* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #81 Date: Sunday 15th July 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. Editors Message 2. Milt Larsen at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas 3. Garry MacFarlane - inquiry about metal bending videos 4. Thanks to John Wade for reporting on this show 5. Trade Shows and my friend, Mike Rogers 6. Metal Bending Video 7. I am in Dublin 8. Regarding ripoffs 9. Ross Skiffington opens July 12th 10. Our catalogue of Mind Magic is now available 11. Joe Labero Magic Master - Auckland NZ 12. Great news from USA for Tony Wilson 13. Herb Morrissey - Heart Transplant 14. Joshua Jay Lecture Tour 15. "Spectator Cuts the Aces" 16. News From Pat-trick Australia 17. Wayne Rogers is on his way home 18. Ray Mangel (past IBM president) died July 8 19. The Orchante Saga #37 20. Diarise these events 21. MagicNZ e-zine archives 22. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editors Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Just returned home after performing for two weeks in Tauranga. Gee I received a massive amount of e-mail 700+ informing me informing that they had not received last weeks MagicNZ e-zine. My newsletter server crashed on my home computer last week and I was unable to send the MagicNZ e-zine remotely from laptop. ------------------------------------ Just had the opportunity to read Sean Taylor's (Aust) lecture notes that I purchased - Seven Deadly Thinks. His latest lecture notes would have to rate as one of the best lecture notes that I have read. The seven routines described in his notes are very commercial, easy to follow and well illustrated. ------------------------------------ Mike Twist international juggler just returned home from Japan to visit family and friends. Mike is performing mainly for the corporates in Japan and he now speaks fluent Japanese. Well to cut a long story short I had helped Mike with advice on his act over a long period time. To my surprise he told me that he is going to give me (or as say in New Zealand "shout me") an all expenses round trip to Japan for two weeks as his way of showing his appreciation. Naturally I'm thrilled and I leave for Japan on the 3rd September for two weeks with a short stopover in Singapore. Looking forward to catching up with the local magicians while over there. ------------------------------------ Remember that Joshua Jay (US) NZ Lectures are on: Auckland Friday 10th August 2001 Christchurch Monday 13th August 2001 More detail to follow in next week's e-zine. Refer item 14. ------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. Milt Larsen at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas ---------------------------------- Message from Dr Nancy Steely (US) I had the pleasure of seeing Milt Larsen perform his 'carpenter' magic act at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas on June 11th. What a wonderful act! Funny, and entertaining...and certainly amazing! He was opening for a comedian/magician (more comedian I suppose than magician) act - The Amazing Jonathan. I think Mr Larsen will be joining The Amazing Jonathan later in the year again as an opening act...it was mentioned over drinks in the cafe later that evening...but I am not certain. He was there for almost a week in June though, and we certainly hope he returns with his 'carpenter' act, or hopefully more for a longer opening! ------------------------------------- 3. Garry MacFarlane - inquiry about metal bending videos ------------------------------------- Message from Bill Fienning (US) Although I do not perform the metal bending myself, I have seen lectures by Banachek (Steve Shaw) on fork bending that were excellent. I believe that he has manuscripts or videos (perhaps formatted only for the USA) available on metal bending. Since he is a working pro, his material is actually useful. ------------------------------------- 4. Thanks to John Wade for reporting on this show ------------------------------------- Message from Dan Garrett (US) I was able to catch it on the History Channel. My good friend and former business colleague Chris Teague was one of the producers of this show, and also appeared on camera with Eddie Dawes and John Salisse. Early in production, Chris (who also produced videos for Jeff McBride and my own promotional video) asked me who he should contact for information on J. Maskelyne and I immediately told him to contact Eddie Dawes, and others at the Magic Circle. From there, I agree with John Wade, everything seemed to come together fairly well. (My only complaint was with the actors they got to play J. Maskelyne and his associates in the "re-creation" scenes.) I hope to see many of my friends from the Magic Circle at the SAM Convention in New Orleans in a couple of weeks. My wife Carol and I will also attend the IBM Convention in Orlando this coming week. Will any of my Aussie and Kiwi friends be coming to either of these? I certainly wish to say "howdy" in person, so help me be on the lookout. I will make at least some effort to keep readers here posted on any extraordinary happenings at both of the upcoming