* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #399 Date: Sunday 26th March 2006 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. Channing Pollock Memorials 3. Channing Was A GREAT Magical Performer 4. Very Sad News About Channing Pollock 5. From Magician To Speaker Part Ten 6. Meetings with Remarkable Magicians #3 - Nick Lewin 7. Las Vegas Magic - April, 2006 8. Second Auction Of The Christian Fechner Collection 9. Its MAGIC" Airing In March 10. New Balloon Site 11. "Four Wall" Show Rooms In Las Vegas 12. NBC Call For Acts 13. "Magic For The Working Magician" 14. 12th Annual Magic Auction 15. Magical Spring & Summer Events 16. View The Magic Film Festival Winners 17. Juliana's Good News-Bad News Weekend 18. Brotherhood Of Auckland Magicians 60th Anniversary 19. ABC Stung And Filthy Freddie 21. Mary Boyd Passed Away 22. The Amazing Orchante Saga 23. e-zine Archives 24. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice ------------------ 1. Editors Message ------------------- Received more than 100 messages about the death of Channing Pollock from all over the world he was an inspiration to our art. On Channing Memorials refer item 2. Bart Whaley's Who's Who in Magic on Channing Pollock…… Pollock, Channing (near Fairfield, California: 16 Aug 1926- ) Named after the playwright of the same name but no familial relation. Inspired seeing a pitchman selling Svengali decks. Briefly used "Chan" as stage name. Quit college & moved to Los Angeles to become a Chavez student & graduate teacher there. Graduating in 1952 with a pro dove (inspired by Abe Cantu) & card manip act, he became world-famous within 2 years, playing the NY Palace in 1954, the Ed Sullivan TV show in 1954, 1959, & 1960. London's Palladium in 1955 & 1958, London's Hippodrome in 1955, & Paris's Moulin Rouge in 1956. Invented the Toss Vanish(2) & the double dove production. Left magic (for movies) in 1961, teaching & giving his act to "Franklin". Became a European film star, making several movies, only 4 of which show his magic: European Nights (Italy, 1962), The Red Sheik (Italy, 1963), Rocambole (Italy, 1963), & Judex (France, 1963). Returned to USA in 1965. Retired in 1969 but still occasionally appears or lectures at magicians gatherings. Tutored Svengari (1969), James Dimmare, etc. 1976 AMA Performing Fellowship; 1984 CMI Order of the Magic Lamp; 1991 AMA Masters Fellowship. 1991 SAM Hall of Fame. [LR8/96;Magic11/96;Qui Magia3/89;Ran;Genii2/69; Mag;Dif;Tay;Des; HC;Hudd;Wh] ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. Channing Pollock Memorials ----------------- Message from Norm and Lupe Nielsen (US) Channing Pollock Memorials Channing was a humble man. He never sought honors or fame. He didn't even want a funeral or service. However, for the benefit of all of us who remember him, two public Memorials will be held for him: April 2, 2006 - 2:00 pm - Memorial for Channing at the Magic Castle, Hollywood, CA. (Call the Castle to confirm the time - Tel.: 323-851-3313) May 13, 2006 - 1:00 pm - Memorial for Channing at the Montecarlo Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV - This will be more like a celebration of his life. Please bring good cheer and great memories. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Encore Foundation 4200 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. PMB 106-379 Washington, DC, 20016 Correspondence and condolences can be sent to: Joann Pollock c/o Nielsen Magic P.O. Box 34300 Las Vegas, NV 89133 Best regards, Norm and Lupe Nielsen Nielsen Magic Website: http://www.nnmagic.com -------------------------------------------- 3. Channing Was A GREAT Magical Performer -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Daniels (UK) 'He was one of the most influential magicians of our time.' is a phrase that is all too glibly used about some of the magicians who die but in this case it is absolutely true. Channing was a GREAT magical performer and I consider myself so very lucky to have seen his act. This was perfection, and so few ever get close to that. Above all, he was a really nice guy. -------------------------------------------- 4. Very Sad News About Channing Pollock -------------------------------------------- Message from Steve Walker (Aust) Channing Pollock was a great inspiration to me (and many others) when he came to the UK in the fifties and appeared at the Pigalle and also on TV. Allan Carmichael told me he saw the film" European