* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment * www.Alan-Watson.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #644 Date: Saturday 14th March 2009 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. The Winners of the Academy of Magical Arts 2008 Awards 3. FISM World Championships of Magic 2009, Beijing 4. Memorial Service for Ali Bongo 5. Magic Circle Berlin Commemorated Jewish Magicians of Berlin 6. David Copperfield - Melbourne Australia 7. Remarkable Magic #85 - Nick Lewin 8. Standard Props" And The Children's Performer #109 - Kyle Peron 9. Cruising With Paul Romhany #60 10. British Ring Convention 2009 11. Parent Assembly #1 - Magician of the Year 2009 12. World Premier and Lecture at Fantasma 13. FISM Registrations Available 14. Broken Wand - George Barrand 15. Kramiens Magic Jamboree - Cancelled 16. Cherry Orchard by Chekov 17. Time for a Change? 18. The Keeper Card Book 19. Rameses The Egyptian Wonderworker 1876 -1930 20. e-zine Archives 21. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Due to the success of the Magic New Zealand ezine it is now taking a lot longer to send out News Flashes so very soon I will be using Facebook as another tool to send important news instantaneously to the magic fraternity. I currently have 2,360 friends on Facebook and if you are a member and are not on my list of friends do a search for me under Alan Watson Magician and apply to be listed if you would like the News Flashes. Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. The Winners of the Academy of Magical Arts 2008 Awards -------------------------------------------- Message by Milt Larsen (US) The winners of The Academy of Magical Arts 2008 Awards are: 2008 Magician of the Year - Guy Hollingworth Lifetime Achievement Fellowship - Bob Fitch Masters Fellowship - Dominique Performing Fellowship (Close-Up) - Howard Schwarzman Performing Fellowship (Stage) - Celeste Evans Creative Fellowship - Pierre Mayer Literary Fellowship - Louis Falanga Special Fellowship - Eric Eswin Junior Achievement Award - Farrah Seigel 2008 Stage Magician of the Year - Kevin James 2008 Parlour Magician of the Year - Shoot Ogawa 2008 Close-Up Magician of the Year - Doc Eason 2008 Lecturer of the Year - Jeff McBride -------------------------------------------- 3. FISM World Championships of Magic 2009, Beijing -------------------------------------------- Message by Lu Dinggang-Ryan (China) FISM World Championships of Magic 2009, Beijing Convention time: 26th through 31st, July, 2009 Website: www.fism2009.org The convention fee for six unforgettable magic days is only 545 US Dollars (388 Euros)! The number of registrants for FISM WCM2009 has already surpassed 1000! 1. Omar Pasha 2. David Sousa 3. David Williamson 4. Fielding West 5. Juan Tamariz 6. Henry Evans 7. I.Ma.Gi.A 8. Jiang Hua 9. Jorgos 10. Lennart Green 11. Eun-Gyeol Lee 12. Mac King 13. Double Fantasy 14. Miguel Puga 15. Merok 16. Peter Marvey 17. Pilou 18. Rick Merrill 19. Rocco Silano 20. Shoot Ogawa 21. Shi Lei, Jiao Jiandong 22. Topas 23. Fujiyama Shintaro 24. Men in Coats 25. Victor Voitko 26. Yunke You are welcome to log on to our online forum and contact us via: Email:info@fism2009.org Tel: (8610)84638703 Fax: (8640)84632591 Hotel: hotel@fism2009.org If you want to register, book the same flight and hotel with other American magicians, you can contact: Harry & Trudy Monti ( HarryMontiFism@aol.com) Obie O'brien (rjobie@gisco.net) Preliminary program for the FISM WCM2009 July 26th - Daytime Opening Ceremony; Chinese Style Magic Show Evening - Grand Welcome Dinner Banquet (Seats for all the participants are guaranteed) In the meantime, lots of noted Chinese artists will present an evening show of Chinese music, dance and acrobatic acts. July 27th - Evening Stage Magic Gala Show 1; Evening Magic Salon July 28th - Evening Close-up Magic Gala Show; Evening Magic Salon July 29th - Evening Stage Magic Gala Show 2; Evening Magic Salon July 30th - Evening Banquet show and announce the next FISM location (Seats for all the participants are guaranteed) A show combines Chinese and Western style will be presented by lots of famous Chinese artists July 31st - Evening Final Stage and Close-up Contest & Stage Gala show; Awarding of the Prizes; Evening Magic Salon -------------------------------------------- 4. Memorial Service for Ali Bongo -------------------------------------------- Message by Mandy Davis (UK) Diva of Deception All details of the memorial service for Ali Bongo can be found at: http://www.pongolia.co.uk If you wish to attend you must register on that website that you will be coming. -------------------------------------------- 5. Magic Circle Berlin Commemorated Jewish Magicians of Berlin -------------------------------------------- Message by Peter Schuster – President of the Magischer Zirkel Berlin On Friday march 6th the Magischer Zirkel Berlin (MZB) commemorated the Jewish founders