* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #400 Date: Sunday 2nd April 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. The Magic Castle Friday Lunch Menu News 3. College Of Magic In The New York Times ! 4. An Article On Channing Pollock From The London Times 5. From Magician To Speaker Part Eleven 6. Meetings with Remarkable Magicians #4 - Nick Lewin 7. Mr. Ash Lecture April 3 Magic Inc, Chicago IL 8. The Swedish Magic Circle Celebrating Their 60th 9. P&T Serve As A fan Grand Marshals 10. The Tour Of "The Comedy Of Errors" In The UK 11. Dick Randall Dies 12. MagicBroadcast News 13. IBM Convention Judges Wanted 14. The Florida Association Of Magical Entertainers (F.A.M.E.) 15. E-Mail Addresses For Ian Baxter And Vic Kohler 16. 2006 Las Vegas Magic Invitational (LVMI) 17. David Copperfield Hospitalized - Cancels Show! 18. FISM 2006 Update 19. The Amazing Orchante Saga 20. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives 21. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editors Message -------------------------------------------- It's hard to believe that this is Magic New Zealand's 400th issue. As of today we have 10,431 members spread over 78 different countries. ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. The Magic Castle Friday Lunch Menu News -------------------------------------------- First part of a message from Milt Larsen (US) Hi Alan - this is the text from my Friday Lunch Menu News: GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO THE MAGIC CASTLE. According to most books Ehrich Weiss, better known as Houdini, was born on this day in Budapest. The year was 1874. I always enjoy Alan Watson's "Magic New Zealand" ezine that seems to get news of the magic world the moment it happens! I note his next issue will be number 400. Wow! We're looking forward to the next time Alan can get over to perform at the Castle. Today's issue carries news about Channing Pollock and, since I'm on a tight schedule this morning, I'll let Alan give you some information: ......... -------------------------------------------- 3. College Of Magic In The New York Times ! -------------------------------------------- Message from Craig Mitchell (South Africa) I thought you would be excited to hear that the College of Magic received full page coverage in Monday 27th March edition of the New York Times as well as receiving a front page feature spot on their website ! This global coverage is SIMPLY UNBELIEVABLE ... "Presto! A School for Magic Creates Hope Out of Thin Air KHAYELITSHA, South Africa - Life is hard for the 750,000 or so people crammed into this shantytown, one of South Africa's largest and toughest. In the last census, in 2001, 6 in 10 adults here said they had no steady income. What little money they have tends to vanish quickly, spent on essentials or stolen in the break-ins and robberies that are endemic here. The way Phumile Dyasi makes money vanish is rather less common ..." You can download the article (PDF file) the here: www.collegeofmagic.com/nytimes.pdf or visit the NY Times website here: http://tinyurl.com/mn7pn Hope you enjoy ! Craig www.collegeofmagic.com -------------------------------------------- 4. An Article On Channing Pollock From The London Times -------------------------------------------- Message from Steve Walker (Aust) Channing Pollock August 16, 1926 - March 18, 2006 Celebrated magician once billed as 'the most beautiful man in the world', who later turned his hand to acting...... http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-2102117,00.html -------------------------------------------- 5. From Magician To Speaker Part Eleven -------------------------------------------- Message by Quentin Reynolds (UK) For the past number of weeks we've looked at how you can take the steps to add giving a professional speech to your repertoire. You might be considering selling your expertise on a subject and heading down the road to becoming a keynote speaker. Or maybe you will give a presentation about your experiences as a magician and use this talk to gain credibility and visibility in your marketplace. Whichever route you choose the latter is the simplest way to start. The main thing is to get out and do it. Now I'm going to give you a piece of advice that will irritate and annoy a lot of people. They'll tell me I'm encouraging amateurishness and sloppy performance. But I also understand a bit about human nature and I would be negligent not to urge you to do this. If you are considering doing any kind of speaking at all this is what you must do now: Get your first booking. Make it free. Just go and get it. Book it for two to three weeks from now. It's a deadline you will have to meet. Your subconscious will start to work on what's needed, your stories, your theme and your title. It will all come together for you. If nothing else, sheer terror will get you through it. And YOU will have done it. Imagine your sense of