* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #258 Date: Sunday 16th May 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. Tony Shelley (Secretary Of The British I.B.M. Ring) Has Suffered A "Massive Brain Haemorrhage 3. One Of The Sites Of Granville Taylor 4. I.B.M. Convention Clevedon Schedule 5. Samuel Patrick Smith/Selina Frederick Present Seminars In Canada 6. Re Steve Pradell's "The Magic Moments" & Cancer Survivors Celebration 7. Jonathan Pendragon’s Reply Re: Metamorphosis 8. "Magic In Las Vegas" (And Related Arts) For May, 2004 9. Searching For A Super-Deluxe Bang Gun 10. An Open Letter To Mr. Holstein 11. Kohei Kobayashi Appearing At The S.A.M. Convention 12. Paul Cummins FASDIU Lecture In NYC May 24th 13. South African Illusionist/Hypnotist-Wesley Upfold 14. Slight Correction to Magic Collectors Line-up 15. Robert Lim Phang Wong - Health Update 16. Interested In Ventriloquism? - Attending Abbott's Get - Together 17. "Magic Capital Of The World" 18. Magic Shop Opens In Adelaide 19. What Really Happened To Roy Horn 20. The Appearing Red Heart Stone-By: Jamie-G 21. Bang -- And Bang Again - Peter Marucci 22. 29th Australian Convention Update 23. Magic Mondays In Melbourne 24. Mikame Craft/Japan Address?? 25. The Amazing Orchante Saga 26. e-zine Archives 27. Subscription Management ------------------ 1. Editors Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Very sad to learn about Tony Shelley’s massive brain haemorrhage - refer item 2 from Trevor Lewis (Wales) ----------------------- Congratulations to Rob Cox and Mandy Davis (UK) on their recent announced engagement. ---------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. Tony Shelley (Secretary Of The British I.B.M. Ring) Has Suffered A "Massive Brain Haemorrhage ----------------- Message from Trevor Lewis (Wales) Tony Shelley (Secretary of the British I.B.M. Ring) has suffered a "Massive Brain Haemorrhage” He is in Redditch hospital.... I don't have the address as yet. ------------- This is the message I received from Bryan Atherton today. Hello Trevor I've just arrived home and read your message.  The news about Tony is very grim.  I heard this morning that Tony had suffered a "massive brain haemorrhage" and was on a ventilator.  The latest that I heard at 5.00pm was that the family (and Boon I assume) are discussing with consultants whether to turn Tony's life support machine off!  Things seem very bad and I don't have much hope. Please let us hope that I am wrong. ------------- It sounds very bad. Such a nice person who took over the Rings heavy responsibility when Jeff Atkins left us. All for now. Trevor ----------------- 3. One Of The Sites Of Granville Taylor ----------------- Message from Paul Daniels (UK) Some of your readers might be interested in the following site: www.geocities.com/taylormademagic It is one of the sites of Granville Taylor, who worked under the stage name of Faust and toured most of the world as a pro. Now he makes quite rare props and gimmicks and even repairs old gimmicks. Worth a look, but touring around the site is not using the usual links and you have to look around to find the way. ----------------- 4. I.B.M. Convention Clevedon Schedule ----------------- Message from Tony Wilson (US) Tuesday June 29th 12n -6pm    Teen Bonus Day Workshop        Whitehall 12n         Registration Opens 6.30pm      Linking Ring Hospitality Party      Gold 8.00pm      Judges Briefing Stouffer 9pm-12m     Dealers Open Exhibit Hall 9.00pm     Ring 23 Show Grand B 9.00pm     Stage Contestants’ briefing Severance 10.00pm    Close-up Contestants’ briefing    Garfield Wednesday June 30th 8.00 am   Registration Opens 8.30am    Preliminary Stage Contest      Grand B 10am-5.30pm  Dealers Open          Exhibit Hall 10.00am      Spouse Gathering Ambassador 10.00am      TVP, Ring Reps Meeting     Garfield 10.00am      Invisible Lodge Szell 10.00am    Collectors’ Gathering        Bush 10.30am-12n      Elliott Smith Lecture      Grand A 1-2pm     John Carney Lecture Grand A 2-3pm      Karl Norman Lecture    Grand A 3.00pm    Dealer Show Grand B 4.00pm     2003-04 Board Meeting   Bush 4.30pm   Youth Welcome Ambassador 4.30pm    Women’s Forum       Halle 8.00pm   Premiere Gala Show    Palace Theater Mystina, John Carney, Jessica Reed, Kerry Pollock, Jim Passe, Master of Ceremonies: Michael Close 11.00pm     Magic Idol Grand B after show-12m    Dealers Open Exhibit Hall Thursday July 1st 7.30am  Ring 2100 Gathering Bush 8.00am     Registrations Open 8.00am      Preliminary Close-up Contest   CU rooms* * Severance, Van Aken, Halle, Case & Garfield 10.00am    Annual Business Meeting    Gold 10am-2pm     Dealers Open Exhibit Hall 10.00am   Spouse Tour Lobby 10.00am     Youth Event (magic teaching) Ambassador 10.00am   Youth Event (Elliott Smith) Bush 11am-12.30pm     Eddie Dawes Lecture      Grand A 1-2pm     Alan Shaxon Lecture Grand A 2.30pm  Big Three Close-Up (Blue) CU rooms BONK! (Red) Gold Ali Bongo Lecture (Green) Grand A 4-6pm      Dealers Open Exhibit Hall 4.00pm  Special Interest Group Events W.W. Durbin Brush Balloons Ambassador Press Kits Bush Saturday at Reubens Grand A Stage Make-up Willey Card Throwing G.Balcony 4.30-6pm  Magic Circle Reception   Grand B 8.00pm   Gala Show Palace Theater Jeff McBride with Eugene Burger and Abbi McBride 11.00pm    Eugene Burger Lecture Grand A after show-12m    Dealers Open Exhibit Hall Friday July 2nd 8.00am  Registration 8.00am  Order of Merlin Breakfast Ambassador 9.30am  Gold Cup Finals CU Rooms 10am-2pm   Dealers Open Exhibit Hall 11am-12.15pm    Gay Blackstone Lecture   Grand A 12.30-2pm  Jeff McBride Lecture Grand A 1.00pm    Ladies’ Session Ambassador 2.30pm  Big Three Close Up (Green) CU rooms BONK! (Blue) Gold Ali Bongo Lecture (Red) Grand A 4.00pm    2004-05 Board Meeting Bush 4-6pm    Dealers Open Exhibit Hall 4.00pm    Special Interest Group Events W.W. Durbin Brush Balloons Ambassador Press Kits Bush Saturday at Reubens Grand A Stage Make-Up Willey Card Throwing G. Balcony 8.00pm   Gold Medal Show Palace Theater The Competition The Spencers Master of Ceremonies: Rich Bloch After show-12m   Dealers Open Exhibit Hall 11.00pm   Dan Garrett Lecture Grand A Saturday July 3rd 9.00am      Reno/Tahoe Promotion Promenade 9-10.30am    Karrell Fox Memorial Lecture The Spencers Grand A 10.00am    Pre-Register for Reno/Tahoe 10am-2pm   Dealers Open Exhibit Hall 10.00am     Youth Event Ambassador 11am-1pm   Tim Hannig Lecture Grand A 1.00pm  Autograph Session Ambassador 2.30pm   Big Three Close Up (Red) CU rooms BONK! (Green) Gold Ali Bongo Lecture (Blue) Grand A 4-6pm   Dealers Open Exhibit Hall 4.00pm  Special Interest Group Events W.W. Durbin Brush Balloons Ambassador Press Kits Bush Saturday at Reubens Grand A Stage Make-Up Willey Card Throwing G. Balcony 4.00pm  Youth Send-Off Ambassador 5.15pm  Grand Banquet Grand A, B 8.00pm    International Gala Show Palace Theater Yuji Yamamoto, Fackelli & Blub, Murray Hatfield & Teresa and Alan Shaxon Master of Ceremonies: Ali Bongo 11.00pm    Strolling Olympics Gold after show 1 hr  Dealers Open Exhibit Hall ----------------- 5. Samuel Patrick Smith/Selina Frederick Present Seminars In Canada ----------------- Message from Samuel Patrick Smith (US) The Secret Ingredient Seminar comes to Vancouver, BC June 12 and to Edmonton, AB on June 13. A Day of Magic, Fun, and Learning with Samuel Patrick Smith and Selina Frederick Their one-day workshop features the following topics: Session 1 - Samuel Patrick Smith - Magic to Make Kids Laugh. This presentation of kid-show fun and foolery gets the day off to a great start. Session 2 - Selina Frederick - Bringing Out Your Kid-show