of the famous magic shop “Zauberkönig” in Berlin: Arthur and Charlotte Kroner and their daughter Meta. Arthur and Charlotte committed suicide in 1943. In this year Meta was transported to and murdered in the concentration camp Auschwitz. In the same year their shop was expropriated officially by the Nazis. During the ceremony brass plates (“Stolpersteine”) with their names and dates were put in the sidewalk in front of the house in Friedrichstrasse where the shop had been founded in 1899. Charlotte Kroner was one of the famous Leichtmann-daughters who managed the magic shops founded by their father. The most famous of them Rosa married Janos Bartl in Hamburg. During a memory meeting the same day in the theater of the MZB the members honoured also other Jewish magicians persecuted by the Nazis as Günther Dammann, Dr. Stanley Jaks and Michel Seldow. The historical project is studied by Birgit Bartl together with the History Group of the MZB. “Stolpersteine” is an artistic and political project by the artist Gunter Demnig. (>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolpersteine<). Photos will be presented soon at >www.magischer-zirkel-berlin.de< -------------------------------------------- 6. David Copperfield – Melbourne, Australia -------------------------------------------- Message by Kristina (Aust) Don’t know if it’s been mentioned yet, but David Copperfield is due to appear at Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne, Australia) Saturday August 15th and Sunday August 16th. -------------------------------------------- 7. Remarkable Magic #85 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message by Nick Lewin (US) Remarkable Magic #  Farewell to the Shriek of Araby. There was a moment in magic’s history recently, a worldwide sigh when the magic world came together to say goodbye to Ali Bongo one of our most quietly accomplished elders. A great many people in a great many places felt the same sadness at the passing of one of most loved and respected men in our fraternity. Growing up in England in the 60s, you didn’t need to be on the magic scene for too long before you discovered Ali Bongo. There is a persistent rumor that Ali was also known as William Oliver Wallace, but I don’t believe it.  He was Ali Bongo to me at age twelve, when I saw him onstage at the Conway Hall in London and has always remained so. The way Bongo performed his classic ‘Shriek of Araby’ act was a wonder to behold. His crazy turban, curled shoes, wild hair and flashing horn-rimmed spectacles blended into a whirl of larger than life. He was an instant favorite to this particular young magician and made a strong impression on me with his wildly visual comedy magic. I’m sure I met Ali Bongo behind the counter of Hamley’s Magic Studio in the early sixties but may not of recognized him in his William Wallace incarnation. Ali Bongo was on the scene from my very first memories of the British magic scene but I suspect I failed to spot him in my obligatory visits to Hamley’s magic shop. My loss. As a young lad I was very influenced in my love of magic by David Nixon with his suave and debonair brand of magic and patter. By listening between the lines at the magic club I realized that Ali Bongo had a great deal to do with the skillful magic that punctuated Nixon’s show. Ali was the first person I ever heard described as a technical advisor. David Nixon almost always performed his sleight of hand from behind a rather solid drinking style bar. This didn’t seem to eccentric to a performer who inevitably worked on television while smoking a cigarette. Eventually I realized that not only was the invisible Ali Bongo helping in the selection and performance of the magic performed on the show but that he was often underneath that counter helping things along in a very ‘hands on’ manner. I remember buying The Bongo Book from Ken Brooke when it first arrived in his magic studio and enjoying its lively illustrations and unusually visual presentation. Even better, one day several props arrived in Ken’s studio, when unwrapped they were strange single sided flowered shrubs. I went home that evening with a ‘Bongo’s Blooming Bush,’ which that was featured in my act for quite a while. Leaving England in 1974, I did so never having done more than exchange a word or two with Ali Bongo. This prominent figure in the British magic world was basically unknown to me. As I was leaving London there was much talk about the surprise moment in an upcoming and promising new musical. That turned out to be the iconic light fixture plummeting down into the audience in a certain ‘Phantom of the Opera.’ By the time I was settled into living in America I read in the Magic magazines that Ali Bongo was now the magical mastermind working with Paul Daniels on his wildly successful television series. That gig turned out to be a perfect pairing of magical minds. One day I was performing in Las Vegas in ‘Comedy Magic’ (the one-man afternoon show that I introduced to Vegas in ’94) at the old Maxim Hotel and I got a message that Ali Bongo was out front for my 2:00 pm show. I must admit I felt quite a thrill of pride and gave the show that tiny extra bit of attention that occurs when you know someone special is front of house. After the show I joined Ali at a table in the bar and we got to have the long and animated magic conversation that had been 25 years in coming. He had really enjoyed my show and was a whirl of great ideas and observations. All to soon he had to leave and our meeting was over. I was left with the very clear knowledge that Ali Bongo was not only one of the most creative and informed people in magic. It was one of those great moments sitting one on one with this legendary gentleman. You will be sorely missed Ali Bongo. Contact me at nicklewin1@me.com and check out some of the really cool stuff hidden on my website http://www.nicklewin.com -------------------------------------------- 8. "Standard Props" And The Children's Performer #109 - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message by Kyle Peron (US) magic4u02@aol.com http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com I was having a great discussion the other day with folks at an online magic forum. Someone raised a really great question and the discussion I felt certainly warranted an article. The question was fairly simple, "Can you be a good children's performer using just standard props?" Does a magician need to use creative props or "flashy" prop to be a better performer to their clients? To me, there is a very simple answer and that answer is ... YES! You can indeed be a good children's performer with standard props. It is as simple as that. A magician should not be defined by the props he or she brings in. At the end of my shows I do not want the audience remembering and talking about my props. I want them to remember ME and the experience I created for them. This to me is most critical. Now creating this experience can be done with simple props or more elaborate ones. To me the props are simply tools I use to create an entertaining experience. Like a good master craftsman, they will know just what tools to use to create a masterpiece. But the master piece is not him laying the tools out and going: "Look see how cool these are?" Instead he lets the overall work speak for itself. I n the case of the magician, the overall work is the routine itself. It is your show. Like a painter, the painter does not have to reinvent paint in order to create something new, fresh and exciting. Artists use the tools of the trade and the standard props/equipment and can create wonderful things with them. A great way to judge it is to simply listen to the reaction and responses you receive not just after your routine but during it as well. I always make it a point to have the journey of the trick just as much fun as the trick itself. A perfect example is Red Skelton. I have seen this man entertain and bring tears to an audience simply with a hat and nothing more. Not one word was ever spoken but with just that hat and his pantomime skills, he created an entertaining experience that people remember. They enjoy what they are seeing. Now you can't get much more basic than that. It is up to YOU to develop your creativity and creative skills. In this day and age of magic dealers and builders, it is so easy to go to any store and buy a "routine in a box." It is too easy to simply buy a cool colorful prop thinking that it alone will make you a success. That simply is not the case. You can have the best looking props out there and STILL not be able to entertain a crowd. A prop does not suddenly give you amazing skills or increased entertainment ability. It does not make YOU suddenly memorable simply because this prop on your table looks good. It is what YOU do. You develop your personality and your style. You develop your character. Through all of this your routines then reflect back to these things I just mentioned. Everything in my show has to be an extension of who I am on stage. I also believe in hard work. That simply means it is not OK for me to simply buy a nice prop and stick it on my table and expect the audience to enjoy it. I need to work to make it fit me and who I am on stage. I need to create an original and creative routine that is fun for the target audience I want to perform it for. Is this hard work? Of course it is. But like anything good in life, you have to work for it. The more you do, the better you get at it. My routines take time to develop but my audiences deserve that of me. They deserve me not relying on my fancy props alone to speak for me. So I can have a nice looking prop and I can also have a just piece of rope. Each does nothing by itself. It is in the hands of the magician that these things come alive. Both can be equally enjoyable but by themselves they are nothing. 