* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #424 Date: Sunday 2nd July 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. 2008 Early Convention Registration Extended 3. Galt House Accepting Reservations - IBM/SAM 2008 Convention 4. IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention Competition Rules 5. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians #16 - Nick Lewin 6. The Inside Scoop To Cruise Ship Entertainment #5 7. Summer Solstice - Abbi McBride 8. History of Troublewit 9. Radio Magic Update 10. MEF Safari Scholarships 11. Resumption Of The Dice Stacking Articles, # 16A In The Series 12. A Blatant Copy Of Christopher Hart's Glove Act 13. International Lecture By Ishbak Shehadeh From Chile 14. www.martinka.com/auction 15. Magic Shows Free To The Public 16. Harold Webster Admitted To Austin Hospital 17. Oscar Munoz - Worlds Greatest Magic Show 18. 'A Touch Of Magic' - 4th -To 7th July 19. The Mad Scientist And Elgregoes Winter Wonderland 20. 28th New Zealand International Magicians Convention 21. The Amazing Orchante Saga 22. e-zine Archives 23. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- It was a tragic loss to the magic world when Tommy Wonder died from lung cancer last week. Not only was he a brilliant performer, his creative mind was an inspiration to us all and I hold dear his 'Books of Wonder' and his DVDs. I remember talking to him on the phone about 7 months ago as I was in the process of putting the final touches to his contract to bring him to New Zealand for our New Zealand International Magicians convention, unfortunately it was not to be. After seeing his doctor for a routine check up he told me that the doctor said he ought to get his affairs in order, spend time with his family and friends as he only had a maximum of a year to live. --------------------------------- Delighted that Tony L. Lewis will be continuing his very popular contributions on Dice Stacking again bi-weekly. Refer item 11. ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. IBM/SAM 2008 Early Convention Registration Extended -------------------------------------------- Message from Jack White (US) Jack White Public Relations 2008 Early Convention Registration Extended The early registration period for the IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention has been extended to the end of the year, it was announced today by the convention committee. There is significant evidence of the worldwide interest in this special event with over 80 registrations received to date based only on the initial announcement last fall. Since convention registration was set back almost four months while seeking a new convention site due to Katrina, the early registration period has been extended to December 31, 2006. This means that those people wishing to take advantage of the $295.00 early registration price have until the end of the year to do so. In addition, a simplified registration fee schedule has been published. Jan 1, 2006 - Dec 31, 2006 - $295.00 Jan 1, 2007 - Dec 31, 2007 - $395.00 Jan 1, 2008 - Jun 30, 2008 - $495.00 Jul 1, 2008 to the convention - $595.00 A 2008 Convention Registration form may be found on both the IBM and SAM web sites and by email to IBMSAM2008@apps magic.com -------------------------------------------- 3. Galt House Accepting Reservations - IBM/SAM 2008 Convention -------------------------------------------- Message from Jack White (US) Jack White Public Relations Galt House Now Accepting Reservations For IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention June 19, 2006 - The Galt House Hotel and Suites, Louisville, Kentucky, is now accepting reservations for the IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention during the week of July 21-26, 2008, it was announced today. "Although it's early, we wanted those who are registering for the IBM/SAM joint convention in 2008 to be able to lock in their hotel reservation at the same time," said Diane Reiff, Galt House National Sales Manager. "We understand that the early interest in this special magical event is significant and we want to do everything possible to accommodate our visitors from around the world." Overlooking the Ohio River, The Galt House Hotel & Suites is Louisville's premier hotel, with over 1,300 rooms and 120,000 sq. ft. of function space and an easy 200 yard walk to the Kentucky Center Performing Arts theater complex. Hotel reservations can be made toll free by calling (800) 843-4258. Overseas calls should be made to the regular hotel phone (502) 589-5200. Reservations may also be made on line at www.galthouse.com (booking code 422497) where a virtual tour of rooms and facilities can also be made. The Galt House has guaranteed its rates for the Combined Convention. Initially, 600 traditional rooms in the West Tower have been set aside at $99, single or double occupancy, plus an additional 300 Executive Suites in the East Tower at $124 for single or double occupancy. Applicable taxes apply to all reservations. Although guests 18 or younger stay complimentary, triple and quad rates at a $10 increment each apply to adults. The convention rate is applicable 3 days prior