* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #299 Date: Sunday 12 December 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. Update On The Magic Circle Centenary Celebrations   3. Las Vegas Update, December, 2004   4. IBM Reno Convention 2005 - Need To Book Air Flights NOW!   5. Does The Dragon Really Turn His Head?   6. I.B.M. British Ring No. 25   7. Duck Cameron - Royal Devonport Show – Tasmania   8. Researching Information On Edward. G. Brown   9. Magic That Works - Greg Britt - Elgregoe   10. Top Quality Black Triple Velvet For Sale   11. Totally Destroyed - Jamie-G   12. The Amazing Orchante Saga   13. e-zine Archives   14. Subscription Management ------------------ 1. Editors Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Have you checked out the free magic radio “Magic Broadcast” for magicians yet? It is well worth a visit. Go to: www.magicbroadcast.com -------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. Update On The Magic Circle Centenary Celebrations ----------------- Message from David Beckley - Publicity Office The Magic Circle Centenary More Talent is announced. The following names have already been announced as taking part in The Magic Circle Centenary Celebrations from 20 – 23 July 2005 in London: John Archer, David Berglas, Tony Binarelli, John Calvert, Steve Cohen, Paul Daniels, James Dimmare, Geoffrey Durham, Nicholas Einhorn, Guy Hollingworth, Mac King, Ronn Lucas, Jeff McBride, Hans Moretti, Patrick Page, Larry Parker, The Pendragons, Paul Potassy, Mark Raffles, Bob Read, Belinda Sinclair, Jim Steinmeyer, Juan Tamariz, Johnny Thompson, Topas & Roxanne, Michael Vincent The Magic Circle today announces further talent for the four fabulous days(In alphabetical order): Guy Barrett Norbert Ferré Finn Jon Jason Latimer Levent Jerome Murat Bertie Pearce Axal S Marc Salem Terry Seabrooke Tic Tac Tango Peter Wardell David Wood Information at www.TheMagicCircleCentenary.co.uk ----------------- 3. Las Vegas Update, December, 2004 ----------------- Message from David Neubauer (US) December, 2004 Las Vegas Magic Compiled by David Neubauer (www.dnmagic.com) Note: Some shows go on "Holiday Schedules", so do make sure they are going. Production Shows: Amazing Johnathan 10 pm, (Dark Thurs.), Riviera. Collin Foster - Quicker than the Eye 8 pm, (Dark Tues. & Wed.), Westin Hotel. Escape - The Magic Show Dixie Dooley and Shedini 8:30 pm, (Dark Sun. - Wed.), Riviera. Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas 2 & 4 pm, (Dark Sun.), Tropicana. Jamie Porter's Radio Side Show Sat @ 5 am, KLAV FM 1230. La Femme Stephan Vanel 8 & 10:30 pm, (Dark Tues.), MGM Grand. Lance Burton, Master Magician 7 pm Tues-Sat & 10 pm Tues. & Sat. Monte Carlo. Mac King Comedy Magic Show 1 & 3 pm, (Dark Sun. & Mon.) Harrah's Clint Holmes Theater. Magic and Mirth Tony Blanco - www.tonyblanco.com Wed-Sun, various times, Excalibur. Ovations Fielding West, Jason Byrne 9 pm, Lady Luck. Penn & Teller 9 pm, (Dark Tues.), Rio. Showgirls of Magic www.showgirlsofmagic.com 8 & 10:30 (Dark Mon.) (Adults only 2nd show), San Remo. Splash Dirk Arthur - Rivera. 7 & 9:30 pm (Dark Sun. - Mon.). Spotlight Will Roya, Mark Bennick - www.spotlightshow.com 7 pm, (Dark Fri.), Bourbon Street. Steve Wyrick 7 & 10 pm, (Dark Tues.), Aladdin. V, The Ultimate Variety Show Jeff Hobson, Nathan & Sarah - www.vtheshow.com 7 & 9 pm, Aladdin. World's Greatest Magic Show Kevin James, Joseph Gabriel, The Majestix, Kozak. Derek Roberts & Billy Fergueson (pre-show). Special Guest Magicians each month. 9 pm nightly, 7 & 9 Fri., 2 pm Sun., Greek Isle. Xtreme Close-up Magic Steve Dacri - Imperial Palace. 9 & 11 pm. Free, 1 drink min. (Dark Sun.) Restaurants: Eric Allan Outback Steakhouse (Green Valley), Fri. & Sat. Jayden LaCross TGI Fridays, Wed. & Sun. News: Amazing Jonathan is at the Riviera Hotel in the La Cage Theater located at the very top of the Comedy Club Showroom. He has recently added a Black Art segment to his show. According to Black Art expert Don Drake, "Jonathan has put together one of the best black art shows I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing! It works so well, it's positively scary! Take it from me, I've never seen a better black art show. So you'll be kicking yourself if you miss this one." December, 2004 Through December 2: Arden James - World's Greatest Magic Show - Greek Isle. December 3 - 31: Mike Michaels - World's Greatest Magic Show - Greek Isle. December 23-January 5: David Copperfield - MGM Grand. February, 2005 February 18-20: Lance Burton Teen Weekend. Lance Burton, Jeff McBride and guests in an intensive two day workshop. Email rbwells@erols.com for more information. February 20-23: World Magic Seminar. So far featuring Lance Burton, Jeff McBride, Lennart Green, Flip, Michael Close, Rich Bloch, Chip Lowell, Amos Levkovitch, Nathan Gibson, Alex Gonzalez, Bob Sheets, Carl Andrews, Dan and Dave Buck, David Merry, Glenn Farrington, Jamy Ian Swiss, Jason England, Joe Devlin, Micky Silver, Phillip Kaiser, R. Paul Wilson , Roger Klaus and Vanni Bossi. www.worldmagicseminar.com. Orleans Hotel. ----------------- 