Personality. Through demonstrations and stories, you learn creative ways to develop (or discover) your character to give your performances more quality and depth. Session 3 - Selina Frederick - Creativity. Selina's passion for creativity comes through in this exciting and entertaining session which includes an interactive brainstorming session with the audience. Session 4 - Samuel Patrick Smith - Big Laughs for Little People. Sammy is back with formulas for kid-show success. He shares a sure-fire outline for building a solid show followed by routines from his own programs. Session 5 - Samuel Patrick Smith and Selina Frederick - Q & A. The two Canadian dates and locations are Saturday, June 12 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Location: Comfort In, Vancouver Airport, 3031 Number 3 Road, Richmond, BC Sunday, June 13 1 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Location: Ritchie Hall, 7727 98th, Edmonton Admission is only $35 in advance or $45 at the door. Admission is only $35 in advance or $45 at the door. To register by phone with a credit card, call the Canadian SPS office at 705-424-9494. Cheques for registrations may be mailed to Selina Frederick, 5606 Essa Sd. Rd. 20, RR #1, Utopia, Ontario, Canada L0M 1T0. Additional information is available at www.spsmagic.com. A PDF of the seminar flyer and letter with additional details is available on request by emailing info@spsmagic.com. The full-day seminar includes a free 28-page workbook with worksheets, places for notes, and additional articles to supplement the material covered throughout the day. About The Presenters Samuel Patrick Smith began a full-time career of entertaining children over 20 years ago. Several thousand performances later, he wrote two books on working with children, BIG LAUGHS FOR LITTLE PEOPLE and KIDDIE PATTER AND LITTLE FEATS. His seven other books, including ON STAGE: BRINGING OUT THE BETTER PERFORMER IN YOU, focus on showmanship and marketing. As the founder of SPS Publications and spsmagic.com, Sammy has produced over 50 books, videos, and props for children's entertainers. He has lectured and performed through out the United States and Canada, but his favorite audience is in Eustis, Florida, where he lives with his wife and two sons. Selina Frederick is Art and Marketing Director for SPS Publications and the manager of SPS Publications, Canada. She has helped create numerous kid-show props which are distributed worldwide, including Book Worm, Tail Spin, What's My Job, Big Red Nose, and Lucy Strikes Gold -- all examples of her appealing style of art for children's audiences. Her career background includes training in human resources and extensive performing as her clown character, Joey. She is a delightful and dynamic public speaker. Selina lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two children. ----------------- 6. Re Steve Pradell's "The Magic Moments" & Cancer Survivors Celebration ----------------- Message from Ted Wakai Steve Pradell's "The Magic Moments" message was wonderful. After over 30 years of magic, I have finally concluded that my philosophy and sentiments as well as intent and purpose of my magic are, like Steve's, to make people happy. That's why I do performances for charity such as for Cancer Survivors Day, Special Olympics (mentally handicapped), schools, churches, hospitals, convalescent centers, Alzheimer’s centers, etc. That's why I have tried to minimize the use of sucker tricks, or eventually make the victims successful. I may not be a survivor, but who knows, someday I might succumb to cancer, as I have survived my father, mother, brother, sister, wife, her sister and niece who had all succumbed to cancer. So, statistically, I'm a likely candidate for cancer (even though I'm a Scorpio rather than a cancer.) Steve didn't have his e-mail address in his message, but I hope this will get to him. If Steve has a lecture note re the tricks or effects and methods, routines and "how to's" including his "umbrellas falling apart above his head," and "breaking apart of the clatter box." I'd like to hear from him. RE Cancer Survivors Celebration: I just did a magic show for the Cancer survivors as the final act. It was quite a challenge to do a stage magic in a cafeteria with obviously, no stage, no wings, no platform, no curtains. Fortunately, I brought along a couple of folding screens while I waited for the "Bag Lady" act which went overtime I made my entrance to caliope music, pushing a popcorn wagon. Then I threw some bags of popcorn to the audience and "caught" their Susan B. Anthonys in my Miser's Dream bucket and poured the coins into a sock pulled out of a zippered wallet which unfolded into a bag. Upon throwing out more bags of popcorn, I caught more Susan B. Anthonys with the same "Miser's Dream" bucket, but this time no coins poured out of the bucket. Putting away the popcorn popper, I return with a foot long jumbo match stick in my right hand then I light it and then the torch I'm holding in the left hand. I extinguish it with my bare hand and produce a rose. Upon vanishing the rose, I produce another rose with my right hand which I presented to the lady who coordinated the affair. Then I went into my bartender's act: I poured clear water into a tea kettle and poured the clear water into a bottle. The water in the bottle turned to a color which matched the color of the silk pulled out of the same tea kettle. This was repeated two more times with different colors. Then the colored waters were poured into wine glass, shot glass, and champagne glass. After downing the drinks, I picked up the tray of the glasses and in a tipsy manner held the tray at all angles without dropping the glasses. Then I vanished a bottle of "Coke" ala Dave Ginn and produced it from my bare hand ala Dave Ginn. The Miser's Dream bucket is a commercial item. There are various types of gimmicked bucket. The one I used has paper clips soldered to the inside to hold coins. The second time, the empty bucket has the coin tinkle from a coin tied to a thread. The zippered wallet is a common item sold in 100 Yen and other stores in Japan. The tea kettle has a plastic pill bottle or a 2-3 inch diameter can glued to the bottom of the tea kettle to hold the silks dry. The jumbo match stick is a commercial lighter with a switch. The torch-to-rose is a commercial item which if you have the patience you can make yourself with an artificial rose. I made a closed loop at the bottom of the torch and tied an elastic to it and a safety pin to the other end of the elastic pinned to the bottom of the jacket armhole. Dropping the torch/rose down my left arm hole, I pull it out when I'm ready to perform the trick. It vanishes when I drop my hand. At the same time, I steal the real rose from my back pocket under my jacket with my right hand. The bottles are gimmicked with either food color or chemical color acid-base indicators. Food coloring is cheaper and I prefer to let a drop or two dry for a couple hours. To avoid giving away the food coloring at the bottom, in the past I've placed a piece of paper towel in the screw caps and placed a drop or two of food coloring. But this necessitates inverting or shaking the bottle. The glasses are those clear plastic party glasses to which I glued a business card or other advertising plastic sheet magnet to the bottoms. If the advertising does not match the color of the tray, I glue a piece of paper the color of the tray (steel cookie baking tray bought at 99cents Only Store) on the bottom of the glass or on top of the magnet. The Coke bottle vanish is a commercial item which if you are creative and handy can make your own. It uses