* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment
* www.Alan-Watson.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #617
Date: Sunday 9th November 2008
Editor: Alan Watson
www.magicianz.com
e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================

1. Editor's Message
2. International President of FISM, Eric Eswin Answers Questions
3. Music Rights In The World Of Magic
4. Free CD By Joining The Society Of American Magicians
5. Remarkable Magic #71 - Nick Lewin
6. Time Well Spent - #93 - Kyle Peron
7. Entertaining On The Ocean #43 - Paul Romhany
8. Willard Book Signing At The Magic Castle
9. Criss Angel, In A Word: Unbelievable
10. 2009 IBM Convention Talent Announced
11. David Birchall - Broken Wand
12. Showstealers Presents
13. 2009 S.A.M. National Convention - Buffalo, NY
14. This Week At Wonderground
15. MITR 2008/Convention Report
16. Quality Magic Equipment To Sell
17. British Ring Convention Competition Results
18. 29th New Zealand International Magicians Convention 2008
19. e-zine Archives
20. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice

--------------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------
Received the following questions for Peter Stevenson (US)

You mentioned in last week's e-zine that the Chinese Government 
is openly endorsing the next FISM in Beijing and that a number of 
high profile Chinese Ministers were in attendance at all the 
official functions that you attended. Just out of interests who 
were they and what are their positions within the Government.

Question answered by Alan Watson:

The Minister of International Department, Central Committee of 
Communist Party of China (CCCPC) Mr. Wang Jiarui, Vice Director 
of the Central Committee for Comprehensive Management of Public 
Security Mr. Chen Jiping, Director General of General 
Administration of Press and Publication of the People's Republic 
of China Mr. Liu Binjie, Secretary of China Federation of 
Literary and Art Circles (CFLAC) Mr. Hu Zhenmin, Vice Minister of 
the Publicity Department of the CCCPC Mr. Sun Zhijun, Vice 
Director of Policy Research Office, CCCPC Mr. He Yiting, Vice 
President of CFLAC Mr. Feng Yuan, President of China Acrobats 
Association Ms. Xia Juhua, Vice Mayor of Beijing Mr. Cai Fuchao, 
Executive Vice President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for 
the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and Mr. Jiang Xiaoyu.

Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line:
AW@Alan-Watson.com

--------------------------------------------
2. International President of FISM, Eric Eswin Answers Questions
--------------------------------------------
Questions asked by Peter Glass (Germany)

Why have the FISM competitors to subscribe giving away all rights 
of their acts to the FISM?

Answered by International President of FISM, Eric Eswin

I am glad Mr. Glass is happy with the article about the Music 
Rights, as this complex subject has never been explained or 
discussed in FISM before and it was quite a job to get the 
information in this concise form.

Mr. Glass will find an answer on how and FISM will pay attention 
to the rights of magicians, musicians and the FISM in the new 
'FISM Contest Rules and Procedures" as they are published and 
explained on the FISM website (www.fism.org) recently.

Mr. Glass is right that up till now for the DVD in Stockholm, 
contestants were not paid and I regret that as much as he does. 
The reason is that - unlike the new rules - the rules for 
Stockholm were that contestants would be paid a (significant) 
part of the profit. Regretfully and other than Mr. Glass 
suggests, there is not a profit but a (significant) loss on the 
production of the TV-program and its DVD. Therefore the new rules 
take care that a contestant will be paid a onetime amount, 
independent of the sales results.

Question asked by Peter Glass?

Why did the FISM Organisation change the original act music of 
the acts to completely another for the DVD, which was not 
suitable for the act but damaged it?

Answered by International President of FISM, Eric Eswin

The rights of parts of some of the music magicians used for their 
Stockholm act were not cleared and some even could not be cleared 
at all. This means (as is explained in the article about Music 
Rights) that the magician who used such music was violating the 
property rights of composers and/or musicians. FISM cannot afford 
to do likewise. The changes were finally made with the 
contestants' consent.

I am sorry for Mr. Glass that he feels uncomfortable with the way 
the Chinese magicians organize the FISM World Championships of 
Magic 2009. May I remind him that similar unhappy feelings were 
mentioned last year about the way the Olympic Games were 
organized, but that in the end the Olympic Games went very well.

I can assure Mr. Glass that the Chinese Organizing Team is 
determined to organize an unforgettable world championship of 
magic and that the FISM Presidium takes well care of the way the 
competition will take place. I am confident that conventioneers 
will not regret their visit to China and the World Championships 
of Magic next year.

It is not too late to register!

If I can be of any help to Mr. Glass, I will be happy to do so.

--------------------------------------------
3. Music Rights In The World Of Magic
--------------------------------------------
Message from Randal Rhoades (US)

Your newsletter was forwarded to me by Hal Meyers who had visited 
my website to review my collection of royalty-free production 
music specifically designed for magicians. By way of introduction 
I am RG Rhoades, the composer and performer of the music that is 
found in the collection of Easy Edit Music Kits formerly 
distributed by Richard Wayne Productions.

Please visit my site at http://www.bluetrammusic.com where you 
will find numerous samples from several different CD's.

In addition to CD's, some tracks are available as digital 
downloads from CDBaby and eStockmusic.

I hope you will consider mentioning my site as another source of 
music for your members.

Of special note, recently, "Magic in the Air", a track from 
Vol.2, was selected to be used in an upcoming film about magic by 
independent film-maker Michael Caplan entitled "A Magical 
Vision".

