* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #534 Date: Sunday 23rd September 2007 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. Ed Alonzo New TV-Show Trailer "Total Freak" On YouTube 3. A Tribute For Larry White 4. Order Was A Knock-Off Of Our Invention 5. IBM British Ring Convention - Southport 2007 6. Remarkable Magic #23 - Nick Lewin 7. The Children's Performer: A Kid at Heart - By Kyle Peron 8. Entertaining On The Ocean #2 - Paul Romhany 9. Las Vegas Magic - October, 2007 10. Offer Is Only For Folks Who Attended The ASM 11. The 4th Asian Magic Association Convention 12. Regarding The Decision Of The FISM Committee 13. The Little Egypt Gazette 14. The Ballys Casino In Atlantic City Is Having Darren Romeo 15. MindStorms - The Lecture 16. Joyce Blaney Passed Away 17. Time For Magic & Mystery 18. Auckland Public Magic Show 19. The Amazing Orchante Saga 20. e-zine Archives 21. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- We hear that there was a great picture in the Sydney Morning Herald Australia of Ray Crowe doing the Shadowgraph of a rabbit with a nice story of his shows and how he is now, or rather his agents, are negotiating for him to be on the David Letterman show. We also hear that he is booked to appear on the next Royal Variety Show. Congratulation Ray we are thrilled for you. --------------------------------- Maurine Christopher is now recovering after a successful eye operation. --------------------------------- This week's high light for Michele & I would have to be attending the Greg Wilson's (US) lecture. His entertaining and technical skills were fabulous. ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. Ed Alonzo New TV-Show Trailer "Total Freak" On YouTube -------------------------------------------- Message from Greg Wilson (US) Ed Alonzo New TV-Show Trailer "Total Freak" on YouTube Ed Alonzo, winner of the Comedy Magician of the Year award this year, 2007, from the Academy of Magical Arts (aka, Magic Castle), has recently produced a trailer for a new TV show he has created! It is called "Total Freak" and is a Comedy Street Magic show. The show is innovative and very funny. He has posted it on YouTube, http://youtube.com/watch?v=2AqSNCotCTM , and the producer he is working with wants to see how many viewers it will attract so that they can take it to the networks to get it on the air! So we are asking for your help. Please click on (or copy and paste) the link below and view this brief 3.5 minute trailer, and leave a comment if you have the time. Hope you like it! By the way, I am Greg Wilson, son of Mark Wilson, and I did all the video work on this project for my good friend, Ed. Thanks for your help in advance. http://youtube.com/watch?v=2AqSNCotCTM Allakazam! and Best Wishes, -------------------------------------------- 3. A Tribute For Larry White -------------------------------------------- Message from Bruce Barnett(US) I don't know if you have heard, but my good friend Larry White is undergoing a chemotherapy treatment, and I really wanted to send him a "Get Well Soon" card, but no card can express my thoughts exactly. Larry has been a good friend, and a supporter of both the EG and Shadow Network, and I owe him a lot of thanks. I was thinking about how he asked magicians from all over the world to send in comments about the Electronic Grymoire, and he published them in the Special MUM issue for January 2000. It was the first issue for the new millenium, and even though I told him that it really should be January 2001, but he put me on the 2000 cover anyway. :-) So I was thinking I could do the same thing for him. I am asking all of my friends who want to send Larry White a message of thanks, to send it to a special address I have set up. Please send Larry an e-mail message wishing him the best, and send it to 2larry@grymoire.com I'm going to collect all of these messages, and print them up in a booklet, and send them to Larry, so he can look at it whenever he needs cheering up. It doesn't have to be long. But if you are as fond of him as I am, please send a note to him expressing your thoughts. -------------------------------------------- 4. Order Was A Knock-Off Of Our Invention -------------------------------------------- Message: from James George of Sorcery Manufacturing It has come to our attention that a severe problem is occurring against our company and we need your help. A past customer of ours has placed an order with TheMagicDepot.com (Aarron Smith) The customer had ordered a Kevlar Boss Reel from TheMagicDepot, but what he received in his order was a Knock-Off of our Invention the ITR. Aaron is blatantly baiting and switching his clients to Knock-Off versions, when the customer thinks he is getting and has ordered our product. He is also using our registered TRADEMARK to promote a knock-off. http://magicproducts.org/company-information.html Two counts against him legally. We are sending him a cease and desist letter today. This is not only damaging our reputation, but he is also damaging his own. We suspect this is happening with many of the Magic Dealers out there, as I have noticed on one dealers site he is advertising that our product is in stock, but it is one of our exclusive items and he has not ordered any of these from me, how he can achieve this is only by Magic! We are thinking that if you would like to avoid this kind of confusion, you can do this by ordering your ITR's directly from the Manufacturer. At MyITR.com or MagicProducts.org Thanks again everyone for your past support, we have a new surprise coming out for everyone next spring, and yes we have filed for a patent on this, learned my lesson the hard way. Kind Regards, James George CEO Sorcery Manufacturing - Inventor of the ITR tm. ----------------- 5. IBM British Ring Convention - Southport 2007 ----------------- Message from Mandy Davis (UK) This year's convention promised more big names than ever - Paul Stone had efficiently organised the artistes and the events - and it lived up to its claims. Anyway, I had a great time but I felt for the dealers. There was just soooo much going on all day every day that I didn't get into the hall until Friday and then it was a quick run around to buy the staples I needed for Rob to take them home as he was going back for  gigs