* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #44 Date: Sunday 22nd October 2000 Editor: Alan Watson www.magician.co.nz ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editors Message 2. Jann, you are absolutely correct 3. Dr. Steely's comments re Caesars Magical Empire 4. Caesars Magical Empire 5. The problem is with management 6. Strange Creatures 7. Received quite a few responses to my emails 8. Compere the Magic Circle's Stage Magician Of The Year 9. NEW & FREE listing site 10. Don Drake's lecture tour 11. Barrels for my coin in nest routine 12. Women magicians issues 13. Toshi Littlewood died this morning 14. Electronics in magic 15. Marc de Souza e-mail address? 16. Compliment Jann Goodsell's comments 17. (Safety of Life at Sea) SOLAS 18. Phil Cass "Trust Me" Tour 19. Caesars Magical Empire is a real treasure 20. Check out illusiongenius.com 21. Fringe 2000 - The Shortened Version 22. Magic on the Beach VI 23. 26th NZ Magicians Convention Dec 2001/Jan 2002 24. 'The Orchante Saga' 25. Free Australian magic Internet address 26. Diarise these events 27. News Items 28. MagicNZ e-zine archives 29. Benefit of subscribing to the MagicNZ e-zine 30. Subscription Management 31. Contact Information. ------------------------------------- 1. Editors Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Nicole Watson Nicole asked me to pass on her sincere thanks to the many magicians who dropped her a get well message. She has been discharged after her operation which required a plate and pins to her broken leg and it will be some time before she will be able to perform. Electronic magic by Malcolm Silverman Over the recent weeks have received many e-mail wanting to read about Malcolm Silverman's contribution on electronic magic. Refer item 14. Cookie The Clown (Shayne Thompson) has come out of retirement for the Christmas period because of many requests for his shows. He has also just secured a lucrative contract in a shopping centre in Bombay, India from 14th to 26th December. Tommy Orchard (Orchante) ex-pat Kiwi professional magician, living in London is now contributing to the MagicNZ e-zine on a regular basis on his past magical adventures. In my early days I had two close-up magic mentors, Don Alan (US) and the other Orchante (NZ). Refer item 24 Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: alan@watson.co.nz ---------------------------------- 2. Jann, you are absolutely correct ---------------------------------- Message from Bob Loomis (UK) Just a magical spectator's suggestion for Jann Goodsell's observations on: >....when flyers are sent out about upcoming magic meetings, >often the following statement is made: "Please bring your wives!"... Jann, you are absolutely correct about the aggravation caused by this statement. The Brits have a solution that is extremely politically correct, and covers just about every persuasion possible. Instead of the word "wives," ask the committee to alter the word to "partners." http://www.loomis.dircon.co.uk ------------------------------------- 3. Dr. Steely's comments re Caesars Magical Empire ------------------------------------- Message from Bernard Reid (US ex-pat Kiwi) I read with interest Dr. Steely's comments re Caesars Magical Empire and as I was very closely associated with some of those involved in the project when it was in the planning stages, and having lived in Las Vegas for a number of years from the inception of the Magical Empire felt I should make a comment. First we have to look at the entertainment scene as a whole in Las Vegas as it is a city of cycles. Back in the 70's the French type of Production Shows (or as we call them, the TAF. shows) were the "in" thing. Every major showroom had production Tfl shows such as "Lido", "Moulin Rouge", "Follies Begere" "Jubilee" Al etc. This phase lasted about ten years and then came the next 4* cycle which was the "impersonator shows" which spawned so many ~1~ copycat shows like "Legends in Concert", "American Showbiz Legends" and a dozen others and it seemed that every showroom had an Elvis or Michael Jackson impersonator. The 90's heralded the boom in magic. As you have probably gathered by reading thus far. Entertainment Directors in Las Vegas are not that imaginative and when they see a success formula they jump on the bandwagon. So, when Siegfried and Roy became a smash hit every showroom wanted an illusion show and so we saw ten years of "Spellbound" "Melinda", "Showgirls of Magic", "Imagine" and a hundred other magic shows. One of these was Caesars Magical Empire. Sadly the magic boom has had its (ten year) run and now there is a new format in town. Spawned by the phenomenal success of Danny Gans, every room is now putting in or looking for impressioninists and so we have Bob Acosta at the Luxor (replacing "Imagine"), Danny Gans moving to the Mirage, Jean Louis Gaston a brilliant impressionist from Quebec is also performing in town and Rich Little is moving back into a Vegas showroom so it looks like the next cycle is impressionists. Las Vegas is a city where survival of the fittest rules and so the best of any format remain and the lesser ones die away which is why "Lido" and "Follies Bergere" are still running and all the other French shows went. It is why Lance Burton and Siegfried and Roy continue to do sellout business and the rest died away. So lets all face it, the magic boom in Vegas is over. There will still be magicians working like in no other city but not to the degree of the last ten years. Now to Caesars Magical Empire. Milt Larsen was very much involved in the project when it was still in the planning stages and the late Peter Pit was involved from the opening to his sad demise. Like Dr. Steely and her husband, I agree that it is a wonderful experience but from day one has not proved to be cost effective. In the old days shows and attractions were put in to lure players to gamble and the production costs were underwritten by gambling profits. Those days are gone. Today most casinos are held by public companies who have to answer to shareholders and where in the old days the "boys" ran Vegas, now it is corporate types with calculators and only one thing on their minds. .."Bottom Line". Anything that is not profitable is gone. Caesars Magical Enpire sits on one of the most valuable prime pieces of real estate in Las Vegas (corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana)in the Caesars Palace complex and has lost fortunes for years, in fact since its inception. The multi-millions that were poured into the complex in the beginning can never be redeemed and so it was decided to scuttle the project. Here are the basic problems as explained to me. AS dinner is served in multi dining rooms with a few people in each because of the intimate magic that is performed through the meal an incredible number of staff are required. Peter Pit, when the project was getting off the ground told me the "nut" was 800 meals a day. Initially when they opened they were