* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #239 Date: Sunday 29th February 2004 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. The Castle Partners And Their Vision For The Magic Castle In Hollywood   3. IBM Convention - Cleveland   4. Tony Laffan's Illusions 4 Sale!   5. Media Alert: Magician On The Radio!   6. Michael Finney - 27th New Zealand International Magicians Convention   7. Patrick and Melissa Australia - The Adelaide Fringe Festival   8. Comedy Knockout Comedy Club   9. The 29th Magic Circle Collectors’ Day   10. 29th Australian Convention Of Magicians Update   11. The First Annual All Mentalism Convention   12. I Haven't Got A Clue - Peter Marucci   13. Rebirth Of The Zig Zag   14. 29th Australian Convention Of Magicians Update   15. Martinka.com Vintage & Modern Magic Auction Begins March 8th   16. Magic Conference In Branson Missouri   17. The WIZARD of OX-nard aka Ted Wakai   18. Hawaii Magic   19. The Amazing Orchante Saga   20. e-zine Archives   21. Subscription Management ------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Re: Hostile Takeover Of The Magic Castle Now In Progress Published Thursday 29th January 2004 Magic New Zealand Issue Number: #234 As we all know there are two sides to a story and in this week’s issue Diana Zimmerman on behalf of Castle Partners, LLC has released their vision with regards to the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Refer item 2. ------------------- Paul Daniels autobiography, Under No Illusion Paul Daniels autobiography was a great read.  I could really empathise as a professional performer with some of the situations he found himself in.  What I particularly enjoyed most was the warts and all story of his life. I highly recommend his book and it can be obtained from either Amazon.co.uk or direct from the pauldanielsmagicshop.com ------------------- The Rebirth of the Zig Zag Terry Baldwin’s ideas are very innovative and certainly increase the deception of the Zig Zag Illusion.  For more information refer item 13.  Please note he accepts MasterCard and Visa. ---------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. The Castle Partners And Their Vision For The Magic Castle In Hollywood ----------------- Message from Diana Zimmerman (US) My apologies for the delay. We were hoping to have something more solid to provide you with, but it has not yet been forthcoming. I can, however, tell you the following.. Castle Partners, LLC has made the AMA a ten point offer. Peter Reveen and Andy Ulloa (Tom Glover's Stepson) presented it to the Academy Board at their last meeting. Amazingly, we were only given ten minutes to present such an important issue. We did, however, meet a few days later with Lew Horowitz, Dale Hindman and Milt Larsen to discuss and clarify the offer. They asked dozens of questions regarding it, all of which we seemed to be able to answer to their satisfaction. Naturally, there are many, many details to be worked out. We are awaiting a response from the AMA's new Board of Directors. The anticipated time frame is the 15th of March. The details of the offer are still confidential. However, I can tell you that instead of the approximately 104K that the AMA reported as profit last year (2003), Castle Partners, LLC's offer will put up to a million dollars in its pocket each year - naturally, to do with as it likes. With these type of funds, there should be no reason to ever increase member dues again - but that will, of course, be up to that AMA. CPLLC's offer will greatly increase member benefits in the areas that many members have been asking for such as better access to shows, a members only area, special "members only" dinners and pricing, increase in magicians pay, plus so much more. Absolutely NO member benefits will be taken away and members will have the same access, (or better) etc., as always. I think that is very important to reiterate.. Absolutely NO member benefits will be taken away and members will have the same access, etc., (or better) as always. It will also provide the AMA with a long-term lease. Under CP's offer, the Castle will be run by an Operational Board that we hope will include: the AMA, CP, the Glovers, Irene and Milt. We have also insisted that any deal include restoring Irene Larsen with equity, something that was taken away from her when Bill died. Additionally, CPLLC has made Milt Larsen a very lucrative offer. He is in the process of reviewing it. Milt has stated that he will get back to us by the first week in March. We very much want Milt to stay involved and support him 100%. Milt, like Walt Disney, is a great visionary. But even Walt realized that he needed a great business person with him to carry on his legacy - and by Milt's own admission, he is not a business man. There have been a lot of mis-truths and un-substantiated rumors stated about CPLLC. Unfortunately, the story broke long before it should have, and that started all of the "silliness." Let me clarify a few of the more well-touted misconceptions. It all started when, having heard all of the rumors that the Glovers were not happy with the AMA and Milt, and that they wanted to "turn the Castle into a disco," Peter Reveen, Bob Rossi, Michael Flint and myself approached the Glovers through a third party, Bill Rose, about buying the property to give the AMA a permanent home. Our offer was flatly turned down. We did, however, learn that the Glovers had no intention of making it a "disco" and that this was just another bit of propaganda to make them look like the bad guys! It was ONLY after negotiations with Milt had completely fallen apart (the Glovers negotiated for 21/2 years with him to no avail) that we stepped up to the plate. This was also ONLY after being assured by the Glovers that neither Milt, nor the AMA would be given a new lease at all if we didn't get involved. And that if we did get involved, that Milt, the AMA and the original intent of the Castle, i.e. to keep the Magic Castle a private club for Magicians would be upheld. With this in place, we decided to intervene. If I can leave your readers with just one thought, it is this. All of the people involved with CPLLC are visionary builders - not destroyers. We all love the Castle. Peter has been there since its very founding. I started the Junior program, which is now thirty years old. Michael served on the Marketing committee for eight years. It is in honor of Bill and Irene Larsen, their father, William Larsen, Sr. and of course Milt, that we have worked so very hard to provide a solution that will enable the Castle to flourish for the next forty years. I hope this helps to clarify a few issues. Sincerely, Diana Zimmerman ----------------- 3. IBM Convention - Cleveland ----------------- Message from Mindy Burden (US) Many thanks to Bob Kurtz, Cleveland, for sharing a souvenir program from the 1962 joint I.B.M.-S.A.M. Convention. I found it very interesting the following excerpts from the program are oh so relevent today. "I wouldn't take anything in the world for the fun I've had in magic", wrote C. Verne Bloch, member of the Public Relations Committee of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He adds: "Did you ever know a magician who hasn't said this at some time or another--most probably at an International Brotherhood of Magicians convention? Thousands of members of the International Brotherhood of Magicians actually look forward to their annual convention as the once-a-year opportunity to meet their very best friends--friends not only from around the United States, but those who live across the seas. (And north and south, MBurden) It is the common bond of the International Brotherhood of Magicians membership that draws them together at least once a year. For many members, the four or five days a year they spend at the convention are the happiest of their entire year. They have enough fun to last them almost to the time of the next year's convention." And this note is just as true today as it was in 1962: "Cleveland is 'the best location in the nation'. The term is a simple statement of a superlative fact--describing the advantages of its central location. This location assures a good attendance for conventions and one which is easily accessible to a majority of delegates. Half of the population of the United States is within a 500 mile radius and overnight rail time of the city. Convenient, fast, and modern transportation facilities of all kinds are available in and out of the city. The Cleveland of today is a big, busy city. It is a city of more than a million people, the capital of a great trade empire, and an industrial giant ranking with the greatest in the world. The Cleveland of today also offers all the attractions of a great metropolis befitting its size and prestige. The cultural and educational institutions, the parks, and the entertainment facilities of Cleveland are among the finest in the world. The beautiful shores of Lake Erie offer a great variety of attractions. The entire area surrounding the great city is one of beauty and interest. Cleveland's compact layout is another convention advantage. All major hotels, the shopping district, transportation points, amusements, and Lake Erie are all within a few minutes walking distance. Any point in the city is easily accessible from the downtown area. With Cleveland in an especially fine mood to welcome its guests and with the city's traditionally kind and