If you have any questions or are in need of additional 
information, please contact me at your convenience.

Thank you for your consideration.

Regards,

RG Rhoades

Randal Rhoades
rgrhoades@rgrhoades.com
http://www.rgrhoades.com
http://www.bluetrammusic.com
717-766-5000

--------------------------------------------
4. Free CD By Joining The Society Of American Magicians
--------------------------------------------
Message from George Schindler
Dean - The Society of American Magicians

The S.A.M. the world's oldest and most prestigious magic 
organization is missing only one thing - YOU!

Join now and we'll send you "Magic from M-U-M," a CD filled with 
some great magic we've published through the years (a $25 value). 
New Members, get the FREE CD by joining The Society of American 
Magicians at www.magicsam.com. Hurry!

Offer ends April 1, 2009. Spread the word.

--------------------------------------------
5. Remarkable Magic #71 - Nick Lewin
--------------------------------------------
Message from Nick Lewin (US)

Martin Breese, a remarkable magician I have yet to meet.

I have previously noted in this column my high esteem for the 
late, great magician/ventriloquist Terri Rogers. I have also 
confessed to my fascination in the never-ending search for the 
illusive perfect book test. Sometimes you miss seeing the end of 
your nose because you are too busy watching something that is 
further away.

I recently purchased the final set of Terri Roger's 'The Master 
Key' from Martin Breese in England. It arrived a couple of weeks 
ago and WOW, I love it. What a brilliant set of ideas and 
principles rolled into one trick. Astounding---and beautifully 
printed! Subtle and brilliant just like Terri herself.

I can't wait to get comfortable with this effect and put it in 
the show. It left me with just one question why didn't I already 
own it. It made me go to my bookcase and pull Terri's books out 
again to see what else I might have overlooked.

Then I started to contemplate why I had never met Martin Breese. 
I certainly feel that I have known him most of my life but in 
fact we have never actually met in person. This is a sorry state 
of affairs that needs to be rectified in the very near future. I 
know him to be a world-class photographer and connoisseur of fine 
magic and a great emailer. My kind of person.

I spent many happy hours in Ken Brooke's Magic Place as a young 
man so it's amazing that I never bumped into Martin. I certainly 
heard plenty about him from Ken who considered him "One of the 
true gentlemen in this business." I remember once arriving in Ken's 
studio just minutes after Martin had finished a lesson on the 
Linking Rings that had included a surprise visit to the studio by 
Tommy Cooper. I am sure it must have been a delight to them both 
but added just a little pressure to the lesson.

I was very impressed by the series of 'Magicassettes' that Martin 
released in the 70's and 80's. They were a wonderful insight into 
the minds of some of the great magicians of our time. I can't 
even guess at the amount of times I listened to the glorious 
interviews he recorded with Billy McComb.

When McComb introduced Martin to Harry Anderson at a magic 
convention; Harry told him that he was really excited to meet him 
because he had traveled around the country with his 
audiocassettes as his constant companions. Listening and learning 
as he notched up those miles on the road. What happy years those 
were.

I too was extremely influenced by those audio interviews. During 
the 90's I hosted a national radio interview show. I went on to 
film 16 episodes of the series for Fox television and I was 
amazed at the different quality of intimacy and information that 
can result when the microphone is on but the camera absent. 
People just relax and reveal more.

Martin Breese was right on target with his 'Magicassettes' and 
managed to preserve some indelible memories, stories and wisdom 
for future generations of magicians. His eclectic and inspired 
career as a magic dealer and publisher has allowed Martin to add 
a huge hunk of knowledge to the world of magic. I mentally 
treasure my meetings with Remarkable Magicians and can't wait to 
meet him in person.

Send your emails (I love getting them!) to 
mailto:nicklewin1@me.com

--------------------------------------------
6. Time Well Spent - #93 - Kyle Peron
--------------------------------------------
Message from Kyle Peron (US)
magic4u02@aol.com
http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com

How often do you find yourself saying things like, "If I only had 
more time?" or "There simply is never enough hours in the day?" 
Time is one of those things we all seem to never have enough of. 
We have all these ideas we WOULD be doing to better ourselves and 
our magic if we only had time to get them all done.

If you are like me, you are a person who probably has many 
projects you want to do but finding time to get them done has 
always been the biggest problem. You want success for yourself 
but to get that success means taking direct action upon yourself 
to get it.

I started thinking about the notion of time the other day and 
realized something that is so obvious yet I overlooked it so 
often. I am sure I am not the only one because it is something so 
easily overlooked.

But we also must look closer at how our time is spent and realize 
there is so much lost time that we can tap into. I started to 
realize that I thought my time was maxed out but I had been 
overlooking some obvious solutions. Think of just how much time 
is spent driving each day. How much time are you in your car 
driving to and from work or around town? Then think of how much 
time is spent doing that same task each week? It is pretty 
staggering when you think about it.

I drive 45 mins to and from work each business day. That is 1.5 
hours a day of time where I could be learning and bettering 
myself. So instead of listening to sports radio or my latest CD, 
why not get books on tape/CD and use that time wisely and 
constructively. Now I have 1.5 hours each day devoted to 
learning.

I can get CDs on many topics from marketing my business to public 
relations to anything at all I want to learn about and feel can 
directly benefit me and what I do. Instead of having that wasted 
time, I am not making it more productive. Now all of a sudden 
that 1.5 hours each day becomes valuable to me. Think about it 
this way: 1.5 hours x 5 days in the work week = 7.5 hours of time 
that is usually just unproductive. This does not even cover times 
driving to and from gigs or doing chores around town. Think about 
how much you could get done if someone just gave you an extra 7.5 
hours a week or more?

