* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #132 Date: Sunday 18th August 2002 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. WANTED – Lectures To Come To New Zealand 3. Request From Adrian Smith Of South Africa 4. Australia “World Festival Of Magic” Tour 2002 5. New Zealand “World Festival Of Magic” Tour 2002 6. The Inside Story - Chapter 3 - Mark Wilson 7. STEVE DACRI: "Magic Across America" 8. "Excellence In Presentation " Award At Abbott's Get Together 9. The West Australian Society Of Magicians Celebrating Its 80th - 2003 10. TV Show In Australia Called Y? 11. Daytona Beach, Florida Magic Fleamarket And Magic Auction 12. Magic In The Rockies 2002 Convention 13. Magic In The Rockies 2002 Convention – Schedule 14. The Las Vegas Magic Invitational 15. Massive Second Hand Magic Sale 16. Death Defying Stunt At Auckland Viaduct Harbour 17. The Orchante Saga #116 18. MagicNZ e-zine archives 19. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Peter Pinner (UK) tells me that he is well on the road to recovery after have a mild heart attack. GREAT NEWS Peter. ------------------------------------- Not to be missed the Tom Sharplin Roast Tuesday 27th August Message from Guy Cater Venue: Pt Chev RSA, Gt North Rd, Pt Chev, Auckland. Doors: 6:30pm Happy Hour: 7:00pm Roast: 8:00pm Confirmed Roasters include: Suzanne Lynch Ritchie Pickett Johnny Bond Steve Larkins Jim Joll Jodi Vaughan Ray Eade and a few surprises. Guy Cater will be the Roastmaster. Special Guest .. Hilarious Adult Comedy Magician Greg Hudson from Aussie. Tickets available from Mad Butcher Stores, The Pt Chev RSA or by calling Guy on (09) 818 2010. ---------------------------------- HELP ! – Message from Bernard Reid If there is anyone that gets this e-zine that has addresses, phone numbers or e-mail addresses of any magicians in Casablanca (Morocco) and/or Palma de Majorca or Tenerife (Canary Islands) could they kindly contact me with the relevant information as soon as possible. Thanks for any help you can give. Bernard Reid. bernardlreid@aol.com -------------------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. WANTED – Lectures To Come To New Zealand ---------------------------------- Message from Tony Wilson Secretary/Treasurer IBM Ring 160 IBM Ring 160 has decided to run a weekend seminar/workshop of magic in 2003 or 2004 with room for approximately 25 people including juniors. It is envisaged that the weekend will be led and conducted by one or two overseas magicians and include a mixture of “hands on” and small group work to improve individual skills and techniques of those attending. Expressions of interest by those suitable to conduct this type of workshop are now being solicited and all expenses would be paid to those offered the leadership task(s) a fee could also be offered depending on the cost of return airfares. All accommodation and expenses for the relevant weekend would be covered and there would be an opportunity to lecture before or after the weekend workshop throughout New Zealand. Please forward a C.V., publicity material, and a covering letter stating what skills, experience and recommended content areas would be covered for a total number of 25 registrants (including juniors). All enquiries to the Secretary/Treasurer Tony Wilson e-mail: twilson@xtra.co.nz or Postal: Tony Wilson 14 Roadley Avenue, Pakuranga, Auckland New Zealand, Phone +64 9 5769 581 Mobile 025 771 240 Fax +64 9 572 0504 --------------------------------- 3. Request From Adrian Smith Of South Africa ---------------------------------- Message from Jane Stuart, President of the J.Marberger Stuart Foundation: In response to the request from Adrian Smith of South Africa: The best idea for marketing a birthday party magic act I've ever heard was to go to your local grocery store with a cardboard box. The box should have a slit cut in the top and it should be covered with colorful paper, if possible. There should be a sign on it saying "Win a free magician for your child's birthday party". Slips of paper with spaces marked "name," "address," "telephone number" and "dates of children's birthdays" should be attached to the box for the mothers to fill out and drop into the box. Persuade the grocer to let you put this box in his store. Usually they will let you do this, but you may have to give a free performance for the grocer's child. This is OK because the guests of the grocer's child are your future customers. In any case, mothers will drop slips into your box. Pick a convenient one to give away free and use your head when selecting the free show. Try to pick a popular child. Often other children will book a show that the most popular child books. If you don't know, then pick one with a birthday at the start of the school year. Save the rest of the names and birthday dates. 