* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment * www.Alan-Watson.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #729 Date: Sunday 14th February 2010 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. Some Happy Memories From My Childhood About Pat Page 3. Pat Page - R.I.P Dear Friend 4. Young Magicians Wanted 5. Blackpool Magicians' Club - Henry Evans 6. Do One Trick Well #154 - Kyle Peron 7. Tony Brook in Conversation with Tobias Beckwith - Part 3 8. The Magic of Harry Houdini in Bayswater! 9. Magicana's Guess Who Contest Returns 10. Broken Wand - Edward M. Rosenthal 11. Lying Cheating Bastard - New Tour Dates 12. 14th Taylor's International Magic Convention 13. Jason England - Canadian Lecture Tour 14. Spotlight On Our Headliner: John Carney 15. Vazhakunnam Commemoration In Kochi 16. Broken Wand - Joe Farina 17. e-zine Archives 18. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Nick Lewin will be performing live at Harrah's main showroom in Las Vegas, February 16 - 20th! Shows are at 1.00 and 3.00pm daily (dark Sunday and Monday). For further information call 702-521-9102 -------------------- Happy New Year to all our readers celebrating the Year of the Tiger this week! Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. Some Happy Memories from My Childhood about Pat Page -------------------------------------------- Message by Nick Lewin (US) I wrote the following article around three years ago for Magic New Zealand about Pat Page and my happy memories of him. One of the joys of growing up near England in the sixties was getting to visit Davenport's Magic Store in London. The store was housed in an old shop that was directly opposite the British Museum and it sometimes looked as if it should have been in the museum. The shop was very dusty and rather musty. Though I never saw them personally there was rumored to be vast underground storage cellars that stretched all the way under the road towards the cellars of the British Museum. I had a weird vision that one day an employee would venture into their subterranean storage looking for a Zigzag illusion; and by the time he had got it upstairs realizing he'd grabbed an Egyptian sarcophagus by mistake! The shop had a long glass counter stretching across the right hand side of the room. The counter served double duty as a display cabinet and was filled with weird, wonderful and very dusty magic props. How these props could remain dusty was a mystery as behind the counter was one of the freshest breaths of air in London and his name was Patrick Page. For a youthful magician there weren't many places where you could spend an uninterrupted hour with a master magician like Pat. Just standing at the counter watching Pat smoke cigarette after cigarette was an experience. You knew that at some point during your visit you were going to be badly fooled by the big ashtray in which he was stubbing out his cigarette butts. Patrick was the king of misdirection and could palm a selected card out of the deck and leave it under that ashtray. It doesn't sound much in print does it; a chosen card arrives under an ashtray? Maybe when the card arrived there for the first time it wasn't too amazing. However by the time Pat had fooled you for the tenth time with the same trick it became pretty darn amazing! Of course, Patrick was too good a magician to really repeat the same trick that many times. What he really did was to use his knowledge of psychology and misdirection to allow him to fool you by doing the same thing at a different time. Years later I read Daryl's brilliant analogy between performing sleight of hand and playing improvised jazz music. Have all your moves ready and perfectly honed, then choose the perfect move for the perfect occasion. Another trick where Patrick displayed his spookily brilliant misdirection was when he demonstrated the 'Toppit.' Pat would stand behind that counter nonchalantly vanish item after item, each one more impossible than the last one. At some point in his demonstration, after a particularly spectacular disappearance, Pat would casually show you that his 'Toppit' was empty and totally blow your mind! I guess catching something in your armpit is easy when you are a master magician like Patrick Page. However, catching a magician off guard and fooling them again and again with the same trick; that takes more than a little magical genius. Email me at nicklewin1@me.com -------------------------------------------- 3. Pat Page - R.I.P Dear Friend -------------------------------------------- Message From Tony Brook - (aka Dr. Anthony Darkstone Europe/USA Pat Page By now, most of you would have heard the sad news about Pat Page. I was honored, as indeed was my wife and son, to call him our friend. I first met him some 40+ years ago when he was working the counter at Davenports when it was in Great Russell Street opposite the British Museum. I am, and will always be grateful to him for sharing of his vast store of knowledge with me and teaching me, not just tricks but how to create meaningful entertainment with magic. Many