* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #385 Date: Sunday 12th February 2006 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. SAM 2006 Convention Louisville, KY 3. Pictures Wanted! 4. From Magician To Speaker Part Four 5. Magicians In The News This Week Links 6. New NBC TV Show Will Find The Next Siegfried And Roy 7. Steven's Magic/ Ayala EFX/ Julio Lipan Saga 8. Don England Lecture Chicago 9. How To Cheat Friends And Incriminate People 10. Charlie Fenn - Dancing Spring Magic 11. Podcast In The German Language 12. 32nd Annual Winter Carnival Of Magic 13. Margan Strebler And Kostya Kimlat Guest Star On Magic Radio 14. NZ, Aucklands 6th Annual Buskers Festival 15. The Amazing Orchante Saga 16. e-zine Archives 17. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice ------------------ 1. Editors Message ------------------- Are you planning to attend the IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention?? To get the best registration price and seating register NOW! The American Society of Magicians information and registration page: http://www.magicsam.com/publicdownloads/2008RegForm.doc The International Brotherhood of Magicians Information and registration page: http://www.magician.org/convention2008.htm --------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. SAM 2006 Convention Louisville, KY ----------------- Message from George Schindler Dean of the American Society of Magicians July 12-13-14-15 To register go to: http://www.magicsam.com//samshop/convreg.html Convention Opens Wednesday, July 12 Convention concludes with the President's All-Convention Reception on Saturday, July 15 from 10 p.m. to Midnight. Early Bird Events for Tuesday, July 11 Registration Desk opens at 5 p.m. Dealers open at 6 p.m. Contestant Briefings at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 National Council Meeting (morning) S.A.M. Dealers 1 p.m. Opening Ceremonies Junior Stage contest New "S.A.M. Sessions" Spousal Welcome Dealers Young Magicians' Scavenger Hunt Gala Show: Senior Contest and People's Choice Award Stage Show Thursday, July 13 S.A.M. Dealers Close-Up Contests New "S.A.M. Sessions" S.A.M. University Lectures Evening Gala: "Bargatze's Boys!" "Bonus Late Night Show" Friday, July 14 S.A.M. Dealers S.A.M. University Lectures Stars of Tomorrow Show Belle of Louisville Magic Cruise (first 750 Registrants only!) Young Magicians' Autograph Party New "S.A.M. Sessions" Evening Gala: "The All Gal Gala!" Saturday, July 15 S.A.M. Dealers Contest Awards Ceremony Pro Close-up Gala New "S.A.M. Sessions" S.A.M. University Lectures International Banquet and Installation of Officers Evening Gala: "Homecoming Gala!" President's All-Convention Reception and Big Screen Convention Review (10 p.m. to Midnight) A blockbuster track for Young Magicians will weave its way through the entire Convention, including Young Magician-only lectures, workshops, and special events. The S.A.M. University Lectures are enhanced by big screen live video! Additional events that will be scheduled later: Magic Circle Reception (Members Only) SAMTalk Forum Life Members Reception Occult Investigation Committee --------------------------------------------- 3. Pictures Wanted! -------------------------------------------- Message from Albert Colcoran For my new book "TOP TEN TRICKS, From Close-up to Illusion", 316 pages, (publish December 2006, I hope), I want to buy pictures of the (Scandinavian?) magician with the act where all the props are entirely made of Plexiglas. Particularly from his closing trick, the incredible transforming of doves to a lady on the bridge. I'm also interested in film-video-DVD, if possible. Please contact me if you can help me. Albert Colcoran, Sagebrush Ave, Cheyenne, WY 82009, USA alcolco@yahoo.com --------------------------------------------- 4. From Magician To Speaker Part Four -------------------------------------------- Message Quentin Reynolds Being the Expert Last week you discovered how to find a topic that you're really interested in and is something people will pay to hear you talk about. If you want to get any decent fees at all you must be seen to be an expert on your subject. Don't recoil at the thought. You probably know far more on the subject than you think. If you're really interested in the subject you will subconsciously store information about it. A seven year old who's mad about football will be able to repeat the weekend scores after only hearing them once. He'll be able to tell you endless details about his favourite team and its players. Yet he may not be able to even tell you what was covered that day in school! You may not be a world expert but the chances are you are at least 90% of the way there. Get someone to interview you on the subject and tape