the psychological illusion principle involving perspective view as in the narrowing of a railroad track. David Ginn's coke bottle production is "stealing" the bottle from your pocket while removing your jacket. ----------------- 7. Jonathan Pendragon’s Reply Re: Metamorphosis ----------------- Message from Jonathan Pendragon (US) I don't like doing this (writing a reply), it's demeaning, the art has given me all I have and I have tried to repay the compliment. Through my lectures and articles, my loyalty to the Magic Castle and Jeff McBride's Master Classes, I have tried to help others and improve the general state of the art. Anyone who knows me well knows that I care about the future of magic. Every time someone says "exposure" we jump out of our skins, it's become a reflex action, predictable. Certainly the producers of the notorious "masked magician" TV specials depended on our disdain to drive their publicity machine. Remember their catch phrase? "The one TV special magicians don't want you to see." I remember it, I remember how we walked right in to their expectations. I remember the nasty little remarks like, "We expose so that magicians have to create new tricks and then we will expose them as well." I think I hated that one most, it was so condescending. We expect sympathy from the public, but we don't always get what we expect. This is because certain magicians flaunt the mystery in the audience's face with a presentation that can be reduced to "I know something you don't know." So when they (the public) are offered a chance at the "something" they can't wait to find out and too bad if it hurts our feelings. That presentational attitude has hurt magic more than exposure because it breeds contempt for magic. Or haven't you noticed that even after Doug Henning, David Copperfield, Siegfried and Roy, Lance Burton and David Blaine, 90% of the time television fictionally depicts us as talentless nerds in a rented tux. We need to care more about mystery. Mystery comes from an inspired presentation and not just a secret. When I heard about the conflict with museum, I was concerned. After all Metamorphosis was at the center of it. No one knows more about this illusion than I do. It has been our closing illusion for 25 years and is referred to by magicians all over the world as our signature piece. I love this illusion, it made our career. So why did I get involved? The question was asked if this is some "new thought" or a new philosophy for a new century? It's more like trying to avoid "old" mistakes. When there is controversy over exposure we always lose because the better story is in the secret. The news (media) loves the flap, so no flap no news. If you don't believe me, just watch the CNN piece. I was faced off against Randi for whom I have great respect because of his knowledge of Houdini and his desire to protect magic and expose frauds. What happened is what I hoped would happen, a civilized debate. That's rare on these shows because they get their ratings from confrontation and verbal fireworks. Randi, Paula and I were in three different locations so we talked via satellite. When it was finished the floor manager on my end turned to me and said, "Agreement, we don't see that very often." They don't see it very often because they prefer the fireworks. The point of my argument was this. While I don't agree with mindless exposure laid out on television for the simply curious, the museum offered something different. It is a museum in honor of the man, Houdini, and you have to go there to see anything. You have to make a journey, you have to get off your butt and travel what can be hundreds of miles even for people who live in Wisconsin. I know the State well, my mother was born there and I flew my Piper Cherokee to the famous Oshkosh fly in (a big pilot and plane get together not far from Appleton) several times. Once in the museum the Metamorphosis display is behind partitions so if you don't want to know you don't have to, you can walk on and enjoy the rest of the museum. Yes, there will be the curious who will see pretty much what they expected. But, there will also be those who are interested in magic, they get to touch a piece of history. So, I could have launched a political attack on the museum with outrage, pickets and all the usual stuff that hasn't worked in the past. I talked to the museum and others involved including one of those "creative members" trying to workout an alternative display. In this case I thought we might get farther with a little cooperation. This isn't a network special, it's a little town whose greatest claim to fame is that Houdini told people he was born there. I have already told them that I will not demonstrate the trunk or take pictures with it's secret exposed. We will take part in the opening, later I will teach a class in the history of magic at a near by high school (no exposure) and perform our show that night (no exposure). All this, I hope, in a celebration of magic and Houdini. For those who think this is shameless publicity stunt, let me simply remind you that were talking about Houdini, the king of shameless publicity stunts. One last thing. The ethics code, what does it say about theft of material. Where was all the fuss when work original to me was stolen again and again? You defend tricks not people. Without the magician there is no mystery, without the magician there is nothing left but an empty box that does nothing. With Respect Jonathan Pendragon ----------------- 8. "Magic In Las Vegas" (And Related Arts) For May, 2004 ----------------- Message from David Neubauer (US) Playing Until Further Notice: Afternoons: Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas - 2 pm, 4 pm - Tropicana. Mac King Comedy Magic Show - 1 pm, 3 pm - Harrah's Clint Holmes Theater. Ronn Lucas and Friends (Vent) - The Man Who Can Make Anything Talk - Rio. "Two Girls and a Guy - Music, Magic and Comedy." (Scott & Jenny Alexander) 5 pm Thur-Mon, Fitzgerald's. Evenings: Amazing Johnathan - La Cage Theater - Riviera. Dark Tuesdays. (Opening May 29) "APPLAUSE" - Will Roya - Bourbon Street. Collin Foster - "Quicker than the Eye" - Westin Hotel. Danny Gans - (Impressionist) - The Mirage. Dirk Arthur "New Art of Magic" - 7 pm - Plaza. Dr. Scott's Outrageous Comedy Hypnosis Show. Monday nights - Riviera. Genie & Richard Anthony - "The Exotic Hypnotics" at the Riviera at 11:30 p.m. Jeff Hobson - "Money And Madness Show" - Excalibur. Hypnosis Zone 10:00 PM - 7 Nights a week - Le Bistro Theatre - Riviera. Jayden LaCross - TGI Fridays (Wednesdays - Sundays). Jamie Porter's Radio Side Show - every Saturday @ 5 am, KLAV FM 1230. Jason Byrne "V - The Ultimate Variety Show" - Aladdin. Justin Tranz (Hypnotist) 9 pm Dark Sunday - O'Shea's Comedy Theatre. La Femme - Various magicians (see schedule below) - MGM Grand. Lance Burton, Master Magician - Lance Burton Theater - 7 pm, 10 pm - Monte Carlo. Outback Steakhouse (Green Valley) - Erik Allan, Friday & Saturday. "V - The Ultimate Variety Show" - Aladdin. Penn & Teller - 9 pm - Samba Theatre, Rio. Peter J. Shield webcasts- with various Vegas magicians - www.vegaswebcast.com. Richard Muna & Co. - Fox City Show - Tropics Lounge, Tropicana. Scott Lewis (Hypnotist) "Mindblowers" - Riviera's Le Bistro Theatre 11:30 p.m. Mondays. Showgirls of Magic - 10:30 pm - San Remo. Steve Wyrick - Steve Wyrick Showroom - Aladdin. Thom Kaz-The Rock-n-Roll Hypnotist (1 drink min) 7:30pm Mon & 10pm Thur. - Laugh Trax - Palace Station. World's Greatest Magic Show - 7:00 pm, 9:30 pm - Sahara (Greek Isle starting May 22). Current Line-up: Kevin James, Kozak, Bruce Block, Joseph Gabriel, Billy Fergeson, The