6 weeks before the child's birthday send the mothers a brochure about your act. Follow up with a telephone call. You have a ready made marketing list of your potential customers. For more magic tips each day, see www.dragonaward.org with hints to perfect your act from famous magicians from around the world, like Alan Watson from New Zealand, the Magic One. ---------------------------------- 4. Australia “World Festival Of Magic” Tour 2002 ---------------------------------- Message from Gene McCarthy Sunday 22nd SEPTEMBER CAIRNS 2:30pm – 5:00pm & 7:30pm Monday 23rd September CAIRNS 5:00pm & 7:30pm Cairns Civic Theatre Tuesday 24th September OFF Wednesday 25th September TOWNSVILLE 1:30pm – 4:00pm & 7:30pm Upper Ross Community P.C.Y.C Thursday 26th September MACKAY 2:00pm - 4:30pm & 7:30pm Mackay Entertainment Centre Friday 27th September ROCKHAMPTON 2:00pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Emmaus College Hall Saturday 28th September GLADSTONE 4:30pm & 7:00pm Gladstone Entertainment Centre Sunday 29th September BUNDABERG 7:00pm Bundaberg North State High School Monday 30th September NAMBOUR 5:00pm & 7:30pm Tuesday 1st OCTOBER NAMBOUR 2:30pm – 5:00pm & 7:30pm Nambour Civic Centre Wednesday 2nd October TOOWOOMBA 1:30pm & 4:00pm Harristown State High School Thursday 3rd October BRISBANE 12:00pm – 3:00pm & 6:30pm Friday 4th October BRISBANE 12:00pm – 3:00pm & 6:30pm Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre Saturday 5th October GOLDCOAST 4:00PM – 7:00PM Goldcoast Arts Centre Sunday 6th October DAY OFF/ DRIVE DAY Monday 7th October LISMORE 1:00pm & 4:00pm Lismore District Workers Club Tuesday 8th October DAY OFF / DRIVE DAY Wednesday 9th October NEWCASTLE 2:30pm – 5:30pm & 8:00pm Civic Theatre Thursday 10th October GOSFORD 2:00pm & 5:00pm War Memorial Friday 11th October BONDI 11am – 1:30pm & 4:30pm Sydney Convention Centre Saturday 12th October HURSTVILLE 2:00pm – 5:00pm & 7:30pm Marana Hall Sunday 13th October FAIRFIELD 2:00pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Monday 14th October FAIRFIELD 12:30pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Mt Pritchard Community Centre Tuesday 15th October DAY OFF Wednesday 16th October PENRITH 12:30pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Panthers World of Entertainment Thursday 17th October DAY OFF Friday 18th October WOOLLONGONG 2:00pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Woonona Bulli RSL Saturday 19th October CANBERRA 5:00pm & 7:30pm Llewellyn Hall Sunday 20th October DRIVE DAY Monday 21st October MILDURA 4:30pm & 7:30pm Chaffey College Hall Tuesday 22nd October BENDIGO 5:00pm & 7:30pm Eaglehawk Secondary College Hall Wednesday 23rd October DAY OFF Thursday 24th October DAY OFF Friday 25th October FERRY Saturday 26th October BURNIE 4:30pm & 7:00pm Burnie Civic Centre Sunday 27th October DEVONPORT Devonport Entertainment & Convention Centre 3:00pm - & 7:00pm Monday 28th October LAUNCESTON 5:00pm & 7:30pm Princess Theatre Tuesday 29th October HOBART 2:00pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Wrest Point Hotel Casino Wednesday 30th October DAY OFF Thursday 31st October FERRY Friday 1st NOVEMBER GEELONG 2:00pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Geelong West Town Hall Saturday 2nd November MELBOURNE 2:00pm – 5:00pm & 7:30pm Sunday 3rd November MELBOURNE 1:00pm – 4:00pm & 7:00pm Monday 4th November MELBOURNE 1:00pm – 4:00pm & 7:00pm Melbourne Town Hall Tuesday 5th November DAY OFF Wednesday 6th November ALBURY 2:30pm - 5:00pm & 8:00pm Albury Performing Arts Centre Thursday 7th November BALLARAT 5:00pm – 7:30pm 1870 Founders Theatre (University of Ballarat) Friday 8th November TRAVEL DAY Saturday 9th November ADELAIDE 1:30pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Sunday 10th November ADELAIDE 1:30pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Norwood Concert Hall (Booked) Monday 11th November TRAVEL TO PERTH Tuesday 12th November TRAVEL TO KALGOORLIE Wednesday 13th November KALGOORLIE 1:30pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Town Hall Thursday 14th November PERTH 1:00pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Friday 15th November PERTH 1:00pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Saturday 16th November PERTH 11:00pm – 2:00pm - 4:30pm & 7:00pm Sunday 17th November PERTH 1:00pm – 4:30pm & 7:00pm Regal Theatre ---------------------------------- 5. New Zealand “World Festival Of Magic” Tour 2002 ---------------------------------- Message from Gene McCarthy Sunday 24th November Tauranga Bay Court Theatre 2:00pm - 5:00pm & 7:30pm Monday 25th November Rotorua Rotorua Convention Centre 2:00pm - 5:00pm & 7:30pm Tuesday 26th November Gisborne War Memorial Theatre 2:30pm - 5:00pm & 7:30pm Wednesday 27th November Napier Napier Municipal Theatre 2:30pm - 5:00pm & 7:30pm Thursday 28th November Taupo Great Lake 4:30pm & 7:30pm Friday 29th November Travel to Auckland Saturday 30th November Auckland 11:00pm - 2:00pm & 5:00pm Sunday 01st December Auckland 11:00pm - 2:00pm & 5:00pm Logan Campbell Centre Monday 02nd December