* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #75 Date: Sunday 27th May 2001 Editor: Alan Watson www.magician.co.nz www.alan-watson.com e-mail AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. Ross Skiffington - write up Adelaide newspaper 3. Jerry Camaro - Dan Garrett 4. Richard Webster's book signing tour 5. New magic club in Glendora California 6. I have just got a contract in Bahrain 7. Convention Magica 2001 in Buenos Aires, Argentina 8. Any information on Pat Sweeney 9. "Magic, Emeralds, and Monsters" 10. David Goodsell will published his 300th consecutive issue of M-U-M 11. NZ Prime TV - Paul Zenon Turning Tricks 12. 24th Spanish National Convention 13. Mebournes Magic Malarkey 14. Because I like sushi! 15. The Orchante Saga #30 16. Diarise these events 17. MagicNZ e-zine archives 18. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Michele and I will be attending the Palmerston North Mini Convention on Sunday 3rd June hence the next e-zine will be sent out on Monday 4th June. Just read in the Saturdays NZ Herald that Ross Hill died on Tuesday 22nd May 2001 after a short illness at Middlemore Hospital. A private cremation was held on Thursday 24th May. Ross was President of the New Zealand Society of Magicians five times. To keep everyone right up to date with the latest 26th New Zealand International Magicians Convention in Auckland New Zealand news I have created a convention e-zine. To subscribe to this free service go to: www.magician.co.nz/convention.html. Judging from the interest from magicians here and overseas this convention will be a sell out so register NOW to save disappointment. If you require a convention registration form on the web go to: www.magician.co.nz/convention2.html For more information contact Convention Secretary, Tony Wilson e-mail: twilson@xtra.co.nz Telephone: 09 576 9581 I'am still in shock over the death of Richard Ross this week (Richard Rozenboom) died of a massive heart attack. Richard was born February 10, 1946 and died on May 19, 2001. Ross is best remembered for his beautiful and innovative three Linking Ring Routine and the manipulative clock act, which he used to win FISM twice (1970 and 1973). Richard owned a 60-seat theater Magic Art Center in Bennebroek Holland. Recently he received a Performing Fellowship from the Academy of Magic Arts and Sciences (The Magic Castle) on April 20 2001. ------------------------------ Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ------------------------------------- 2. Ross Skiffington - write up Adelaide newspaper ------------------------------------- Message from Ross Harlick (NZ) Hey presto, Cabaret isn't just singing and dancing, it's also magic. Ross Skiffington had a large write up in the Adelaide newspaper on 12 May 2001. The occasion was the Adelaide Caberet Festival and the picture at the top of the page showed Skiffington performing levitation in the open air. An interesting write up which mentioned that last year he received a lifetime achievement award at the Australian Convention of Magicians 2000. ---------------------------------- 3. Jerry Camaro - Dan Garrett ---------------------------------- Message from Dan Garrett (US) - Past National President SAM Michael Guisti writes: << Jerry worked in many venues all over the United States, including Magic Island in Newport Beach, and the same bar in Atlanta that eventually became the Tom Foolery with Tom Mullica. >> Everything Mike G said about Jerry Camaro was true, except for a correction on the statement above. Jerry worked a bar which was formerly the "original" Tom Foolery after Tom left that location to open his own 'stand-alone' Tom Foolery Magic Bar Theatre. The original Tom Foolery was a part of a restaurant called "Clarence Fosters." Tom had his bar in a side room of Clarence Fosters which he named the Tom Foolery (which was accessed either through the main restaurant, or through its own front door street entrance). Clarence Fosters owned this bar, and Tom dreamed of having a bar all his own, so with the help of J. C. Doty in Atlanta, Tom built his dream by leasing a space and building the bar from the ground up. The owners of Clarence Fosters didn't like the idea of losing such a good revenue and good draw to their establishment when Tom left, so they kept the bar open, renamed it the "Star and Moon" and hired Jerry Camaro and Howard