* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #419 Date: Sunday 11th June 2006 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com www.Alan-Watson.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi [FIRSTNAME] here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. Magic Broadcast Live From Las Vegas 3. Milt Larsen's Radio Show Now Coast To Coast 4. New Magic Stamp - A Limited Edition 5. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians #14 - Nick Lewin 6. The Inside Scoop To Cruise Ship Entertainment #3 7. 'The Great Fiasco' Moves On 8. Cairns Reef Casino Show - "Illusion Odyssey" 9. Magicelebration 2006 - Colon Michigan FREE! FREE! 10. Thanks For Caring - Harold Twaddle 11. "Its MAGIC" Airing In June 12. Peter Rolston - Broken Wand 13. Autographed Book By Dai Vernon For Sale 14. 60th Anniversary Brotherhood Of Auckland Magicians Inc 15. 28th New Zealand International Magicians Convention 16. The Amazing Orchante Saga 17. e-zine Archives 18. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Message from Magic Christian (Austria) Last week I published a message from Magic Christian about the limited edition Hofzinser magic stamp. Unfortunately the Euro charter did not convert properly! So I have republished his message and also have included Magic Christian's contact details. Refer item 4. You can view this stamp by going to www.watson.co.nz/stamp.html ----------------------- Remember [FIRSTNAME] if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. Magic Broadcast Live From Las Vegas -------------------------------------------- Message from Ryan Pilling What goes on in Vegas gets broadcast across the globe! Magic Broadcast is hitting the road and broadcasting live from Las Vegas! June 11, 12 and 13, we'll be live on the convention floor at the "Las Vegas Magic Invitational". Whoo-hoo! We'll be talking to talented folks like Lee Asher, Bob Sheets, John Carney, J.C. Wagner... not to mention all those Vegas-types who will just be hanging out. It promises to be the most star-studded broadcast ever heard! Sure, you could quite happily stay at home and listen to our live coverage, but I've been told there are still a handful of seats left for you to be at the event! Seriously, if there's any way you can make it, do it! It will be a phenomenal three days of close-up magic, and with Vegas prices, possibly the most affordable major convention of the year! You can still sign up at http://www.lvmi.net ... and book your room at http://www.palacestation.com for just $50 bucks a night! Now, the live broadcasts will begin Sunday afternoon. Watch your email for updates, and we'll be posting a schedule as it happens on the website at http://www.magicbroadcast.com It's gonna be awesome. I hope to see you there, and if you are, please stop by and say "Hi"... on or off the air! Be there, or be doing the next best thing... tuning in! -Ryan Pilling P.S. On a personal note, I'm arriving in Vegas Saturday afternoon before the convention, so I have an open night to take in just one show. Do you have a must-see recommendation? Drop me a line, and let me know. -------------------------------------------- 3. Milt Larsen's Radio Show Now Coast To Coast -------------------------------------------- Published with the permission of Milt Larsen (US) Founder of the Magic Castle Milt Larsen has done a radio show for some time on Bob Newhart's station in Santa Barbara called "Hear Them Again (for the first time)". He plays recordings of showbiz personalities for the first half of the 20th Century (that's 1900-1950 for the mathematically impaired) It's a fun show and his guests every week are Academy Award winning songwriter - Richard M. Sherman and the world's oldest magician and vaudevillian Prof. Harry Hockmann. Now the show can be heard coast-to-coast on the Cable Radio Network (CRN) - If you have cable music channels go to CRN-1 - Saturday morning 6-7am PST or 4-5pm Sunday PST. If you don't have cable you can also tune Milt in at the same time on the net: www.CRNi.net . -------------------------------------------- 4. New Magic Stamp - A Limited Edition -------------------------------------------- Message by Magic Christian (Austria) Dear friends of Magic. Concerning the 200th anniversary of Joh. Nep. Hofzinser we have the possibility to produce an official stamp by the Austria Post AG for Hofzinser in a limited edition. Whoever is interested in this is in a sheets (20 stamps) or a single stamp, please contact me. The sheet will cost 50 Euro plus postage at the moment. The single piece 3.00 Euro on a letter. Best regards Cordially Magic Christian - magicchristian@chello.at P.S. Don't miss the celebration for the 200th anniversary on June 18th 2006!!! See www.hofzinser.com -------------------------------------------- 5. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 14 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) Early Influences on the Kid. I wonder how many British magicians were influenced into a study of magic in the same way I was? My first exposure to magic was a hand puppet on television called Sooty, who along with his friend Sweep, performed magic shows that went desperately wrong. This seemed to exasperate the elderly gentleman who always hovered at an arms length from them. I don't remember much of what they did but it was loud, fun and messy! That was just fine by me. When Sooty waved his magic wand it would often cause bodily injury to the elderly gentleman whose name I later discovered was Harry Corbett. The magic words Sooty used to achieve his grand illusions were "Abracadabra,", "Hey Presto," and my favorite "Hocus Pocus Fish Bones Choke Us!" To this very day I gleefully use the "Fish Bones Choke Us! in my magic show and it still gets a good chuckle. This was the extent of my early exposure to the art of prestidigitation and as far as I remember it left me with no burning desire to grow up as either a magician or a hand puppet. No, I had it pretty clear in my mind that I was going to emerge from childhood as a caped crusader who could change outfits in a phone booth and became unrecognizable when I put on a pair of horn-rimmed glasses. Several years later when it was discovered that my short sightedness necessitated the full time use of horn-rimmed glasses, my dreams of being a super hero were dashed. Until the advent of contact lenses I was stuck as Clark Kent. With magic the furthest thing from my mind, I accompanied my parents on our annual holiday to Portrush in Southern Ireland. It was your typical family holiday with ice creams, Cadbury flakes and speedboat rides. The thrill to me was not the sand castles, bucket and spades or swimming in excessively cold water. No, it was here I had my first taste of show business and realized I wanted to become a performer. My epiphany came in the form of a hypnotist named Edwin Heath. He had a full evening show in the local theatre just blocks away from our hotel. I loved that show and everything about it! Men barked like dogs, women imagined that their clothes had disappeared and all manner of mayhem was unleashed twice nightly. The piece de resistance (which was not, as Mr. Heath pointed out, a French girl who struggles) was when an audience member was suspended between two chairs while the hypnotist sat on his unsupported stomach. This feat amazed me and seemed unexplainable unless you believed in his strange and wonderful powers. Little did I know that this trick was to come back and haunt me for years to come. Again and again I begged my parents to take me to the show. Spoilt child that I was, again and again they obliged me. I sat in the dark and dusty auditorium enough times to realize that the members of the audience that appeared onstage were different every time and there was no sign of trickery. It appeared to me then, as I know fully believe, that it was indeed hypnosis. At the beginning of the show Mr. Heath performed a test with the entire audience to select those most susceptible to his hypnotic skills. This test involved clasping your hands together and by his persuasion being unable to unclasp them. I tried it and got suitably stuck. I dashed to the front of the theatre, but when I went onstage for the unclasping I was quickly returned to my seat. As a hypnotist, he was no idiot and the last thing he wanted was a ten-year-old boy onstage. This was my first experience with hypnosis, but in years to come another professional hypnotist would reach through the years and do more than just entertain me. Does anybody out there know anything about Edwin Heath? Let me know about it at nicklewin@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------- 6. The Inside Scoop To Cruise Ship Entertainment #3 -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany (NZ) This is part 3 on How to Get Work ... and Keep it! ... by working as a Guest Entertainer on a cruise ship Cue Sheets Always