Nights" 17 times just to see the Pollock segment. I have had the privilege of meeting Channing on a few occasions at US conventions, the first time was under a street lamp in the car park of the Magic Castle, he was a charming man. I never saw him perform live but I did see the act "Franklyn and his Doves". The last time we met Channing, Allan Carmichael asked him about him selling the act to Frank Brooker (Franklyn),a London taxi driver . Channing looked Alan in the eye and said "You know he never sold the cab" I always thought that Paul Daniels really nailed it when he introduced Channing at a convention in England and recounted his own reaction at first seeing Pollock on stage. To paraphrase what Paul said "Channing wasn't good ....he was perfect" I'll drink to that Regards Steve Walker -------------------------------------------- 5. From Magician To Speaker Part Ten -------------------------------------------- Message by Quentin Reynolds (UK) Tips On Giving a Better Presentation In show business, especially theatres, the performers don't mix with the audience either before or after the show. Actors have their own private bar known as the Green Room, reserved for theatre staff and selected friends. When you perform at more informal situations, avoiding the audience contact before or after your performance isn't usually an option. Turn that to your advantage. Make friends with your audience. Chat to them about their concerns, about the venue and the organisation. You never know what useful information might crop up that you might be able to use. More importantly you have at least a few friends in the audience. In 1999 I attended a Brian Tracy seminar in Dublin with 900 people in the audience. I noticed him before the event started and went over to introduce myself and tell him how much I had enjoyed his audio programmes over the years. That's all. It was the first time we met and we only spoke for about a minute. He must have noticed me sitting near the front and during his presentation, in making a point he referred to me and said, "Just as I was saying to Quentin before we started." Not only did it make me feel good but it also had a positive effect on the audience. It showed them that he is approachable and friendly. Staying around for a little schmoozing after your presentation can do wonders for your bank balance. That's when people will come and talk with you and suggest they might book you for their event. By all means give out business cards but better still get their contact information so you can follow up with them. Never assume that people know who you are or will remember you. When you meet someone and shake hands always state your name. In your stories mention your name... "She said to me ...look Quentin..." Make sure you arrive in plenty of time at the venue. Get the feel of the room, the layout, the visibility angles, the sound. Will curtains be drawn or is there a possibility that the sun will shine into the audience's eyes? What's the lighting like? Walk the stage area. How big is it? Do you move around a lot? Do you stay on the platform or do you occasionally walk down into the audience? If you are a man, do not carry loose change or keys in your pockets. A good professional speaker's talk will be the same 96% of the time. Give yourself that 4% leeway for changes, freshness and any impromptu comments you might make. Never read your talk. You can have a table with a sequence of tent cards on it. Each card has a key word for your next sequence. If you use magic in your talk, I recommend you keep it to one effect and have that near the finish - but not the finish. You must be clear what is your message. What is the one point you want to get across? As a magician you may be giving the talks in your community purely to generate business for your shows. That's fine and that is the real reason you are there. But if that is blatantly obvious to your audience you'll come over like an pushy car salesman. Far better to have some message in your talk like lessons you learned entertaining three years olds. But during your talk you have the opportunity to mention your magical skills and talents, so the sales pitch is very low key and the audience think booking you is their idea. For example you might say something like... "Let me tell you what happened last week when I performed at Mary and Joe's wedding." Now you are telling them you are available to perform