Passed Away ----------------- Message from Maria Ibanez Society of American Magicians - National Second Vice President Greetings: Just received a phone call from Dr. Ed Pendergast of Denver, Colorado who informed me that Al Sharpe collapsed and passed away on December the 22nd while out shopping for a gift for his wife. Mr. Sharpe was 83 years of age and had been making plans to attend several conventions and events coming up including the Magic Circle Centenary this coming July. In May of this year MAGIC magazine had an 8 page article on Mr. Sharpe including coverage back to the 30's when he was touring and performing his stage shows. Further details and/or information may be received through Dr. Pendergast by e-mailing him at mystic@ecentral.com. On behalf of myself, my family and the S.A.M. our deepest condolence to Mr. Sharpe's family and friends. ----------------- 10. Magic-Fete 2005 In Kolkata, India ----------------- Message Salil Kumar Kundu, TVP - India I had posted the following in on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 10:16 PM Kindly send all queries to solylkundu@vsnl.com instead of Magic-Fete_2005@bigfoot.com as stated below until further announcement. Best regards. MAGICordially, Solyl Salil Kumar Kundu, TVP - India (N) ----------------- 11. Comedy Smoking Flower - Jamie-G ----------------- Message from Jamie-G (Canada) Effect: While the magician is performing he lights a cigarette. He then goes to his table and brings out a long stem rose. The magician blows smoke from the cigarette to the rose. After that the rose starts smoking. (Smoke piles from the rose). Requirements: You will need these props: A squirt flower, a fake plastic rose, green flower tape, scissors, baby powder and a puff cigarette. Hint: You can get the squirt flower from a joke shop. The green flower tape you can get at a flower shop, and a fake plastic rose from a dollar store, baby powder and a puff cigarette. None of these props should cost much. Set-Up: When you buy the squirt flower it comes with a long thin hose and the little gimmick built in the top of the rose. Now take the plastic rose and take the head off the stem. (We are going to use the stem) Take the stem and the top squirt gimmick and tape it to the top of the plastic stem. (With the green flower tape.) Note: The squirt gimmick (rose top) and the small tube are hooked up before you start taping. The tube is long enough to squirt water but instead you are squirting baby powder. Set-Up#2: Once the squirt gimmick is taped to the stem you have to tape the tube down the stem of the flower. Just tape small sections down the stem. Make sure that the tube runs down passed the stem then trim the tube so it is even. Once you’re done that, run all the way up the stem with the green flower tape. The squirt gimmick comes with a squeeze ball, fill it with baby powder and hook to the bottom of the stem and your ready to go. Method: Before the show the flower is already set up on your table. Some time during your show and the music is playing, you light up a cigarette. (Pull out a puff cigarette and lighter and put cigarette in your mouth and pretend to light the cigarette. Put the lighter back in your pocket. When you blow into the cigarette it looks like smoke comes out of the cigarette and it is lit. Make sure they see the smoke. Go to your table and get the rose. At any time blow the smoke near the rose then all you do is squeeze the ball lightly and the smoke will come out of the rose. You look at the rose like your in shock while smoke is still coming from your cigarette. This is the funny part take your cigarette and place it in your pocket. After this you can discard the rose in your table.) Extra: You still can use water in this rose it shoots water at a very far distance so you could put a effect together towards a childrens show by using water in the rose, also if you take your time with making the rose the rose will look real. Hope you enjoy.. ----------------- 12 The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Tex Morton plus The Great Orchante 'POTSHOTS' - but first, a little more history about Tex. Since 1932, he had been a famous folk-singer. In 1936, throughout Australasia his records sold more than ALL THE ARTISTS IN THE WORLD. His sales were in the millions, long before 'gold' records were heard of. His programmes of folk-songs, poetry, and country music had been a feature on A.B.C. (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) and overseas networks, for many years, and he had become known as a combination of Burl Ives and Charles Laughton (the famous actor/poetry reader). Ranging from cowboy folk songs and sea shanties, to readings of Shakespeare, Kipling, Dickens and the like, one classical critic when reviewing a record of Tex's readings from Kipling, 'Banjo Patterson' etc., wrote; 'he has a voice like a quartet of cellos!'