friendly spirits as a convention host in the offing, visitors attending this convention is in for a memorable experience." I couldn't have said it better! You may register for the I.B.M. Cleveland 2004 Convention (June 30-July3) online at www.magician.org OR the registration form on the reverse of your Linking Ring address face page OR write to Registration Chairman Mel Kientz: 2020 W. Yucca Drive, Wickenburg AZ 85390 napamagic@aol.com ----------------- 4. Tony Laffan's Illusions 4 Sale! ----------------- Message from Tony Laffan (Aust) Hi Guys, Just wanted to let you know that I am considering selling a couple of my props and wanted to put the feelers out there to see who may be interested and maybe if you know some guys who may be interested as well to pass on this e-mail. -Smoke Chamber Scott Davies built this smoke chamber for me but it is sitting in a road case not getting used. It has two smoke machines to fill thick and quickly and in case one does not work there is always the second machine. - Clearly Impossible- the Perspex sawing in half- will fit a girl 5' 7 to 5' 10 (Kasey is too short for it as it was made for Juleen) - Tiger Illusion - Kiosk / Jarred pedestal and Dekolta chair. - Water Torture Cell - the only one in Australia. Owned by three generations of Australian escape artists. - Hammock Vanish - for a girl ----------------- 5. Media Alert: Magician On The Radio! ----------------- Message from David Groves (US) I have a couple media appearances coming in the next month. In the first, I will be appearing on the radio on "The Psyche Deli" at 4 pm PDT this Thursday, February 26. I will be talking about magic, street performing, mindreading, Dai Vernon, S.W. Erdnase, why magicians are like unicorns, and other lively topics, as well as performing some impressive feats of magic on the air. "The Psyche Deli: Delectable Tidbits for the Subconscious" is broadcast on the World Wide web every Thursday, 4 -5 pm PST LIVE on www.wpmd.org. Click on the "Click here to listen" button, turn up your speakers, and join us! The show is hosted by Tina Tessina, author of 15 books, including IT ENDS WITH ME: GROWING UP AND OUT OF DYSFUNCTION. Her entire impressive resume is included at www.tinatessina.com. She's a delightful host and a lifelong fan of magic. Call in to the show at 562-860-2451 x2628 to ask David questions on air. All Psyche Deli shows will soon be archived on www.CouplesCompany.com. ----------------- 6. Michael Finney - 27th New Zealand International Magicians Convention ----------------- Message from Mick Peck (NZ) Queen's Birthday Weekend - 4, 5, 6, 7th June 2004 - Takapuna, Auckland. Talent Update! We thought our great line-up of talent couldn't get any better, but there is even more great news as we can now announce that Michael Finney has confirmed his attendance at the Auckland convention. More than a comedian, Michael is a humorist. He has performed at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, been nominated for Magician of the Year, and received the Silver Lion Head Award for Excellence in Comedy and Magic from Siegfried and Roy. For the past fourteen years Michael has been entertaining corporate clients and headlining comedy clubs across the USA. He has appeared on the Fox Network with Magic Johnson on "The Magic Hour" and performed on NBC's "World's Greatest Magicians" and "World's Wildest Magic", which screened here in New Zealand several years ago. .. If you want funny - You want FINNEY! Michael will be performing his great comedy magic in our "Shore Is Magic!" evening show, the SCMC 30th Anniversary Show and Banquet, and will also present a lecture on his comedy magic. Michael Finney joins our already great list of talent - DeLarno, Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster, David Ginn, and our world champion headliner Michael Ammar. We are proud to be bringing you what must surely be the greatest line-up ever assembled for a New Zealand magic event. You do not want to miss this convention!! Register Now to secure your place now. More information at the convention website : www.aucklandmagician.com/convention/ Mick Peck Email: mick@aucklandmagician.com ----------------- 7. Patrick and Melissa Australia - The Adelaide Fringe Festival ----------------- Message from Melissa (Aust) Catch Patrick McCullagh's Latest one man show at The Adelaide Fringe Festival Patrick McCullagh the Swindler. Catch Him If You Can Directed By Greg Carrol Original Music Scores by Neil Osborne & Tanina Forte The Swindler..He Will Hood Wink You, Con You, Charm you and Above all make you Laugh! Patrick McCullagh will bring intrigue to audiences at The 2004 Adelaide Fringe Festival with an exhibition of world-class, sleight-of-hand