* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine
* www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #86
Date: Sunday 19th August 2001
Editor: Alan Watson
www.magician.co.nz
www.alan-watson.com
e-mail AW@Alan-Watson.com
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Hi here is the latest news
================================

1. Editor's Message
2. Magician stabbed in the stomach
3. Jim Steinmeyer as a guest moderator
4. Christine Tait, President of SAMCO
5. Patrick John Sweeney, also known as Paul Marcus
6. Tribute to Pat Sweeney
7. Pat Sweeney's relatives express their gratitude
8. Magic Cruise 2002
9. Update on LVMI booking Blackjack Cheat Dustin Marks
10. MAGIC...Live!
11. James Randi - headline news in Australia
12. The passing of Pat Sweeney
13. Pat Sweeney was a mine of magical information
14. Congratulations to Nigel and Melissa
15. The Orchante Saga #42
16. Diarise these events
17. MagicNZ e-zine archives
18. Subscription Management

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1. Editor's Message
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Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One

When I started the MagicNZ e-zine I wanted to keep it short, to the point so
that it was an easy read for everyone, keeping magicians up to date with the
latest news, ideas and events to come. Over the last few weeks I have
received some contentious postings with regards to show reviews which in
turn has generated a polarising viewpoint which I think is becoming rather
destructive. I've deleted all postings of this nature this week pertaining
to this thread.

I would like to purchase a dozen sponge rocks. The size rock I'm looking for
can be produced from the hand under a close-up mat - can anyone point me in
the right direction please?

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Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line:
AW@Alan-Watson.com

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2. Magician stabbed in the stomach
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Message from Kent Blackmore (Aust)

Bill Walsh runs the hotel at Wentworthville. Around closing time last
weekend, a temporary lodger at the hotel, someone Bill had not had any
contact with, came downstairs to the bar area and stabbed him in the
stomach. Bill says that, at first, he thought the man had just punched him,
however he soon realised he had been attacked with a knife. The man turned
around and stabbed another patron at the hotel, inflicting a more serious
wound. One of the other patrons tried to use a pool cue on the attacker, but
he fled and escaped. The police tracked him down and arrested him not far
from the hotel; apparently the man is now on bail.

The reason for the attack is not known, nor whether he was under the
influence of something or had some psychological disturbance. Bill and the
other victim were both taken to hospital and have come through OK, Bill
coming out of hospital on Wednesday. However, doctors had to make a large
incision and Bill is still recovering. He is not allowed to fly for four
weeks, which means that he is unable to go on the trip to the "MAGIC - Live"
convention in Las Vegas, which he and his wife, Lyn, were due to attend next
week with Kent Blackmore, Steve & Ann Walker, Peter Rodgers, and Alan
Carmichael. Obviously it's been a big shock to his family and friends, and
we can only be thankful that Bill's OK and will be around to harass us for
years to come.

You could send get-well messages to billw@is-1.net.au

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3. Jim Steinmeyer as a guest moderator
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Message from Kevin James (US)

We will be having Jim Steinmeyer as a guest moderator September 3-9 at the
KJMagic Board. Go to www.kjmagic.com and click on the message board. He will
be available to discuss most anything. As you probably know, Jim is one of
the most sought after magic consultants from Disney to Broadway. He is also
one of the most prolific magic inventors of our time.

Don't miss this chance to talk to this genius of magic and illusion.

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4. Christine Tait, President of SAMCO
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Message from Walter Zaney Blaney (US)

It was so good to read the heartfelt words from Christine Tait, President of
SAMCO. She and I did indeed correspond a number of times in the early days
of WAM, when we were working so hard to slow the momentum of the
Valentino/Fox-TV exposure shows. The good people in SAMCO were fully opposed
to exposure of our magic secrets to the mass TV public, as were virtually
all the magic organizations around the world.

What Christine said in the August 11th issue of NZ-ezine regards opposing
rip-offs is exactly on target. Well said, and it fully covered the subject.
I hope everyone will re-read what she had to say one more time.

Thank you Christine, and thanks to all the members of SAMCO. We in WAM wish
you all the very best.