events. http://members.aol.com/dangarrett/ ---------------------------------- 5. Trade Shows and my friend, Mike Rogers ---------------------------------- Message from Steve Dacri (US) It's hard to believe one of magic's prime practitioners is gone. Mike was a wonderful man, a fantastic performer and very creative mind. I first met Mike while performing a trade show in 1974 (my 5th year in the trade show business), in Las Vegas, and we spent many evenings together discussing magic and trade shows, a field which was new to him at the time. He wanted to know everything, and I was happy to oblige, because Mike is one of the very few who can work the booth, I knew it. So many performers see the lure of big bucks and think "I can do that," only to find out that the "pitch" and the show are very different from anything that they have ever done before. When you begin, there's no audience, and it is up to you to bring them in, in a sly, easy going, yet carnival-barker type style, all the while weaving the all-important sales message into the pitch. After 25 years of almost exclusive trade show work, I must say it's like riding a bike for me at this stage (and I still enjoy the challenge of finding a crowd and whipping them into a frenzy)! But I remember the adjusting I went through when I first began, and I can honestly say that it took me almost 2 years to be completely comfortable with it. Mike watched my presentation at least ten times during that show, and I know he "got it." I encouraged him to do that, and he soaked up the lessons in earnest. He then went on to perform almost exclusively in trade shows, and he was always gracious for all the tips and advice I gave him. Over the years, we would bump into each other at other trade shows over the last 20 years or so, and we would always make time to get together during one of the nights and share war stories. And card tricks. Mike even contributed a piece for my trade show book, which is still in the almost final draft stage, and he always encouraged me to "do more with magic." Adios, my friend. Magic has lost a bright star. ---------------------------------- 6. Metal Bending Video ---------------------------------- Message from David J O'Connor (South Africa) Last week Gary MacFarlane in Australia inquired about a good Metal Bending Video. I can recommend the following :"Metal Bending The Real Works by French speaking Canadian, Patrik Kuffs". This video features a number of different methods with concise and clear instructions for performance. The 120 minute video is distributed by L&L Publishing PO Box 100 Tahoma, California 96142, USA. Telephone: (530) 525 5700. Fax: (530) 5257008. E-mail: LLPub@aol.com. Price is $29 US plus post & packaging. Specify VHS or PAL. ( Note: VHS is the NTSC American system). A very good Nail-Bending effect called "Fingernailed", is distributed by David Taylor Magic P O Box 1286 Dunedin New Zealand, priced at $8-50 NZ, plus post & packaging. Telephone 64 3 454-4864. Fax: 64 3 454-4799. This is a little gem and a gift at the price. I personally sell a bending 6" (150MM) nail and can supply details upon request if interested. In my book "A Mental Legacy, a Journey into the Paranormal" I also have three unique spoon bending effects under my Telekinesis chapter. The book retails for $46 NZ plus post & packaging. Further details upon request. I can personally recommend Patrick Kuffs video and Fingernailed. Good luck Gary. ---------------------------------- 7. I am in Dublin ---------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany (NZ) I am in Dublin, Ireland on a Sunday morning and what a wonderful place this is. So full of atmosphere. On the last cruise I visited Bilbao, Le Harve where I caught a bus to Paris, Greenock in Scotland, Falmouth Amsterdam and Zeebrugge in Belgium where I had some famous Belgium chocolates. This cruise we travel to Plymouth, Waterford, Dublin, Holyhead, Kirwall, Invergordon, Rosyth and Le Harve. This particular cruise is a British Isles cruise, next cruise we add in Copenhagen. After this of course I head to Dubai and Bahrain then Australia then fly to New York for several month cruising. I will then take a few weeks off to visit friends in the USA. Take care and Happy Canada Day and Happy Independence Day. ---------------------------------- 8. Regarding ripoffs ---------------------------------- Message from Exor (South Africa) We specialize in childrens entertainment and have many programmes, some of which can be viewed on www. exor.co.za Click on family entertainment and Starship Exor. Regarding ripoffs - here in South Africa the Rand value on the international market is pathetic since we have become a third world country. For example, if a MacDonalds burger cost say $2-00, we would pay, in our currency, almost nine times the amount. So when we buy a thumbtip for example a Vernet, the equivalent cost here would be US$ 45-00. Hence most magicians and manufacturers of magic in South Africa have specialized in ripoffs - can you blame us ?? After all, we also want to perform various new items. In one particular case we know of a company who buys a particular item