the interview. Get someone who is good at drawing out information - perhaps a journalist or researcher. Once you relax you will open up and be amazed at what comes out. Particularly you want to make note of any stories that come to mind - especially personal stories from your own experience. These stories will form a vital part of your speech when you come to craft it. If you have a pocket dictaphone or audio recording device carry it with you and whenever something pops into your mind, record it. Some mobile phones have a memo function to leave messages for yourself. If you wake up in the middle of the night with an idea, record it or write it down immediately. Neglecting to do so means that in the morning you will remember you had a great idea but you won't recall what it was. Next you need to do ongoing research and study. Even if you don't know a lot about your subject you can become an expert on it in a year by devoting forty-five minutes a day. This can be reading or listening to tapes or CDs while driving in your car. Stop listening to the radio while driving and turn your car into a university on wheels. One of the fastest ways of developing expertise in any subject is to read the last twelve months of trade magazines from that industry or niche. You will quickly be able to spot the trends and the hot buttons of the industry. Just think if you were to give a layman the last twelve months issues of MAGIC or GENII. He could go to a convention and be able to talk intelligently to anyone and leave the impression of being very knowledgeable. Now this layman wouldn't be great on the technical side (how tricks work) but on all other aspects he'd be up to date and probably know more about current trends than 95% of the magicians there. If this layman spent 45 minutes a day studying magic for the next year he could hold his own with 99% of all magicians. Next week we'll talk about how to turn your expertise into a speaking based profit centre. © Quentin Reynolds. Quentin Reynolds works as both magician and speaker. You can read about one of his programs at http://www.speakinschools.com -------------------------------------------- 5. Magicians In The News This Week Links -------------------------------------------- Touch of magic to boost Nine's ratings bid http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2006/02/04/1138958948659.htmlEmbattled broadcaster Channel Nine hopes to pull a rabbit out of a hat, pinning its fortunes on an unknown 24-year-old magician. James Galea last week signed a deal... The name game http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060211/LIFESTYLE/602110340/1005/LIFESTYLE01 DetNews.com - Detroit,MI,USA ... Other recent celebrity baby names include Moxie Crime Fighter, child of famous magician Penn Jillette of Penn & Teller; Praise Mary Ella, daughter of rapper DMX ... Zany theater troupe brings meditation on life, death to Maine ... http://www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=128826 Bangor Daily News - Bangor,ME,USA ... West Coast, the Brothers K went national when they were invited to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, to replace the act that went on to become Penn & Teller. ... New Yorkers visit storm-damaged New Orleans to promote tourism http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--katrina-newyorker0210feb10,0,6043264.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork Newsday - Long Island,NY,USA ... 29. It was the beginning of a two-day visit by the New York group, which included magician David Blaine, who entertained passers-by and signed autographs. ... It's not an illusion, it's David Copperfield http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2006/02/09/news/lake_life/feat04.txt Auburn Citizen - Auburn,NY,USA By Laura Boyce / The Citizen. Magician David Copperfield is no dreaming illusion. He is living, breathing and coming to the Oncenter in Syracuse. David Copperfield vanishes the skeptics http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060209/LIFESTYLE/602090321/1004 Press & Sun-Bulletin - Binghamton,NY,USA By SARAH D'ESTI MILLER. After seeing David Copperfield at The Forum for Wednesday's sold-out matinee performance, I have to say I am a believer. ... Sin City TV http://www.unlvrebelyell.com/article.php?ID=8791 UNLV The Rebel Yell - Las Vegas,NV,USA ... chase), "Vegas" features a slew of celebrity guests, some of them include Rachel Leigh Cook, Dennis Rodman, Jon Levitz, Wayne Newton, Lance Burton, Penn and ... -------------------------------------------- 6. New NBC TV Show Will Find The Next Siegfried And Roy -------------------------------------------- Message from Jack Straw New NBC TV show will find the next Siegfried and Roy and reward him/her with a show in a