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 -------------------------------------------- 9. Cruising With Paul Romhany #60 -------------------------------------------- Message by Paul Romhany (NZ) I just arrived in an hour ago to my hotel here in South Shields, Tyneside for what is now a sold out convention! I am pleased to report I have no stories about the flight over - phew! The lineup of performers include Paul Daniels, David Williamson, Banachek, Patrick G Redford, Bob Sheets and Steve Axtell. That's not even talking about the two gala shows! Oh yeah - and yours truly will be performing, lecturing and doing a workshop. I will be presenting my new lecture with the new book that goes along with it. I thought I'd share with you a truly magical story that has me so excited. It was only a few days ago, after talking to my mother back in New Zealand when she asked where in the world I would be this week. I said I was heading to a magic convention in Newcastle. She then said, "You know your Granddads from Newcastle, in a place called South Shields". Now, my grandfather passed away a few years back and I had a rough idea he was from somewhere up this way, but not actually from the same town the convention is being held in. I arrived this afternoon and phoned up his sister who still lives here and was she surprised to hear from me! I have never met her or her children so tomorrow I’m taking an hour out of the convention to go and meet up with them. Talk about a small world! It is very timely as my grandmother passed away last week so it will be nice for me to talk to my grandfather’s sister about my wonderful and amazing grandparents. Both my grandparents were very supportive of my career and hobby - and if you check out facebook you'll see a wonderful photo of my grandfather and me when I won my first talent competition at age 10 in a shopping mall. I did a ventriloquist act! My grandmother used to make my costumes, and boy did I give her some challenges. I asked for a checkered suit, a suit that was half red and half black - and my grandfather made me wooden props. It is perfect timing for me to be here and I am looking forward to a fantastic convention and will do a report next week. -------------------------------------------- 10. British Ring Convention 2009 -------------------------------------------- Message by Bob Hayden PRO to the British Ring Convention News 7th March This year the magical star talent performing and lecturing at Southport is coming from a whole variety of countries. For the past three years American Stars of magic have dominated the line-up at our Convention. This year we are looking east to provide the majority of the magic. On stage there will be David & Dania (USA), Netchperenko (Russia), Hayashi, Timo Marc and Peki (Germany), Brando & Silvana (Portugal), Soma (Hungary), Angus McAnnaly (Ireland), Sean Taylor (Australia) and Pavel (Switzerland). Hayashi will also be performing in the International Close-Up Show, where he will be joined by Tyler Wilson (Canada), Henry Mayol (France) and Ed Ellis (USA). In addition organizing Secretary John Pye has booked, to give Children’s Magic lectures our own Terry Herbert and Duane Laflin (USA). Tony Stevens will be hosting the Thursday Night Show that this year will be an all British one. Who Tony will be introducing will be announced shortly. Taking over as organizer of the Children’s Show is Clive Moore. One definitely appearing on this show is Richard Cadell and Sooty. Even with this initial line-up Southport 2009 will continue providing the same high standard we have all enjoyed over the past three years. There is however one thing that will be needed and that is your participation. Registration fees remain the same as last year at £125 per person and £100 for British Ring members and their partners. Registrations are now being accepted by the Registration Officer Neville Johnson. You can register by using the payment page on this website or by contacting Neville on 01202 873234 or by email nevillejohnson25@aol.com All events of this Convention will take place within the Southport Convention Centre, which now has the benefit of the new Waterside Suite a multi function space that can be divided into six self contained suites and a refurbished Floral Hall restored to its 1930 splendour. This means that you not have to leave the Centre and dash over to the Arts Theatre in Lord Street which in previous Southport Conventions has been the venue for many of the events. You have indicated that you would appreciate more time to socialise with your fellow magicians during the day so this year’s programme is being formatted with this in mind. Another aspect that did not find favour with some of you was having two differing lectures at the same time, an element that again is being addressed. The Headquarters Hotel, the Ramada Plaza is a brand new modern hotel