achievement after it's over. You will have taken a major step in your career. And believe me, many doors open to those who have the ability to stand and talk in front of a group. As a magician you already know how to get up in front of a group. You know about eye contact and holding attention. So what are you waiting for? Just remember the formula: Dynamite opening which gets into the theme of the talk Make a point A story to illustrate the point Make a point A story to illustrate the point Make a point A story to illustrate the point. Wrap up and powerful close. © 2006 Quentin Reynolds. Quentin Reynolds works as both magician and speaker. For further information on getting into speaking go to http://www.speakinschools.com -------------------------------------------- 6. Meetings with Remarkable Magicians #4 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) At age thirteen I had been performing magic for a few years and felt very 'at home' doing it. I was living near the South Coast town of Brighton and a proud member of the Sussex Magic Circle. This oddball collection of magicians met every other Thursday in a small hotel on the waterfront. We swapped stories and tricks and generally indulged our mutual love of magic. One of my favorites performers was a gentleman named Stan who performed as a mentalist and I learned a very important lesson from Stan, whenever Stan was about to do the dirty work or move, he would cough. It wasn't a big cough, just a little dry cough, but the moment you heard it you knew something was about to happen. This was the first time I really noticed the mechanical nature of a fellow human being. He didn't want to cough; in fact he had no idea that he did cough. It became a fascination to me watching Stan perform his mentalism, just waiting for the dry little cough that signaled his guilty action. Month after month I watched him perform and cough. How could anyone be so foolish that they didn't know that they were giving the game away by a small mechanical habit? Two years later when my first real mentor was teaching me my first real magic I got a shock. I was in the middle of a lesson with Ken Brooke on Dai Vernon's symphony of the rings when Ken said; "Nicky every time you link the rings you close your eyes!" I quickly argued that this wasn't possible and went over to the mirror to prove to myself that this wasn't so. I ran thru the routine but never noticed any closing of the eyes at key moments. Ken has it all wrong I thought, then the truth dawned and I realized the reason I couldn't see my closed eyes was because my eyes were closed! It was like a light bulb turning on in my head. The reason we don't notice mechanical reactions is because they are mechanical. Years later when I read G.I. Gurdjieff's description of the mechanical nature of Mankind it made perfect sense to me. Whether it was Stan's cough or my closed eyes we didn't notice it because our actions (and especially our reactions) were mechanical as soon as we stopped thinking about them. If we couldn't see what we were doing it was because our eyes were closed or we were too busy coughing. There is a Zen story of a Japanese master who would ride his donkey around the village at a great speed searching for something. If any one asked him what he was looking for he would reply that he was looking for his donkey. It is generally interpreted to mean that when you use your nervous system to search for the 'truth' that your truth is the nervous system you are riding on and searching with. As a magician you spend many hours standing in front of a mirror trying to make the impossible look not only possible but ordinary. It takes a long time to observe the coughs and blinks that give us away. When you discover the little things that give away your mechanical nature then it leaves you open to observe the BIG things we do just as mechanically. It was a great lesson in being a magician and a new angle on truth that I would explore and understand when the time was right. Please address any bricks or bouquets concerning this piece to nicklewin@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------- 7. Mr. Ash Lecture April 3 Magic Inc, Chicago IL -------------------------------------------- Message from Darlene F. Bull forwarded on by Sam Martin (US) The Wizards' Club of Chicago will present a "Children's Show" lecture by Mr. Ash on April 3, 2006, at 7:30 P.M. in the back room of Magic Inc. located at 5082 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago 60625. Contact President Edd Fairman at 772-262-7605, Mr. Ash at 773-271-4030 or Toni McDill at 773-539-2167 with any questions. No cost for Wizards' Club member. Non members is $5.00. (Such a deal!) Anyone who has ever been lucky enough to have seen Mr. Ash perform has been awed by his humor and skill at handling an audience. His ability to entertain children and adults alike is matched by none. Here is your opportunity to learn from a seasoned