Las Vegas. Simon says: Get ready, Vegas Wannabe singing stars on the television singing competition American Idol have been known to cringe whenever judge Simon Cowell speaks. But would-be magicians and other Las Vegas-style entertainers could soon become just as nervous if the acid-tongued Brit finds a judge as outspoken as himself for a new talent competition. Cowell will create a show for NBC that allows viewers to ultimately decide which performer is rewarded with a headline spot in a Las Vegas show, NBC announced Thursday. Cowell will executive produce the program but leave the judging to someone else this time. ''Personally, I hope to find the next Siegfried and Roy,'' Cowell said of the magicians who were a Las Vegas mainstay for decades. The show, scheduled to debut in the summer, will feature hopeful future stars from across the country who audition before a panel of celebrity judges. The show has yet to be named. -------------------------------------------- 7. Steven's Magic/ Ayala EFX/ Julio Lipan Saga -------------------------------------------- Message from Jack Straw Steven's Magic and Ayala EFX (Joaquin Ayala's new company) compete to manufacture and distribute Jonathan Pendragon's 360 levitation... It begin in 1987 Jonathan Pendragon working with Marcelli-Heller Productions, developed a new levitation. The difference with this levitation in comparison with the predecessors before it, the woman floating could move up and down, and twist and float and fly through a hoop as she traveled 360 degrees around Jonathan's body. A few rip-off's occurred immediately following The Pendragon's performance on the 1987 Disney Special. These rip-off's were justified, by crediting this particular 360 LEVI to Barclay Shaw. (of course Shaw didn't give permission for his type of a circular levitation in 1987!) Pendragon's was not Shaw's.... Pendragon's 360 LEVI enabled the woman to travel freely around the body of the magician, while the magician stayed in the same position facing the audience. Shaw's the magician had to walk the woman around him. Forward to 2006, Respected and talented illusionist Joaquin Ayala begins a company called AYALAEFX in Las Vegas. Ayala approached Jonathan to form a partnership to manufacture the 360 LEVI. They come to an agreement, shook hands and Ayala began marketing his new product, only to run into a BIG problem. Steven's Magic Emporium is advertising a 360 LEVI made by a Brazilian by the name of Julio Lipan. The marketing campaign is already in full force with ads in Magic Magazine, and Steven's catalog. This is a devastating blow to Ayala , who with respected ethics sought, and was given permission to manufacture and sell the Pendragon 360 LEVI. Ayala contacted me earlier this month regarding this matter. I like to know there are good people in our profession, that can work out a situation like Ayala is in. Apparently from emails to The Pendragons, the situation is being worked out. The entire affair was a misunderstanding of proprietorship. Steven's mistakenly thought the levi was credited to another magician. The latest news, is Steven's , Ayala and The Pendragon's are working a out a deal together. Soon magicians can buy a 360 LEVI conscious in tack through Steven's Magic Emporium. This one will be made by AYALAEFX and credited rightfully to Pendragon. Magicians purchasing this device will join the ranks of Lance Burton, Joseph Gabriel, Steve Wyrick and others who own and perform this illusion that have gone through the proper channels to perform this unique levitation. I will keep you updated.... -------------------------------------------- 8. Don England Lecture Chicago -------------------------------------------- Message from Sam Martin March 19, 2006 1:00 PM Hampton Inn Ottawa, Illinois The man famous for making the best gaffed cards in the magic underground is surfacing again. Over the past few years Don England has been creating extremely visual magic using poker chips, and he wants to share his creations with the magic fraternity. Creations, because each effect uses specially gaffed props, hand crafted by Don, allowing you to perform these wonderful effects. Don will have these custom crafted gaffs available to you along with 3 new DVD's including: Don's Six Pack - 6 new card effects, plots and twists. Audience tested and ready for use. Poker Chip Magic - The perfect companion to the lecture with performance and explanation of everything you will see in the lecture. Gaffed to the Hilt - A live taping of Don lecturing at Abbott's teaching how he makes gaffed cards and performance and explanation of some of the effects in that impossible to obtain book. If you've always wanted the book now is your chance to get the video. Worth coming to the lecture just for