years later when my son was performing at Blackpool, (if you've not been, it's an annual mega-convention and the next FISM location) he saved my son's act by giving us one of his personal prop items to use in the act, as my son had left his prop at home!!!! .which was a three-hour plane ride away. If you have an ancient copy of January 2001 M-U-M lying around the full story is there. I always jokingly called him Dorian, because he never seemed to age (from the book - The Picture of Dorian Grey) I often saw him when we performed in Scotland together with Ali Bongo. We would always have breakfast and tea together. The last time I saw him was a few years ago at Stirling Castle. See www.houstonmagic.com where Scott Wells has posted some great photos of us when he, I, Pat, Ali and Shirley Ray (current IBM Ring 25 President) were on the bill. There's a few nice shots too at: http://www.magicsam.com/international.asp Check references to Assembly 272. -------------------------------------------- 4. Young Magicians Wanted -------------------------------------------- Message by George Schindler (US) The S.A.M. is seeking young performers for the Stars of Tomorrow Show, which will take place during the National S.A.M. Convention in Atlanta GA, June 30-July 3. The Stars of Tomorrow show is a professional paid stage show that showcases young magicians ages 7 through 17 and is one of the most popular events at the convention. The kids audition for a spot in the show by submitting an application, a photo, and a video, DVD or YouTube link to their 5-10 minute stage act. We're also seeking applicants for the emcee spot. The deadline for receiving applications is April 15, 2010. Please tell the young magicians you know about the Stars of Tomorrow Show and encourage them to apply. Information is on the S.Y.M. website, www.magicsym.com. or contact Marlene Clark - S.A.M. National Secretary 860-349-8149 afuntime@comcast.net -------------------------------------------- 5. Blackpool Magicians' Club - Henry Evans -------------------------------------------- Message by Derek Lever (UK) Blackpool Magicians' Club Champion of Magic The effects invented by Argentinean magician Henry Evans are strong, visual, and incredibly deceptive so any lecture by him is worthy of attention. Members and Associates of the Blackpool Magicians' Club will be in for a treat when he lectures at the club headquarters on Thursday, 25th February at 8pm (doors open 7pm). Henry Evans is a FISM World Champion, a fact that becomes self evident when you see him perform and yet the methods he uses are within the reach of most magicians. If you seek outstanding and powerful magic then this is one lecture you should not miss. Lectures are free to all members and associates of the Blackpool Magicians' Club so if you are not a member or an associate you should consider joining. Details of membership and associate membership (which is only £25 a year) can be obtained from the club website Blackpooolmagic.com. -------------------------------------------- 6. Do One Trick Well #154 - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message by Kyle Peron (US) magic4u02@aol.com http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com Part of being a magician is the love and passion for what we do. We fall in love with the technical side and the secrets that makes what we do work. I think all magicians started getting into magic because 1) it was cool and 2) they just had to learn how it was done. There is something wonderful about the tools of our trade and learning how to master them. Like a craftsman, we gather, find and learn as many tools as we can. We become empowered by learning various methods to vanish a card or to control one any way we want. We get a rush from the simple art of learning and building upon what we know. I think as magicians, we never lose touch of this. I think it is a part of what keeps us interested in the art. You can see this clearly in just how many new effects get created and sold every year. It is quite staggering when you really look at it. However, the hard part is learning when enough is enough. Our obsession can become so great that we simply do not know when to stop buying and when to start creating. It is just so easy to see that new close up effect and have to have it. We have to own the next latest and greatest DVD set. But having these things does not make one a better performer. It just makes you a person who owns more than you ever really need. Let me ask you a simple question. Does owning the most tricks, the most DVDs or the most moves make one the best entertainer? Silly question really. No, of course it doesn't. However we get into this mindset that we cannot stop ourselves. If you want to be a true entertainer, then you must do just that...ENTERTAIN! One must learn how to be an effective entertainer. You must learn what your audience wants and reacts to and how to make them remember YOU. It is not about the deck of cards or the fancy illusion. It is all about the experience YOU create through the usage of character, style, personality, conflict