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5. Patrick John Sweeney, also known as Paul Marcus
----------------------------------
Message from Burns Scandrett (DeLarno) (NZ)

Patrick John Sweeney, also known as Paul Marcus, mentalist, died at a
Retirement Home on the evening of 11 August. Pat's health had been
deteriorating over the past few years although his mind was still very
active. Pat had a very extensive, and expensive, library of many thousand
books, and had not only read each one, but he also could recall the
contents. He was extremely helpful to me throughout my career as a
professional magician. I would only have to say that I was working on a
particular sleight or trick, and he would tell me in which books that it
appeared. After a little thought, would say, "look in the "Linking Ring" mid
1982, and it was also written up in "Abra" (English magic magazine) around
1960." He would later produce more books and magazines relevant to that
which I was working on. He never ever failed to amaze me.

Pat was also a great authority on card sleights freely offering help to any
who asked him for it. His great love, apart from books, was card effects and
mentalism, in both of which he was extremely proficient. He created effects
for many magic magazines and books, including Corinda's "13 steps to
Mentalism" and with his photographic memory could reel off many different
card systems, his favourite being the Nicola System. Some years ago,
Kreskin, the mentalist visited Christchurch, (NZ) so Pat and I went to his
performance. During his routine, Kreskin performed the memorizing of a
shuffled (?) deck. Pat, sitting beside me quietly recited them, card for
card, exactly as Kresin named them on stage.

Incidentally, it was at this same performance where Kreskin failed to
locate, as promised, the entire takings of the evening's performance
amounting to many thousand dollars, so in essence, worked for free. The
money was secretly hidden by a committee from the audience in the auditorium
during his performance, and Kreskin, holding the hand of one of the
committee walked around the aisles to locate it, but failed. After the
performance, Pat and I were invited back stage where Kreskin revealed why he
failed on this one occasion, to locate the takings. A most interesting
discussion, in which he vowed that would never happen again.

Pat worked in Wellington in the 1950's and was a member of the Wellington
Society of Magicians for a few years, then in 1957 joined the I.B.M. Ring
160 which later qualified him with the degree, Order of Merlin. He was also
a valued member of the Canterbury Society of Magicians (Christchurch, NZ)
until his death and could be always be relied upon to produce some gem of an
effect to amaze the members.

During the service at the Linwood Crematorium, I was invited to, pay a
tribute to Pat, and read to the congregation, some of the many letters of
condolence from South Africa, Singapore, Australia and many from New
Zealand. John Ross, President of our Society then performed the emotional
Broken Wand Ceremony.

We greatly miss you, Pat, rest in peace dear friend.

-------------------------------------
6. Tribute to Pat Sweeney
-------------------------------------
Message from Stan Goudge (NZ) President Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians
Inc.

The Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians on the occasion of the Funeral Service
for Pat Sweeney would like to place on record our society's appreciation for
the contribution that Pat has made to the art and craft of magic.

He had an encyclopedic knowledge of magic and especially of card magic.
Under the stage name of Paul Marcus he was well known in New Zealand and in
the international magic community for his authoritative and well-researched
articles about our craft. A regular contributor to our New Zealand magical
magazine Magicana he contributed scores of articles over many years.

He had a great love of, and was a great collector of magic books, and had a
comprehensive library gathered over many years. From this great storehouse
of information and the fruit of his own study and experience, he freely
shared this knowledge with other magicians.

While we only saw him occasionally in Auckland and at Magic Conventions, BAM
members were well aware of his contribution to the Canterbury Society of
Magicians and to the organisation of National Conventions in his own home
city.

Well done Pat, we will miss you. Rest in peace.

----------------------------------
7. Pat Sweeney's relatives express their gratitude
----------------------------------
Message from Burns Scandrett (DeLarno) (NZ)

I have been asked, on behalf of Pat's relatives, to express their gratitude
and reply to your considerate and expressive condolences. The service at the
Linwood Crematorium was fairly short, but never the less very moving.
Michael, Pat's nephew, in his informative and sometimes humorous eulogy
briefly covered Pat's life and his thirst for knowledge through books.

He then invited me to say a few words. I mentioned that Pat and I had formed
a very close friendship since 1954 and that he had been very supportive in
my magic career with assistance from his extensive library of books.

I then read out some of the many letters of condolence. These will
collectively be posted to his relatives. John Ross, President of the
Canterbury Society of Magicians then conduction the emotional "Broken Wand
Ceremony" requesting the magicians to stand in reverence. The congregation
consisted of Pat's relatives and friends with many Christchurch magicians
with their partners.