the chance to get this DVD! Don't miss this once in a lifetime chance to learn from DON ENGLAND. CALL NOW 815-434-2611 to reserve your seat! Cost is $20.00 -------------------------------------------- 9. How To Cheat Friends And Incriminate People -------------------------------------------- Message from Nicholas Johnson (Aust) See classic cons and devious deceptions brought to life by entertainer and con artist Nicholas J. Johnson in this hilarious new show. From the Las Vegas card sharps to the fakirs of the Indian marketplaces to the primetime psychics, How to Cheat Friends and Incriminate People will show you how to avoid being duped, conned and bamboozled by a master of the art. How to Cheat Friends and Incriminate People brings to life four classic types of con artists: The Snake Oil Salesman, The Medium, The Gambler and The Guru. Each one uses a unique combination of sleight of hand, psychology and other deceptions to convince their victims to part with their money.  Start your own religion by walking on broken glass!  Exorcise people with an egg!  Look like a genius! Talk to the dead...and get them to talk back!  Cheat at cards and not get caught! Nicholas J. Johnson is an oddity. He is an honest con artist and a counterfeit fraud, recreating the scams of criminals for entertainment. In his twenty year career, Nicholas has learnt from card sharps, phony psychics, reformed felons, magicians, sideshow performers, pickpockets and experts in the world of the con. He once stole the watch off the wrist of an FBI agent, beat a group of Canadian Mounties at three card monte and even fooled the detectives of Scotland Yard! Wednesday 22nd February at 7:00pm Thursday 23rd February at 7:00pm Friday 24th February at 7:00pm and 9:00pm Saturday 25th February at 7:00pm and 9:00pm All Tickets $15 through the Street Theatre -------------------------------------------- 1O. Charlie Fenn - Dancing Spring Magic -------------------------------------------- Message from Charlie Fenn We will be displaying this year at the following conventions: Feb - World Magic Seminar, Las Vegas; March - Wintercarnival, Pigeon Forge, TN, - Glass City Conclave, Toledo, Ohio; April - Hank Lee's Conclave, Cape Cod, Mass.; June - Twin City Convention - Bristol, Tn, IBM, Miami; July - SAM, Louisville, Ky; Sept - TAOM, Dallas, TX; November - Daytona/Fla State, Daytona Bch, FL Would love to see anyone from down under to stop by!! Charlie Fenn - Dancing Spring Magic -------------------------------------------- 11. Podcast In The German Language -------------------------------------------- Message from Manipulix (Germany) I would like to ask if you could do a link or make a short note to my podcast. I'm publishing the first magic Podcast in the German language area. Here a link to the RSS - feed. http://www.manipulix.de/pub/rss/pod.xml On the other hand one can download the podcasts from my download area at my site http://www.manipulix.com -------------------------------------------- 12. 32nd Annual Winter Carnival Of Magic -------------------------------------------- Message from Mike Stratman The 32nd annual Winter Carnival Of Magic, sponsored by Ring 58 of the International Brotherhood of Magicians will be held March 2-4, 2006 in Pigeon Forge TN. Featured performers include, Gene Anderson, Todd Charles, Chase Curtis, Terry Elton, Paul Gertner, Duane Laflin, Shayna Reed, George Saterial, Johnny Thompson and Joseph Young. Thursday evening will start off with "An Evening With Johnny Thompson". Two full evening stage shows, six lectures, close up show, close up contest, stage contest and over 8 Dealers will round out the rest of the venue. Register through Conutry Tonight Theater, (1-800-792-4308) for reserved seating. For more details go to our web site: www.winter-carnival.net. -------------------------------------------- 13. Margan Strebler And Kostya Kimlat Guest Star On Magic Radio -------------------------------------------- Message from Ryan Pilling It's a star-studded event tonight on Magic Broadcast as Sam Blankenship takes the reigns of everybody's favourite Magic Radio station. Starting at 6:45 PM Pacific (9:45 Eastern) we'll see what Steve Vaughn pulls "Off The Shelf" for review of magic items new and old. Don't spend a dime until Steve gives you the go-ahead. At 7 PM, Sam hosts "Shop Talk", a discussion of the business of magic and issues that affect us all. at 8 PM Pacific, 11 Eastern, our flagship live show gets underway with another "Saturday Night Session"... these week featuring live appearances from Morgan Strebler... if you haven't heard about what Morgan's working on... WOW... and Kostya Kimlat... fast-rising magic star (and rightfully so) as seen on the cover of MAGIC magazine in January. Be there, or be stuck on a