Vanderbeck (a Chavez graduate from Atlanta, black-belt karate expert, now living in the St. Louis area) to run the bar and do the magic. I'll miss Jerry Camaro a lot. When I first met Jerry, it is a memory that will always stay with me. I was working a manager and demonstrator for M & M Magic Emporium in Forest Park, GA (an Atlanta suburb). On a slow weekday there were no customers in the shop, when Jerry rode up on a huge hog (motorcycle), wearing long hair, his motorcycle gang (the Huns) colors, tattoos on his huge arms. He came to the counter and asked me if I could teach him magic, could he take some lessons from me. I said, "yes" and quoted a lesson fee. (All the time I was thinking, "Anything you want, just don't KILL me!") I taught him basic card technique, self-working effects which concentrated on presentation, and good sleight of hand routines (his favorites), including "Fechter's Aces." Jerry soon cleaned up his appearance, got a job with the Post Office as a computer repairman (I don't know where he received his training), and worked at the main Post Office in Atlanta downtown on the night 'graveyard' shift. When the main computer was working smoothly, all Jerry had to do for 8 hours was to sit and practice his magic. This kind of thing will make you very good in a few short weeks. Just look at Lennart Green, for example. (:}D) Jerry would indeed give you the shirt off his back. Jerry was harmless and would make friends with you in a heartbeat, but he would be trouble if you crossed one of his friends. Big trouble! I only saw Jerry 3 or 4 times after he left Atlanta in the late 70's. I was always pleased to hear about him from others, each time he did something to make his name known in the magic world. Made me proud, just like several other students/friends I've had over the years who have become "known" in magic. I remember missing his lecture when he made his "return" to Atlanta, but we exchanged sets of lecture notes through the mail. Jerry had his highs and lows in life, including prison, but I only saw his best side, and will miss him like a brother, as will many others whose lives he touched. ---------------------------------- 4. Richard Webster's book signing tour ---------------------------------- Message from Richard Webster (NZ) Here's my partial itinerary. The Puerto Rico segment got cancelled at the last moment, so there will be some readjustments to my schedule. Everything listed here is definite. ITINERARY NEW ORLEANS 5/22-27 Meeting of the Minds convention 5/28 Esoterica 6:00pm to 8:00pm (Booksinging/lecture The Complete Book of Palmistry) 541 Dumaine St. New Orleans, LA 70116 RADIO Interview The QUEST with Peter Weissbach (Soul Mates and Spirit Guides & Angel Guardians) from 10:00 - 12:00pm CST (which is 8:00pm to 10:00pm PST) 227 Bellevue Way NE CHICAGO 5/29 Arrive in Chicago 5/30 Book Expo of America 5/31 BEA (Book signing "Write Your Own Magic" 2:00pm.) 6/1 BEA (Book signing "Success Secrets" 11:00am.) 6/2 BEA Transitions Bookplace (Complete Book of Palmistry) 8:30pm (signing and lecture) 1000 W. North Ave. Chicago, IL 60622 6/3 BEA MINNEAPOLIS 6/4 Dinner with Llewellyn staff 6/5 Visit at Llewellyn 1pm. Talk to staff (40 - 60 minutes) Enlightenment, Inc. 7:00 to 9:00 (Workshop on Soul Mates) 221 East Chestnut Street Stillwater, MN 55082 6/6 Barnes & Noble -Woodbury 7:00 pm (Signing and talk about Soul Mates and The Complete Book of Palmistry, 30 minute talk on each) 7020 Valley Creek Plaza Woodbury MN, 55125 OMAHA 6/7 Open 6/8 Next Millennium 7:00pm lecture and signing (The Complete Book of Palmistry) 2308 N 72 St OMAHA, NE 6/9 Next Millennium 1:00-3:00 (Workshop on Soul Mates) 2308 N 72 St OMAHA, NE Washington D.C. 6/10 Bell, Book & Candle 2:00 to 4:00 Soul Mate workshop 7684 Bel Air Road Baltimore, MD 21236 6/11 First Class Lifelong Learning Center 7:00pm to 9:00pm "How to Find Your Soul Mate" workshop 1726 - 20th St. NW Washington, DC 20009 6/12 Barnes & Noble 7:30 (Booksigning/discussion about Soul Mates) 6646 Loisdale Road Springfield VA, 22150 SAN DIEGO 6/13 To be advised 6/14 To be advised 6/15 Phoenix Phyre 7:00 (booksigning/lecture Write Your Own Magic) Courtney White: 760-436-7740 282 N. El Camino Real #G Encinitas, CA 92024 LOS ANGELES 6/16 Barnes & Noble Booksellers 2:00 to 3:00 (Booksigning/discussion about Soul Mates) 4735 Commons Way Calabasas CA, 91302 RADIO