Whangarei 5:00pm & 7:30pm Forum North Tuesday 03rd December Hamilton The Gate Way Christian Centre 2:30pm - 5:00pm & 7:30pm Wednesday 04th December New Plymouth TSB Show Place 5:00pm & 7:30pm Thursday 05th December Wanganui Wanganui Collegiate High School 2:00pm - 5:00pm & 7:30pm (Prince Edward Auditorium) Friday 06th December Travel to Wellington Saturday 07th December Wellington 1:30pm - 4:30pm & 7:00pm Sunday 08th December Wellington 1:30pm - 4:30pm & 7:00pm Monday 09th December Wellington 7:00pm Wellington High School Tuesday 10th December Palmerston North College of Education 1:30pm - 4:00pm & 7:00pm Wednesday 11th December Travel to Nelson Thursday 12th December Nelson Trafalgar Centre 7:00pm Friday 13th December Travel to Christchurch Saturday 14th December Day Off (Setting up Christchurch Venue) Sunday 15th December Christchurch 12:00pm - 3:00pm & 5:30pm Monday 16th December Christchurch10:00am - 1:00pm & 4:00pm Theatre Royal Tuesday 17th December Timaru Theatre Royal 5:30pm Wednesday 18th December Dunedin 2:30pm & 7:00pm Regent Theatre Thursday 19th December Invercargill Civic Theatre 2:00pm - 5:00pm & 7:30pm ---------------------------------- 6. The Inside Story - Chapter 3 - Mark Wilson ---------------------------------- Message from Mark Wilson (US) I flew back from Los Angeles to Dallas and Nani and I got to work. Taking everything we had learned over the years, we put together a new presentation designed to sell a network series. We put in new photos, copies of those great ratings, testimonial letters, premium concepts, and a lot of other things. We spread everything all out on the living room floor and put it together into a presentation book. We decided, if there was a fire, after son Michael was safe, the presentation book would be the next thing we would move outside. A friend in Dallas gave me the name of an account executive with the Foote Cone and Belding Advertising Agency in Chicago. I made an appointment by phone and flew to Chicago. I walked into his office and explained why I was there. He asked, "Are you sure you want to do this? Are you sure you want a network show?" I said, ‘Yes. I’m determined to do it." He said, "It may not be what you think it is. It will be very difficult and full of hardship and perhaps heartbreak." "I don’t care. I must do it." He smiled and said, "All right, I’ll help you." Since Foote Cone didn’t have any clients who were prospects for children’s programming, he referred me to the Leo Burnett Advertising Agency... which was also located in Chicago and represented the Kellogg Cereal Company. He called a friend at Leo Burnett and made an appointment for me. That first contact with Kellogg’s advertising agency was in 1958. I didn’t make the sale then. It took two more long years, during which I called on just about every potential sponsor for a network children’s television series in the United States. I saw all the major cereal companies, candy companies, toy companies and shoe companies. Some were interested, some were not. 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company) in St. Paul was very interested. They liked magic, they liked the show and I guess they liked me. But before committing for a network run, they wanted to test the show. 3M agreed to sponsor a thirteen week test for which we were to produce thirteen, thirty-minute shows. The shows were titled "The Magic Circus". The test was to run in six separate cities across the United States. Baltimore, Denver, Philadelphia, Boston, Houston and Dallas. 3M told me the programs were to be produced and distributed on a new television medium, video tape. Video tape recording was just beginning to revolutionize the television industry. This was in 1958, 3M was the world’s largest producer of video tape stock. In addition to evaluating Magic Circus ’ popularity, the test would demonstrate for 3M the practicality of video tape syndication. In fact, our show would be the first television series ever syndicated on video tape. If the test was successful, to reach the family audience they desired, 3M planned to air the show on Sunday afternoons on one of the three major networks. We signed a contract. We were to shoot the test shows in Dallas. In addition to the fee for the test shows, 3M would supply us with the blank video tapes, which they would send to our office in Dallas. Since the shows were to be aired in six markets for thirteen weeks... they were to send seventy-eight half-hour video tapes. In those days each video tape was two inches wide, packaged on a twelve-inch diameter reel. In its shipping container, each half hour tape weighed about 10 pounds. Our "office" was our small apartment. The doorbell rang one morning... it was the tapes. We had video tape everywhere. Remember, the stations were just beginning to buy those giant Ampex video tape machines. I think we had more video tape stock than all the television stations in Dallas combined. We shot the shows at the Dallas CBS affiliate, KRLD. The studio was about the size of a three car garage. The Magic Words to make the tricks work were, "Scotch Brand Cellophane Tape." We designed a self-liquidating premium of paper and cardboard magic tricks based on our Magic Circus theme. "Just send in two of the plaid starting ends from rolls of Scotch Brand Cellophane Tape and thirty five cents and we’ll send you this Magic Circus Magic Kit." The Magic Circus test went well, the ratings were good, a lot of magic kits were ordered. 