Now what if you audio recorded your shows? Take this simple 
concept and now listen to your shows audio in your vehicle as you 
drive to and from work? Imagine how much you could learn and gain 
from just being able to listen to your own show as you are driving 
and being your own captive audience? You can easily see how 
productive your time can now become.

There may never be enough hours in the day, but there certainly 
is enough hours in a day to be more productive.

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.

- "Encore! Creativity in the Art of Magic" Ebook. Order online 
now at:
http://www.magicenhancer.com/Encore.html

- "Tips and Techniques on the Chair Suspension" Ebook. Order 
online now at:
http://www.magicenhancer.com/ChairSuspension.html

--------------------------------------------
7. Entertaining On The Ocean #43 - Paul Romhany
--------------------------------------------
Message from Paul Romhany (NZ)

Paul Romhay's ramblings

What a week it's been. Having just finished the new book "Lunch 
Is Served", I am now waiting to get back my next book from the 
publishers - more about that once I go through the final proof. 
Natalie and I are heading out to perform in Portugal this week, 
then we are off to Spain. I will then fly from Spain to New 
Zealand and join a ship. Not looking forward to that one because 
it could be forty something hours of flying - just for one gig!!

 Trust me, the travel does NOT get any easier the longer you do 
this. We are really busy at the moment setting up a brand new 
venture here in our town, all going well will see me cut back on 
the travel and working on ships and end up with my own performing 
space and venue. We have put the plans into motion and everything 
is on track. Fingers crossed, it's something I've always dreamed 
of doing but a lot of work is involved. We just take a day at a 
time with this new project. On top of this I am working on my 
2009 Lecture and am booked in various countries already with it.

There are two important things that happened this week that I'd 
like to bring to everybody's attention. Sometimes it doesn't hurt 
to be reminded of the ethics in our business.

Number ONE
The other day I was browsing through YouTube and came across a 
few things that upset me. One was a very bad performance of 
somebody who obviously had NO idea who Charlie Chaplin was, yet 
had seen me work or watched my video and thought they could do a 
similar act. I was taken aback at just how terrible a job this 
person did, AND that they actually put it up on YouTube. They 
spent most of their time hiding behind their table looking for 
props etc. They dressed up like Chaplin but that was about it, 
there was no movement of Charlie, no little nuances etc. It was a 
real embarrassment. What upset me more than anything, was not 
that they tried to 'rip' me off, but they were an insult to the 
memory of Charlie Chaplin. If you are going to do something, put 
the time and effort to do a good job! This applies to everything 
we do in magic. If you are going to add an effect to your act, 
make sure you learn everything there is about it, don't open the 
box and put it in your act that night.

It amazed me that these people just don't understand what show 
biz is all about. I have spent the last thirty years creating my 
current act, working it through literally thousands of shows to 
fine tune it. How somebody can watch it and go out and try to do 
something similar is beyond me. Some people will tell me that 
it's a form of flattery - personally I think it's shameful. I 
wrote to the person involved and I still don't think they 'got' 
it.

Number TWO
This is actually somebody breaking the law, and after reading 
their response I really don't think they feel what they did was 
wrong!! Again, I keep an eye out on YouTube for various things, 
and have people all around the world watching out for my products 
popping up as well. In this case, somebody - a clown - had taken 
one of my Personal Magic DVDs and decided to edit out the 
teaching parts and use them. Sadly, of course, the quality was 
terrible and he put it up on YouTube as his own teaching DVD. I 
went through all my records and could not find this persons name 
so I knew they had not purchased this product from me. Every 
personal DVD is done by me in my studio and I have a list of all 
clients.

Now, for those that aren't aware, this is a product that you 
purchase for $350 and you get your very own personal teaching 
DVD, complete with your logo, photos etc. on the menu and all 
throughout the DVD. The final DVD looks like you went into a 
studio and filmed ten magic tricks which are also taught on the 
DVD. Everything is generic, so the magician is wearing white 
gloves and there is no voice over etc. It's all done to music and 
really is the perfect Back of Room sales tool for magicians and 
clowns who want to sell their very own teaching DVD.

The person who ripped me off, had obviously bought a DVD from 
somebody else, and edited the teaching parts out and made their 
own teaching DVD. They then decided to advertise it on YouTube!! 
How DUMB can a person be?!? I have been in the magic business for 
over 30 years and have friends in almost EVERY country. I know 
exactly who is selling these personal teaching DVDs, and I have 
managed to get copies myself of everybody's!

I checked with a lawyer friend of mine in the country this person 
came from and I would have been in my rights to sue this person 
for a lot of money for breach of copyright. Had this person done 
the right thing and spent the $350 on getting the original 
personalised copy from me, they would not have found themselves 
in the position they were in. They could then have advertised 
their own DVD on YouTube or anywhere they wanted. Fortunately for 
the person involved, my wife calmed me down and I decided to 
write to YouTube and this person direct, asking they take off the 
infringing video on YouTube, which they did. Hopefully they will 
think twice before trying to break the law like this as there is 
a high penalty involved.

Be sure to check out my weekly BLOG as I review all of the latest 
magic effects that come on the market - if they make the BLOG 
then they have to be good.