have your cue sheets ready to give the production manager. These will include any music cues and lighting cues. You will always get time to rehearse and this will be the time to go over any cues. The stages on the ships today are incredible and have everything you could ever want. Prepare cue sheets for light and sound technicians. Early upon your arrival on the ship the stage manager will contact you. He or she will want to know what special requirements you need and how much rehearsal time to schedule. You should be familiar with your technical requirements. Talk to him about the kind of lighting and sound you need and any backstage help you will require. At rehearsal you should be able to supply written cue sheets that explain how and when all the technical things happen during your act. For recorded music I use a programmable mini-disc unit. If you use recorded music I recommend that you put it on the highest quality playback method you can. If you use extensive and complex lighting, I recommend you bring videotape of your act to show the lighting technician how you'd like it to look. Light fixtures change from place to place, but the same mood and affect can be created from various sources. Live Animals Some acts do use live animals on ships, to do this you need to get pre-approved by head office of the cruise line you are working for so they can sort out the paper work well in advance. To travel with livestock is the responsibility of the Guest Entertainer. There are magicians who use rabbits, doves and even one magician who takes a skunk with him! It can be done but I'm sure it's a hassle. The theatres on cruise ships today are more equipped than most theatres on land, with the latest sound equipment, lighting and video equipment. Try and view your act as theatre and make use of all the technology available to you. In my act I use a video montage to introduce my Chaplin act. I have also performed close-up magic on the main stage and had it projected behind me on a large video screen. On a cruise you will be expected to know how conduct yourself and your act in a real theater setting. This is not always something a magician that is used to working solo is familiar with. You will deal with other professionals like the emcee, stage manager, sound engineer, light technician, orchestra leader and other professional entertainers that you will share the stage and dressing room with. You should know stage terminology, blocking and what light designs you will need. If all this is foreign to you, get some experience before trying the ship market. Contract A Guest Entertainer Independent Contractor Agreement will be issued each time a Guest Entertainer is contracted to work on board. The contract should be reviewed carefully and signed accordingly. The contract will say how much money you are being paid on a weekly basis and your travel dates. You will also get a boarding letter. This letter will come in useful when going through immigration as they may ask to see it. Quite often when travelling through US immigration I am taken in to another room while they confirm with the cruise line that I will be joining the ship. This agreement will also give your flight details, the port agents details of the country you will be flying to and often your return flight. There are times where you don't get your return flight until you are onboard. Always have a copy of your contract and boarding agreement with you. You will need to show the boarding agreement to the security officer when you get to the gangway on the ship. Contract Payment Each company differs on their pay system. There was a time when I would be paid on the ship on a bi-monthly basis, but this is no longer the case. In my case my agent gets my money on the 15th and 30th of each month and she then transfers it to my account. I prefer this because then she can take out her commission and it saves me having to send her the money. I know there are still ships where the act gets paid onboard and also some acts who have the money deposited directly into their bank accounts. During a ship's drydock, refit. Or maintenance period that falls within the duration of a contract, it is at the company's discretion to either pay the Guest Entertainer on a pro-rata basis or provide a round trip airfare to the Guest Entertainer's "home" airport and back to the ship. When I finish this contract next week the company is accommodating me for two nights in