and more. I do not want folks walking away saying, 'that card trick was great." I want them walking away saying, "that magician who did that card trick was great." See the difference? So how does one do this? How does one start to realize that creativity is the key towards creating entertaining experiences rather than just tricks? Well the first step is realizing that you do not need to buy more tricks, you need to learn to what to do with what you already have. We all own way more tricks then we know what to do with. So put away all the tricks and start to learn one trick and learn to do it well. By concentrating on one single effect, you can focus the mind to really studying it and honing your skills with it. Too many of us move from one trick to the next that we never really stop long enough to study an effect as much as we should. So stop and learn and study the effect you want to do. Really look at it from every angle and get it down so well that you can do it in your sleep. Get to understand it so that you can do it without thinking about it. Get it to a point where you know how to control IT instead of IT controlling you. Then and only then can you venture into making the effect fit who you are and create an entertaining experience. This works because if one does not have to think about the effect being done, it frees the mind to concentrate entirely on the presentation that you are giving. You end up creating entertainment rather than trying to sell skill and mechanics. Do not stop at learning the effect only. Many magicians make this mistake. They spend time learning the effect and then are so eager to race out and show it to someone. They want that gratification of the "WOW" factor. They want the rush they get from someone "freaking" out over what they showed. The problem with this thinking is that it creates magic clones that are all the same. Every magician tends to perform the same way in the same manner with no variation. I call this the ESPN approach. What this means is that every performance is like watching a sports commentator telling you exactly what is happening when it happens. How many of us have seen magicians doing just this. The reason is that they have learned the effect but have not learned how to entertain with it. Force yourself to stop and learn. Understand the effect you are working on. Then slow yourself down. Learn to create patter that fits the effect. Learn to make the audience laugh at certain times. Learn to create an entertaining experience that fits who you are. I guarantee if you do, your magic will be better and your audiences will appreciate the extra time you spent. 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. Tony Brook In Conversation With Tobias Beckwith - Part 3 ------------------------------------------ Message by Anthony Darkstone Brook - Europe/USA TB1: Unique Creation . Creativity. Now there's a word that is often misinterpreted. I know great emphasis is placed on being Creative but often people just really don't know what it really means or worse yet , how to start the process.. Share some of your thinking on this please ... TB2: How very true. I cannot summarize all my teachings on this but let me share some thoughts of this most important aspect. I believe everyone is naturally creative. What child doesn't role play - whether it's playing cowboys and Indians, Knights in shining armor, or little girls having tea parties with their dolls? What's more, we each essentially create our entire universe of experience at every moment - built on a relatively thin stream of data coming to us through the five senses. So everyone IS creative. We just need some tools to jump-start our creative process. That's what the book offers. TB1: Jump-starting the process..cool! how does that work? TB2: There are so many techniques, and volume one really just scratches the surface. Things like creating a matrix with columns for like items: tricks you want to perform, favorite fictional characters, favorite hobbies outside magic, songs you love or hate, etc. Students fill the matrix with their own personal favorite things, and then we mix and match across columns. One student might come up with doing Card Warp as Arnold Schwartzenegger to Rap music while telling the story of the John & Yoko. Can you see that? It's amazing some of the things people come up with. There are a lot of mind/ body exercises, also designed to help performers find new things in their performances. Just try taking a piece you already perform and trying it in different extreme ways. You might shout it once at the top of your lungs. Another time you might do it super slow motion, or super fast motion...I think you get the idea. If you actually try these things, you'll be amazed at the things you discover. TB1: Can I term it as finding the Wizard within??? .. TB2: Yes absolutely, as I said before we are all creative. One of the things I like to teach in my workshops - both the ones on creativity and the ones on how to build a strong business as a magician - is the power of having a strong