* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New Zealand)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #1374
Date: Sunday 23rd April 2017
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
================================
Hi here is the latest news
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1. Editor's Message
2. How To Strengthen Your Comedy Magic Show. Part One
3. Jarrett & Raja On The Magic Word Podcast
4. Trouble with Kid's Names - #443 - Kyle Peron
5. May Issue of Genii
6. 2017 May AMA Show Schedule
7. Las Vegas Magic - May 2017
8. KIDabra News
9. Q&A: Magician Xavier Mortimer
10. Update - New Zealand Magic Convention - Wellington
11. e-zine Archives
12. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice

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1. Editor's Message
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We are thrilled to see Nick Lewin back in Magic New Zealand e-zine as a columnist.

If you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in a HTML format go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2017-Jan-to-Dec-2017/1374-Apr23-2017.html

If you would like to write a regular column for Magic New Zealand or have some magic news drop me a line:
Editor@MagicNewZealand.com

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2. How To Strengthen Your Comedy Magic Show. Part One
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Message by Nick Lewin (US)
www.lewinenterprises.com

The following post is taken from a recent article I wrote for Vanish Magazine. If you don't get your free monthly download of Vanish Magazine Check it out at www.vanishmagic.com

Sadly, there are no hard and fast rules you can apply to shaping or improving a comedy magic show. What is perfect for one person can be disastrous for the next. The only real fixed rule is that the more you perform the better chance you have of really improving your show. With a manipulative or illusion show a mirror and a video camera can go a long way towards refining and perfecting your performance. It is one thing to master the mechanics of the magic you are performing, however, putting comedy into the mix definitely complicates the rehearsal process and introduces an X factor.

Constant performance is the only key that allows you to incrementally develop a timing that incorporates the inconsistencies that live audiences bring to the table.

Forty-five years of making a living mixing magic and laughs have definitely given me some heartfelt insights into the process of making this particular synergy work. The decade I spent headlining in comedy clubs was a wonderful training in making sure that the comedy in my show was as strong as the magic it contained. It is one thing to get laughs performing magic but quite another to really master both individual disciplines and achieve a blend that doesn't sell either element short.

The good news is that a strong comedy magic act can be immensely commercial and highly bookable. Lay audiences love to laugh; in fact most of them far prefer the experience of laughing to that of being fooled. Many magicians tend to forget this reality point; we particularly enjoy the experience of fooling and being fooled or we probably wouldn't have become magicians in the first place; lay audiences are much less unified on this point.

What I want to do in these articles is to set down a few steps that are well worth considering for the performer who wants to take his or her act to the next level. These steps and observations are based on performing experience I have made during a lifetime in magic and also spending quality time with world-class performers. I truly believe that serious thought about them will improve the quality of any comedy magic show. Do not forget though that however beneficial it is to think about things, it is only by putting those thoughts into application that you can really move forward.

While these steps are primarily directed towards improving a show for a lay audience the basic principles hold true for performing to an audience of magicians. However, in this regard I will pass on some great advice I was given by the great Ken Brooke; "If you want to be a professional, never trust a magician's response to your show or you will end up cutting out the bits that real people enjoy the most and adding things that mean nothing to non-magicians."

One important thing to remember as you improve your act is that a strong magic show is never a static thing. It is the sum total of the person you are at the moment you are while performing it. I have seen many fine manipulative acts that mold a perfect 12-minute show and then continue polishing that same performance for decades. This really doesn't work in the comedy field, and yet I see many comedy magicians who take the same approach.

Times, attitudes and sensibilities vary very quickly when it comes to "funny" and need to be considered on an ongoing basis. "The Baffling Bra" may have been a viable piece of material a couple of generations ago but is scarily out of tune with contemporary times. No, I am not influenced in making this statement if you tell me, "It still gets laughs in the show!"
One of the chief complaints about comedy magic shows from serious bookers/buyers is the outdated nature of much of the comedy incorporated in the show. The last thing you want to do when presenting yourself as an entertainer is to look like someone who is out of touch with mainstream or contemporary audiences.

You don't need to re-invent the wheel, but you do need to realize that a great deal of comedy magic is very dated and needs to be freshened up. You don't need to burn your Robert Orben books but you might want to seriously limit your jokes from it and then update them! Saying, "My act works the way it is (and always has) so I'm not going to change it," is a sure fire way to avoid improvement.

Check out my online store of really great comedy magic items and routines at
www.lewinenterprises.com

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3. Jarrett & Raja On The Magic Word Podcast
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Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star (US)

Jarrett and Raja are the two newest "kids on the Strip"…the Las Vegas Strip, that is. They recently opened their diner show at Hooter's Casino Hotel. But before they opened, we recorded a conversation in the relaxed atmosphere of their warehouse off the Strip. Their journey has been inspirational and, well…creative. Like several magicians before them, they have appeared on "America's Got Talent [sic]" (AGT) which helps spread their notoriety. I have posted podcasts with some of these magicians who have talked about their experience and reasons why they auditioned for AGT, most recently Nathan Burton.