he'd taken on. If he hadn't been going I would've gone from the AGM to the first lecture, Johnny Thomson, which I was loathe to miss but had no other time to get to the dealers..... I understand trade was bad for them and can you wonder? So I was disappointed to miss that special lecture but made up for it by meeting up with him and with Pam who is an absolute marvel. Most lectures were repeated but you had to work carefully to get to everything you wanted to see - and then had to miss some. I enjoyed the late night magic shows at the Arts Centre but they featured the same people we'd just seen in the big shows and sometimes the same material. There were some great bits of film though, taken during the day, spoofs on various aspects of the magic world and these were masterpieces skilfully edited by Ben Stone. They featured "Larry", a character created by Kevin King who was suitable dim and off the wall. I loved Gaetan Bloom but missed his lecture due to commitment to the International Close Up show which was also brilliant, featuring Lennart Green, Bill Malone, Rocco, Boris Wild, Michael Vincent and, of course, Gaetan. The close up competition was of good standard overall and I was glad I wasn't judging it. The winner was Steve Dela (who also gained the Rovi Trophy for technique) with Alex Moffatt in second place and Will Gray in third. The annual Shield competition had eight competitors, contrasting with the ten close up ones, and of those six were silent manipulators! Even as a judge they all became much of a muchness in the end so I can only imagine how that reacted on the rest of the audience. The results were as follows: 1st: High Jinx (a boy of sixteen and his nineteen year old sister) who had a highly professional and well rehearsed fun act; 2nd place: Club Magic from the Netherlands who also won the Manipulation prize, the Ditta Shield; 3rd place: Alan Maskell who also won Originality for some unique effects in his amiable patter act. Boris Wild's lecture was brilliant as always and Joanie Spina's workshops were fascinating although daunting for the subjects on the stage. Young Magicians James Milner and Alex Lodge earned medals for bravery yet I do hope they listen to at least 75% of what they were told.... Rocco won me over with his lecture and Bill Malone's was a must - see, his lecture was everything you'd expect - entertaining and informative. I didn't get to Lennart Green's but then I felt it was probably one step too clever for me anyway! One of my highlights was the fantastic sight of David Williamson surrounded by junior magicians at the Young Magicians Club workshop on Saturday afternoon. His humour lost none of its cutting edge yet the kids took it all on the chin and truly learned something. Joanie also gave up her time to help some with the opening moments of their acts. David stayed on for another half an hour afterwards and gave two of the older guys an intense card session, fabulous fabulous memories for them to take away from the week. David Williamson''s own show was wonderful; the Thursday night show was one of the best - Rocco and Rob Torres were amazing, Ray Alan and Lord Charles were incredible and Tim Gabrielson was a real lesson on how not to treat your audience and just what arrogance can do to someone so young! He redeemed himself a little in the late night show when he tried to come head-to-head with British close up magician and icon of the laid-back attitude, Chris Power! Paul Zenon was a brilliant contrast to the brashness of the overseas performers and the other stage highlight of the gala show, for me, was Johnny Thomson. I'm in the process of putting the October 'Secrets' magazine together so the above is written without notes or thought, just abiding memories of a brilliant week written in a hurry to make sure Alan Watson has something to give his readers. A personal favourite was seeing Rob Cox on stage with Murray Hatfield and Teresa, knowing that Rob was being very self-contained by not walking off stage as Murray patronised him constantly! Another personal memory was helping Lennart Green during his act and seeing all the 'backstage' moves that it took for him to perform, eye-opening stuff! -------------------------------------------- 6. Remarkable Magic #23 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) Remarkable Magic. Ricky Jay-the only magician I am jealous of. When I arrived in Los Angeles in the mid 70s Ricky was already in full bloom. In fact before I left England Ken Brooke was already very vocal in his opinion that Ricky was the one person in magic to really watch! The first time I met Ricky Jay I realized what a special person he was. when I saw his act I got an even clearer insight into what a rare and unique talent he had. I had never seen anything quite like it before; in fact I have never seen anything like it since unless it was Ricky performing it. I saw Ricky perform at the 'Ice House' in Pasadena. His opening act was the brilliant comedian Gary Shandling before he had made any television appearances. Gary created so much laughter it made me wonder how any magic act could follow him. I needn't have worried. Ricky had just published his book 'Cards as Weapons' and there was his splendidly bizarre demonstration of card scaling that highlighted his act. There was also some of the finest sleight of hand I had ever seen performed on stage. It was a curious act that created a mood of its own and took the audience along with it. Watching Ricky perform was one of the moments that caused something to click in my mind and left me determined to follow my desire to perform sleight of hand to larger audiences than was considered normal. He was clever, funny, bizarre, and a real inspiration. I always kept a very close track of what Ricky was doing and it was with surprise and delight that when he was featured in "House of Games" I realized he was also a formidable screen presence. By the time I had seen him in various other movies I realized he was a superb actor too. Never a shade of anything that was overstated or unnecessary. One of my favorite quotes about acting is from screen great Gary Cooper who said: "Acting is a great profession just never get caught doing it." You never catch Ricky acting; he just plays the part. As a huge fan of David Mammet's