3M was happy. We were delirious. 3M approved the expenditure for a twenty-six week network run. Remember, they wanted the show to air late Sunday afternoon to reach the whole family. 3M’s advertising agency, Benton and Boles in New York City, kept us posted on their progress. The only time slot available on Sunday afternoon was on NBC. Two other sponsors wanted that same time period. One was GE College Bowl, hosted by Allan Ludden. The other was a golf show, hosted by Bob Crosby, Bing Crosby’s brother. NBC would make the choice. We waited in Dallas. The test had been a success, the sponsor had allocated the money, all we needed was that time slot on NBC. We were so close. We had arranged for Andy Sidaris, who was the chief television director at WFAATV, to direct the 13 test shows we shot at KRLD. I had one of those miniature footballs. Andy and I threw that ball back and forth as we waited for the results, which would greatly change all our lives. NBC made the decision, they selected the golf show. 3M said they were very sorry... they wanted to put the show on the network, but... maybe next year. We were crushed. This had been our great opportunity, and now it was gone. As I reflect on it now, I don’t think it was a hard decision for the network. No one had ever heard of Mark Wilson. I’m sure some of their experts said, "And, magic won’t work on television anyway." So NBC played it safe and selected the golf show. (I wonder how many "experts" told the guy trying to sell the very first television golf show, "Golf will never work on television. Viewers wouldn’t be able to see the little white ball. Where will you put the cameras? What if it rains? The game is just too slow...") But wait a minute... the 3M test proved the public liked magic on television. We were right and NBC was wrong. We’ve just got to do it all over again. So it’s back on the road again. During that two year selling period, I would travel to cities where potential sponsors were headquartered, make my pitch, return to Dallas, make enough money to cover our living expenses, send out more presentations, and then leave town again to make more sales calls. We would prepare the presentation for each prospective sponsor with examples of why our show would sell their product, samples of premiums for the products, how magical commercials could be built around their product, how there would be product identification throughout the show and much more, all of which we ended up doing for Kellogg’s on the Magic Land of Allakazam. And then it happened! The Leo Burnett Agency called and said Kellogg ’s wanted to put our show on Saturday morning on the CBS Network in the fall, less than three months away. They would like us to produce the show at CBS Television City in Los Angeles. Wow! When Leo Burnett notified us of Kellogg’s decision, I happened to be in Los Angeles making a sales call. Three months was a short lead-time, but we were not about to let this one get away. I packed my bags and flew immediately to Chicago. The next morning I was in the Leo Burnett office to conclude the details of the contract. To be continued….. Happy Magic! Mark www.markwilsonmagic.com ---------------------------------- 7. STEVE DACRI: "Magic Across America" ---------------------------------- Message from Steve Dacri (US) The second leg of Steve's highly successful (and first ever) USA/Canada Lecture Tour is shaping up. We have some spots still open, contact Jan@magicwebchannel.com if your club is interested. Please note that we have only listed confirmed dates as of today. Check out stevedacri.com for the latest updates to this calendar. Sept. 9 - Worcester, MA - SAM No. 16 10- Boston, MA (Watertown) - IBM No. 122 11 - Linden, NJ, JMMRT 12 - Wallingford, CT 16 - Twin Cities, St. Paul, MN< 18 - Oklahoma City, OK 20 - Dallas, TX (Jan lectures for 3M 21 - Tulsa, OK 30 - Hollywood, CA - The Magic Castle OCTOBER Oct. 1 - 6 - Hollywood, CA - The Magic Castle (Parlour of Prestidigitation 8 - Denver, CO (?) 