* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment
* www.magicnewzealand.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #1025
Date: Sunday 2nd June 2013
Editor: Alan Watson
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
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Hi here is the latest news
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1. Editor's Message
2. New Zealand Release Date for Movie - Now You See Me
3. Inspiration, Imitation and Infringement
4. June 2013 Issue Of The Linking Ring Magazine
5. Remarkable Magic #303 - Nick Lewin
6. April Fools Ben Robinson News
7. Magic - Art, Craft or Neither - Part 13
8. 2013 June Magic Castle Schedule
9. Magic At The Beach 2014 Registration Open
10. Broken Wand - Leland Van Deventer
11. Performers And Lectures Announced For PCAM 2013
12. Inside The Mind Of A Man Who Can Predict The Lottery
13. 21 "Live" Magic Dealers Will Be In DC.
14. Six White Java Doves For Sale
15. Memorable Magical Moments
16. Magic New Zealand App
17. e-zine Archives
18. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice

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1. Editor's Message
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The highlight for this week for Michele and I was to attend the joint Kevin James and Jeff Hobson lecture here in Auckland New Zealand. Magicians flew in from all over New Zealand to see the Illusionists Show and also used the opportunity to also attend the joint lectures with around 100 hundred other magicians.

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For those who would like to read Magic New Zealand in a HTML format go to:

http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2013-Jan-to-Dec-2013/1025-May31-2013.html

Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line:
Editor@MagicNewZealand.com

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2. New Zealand Release Date for Movie - Now You See Me
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Movie - Now You See Me

Director
Louis Leterrier

Main cast
Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Caine

Synopsis
FBI agents track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money.

Genre:
Thriller

Running Time:
45 minutes

New Zealand Release Date:
29 August 2013

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3. Inspiration, Imitation And Infringement
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Message by George Schindler (US)

Inspiration, Imitation and Infringement is the title of the special panel set for 4 pm. July 4 at the Society of American Magicians annual convention in Washington, This is an extra "added" feature moderated by Genii columnist Sara Crasson with panelists Bob Sheets and Dirk Losander. The discussion will cover valuable aspects of copying, ethics and the law in the magic community.

See the full convention schedule at www.magicsam.com

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4. June 2013 Issue Of The Linking Ring Magazine
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Message by Paul A. Lelekis

June 2013 issue of The Linking Ring magazine, Vol. 93, No. 6:

Editor: Samuel Patrick Smith
Reviewed by Paul A. Lelekis

The Linking Ring has the largest circulation of any magician's magazine. Members can access TLR at www.magician.org.

Rich Bloch is featured on the cover of this month's TLR and, included, is an inside story about his remarkable life in magic, written by Don Greenberg. In addition we learn about Rich's "labor of love", his intimate 50-seat stage, The Dickens Parlour Theatre, (named after Charles Dickens) in Millville, Delaware - complete with snacks and drinks! Mr. Bloch also addresses the "5 Great Magic Myths"!

This thesis provides some excellent advice for the performing magician!
The Hocus Pocus Parade features Rich Bloch and an even dozen effects that can be performed for Parlor/Cabaret type of magic as well as close-up! The effects included are very creative and provide magicians, excellent material that you will add to your repertoire!

Magical history buffs will be elated to learn about the Washington Symposium on Magic History! Dean Alan Carnegie reports on his first three-day conference of magic history!

An article called, In Memoriam: Past International President, Bob Escher tells readers about the impact Mr. Escher had on magic and magicians and his wonderful generosity!

Adele Friel Rhindress (former assistant to The Great Blackstone) launches a new series of articles, Magical Moments, beginning with Terry Evanswood.

My Father Deyip Loo is an article from the eyes of his daughter. Deyip Loo was an assistant to Blackstone and Dante and the star of his own family magi show!

From The Editor, this monthly article, by our own Linking Ring editor, Sammy Smith, sheds new light on the comparisons between the youth and those more mature performers, neurophysiologically - if there is such a word!

Cutting Up Jackpots by Bev Bergeron presents readers with a wonderful show that he created in the late 1960's, Hansel and Gretel, the Magic Show at Hollywood's Princess Theater Workshop with photos of the actual stage props! This article is fascinating!

The Kid-Show Circuit by Marty Hahne discusses Magic essentials, which a comprehensive list of items that will make your shows more organized and more enjoyable for your audience members. Mr. Hahne provides some great advice in this article!