But Jarrett and Raja went straight for the "big money" by appealing to potential investors on the U.S. TV show, "Shark Tank". Although they didn't "hook a big fish" from the panel (spoiler alert), there was an unexpected outcome. They talk in detail about their experience leading up to that event and many of the "behind the scenes" of what was going on right up to the time the "sharks" walked into the room and the cameras started rolling.

You can watch a video of their "Shark Tank" appearance plus a private video shot in their warehouse, see some photos, read the blog, enter the new contest, listen to the podcast online and download the MP3 file at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/jarrett-and-raja

Congratulations to the winners of last week's contest for a copy of "Nick Trost's Subtle Card Creations Volume 3": Fred King and Shaun Rivera. Be sure to visit the blog to enter the new contest for a chance to win one of two copies of Volume 4, compliments of the publisher, H&R Magic Books.

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4. Trouble With Kid's Names - #443 - Kyle Peron
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Message by Kyle Peron (US)
magic4u02@aol.com
http://www.facebook.com/perondesign
http://www.kpmagicproducts.com

Here is an interesting scenario that may sound all too familiar to a lot of you. You are at an event and performing a routine that utilizes a child. The child comes up to a nice applause and you proceed to ask the child his or her name. The name that comes out from the child is one in which Klingon makes more sense. You ask the child again and you state the name wrong. This then provokes the child to become the Hulk and scream his name at the threshold of pain. You then resort to trying not to mention the child's name at all by simply dancing around it.

Sound familiar? I think we all have experienced this before. This is what I refer to as the "Trouble with Kid's Names" syndrome. There are many reasons why this may happen. It could be that the child is peaking too softly, not pronouncing the word correctly, you are having a hard time hearing the child or the fact that the name is just not common. As I get older, I have started to realize that the names of Mike, Chris and James have become boring and new names like Latoya and Iona have become the popular trend.

Because I am a deaf entertainer, I have problems hearing the kid's names and any helper that comes up on stage to assist. I read lips very well and have ever since a young child. However, reading kid's lips is harder because they do not pronounce the words as well as they should. Anyways, I have always had problems hearing kid's names when they come up to help. Because of this problem I was faced with, it allowed me to start coming up with creative solutions to solve it.

The solution.... "Hello My name is" stickers. Sounds silly but it works wonderfully. Before the show starts I have them with me and I have the parents and the children put them on. In fact, when I get there, I often give them to the client to hand out as kids come in.

I tell the client that it is an easy way for the kids to all get to know who each other and also so the ones who do not know, do not feel left out. It also is a great way for the adults to get to know each other as well. Often the adults are meeting each other for the first time. I am also honest with them in that it makes it easier for me to select my helpers without mispronouncing a name.

They usually are more than pleased with this approach and sometimes wonder why they did not think of it themselves. They always help me out with it and I never have any problems. It then becomes super easy to spot kids in the audience. I can then call and select the child to come up by their name on their name tag. Kids love hearing their name called.

It can also play to a larger school or venue as well. Here is how you do it. You send the school a promotional show package a week or so ahead of time. This gets passed out to the teachers. Inside are the stickers. They are told to pass them out to their students before the show. It makes it easier.

Now if you really want to have fun with it, and want the kids to really WANT to wear them, place a number on each one. Then you can use it as a raffle at the show for a magic kit or something of value or importance.

Now if you are a savvy marketer, you can create your own customized name stickers. These can be printed easily and cheaply at many online digital printers. On these can have your website or contact information and your name. Now it becomes something that everyone is wearing that brands you at all times. People cannot help but look at it.

This becomes a very easy solution to a problem I was having due to my handicap. However, this solution can also help anyone out. Instead of trying to guess what the name is, you can handle it in such a way that adds both value to your show and also value to the client as well. I hope it helps you and that it can be a possible solution that elevates your magic.

As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your thoughts. 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.

Entertainers, please visit:
http://www.kpmagicproducts.com

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5. May Issue Of Genii
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Message by Richard Kaufman, Editor

The May issue of Genii, the largest-selling magic magazine in the world, is now available.

* Jose Frakson is little known today. As one of Frakson's foremost students, the late David Alexander knew all of Frakson's secrets and fortunately this's month's Genii cover story lets us in on a few. For most of our readers, the name "Frakson" will not be familiar, however he was a great magician and a star of vaudeville and nightclubs in his day-his story should be told. And in our digital edition you can see him perform his masterpiece: a cigarette act whose secrets have never been revealed.

* When Jim Swain read Jon Racherbaumer's comment in one of our issues last year in which he suggested that it was not necessary to learn the Pass, Mr. Swain wrote an excellent essay on exactly why every person who does sleight of hand with cards should learn the Pass. I have rewritten and included the explanation of Derek Dingle's Riffle Pass to which he refers (from The Complete Works of Derek Dingle) to accompany the article. In addition to the description of Dingle's handling, there is a video included in the digital edition in which he does the Shift invisibly.