4. IBM Reno Convention 2005 - Need To Book Air Flights NOW! ----------------- Message from Tony Wilson - IBM International President 2004 - 2005 I believe over twenty New Zealand magicians and their wives/partners are planning to attend next year's IBM Convention in Reno, Nevada to support Mary and I as we complete our year in office. Once we returned from our four month trip in mid October I booked an airfare for myself to return to the States for the Mid Year Board Meeting on January 8th 2005 and for Mary and I to fly to Reno at the end of June 2005 for the IBM Convention. Some of the 20 plus magicians have already booked their air flights and have confirmed reservations. Some haven't. Some are finding out NOW that they are not able to get their first choice of flights or days even now for travel in late June 2005.For any NZ Magician planning to attend Reno in June next year my advice is to book your airfares NOW and register for the Convention soon. Remember your seating for the four evening shows is in strict order of your registration. I know of four New Zealanders that got me to register them at the end of this year’s Cleveland Convention so they would get seats near the front for the evening shows! I can recommend Ring 160 IBM Order of Merlin member Graham Bennett at Singapore Airlines as a good travel agent Phone (09) 300 5356. Remember ALL New Zealanders who attend Reno in 2005 will receive an official invitation to the President's party in our suite on the Friday evening after the evening show. Of course there are other good reasons why you should be there! Don't delay. Book those flights NOW! ----------------- 5. Does The Dragon Really Turn His Head? ----------------- Message from Sëan Tretheway (Aust) Just found this on the net. It's an excellent optical illusion created by Binary Arts, inspired by Jerry Andrus and created for a gathering for Martin Gardner! Does the dragon really turns his head? or is it an illusion?.. www.grand-illusions.com/videos/dragon%20illusion.wmv And the explanation.. www.grand-illusions.com/dragon.htm Download it and make one, it's really great! ----------------- 6. I.B.M. British Ring No. 25 ----------------- Message from John Palfreyman (UK) The I.B.M. British Ring No, 25 Conventions are well known throughout the world as the most friendly and family orientated in the U.K. Come and sample the taste of friendliness and good fellowship and get the bug of wanting to attend year after year which so many of our overseas visitors do, in fact we have one couple from Switzerland who have attended every convention except one for over 40 years "Some record". Messrs Neville Johnson, Treasurer, John Pye, Hon. Secretary, and John Palfreyman, Assistant Hon. Sec., visited the venue for the next Annual Convention recently and plans are now going ahead for the British Ring No. 25. Annual Convention to be held at Southport from Tuesday September 27th. to October 2nd. 2005, which is reverting back to the old time schedule, allowing for 4 evening functions instead of three. The 2005 Convention will see a diversity of Magic for all tastes, and we look forward to greeting many of our long standing and hopefully new Overseas Visitors. The Headquarters Hotel will be The Scarisbrick and they are more than pleased that we have chosen them. The accommodation and service are excellent, the Theatre and Convention Centre are but a short walk away, and there are many good shops for the Ladies to explore, and when your feet ache you can enjoy a coffee and cake at one of the many tearooms. All those needing accommodation at the Headquarters Hotel "MUST" book through the Secretary John Pye by writing or Email, ""DO NOT TELEPHONE"" Address:- Mr. J. Pye, The Croft, Off Back Lane, Grindleton, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 4RW. Email: john@pyesofclitheroe.fsnet.co.uk ----------------- 7. Duck Cameron - Royal Devonport Show - Tasmania ----------------- Message by Joshua Lee (Aust) Duck Cameron performed last weekend as the feature main stage attraction at the Royal Devonport Agricultural Show to excellent reviews. This is the second time Duck has headlined this event. Media was good, with Duck receiving both T.V. and paper coverage. "Debonair, dramatic, daring and downright dashing!" - Helen Kempton, The Advocate "Duck Cameron continues to have audiences mesmerised with his clever magic and high level audience participation, all with the help of glamorous dancer, Veronika Myschenko". - Kirsty Eade, The Examiner. Duck has also just recently returned from China winning 'Most Entertaining Act', having been one of 10 Magicians worldwide flown in for an all expenses paid competition. Before returning home, Duck performed two sold-out shows at the Hyatt Regency Macau. Performing until the New Year in Australia. ----------------- 8. Researching Information On Edward. G. Brown ----------------- Message from Paul Gordon (UK) With the help, so far, of Daryl, Martin Breese, Alan Shaxon, Peter Duffie and others - I am trying to research information on Edward. G. Brown. He was a top-flight card magician who died