work as writer and director I was very excited to learn that Mammet would be directing Ricky Jay in a Broadway play. It was a spectacular breakthrough for a magician to take his art to this level. I wasn't jealous though-I just wanted to make sure I saw the play. For me this was not just a personal highlight for Ricky but a feather in the cap for all of magic. Rick's career has continued in its fascinatingly quirky fashion. Whether it was his live performances or his side projects (good God the man has just released a CD of poker songs) he has remained an inspiration. I don't think I have spoken to Ricky more than a handful of times however his integrity and single-minded devotion to his highly personal vision has given me a great deal of hope for what can be achieved by a magician. Oh, when was it I was reduced to green eyed envy when I watched Ricky? That is an easy one: it was when he played the cyber-villain in a James Bond movie. That spoke to my inner 007 in an unmistakably loud voice, here was an achievement that would allow me to die a happy man! As always send any bricks or bouquets to nicklewin@earthlink.net and check out my website at http://www.NickLewin.com -------------------------------------------- 7. The Children's Performer: A Kid at Heart - By Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message from Kyle Peron (US) Magic4u02@aol.com What got you into magic and performing for children? No, not the tricks you saw or the magician at your birthday party. I am also not even talking about the magic shop you may have gone to when you were a child or the magic set you got as a gift. What I am talking about is something deeper that I like to think we all share. What is it inside of us that make us realize that performing magic for children is not just something we want to do... but something we HAVE to do? If you look deep inside yourself you can probably pinpoint a certain moment in time. A time perhaps when you realized that even if you never got paid to perform for children, you still would do it anyway because you just have that desire to entertain kids. But I think something happens to many of us children's entertainers. We seem to forget what got us into children's magic in the first place. We seem to allow ourselves to get so hung up on the show and the routines and the business and all the aspects of what we do, that we forget why we are doing it in the first place. I think this can be a big problem. The reason is that we then just go through the motions of the performance when there really is nothing there at all. There is no substance because your heart is not really in it. And the most important part of this is that the children know it. Children can read us adults better then we give them credit for. So how can we stop ourselves from going down this path of forgetting who we are and why we do what we do? First, I think it is important for any children's performer to get in touch with the inner child inside of us. The inner child is often hidden so much because as an adult we fear that touching base with our inner child is .. well childish and immature. We as adults feel that we cannot show our inner child because that is not what adults do. But as a performer we are forgetting something. We forget that we are entertainers first and magicians second. We are there to entertain the children in the best way possible. If this is true, then isn't this the perfect time to let your inner child out? As a children's performer we are given a great gift of opportunity. Think about it. We are given the chance to act like a child again and to do so freely. We are given the opportunity to be silly and goofy and funny because we know the kids react positively to it and can relate so well to it. It is also that inner child inside of us that we need to remember when we are performing. How many times have you done so many shows on the same day or the same week that you find your mind is just not where it should be? Probably a lot of you right now can recall times like this vividly. It happens to us all. The problem is that if we are just going through the motions, are we really giving the children and the client the best show we can possibly give? It is times like this where we need to go back to remembering why we got into performing children's magic in the first place. Every show you do for a child you really must learn to stop yourself for a second and think. If we think hard enough we can always remember that there is probably a kid in that audience that is seeing a magician for the very first time. The reality is when we realize that magician they are seeing for the first time is YOU! That is a very big deal. When I perform for children I keep a few signs in my cases. One of them reminds me of this very fact. It helps me put my mind where it needs to be to make sure that child goes home thinking highly of the experience and of magic in general. So why do you perform for children? Think about it long and hard and remember what your answer is before you perform your next kid's show. I think you will realize just how magical it really can be. As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your thoughts. So if you have any thoughts on my articles or suggestions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me directly at magic4u02@aol.com. I would love to hear from you. Kyle Peron Magician and Illusionist Graphic Designer and Illustrator (Specializing in Logo creation) www.kyleandkellymagic.com Chair Suspension Ebook Author http://www.magicenhancer.com/ChairSuspension.html -------------------------------------------- 8. Entertaining On The Ocean #2 - Paul Romhany -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany This week I would like to introduce you Matthew and Mistia Fallon. They are a wonderful illusion team that are constantly out there working on cruise ships doing a fantastic job and have been in the business for years, two of my favourite people in show business. This is an amazing story that Matthew gave me permission to publish in my cruise ship book "Complete Guide to Entertaining on Cruise Ships" and I am sharing it with you now because it reminds us all that you never know who is in your audience. You can visit their website at www.fallonmagic.com Here is