doing lunches and dinners and lunches were so abysmally thin they were discontinued. The facility physically cannot handle 800 dinners and so will continue to lose money (plus the tens of millions in initial investment). I am both amazed and puzzled over Dr.Steeley's comment about Las Vegane not knowing of Caesars Magical Empire and a lack of publicity. These people must live with their heads firmly planted in the sand that Vegas is built on. Television was saturated with commercials (in which Peter Pit played Merlin with the raven) for months proceeding its opening and for years afterwards. In the baggage claim area of the airport on the TV walls was a large long commercial. Every glossy publication ran adverts and the TV commercials were run on many different channels. There was a massive advertising campaign over a long period. The advertising budget was pulled when it was decided to scuttle the project. Personally, I feel it was a wonderful nights entertainment and when one considers that an exceptionally good meal was included in the price- which is cheaper than a ticket to Siegfried and Roy-1 feel it was a bargain. I have tried to analyse why it didn't work. It was definitely NOT lack of promotion, The concept is excellent and the quality of performers there very high with regular appearances by Jeff McBride, and before they had their own show, Mark Kalin and Ginger and Jeff Hobson, Jamie Ian Swiss and a thousand other excellent acts. I personally feel that people were unaware that it was an interactive dinner type experience. I think they had the idea that they sat static at a table and had dinner while a show went on stage. The ads carefully went out of their way to explain what it was but it just didn't click. I note Dr Steely also commented that they were turning it into a nightclub which has a different connotation in N.Z. to the U.S. and brings us back to the beginning of this article about directors having no imagination. By nightclub is meant Discotheque. The Rio and the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas have both had phenomenal success with their nightclubs (discotheques) and just as anything that is successful is copied in that town, Caesars has decided to jump on that bandwagon and cut their losses. So, we lose what I consider to be one of the best nights entertainment and value for dollar. These comments are not taking Dr. Steely to task as she clearly states that she was a visitor to Las Vegas, they are to enlighten those unfamiliar with the entire project. ------------------------------------- 4. Caesars Magical Empire ------------------------------------- Message from Susan Lewin (US) Just a small point. When writing letters...it's Caesars Magical Empire (not ' as in Caesar's). It is a nice attraction, but has constantly been losing money. My objections is that they rush tourists through the "attraction" and they are not encouraged to linger. Once they see the main show, they are "pushed" out the door, unlike the Magic Castle, where one is encouraged to stay and mingle. As a local, I find the $75.00 price tag much too expensive. It is a nice experience, but frankly I've only attended twice, and it was "comped". Of course, we all want it to stay open, so letters are an excellent idea. ------------------------------------- 5. The problem is with management ------------------------------------- Message from Clive Court (Canada) I'm responding to the item about Caesar's Palace. The problem is with management and essentially they are probably people who would prefer not to be working with magicians--they don't like them, they don't want to promote them, and they don't want to pay them. Gosh, this means they could even be Canadians! The idea is to have a number of magicians performing all the time so that you don't have to advertise any individual performer and you can dismiss them at a moment's notice. You want to make them interchangable so you can jerk them around. And, you never, never want them to feel secure enough to ask for more money. In other words, you don't want them to be "star" performers or to be able to draw a crowd. Of course, this sets the project up for failure. It especially doesn't work in Las Vegas where there is a great deal of competition for the entertainment dollar. From the moment you get off the plane in Las Vegas you see the advertising in the airport, on the taxis, on the billboards, on television--Seigfried and Roy, Lance Burton, Cirque du Soleil, etc. the singers hardly get a look in any more. What a change from when I first went there in the late sixties--when a magician (even if they were on the bill) would not be identified because they believed people might be turned off going! What a stupid attitude! Well, it still exists with the management at Caesar's Palace---however, they still have a contract with David Copperfield for their main showroom. But he promotes himself (and Vegas may even be a loss leader for him. Certainly, he can keep his costs down when he doesn't have to travel). In Toronto, we had a nightclub that ran a show called A Little Night Magic for about eight years. Although the marketing was directed at the US market, it was successful on that basis alone. They did little to promote the individual performers for the same reasons I stated previously. This was a shame because it was a showcase opportunity to develop stars-and certainly Dick Joiner deserved that opportunity. Some years ago they dropped the magic and turned to comedy--and I noticed that they were immediately more prepared to promote the comedians through advertising and publicity. Essentially, this is why magicians need to be able to handle their own advertising and publicity to bring in the audience to ensure a certain level of success-to reach the right audience. You want the people out there who want to be entertained by magic and they will not come if you don't reach them with your promotion. Incidentally, I live in Vancouver where all the entertainment in the clubs is musical and most of the pass-through entertainment is singers, groups, and pop bands. We even have Englebert Humperdink next week (presumably for people my age). He's probably a pretty good entertainer by now having been preserved and nurtured in Nevada climate for many years. However, I prefer to save my entertainment dollars and take the trip to Vegas at least once every couple of years. I consider myself lucky to live so close to a centre of world calibre entertainment. Viva Las Vegas! ---------------------------------- 6. Strange Creatures ---------------------------------- Message from Mandy Davis (UK) A short while ago, the editor of a new British magic magazine wrote to me and asked me if I would write a regular column for him. I replied, honestly, that although I can write on a subject I am given or write a review of something I have seen, I do not have the imagination to supply ideas on a regular basis. I then received a reply which ran on the lines of: Well, I have asked female magicians A, B and C before I asked you and you have all turned me down. WHAT DO YOU WOMEN WANT when I have tried to give you your own voice here?