at weddings. Tape your presentations. You need to remove all the ums and ahs. Every so often there is a tendency to add non-words to your shows or talks. Words like "you know", "like", "OK". If you're a tad lazy and don't rehearse much you must at least know your opening and closing 60 seconds, forwards, backwards and inside-out. © 2006 Quentin Reynolds. Quentin Reynolds works as both magician and speaker. Get the complimentary seven-step mini-course on presenting in schools and libraries at http://www.speakinschools.com -------------------------------------------- 6. Meetings with Remarkable Magicians #3 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) Twinkletoes And The Kid Charlie Miller was a one of a kind. In his later years he was known as 'Twinketoes Miller' due to his prowess on dance floors on cruise ships he performed on. There were two Charlie Millers; one was a card man of hidden genius, while the other was a comedy magician who could entertain royally with his unique renditions of the great classics of magic. Some tricks that he performed were so old they were new again, many youngsters in magic, including myself, had never really seen the "Rice  Bowls" or the "Mutilated Parasol" let alone performed them. Charlie performed with a grace and twinkle in his eye that made them irresistible. I watched him every chance I got as he graced the stage of the "Magic Castle" with the charm of slightly rogue uncle. Charlie was a big man, larger than life, with a waistline to match and after suffering a mild heart attack his doctor gave him an ultimatum, lose weight or suffer the consequences! I think it was probably a tough decision for Charlie, who loved his food almost as much as he loved magic. This is where I got to know him a little better. As a callow young magician in his early twenties I realized how close I was to letting another of Magic's greats disappear while I was only on a nod and smile basis with them. Heck, I wasn't totally sure he really knew my name! So I plucked up my courage during Charlie's recuperation and asked him if I could assist him in anyway. Charlie asked me if I had a car, when I said I did, we were off and running. He said he wanted to go to a favorite restaurant about five miles from his home and have lunch. He wanted me there not so much for the transportation or the company but to help keep him on his diet. I was ecstatic a luncheon date with Charlie was a serious step up in the magic world for me. We drove up Highland Avenue to a restaurant where the staff greeted Charlie with the excitement and respect that Jerry Lewis must receive when he walks into a cinema in Paris. We were ushered into a dark booth at the rear of the restaurant. Charlie peered at the menu and ordered a very healthy meal. He ordered something from every part of the menu: soup, salad, pasta, and steak with baked potato. He then looked at me and asked if I thought he could add a desert to the list. I said that I thought that would be just fine. After washing down the meal with a couple of cups of coffee, Charlie leaned back in his chair and said; "This dieting thing isn't too bad at all. That was a good meal!" He called over the waiter and I assumed he was going to ask for the check. "That was good," he said. "Bring me the same again." That was exactly what happened. The waiter brought the exact same meal from soup to coffee and Charlie ate it again with obvious relish! Having found a healthy meal to his liking he was going to stick with it. While I was a little surprised, I was along for the ride, and second time around I took the opportunity to ask him a t. I can't say he said anything that I found too earth shattering at the time but in years to come I realized just how profound his thoughts were in spite of their simplicity. The secret to magic according to Charlie was to choose strong tricks, don't be afraid to perform the classics, know everything you are going to do and do it well. Most important of all was to make sure people knew you were having fun doing it. It was a pleasure to have spent some hours with Charlie and I realized I must have made some impact on him because in the future when we met at the "Castle" he always greeted me with a cheery; "Hi, Nick." That was the kind of thing that made you feel like a million bucks when it happened. Please address any bricks or bouquets concerning this piece to: nicklewin@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------- 7. Las Vegas Magic - April, 2006 -------------------------------------------- Message from David Neubauer (www.dnmagic.com) Production Shows: Amazing Johnathan 10 pm, (Dark Thurs.), Sahara. http://www.saharavegas.com/shows/amazingjohnathon.html Beacher's Madhouse Tyas Frantz, Chris Karpiak & Seth Grabel - 10 pm - Hard Rock. Check www.beachersmadhouse.com for dates. Bite (Vampire Strip Revue) Antonio Restivo (fire manipulation) 10:30 pm (dark Thurs.) Stratosphere www.bitelasvegas.com Buck Wild Nathan Burton (as a redneck magician) 7 pm covered shows Mon.