Matthew and Mistia's story: With every show you perform, onboard ship or not, be true to yourself, your art and your audience. You never know who is watching. A number of years ago, Mistia and I were performing onboard Celebrity's ship "Mercury" doing Panama Canal and Caribbean runs. One night, after our show, we were on our way to dinner and approached by a middle-aged man who expressed that he thoroughly enjoyed our performance. This is always wonderful fuel-for-the-tank and we thanked him gratefully. He then continued to ask if I knew much on the history of magic. "I do not know as much as I'd like but I am an avid studier!" I replied. He asked if we would mind coming to his table in the main dining room just before 9:00 p.m. to meet an older man seated at his table. The middle-aged man said that the older was sharing with his table mates that he enjoyed our show and that his father, too, was a magician, a quite famous one, who performed for royalty and the wealthy many years ago. The middle-aged man seemed skeptical of the older man's stories and wanted my opinion. Later that night around 8:45p.m., Mistia and I made our way to the main dining room. I was extremely curious who this man's father may have been and, being quite open to hearing most anyone's story, my anticipation was building. We found the correct table by number and recognized the middle-aged man who first approached us before dinner. He immediately stood up with a smile and introduced us to everyone seated with him. He finished introductions with an out-stretched hand, gesturing to an older man seated with his wife. I remember thinking to myself, "...if that man doesn't look a lot like Max Malini..." This older man introduced his wife Babs and himself, Ozzie Malini. My jaw dropped. Goosebumps all over. Mistia and I were standing across the large, round table from the two of them and I gently put my arm around Mistia pulling her with me to get closer. Ozzie complimented us on our performance and mentioned his father was a magician named Max Malini. Immediately, the middle-aged man who invited us to this encounter asked me, "Have you heard of him?" Wide-eyed and all smiles, I answered, "Wow, oh, yes." Ozzie and Babs were just finishing dessert and coffee and were then going to the evening's show. Ozzie asked us if we could get together to talk afterward. "Absolutely!" I said. We agreed on a place and time. Sitting with Ozzie was an incredible gift. He was soft-spoken and shared many memories of his father: a couple of coin sleights, his performances for royalty and the wealthy and his travels. I wish I had a tape recorder. I came to learn Ozzie and his wife lived near us in Southern California and he kindly invited us to get together at their home as he was excited to share so much with me. After returning home from our contract, I phoned Ozzie and, unfortunately, his health was not 100%. He was in and out of the hospital and a number of months passed during which Ozzie was not up to meeting in person so we would talk for a bit on the telephone. Looking forward to getting together again soon we would end each conversation with a not-too-distant date to call and try again. It was when I made an unscheduled call that Babs answered and said Ozzie had passed away just a couple of days prior. She was glad I had called as she wanted to invite us to Ozzie's memorial service. It was a small, beautiful family affair that we felt honored to be a part of. Solely by chance and coincidence we were given the opportunity to meet Ozzie Malini onboard that ship. Ozzie was the son of a true Legend in magic whose love and support for our art was as strong as his father's. He was very generous with his time, knowledge, stories and advice. Ozzie Malini was a wonderful man. -------------------------------------------- 9. Las Vegas Magic - October, 2007 -------------------------------------------- Compiled by David Neubauer www.dnmagic.com Production Shows: Amazing Johnathan 10 pm, (Dark Thurs.), Sahara. Reported to be the Final Year http://www.saharavegas.com/shows/amazingjohnathon.html America's Headliners Jeff Hobson (emcee) 7 pm. KRAVE Theatre. Beacher's Madhouse Christopher Karpiak, Chuck Lane, Tyas Frantz 9 pm pre-show. Last Sat. each month. Hard Rock. Bite (Vampire Strip Revue) Antonio Restivo - 10:30 pm (dark Thurs.) Stratosphere. http://www.bitelasvegas.com Crazy Horse Paris Stephan Vanel 8 & 10:30 pm, (Dark Tues.), MGM Grand. http://www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/crazy-horse-show.aspx Criss Angel - Cirque du Soleil Luxor Hotel and Casino. (Scheduled to open February, 2008) David Copperfield Oct. 4 - 17, Nov. 15 - 28. 7:30 & 10 pm, 4:30 Sat. & some Sun. MGM Grand. http://mgm.admission.com/cgi/guide.cgi?l=EN Dixie Dooley, Master Mystifier 7:30 & 9:30 pm (Dark Sun. - Tues.), Weston Casuarina. http://www.houdiniexperience.com Gerry McCambridge - The Mentalist 7:00 pm (Dark Wed. & Sat.), Hooters Casino Hotel. http://shop.vegas.com/shows/showtimes2.jsp?show=1056&lang=en Hans Klok - The Beauty of Magic Hans Klok (with Pamela Anderson) - Aladdin Theater - Planet Hollywood Resort. 7 pm & 10 pm, (Dark Sun. - Wed.) 2 for 1 Tickets: Enter code "FAM241" http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/81953?brand=planethollywoodlv Haunted Vegas Tour & Show Robert Allen, Jac Hayden & Zamora - Greek Isle. 9:00 pm tour and show (Dark Fri.) $10 off coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponhauntedvegas.html Jason Bird Miracle Mile Shops - Planet Hollywood Resort. Main stage, near the "V" Theater, Thursday - Monday Various times from 1:15 pm. to 8:15 pm. - Free. Keep It Funny starring Tim Gabrielson House of Blues - Mandalay Bay 3 pm (Dark Fri.) http://www.keepitfunny.com Lance Burton, Master Magician 7 pm Tues - Sat & 10 pm Tues. & Sat. Monte Carlo. http://www.montecarlo.com/entertainment/lance.aspx Mac King Comedy Magic Show 1 & 3 pm, (Dark Sun. & Mon.) Clint Holmes Theater - Harrah's. http://www.mackingshow.com Free tickets (buy 1 drink) are usually available at the concierge desk or handed out occasionally by showgirls. Nathan Burton Comedy Magic Show 2 pm every day, 6 pm Fridays V Theater at the Miracle Mile Shops - Planet Hollywood Resort. 