* In Jeff Prace's "Left-Handed," he describes a trick by Kevin Li where the image of a key instantly becomes real-it's easy to do (watch the video in our digital edition) and likely worth more than the last download you bought.

* I cannot describe in any simple way the card trick which John Bannon teaches this month in "Dealing With It" because, as he himself admits, it's strange-but in a good way, like a trick of Brother Hamman's. Watch the video in which he performs it before reading the explanation and be fooled.

* The Doctor is in … Dr. Harbottle, that is, and this month in "By Means of Metal" he has gifted you with an essay on Curl Palm, aka Nowhere Palm, and what that means if you combine it with a Retention Vanish. Video as well makes learning swell.

* John Guastaferro continues his excellent stewardship of "Magicana" with another three routines this month, including a clever balancing deck by Stephen Hobbs, and of course there's a video of the whole deal.

* For you real-world standup workers, Martin Lewis shares a routine in "Making Magic" that he's obviously used for humans in chairs who form an audience. The color of a silk and a cardboard box transpose … and it's plenty easy to make and do.

* I'm amazed-stunned, frankly-at how Mike Caveney is able to spin what is often such a simple letter into an interesting tale in "Classic Correspondence." This time around it involves, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, and Dante, all in A Haunting We Will Go.

* Our story-telling Hannibal explains that sometimes performing Cards Across can get hairy in "Happiness is the Road."

* Books get reviewed by our Associate Editor Mr. Lovick, tricks by Mr. Oliver, and videos by Mr. Turner. Todd Karr peeks around in "The Eye." And only in our digital issue there are audio columns by Max Maven and Jon Racherbaumer.

Subscribe to a year of Genii for as little as $35 and obtain access to all 80 years of our magazine in our digital archive for no extra charge!

www.geniimagazine.com

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6. 2017 May AMA Show Schedule
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Message by Jack Goldfinger
Director Of Entertainment
Academy of Magical Arts, Inc.

May 1-7th, 2017
Close-Up Gallery
Early-early: Nathan Becker
Early: Brad Henderson
Late: Tom Ogden

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Joshua Jay
Late: Fukai

Palace of
Adam London
Jason Bishop

Peller Theatre
John Carney
Greg Otto

W. C. Fields Bar
Alfonso

Friday Luncheon - CUG
Tom Ogden

Saturday & Sunday Brunch - Kids Show
Wacko

Lecturer - Sunday (5/7)
Joshua Jay

May 8-14th, 2017
Close-Up Gallery
Early-early: Kirk Grodske
Early: Richard Turner
Late: David Gabbay

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Doug Gorman & Fran
Late: Nick Paul

Palace of Mystery - The NO Show
Dana
Richard Allan Richard Allen

Peller Theatre
Brent Arthur James Geris
Tomas Medina

W. C. Fields Bar
Gene Urban

Friday Luncheon - CUG
Richard Turner

Saturday &Sunday Brunch - Kids Show
The Amazing Geebo

NO Lecturer - Sunday (5/14)
Mother's Day

May 15-21st, 2017
Close-Up Gallery
Early-early: Michael Perovich
Early: Jeki Yoo
Late: Fenik - The Jack

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Wes Mathison
Late: The Bornsteins

Palace of Mystery
J. Neal & Liane
Mark Miller

Peller Theatre
Robert Ramirez
Naathan Phan

W. C. Fields Bar
Ron Bell

Friday Luncheon - CUG
Fenik - The Jack

Saturday & Sunday Brunch - Kids Show
Frank Thurston

Lecturer - Sunday (5/21)
Jeki Yoo

May 22-28th, 2017
Close-Up Gallery
Early-early: John Kippen
Early: R. Paul Wilson
Late: Hannibal

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Dale Hindman
Late: Phil Van Tee

Palace of Mystery
Murray SawChuck
Douglas "Lefty" Leferovich

Peller Theatre
Jonathan Burns
Joel Ward

W. C. Fields Bar
Pop Haydn

Friday Luncheon - CUG
R. Paul Wilson
`
Saturday &Sunday Brunch - Kids Show
Arty Loon

Lecturer - Sunday (5/28)
Hannibal

May 29-June 4th, 2017
Close-Up Gallery
Early-early: Jason Tong
Early: Ed Ellis
Late: Tam Vo

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Rich Bloch
Late: Peter Samelson

Palace of Mystery
Alex Ramon

Peller Theatre
Fitzgerald
Patrick Heitkam

W. C. Fields Bar
Shawn Eric

Friday Luncheon - CUG
Ed Ellis
`
Saturday &Sunday Brunch - Kids Show
Gene Silberman

Lecturer - Sunday (6/4)
Ed Ellis

Performers are subject to change due to circumstances and availability.