Majestix and Jeff McBride. Derek Roberts and Kenny Havard (pre-show) Xtreme Close-Up Magic - Steve Dacri - 7 pm Tuesdays - O'Shea's Comedy Theatre - www.STEVEDACRI.com. Ziada - World's Greatest Magic Show - 7:00 pm, 9:30 pm - Sahara. News: The Complete Roy Timeline www.reviewjournal.com/news/royhorn/ The World's Greatest Magic Show, currently starring Kevin James, Joseph Gabriel, Billy Fergeson, The Majestix, and Jeff McBride (with others listed below) will continue their run at the Sahara until May 16th. They will be dark for five days in preparation for their Grand Opening at their new home - the Greek Isle Hotel and Casino (next to the Convention Center) - on May 22nd! This intimate 450 seat Star Theater (formerly the Debbie Reynolds theater) is a jewel box of a place with not a bad seat in the house. It's a much better space to see magic, and they have lots of great ideas for the new space - it will be a terrific show! As reported here as a rumor a few months back, V - The Ultimate Variety Show with various magicians including Nathan Burton and Sarah closed at the Venetian April 30th as the casino forced "V" and "Lord of the Dance" out. In a related story, David Saxe, the producer of "V" bought the Ovation theatre and installed "V" there. Rumor has it that Steve Dacri is working on taking over the domed Lady Luck showroom downtown for his "Xtreme Close-Up Magic". Mac King is expanding his afternoon show at Harrah's from the 360-seat Improv comedy club to the larger Clint Holmes Theater 560-seat showroom for the peak-season months of May through September. He performs Tuesday through Saturday, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are $16.95 plus tax, call 1-800-392-9002 ext. 5111 Lance Burton will be levitating Pamela Anderson during "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on May 11, the second day of Leno's weeklong visit to Las Vegas. Palace Station is running a free (one-drink minimum, about $4) show on Monday and Thursday nights in the Laugh Trax showroom. Thom Kaz--The Rock-n-Roll Hypnotist. Just get there before the show to secure your seat. Showtimes are 7:30 pm on Mondays and 10 pm on Thursdays. Genie and Richard Anthony are embarking on their second year as "The Exotic Hypnotics" at the Riviera at 11:30 p.m. May, 2004 Through June 6: Jeff McBride - World's Greatest Magic Show - 7:00 pm, 9:30 pm - Sahara. May 1-4: Christopher Hart - World's Greatest Magic Show - 7:00 pm, 9:30 pm - Sahara. May 5-July 4: Bruce Block - World's Greatest Magic Show - 7:00 pm, 9:30 pm - Sahara. May 29: Grand Opening of Will Roya's "APPLAUSE" - Bourbon Street June, 2004 Through June 6: Jeff McBride - World's Greatest Magic Show - 7:00 pm, 9:30 pm - Greek Isle. Through July 4: Bruce Block - World's Greatest Magic Show - 7:00 pm, 9:30 pm - Greek Isle. June 3-16: David Copperfield - Hollywood Theater - MGM Grand. July, 2004 Through July 4: Bruce Block - World's Greatest Magic Show - 7:00 pm, 9:30 pm - Greek Isle. August, 2004 August 22-25: MAGIC Live! (Magic Magazine's 13th Anniversary Convention) - The Orleans Hotel. www.magicmagazine.com/live/ September, 2004 September 12-14: The 4th Annual Las Vegas Magic Invitational - San Remo. Performing so far: Michael Close, Paul Cummins, Aldo Colombini, Chad Long, Steve Draun, Gazzo, Kostya Kimlat, Robert Allen, Danny Archer and the special guest of honor, premiere close-up artist and teacher Roger Klause. www.lvmi.net. September 15: Magic University. Will be a one day extra fee workshops from the lecturers and a few special guests (Daryl and Dean Dill). www.lvmi.net. November 14-16: MINDVENTION - The First Annual All Mentalism Convention - San Remo Featuring: Bob Cassidy, Alain Nu, Terry Nosek, Mark Strivings, Richard Osterlind, Chuck Hickok, Brad Henderson, Bruce Bernstein, Lee Earle, Larry Becker and more to come! www.LVMI.net. Please email any Las Vegas magic (or related arts) updates or news to: David Neubauer www.dnmagic.com ----------------- 9. Searching For A Super-Deluxe Bang Gun ----------------- Message from Robert L. Bluemle (US) - RLBluemle1@aol.com I have been searching for a super-deluxe Bang Gun which I saw at a dealers' show (at an SAM convention, I believe). It was made in Australia, sold for around $90 U.S., and had a "matching" spring sausage gun at about the same price made by the same manufacturer. I have a special (mid-June) use for the Bang Gun and have tried all of the major American distributors and dealers, without success. (Just this week I thought that I had tracked one down through Daytona Magic's branch in Las Vegas, only to be told that they had just sold their last one). Any chance that you could give me a lead on this (even a dealer in Australia)? ----------------- 10. An Open Letter To Mr. Holstein ----------------- Message from Rick Fisher, President, FAB Magic Co After reading your comments I believe a response is in order. First let me say that although Abbott's Magic Company sponsors a "get together" the people of this town refer to this week as "Colon Magic Festival". First let me say that as far as upsetting the Abbott family there hasn't been an Abbott linked to this organization in over 40 years. Our business partner is Marilyn Abbott, Percy Abbott's daughter, who knows magic very well and lived in Colon her entire life. She, along with myself and my family, care deeply for magic in Colon. That is why we are here. If you have been attending the magic get together in recent years you know that attendance has steadily declined. We are there to help bring more folks and magicians into town. Everybody wins - FAB,ABBOTT'S, the restaurants, gas stations, etc. With dwindling numbers magic week is quickly slipping away. I am appalled at your ethics charges. Perhaps you ought to ask Mr. Miller, Mr. Bordner and Mr. Moorehouse about the roles they played with their ethical conduct last year during the get together. Vicious lies and remarks were made in PUBLIC about us i.e. Gordon Miller wearing a shirt with an Abbott logo with knife stuck in it saying this was FAB'S LOGO and displaying it in front of Wednesday night's audience. Some may have thought it funny but the majority didn't. Plus there have been vagrant lies and untruths said about myself and my company of which we have threatened legal action. So, yes let us talk about ethics Mr. Holstein. Better yet perhaps you ought to ask the three gentlemen above about them - I am sure they would be glad to tell you the truth. Fair business is what good competition is all about. You obviously don't know that we sent a public congratulatory letter to the Sturgis Michigan newspaper after the get together congratulating Abbott's on a successful get together of which was published. Abbott's Magic, Greg Bordner, Hank Moorehouse and Gordon Miller don't own this town during magic week. Neither one of these gentlemen started it - PERCY ABBOTT did and he would be appalled at the way things have gone from bad to worse during magic week. We hope through lots of hard work and dedication that we can bring back to life a tradition that started 70 years ago. In the long run all of us will benefit - it will ironically help keep Abbott's going too. When someone comes into our store wanting to buy a trick or book and if we don't have it in stock we send them to Abbott's one block over. Is that reciprocated? Probably not but that is okay. We know WE are doing the right thing. If you have any concerns or other questions please feel free to call me anytime. Toll free if you wish 877.44.MAGIK Sincerely, Rick Fisher, president, FAB Magic Co., "a new era of old traditions!" Colon, MI ----------------- 11. Kohei Kobayashi Appearing The S.A.M. Convention ----------------- Message from George Schindler (US) Kohei Kobayashi had been added to roster of thet stars appearing at the Society of American Magicians Convention (July 7-8-9-10). The comedy magician from Japan will perform his original manipulative "Black and White" act. See the complete list of spectacular acts at www.magicsam.com ----------------- 12. Paul Cummins FASDIU Lecture In NYC May 24th ----------------- Message from Michael Canick (US) "The best magic club lecture around." - Ron Bauer, underground close-up guru When: Monday, May 24th, 2004. 