2-for-1: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponnathanburtoncomedymagic.html Penn & Teller 9 pm, (Dark Tues.), Rio. http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/rlv/entertainment/entertainment_detail_00.html Steve Wyrick 7 & 9 pm. Miracle Mile Shops, Planet Hollywood Resort. The Ultimate Variety Showcase Christopher Karpiak and "S". Roxy's Live - Sam's Town 8 pm - Midnight every Tuesday. Free. http://www.samstownlv.com/entertainment/event.cfm?EventID=332 V, The Ultimate Variety Show Jason Byrne (most Tues. - Sat.) or Nathan Burton (most Sun. - Mon.) 7:30 & 9 pm, Planet Hollywood Resort - www.vtheshow.com 2 for 1 coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponvshow.html World's Greatest Magic Show Joseph Gabriel, Katalin, Kozak, Roy Shank, Losander. 6 pm Sat. - Thurs., 8:15 Fri., Greek Isle. http://www.greatestmagicshow.com Xtreme Magic Starring Dirk Arthur Tiffany Theatre, Tropicana 2 and 4 pm. (Dark Fri.) $10 off coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/Coupontropicana_dirk.html Other Vegas Magic Restaurants: Eric Allan, Outback Steakhouse (Green Valley), Fri. & Sat. Jayden LaCross, TGI Fridays, Wed. & Sun. Jamie Porter's Radio Side Show Sat @ 5 am, KLAV FM 1230. Las Vegas Magic Organizations I.B.M. #257: 7 pm 1st Monday each month. http://www.ibm257.com Las Vegas Children's and Family Entertainers Association, 7 pm every 3rd Monday Both meet at Amazing Clowns, 3525 E. Flamingo. Darwin's Magic Club meets every Wednesday. Boomers, 3200 Sirius Ave. YMS (Young Magicians Society) 7 pm every 2nd Monday each month, IHOP Boulevard Mall on Maryland Pkwy. News: Open Casting Call: Will Roya will be auditioning children ages 8 - 12 on Saturday, October 13 between 10am and 2pm to participate in his next series of instructional DVDs "Magic Tricks R 4 Kids" to be filmed on Friday, October 26 (Nevada Day) & Saturday, October 27. For more information feel free to contact Will Roya via email at will@willroya.com. October, 2007 October 2-5: The Ultimate Stage Hypnosis Seminar - Palace Station. Jerry Valley, Tommy Vee, Alex Mitt. October 7-9: MINDvention - Palace Station. Scheduled: Patrick Redford (George Tait), Sean Taylor, John Archer, Joseph Atmore, Guy Bavli, Eugene Burger, Rick Maue, Jon Stetson. http://www.mindvention.com/ October 10-12: Master Class for Mentalists. McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger. http://www.magicalwisdom.com October 12: Student Union Theater, UNLV, "S" and Christopher Karpiak will add the magic to Rebels After Dark - Family Style, at 9 pm. This is a free show! call (702) 460-2472 FOR details. October 23-26: Magic & Meaning Conference; MAGIC AND THE ART OF STORYTELLING, McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, George Parker, Special Guests: George Parker and Larry Hass. This also includes the LAS VEGAS WITCHES AND WIZARDS BALL. http://www.magicalwisdom.com November, 2007 November 1-4: Magic for Medical Professionals, McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger. December, 2007 I.B.M. #257 presents a tribute for their Magician of the Year; JOHN CALVERT. ORLEANS Hotel and Casino, Monday Dec. 3, 2007. http://www.ibm257.com/ Please email any Las Vegas magic updates/news to David through his website: http://www.dnmagic.com -------------------------------------------- 10. Offer Is Only For Folks Who Attended The ASM -------------------------------------------- Message from Shawn Farquhar (Canada) We had such a great time with the magicians from New Zealand and Australia. I was thrilled that my magic received such a great response and surprised that I would "sell out" so quickly following my lecture. You may recall I mentioned to the audience I would continue to offer my lecture deal to anyone who contacted me from the convention. Well I have been surprised again! I have had so many emails and phone messages that I have had to set up a web page devoted just to offering the lecture package. To make life a bit easier I was hoping you might mention the website address in your Magic New Zealand e-zine so I can contact everyone in one effort. http://www.magichampion.com/Fans%26Friends/Australia.html This offer is only for folks who attended the ASM. I am back at sea in Mexico on the ms Norwegian Star so I'm off to the pool ... -------------------------------------------- 11. The 4th Asian Magic Association Convention -------------------------------------------- Message from Albert Tam (Hong Kong) The 4th Asian Magic Association Convention will be in Hong Kong., the date will be 2nd - 4th. Nov. and take place in Riverside Regal Hotel. The Asian Magic Association was established in 2003 which is an organization in Asia with member societies of different countries. There are now 11 member societies which represent different Asia Magic cultures. The Asian Convention was started from 2004 and is now a major annual magic event in Asia which is hosted by different AMA member societies in different cities. The host of this year will be Hong Kong and is organized by the Magicians' Association of Hong Kong. There are International Magic Masters Fantasy Gala International Close-up Magic Gala The 4th Asian Stage Magic Contest The 4th Asian Close-up Magic Contest Master Magic Lectures, Magic Sports By Tim Ellis, Late Night All Stars Magic Jam, Farewell Banquet with Surprise Farewell Strolling Magic Contest, and International Magic Dealers pack in the three days. The Gala Show will be performed in theatre which will open to the public in order to make the event not only for magicians but promote the art to general public. The guests line up will be Shimada, Dale Salwak, Amos Levkovitch, Ellis & Webster, Danny Cole, Simon Lovell, Aaron Fisher, Magic Fukai, Katami Maki, Michiaki Kishimoto, Yuji Yamamoto, Mahka Tendo, Alex Tan, Kenneth Chan, Liao Xiao Run, Harry Wong & Albert Tam. The convention registration will be US$200 and Early Bird registration will be US$180 before 15th Sept. The convention chairman is Albert Tam, who is an experienced magician and convention organizer in Hong Kong. For any enquiries please email to convention@magic.org.hk The website of M.A.H.K. is www.magic.org.hk -------------------------------------------- 12. Regarding The Decision Of The FISM Committee -------------------------------------------- Message from Carl Williams President Custom Magic I can't believe that