Polishing The Rings by Skip Way continues the theme of organization with some great ideas and instructions for teaching children magic and how to be frugal with the expenditures of creating magic and shows!

The Magic Section!

For those of you who love to learn new magic will be thrilled with the wonderful contributions of magic, fully explained, in the following columns below:

The London Eyes by Peter Scarlett presents The Magic Circle Stage Magician of the year, John Van de Put with his Piff the Magic Dragon persona! Peter Scarlett also provides a wonderful rendition of Copper/Silver/Brass - a classic of magic!

Mike Power's Card Corner - This month features a well-known name in magic, Ian Baxter! Ian's Stabbed in the Dark, is a very clever rendition of the classic Card Stab that is very easy to do!

Ways And Means by Joe M. Turner presents Carpal Tunnel by Scott Robinson. This is an effect in which a coin is placed into your hand and then "plucked" from the back of your closed fist - three times under increasingly impossible conditions!

Peter Marucci's Showtime provides a very clever effect, As the Worm Turns, utilizing a Chick Pan and some silks! You're going to love this one!

Storytelling Magic by Ed Solomon - Ed recites to readers, another magical and colorful adventure of his alter-ego, DeNomolos that I'll call Skull! This is a clever card discovery with the use of a mini-skeleton!

Hocus in Focus has a team of experts who review many new items of magic so that the magicians of the world may purchase wisely!

The Broken Wand pays a monthly tribute to our fellow performers who have passed and celebrates their lives rather than morns their passing.

There are too many items and too much magic in this issue of The Linking Ring for me to list, but everyone is world class!

I.B.M. members can access each issue on the I.B.M. Web Portal either by downloading the PDF or by reading the digital version.

Advertisers -- your products will enjoy unsurpassed worldwide promotion in The Linking Ring through the beautiful printed magazine, the dazzling digital edition, and links from the I.B.M. Web Portal.

For details about advertising in The Linking Ring, contact BJ Hickman at advertising@magician.org.

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5. Remarkable Magic #303 - Nick Lewin
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Message by Nick Lewin (US)

Costume or Clothing.

What they are wearing is the first thing that an audience notice about a performer, and it is widely stated that 80% of someone's opinion of you is formulated in the first 30 seconds. Yikes, that makes what you are wearing very, very important. One of the easy decisions a performer can make is 'costume or clothing'.

Costume.
noun |?käs?t(y)o?om, -t?m|
o A set of clothes worn by an actor or other performer for a particular role or by someone attending a masquerade: a nun's costume.

I think the key thing to take away from this definition is the words '… for a particular role'. Obviously, this is a huge part in defining what role you want to play for an audience. It needs to be very carefully decided what impact you are looking for when the audience first observes you onstage. It should be above all appropriate for the show you are presenting.

The classic and iconic image that has defined a magician for decades is the immaculate; tail suit, top hat, cane and cape. This is the standard (somewhat obsolete) clothing that has lodged in the public's mind and it now functions as a costume. This outfit certainly works better for a manipulative act than a comedy magician, unless he is presenting a pastiche of a magic show.

That classic 'Cardini look' is a tough one to carry off unless you are a Lance Burton or Jason Andrews, so make sure that if you are going for this look that it really suits you. If you go for a classic look, it obviously works best for a classic act, an elementary point, but one that is sometimes forgotten by performers. Much of what I have just said is also true for a tuxedo--- you don't want people to think you are the head-waiter.

The other costume that has become popular for manipulative act is a satin/spandex look with the long duster jacket. I've seen a lot of performing outfits that look like prom night in Middle Earth! I've also seen a bunch of performers who wear costumes that could conceal a large dog inside their jackets--- don't be surprised if the impact of producing a dove is a little more muted than if you are wearing a tightly fitting tailcoat. Audiences are pretty smart and subconsciously realize if a costume is specifically designed for the loads it conceals.

