* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment * www.Alan-Watson.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #713 Date: Sunday 22nd November 2009 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. Paul Harris Collectors Photos Shot 3. Australian Magic News - Video Channel On YouTube 4. John Booth's Obituary by Ben Robinson 5. More Remarkable Magic #18 - Nick Lewin 6. Never Let Them See You Fail - #143 - Kyle Peron 7. The Grand Master Tribute 8. Le Grand David Spectacular Magic Company 9. John Calvert's Website & DVD 10. Murray Hatfield's Canadian Tour 11. Sam Angelico Performs At the Windsor, Melbourne, Australia 12. Reflections Magic Lecture By Bob Chua 13. J-Day 2009 14. e-zine Archives 15. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Magic New Zealand ezine will NOT BE PUBLISHED next week 28/29 November as my eldest daughter Nicole is getting married. Ben Robinson has written an excellent obituary on John Booth refer item 4. Like many magicians all over the world John Booth was an inspiration and friend to me and if I went into my library and chose just one book that played a major part in the development of my professional magic career it would have to be "Forging Ahead in Magic". Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. Paul Harris Collectors Photos Shot -------------------------------------------- Message by Bro Gilbert Just wanted to let everyone know that there are some amazing and rare and we're talking 5 in the world Paul Harris collectors photos shot during the True Astonishments Project in Canada.  For more information go to ebay.com and enter this code 320451404403 in the search bar. Bro and Paul make no money on this and all proceeds go to Carolyn's (TA photographer) new book project. Thanks for helping spread the word; I'm sure there will be some interested fans! Go to: http://cgi.ebay.com/Paul-Harris-Signed-Autographed-Set-of-3-Original-Photos_W0QQitemZ320451404403QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4a9c646273 -------------------------------------------- 3. Australian Magic News - Video Channel on YouTube -------------------------------------------- Message by Patrick McCullagh (Aust) Just to inform you all about a new "video-cast service" I am producing on YouTube. The idea is to help keep people up to date with the world of magic in Australia. Please feel free to contribute any items (Videos, Pictures or other material) for inclusion on future programs. Also please leave any constructive comments to help for future episodes and please subscribe then you will automatically be informed when new videos are posted. For Episode Nos 1 go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTA_JmbJK_g -------------------------------------------- 4. John Booth's Obituary by Ben Robinson -------------------------------------------- Message by Ben Robinson (US) Dr. John Nicholls Booth August 7, 1912 - November 11, 2009 John Booth was calling earlier this year. "Hello, have I the pleasure of speaking to the famed author." I cut him off. I realized the slight Canadian accent to the word "Hello" that he pronounced as "hell - oh." John was calling to discuss the progress of the book he had graciously lent his last piece of professional writing to; his Foreword to my book about John Mulholland, whom he knew well. He championed the project from the beginning. We spoke for about a half hour and then I called him about 4 months later to have his reverential advice about being harassed by an unstable woman for something I had written which was true, but the woman claimed was not. Booth offered that sometimes doing nothing was the best policy. John was right, as he was so many times over the 25 years that I was deeply honored to know him. John Booth and I met in 1984 first by letter and then for the first time in England at a most auspicious time. In the club room of the old Magic Circle, we met on the eve of the British Ring 50th Anniversary convention. I was asked to perform on a bill with Jay Marshall and Harry Blackstone Jr. and John Booth snapped pictures of my show that was received politely but no more. He confided after, "Ben, you will find that we pros are most harshly judged by our compeers in the world of amateur magic." John Booth and I worked diligently on three literary projects over a 25-year period. First my book about bullet catching, which he edited along with Eddie Dawes. That book is the only book that bears both great historians names, and both are winners of the extremely prestigious John Nevil Maskelyne prize presented by The Magic Circle. Next, after that two year haul was over, we got to work on another project. This one took three years: the index to the first 25 years of his writing for the Linking Ring, famously