Gibralter before I transship to another ship for a week. They will pay for my hotel, food and any travel while I am staying in port. Guest Entertainers are paid for the day they embark the ship, but not for the day they disembark the ship. Travel days are not usually reimbursed unless otherwise agreed. For US citizens the company must report all earnings and a 1099 form will be issued at year end. All Guest Entertainers are responsible to payment of government taxes and so forth. In my situation I am a non-resident of any country having left New Zealand almost five years ago on a full time basis and so I am in the fortunate position of not paying tax. I have set up a US bank account so that I can have a US visa which I find very handy when paying onboard accounts. Cruise Director While onboard the ship, it is the Cruise Director who looks after the Guest Entertainers and is the person in charge of scheduling performers and putting together the daily 'newspaper' on what the days activities will be. More often than not, it is the CD that will be introducing you, so have a very short and precise introduction prepared so that s/he can use it to bring you onstage. They don't like to read long winded introductions so my advice is to keep it short and simple. The Cruise Director is also the person who will be reporting back to head office about your act and how it was received. You will never really know what the CD is thinking and in my time on ships I think I have seen it all. You get the Cruise Directors who are very professional and care about their guest entertainers, yet on the other hand you get those that don't care at all. In one case, I had a CD who didn't even bother to turn up and introduce me, so I had to do it myself AND take myself off stage. The next night he never showed up and so another guest entertainer introduced the act. Without a doubt the worst CD I have ever worked for, WAS just plain lazy and didn't care. When I approached him on the matter his comment was "I could get more money working at McDonalds" . I told him to maybe he should go there and work instead. This same CD I made a noise complaint because there were parties next door in the cabins every night going on until 3am, this went on for almost 2 weeks until I complained. We had the dancers in the hallway and none of the guest acts could sleep. When I complained the CD told me not to hassle his dancers, then I found out that he was the one holding the parties!!! Sometimes you can't win. This story had a nice ending as the captain was a friend of mine (one of the few New Zealand captains out there) and he sorted the matter out for me! I try to keep out of the CDs way, just go on, do my job, be polite and that is it. They do have a very busy life on a ship and they run a large department so as little hassle from guest entertainers makes their lives that much easier. Paul Romhany got his start in his native New Zealand, earning his degree in music from Auckland University. A piano certificate from London's Royal College of Music followed, but Paul's passion remained in theatre. Soon he was travelling the globe performing to universal acclaim and recognition with such awards as Entertainer of the Year in his home country and International Gold Medal Magic Champion in 2003. He has performed in over 50 countries and 17 national television appearances including two years on New Zealand Television with a double magic act. Paul is also recognized as an accomplished author with a best-selling book. He is now based in Vancouver. He has performed for many cruise lines including Cunard, Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, NCL, Seaborne, Discovery Cruises and Fred Olson. His book "Entertainers Guide to Working on A Cruise Ship" is the most up to date and informative books available for magicians on the subject. Visit www.magicmasterclass.com to see more of the book or email Paul at paul@chaplinmagic.com -------------------------------------------- 7. 'The Great Fiasco' Moves On -------------------------------------------- Message from Terry Herbert (UK) Terry Herbert would like to let it be known, that the exclusive rights including Title, Music and Props of his award winning comedy act The Great Fiasco have been passed to Nick Caraway of Denmark as from June 2006. Terry devised the basis of this act way back in 1972 when he was asked to perform a comedy spot in a late night crazy show at a British Ring Convention. From then on he was asked to perform it at various conventions when it was known by the original title The Great Burke.  