One very basic 'old school' rule is that a costume should only be seen onstage. If you are mixing with the audience before or after the show then you need a nice outfit that can mingle with the 'civilians' in an easy manner. Of essence, a costume is intended to be worn while onstage while playing your chosen role, otherwise they probably just look kinda' cheesy offstage

Clothing on the other hand is worn by everyone, and defines your personality rather than a role you are creating. The old rule of thumb is to wear whatever style of clothing your audience is wearing ---but a better version of it. You shouldn't ever skimp on your wardrobe. All the 'old pros' were emphatic about not wearing their 'Show Suit' off-stage. They would also never sit down in their outfit-in order not to get bags in the knees of the pants or wrinkles in the jacket!

A great deal of thought needs to go into the color of the suit/ jacket you are wearing. If you are using small light colored props they will be lost against a white jacket, and the same with dark props and a black jacket. You can, however, ensure better visibility if you wear a contrasting shirt and position props accordingly. If you don't know what color your performance backdrop is then it can be nice to have a choice of suits to ensure that you stand out. One of my golden rules is 'If they can't see you--- they won't like you.

I'm just going to say two words about shoes:
Polished.
Unscuffed.

I am just about to release some really great new items through the online store on my website www.nicklewin.com --- so check them out! Having spent many, many years looking for the perfect microphone holder to wear, I am delighted to say that we are releasing the perfect one. Even if you use a headset you will want one of these totally adjustable holders in your back pocket to use with any microphone should you need a backup!

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6. April Fools Ben Robinson News
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Message by Ben Robinson (US)

I then went on to plug my appearances at The Suffolk Theater in Riverhead NY, blatantly stating that even though I said I was retiring, I was doing two 90-minute shows!

Anyway, I've since been contacted by friends who wished me well on my retirement…apparently my deception has been taken seriously!

The confusion is only due to me attempting subtlety in print that did not catch.

As well, the headline did NOT appear with the "news".

So, to set the record straight, in fact I have NOT retired, and in fact I am now on tour with a large show including a staff of four and between June and January we'll do at least 12 dates across North America in venues between 500 and 1,000 seats. We sold 900 of 1,000 seats at our last show, and made the theatre a hefty profit, so our finances are in good shape!

I hope my status is now corrected.

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7. Magic - Art, Craft or Neither - Part 13
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Message by Anthony Darkstone - USA/Europe

At the beginning of this series, I mentioned that I would be including thoughts & musings from various guests who have kindly shared their perspectives. This week Michael Lauck shares his thoughts on the topic.

Michael Lauck is a freelance writer, illustrator and producer who has been involved in magic since childhood. A former semi-professional magician, he has discovered he prefers behind the scenes over the spotlight. Michael writes material for other performers and regularly for iTricks.com. His recent article there made a number of salient points regarding this topic. Michael and iTricks.com have kindly given their permission to share his words. They will appear in two consecutive issues. This is the first installment.

Michael Lauck is a Professor and The Archivist for Camelard College. I am honored to serve alongside him as a Faculty Member and Full Professor. The Camelard College of Conjuring of Chemmis, is the world's only international Honor Society for accomplished women and men magicians, as well as those in the Allied Magical Arts.
Michael Lauck www.horizonmonster.com

iTricks writer Michael Lauck explains why there is a wealth of context to the question, "is magic art?"

The recent video from R. Paul Wilson and company has reignited the debate as to whether or not magic is an art. It is a difficult question because defining art is, in itself, a complex task. Once we separate the general and mundane usages of the word art from the use of the word in its most revered form, though, I will argue that magic is not an art. However, that is not any source of shame and does not in any way preclude the magician from being an artist.

The word art actually has multiple uses and meanings, at least in English. In the broadest sense, art is used to mean anything that is not a science that is anything that does not have hard and fast rules governing it. This is particularly true when speaking of something that requires skill, experience and/or judgment. In this form we frequently hear phrases such as "the art of sales," "the art of making friends," and even "the art of motorcycle maintenance." In this sense I suppose "the art of magic" is a legitimate term.

However, it is fair to say that sales, making friends and motorcycle maintenance are not held in the same high regard as the realm referred to when speaking of "the arts." (To help distinguish between the two, I will use art and Art.) To further complicate the matter, art is frequently used as an offhand term to describe anything decorative or similar to Art. A third grade art class, for example, has very little chance of producing Art. Finally, art is used, frequently in phrases such as "the arts" or even "fine arts," to describe the general classifications of Art. This is the context in which magic is being discussed. Is it an art to be placed alongside other fine arts such as dance or painting?

