* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #206 Date: Sunday 19th October 2003 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com www.alan-watson.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================   1. Editor’s Message   2. You Are Truly First With The News For Magicians   3. Update On Roy Horn   4. 2004 I.B.M. Convention - Cleveland   5. Penn Jillette Exposes The Use Of Trick Hoops In Levitations   6. Rumor Of The Week   7. "The Magic Santa Claus"   8. Magicians Undersigning Open Letter To Francesco Martorana   9. Blackstone Collection To Be Sold At L.A. Auction   10. Longest Magic Show In The World   11. Fukai Lecture In NYC On October 25th   12. S.A.M. Website Available In 6 Languages   13. "National Magic Week"   14. David Ben Book Signing   15. Magical/Puzzle Gathering In NYC October 26th – Free   16. Lance Burton Gives Young Fans A Break   17. SYMLACA   18. Over The Rainbow   19. The Amazing Orchante Saga, Vol. 2 - The Australian Years   20. e-zine archives   21. Subscription Management ------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Over the last three days Michele, Melanie, Aleshia and I have been performing on stage as the Milky Way Magician in our magic and illusion show and manning the Masterfood trade stand at the Parent and Child Show in Auckland. The highlight for me was seeing Shad Rutherford (from Christchurch) a very versatile professional performer switch from compere for the main stage, to childrens storyteller, juggler, magician, introduce fashion parades and baby races - certainly multi-talented. Have a great birthday celebration with your daughter Belle (who turns 3 tomorrow) Shad. ---------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. You Are Truly First With The News For Magicians ----------------- Message from Clive Court (Canada) Although I had just spent two weeks in Las Vegas making business contacts. I first heard about Roy's unfortunate accident from your newsletter. It was the same last year when David Copperfield collapsed in Edmonton (and I had tickets to see him several days later in Vancouver. The fact was, you were ahead of all the US and Canadian media--including the wire services. That's impressive because I'm in the same time zone as Las Vegas and within one hour of Edmonton. You are truly first with the news for magicians. That's excellent! Clive Court Associate Professor pubic relations and broadcasting ----------------- 3. Update On Roy Horn ----------------- Message from Tony Wilson (NZ) LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - About a quarter of the skull of animal trainer and magician Roy Horn, who was mauled by a tiger two weeks ago, has been removed to reduce pressure on his brain, the Las Vegas Review-Journal says. The paper, quoting Lonnie Hammargren, a neurosurgeon and former lieutenant governor of Nevada, also reported that Horn, half of the famous "Siegfried & Roy" act, was paralysed on the left side of his body after suffering a stroke from the mauling. Hammargren told the paper that part of Horn's skull had been placed in a pouch in his abdomen to preserve it until the brain swelling receded and it could be put back. Read the full article here: http://tinyurl.com/r7js ----------------- 4. 2004 I.B.M. Convention - Cleveland ----------------- Message from Mindy Burden (US) Make your plans NOW for the 2004 I.B.M. Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. June 29-July 3 Headquarters Hotel: Renaissance Cleveland 216-696-5600 Room Rate: $99/night Talent Booked: Ali Bongo, Eugene Burger, John Carney, Michael Close, Henry Evans, Fackelli & Kil, Dan Garrett, Tim Hannig, Murray Hatfield, Jason Latimer, Jeff McBride, Mystina, Karl Norman, Kerry Pollack, Alan Shaxon, The Spencers, Yugi Yamamoto, Gay Blackstone, Rich Bloch I.B.M. Contests: Gold Medal, Gold Cup: Application and Rules at www.magician.org Program Advertising: direct inquiries to Mindy Burden, jam3rma@avolve.net Cleveland..it'll ROCK you! Shopping and Dining at adjacent Tower City Center The ONLY Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Lake Erie cruises Cedar Point Amusement Park Six Flags World of Adventure Airlines: Cleveland is Hub to Continental Airlines Transport from Airport: Rapid Rail Transit Authority (RTA), $1.50 from airport to hotel!!! Convention FUN! --Magic Idol contest, Strolling Olympics, Linking Ring Hospitality Party, BONK! the hilarious new game show, 4 World-Class evening shows, stellar close-up, Dealers' room, Lectures, Dealer show, Women's Forum, Youth events, Junior Member Workshop, Spouse events, Museum, Autograph session, Receptions, Collectors, Order of Merlin Breakfast, Banquet Come ROCK with the I.B.M.! Register on-line at www.magician.org ----------------- 5. Penn Jillette Exposes The Use Of Trick Hoops In Levitations ----------------- Message from Walter Zaney Blaney (US) In a syndicated column in newspapers across the USA on October 13th, The Houston Chronicle and the Atlanta Journal -Constitution to name but two examples, Penn Jillette wrote about how magician's "misdirection" is used in magic acts to help fool people. He explains how during one routine in their show he points to Teller across the stage, and at that moment he does "something sneaky" with his left hand, which the audience does not notice. He of course doesn't tell us what the "sneaky" thing is that he does, as he would not want to reveal the secret of a trick that HE does on HIS show. He then moves on to explain an example of how misdirection is used in other magician's shows: "If you hook some hard-to-see wires to an underweight..teenager in a..harness, and you lift her up, everyone figures there are wires. But if you then bring out a hoop and pass it around her..the audience thinks, 'Well, there can't be any wires. Hmm, must be real magic..' "The misdirection works by having gaps in the hoop so you can pass it over the teenager without hitting the strings...MIT professor Marvin Minsky one time..wondered if the hanging woman trick was done using liquid nitrogen to cool everything down to superconductivity. Superconductivity..or a gap in the hoop?..OK. so I hope I've explained the idea of misdirection.." In trying to fight exposure of magic secrets in public venues the past five years or so, I have found an interesting pattern. The exposer never exposes a secret of the tricks from his own show, for obvious reasons. But he apparently thinks it's fair game to expose the secrets that other fellow magicians are using. For obvious reasons I, and the several hundred magicians around the world who have invested a lot of money to purchase "hoops with gaps in them" cannot be happy with Penn Jillette's planting the idea in the minds of the general public nationwide. The revelation certainly hits a lot of pocketbooks, and it certainly goes against the number one tenet of magician's Code of Ethics. The magic hoop has been one of the best kept secrets in magic. And now everyone can "read all about it" in their local newspapers nationwide. I admit this is hard for me to understand coming from an otherwise competent, entertaining and very successful magic act. "Bad boys of magic"?..you decide. Walter Zaney Blaney World Alliance of Magicians President Emeritus ----------------- 6. Rumor Of The Week ----------------- Message from David Neubauer - www.dnmagic.com David Copperfield is at the top of the list of acts that MGM MIRAGE officials are looking at as they consider what to do with the suddenly vacant 1,504-seat Siegfried & Roy Theatre at The Mirage. ----------------- 7. "The Magic Santa Claus" ----------------- Message from Loch David Crane Siegfried and the Uniq-Horn by Loch David Crane, "The Magic Santa Claus" October 10, 2003 4 minutes reading time This is the story of the Unicorn, of Siegfried and his friend Roy Horn. These immigrants first met on a cruise ship and formed the bond of a lifetime trip. Magicians, not stewards, would they be inspiring audiences like you and me. One was with animals always kind; and the other could fool the human mind. Siegfried grew a golden mane, but never a cat or dog could tame; his talent lay in illusion grand with mystical Sarmoti hand. While Roy would blossom on the stage 'cause he could train anything from a cage. When Roy's cats would poop out on the front lawn, Siegfried could clean up with a wave of his wand. Roy's love was so great he would cuddle the cats, ride 'em and kiss 'em and pet 'em like that-- but even in play a Unicorn can accidentally slash you with his horn. The two were a beacon of onstage intensity who altered Las Vegas in the Twentieth Century. They saved bengals and lions and preserved the pride and respect for performing cats worldwide. Brave Roy and Siegfried illuminated a hall riding tigers in circles on a great mirrored ball. An army of soldiers would march 'round their stage and tame down a dragon from spitting his rage. Six thousand performances with hardly a scratch as the people in anticipation would watch- the way they watch racing and boxing and sports to see which brave performer gets his in the shorts. The morbidly well-dressed are a curious thing, and for decades they've made Vegas registers ring. But now the World's best trainer must pay for teaching his big cats to sit up and play. The cyclical nature of the Unicorn Is that it was here-and now it is gone. So cherish your friends and family each day, 'cause you'll never know when they'll be taken away. The dangerous nature of a live show is what makes it exciting for people to go. The Colosseum was built on a thirst for blood but the Mirage made millions on treating cats good. So why the surprise a White Tiger will bite? You can train them by day. . .but they still hunt at