. My old friend Johnny (the Maori Cowboy) Cooper (now QSM) - aged 71, started HIS musical career listening country stars like Tex Morton, copying and singing his songs. MARKSMANSHIP- Get set, steady, s-t-e-a-d-y, take aim, FIRE! Tex was regarded as one of the finest snap, standing-shooters in the world. Night after night, I watched Tex's sharp-shooting act - he never missed - Tex never 'got set', or aimed - it was simply, from rifle held at his side, to - up, point, fire - hitting the target, whatever it may have been, with unerring accuracy. He was a holder of many CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES, CUPS AND MEDALS, in several parts of the world, and originally developed his sharp-shooting act for presentation for Rodeos 'Shooting-meets' before the public. He often doubled in difficult shooting scenes, for film stars in Hollywood, where he lived for a time, becoming well known as a fine character actor on Television and Radio, and also on films, plus doing a tour each year to some part of the world. WHANGAREI - First night, we bowled into town, and Tex, ever the showman, to drum up publicity (which he didn't need, as the Town Hall was sold out) headed for the best, biggest local pub for a drink - with me in tow - to meet 'the boys'. When Tex walked into any pub/bar, the place would be in an immediate uproar. He and his famous hat were instantly recognisable - every man and his dog wanted to shake his hand. Although he was world famous, he was just 'one of the boys' - that's how he came across, and how he was accepted, but with the greatest respect. Anyhow, this particular pub, that was right across the road from the local police station, sported one of the longest bars I've ever seen, and the place was packed with drinkers. I guess we'd been there around half an hour or so, with me doing Close-up magic at the bar, in between Tex regaling everyone with his stories, when Tex said quietly 'Hey, Tom - go out to the car and get my rifle and stand!' Tex used a .22 rifle for his sharp-shooting act. It broke down into 3 pieces, and fitted into a wooden case. His target was about 2 - 2 !/2 feet in diameter, steel backed, and sat upright on a special stand. I KNEW WHAT WAS COMING! I just couldn't believe what he was about to do, in a pub that just happened to be opposite the local 'Cop Shop'. Tex grabs some poor, hapless bloke, who seemed to be reasonably sober, and plants him to the left hand side of the target - gets him to hold a playing card by the bottom corner, his arm outstretched, with the card in front of the target, and edge-on to Tex. Tex, down the other end of the lengthy bar, slots a .22 bullet into the rifle, warns the chap not to move, and tells everybody to stand still, and then, in a blink of an eye, he lifts the rifle and fires all in the same instant - THE PLAYING CARD, HIT BY THE BULLET, SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE, AS THOUGH CAREFULLY PEELED APART. It was an amazing feat, which I saw, time and again – but this, was AFTER he'd had a few drinks. Astonishing! One day, we were driving between towns on a dusty road, somewhere up Kaitaia, Kerikeri way, and a pheasant flew across the front of the car and landed on the road behind us. By the time Tex pulled up, we must have been 100 yards or so down the road. Tex jumped out of the car, grabbed the rifle case from the back seat, put the rifle together, and - talk about timing - by the time he got the rifle loaded, the pheasant took off, and Tex, like a skeet-shooter, (except this wasn't a shot-gun) with one shot, downed the bird. Guess what we had for dinner that night! CONCLUSION NEXT EXPISODE! ------------------ 13. 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) ------------------- 14. 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. Neither Magic New Zealand nor Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand e-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree that they will not hold Magic New Zealand and or Alan Watson liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed herein. We reserve the right to edit, correct or, in our discretion, choose not to publish any submissions provided to Magic New Zealand for potential publication. Magic New Zealand welcomes readers to submit timely articles or news items which appear to be of interest to our readers. 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