artistry, and mind games. "The Swindler is a fascinating and humorous insight into this secretive art form.'', with a lesson on gambling and human nature. Patrick McCullagh The Swindler originally from Northern Ireland has been performing comedy and card sleights professionally for the past 20 years internationally and in Australia and has won many international awards for his skill and presentation. He is a Mo award Nominee, Patrick has performed at "The Castle" in Hollywood, Miami and Las Vegas. Lots of Irish Blarney and gambling deceptions. See the short cons in action; everyone will love this funny and unbelievable show a mind boggling experience for all ages. "Patrick knows a thing or two about the hand being quicker than the eye" ..........The Melbourne Age Call Him a Trickster, Call Him a Faker, Call Him a Deceiver, a fraud, a Shammer. But never, ever accept an invitation to play cards with him.The Courier Mail Adelaide Fringe Festival Performances Fringe Hub Margaret Murray Room Sat 28- Sun 29 Feb, Sat 6 Mar 4pm, Sun 29Feb 10.10PM Sun 7 Mar 5.50PM Book at Fringe Tix. & The Weimar Room 27 Hindley Street Adelaide Fri 27-Sat 28 Feb, Fri 5 Mar 8pm Sat 6 Mar 8.30pm $15/$10 www.adelaidefringe.com.au/Search.aspx Also at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Mar 25 to Apr 18 Melbourne Town Hall 6pm $10 Previews (25, 26 March) $12 Tues Full$18/Con/grp/laugh Pack $15 Tickets go on sale March 5th www.patrickmccullagh.com ----------------- 8. Comedy Knockout Comedy Club ----------------- Message from Melissa (Australia) I welcome any magicians travelling through Melbourne Australia to come along to the comedy Clubs and any magicians wishing to perform Comedy/Magic to arrange a spot call Melissa 0419 571 704 or email comedy@comedyknockout.com Comedy Knockout Comedy Club Every Tuesday The European Bier Cafe 120 exhibition Street Melb 8.30pm $10/$8 Every Wednesday The Elephant and Wheelbarrow 169 Fitzroy Street St kilda 9pm $10/$8 Every Thursday Bridie O Reillys 29 Sydney Road Brunswick 9pm $10/$8 Comedy Knockout Comedy Club Presenting Australians Top Comedians and The Comedy Stars of Tomorrow!!! www.comedyknockout.com ----------------- 9. The 29th Magic Circle Collectors’ Day ----------------- Message from Edwin A Dawes (UK) The 29th Magic Circle Collectors’ Day will be held at The Centre for the Magic Arts, London, on 29th May 2004. The international programme currently being assembled already includes the following speakers and topics: Arthur Emerson (USA) America’s Radio Magicians: Chandu, Blackstone, Mandrake and Thurston Nelson Nicholson (USA) Mysto Magic (the famous firm associated initially with John Albert Petrie and later with A.C. Gilbert at New Haven, Connecticut) Jacques Voignier (France) Le Commandeur Cazeneuve (the noted French performer) Scott Penrose Recollections of Michael Hartz (of ‘Crystal Magic’ and ‘Devil of a Hat’ fame) ----------------- 10. 29th Australian Convention Of Magicians Update ----------------- Message from Ellis & Webster (Aust) Magic Two - who are currently still cruising Asia on the Superstar Gemini, have just been added the convention's World Champions Of Magic stage show. Tickets for this show are going VERY quickly. Very soon, the only way to see the show will be by buying a full registration! ----------------- 11. The First Annual All Mentalism Convention ----------------- Message from Robert Allen & Danny Archer We invite you to join them for 3 days of mind blowing fun & mental mayhem MINDVENTION The First Annual All Mentalism Convention November 14 - 16, 2004 San Remo Hotel & Casino * Las Vegas, Nevada Featuring: Bob Cassidy * Alain Nu * John Riggs Mark Strivings * Terry Nosek * Chuck Hickok Brad Henderson * Bruce Bernstein * Lee Earle Larry Becker and many more to come! Shows * Lectures * Workshops If you're a mentalist this is the one convention you don't want to miss! (Of course if you're a great mentalist you already knew that!) Register Telepathically or contact: Mindvention@juno.com For more Information on Mindvention go to our web site www.LVMI.net Also check out The West Coast's most talked about Close-Up Magic Convention THE LAS VEGAS MAGIC INVITATIONAL September 12-14 & 17-19, 2004 You Choose: Same great performers! 