from the States or Europe and then promptly mass produces it for the South African market, making it possible for us to afford these various effects. If one were to purchase Don Wayne's Stretching the Lady Illusion, with freight costs, tax, and import duties, one would be able to be a very smart car with the money. What wife is going to allow her husband to buy a magic trick instead of a car?!! The other point I would like to bring out - very few magic tricks are original! Because as a magic historian myself, if one does a little bit of research in the books written many years back , one will more than likely find the same or a similar effect in a different guise. The supposed 2001 inventor just changes it by either using modern-day technology eg electronics, ultra-fine thread, magnets etc etc or blatantly copies the old fashioned idea - not all the old books are still in print! So most modern day purchasers are none the wiser. The art of Magic belongs to nobody, and can be equated to various operas, musicals and symphonies. Who can tell any company that they cannot perform the Swan Lake ballet? Magic is as old as the beginning of time and bear in mind that a magician can only do seven things: disappear, appear, change colour, levitate, penetrate, diminish, and transpose. If any magician in the world can think of an eighth one, he would probably be a multi-millionaire. The only thing I disapprove of is when a magician copies a theme, gags, presentation and routining - because that is really when the artistic side - the true performer - comes out. Anyone can buy or make a magic trick and do it, but the art lies in HOW he presents it! This is food for thought - because the original performance, unlike a trick, can never be accurately duplicated . The world only has one each of for example David Copperfield, Siegfried and Roy, Lance Burton .... to name but a few. ------------------------------------- 9. Ross Skiffington opens July 12th ------------------------------------- Message from Alfred Hayes (Aust) Ross Skiffington opens July 12th at Glen Street Theatre (runs till July 21st - two shows daily). Theatre management have sent Patrick and I comps to attend opening night, and am taking two of my bank's managers with me as my guests - they will hopefully spread the word how great a show it is. (I have top faith in Ross!) You may not know - the theatre had an advertisement (2colx3") in one of the two Sunday papers (Sun Herald) advertising in "Kids Metro" feature (winter school holidays), Ross's "Patrick's Hat Trick" which he wrote several years ago especially for children - a young boy wanting to learn magic. Glen Street theatre is on the net - and very well presented too - from memory: www.glenstreet.com.au (confirmed) suggest check it out. ------------------------------------- 10. Our catalogue of Mind Magic is now available ------------------------------------- Message from Dave Boyd (US) To receive a copy just send an e-mail with catalogue wanted in the subject line and we will e-mail out a copy be return. boyddp@hotmail.com ---------------------------------- 11. Joe Labero Magic Master - Auckland NZ ---------------------------------- Message from Rob Gale (NZ) NZ Herald From 9 August see a women sliced into 9 pieces, see a Harley disappear, see the table of death....Joe Labero magic master is one of the worlds greatest illusionists. His exciting new show astounds audiences with death-defying illusions and mystifying close up magic that proves that the hand is quicker than the eye. It is a major stage production with brilliant choreographed dance routines, with a with superb sound, making this an unforgettable experience. Joe Laberos performances are described as mesmerising illusions combined with brilliant costumes and specular effects and even fireworks sure to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. For an unforgettable live experience don't miss this major stage production playing at Sky City Auckland theatre for a limited season. Performance times; Tuesday to Saturday 8pm Sunday 5pm Saturday Matinee 4pm Prices Wednesday to Sunday evenings; Adults $59.95 Children 14 years and under $29.95 Students and groups of 10 or more $49.95 (no group concessions Saturday and Sunday) Tuesday evenings and Saturday Matinee; $49.95 per person (no concessions) Children 14 years and under $29.95 Book now at Ticketek on 3075000 or www.ticketek.com ---------------------------------- 12. Great news from USA for Tony Wilson ---------------------------------- Message from Danny Phillips IBM President Ring 160 Tony Wilson has been nominated for the position of International Vice - President for IBM. He is the Boards official nominee and assuming he is not contested, will be elected in July 2002. There is a natural progression from that point towards International president. In July 2003 he is likely to become President elect and in July 2004 International President. International Presidents' in the past have only come from USA Canada (2) and UK.