11 - 13 - Swan Lake, New York - Tannen's 40th Jubilee - Swan Lake Resorts 15 - Rochester, NY 18 - Montreal, Canada 20 - 31 - curently open, call us if interested in one of these dates, several under discussion now, we will post confirmed dates on stevedacri.com next week. NOVEMBER 1 - Wakefield, MA - JESSE'S 12th BIRTHDAY 4 - Lebanon, NH 8 - Richmond, VA 9 - Baltimore, MD 12 - Tampa, FL 20 - Orlando, FL 22 - Philadelphia, PA (Jan lectures for 3M); second booking pending 25 - Indianapolis, IN 26 - Cincinatti, OH 28 - Tubac, AZ DECEMBER 8, 9 - Palo Alto, CA 12 - Sacramento, CA Steve will continue this tour in 2003. He will be in the US and Canada for Jan/Feb/March and part of April before he returns to Ireland and England in May. We are now setting up these schedules, so contact us if you would like to be included in the next leg of this tour. www.stevedacri.com The portal to the future of all things magic... www.magicwebchannel.com --------------------------------- 8. "Excellence In Presentation " Award At Abbott's Get Together ---------------------------------- Message from George Schindler Society of American Magicians member DEVLIN won the Jack Gwynne "Excellence in Presentation” award at Abbott's Get Together August 10 - PNP Brad Jacobs came in second in the Annual Abbott Golf Tournament. Interesting to note that among Abbott's attendees there were Four IBM Past Presidents and Five S.A.M. Past Presidents. (Once again they met at the same time) ---------------------------------- 9. The West Australian Society Of Magicians Celebrating Its 80th - 2003 ---------------------------------- Message from Ray Haddad (Aust) Editor, The Western Wand The West Australian Society of Magicians (WASM) is celebrating its 80th year in 2003. We have been active all 80 of those years with membership ranging from just a few to a current level of 48 active members. Our members currently range in age from 16 to 92 years. Wynsome Downes is our youngest member and Fred deCampe is our oldest. As editor and publisher of our club newsletter, The Western Wand, I am requesting anectodal stories of WASM members or of the club itself from any of you who have somehow touched one or more of our members. Tell me about the time you had with us or one of our members over the past 80 years. Be as specific as you can supplying dates, times and names to the best of your recollection. Please, send your items by e-mail to rhaddad@iexpress.net.au before 21 September, 2003. I will send you a PDF copy of our newsletter after the anniversary issue is completed. ASCII text or Word 6.0 document formats appreciated. ---------------------------------- 10. TV Show In Australia Called Y? ---------------------------------- Message from Fast Jimmy (Aust) We have a TV show in Australia called Y? which is a science show targeting all age groups, the show has a very colourful and vibrant touch to it and is very entertaining to watch. Last year I contacted the producer of the show with the idea of including close-up magic on the show, the magician performs a trick to the host to entertain the audience and then the show progresses into a science experiment. I was told the show there would be no chance of showing how the tricks were done but they liked the idea of magic as it was a nice way of starting each segment.14 segments were taped and will be going to air in the very near future - I can let you know the dates at a later stage. Magic is rarely seen on TV here so I am hoping the audience will enjoy it. ---------------------------------- 11. Daytona Beach, Florida Magic Fleamarket And Magic Auction ---------------------------------- Message from Seth Ossinsky (NZ) Last time I sent this the link was wrong correct link below don't forget On September 21, 2002 in Daytona Beach, Florida a very large Magic Fleamarket and Magic Auction put on by IBM Ring 251 www.funmrmagic.com/fleamarket2002.htm ---------------------------------- 12. Magic In The Rockies 2002 Convention ---------------------------------- Message from Ed Hurtubis (US) COLORADO * Ft. Collins – Ring 250 September 5, 6, 7, and 8, 2002 Ft. Collins Marriott, 350 East Horsetooth Road, Ft. Collins, CO 80525 For information, contact: Ed Hurtubis, hurtubis@magician.org, 970 223-8767 DESCRIPTION: IBM Ring 250 presents their ninth annual Magic in the Rockies featuring (talent booked so far): Mike Bent, Gaetan Bloom, Bob Cassidy, Mike Caveney & Tina Lenert, Doc Eason, Kevin James, Eric Mead, Thom Peterson, Terry Seabrooke, Jon Stetson, Peter Studebaker, and Jamy Ian Swiss. The $109 registration ($129 after 05/31/02, $139 after 08/15/02) includes: Junior Showcase Show, Cabaret Show, Public Show, 8 Lectures, 20 Dealers, Bar Magic Cabaret Show, Close-up Show, and a dinner and two lunches! For complete information, visit Ring 250’s website: www.byrini.com/presto. ---------------------------------- 13. Magic In The Rockies 2002 Convention - Schedule ---------------------------------- Message from Ed Hurtubis (US) 5:00 PM 9:00 PM Dealers Room Set-up 7:00 PM 9:00 PM Early Registration 9:00 PM 11:30 PM Dealers Room Open, Door Prizes FRIDAY, September 6, 2002 8:00 AM 9:00 AM Registration 10:00 AM 11:15 AM Junior Showcase Show, Lincoln Center 12:00 PM 1:30 PM LUNCH, CooperSmith’s 1:30 PM 6:00 PM Registration 2:00 PM 3:30 PM BOB CASSIDY Lecture 4:00 PM 6:00 PM Marriott Check-in 4:00 PM 6:00 PM Dealers Room