expert in the field of birthday party magic. It is guaranteed that you will come away with new ways to add to your performances. Learn the skill of "entertainment" and the secrets to repeat customers. You will not be disappointed! -------------------------------------------- 8. The Swedish Magic Circle Celebrating Their 60th -------------------------------------------- Message from Christer Nilsson (Sweden) The Swedish Magic Circle are celebrating their 60 years in 2006. It started with a dinner in Stockholm on the 4th of March with 80 members eating, seeing magic and enjoying a show with pictures from the 60 years. The 17-19th of March the yearly Swedish Magic Circle convention was held I in Hassleholm, in the south of Sweden. Of course there were competitions and Grand Prix was won by Julien. He and his partner performed with doves and some illusions. You will see them at the competition at FISM in Stockholm this summer. Welcome! -------------------------------------------- 9. P&T Serve As A fan Grand Marshals -------------------------------------------- Message from Penn & Teller Penn & Teller will serve once again as grand marshals for the fourth year in a row for the AFAN AIDS Walk on Sunday, April 23 in Las Vegas. Come walk with the guys and take the Penn & Teller Challenge - be a part of the Penn & Teller Team and win prizes, including an exclusive backstage meet and greet before attending one of their shows at The Rio in Las Vegas! The team is already in third place for its fundraising efforts and Penn & Teller match all team donations dollar for dollar. Help us reach our team goal! Click here for info, to sign up, or to donate: http://tinyurl.com/rnfjx -------------------------------------------- 10. The Tour Of "The Comedy Of Errors" In The UK -------------------------------------------- Message from Ross Skiffington (Aust) The tour of "The comedy of Errors" in the UK is over and what a great success it was. The general comment from management was that it had exceeded all expectations. Certainly audiences loved the show and I hope that it has opened a few doors for The Bell Shakespeare Company in the UK for other productions. Roll on Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan! Reviews were excellent with the magic component getting mentioned a number of times: "Australian Shakespeare is Pure Magic." "Brings more than a touch of sunshine to rain-swept Bath." The Bath Chronicle 08/03/06 "Seducing the audience with its magic tricks, candy floss coloured costumes and enormous sense of fun." The Guardian 10/03/06 "A riotous, madcap Comedy. You get real tricks, a live dove, materialising coins, and the gobsmaking feat of the torn newspaper that glues itself back together again." The Daily Telegraph 10/03/06 "The director included a Middle Eastern version of Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee. The tricks were great fun. The illusionist Ross Skiffington also doubled up as the exorcist Dr Pinch." 4 stars. The Independent 14/03/06 "A faultless production. A wonderfully unpretentious joyous interpretation of possibly Shakespeare's earliest play."" The Gazette 15/03/06 Highlights for me of the tour were: 1. Standing on the stage of The Globe Theatre in London and performing some conjuring! The director of the Globe had given us a guided tour from the top to the bottom, places not open to the general public. He then stood us backstage before opening the doors saying with great aplomb, "Actors, enter the stage!" It was a moment of sheer electricity for everyone. We performed the last scene of the play much to the delight of the tour groups. It was great to hear voices carried out into the space which is surprisingly larger than I thought. Completely built in the way that it was originally with the compensation being a sprinkler system over the thatching. Truly magnificent craftsmanship. Standing on the stage I turned to the director, Roger Spotiswoode, and proceeded to perform a trick for him. He was very pleasantly surprised and delighted. I don't think he had seen much close up magic at all and certainly never on the stage at The Globe. I believe I might well be the first magician to have performed magic on stage at The Globe. 2. Performing at Australia House in the Downer Room at the reception given for The Bell Shakespeare Company with Clive James announcing that, "it was the best magic I have ever seen!" It was very flattering to hear the feedback and I can put it down to a couple of things. The room itself was truly magnificent and certainly complimented what I was doing. The elegance of the room elevated the performance for those who would not usually see the performance of magic. There was the surprise element as well. Certainly it was marvellous to see people allow themselves be beguiled. 