night. "Tis the nature of cats and the Unicorn- Handle with love but beware the horn. So the legend of the Unicorn became a memory- like the lions, tigers, and dragons we'd see. And brave Roy the trainer showed all the World how to love and reinforce them to be in a show. There's only one question to ask of the cat- Why didn't you bite Yasser Arafat? Camelot won't see another Unicorn nor such great Magicians as Fischbach and Horn. "The act's on hiatus" as show people say awaiting new costumes on some sunny day. And somewhere on the planet an immigrant dreams of taming his Unicorns as the audience screams. ----------------- 8. Magicians Undersigning Open Letter To Francesco Martorana ----------------- Message from Walter Zaney Blaney ZBLANEY@aol.com Dear Friends in Magic: Below you will see a list of the magicians who so far (as of Oct.11th) have agreed to undersign WAM's open letter to Francesco Martorana, the magic builder of rip-offs in Palermo, Italy, to stop and desist. If any of you can think of other "names" in the business I should also contact to add to this list before it is sent out, please send me their name and email address ASAP. In case I have sent you my appeal letter and you have not sent me a "YES", please do so if you so desire. In case you did not get my appeal letter, and are wondering what it says, of course I'll be happy to send it to you again immediately. With the "open letter" going to 1000's of magicians via internet magic groups, and with the prominent names all signing the letter, I believe it is going to help change the way we currently put up with the flagrant rip-off business in our craft. To the many wonderful magicains who have already responded to show their support, it has warmed my heart, and I thank you. Cheers from Texas, Walter Zaney Blaney. David Sandy, IBM International President Dale Hindman, Magic Castle President Milt Larsen, Magic Castle Founder David Copperfield Mark Wilson Paul Daniels John Calvert Rick Thomas Joaquin Ayala Jim Steinmeyer Max Maven Bruce Cervon Daniel Summers Gunter Puchinger Kirby Van Burch Rich Bloch Kevin James James Cielen Joanie Spina Phil Temple Gary Bartlett Steve Dacri John Cornelius Ken Klosterman Peter Scarlett Tim Ellis/Sue Anne Webster Jody Baran Mike Super Peter Studebaker Carlos Guzman Mendoza Wayne Rogers Kent Cummins Pete Petrashek Becky Blaney David Seebach Doc Eason Dick Newton Arthur Emerson Richard Hatch David Charvet Dan Garrett Scott Penrose Steve Zigmont David Hira Larry White George Kimery Bill Pitts David Ginn Garry Carson & Kelsey Chuck Leach The Fabulous Valentis Jason Byrne Alan Watson WAM OFFICERS: Abb Dickson, President Scott Wells, Vice President Timothy Drake, Webmaster Walter Zaney Blaney, President Emeritus ----------------- 9. Blackstone Collection To Be Sold At L.A. Auction ----------------- Message from Liz Geffs (US) Magician Blackstone’s Famous Illusions and Secrets along with "Frankenstein" and Schwarzenegger Special Effects Offered in Los Angeles Auction Magician Harry Blackstone’s famous sawing-a-woman-in-half illusion, including the whirling 30-inch buzz saw blade, will be offered at a live “Monsters & Magic” auction, November 15. The public sale will be conducted in Los Angeles and on eBay by Julien Entertainment of Hollywood (www.JulienEntertainment.com) in association with Odyssey Auctions (www.autographs.com) of Corona, California. In addition to the Blackstone Collection, the auction includes classic special effects equipment plus famous props, posters and paraphernalia from numerous “Frankenstein” movies and other horror, fantasy and sci-fi favorites. “More than 400 stage illusions, costumes, original artwork, signed documents and other items from the estates of internationally-known father and son magicians, Harry Blackstone Senior and Junior, are in the sale. The Blackstones entertained generations of audiences around the world, and remain the timeless image of the magician in coat tails and top hat,” said Darren Julien, President of Julien Entertainment “The stage illusions are consigned by the widow of Blackstone Junior, Gay Blackstone, who performed as her husband’s assistant and magically survived the buzz saw tricks hundreds of times.” The opening bid on the famous buzz saw illusion will be $8,000. Each major item in the sale will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Blackstone and Julien. Instructions on the secret of each magic trick are included. “Another Blackstone crowd-pleaser in the auction is the floating light bulb in which an illuminated bulb seemingly hovers over the audience by itself. Developed in the mid 1930s, it is still one of magic’s most cherished illusions,” explained Julien. Among the highlights of the sale is a magnificent, one-of-a-kind 1924 original poster painting for Blackstone Sr. declaring: “Biggest Necromantic Exposition on Earth – BLACKSTONE – Greatest Magician World Has Ever Known.” Other famous illusions from the Blackstone Collection include: “Alice Through The Looking Glass,” “Radio Cabinet,” “The Crystal Casket,” “Tire Illusion,” Robert Harbin’s “Pink Zig Zag Girl,” Doug Henning’s “Fire Cage,” and Blackstone’s famous final-act production number, “The Cannon and Triple Trunks.” The auction also features legendary items from the collection of ardent sci-fi fan, Forrest J. Ackerman, editor of “Famous Monsters of Filmland” magazine, and from the estate of Hollywood special effects genius, Kenneth Strickfaden, who created the props for such famous films as “Frankenstein,” “Flash Gordon” and “The Wizard of Oz.” Detailed descriptions of the illusions and other historic props and costumes offered in the sale are contained in a full-color auction catalog available for $15 from Odyssey. Buyers can view, track and bid immediately using the online “Monsters and Magic” auction catalog at www.JulienEntertainment.com or www.Autographs.com. Free digital catalogs are available on request by calling (800) 996-3977. The sale will be conducted at the Hotel Sofitel, 8555 Beverly Blvd., in Los Angeles, beginning at 11am, Saturday, November 15. Bidding also will be conducted online at www.autographs.com and eBay. Gay Blackstone will be on hand Friday evening, November 14, during the lot viewing and reception at the hotel, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., to demonstrate many of the world-famous illusions included in the auction. For additional information, contact Julien Entertainment at P.O. Box 691789, Hollywood, CA 90069. Phone: (310) 836-1818. Fax: (310) 836-1616. E-mail: info@JulienEntertainment.com. Web sites: www.JulienEntertainment.com and www.Autographs.com. ----------------- 10. Longest Magic Show In The World ----------------- Message from Tony Wilson (NZ) I was recently asked to write a letter of encouragement to the following IBM Member who is planning to perform the longest magic show in the world on December 13/14 this year in India. His name is Dr. A. Alexander and he plans to create a new world record by performing a non stop magic show for 24 hours in Trichirapally, India. I do not have an email address for him but if any of your many subscribers want to join me in writing him a snail mail letter (sent airmail)here is his address Dr. A. Alexander 147 Luz Church Road Devkar Apartments 4th floor Mylapore Chennai 600 004 Apt #61472 INDIA Many thanks Tony Wilson IBM President Elect 2003-2004 ----------------- 11. Fukai Lecture In NYC On October 25th ----------------- Message from Michael Canick (US) canick@panix.com Michael Canick Booksellers, in conjunction with Fantasma Magic, will present a lecture by the award-winning Japanese magician Hiromasa Fukai (second place FISM; Silver Lion award Desert Seminar). The lecture will take place on Saturday, October 25th, at 200 East 82nd Street, #3B (corner of Third Avenue). The lecture will start at 8 p.m. and will last about 2 hours. Guests are invited to arrive as early as 7:00 p.m. for refreshments, mingling and buying books (of course). Admission fees for the lecture are $25 in advance; $30 at the door (if space permits); $20 for members of our Book Club. All attendees will receive a free trick from Fantasma Magic! Fukai's magic has been seen internationally, both live and in hundreds of televised performances. His lectures have drawn raves and laughs from his American audiences (including those at the IBM national convention). People who have seen it repeatedly claim to be fooled again. The lecture will include material on stage magic (tricks, misdirection, how to routine, etc.) as well as close up, including several of Fukai's new inventions. ----------------- 12. S.A.M. Website Available In 6 Languages ----------------- Message from George Schindler S.A.M. Public Relations Please note that the SAM Website can now be read in six different languages. Click the Babel Fish on the left side of the page- Only the public pages may be translated at this time. www.magicsam.com ----------------- 13. "National Magic Week" ----------------- Message from George Schindler S.A.M. Public Relations "National Magic Week": Proclaimed By Society Of American Magicians (October 25- October 31) New York- October 18, 2003 Jay Gorham, National President of the Society of American Magicians proclaimed the week of October 25 to October 31 as National Magic Week throughout the United States and Canada. For more than forty years the Society recognized the anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini with a special "week" of events to highlight the charitable work of the Society throughout the year. Houdini died at 1:26 PM on October 31 in 1926 and was president of the Society for the previous nine years. His grave is in New York City. During the year the members of the