* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #370 Date: Sunday 4th December 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. Magicians In The News This Week Links 3. TV In Dublin, Eire - 6th December 4. Why Some Magicians And Mentalists Achieve Celebrity Status 5. Trying To Locate "Franklin" Who Won FISM 6. The Magic Circle Recognises Outstanding Achievements 7. Magical Speaker Conjures Up Top Service Award 8. Vaudeville Is ALIVE In Vancouver, Canada 9. South Tyneside International Magic Week 10. Dave Goodsell's Thoughts 11. Cesareo Pelaez Back Home After Suffering A Stroke 12. Graham Fishman And Kaylar Drescher 13. December 10th Meeting - Bill Andrews S.Y.M. Assembly 14. The Daytona Festival Of Magic 15. The Castle Of Magic In Christchurch, New Zealand 16. The Amazing Orchante Saga 17. e-zine Archives 18. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice ------------------ 1. Editors Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Thank you Stan Sieler for pointing out an error in a URL that was published last week. Ham's sued over hiring of magician……. There should have been a dash between "news" and "record": http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051121/NEWSREC0101/511210307 --------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. Magicians In The News This Week Links ----------------- David Blaine lost 25% of body weight during glass box fast http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=34118 Medical News Today (press release) - UK Blaine was cared for by Jeremy Powell-Tuck, Professor of Clinical Nutrition, at Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry. ... Penn Jillette: There Is No God http://www.disinfo.com/site/displayarticle14278.html DisInfo.com - New York,NY,USA 'Penn Jillette - the taller, louder half of the comedy duo Penn & Teller - talks about his devout aethism on National Public Radio and his belief that there is ... Magician Casts His Spell on Wounded Troops in Texas http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Dec2005/20051202_3524.html US Department of Defense (press release) - Washington,DC,USA ... 22 to perform "street magic" for the wounded warriors recovering at the hospital. Magician David Blaine performs "street magic" Nov. ... Magician, friends perform for food bank http://www.courierpress.com/ecp/events/article/0,1626,ECP_765_4280785,00.html Evansville Courier & Press (subscription) - Evansville,IN,USA Baggett, a magician who specializes in comedy and illusions, organized a show with several of his colleagues to raise money for the Tri-State Food Bank, which ... Fans give Tice slim chance to return http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/13316314.htm Pioneer Press - St. Paul,MN,USA ... To save Tice's job it will take the following: David Blaine's magic, the reversal of the Randy Moss and Herschel Walker trades by the NFL, Cris Carter, John ... Merlina the Magician is very good at making things appear and disappear. Now, she's making history! http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/living/religion/13298638.htm ----------------- 3. TV In Dublin, Eire - 6th December ----------------- Message from Billy McComb They are flying me from Los Angeles to Dublin, Eire Dec 2nd to do one TV show on the Irish television network Dec 6th on the Keith Barry Show and back to Los Angeles Dec 9th. This is the Xmas show equivalent to the Jay Leno show in USA or the Michael Parkinson show on BBC. It's their top Xmas show. At 83 years old this is a great honour and I'm tickled to death. -------------------------------------------- 4. Why Some Magicians And Mentalists Achieve Celebrity Status -------------------------------------------- Message from Quentin Reynolds Why is it that some magicians and mentalists achieve celebrity status while many others, apparently more skilled and experienced are stuck with average fees and no fame? Doc Shiels, the man who raised the Loch Ness Monster will answer question that for you. Click Here for Details http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/adtrack.asp?AdID=180298 -------------------------------------------- 5. Trying To Locate "Franklin" Who Won FISM -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany Trying to locate "FRANKLIN" - the magician who won FISM in 1994 with his brilliant Lollipop Act. If anybody has an email or is able to contact him and get him to email me I would appreciate it very much. My email is paul@chaplinmagic.com --------------------------------------------- 6. The Magic Circle Recognises Outstanding Achievements -------------------------------------------- Message from David Beckley Press Officer of The Magic Circle The Magic Circle Recognises Outstanding Achievements Awards Presented at The Annual Banquet On Saturday night at the glittering occasion of The Annual Magic Circle Awards Banquet a number of well-known magicians were recognised for either their performing skills or their major contributions to the society and the world of magic in general. The presentations were: David Tomkins won The Cecil Lyle Award presented to the best magic trick submitted to The Magic Circular. The Magic Circle Centenary Close-up Magician award went to