7:00 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: Michael Canick Booksellers is proud to present legendary card man Paul Cummins and his FASDIU lecture. Refreshments will be served and Mr. Cummins will be selling some of his merchandise as well. For those who don't know, FASDIU is an acronym for "from a shuffled deck in use." The lecture features original card routines from Mr. Cummins' professional repertoire that may be done with any deck of cards handed to you by anyone, anytime. The routines range in skill level from nearly self-working to some that are rather challenging. Some coin routines will be presented as well. If you're plugged into the magic community, you know the kind of raves that Paul has elicited. DON'T MISS THIS ONE! The lecture will take place from 7-9 p.m. and attendees are welcome to arrive at 6 p.m. to mingle, snack, and of course, buy books. Admission fee for the lecture is $30 in advance; $25 for members of our Book Club; $35 at the door (if space permits). IN ADDITION, customers who cannot attend may purchase two of Mr. Cummins books through us, which can be SIGNED or INSCRIBED by request. They are: "From a Shuffled Deck in Use" - Over 75 pages containing 32 card items & 6 coin items. This comb-bound book combines Paul's first two sets of notes. Darwin Ortiz says "Every item is an audience-pleaser." Mike Close says, "This is a fine collection of card and coin material. I highly recommend it to close-up enthusiasts."  $25.00 FASDIU II. These are Paul's most recent notes containing 17 card & 1 coin routine. The book is divided into routines for the "laity" and routines for magicians. 130 comb-bound pgs w/ 83 photos. $25.00 ----------------- 13. South African Illusionist/Hypnotist-Wesley Upfold ----------------- Message from Brent McLeod (NZ) Magic & Hypnosis shows update- Brotherhood of Auckland Magicians - Dave Upfold & Brent McLeod as well as special South African Illusionist/Hypnotist-Wesley Upfold Currently in the middle of our pre-booked fund raising shows-very successful so far with a good turn out in Waiuku, South of Auckland with over 600 people cramming into the hall-standing room only. Just finished 6 nights at Harlequin Theatre with good crowd attendances on all nights. Many favourable comments on the quality/professionalism of the shows with everybody enjoying themselves. We wrap up this week with a show at the Pukekohe Town Hall seating 800. ----------------- 14. Slight Correction to Magic Collectors Line-up ----------------- Message from Ewing, Thomas MCA Weekend 2004 Guest of Honor Al Sharpe Thursday May 20 7:30 p.m. Dessert reception 8:00 Introduction and official opening remarks 8:15 Al Sharpe - Guest of Honor 10:00 Dealer's Room Opens Midnight Dealer's Room Closes Friday May 21, 2004 9:30 Dealer's Room Opens Noon Dealer's Room Closes Lunch 1:30 David Sandy - My Friend, Faucett Ross 2:00 Stanley Palm - Who Was Harry Sears? 2:45 15 minute break 3:00 The Magical Life of Long Tack Sam (doc. film by Ann Marie Fleming) 4:30 Afternoon session ends Dinner in the Hotel 7:30 Bill McIlhany - Up from the Magic Film Vault 8:00 Leo Behnke - Experiences in a Magical Life 9:00 Tricks Old or Seldom Seen (Claude Crowe-MC) 10:00 Evening program ends 10:00 Dealer's Room Opens Midnight Dealer's Room Closes. Saturday May 22, 2004 10:00 Dealer's Room Opens Noon Dealer's Room Closes 1:00 Roxy - Searching for the Secrets of Magic (1500 to present) 1:30 Todd Karr - Talking with a Teakettle 2:00 15 Minute Break 2:15 Bill McIlhany - A Few of my Favorite Pieces 2:45 Bill Coomer - Collecting magician's autographs 4:00 Dealer's Room Opens 5:00 Dealer's Room Closes 5:30 Reception 6:30 Banquet 8:00 Closing Stage Show - Tim Wright Dick Zimmerman John Carney David Sandy ----------------- 15. Robert Lim Phang Wong - Health Update ----------------- Message from Barry Khoo Dear Fellow Magicians, Please be informed that Robert Lim (SAM # 9907-090), PJM has moved to a new nursing home with better facilities (effective 1st of April, 2004), as follows: 11-C, Brown Road Pulau Tikus 10350 Penang MALAYSIA Hand phone # 016-4844-246 I just saw him a couple of days ago and was told that he was admitted to the hospital early last month for ten days due to intestinal bleedings caused by ulcers. He is improving nicely but still weak. Also now learning to walk with his new prosthetic leg after having his leg amputated about eight months ago due to his gangrenous foot. Your support in kinds, flowers, cards, letters and calls will surely bring cheers and smiles to him. ----------------- 16. Interested In Ventriloquism? - Attending Abbott's Get - Together ----------------- Message from George Schindler (US) If you are interested in ventriloquism, want to learn, can perform a short spot or just want to play with dolls, and are attending Abbott's Get- Together in August please e- mail me. I have been honored at being asked to put together the annual VENT-O-RAMA at two sessions this year. The more participation we get, the more fun. Thanks George Schindler showbiz10@aol.com ----------------- 17. "Magic Capital Of The World" ----------------- Message from Bill Watson--Monk's Son I read with great interest the Message from Mark Holstein regarding and unfairness of FAB magic to be open during the Get-together here in Colon.  I am a Colon Native and have attended the Get-together before most of your readers were born. Years ago nobody and I mean nobody, sold magic along the street going to the school or hawked their goods from the back trunk of a car.  These people pay no taxes to Colon and only come here during the Get-together. FAB has made an honest attempt to start a business here in the "Magic Capital of the World".  And for this he has taken a raft of grief from those who try to monopolize the right to make Colon the thriving Magic Capital it once was.  Now to get more personal. During this conflict between Abbott's and FAB somebody printed and distributed copies of a supposed advertisement from FAB which was vulgar, crude and disgusting.  It was called the "Meat Chopper".  At the bottom of the advertisement was a note that said "If Monk were alive he would buy the first one"  Monk just happens to have been a great and wonderful person who loved Colon and Abbott's. He also just happened to be my Dad.  Shame on the person who thought up such a terrible non funny thing to do.  So my friend Mark, before you cut down a person who has a business here and is planning to move his family here think twice before you offend the locals who live here and want to see the Get-together grow.   Sincerely, Bill Watson--Monk's Son ----------------- 18. Magic Shop Opens In Adelaide ----------------- Message from Michael Krantis (Aust) The Anthony Richards Magic Studio 'AR Magic' has re-opened. Established in 1979 by Anthony 'Tony' Ivens, 'AR Magic' was a successful Magic Shop and one of Australia's well known for 2 decades. In the late 90's Tony Ivens became very sick and retired from Adelaide. His business became run down, however did not close - his doors only shut hoping one day they would open again. Michael Krantis has bought some existing stock and has successfully registered and re-opened the retail shop - now called 'HOUSE OF MAGIC'. 