First, then, before discussing magic's place it is best to define Art. How exactly to define Art is a debate that has raged among critics, historians and even philosophers for centuries. Instead of striving to create the perfect definition here, it will probably be a bit more expedient to look at a few famous takes on Art and distill a general definition from them. John Ruskin, an important Victorian era art critic, wrote "Art is that in which the hand, the head and the heart of man go together." Simply put, he argues that Art is the combination of physical skill, intellect and emotion. Aristotle also hints at something beyond the physical in Art when he states "The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things but their inward significance."

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8. 2013 June Magic Castle Schedule
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Message by Jack Goldfinger
Director Of Entertainment
Academy of Magical Arts, Inc.

May 27-June 2nd

Close-Up Gallery
Early: Jesse Dee
Late: Henok Negash

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Eran Biderman
Late: Gregory Wilson

Palace of Mystery
Jonathan Pendragon

Peller Theatre
The Magical Misfits
Doug Brewer & John George

W. C. Fields Bar
Patrick Heitkam

Friday Luncheon
Henok Negash

Saturday & Sunday Brunch - Parlour
Christopher Lopez

Lecture
Gregory Wilson

June 3-9th

Close-Up Gallery
Early: R.Paul Wilson
Late: David Gabbay

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Alba
Late:Tim Shegitz

Palace of Mystery
Murray 'Celebrity Magician'
And 'Lefty'

Peller Theatre
Mark Paskell
Robert Baxt

W. C. Fields Bar
Tim Wise

Friday Luncheon
R.Paul Wilson

Saturday & Sunday Brunch - Parlour
Tim Wise

Lecture
R.Paul Wilson

June 10-16th

Close-Up Gallery
Early: Chris Korn
Late: Scott Wells

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Ben Seidman
Late: George Tovar

Palace of Mystery
Darren Romeo

PellerTheatrre
Paul Vigil

W. C. Fields Bar
Doc Eason

Friday Luncheon
Scott Wells

Saturday & Sunday Brunch - Parlour
Gerald Schiller

Lecture
Scott Wells

June 17-23rd
Close-Up Gallery
Early; Alvaro Quevedo
Late: Steve Friedberg

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Derek Hughes
Late: Chris Mitchell

Palace of Mystery
Dana Daniels "NO SHOW"
Richard Allen

Peller Theatre
Kevin Viner
Nathan Gibson

W. C. Fields Bar
Doc Eason

Friday Luncheon
Alvaro Quevedo

Saturday & Sunday Brunch - Parlour
Eddie Medrano

Lecture
Alvaro Quevedo

June 24-30th
Close-Up Gallery
Early: Larry Wilmore
Late: David Regal

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Dave Cox
Late: Rob Zabrecky

Palace of Mystery
Mark Kornhauser
Eli Kerr

Peller Theatre
Benji Bruce
Jon Armstrong

W. C. Fields Bar
Mark Collier

Friday Luncheon
Larry Wilmore

Saturday & Sunday Brunch - Parlour
Frank Thurston

Lecture
Benji Bruce

Performers are subject to change due to circumstances and availability

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9. Magic At The Beach 2014 Registration Open
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Message by Mike Heidtman (US)
Fifth Annual Magic at the Beach, Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
16-18 January 2014, Ocean Dunes Resort & Conference Center
I know it seems like just yesterday we wrapped up an incredible weekend at Magic at the Beach 2013. If you were able to be a part of our event we thank you for coming. We hope you are making plans to attend our next event. We have been working hard to make our next event even better and have just revamped the website to give it a more sleek and modern look.

Our team has been busy making arrangements and booking talent as well and we are pleased to announce a few of the great acts already booked:

Woody Aragon - Woody Aragón is not just an outstanding card magician and technician he is above all an incredibly entertaining magical performer. Mr. Aragón has appeared on international television programs in Spain, Germany and the United States.
His many awards include the 2005 Spanish Champion of Card Magic, the prestigious Ascanio Award for the Magician of the Year, 1st Place McMillan's International Convention Award and The Society of American Magician's "People's Choice Award" and "Excellence in Close-Up Magic Awards", just to name a few.

Woody will be performing his one-man show "Bald Faced Liar",
a spot in our All-Star Close-up Show, a lecture and a special workshop on Sunday. Don't miss an opportunity to see this International star!