-Wed. & Sat. 9 pm Topless shows (Over 18) - Sahara (Dark Fri.) www.saharavegas.com/shows/buckwild.html Collin Foster - Quicker than the Eye 4 & 6 pm (Dark Mon.), Comedy Zone, Plaza. $6.95 admission includes a drink coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponcollinfoster.html David Copperfield 7:30 & 10 pm, 4:30 Sat. & some Sun. MGM Grand. February 16-March 1, March 30-April 12. Haunted Vegas Tour & Show Robert Allen, Jac Hayden & Zamora - Greek Isle. 9:00 pm tour and show (Dark Fri.) $10 off coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponhauntedvegas.html Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas 2 & 4 pm, Stardust. (Dark Wed.) http://www.stardustlv.com/site/entertainment/index.cfm?Page=Artist&ArtistID=27 Jason Bird The Shops in Desert Passage - Aladdin. Main stage, near the "V" Theater, Thursday - Monday Various times from 1:15 pm. - 8:15 pm. - Free. La Femme Stephan Vanel 8 & 10:30 pm, (Dark Tues.), MGM Grand. http://www.mgmgrand.com/pages_html/entertainment_lafemme_lafemme.asp Lance Burton, Master Magician 7 pm Tues-Sat & 10 pm Tues. & Sat. Monte Carlo. http://www.montecarlo.com/entertainment/lance.aspx Mac King Comedy Magic Show 1 & 3 pm, (Dark Sun. & Mon.) Harrah's Clint Holmes Theater. www.mackingshow.com Penn & Teller 9 pm, (Dark Tues.), Rio. http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/rlv/entertainment/entertainment_detail_00.html V, The Ultimate Variety Show Jeff Hobson, Nathan & Sarah - www.vtheshow.com 7 & 9 pm, Aladdin. 2 for 1 coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponvshow.html World's Greatest Magic Show Kevin James, Joseph Gabriel, The Majestix, Kozak. Derek Roberts, Billy Fergueson & Chris Randall (pre-show). 6 pm Sat. - Thurs., 8:15 Fri., Greek Isle. March Guest Stars: 20-26: Losander, 23-April 31: Roy Shank (sub for Kevin James), 27-31: Ardan James. April Guest Stars: 1-23: Roy Shank (sub for Kevin James) & Ardan James, 24-30: Kevin James returns & Scott and Muriel. May Guest Stars: 1-7: Ardan James, 8-19: Danny Cole, 20-28: Shimshe, 29-June 25: Ardan James. June Guest Stars: 1-25: Ardan James, 26-30: Shimshe. Xtreme Magic Starring Dirk Arthur Tiffany Theatre, Tropicana 2 and 4 pm. (Dark Fri.) $10 off coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/Coupontropicana_dirk.html Jamie Porter's Radio Side Show Sat @ 5 am, KLAV FM 1230. Restaurants: Eric Allan Outback Steakhouse (Green Valley), Fri. & Sat. Jayden LaCross TGI Fridays, Wed. & Sun. Las Vegas Magic Organizations I.B.M. #257: 7 pm 1st Monday of each month at Boomers, 3200 Sirius Ave. www.ring257.com March, 2006 March 20-26: Losander - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. March 27-April 23: Ardan James - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. March 27-April 23: Roy Shank, subbing for Kevin James, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. March 30-April 12: David Copperfield, MGM Grand. April, 2006 April 1-12: David Copperfield, MGM Grand. April 1-23: Ardan James - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. April 1-23: Roy Shank, subbing for Kevin James, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. March 24-30: Scott and Muriel - Guest Stars, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. March 24: Kevin James returns, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. May, 2006 May 1-7: Ardan James - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. May 8-19: Danny Cole - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. May 20-28: Shimshe - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. May 29-June 25: Ardan James - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. June, 2006 June 1-25: Ardan James - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. June 11-June 13: Las Vegas Magic Invitational (LVMI) - Palace Station. Guest of Honor: J.C. Wagner. Featuring Lee