I am writing a second letter to you within a month. It is just not the sort of thing I generally do however in this case I just had to voice my opinion. I am writing regarding the decision of the FISM committee to accept the actions of a performer whom won an award when admitting that a portion of the act in question was copied from another individual. For many years Walter "Zaney" Blaney has been fighting a losing battle to put down just such breaches of ethics. In this case I have known Ayala for many years and have always admired his great creative ability in presenting exciting and startling magic effects while on stage. I think it is like the situation where, as a magic craftsman, I might find a fine piece of wood that I want to fashion into an outstanding magic prop only to notice there is a bad spot in the wood. Obviously no matter how hard I work using this raw material I would never be able to create the finished product I desired without the flaw showing up in the finished product. I remember well over the many years that I have attended FISM conventions that the prize awarding was always made only to those offering perfect performances without any even close violations of the standards set down by the officials for the competitors. Now all of a sudden for a FISM committee to bend the standards to the extent that they have, by justifying the awarding a prize to one that has proselyted an effect from another, is in my opinion disgusting. How can anyone, while maintaining a straight face, overlook a blatant violation of an ethic such as in this case. I think the action and final decision rendered by the FISM committee in the case of Ayala vs. Sittah is, by the officials, counterproductive to the spirit of proper and fair administration. In my opinion it was a very bad mistake and reflects a lowering of the standards that have always made FISM competitors strive so hard for the very best they have to offer. This is just the opinion of an old man, (85 years now), whom has been in magic all of his life. Do you suppose maybe I have just slipped behind in the spirit of good judgment when it comes to fair competition in major events such as FISM. If this continues what is the value of winning a FISM award? As I said, it will always be like that bad piece of wood I mentioned above trying to pass itself off as part of a perfectly crafted piece. There I have said it and I am glad!! -------------------------------------------- 13. The Little Egypt Gazette -------------------------------------------- Message from Steve Bryant (US) My current monthly Little Egypt Magic site (littleegyptmagic.com/magic.html) provides a link to a full-blown "special edition" of The Little Egypt Gazette, which I retired back in 1997. This "special edition" is devoted to the first 50 years of Milt Larsen's It's Magic! show and contains: 1. An extensive interview with Milt. 2. A review of the ceremony at which Milt and Bill Larsen received a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. 3. A review of the party and photo shoot at which the alumni of 50 years of It's Magic! performances posed for a group photo. (The photo is included.) 4. A list of all the acts that have performed in the Hollywood productions of It's Magic! over the first 50 years. 5. A review of the all-star 50th anniversary show held at the Kodak Theatre in 2006. 6. My coverage of everything else that was going on at the Magic Castle during last year's It's Magic! week. There are plenty of photos to accompany the 20,000 words of text, but I was particularly amazed by the photos that Damon Webster shot at the show at the Kodak. I didn't see them myself until about a week before posting the issue, and they are terrific. -------------------------------------------- 14. The Ballys Casino In Atlantic City Is Having Darren Romeo -------------------------------------------- Message from Carl Bajor The Ballys Casino in Atlantic City is having Darren Romeo, the singing magician perform from Sept 22-Dec 6th. Most days have matinees as well as evening shows. He is a protege of Seigfried and Roy. I saw him at SAM covention in Ballys - Las Vegas...Different and very entertaining!.. -------------------------------------------- 15. MindStorms - The Lecture -------------------------------------------- Message from Sean Taylor (Aust) Tuesday 25th September - 7.30pm - Taylor's Magic Shop - $20 Sean Taylor is one of only a handful of performing mentalists in Australia. He has been developing mentalism and mental magic for over 15 years and is soon to release MindStorms, the first hard backed book of magic in Australia for well over 20 years. MindStorms has more than 20 full routines including some astonishing stage performance pieces. The book is divided into chapters on Close-Up Mentalism, Stand-Up Mentalism, Classic Mentalism Effects, Developments in Symbology, The Pro Envelope and an insightful look at the move from Magic into Mentalism. MindStorms - The Book includes...... * The Book Master - The Any Book, Any Page booktest. No memory work, no forcing and no pumping. * The Throne Room - Sean's approach to the classic chair test. Four Audience members sit on four chairs and you have correctly predicted their seating position, not once but twice! * News Of The World - A newspaper test where the entire audience helps to select a single word from dozens of newspapers. A single word which matches a prediction in view throughout. The performer is seated in the audience throughout! * The Pro Envelope - Perhaps the easiest and most versatile gimmicked envelope. * Survivor - You predict the last man standing in a live version of the popular TV show. * Anchors AHoy - Possibly the most convincing version of the David Hoy Tossed Out Deck yet. * Colossal Card Memory - Memorise an entire deck of giant cards, bizarrely with no memory work! * Pineapple Surprise - Sean's marketed comedy cabaret effect with new work for the mentalist. * MindChange - A unique handling for Max Maven's Kurotsuke with borrowed coins. * Persuasive Banknight - Sean's opening effect for over 5 years. Finally 'Banknight' makes sense! The MindStorms lecture tour features 8 of the 20+ effects in full detail. The effects can all be made up with items you already have and all would be just well suited to a magic act