----------------------------------
8. Magic Cruise 2002
----------------------------------
Message from David Sandy (US)

Here's some more exciting information regarding Magic Cruise 2002! If you
haven't already signed up for this magical vacation of a lifetime, don't
wait any longer! The dates are February 11-17, 2002... the perfect time to
bring your sweetie along to celebrate Valentine's Day in the Caribbean!
We'll sail in the Western Caribbean sun aboard the Carnival "Fun Ship"
Celebration for an incredible 6-day/5-night cruise. But wait,
there's more... this isn't JUST a cruise vacation... we're throwing in a
fabulous night of entertainment, food and drinks at Houston's world-famous
Magic Island nightclub, plus overnight accommodations in a first-class
Houston luxury hotel, and much more! In addition to all of the magic on
board the Magic Cruise ship, you'll enjoy more performances from incredible
magicians at Magic Island.

This vacation features tons of magical fellowship, shows and learning from
many of the world's finest magicians. We've already booked Michael Ammar,
Steve Bedwell, Michael Finney, Tom Mullica, John & Mari Shryock, and
Falkenstein & Willard... with more special surprises and performers to come!

The best part is this... this magical vacation package starts at only $599
per person (based on double occupancy, plus port charges)! You get the
cruise, the shows, the lectures, the complete Magic Island dinner and show
package, the first-class Houston accommodations, and ground transportation!
It's an incredible deal... but hurry, many cabins are already gone! The
final date to sign up for this vacation is just over a month away...
registration deadline is September 15, 2001.

Interested? Just visit this website for more information:
www.davidsandy.com/cruise.htm

I can guarantee that you won't regret taking this trip. It's the perfect
getaway... plenty of magic for you coupled with lots of non-magic fun for
you and your spouse/sweetheart. And, because the complete package price is
so low, many have asked if they can bring along their non-magician friends.
Of course! However, ONLY magicians will be allowed to participate in the
lectures and teaching events.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email! And most of all,
if you're thinking about going, don't wait until it's completely sold out
because we are unable to reserve additional cabins beyond our present room
block.

----------------------------------
9. Update on LVMI booking Blackjack Cheat Dustin Marks
----------------------------------
Message from Danny Archer (US)

The Las Vegas Magic Invitational is pleased to announce the world premier of
one of the world's leading authorities on Blackjack gambling and cheating;
Dustin Marks

For the first time ever at a magic convention Dustin Marks, the author of
Cheating at Blackjack and Cheating at Blackjack Squared, exposes the moves
he and others used to cheat legal casinos out of millions of dollars at the
Blackjack table. In his lecture Dustin not only demonstrates dozens of
sleight of hand moves, but also explains how the moves are really done in
casinos. This is not a pseudo gambling demonstration. This is the real
thing.

Dustin dealt Blackjack in eight different casinos in the state of Nevada. He
was involved in hundreds of plays and was never caught. Speaking from
experience not conjecture, Dustin offers a rare insight into the mind and
methods of a professional card cheat. Magicians looking to develop or
augment their gambling routines can't afford to miss this lecture. You can't
get any closer to the real work than this!

Along with Dustin Marks there are lectures by Daryl * Gregory Wilson * Troy
Hooser * Baltazar Fuentes * Bob Kohler Paul David * Loren Christopher
Michaels * John T. Sheets. Special guest of honour Gary Darwin!!!

The first LVMI will be held September13th -15th, 2001, at the San Remo Hotel
& Casino, in the magical capital of the world Las Vegas, Nevada. This
brand-new convention will be hands-on, in that the focus is on close-up and
stand-up magic in an intimate setting. Along with the great lectures there
will be close-up and cabaret shows, workshops, dealers and more!
Registration is $135.00

For complete information call or e-mail Robert Allen at 702-434-2210
(raprod@juno.com), or Danny Archer at 303-321-6267 (magic@dannyarcher.com).
You can also visit the LVMI website at:
http://mymajik.freeyellow.com/newfile.html

For info on the Las Vegas Magic Invitational close-up convention coming up
on September 13-15th, 2001 please visit:
http://mymajik.freeyellow.com/newfile.html

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10. MAGIC...Live!
----------------------------------
Message from Stan Allen (US)

August 19-22, 2001
The Orleans Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas, NV

This is a last-minute e-mail to say that MAGIC...Live! starts in just one
week, and it looks like it really is going to be something special. Not only
is the list of those participating pretty impressive (see below), but the
list of those merely attending is just as impressive. I can't imagine how we
could get all these magic people together in one place again.