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7. Las Vegas Magic - May 2017
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Message by David Neubauer - www.dnmagic.com

Criss Angel - Mindfreak Live!
7 pm & 9:30 pm (Dark Mon. - Tues.) - Luxor.
www.cirquedusoleil.com/criss-angel-mindfreak#BwSsTgzRH21YxQov.97

David Copperfield - An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion
7 & 9:30 pm nightly, also 4 pm Sat. - MGM Grand.
www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/david-copperfield.aspx

Gerry McCambridge - The Mentalist
7:30 pm (Dark Wed.) - Planet Hollywood.
www.vtheaterboxoffice.com/Vegas_Show_Tickets.cfm?showID=10005
2 for 1 Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/couponthementalist.html

Jeff McBride's Wonderground
3rd Thurs. each month 7:30 to midnight - The Olive (3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic & Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

LaughterNoon - Adam London
4 pm, (Daily) - The D.
tickets.thed.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=7
$9.95 Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/couponlaughternoon.html

Mac King Comedy Magic Show
1 & 3 pm, (Dark Sun. & Mon.) - Harrah's.
www.harrahslasvegas.com/casinos/harrahs-las-vegas/casino-entertainment/mac-king-detail.html
Free tickets (buy 1 drink) usually available at the concierge desk or handed out by showgirls.

Mat Franco - Magic Reinvented Nightly
7 pm - Linq Showroom - LINQ.
www.caesars.com/linq/events/mat-franco#.VUTdemdFDD8

Mike Hammer Comedy Magic Show
7 pm (Dark Sun. & Mon.) - Four Queens Hotel and Casino.
www.mikehammershow.com

Murray - Celebrity Magician
With Guest Act: Douglas "Lefty" Leferovich.
4 pm (Dark Wed.) - Sin City Theatre, Planet Hollywood.
www.planethollywoodresort.com/shows/murray-celebrity-magician.html
2 for 1 General Admisson or VIP Tickets & 2 Popcorns: www.vegas4locals.com/coupons/las-vegas-shows/murray-celebrity-magician/
Half-Price Tickets: www.halfpriceshows.com/Shows/showdatelistt.jsp?i=4&id=258&City=
Las Vegas&State=NV&Name=murray-celebrity-magician

Nathan Burton Comedy Magic Show
4 pm - Saxe Theater - Planet Hollywood.
www.nathanburton.com/Tickets.php
$12.50 Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/coupons/las-vegas-shows/nathan-burton-comedy-magic/

Paranormal - Frederic Da Silva
4 pm - Windows Showroom, Bally's.
www.caesars.com/ballys-las-vegas/shows/paranormal#.VTaCb2dFA-w
Half-Price Tickets: www.halfpriceshows.com/Shows/showdatelistt.jsp?i=4&id=246&City=Las Vegas&State=NV&Name=paranormal
2-for-1 Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/coupons/las-vegas-shows/paranormal/

Penn & Teller
9 pm, (Dark Thurs. - Fri.) - Rio.
www.riolasvegas.com/casinos/rio/casino-entertainment/penn--teller-detail.html

Tommy Wind - A Unique Magic and Music Experience
7:00 pm. (Dark Wed.) - The Tommy Wind Theater
(Vegas Blvd between the MGM and Planet Hollywood).
www.tommywindmagic.com/vegas-magic-show-2013
Half Price Tickets: www.halfpriceshows.com/Shows/showdatelistt.jsp?i=4&id=230&City=Las Vegas&State=NV&Name=tommy-wind

Piff the Magic Dragon
8:00 pm, (Dark Thur. - Sun.) - Bugsy's Cabaret, Flamingo
www.caesars.com/flamingo-las-vegas/shows/piff-the-magic-dragon

Xavier Mortimer's Magical Dream
7:00 pm, (Dark Wed.) - Sin City Theatre, Planet Hollywood.
Half Price Tickets: www.halfpriceshows.com/Shows/showdatelistt.jsp?i=4&id=270&City=
Las%20Vegas&State=NV&Name=xavier-mortimers-magical-dream

Magic and More
Crazy Girls
Tony Douglas - 9:00 pm (Dark Wed.) - Crazy Girls Theater - Planet Hollywood.
www.caesars.com/planet-hollywood/shows/Crazy-Girls#.V7X7GXn6t6k

Dixie Dooley
2 & 4 pm every Sunday - Center Stage at the Boulevard Mall.

Haunted Vegas Show and Tour - Jac Hayden, Robert Allen.
9:30 pm, picks up at the Royal Resort.
www.hauntedvegastours.com

Redneck Comedy Magic - James Michael
6:00 pm. (Dark Tues. - Wed.) - LA Comedy Club, Stratosphere
www.redneckcomedymagic.com

Sapphire Las Vegas Comedy Hour
Comedians, Burlesque, Magicians, Variety Acts - Mondre
8 pm, (Dark Sun.- Fri,) - Sapphire Gentleman's Club, 3025 Industrial Rd.
www.sapphirelasvegas.com/las_vegas_vip_services/sapphire_comedy_hour

The Mystifier - Dixie Dooley
7:30 pm (Dark Tues. - Fri.) - Majestik Theatre, 99 Convention Center Dr.
Attendees get to view Dixie's unique escape exhibit for free.