and 3 days following the convention, subject to availability. -------------------------------------------- 4. IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention Competition Rules -------------------------------------------- Message from Jack White (US) Jack White Public Relations IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention Announces Competition Rules The IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention is set to host a magic competition with a total cash prize purse of $20,000, the largest ever awarded. The competitors, limited to a maximum of 50 in each of Stage and Close-Up categories, will compete for the Championship Trophy, plus a cash award in each category of $10,000. In addition, worldwide bookings worth an equal amount will be divided between the six finalists in each category. The winners will be selected using an entirely new format. A panel of 6 International Judges will select the 6 finalists in Stage and 6 in Close-up. The champion from each category will then be chosen from the finalists by a People's Choice vote following two showdown performances, one for Close-up and one for Stage. The six judges are: Gerrit Brengman, Belgium, FISM juror and Deputy Director of FISM; Joan Caesar, Canada, President of Canadian Assoc. of Magicians, 2006 FISM juror; Domenico Dante, Italy, FISM juror and FISM treasurer; Eberhard Reise, Germany, FISM juror and creative director, and writer; Dale Salwak, USA, IBM Executive Show Producer and contest juror; R.G. Smith, USA, SAM Executive Show Producer and Blackpool juror. Contestants from around the world will be required to submit 3 DVDs of their actual performance, not a promotional video. A separate panel of competition pros will evaluate these DVDs and make their recommendation to the Committee. This pre-selection will determine the performers at the competition. However, any previous IBM or SAM Gold Medal Winner will be exempt from submitting a DVD. All contestants must be a member of either the IBM or SAM, and pay an entry fee of $100.00 per contest category entered. The entry fee will be returned to those who do not qualify. Persons wishing to become either an IBM or SAM member in order to compete must have completed the membership application process before applying for the competition. Membership application forms may be downloaded from the website of either the SAM www.magicsam.com or IBM www.magician.org. Entries are being accepted at any time and until April 1, 2008. Rules and Entry Form may be downloaded from the convention website WWW.IBMSAM2008.COM. -------------------------------------------- 5. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 16 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) Nelson Riddle and the Kid. During all my years performing magic only once did I think about giving it up and doing something different. It happened back in the 1970's in California when I got to work with a musical hero of mine. A call from the Magic Castle put me in touch with a producer from Pacific Palisades. Getting a referral call from the Castle was like Forrest Gumpe's box of chocolates, you never knew what you were getting! The only thing you did know was that Jean Cantor had quoted a fee. Jean was the dynamo at the center of the Castle who kept things hopping. She always quoted a two hundred dollar fee. It didn't matter whether it was for performing a full illusion show for a thousand people in a ballroom or doing card tricks in a restaurant! The fee was always the same two hundred dollars. Billionaire Ross Perot was throwing a huge banquet for returned prisoners of war from the war in Vietnam. Hosted by Ronald Reagan, the evening featured an after-dinner show starring Carol Burnett, Edgar Bergen, Sammy Davis Jr. and Tony Bennett. The musical director was Nelson Riddle with his forty-two-piece orchestra. Someone had decided an unknown English magician would be the perfect item to complete this extravaganza. Maybe it was the $200 fee! The most intimidating part for me was doing a band rehearsal with the great Nelson Riddle. I was a huge fan of Mr. Riddle's awesome orchestral arrangements. For me, Irish singer Van Morrison expressed it best when he sang, "When Frank Sinatra sings, against Nelson riddle strings and then takes a vacation." There is just something in the way Morrison sings it that says it all. On the afternoon of the show when the time came for my band call I walked onstage trying to look like this was an everyday occurrence. Mr. Riddle was seated on a piano stool in front of what seemed like an endless orchestra. In my hand were my band parts. I had always been very proud of the jazzy arrangement of "Rule Britannia" that had been written for my by the bandleader from a cruise ship. There were band parts for twelve instruments some of which I had never even heard. Looking at the gigantic orchestra they suddenly seemed very inadequate. "Mr. Riddle," I began. "Call me Nelson," he replied. I appreciated his gesture but in honesty it had taken all my nerve just to call him Mr. Riddle. Nelson looked at my meager stack of music, smiled and said, "Nick, unless it is very important to you, if