If you're still considering joining us, there are only about 40 registration
spots remaining. Please, either go to our website
(www.magicmagazine.com) or call us (702/798-0099, ext. 101), and we'll get
you all set up.

While The Orleans is officially sold out during that time, you should still
call there to get reservations. Often, a couple rooms clear up through a
cancellation or two. If not, The Orleans will get you into one of the other
nearby hotels. Call 800/675-3267 or 702/365-7111 and ask for the
MAGIC...Live! room rate.

Again, here is a list of those joining us as either presenters or
performers:

Michael Ammar, Lance Burton, Mike Caveney, Jim Cellini, David Charvet,
Michael Close, Dana Daniels, Michael Diliberto, Joseph Gabriel, Anthony
Gatto, Paul Gertner, Charles Greene III, Glen David Gold, Tim Glancey, Jeff
Hobson, Alan Howard, Joshua Jay, Rory Johnston, David "Silly Billy" Kaye,
Richard Kaufman, Mac King, Rune Klan, Mark Kornhauser, Chad Long, Bill
Malone, Max Maven, Jeff McBride, Billy McComb, John Moehring, Nicholas
Night, Earle Oakes, Gary Ouellet, The Pendragons, Channing Pollock, Gaston
Quieto, Jon Racherbaumer, Eberhard Riese, Apollo Robbins, Bob (Bob Sheets),
Jim Steinmeyer, Marc Summers, Topas, and Greg Wilson.

----------------------------------
11. James Randi - headline news in Australia
----------------------------------
Message from Paul Romhany (NZ)

James Randi is making headline news here in Australia as he is here at the
moment offering his US$1 million dollar to anybody that can prove they have
real 'powers'. He is in Brisbane today as there is somebody there who says
they have the power to 'heal' people .... hmmmmm.

Not sure if he's coming to NZ or not.

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12. The passing of Pat Sweeney
----------------------------------
Message from Paul Romhany (NZ)

I was very saddened to read the passing of Pat Sweeney. A highlight for me
when travelling to Christchurch was always to go and spend time with Pat, we
would sit and talk for hours on end about magic.

I'm sure everybody who remembers Pat will tell you of the vast knowledge he
had. If there was anything I wanted to know, Pat would be the first person
to ask, he could tell you what year something was invented and what book it
came from and what page number.

Pat and I shared the love of magic books and my collection back in NZ has
many of Pats books that I bought from him over the years. I am glad that his
writing lives on as "Paul Marcus".

----------------------------------
13. Pat Sweeney was a mine of magical information
----------------------------------
Message from Ken Ring (NZ)

I would like to express my sadness at the passing of a much under-rated
veteran member of NZ's magic fraternity. Pat Sweeney was a mine of magical
information, especially for his pet love, mentalism, and had an astonishing
memory for the minutae of magical history. He was also very generous with
his time and encouragement, and in his passing the NZ fraternity has lost a
wonderful friend and teacher.

 ----------------------------------
14. Congratulations to Nigel and Melissa
----------------------------------
Message from Warren Jackman (Aust)

Sunday the 5th August, 2001 saw the Malarkey Day organised by Pat Trick aka
Nigel McCulloch and Melissa. Joshua JAY lectured twice, Barry Govan, Chuck
Fayne and Andrew Wimhurst also lectured.

Two competitions as well as a Close Up Show capped of a full day, Dealers
did a good trade, inter state visitors enjoyed Melbourne's hospitality.

----------------------------------
15. The Orchante Saga #42
----------------------------------
Message from Tommy Orchard (Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi)

- fellow artistes from yesteryear -

ADDENDUM -further to page 41,'Those were the days' I stated that I thought
Curly Del Monte (now deceased) was the Secretary of the Variety Artists
Commission - he was actually the Secretary of Actors' Equity. Jon Zealando
(at my request, sent me an e-mail with this information) says that he
doesn't think that the law ever got changed and that variety artists never
gained 'a place in the sun' again - special licences were issued to allow
other types of acts to perform on licensed premises -bands, singers etc.