ceiling. http://www.magicbroadcast.com/info/people.php -------------------------------------------- 14. NZ, Aucklands 6th Annual Buskers Festival -------------------------------------------- Message from Greg Chapman (NZ) For the past week I have been imersed in Aucklands 6th Annual Buskers Festival, not as a performer but as a part of the audience for dozens of shows and street performances. There were 20 performers from all over the world performing magic, escapes, juggling, acrobatics, contortion, circus stunts and comedy. The level of entertainment was fantastic. I attended the first Comedy Club Showcase at the Classic on Wednesday and it was a packed house. The energy of the show was through the roof and the acts were amazing. The next night saw a slightly smaller crowd and different performers but was also a roaring success. After a huge Friday night show with about six or seven acts, I spent a lot of Saturday catching other acts at Ohagens square and came back again for the evening show. All the evening shows attracted an audience of around a thousand people. The energy was tremendous and it was great to be a part of so much fun and festivity. Congratulations to Nick Nickolas who coordinated all the performers and shows, and all the acts that made it such a great festival. This is what entertainment is all about. ----------------- 15. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 86 Skippee, Skippee, Skippy the Bush kangaroo Every time I open up the lid of my 'bottomless' aluminium trunk, it feels like I'm blindingly inserting my hands into the - 'Swirling, Nebulous Mists of Times and Memories Past'. On this occasion the original itinerary (with amendments) for a South Island tour, fluttered up from its unfathomable depths into my fingers, which is how this episode got started. David McKee, promoter in Auckland, telephoned me saying that he'd had a query from a promoter who was based in the capital city of New Zealand - Wellington, regarding a show that was to tour the South Island for a total of 18 performances. The INTERNATIONAL 'TELEVISION STAR' headlining the show was -'SKIPPY - THE BUSH KANGAROO'! The tour dates were from August -16th to the 24th - the year was 1973. "Unfortunately", David said, "the money is pathetic, 'McDonald' is only offering $250, the miserable sod, so it's up to you whether you take it or not but, forgetting the money (which wasn't difficult), the publicity should be fantastic - oh, and by the way, your mate Peter Newberry' - 'Crunchy the Clown', will be on the tour as well". Well it was only nine days, we had nothing else on and we should at least, have a good time. "Okay Dave" I said, "we'll do it". FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE INTERESTED, ESPECIALLY EX PAT KIWIS, HERE IS THE ITINERARY, WHICH, MORE THAN LIKELY, WILL MAKE YOU FEEL RATHER HOMESICK - IT DOES ME. Thursday 16th August: Skippy arrives CHRISTCHURCH airport 12:45pm - TV and press promotion then leave for TIMARU. More promotion. Distance - 100 miles Friday 17th - leave TIMARU for DUNEDIN - even more promotion, 130 miles. LEAVE FOR INVERCARGILL - still more promotions. 140 miles. Saturday 18th - perform six shows at INVERCARGILL CIVIC THEATRE - 10:30am, 12, 2, 4, 5:30 and 7pm then LEAVE FOR GORE - 50 miles . Sunday 19th - perform three shows at St Mary's - 12, 1:30 and 2:30pm. LEAVE GORE FOR BALCLUTHA - 50 miles - one show only, at 5:00pm then LEAVE FOR DUNEDIN - 50 miles. Monday 20th - worked five shows at the DUNEDIN IN TOWN HALL - 10:30am, 12, 2, 4, and 5:15pm. LEAVE FOR OAMARU - 50 miles. Tuesday 21st - two shows at the OPERA HOUSE, OAMARU, 9:30 and 11am then leave for TIMARU - 50 miles; three performances at the THEATRE ROYAL - 2:30, 4, and 5:30pm. LEAVE FOR CHRISTCHURCH - 100 miles. Wednesday 22nd - four shows at the CHRISTCHURCH TOWN HALL - 10 and 11:30am, 1 and 3 pm. then LEFT FOR BLENHEIM - 200 miles. Thursday 23rd - two shows at the BLENHEIM CENTENNIAL HALL - 9:30 and 11 am then LEFT FOR NELSON - 75 miles. Perform two at the TRAFALGAR CENTRE - 3:30 and 5pm then RETURNED BLENHEIM to stay the night. Friday 24th - LEFT BLENHEIM FOR CHRISTCHURCH where originally, we should have gone to the airport to fly back home to Auckland. We stay the night. Saturday 25th - JAMES HAY THEATRE CHRISTCHURCH. We worked four shows, 10 and 11am, 12:30 and 2:30pm. The original contract was for 18 SHOWS - WE DID 26 - EIGHT EXTRA! The overwhelming success of the Skippy tour was way beyond Tom McDonald's wildest imagination, or anybody else's for that matter. EVERY SHOW WAS TOTALLY AND UTTERLY PACKED OUT! CONTINUES NEXT WEEK ---------------- 16. 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) ------------------- 17. 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 2006 Alan Watson