revered as Memoirs of a Magician's Ghost. It was at the dawn of the Internet. A Macintosh computer and my assistant Amy Janello worked thousands of hours inputting over 30,000 references which John edited down by half noting that the manuscript (still available from the IBM Endowment fund) included many names that were not of interest to magicians, such as the man who shot Gandhi. (John was the only American correspondent allowed in the gallery at the assassin's trial in India.) And finally, we worked for many months on the Mulholland manuscript. But there is another. About a year before his death John and I got to work on the culmination of a library we have built. John guided me to rarities all over the world and the definition of each: the complete writings of John N. Booth. I hold the only complete library of his writings, each meticulously signed by the great adventurer, writer, film maker and of course, magician. The book will be called The John Booth Reader and will be available next year. When I was 16 years old, I first read the Supreme Magic publication, The John Booth Classics and was transfixed by the wisdom in his Forging Ahead in Magic. Information I found therein has served me well as an amateur, semiprofessional and finally in the life I lead today as a writer, performer and producer of magic. From 1984 I have called John Booth my friend and most precious confidant. Three months ago I called him with a progress report at noon my time, interrupting his breakfast of cereal always taken with water; he always was very conscious of any fat intake. He counseled me on sex, marriage, health, fasting, travel, mountaineering, stage deportment, promotion, writing, and the use of magic not as a professional magician. He was emphatic about his role as a newspaper man for the Chicago Sun-Times and The Boston Globe and noted that his travels to 146 countries were aided by his newspaper writing skills and that magic opened the door to the crowned Prince of Japan, now the Emperor. He told me of meeting India's first Prime Minister, Nehru, and how the Prime Minister's temper easily flared, but was brought to all smiles by the conjurian Booth. (Booth coined the word "conjurian.") John often counseled me to "live life on many pillars" and this would deflect depression. John knew that depression was the flip side to creativity and whether or not he experienced this himself, I do not know. But I do know I had a hard time of it during my most busy period where I appeared on TV, stage and film, all within 18 months. I could not have done it without John riding shotgun, for he had been there. John told me of his despair returning to his room at the famous Algonquin Hotel on West 44th Street in New York with no good news about bookings, "and resources dwindling." John knew what I was going through and was the best guide I could have had through the forest of professional show business. He knew every magician of consequence from G. W. Hunter who invented the trick common to most magic sets - The Snapper or sometimes known as Snap Back - to the fellows at the local club. His influence on twentieth century conjuring is enormous. Fellow Canadian Doug Henning told me, and John, that John's early books were "seminal" to the great Henning's unbounded success in 1974. Both attended McMaster University. Both broke new ground. Booth was the larger figure, but Henning's greatness truly understood and took a lesson from Booth's greatness. English magic store owner Alan Alan once counseled me before my first meeting with Booth, "Now lad, when you meet him, you don't talk, just listen and you will be well served." I took the advice and have practiced it for over 20 years. John Booth was author and editor of 19 books (a summary follows), and thousands of articles. For my money, his book Fabulous Destinations, is one of the most gripping tales ever told in the pantheon of travel logs. The fact that he entered the closed borders of China, in 1948, without a visa as a clergyman and then avoided an international incident by gaining an interview with Chiang Kai-shek, is the stuff dreams are made of. Magicians are truly lucky to have this mountain of achievement as one of their own. I know this first hand. Appearing at a Commerce California card casino during a Pai Gow contest and celebration for VIP players, I presented the dangerous bullet catch. John attended and came on stage to mark the bullet. He was delighted to be involved, having been present when Annemann caught the bullet in 1938. Unfortunately, glass flew across the stage, into my hand, along with the marked bullet, and my left hand has a scar that will always remind me of Booth, the experience and a terrible accident that he penned in one of the chapters of his memoirs. I