INTERVIEW Erskine Overnight 11:00p.m. PT (Soul Mates) with Erskine Payton 6/17 Bodhi Tree 2:30pm 45 minute lecture followed by signing (Soul Mates) 8585 Melrose Ave. West Hollywood, CA 90069-5199 6/18 PHOENIX 6/19 Wellspring Books 6:30-7:30 (lecture and booksigning Soul Mates) 323 N. Gilbert Rd #104 Mesa, AZ 85203 6/20 Vision Quest Metaphysical Bookstore 6:30-8:30 (workshop on Complete Book of Palmistry) 2225 North Scottsdale Drive Scottsdale, AZ 85257 6/21 Barnes & Noble 7:00pm (lecture and signing about Soul Mates) 10235 N. Metro Parkway East Phoenix, AZ 85051 Denver 6/22 Open to prepare for Keynote address 6/23 International New Age Trade Show Keynote speaker at COVR Breakfast 8:00am 11:00am Signing "Write Your Own Magic" 6/24 INATS 2:00pm signing "Soul Mates" 6/25 INATS 11.00am signing "Complete Book of Palmistry" ------------------------------------- 5. New magic club in Glendora Ca ------------------------------------- Message from Jack Taves (US) If you can you may want to state that a new magic club is forming in Glendora Ca. President Jack Taves is Starting an independent club which is a family oriented club with lectures, workshops, swap meets and the top names in magic to lecture open to all who are interest in the preservation of magic. ------------------------------------- 6. I have just got a contract in Bahrain ------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany (NZ) Finally found another Internet cafe here in Rome. Had the most amazing week visiting the pyramids and going inside. If you ask what I saw inside all I can say is my feet because the corridors were so small. A fabulous entertainer has arrived on board, her name is Berryl Davies and she is a very well known singer who has worked with most of the great entertainers such as Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, and Glen Miller etc etc. I can listen to her stories all day they are so amazing. Working with such professional entertainers who have been in the business all their lives is wonderful and I just soak it all in. I have just got a contract in Bahrain when I finish this contract with my agent looking at putting me on another ship in September. Does not look as though I will be getting back to NZ for some time. ------------------------------------- 7. Convention Magica 2001 in Buenos Aires, Argentina ------------------------------------- Message from Martin Pacheco (Argentina) November 2-4, 2001 Convencion Magica 2001, Buenos Aires - Argentina Bazar de Magia presents their sixth annual magic convention, Convencion Magica 2001 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The convention will feature Norm Nielsen, John Carney, Jörg Alexander and other stars like Merpin, Juan Pablo, Misterix, Lupe, and many more Henry Evans, the last FISM winner in cardmagic will perform his new lecture. You also can perform at the New Talents Gala and win the South American Trophy of Magic. If you are no more than 24 years old, and you have a stage musical act, send us a video of your performance (could be a home made video) and a committee of professional magicians will select a maximum of 7 acts to perform at the gala. then all the magicians attending the convention will vote for the best. Registration is $140 which includes lectures, stage shows, close-up, gala and an international dealers room. For information contact Martin Pacheco, +54 11- 4334-5594, e-mail bazar@magia.com.ar. ------------------------------------- 8. Any information on Pat Sweeney ------------------------------------- Message from Lewis Jones (UK) I have corresponded with Pat Sweeney and had the pleasure of exchanging ideas and information with him over a number of years. I had just sent him the latest package of materials when I saw in your email magazine the disappointing news that he is back in hospital. I would certainly appreciate any information you can give me about his current state of health. ------------------------------------- 9. "Magic, Emeralds, and Monsters" ------------------------------------- Message from Don Beach (US) I'm the author of a new novel about magic entitled, "Magic, Emeralds, and Monsters." The protagonist, Harry Socrates Maclaren, is a magician and mentalist. Maclaren is the medium for the Houdini Seance at the Hollywood Magic Castle. He also helps the police solve crimes with his psychic ability. His main