and cannot be compared with either the Landsdowne in Eastbourne or the Scarisbrick in Southport and boasts an internal link direct into the Convention Centre. Its other asset is an underground car park with direct access to the reception area. If you haven’t yet booked your hotel John Pye still has a small number of rooms available. So if you would like to take advantage to stay in this convenient hotel give him a ring straight away. Alternatively you can go on line to www.conferencebookings.co.uk/delegate/STHIBM2009 which is a special dedicated website for Southport Conference hotels. This is a service from the Southport Tourist Department the British Ring looks forward to seeing you in Southport. -------------------------------------------- 11. Parent Assembly #1 - Magician of the Year 2009 -------------------------------------------- Message by George Schindler - Dean the Society of American Magicians (US) Parent Assembly #1 of the Society of American Magicians, announced that George Gilbert has been selected as its "Magician of the Year 2009," George has been a well known New York performer and a member of the assembly for more than 45 years. He has done many TV commercials, print ads and corporate events over the years. His award will be presented on MAY 16 at the historic 100th anniversary of the “Salute to Magic" show in New York City which will feature an array of star magicians. See www.sampa1,com for details and tickets. -------------------------------------------- 12. World Premier and Lecture at Fantasma -------------------------------------------- Message by Jim David Roth & Michael Rubinstein two of the three coin men of the New York Coin Magic Seminar are doing a joint lecture and presenting the World Premier of the Coin Magic Seminar's newest three DVD's Volumes 8, 9 & 10 here at Fantasma Magic. We still have a few tickets left for the event and we are taking pre-orders for the DVD's. You will get an automatic discount of $5.00 now, when ordering on-line (normally $34.99 now only $29.99) for each DVD when Pre-Ordering in the next ten days. You will save even more by getting the combo pack (all three DVD's normally $$89.99 now only $84.99) for a saving of if you pre-order. See you at the seminar! Fantasma Magic Presents the WORLD Premier Of The New York Coin Seminar’s Latest DVD’s Vol’s. 8-9-10 Plus a Special Lecture by David Roth & DR. Michael Rubinstein Friday, March 20th – 7pm – till? $25.00 General Admission $50.00 VIP Seating ($35.00 Day of Event - If Still Available!) The New York Coin guys, David Roth, Dr. Michael Rubinstein, and Mike Gallo, have done it again! They have packed six and a half hours of more coin magic, into three new volumes of their classic New York Coin Magic Seminar series, called more, much more, and still More!!! That’s more of everything - more coins across, more copper silver, more productions, vanishes, penetrations and more special guests including Al Schneider, Vic Trabucco, Scotty York, Marc DeSouza & Bill Citino! This Event Will Sell Out! Jim Fantasma Magic 421 7th Avenue - 2nd Floor New York, NY 10001 212 244-3633 Please visit our website to see the latest magic items. www.Fantasmamagic.com Thank you for your support! Check out our Fantasma Digital Downloads (FDD's) See the very best in magic perform the very best! -------------------------------------------- 13. FISM Registrations Available -------------------------------------------- Message by Roger and Sheila Miller - rogerrx@magician.org The FISM World Championship of Magic 2009, will be held from July 26th to 31st, 2009 in Beijing, China We are sorry to say that we won't be able to attend The FISM Magic Exposition in China later this year. We signed up early in Stockholm at the last event. After a bit of checking with the organizers and found that we can sell the registrations and FISM will transfer the name and registration number. We signed up early so the seating arrangements for the show should be terrific! China National Convention Center is the most advanced convention center in Asia. The center is located at the heart of Olympic Green, which is the fastest-developing district in Beijing and environmentally friendly, right next to the Bird Nest (Olympic main stadium in 2008), the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center)and National Gymnasium. It is just 30 minutes to the airport by car. The current fee for registration is now $495 (388 Euros). If anyone is interested, we would like to offer the pair for $450 each. If you or anyone you know is interested please drop me an email rogerrx@magician.org -------------------------------------------- 14. Broken Wand - George Barrand -------------------------------------------- Message by John Barrand (Aust) George Barrand began his show business career as a drummer in a dance band but his natural aptitude for key board instruments meant that he quickly mastered the piano accordion, an