* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment * www.Alan-Watson.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #626 Date: Sunday 14th December 2008 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. Historical Information On Chung Ling Soo Required 3. Summer Camp Scholarships 4. Magic Cookbook 5. Remarkable Magic #75 - Nick Lewin 6. Misdirection - The Art of Eye Contact - #98 - Kyle Peron 7. Cruising With Paul Romhany #48 8. Additional Cabins Added To Magic Cruise 2009 9. News From Hall Of Fame Of Famous Unknowns 10. The Joy Factor 11. 78th Annual Columbus MAGI-FEST, Feb. 5, 6 & 7, 2009 12. 70th Anniversary Of The Magic Circle Of Victoria Inc. 13. Steve Kissell's Workshops 14. Zig Zag Girl Illusion Wanted 15. 29th New Zealand International Magicians Convention 2008 16. e-zine Archives 17. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- 13 Days before the 29th New Zealand International Convention starts. Last chance to register! For more information refer item 15. Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. Historical Information On Chung Ling Soo Required -------------------------------------------- Message from Natalie Randall forwarded on by Wayne Rogers I am a great granddaughter of Fukada (Frank) Kametaro, assistant and stage manager to Chung Ling Soo. I am interested in my Great Grandfather's career with Soo, especially the highly successful tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1909. My Great Grandmother, Gertrude (Mabel) Kametaro also toured with the Soo entourage. Frank and Gertrude's eldest daughter, Ethel Enid (Nina) Kametaro also appeared in the show as Bamboo Flower and was often mistakenly identified as Soo and Dot Robinson's child. I am hoping you are able to put me in touch with any magic enthusiasts, historians or collectors that share my interest in the Soo tour. Kind regards Natalie Randall (granddaughter of Olive Fuji Kametaro, Frank and Gertrude's second daughter) natalierandallbookkeeper@btinternet.com -------------------------------------------- 3. Summer Camp Scholarships -------------------------------------------- Message from Warren Kaps (US) The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund is accepting applications for youngsters between the ages of 10 to 18 years for summer camp scholarships awarding full tuition and travel expenses at either to Tannen's Magic Camp located in Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania, for the week of July 11 to 19, 2009, or to the Sorcerer's Summer Safari located near Toronto in Haliburton, Ontario, Canada, for the week of August 23 to 30, 2009. For more information e-mail Warren Kaps at: kapsbarto@verizon.net -------------------------------------------- 4. Magic Cookbook -------------------------------------------- Message from Demetre Chaconas demchac@hotmail.com Hello fellow magicians, After many years of work my cookbook has finally been published, just in time for Christmas. You will find it to be the perfect gift for your family, friends and magic spouses. I'll be happy to personally inscribe and autograph copies for those on your gift list. Magicians will find the book especially interesting as it features recipes from Harry Houdini, a handwritten recipe from his wife Bess, recipes from Milt Larsen and the famous Magic Castle, John and Tammy Calvert and others. In addition to numerous photographs of myself in action, other magicians such as Harry Blackstone, Sr., Bill Neff, David Copperfield, Russell Swann, Houdini and others are featured. Many of the anecdotes recounted from the world of magic are humorous, others are poignant, but all are interesting. For more information go to: www.magicCook Book.com -------------------------------------------- 5. Remarkable Magic #75 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) Remarkable Magic #75. A Cellar and definitely Magic. Part 1 I was recently listening to Steve Martin's audio book 'Born Standing Up' and I enjoyed it so much that I immediately listened to it all over again. With the author reading his memoire it is a truly splendid glimpse into the mind of what must be one the most successful ex-magicians in the world. It really swept me back to the time and era where his book begins in San Francisco in the mid '70s. His writing captured the mood and sense of the time and location so accurately I sometimes gasped: the club owner telling the ventriloquist to hold the dummy a little closer to the microphone so it could be heard more clearly! I started working in San Francisco at the Magic Cellar, a tiny jewel box of a club underneath the great jazz club Earthquake McGoon's. Peter Clute played with the Turk Murphy band upstairs and his brother Cedric, along with his wife Judy ran the Magic Cellar