heartily recommend the $30 DVD The Miracle Factory has produced as the compendium of John's Memoirs. Any name is searchable, and I hear from the editor and head of The Miracle Factory, Todd Karr, that Booth was delighted to receive the first copy of this amazing project a short 5 weeks before his death. This project had been in the works since the early 90's. Todd is to be commended for bringing it out. All magicians should support this effort. Booth's memoirs in this form provide a history that you cannot get any other way. They are unique, copious, laser-like in their accuracy. The memoirs comprise nearly 500 installments, having been published from 1963 to 2000. I met with John in his native Canada at Bob Weill's Inn Event, a follow-up to the Ibidem events. John, David Berglas and I were the featured guests in October 1987. I figured that my being on the bill with these two legends was a mistake, though since having met John previously in England, he'd not be insulted. He accepted me. Finally, on August 7, 1990 I flew to Los Angeles to celebrate his 78th birthday with him. We went to his favorite Sam's Seafood Restaurant with World Champion Magician Johnny Ace Palmer. We stayed all night swapping stories, doing magic and when John read the mind of our young waitress it was with a twinkle in his eye that shone his brilliance of the star he was in the 1930's in North and South America. He also entertained on the high seas, as one of the very first cruise ship magicians (in fact Siegfried of Siegfried & Roy claimed that it was Booth's Forging Ahead in Magic that inspired his first attempts as a young magician and later on the grand cruise ship The Bremen). John called me in 2007. He was worried about his eyes becoming weaker. I told him glaucoma was reversible, and that laser surgery for cataracts was easily dispensed and I began to work the phones and provide on the ground assistance to my friend. I made an appointment with the Jules Stein Eye Clinic in Los Angeles, and got him an appointment, and provided a friend driver. When the doctor contacted me with a report he told me that Booth had regaled everyone with tales of meeting and being booked by Jules Stein himself when he was an agent with the Music Corporation of America Company! (MCA was founded by Zeppo Marx, whom Booth also knew and loved playing bridge with.) There was no boundary to Booth's knowledge. He was a deeply insightful scholar on many topics, particularly psychic fraud. I tried to keep up with his copious references to 19th century trader baron Warren Hastings of the East India Company and to his meetings with Sir Edmund Hillary. We shared hundreds of letters, phone calls and met in England, Canada and the U.S. As I wrote in my foreword to the index we published in 1990: "Were I to have been told at 16, when I first read The John Booth Classics, that a decade later I would be admitted to John Booth's circle, I would have responded, 'Well, that would be real magic.' Of course, it has been." There will never be another who climbs to the heights John Booth ascended to as Unitarian minister, nightclub star magician, travel film maker, mountain climber, and author. I might be leaving out a few titles. To me, he was, and always will be, my role model and my great pal. I miss him terribly, but will always smile that a giant such as he walked among us. A complete list of all of John's books follow: 1. Super Magical Miracles 2. Magical Mentalism 3. Forging Ahead in Magic 4. Marvels of Mystery 5. The Quest For Preaching Power 6. The John Booth Classics 7. Fabulous Destinations 8. The Story of the Second Church in Boston 9. Booths in History 10. Psychic Paradoxes 11. Wonders of Magic 12. Dramatic Magic 13. Creative of World of Conjuring 14. Index for the John Booth Memoirs 15. Tales From the Adventurer's Club (editor) 16. Conjurians' Discoveries 17. Fine Art of Hocus Pocus 18. Keys to Magic's Inner World 19. Extending Magic Beyond Credibility -------------------------------------------- 5. More Remarkable Magic #18 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message by Nick Lewin (US) The fine art of travel and packing. I remember vividly the time that I saw Billy McComb at his most animated and excited; he had just been to the supermarket and bought a box full of clear plastic, zip lock, baggies. He was practically shaking with delight as he showed them to me. It seemed, even for Billy, rather eccentric to get this excited over little clear sandwich containers, but as usual when I got the actual drift of his thinking I started to share his enthusiasm. He wasn't planning on taking along a ham and cheese sandwich to his next gig but had a loftier vision. Before long Billy had all the items from his vast working repertoire contained