Also presenting will be Gaston - Two-time FISM winner and Germany's Magician of the Year - lecturer, author, performer, writer and actor - Gaston, is a key member of the famed Flicking Fingers and one of magic's most creative performers.

Gaston will be appearing in the All-Star Close-up Show, Cabaret Show, and Champions of Magic Show at Magic at the Beach as well as presenting a lecture. This is Gaston's first appearance on the East coast. Do NOT miss this rare opportunity to see Gaston in the USA at Magic at the Beach!

Being held the 16th - 18th of January 2014 in Myrtle Beach, SC, USA.
Ocean Dunes Resort & Conference Center.
All rooms are ocean-front and are $59/night USD.
Information for the Ocean Dunes Resort & Conference Center is available on our website. Call 1-800-599-9872 to book your room today!
Be sure to mention Magic at the Beach to get the special rate.
Registration is limited. Register early and save!
Register Today - www.MagicAtTheBeach.org
or call Broadway Magic at 843-626-8191

Yours in Magic,
Mike Heidtman
Director/ MATB2014
MB, SC, USA
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10. Broken Wand - Leland Van Deventer
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Message by Bruce Chadwick

Leland B. Van Deventer passed away peacefully at Kindred Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas USA on May 22, 2013. Born in Los Angeles, California on November 10, 1920, professionally Leland was a tool and die maker with North American Aviation. He was proud that he even made a major support beam for the space shuttle.

After graduating from Los Angeles High School and Junior College, Leland proudly served in World War II, and later became an active member of the Fullerton and Fort Worth branches of the American Legend. Raising his family in Torrance, California, his passions were fishing, photography, carpentry, camping and being an all-around fix it man.

One of his greatest passions however was magic and illusion. Leland was even president of the Orange County Magic Club in California, and later the Fort Worth Magicians Club in Fort Worth, Texas made him "Magician of the Year." Known as "Van the Magic Man," Leland enjoyed performing on a regular basis for children's and family groups, and particularly in church settings. He built a lot of his own magic apparatus, and was particularly enjoyed his thimble manipulation routine.

Leland's sustaining Christian faith was a major part of his life. He came to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior when he walked into a small AG church in Texas during the war. He loved the Lord and took his family faithfully to church every Sunday. His daughter Ruth would later say, "We never missed church even when we went camping."

Leland B. Van Deventer is survived by his daughter Ruth Porter and son in law Walt Porter, step daughters Sheral Sly and Linda Kisner and their husbands Dan and Toni, seven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. Leland outlived his two wives Myrtle Van Deventer and June Van Deventer. Ruth says, "Everyone who met him thought of him as an extra sweet man, and indeed he was."

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11. Performers And Lectures Announced For PCAM 2013
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Message by Bill Bedecarre

The Pacific Coast Association of Magicians event will be held in Burbank
Burbank, Calif. (For immediate release - 6/1/13) - Magicians from all over the world will gather Aug. 1-4 in Burbank for the 80th anniversary of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians (PCAM) convention. The Society of American Magicians, Assembly 291 (also known as the Westside Wizards from Venice, CA), will host the event at the Burbank Marriott Hotel.

The PCAM hosts an annual convention for professional, semi-professional and amateur magicians to learn, practice, and perform magic. Approximately 200 attendees from the United States, as well as Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are expected.
Performing at the convention will be Shawn Farquhar (Canada), Andrew Goldenhersh, Rob Zabrecky, Jimmy H, David Gabbay, Paul Green, Tim Mannix, Ice McDonald, and Trevor and Lorena Watters (Canada).

Lectures will include Max Maven, David Regal, Howard Hamburg, Shawn Farquhar, Ice McDonald, David Gabbay, Tim Mannix and Paul Green.

The convention kicks off on August 1st with a 'Tribute to the Larsen Family', honoring the LA-based family responsible for creating the world famous Magic Castle, a private club for magicians, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

One of the most popular activities at the convention will be magic competitions in a variety of categories: stage magic (adult, junior, juvenile); platform magic (adult, junior); comedy magic (adult, junior, juvenile); mentalism (adult); and children's magic (adult, junior, juvenile). One award also will be given out in each of the following categories: best assistant, outstanding showmanship and presentation, and most novel or innovative.

Attendees will have a chance to win a year's free membership to the Magic Castle, hundreds of dollars of magical gear and a special drawing for four tickets to the David Copperfield show in Las Vegas which includes a meet & greet with the master magician. Travel and accommodations not included.