ą Let me try to explain. Of course, men and women are different but we donąt need to be treated differently, especially in regard to what is our chosen hobby or career. In that regard, we actually donąt want anything different to what you men already have. We are independent human beings, not things from another planet. We are capable of performing as well as, and often better than, those we watch on the Magic Circle stage. We do not want comments such as I liked the colour of your outfitą or What a pretty act! to overshadow the expertise of our performance. We all like compliments, male or female, but none of us want our clothes to take priority. Yes, we like to know we have got the look right but we also wish to be told whether (or not) the content of our act is well balanced and well executed. When a magic show is put together, you will never hear the organisers say: Lets get Fred to do it, he wears a very striking dinner suit. However, it is common to find Lets ask Mary, she will add colour and brighten it up. You all know that Marys personality and magical skills are not the two most important points that they are considering! Believe me, we have some very good women magicians in the Magic Circle. We want to be judged for our magic. We can do more than produce pretty hankies from even prettier boxes. We can be more than assistants to massage male egos. We are capable of holding the attention of an audience with more than our looks or our outfits. We are capable of, dare I say this, being amusing even downright funny. However, we are pilloried if we use the same methods as men to get the laughs! A man can invite a girl onto the stage and then make suggestive remarks to her and about her. This is called fun. But if we women do this to men, even in a general way, it is deemed bad taste! The world of comedy embraces women such as Dawn French, Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Saunders and Maureen Lipman. Yet quite often, the fact that a female can be funny is considered not quite the thing in the magic world. So, do we need to be dealt with separately in a magazine? We are interested in the same kinds of magic as our male colleagues, depending on where our individual interests lie. Some dealers and inventors have been known to produce magic tricks for women but these have always tended to be of the card in lipstick ilk. I am sure that we are capable of taking any trick with a routine and adapting it so that it is suitable for us to use. We are probably far better at knowing which words would work for us as women. What we need is balance in the way we are thought of, treated and considered both as performers and as people. In many areas of life, balance is necessary to deal with differences in politics, race or religion. What we actually need is a decent balance between male and female magicians. For instance, we are happy to be bought a drink on a Monday evening but I, personally, expect to return the offer and not be looked at askance and be told: I never let a woman buy me a drink! as if I had offered a sexual favour in return for a Diet Coke! On the other side of the coin, however, it is very annoying when a conversation stops suddenly and I am told that a story cannot continue as there are some indelicate words not fit for your ears. I understand that this is not really for my benefit; the teller of the tale would be too embarrassed himself to continue in my presence. It would be nicer, though, if I was asked if I minded the tale being told so that it is my decision. Think about how you would feel in this situation and you may begin to understand what I mean. After all, we are approaching the millennium and people no longer put skirts around piano legs. Many of us females do not wish to be considered only for the jobs, which need catering and secretarial skills. Of course, there are women who are happy with these roles but do not automatically assume that this is what we are all there to do. Men should not be surprised if we are angry when we are asked if we will fulfil those roles. Have they asked Tom or Steve to make the food? I think not! I do not consider myself a feminist in any way. I merely believe that I am an independent female with independent ideas and wish to be treated as such. I do not condone women entertainers who dress in very low cut, revealing costumes. This does not stem from jealousy believe me. I just would prefer that the men in the audience concentrate on the skill of the performance. When it comes to performing for the Magic Circle itself, how many women are on the list of approved performers? How often is there a women working the Meet the Magic Circle evenings? We have some good acts, both close up and stage, which would be suitable, but they are never approached. If we were not considered good enough, perhaps those in charge would care to discuss this with us so that we can work to improve. If we are only told we look good and not told how our performance rates, we will never get there. The conclusion? Just THINK ABOUT IT! Think about what you are going to say to a women magician the next time you meet one. If you would not make your comments to a male colleague, perhaps a female one would not be happy with them either. You know the differences between us now is the time to acknowledge the similarities. ---------------------------------- 7. Received quite a few responses to my emails ---------------------------------- Message from Dr. N. Steely (US) Thank you so much for posting my letter on your e-zine. I do hope it generates some responses and comments directly to Park Place Entertainment or Caesar's Palace. I have received quite a few responses to my emails, etc...but I don't know if anyone is actually responding to the people who can change the situation (i.e. Caesar's and Park Place). The rumour is that Caesar's Magical Empire is slated to be closed in March. ---------------------------------- 8. Results for the Magic Circle's Stage Magician Of The Year ---------------------------------- Message from John Wade (UK) Eight very good acts competed in the first ever SMOTY competition at the Centre for the Magic Arts last night. The winner was Scott Penrose, with Duncan Trillo and Nicholas Einhorn the runners-up. The compere (me), managed to get the names right and not bump into anybody. ------------------------------------- 9. NEW & FREE listing site ------------------------------------- Message from Claire Bradford (US) Would you be able to announce a NEW & FREE listing site entitled SleightlyMagic. It really is FREE, and it will be (and, is) marketed well. http://www.geocities.com/sleightlymagic/ Thank you, Claire Bradford Sleightly Magic ---------------------------------- 10. Don Drake's lecture tour ---------------------------------- Message from Don Drake (US) I'm