in different sized, heavy weight baggies. Each trick was carefully packed inside its own baggie, with every item needed for the performance contained within it. On the outside of each bag was written in felt-tip pen the name of the trick inside the bag. The main advantage of this method was of course that you didn't arrive at your gig and find that a reel, pen, thumbtip or handkerchief that was vital to the effect was missing. In fact better still you could survey the contents of each bag without even opening it and double check that all the replaceable items, for example; thread, flashpaper, envelopes etc. had in fact been replaced. It was such a simple and effective idea that only a genius like McComb could have developed it. Of course, being Billy, he did get a little carried away and he extended the idea to coffee shop items. He almost always had a baggie full of miniature containers of sugar, creamer, tea bags etc. in his pocket somewhere. On one of my very first meetings with Billy at a very youthful age, he showed me the old trick where you appear to stick a coin on your forehead and when you remove it and hand it to the spectator to duplicate your action, there is a blood red nail sticking out the back. It wasn't the trick that Billy seemed to enjoy so much as the fact that he had fashioned a cork with a hole in it that fitted the gimmicked half crown and made it a considerably easier and safer prop to carry around in your pocket. He gave me the faked coin in its cork as a present. I didn't realize it at the time but this was to be one of my first lessons in the art and science of packing and handling props. I remember being highly impressed when I observed how legendary magician Piet Paulo managed to keep his working shoes 'unscuffed' and polished on the road by keeping them inside old socks. Simple and easy and something I do every time I pack my suitcase. The shoes packed out with black socks and delicate props from the show. I have taken these two ideas and combined them into my current system, which involves keeping all my props inside Crown Royale bags. Of course everything looks like everything else and it isn't half as practical as the baggie system----however I do love those purple bags! Needless to say I have many other wrinkles and tips I have learned over the years, if you have an interest I am happy to share them. In fact I have an entry in my blog entitled 'Travel Tips' that lists some of them including my ultimate TSA deterrent. Not for the faint of heart! Check out my new blog on my website www.nicklewin.com -------------------------------------------- 6. The Road Less Traveled - #144 - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message from Kyle Peron (US) magic4u02@aol.com http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com It was a recent drive to a magic convention that got me thinking of this topic. I realized just how much driving has changed over the years. Before the dawn of GPS, I would often take a map with me and take the most common route. Highways and roads traveled by many, became the "safe" way to go. As I traveled with my GPS to the convention, I realized how much it has made me take roads less traveled before. By listening to my GPS I was able to take roads I would not have normally ventured down. But as I traveled down these old country roads, my mind opened up and my eyes were seeing wonderful things I have not seen before. I was enjoying the experience because I was not seeing the same old thing. Magic can and should be very much like this trip I took. I realize just how often magicians in general take the safe passage or the safe road when venturing down any path with their magic. Whether it is creating a new routine for a show or learning a new act, we tend to often travel down the same paths others before us have taken. I think we do this because 1) it is all we know and 2) it is a much safer way to go. We feel safe and secure knowing others have blazed the path before us. But is this the right thing to do? Is this allowing us to grow in the art of magic? I would have to say No. I think it hinders a person's creative growth. By traveling down the same path as other magicians, you will be seeing what they see and doing what they do. In many ways it is a dangerous way of developing routines that really are not true to who you are. We each are unique and we each have our own character and personalities on stage. Many of us try and do routines based on what we have seen along this road that we travel on. If we are all traveling the same road, then we cannot help but to develop similar styles or routines that are the same as others. But what happens is that you are 1) not finding yourself or staying true to yourself as a performer and 2) you