Paul Romhany
paul@chaplinmagic.com
www.paulromhany.com
www.chaplinmagic.com
BLOG - http://romhanyreport.blogspot.com

--------------------------------------------
8. Willard Book Signing At The Magic Castle
--------------------------------------------
Message from Mike Caveney (US)

Twice this past summer Mike Caveney had the opportunity to 
interview members of Harry Willard's family and David Charvet, 
author of the acclaimed new book on Willard the Wizard. Now there 
will be a another chance for members of the Magic Castle to
see publisher Mike Caveney interview special guest Frances 
Willard who will answer questions about her fascinating life 
growing up on her father's tent show, and David Charvet about how 
he conducted his research for this remarkable story. The book, 
"Willard - A Life Under Canvas", will be available that evening 
and copies can also be ordered now from mcmagicwords.com.

When ordering additional copies, Teller wrote, "It's right up 
there with David Bamberg's Illusion Show as one of the top, most 
exciting, most compelling history books in magic."

--------------------------------------------
9. Criss Angel, In A Word: Unbelievable
--------------------------------------------
Message from Michael Jones (US)

Los Angeles Times
Theater Review

"Believe that it's Unbelievable. Unbelievably bad. In Las Vegas, 
his mash-up with Cirque du Soleil is a magic trick gone terribly 
wrong."

By Reed Johnson
November 3, 2008

Reporting from Las Vegas - "If Criss Angel were blindfolded, 
straitjacketed, run over by a steamroller, locked in a steel box 
and dumped from a helicopter into the Pacific Ocean, he still 
might be easier to salvage from disaster than "Criss Angel: 
Believe," the gloomy, gothic muddle of a show that officially 
lurched into being on Halloween night like some patched-together 
Frankenstein's monster.

The multimillion-dollar production, which its backers hope will 
play at the Luxor casino until sometime around election day 2028, 
is nominally a collaboration by Angel, né Christopher Nicholas 
Sarantakos, the talented illusionist and star of A&E's "Criss 
Angel Mindfreak," and Cirque du Soleil, the Montreal-based 
franchisers of whimsical, breathtakingly acrobatic 
entertainments.

Yet "Believe" suggests less an artistic marriage made in 
accounting heaven than a shotgun wedding of clashing 
sensibilities in which the shotgun messily discharges enroute to 
the altar. Indeed, the smeared blood and entrails are piled high 
and deep throughout "Believe," the most death-obsessed show to 
emerge from Sin City since "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."

Keeping faith with the Las Vegas adage that nothing succeeds like 
overkill, the production opens with a video montage of Angel's 
greatest hits, immolations, levitations, self-mutilations and 
assorted suicidal tendencies. (If you're worried about spoilers 
or have a weak stomach, flip now to the comics page.)

Angel then materializes in torn jeans and a dark pullover, and 
warms up the audience with a bit of banter ("I feel your love!") 
before he and co-writer/director Serge Denoncourt lay out the 
show's central conceit. "Believe's" framing device is that Angel 
accidentally receives a 6-million-volt jolt of electricity that 
fries off most of his face (a spectacle captured by an 
ever-present video camera). This propels him into deep 
hallucinatory space where our Siegfriedian hero must confront 
demons and angels that stalk his imagination.

These include a sinister troupe of dancing rabbits who, in one 
early sequence, tear Angel's parboiled "corpse" apart and dance, 
exultantly hoisting his severed limbs and torso. In a later 
scenario Angel gets sliced in half with an electric blade, his 
oozing intestines visible through the smoky atmospherics.

Magic, like the circus, is an inherently dark and cruel art form, 
so there's no harm in sprinkling a little S&M titillation around 
the edges of the production. After all, people come to Vegas for 
kinky thrills and the seductive whiff of make-believe danger.

The problem is that "Believe" doesn't really have the courage of 
its most extreme convictions. So it swathes its fearless Grand 
Guignol fetishes in an awkward mishmash of themes, metaphors and 
visual stratagems. You name it, they try it here: rear-screen 
projections of dramatic cloud-swept skies, Middle Eastern dance 
music, "The Night on Bald Mountain," giant poppies, whirling 
dervishes.

Cirque's high technical standards are maintained by the 
designers, especially Ray Winkler (sets), Mérédith Caron 
(costumes) and Michael Curry (props and puppets), but to what 
end?

Then there are . . . those rabbits, some beautifully stylized, 
and others far scarier than anything encountered by Alice in 
Wonderland or Grace Slick. Whenever the manic pacing starts to 
flag, a posse of clowns in punk-Edwardian drag tumble on stage to 
mug, break-dance or shriek high-pitched gibberish.

There's a sequence in which a straitjacketed Angel frees himself 
while spinning upside down above the audience and a couple of 
big, loud production numbers that play like excerpts from an 
aging heavy metal band's reunion tour. But there's little that 
expresses something interesting or unique about Angel as an 
artist, or a person. And while Cirque's poetic imagery at its 
best can leave you rubbing your eyes and holding your breath, 
spectators here are more likely to find themselves stifling a 
yawn or wincing with embarrassment.

None of this would matter as much if Angel had a compelling 
live-stage presence. But "Believe" exposes him as a natural-born 
showman, which isn't the same as a natural-born entertainer. He 
lacks comic timing and ad-libbing ability, falling flat with some 
very lame erectile dysfunction jokes. His personality simply 
disappears for long stretches of the show.

Some of his biggest applause of the night came for executing the 
simplest of tricks, like producing a bird out of hand. That's a 
decent evening's work for a backyard bar mitzvah or quinceanera 
magician, but it doesn't quite justify a $100 ticket.