purpose. I remember reading a book by Peter Brook when I was a student. I think it was "The Empty Space," on different varieties of theatrical experience. One of his main points was that any true work of art starts with a purpose. If you don't know what the show you're building is for, you have no basis for making any of the other decisions you must make when putting that show together. Once you DO have a purpose, then lots of the other choices just fall into place. TB1: This applies to the business side of the show as well, doesn't it? TB2: Yes. This is true for a business, as well. Here's an example: If I'm a magician who wants to use his magic to help keep kids off drugs -- that's a pretty clear purpose. It will inform all of my decisions both about my show and about my business overall. I know who the show is for - kids at risk of becoming involved with drugs. I know the kind of things that those kids relate to - the kinds of dangers they might face that would lead them into the world of doing drugs. And so, I can make some pretty easy decisions about what kind to performance will get their attention. What kind of costume / character I might want to present them so they'll listen to me. What kind of music I'll have in the show. I also know that I have to be able to sell the show to guidance counselors, youth group leaders and people like that so I know that my marketing materials have to be. I probably even know the kind of venues I'll play, and the kind of budget that might be available to pay me for my show so I have the information I need to make a lot of the decisions that will make my business a success. All because I made one decision about the purpose for this show. TB1: Will you have some effects in the book? TB2: Yes, there will be some magic tricks taught. They won't be there just for entertaining your friends, though. Each one taught will be used to demonstrate a wizard's principal - e.g. how our innate ability to recognize patterns allows us to be deceived -- and then a particular use will be demonstrated for that trick. For example, one might have a friend who is feeling under the weather and depressed. One might want to help this friend shift their outlook, and to do so one might take an ugly piece of stone or dirt and transform it into a crystal heart, which they would give to their friend - thus brightening their day and helping them forget about their troubles. TB1: Wonderful. In the full and entire meaning of the word. Now that's what I call real magic. Tobias, you have given us much to ponder upon and indeed stimulated our thought process as well. As I said before, I am eagerly looking forward to the book. Your thoughts and insights are much appreciated and it was a delight having you as a Guest. TB2: Thank you Tony. Always a pleasure conversing with you. (Hidden in this article are deliberate grammatical & spelling mistakes. After much hard work, my proofreader & I have included these to please those who enjoy finding them.) Send comments & corrections to:- tbrook47@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 8. The Magic of Harry Houdini in Bayswater! -------------------------------------------- Message by Geoff Conrau Over the last eighteen months an ex-tile factory in Bayswater has been specifically designed and transformed into an intimate 100 seat magic theatre. The Magic Zone was the brainchild of two local magicians who had the magical expertise, equipment and magic props but found it almost impossible to find suitable venues that enabled them to present large scale magic illusion shows on a regular basis with the right magical ambience. At the Magic Zone, the stage is large enough to enable the performance of large amazing large scale illusions that are normally seen in big theatres like those popular in Las Vegas. Because of the more intimate stage and seating arrangement the audience is very close to the magical action. Witnessing large scale miracles such as: the Floating Lady the Houdini Torture Rack or the giant Saw of Death, from just a few feet away as well as experiencing close-up miracles that happen right in front of your eyes creates a strong connection between the audience and the performers. Many people have never experienced the excitement and wonder generated from seeing a live magic show. The art of astonishing audiences using magic apparatus has been around for thousands of years and in its heyday long before cinema, large halls and theatres were packed with people willing to see exotic mysteries from around the world. The travelling magicians were often colourful characters themselves, the most well know being Harry Houdini. Harry Houdini visited first visited Melbourne 100 years ago in 1910 and performed at the Tivilo theatre on February 7th of that year. As well as touring Australia with his magic and his famous strait jacket escapes he was also the first person to make a sustained, controlled flight in an aeroplane. This he did at Diggers rest on March18th 1910. To commemorate this event the Houdini 100th Anniversary Tribute Show will take place at