2 separate sessions! ----------------- 12. I Haven't Got A Clue - Peter Marucci ----------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) A dealer ad for the following would probably read something like this: "Carry it with you at all times; instant reset; no sleights; easy to do; start clean, finish clean; no gimmicks." And you'd think it was too good to be true (of course, if it were a dealer ad, it probably would be too good to be true). But this has served me, in various forms (see Second Thoughts) for more years than I care to remember. It's easy to make up and easy to do, so your full effort can be put on the presentation. (But that should be true in every case.) Currently, in my restaurant and bar table work, I'm using my Uncle Linguini's Kitchen routine (so you're not going to get that one!) but there are countless variations, including: I Haven't Got A Clue by Peter Marucci Effect: Based loosely (very loosely!) on the board game Clue, the magician relates a tale of murder and mayhem and shows a stack of business cards on which are printed various weapons that could be used to commit the foul deed. The spectator freely selects one card and the magus -- playing the detective -- solves the crime and reveals the chosen weapon. Preparation: You'll need nine cards with the name of one weapon printed on each (you can use blank face cards, blank business cards, or your own business card with the weapons printed on the blank side) The weapons are Gun, Overdose, Noose, Ether, Bomb, Axe, Club, Knife, Sword. Notice that the first letters of each weapon, taken together, spell the nonsense word GONEBACKS. And that word is all you have to remember. The stack of cards can be cut as often as you wish (it doesn't change the cyclical order) or given a series of overhand cuts to look like a shuffle (same thing applies). The spectator is asked to cut the stack anywhere and take the next card. When she does, put the top of the stack on the bottom and casually glance at the bottom card. If it is Noose, you'll know that the chosen (next) card is Ether, because that's the next letter in sequence in the word GONEBACKS. Presentation: "You are probably familiar with the board game Clue, where the object of the game is to find out who the murderer is, where the crime was done, and what weapon was used -- as in: 'Colonel Mustard, in the living room, with the gun.' "Well, we're going to make it a little easier and quicker tonight by having the master detective -- that's me -- find out which weapon was used by the dangerous killer -- that's you (point to a previously chosen spectator). "First, you'll have to select a weapon; I have a bunch of them here, so you won't have any problem. (Show the cards face up, revealing the different weapons; then cut or false shuffle the cards so the cyclical order remains the same.) Please cut off some of the cards and take the next face-down card. Look at it but don't show it to anyone -- remember, you're the killer and you are trying to escape detection. Kinda silly, when you think of it, because I just told everybody you're the killer." (As you say this, put the top, cut-off stack of cards on the bottom and casually glance at the name on the bottom card; for example, Axe. That means the card that was next -- the chosen card -- is Club.) From here on in, it's all acting; you can reveal the card held by the spectator as quickly or as slowly as you like; you can be serious or you can use comedy; you can do just about anything at this point -- but remember: Never, ever embarrass your volunteer; she's doing you a favor so don't be a total dweeb and try to ridicule her; you'll definitely lose your audience; probably lose your job; and possibly lose the use of your legs (depending on the crowd you're working). Second thoughts: If you are into self-promotion (as you should be), when you reveal the weapon and "apprehend the culprit," you can give her your business card with a picture of a prison or a jail cell on the back, and the comment: "If this was for real, that is where you could be spending the rest of your life." At the end of the routine, when the volunteer gives her chosen card back to you, put it on the top or bottom of the stack and you are immediately reset and ready to go for the next table or group of patrons. The thing I like about this concept is that it can be carried anywhere, done at anytime, and under any conditions. And, if you think the crime scenario is a bit too heavy for your audience, it can be changed. For example, the theme can be the zoo, with cards showing a Skunk, Chimp, Horse, Owl, Lion, Ape, Rhino, Pig, Elephant, and Tiger. The memory word in this case is SCHOLARPET. Or you can do an international them, with pictures of flags of different nations: Uganda, Norway, Liberia, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Turkey, Egypt, Denmark. The memory word here is UNLIGHTED. Some time back, I marketed a version that included jewels: Garnet, Ruby, Emerald, Amethyst, Pearl, Opal, Diamond. The memory word was GREATPODS. Currently, I am marketing a bar version, with the cards showing different drinks. And, as I said, I am performing the Uncle Linguini version, with different