in Milwaukee staying with friends, I'll be in Garden City MI on the 17th, then it's on to Colon for ABBOTT''S Triple play lecture day on the 21'st, followed by Knoxville TN on October 23rd, and the Milwaukee Lecture on Oct. 25th. After that I get a few days off, but I'll be working Hartford CT on October 30th, Holyoke MA on the 4th of Nov., Rhode Island on the 7th of Nov., Boston MA on the 10th and the final lecture will be Ralleigh NC on the 15th of Nov. I'll be home on the 20th of Nov. ---------------------------------- 11. Barrels for my coin in nest routine ---------------------------------- Message from Danny Archer (US) Re: Issue Number: #43, #11 was a post regarding the barrels for my coin in nest routine. At Lynn Mall Shopping Mall Auckland - a toy store and the other was the $2 store. Glad to someone is interested in this great trick. ---------------------------------- 12. Women magicians' issues ---------------------------------- Message from Lori Krum (US) I wanted to comment about the Women magicians' issue. We all grow up with seeing stereotyped roles and tend to follow that direction. There are a few that break through it early enough, but not many. I liked magic as a young girl but was lead to believe that it was for play and for boys. As an adult, after I had my daughter I began to learn serious magic, not decades behind my "fellow" magicians who learned as youngsters. I am beginning in my early 40's. Point is we are discouraged at a very young age and it continues through adulthood. There is only one female at our club, that is it. That alone sometimes intimidates women who view it as a males magic club. And look at one of our largest organizations The International "Brotherhood" of magicians. It makes one wonder why women don't always join some clubs. Don't get me wrong. I love magic and will not quit - in fact my daughter, now almost 5 years old, performs in several parts of my act. And so she is not always an assistant - She performs a couple of tricks on her own and I am her assistant. She loves it and she will always be encouraged to follow her heart whether she continues with magic or with something else. Important to note that there is no pressure for her only encouragement. I believe that you must follow your heart and your own path in life. I hope others in life give girls the hope and encouragement to be who they want to be and not limit their lives to a stereotypical role. Sorry, enough said. I just love magic and am also discouraged by my gender and age I would like to see more people and resources that target women as magicians. I am now a member of IBM ring 70 - located in Tacoma Washington. They are very nice gentleman and were by the way, very welcoming. I am glad I finally found them. ------------------------------------- 13. Toshi Littlewood died this morning ------------------------------------- Message from Kent Blackmore (Aust) Konni Rookyn has just phoned to advise that Toshi Littlewood, long-time partner of the late Ken Littlewood, died this morning, October 16, in hospital. No other details are available at present. ------------------------------------- 14. Electronics in magic ------------------------------------- Message from Malcolm Silverman (NZ) - www.malconi.magic.gen.nz For those who have seen my performance, you will know that I quite often incorporate electronics into my equipment. In fact, being an electronics engineer probably pushed me into magic (with the help of two of my boys and the Philips family.) I had to know how things worked! I guess that a lot of things that I have made have already been made overseas. What normally happens, is that I read an advert about a routine for sale - think about it and then build it without seeing the original. So I can't exactly call it my own, but then again, I didn't see the original to copy it. My first routine was a jewellery box that had four coins in it. A person was asked to open the box sitting on a table. Remove 1 or more of the coins and close the lid. I would be standing some distance from the box and would then tell the audience how many coins they took and what was the total value. This system is very basic. The coins were held in place with a length of black elastic. Under each coin was two metal contacts (hidden from view if the coin was removed by the elastic. When the coin was in place it completed a circuit and illuminated a small LED (light emitting diode). Set into the back of the box was the four LED's. When all the coins were in place all the LED's were lit. Whatever coin was removed would turn off the corresponding light. All you had to do was to memorize which coin corresponded to which light - very simple. Probably the most common devices that can be used are the remote control and sound operated units. Remote control usually consists of a little transmitter (similar to a car central locking unit) and a receiver. You can get anything between 1 and four channels. Anything more than 1 channel gets a bit tricky to operate by yourself, as obviously the transmitter has to be hidden, usually in your pocket. You just push the button from the outside of your trousers to activate it. A bit hard if there is more than one button. The receiver normally operates a relay that then in turn activates a device. Wayne Rogers uses a hotwire, which cuts through nylon cord to release 'what ever' or just a hotwire on a balloon to bursts it. For Gidon's (my son) act. We used it for various things: operating a humming bird reel, and triggering the valve in a compressed air tank to make the flying carpet he was sitting on rise. If you want more control you can use a fully proportional radio control system. We used this in the snake that was built for Gidon's act. While the concept was similar to the collector workshop snake, we were able to control the speed of the snake moving up and down. To attach the silk onto the snakes tongue the second time it rose, we connected a nylon thread, through the tongue to the silk at one end and a hummingbird reel at the other, The first time the snake rose (courtesy of a electric car aerial), there was enough slack of nylon for the silk to remain in the basket. When the snake disappeared into the basket, the radio control operated a servo, which in turn operated a micro switch, which in turn operate the motor reel. It took up the slack of the nylon, pulling the silk up to the tongue of the snake. The silk was actually connected to a bit of Velcro that was tied to the nylon. In that way, when the snake was fully extended with the silk in its mouth, Gidon could snatch the silk away without breaking the nylon. It was very impressive! Sound operated devices are also useful, but need a bit more care when in use. The Side Kick table uses this format, and recently when I did a show, I was so relaxed with the assistant I was using, I casually clapped my hands and said" ok lets try again" I got a bit of a shock, when the sound of my clap triggered one of the sequences. But