Asher, Mark Mason, Bob Sheets, The J Team (John Born and Jason Dean), John Carney. www.lvmi.net June 14: CoinCon. Featuring: Rune Klan, John Born, Mickey Silver and Kainoa Harbottle. - Palace Station www.lvmi.net June 26-30: Shimshe - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. -------------------------------------------- 8. Second Auction Of The Christian Fechner Collection -------------------------------------------- Message from Frank R Furkey (US) Scheduled For October 2006 The exact dates to be advised. The first was very successful and the catalogue is a keep-sake, a gem indeed! Schwann Gallerie in New York will handle the sale! -------------------------------------------- 9. Its MAGIC" Airing In March -------------------------------------------- Message from David Schleich forwarded on by Sam Martin The "It's MAGIC" cable show is shown on Thursdays at 5:30 PM in the cities listed below. Each month "It's MAGIC" features different magicians from the Chicagoland area. The March show is the second of two featuring performances from Jackie's Magic 2005, a food drive to help the hungry of Lake County. Appearing in this show are Steve Jordan, Dan Sperry, Freddy Fredricks and Mark & Sue Holstein. Air dates for this show are: March 16, March 23 and March 30 Arlington Heights, Ch. 35 Glendale Heights, Ch. 19 Palatine, Ch. 19 Bartlett, Ch. 35 Glenview, Ch. 35 Park Ridge, Ch. 35 Bedford Park, Ch. 19 Golf, Ch. 35 Prospect Heights, Ch. 35 Bensenville, Ch. 19 Hanover Park, Ch. 35 River Forest, Ch. 19 Berkeley, Ch. 19 Hillside, Ch. 19 River Grove, Ch. 19 Bloomingdale, Ch. 19 Hinsdale, Ch. 19 Rolling Meadows, Ch. 19 Bridgeview, Ch. 19 Hodgkins, Ch. 19 Roselle, Ch. 19 Broadview, Ch. 19 Hoffman Estates, Ch. 19 Rosemont, Ch. 19 Buffalo Grove, Ch. 19 Itasca, Ch. 19 Schaumburg, Ch. 35 Burbank, Ch. 19 Justice, Ch. 19 Schiller Park, Ch. 19 Burr Ridge, Ch. 19 Lincolnwood, Ch. 19 Skokie, Ch. 35 Carol Stream, Ch. 19 Lombard, Ch. 19 Stone Park, Ch. 19 Cicero, Ch. 19 Lyons, Ch. 19 Streamwood, Ch. 35 Clarendon Hills, Ch. 19 Maywood, Ch. 19 Summit, Ch. 19 Countryside, Ch. 19 McCook, Ch. 19 Villa Park, Ch. 43 Darien, Ch. 19 Medinah, Ch. 19 Westchester, Ch. 19 Des Plaines, Ch. 35 Morton Grove, Ch. 19 Westmont, Ch. 19 Downers Grove, Ch. 19 Mt. Prospect, Ch. 35 Wheeling, Ch. 35 Elk Grove Village, Ch. 19 Niles, Ch. 19 Willow Springs, Ch. 19 Elmhurst, Ch. 19 North Riverside, Ch.19 Willowbrook, Ch. 19 Elmwood Park, Ch. 19 Northbrook, Ch. 35 Wilmette, Ch. 19 Forest Park, Ch. 19 Oak Brook, Ch. 19 Wood Dale, Ch. 19 Forest View, Ch. 19 Oak Park, Ch. 19 Woodridge, Ch. 19 Franklin Park, Ch. 19 Oakbrook Terrace, Ch. 19 -------------------------------------------- 10. New Balloon Site -------------------------------------------- Message from Gordon Drayson (UK) Gordon Drayson is pleased to announce that his new website for Balloon Twisters, has after many months of preparation, gone live. It is a site just for balloon twisters, allowing them to upload photos of their creations, browse others photo galleries, share events in the calendar, create a web link to their website, and soon will be able to chat with other twisters. What does this all cost I hear you ask, well it is absolutely free. To sign up, visit: http://www.balloontwisting.co.uk I am looking for advertisers at the moment, so if you know of anyone who might be interested in sponsoring the site, please contact me at info@balloontwisting.co.uk -------------------------------------------- 11. "Four Wall" Show Rooms In Las Vegas -------------------------------------------- Message from Jack Straw (US) Rick Thomas and David Saxe have something in common. They both successfully "four wall" show rooms in Las Vegas. What does that mean? Well it really means you are assuming a real estate lease agreement. Quit literally you are leasing property. If you are interested in pursuing what Rick Thomas and David Saxe have successfully accomplished, read their advice!....... From The La Times..... David Saxe....... ..........But the odds are against the performer, said David Saxe, a producer here who is also an adjunct professor in the hotel and casino school at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Saxe estimated that only about 10% of those who four-wall make any money. "It's a tough town," added Saxe, who produces "V - the Ultimate Variety Show" at the Aladdin's Desert Passage. "If Elvis Presley and Jesus Christ came back together from the