3. Standing at the grave of Shakespeare in a beautiful church in Stratford. It was a moment for all the company that resonated as without this man and playwright we would not have been there. It was also a bonus to have John Bell giving us a guided tour of Stratford as he had worked at the Royal Shakespeare for over 4 years. 4. Attending The Magic Circle in London and seeing a David Nixon magic Box exactly like the one I was given when I was ten and the beginnings of it all. I could not believe what I was looking at and all the memories that it revived. It was a "moment". I was particularly impressed when I introduced myself to Ali Bongo and he remembered me from way back in the early 80's when he and David Nixon came to Sydney and attended a convention. When you consider how many people he has met I was very flattered. What a great man he is. Alan Shaxon kindly signed me in and Scott Penrose arranged for me to have a look through the Inner Sanctum. Scott also arranged for the doves for the tour. I believe the doves I used have also appeared with Johnny Thompson and James Dimmare. What a marvellous museum and library. It is a place that demands more than one visit. 5. The performance of Measure for Measure at the National Theatre. This production was quite the best theatre I have seen in years. After the show and tour finished some friends gathered me up and took me to their Drift House on a farm property in Shropshire. It was so quiet and lovely. Walking along sunken lane ways and across the English country side on Sunday afternoon was sublime. I travelled to London by train to attend the Magic Circle and stayed with Russell, whom I had gone to Art School with back in my university days in Auckland. He has done extremely well as a theatre designer and had just completed the design for a touring production of "Stuart Little." He is also an associate with the Unicorn Theatre and I had a tour of the building which is brand new with magnificent facilities for performers and children. That afternoon we attended a performance of a children's play based on the sounds of Antarctica. Such a sophisticated performance that the kids loved. We then walked and walked London also attending a great Gothic exhibition at the Tate featuring work of Blake and Fusseilli which was fabulous. Nothing like seeing the real thing in front of you. I then went to Paris to see friends I had worked with at Wrest Point Casino, Tasmania, in the hey day of the grand "Tits and Feather" shows. "Viola!" "Aces High" etc, marvellous production shows that still run today in a similar form at the Moulin Rouge and The Lido. Australians are everywhere. Staurt is now the Dance Director at The Lido and it was great to catch up with him and see a show in that magnificent room. So classy and sophisticated. Quite the opposite to my day trip with Jeanette out to Euro Disney, where she choreographs, for a bone rattling ride on Space Mountain. I had to do it as I have done Space Mountain in Tokyo, Los Angles and Florida. I guess Hong Kong is to come. It was a fun day and going backstage at The Lion King makes you realise that theatre can work with the simplest and smallest of budgets or the zillions that Disney throws at a production. Theatre people are generally the same the world over. It was also good to have a "French Family" experience with Jeanette and family. I was pleasantly surprised at how well my French came back. Mind you most people in Europe seem to be bi- or even tri-lingual. Her husband plays in a BIG BAND and on my first night in Paris I found myself in a small nightclub with a 20 piece Big Band. If you have heard the sound track to The Incredible's it was at the level of musicianship. What a fantastic experience. Thanks to all in the magic fraternity who made my adventure so memorable especially Noel Britten in Bath, Scott Penrose, Alan Shaxon and Ali Bongo at the Magic Circle and to all those fantastic hardworking backstage crew and wonderful stage door characters who clearly loved the production. Special thanks to Tony Wilson and Steve Walker for their assistance and introductions. But in the end it is nice to be home even if the dogs didn't seem to think I have been away for 7 weeks. It is now time to get cracking with The Magic Theatre and more news of that to come. -------------------------------------------- 11. Dick Randall Dies -------------------------------------------- Message from Bev Bergeron (US) Please pass the word that Dick Randall has died. There will be a memorial service at the grave site on Wed. 29th at 10:00Am. At the All Faith Memorial Park, Park Dr., Casselberry, Florida. Dick has been very active and an officer in the IBM and Fla. Magic Association and their conventions. With Bev Bergeron they set up the Orlando Ring, The Fla. Conventions and started a lecture series. His love was close-up magic and always carried a deck of playing cards with him. He owned Randall Audio and Film Supplies that serviced the school systems of Florida. -------------------------------------------- 12. MagicBroadcast News -------------------------------------------- Message