that is pretty unusual. As with the radio control device, the output of a sound device usually operates a relay. Relays are like switches that can turn things on and off. These units can be very small, about the size of a box of matches. The biggest thing is usually the battery. Last year I built a sound operated switch into a top hat, cut the top away and then hinged it and added a spring so it was always in the up position. I then fitted a solenoid (electrically operated mechanical rod). When the solenoid operated it released the top of the hat from its lock down position and flew up. Inside the top of the hat was a flat rabbit. The idea was that I would hold (at arms length) a box with a rabbit in it. A member of the audience would take a gun and fire a shot at the box explaining that the rabbit would catch the bullet in its teeth. When the gun was fired, the top of the hat would fly open revealing a squashed rabbit with a tooth missing. The hat worked well but was a bit uncomfortable to wear. Probably my most interesting project was in the mind reading area. I saw the advert for it on the Internet, but it didn't say much about it. However, because it was very close to the normal work that I do, I was able to build the unit very quickly. The idea: two boxes - one is given a member of the audience and the other is kept on a table in front of you. You tell the audience that you had just been to the zoo and you had seen many animals. You now ask the person holding the box to think of an animal and write it on a card that is supplied with the box. All this time you have your back to the audience. You then ask the person to open the box, which appears empty and black, and place the card in the holder on the inside of the lid, and then close the lid. You now face the audience and then talk about mind reading and such things. You explain that you believe that they have now transferred that image of the animal to your box. You open the box for a few seconds, close it, pick up a large drawing pad and draw the animal (with it's name if you don't draw too well) onthe pad, and then reveal it to the audience. Wow! How does it work? It is so simple. Inside the box that sits on the knee of a randomly chosen person (the box I used was about 80mm x 200 mm x 80 mm - not big at all) is a dummy bottom panel. Cut into the center of this panel is a piece of red Perspex about 50mm square. The whole panel is then covered with black panty hose. In this way the Perspex panel cannot be seen. Under the false bottom is a miniature black and white camera that is also able to pick up infrared. Surrounding the lens of the camera are 6 infrared LED's. The human eye cannot see the light that is emitted from these lamps - but the camera can - it can also see through the red Perspex panel. Also set into the base it a miniature video transmitter. So when the lid is closed, the camera has been preset to focus on the card that is set into the guides on the inside of the lid. When I open the box on stage, I am simply looking at the screen of a small TV that has been tuned into the channel that the transmitter is tuned to. I originally hoped to use playing cards and have someone pick a card totally at random and then place it in the box. However, because you need infra red (there is no natural light in the box when you close the lid) any red cards chosen would be shown as blank, and I didn't want to have to force a black card. Some of you may have seen me do the routine at the Wellington Convention. I would be happy to talk to anyone who would like some info on incorporating electronics into their routines. ------------------------------------- 15. Marc de Souza e-mail address? ------------------------------------- Message from Angelina & Gary Edwards (Aust) - aedwards@dove.net.au Can someone please forward me Marc de Souza e-mail address. ------------------------------------- 16. Compliment Jann Goodsell's comments ------------------------------------- Message from Terry Murphy (US) I'd like to compliment Jann Goodsell's comments regarding women in magic in Issue #43. I fully support her feelings. One of the components of my magic career is children's parties. I use a magic set to either close the booking/sale of my show, or to generate more bookings through referral following my performance. My point is that young girls, as well as boys, show enormous enthusiasm in receiving this "token of my appreciation". You never know who or what may evolve from this mystical beginning. Additionally I warmly feel that the art of magic is continually being passed along to the next generation by this "deed". ------------------------------------- 17. (Safety of Life at Sea) SOLAS ------------------------------------- Message from Bernard Reid (US ex-pat Kiwi) In reading the comments by Bev Bergeron and others in E-zine about the use of fire in venues, I thought the following might be of interest to readers. There is an International Organization governing the safety of passengers on cruise ships. It is called SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea). Over the last few years as there have been a few incidents like the one recently in Greece, they have got tougher and tougher in their ordinances and regulations which bind all passenger carrying vessels. One of their new regulations forbids the use of naked flame on ships so gone are those beautiful little glass enclosed candles that gave the bars and nightclubs some atmosphere but also gone is the use of fire or pyrotechnics on stage. In the big production shows where pyrotechnics were used they are now converting to non flammable confetti and streamer cannons etc. For magicians it creates quite a dilemma as fire is used in so many acts. My double burnt bill routine gives me 22 minutes of solid comedy. A hunk of material I cannot afford to lose. I have snuck the flash bill by a couple of times without comment as it has gone in a flash, but the actual burning of the envelopes has created quite a dilemma plus I will lose a lot of laughs. As the routine in length and comedy impact is too strong to lose, I have looked at every other aspect of destroying the envelopes without using fire. I am currently working on using an office shredder with a clear plastic bin so that the shredded envelopes and bilit?) can be seen entering the container. Now comes the major job of rewriting all the gags to fit the new situation and format. ------------------------------------- 18. Phil Cass "Trust Me" Tour ------------------------------------- Message from Phil Cass (Aust) More touring dates for the information of your Australian (country rural) readers. Tues 31st October ... Narrabri RSL Wed 1st November Glen Innes Services Club Thurs 2nd Nov Armidale Ex Services Club Friday 3rd Nov Inverell RSM Club Saturday 4th Nov Tamworth RSL Sunday 5th Nov Moree Rugby League Club ------------------------------------- 19. Caesars Magical Empire is a real treasure ------------------------------------- Message