Open 5:00 PM 6:00 PM Cash Cocktail Bar 6:00 PM 7:00 PM DINNER, Marriott 7:15 PM 8:30 PM Headliner Cabaret Show 8:30 PM 10:00 PM Dealers Room Open 10:00 PM 11:30 PM GAETAN BLOOM Lecture SATURDAY, September 7, 2002 7:00 AM 8:30 AM Breakfast (on your own) 8:00 AM 9:00 AM Dealers Room Open 9:00 AM 10:15 AM TERRY SEABROOKE Lecture 10:45 AM 12:00 PM KEVIN JAMES Lecture 12:15 PM 1:15 PM LUNCH, Marriott 1:30 PM 2:45 PM JAMY IAN SWISS Lecture 2:45 PM 3:45 PM Dealers Room Open 3:45 PM 5:00 PM PETER STUDEBAKER Lecture 5:00 PM 7:00 PM Dinner (on your own) 7:30 PM 9:30 PM Public Show, Lincoln Center 10:00 PM 11:30 PM Dealers Room Open 10:00 PM 1:00 AM Bar Magic Cabaret Show, (EASON, MEAD, & Friends), cash cocktail bar SUNDAY, September 8, 2002 7:00 AM 8:30 AM Breakfast (on your own) 8:30 AM 9:30 AM BOB SAMMONS Junior Lecture 9:30 AM 10:30 AM Marriott Check-out 9:30 AM 10:30 AM Dealers Room Open 10:30 AM 11:30 AM Headliner Close-up, (BLOOM, STUDEBAKER, & SWISS) 11:45 AM 1:00 PM MIKE CAVENEY Lecture 1:00 PM 2:00 PM Dealers Room Open, (last chance) This schedule subject to change ---------------------------------- 14. The Las Vegas Magic Invitational ---------------------------------- Message from Danny Archer (US) Unless You're A Magician Who Loves Close-Up & Parlor Magic! You are invited to attend the most incredible magic event of the year. See the best close-up and parlor magic this side of the Rockies! The Las Vegas Magic Invitational SAN REMO HOTEL and CASINO LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 15-17,2002 Appearing: Bob Fitch * Apollo Robbins * Aaron Fisher * Chris Korn * Eric Mead * Nathan Kranzo * Gary Norsigian * Bob Kohler * Lee Asher * Gary Darwin * Danny Archer * and introducing magic's newest sensation Garrett Thomas . . . plus many more to come! "The most fun you can have at a magic convention." Check out our web site: www.LVMI.net If you are already registered for LVMI 2002 or can not attend please send this on to a friend. ---------------------------------- 15. Massive Second Hand Magic Sale ---------------------------------- Message from David & Shirley Taylor (NZ) I have just published a massive second hand magic list, hundreds of items covering stage magic; close up, cards, children's magic, coins and the odd collector item. Anyone who drops a line to Impact Trix at P.O. Box 1286 Dunedin, or emails me at itrix@xtra.co.nz will get an up to date copy. ---------------------------------- 16. Death Defying Stunt At Auckland Viaduct Harbour ---------------------------------- Message from Vanessa Regan (NZ) Modern Day Houdini Performs Death Defying Stunt In Viaduct Harbour Internationally renowned extreme escape artist, illusionist and daredevil, Robert Gallup will perform a "world-first" stunt at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour next Tuesday from 7pm (August 20, 2002). The "Welded Cage Escape" is described as "taking a Houdini classic and pushing it to the extreme," says Robert Gallup, creator, producer and star of the second largest touring magic show in the world. The stunt will be performed from the market square in the American Express Viaduct Harbour. Instead of a wood packing crate, Gallup will be placed inside a three-foot square cage welded out of two-inch flat bar steel. The lid will be welded seamlessly on and the entire cage, wrapped in chains and padlocks. Gallup is also to be handcuffed to the exterior of the cage before the cage is hoisted into the air by a crane and dropped into the Viaduct Harbour where he has less than two minutes to escape. "It's a stunt that I believe hasn't been performed in public before," says Mr Gallup, who is to perform his Extreme Magic and Deadly Escapes show at New Zealand's Sky City theatre in a thrilling season commencing September 19 2002. Described as "the ultimate in edge-riding, goose-bump entertainment" (South Western Times, Australia), Gallup has created his own niche in the world of magic and escape by pushing himself and his art to the absolute extreme. "If the consequence of error isn't death....then it's just not fun!" says Robert Gallup. With movie star looks and a rock and roll attitude, this modern day Houdini constantly pushes the envelope of thrilling magic and death defying escape both on and off the stage. His show features something for everyone combining adrenaline pumping thrills, audience interaction, close up tricks, mesmerising illusions and spectacular lighting and special effects. According to Megan McSweeney, Marketing and Entertainment Manager, Sky City Auckland, Gallup's show is a fast paced and highly visual entertainment extravaganza. "It's a major stage production with spectacular effects and incredible illusions that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish," says Ms McSweeney. "Gallup truly is one of the world's greatest magicians and his show will appeal to people of all ages, from children, families, seniors and couples to corporates and