mission is to destroy a monster from another dimension. However, Maclaren also has some exciting and fantastic adventures in time and space. This novel is basically a satiric fantasy about magic, horror, and the supernatural...but it's all in fun. It's available through the Internet under its title or the name of the author, Don Beach, at iUniverse.com; Barnes & Noble.com; or Amazon.com. ---------------------------------- 10. David Goodsell will published his 300th consecutive issue of M-U-M ---------------------------------- Message from Brad Jacobs - Past National President SAM It may come as a surprise to you that in August 2001, David Goodsell will have published his 300th consecutive issue of M-U-M, spanning 25 years as its Editor. This represents not only an all-time record as editor of any magical publication but also it is a legacy of a tremendous body of work of exceptionally high order. That said, it is easy to understand why S.A.M. will be honoring David with a very special Leslie P. Guest Award of Excellence at our banquet during the S.A.M. Convention in New Orleans. Naturally, David knows nothing of this and we want to keep it that way. We will also be presenting David with a scrapbook of congratulatory messages from his publishing associates, columnists, contributors and friends who have worked with him over the years. This is why I am writing to you. I would appreciate your sending your message to: Bradley Jacobs 9 Woodford Lane Malvern, PA 19355 so that I get it not later than Friday, June 22. The most important thing is that YOU be represented in David's Memory Scrapbook. Getting your message via regular mail or on your letterhead will make the book far more colorful. But if time does not permit, please send your remarks via e-mail and we will print them out and be sure they are included. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Many thanks. ---------------------------------- 11. NZ Prime TV - Paul Zenon Turning Tricks ---------------------------------- Message from Edward Hall (NZ) For those that can get Prime TV: Thursday 31st May. 9:30pm, Prime TV. Paul Zenon Turning Tricks. British comedian magician performs in the street. Thursday 7th June. 9:30pm, Prime TV. Paul Zenon Trick or Treat http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~edhall/magic/ ---------------------------------- 12. 24th Spanish National Convention ---------------------------------- Message from John Fells The 24th Spanish National Convention will be held in the historic city of Granada in southern Spain between 13th and 16th of September this year. Granada is only just over one hour´s drive from Malaga on the Costa del Sol. Two hours from Seville. Magicians visiting Spain and in particular the Costa del Sol may wish to attend. The Convention web page go to: http://www.moebius.es/24cmn/ ---------------------------------- 13. Mebournes Magic Malarkey ---------------------------------- Message from Nigel and Melissa (Pat-Trick) (Aust) Close-Up convention, Competitions, International Close-Up Show, 3 Lectures Starring Joshua Jay, Andrew Wimhurst, Tim Ellis, Chuck Fayne, Barry Govan Sunday 5th August 8am to late $65 includes lunch The last laugh Comedy Club 380 Lygon Street Carlton e-mail malarkey@pat-trick.com.au ---------------------------------- 14. Because I like sushi! ---------------------------------- Message from Chuck Jones (US) Well, we made it through the first week of shows in Tokyo. We arrived late in the day on Monday. First thing was to fill out the documents to enter Japan. One question: "Why are you coming to Japan?" Jan answered: "Because I like sushi!" So we were met at the airport by Wizardz managers. No one spoke English. No one in our party spoke Japanese! What a wonderful reception. We met Misuki who works backstage and speaks English and translates for us. We were taken to our apartment hotel immediately to rest for the night. Our room is like a hotel room, but with a small refrigerator, washer-dryer, cooking plate and microwave. There is only room for one in the kitchen space at a time. The bathroom reminds me of a cruise ship. It is tiny. You can almost sit on the john and shower at the same time! The next four days are now a blur to us. We rehearsed on Tuesday and Wednesday during the day. The closing show act finished out their contract Tuesday night, there was a party then