it's just intro and bows music maybe you can leave it to me," he said with a friendly grin. "I am sure I can come up with something for the band." I agreed gladly and that was the end of my band call. That night prior to show time while standing in the wings I wondered for the first time about what my intro music would be. This was the summer of "Star Wars" and in Los Angeles the movie was everywhere; the characters, actors, images and particularly that wonderful soundtrack by John Williams. That is what I heard following my introduction. Nelson Riddle and his entire ensemble broke into the fanfare from Star Wars. "DA DA DADA DA DAAAAH DA." Every single one of those forty-two musicians playing their hearts out, strings were soaring, timpani booming, horns blaring and best of all there was ~Nelson on the keyboard keeping it all together. For a moment it ran through my mind that I should just not bother walking out onstage, quit right there on top of the mountain. Then I took a deep breath and walked out on to the stage. Please address any bricks or bouquets concerning this piece to nicklewin@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------- 6. The Inside Scoop To Cruise Ship Entertainment #5 -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany (NZ) The response from my past four articles have been pretty overwhelming with many emails from magicians interested in more information and in particular magicians who have worked ships in the past and telling me some of their favorite stories. I know that no matter who you are or what you do on a cruise ship, you will have some pretty interesting stories. For anybody who really wants the inside scoop with contacts on who to approach regarding working on a ship then please check out my new HUGE 250 page book AND free DVD of life on a ship at: http://www.magicmasterclass.com Flying --- it can really take it's toll!! This week I will talk about something that many people don't think about until they start working on ships, the amount of time you spend flying around the world. There are two different ways ships will work for magicians regarding travel. Some cruise lines like to have entertainers on ships that will stay on for many months, in most cases this applies to illusionists. This makes sense because it keeps the cost of transporting props everywhere. Illusionists today on ships are performing some incredible large illusions from the production of helicopters to vanishing motorcycles and so on. I heard one horror story on a ship where they hired an illusionist who had sent the company an amazing promotional video of him producing a motorbike, dancing girls etc. The company spent a lot of time flying this magician and his equipment to the ship. When it came time for his rehearsal it started to become very apparent that he had NEVER performed ANY of the large illusions he had in his promotional tape! The stage manager called the cruise director who had to make the decision to cancel the contract ... he just could not put the act on stage. The magician was sent home without actually performing a show! The moral of that story is to make sure you can live up to your promotional material! I am what is known as a fly on act, that is I fly from one country to another. This IS NOT as glamorous as it may sound and I am sure every cruise act can tell you horror stories. An example happened only last week. I had to do what would normally be a small flight but ended up being over 20 hours of travel time, than when I finally got to Rome at midnight, I spent over 2 hours with a driver who had no idea where my hotel was. At 2 am he dropped me off in the middle of the street and started to drive off. I ran after him, made him come back and show me the hotel and actually come up to make sure I was booked in there! Quite often the cruise lines will book you on a special deal flight, which means you often don't take the most obvious route. As I said, what normally would have taken only a few hours with a direct flight, took over 20!! The worst experience, there are more than a few I'm afraid, was having to fly from Vancouver, Canada to either New Zealand or Australia for four days on a ship, then fly home to Vancouver for four days, back to NZ or Australia for four days. I did this for almost two months, flying something like 150 hours a month! I actually spent more time in the air than I did on land. The very last day of my contract I flew (more than 20 hours flying time) and had an 11 hour wait at LA airport. The best thing was bumping in to Christopher Hart who had come off a flight. I finally made it to Australia only to find out I was working that night. On my last show I physically collapsed due to exhaustion and dehydration. My legs just got cramp in the middle of my act. I did manage to finish my show but it was a nightmare. When I got home a few days later there was a call to see if I could fly to South Africa ... I just couldn't do it and didn't work for the next month trying to recover. If you are thinking about working on ships then I suggest you make sure you are in good health because the travel is the hardest thing on the body, no matter how young or