According to an Oct. 12 Times story, Angel previously tried to 
launch a show on Broadway and at other casinos before Cirque 
stepped in as creative partner and MGM Mirage Resorts (the 
Luxor's parent company) stepped up with a reputed $100-million 
investment. Angel, for the record, retains top billing with 
"Believe" as "co-writer, illusions creator and designer, original 
concept creator and star."

Cirque du Soleil, for all its past success, needs fresh 
inspiration. A few years ago the company began showing signs of 
having exhausted its very large sack of ideas. It started 
searching for collaborators, and came up with a great one, the 
Beatles, for the superb "Love" show, now playing up the Strip at 
the Mirage.

But the Fab Four offered Cirque's conceptual wizards several 
instantly recognizable personalties to work with, plus, more 
important, a songbook of 200 tunes, many of them pop classics. 
Angel has no such large or spectacular body of work to 
psychoanalyze, dramatize and pump up to mythic proportions. He 
still may get there, but he hasn't arrived."

Johnson is a Times staff writer.

--------------------------------------------
10. 2009 IBM Convention Talent Announced
--------------------------------------------
Message from Dale Salwak (US)

Dale Salwak, Talent Chair, is pleased to announce that the 2009 
International Brotherhood of Magicians will be held July 1-4 in 
Nashville, Tennessee (pre-convention activities, June 30) and 
will feature as guest of honor Shimada - who will be celebrating 
fifty years in show business. He is still booking talent but can 
confirm the following world class performers:

Wednesday Night Banquet: Charlie Frye (magic) - Las Vegas

Thursday Night Gala:
Jason Byrnes - Las Vegas
An Ha-Lim - South Korea (winner IBM/SAM Competition, stage)
Yugi Yamamoto (Japan)
Kyle Eschen - Hollywood (brilliant l5-year-old comedy magician; 
the next Johnny Carson!)
Jason Latimer - Los Angeles (cutting edge illusions)

Friday Gold Medal Finalists Show: 6 finalists competing for over 
$20,000 in cash, prizes, and trophies including the Gold Medal
]Rich Bloch - Washington, D.C. (emcee)
Charlie Frye (juggling)

Saturday Night Gala:
Shimada - direct from Japan (doves)
Timo Marc - Germany (finalist, IBM/SAM stage competition)
Juliana Chen - Las Vegas
Scott Lamb - Los Angeles (with his brilliant marionette parody of 
Carl Ballantine)
Oscar Munoz - Texas
Shimada (parasols, dragons)

Close-Up:
Shoot Ogawa - Japan
Marc Oberon - England (winner IBM/SAM Competition, close-up)
Ed Ellis - South Carolina
J.C. Wagner - Arizona
Hayashi -Japan

Lectures:
Yugi Yamamoto
Shoot Ogawa
Marc Oberon
Ed Ellis
Hayashi

You may register online at www.magician.org or call the 
international office at 314/845-9200. All daily events will take 
place at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Evening shows will be 
held at a nearby theatre. Those interested in competing in either 
stage or close-up categories may apply online at 
http:///.magician.org/portal/en/node/423 or by calling IBM 
Contest Chairman, Don Greenberg, at 330-457-2345.

--------------------------------------------
11. David Birchall - Broken Wand
--------------------------------------------
Message from Tim Ellis (Aust)

The Amazing Nigel & Harry

We just received the sad news that, on Sunday, David Birchall 
passed away in Queensland.

David was a good friend of ours and an innovative comedy magician 
from my era who created the theatrical act 'The Amazing Nigel & 
Harry'.

His character Nigel was an 80 year old vaudeville magician who 
tried to perform magic, but his tricks rarely went right and 
always to hilarious effect. The 'Harry' of the act was his 
assistant, an even older gent confined to a wheelchair who would 
give the occassional drum-roll when he hadn't nodded off.

Who will ever forget Nigel apparently not noticing Harry 
accidentally rolling off the stage at the 1996 Australian Magic 
Convention?

David's act was a huge favourite with 'Hey Hey It's Saturday' 
where he appeared almost as often as Harry Houdidn't and The 
Amazing Jonathon.

Sadly, David was very ill for the last part of his life. He was 
given only a year or so to live about ten years ago. Despite his 
illness he had a great faith in God and, though very sick, still 
kept in touch with his friends in magic. A few years ago he even 
played a major role in sending a paedophile out of the magic 
scene and into jail.

David brought a lot of laughter to a lot of people through his 
magic, and in many other ways he made the world a better place 
for the rest of us.

--------------------------------------------
12. Showstealers Presents
--------------------------------------------
Message from From Paul Stone

On November 14th, 15th & 16th SHOWSTEALERS presents 'Variety 
LiveTM' at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino in Summerlin, Las Vegas. 
The show features Jeff Hobson, Charlie Frye & Co, Joseph Gabriel, 
Larissa, Ben Stone, Rob Torres, and Antje Pode. The show is 
produced and emceed by Paul Stone.

On December 12th, 13th & 14th SHOWSTEALERS presents 'World Stars 
of MagicTM' also at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino in Summerlin, Las 
Vegas. The show features The Great Tomsoni & Co, Kevin James, 
Tony Chapek and John Archer. The show is produced and emceed by 
Paul Stone.

Tickets for both these shows are available from the Suncoast Box 
Office on (702) 636 7075.