types of Italian foods. So you can see, the possibilities are almost endless, as long as you can come up with six to nine items that can be formed into some sort of memory-aid word (and no duplicate letters, of course). While I haven't tried it, or even given it much thought, this would also be a great corporate or trade-show item, with the cards bearing names of products from the company's line, or raw materials, or whatever fits. The important thing here is that it is easy to do. That doesn't mean it should be done carelessly or sloppily, just because you didn't have to practice six months to do it. It means that you can devote all your efforts to the story line, the presentation, and the entertainment value of the routine. Of course, that's something every magician should be doing anyway. Peter Marucci 270 St. Andrew St. East Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 1R1 e-mail: showtimecol@aol.com ----------------- 13. Rebirth Of The Zig Zag ----------------- Message from Terry Baldwin (South Africa) As you may well know, Robert Harbin was born in South Africa and I am personally in contact with some of his relatives. When the Masked Magician exposed how the Zig Zag worked I am sure a lot of Zig Zags were put away in the garage – mine was anyway, as the program was broadcast here about six times over the local TV networks during the school holidays period. Then on searching the net I got hold of the interview that was held with the Masked Magician – he was asked, “why did you do it?” His reply was that it was time for magicians to come up with new ideas and create new technology. I have come up with a fantastic concept which will result in the rebirth of the Zig Zag. A few South African magicians have seen it and were completely dumbfounded. One of them, Mr Adrian Parnell, Manager of Nedbank, even asked me for the measurements. I did not expose this, as I realized the economic value of this concept. 1. You do not have to rebuild your Zig Zag. 2. You do have to make certain changes and installments. 3. You do have to purchase the secret certain something.(not a mirror). 4. The presentation remains exactly the same, but with your audience gasping. 5. It can still be done surrounded. The price is US$30 plus US$2 for airmail postage of the plans. Should you be interested, please e-mail me at terry@exor.co.za giving your postal address, your fax number (for us to fax bank details) and your telephone contact numbers as well as your e-mail address. Terry accepts MasterCard and Visa. The first step is we will send you a numbered contract of performing rights for signature and witnessing by a Commissioner of Oaths. On our receipt of this via e-mail we will contact you via fax with bank details for payment. This is to be done via electronic transfer – DO NOT send money in the post. Once the contract and payment is received, your plans will be dispatched via airmail. Allow approximately 2 to 3 weeks for delivery – remember I am at the other end of the world ! My contact number is 27 11 828-6715 – this is both fax and telephone. Remember to allow for the time difference – I am based in Johannesburg in South Africa. ----------------- 14. 29th Australian Convention Of Magicians Update ----------------- Message from Tim Ellis (Aust) Another lunchtime bonus session has been added to the convention! MEET THE MAN BEHIND HARRY HOUDIDN'T - During Sunday lunch break from 12.30-1.00pm at Ivanhoe Receptions, Adrian Kebbe will share his story and you'll be amazed at what he has to say! Find out how a Commonwealth Games weightlifter became a crazy comedy magician became a minister! Also, due to heavy demand, we've created a special page where you can book your transport between the hotels and The Centre Ivanhoe. Transport is available, but is strictly limited and can only be booked ONCE you have paid your convention registration. We have buses and (if you want them) Limousine Transfers! Find the right transport to suit your needs and travel times, email or call us asap, and we'll reserve your seat. www.magicunlimited.com/transport.htm Also, if demand is there, Lee Eun-Gyeol may be willing to present an extra cost ($50) Masterclass for Dove Workers between 3-5pm on Friday June 11. This class would be limited to 20 people ONLY and only those who have already registered. If you are interested in attending, email or call ASAP and, if we get enough takers, we'll make it official! Lee Eun-Gyeol is one of THE BEST dove workers in the world today. When you see his act you'll know why. If you've ever wanted to work with doves, learn how to produce them properly, and get the real insight from a master - this is for you. ----------------- 15. Martinka.com Vintage & Modern Magic Auction Begins March 8th ----------------- Message from Ted Bogusta (US) Martinka & Co. is running their 12th online auction of vintage and modern magic at www.martinka.com. The sale will run from March 8th - 14th and it will be our largest auction to date with over 350 lots. Among the items listed so far are: * Original Posters from Thurston, Blackstone and Soo * An interesting assortment of books for collectors and performers * Magic Bookplates, Throw out cards, Magic tokens and Postcards * A great collection of Houdini items * Apparatus from Okito, Martinka, Thayer and P&L We are including some material from the storage area of the old Hornmann - Martinka Shop and many other items which have been received as consignments. There are lots listed in all price ranges and many will be sold without reserve. In some cases the reserve has been set to a fraction of the items true value, so there will be some bargains to be had! Even more lots will be added during the auction week, so check in often. If you are not already registered from a previous auction, please visit the website and register prior to the sale. The items will be online for viewing beginning on March 8th, in the meanwhile, you can view the items from past auctions by visiting us at www.martinka.com/auction. The auction will end on March 14th, 2004. Best of Luck, Ted Bogusta Martinka & Co.,Inc. - Est. 1877 www.martinka.com (212) 279-6079 PS: We are now accepting consignments for our June 2004 Auction. If you have an item or group of items that you would like us to include, please contact me as soon as possible for details. There's also the possibility that we could picture your item in our upcoming ads for additional exposure. ----------------- 16. Magic Conference In Branson Missouri ----------------- Message from Marty Hahne (US) There will be a new magic conference, on the subject of how to perform shows, held this spring in the entertainment capital of Branson Missouri. The Magic Show Conference will be hosted by Duane and Mary Laflin, of Laflin Magic, and Marty and Brenda Hahne, of Dazzling Magic. The dates are May 6 -8, 2004. Registration includes tickets to 2 Branson shows: Brett Daniels new show "Magic and Beyond" and a magic variety show starring the Magic of Dave and Denise Hamner and ventriloquist Jim Barber. Plus, there will be two other shows presented by the Laflins and the Hahne's and 8 lectures on presenting all types of shows, from school shows to malls to illusions. Also special lectures on costuming, and how to be a great assistant. For more information, go to www.dazzlingmagic.com. ----------------- 17. The WIZARD of OX-nard aka Ted Wakai ----------------- Message from Ted Wakai (US) The WIZARD of OX-nard aka Ted Wakai (of Oxnard Calif.,obviously) was invited to entertain the guests at a wedding reception in Honolulu on Valentine's Day at the Makiki Christian Church which looks like a Japanese Castle. He did table hopping and then later stand-up magic bilingually because of the many guests from Tokyo and Okinawa. Two cute little pre-school sisters from Okinawa were very intrigued and in fact stole the show. The following morning at the same church, he entertained the grade school kids with magic illustrating biblical parables and miracles. That afternoon, he was invited to a picnic with a number of the wedding guests which included those from Japan and the groom's mother's sisters and their husbands at the Chinaman's Hat Park which faces Chinaman's Hat Island on the windward side of Oahu. One of those husbands was an architect with the firm that designed the Twin Towers and he showed us a souvenir model of the Twin Towers. Coincidentally, he was housed at the Pagoda Hotel which has an Oriental flair. Their restaurant is in the middle of a koi pond with a waterfall. While in Honolulu, he was able to attend a local Hearing of the US Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education chaired by Congressional Medal of Honor recipient US Senator Daniel Inouye a former Jr. High and U of Hawaii classmate. There were several other US Senators and Congressmen at the hearing. That same afternoon, Ted and his son Everett from Paris were introduced to the State of Hawaii Legislature by his nephew, a former TV reporter, State Representative Glenn Wakai. ----------------- 18. Hawaii Magic ----------------- Message from James Dickson (US) I have just returned from a trip to Hawaii. While there I got to meet a bunch of the SAM assembly members who were very helpful to my wife and I. We also attended a show called the Magic of Polynesia and while the headlined magician was not there the night I was it was still a great show with dancing/singing assistants, a fire act, and ending with a production of a 15 foot island totem idol. I do recommend it to all visitors at the Waikiki Beachcomber. James Dickson ----------------- 19. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 59 "Those were the days" Although this episode is aimed primarily at New Zealand Variety Entertainers, who were based in Auckland during the early Sixties and Seventies, many may find it interesting from a historic point of view, and perhaps, will bring back some faded memories for many Kiwi ‘Old-Timers’, like myself. A few months ago Sally Phillips, (nee Metzer) my dear friend of many moons, sent me a copy of a newspaper cutting dated July 1971, which also displayed various photographs that brought back some special memories for me (it's a shame that Alan's magic e-Zine can't display photos). The write - up is headed “On with the show, they say”. In the first photograph, Sally is bending over me as I'm laying on my bed of nails, asking if I'm okay (she actually remembers saying that), in the foreground is Peter Newberry, juggling his club's. (Sally and Peter worked together as ‘Peter and Gaye’ - a trick cycling and juggling act). Beneath the photo, the newspaper report says quote, ‘Three of twelve Auckland entertainers staged a 10minute demonstration at the intersection of Queen and Victoria streets this afternoon, before being asked to move on by the traffic department. They were voicing their objections to a Licensing Control Commission’, warning that Live Entertainment could be infringing the ‘Sale of Liquor’ Act at a North Shore restaurant, the 'Ranch House’. The entertainers, with their respective tools of trade, were not permitted to demonstrate. Traffic moved among them throughout the time they were on the intersection!’ unquote. Another photo, which again depicts myself lying on the bed of nails, shows a trolleybus going by - the huge, right wheel is just inches from my head (I do remember that, I could feel the heat coming off the tyre, on the side of my face.) A third picture shows magician, Jon Zealando, with cane in one hand and doffing his top hat with the other, standing on top of me - again with Peter Newberry in the foreground, juggling three clubs; his unicycle lying in the middle of the road, as I was, just behind me. In the background are the other entertainers whom, unfortunately, I cannot recognise after all this time. Also pictured is Curly Del Monte, he was the secretary of ‘Actors Equity’; he's carrying a large sign, which says, ‘ENTERTAINERS OUTLAWED BY LICENSING LAW’. The caption under this photo reads, quote, 'Auckland's lunch hour traffic was brought to a sudden stop when several local variety artistes decided to bring to the notice of the public that the licensing commission had announced its intension to exercise the existing licensing laws, prohibiting ‘Visual’ performances in licensed restaurants. Hundreds of startled Aucklander’s were intrigued with the performance… unquote. I often wonder about this apparently incurable disease that strikes so many of those who have been ‘Voted Into Office’ - turning their brains and all sense of reasoning, into - mush. This ‘disease’ is particularly virulent here in England and, I notice that the current Presidency of the United States of America is absolutely riddled with it! It wasn't just the Ranch House - every restaurant, hotel and nightclub in Auckland, the entire country would have been affected. The potential effect this ludicrous law would have had on the livelihood of those artistes who entertained on a full-time professional basis, would have been utterly devastating. This is a bit of a nostalgia 'kick' for me, and perhaps for many other Auckland entertainers also - here is a list of some of the nightclubs/restaurants that we all used to work during the Sixties and early Seventies, that would have been put 'out of bounds' if this law had come into effect. The Toby jug, the Back O the Moon; my personal favourite - The Dutch Kiwi, The Colony, the Poenamo, Peter Pan Ballroom, The Montmarte, Paris Boulevard, the Shiralee, the Mocambo, and the Sorrento. I'm sure there are many more, but offhand I can't think of them right now. The first nightclub in Auckland was, as far as I'm aware, a joint called the ‘Heaven and Hell’, I believe that Ricky May, the famous Australasian jazz singer, (he died some years ago), began his career making toasted sandwiches etc. at the Heaven and Hell, and occasionally doing the odd singing spot as well. ------------------ 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) ------------------- 21. Subscription Management ------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. 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