Zombie Burlesque
Featuring Steve "Tiny" Daly as "Tiny Bubbles".
8:30 pm, (Dark Sun.) - V Theater, Planet Hollywood
www.vtheaterboxoffice.com/Vegas_Show_Tickets.cfm?showID=10032

Vegas Public Close-Up Magic
Excalibur - Dick's Last Resort Craig Keith performs bar magic, various times.
Hard Rock - 2nd Floor Bar Café: Smoothini - Wed. to Sun. 8 pm-10:30.
Las Vegas Strip Street Magic: Grndl, Jungle Josh, James Kelsey.
Mandalay Bay Magical Mix - Christopher Karpiak 7-10 pm (Dark Sun.. - Mon.) - Skyfall Lounge, Delano Hotel.
New York New York - Pour 24: Smoothini - after 2 am.
The Fremont Street Experience: Adam Flowers, Chris Randall, Will Bradshaw.
Treasure Island - Señor Frogs: JungleJosh - House Magician (Dark Mon.), 5 pm to 1 am.
Table-hopping and Comedy Magic on the stages. No Cover, No Min.
Wynn/Encore: Shimshi - Resident Magician.

Las Vegas Magic Organizations
Fantasma I.B.M. Ring 257, 7 pm - 8:45, 1st Monday each month at Top Hat and Wand Magic Shoppe, 5115 Dean Martin Dr. #102. No meeting if the 1st Monday is a major Holiday. ($24 a year to be a member). Current President and contact: John McClenahan, doctormagiclv@embarqmail.com or 702-395-3856. www.ibm257.com

Darwin's Magic Club 8 pm - Midnight. Each Wed. at Tommy Rockers at Dean Martin & Flamingo.

The Las Vegas Magic Luncheon is every Friday at Noon. Magicians and Variety Artists meet for lunch and laughs. All visiting magicians to Las Vegas are welcome to drop in. Great food, great atmosphere - Gordon Biersch, 3987 Paradise Rd.

Upcoming Special Events
April, 2017
Apr. 20: Jeff McBride's Wonderground, 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive (3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. Local ID: $10 cover, all others $20.
7pm - Strolling magic: Will Bradshaw, Tim Shegitz, Taylor Lloyd, and Miguel. Scott Brown as Allen Scott will do tarot readings in the "art area"
8pm - Comedy & Magic Show
Jeff McBride - Magic to Dye For
Lion Fludd - The Hustle & Muscle of Magic
Bizzaro - Something NEW and very Twisted!
Smoothini - From America's Got Talent!
Tim Shegitz - Classy Conjuring & Comedy
Steve Owens - Award Winning Manipulations
9pm - Three different Close-Up strolling magic lounge areas are open!
Lion Fludd
Smoothini
Tim Shegitz
Steve Owens
Mondre
10pm - Stage Extravaganza!
Jeff McBride is your MC - with something very new to show you!
Magnus - Zombie Time
Steve Owens - World Class Manipulations
Jason Andrews - Neo Classical Conjuring
Habaka Kfj - Musical Magical Enchantress
Mondre - Pure Magical Mastery
Plus: Photography by Sheryl Garrett. Bar Magic with Zack Pattee, Scott Steelfyre, Corey Rubino, Taylor Lloyd, New World Rhythmatism Belly Dancers, Psychic Sideshow with Alan Scott, live art with Areeya - and many more surprises and special celebrity guests!!
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

Apr. 25: IBM Fantasma Ring 257 auction - Blue Ox Tavern, 5825 W Sahara. Set up is from 4 to 6, auction at 6:30. Come sell or buy. Paul Draper is the Auctioneer.

Apr. 28-30: Focus on Street Magic presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Jeff McBride and Mario Morris.
www.magicalwisdom.com

May 2017
May 1-2: Magic & Mystery School Spring Training - Focus on Card Magic presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School.
Instructors: Jeff McBride, Greg Gleason.
www.magicalwisdom.com

May 3-4: Magic & Mystery School Spring Training - Focus on Classics of Magic presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Jeff McBride, Greg Gleason.
www.magicalwisdom.com

May 5-6: Magic & Mystery School Spring Training - Focus on Grand Illusions presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Jeff McBride, Greg Gleason.
www.magicalwisdom.com

May 18: Jeff McBride's Wonderground, 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive (3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. Local ID: $10 cover, all others $20.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

May 29: Michael Finney - Brad Garrett's Comedy Club, MGM
www.bradgarrettcomedy.com/BradGarrettsComedyClub/
ClubInformationandTickets.aspx

June 2017
Jun. 15: Jeff McBride's Wonderground, 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive (3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. Local ID: $10 cover, all others $20.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

Jun. 23-25: 3-Day Master Class presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger.
www.magicalwisdom.com

July 2017
Jul. 20: Jeff McBride's Wonderground, 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive (3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. Local ID: $10 cover, all others $20.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

Jul. 21-23: Magic and Theatre with Gaston presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Gaston Florin, Jeff McBride.
www.magicalwisdom.com

August 2017
Aug. 11-12: Focus on Platform and Parlor Magic presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructor: Jeff McBride.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Aug. 13-16: MAGIC Live! will be held once again at The Orleans SOLD OUT!
Waiting list: www.magicmagazine.com/live