dead, they wouldn't make it four-walling a show unless they had some really strong marketing," Saxe said. "There is just constant competition for people's attention." "To be blunt, you're gambling against the house," said another producer who has lost money four-walling. He asked not to be named because he will probably try it again and doesn't want to be identified as a critic. "It's just a very difficult thing to do." Rick Thomas.... Down the street at the Stardust Hotel and Casino, magician Rick Thomas said he makes it as a four-waller by squeezing in two performances six days a week, at 2 and 4 in the afternoon. But the economics are daunting for him as well. He not only has to pay five dancers, two stagehands and a light and sound crew, but also must care for his seven Bengal tigers - three white and four orange - and an array of exotic birds that appear in his show, "The Magic of Rick Thomas." The animals live in a two-acre habitat next to his home in Las Vegas. "It's hard; it's a lot of work," Thomas said during a break one recent afternoon as he signed autographs in the lobby and his cast sold DVDs of the shows. "But all I've ever wanted to do is be a magician, and for a lot of places in Vegas, the way you get to the stage is to four-wall." Both Thomas and Wallace insist they actually like four-walling, describing it as an entrepreneurial venture in which they control strategic decisions such as marketing and sales. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/lanafourwallers20mar20,0,6835689.story?page=2&coll=la-home-headlines1) -------------------------------------------- 12. NBC Call For Acts -------------------------------------------- Message from Darlene F. Bull forward on by Sam Martin Open Call Auditions talent search Simon and Crowell And the Producers of American Idol team up with NBC in search of HOTTEST verity and novelty acts. CASH Prizes and chance to headline in a Major showroom, Las Vegas Style. Email Stephanie Pearlman Stephanie.talent@hotmail.com to get on VIP list for auditions. Tell what your act is and what city you will come to. Mention S.A.M. to get VIP treatment. Let them know if you have an elaborate set up so they allow enough time for that set up. Need Photo ID, under 18 must have parent along. Must be US citizen or proper permissions to be and work in US. Any animals MUST have proper immunization papers SINGERS, have 2nd song ready,. OPEN CALL DATES: Chicago IL--Wed April 12 and Thurs April 13 Los Angeles, CA April 6 and April 7 New York City, NY April 17 & 18 Atlanta GA April 22, 23. -------------------------------------------- 13. "Magic For The Working Magician" -------------------------------------------- Message from Dan Stapleton Reprinted in part from my Dan Stapleton's lecture notes "Magic For The Working Magician". Old Stale Jokes (usage) This might surprise you...but it won't surprise the "working" magician. Many of the old standard jokes still get laughs. They don't when performing for magicians, but for a non-magic crowd most people have not heard those old stale jokes. We live in a new generation...new off-spring. Now and then I will get an old-timer who will tell me that he heard "that joke" some 50 years ago! And that's ok. It all depends how the joke or one-liner is presented. It must be told to the right audience, at the right time, and more importantly....the right "timing" in telling the joke. We magicians have heard the one-liners so often but most audiences have not. Don't dismiss a good joke or one-liner just because it's old. To the lay audience, the old "One-two-three days ago I did this trick" (during the comedy guillotine effect) gag still gets a laugh just as does "Let's use your hand....let's use the clean hand....oh, that was your clean hand"...as long as the it is told with proper timing. Just before Henny Youngman passed on to that great whoopee cushion in the sky, he performed at the Wisconsin State Fair. Many of the audience members were college kids. Youngman received a standing ovation! True...sometimes a "legend" can perform on their own laurels where we might falter with the same material. I doubt if Criss Angel would be booked year after year performing the same "Lefty" act with the hand-glove. (If he did, he would most likely pluck off the eye buttons and eat them as part of a "sightless hand" act!) But we enjoyed watching Jay Marshal year after year because his timing was perfect. Now, I just