the Magic Zone on Sunday March 21 at 4pm. Lasting for just over an hour you will get to see four seasoned Melbourne magicians, Geoff Conrau, Richard Wibberley, Frank Agius, Terry McSweeney and the lovely Ali as the magician's assistant in a fast moving, entertaining and beautifully costumed show .This is definitely suitable for people of all ages. Expect to see Houdini's trade mark "Escapology" incorporating breathtaking escapes from chains, shackles, packing crates and barrels as well as numerous other effects from Houdini's touring show.. A visit to the Magic Zone will surprise and delight you. There is a showcase of historical conjuring equipment that contains props used by well-known Australians performers from yesteryear as well as posters from magicians from the early nineteenth century to the present day. The Magic Zone is close to Eastlink, making it easily accessible from all directions.and there is ample parking available. The venue currently only operates at certain times at weekends. A calendar of future events is detailed on their website www.themagiczone.com.au. The next public shows are March 6th and 7th of March with the Houdini Show on March 21 at 4pm. Contact Richard Wibberley or Ali on 9729 8918 for further details. -------------------------------------------- 9. Magicana's Guess-Who Contest Returns -------------------------------------------- Message by James Alan After a brief hiatus, Magicana's Guess-Who Contest is back. Correctly identify the three people in this photograph to be entered into a draw to receive a free Magicana Publication. Enter Here: http://bit.ly/cwYNoH (Contest Closes February 18, 2010) -------------------------------------------- 10. Broken Wand - Edward M. Rosenthal -------------------------------------------- Message by Larry Wilfong forwarded on by Brad Zinn Our Magical Friend Edward M. Rosenthal passed on this morning at 3pm. Please let other magicians and friends know a Broken Wand Ceremony will be held in Edwardo's honor at the upcoming I.B.M. Ring #55 meeting this coming Tuesday, February 16. Larry Wilfong (480) 754-9797 (cell) ------------------------------ Whaley's Who's Who In Magic Copyright by Lybrary.com, reproduced with permission. http://www.lybrary.com/ Rosenthal, Ed(ward Melvin) (Boston, Massachusetts: 22 Dec 1927- ) Learned from his amateur magician father who also bought him tricks. Before college was semi-pro with mentalism, kidshows, & trade shows. In 1961 became world's first shopping mall magician with a week's stint at Shopper's World in Framingham, MA. In 1966 bought the stock of Holden's bankrupt Boston magic shop. Succeeded Herman Hanson as producer of the 480 480 Boston Magicales 1968-76. Also produced some IBM annual shows. Moved in 1976 to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he is now (2001) retired as a hearing-aid specialist, gives private lessons in magic, and collects small props & magic books. -------------------------------------------- 11. Lying Cheating Bastard - New Tour Dates -------------------------------------------- Message by Christopher Pratt (Australia) After a sell-out Sydney season of Lying Cheating Bastard in 2009, James Galea's new show is touring in 2010. Current schedule is available here: http://www.jamesgalea.com/tour.php and info on the show is available here: http://www.jamesgalea.com/lcb.html -------------------------------------------- 12. 14th Taylor's International Magic Convention -------------------------------------------- Message by Sean Taylor (Australia) 14th Taylor's International Magic Convention Sept 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th - 2010 3 Full evening Stage Shows, Close-Up Show, 3 lectures, 3 workshops, NEW "conversation with" event, 3 Special EXTRA events lunches, dealer dem and much more besides. It's that time of the year where the tense anticipation of the guest line-up for the Weekend of Magic begins to grind people down. "Come on, tell us who's coming we have to know!" OK I give up. It's time to let the very big cats out of the Bag. I have to say that we always try to cater for every whim and every style of magic and we have it covered and then some this year. In fact, we up the ante by presenting 3½ days instead of the usual 2. This year will also feature 2 new events on the Thursday night and during the day on Friday. This means that interstate and overseas visitors have all the more reason to head to Sydney for Australia's ONLY annual magic convention. Banachek Described as the "Cream of the Crop" when it comes to entertainers, Banachek is the world's leading Mentalist. His talents are so incredible that he is the only mentalist ever to fool scientists into believing he possessed 'Psychic powers' but to later reveal he was fooling them. Banachek is well known to magicians for his books and DVDs on Psychological magic, Metal Bending and Mentalism. Performers around the world such as the colorful Penn & Teller, "The Amazing" James Randi and television's unique street magician David Blaine seek his performing expertise. Companies and theatres seek him for