Aug. 17: Sisters of Magic presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Special guest presenters including Ariann Black, Abigail McBride and others.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Aug. 17: Jeff McBride's Wonderground, 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive (3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. Local ID: $10 cover, all others $20.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

Aug. 18-24: 7-Day Master Class presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Lawrence Hass, Tobias Beckwith.
www.magicalwisdom.com

September 2017
Sept. 21: Jeff McBride's Wonderground, 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive (3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. Local ID: $10 cover, all others $20.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

October 2017
Oct. 14: Fall Training - Classic Themes of Mentalism presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Oct. 15: Fall Training - Focus on Storytelling Magic presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Oct. 16: Fall Training - Focus on Séance and Bizarre Magic presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Oct. 17: Fall Training - Focus on Illusions presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger.
www.magicalwisdom.comOct. 18-21: Magic and Meaning Conference presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School will be held at the Tuscany Suites & Casino, located at 255 E. Flamingo Rd. Instructors: Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. Special Guest TBA.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Oct. 19: Jeff McBride's Wonderground, 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive (3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. Local ID: $10 cover, all others $20.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

November 2017
Nov. 4-6: Magic for Speakers and Presenters presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Jeff McBride Stephen Shapiro, Tobias Beckwith.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Nov. 8-11: Master Class for Mentalism presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Lawrence Hass, Ph.D. Special Guest for the Class will be Ross Johnson. SOLD OUT
www.magicalwisdom.com

Nov. 12-14: The 14th edition of the premiere Mentalism Convention MINDvention - Palace Station.
www.MINDvention.net

Nov. 15-18: Master Class for Mentalism presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Instructors: Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Lawrence Hass, Ph.D. Special Guest for the Class will be Ross Johnson.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Nov. 16: Jeff McBride's Wonderground, 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive (3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. Local ID: $10 cover, all others $20.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

December 2017
Dec. 21: Jeff McBride's Wonderground, 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive (3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. Local ID: $10 cover, all others $20.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

2018
August 2018
Aug. 5-8: MAGIC Live! Details to come.

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8. KIDabra News
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Message by Mark Daniel

The Joe Lefler Legacy Youth Scholarship

Do you know of a deserving Youth age 15-21 who would benefit from attending KIDabra Conference 2017 in Pigeon Forge? Last year we were fortunate to award 2 scholarships to young performers, one from the US, and one from Israel.

This year there we're have one scholarship to award and applications are now open, and DUE by JUNE 1.

The Scholarship totals $1,000 that is applied to KIDabra Membership, Conference Registration Fee, Hotel at the The Music Road, and spending money for food and travel.
The Scholarship exists today endowed through an anonymous donor, and with Joe's wish that his legacy of teaching, and nurturing young performers continue!
Apply here http://www.kidabra.org/lefler-scholarship

At KIDabra Spend Quality Time with Jay Johnson, Ken Scott, Barry Mitchell, Christopher T. Magician, Niels Duinker, Mario the Magician, Gary Shelton, Carisa, Scott Green, Chris Weed, Jim Kleefeld, Hiawatha, Jeff Wawrzaszek, Bruce Amato, Dave Risley, John Bobik, Tate Elliott, your hosts Mark and Tami Daniel and a Host of Extraordinary People at The Amazing KIDabra!

KIDabra happens August 7-10, in one of the World's Top Family Entertainment destinations: Pigeon Forge, home of Dollywood, Terry Evanswood, Barry Mitchell, and Darren Romeo. A popular show/tourist area, Pigeon Forge/Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, are a family performers study arena whose "magic" settles on you like a warm comforter.

KIDabra is The Global Epicenter for KIDshow and Family Performers! It is the go to gathering place, and resource center for the KIDshow and Family entertainment world. Performers arrive from all over the world to share in this important week of the KIDshow community and industry! Make your plans to join us today! We are never complete until you're there!

Register Here http://www.kidabra.org/register-kidabra-tn-b
Schedule http://www.kidabra.org/2017-schedule
Hotel/Travel http://www.kidabra.org/hoteltravel
Full info www.kidabra.org

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9. Q&A: Magician Xavier Mortimer
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Article forwarded on by Mel Kientz (US)

By Matt Kelemen

Xavier Mortimer created the disembodied hand character Sneaky for Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson ONE before being featured on America's Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us, giving the French illusionist enough exposure to warrant headlining status at Planet Hollywood's intimate Sin City Theater. Xavier Mortimer's Magical Dream incorporates silhouette screens, video, a muse named Belle (Lauren Metter) and Mortimer's sleight of hand skills into a cabaret-sized, family friendly comedy-magic show featuring a climactic levitation trick that can arguably be called a masterpiece.

So I thought I figured out how you do the jump rope levitation illusion that Penn & Teller appreciated on Fool Us …

(Laughs) Did you figure it out?