large social groups," she says. One of the show's highlights is the "Pyre of Death" as Gallup is shackled to a steel bed where fifty flaming spikes are suspended above him. Once the rope that suspends the spikes is set alight, he has only seconds to escape before becoming a human "shish kebab". The addicted daredevil explains "I get a real adrenaline rush every time I attempt this escape as there is always a very real possibility of catastrophe." In the spirit of his mentor, Harry Houdini, Gallup often accepts death-defying escape challenges while touring internationally. Recently, in Australia, he was challenged by the Victoria Police to replicate Houdini's near fatal underwater "Queen St Bridge Jump Escape." From the very same bridge, almost ninety years to the day, Gallup was handcuffed, arm manacled, leg chained and thrown into the frigid river below. Surviving that, popular Australian TV show "Who Dares Wins" challenged Gallup to the "Rialto Tower Hang and Burn Escape," where he was fitted with a straight jacket and suspended upside down by a burning rope from the top of one of the tallest buildings in the southern hemisphere. Like many children, Californian born Gallup received his first magic set for Christmas when he was just five years old, but unlike most others, Gallup didn't lose interest by New Year's Day. By the age of ten he was earning around $50 per week performing at birthday parties and at thirteen, he was featured on ABC's "That's Incredible" TV show. As a teenager, he was invited to audition for the Junior Society at The Magic Castle in Hollywood - at that time, the very centre of the world of magic. Recognised instantly for his prowess, Gallup was one of the youngest students ever asked to join the prestigious organisation, studying under the tutelage of some of "the greatest magicians most people have never heard of." However, magic and it's perception as "legitimate" entertainment at that time was in a steady decline. "In the 70s, there were very few, if any, variety shows left on TV, so there was no vehicle for magic to reach a vast audience. Magicians were often perceived as 'lounge acts in bad tuxedos' until Doug Henning came along at the end of the decade, making a mark on Broadway, and took magic out of the dark ages," says Gallup. Gallup continued to juggle magic with his studies through his teenage years under the influence of Bill Adams, who owned the only magic shop in Santa Barbara. During his high school years, he would often perform after school at a myriad of comedy clubs and lounges. While majoring in business at the University of California, Gallup honed his theatrical skills with a minor in theatre and a summer job, performing magic on cruise ships. Although he had originally planned a career in marketing, business or finance after graduating, Gallup's passion for magic finally won him over. "I decided that if I was ever going to take a chance and become a full time professional magician, I might as well try it when I was young. I started in a glorified miniature golf course in North Carolina. After a very long summer of four shows a day, seven days a week, drowning in interest payments in LA, I finally began to get bookings, first in small casino towns in Nevada, then eventually in some of the most prestigious venues throughout the world," he says. Today, he has performed in over 30 countries and six continents and featured in over 200 television programmes world wide. His obsession with extreme escapes reflects his attitude to life as he often puts himself at risk both on and off stage. "With my childhood fascination of Houdini, extreme escapes were a natural evolution of combining the unique physical dynamics of my stage show with my extreme activities and sports of my personal life," says Gallup. "Even as a kid when I made a parachute out of my parents bed sheets and clothesline and jumped off the second storey roof, I've always pushed the envelope of thrills....and sensibility," he says. In his spare time, the extraordinary magician/escapist loves to extreme ski, para-glide off cliffs, free climb some of the world's largest peaks, kayak Class V rapids and scuba dive in shark-infested caves off Australia. His daily training regime consists of intense escape trials, martial arts training, meditation, stretching, weights and cardio. It is no surprise therefore, that Gallup's first extreme escape ever, the "Skydive Chain Escape," had him handcuffed, chained, locked and thrown out of a plane at 13,000 feet! Gallup's talents are being previewed on TVNZ in the weeks leading up to his show starting at Sky City Theatre on September 19th in two TV specials titled "Gallup Extreme Magic: Challenge of the Death Dive," and "Gallup Extreme Magic: Live on Tour." Tickets for his spectacular magic and death defying show at Sky City Theatre from September 19 will be available from August 5 from Ticketek. Shows will be performed throughout the