in 1947. The Card Magic of E.G. Brown was written in 1973 by Trevor Hall.. I have a dedicated web page to this quest: www.paulgordon.net/edwardgbrown.htm ----------------- 9. Magic That Works - Greg Britt - Elgregoe ----------------- Message from Greg Britt (NZ) Elgregoe would like to thank Sean Taylor of Taylors Magic Shop in Sydney, Australia, for hosting his recent Lecture MAGIC THAT WORKS on November 16th. Sean has a fabulous shop with one of the largest ranges of quality magic I’ve seen, plus a great theatre type area at the back of the shop for lectures. The lecture was on magic for family audiences, weaving that message with your magic and also on Marketing and the Business side of show business. Also a big thank you to the 40 keen Magicians who attended, a sell out of lecture notes and most props which were all New Zealand made and included a good range of Chicane’s items including his new appearing pin (4 foot long) I know the bank said never reveal your pin! and Dave Taylor props which proved popular especially his Zebra Wand. Animates Amazing Animal Shows With Elgregoe & Nickleby Live parrots including Zazu the Macaw, Vent, Magic & fun January 2005 itinerary. January 8th to 11th Animates Tauranga 12th to 15th Animates Palmerston North 17th & 18th Animates Wellington 19th to 21st Animates Melling - Hutt 24th to 26th Animates Papanui – Christchurch Love to catch up with fellow magicians, please pop in and say hi. ----------------- 10. Top Quality Black Triple Velvet For Sale ----------------- Message from Don Drake (US) - dondrake@ttlv.net I have one bolt of velvet left over from my last order. This is top quality black Triple Velvet, the good kind . It's a 30 yard bolt. I have only one in stock right now at the special price of only $225.00 AND I'll pay shipping in the US, but for this one bolt only! The regular price is $250 + S & H. If you order off my website, it's fixed on price. So I'll refund the difference back to you via paypal. There's only ONE bolt, on sale, so FIRST COME FIRST SERVED. Hey don't forget, my new book MORE BLACK ART BREAKTHROUGHS now comes wrapped in triple velvet. There's enough with the book for a small square circle -:) Many thanks to those who have supported me during my illness. I still can't do any lectures or conventions for a month or two, but after my next surgery, I hope to be on the road again. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and happy holidays to all. DONDRAKE Dondrake A.K.A. Donald M. Drake 1412-A Santa Margarita St. Las Vegas, NV 89146-9306 Ph. 702-258-7071 "May all of your BLACKGROUNDS be invisible!" ----------------- 11. Totally Destroyed - Jamie-G ----------------- Message from Jamie-G (Canada) Effect: Magician shows a playing card both front and back. Rips it in half and in half again so now there is four pieces. Next the magician takes a lighter and heats up the card. He then opens the card to reveal that the card is restored back to normal. Method: You have to have two identical cards. Your first card is prefolded. Your folds are from top to bottom and then left to right. You are going to hide the prefolded card behind the normal twin card at the bottom right hand side. When you show the card from front to back you are placing three fingers over top of the folded card to hide it. Once you are finished showing the card this way you can move your fingers around and even switch hands as long as you hold the folded card. You are going to make your first rip. You are going to tear the card right in half through the middle of the card. Place the piece you tore in half and place it on top of the other half. Next you are going to rip the two pieces in half. The four pieces that you have will all be put on top of each other with the folded card still behind all of them. Now you can show all the ripped pieces front to back and no one will notice the folded card. If you would like you can even have your spectator sign the back of all the torn cards. What they are really signing is the back of the folded card. With using misdirection you are going to place the ripped cards in your pocket as you reach for your lighter. You are showing the cards in your right hand. With your left hand you are going to remove the folded cards and take the ripped one in your right hand and say that you need to add some heat. You are going to reach into your pocket and ditch the torn pieces as you are grabbing for your lighter. Take your lighter and heat up the end of your card. You can even burn it for some added effects. You are going to unfold your card and show your spectator that the card with their signature on it has totally restored itself. It even has all the creases in it where the card was ripped. Method #2: You do the same thing as in the first method but after you do your exchange and ditch the ripped pieces you are going to take a piece of flash paper and fold it around the folded card. Once you light it and the flame disappears you can unfold your restored card. I like this method because it is more magical. Note: When doing this for a child I don't use a lighter. I usually