beneath the jazzmen and hipsters cranking out the music up above. It was (as I remember it..) a two-night workweek that started on Friday night. There was a close up table on one side of the stage and an old spirit cabinet on the other side. A fortune-teller used the spirit cabinet to ply her trade but her heart was in her typewriter. She later became a highly successful author-who else out there remembers her name? The stage was small but friendly with the lighting controlled by foot pedals at the front of the stage. I have since met lighting techs who have made me long to return to those simple times. Did we have a microphone? I really don't remember but everyone seemed to hear everything OK. The salary was either $125 or $150 a week; Milt Larsen's Mayfair Music Hall was one of these salaries and the Cellar the other. Sorry but I didn't take detailed notes! On this princely salary my wife Susan and I would both be able to fly to San Francisco for $20 each roundtrip on PSA. Our hotel was opposite the way out of my performing level 'Boarding House' and cost $18 a night. Where is PSA now when we need it? Oh, that's right bankrupt. We dined every night at a burger joint called 'Clown Alley' which managed to justify every scary image that both of these words imply. This economy in our gastronomical budget allowed us to not only break even, but also sometimes return to Los Angeles with a tiny profit. Then again, our shared rent was $80 a month. There were a small group of performers who visited the Cellar to perform and this is where I first met or heard of Martin Lewis, Daryl and Steve Dacri. Sidebar: why haven't I written a piece on Steve yet? It could be the steady flow of Vodka, which seems to have punctuated our all too fleeting meetings! Stay tuned though.... My favorite local was Professor Arthur Lee (again, I'm just going by memory on names!) who electrified the crowd when he jumped barefoot from a chair onto a box filled with broken glass! It was this feat of feet that first inspired brilliant card man/mind reader S.P. Lodge to perform. What happened next? Was a masterpiece born? All will be revealed next week! In the meantime do yourself a favor and download Steve Martin's book from iTunes, it is rather a quiet understated masterpiece. Contact me at nicklewin1@me.com -------------------------------------------- 6. Misdirection - The Art of Eye Contact - #98 - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message from Kyle Peron (US) magic4u02@aol.com http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com I never realized just how powerful a tool my eyes are and just how much impact eye contact can have. I guess perhaps it is because I, like many others, take for granted what I do so often every day. But what is it about eye contact that can help us with our magic? Let's dive in a bit deeper. As some of you may know, I am deaf. I am about 65% deaf in both ears and have been losing my hearing since childhood. I do not tell you this to feel sorry for me, as I do not feel sorry for myself. The reason for stating it is because when my sense of hearing was lost, I realized my eyesight became more focused and alert. It simply forced me to pay more attention to it to compensate. I have always known how to read lips simply as a tool for adapting to life around me. In order to hear people, I have to face them and watch their lips form the words. As I find myself doing this more often, I realized just how strong vision and eye contact can be for a magician. In reference to misdirection, there has always been a general rule that your audience will always follow where you look. I do not feel it is so much a magic thing as it is a general human trait. I have noticed that when I turn to look at someone when they talk, they face me and their gaze turns towards my face as well. This is always done without any indication beforehand. It simply just happens. So how do we use this as a powerful tool in our magic and the magic that we perform? Well I started to really pay closer attention to eye contact in my routines. I think many of us forget to use it as a "tool" for our magic. However, like any form of misdirection, one must use it "logically". I call this the usage of logical misdirection. Anyone can misdirect an audience, but it does not mean that the misdirection goes unnoticed. In many cases the misdirection is rather obvious. This happens because it appears too forced and the misdirection happening is not logical in nature. With eye contact misdirection, it is based on first observing the tendencies of people as you look at them and as you converse with them. Next time you are out and about simply try talking to someone and look away and then look back. With peripheral vision, watch