* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #307 Date: Sunday 9th January 2005 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 Magic Castle’s Fellowship Awards For 2005   3. MAGIC AID 2005   4. Update - SAM Convention Boston 2005   5. Michael Close LIVE!   6. Advertising Himself As 'Harry Houdidn't’   7. Funny Magic Website   8. Burj Al Arab Hotel In Dubai   9. John Carney Lecturing In Los Angeles   10. Hank Lee’s Cape Cod Conclave   11. Harry Potter's Floating Feather - Jamie-G   12. The Amazing Orchante Saga   13. e-zine Archives   14. Subscription Management ------------------ 1. Editors Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One On the search to find out who is or was the youngest IBM Ring President ever. Sam Powers (Australia) was elected IBM President Ring 102 Sydney at the age of 19. Does any one know of a younger person to hold the office of Ring President? -------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. The Magic Castle’s Fellowship Awards For 2005 ----------------- Message from Dale Hindman - President - The Academy of Magical Arts Inc. Here are the Fellowship Awards for 2004 (to be presented 2005) Magician of the Year: Darren Romeo Lifetime Achievement Fellowship: Irene Larsen Masters Fellowship: David Berglas Performing Fellowship: Magic Christian Creative Fellowship: Kevin James Literary Fellowship: Bart Whaley Special Fellowship: Mark Nelson ----------------- 3. MAGIC AID 2005 ----------------- Message from Don Beattie - President IBM (British Ring) The devastation caused by the recent Tsunami in the Indian Ocean will need sustained financial support, probably over a number of years. I know that the public, and even Governments, have been wonderful at providing money, but even if the international support reached 500 million pounds (Sterling), that will only be less than 7% of the money needed. Even if the international debts these countries have is put on hold that will still provide less than half what will be needed. With this in mind I am asking all magicians in Britain to lobby the committee members of their local societies (and there are dozens of them) to hold at least one fundraising effort during this year under the title of Magic Aid 2005. While individual societies putting on shows on their own would still raise the cash, by presenting a united front we should be able to make a bigger impact and thus get more publicity for the cause, reminding the public that the money is still needed. I suppose you could hold a Jumble sale, or have a cake stall - any organisation can do that. Magic shows of all kinds are really what we need. You could hire a theatre or a hall and put on a Stage Show, hold a Cabaret Evening, hold an Open Evening at your Club Room, an Outside Show in the better weather. If none of the magicians involved are receiving any money for the show, your local press will probably be willing to print a story publicising the event (don’t forget local radio and television). Because of the nature of the event you may also be able to get a reduction on the theatre/hall booking fees (If you don’t ask it is unlikely that they will suggest it.) What I would like first is an E-mail, a letter or a phone call as soon as possible to say your society has committed to the idea of holding such an event sometime during this year. I will publish the names of these societies here. Then, when you have held the event, you can send the cheques to me (Made out to the Disasters Emergency Committee.) I will forward the money to them and keep a record of the money raised. I will publish here when your society has held their event(s). Again, doing it as a large group should have more impact and result in more publicity for the cause, and possibly for magic too. I will not publish individual amounts from societies, but I will publish from time to time the running total of money raised. I will, of course, keep detailed records, which can be inspected at any time by societies taking part. PLEASE HELP THIS POOR AREA OF THE WORLD TO RECOVER FROM THIS DISASTER. Don Beattie - President IBM (British Ring) 11 Arcot Drive Whitley Bay Tyne and Wear NE25 9ED England Tel +44 (0)191 253 0915 E-mail Ring25President@aol.com ----------------- 4. Update - SAM Convention Boston 2005 ----------------- Message from George Schindler - S.A.M - Public Relations Convention Dealer Chairman Craig Dickson announced that there will be over 30 Magic Dealers from six Countries to exhibit in Boston! Here's the listing: Bob King Bob Little Bradbury-Hughes Charles Gaucci (Australia) Dave Cresey Denny's Magic Elmwood Fun-Tastic Entertainment H&R Books Haines House of Cards Hank Lee's Magic Factory JB Magic (England) John Henry - Gift Cards Joker Magic (Hungary) Josh Jay Juan Mayoral (Spain) Laflin Lybrary.com Magic Lists Magic Tech Mahka Tendo (Japan) Mogar Knives Ray Goulet SAM Gifts Sasco Spider Backdrops (Germany) Steven's Magic Tannen's Magic Wellington Enterprises Wild Magic Wizard Craft Magic Lynetta Welch ----------------- 5. Michael Close LIVE! ----------------- Message from Jerry K. Hello fellow Magicians, Michael Close LIVE! On January 1st, Gerald Kirchner and Ryan Pilling will be on the air live with Michael Close.. the man behind such classics as the "Workers" series of