from Ryan Pilling Tonight on Magic Broadcast, Steve Johnson is live with "Inside The Thumbtip" and special guest Jay Scott Berry! That starts at 8 PM Pacific, 11 PM Eastern. If you haven't yet tuned in to the new and improving Magic Broadcast, get the details at http://www.magic-broadcast.com/help/listening/ Also, anytime you can join us in the new and improving chat room (with the same old people... I can't do anything about that!) at it's new and improving home... http://www.magic-chat.com You will need to be logged in to get to the chat room, or if you haven't already, create a new Magic-Member account. It's quick, and will get you in within 2 minutes. Be there, or be new and improving! -Ryan Pilling -------------------------------- Listen Online at http://www.magicbroadcast.com -------------------------------------------- 13. IBM Convention Judges Wanted -------------------------------------------- Message from MikeD Planning to be in Miami this summer for the I.B.M convention? Interested in seeing some of the newest and most inventive magic from the best seat in the house? I am still looking for a few people interested in helping to judge the Stage or Close-Up contests at the convention this year. You don't need any experience. We will teach you all that you need to know. It is a great way to give back a little something to the I.B.M and help our up and coming magicians perfect their craft. If you are interested, drop me a line at miked@magician.org and I will get you all the information that you need. -------------------------------------------- 14. The Florida Association Of Magical Entertainers (F.A.M.E.) -------------------------------------------- Message from Art Thomas (USA) The Florida Association of Magical Entertainers (F.A.M.E.) will be holding its annual spring magic day on Saturday, April 22, 2006 in Orlando, Florida. This is an annual event that includes a magic flea market with over 25 sellers, a lecture, an auction, and a show. This year's auction will include dozens of items from the estate of a Florida magician. The lecturer is pro restaurant worker Danny Tong. It should be a full day of magic. Events start at 9:00 am at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 4962 Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, Florida 32819. Additional information available at www.Ring170.com . Art Thomas Treasurer, Florida Association of Magical Entertainers (407) 397-3782 -------------------------------------------- 15. E-Mail Addresses For Ian Baxter And Vic Kohler -------------------------------------------- Message from Joe Gomez I was looking for E-Mail addresses for Ian Baxter and Vic Kohler can any one help here please e-mail me - josejuan@comcast.net -------------------------------------------- 16. 2006 Las Vegas Magic Invitational (LVMI) -------------------------------------------- Message from Danny Archer (US) I am pleased to announce that the 2006 Las Vegas Magic Invitational(LVMI) will take place from June 11th thru June 13th at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. For our 6th convention we are thrilled that joining us as our Guest of Honor will be the one and only J.C. Wagner. J.C. will also be lecturing and performing at the convention, and I suspect that a lot of people will be looking forward to seeing some of his classic effects, along with some of his killer new material. Joining J.C. will be a world class group of magicians that will provide you with all the close-up and cabaret magic you can handle. Lee Asher - Lee is one of the undisputed best card men. His sleight of hand with cards is sheer poetry and hangin' and jamming' with Lee is always a convention highlight. Mark Mason - Mark hails from England, and his combination of clever patter and devastating sleight of hand will make many people sit up and take notice. Bob Sheets - What can you say about Bob that hasn't been said before? A zany performing character and the ability to select and do great magic makes him a perennial favorite. The J Team - A 2 man lecture starring John Born and Jason Dean . this dynamic duo will be featuring some of their cutting edge brand of close-up magic with cards and coins. John Carney - The only magician ever to be named Magician of the Year by the Magic Castle in every possible category; Close-Up, Parlor, Stage and Lecture. A true modern master. 