Jon was right, the law was not changed but I personally, had no problem
performing in hotels and licensed premises all over New Zealand until we
left for Fiji/Australia in 1976. In fact for some months I was under
contract to Lion Breweries, working their hotels. As far as I know, I was
the only variety 'sight' Act in New Zealand working more or less permanently
on the hotel circuit - from which in those days, the bulk of my income was
derived. The other thing that Jon correctly mentioned was that the
breweries/hotels realised they could pack patrons in their bars without
variety acts - but not Monday to Thursday. That's where I came in - with
good publicity the 'ORCHANTE 'show could and did 'pack' a week-night - the
pub/hotel would sell lots more booze than they would have done otherwise,
their customers were royally entertained, we got paid and everybody was
happy!

FELLOW ARTISTES -Here then, in no particular order, is a list of New Zealand
entertainers- nearly all were based in Auckland City - I worked with most of
them during the early Sixties and Seventies. These names just might blow
away a few cobwebs and perhaps bring back some memories of shows/concerts
from times past, for those of you who are of my vintage. Although many of
these artists are from memory, others, whom I had forgotten about, were
derived from various old, yellowing posters and Christmas Carnival souvenir
programmes from holiday resorts such as Orewa, Whitangai, Waihi Beach,
Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Whakatane, Rotorua, Taupo, Gisborne, Napier,
Waikanae and Oamaru.

Bill and Boyd, Don Linden, Les Andrews, Jimmy Fagg, Byko, Pat McMinn, Rusty
Greaves, George Tollerton, Hira Jeram, Greg Mason, The Yeoman, Des Gibson,
Lou and Simon, Howard Morrison Quartet, John Daley, Alan and Jazzbo, Jim
McNaught, Kim Krueger, Ken Farr, Toni Williams, Peter Posa, Ray Woolfe, Anne
and Jimmy Murphie, Max Merrit and the Meteors, Ray Columbus and the Invaders, 
Ken Lemon, Sivo De Pra, Lani, Pat Dugan, Big Mike Durney, The Sheratons,
Fia Chaplin, Ian Saxon, Normonos, Chistine Barnett, Cathy Howe, Chic
Littlewood, Ralph Cohen, Rod Derritt, George Tumahai, Keith Bracey, Phil
Shone, Selwyn Toogood, John Maybury, Movados -De Monos, Peter and Gaye,
Allison Durbin, Freddie Keil and the Kavaliers, Max Roland, Gray
(Graham)Bartlett, The Jumping Jacks, Sam Pehi, Rama White, Val Proctor,
Warren Lambert, Jeannie Hartley, Sandy Edmonds, Terry Cosslett, The
Clevedonaires, Bob Paris, Lew Pryme, Max Cryer, Peter Sinclair, Tommy
Adderley, Robin Ruakere, Robert Gennari, Lyndon Ferris, Dave Cowel, Sonny
Day, Marlene Tong, Kini Quartet, Lyn Peoples, Miss Lee Grant, Mr. Lee Grant,
The Chicks, Jack Thompson, Ossie Cheeseman, Karina, Sylvia Sevana, Maria
Dallas, Dinah Lee, The Convairs, John Hore, Eddie Low, Cecil Morris, The
Keil Isles, Mike Walker Trio, Max Andrews, Tony Wilson, Ross Hill, Watson
Raines, DeLarno, Jon Zealando, Andy Loftis, Peter and Margo, Alan Watson?,
Chris Parkinson, Delmere, Brody Brothers, Johnny Bond, Mike Dolan, Brendan
Dugan, Kariba, Stan Wineera, Jack and Sylvia Riley, Toni Savage, Pam
Seebold, Merv Smith, Bunny Walters, Craig Scott, Angela Ayers, Bobby Davis,
The Great Benyon, The Society Jazzmen, Paul Preston, Barry Knight, Sonia
King, Derek Metzger, John Rowles, Kiri Te Kanawa, Alan Horobin, Suzanne
Prentice and last but not least, yours truly, The Amazing Orchante.

I realise that very few of these names if any (with the exception of Kiri Te
Kanawa) will mean a thing unless you are a New Zealander or an ex pat. Kiwi,
but 'down under' many of these people were and some still are, 'big names'.
I'm sure that I've said this before but it bears repeating; New Zealand, for
the size of the country and a population of only around 3.76 million,
produces an amazing array of skills and talent - I'm very proud that I AM a
Kiwi, and I'm PART MAORI to boot!

-------------------------------------
16. Diarise these events
-------------------------------------
Jay Scott Berry Lecture Tour
Auckland 9th October 2001
Wellington 10th October
Christchurch 11th October

-------------------------------------
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

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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

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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 <<

(c) Copyright 2001 Alan Watson