old you are. I will try and collect a few stories from other entertainers who have worked on ships and share them with you as the really do make interesting reading for anybody in the business. Regards Paul Romhany paul@chaplinmagic.com www.paulromhany.com www.chaplinmagic.com www.magicmasterclass.com -------------------------------------------- 7. Summer Solstice - Abbi McBride -------------------------------------------- Message from Abbi McBride (US) "All people dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind, wake in the morning to find that it was vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people, for they dream their dreams with open eyes, and make them come true." --T.E. Lawrence (AKA Lawrence of Arabia) Greetings Friends and Magi... Summer Solstice is upon us, a time of enchantment and metamorphosis, a time of long sun-drenched days and short, balmy nights, perfect for magic! William Shakespeare, writing of Solstice night in A Mid-Summer Night's Dream, said, "Whatever is dreamed on this night, will come to pass." As magicians, many of us find our inspiration from our dreams. These next few nights are especially good ones for dreaming in new ideas. Before retiring for the night, place a notebook, a pen, and a small flashlight in easy arm's reach from your bed. Before going to sleep, tell yourself, "I will remember my dreams. I will remember my dreams. I will remember my dreams." As soon as you wake up, even if it's in the middle of the night, jot down a few notes or keywords about whatever you remember from your dreams- a phrase, a feeling, or a small snip of a dream can give you a good place to start from. If, on waking, you remember nothing about your dreams, don't worry, just write down a few sentences about what you might have dreamt, if you could remember.... "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." --Eleanor Roosevelt, American First Lady Here in the waking world, Jeff is looking forward to being up at Lake Tahoe this weekend. He is doing a video shoot with Max Maven and Paul Potassy, and is excited about working with Louis and the gang at L&L Publishing to help them put together something wonderful. In a few weeks, we'll be traveling to Sweden for the FISM Convention, where Jeff and I will be performing, lecturing and teaching a 5 hour seminar. If you're planning to be at FISM, be sure to say hi! When we return from FISM, we'll be getting ready for our Extended Master Class here in Las Vegas, and we look forward to seeing some of you here! Make the dream of your life a sweet and magical one, and remember that we are the dreamers, the dream and the dreaming.... Abbi McBride -------------------------------------------- 8. History of Troublewit -------------------------------------------- Message from Steve Biddle Along with David Lister, the historian of the British Origami Society (first president being Robert Harbin), I am trying to trace the history of Troublewit. I have discovered it's first (possible) appearance in Sports and Pastimes, published in 1676. The performances of Trewey, Devant, Stanyon and Jay Marshall. During my research the name of Pere Mathieu, a priest who brought the fold back from China at the beginning of the 18th century, keeps on popping up. But I cannot discover anything on him further. Hence any help, leads or other information that readers of your e-magazine might have on Pere Mathieu and Troublewit would be most welcome. Yours truly, Steve Biddle www.paper-magic.net -------------------------------------------- 9. Radio Magic Update -------------------------------------------- Message from Jay Fortune (UK) Welcome to issue fourteen of our exclusive Radio Magic VIP Newsletter. Thank you for subscribing to this free service that guarantees you will be up-to-date with all that is happening on the show. As with RadioMagic.co.uk itself, our e-newsletter has now been upgraded (it may not seem worth mentioning, but after hours typing code, we need to put this in just to keep our producer, Jon, happy) meaning that you receive our latest news and also the latest news story added to the home page of RadioMagic.co.uk! What a genius Mr. Randall is. Every month now, we have been bringing you news of brand new features and the show and site seem to keep on growing. The first piece of major news is that we are now playing 24/7. Yes, you can tune in and hear previous shows through our website. Simply click on the Listen Live graphic at the top left of RadioMagic.co.uk whenever the mood takes you. Technical problems have been reported from listeners using iTunes. We strongly recommend WinAmp which is a free program to download and use. Of all our listeners polled, this program scored the highest for simplicity and ease of tuning in to the show. Second place was Windows Media Player. Please use these programs for listening to Radio Magic. Full tuning in details and appropriate links have also been added to our website. Low on magic? Need to stock up? We only advertise those dealers who offer professional services, fast delivery and quality goods. Hit our 'Advertisers' tab on the home page and click through to any of the dealers who support Radio