2005 was our first convention at the Palace Station and the new home of the LVMI was a perfect fit. The hotel rooms are reasonably priced ($39 - $59 a night) and the hotel features an array of restaurants from fast food to fine dining choices. One of the things that makes the convention so special is what I call the Las Vegas factor. You never know who you will bump into at the LVMI. Vegas is where many of the stars of magic live, work and play; and many of them drop in, and we are always happy to see them. Here are a few of the great people who have been at the LVMI in the past; Penn & Teller, Bob Kohler, Gregory Wilson, Allan Ackerman, Doug Brewer, Dan and Dave Buck, Eugene Burger, Joey Burton, Michael Close, Gary Darwin, Daryl, Dean Dill, Steve Fearson, Aaron Fisher, Bob Fitch, Michael Forbes, Bill Goodwin, Paul Harris, Brad Henderson, Scott Hitchcock, John Kennedy, Chris Kenner, Mac King, Roger Klause, Bob Kohler, Nathan Kranzo, Chris Korn, Homer Liwag, Martin Nash, Doug Malloy, Jeff McBride, Eric Mead, John Moehring, Gary Norsigian, Shoot Ogawa, Chris Randall, Apollo Robbins, Adam Rubin, Peter Studebaker, Howie Schwartzman, Garrett Thomas, Torkova, Steve Bedwell, Dan Watkins, Stan Allen, Thomas Wayne, Paul Wilson, Frank Zak, Rick Wilcox (my apologies if I left off your name). Even though the LVMI is a close-up convention, we use five large screen monitors and two video cameras along with a video switcher, so you can see all the action all the time. We also have several jam shows, where the attendees (and usually some special guest magic celebrities) are invited to perform and show their stuff. That's what the "I" stands for in LVMI. The LVMI convention has always featured panel discussion. We bring together world class performers and a specific topic and allow the audience to Ask the Pros. The panel discussions are informative, and they always produce some great insights (and usually a few good laughs) We also feature a well-stocked dealer's room with all the latest and greatest magic effects, books and DVD's you could ever want. Usually we add in a surprise event or guest (at this year's 2005 convention, the surprise was a 3 man teach-in by Rune Klan, Gregory Wilson and Joshua Jay), so you never know what to expect. ================= If that isn't enough, the day after LVMI, on June 14th, we will once again be hosting a one day convention dedicated to magic and sleight of hand with coins. CoinCon 2006 will be a day (or maybe more?) filled with nothing but coin magic lectures, shows and workshops. We are assembling a roster of coin workers that can hold their own with anyone in the world. Rune Klan is planning on coming from Denmark, and what he can't do with coins, can't be done. John Born has created an arsenal of sleights and techniques that make his magic look real. Mickey Silver's visual style and love of magic have generated a lot of interest. Kainoa Harbottle's playful personality and unbelievable chops make him a modern coin master. And that's just for starters! . we are talking with many more coin conjurers and we expect that just like in 2003 with the first ever COINvention (immortalized on a 2 DVD set), CoinCon 2006 will mark the way for another generation of close-up magicians. In 2003 when we did both conventions back-to-back, we had to unfortunately turn away well over 125 disappointed magicians that tried to register too late. We fully expect that the LVMI/CoinCon 2006 conventions will be the must attend events for the close-up/cabaret magic aficionados. The conventions are hosted by Robert Allen and Danny Archer and they are dedicated to making their events educational, entertaining and an all-around great time. LVMI/CoinCon 2006 will be four unbelievably great days of magic and we invite you to join us in the most magical city on Earth, Las Vegas! Registration Info and details at lvmi.net LVMI  $175 CoinCon 2006 $ 75 -------------------------------------------- 17. David Copperfield Hospitalized - Cancels Show! -------------------------------------------- Message from Jack Straw David Copperfield was scheduled to perform two shows Thurs. at The Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana. Following doctors orders Copperfield cancelled his two shows. At the moment there is no information regarding David's status, or the nature of his illness. We all wish him well and a quick recovery. Here is a news piece from the Merrillville Times: Copperfield Cancels Show At Star Plaza Friday, March 24, 2006 12:36 AM CST Times Staff Report Merrillville - A sudden illness Thursday cut short magician David Copperfield's long-awaited return to the Star Plaza Theatre. The world-famous illusionist performed two shows Wednesday, but he cancelled both performances of "An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion" for Thursday, the final day of his engagement. Just prior to the 5:30 p.m. Thursday show Copperfield became ill and was taken to a local hospital, said Charlie Blum, president of the theatre. Blum didn't disclose what hospital Copperfield was taken to. There was no record of Copperfield being admitted to any local hospital among those contacted by The Times. Theatre spokeswoman Monica Montella Helm said the decision to cancel the performances was made after 6 p.m. based on a doctor's orders to Copperfield. Blum said Copperfield performed two shows flawlessly Wednesday. "We're going to get the date rescheduled, but obviously our first concern is his health," Blum said. Blum advised anyone with tickets to Thursday's shows