Nick Einhorn. The JN Maskelyne Award for Art and Literature was awarded jointly to Michael Bailey and Eddie Dawes for their outstanding publication 'Circle Without End' which details the history of The Magic Circle. The Carlton Award for comedy was presented to Peter Wardell - a very funny man indeed A Special Presentation, which recognised the huge amount of work in organising the 'Meet The Magic Circle' bookings, was made to Dianne O'brien. Silver Wands, also presented to people who make a major contribution to the running of our society, were presented to Michael Alderman Director of The CMA and Terry Snow, Our Technical Building Supervisor for many years. The Young Magician of the Year award had already been presented to Steve Dela and, following his cabaret appearance at the event, he was 'recognised' once more for his achievement. The Devant Award for an outstanding contribution to 'International Magic' was presented to John Calvert. John actually received the magnificent trophy at The Magic Circle Centenary and a film of the presentation was shown to mark the occasion. The Maskelyne Award for services to British magic was presented to Brian Miller, who, with his wife Audrey, not only performed an excellent cabaret act for a number of years but he also has acted as Treasurer of The Magic Circle for fifteen years a considerable length of time. Brian was the key figure in controlling the finances and registrations for The Centenary Celebration, a function he performed brilliantly. The Magic Circle Gold Medal, which is the highest degree one can achieve in our society and only presented to eight other magicians in our long history, was presented to Michael Bailey. Apart from being a past President of The Magic Circle Michael has, over the years, carried out a huge amount of work on behalf of our Club. Chairman of The Centenary Committee was just one of the achievements. He was also a major driving force in acquiring our magnificent Headquarters building and many people forget that he also starred in his own television series Mr and Mrs Magic. -------------------------------------------- 7. Magical Speaker Conjures Up Top Service Award -------------------------------------------- Message from Timothy Hyde (Aust) Corporate Magician & Educator, Timothy Hyde, was surprised and delighted last week to be awarded the prestigious Walter Dickman Award, presented each year by the National Speakers Association of Australia. "The Award honours the values, work ethic and generosity of Mr Walter Dickman, who blazed a trail in his career of over 50 years, that basically established the professional speaking and training industry in Australia" said Timothy. "It's a real thrill!" Timothy's work takes him all over Australia and New Zealand, delivering keynotes, training and corporate entertainment. The main focus of his work is developing the Creative Innovation potential in companies and providing Team Building events, but with his strong entertainment background as a magician and comedian, he is also in much demand as a Conference MC and After Dinner Speaker. The Award recognises both Timothy's commitment to the speaking industry, generously helping new speakers into the field and also his wider community involvement, helping over the years raise large sums of money for Birds Australia, Wires and the funding of a private conservation project in the Capertee Valley west of the Blue Mountains where he lives. For an overview of his work you are invited to visit his company website www.achieving.com.au -------------------------------------------- 8. Vaudeville Is ALIVE In Vancouver, Canada -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany Paul Romhany is joining forces with a very unique Vaudeville band 'The Razz Band' who were once very popular in Hollywood and throughout the USA. They will be presenting a Christmas Variety show at the Burr Theater in Vancouver Canada with the aim of getting this classic theatre up and running as a Vaudeville theatre where variety acts can come and work. The Theatre itself was built in the 1920's and Charlie Chaplin himself performed there! What makes this show so unique is that the RAZZ band will be playing all of Paul's music in his Chaplin Act LIVE onstage while Paul performs his highly acclaimed and original Magic Memories of Charlie Chaplin. Performance dates are: Dec 8, 9, 15, 16, 17 at 8pm and Dec 11 & 18 at 2pm (Matinee shows) Tickets are $18.00, seniors/students $15.00 and children under 10 are $10.00. This is truly a unique hour and half show taking the Chaplin Show to a complete new level. If you are in Vancouver, Canada make sure you catch the show www.chaplinmagic.com -------------------------------------------- 9. South Tyneside International Magic Week -------------------------------------------- Message from Martin Duffy South Tyneside International Magic Week South Shields, England 10 miles form Newcastle upon Tyne (There is an International airport there) Who brought you Sylvester the Jesters first UK appearance...and Michael Finney's...plus Paul Daniels performing his Malini show As magic consultant for the South Tyneside International Magic Week I can reveal we have Daniel Garcia, Doc Hilford, Whit