instrument that he continued to play until ill health forced him to change to a keyboard. George was a member of the Kirkcaldy Magic Circle, the Scottish Association of Magical Societies and the IBM, and worked extensively as a musician and as part of a traveling concert party performing in the working man’s clubs of central Scotland. His ability to perform not only as a magician but also as a ventriloquist and provide musical back up for the singers in the group made George an invaluable part of the cast. His ability as a ventriloquist also saved many club magical shows from denigrating into an endless procession of interchangeable generic magicians all performing similar material. The highlight of George’s career in Scotland was undoubtedly being the runner up in a National talent contest run by the Scottish Daily Express, a feat made more notable because the prize was a record deal and therefore geared towards it being won by a singer. Migrating to Australia in 1966 George joined IBM ring 102 and the Parramatta Geniis and continued to work, mainly with his ventriloquist act and as a musician. Retiring from the full time work force George moved to the Central Coast of NSW with his wife Phyl, joining the Newcastle Society of Magicians. Moving to Darwin to be closer to their youngest grandchildren about ten years ago and the death his wife of sixty one years, Phyl, in 2007 meant than George did slow down a little as a performer, however until December of last year he was still performing both musically and as magically up to four times a week in nursing homes in Darwin, bringing some pleasure to many elderly retired people. George’s heath deteriorated rapidly in 2009 with him succumbing to death in the early hours of the 10th March. George is survived by his children John, David and Janet, his grandchildren, June, Kevin, Timothy, Paige, Shantelle, Stephen, Sean, Victoria, Stewart, Kate and great-grandchildren, Stacey, Mia, BJ, Mitchell, Thomas, William, Billy and Ally. -------------------------------------------- 15. Kramiens Magic Jamboree - Cancelled -------------------------------------------- Message by Stan Kramien (US) After 23 years of operation we are very sad to announce that due to the economy we are forced to cancel this year’s Magic Jamboree. Hope to see you in 2010. -------------------------------------------- 16. Cherry Orchard by Chekov -------------------------------------------- Message by Peter Samelson (US) Thought I’d let you know that two productions, originated here at BAM (the Brooklyn Academy of Music) in conjunction with the Old Vic as part of the Bridge Project, are touring internationally before settling in to a run in London. One stop of the tour is Auckland in New Zealand and your readers might like to know that there is a bit of my work in both shows. The first is the Cherry Orchard by Chekov, which has a part written for Charlotta with magic described by Chekov, which has been reworked for this production, as the text has been reworked by Tom Stoppard from a fresh translation. The second is a Winter’s Tale (Shakespeare) into which we introduced a moment of magic, Sam Mendes asked me to create an effect in which a feather slowly stands up on a table and then writes as the actor reads out the words of the oracle. It got a mention in the New York Times review by Ben Brantley, with these words: “The process of mending in this case assumes some highly fanciful forms: an oracle from the temple of Apollo (the occasion for a charming coup de théâtre)...” You can read the whole review here: http://theater2.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/theater/reviews/23winter.html?ref=theater A description of entire Bridge Project can be found here: http://www.bam.org/view.aspx?pid=811 Although it will never make its way to you, I also just returned from designing for a lovely production of The Tempest in Bermuda, celebrating its 400th anniversary of establishment, which came about with the shipwreck of the Sea Venture, carrying an Admiral of the Navy, on its shores in 1609; the rest of the fleet, thinking them lost, continued to the colony of Virginia. A year later the missing crew returned from the dead aboard The Deliverance, which they had built on the magical island, the tale of which provided the Bard with the inspiration for his famous play. http://www.bermudafestival.org/2009/tempest.asp -------------------------------------------- 17. Time for a Change? -------------------------------------------- Message by Lee Alex The book "Time for a Change?" is still available to subscribers of this list at the special discounted privilege price of $35.00 USD, £25.00 GBP or €30.00 Euro plus appropriate shipping depending on where you live. Please indicate if you wish the book to be signed before dispatch. The reception of the lecture during a mini tour of the UK in January was great - thank you to all who attended and