as a mentalism performance. You can pay on the door or book your seatby going to: http://www.taylorsmagicshop.com/prod844.htm Tel. 02 9411 6233 -------------------------------------------- 16. Joyce Blaney Passed Away -------------------------------------------- Message from Walter Zaney Blaney (US) Joyce Blaney passed away today at 3PM, Sunday, September 16, 2007. She was the victim of Alzheimers during the past ten years. Her passing was similar to that of Ronald Reagan, so our family knows what it was like for Nancy Reagan near the end of her husband's life. Joyce was 77. We were married in 1950 during my last year of college. We borrowed money, bought a car, and went on the road with our two hour magic stage show. For the next 23 years of marriage life was grand, doing what I loved to do, entertain with magic, and raise our family. We got to travel the world over. We had three great daughters (Becky, Carol and Shannon) who are still the light of my life. When Joyce left me in 1972 my heart was broken. But It's good that we can forget the bad times and remember all the good times, and there were so many. I enclose a photo of Joyce for the few old timers that knew me and Joyce in the prime of our marriage. We attended and appeared together at so many magic conventions, so maybe a few will remember Joyce from those fun days. Cheers, Walter -------------------------------------------- 17. Time For Magic & Mystery -------------------------------------------- Message from Jeff & Abbi McBride (US) Jeff Mcbride On Two (Count 'Em) TV Series This Season We told you in our last letter about Jeff's upcoming featured role on the new reality TV series for VH-1. We still can't tell you much more about it, except that Jeff is at the Magic Castle right now, preparing with the team for the tapings, which will occur over the next 6 weeks or so. In the meantime, Jeff has just reminded us he'll probably be the only magician this fall to be seen on not one, but two different series: the one now taping on VH-1, and with Criss Angel on Mindfreak on A&E. More News Of The Day: Magic & Meaning News flash! From England, special guest Jon Randall, the editor of Pentacle Magazine, the UK's leading independent pagan magazine, will present an expose of fraudulent mediums and sham psychics as a special addition to the Magic and Meaning Conference in Las Vegas, October 24-27. Not only that, but I've just been added to the schedule doing a special lecture workshop on my own about to be released book, Beyond Deception, presenting techniques you can use to jumpstart your own creative process and create power original magic. The book itself won't be available for purchase until 2-3 weeks after the conference, but I'll have galley copies you can check out during Magic & Meaning. And now, on to our regularly scheduled Museletter! "For in and out, above, about, below, 'Tis nothing but a Magic Shadow-show, Play'd in a Box whose Candle is the Sun, Round which we Phantom Figures come and go." -- Omar Khayyam Greetings Magical Friends, The Magic And Meaning Conference Oct 24 - 27, 2007 Magicians and storytellers from all over the world are coming to what we think of as "The Mystery School Reunion," also known as The Magic & Meaning Conference! Along with many shows, lectures, and works in progress this event will feature special guest presenters, performers and lecturers, including: George Parker from the Netherlands. George is a fine motivational speaker and magician, who weaves inspiration and metaphor into his presentations. He is going to teach us some of the tools of his art. Larry Hass, Professor of Philosophy at Muhlenberg College. Larry is an award-winning teacher of phenomenology, aesthetics, magic performance, and magic theory. He is also the Founding Director of the Theory and Art of Magic program-an ongoing educational symposium that brings the world's greatest magicians to the campus to perform, lecture, and teach about their amazing art. Witches And Wizards, Oh My!!! Also at the Magic and Meaning conference: attendees will celebrate the season with the Las Vegas Witches And Wizards Ball with live DJ Sylvia Brallier, special performances and an outrageous midnight seance by master storyteller Eugene Burger. Creative costumes welcomed and encouraged, but not required. For more info, go to http://vegasvortex.com/pages/FallFest Alumni Spotlight Our friend and magic student Tom Mesoroll has just published a very fine book: Magus, Master of Martial Magic, Book 1. A recent reviewer wrote that "It has the potential to be thought provoking rather than just entertaining, and the science behind it may be more realistic than one realizes. It is a very interesting blend of Magic, Martial Arts, and Quantum Physics. That in itself makes for a most unusual concept, and Tom, being involved with and quite knowledgeable about all three topics, pulls them together in a very entertaining manner. With many references to Magic, such as The Castle, and actual practitioners like Eugene Burger, Jeff McBride, and others, and then delving into some rather esoteric theories of Physics, this book is much more than a simple novel." And, of course, the great Eugene Burger: "A fabulous tale incorporating Magic, Martial arts and Eastern Philosophy. I loved it! Tom Meseroll has managed to meld the many forms and philosphies of magic into a marvelous tale of good and evil. I can't wait for the sequel!!" Tom is offering to sell you a signed and numbered limited edition copy via his web page: http://www.martialmagician.com McBride On Mindfreak! In case you missed Jeff on Criss Angel's Mindfreak, doing a very special fire initiation with Criss, you can see it here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=B9xq52x4Sh0 Special thanks to Jordan Wright for editing this together! We'll look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas at one of our upcoming events or classes. Your friends in magic, Jeff & Abbi McBride -------------------------------------------- 18. Auckland Public Magic Show -------------------------------------------- Message from Mick Peck (NZ) Auckland Public Magic Show - The Shore City Magic Club Presents "Shore is Magic!" Our family-friendly show features performances by some of the top magicians in New Zealand, clown acts, special guest performers, and will be hosted by a comedian. Join us for a night of comedy, magic and fun! Rose Theatre, School Road Belmont, North Shore - 28 & 29 September Evening shows - 7:30pm Saturday matinee - 1:30pm Dolphin Theatre, Spring Street Onehunga, South Auckland - 26 & 27 October Evening shows - 7:30pm Saturday matinee - 1:30pm To preorder tickets (recommended) : http://www.iticket.co.nz/eventfinder.asp?action=searchresults&pid=141 Door sales and refreshments available. More information at http://www.scmc.co.nz ----------------- 19. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 17 The guy selling various Australian parrots and cockatoos at the market stall told us that he'd already clipped one wing to prevent it from flying off, and assured us that the cockatoo, which was getting on to being a year old, would soon tame down after a week or so of living with us. 'Bollocks'! As you may have gathered, we do not like the idea of keeping pets of any description locked up in a cage - with the exception of snakes, don't mind them but they are not my idea of a pet. Talking about snakes has given my brain and memory cell? a hefty jolt, so I'm just going to have to make a sizeable diversion here. "Waddya mean you're not surprised"? The first time I saw a LIVE SNAKE used in an act was when a magician from Australia was booked onto the 'Dominion Breweries' N.Z. hotel circuit for a few weeks (by the Entertainments Director [known as 'God'] of the company; what a laugh that was - see Vol.1-'The New Zealand Years' page 147 paragraphs 6/7), which annoyed the hell out of me as I was working the circuit too, and had been told that his act was similar to mine; His wife worked as his partner/assistant (as Veronica and I did) they were billed as -'Aly Kabah & Enrica' (real name was Gerry Holmes). I just had to see this act. I'm guessing that it was sometime in 1973 that I went to the Glenfield Tavern in Auckland to watch this act, for the reasons stated above, and also because it had been heavily advertised that Aly Kabah was going to perform 'Psychic Surgery' as part of his performance. I won't get into that side of Aly's show at this time, as there is a lot more to say about it; it played a major role in my own show later. It was the first and only time that I have seen a magician successfully combine Magic with a 'Fakir' act and, make it work! The only things that Aly performed in his show that I did in mine, was to eat fire and swallow swords! Aly hammered a nail through his tongue, ate a light bulb and then borrowed somebody's glass, drank the contents then ate the glass as well - I guess 'borrowed' was the wrong word to use. There was a lot more in his show but his 'Coup De Grace was the 'Psychic Surgery', which brought the house down. The other 'feat' that elicited almighty screams from the enthralled crowd was when he invited a lady from the audience to join him on stage. Enrica then brought a smallish box onstage and gave it to Aly who then promptly pulled the drawer out of it, and then asked the woman to - "Please place your hand into it - make sure that it's completely empty". She felt around - even had a good look inside, then confirmed that it was. Again Aly asked her to make absolutely certain and again, she vowed that it was, whereupon Aly slammed the drawer back in, quickly muttered a few 'magical words' that sounded like something in Arabic and immediately pulled the drawer back open, reached in and pulled out a bloody great snake! The poor woman nearly fainted! By now, I guess that every magician in the world reading this will recognise the very ancient and time honoured prop known as the 'Drawer Box', more commonly seen in children shows, producing and vanishing silk handkerchiefs, lollies etc Not ***xxx??8/--  SNAKES! Damn near every female in the audience screamed and several choice expletives came from the men, but it didn't end there - Oh No, Aly had barely got started on this one. He bundled the snake back into the drawer, which was a good trick in itself, closed the drawer back in then immediately opened it up and of course the snake was gone. Aly turns the box around and shows the entire audience that it is empty - then he asks the woman to again place her hand into the drawer and confirm for herself then where there was once a snake was now a complete void. She looked at Aly as if he was a total madman, uttered a scream and took off! Aly looks worried, where the snake is, he wanders around looking for it picking up this and that and lifting up the curtains etc. By now the audience is getting worried; you must remember that this is New Zealand, which has no snakes what's so ever, unlike Australia which has some the most deadly snakes and the world! Aly finally pulls out a little flute and starts playing a little tune on it, wandering around the audience as he does so. Finally he stops at a table that has several people sitting at it - he carefully reaches underneath the table and - pulls out the snake! Every chair at that table flew backwards at a great rate of knots as the people sitting on them scattered, screaming, in all directions! It was one hell of a performance! We became great friends with Aly and Enrica after we arrived in Australia; I'll get back to them later. ------------------------------------------- Message from Tommy and Veronica Orchard (The Amazing Orchanté & Kim) Veronica and I are devastated at the news that yet another very dear friend of ours passed away last week. Connie Rooklyn, wife of the late Maurie Rooklyn. When we were living in Sydney, Maurie and Connie became almost like surrogate parents to Veronica and I. Connie, together with her sister Kathy, came and stayed with us here in The U.K. a few years ago. We have continued to stay in touch ever since we left Australia's shores for England, 22 years ago; Dear God, it can't be that long... Born Connie Maddison in Sydney, Australia 30th Sept. 1928. Became the assistant of Maurie Rooklyn (The Amazing Mr. Rooklyn) in 1972 - they married in 1980. Maurie died in 1992... Connie died on the 13th September, my 64 Birthday - most remiss of you Connie!!! -------------------------------------------- 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. 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 2007 Alan Watson