read Dorny's Comedy Blackouts by the great magicomedian & MC Werner Dornfield, published in 1962. The material was probably taken from skits from the 30's or 40's. Dreadful stuff today. But....have a hillbilly character do this stuff in a show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and the audiences would laugh so hard their teeth would fall out. Well, they do that anyway...but still you get the idea. Jokes for the right audience and told the right way. When I began performing magic, Robert Orban booklets were the rage. I got (and still) get mostly groans from using some of those lines, although I use very few of them today as they are outdated. Puns don't often get laughs...they get groans! I want reaction...so I usually will leave the puns to the gang at the local magic meetings, but not tell them during a regular performance. Read the joke books written (stolen) by Milton Berle, which are still sold at most book stores. Many of "those old" jokes are used in Jay Leno and David Letterman's monologs. You may not believe that but it's true...they just make the jokes "topical" making them sound new. Look, the bottom line is this...no matter how old the joke is, if it gets a laugh or a good reaction, use it. If it doesn't get a reaction...remove it. An agent once told me that he doesn't watch video's sent in. He listens to them. Don't take all comments made by magic magazine reviewers, literal or personal, when giving their opinion on "old stale jokes or one-liners". The only two people who matter are you and the person handing you the check. Ok...three people...that audience also matters. If you're not asked back for a future engagement....it might just be those old stale jokes! Dan Stapleton www.stapletonmagic.com -------------------------------------------- 14. 12th Annual Magic Auction -------------------------------------------- Message from Larry McMechan We will be holding our 12th annual Magic Auction, May 27 & 28, 2006. We will be selling Stage, Parlor, Illusions Close up effects, Collector items and misc. Located at 210 Nation Ave., Eaton, Ohio 45320. Sale starts at 10:00AM each day. For more information contact Larry McMechan, Auctioneer phone 937-456-7136 or e-mail mcmechan@infinet.com -------------------------------------------- 15. Magical Spring & Summer Events -------------------------------------------- Message from Jeff Mcbride (US) Greetings Friends, Simplicity is the key that unlocks the door to pleasurable travels. Touring the world for months at a time, we have to be very practical about what we bring with us. Eugene Burger is the master of simplicity. The Zen aesthetic of simplicity informs all his magic and life. When he works on a new script, he refines it to just the essential words to fit the action. When it comes to travel, he has it down to a science! He can travel the world with just his carry-on luggage; no checked bags. After twenty years of touring, I have gotten it down to three bags. I am always learning the art of elegant simplicity from Eugene. He seems to be able to travel the world with merely a deck of cards and spool of yellow cotton thread. He is my hero! My goal is to get my full evening touring show down to just a few simple props. My new mantra is: "The one who can do the most, with the least...wins!" Eugene also told me about one of his favorite books "The Packing Book: Secrets of the Carry on Traveler" -- by Judith Gilford. Eugene learned much about the art of travel by reading this book. He passed it on to me and now I'm passing the information to you friends...travel light! In a very few days Eugene and I will be on our European Spring tour. We are looking forward to the events in Cornwall, England and Amsterdam, Holland. We will be performing at the Princess theater; to get your tickets, just visit this website: http://www.carrickleisureservices.