Well, then I realized I actually hadn't figured it out. Is it true that Penn & Teller didn't actually figure out what you were doing?

No, Penn Jillette was fooled. Teller figured out most of the trick. Teller got it, but Penn Jillette said I fooled him. Here is the story, and I asked Teller if I can use it. He said, "No, you can't use it. You should use it," so I'm going to tell you the whole story. I went on Fool Us, and I was definitely sure I would fool them, but you know, at the same time, fooling is a good thing but it really isn't the aim of the show. It's great to fool them, but my goal was more to entertain and show something.

Anyway, I do my trick, and Penn Jillette stops to speak with me and says, "That's amazing. We love that," and at the end he said, "You fooled me." He stops and he says, "But I don't think you fooled Teller." And Teller comes onstage and he draws something for me. I have to tell you, it's the first time someone has figured out my system. Good magicians that are working, they couldn't figure it out, and he draws something and it's close. It's not the actual system but it was very close. And you know what? I didn't want to be nit-picking. I said, "Yes, that's it. You got it."

That was probably smart.

Yeah, I didn't want to argue. I'm not here for that. When I came back home though, I had Teller's contact information. Somehow we met briefly, like a long time ago. I didn't really know Teller. He was not my friend. I didn't know him but I had his email. I wrote him an email, I said, "Teller, you're amazing. I fooled everyone in this town, in the world actually, with this trick and you're the only person who figured it out. You're a genius. And I have to tell you, the system was close but not exact because mechanically your system wouldn't work on me but it's close enough that I can say it's how I did it."

He figured it out.

He figured it out, so I write this down to him. And you know what? Teller answers me, and all he says in his email, he says, "Xavier, I was so happy to have you in the show, you're trick was a masterpiece." He says, "I'd love to have you back," and he says to me-I have to frame this email one day-he says, "Your trick is a masterpiece."

That's not small praise. He's one of the most intelligent people in entertainment.

Yes, he's very smart. And later, about a month ago, he tweeted about me. There was a rerun of Fool Us or something, and my jump rope trick was on there, and he tweeted about it, like "Xavier did something amazing, something really cool." And I said "Thanks, Teller," and he said, "You should use that for your advertisement because this is really what I think. Your trick is a masterpiece and it's amazing. It's one of the best levitations I've ever seen." I mean, basically he's saying that to me, and … wow. (Laughs) I'm showing it to my friends and I'm like, "Teller said my trick is a masterpiece."

You get a lot of high ratings on Yelp and the travel websites. They skew towards five stars.

Yeah, it's good. I'm happy about that. I wouldn't say so at the beginning. I have to tell you, when we opened the show it was a little bit like … we had to break it in, and we worked very hard for that, but today I feel the audiences leaves the show happy, and that's what I want. We've been working very hard for that, and you know, it takes a while for a show to come together. We created the show for that room, and the room is so special that we had to adapt all the tricks and all the things for it.

When I saw "Jump Rope" on Penn & Teller, that's a very particular kind of trick. It's very fast and there's not real theatrical build up to it, so I expected your show to be kind of enigmatic, but very quickly you see that there's comedy involved in the magic as much as mystery. I was wondering if you had adapted you show to that space or if it was like a cabaret-sized show that moved in easily.

Yes, that was the main thing for the show. First we had to adapt to a stage that is quite small and fit my illusions, which require videos and things, a lot of props that we put in this small space. Mostly what happened is we had to build the show very fast. We have to put it together in 30 minutes and it has to be out in 50 minutes or so, so that was definitely a big, big thing. And also, Alex (Goude, Mortimer's manager) was the one who wanted more theatrics and comedy. I'm the magician. I'm more about how I do the illusion and how I bring people into my world, so Alex added a little bit more story.

I understand Alex was a television personality in France. Did he have a hand in discovering you and bringing you to the U.S.?

No, I lived here. I was working with Cirque du Soleil. I was brought to Las Vegas in 2013 by Cirque du Soleil. I was one of the main characters in Michael Jackson ONE. I don't know if you've seen that show.

Yeah, Sneaky. Of course.

So I had this character, and I was the guy with the bagpipes running around doing things with the glove, Michael Jackson's glove, and Michael Jackson's microphone. I stayed there for three years and I was very happy. It was great to be here, and the show is amazing. I was working on a one-man show because I was working for seven years before coming to Vegas, with a one-man show in Europe and actually in Asia a lot too. It was named the Shadow Orchestra, and it was more like you say, mysterious and a lot of magic and shadows. No talking.

It was completely silent. Then I was working on a new show and Alex said, "You should bring your new show to Vegas." And I was like, Yeah, I don't know. I have a network in Europe." And I kept going with that show, and Alex calls me in Europe and says, "Xavier, I've got a room for you." He said, "Go check it out and see if we can fit the show in it. I came to see the room and it was actually small, but I was like, "Oh my God, someone offers me a room in Vegas? I can't pass this opportunity." So I called Alex and I said, "OK, Let's do it." And we worked on the show with Michael Goodeau. Michael was the opening act for Lance Burton. He also opened for Penn & Teller. He's got a lot of things going on. He's a great guy. So we've been working with Michael Goodeau and Alex on the show. All of the acts in my show that I had been touring with, we tried to find a thread for them. It was a big bet. I didn't expect it to last more than two or three months, you know? But no, it's still here.