his outstanding performing abilities. Wolf Blitzer says of Banachek "Your one hell of an Entertainer." Penn & Teller say ""Banachek is brilliant...a magical thinker of deep, deep subtlety." and Las Vegas Style magazine is quoted as printing "Banachek is an astonishing go see.. buy a ticket." As a tribute to his expert performing abilities Banachek has been awarded the Campus Performer of the year two years in a row, from the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities and the Year 2000 Campus Novelty Act, beating out all other comedians, bands and other novelty acts. He has also received the coveted Psychic Entertainers Creativity award for his outstanding original contributions and inventions in the world of Mental entertainment. You do not want to miss "The mind of the Man Who Fooled the Scientists, Banachek." Check out Banachek's Website. www.banachek.com Banachek on Phenomenon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7FX5qSvTwo&feature=related And a TV clip from Finland. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dpaczUIpYo Kostya Kimlat For more than 10 years, Kostya Kimlat has been the close-up name on everyone's lips. From his seminal work on the Road Runner Cull to his cutting edge close-up trick WARNING and on to his hit close-up lectures throughout Europe and Asia, Kostya has been chipping away at the Magic Business and making a BIG name for himself. In January 2006, Kostya became the youngest magician to appear on the cover of MAGIC magazine. In October of that year, I was in Las Vegas with Danny Archer and I mentioned that we needed a good close-up guy for Superday and from the people he'd seen at LVMI, who would he recommend? With no time wasted, he immediately said " get this kid Kostya from Florida; he's fantastic, the best". Since then, Kostya has been recommended to me by so many people including Michael Ammar. I have been building a working relationship with Kostya and selling his DVDs and tricks in the shop but it's taken me 4 years to find a gap in his schedule to bring him down to Australia. This is his first visit and we will certainly make him very welcome. To see just how busy he is....Check out His website. www.kmagic.com His Dinner Theatre Show.... http://kmagic.com/magicshoworlando/magic-dinner-show-orlando.php His corporate training company http://www.thinkmagic.com/ His lecture and products... www.kostyamagic.com/lecturedetails.php Paul Romhany More than 10 years back, Paul was over in Sydney and I had persuaded him to audition for a cruise ship company. The rest, as they say, is history. Paul, who hails from Auckland in New Zealand is one of the busiest and most talented cruise ship workers in the world. Aside from Paul's remarkable stage portrayal of Charlie Chaplin (in what must be one of the most clever themed magic acts ever conceived), he is also a talented and funny stand-up worker. Paul has lived for some years in Canada with the lovely Natalie but his future life is back in New Zealand and he is busy making a new home there right now. If you plonk around on the international sites, you will know that Paul has authored, invented, videoed and penned dozens of tricks in the past few years and many of them for stand-up workers. His lecture will be a major event for us since he covers some terrific stuff for kids, adults and just about any kind of platform audience. He has some great stuff to buy too and all of it easy to do and very well thought out. Like me, Paul eats sleeps and breathes magic 24 hours a day and on top of that he is genuinely one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Diana and I are delighted he will be joining us for this exciting weekend. I confidently predict that he will be the surprise package! Check out his site here. http://chaplinmagic.com/ Here he is as Charlie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak1jlJjPRFo Here he is being funny! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QggROX0a6fo&feature=channel Registration Full registration details will go onto our website over the weekend. The event will begin on Thursday with a full evening 1 man show at the Zenith Theatre featuring Banachek. This is a full night version of the show which has won him multiple awards as Best College Entertainer on the lucrative US college market. For more information, questions, registration or just a bloody good chat, call us now. 02 9411 6233 -------------------------------------------- 13. Jason England - Canadian Lecture Tour -------------------------------------------- Message by Jason England (Canada) Jason England has just announced he will be conducting lectures and workshops in four Canadian cities in March: March 5-6 | Vancouver British Columbia March 7-8 | Edmonton, Alberta March 9-10 | Regina, Saskatchewan March 11-12 | Calgary, Alberta Jason England is an undisputed expert on gambling techniques and sleight of hand with cards. His lecture features some of the more difficult sleight-of-hand maneuvers as well as routines well within the grasp of beginning and intermediate card handlers. The