are not pushing yourself enough to grow creatively. Think about it this way. If you take a trip and take a road that many have not taken before, don't you start to become more aware? All of a sudden you are forced to see things in a new way. You are forced to be more alert and to see things that you may not have seen before. A heavily traveled road makes us blind but a less traveled road makes us aware. Do not fear to venture on another road or another path with your magic. Do not fear going down a different avenue with a routine or a new magical idea. It may be frightening at first because you have no idea where it may lead, but that is and can be the beauty of it all. Beauty is allowing yourself to take these trips to see what comes of it. In many cases, by doing so, you are experiencing great things and your creativity can not help but to be heightened. Some of the most creative minds in our art come from those who you realize think differently than the norm. Instead of traveling down the same roads, they chose to go a different direction. Instead of taking the easy and fast highway, they chose to take the back country road. Now sure it may take them longer to get there, but guaranteed they see more then we do and they learn a lot more as well. The end result is awareness and creative thought. Try this sometime soon. It really does work and helps you to see exactly what I am referring to. I call it a creativity road trip. If you have a GPS this is even better. However, a good map will also do you just fine. Pick a place you have never been to. Plug that into your GPS and just start to drive. It sounds silly or maybe even a bit scarey, but trust me here. The idea is that you are going to a place you have never been to or experienced before. You are getting there often times via roads you have not traveled on before. Because of this new destination, you are forcing your mind and your body to be more aware and more alert. As you drive start to notice the things around you. Take in the sites and the scenery. Feel free to stop at the shops along the way. Enjoy and notice how your mind is becoming more alert and aware of new things it is seeing. It has to because it is being bombarded with new sensory impressions. This is what total creativity is about. A trip like this opens your mind because it forces you to. But it also allows you start appreciating taking roads less traveled. The next time you have a choice of taking your magic down a road that others have gone on, say no. Instead take a different path. I am sure the trip you take will be much more rewarding. 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. - I would like to let everyone know that I just released a NEW book and E-Book to the magic Community. "Blue and Gold! The Complete Guide to Working The Scout Market!" is now available as a soft cover printed book as well as an ebook download. - "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. The Grand Master Tribute ------------------------------------------- Message from Michael Chaut (US) To All Members of the Magic Community, In case you hadn't heard ... Due to a scheduling conflict at the Bleecker Street Theatre, we unfortunately had to postpone the Presto/Baxter Grand Master Tribute that was scheduled for 17th November 2009. We are currently working on a date with the theatre and all parties involved, and will keep you informed of the outcome. We are sorry for any inconvenience and look forward to remembering these true legends of magic with you all, hopefully early next year. If you have any questions or need more information, please don't hesitate to call MNI production office at 718-575-1349. Michael Chaut (On behalf of Frank Brents, Todd Robbins, Peter Samelson & Jamy Ian Swiss) -------------------------------------------- 8. Le Grand David Spectacular Magic Company -------------------------------------------- Message by Henry Lewis (UK) Henry Lewis MIMC Past Vice President and now Honorary Vice President and Curator Emeritus of The Magic Circle has been invited and accepted to appear as the guest performer for Thanksgiving at the Larcom Theatre on the 27th November 2009 and at the Cabot Theatre on the 29th November 2009. Beverly - Boston, Massachusetts, USA. -------------------------------------------- 9. John Calvert's Website & DVD -------------------------------------------- Message by John Calvert (US) Just received an email from Tammy about John Calvert upcoming DVD. John's nephew Fred Calvert has produced a documentary on his life. Go to: www.johncalvertmagic.com -------------------------------------------- 10. Murray Hatfield's Canadian Tour -------------------------------------------- Message by Murray Hatfield (Canada) Murray's Hatfield's "Magic 'n Miracles" is once again getting ready to tour Canada with a new show and some incredible guest stars. The show this year will feature Internationally Award-Winning Magicians - Dan Sperry (USA) and Timo Marc (Germany) plus comedian Marty Putz (Canada), as well the hosts of the show - Canadian Illusionists Murray Hatfield & Teresa and their company of Wonder Workers. This year the cast and crew will perform a total of 69 shows in 28 cities in 5 weeks and 2 days as follows: Hamilton - Sat Nov 21. Mohawk College Theatre 1:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm Markham - Sun - Nov 22. Markham Theatre 1:00pm 4:00pm London - Mon Nov 23. Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School 7:00pm Sarnia - Wed Nov 25. Sarnia Library Auditorium 7:00pm Kitchener - Thurs Nov 26. Humanities Theatre, U of Waterloo 1:00pm 5:30pm 8:00pm St Catharines - Fri Nov 27. Governor Simcoe School 3:00pm 5:30pm 8:00pm Brampton - Sat Nov 28. Chinguacousy Auditorium  1:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm Mississauga - Sun Nov 29. Glen ForestAuditorium 11:00am 2:00pm 5:00pm Guelph - Mon Nov 30. EL Ross Auditorium 7:00pm Toronto - Tue Dec 01. Ryerson Theatre 7:00pm Barrie - Wed Dec 02.  WA Fisher Auditorium 7:30pm North York - Thurs Dec 03. Northview Heights Secondary School 6:00pm 8:00pm Etobicoke - Sat Dec 05. Michael Power Auditorium 1:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm Etobicoke - Sun Dec 06. Michael Power Auditorium 12:00Noon 3:00pm 6:00pm Kingston - Tue Dec 08. Duncan McArthur Auditorium 5:30pm 8:00pm Brockville - Wed Dec 09. Brockville Arts Centre -5:30pm 8:00pm Oshawa - Thurs Dec 10. Eastdale CVI Auditorium 5:30pm 8:00pm Belleville - Fri Dec 11. Trenton High School 5:30pm 8:00pm Ottawa            - Sat Dec 12. Adult High School Auditorium 2:00pm 5:00pm 8:00pm Ottawa - Sun Dec 13. Adult High School Auditorium 12:00Noon 3:00pm 6:00pm Edmonton - Sun Dec 27. Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium 1:00pm 4:30pm 7:30pm Calgary - Mon Dec 28. Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium 1:00pm 4:30pm 7:30pm Winnipeg - Wed Dec 30. Manitoba Centennial Concert Hall 1:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm Kelowna - Sat Jan 02. Kelowna Community Theatre 1:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm Abbotsford - Sun Jan 03. Abbys Arts Centre 4:00pm 7:00pm Victoria - Mon Jan 04. The Royal Theatre 5:30pm 8:00pm Nanaimo - Tue Jan 05. Port Theatre 5:30pm 8:00pm New West - Thurs Jan 07. Massey Theatre 5:30pm 8:00pm Burnaby - Fri Jan 08. Michael J Fox Theatre 5:30pm 8:00pm Surrey - Sat Jan 09. Bell Performing Arts Centre 1:00pm 4:00pm 7:00pm For further information and tickets call 1-800-268-7371. Murray Hatfield Productions Ltd. 688 Broughton Street Victoria, BC V8W 1C9 Canada (250) 893-1349 www.murrayhatfield.com -------------------------------------------- 11. Sam Angelico at the Windsor, Melbourne, Australia -------------------------------------------- Message from Duck Cameron (Australia) Just returned home to Melbourne after 13 Months away performing throughout Asia on two different Cruise Ships. Simply put, tired and glad to be home! Lucky enough to time my arrival back to go and see my mentor, Sam Angelico perform his parlour show at the Winsor Hotel (classic old 5 star hotel of renown, situated in the heart of Melbourne). Although biased, as Sam was and is still my teacher, it was a great performance enjoyed immensely by the lay audience as well as the seasoned pros who attended. I was disappointed not seeing any local, young aspiring performers in attendance...maybe they simply did not know about it, or are too busy learning via You-Tube! I'm always hearing people complain that there are not enough magical events in Melbourne to go to, and then they don't go! Every time I return to Australia, I see the majority of acts look very much like one another, with absolutely no originality. Sam's performance, once again reminds one of the generation that grew up in a live theatrical environment around other forms of entertainment, but had limited means to viewing other magical acts for inspiration (especially here in Australia), therefore working tirelessly at creating their own ideas and acts that are both entertaining, original and creative. As always, he evoked wonderment with a character that allowed you to truly believe in the magic put forward and his effects were some of the strongest I have ever seen him do. Bravo Angelico! Off to see David Strassman this weekend, an old friend and in town performing a short sell out season. If you haven't seen him and you can find a ticket...go! Wishing all readers a great and busy Xmas and New Year! -------------------------------------------- 12. Reflections Magic Lecture By Bob Chua -------------------------------------------- Message by Barry Khoo Barrini Magical Productions proudly presents Reflections Magic Lecture By Bob Chua Bob Chua is a familiar face in magic circles both local and abroad, especially those of South East Asia, the United States and Australia. Mention his name and his contemporaries will launch into lengthy praise of his talent and mastery of magic. He was presented the Merlin Award 2001 for the Best Close-Up Magician by the International Magicians Society. Singapore Association of Magicians (SAM Assembly # 90) awarded him "Best Tech-In Magician of the Year 1995" and in 1993, he won first runner up in a Close-Up Magic Competition at the Western Australia Magic Convention in Perth. He will be sharing his life time experience and his current working repertoire that he called it "The Legacy Of Bob Chua" Dealer Room Bob Chua Magic Products, e.g. Lecture Notes, Books, DVDs, Ropes, Real Walnut Shells, Dominoes and many more items are available for sale at a discount after his lecture. Date: 9th January, 2010, Saturday Time: 2pm to 6pm Tickets: RM65/= early bird on or before 15th December, 2009 RM80/= after 15th December, 2009 and at the door Venue: Nutmeg Room 1, Level 2, Berjaya Georgetown Hotel 1-Stop Midlands Park, Burma Road 10350 Penang, MALAYSIA For more details and tickets, kindly contact: Barry Khoo Barrini Magical Productions Penang, Malaysia TEL: 012-4833-420 Email: barrini.magic@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 13. J-Day 2009 ------------------------------------------- Message by Megan Knowles-Bacon forwarded on by Mandy Davis (UK) J-Day 2009 Sunday 1st November 2009, 10 am, and finally the doors opened for J-day once again. The crowds rushed through the doors and straight up to the Devant room to view the wonderful choice of magic available from the Dealers (Kaymar Magic, Magic Cave and Magic Books by Post). Half an hour later the theatre was full as the fun officially began. Mandy Davis welcomed everyone before Keith Churcher (the founder of J-day) took to the stage to present YMC with a mascot for the day - a cute little knitted magician, now named Richard in memory of Richard Stupple, who started our club in 1996. The eagerly awaited lecture was given by Chris Capehart, a popular American magician. Chris worked the streets very successfully for fifteen years and he shared many extremely useful tips on how to do this. His tips included keeping tricks quick and fast to catch people, making people notice you by standing on something to raise you up, and making sure your magic engages everyone. He performed several sleek card tricks and a funny coin trick where he appeared to put a coin in his pocket but always had six left. My favourite however was his version of the Miser's Dream where the coins 'fell' out of a spectator's ears - and where children in the audience apparently wouldn't stop throwing coins into the bucket. Chris' lecture had a great mix of comedy, skill and performance techniques which I'm sure the audience found very amusing and useful. After a short break, and another chance to visit the dealers, the finals of the close-up competition began. The first act was Daniel Burr who performed a variety of tricks including a haunted key, a vanishing pen and Jay Sankey's In a Flash. It was great to see something other than card tricks in the competition. Jordan Gregory presented a series of card tricks with them moving invisibly from one pile to another, magically sorting them out from a mixed up pile to one where only the chosen card was left face up, a double prediction, and finally another chosen card was found trapped between two others. Jordan performed very calmly and confidently. Jamie Longcake performed a trick about the aces being thieves, escaping the police as they magically moved from pile to pile one at a time, and eventually vanished all together. He ended the routine by spelling out chosen cards and ending up on each ace. Jamie's funny, confident personality really showed through well in his act. Kevin McLoughlin showed his versions of Twisted Sisters and Guaranteed, followed by white Bikes. To finish he printed his prediction of the three cards chosen in guaranteed using Blank. Kevin appeared very relaxed and his act was very skillfully and clearly presented. Joe Strickland magically found the four jacks, turned a bad poker hand into a very good one (and back again), transformed the jacks into aces, invisibly palmed cards from his hand to the table and ended in a coin matrix where the cards switched too. Joes act was skilful and well thought out. Jack Volger performed a colour monte humorously ending in a 'you owe me card', hot rod and card trick in which the chosen card matched his prediction which had been in constant