S.A.M. perform for Senior Citizens in nursing homes, plus in VA Hospitals and for schools and libraries for children who cannot afford the luxury of live entertainment. The free shows are part of the service programs by its members. Magic Week is when the magicians can take their bows. Public magic events and exhibits will be taking place all over the country. Each year Governors, Mayors and other governing bodies are requested to issue proclamations declaring the last week in October as a National Magic Week. To date Governor Jeb Bush of Florida has issued such a proclamation. Further information on the history of the "Week" and the events taking place can be found at our website at www.magicsam.com Contact: George Schindler - 718-36-0605 ----------------- 14. David Ben Book Signing ----------------- Message from Michael Canick (US) WHEN: Thursday, October 30th, 2003, 7-9 p.m. WHERE: Michael Canick Booksellers, L.L.C. 200 East 82nd Street, #3B (corner of 82nd Street) New York, NY 10028 CONTACT: Phone: (212) 585-2990 Fax: (212) 585-2986 E-Mail: canick@panix.com Website: www.canick.com WHAT: Please join us as we celebrate the publication of David Ben's new book from Squash Publications, simply titled "Tricks." Mr. Ben will be available for informal discussions about magic as well as to sign copies of the book (available for $40.00). ADMISSION IS FREE (reservations appreciated, but not necessary) and refreshments will be served. Mr. Ben is one of the top magicians in the world, acclaimed by his peers as well as the general public. "Tricks" contains magic for all skill levels, using materials ranging from the traditional (cards, coins, rings) to the unusual (roses, cell phones, laptop computers, bottle caps). The book features magic for close-up, parlor and stage, including the workings and script from routines in his acclaimed theatrical shows "The Conjuror" and "The Conjuror Suite." If you are unable to attend, but would like to order a SIGNED or INSCRIBED copy of the book, please contact us in advance. ORDER TODAY AND THE P&H IS ON US (domestic orders only; $5 rebate on foreign P&H). We also have several copies of Ben's "NEW YORK NOTES". This spiral bound book was created for a lecture at our store on March 30, 2003. They were published in a small print run of about 75 copies. Some of the material is new; all has been updated & revised; most routines are from the author's professional repertoire. Each copy hand-stamped in red w/ a stamper that was made for David Ben. . $15.00 plus P&H. In addition, we have copies of GENII MAGAZINE (v. 55, no. 3). 2003. This is the Ross Bertram issue of Genii, written by Bertram's protégé David Ben. It contains a book's worth of material & for $5 is possibly the buy of the millennium. $5.00. Finally, those wishing a copy of the poster from Ben's magic show, "The Conjuror," may order these from us and they can be SIGNED as well. The price is $20 plus P&H (posters need to be shipped in tubes). ----------------- 15.  Magical/Puzzle Gathering In NYC October 26th - Free ----------------- Message from Michael Canick (US) Michael Canick Booksellers is sponsoring its next Magical Gatherings,Sunday, October 26th from 3-6 p.m. This month, we are delighted to be hosting a Magical/Puzzle Gathering featuring "New York Times" puzzle editor and collector par excellance Will Shortz, who will informally discuss his experiences as a writer, editor & collector. The Gatherings are being presented to promote a love of magic and related fields among various levels of practitioners. Each month (dates to be announced), the public is welcome to enjoy camaraderie, refreshments and of course books. In addition to our large selection of magic books, we will offer puzzles & puzzle books as well as books in allied fields. Admission is FREE, but please call ahead to reserve a place. Don't miss this unusual event. The afternoon will be flexibly scheduled so that everyone can enjoy. Please contact us if you have any questions or need more info. E-Mail: canick@panix.com ----------------- 16. Lance Burton Gives Young Fans A Break ----------------- Message from Wayne Bernath Director of Publicity, Advertising & Marketing for Lance Burton Lance Burton is offering kids under age 18 free admission to his "Master Magician" at the Monte Carlo Resort & Casino show with each paid adult admission. The coupons are available in the October issue of Los Angeles Family Magazine, Las Vegas Family Magazine and in Las Vegas' COX Cable's October billing. This offer is good for all shows thru Saturday, Nov. 22. It's a fall special that has never been done in the history of his show and is part of his affinity for youngsters to have the opportunity to see his live show that has been voted "No. 1 Family Show" in Las Vegas polls. Show times are 7 p.m. Tuesday thru Saturday with and added 10 p.m. shows on Tuesday