what the other person does. It is amazing how people react based on what you are doing. If I look down, they tend to look down with me. If I engage them with my eyes towards their eyes, they usually will lock in with me. This is such a powerful tool I had been using all my life but never as much for my magic as I should have. I just always did it in order to hear people. But I really started recently to apply what I do every day to my magic I perform and have been simply amazed at the doors of creativity that opened for me. I now have an amazing tool to perform even more creative magical experiences. I realized I can focus attention very easily through not only w here I am looking, but also where I am directing them to look. For example, in my ACR you will see me constantly change eye contact direction several times throughout the routine. However, it is done so logically. I may do a sequence where the focus is downward. I hold the deck down towards my waist and I look downwards at the deck as I speak. The audience soon will follow to watch the deck. This is usually done at the "revelation" moment of the effect I am doing. If I am working and performing a "move", I can easily shift focus away from the deck (or where the move is taking place) simply by looking upwards at the helper and asking them a question or engaging them in a joke. This also is logical. When you talk to someone or ask them something, you will look up and the other person will do the same. What is great about this is that it now takes heat off of the deck and away from the area where my "secret move" is taking place. If done correctly and practiced, this eye contact misdirection can be used to achieve simply amazing results. The best part is that you are in essence manipulating the audience without them being aware you are doing so. You are using eye contact as a tool just like the cards you hold in your own hands. Next time you are talking with someone, just observe and take notice to where they are looking as you talk to them. Do not even perform magic at all. Just talk and observe and take notice. This is your learning grounds. If you want to make eye contact misdirection logical in natural, you need to first have a good understanding of just how people naturally react. You can then start to apply this into the magic you are doing. Give it a try. I guarantee you will be amazed at what you can do with it. If you are already using it, start to apply and try new things with it. Use it as a powerful tool to really allow you to deliver a great and entertaining experience for your audiences. 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. Cruising With Paul Romhany # 48 -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany (NZ) It's been a great week on this ship as I have met some wonderful people and some wonderful entertainers. There is a great magic team on from the UK, Steve and Tricia Blake. They do a wonderful 1920's themed show. It's nice to be able to hang out and make new friends. Also on here is an amazing jazz musician Christian Tamburr. Christian also helped arrange music for Penn and Teller's live shows. We were talking about magic and he told me his favorite close-up magician was Michael Close. I am going to share an incredible story that happened this week that really touched my heart. While I was having a coffee the other day a lady came up to me and started talking about my show and how she enjoyed it. She said when she was about 15 she knew a magician who was like a brother to her. She said that I probably didn't know him and she wondered what ever happened to him as she lost touch with him many many years ago. The last she heard from him was when her parents went to Paris on holiday and he was working at the Lido. They had dinner with him after the show and that was the last she had heard. I asked what his name was and she said Marvyn Roy!! I told her he was one of the best magic acts in the history of magic and he had a huge influence on my Chaplin act. When he and Carol toured NZ they did a lecture and Marvyn talked about how to theme an act. That's when I started to really think about doing Charlie - best lecture I've ever attended. Anyway, I was able to give her Marvyn's phone number, and she phoned him from the ship and he couldn't believe it. I had drinks last night with this lady and her husband and she was almost in tears! Marvyn did remember her and he even remembered the year her parents saw him in Paris - 1954!!! Anyway, it was such a lovely thing, this lady couldn't believe that I knew who he was and was astounded to actually be able to get in touch after all these years. You really never know who you will meet on a ship. Paul Romhany www.paulromhany.com -------------------------------------------- 