books and DVD's, "The Pothole Trick", and well known as the resident magic reviewer for MAGIC magazine. Join us in on the radio, and in the chat room, as we talk about his involvement in magic, stories from the trenches, and all sorts of other fun and surprises.. and prizes! January 1st, 2005 at 8 PM Pacific Just go to: www.magicbroadcast.com Jerry K. ACME Magic www.acmemagic.com ----------------- 6. Advertising Himself As 'Harry Houdidn't’ ----------------- Message from Tim Ellis (Aust) Just a message on behalf of Adrian Kebbe. There is a children's entertainer in NSW advertising himself as 'Harry Houdidn't'. Adrian Kebbe has been performing as 'Harry Houdidn't' since the 1980's and would like it known that this performer has no affiliation with Adrian Kebbe nor does he have Adrian's permission to use the name. This performer was approached and asked if he was aware that the name 'Harry Houdidn't' was already taken and, based on his reaction it was clear that he is aware that Adrian is the creator of the name and he suggested we sue him if we were not happy with him using it. Rather than go to that extreme, Adrian would rather just make the magic community aware that the name is being used without permission. Hopefully, peer pressure within the magic community will encourage this person to find another, more original name for himself. With two 'Harry Houdidn'ts' in Australia, bookers will be disappointed if they think they are getting the original 'Harry Houdidn't'. For those who would like to contact or book the original 'Harry Houdin't' (Adrian Kebbe) he is represented by Magic Unlimited and you can email him via katzkin@MagicUnlimited.com Hope this makes the situation clear. Thanks, Tim Ellis ----------------- 7. Funny Magic Website ----------------- Message from Steve Pradell (Alaska) Your readers may wish to check out Steve Martin's magic show. This Requires Flash. http://images.countingdown.com/images/theater2/264343/media/264343_fl_l.swf ----------------- 8. Burj Al Arab Hotel In Dubai ----------------- Message from Mark Cairns Mark Cairns www.markcairns.co.uk and Philip Partridge www.philippartridge.co.uk celebrated the arrival of 2005 in style. They were flown out to perform for New Year's Eve at the worlds only seven-star hotel (and the worlds tallest); the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai. Highlights included Rolls Royce transportation, a personal butler and the opportunity to entertain guests such as Sven Goran Eriksson and members of the regions royalty. For more information please feel free to contact myself (details below) or Mark. President: Manchester Circle of Magicians Philip Partridge Entertainment Ltd 34 Winwood Road East Didsbury Manchester M20 5PE Tel: 0161 448 2672 Mob: 07970 871 544 ----------------- 9. John Carney Lecturing In Los Angeles ----------------- Message from John Carney (US) John Carney will be lecturing in Los Angeles for the first time in 5 years. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to improve your magic. John Carney Lecture Los Angeles, CA Saturday Jan. 15, 2005 3:00pm Hollywood United Methodist Church "Grant Hall" 6817 Franklin Avenue Hollywood, CA 90028-4401 (One block east of The Magic Castle) Information www.carneymagic.com/lectures.htm Lecture fee: $25 at the door (No advance registrations) ----------------- 10. Hank Lee’s Cape Cod Conclave ----------------- Message from Hank Lee (US) Last week I promised you some very special news about this year's Cape Cod Conclave. We have booked the Pendragons to close our Friday night show! We are all excited beyond control. With the Pendragons closing Friday night and Jeff McBride closing Saturday night, this will be a Conclave to remember! If you have not already registered, now is the time. The dates are April 15th-17th and there are still great seats available. You can register online at www.magicfact.com just by clicking on the Conclave Button or you can call us at 617 482 8749 to register. ----------------- 11. Harry Potter's Floating Feather - Jamie-G ----------------- Message from Jamie-G (Canada) Effect: The magician takes a feather and by saying some magic words the magician floats a feather between his hands. The feather is under the magician complete control the whole time. Props: A feather of any kind (just make sure it is long enough) and a package of invisible elastic loops. Method: Start of like normal with the loop on your right wrist. Now how I make contact with the loop is I take my left thumb and hook it under the loop which is on my right wrist and now you have a line from your right wrist and your left thumb. In real time you can really float just about any light object but in this effect it will be a white dove's feather. Note-#-1: Be careful and remember that the loops can be stretched to 25 cm. If you have never worked with loops before it will take some practice getting use to from breaking the loop but once you are past this point then the loop (one single loop) can last you for months. Patter: Hello kid's did you know that magic words are very powerful. I bet some of you know some magic words don't you. Who knows some magic words? (Let the children say what they think are magic words.) At this time it is great time to get the children load and out of