and Saturday. Call 877-386-8224. ----------------- 17. SYMLACA ----------------- Message from Chuck LeFever Earn extra income and practice your craft this holiday season and beyond. Fantasma toys is holding a training meeting on Thursday October 23 at 2 p.m. at the Hollywood hotel near the Magic Castle. Fantasma toys is looking for a few good magical people to participate in it's sales efforts by demonstrating at FAO Schwartz. Contact me at tpgadmagic@aol.com or Simon Lovell at slovell@ix.netcom.com. You need to make an appointment to be there and to order a shirt that will be worn while demonstrating. Chuck LeFever tpgadmagic@aol.com. ----------------- 18. Over The Rainbow ----------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) Over The Rainbow By Peter Marucci Effect: The magician, in a real Irish accent (or atrocious fake one), talks about things Irish, St. Patrick's Day, and the legend of the leprechaun. Seems the wee folk are given to playing tricks on mere mortals, especially when they are captured and asked about their secret pots of gold. To escape human clutches, the leprechaun will say that the gold is hidden at the end of the rainbow and, while the mortal goes on that wild goose chase, the leprechaun makes good his escape. To demonstrate, the magi shows a rainbow-colored silk, which he stuffs into his left hand. With an empty right hand, he reaches into his pocket and takes out an Irish 50-pence piece -- a "lepre-coin," he explains. He rubs the left hand with the coin, opens the hand, and reveals -- a pot of gold! Working: You'll need a nine-inch rainbow silk; that can be made by taking a white silk and coloring it in stripes with various colored Sharpie markers. (Don't worry if the stripes "bleed;" it's supposed to be a rainbow.) You'll also need a gold pot. Readers of my Showtime column in the Linking Ring will recall, from the Three Little Pigs routine of some years back, that these can be found at craft shops that specialize in miniatures for doll houses. It's a tiny brass chamber pot, in fact. The 50-pence Irish coin can be found at most coin shops in the "junk" box. It has a picture of a harp on one side and is about the size of an American half-dollar. And -- for the gaffus that does the dirty -- you'll need a thumb tip. The silk and coin are in the right jacket pocket; the pot and tip in the left pocket. As you tell the story, both hands go into the pockets, the left palming the tip and pot and the right grabbing the silk by one corner. Bring the right hand out of the pocket a fraction of a second before the left, putting on the heat on the ungimmicked silk and the otherwise empty hand. Show the silk on both sides, stuff it into the left hand (actually the thumb tip) stealing the tip as the right hand completes its job. Gesture with the right hand (to show it as empty, without actually mentioning that fact) and reach into the right pocket (ditching the tip) and bring out the coin. Do your finest mumbo-jumbo with the coin, explaining that this time the leprechaun wasn't so smart because you got to the end of the rainbow -- and found the pot of gold! Second Thoughts: This is just one of many, many similar routines I use with a silk and a thumb tip, some of which have been printed here. The thumb tip is the one piece of magic equipment that I never go anywhere without; in fact, I usually carry two. If you don't want to make up the rainbow silk, a nine-inch green silk will do, to represent the leprechaun. Or you could sketch a picture of a leprechaun on a white silk, in green ink. And, if you can't find the gold pot, a gold coin will do almost as well. In fact, you could even use a gold-covered chocolate coin and then give it to the spectator. Finally, the Irish coin isn't really necessary. it's just a gag I like (the lepre-coin) and -- for the ultra-cautious -- it give a logical excuse for going to the pocket to ditch the thumb tip. Besides, it's a lot better than bringing out some "invisible woofle dust" (which, no doubt, comes from dusty, invisible woofles). Erin Go Bragh! Peter Marucci 270 St. Andrew St. East Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 1R1 Fax (519) 787-2373 e-mail: showtimecol@aol.com ----------------- 19. The Amazing Orchante Saga, Vol. 2 - The Australian Years ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 21 Let me tell you about ‘Little Bird’! He was a Corella. There are two variations of the species - the ‘Little Corella’ and, the ‘Long Billed Corella’; ‘Little Bird’ was a ‘Little Corella’, also known as the ‘Bared Eyed’ cockatoo, the ‘Blood-Stained’ cockatoo, and the ‘Short-Billed’ cockatoo. About 15inches in length (38cm), their general plumage is white; with diffuse yellow bands under wings and tail. Unlike most cockatoos, they don’t have a distinct crest, but they can raise the feathers on top of head in alarm or aggression. They