8. Additional Cabins Added To Magic Cruise 2009 -------------------------------------------- Message from David Sandy (US) We've just added a few additional cabins in all categories (inside, outside and balcony) to Magic Cruise 2009! Plus, you'll enjoy a Pre-Cruise Party on Saturday night prior to the cruise departure on Sunday! Departing from Miami on Sunday, May 3, 2009, this incredible cruise vacation will not only take you to FOUR luxurious ports of call in the Western Caribbean, you'll also enjoy very special magic-themed events, receptions, shows, lectures/workshops, parties, game shows, and more! You will depart Miami aboard the beautiful Carnival Valor and enjoy fun activities, fabulous dining, lavish Vegas-style entertainment, friendly casinos, spa program, and all the pampering service you can stand! Plus, you'll learn from and enjoy the magic and fellowship of many of the world's finest magicians... including John Carney, Jeff McBride, John Shryock & Mari Lynn, Kerry Pollock, Dave Kaplan, Jon Armstrong, Mike Caveney, Tina Lenert, Les Arnold & Dazzle... and more surprise performers yet to come! Cabins start at only $699 per person (plus port charges and taxes). For complete information and a video, visit the website at: www.davidsandyproductions.com/magiccruise.htm -------------------------------------------- 9. News From Hall Of Fame Of Famous Unknowns -------------------------------------------- Chazoo & Willie The Clown's Hall of Fame of Famous Unknown Magicians and Clowns News flash! Mark your calendars! Next Parlour Foray: Saturday, June 6, 2009 Make your reservations now. See Below* Featuring: A Triad of Outstanding Magicians Bruce Kalver 2008 S.A.M. President Mike Miller 2009 S.A.M. President Elect Andy Dallas 2007 Past S.A.M. President On Friday, June 5, 2009 at 6:00 pm we will have a "Dutch Treat" dinner for those who arrive early followed with a special close up show made up of volunteers who want to perform. Saturday will begin at 9:00 am with donuts and coffee and a swap, sell and exchange meet, then opening ceremony at 10:30 with a lecture, at 11:00, Parlour Magic at 2:00 pm, the Big Show at 5:00 PM plus food & beverage all day. *All this for only $35.00. Wow! $25.00 for those who send in their checks before April 1st, 2009. Send your check to Chazoo at the Hall of Fame of Famous Unknowns, Box 72, Schuyler Lake NY 13457 or call Chazoo at 315.858.2576, Alan Drew of Maine 207.244.0538, Ray Eyler 410.798.1677 or Phil Messina 607.427.7241. Call for appointment to view the museum and/or directions to our location. Spread the word among all of our friends. Update: Bev Bergeron was the "greatest" during the '2008 Parlour Foray. We were truly excited, entertained and overwhelmed with his magic and perspectives on magic and entertainment. He was a superb addition to the Hall of Fame of Famous Unknowns. We are very grateful to him and his wife Alouise for taking the time to be a part of our humble gathering. As a result of his attendance at our '08 Foray we have been published in two local newspapers and talked about at the local magic clubs as well as with friends at the combined IBM/SAM convention held in Louisville this past summer (I visited with Bev Bergeron while I was in Florida recently and had a delightful time meeting with some of his friends made of up of musicians, singers, comics and ventriloquists at a special Musicians round table, he hosts every week. He continues to surprise me with his many talents.) Yours truly (Chazoo) was given a special I B M Presidential Citation by Phil Willmarth at Louisville, in part for the Creation of the Museum of Famous Unknown Magicians and Clowns. The Citation in part reads as follows: "To Charles T. Zuis for his willingness to share his specialized fund-raising skills and experience with the I.B.M. effort to create the I.B.M. Educational Center.."and for his creation of the Museum (Hall of Fame) of Famous Unknown Magicians and Clowns and this recognition of grass roots entertainers" etc. I humbly accepted on behalf of all "Unknown" magicians and clowns. Ran into Glenn Falkenstein and Frances Willard in Louisville as they were getting on the elevator. They are members of the Hall of Fame. She was promoting the recently published book on "Willard, A Life Under Canvas", a fantastic book on the early days of Magic in a circus format. Improvements have been made at the Museum with the help of Phil Messina and Alan Drew. We have added another close up room and a new display area. We are also grateful to Wes Booth of Maine who designed and hand painted a huge 4 x 6 feet banner of a picture of an old-time original Parlour Magician. Also, you will be glad to know that we have fixed the plumbing. -------------------------------------------- 10. The Joy Factor -------------------------------------------- Message from Jep Hostetler (US) Past International President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Jep Hostetler has released a new, non-magic, but truly magical book titled "The Joy Factor". This small trade book outlines six elements of celebrating joy in one's life. For more information see www.jephostetler.com -------------------------------------------- 11. 