'House of Magic' has some great opening specials - If you would like to be sent a list of sale items as well as regular e-mail updates or catalogues, please e-mail you're your details to info@michaelkrantis.com 'House of Magic' are suppliers of quality new and second hand Magic Tricks, Magic Videos, Magic DVD's, Magic Books, Magic accessories - including stockists of an extensive range of Psychic and Bizarre Magick. ----------------- 19. What Really Happened To Roy Horn ----------------- Message from Ross Harlick (NZ) Culled from the New Zealand Readers Digest, April 2004 STAGE FRIGHT What Really Happened Lions and tigers were Roy Horn's domain and his ability to communicate with them was marvellous and mysterious at the same time.  Roy didn't so much train the animals as bond with them through a technique he called 'affectionate conditioning' raising tiger cubs from their birth and sleeping with them until they were a year old.  "When an animal gives you its trust," Roy said, 'you feel like you have been given the most beautiful gift in the world." But on the night of October 3 2003 that trust was broken. Forty five minutes into the show, at about 8.45pm Roy led out Montecore, a seven year old tiger born in Mexico.  The 170 kilogram cat became distracted by someone in the 1500 member crowd, broke his routine and strayed towards the edge of the stage.  With no barrier protecting the audience Roy leapt to put himself between Montecore and the front row, only a few metres away.  The tiger kept coming. Roy gave him the command to lie down but Montecore ignored it, gripping the trainer's right wrist with his paw. "Roy lost the chain around the tiger's neck and grabbed for it, but couldn't get it," stated a Miami tourist who was sitting ten metres from the stage.  With his free hand holding the microphone Roy tried repeatedly tapping Montecore on the head, the sound reverberating throughout the theatre.  "Release!" Roy commanded the tiger. "Release!". Montecore relaxed his grip but Roy, who had been straining to get away, fell backwards over the tiger's leg.  In an instant Montecoree was on top of him, clamping his jaws round Roy's neck.  Siegfried ran across the stage yelling, "no,no.no!" but the tiger was resolute and dragged his master off stage 'literally like a rag doll'.  Roy had worked almost daily with this cat since it was six months old. The tiger, they later learned, had torn Roy's jugular vein, barely missing the caratoid artery.  One of the crew members managed to temporarily stop the severe bleeding.  On the way to the trauma centre, paramedics had staunched Roy's massive blood loss, and he was immediately taken to theatre for surgery.  There the medical team had to bring him back from the edge three times.  Shortly after 11.30pm they wheeled him out of the unit into another part of the hospital.  But early the next morning Roy suffered a 'pretty big stroke' and was sent to theatre at 9.30 where surgeons performed a large decompressive craniectomy, temporarily removing about a quarter of his skull to relieve swelling on the brain.  The excised portion was placed in a pouch in his abdomen to keep the bone tissue alive.  He suffered some paralysis on his left side, his windpipe was crushed.  Placed on a ventilator he was unable to swallow or speak. Late in October Roy Horn was strong enough to be airlifted to the UCLA Medical Centre where he continues to make progress. According to Dr Catherine Cooper, an anaesthetist who has studied stroke and brain injury cases, "His motor function is unlikely to improve substantially, and although his mental function is already better than initially feared, his neurological recovery will be a slow process, measured in very small accomplishments." By late January Roy's tracheal tube was taken out, allowing him to talk and ask for two of his favourite foods, pistachio ice cream and wiener schnitzel.  His mobility, too, has improved and he was standing up with signs that he may be walking soon. As of February there were no plans to rename the Siegfried & Roy theatre but the Mirage was having negotiations to bring in another show. ----------------- 20. - The Appearing Red Heart Stone-By: Jamie-G ----------------- Message from Jamie-G (Canada) The Appearing Red Heart Stone-By: Jamie-G Now I have been using fans instead of magic wands and I find that they work for me better I'm not going to get into detail why they just do. (example of the kind of fans I use are like Michael. P. Lair uses) Now if you go to a dollar store were you find the see threw rocks that are shaped like a coin these rocks are made for fish bowls well I found rocks in the shape of a heart matter of fact they look like little glass red hearts and you get 26-30 of these hearts in a net like bag. Soon as I saw this I said wow and Valentines day is coming I put together a cute effect that is low cost and is magical and is a perfect giveaway. Effect: The magician opens a red beautiful fan waves the fan front to back while at the same time showing both hands empty. The magician then brings the fan and the other hand together and asks the spectator to blow where to two meet while moving the hand and the fan away from each other you magically produce a pretty red glass heart from magic. And now you give them the magic heart to keep.(this just wants to make me cry it is just too perfect and to let them have the heart is the best part of all) No word of a lie I went and bought all the red netted hearts I got like 13 netted bags of them and I must of went through at least 2 of them. Method: All I do is palm the glass heart in what I call the first finger pinch with the hand that is holding the fan. By waving the fan and showing both sides of the fan you’re showing the spectator that the hand is empty and you show your other hand empty just by showing it. When you bring the fan and your other hand together just at the point where you ask the spectator to blow in the middle you let go of the heart the fan covers the heart to fall in to your other hand and its the perfect illusion. I have done this to children and adults and they love the effect. Note: If you are going to do this to a young lady make sure there is "NO" ring on the finger or at least make sure she is single. As you all know I love magic that has to do with giveaway magic I feel it is stronger and it just makes the effect look better. When you are working for children you want them to enter that special magic land that only people like us can do and if you’re doing magic and you cannot get a child to that magical place then you are doing some thing wrong. You can call this trick #.2 from the JAMIE-G file, Also this trick is dedicated to a friend of mine named "Mona" she knows who she is................Jamie-G ----------------- 21. Bang -- And Bang Again - Peter Marucci ----------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) Since most of us perform for children at one time or another, shouldn't our acts keep pace with the times? Routines like Sword Through Neck, Head Cremation, or anything else involving fire, guns (particularly guns), or other weapons will certainly draw the ire of some parents at some time. (Remember the parents? They're the ones who book and pay you!) Even more frightening, some child could be hurt or killed trying to emulate you. A few magicians and magic manufacturers have kept pace with the times -- consider a new item on the market that replaces the swords in the head penetration with balloons. But, for the most part, a