--------------------------------------------
13. 2009 S.A.M. National Convention - Buffalo, NY
--------------------------------------------
Message from John Apperson,
Convention Chairman Society of American Magicians

The 2009 S.A.M. National Convention in Buffalo, NY promises to be 
chock-full of entertaining events.

Read all about it at the S.A.M. website at www.magicsam.com.

The installation banquet held in one of the elegant ballrooms at 
the Adam's Mark Hotel will feature a performance by comedy 
magician Denny Haney. Denny is a polished, and talented performer 
who has been a hit around the world working venues from the 
college circuit to trade-shows and corporate events, to 
nightclubs and casino show rooms and we are lucky that he will be 
performing for us. Receiving standing ovations whenever he 
performs, his warm smile and checkerboard shoes will make you 
laugh till your sides hurt. This performance marks a difference 
in the usual program of recent years for our banquets and we are 
certain that it will liven up the evening's fare.

To register and learn more about the convention go to: 
www.magicsam.com
and click on Buffalo Convention.

--------------------------------------------
14. This Week At Wonderground
--------------------------------------------
Message from Jeff' McBride's (US)

Nov 7th And 8th

A Special Magic And Medicine weekend

Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger are pleased to offer a special 
seminar for physicians, nurses, holistic practitioners, and other 
professionals so that they might understand how to apply the 
powerful skills of performance magic to enhance the healing 
relationship.

Many of the Doctors and Students from Jeff' McBride's Magic and 
Mystery School will be on hand at the Wonderground to talk with 
and meet.

On The Show!
Mark Kornhauser and Raven: Mark is one of the world's leading 
comedy magicians and is working with his partner, close up 
magician Raven.

Sophie Evens - Australian Close up Champion will show her close 
up show early in the evening.

Chris Randall will do his new "Magic Castle " set at 9:30

David London - Premiers "The Device" a futuristic optical wonder 
machine!

Tyas Frantz - New Manipulative Magic

Tiffany Bisconer - is known as one of the top belly dance 
technicians in the world today.

"Zamora The Torture King"- with NEW wonders every night!

Jeff McBride- New Magic/ performance art

Rumor Alert!: rumor has it, that world class mentalist Luke 
Jermay, Ben Sideman and juggler Marcus, have teamed up and will 
offer a piece from their new 3 man show !

Remember!!!! These Are The 3 Final Weekend Events!

(We are looking at a few rooms now...for our home base that is 
closer to the strip)

See You This Weekend!

--------------------------------------------
15. MITR 2008/Convention Report
--------------------------------------------
Message from Edward W. Hurtubis (US)

15th Annual
Magic in the Rockies Convention

Barrie Richardson

I have just returned from the 15th Annual Magic in the Rockies 
Convention hosted by IBM Ring 250 - The Presto-Digitators in Fort 
Collins, Colorado - and what a marvelous convention it was.

Before I give a brief review of the events and activities at this 
four-day event, I want to share my thoughts and observations of 
what makes this convention different and better than most other 
magic conventions I have attended.

My enthusiasm for this convention is almost universally shared 
each year by the nearly 275 attendees of all ages and gender and 
by the luminaries in the magic world, who, after participating as 
performers or lecturers, want to return - just to 'hang out.'

Ask Jeff McBride, R. Paul Wilson, Johnny Thompson, Bob Sheets, 
Charlie Frye, Michael Weber and scores more, and they will 
support my assertion.

Now, if you think of it, this convention is a curiosity. How can 
a small Ring, in an out-of-the-way location put on a convention 
that is so widely respected? What can other convention planners 
learn?

The first principle is that it does not take a large committee to 
initiate, plan and organize such a consistently sterling event. 
The Magic in the Rockies management team is made up of three 
persons - Ed Hurtubis, Tim Pendergast, and Lew Wymisner. Each one 
has special talents and special responsibilities.

What they share in common is their single-minded focus on 
quality. They start with a clear vision - to put on the best 
small, family-oriented magic convention on this planet - their 
vision, my words.

And excellence is no accident. Wishing and dreaming does not make 
it happen.

There are hundreds of details involved in this event, and when 
each step is done correctly, things run smoothly, like a watch. 
But if one or two of these details is missing or poorly done, 
frustrations can appear.

Here are some specifics. The performers feel ever so special. 
Volunteer drivers who transport them and their props to Fort 
Collins pick them up at the Denver International Airport. When 
the performers arrive, they find a hand-written note and a basket 
of treats in their hotel room. At the end of the convention, they 
are treated to a celebratory meal with the convention staff. And 
once again are chauffeured to the airport. Two days later, they 
receive a hand-written note of appreciation.

The convention-goers are made to feel important and special too. 
Unlike many big conventions - where famous performers keep to 
themselves - this is a democratic, sort of egalitarian place 
where all attendees share three special meals during the 
convention. This gives the event the feeling of a large family 
reunion or picnic made up of longtime friends and their families.

The performers like the idea that when they are off-stage, they 
are both mentors and students, too. The attendees - especially 
the young magicians and their parents - really like that they 
have access to the professionals.

The physical layout of the Fort Collins Marriott is near perfect 
for social interaction in the restaurants, lounge areas, 
hallways, and dealer's room. The hotel staff is professional, 
enthusiastic, and they love the magicians.

I also particularly appreciate the super, large-print nametags - 
worn on a cord around the neck - which include a 
very-easy-to-read daily schedule.