Magic. And if you are low on cash, then each week you could win yourself some great magic through our various competitions. Just by being a member of our site enters you into our weekly on-air competition sponsored by Mark Leveridge Magic, where you could win yourself one of Mark's excellent e-routines. Our online competition can win you £25's worth of magic from Merchant of Magic! Each week we change the question and every month we select a winner and you can enter as many times as you like. To enter, simply log into RadioMagic.co.uk and click the 'Competition' tab at the top of our home page. And finally, every week on the show the Layman's Tease could win you magic from Alakazam Magic. Each wrong answer received raises the prize magic voucher by £1.50. Tune in for details. Our latest feature is our online calendar. Here you can catch up on the latest happenings in the world of magic. If you have a special date that other magicians would be interested to know about, please send it to us for inclusion in our online magic calendar. Thanks to you the listener, Radio Magic is becoming one of the best free online magic services in the world. Please keep us posted of your news and views. And have a great month. Stay tuned! Jay Fortune & Layman Steve - Hosts of Radio Magic Live every Monday at 8pm (GMT), 12 noon (PST) www.radiomagic.co.uk -------------------------------------------- 10. MEF Safari Scholarships -------------------------------------------- Message from Mike Segal Director of The Sorcerers Safari, Canada's Premier Magic Camp www.SorcerersSafari.ca -NEW SITE!- Sorcerer's Summer Safari (www.SorcerersSafari.ca) The Society of the American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund is happy to enclose a Press Release announcing the award of three additional full tuition scholarships with travel expense to attend Sorcerer's Summer Safari magic camp located in Ontario, Canada. The very deserving and qualified youngsters are Chad Juros of the USA, and David Shack and David Lekei of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. With an earlier award to Josh Miller of Cambridge, England, there now is a total of four scholarships to Sorcerer's Summer Safari magic camp awarded this year. It would be appreciated if you would include this announcement in your publication. Warren J. Kaps, Trustee Magic Endowment Fund For Further Information Contact: Warren J. Kaps 15 Warren Street Hackensack, NJ 07601 Tel. (201) 489-5277 Fax. (201) 489-0477 Magic Camp Scholarships The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund is proud to announce that this year we are able to provide scholarships to four very special and deserving youngsters from England, Canada and the United States to attend magic camp at Sorcerer's Safari located in Toronto, Canada (www.SorcerersSafari.ca). The competition was extremely keen this year with many deserving and highly qualified applicants. We received more applications for this summer than we ever had in the past. Interest in magic seems to have exploded, and it was a difficult decision to decide on the deserving youngsters. Recently we announced that a scholarship was awarded to Josh Miller from Cambridge England. The three additional scholarship winners are Chad Juros of the United States and David Shack and David Lekei of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Chad Juros is 17 years old and is a senior in Egg Harbor Township High School located in New Jersey, USA. He is the founder of Spread the Magic Foundation, a nonprofit organization and has performed at the White House for President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. He has been performing since the age of three years old and professionally since he was six. He has performed at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California and for the Richard Petty Foundation of the NASCAR world, as well as in pediatric cancer hospitals and hospices. Chad is courageous, talented and an inspiration to all who know him. David Shack is 13 years old and in 7th grade at the John W. Gunn Middle School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He has performed magic and close up magic at numerous charity events and has participated in SYM activities. At this years magic competition, he received a silver prize for the State Competition and shared a gold prize for the Close-up Competition. He has been asked by his school counselor to be part of the 2006/07 Leadership Team to make the school a safe and positive place. He is a creative and bright well-mannered boy whose goal in life is to make people laugh. David Lekei is 14 years old and is in 9th grade at the Salisbury Morse Place School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. David was co-winner of the SYM Close-Up Contest trophy in the senior division and was first place in the SYM stage contest Showcase of Magic in 2005. David spends a great deal of time practicing and studying magic between SYM meetings, and it is very evident by his performances and demonstrations which are truly outstanding and amazing. He is reliable, conscientious trustworthy. His love of magic is contagious and his expertise