workshop represents a unique opportunity to learn some of these techniques and routines with close-up, hands-on instruction. Definitely not to be missed! For details go to www.MAGICANA.com and click on CONFERENCES. Don't miss out - reserve your spot now! -------------------------------------------- 14. Spotlight on Our Headliner: John Carney -------------------------------------------- Message by Mick Peck, President Shore City Magicians Club 30th New Zealand International Magicians Convention June 5th, 6th and 7th 2010 John Carney is widely acknowledged as one of the top sleight of hand magicians in the world. With smart, unique, and often hilarious presentations, he has performed in casinos in Atlantic City, Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas, and made appearances on The Jerry Seinfeld HBO Special, "Spin City" and "Two and a Half Men." He has served as spokesman for MasterCard, performing magic for their national television commercials. Hollywood's Magic Castle has awarded Carney more awards than anyone in their history, he is the only performer to win in every category. He is an accomplished actor, with a number of plays and television appearances. His comic acting was honed through training with Second City, The Actor's Workshop, and the Harvey Lembeck Workshop. His many instructional books include "The Book of Secrets" and "Carneycopia," which are considered modern classics by his peers. He teaches his approach to the craft in seminars to magicians throughout the world. Carney studied under Dai Vernon, the greatest sleight of hand expert of this century. Besides his normal charming self, John sometimes performs as his alter ego Mr. Mysto, an eccentric magical savant that makes you howl while he performs the impossible - drawing a picture that comes to life, or baking a cake in a man's shoe! John Carney embodies the state of his art, combining exceptional skill and creativity with pure entertainment. Video clips at : http://scmc.co.nz/johncarney.html Join us at the upcoming 2010 NZ International Magicians Convention where John will be performing in our all-star closeup show, the convention gala shows, and presenting his award winning lecture. Convention Venue: Our fantastic venue is only fifteen minutes away from Auckland International Airport. We've negotiated a great discount for magicians attending the convention, visit our website for full details. Flights : If you're planning on flying to Auckland for the convention we suggest that you BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS NOW to get the best deals. With the current price-wars on flights both within New Zealand and across the Tasman, there's never been a better time to visit. We have a record number of Australian magicians flying to New Zealand for the upcoming convention with more enquiries coming in all the time. If you're outside New Zealand and wish to learn more about payment options for international registrants just send me an email and I'll forward the information to you. THIS CONVENTION IS GOING TO BE A SELL OUT so please don't leave it too late and miss out. For full information: The 30th NZ International Magicians Convention June 5-7 2010: www.scmc.co.nz/convention.html Mick Peck, President Shore City Magicians Club Inc www.scmc.co.nz 09 238 5167 027 404 8981 International Calls +64 9 2385167 Email mick@mickpeckmagic.com -------------------------------------------- 15. Vazhakunnam Commemoration In Kochi -------------------------------------------- Message by Sreenivas Garigipati (India) Reported by "Kakinada" Sreenivas . Source: Weekly Newsletter, Magic Academy On 9th February 2010 that marks the 27th death anniversary of grandfather of Kerala magic, Vazhakunnam Neelakantan Namboodiri, a solemn commemoration will be organised by the Magic Society. Secretary of the Society, magician Vaidharshah has informed the Magic Weekly that the day will be marked by a feast of magic at the Town Hall, Ernakulam. There will be a state-level competitions participation for which is exclusively reserved for Malayali magicians. Teaching classes by eminent magicians including the Magic Champion of Vismayam 2008, Dhayanithi is another attraction of the event. Gala shows will be a five star event with leading magicians including Yona presenting the best of their stocks. Special sessions will be marked by a lecture by Prof. V.J. Antony on the 'Psychology needed for magicians' and shadow play by Mrs. Cijam Jammu. Kerala magicians can take part in competitions whereas their counterparts from other States can register as spectators. For details, contact Mr. Vaidhar Shah at Mob. 9447176314. -------------------------------------------- 16. Broken Wand - Joe Farina -------------------------------------------- Message from David Breth Joe Farina passed away today...details to follow. Those who knew Joe he was a staff member for a number of years at the world famous magic castle in Hollywood, California, a friend and a teacher to me too. -------------------------------------------- 17. 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