to those for making this happen. As some of you will be aware a couple of the venues had to be cancelled due to severe weather conditions. I am pleased to announce however that I will be returning to England the middle of May. The following dates and venues at which the lecture "Time for a Change?" will be presented have been confirmed in London: Monday 18th May the Magic Circle - contact James Fortune james@magicfun.co.uk Tuesday 19th May International Magic Studio - contact Martin McMillan martin@internationalmagic.com Wednesday 20th May Zodiac Magical Society - contact Peter Pinner secretary@zodiacmagicalsociety.co.uk On Thursday 21st May Lee Hathaway of the Magic Cave, Covent Garden is organizing a hands on master class at which I will be present. The location is secret at the moment (London area) and numbers are strictly limited. For more information please contact Lee Hathaway direct: lee@magiccave.co.uk If you live outside of the London area, or indeed outside the UK but would like to see this lecture presented at your local magic club or society, please contact me directly by replying to this email. For those of you in the States I will be at Jeff McBride's "School of Magic and Mystery" in Las Vegas, Nevada on 12th and 13th August 2009. Jeff and I are presenting a two day (total 8 hours) "Focus on Quick Change" for a limited number of students. Further details may be obtained from Abi Spinner McBride: http://www.magicalwisdom.com/details.php?id=393 Magicians located in the States who wish to see this lecture at their club are also welcome to contact me via email. Other States in America are being scheduled. The exchange rates are up and down like the proverbial yo-yo these days. As a result I am able to offer the "Happy Birthday Waistcoat" to customers paying in US dollars at an extremely discounted rate. The full retail price on my web pages is $435.00 USD. The current price is $100 USD off!!! Now only $335.00 USD. Please note that this is only available to subscribers of this newsletter. Please email for further details and quantities/sizes currently available. Some personal news I wanted to share with you. Last weekend we welcomed Tony Hassini to Istanbul. Tony is the President and Chairman of the International Magicians' Society. He was here to present me with the Merlin Award for "Illusionist of the Year 2009". The award was presented during my regular theatre show here in Istanbul in front of an enthusiastic crowd. Thank you to all those who sent messages of support and congratulations. The Merlin Award stands very proudly in my glass fronted cabinet and is looking really smart! I will be in Israel at the end of March where I have been invited to present the lecture "Time for a Change?" More details here if you can read Hebrew! : http://www.magic.org.il/ Thank you for your time and interest. Yours magically, Lee Alex Merlin Award Winner "Illusionist of the Year 2009" http://www.magicwaistcoat.com -------------------------------------------- 18. The Keeper Card Book -------------------------------------------- Message by Tom Craven (US) The book that Paul Gordon and I published, "The Keeper Card Book" has been a tremendous hit! H & R Books give it a fabulous review on their website. I have a few copies still available for magi in the U.S (I'm leaving overseas sales to Paul) at a savings. The book retails for $26 plus postage. I will let them go for $20 and I'll pay the postage. Also Jeff McBride recently ordered my 2 DVD's. 1) Tom Cravens Ring and rope routines (3 different routines) using 2 rings and a rope. He ordered this because he remembered seeing me lecture on these in Atlanta some years ago. 2) Tom Cravens Coins & Purse routine. This has been one of the most requested items from one of my lectures. It's my wife’s favorite routine to watch me do for laymen. $15 each and I'll pay postage. Tom Craven VIP Magic 5217-G Cline Road Kent, Ohio 44240 -------------------------------------------- 19. Rameses The Egyptian Wonderworker 1876 -1930 -------------------------------------------- Message by Chris Woodward Don’t know if it within your remit but am currently writing a book about Rameses The Egyptian Wonderworker 1876 -1930. Would any of your readers have any memorabilia or stories about this exciting Illusionist? I do have all or most of the ‘Ask Alexander’ references thanks to Bill Kalush but there might be someone out there who knows something that I don’t know! Rameses toured the UK appearing at most major venues and Europe during 1909, USA in 1910, South Africa in 1912 and South America in 1913. Any press cutting or photos would be appreciated and kindly acknowledged Many thanks Chris Woodward c.woodward@tesco.net My latest book is now available from the publishers http://www.jeremymillspublishing.co.uk/html/london_palladium.html -------------------------------------------- 20. 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