Early on, the management team developed the idea of making this 
convention a city wide cultural event. Grants were written and 
business and individual support was sought to help underwrite two 
shows in the town's beautiful Lincoln Center. The Friday morning 
show is unique. Each year, some 1000 elementary school children 
are bused in for this free performance. Here, budding magicians 
from six to seventeen years old put on stage acts with humor, 
verve, and skills that are applauded by young and old.

The Saturday night show - also at The Lincoln Center - has always 
been a family-favorite activity. Another aspect of the convention 
that is unique is the adult-only 'soirée,' a nightclub type show 
held back at Fort Collins Marriott following the Saturday night 
public show. This is a fun-filled time and once again an 
opportunity to socialize.

Of course, there are dozens of persons whose jobs are done so 
skillfully, they go unnoticed. Programs are designed and printed; 
collectible placemats with photos of the performers are made. 
Transportation coordinated, sound and television, backstage 
crews, and many more valuable tasks performed by volunteers who 
behave like professionals.

Now for a brief report on this convention.

The convention opened with two valuable lectures on how to make 
your presentation more impactful. Gregg Tobo, an expert on 
scripting, gave the first. He presented several examples of how 
written scripts are vital if you want to give consistently 
high-quality presentations. This was followed by an interactive 
and dynamic lecture on how to give a lively presentation. Sally 
Robinson's own lively presentation demonstrated to the delight of 
the audience that she could practice what she was preaching.

Thursday evening's lectures were different in theme and style. 
Both were stimulating. Paul Green reminded us how entertaining 
and astonishing classic tricks - the paddle, sponge balls, long 
and short ropes - can be if presented by a professional who 
understands human behavior.

Rick Maue is unlike any mentalist I know. His presence is 
commanding, even though he is soft spoken - much like a college 
psychology professor. He demonstrated how much awe and wonder 
could be generated with a few simple items, such as colored paper 
balls and aluminum foil envelopes.

On Friday morning, most of us drove to Lincoln Center, where 
young magicians enthralled almost one thousand school children 
with performances. This show - as I noted above - is sheer 
delight. I thought this would be a great feature for the likes of 
"60 Minutes."

After a buffet luncheon served in The Lincoln Center, we returned 
to our hotel and were treated to Shawn Farquhar's FISM act and 
lecture. He is a delightfully energetic, enthusiastic, and a 
clever performer whose professionalism and skill were admired by 
everyone. His standing ovation was well earned.

That evening, Tim Conover - quite possibly one of the finest 
practitioners of the art of sleight-of-hand on this planet - did 
absolutely jaw-dropping routines with cards, coins, and rope. 
Personally, I wished he did not explain his tricks since they 
were flawless, and we were seeing 'real magic.' His explanations 
were clear, but while understandable to most, require so much 
skill, timing and misdirection, that all we could do was to sit 
and think that we were in the company of a virtuoso. Another 
standing ovation.

Late that night in the bar with adults only, Doc Eason, Eric 
Mead, John Star Obie O'Brien, Paul Wilson, and Gene Urban, did 
bar magic for an enthusiastic crowd. The session ended with Bob 
Sheets, who - believe it or not - did the 'bra trick.' I don't 
know anyone else who can get away with this rude, but hilarious 
trick, and then get a hug from the woman he embarrassed.

Saturday morning lectures were totally different and yet ever so 
stimulating.

Just Alan reminds me of a gentle and respectful Buddhist monk who 
always has a twinkle in his eye and a sense of gratitude for all 
the good things in his life. I have never seen a lecture like 
this one. He was totally scripted, and yet it did not seem 
mechanical. He integrated visuals on a large screen with the 
effects he performed. But trickster he is not. He relates 
personal stories that have a universal appeal, and the props he 
uses and his routines are kneaded like bread dough, then baked 
and offered to his friends. His lessons on creativity, 
discipline, and human values would be found stimulating to almost 
any audience in any country.

Rich Bloch's lecture demonstrated that there is not just one way 
to be a charming and entertaining performer. He presented several 
effects, which fooled us, yet we learned that most were quite 
easy to do, and thereby provided lots of room to generate 
laughter and mystery.

Following a buffet luncheon, we were divided into three groups 
for the headliner close-up show. Paul Green, Joe Givan, and David 
Oliver entertained and often mystified us with their work. Each 
had a distinctive approach and all three were appreciated.

Later in the afternoon, Geoff Williams - who reminds me of Tommy 
Smothers with his many funny facial expressions - did the act 
that wowed audiences at The Magic Castle. His persona is unique, 
and so are his patter and props. His clever method for cleanly 
vanishing a coin is a trick I plan to use.

The public show on Saturday night has to be one of the 
outstanding magic shows ever done in the Convention's 15-year 
history. The backstage crew did a noteworthy job with all the 
technical aspects. David Oliver was superb as stage manager.

Each of the five headliners had a unique professional act. Stoil 
and Ekaterina opened with a quick-change act that brought lots of 
energy, color, sound, and gasps. Just Alan presented a glorious 
routine in which he integrated multimedia with one of the most 
beautifully staged illusions - Sands of India - I have ever seen. 
And this is no exaggeration. The audience loved this, too.

Tim Conover totally astounded the audience with twelve minutes of 
inexplicable demonstrations of mind reading. In quick succession, 
he revealed words thought of in paper back books and a telephone 
number selected out of a local phone book. My favorite effect was 
his prediction of one word a spectator selected from a scrap of 
newspaper. There were no switches or stooges. Totally astonishing 
and the audience shook their heads in disbelief as they heartily 
applauded.