have a big coin or a pocket wand and either rub the card or tap the card. It has the same effect but without the flame. I have been doing this effect for about 15 years. There are a few different versions out there but this is my version and it works for me. I have never bought a torn and restored card or anything. If this is already out there I do not know about it. Even right now this effect is pretty big but I think it is straight forward and with a little practice you should have no problem doing it but you must watch your angles. Patter: You know how heat melts objects if it is hot enough. It’s a very interesting thing people have even said that heat even has the power to heal. I met this real strange man years ago and he showed me something real strange but not only that it was out right weird. (Go on with the trick) When you get to the part were you have the lighter or the flash paper this is were you tell them "THIS IS WHERE THE MELTING BEGINS" or "AS WE ADD THE HEAT THE CARD STARTS TO HEAL” open the card give it to whoever you are doing the trick to. You can see that the card still has a little pain but for the most part the card is back together. Give it a try and enjoy it like I have.....JAMIE-G ----------------- 12. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 31 What do you want to be when you grow up? A Magician, Fakir? A Projectionist! What? Movie Magic! How’s this for not quite, but almost, following in Dad’s footsteps! I have two sons, one is a Fire Fighter. I‘m a Fire-Eater! The other Lays Carpets - I lay On Nails! What is that? Some sort of alternative parallel, ‘The Twilight Zone’? Dunno! I used to have nightmares about this; imagine the scenario! I’m in the middle of my show and I’m about to drop onto the bed of nails when suddenly, the nails have vanished, replaced by a thick, luxurious carpet! And standing there is my son, hammer in one hand, the other full of tacks, looking very pleased with himself, at a job well done. The other ‘Night-Fright’ is; I’m in the middle of the Fire-Eating Act, suddenly a door bursts open and there is my other son, in full Fire-Fighter’s regalia, gripping a writhing fire-hose by the nozzle, which is blasting a mountain of water straight at me! This scenario actually happened at a Hotel in Napier. This particular establishment, built up on a high hill, was circular in shape. Huge windows encircled the entire perimeter, giving magnificent, panoramic views of the city below. People looking up from their homes below could see the flames from my Fire Torches/Eating, and assumed that the hotel were on fire. The next thing I knew, Fire fighters were thundering up the stairs, massive hoses with huge shiny brass nozzles ready to do battle. They were not amused! Back in Manurewa, Auckland, New Zealand, 1960 something. My best mate was John Hickey. He was a Fire-fighter (in those days they were called Fire-Men) He lived with his wife (or girlfriend – can’t remember which) in the Flat above the Fire Station. I have no idea how we met, but remember marathon sessions playing Ping-Pong in the recreation room at the Fire Station, and listening to Elvis Presley records – John was a fanatical Presley fan, and had every L.P. Elvis had recorded. Somewhere along the line, he persuaded me to ‘join up’ and become a volunteer fireman. Funny how some things from the past are clear as a bell and others just a vague memory – being a ‘Fireman’ is one of the latter. I have fleeting glimpses of rolling out ‘miles’ of fire hoses to dry, then rolling them back up again - the thick clothes, which were as hot as hell in the summer time, and running like mad to the Fire Station when the alarm went off. Thank God, the Police Station where I lived and the Fire Station were only 100 or so yards apart. I do remember the constant joke/threat of having a fire nozzle shoved up my backside and turned on full blast to ‘Extinguish all the fire I ate’. Harry Roycroft was the Officer in Charge of the Fire Station, and the Projectionist at the local Picture Theatre in Manurewa (now long gone). If, for any reason Harry was unable to ‘show’ the movies, a temporary replacement Projectionist would come in from Auckland City. I’ve always been fascinated with the how’s and whys of ‘what went on’ in the ‘mysterious’ Projection box , with all those little glass windows you can see when you look up, and where the man who showed the films disappeared into. Guess it was the Magician and the ‘how is it done’ factor in me. Harry revealed all the ‘secrets’ of that ‘little room’ (the projection box), the one with the tiny square windows and those beams of light that shine faintly all the way down onto the gigantic screen far below. Very few Picture Theatre patrons get to see inside that room. Harry taught me how to be a projectionist, thus, another string was added to my bow; Sleight of Hand Magician, Ventriloquist, Fire- ------------------ 13. 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) ------------------- 14. 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 nor 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