Founded in 1933, the PCAM convention is held in a different city on the Pacific Coast each year. The last time the convention was held in Los Angeles County was 1981. The convention hotel, Burbank Marriott, is conveniently located by the Burbank Bob Hope International Airport, will offer a special rate for registrants. Early registration is highly recommended.

To find out more information about the convention or to register online, go to PCAM2013.com.

Contact: Frank Padilla Jr., 805-660-0245, frank@yaquimagic.com

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12. Inside The Mind Of A Man Who Can Predict The Lottery
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Article forwarded on by Mel Kientz (US)

Illusionist, trickster, magician: Inside the mind of a man who can predict the lottery

by Sarah Rainey, The Daily Telegraph


UK - Derren Brown probably knows how this interview is going to go before he opens the door. This is the man who once predicted the National Lottery results, after all. Who persuaded a group of strangers to rob a security van. Who played Russian roulette on live television? Who's rumoured to be banned from every casino in the country because they're worried he'll read the cards. Illusionist, trickster, magician; call him what you will - even "Derren", which by some mind control technique he's managed to convince us is a real name.

But when he whisks open the door of his airy rented apartment in Birmingham, all the smoke and mirrors fall away. Brown is nothing like the cape-whirling, goatee-toting, caramel-voiced charmer we see on stage and screen. For a start, he's shaved - not just his chin but his head, too - and he's wearing a very sensible striped jumper and jacket. That knowing smile is gone; replaced by a meek grin that makes him seem almost unsure of himself. He's warm and friendly and impeccably polite, pushing open doors and pulling out chairs and endlessly apologizing for dropping coins from his pocket in a clattering heap.

Within minutes of my arrival, Brown has poured a pot of mint tea and turned up Bach on the CD player. Strewn across his table are well-thumbed philosophy books - Basic Writings of Existentialism and The Schopenhauer Cure - a sheaf of paper covered in mad scientist scribblings and, gratifyingly, a pack of playing cards. If it weren't for the fact that Britain's answer to David Baine was sitting opposite me, I'd think I was in a therapy session.

I can't shake the idea that Brown is reading my every move - or worse, my mind. Does he get that a lot? "Not as much as you'd think," he chuckles. "I have one friend who said the first time we met he was convinced everything was contrived; that I was making him do things. Honestly, I wasn't. When I'm doing what I do on stage, that's a very particular and controlling way of being. It used to frustrate me when I'd get celebrities on my shows and I had to meet them as this ludicrous magician character rather than as myself."

On Monday NIGHT this ludicrous magician took to the stage for the 57th night of his marathon 132-show national tour, Infamous, which comes to London's Palace Theatre next month. His sixth live show since 2003, co-written by the actor Andy Nyman, it involves Brown being on stage six nights a week, touring venues in Liverpool, Oxford and Edinburgh et al. "I love touring, more than anything," he says enthusiastically. "Doing the stage show is a more enjoyable process than TV. There are no safeguards but the payoff is the wow factor. I want people to think: 'How can he do that? How?'?"

His return to the Palace is a coming of age for Brown, who first performed there nine years ago in his debut West End gig. "It does feel more grown-up now," he muses. "It's very personal and a bit less showy." Despite his huge interim success - his latest Channel Four show pulled in four million viewers - Brown still sits in the back row of the gods before every opening night, "to remind myself what people can see from up there".

The illusionist, 42, has been doing magic for most of his adult life. Born in Purley, south London, to a swimming teacher and a model-turned-receptionist, he was an only child until the age of nine, when his brother Dominic came along. He attended Whitgift School in Croydon, alma mater of rugby player Danny Cipriani and Doctor Who writer Neil Gaiman, where Brown says he was "generally uncool" and "hugely nerdy". "I was quite precocious and developed a nose for duplicity, which came from being a bit of a loner."

This duplicity turned Brown into a kleptomaniac. In the Eighties, he went through a phase of shoplifting, mostly from music shops in Croydon. Once, he was stopped by security guards for trying to nick a Luther Vandross cassette from Harrods. "It's quite common for magicians to be tempted by that sort of thing," he shrugs. "You have a mind and an eye for how you can sneak things into your pocket. It was the age of gadgets and there were so many glittery things on the shelves, but they were expensive. I remember looking around my bedroom when I was about 17 and thinking: 'God, I've nicked everything in here.'"