season Tuesday - Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 5pm. There will also be matinee performances Saturday's at 4pm and special school holiday matinees Wednesday 25 September and 2 October at 2pm. Adult tickets will cost $59.95 each and children 14 and under, $29.95 each. Students, senior citizens, adult matinee tickets and groups of ten or more, cost $49.95 each. For further information, visit www.GallupExtreme.com Robert Gallup's Extreme Magic & Deadly Escapes Showing At Sky City Theatre From September 19 2002 ---------------------------------- 17. The Orchante Saga #118 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) For the benefit of the thousands of New Readers to Alan Watson’s Magic New Zealand E - Zine, and my saga, who are perhaps wondering and asking themselves: ‘JUST WHO THE HELL IS THIS ‘ORCHANTÉ’ CHARACTER’, I have decided that for this, and next week’s, episode, I shall bore you all to tears, with the: Biography of Frank Thomas Henry Orchard Professionally known by the stage name of: The Amazing ‘ORCHANTÉ’ (pronounced: ‘OR - SHONE -TAY’), Tommy was born in Auckland, New Zealand on September 13th 1943. (Although his first name is Frank, his family and friends have always called him ‘Tommy’ - shortened later to Tom). The first school he attended was the Bayfield Primary School, in Herne Bay. In 1954 (at 10 years of age), Tommy’s family moved from Auckland, when his policeman father, Jack Orchard, was transferred as: the ‘Sole Officer In Charge’, to a tiny Maori village called Raupunga - a mere ‘speck of dust’ on a map, approximately 26 miles from Wairoa and 53 miles from Napier, on the East coast of the North Island, Hawke’s Bay. It was at the local school, after watching a travelling magician/juggler/entertainer - known throughout New Zealand as the ‘FUN-DOCTOR’, his real name was Norman Tate (Tom's parents remembered him from when they went to school), that Tommy became fascinated with the art of magic and his course was set when his father bought him a book called, ‘Magic Made Easy’, at the exorbitant price of two shillings and sixpence (25c) from ‘Woolworths’. Sometime during the years of 1956/57 Tom - at only 12/13 years of age, and using his schoolmates as ‘guinea-pigs’ to practice on, mastered the art of ‘HYPNOTISM’, self-taught from a book written by the famous New Zealand hypnotist, ‘FRANQUIN’! After an impromptu performance on the footpath outside the gates of the Wairoa College, which stopped the traffic, he was nearly expelled! It was at carnival in Wairoa, that he first saw a Fire Eater/Sword Swallower and Fakir, who also lay on Beds of Nails. Tommy decided that this was for him! His next target was to learn self-hypnosis, which would help him to perform these feats. It wasn't until 1958, when his father was transferred back to Auckland, as the officer in charge of the Manurewa police station (Tommy finished his education at the Papatoetoe High School, leaving to pursue his theatrical career), that he began to teach himself the art of ‘FIRE –EATING’ – ‘stealing’ the two-stroke petrol from his father's lawn mower! As Tommy had no one to advise him, he developed his own techniques - defying the ‘unwritten laws’ about Fire-eating, ‘Don’t Breathe In’! Tom did, consequently the spectacular results he obtained - although extremely dangerous, were unique and purely his own! It also took Tom 2 years, off and on, to master the art of – ‘SWORD SWALLOWING’, sliding 22 inches of cold, solid steel, down into the pit of his stomach! In July/August of 1960 Tommy entered Joe Brown's ‘Nationwide Search For Stars’ talent quest - he didn't win but Joe Brown asked him to join the finalists, touring New Zealand from Whangarei to Invercargill! At 16 years of age, Tommy began travelling in earnest, constantly touring the length and breadth of New Zealand, as well as the islands of the Pacific - Fiji, Tahiti, etc, gaining experience - developing a show which was to astound audiences and critics alike the world over, FOR 35 YEARS! From Fire-eating, Tom went on to ‘lying on ‘Beds of Nails’, again using his own techniques, which involved self-hypnosis to control pain. This enabled him to regularly support the weight of two 20 stone men, whilst sandwiched between two beds of nails. Some very notable people, including political ‘heavyweights’ have availed their weighty forms to his bed of nails performance, which include, among many others, the late Sir Robert Muldoon (former Prime Minister of New Zealand), Gough Whitlam (the former Prime Minister of Australia), Sir Francis Kitts (the former Mayor of Wellington City), Sir Dove-Meyer Robinson (the former Mayor of Auckland City), and Mr Tom King (the former Minister of Defence, United Kingdom.)! Incidentally, Tom is also a Royal Command Performer, of which he is justifiably proud. C O N T I N U E S N E X T W E E K ------------------------------------- 18. 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