from Steve Dacri (US) I meet people all over the world who tell me they have seen me perform there and how much they enjoyed their visit there. It would be a real shame for it to close. I agree. As one of the original performers there since it opened 4 years ago (or was it 5), I have been performing there for 15 weeks every year, sometimes 20 weeks. Aside from the money I would miss, the venue is one of the finest performance theatres in the entire world. The Secret Pagoda, the theatre I perform in, showcases close up and platform magic in a way that has to be seen to be believed. Jan & I remember sitting in the theatre, when the seats were still covered in plastic, months before the place opened, and marvelling at the incredible work that went into the place. They spent over $65 million building the place. There is truly nothing like it on earth. Since it's opening, they have conducted exit polls of the guests, and the ratings have been through the roof. People are really blown away by the place. It's is unbelievable. Promotion? What promotion? It's really the best kept secret in Vegas, which is not very good for business. Magicians and all lovers of magic need to contact Arthur Goldberg at Park Place Entertainment and express their love of the place. We have tried. It's still not too late, but we must be vocal and show them that this is a treasure, a one of a kind place that needs to remain open. By the way, since we have been performing there, there have been rumors of it's closure, for years we have listened to them, yet my contracts still keep coming, and the checks always cash. So, why the closure plans? Let me explain their reasoning, and how the Empire got to this unfortunate (although still not definite) situation. Since it was built, Ceasars Palace has changed hands several times. This means that the people who originally owned the place when the project began, are no longer there. When the construction began, a company called Landmark Entertainment was hired to construct the place. Prior to opening, Caesars was sold to ITT, which purchased all of the Sheraton Hotels. When it opened, Caesars was sold to Starwood, the company that purchased all of the Sheratons and got the Desert Inn and Caesars in the package. They did not approve of the original construction, so they had no interests in it. The promotion of it, there for, was really not handled by Caesars, but rather by Landmark. They did it all wrong. They never promoted it properly, and nobody could tell from the ads and billboards what the hech the place was. There was an understandable rift between Caesars and Landmark, sort of a whose really in charge here type of thing, and the Empire suffered. Due to my background in media, (I have written and directed television shows and TV commercials for Ford, Diet Coke, Kmart, and ABC, among others), I was concerned that the message was not getting out. I have friends and family who live in Vegas and they had not heard of the place, which I found unbelieveable. I put together an elaborate yet inexpensive proposal for Caesars Magical Empire and presented it to the head of Starwood, and he loved it. I spoke with George Hamilton, who also had never heard of the place, and he was in Las Vegas every week after his cigar club "Hamiltons" opened in New York New York just down the road. He agreed to be interviewed on camera to help promote the place, as after I invited him to see my show, he raved about the place and asked why it was not advertised properly. So, armed with him, and fellow magician Lance Burton whom I knew would also step up and show support for the place, I figured my proposal would work to bring people in the doors. I got the go ahead to produce a promotional video which would air on television, I would use on a series of TV show appearances, and which would be shown on the TV sets in all of the hotel rooms in Caesars. Just before I began, Caesars was sold from Starwood to Hilton, actually to Park Place Entertainment, the gambling arm of Hilton. That was the end of the proposal, and the bean counters at Park Place began looking at the space occupied by the Empire and figured they could make more money if it was a buffet, or a night club. What they failed to look at is the lack of advertising for the place. How can one expect the place to show a profit if nobody knows it's there? They claim that they show a $2 million profit in Caesars Magical Empire, and as a night club, they project $12 million. What they need to see is, with proper promotion, Caesars Magical Empire can do those numbers as well. Why spend ad money to promote a new nightclub, something Vegas really doesn't need. By the way, Caesars has already closed their IMAX theatre and they are turning THAT into a night club. Do they really need 2? Caesars Magical Empire has been victim of a number of unfortunate circumstances. Landmark Entertainment did not know how to properly promote the place, there was a constant power fight going on between Landmark, Caesars and Dixon Entertainment. Dixon handles the entertainment elements, yet Caesars hires the talent, and up until last year, Landmark was also somehow in charge, but nobody was sure what that meant. This power trip conflict affected the ad campaign, or lack thereof. Since the present owners of Caesars Palace, Park Place Entertainment, did not begin this mess, and did not approve the construction of CME in the first place, it is not a priority for them. They are in the gambling business. Not the magic business. yet, at the Las Vegas Hilton, another of their properties, they have the Star Trek attraction which they have spent a ton of money promoting. I feel that if they can be convinced to undertake a fairly inexpensive ad campaign for the Empire, it will catch on and become a steady winner. They have nothing to lose. And a lot to gain. By the way, Landmark is no longer involved, so there is less conflict in the running of the place, although there is constant battles being waged every day between Caesars, and Dixon Entertainment. Brian Dixon is a gem, a remarkably talented guy who keeps the place running smoothly, yet there is animosity from Caesars management who like to believe THEY are the ones running the ship. You can be sure this conflict is one of the main reasons why Caesars is not going forward with a healthy ad campaign to promote the place. Nobody has ever really had a chance to explain to them how unique and valuable CME is and could be for Caesars. That's where all lovers of magic can possibly help. Remember, Park Place Entertainment is a public company with lots of shareholders. Caesars Magical Empire is a valuable asset that nobody knows exists. Calls and letters and emails will get read. If enough of a wave hits them, they just might consider keeping the place alive a bit longer. Then if it does catch on, and it will if it is given the chance, the place will become a permanent fixture on the strip. Drop a note, make a call, send a