view. Even though he was the youngest in the competition, Jack was really charming and confident. Last year's winner Carl Scutt reprised his act including his routine where he took out four cards to reveal a chosen card (although all four were the card). He also showed his reproducing cards routine. After lunch was the stage competition, hosted by Kevin Doig. First on was Tom Wallace, who performed a very good flying cigar which floated up to his mouth. He produced several items including roses, a bottle with liquid in, and fans. He performed a rope trick and misers dream, finishing up with a snowstorm whilst levitating on a magic carpet. His act was very mystical and original. Jonathon Bray showed a large range of tricks including dream bags, a dancing cane, a colour changing D'lite routine and an 8 foot wand production. Jonathon performed with great enthusiasm and confidence, with a clear improvement since the heats. Nick Lee presented a comedy date themed act, with a male audience member as his girlfriend. He produced many items from his 'date-o-matic', a bottle of champagne from some silks and a cake in a dove pan. All his tricks links closely to his theme, and he performed in a unique and comical way. Thomas Dodson performed a classical style act in a modern way. He produced parasols and silks, did some great billiard ball manipulations and a rings routine. His act was very elegant and his engaging personality showed throughout his act. Patrick Gibson took the audience to his granddad's basement to see him perform the dancing butterflies, some funny mind control and mentalist tricks (whilst wearing a very silly hat) and a very magical transportation of water from a tube of newspaper to a glass. Paddy's act was very funny and original. Daniel Shears demonstrated some excellent facial expressions and acting during his act, which included a torch to rose, freaky moving amputated hand, zombie ball, twisting head illusion and linking rings. Tom Anderson comically escaped repeatedly from chains, pinned a spectator's chosen card to a dart board by throwing the dart through the cards in the air, and closed by revealing his prediction of another card (chosen at the start) on a DVD. Tom was confident, funny and clear in his act. Last year's winner Edward Hilsum - "Mr widest biggest smile" - reprised his very polished Dove act with the same enthusiasm as always. I'm sure the stage crew were glad to see he used considerably less confetti this time! After another short break Brian Sibley interviewed Max Somerset. Max talked about the Sorcerers Apprentice show, his influences as a young boy and the importance of creating a persona which suits you. Max's persona is traditional on the outside but strange and quirky on the inside. He describes himself as an 'unusualist'. He also gave us an insight into how he starts to create his numerous innovative tricks, explaining his theory of creating an internal logic for the audience to buy into. Max then talked about the pressures of TV magic, such as having to learn tricks extremely quickly. The audience got the chance to ask questions, discovering that his favourite trick is 'Max Somerset's big band production' and his favourite big stunt is a routine involving going apple bobbing and his head being cut off in a guillotine. Next up was the long awaited awards ceremony. In the Mark Leveridge Close-up competition, the winner was Jamie Longcake, 2nd Joe Strickland and 3rd Kevin McLoughlin. The winner of the Home Counties stage competition was Thomas Dodson, 2nd Patrick Gibson and 3rd Daniel Shears. The Kaymar Komedy cup was awarded to Jamie Longcake, the YMC member of the year is Thomas Dodson and Patrick Gibson won the Pete McCahon originality award. Presentations were also made to Tracy and the catering team of Dawn Miller, Christine Knowles-Bacon and Steve Bacon. To end an amazing day of magic came the spectacular gala show, compered by Neil Henry. Michael Jordan showed his YMOTY winning act, including his beautiful renditions of Pavel's walking knot and a snowstorm. Chris Capehart performed a witty card trick where the prediction changed to match the chosen card, an escape from thumb cuffs, and a brilliant floating table. Duncan Trillo showed some card manips (which had wonderful musicality), a smooth linking rings routine and a cute dancing hanky behind a shawl. The grand finale came from Max Somerset, who performed his 'Human Fruit Machine', dressing 3 audience members with drums and funny hats to resemble the machine. He revealed their chosen fruits by opening each drum to allow the fruit to cascade out and cover the stage. J-day 2009 was an amazing day and everyone went home smiling, looking forward to next year! 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