we moved in our stuff. We rehearsed Wednesday all day then did two performances we never thought would happen. Wizardz provides two boys who also work backstage as our assistants. We spent most of one day rehearsing Jun-san only to find out that Shin-san would be assisting the opening days. Much time was wasted teaching the wrong boy the first day. The Japanese have their own way of doing things that involves sitting Around a table conferencing. This they did with lighting, especially, deciding for themselves what looked good. Of course, nothing was right and you had to start from square one, while you just wasted about hours of time. They all meant well and try to be helpful, but it just doesn't have the concept of a show. I don't think many of them knew anything about theatre before getting these jobs. Consequently, if there is a problem or a change, they don't know what to do. Finally, after deliberating over ten minutes of how four people backstage should remove the "geometrick" tubes when the illusion finished, Jan yelled: "Come on people! This isn't brain surgery! Let's get on with it!" Wizardz is in a pretty shopping/restaurant area next to Disneyland called Ikspairi, but it's upstairs and out of the way so it doesn't get much foot traffic. It's advertised (and that's very weak) more as an American style restaurant that features a magic show. People can eat at the restaurant and not even be aware of the dinner and show inside. The theater seats only about 150 and we've had an average of 25 -30 each show. There have been a couple of exceptions with 100 to 125 people though. Then there have been a few shows (Sunday 1:30pm) that had only four people! The Japanese emcee told us that the month of June is the rainy season. He said few people good out four shows or entertainment, so we could expect smaller audiences.(Smaller than four people??? Of course, about the time we leave, July 4th, during July and August, the Japanese take their holiday and the place would be filled! Japanese audiences are very quiet and almost unresponsive. When they applaud, it's with their fingertips so you can hardly hear. The stage is small but adequate in size; however it is fully equipped with state of the art lights and sound! There usually four people who work full time backstage helping us (two more than are really needed) and there are four people working in the light booth - lights, sound, follow spot and some else who we can't figure what job they do. Everyone working here are wonderful and care about every cue, making they are doing it right. Even so, this is more unlike a show than we've ever done. Our dressing rooms are in a corridor that serves as a storage area for the kitchen. Bags of rice, boxes of tinfoil and plastic wrap are everywhere. People are always coming in or out carrying something. I still can't figure out who gets the right of way--the guy carrying 10 bags of rice or Cathy and Jan running to make a costume change during the show. You can't hear the show from our "change area" so there is no excitement brewing prior to the show that helps to get your adrenaline up. The weather so far has been good--only one rainy day. Although we were told June starts the rainy season. Our apartment is about a ten minute walk from the train; most of the time we only have about a five minute wait at the station for the next train. Occasionally, it's been up to 12 minutes. The train is about a ten minutes to Wizardz. However, we rarely can get a seat! Wizardz is just outside Disneyland so there's a large volume of people coming and going. -------------------------------- 15. The Orchante Saga #31 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Alan Horobin, The Fabulous Franquin, And The Great Tex Morton I'm going to start off with an amendment, and some pertinent facts about New Zealand. On the previous page (P.30) I made a mistake in stating that Ken Ward spent some time on Nauru Island (I even spelled it incorrectly - tut tut!) He was, in fact, on Honiara Island, in the British Solomon Islands - I got Jon Z mixed up with Ken. Alan Horobin - there is a wonderful incident I must relate, which I forgot about, until now. Alan was working with his chimps on the roof theatrette of either George Courts, Farmers, or Rendalls - can't remember which, during the school holidays. I may have been working with him - can't remember that, either; but I was there, the day a rather large, blowsy woman with a tribe of kids behind her, finally got up to Alan (who was selling the tickets). She started berating him about the length of the queue, as if it was Alan's fault, disregarding the fact that she and her entourage made a queue all of their own, and then, started on him about the tickets, which were all one price - I seem to remember one dollar. 