has pleased his audiences. David is exemplary in his studies at school and every term he marks his place on his school's Honor Roll. Warren Kaps kapsmagic@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------- 11. Resumption Of The Dice Stacking Articles, # 16A In The Series -------------------------------------------- Message from Tony L. Lewis (US) Dear fellow magic enthusiasts, A few months ago, I was writing a weekly series for this ezine. It dealt with my nearly fifty years experience with the art of dice stacking. Sixteen articles had been contributed with approximately four left to complete the series. As I was contemplating the construction of number seventeen, other phases of my life demanded my immediate attention. Additionally, I was experiencing a bout of that infamous affliction known as "Writers' Block." I am happy to say that all the impediments to my creativity seem to be resolved for now. Hence, I will go about completing the series of articles. However, I plan to change the flow from weekly to biweekly. This will give me a better chance to work on other writing projects of mine that have also been neglected for a while. Before I complete the narrative, I would like to give a brief summary of what has been written previously. I hope that this will refresh the memory of those who were following my dice stacking personal history. Additionally it will fill in the gap for those of you who missed the prior parts of the series. I became interested in dice stacking in the late 1950's. At that time the instructional material for this art was very scarce. I learned how to stack dice from the booklet entitled "How to Stack Dice for Fun and No Profit," written by the illustrious magician, Clarke "The Senator" Crandall. After mastering the fundamentals of this discipline, I visited "The Senator" at a bar he was tending on the West Side of Chicago. Fortunately, the meeting went well and he gave me some additional pointers that had not been covered in his booklet. I decided to obtain the best possible equipment for my newly developed skill, so I had a set of eight dice (for doing a double stack of four) custom made for me by the notorious K. C. Card & Dice Company of Chicago. Each of these precision 5/8 " inlaid dice had my name embossed on it. These cubes were so well made that after almost fifty years of use, they still look great and stack quite easily. I practiced diligently with my new toys and finally mastered the "takeoff" or "decapitation" with a stack of four dice. I then revisited Senator Crandall to have him evaluate my progress. Everything went well until I showed him my mastery of the "takeoff." I realized too late that I had unwittingly upstaged the "Senator" who had not mastered this difficult move. However, I managed to pacify him and we parted on good terms. That is where the last article ended. The series also included a detailed description of my dealings with juggling guru, Todd Strong. I explained that the art of dice stacking lies in the grey zone that separates magic and juggling. Note that this area did not exist in the middle ages when magic and juggling were usually performed by the same individual. I refer interested readers to http://tinyurl.com/ebf27 There you will find an excellent graphic of the painting "L'Escamoteur" (The Conjuror) by Hieronymus Bosch. This beautiful masterpiece from the late 14th century depicts a conjuror (magician/juggler) bewildering a group of peasants with the cups and balls. He seems to also have a thimble on one of his fingers. In the prior articles I gave very glowing reviews to the following dice stacking reference materials: The Dice Stacking Video (DVD) by Todd Strong The Dice Stacking Book by Todd Strong Gerry's Extreme Dice Stacking The last DVD can be used as an instructional reference but the first two sources serve that purpose better. What you see in Gerry's DVD is the incredible manipulations of the man who many, including myself, believe is the best dice stacker in the world today. Todd Strong disputes that claim with some justification. In my opinion it is an extremely (pun intended) close call with Gerry edging Todd out ever so slightly. There are several other good sources of instructional material for dice stacking, such as the book and video entitled "Zack Stacks." I just happen to believe that the three sources I cited above are the cream of the crop. In two weeks the dice stacking series will resume with article number 17 entitled "Additional meetings with Clarke, "The Senator," Crandall After that I will continue to produce the remaining parts of the series. Regards, Tony L. Lewis -------------------------------------------- 12. A Blatant Copy Of Christopher Hart's Glove Act -------------------------------------------- Message from Christopher Hart (US) A magic gal from Holland had a video running of her doing a blatant copy of my glove act. Walter Blaney suggested that you had a large magic subscriber base and that I should write to you. I've never sold rights to the glove routine. I would hate to see copies popping up all over the world. Especially if others thought it was OK to do. Here is the Internet link-just cut and paste. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umEH1J8Vbdg -------------------------------------------- 13. International Lecture By Ishbak Shehadeh From Chile -------------------------------------------- Hey Presto Magic Presents (Sydney Australia) 'An International lecture by Ishbak Shehadeh from Chile' Next Wednesday 15th July 2006 at 7.30pm Lecture Includes: Part 1 - The Hidden King - This part is based on his book "The Hidden King", New advanced Card Magic techniques, five years of work and investigation, with the support of the Spanish Master Magician Jose' Carroll. These techniques are focused to create new sensations on the publics mind, through the Magic. Tricks include "Anty Oil and Water", "Revolving Cards" and "Total Triumph". Part 2 - Spanish Techniques - An outline of the most useful techniques for magicians who perform Close-up Magic, from masters such as Juan Tamariz, Arturo Ascanio and Joaquin Navajas, among others. This includes YPC, Enfile, Catapult of Coins and many more. Part 3 - Visual Magic and More - This part examines 2 visual effects with new very creative ideas using the flap card and T-shirt interactive magic. Book On-Line or tickets at the door. Price $15. P34 Imperial Arcade 168 Pitt Street Sydney Enquiries: Hey Presto Magic Telephone (02) 9232 7660 -------------------------------------------- 14. www.martinka.com/auction -------------------------------------------- Message from Ted Bogusta (US) Hi there, Just a quick email to let you know that over the past week we have added 100's of more great magic items to our auction. The collection includes a nice variety of apparatus, books, posters and paper. As always, the items can be viewed at: www.martinka.com/auction We will be adding even more over the next few days, so please check in often. To sign-up for bidding and to receive future notices, please register by filling out our simple form at: www.martinka.com/register Please don't hesitate to email or call is with any questions about the auction or the listed items. Remember the auction ends June 30th. And finally, we are now gathering items for our September auction, if you have an item or a collection that you would like included please let us know as space is filling up. Best Regards, Ted Martinka & Co. (201) 444-7576 www.martinka.com -------------------------------------------- 15. Magic Shows Free To The Public -------------------------------------------- Message from Elio Simonetti (Aust) To all our friends in the magic community: Eva and I are giving a series of performances (that are free to the public) in shopping centres around Australia. So if you're in the area and would like to watch some magic, please drop by. Monday 19 June to Friday 23 June 11.30am and 1.00pm daily Brimbank Central Shopping Centre Cnr Station St and Neale Rd Deer Park VIC Monday 26 June to Friday 30 June 11.00am and 1.00pm daily Centro Oakleigh Shopping Centre Station St Oakleigh VIC Monday 3 July to Saturday 8 July 11.30am and 1.30pm daily Centro Lavington Shopping Centre Griffith Rd Lavington NSW Monday 10 July to Saturday 15 July 11.30am and 1.00pm daily Centro Arndale Shopping Centre 470 Torrens Rd Kilkenny SA Monday 17 July to Saturday 22 July 11.30am and 1.00pm daily Centro Colonnades Shopping Centre Cnr Goldsmith Drv and Beach Rd Noarlunga SA -------------------------------------------- 16. Harold Webster Admitted To Austin Hospital -------------------------------------------- Message from Les Cohen Harold Webster has been admitted to the Austin Hospital. He has suffered from Emphysema for a number of years and is in a bad way. It would be good if you could put a note in your next newsletter to let his magic friends know. He can have visitors but people should make their visits very short and not all at once. He is struggling and the hospital staff have suggested visits only between 3pm and 5:30 pm. His wife Lyn is coping but finding it difficult and would appreciate the support of we magicians. Keep up the good work with the newsletter. Regards, Les Cohen -------------------------------------------- 17. Oscar Munoz - Worlds Greatest Magic Show -------------------------------------------- Message from Oscar Munoz (US) Just a quick note I will be in Vegas working at the Greek Isle with the Worlds Greatest Magic show. I will be there July the 9-16, should be a fun show. -------------------------------------------- 18. 