(3) This is a great honour for Tony. ---------------------------------- 13. Herb Morrissey - Heart Transplant ---------------------------------- Message from Obie Obrien (US) Just thought I would let the magic world know that Herb Morrissey (Manufacturer of metal products for magicians) had a heart transplant on Monday July 9th in a Toronto hospital. He is in intensive care now and we are hoping for the best. ---------------------------------- 14. Joshua Jay Lecture Tour --------------------------------- Joshua Jay has become widely recognized as one of the world's most promising young magicians and he'll be in your area soon! He has been performing magic professionally for eleven of his nineteen years. Having lectured and performed in more than 18 countries and appeared on national television numerous times, Joshua's sleight of hand has caught The attention of celebrities, talent agents, and audiences worldwide. Magicians worldwide recognize Joshua for his best-selling book, Joshua Jay's Magic Atlas (which is now available in multiple languages). He also recently became the monthly trick columnist in MAGIC Magazine. Joshua will be appearing on Lance Burton's upcoming television special and you can read about his magic and this television appearance in the February MAGIC or Genii (where Joshua is featured on the cover). During the lecture, Joshua will cover close-up and stand-up routines from his book. You'll learn tricks with cards, coins, a paintbrush, rope, and much more. The first part of the lecture is entirely self working, while the second half offers tricks that require varying skill levels. Throughout his career, Joshua has competed and won at many national and international magic conventions, including the Las Vegas Desert Seminar's Top Teenage Talent for 1998, an award personally presented by Lance Burton. Having performed close-up magic on national television in four different countries, Joshua currently performs and lectures worldwide- all while enrolled as a full-time student at Ohio State University. Joshua presents a unique lecture filled with workable, original magic unlike anything you've seen before. Learn the magic that has taken others by surprise and Joshua around the world! Some highlights of the lecture include: Losing Diamonds: Visibly knock the pips off the Ten of Diamonds to change it into the Two of Diamonds &the selected card. A Charming Chinese Challenge: Three Chinese coins penetrate a ribbon visually in a beautifully constructed coin routine within the range of any magician. Paintbrush Penetration: Joshua's handling of the cigarette through coin. This trick has been performed on national television in five different countries. Side Show: This self-working trick allows the performer to display a card with four sides, three sides, two sides, one side, and even a no-sided playing card. This trick has to be seen to be appreciated. ---------------------------------- 15. "Spectator Cuts the Aces" ---------------------------------- Message from Joel Moskowitz (NZ) Wonder who developed "Spectator Cuts the Aces" and where it is published? ---------------------------------- 16. News From Pat-trick Australia ---------------------------------- Message from Pat-trick (Aust) Congratulations to Brendan Montana who won The Ken Littlewood & Toshi Speciality performers MO AWARD in Sydney on Monday Night. Registrations are coming in fast for Melbournes Magic Malarkey, 3 Top lecturers Joshua Jay, Andrew Wimhurst, Chuck Fayne, International Close-Up Show, Competitions $200 prise dealers see web site for details: www.pa-trick.com.au/malarkey.htm or phone Pat-Trick or Melissa for more details 0417 290 164 Come to our show Pat-Trick will be performing his hilarious show at Chapel off Chapel 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahan Friday 27th July 8pm Tickets $18/$15 Book Now 03 8290 7000 ---------------------------------- 17. Wayne Rogers is on his way home ---------------------------------- Message from Bev Bergeron (NZ) Wayne Rogers is on his way home after attending the I.B.M. convention in Orlando, Florida. After the conclave he sent several days at the home - more in the workshop, building more appearing brooms, etc. He had a good show and like the heat of the area. ---------------------------------- 18. Ray Mangel (past IBM president) died July 8 ---------------------------------- Message from Ron London (US) Ray Mangel (past IBM president) died Sunday morning (July 8) in Florida. He had been in a hospital for about two weeks. Ray will be cremated and his daughter, Paula, is scheduled to do the Broken Wand ceremony. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the IBM Endowment Fund. ---------------------------------- 19. The Orchante Saga #37 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Hungry sharks - 'No Speaky the English' Tahiti 1967 - I was performing close-up magic one night in one of the outside Bars of the Maeva Beach Hotel - you would be hard-pushed to find a more idyllic place in which to entertain with close-up - palm trees swaying in a gentle, balmy, ocean borne breeze, just yards away the sea, glowing a glorious luminescent blue-green - shimmering silver sands that, beneath a beautiful Tahitian moon, sparkled like billions of tiny diamonds. It was pure magic. Some time during the evening I met up with two young blokes who were around my age, more or less (26 years). They were doing the 'tourist bit' and were staying at the Maeva 'for a few nights - obviously not short of a quid, (plenty of money - quid, slang for the old English pound) unlike your usual back packer. One came from Norway, the other from Sweden, and like most Scandinavian men I've since met, while touring throughout Scandinavia with my show, they liked to have a drink - and how! They had hired a launch, complete with pilot, from a small firm, one of many who specialize in that business, and were going fishing the following day. I was welcome to join them if I could drag myself out of bed in time - 11 o'clock in the morning I was delighted - although I've fished for trout in lakes and rivers all over New Zealand, I had never fished at sea before. I explained that I had to be back by late afternoon, if that was OK, as I had a show to perform that night - no problem, they were only going out for around four or five hours, so we would be back by 4pm. Next morning, not quite bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I met the boys on the beach, just down from the bar where we had met the previous night. Sure enough, right on 11am, the motor launch roared around the point, into the cove, and with a mighty 180 degree turn, sea spray flying, powers down, and heaves to just off the beach, and I m thinking EEEsus Kaarist the bastard thinks he's sterling Moss - on water! Can't blame him, really this craft is built for speed, as well as comfort -around 20 - 25ft long, with powerful twin outboard motors - down a short stairway to a lockable door which led into the cabin bunks, little galley, fridge, toilet, radio, etc. very nice! REMEMBER, this is a pleasure craft used for fishing, NOT a commercial fishing boat, nor was it anywhere near the size of the one shown in the film The Perfect Storm. The Captain/Pilot was Tahitian, and didn't speak English that was a worry and most surprising considering the large number of English speaking tourists, including the mega-rich, who visit Tahiti. Never mind, he seemed to know what he was doing. We waded out and piled aboard. We headed straight out from the beach towards the west, over the reef which surrounds Tahiti, then cruised out to deep water it was, as usual, a beautiful day, the sea calm and smooth as ice. We stopped and fished in various spots had lunch, which was provided, plus booze, more booze, and even more booze, which was also supplied. Fantastic and with not a hint of the terrifying ordeal that was heading. Someone pointed out, that way off in the distance, a flock of seagulls were circling and diving. Our pilot who no speaky English said SHARK. That, we understood. He gunned the throttles and the outboards roared. The launch stood on its hind legs, and we took off I no speaky English was doing his Sterling Moss (or should that be Malcolm Campbell?) act again. Arriving on the spot directly below the screeching seagulls, we looked down into the water, and there they were a dozen or so sharks, circling around. The water was so clear and still, it was difficult to judge the depth that the sharks were swimming at I am not sure what type of shark they were, we were in very deep water and could just see the mountain tops of Tahiti on the horizon, so we must have been at least 3 miles out, so certainly they were not Reef sharks, nor were they Great Whites (as in Jaws). I think they may have been Mako sharks, and they definitely think humans are worth sinking their teeth into jaw-licking good! One of the boys decided to bait up, and hook one for some reason our Tahitian Captain made it plain hat he wasn't too happy about that God knows why not, we were out there to fish. Perhaps this wasn't the size of fish he had in mind for tourists Snapper, or such like, yes, Shark, No, TOUGH! He hooked one the reel screamed as the shark took off, stripping line from the reel at a phenomenal rate, then whoever had the rod started hauling the shark in; Jaws was having none of it. He took the strain, and towed the launch all over the place none of us had a clue which way was what. Eventually, we won, and Jaws was alongside. I can't remember how we managed it, but somehow we got the shark on board it stretched the width of the stern (around 10 foot) and it was SNAPPING! Mr I speaky no English was going crazy gabbling away in French, and I guess, Tahitian pointing up towards the sky, then down at the shark, and then at the water. We guessed he wanted us to throw the shark back no way, we all wanted some teeth, but why he was pointing up towards the sky was a total mystery I, being a New Zealander, and part Maori, SHOULD have known I'll explain later! Continues next episode. ------------------------------------- 19. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- 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 ------------------------------------- 20. 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 ------------------------------------- 21. 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