'How dare you', she screamed, 'make these poor kids pay the same as the adults!' Alan, with years of practiced ease, said 'Madam - madam, calm down. You' ve got it all wrong. The adults ONLY have to pay the same as the kids!' For what seemed like an hour, she stood there, blank-faced, and then gradually, some semblance of intelligence spread over her face, as the import of what Alan had said, hit her. 'Well, that's all right then', she said 'I'll take 15 tickets'. To be kind, I like to think that those kids weren't all hers, and that she'd had a rather hard, trying day with 'the tribe'. New Zealand for the size and population of the country, has produced an amazing array of talent and skills from all walks of life e.g. Sir Ernest Rutherford, who first split the atomic nucleus; Sir Edmund Hillary, who conquered Mount Everest; Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, world famous Opera singer; actress Nyree Dawn Porter, who died just last month; actor Sam Neil - actually, he was born in England, but like my wife Veronica, who is Scottish, was brought up from an early age, in New Zealand. The list goes on and on the writer, Ngaire Marsh; film producer Jane Campion - on and on. New Zealand in area is just a little larger than Britain, including Northern Ireland. The entire population of New Zealand (around 3.76 million), would fit into Sydney, Australia. The entire population of Australia (around 18.5 million), would fit into Greater London!! London is so terribly overcrowded, (the entire country is) and is dreadfully polluted from the horrendous traffic - (apart from Scotland). A good, old-fashioned horse and cart from the last century, could get across London City faster than you can today, driving a car. Great place to visit as a Tourist, but who'd want to live there? That's why New Zealand is called God's Own! So having pissed off every magician in London - and probably the whole of the UK - except for Scotland - (tough - facts is facts) I'll get on with my saga. Looking through my old Diaries, I found a booking for ~AKTV2 (Auckland Television Channel Two) studios. Producer Kevin Moore has booked me to perform my Bed of nails, and Sword Swallowing acts. Now, I'm going to have to digress for a moment. Two of the greatest showmen to hit the world stage, came from New Zealand. The greatest, most successful in his craft, and financially, was FRANQUIN (multi-millionaire). There never has, never will be, another hypnotist to ever come near him. In his day, he didn't do just one-nighters, or a week or two in a theatre - it was several months, and in some cases, 12 months or more - six nights a week. Pat Quinn, the great Franquin, was, is, one of those rare individuals who when they walk into a crowded room, you know - you feel their presence - Franquin's presence was awesome. Somehow, you just knew that someone had contacted your psyche - spine tingling, in the nicest possible way, best describes it. I'll come back to Franquin, (my personal hero) later. The other great showman to hit the world stage, was the Late TEX MORTON, whom Kevin Moore had also booked for the T.V show. CONTINUES NEXT EPISODE! ------------------------------------- 16. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- Palmerton North Magician's Mini Convention Sunday 3rd June 2001 Joshua Jay (US) NZ Lectures: Auckland Friday 10th August 2001 Christchurch Monday 13th August 2001 The 26th NZ Magician's Convention Auckland Friday 28th to Monday 31st December 2001. The registration form and information is now available on the web go to: www.magician.co.nz/convention1.html ------------------------------------- 17. 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 ------------------------------------- 18. 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 MagicNZ e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday. 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 << © Copyright 2001 Alan Watson