letter, fax and email. Magic clubs, club presidents, magicians, and lovers of magic are urged to join the fight to keep the place alive. Magic needs Caesars Magical Empire. Meanwhile, I return to perform in the Secret Pagoda Showroom again on Nov. 12th. If you are Vegas, be sure to stop by. ------------------------------------- 20. Check out illusiongenius.com ------------------------------------- Message from Ben Robinson I am doing 2 shows at a swank lounge here in Manhattan where I will conclude by cutting off my wife's head...the gig is on Halloween. Check out illusiongenius.com (the New News page) for details. ------------------------------------- 21. Fringe 2000 - The Shortened Version ------------------------------------- Message from Mandy Davis (UK) This year, Fay Presto and her team of Richard Pinner and Peter McCahon surpassed themselves in their choice of venue and performers. The venue was situated conveniently opposite the headquarters hotel and was large enough for all those who wanted to be there. The weather on the first night comprised gales and torrential rain but this did not deter many from taking their places directly the civic reception cabaret had ended. Among those appearing on the first night, Richard Pinner performed his Russian Roulette whilst John Archer used American Dealers Tom Jones and Rachel Wild as foils for his very funny act. Mandy Muden compered the Thursday night and was in excellent spirits as she introduced Hugh Nightingale who, once again, had us squirming in our seats as he performed a trick with a live worm. Mel Harvey, known to many as a dealer as well as a children's entertainer, was side-splitting with his inflate-a-balloon competition and Len Blease is just great whatever he does. His six card repeat was excellent and enhanced Danny Buckler's routine of the same trick. Danny's impersonations of Paul Daniels are quite accurate too. Mark Shortland, last year's comedy award winner, appeared to liquidize a freely selected and signed live mouse and also performed a spelling game which had him stuffing cakes on every turn whilst his volunteer was winning tins of prunes. During the time that the official banquet was running, the Fringe held its own alternative one. The audience had ordered take-away food from various outlets and these were delivered or brought in at the appointed time. Cabaret was provided by Mark Stafford, a juggler whose brand of humour over shadows any juggling feats he might perform. He also lay on a bed of nails whilst magician Michelle reluctantly stood on his chest. The last night of the Fringe was enhanced by the singing of Lesley Young who contributed a song between each of the acts as well as starting the evening with a fine interpretation of 'All that Jazz'. Derren Brown, the mentalist who was 'discovered' at last year's IBM convention and has just finished filming a series for Channel 4, gave us a fine performance. Megumi Biddle, a silhouettist produced a three dimensional cat using just a piece of paper and a pair of scissors. She also created a large silhouette of one of the audience members. Keith Fields was a fitting end to this year's Fringe. His alternative comedy style had the audience in stitches. Cigarettes and modelling balloons disappeared up his nostrils and Knife through Arm terminated with the strangest antics of a severed hand. All in all, the fringe was of a very high standard and it is just a shame that the IBM committee condemn it with such vigour. The fringe provides all round magical fun for a discriminating audience. ------------------------------------- 22. Magic on the Beach VI ------------------------------------- Message from Paul Diamond & Rick Del Vecchio (US) Last Chance to register for: Magic on the Beach VI In it's sixth year, Magic on the Beach, hosted by the Syd Bergson, IBM Ring 45 is shaping up to be their best yet! When: November 3,4 & 5, 2000 Where: Ramada Plaza Marco Polo Beach Resort 19201 Collins Ave., N. Miami Beach Special Rate $79.00 per night Toll Free: (877) 327-6363 Registration: Magician: $65.00 Spouse and Jr. (17&under) $45.00 Featured performers are: Jade: 1st female IBM Gold Medal Winner Jason Byrne: Star of the Las Vegas revue, Splash Mike Caveney: Star of World's Greatest Magic TV Special. Tina Lenert: World Magician Award winner, Best Female Cabaret Act 1999-2000. Aldo Colombini: World renown comedy magic and owner of Mama Mia Magic. Michael P. Lair: Classic Stage and Close-up Magician, author of several books. Sparks Magic: Lecturer and magic dealer. Paul Cummins: Master Close-up magic. In addition to his performing in The Close-up show and lecture, you may sign up for a special "optional" 3 hour Workshop by this master of close-up magic. You can download a registration form from our website; www.ring45.com For info email Rick Del Vecchio at: rickydee@aol.com ------------------------------------- 23. 26th NZ Magicians Convention Dec 2001/Jan 2002 ------------------------------------- Message from Tony Wilson (NZ) - Secretary IBM Ring 160 In response to Dave Boyd and Obie O'Brien's postings and for the benefit of other subscribers I would like to respond as follows: 1) IBM Ring 160 Aotearoa will be arranging the next NZ National Magicians Convention between Christmas next year and New Year 2002. Dates and venue are yet to be finalised. Venue will be in the North Island of New Zealand. We hope to publish date and venue next month. (November). 2) That the time of the year is mid summer in New Zealand. I have been highly involved with three Auckland Summer Conventions since 1958 which have all been very successful. Our emphasis will be on family participation with meals and "togetherness" as part of the package. Weather and plane fares will not affect registration. The convention will be a success. 3) The following artists have appeared at conventions held at that time of year. I suggest Dave, Obie and other subscribers ask the following people how they enjoyed a summer New Zealand National convention. Dick Zimmerman, Diana Zimmerman, Billy McComb, Paul Green, Mike Caveney, Tina Lenert, Bernard Reid. Also ask the following people how they enjoyed a non-summer New Zealand convention; Aldo Columbini, Jeff Atkins, Alf Hayes, Terry Seabrooke, Steve Aldrich, Jimmy Yoshida, Bev Bergeron, Dan Garrett, Sean Taylor, Steven Kline, John Lovrick, George Schindler and Bernard Weller. 4) I will be attending the World Summit of Magic in Las Vegas January 14-17th 2001 to scout for talent and have various people already in mind. 5) We have already had a promise of generous sponsorship for under writing the next convention. 6) The nucleus of our current committee have already run two sold out days of magic which from written evaluations have indicated exceptional positive responses. 7) What else can I say? - Start planning now. ------------------------------------- 24. 