lot of us are still doing stuff from the '40s and '50s. That may have been a happier time but what worked back then often won't fly today. Consider any routine that requires a gun; given the number of children who have been wounded or killed over the past few years, you'd think that any thinking performer would have retired a trick that glorified or centred on a gun. Unfortunately, that's not the case. And there are some good routines that absolutely require the use of a gun. (It's pretty hard to do the bullet catch without one -- although I would hope no one would ever try to do it for children!) But there is a way out; if you have a routine that you are in love with and it needs a gun, consider the following (I do it as part of a card trick but it applies to almost any routine where a gun has to be fired): Bang -- And Bang Again By Peter Marucci Effect and Presentation: The magician asks for "a very brave" volunteer, one who is not afraid of anything. When the young assistant is on stage, the magician asks him to select a card from a deck of jumbo cards (these can be regular playing cards, animal cards, or alphabet cards). The card is shown to the audience, returned to the deck and the deck is returned to its case. The young volunteer holds up the case -- which has a target on it -- as the magician says he will shoot at the deck and try to hit the selected card without hitting any other card. The magician pulls out a ridiculous looking handgun (this is the standard BANG gun, available to most magic shops) and aims at the target. (The by-play here can be anything you want and can go on for as long as it gets laughs.) Finally, the magician fires the gun -- but instead of a loud noise, a flag unfurls that says BANG! The magus looks at the gun, looks at the cased deck, looks at the young volunteer. "I think I missed," he says, "Let me try again." The magician picks up another similar pistol -- more by-play -- and fires it -- only to have a flag unfurl that says "BANG AGAIN!" The magician says he thinks he hit the right card this time and the young volunteer then goes through the deck to find one -- and only one -- card with a large hole through it. It is the chosen card. The young volunteer is thanked and returns to his seat. Working: The card discovery part is fairly basic. A low-value card with a lot of white space (a three or four is ideal) has a hole punched through it in the lower left-hand corner (card facing you). Using a cigarette or lighter, the edges of the hole are singed, to make it look like a bullet hole. The card is placed on the bottom on the jumbo deck and forced using the Hindu Shuffle. When the volunteer says "stop," you hold up the part of the deck with the force card on the bottom and, with your hand covering the hole, show the card around and put the deck together again. (With a jumbo deck, this is a logical way to hold the cards -- or, at least, it appears logical to the audience.) The rest of the trick is as spelled out in the Effect. The BANG guns are exactly that; one is ungimmicked but the other requires a bit of work. Get a regular BANG gun and remove the BANG flag, keeping the weights from the bottom. On another piece of white cloth -- the same width but about another half time as long -- draw the words BANG AGAIN in black and outline the whole thing in red, so that it looks as much like the original BANG flag as possible. Glue the cloth to the gun and glue the weights to the bottom on the cloth. When all is dry, roll up the cloth and set the gun. You are ready to go. Second Thoughts: This is just one presentation of one trick; there are dozens of other routines out there that could benefit from this change -- or some other change that makes them look a little less lethal. Granted, you are still using a gun in this routine but the gun is so obviously a joke prop that no one has ever taken offense -- or even commented on the fact that a gun was used. I do a similar routine for adults where a realistic gun is used; no problem there -- but remember, I'm doing it for adults. You can't treat children and adults the same. Take a look at some of the stuff you do for kids -- and I mean a real, in-depth look. Many magicians wouldn't be caught dead doing the old-time nursery rhyme routines for a young audience but see nothing wrong with doing an act loaded with guns, knives and swords. Give your audience the respect they deserve. Remember, you are there to entertain them; that is your job, before anything else! Peter Marucci 270 St. Andrew St. East Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 1R1 e-mail: showtimecol@aol.com ----------------- 22. 29th Australian Convention Update ----------------- Message from Tim Ellis (Aust) Comedy magician from New Zealand (though originally England) and now living in Melbourne, NICK NICKOLAS has just been added to the ALL AUSSIE STAGE SHOW. If you'd like to get tickets for your friends, tickets are still available but you need to call or email TIM ELLIS quickly, or grab some from TAMMII TWISTER'S MAGIC FACTORY. ------------------ BOB LATTA has space available if you've missed out on getting into the Jika and don't want to be too far away from "the action": "In regard to your comment about shared accommodation I have room for 2 people at the Alphington.  At this Stage Myself Bob Latta from Crescent Head and Lynton Borland from Wagga Wagga are sharing one of the appartments and we would be happy to share as we expect to do little else but sleep there. Please note I have the booking from Friday throught to Monday night as I am departing on Tuesday morning. Please pass on my e-mail, circustroppo@yahoo.com.au and my mobile 0421084121. -------------------------------------------------------- CONVENTION PROGRAMME - We have managed to wiggle and jiggle and free up space for TWO MORE ADS in the Souvenir Programme. We have available: ONE HALF PAGE AD - $40 ONE QUARTER PAGE AD - $25 First in best dressed get the space! ----------------- 23. New Magic for New Zealand Music Month ----------------- Message from Paul Bates (NZ) Zappo the Magician was eight years old when he pulled his first rabbit out of a hat. Now he’s now pulling out his first CD - Magicadabra, a locally produced and written album featurinchildren - something magical for New Zealand Music Month. Zappo, aka Paul Bates has worked with Wellington based entertainer Monique Bradley and five local children to create the CD. It’s being launched with a special public show at Capital E from 22-24 May as part of New Zealand Music Month. Magicadabra the show runs 11am and 2pm daily, 45 minutes of magic, songs from the album and illusions. Gold coin entry. “Young people have helped us develop this album,” says Bates. “They sing on it, they’ve supplied lyrics, they’ve been involved in the recording process… it’s something a bit magic for New Zealand Music Month.” The children, who also perform in Paul and Monique’s stage shows, are students from Monique’s performing arts school Kidz Club. It has been their first experience in a professional recording studio. Entertaining, educational and magical, the CD’s songs range from Don ’t Rush When You Brush about Zappo’s trip to the dentist and the magic of toothpaste foam to Destiny, written by 7-year-old Georgia Rippin, a song designed to encourage children to dream. “Our mission has been to produce an educational album for children which incorporates magic, fun and positive images thus building confidence and self-esteem via the medium of our music,” says Paul. Paul and Monique have both been working in performing arts since they were children. Paul is a third generation magician and still regularly