A shy, self-conscious teenager, Brown sniffed, twitched and knocked his knees together compulsively. A nervous tic, a subtle nod, endures to this day. On stage it could be part of the act, but offstage it is a remnant of Brown the nervous adolescent - and a reminder of the reason he got into magic.

"A lot of unconfident kids do tricks because it's the quickest route to impressing people," he explains. "You can stand behind something amazing and people think you're amazing."

At university (Brown studied Law and German at Bristol), he became fascinated by hypnosis after seeing a hypnotist on stage, and taught himself the basics. Fellow students used to come to Brown's college halls to be "hypnotized" by him. "I'd never seen anything like it before and it ticked the attention-seeking, control-mongering box of an insecure student," he says. He styled himself in a cape, acquired a parrot and started performing on the streets as Bristol's resident eccentric magician.

After a few years doing card tricks in bars, a TV producer asked him to try out for a new show. Derren Brown: Mind Control aired on Channel Four in 2000.

The following years saw Brown capture public attention with increasingly outlandish stunts: holding a loaded gun to his head; convincing a man with vertigo to emergency-land a plane; getting law-abiding citizens to commit armed robbery. He made a name for himself as the man who can quote whole pages of a dictionary, win every game of rock-paper-scissors and draw what's in your mind before you've even thought it.

But behind the fame, Brown was grappling with a wavering faith - he'd grown up Christian but was beginning to doubt his beliefs. On top of that, he had come to hate hiding his homosexuality, for which he once attended a religious camp that promised to "cure him". Brown came out in 2007, having declared himself an atheist ("I wanted a belief that would be credible"), and settled down with his current partner, Marc, a designer whom he has been with for seven years. Today, he believes in gay marriage - "I have disappointingly weak political views, but we have to have a level playing field" - but isn't sure it's something he wants to do, at least not yet.

At home in London, Brown leads a quiet life, listening to classical music, reading and painting. His impressive and hauntingly beautiful portraits are exhibited in galleries in London and New York; recent subjects include Michael Sheen, Dame Judi Dench and his parents.

He also has a bizarre collection of curios and taxidermy ("probably a couple of hundred pieces"), including two stuffed giraffes, a cobra, a Jack Russell and several six-legged sheep. "Name an animal," he says, teasingly. "Umm …" "You were going to say penguin, weren't you?" he fires back. He's right, of course. "I do have a penguin; two, actually."

In a parallel universe, Brown says, he would be a teacher. Last week, he led an art class at a secondary school in Loughborough in memory of a former pupil. "The kids were great and asked lots of questions," he says. "Teaching would be so rewarding." He's also enjoying doing "worthwhile" shows, like his two most recent stunts - Apocalypse and Hero at 30,000 Feet - in which the subjects learned valuable life lessons. "I don't want to be some extreme therapist," he insists. "Although seeing someone's life change for the better is a really moving thing."

But it's not quite the end of the road for Brown the magic man. He has a couple of TV shows in the pipeline, 75 nights left of his national tour and hopes of performing outside the UK for the first time in his career.

"I'd love to work in Australia and on Broadway," he says, "but I just haven't had time. In the future, who knows?" It's clear from the twinkling eyes that if anyone does, it's Derren Brown.

'Derren Brown: Infamous' is at the Palace Theatre, London, from June 24 to August 17. For tickets, call 0844 874 0789 or visit nimaxtheatres.com

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13. 21 "Live" Magic Dealers Will Be In DC.
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Message by George Schindler (US)

The Internet is fun and You Tube helpful when you want to see the new tricks coming to the market - BUT- - Nothing beats the "LIVE DEMO" of the colorful and exciting presentations of the dealers. The patter, handling and performance timing is what you'll get along with the honest pros and cons of the effects you'll see.

They'll be waiting in the dealer room at the 2013 Society of American Magicians convention (July 3-4-5-6-) at the Marriott Hotel Crystal Gateway in Arlington VA. You will find everything from a thumb tip to a floating table is all in one place with a variety of 21 different dealer tables. Props, books, DVD's Silks and accessories will be on display.

Take a quick peek at the list at http://magicsam.com/annual-convention/dealers-for-washington-dc-2013/ The special hotel rates expire June 11- Register now.