have small red feathers between eye and Bill. Bare blue skin around the eye, extending in an oval below the eye, varies in shape with age and possibly sex. Their eyes are a dark brown, and their bill is horn coloured – legs are grey. Little Corella’s are excellent birds to keep as a pet, becoming docile and affectionate towards their owners, and are good talkers; Little Bird was no exception although we did have a big advantage. We bought him from a most reputable bird dealer/breeder ‘The Ace Colony’ (which is, was? if memory serves me correctly, was out North Parramatta - Wentworthville way) when he was only a few weeks old - just a cute, tiny bundle of soft down and fluff. I have some wonderful video footage of Veronica hand feeding him with a special mushy mix for young birds. The beauty of hand rearing a cockatoo, or any bird for that matter, is that they grow up as part of the family; to them, you are their parents! In addition, your other pets – dogs, cats, etc accept and protect them. It is quite something to watch a cat and bird, traditionally sworn enemies, playing together and having fun! Although the bulk of our work was appearing/performing in R S L clubs etc. around Sydney (RSL - Returned Ex-Services Leagues), we were on tour quite a lot as well. Many times, we were on the road with Judy Stone (among others), one of the Top Country and Western singing stars in Australia at the time; perhaps she still is? Consequently, we took Little Bird with us, as he was far too young to leave with Doug at his pet shop, as we did with our other birds; besides, Veronica was still hand feeding him. It was during one of Judy's tours that Little Bird took his first flight around the motel room we were staying in. That caused quite a bit of excitement - everybody had to come and see Little Bird ‘doing his thing’, and he was only too happy to oblige! The ‘Judy Stone Show(s)’ was always a lot of fun – Judy was a ‘True Star’, and you knew she was the boss but, she had none of the ‘off-handedness’, that seems to be the wont of many of those who have made it ‘big’. Judy had a great team around her, and she had her own backing band which included two female backing singers. All of them were absolutely ACE! I can’t remember all their names now, but the leader (and drummer) was John Clinton – he had his own business/shop in Crown St. East Sydney – ‘Live Music Systems’; a hire, sales and service of Top Quality sound equipment – very expensive gear for professionals. I would drool all over the place whenever I was in his shop. Then there was Lance - he was the pianist in the group. The reason I remember Lance is that he lived just down the road from us, and we often got together after tours. Lance was brilliant pianist - a very unassuming, easy-going man; he went through hell and an awful lot of pain battling early baldness with very expensive ‘invisible’ transplants. Why does fate play such cruel tricks on those who least deserve it? It ain’t fair! A little aside. One of the great things about typing on a computer is that you can play a CD on it at the same time. I have a very good speaker set-up that sounds fantastic, and right this minute, as I’m typing this, I’m listening to my all time favourite singer – Neil Diamond. He is singing a song called ‘Morningside’. It is one of his songs, one of many, that really moves’ me to tears. God, I really am such a softie at heart. In a recent interview, Neil Diamond divulged that most of his songs related to his life and incidents therein. What gets to me is that the words of most of his songs relate to incidents, my life as well! Another of his songs, called - ‘I AM…I SAID’, has a particular effect on me. He sings about being ‘…lost between two shores…’ That’s me, lost - between the shores of New Zealand and England! Changing the names of the cities/countries in Neil’s song – …‘I’m New Zealand born and raised; England is fine but it ain’t home; New Zealand’s home but it’s not mine anymore..!’ Guess you will just have to listen to the words of the songs to really understand – ‘If You Know What I Mean’. I seem to have slipped away from the cockatoos somewhat. What’s that? Did I just detect a collective sigh of relief? Tut, tut! There is a little more to relate about Judy Stone, the gang and us. In those days, Veronica and I were mad on ‘Backgammon’, and we got everybody who knew us involved as well. Judy and the gang were no exception! - CONTINUES - ------------------ 20. Magic New Zealand e-zine archives ------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand 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: magic Password: kiwi When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999) ------------------- 22. Subscription Management ------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. 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