Richard Bloch is one of the finest master of ceremonies in the 
business. He is a charming, sophisticated, handsome man who 
radiates good will and the joy of living. He moved the show along 
and did three comedy pieces, which involved the audience.

Shawn Farquhar ended the fast-paced show, and he demonstrated why 
he is in such great demand. I especially liked the routine where 
Shawn put a large jacket over a small boy's shoulders. Standing 
behind the boy, Shawn puts his own arms through the jacket and 
together; they do a delightful trick with three paper cups and a 
glass of water - a huge hit. He ended his turn by doing a series 
of card cuts and sleights - projected on a large screen - to 
music, and the cards were in sync to the music, as if they were 
ballet dancers. A standing ovation.

After the show, many adults returned to the hotel for the 'soirée' 
 - the show after the show. Eric Mead introduced several 
performers including Eddie Goldstein, Merritt Sammons, Geoff 
Williams, Obie O'Brien, John Star, Charlie Frye, Bob Sheets, and 
myself.

Sunday morning, Bob Sammons did a program for junior magicians in 
attendance. This is an integral part of Magic in the Rockies, and 
Bob is a master teacher. In addition, this year Steve Spangler 
and Bob LaRue volunteered their expertise. Lectures like this 
make the convention so special.

Next, David Oliver discussed and demonstrated his approach to 
restaurant magic. We were surprised when he took out plates, 
silverware, and so on to demonstrate how little room there 
actually is for the performer to use. Then he showed us several 
of his routines, using props taken out of his pockets. His wit 
and wonderful interaction with his helpers were also appreciated.

The last lecture was by the inimitable Bob Sheets. His 
presentations reaffirm the old adage: "It's not what you do, but 
how you do it." His rib-hurting routines seem casual and 
spontaneous, but actually Bob is a skilled worker with years of 
experience. He has scripted his routines to give maximum impact.

What a grand way to end the convention.

--------------------------------------------
16. Quality Magic Equipment To Sell
--------------------------------------------
Message from Graham Bennett (NZ)

I have some quality magic equipment to sell ranging from close-up 
thru to cabaret.

Contact: 021 778 152 or 4861253

Email for a list and prices to: 
graham_bennett@singaporeair.com.sg

--------------------------------------------
17. British Ring Convention Competition Results
--------------------------------------------
Message from Bob Hayden (UK)

Both the Stage and Close-up Competitions were keenly contested 
and efficiently organised by Shirley Ray and Steve Evans 
respectively. There was success for the following:

Stage Competition
1st prize The British Ring Shield + £1000 cash - Jonathon Shotton
2nd Prize The Speaker Theo Cup + £500 cash - Scott Pepper & Co.
3rd Prize The Alistair wand + £250 cash - Joe Ray
The Conventioneer's Trophy for Originality - Jonathon Shotton
The Dittia Shield for Manipulation - Joe Ray
The Tom Harris Cup for Comedy - Not awarded

Close-up Competition
1st Prize The Zina Bennett Cup + £1000 cash - John van der Put
2nd Prize £500 cash - Rob James
3rd Prize £250 cash - Will Gray
The Rovi Trophy for Entertaining Card Skills - Rob James
At Ali Bongo's suggestion a Micro Magic Marathon competition was 
introduced into the programme of events. Magicians were invited 
to entertain groups sitting around tables with their close-up 
expertise over a period of two hours.

There had been a certain amount of apprehension as to how many 
would participate as contestants and starting so early in the 
evening would there be an audience. Both fears were unfounded. 23 
magicians performed and enjoyed every minute as did their 
audiences. The winner decided by the audience was Toon Van Der 
Vest from Holland. Response to the event exceeded all 
expectations and is certain to be included in future Conventions. 
Congratulations to all concerned in this innovation.

--------------------------------------------
18. 29th New Zealand International Magicians Convention 2008
--------------------------------------------
The 29th New Zealand International Magicians Convention will be
held in Auckland, New Zealand from the night of December 27th
2008 to January 1st 2009, 1.00am.

Seven Confirmed Headliners
John Shryock (USA), Marty and Brenda Hahne (USA), Ross
Skiffington (Aust), George Schindler (USA) Steve Walker (Aust)
and Charles Gauci (Aust)

The venue will be the Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre in
Mount Wellington where we last ran a successful Convention in
2001-2002.

Bookings can be made for convention accommodation by contacting:
Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre, 58 Waipuna Road,
Mt.Wellington, PO Box 14 164, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand.

Phone: +64 9 526 3000
Fax: +64 9 527 1937
Toll Free Reservations (NZ): 0800 924 786.
http://www.waipunahotel.co.nz/

We have been able to secure a very attractive room rate of $NZ110
per night (Incl GST) for single or double rooms with registrants
being able to book direct with the hotel.

***************************
PLEASE NOTE that 97% of the ALLOCATED rooms have already been
booked by conventioneers. If you are planning to attend best to
book NOW! This convention will be a SELL OUT!
***************************

The official registration form for the convention can be
downloaded from: http://www.ibmring160.com/

If you don't have internet web access contact Ross Harlick,
Secretary, 91 Panapa Drive, Meadowbank, Auckland 1072, New
Zealand

Or by: Phone: +64 (09) 521 3327
Fax: +64 (09) 521 3327

--------------------------------------------
19. 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)

--------------------------------------------
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--------------------------------------------
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© Copyright 2008 Alan Watson