How was your first show? Do you recall it pretty well or is it a blur now?

The first show? Oh, yeah. I recall it very well. And I know Criss Angel was here … a lot of big names that I'm very respectful of. And it was the first show. I wish they could come now. I've changed it. It's much better. (Laughs)

I think that's expected. Same with restaurants. I imagine your peers noticed you have a very physical approach. You were educated in the performing arts before you become a magician, correct?

Yes, I studied theater. Physical comedy and dance.

What led you to magic? Was it an interested you always had that you eventually focused on, or was it something you came to later that you felt you could apply what you learned as a performer?

I was a magician first and always will be a magician. That's what I like. That's what makes me go forward and want to do shows. I don't … I just added my physical comedy part and music, because I write my own music. I try to tell the story of a guy who is stuck in that magical world where everything happens. He' a bit of Charlie Chaplin, but at the same time he's really a magician. He's more like Harry Potter, but a Charlie Chaplin version.

You studied at the Music and Dance Conservatory of La Rochelle, the Desmond Jones School of Mime and Physical Theatre in London and the Jacques Lecoq International School of Theatre in Paris, so you had an interest in magic then studied performing arts to inform your magical career?

Yeah, but in Paris there was no school for magic. When I started to go onstage I was quite young, so I started to film my performances. I was like "Oh, my God, this is really about acting." (Laughs) You have to go to school at least to be onstage in front of an audience. And I loved it. I was happy doing that, and I was still gigging with my magic show at the time. I was 20. I like to always learn new things but everything … I have always been around magic, more than theater, music and dance. Anything I have learned (outside of magic) makes it a little more, maybe, different … and maybe interesting.

A lot of people bring up Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. I was thinking the Jacques Tati influence.

Yeah!

I subsequently saw an interview with you in French in which you mentioned Tati, and then you said (French silent-era filmmaker) Georges Méliès too. I was like "Of course." I totally see George Méliès in your stage show. And he was a magician!

Oh, yes. I was a big George Méliès fan and I've watched every Jacques Tati film. Jacques Tati is dead now, but I met the guy who made the movies for Jacques Tati. He came to my show in Paris 10 years ago, and he loved it and we became great friends. I was like "Wow!" It's a little bit like knowing David Copperfield. The people that inspire you when you meet them - I've met Penn & Teller, David Copperfield - for me it has no price. I'm doing this because of them, and when I meet them and have conversations with them, I'm like … how do you say? I've fulfilled what I've wanted.

You realized you've arrived. "Validation" is not exactly the word.

Yeah, it's like, "You're the guy that inspired me and you mean so much to me, that if you are interested in my work…." Like when Teller says, "Your trick is a great trick," or when David Copperfield said to me, "Oh, yeah, your jump rope, it's quite fooling," I'm like "Wow, these words have no price."

What's the story behind the jump rope trick?

I was in bed and I was trying to fall asleep, and I saw that image. I saw an image of a guy playing with a jump rope, and I was like, "Wow, that's kind of a cool image." I really thought it was impossible. The day after I was with my girlfriend - she's a magician too - and at dinner I asked her if she thought it was possible to do that. Then in the morning I was like, "Maybe we could do that this way or this way. I'm not sure." And I explained to her my solution, and she's like, "Wow the image is so cool. You have to try." And I was working at Cirque du Soleil at the time, and I was talking to everyone in the rigging department and all these things: "Do you know if we could do that? Can we borrow that? Can I do that?" (Laughs) So I did a lot of research and one day I found the solution, and then when I found the solution I had to find the proper way to build it so it's a trick, you know? That took me a year of research. I called every shop in the U.S. "Oh, yeah, this is the exact material I need."

I thought I figured out the bubbles-into-crystal-balls trick as well, then I saw video of you performing it without sleeves and I realized I didn't.

(Laughs) That's funny.

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10. Update - New Zealand Magic Convention - Wellington
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Message by Nopera Whitley (New Zealand)

20- 23 October 2017

Taking place in Wellington, the Capital of New Zealand, join us for the 33rd International New Zealand Magic Convention.

Despite its somewhat impetuous weather Wellington is loaded with more bars, cafes and restaurants per capita than New York. You'll also find arts, festivals and cultural events to pull your attention and a booming film and performing arts industry thanks in large part to the success of Wellingtonian Sir Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings.

You can fly direct into Wellington from all New Zealand airports and most major Australian airports including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Canberra and Brisbane.

There are less than 75 available registrations for the convention so avoid disappointment and register before it's too late!

Registration online at www.magicconvention.co.nz

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11. 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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12. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
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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 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 QSM 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 QSM, 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 2017 Alan Watson QSM
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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 QSMvouch 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 QSM, 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 © 2017 Alan Watson QSM.


Magic New Zealand® E-zine