78th Annual Columbus MAGI-FEST, Feb. 5, 6 & 7, 2009 -------------------------------------------- Message from Jep Hostetler The Columbus MAGI-FEST is one of the longest-running, annual, regional magic conventions in the country. As the first convention of the year, it is a real antidote for the winter blues. This year, our 78th, is already creating quite a buzz in the magic community. We have assembled a list of performers that are not usually seen at conventions, or who are being seen for the first time. For a complete rundown of talent and registration, see www.magifest.org. Dates for the MAGI-FEST are Feb. 5, 6 and 7, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. Close-up performers include Shawn Farquhar, Aaron Fisher, Thom Peterson, Andrew Goldenhersh, Mark Mason, and Tyler Wilson. In stage shows we will be treated to performances by Andost, Tom Burgoon, Samuel Patrick Smith, Peter Pitchford, Shawn Farquhar, David Kaplan, Murray Hatfield and Teresa, Stoil and Ekaterina (Quick Change Act) Kenrick "Ice" McDonald, and the music of Dave DeWitt. Lectures will abound as well, with lectures or intimate seminars by Shawn Farquhar, Aaron Fisher, Thom Peterson, Mark Mason, Tyler Wilson, Murray Hatfield & Teresa, with special midnight lecture by Bill Gladwell. Saturday-only packages are available as well as dealer-only passes. Why not purchase extra Headliner Show tickets for friends and family at a measly price of $15 U.S. per ticket, reserved? Submitted by Jep Hostetler, Executive Director, MAGI-FEST for the Columbus Magic Club, Inc., which includes redcoats Paul Boaz, Mindy Burden, Hermann Carr, Jeff Gould, Jimmy King, Bill Krech, John Macko and Ron Spangler. -------------------------------------------- 12. 70th Anniversary Of The Magic Circle Of Victoria Inc. -------------------------------------------- Message from Jason Clacke On Tuesday, December 2nd, The Magic Circle of Victoria Inc. celebrated the 70th Anniversary of its foundation. With well over 100 people attending on the night, the Audience was treated to an Excellent Show. 3 top performers gave top performances and the individuality of the Stars ensured an enjoyable and varied Program. Our sincere thanks to Dave Lord, Ron Gallagher and Laurie Kelly for the giving of their services on this special occasion. Of interest to many was the Venue, The Kelvin Club. Located in the City and with a fantastic ambience of the 'private Gentlemen's Clubs' for the 19th Century, the Kelvin Club is to be the home of The Magic Circle of Victoria Inc; starting on the first Tuesday in February 2009 (2/2/09). With wonderful warmth to the building, future meetings will be sure to discuss the funding of improving the lighting arrangements for future Shows. We are pleased to thank Bernard's Magic Shop at 211 Elizabeth St in Melbourne for their kind supply of a $70 Voucher, as a 'Lucky Seat' prize on the night; which was won on the night by a guest of one of the members. -------------------------------------------- 13. Steve Kissell's Workshops -------------------------------------------- Message from Steve Kissell Las Vegas April, 09 FamilyEntertainersWorkshop.com Youngstown Ohio, May, 09 FamilyEntertainersWorkshop.com Williamsburg, VA February, 09 CircusMagic.com -------------------------------------------- 14. Zig Zag Girl Illusion Wanted -------------------------------------------- Message from BJ Rogers (NZ) If anyone has the construction plans to Harbin's "Zig Zag Girl" illusion that they are willing to sell me, could you drop me a line at rogerswhanaunorth@xtra.co.nz -------------------------------------------- 15. 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. 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 (including GST) for single or double rooms with registrants being able to book direct with the hotel. 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 -------------------------------------------- 16. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives -------------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.Alan-Watson.com 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) -------------------------------------------- 17. 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.Alan-Watson.com 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 2008 Alan Watson