'A Touch Of Magic' - 4th -To 7th July -------------------------------------------- Message from Graham Bennett (NZ) 'A Touch of Magic' is on again 4th - 7th July 11am daily. Theatre holds 110 people and currently already half booked each day. Watch for an editorial column in North Shore Times Advertiser -------------------------------------------- 19. The Mad Scientist And Elgregoes Winter Wonderland -------------------------------------------- Message from Greg Britt (NZ) Any magicians or visitors to Christchurch New Zealand may like to catch one of Elgregoes stage shows at local shopping malls. Elgregoe (Greg Britt) as The Mad Scientist and his son Nickleby as Egor present The Mad Scientist Magic Shows at South City Mall Sunday 2nd July to Saturday 8th July at 11.30 & 1pm daily. Crazy experiments, optical illusions and Mind-boggling Magic in one of there most popular productions. Elgregoes Winter Wonderland starts at The Hub (Formerly Hornby Mall) Monday 10th of July to Sunday 16th July with shows at 11.30 & 1pm.Ventriloquism with Percy the Penguin, snowflakes turn into snowflakes the Rabbit and as part of the show it will start snowing in the mall. Shows are free to shoppers at the mall and if you are a magician introduce yourself to Elgregoe who always likes to meet visiting magicians. Those who got a copy of New Zealand Magazine North & South in June will have read and saw the photo of Ezine Editor Alan Watson and a good read on their family magic show featuring Alans granddaughter. Alan's family magic show is a popular feature at Rainbows End theme park in Auckland. If New Zealanders want to pick up a copy of the July issue you will see on page 99 a picture of Elgregoe performing the twister and a story on Trustpowers Sponsorship of his antibullying show and work in the community. Elgregoes You've Got The Power Show will travel right thru New Zealand in July, August, and September. -------------------------------------------- 20. 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 Information on the convention Go to: http://www.watson.co.nz/convention.html The Schedule of events Go to: http://www.joel.co.nz/convention/timetable.htm 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 VERY limited. ----------------- 21. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 107 A 'Blast from the Past'! An old friend of mine, Mike Brittenden, who used to be on the committee organising the Christmas shows at the Gisborne Sound Shell way back in the Sixties, had an anecdote about me. I asked Mike if he would recount, in his own words, his (true) story so that I could reproduce it here in my 'Saga'. Happily, Mike consented; here then, is his tale, word-for-word. Anecdote By Mike Brittenden Me and my big mouth! The sands of nearly half a century have fallen into the glass of time since that incident (How's that for an opening line!). It would have been somewhere between 1962 and 1967 - I'd have to root through the 'Herald's' morgue and look at the advertising to get any closer. There were just the two of us in the prefab ticket box that 'Chopper' Summersby had built. I am guessing that it was midweek, and a quiet night. I know that it was indifferent to 'shitty' weather, with a house to match. I made a point of never stopping selling tickets while there was movement in the carnival area, and always kept one window open until I heard the chaser. On occasion, the finale would conclude without this music and the crowd would ooze back to the camping grounds and car parks and the money takers would be unaware... There were always 'Internal Amusement Sources' within the ticket box when the windows finally closed. On this night, I was counting the cash when a 'scratch' on the door indicated that 'The Amazing ORCHANTÉ' was about to grace us with his presence. I had seen him before, but was unsure when. At first glance I thought he was Michael Chamberlain. He modestly introduced himself as a 'One Man' Show, and was looking for a spot. As you know, this was rather unusual. George Tollerton, Eddie Hegan, or Phil Warren (all well known [now deceased], Auckland Show Biz' promoters), or whoever was co-ordinating our shows, prearranged the circuit months earlier, and we padded the weaker nights with talent quests, etc. During the course of discussing what he could do, Mr Orchard indicated that he was a - 'Hypnotist of No Mean Calibre'! Helen, my girlfriend/fiancée/wife at the time, depending on the year, interrupted our conversation with the words, "And who are your stooges?" or something equally rude. Before I had a chance to intervene, Orchanté said something quietly to her, her knees sagged, and she was parallel to the pine needles on the wooden floor! She rapidly regained her feet, but made no further contribution to the conversation. Naturally, I arranged for him to get a spot, and he met the resident compere the following morning. Unfortunately, I missed seeing his performance, and have not heard of him since, until our conversation the other night. Over the intervening years, I wonder if he realised how much I would have paid, in total confidentiality, for just that ONE secret! Knowing how he did what he did would have changed the course of my life. With his secret, by now I would have been a 'Has Been', instead of a 'Never Was!' Hope this fits the bill, Ciao, Mike. Thanks Mike, it sure has; by the way, after 35years as a fulltime Pro' I'm now a 'Used to be..!' Was forced to retire early, in 1996, due to emphysema; our last performance was in Sweden for a television show! Quite a leap from my first public performance; in a tin shed that served as the local fleapit, sorry - cinema, at Raupunga, N.Z. at the tender age of 11, in 1954. (See page two of my Saga) -------------------------------------------- 22. 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) -------------------------------------------- 23. 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