'The Orchante Saga' ------------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante) I would like to extend my gratitude to my friend Jon Zealando who managed to find my 'lost' phone number, and contacted Alan Watson, who has also been searching for me from the inception of MagicNZ E-zine. Thanks Alan -I've been away from home for far too many years - your E-zine at least helps to bring me a little closer. Message to Peter Zenner; I remember that Magic session very well - I'm sure the year was 1986, possibly 1987 - what do you mean I 'appeared' to be Master of everything I touched - I AM! (Ha Ha!) Apparently the word had gone round New Zealand and Australia that I had 'kicked the bucket'. To all those who thought I had passed on and jumped up and down with joy - sorry to disappoint you. I'm still alive and kicking - just! To Peter Zenner and all those who are 'glad I am still around' - thanks mate(s). CHRISTMAS EVE 1995, Doncaster, England - I go for a drink at the local pub with my future brother-in-law. Within 10 minutes, the owner has thrown THE pack of cards from behind the bar, to me - an automatic reaction. These cards have been handled by generations of Miners, and Farmers, playing Poker etc. Just to shuffle these cards takes enormous strength, as they are stuck together with an accumulation of booze, grime, coal dust and God knows what else. With these I perform Magic - Sleight of Hand - double, triple lifts, forces, you name it - with fingers of steel developed by similar packs of cards from pubs and hotels all over New Zealand since the '60's. (I utterly refuse to carry my own packs of cards - my philosophy being that if you can perform your sleight of hand moves, including card fans (these admittedly a little rough), as well as the guy with his beautifully manicured, powdered 'smooth as ice' cards can, then you are, as my late friend Maurie Rooklyn often said to me, a magician!) This way, not even the most hardened sceptics can accuse you of having marked or trick cards. So all in all, we had a good drink, and magical night - cards, sponge balls, vanishing coins and cigarettes etc. It was the first time my (now) brother-in-law had seen me perform. I was most pleased to blow him away as he just happens to be one of those 'bloody clever Mensa' blokes. CHRISTMAS DAY - wake up; roar downstairs to join everybody at the Christmas tree to open the pressies. Suddenly, I can hardly breathe "Just like That" (Tommy Cooperism). I decided I kind of over did it the night before, and had caught a God-awful virus as well. Have a two week tour in Ireland January 1996, and I find it difficult to breathe doing our Fakir show - the Act was rather strenuous, and included fire-eating, sword swallowing, psychic surgery, and the bed of nails, which involved being sandwiched between two beds of nails, with two of the heftiest guys from the audience standing on top - (at least 20 stone each). I realise something is seriously wrong when I can't carry our suitcases up stairs (most hotels in Ireland don't have Lifts or Elevators) and my chest is heaving trying to get air into my lungs after just four or five stairs. So - get back to England - Doctor - Specialist - x-rays - then straight off for a three-week tour of Norway (lots of fun driving there in Winter, with the roads 3 inches thick with ice). Show every night. Then back home, see the Specialist, and get the results of x-ray - one lung full of holes and the other just starting to go - EMPHYSEMA - INCURABLE - *&*%!!! "However, we have this, that and other drugs that will help keep you alive" "How Long?" "Don't know" is the answer "but you'll have to give up your work - especially your type of work !" "S %&* !" It's now mid-March - my agent in Las Vegas (Sal Murillo of Unique Entertainments) sends fax 'you're booked for TV show in New York - air tickets on the way' (great money, but then TV gigs usually are, and Sal always get top dollar for his acts). Those tickets are still sitting here at home. That's it for now. Alan has asked me to write 'the Orchante Saga' from my beginnings in New Zealand to my forced retirement. This will start in the next issue. ------------------------------------- 25. Free Australian magic Internet address ------------------------------------- Message from Graham Etherington (Aust) MagicNZ e-zine readers may be interested. If any Magicians would like to get a magical sounding Email address they can at: http://www.mrtricks.com.au Their email address will be: yourname@mrtricks.com.au It costs me nothing extra to provide it so am doing so as a service to magicians. (OK hopefully they'll have a look at my site whilst passing through.) At least it beats a work address and may be accessed from anywhere in the world. First in best dressed for the choice of name. Penalty? A 20mm advert across the top which disappears when you click down. http://www.mrtricks.com.au ------------------------------------- 26. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- Sunday 22nd October - IBM Ring 160 Day of Magic - Auckland If you require more information about the above events go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html to research for more information. ------------------------------------- 27. News Items ------------------------------------- If you have any news items that you feel the majority of our subscribers would be interested in please e-mail me so I can include them in the next e-zine. The magician who e-mails me a particular news item FIRST will receive Full credit at the top of that item. If the news is of major importance I will send them out immediately as a Newsflash. ------------------------------------- 28. MagicNZ e-zine archives ------------------------------------- Back issues of the MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: ezine Password: newzealand When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001nov0699.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (nov06) and the last next two numbers the year (99) If you want to print copies of MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive ------------------------------------- 29. Benefit of subscribing to the MagicNZ e-zine ------------------------------------- You will now be informed well in advance of coming events and kept right up to date with the latest news. MagicNZ e-zine is published weekly, late on Sunday night. ------------------------------------- 30. Subscription Management ------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the MagicNZ e-zine: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors. Neither MagicNZ or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via MagicNZ e-zine. We reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions as we see fit. >> This publication may be freely redistributed to other magicians if copied in its ENTIRETY << (c) Copyright 2000 Alan Watson ------------------------------------- 31. Contact Information ------------------------------------- Alan Watson Ph. (9) 483-9274 Fax. (09) 483-9274 Mobile 025 95-7070 e-mail alan@watson.co.nz www.magician.co.nz www.magicianz.com