travels to Vanuatu with his parents to bring magic, fun and education to the children there. “My Grandfather was a magician and my father still actively works as a magician,” says Paul who turned this life-time hobby into a profession five years ago. Monique, a freelance entertainer, has also been performing since she was a child. She has also studied theatre, music and television and performed all over the country - including touring with a family based country music group. ----------------- 23. Magic Mondays In Melbourne Australia ----------------- Message from Nick Nickolas Just to let everybody know we have started Magic Mondays up here in Melbourne it will be every Monday. Great place all wood panel lined and oldy style ….. For the 1st time in Australia Dante’s presents Magic Mondays international and local magicians performing May 24th  7.30pm Magikhana - USA ‘He doesn’t say much, but you’ll be talking about him forever’ From Vegas to the White House. Last show before he’s off to tour with Ziggy Marley. Nick Nickolas - UK ‘Incredible sleight of hand and award winning comedy’ Time Out, Street Magician of the Year. Dean Atkinson - Aust ‘Close up magic combined with classic theatricks’ One of Australia’s top card workers. Dante’s upstairs, cnr Gretrude & Napier Streets, Fitzroy Ph 03 9417 2468 ----------------- 24. Mikame Craft/Japan Address?? ----------------- Message from Wolfgang Messelken (Germany) Can any one help me with the address of Mikame Craft / Japan? With magical regards Manipulix (Wolfgang Messelken) wolfgang@manipulix.com ----------------- 25. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 24 1960/61 - FIRE-EATING ‘Little Boys Shouldn’t Play With Matches’! Oh, Really? When I first started this episode about Fire-eating, I couldn’t think of what to say except, Practice, Perseverance and putting up with burns etc., but on reflection, there’s more to it than just that. It has now turned into an ‘extended edition’. Some like it hot, and I’m not talking about Mexican chilli peppers (although there is a ‘very messy’ story about those, that I may relate later). Don’t Breathe In - Breathe Out, is the golden ‘Unwritten Law’, given by mentors to apprentice Fire-Eaters. Mentors? Such luxury - I’m completely self-taught in all aspects of my skills, fire-eating being no exception. Consequently my techniques are my own, so breathe in I did - quickly learned it’s not such a clever thing to do, unless you apply controlled Yoga breathing disciplines, which I did, once I got the basics sorted out, like, blisters - inside and out; fearsome burns, patchy/singed eyebrows and hair, correct angles, etc. Thank God for Self-Hypnosis! Fumes, from whatever type of fuel you are using, can get down into the lungs and do some awful damage. Worst-case scenario - as you bring a flaming torch towards your mouth, it could ignite the fumes, which have accumulated in your lungs, and, Ka-Boom, your chest would explode! Unfortunately, for some, this has happened. My exclusive routine requires that I do inhale fumes, most dangerous, as the slightest error in judgement or breathing would result in a - ‘Internal explosion’! I would in fact, Blow-Up! (‘Wow, that guy has guts’ ‘Yep, they’ve splattered all over the place!) My first fire torches were the wooden doweling rods from coat hangers (with the wire removed, of course). Silver paper from cigarette packets wrapped around 4” of one end - stopped the fire and heat from burning through the doweling. Next, an old sheet from Mum’s linen cupboard (I think it was old), torn into long strips and wrapped around the silver paper - building it up to a size which would fit right into my mouth. In fact, the ‘heads’ of my torches are much larger than those of other fire-eaters I’ve seen (larger the torch head, the bigger and hotter the flame). One I made up was so big that I had to physically ‘push’ it into my mouth. This I used when going around the audience to ‘feel the heat’ of the flame. It sure came in handy for ‘smart arses’, and reporters, also those fire-eaters who would come backstage to ‘prove’ that they could do better, using my torches. Ha! In forty years, I’ve yet to meet anyone who could get that torch near his or her face, let alone into their mouth; too big and, too hot so, how did In manage it? Two things - the torch was custom made to fit (only by cramming) my mouth, and Self Hypnosis. I simply blocked the searing heat from my mind (actually, self hypnosis was the driving force behind my entire Fakir Show). Most fire-eaters include ‘Body Burning’ in their routines; where you run flaming tapers over your bare arms, body, etc. If done quickly enough, no problem. Not me. I performed it, as far as the audience was concerned, ‘Painfully slowly’; of course, I was employing self-hypnosis. Many years ago, in a dressing room after a gig, Veronica said “I’ve never noticed it before, but your arms come up in goose-bumps when you run the fire over them”! Well, yes, because I’ve convinced my subconscious that my arms are ‘Ice-Cold’ - it only takes a few seconds to do this. There is a well-known hypnotic experiment where a hypnotised subject, when told that a pencil (or anything else for that matter), is a ‘Red-Hot Poker’, will jump, scream, and blisters will develop where they’ve been touched. If however, they are told that the arm was cold/frozen, it develops (like mine) goose-bumps - and if you hold a burning match or such under their arm, they will feel nothing, nor does the skin blister, (although it will eventually, if ‘burnt’ for too long). Many stage hypnotists, as part of their performance, tell their subjects ‘you’re now in the middle Antarctica (or similar), it is freezing, you’re so cold…etc.’ if you were close enough, you would see that these subjects do react physically - ‘Goose Bumps’, shaking and shivering, as if they had actually, suddenly, been transported to that extreme climatic region. The reverse is also true. When told they are in the Tropics, they will not only throw off clothing, but, break out into beads on perspiration. Such is the power of suggestion. ------------------ 26. 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) ------------------- 27. Subscription Management ------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand e-zine: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Magic New Zealand e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday. The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors and not those of Magic New Zealand. Neither Magic New Zealand or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand e-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree that they will not hold Magic New Zealand and or Alan Watson liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed herein. We reserve the right to edit, correct or, in our discretion, choose not to publish any submissions provided to Magic New Zealand for potential publication. Magic New Zealand welcomes readers to submit timely articles or news items which appear to be of interest to our readers. Those submitting to this e-zine agree that we have permission to publish their submissions and that they have the full copyright to the material submitted. All works published by Magic New Zealand are fully protected by international copyright as provided by law, and articles cannot be published for profit by anyone other than the individual author without the written permission of Magic New Zealand. >>This publication may be freely redistributed (but not sold) to other magicians if copied in its ENTIRETY including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer.<< © Copyright 2004 Alan Watson