Haydn, Paul Stone, Alec Powell and an amazing children's lecture by Charlie the Magician PLUS An Afternoon with David Berglas PLUS The first ever lecture by David & Dania (and Gala Show spots too!) - they are NOT lecturing at Blackpool - but are at FISM AFTER South Shields! PLUS more names to announce Email Karri at karri.prinn@southtyneside.gov.uk or call her on 424 7986 to register It is limited to 150 and registrants from last year and this have priority booking. We are up to 56 registrants already and its only been open a week now!! Dates are Friday 17th to Sunday 19th March 2006 -------------------------------------------- 10. Dave Goodsell's Thoughts -------------------------------------------- Message from Dave Goodsell Hello, fellow magicians, There has been a little discontent (very little, actually) floating around the Internet about the upcoming changes in MUM, and specifically regarding favorite columnists who will no longer have a voice in MUM. I want everyone to know that I continue to be a strong advocate for the S.A.M. it is a wonderful organization with wonderful people in it at all levels. Yes, MUM will change. If I were in John Moehring's shoes, I would change it too. He does not need to edit Dave Goodsell's MUM magazine. He needs to put his own imprint on it. Please do not be so hard on him. Give him a chance. If the only reason you held membership in the SAM was to read Shadowland and Allen Zingg's column in MUM, then you probably should not renew your membership and should subscribe to the Oracle. BUT, there are many more benefits to belonging to the SAM than receiving MUM. So please do not act in haste. Give John a chance! Again, Jann and I remain loyal members to the world's oldest magic organization. We are proud to be members. Finally, my partner in many magic endeavors and the retiring magic editor for MUM, Larry White, shares my sentiments completely. By the way, thank you for your friendship and support over the years. David Goodsell p.s. If you are wondering what ORACLE is, check out www.oraclemagicmagazine.com -------------------------------------------- 11. Cesareo Pelaez Back Home After Suffering A Stroke -------------------------------------------- Message from Bill Andrews (US) Cesareo Pelaez, founder and artistic director of the Le Grand David Spectacular Magic Company in Beverly, Massachusetts is now back at his home after suffering a stroke. He is able to visit the theatre and I am certain is in once again in charge. -------------------------------------------- 12. Graham Fishman And Kaylar Drescher -------------------------------------------- Message from Bill Andrews (US) Graham Fishman and Kaylar Drescher, two of my S.Y.M. members have been selected to compete in the Junior Stage Magic contest at the World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas, February 2006. -------------------------------------------- 13. December 10th Meeting - Bill Andrews S.Y.M. Assembly -------------------------------------------- Message from Bill Andrews (US) Any members of the magic fraternity being in the greater New York area are invited to attend the December 10th meeting of the Bill Andrews S.Y.M. Assembly in Stamford, Conn. The meeting is on Saturday morning beginning at 11:00 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon and the Stage Magic Show follows at 1p.m. This is our annual holiday party celebration. -------------------------------------------- 14. The Daytona Festival Of Magic -------------------------------------------- Message from Harry Allen (US) The Daytona Festival of Magic in Conjunction with the Florida State had a great convention November 4,5,6 2005. It was a sell out. Carl Ballantine was guest of Honor. Next years dates November 3, 4, 5 2006. The PENDRAGONS are featured. -------------------------------------------- 15. The Castle Of Magic In Christchurch, New Zealand -------------------------------------------- Message from Mike Hines (NZ) The Castle of Magic in Christchurch, New Zealand is fully operational once again following a change of ownership and location earlier this year. Now situated at Shop 3 Shades Arcade, 104 Hereford Street, Christchurch. New owner Mike Hines is regularly expanding the range of magic and is always keen to meet fellow magicians, so stop by for a chat when you are next in Christchurch. If you would like updates about new products and events please email shop@themagicshop.co.nz ----------------- 16. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 77 A few nails more, 'Angels'- and hypnotism - at the Wellington Opera House. Some time, early 1972, a Mr Gerald Weekes, engaged the 'ORCHANTÉ SHOW' for 10 days in May at the up coming 'Wanganui motor and Transport show', with the Mayor of Wellington, Sir Francis Kitts, officiating at the opening ceremony. Some wonderful publicity was generated when 'The Dominion', the major News Paper in Wellington, who were there covering the proceedings published a rather impressive feature photograph. The caption read: "Sir Francis Kitts, 'nails' the entertainer Orchante with 16 1/2 stone at the 'National Motor and Transport show', in Wanganui on Saturday night. The amazing Orchanté, and his bed of nails, was a feature attraction at the show, which drew a capacity crowd of 14,000". The organisers also ran a beauty contest, so during one of my shows, I got five of those lovelies to perform a great 'wobbling' act - standing on top of me during my 'nails' routine - they weighed a total of 43 stone - that sure was a lot of 'Beauty and Boobs'; I didn't mind! Talking about beauty, reminds me of the time I was performing at a fashion show for the New Zealand Wool Board. It was held in a huge marquee, with one corner section off to form a dressing room for all the models. I had crammed myself into a little cranny and was down on my hands and knees getting my equipment from out of my trunk. Then, a voice above me quietly said, "so what do you do then"? Still looking down, I turned around and spotted bare feet, followed by 'lo-o-o-n-g' bare legs, bare thighs, bare shaven- you-know-what, in fact, a perfectly formed-bare everything! 'Show' Business can be so kind, sometimes! Gerald Weekes, just happened to be a brilliant sketch cartoonist/artist/model-maker, and he decided that what the Orchante show needed was - 'a backdrop'. He set about painting one for me, on canvas, 20 ft long by ten-foot high! It was /is - 'Fantastic'. It pictures an Arabian style Castle, complete with turrets and windows. On the right hand side there is a large urn with a huge puff smoke coming from the spout, a la Aladdin's magic lamp, with my name -'ORCHANTE', in oriental style lettering, displayed in the middle of it. On the far left there is a tall palm tree, curving slightly to the left, and peaking thro the palm leaves, shines a yellowish crescent moon. Scattered on the ground, are what appears to be hundreds of multi-faceted, beautiful, scintillating, sparkling jewels! Gerald painted the whole scenario in perspective; as we 'performed', it appeared to be 'floating', 20 feet or so behind us. He used Fluorescent paint so that, with -'Black Lights', the 'windows' lit up, with a yellowish glow, as if with candlelight. Everything shimmered and glowed with the most gorgeous of colours. I can still remember Gerald standing back to look at it, and then declaring that, "Something is missing". He 'filled' a huge paintbrush with paint, stepped back and flicked it all over the canvas. For a moment, I thought he had ruined it but then, like magic, 'stars' appeared, glittering in the clear, desert night sky! (Eat your heart out, Rolf Harris) That backdrop served me well, for over 20 years (I've still got it, in perfect condition) in clubs, theatres even on cruise ships, around the world. The Harem/ Ali Baba style clothing that we wore, together with the exotic style of music (Arthur Lyman - Martin Denny) used in the show, blended in perfectly with the backdrop. It certainly set you apart, presentation wise, from all the other acts/artists! After making a huge bundle of cash from the overwhelming success of the Motor Show, Gerald and his partner (whose name I can't recall) who, between them, had financed the Motor Show, decided to finance, "The Amazing Orchanté - Hypnotism Show!" OH BOY, OH BOY, 'ANGELS'!!! Unfortunately, probably because they were so flushed with their highly successful Motor Show venture, they wouldn't listen to my advice in regards to -'show-business - a totally different 'kettle of fish' to a Motor Show. They wanted to start 'BIG' and then hit the 'SMALLS' - WRONG! Start out in the 'smalls' first, to iron out any problems - get the show running as smooth as ice, and build up a reputation as you go, THEN try your luck in a large City Theatre/Town Hall. They opted for, oh dear God: 'The Wellington Opera House'! ---------------- 17. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives ------------------ Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/fezine.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) ------------------- 18. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice ------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E-zine at www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html. Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday. The opinions expressed therein are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Magic New Zealand®. Neither Magic New Zealand® nor Alan Watson 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 they will not hold Magic New Zealand® or Alan Watson, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed therein. Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct or disregard any articles submitted. Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news items which may be of interest to subscribers. By submitting articles to this e-zine, the authors grant Magic New Zealand® the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm their copyright of the material submitted. All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected by international copyright legislation and articles must not be published for profit by anyone other than the individual authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this publication may be freely redistributed, but not sold, to other magicians if copied in its entirety, including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer. © Copyright 2005 Alan Watson