to keep them for a rescheduled performance. Otherwise they can choose the option of a refund at the outlet where the tickets were purchased, he said. It has been 11 years since Copperfield -- famous for his over-the-top illusions, including making the Statue of Liberty disappear -- performed at Star Plaza. -------------------------------------------- 18. FISM 2006 Update -------------------------------------------- Four Month Left! Competing For The World Championships Of Magic Important information! Another Surprise!! One of the many new elements in the FISM World Magic Convention2006 will be the change of the nature of the final Gala show. In the past we tried to incorporate one or two prize winners in this show of leading world performers. This was usually much appreciated by the conventioneers, because not everybody was always able to watch the whole competition, but everybody wanted to see the prize winners. We all know the unsatisfied feelings we had in cases where prize winners were not included in the final Gala show. Realizing that the World Championships of Magic is the core element of the convention and taking advantage of the fact that the competition nowadays is in two stages, we will finish the FISM WCM2006 with the final competitions in both Stage Magic and Close-up Magic. So there will be no Final Gala show old-style but in stead, as the highlights of the convention, we will have the Final Close-up Magic Competition and the Final Stage Magic Competition during which the best contestants of each category will compete for the Grand Prix. We are sure that these 2 final competitions will be thrilling ones, as the audience will witness the fight of the "giants of the competition" for the ultimate goal in magic: the FISM GRAND PRIX. What can be more exciting! Read more at www.fism.com Competing For The World Championships Of Magic The latest news is that, for organizational reasons and because we already received more than 150 entries, we have to close the applications for the competition. Knowing, however, that some of the presidents of member societies have counted on the previously announced deadline of the 5th of June, still intend to send in some new entries, it is decided that the absolute deadline for the application to the competition is advanced to the 10th of April 2006. Entries after that date cannot be accepted. As already mentioned in previous newsletters, after the 10th of April (see www.fism.org) , now that we already have more than 150 applicants, the FISM Executive Board will try and calculate the maximum number of contestants a Society may sponsor and the Presidents who have sponsored more than their maximum number, will be asked to withdraw some of their applicants. Applicant contestants, who have received or will receive the technical possibilities for their performance, should be aware that such a notice doesn't necessary mean that they are accepted as competitors at the FISMT World Championships of Magic. The acceptance as a competitor will be sent to he relevant contestants as soon as possible after the 10th of April 2006. Special Awards For The World Champion For the first time at a FISM convention we have three fantastic awards in the competition. The finalists will compete about the following Special Awards ... A two weeks paid contract at "The World's Greatest Magic Show" in Las Vegas A paid contract for one of the following shows: a) TV show in Paris "Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde" b) Engagement in the Crazy Horse in Paris or Las Vegas c) Engagement in the "Monte Carlo Magic Stars" in Monaco A paid contract for performance at The London Palladium Show in London More Than 2400 Registered Already! The main theatre, the Victoria Hall, seats 2000 people. We have decided to show the Nordic Opening Show and the Gala Show twice so that everybody can see the show live. We will have "open seats" for the competitions. Seating will be available on a first come, first serve basis. You will also be able to view the competitions via a giant screen and television screens in the dealer hall. The final show cannot be repeated, as it is the juried performance of the finalists for the world championship. Those people registering from now on will view the final show on a giant screen in the Dante Room, which seats 800 people in comfort. How To Register For FISM 2006 Please use the on-line registration go to: https://www.stocon.se/weraform/receive.csp?kgid=601&lang=2 (or type in this address: http://www.fism.com/registration) when registering for the FISM 2006 convention. If this is not possible you may use the PDF registration form. go to: http://www.fism.com/modules.php?name=UpDownload&req=getit&lid=22 More information about other ways of registering, payment etc on the website. We will soon be back with more news about FISM 2006! -------------------------------------------- 19. The Amazing Orchante Saga -------------------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 94 The 'Family Variety spectacular' '74. - Résumé's On the last page (88), last paragraph; I described one of the posters in the spare bedroom/computer room-wall, advertising the above title. I had a vague feeling that I also had a leaflet regarding the show; the best place to look was in the 'Bottomless' aluminium trunk. A slight digression. Over the years, during various tours of our show throughout Scandinavia, particularly Norway - we have always admired the beautiful wooden flooring in the various homes we visited. So last weekend, with the help of a couple of friends, the old carpet in the lounge room was ripped up and we put down laminate flooring. My pal Gary wanted something heavy to hold down a threshold strip he had glued, so I pointed to the aluminium trunk saying, "That should do the trick". Now Gary is a big, strong, 6ft. plus - bloke, but he sure grunted as he picked up the trunk. "Wow!" he said, "What in the hell have you got in here, bricks?" I replied, "Na, Only 'Orchanté', according to the views of various world critics!" Opening the lid of the trunk is a bit like watching the surf on a beach; various bits and pieces of all sorts, washes up like sea foam on a sandy shore - swelling and overflowing up and out of the trunk in a continuous cycle. Dipping my hand into the 'tide' as it were, there came floating up, from somewhere within its swirling depths of 'Times Past', and into my searching fingers, the aforementioned leaflet, which turned out to be the actual 'Souvenir Programme' of the show. My seemingly bottomless aluminium trunk 'Knows Things', of this I'm certain! (So where are my 73/74 diaries then?) What a lucky find that was, as the programme contains the history of 'Galaxy Enterprises' Ltd and a résumé for each of the artist's/band on the show. I will try and cut out the crap and give you a brief ("Brief? - He must be joking"!) Run-down of each; some of you may find it a little boring, non-the less they're all part of NEW ZEALAND'S 'SHOWBIZ' HISTORY. I'm sure that many of New Zealand's professional magicians - apart from me e.g., 'Peter (Evans) & Margo' and 'Delarno' (aka Burns Scandrett), would have worked with some of them during the Seventies, as well. Here goes: - Craig Scott: - he had his first hit - 'STAR - CROSSED LOVERS' in 1970 and, was also the popular winner of the Golden Disc solo award in the same year, and only one year later, '72 - he took the most coveted trophy in New Zealand Show Business, the ' LOXENE GOLDEN DISC AWARD' - proper. In 1972 he followed his golden disc win with the - 'ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR' award, which established him as the foremost entertainer in New Zealand during that year. In 1974 his latest single, 'ROCK and ROLL', had been on hit parades around the country for some considerable time and was one of his most successful hits. One of his first nationwide tours was with the English international recording star, CILLA BLACK, and later with TONY CHRISTIE, another English recording star. His latest long-playing record then, "THE BEST OF CRAIG SCOTT", featured 12 of his hits - this was the first time a New Zealand artist had recorded this many hits on one record. He was also the resident singer on TV's 'HAPPEN INN' Pop Show for many months. In '73, the NZBC (New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation) paid tribute to Craig when they made a documentary about his rise as a singer in a small club band in Dunedin and through his successes on record, television and stage, to his current top position (1974) on the entertainment ladder, at that time. Angela Ayers: - from the early age of six years it was dancing and singing schools for Angela, which along with normal schoolwork, took up a great deal of her time. However, the hard work paid off and she passed past exam after exam; at seventeen she became one of the leading dancing teachers in her home city of Palmerston North. For 10 years she entered numerous talent quests with some success but it was not until July 1972 that her big break came - she won a national talent quest organised by an Auckland promoter and Sunday newspaper. Since then (remember, all this relates to the year of 1974) she has toured New Zealand several times with such artist's as - MARIA DALLAS, JOHNNY DEVLIN and CRAIG SCOTT, and appeared on national television twice weekly for 10 consecutive months, making her television appearance longer than that of any other New Zealand artist. Her first recording, "Humpty Dumpty", enjoyed considerable success after being released not only in New Zealand but also Australia, Great Britain, Canada, the United States and Japan -------------------------------------------- 20. 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) -------------------------------------------- 21. 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. 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