their system. Example get them to shout together magic words like hocus-pocus or Sim-Sala- Bim or whatever you want to say. Step-#-1: O.K. we went over some magic words that you guy's know let's go over some magic words that I know. Some of the magic words I know are like "PLEASE' and "THANK YOU" believe it or not these are very powerful magic words that I use everyday. Let's try saying those magic words. (At this point you can get the children shouting out please and thank you. (Parents love when you do this it's like teaching the children manners while keeping them entertained.) Step-#-2: Know that we all know some magic words I can now show you all some thing special. (Take the white feather and make your loop line like how explained in the method.) Lay the feather across the loop line and be very careful not to break the loop. Say the magic words "LA GARDIAN LEVIOSTO" and the feather floats between your hands. Note: A great and cheap magic give away that would be great for the magic show is giving away feathers during your show and telling the children that it's a magic feather for them to bring home. Does not sound like much but after doing this effect the children will all want a feather from the magician trust me on this one. (What a great give away) I really can't think of a better way to put a smile on a child's face when the magician gives them a magic feather. History Of Invisible Elastic Loops: Full credit to Finn Jon for coming up with these loops. Today George Proust the patent owner and main distributor of loops who sold full rights for the production and distribution of loops to Yigal Mesika. When you buy the loops you get two great routines and how to handle and care for your loops. Each package of loops has five loops in the package ready to go. The loops can be stretched to 25 cm. WHERE TO GET INVISIBLE ELASTIC LOOP'S: Yigal Mesika, 31 Petach Tikva St., Netanya, 42461 ISRAEL. Tel\Fax: +972-9-8840283 E-MAIL: yigalart@netvision.net.il jamiegmagic@yahoo.com www.jamiegmagic.com www.windsormagiccircle116.homestead.com President-I.B.M.-ring-116 ----------------- 12. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 34 ‘IT WAS ‘FUN-TASTIC’! Back in 1962/3 I met up with JOHNNY COOPER. He was promoting/running - very successfully - Talent Quests, in the Waikato/King Country - the central areas of the North Island of New Zealand. I toured with Johnny, as his guest artist. Show after show, town after town - Mangakino, Murupara, Otorohanga, Reparoa, Arapuni etc. blurred by, hundreds of bands playing perfect copies of ‘The Shadows’, ‘The Champs’, ‘The Ramrods’, ‘Duane Eddy’, etc. (none could read music, always playing ‘by ear’ and singers, all seeking fame and fortune - I remember the seemingly endless renditions of - oh, God - not again - ‘TEN GUITARS’, over and over, like a record stuck on ‘repeat’ mode. How I wish one could turn the clock back - you just don’t realise or appreciate at the time (do you) just how wonderful those early days really were! Johnny, a famed Maori singer in his own right, had two huge recording hits in the late ‘50s. I sent an e-mail off to Eddie O’Strange of the Blue Smoke Music Company in New Zealand, requesting specific dates, if known, of Johnny’s recordings. The reply I received from Eddie is so interesting (well, to me, anyway); I’m going to repeat it here. Colourful characters like Johnny Cooper should NEVER be forgotten. As an Entertainer and Promoter, he IS an important part of New Zealand’s ‘Show Biz’ history. The two songs Johnny was famous for were ‘LOOK WHAT YOU’VE DONE’ (THE LONELY BLUES), and ‘ONE BY ONE’. The following is the info from Eddie O’Strange. Hi Tom, "Look What You've Done (The Lonely Blues)" was written by Johnny Cooper. "One By One" was written by Jack Anglin and Johnny Wright, American Country singers who performed as "Johnny and Jack". Jack was killed in Car accident on the way to Patsy Cline's funeral on 8 March 1963. Johnny (the husband of Kitty Wells since 1938) retired from touring with Kitty and their son John, a couple of months ago (on New Year's Eve, 2000). Both songs were written in 1954, the year Johnny recorded them as duets: "Johnny Cooper and Margaret Francis accompanied by the Range Riders". Issued on His Master's Voice label (NZ release only). Cat # HR 61. This was on a 10 inch 78 rpm disc (pre-vinyl 45's). This was one of those rare "double-sided hits". "One By One" is the Official A-side and is the song Johnny is most remembered for today. "Look What You've Done" (note: The Lonely Blues was added when the Sheet music was published a short while later) is unusual in that it's Still a widely-known song today, but very few people (even amongst ‘musos’) Realise it's a New Zealand song, let alone who wrote it. It has slipped, rather anonymously, into our folk culture (in a "party song" sort of way). Trivia: it's thought that "One By One" was the first NZ recording played on radio's "The Lever Hit Parade". It's also believed that "Look What You've Done" was also played later on The Lever Hit Parade, hosted by the late Selwyn Toogood. Unfortunately, the plays lists from then have not survived. Cheers, Eddie O'Strange. Thank you Eddie! ------------------ 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 2005 Alan Watson