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14. Six White Java Doves For Sale
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Message from Tony Wilson (New Zealand)

I have six white java doves for sale that are surplus to my current requirements any interested buyers to view and possibly purchase at $20.00 each.
Please contact me on (09) 5769581 or 027 4771240 or on tony@twmagic.co.nz

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15. Memorable Magical Moments
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Message by Salil Kumar "Solyl" Kundu (India)

In the year 2007, while at the Reno IBM convention I invited International President Phil Willmarth to Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). Phil accepted the invitation and came down to Kolkata to encourage the local IBM members and inject enthusiasm amongst non-IBM members to join the IBM.

As the Vice President of IBM in India I arranged a grand Get-together under the banner of IBM Ring #83 in honor of the Int'l President were quite a good number of magicians from around the country congregated to teach, learn, perform and have fun in his presence.

To commemorate this valuable occasion I had published a beautiful souvenir, which soon become a collector's piece, and went all over the world to the magic-lovers as a gift.
BTW, I have set a trend of adding a section of magic effects whenever I publish a souvenir-the Ring #83 2007 Get-together souvenir was no exception. It included several offerings, from close-up capers to stage conjuring from the magic creators of repute from east and west, who understand their Art
Apart from 'A Greeting from the President', in addition "Last few words' the souvenir titled "Memorable Magic Moments" included:-
Phil Willmarth laudation by Jack White
Chronicle of IBM Ring #83 recounted by Solyl Kundu
Photographs of the Performers and Contributors in magic section
In addition, the magic section included-
'Cornered' by Aldo Colombini
'Bang Gun - Balloon Antics' by David J. O'Connor
'Anti-Gravity Bottle' by Gora Dutta
'Centrifugal ESP' by Max Maven
'Elementary, My Dear Watson' by Peter Marucci
'Balls Across - Persistence of Vision' by Paul Hyland
'The Acrobat (new one hand knot)' by Phil Willmarth
'The Magic Coin Box' by Samuel Patrick Smith
'Cane to Plume' by Solyl Kundu
'Glass Backwards' by Tom Craven
'Thinking Inside the Square' by Wayne Rogers
Apart that there is an advertising section comprising ads from various magic dealers and well-wishers of magic.

I still get requests for this Souvenir from the magical memorabilia collectors as well as magic lovers world over, however due to excessive postal charges find it difficult to oblige everyone what a pity! Therefore, I have published the first digital edition of the Memorable Magical Moments on May 22, 2013.

For information for the enthusiasts, it is available from www.lybrary.com

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Magic New Zealand App
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Magic New Zealand now has its very own app that can be launched on any tablet.

Go to: www.app.cat/magicnewzealand on your tablet to download the FREE Magic
New Zealand app.

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e-zine Archives
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Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to:
www.magicnewzealand.com click on the red button center right "Archives"

When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order in folders for each year and are Coded, e.g. 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999)

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Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
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You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E-zine at: www.magicnewzealand.com

Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday.

The opinions and statements expressed therein are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Magic New Zealand®. Neither Magic New Zealand® nor Alan Watson vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand® E-zine.

Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree they will not hold Magic New Zealand® or Alan Watson, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions or statements contained therein.

Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct or disregard any articles submitted.

Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news items which may be of interest to subscribers. By submitting articles to this e-zine, the authors grant Magic New Zealand® the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm their copyright of the material submitted.

All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected by international copyright legislation and articles must not be published for profit by anyone other than the individual authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this publication may be freely redistributed, but not sold, to other magicians if copied in its entirety, including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer.

© Copyright 2012 Alan Watson
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Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice

Our subscriber list is not made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E-zine at www.magicnewzealand.com Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday. The opinions expressed therein are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Magic New Zealand®. Neither Magic New Zealand® nor Alan Watson vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand® E-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree they will not hold Magic New Zealand® or Alan Watson, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed therein.
Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct or disregard any articles submitted. Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news items which may be of interest to subscribers. By submitting articles to this e-zine, the authors grant Magic New Zealand® the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm their copyright of the material submitted. All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected by international copyright legislation and articles must not be published for profit by anyone other than the individual authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this publication may be freely redistributed, but not sold, to other magicians if copied in its entirety, including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer.

Copyright © 2013 Alan Watson.


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