It was not until 1980 that it really took off when it won The Tom Harris Comedy Cup at the British Ring Convention at Brighton and following that he was booked for a Television Show in Santiago, Chile. It was there that the name was changed to The Great Fiasco as it was difficult to explain in Spanish what the name of Berk meant in English. Although initially the act was meant for magicians, through a suggestion by John Fisher, Terry had changed some of the gags so that it was acceptable for a lay audience and appeared on many television shows abroad including France, Germany, Austria, Norway & Spain. It was also featured in various U.K television shows including New Faces, 3.2.1. Starburst, Welsh T.V, Beadles About and The Best of Magic. The act continued to win several other awards including Award for Comedy FISM in 1982. British Champion of Comedy 1986. Award for Comedy Desert Seminar Las Vegas 1987. Senator Crandell Award for Comedy, Colon, 1988. Magic Circle 'Carlton' Award for Comedy Magic 1992 30 year old Nick Caraway from Copenhagen will no doubt modernise the act with a different comedy presentation, so ensuring The Great Fiasco will continue it's success into the 21st Century. -------------------------------------------- 8. Cairns Reef Casino Show - "Illusion Odyssey" -------------------------------------------- Message from Tony Laffan (Aust) Cairns Reef Casino Show Latest Production of "Illusion Odyssey" starring The Magic and Illusions of Tony Laffan and Kasey- Laura Experience the magic and be captivated by the exciting new production, "'Illusion Odyssey ". The show is a breathtaking new performance filled with spectacular illusions, dancers and daring aerial feats that will leave you guessing. "Illusion Odyssey" will transport you into another dimension of dancing goddesses, roman warriors, aerial elegance, seducing tribal beats, magic and mystical mayhem! Let yourself be entertained by Australia's award winning International illusionist, Tony Laffan. Not only will his world class illusions have you astounded but his beautiful assistant Kasey-Laura will leave you breathless. Complete with hilarious comedian dialogue and audience interaction that will leave you in stitches. Tony shares a special chemistry between himself and his audience. His passion for his craft and his love for entertaining is bringing his own unique experience to the world of conjuring. Our audiences are once again graced by the amazingly talented Aerialist Bronwyn Wilson. With her strength, grace and death defying stunts her performance will be of no comparison with any aerialist in the country. The "Illusion Odyssey" dancers will captivate you with their high energy, hip shaking dance numbers, choreographed and co-produced by Cairns born Renee Straguszi. Each routine has been carefully crafted to suit the theme and style of the show; this brilliant team of dedicated dancers create a dynamic edge. Be sure to bring your cameras and ask for signed autographs, as you are able to meet the talented cast after the show so your experience with "Illusion Odyssey" will last a life time. "Illusion Odyssey" is not to be missed... a magical and spellbinding production that is loved by all! Show ends mid August 2006 Shows will start at 8.30pm Monday to Saturday. For reservations and enquiries, please phone 07 4050 0500. Visit Tony Laffan's web site: www.TonyLaffan.com -------------------------------------------- 9. Magicelebration 2006 - Colon Michigan FREE! FREE! -------------------------------------------- Message from Rick Fisher (US) August 2-5th The ONLY free magic convention/gathering in the U.S. will be held August 2-5th in Colon, Michigan. Free Lectures By: Dick Stoner, Tom Jones & Rachel Wild, Tom Craven, Ron London, Juggling Seminar by Al Angelo, Clowning Seminars by Sparkles and Company. Special - Just Added! Free Svengali and Invisible Deck Pitch Lecture by Don Driver and S. David Walker! Free Close Up Show! Free Illusion giveaway on Saturday Night! Free Magic Demonstrations! Free 2 Day Magic Flea Market (there is charge for tables but only a few remain!) Free Meet The Legends Of Magic Forum! Plus.....two giant public shows under the big top! We have expanded our tent size due to the sell out crowds last year! Tickets for both Friday and Saturday night shows are $8 adults and $5 children 12 and under! Discount hotel rates! Cottages available! Friday night show includes: Dick Stoner, Justin Holbrook, Ron London, James Kesler and Al Angelo Saturday Night show includes: The Mirror Image, Rick Fisher, Alan Smola, Tom Jones & Rachel Wild plus???? You just never know who might show up. Surprises galore! Unannounced activities! You can't miss the biggest magic party of 2006! FREE registration! Free night before party on Tuesday night! Food! Fun for the whole family! Call toll free 877.44.MAGIK or visit us online at www.fabmagic.com for complete schedule! -------------------------------------------- 10. Thanks For Caring - Harold Twaddle -------------------------------------------- Message from Harold Twaddle - I.B.M. Sick & Convalescent I wish to thank all of the members of our magic organization around the world, that took the time to pray, call or send a card during my recent confinement. Just have a bit more therapy to go. Everything is coming along very well. Those members listed in TLR are uplifted when they hear from their brothers and sisters. And believe me it really helps. If you would like a copy of the latest "Hav-A-Laff" Bulletin, we would be glad to send you one by a PDF file. This is one of the many things that the Sick & Convalescent does for our members that need a bit of cheer. Just send an e-mail indicating so and it will follow shortly. Thanks for caring, -------------------------------------------- 11. "Its MAGIC" Airing In June -------------------------------------------- Message from David Schleich forwarded on by Sam Martin (US) Note: This is ONLY available in the Cities listed since it is on Comcast Cable TV. If you need to see it, ask a friend in one of the listed cities to tape it for you. The "It's MAGIC" cable show is shown on Thursdays at 5:30 PM in the cities listed below. Each month "It's MAGIC" features different magicians from the Chicagoland area. The June show features a performance by Mike Winters. Air dates for this show are: June 15, June 22, June 29 and July 6 Arlington Heights, Ch. 35 Glendale Heights, Ch. 19 Palatine, Ch. 19 Bartlett, Ch. 35 Glenview, Ch. 35 Park Ridge, Ch. 35 Bedford Park, Ch. 19 Golf, Ch. 35 Prospect Heights, Ch. 35 Bensenville, Ch. 19 Hanover Park, Ch. 35 River Forest, Ch. 19 Berkeley, Ch. 19 Hillside, Ch. 19 River Grove, Ch. 19 Bloomingdale, Ch. 19 Hinsdale, Ch. 19 Rolling Meadows, Ch. 19 Bridgeview, Ch. 19 Hodgkins, Ch. 19 Roselle, Ch. 19 Broadview, Ch. 19 Hoffman Estates, Ch. 19 Rosemont, Ch. 19 Buffalo Grove, Ch. 19 Itasca, Ch. 19 Schaumburg, Ch. 35 Burbank, Ch. 19 Justice, Ch. 19 Schiller Park, Ch. 19 Burr Ridge, Ch. 19 Lincolnwood, Ch. 19 Skokie, Ch. 35 Carol Stream, Ch. 19 Lombard, Ch. 19 Stone Park, Ch. 19 Cicero, Ch. 19 Lyons, Ch. 19 Streamwood, Ch. 35 Clarendon Hills, Ch. 19 Maywood, Ch. 19 Summit, Ch. 19 Countryside, Ch. 19 McCook, Ch. 19 Villa Park, Ch. 43 Darien, Ch. 19 Medinah, Ch. 19 Westchester, Ch. 19 Des Plaines, Ch. 35 Morton Grove, Ch. 19 Westmont, Ch. 19 Downers Grove, Ch. 19 Mt. Prospect, Ch. 35 Wheeling, Ch. 35 Elk Grove Village, Ch. 19 Niles, Ch. 19 Willow Springs, Ch. 19 Elmhurst, Ch. 19 North Riverside, Ch.19 Willowbrook, Ch. 19 Elmwood Park, Ch. 19 Northbrook, Ch. 35 Wilmette, Ch. 19 Forest Park, Ch. 19 Oak Brook, Ch. 19 Wood Dale, Ch. 19 Forest View, Ch. 19 Oak Park, Ch. 19 Woodridge, Ch. 19 Franklin Park, Ch. 19 Oakbrook Terrace, Ch. 19 -------------------------------------------- 12. Peter Rolston - Broken Wand -------------------------------------------- Message by Stan Kramien (US) Peter Rolston, well known Canadian ventriloquist and magician passed away, day before yesterday. He had just appeared at my Magic Jamboree. Peter had a long run with his own show on Canadian TV. He was a GREAT artist and a dear friend. --------------------------- Also message from Paul Romhany Very sad news. Peter Rolston passed away this week. Peter was a legend in Canada with his TV show Pete's Place. He was a fantastic magician and ventriloquist and performing right up until his passing. Here is a cutting from the Province Newspaper. ROLSTON _ Peter Walter, Entertainer. Loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many exited his earthly stage on Tuesday, June 6th, 2006. He will be missed by Barb, his beloved wife of 44 years; their 2 daughters Karsha (Dean) and Tanya (Dan); grandchildren D.J., Miranda, Alycia and Josh and loving sister Sharon (Kirk) plus nieces, nephews and many devoted loyal fans, theatrical associates and personal friends. Peter was born in Vancouver January 12th, 1936 and following his schooling he continued to develop his dream of becoming an entertainer. Humor, magic, ventriloquism and his assortment of dummies, George and Cindy. This enabled him to win the Actra Award for Best B.C. Children's Show in 1978. His t.v. program "Pete's Place" entertained children and adults alike from 1963 - 1979. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 13th in the Gizeh Temple, 3550 Wayburne Drive, Burnaby. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Gizeh Patient Transportation Society c/o Gizeh Temple. As Peter would say, "Thanks for coming out to the show, drive safely because I'm walking." -------------------------------------------- 13. Autographed Book By Dai Vernon For Sale -------------------------------------------- Message from Glen Rhodes (Aust) The Queensland Society of Magicians is raising money by offering for sale the book Dai Vernon's 'Symphony Of The Rings' by Lewis Ganson autographed by Dai Vernon on the inside page. All offers will be considered. Please contact Glen Rhodes via email at grhodes@monadel.com.au -------------------------------------------- 14. 60th Anniversary Brotherhood Of Auckland Magicians Inc -------------------------------------------- Message from Stan Goudge (NZ) Saturday 3 June 2006 The Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc celebrated its 60th Anniversary on Saturday 3 June 2006 at the Springs Garden Restaurant, Western Springs, Auckland. There were forty six members and guests present, including some from the Waikato Magic Circle and the IBM, who were welcomed by President Jon Zealando, and all enjoyed the Buffet Meal. Group photographs recorded the occasion and some memorabilia and photos were on display, including Ned Kelly's historical scrap books. Greetings were received from Alf Hayes in Sydney, Alan and Michele Watson. Wayne Rogers proposed the toast to "Absent Friends". Amongst those remembered were Wally Taylor and Peter Evans unable to attend, the late Burns Scandrett, Ron Mogridge, Les Robinson, George Bates, Stan Hull and Billy McComb (an Honorary Member of the Club) who had graced magic and whose wands had been broken in recent years. Stan Goudge proposed the toast to "The BAM", and Tony Wilson "To Magic". Four members had their certificates presented marking their promotion from the Outer Circle to the Inner Circle of the BAM. They were; Murray Beattie, Elaine Bracey, Brent McLeod and David Upfold. Life Membership was bestowed on Graham Bennett and Stan Goudge acknowledging their contribution to the Society over many years. Brian Sowry was appointed Patron of the BAM, and Tony Wilson won the "Wizards Award" for the best magic contributions at the club's monthly meetings. The surprise presentation of the evening was a framed certificate to Jon Zealando who is celebrating his 50th year as a professional magician, declaring him to be a "Living Legend of Magic". The citation reads, In recognition of his outstanding contribution over fifty years to the art and craft of magic; as a magical inventor, ventriloquist, fire eater, yogi, escapologist, children's entertainer, cabaret and stage artist, a performer extraordinary, magical mentor, role model and friend; sometime President & Secretary of the Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians Inc, Life Member and Grand Master of Magic, It is hereby declared that Jon Zealando is a Living Legend of Magic. A Magical Cabaret was planNed but due to ownership changes of the venue and difficulties with the resident DJ, this did not happen, although guest John Paton presented his Tommy Cooper Act. Sixty years is a long time in the history of a magic club and many do not survive that long. It is a tribute to the BAM's members and officers down the years that the society is in good heart. Long may it continue! -------------------------------------------- 15. 28th New Zealand International Magicians Convention -------------------------------------------- Hosted by Palmerston North Magic Circle (Inc) Palmerston North, New Zealand. 20th to 23rd of October 2006 For the registration html form to print off Go to: http://www.joel.co.nz/convention/reg_form.htm For more information on the convention Go to: http://www.watson.co.nz/convention.html Convention headliners: David Williamson (USA) Lisa Menna (USA) Duane and Mary Laflin (USA) Joel Howlett (Aus) Alan Martell (UK) If you are planning to attend and have not booked - BOOK NOW - as seats are now limited. ----------------- 16. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 105 'Linking Rings', courtesy of a Ghost! Can you remember when you bought your first set of Linking Rings? I can, and will never forget it! We had stopped off late one afternoon and booked into a motel for the night, in the City of Palmerston North, which is 143km (90 miles) North of the 'Capitol City of New Zealand', Wellington (It should've been Auckland -whoa, I'll bet that has started a furore!). The motel complex was quite large, built in a quadrangle shape with units both on the ground floor and identical units upstairs, with parking for two cars outside each ground floor unit. I am now going to attempt to describe the interior of the ground floor unit we had been booked into, as it is VERY IMPORTANT to what I'm about to relate. Parking up outside, the front door was virtually right in front of the car. PLEASE NOTE, the front door was the ONLY entrance/exit to the motel unit. On opening the door, it swung back against the left-hand wall, which separated us from the unit next door. Entering the room there was a large double bed on the immediate right; if you had 'X-ray Vision', and were standing outside, you would be looking at the headboard. The room contained the usual furnishings; wardrobe, television, table etc. At the other end of the room was the only other door, which led, to the immediate left, into the bathroom/shower, toilet etc. or, on the immediate right, the kitchenette, which contained the usual; refrigerator, teapot, stove/oven etc. and that, was about it! Later that night, at around 1am in the morning, Veronica had put down the book she was reading and turned over to go to sleep. I was sitting up with her little hand held make-up mirror and a pair of tweezers, digging out some pesky ingrown hairs from out of my face; they can be a right little pain (was that a pun?), that can become unsightly blemishes - thus spoiling my 'extraordinary good looks' - well, I can dream, can't I! So there I was, concentrating like mad and going cross-eyed as hell, trying to focus on the bloody hairs with the magnifying side of the mirror when, out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw movement. I looked up and nearly crapped myself! Standing in the doorway that led into the bathroom/ kitchen, 'Was some bloke with a full black beard', looking at me like, I don't know, 'Like a man watching another man pulling hairs out of his face'! I quickly looked down at Veronica, grabbed her arm and shook it like mad to wake her up then, looked back up at the doorway as she sat up ready to give me a 'Mouthful' for disturbing her just as she was getting to sleep. 'He Had Gone'! In the few moments that I had taken my eyes of him, 'He had vanished'! Wildly spluttering and babbling, trying to explain to Veronica what I had just seen, my brain was going crazy, telling me that the bastard had ducked into the toilet or kitchenette and, at the same time, logic was telling me that there was absolutely no way anybody could have gotten into the room without us knowing about it! Putting on a brave face and quaking in my toes (well, I don't wear boots to bed), I threw all the lights on and, not surprisingly found - nothing! We didn't sleep much that night and, I had a sneaking suspicion that Veronica thought I was - 'bullshitting'! Later the next morning, when we in the office (which was attached to the motel owners large home), checking out and paying the bill, I told the elderly lady who was serving us of what I had seen, and could only explain as - A Ghost! Fully expecting her to laugh in my face and to take pity on Veronica for having a fool on her hands, she calmly said, "Oh, that would've been my late husband!" She then went on to say that, the week before, an 'undercover drug detective' who had been staying there for a few days, had come down one morning, very disturbed and as white as a sheet, after seeing him in his room! THEN SHE DROPPED THE BOMBSHELL! "MY HUSBAND WAS A MAGICIAN YOU KNOW, AND A INVENTOR AND, A POET." When I informed her that I also, was a Professional Magician, she invited Veronica and me into her home for a 'cuppa' and a chat. -------------------------------------------- 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. 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