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=16783 After the show we will be teaching a three day class in Cornwall and then we're going to Bath and Stonehenge. Through special arrangements we have been granted visitation rights to enter the stone circle at sunrise. This is a rare experience and we will give you a full report on the magic of Stonehenge in our upcoming Muse-letters. Just to let you know, a couple of spots have opened up for our Amsterdam MASTER CLASS, if you would like to attend. Eugene and I will be in Amsterdam for the class April 13,14,15,16. We will also be doing 2 PUBLIC SHOWS at the Casa Blanca night club. For all information on our shows and classes in the Netherlands drop our good friend and producer George Parker an email at magus@xs4all.nl or visit his very interesting and magickal website http://www.georgeparker.nl/ Abbi will be home in Las Vegas for the month of April. She is working on her new album. If you'd like to see or hear some of her music you can check out some free samples of her work and listen to them at http://shop.yourmagic.com. Abbi found this great quote, by Nora Roberts about love and magic for us: "Love and magic have a great deal in common. They enrich the soul, delight the heart. And they both take practice." When we're home in early May, Tobias has arranged a show for us in Temecula, CA. We hope to see our California friends at that event! Your friend in the mystical arts, Jeff -------------------------------------------- 16. View The Magic Film Festival Winners -------------------------------------------- Message from Lee Asher (US) I've just been told the winners of the first magic film fest are now online. Be one of the first on the internet to view them: http://www.aoimagic.com/ They are all great!!! Thinking of entering next year? Tell AOI, Lee Asher sent you... Have fun. Cheers, Lee Asher -------------------------------------------- 17. Juliana's Good News-Bad News Weekend -------------------------------------------- Message from Clive Court (Canada) Hi Alan....this is a note I sent to entertainment editors in Vancouver Juliana Chen had an emotional rollercoaster last weekend....good news, bad news, and good news. The first good news was that she helped the Vancouver Metropolitan Lions Club to raise $238.000 for the Canadian Cancer Society by performing at their Diversity Gala on Saturday night. She also made her singing debut with two folk songs for the highest bidder in a silent auction, (is she planning another career change). Then early on Sunday she received a call from Lance Burton, the top magician on the Las Vegas Strip, to tell her that their mutual friend and mentor Channing Pollock had died of cancer. Pollock was the legendary American magician who popularized magic with doves in the fifties and sixties. The second call on Sunday was from Shawn Farquhar, the Coquitlam magician she hired to replace her at the Athens Art and Illusion Festival while she was in Vancouver meeting her previous commitment. Shawn had good news, the magic festival is sold out to the end of its six-week run on April 19. She is artistic director for the festival. Juliana flies back to Athens today (March 23) to headline the last three weeks of the festival as the World's First Lady of Magic. Cheers, Clive PS. Canadian illusionist Ted Outerbridge brings his show Magical Moments in Time to the ACT in Maple Ridge on Saturday (March 25) at 7:30pm. ACT is the Maple Ridge Arts Centre and Theatre. This is the Western turning point in Ted's 2006 cross-Canada tour.  -------------------------------------------- 18. Brotherhood Of Auckland Magicians 60th Anniversary -------------------------------------------- Message from Graham Bennett (NZ) The members, family and friends will celebrate this event Saturday 3rd June. Venue: The Springs, Point Chevalier, Auckland. All magicians are welcome to attend. Cost yet to be finalised. Contact Graham Bennett, Secretary/Treasuer Phone: (09) 486 1253 Mobile: 021 778 152 e-mail: graham_bennett@singaporeair.com.sg -------------------------------------------- 19. ABC Stung And Filthy Freddie -------------------------------------------- Message from Gavan Duffy (South Africa) My name is Gavan Duffy and I'm a Childrens' Magician / Performer in Durban, South Africa. I wonder if there are any childrens performers who would be able to help me with the instructions for ABC Stung and Filthy Freddie. If anyone is able to help, please email me on gavanduffy@absamail.co.za -------------------------------------------- 20. Mary Boyd Passed Away -------------------------------------------- Message from Dave Boyd (Aust) My wife Mary passed away on the 27th Feb. She was known to the many magicians that stayed with us over night, when travelling through Bega along the Princes Highway between Sydney and Melbourne. Dave Boyd "Magic Mountain's Mr Magic" boyddp@hotmail.com ----------------- 21. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 93 Timaru, and Intro' to the 'Family Variety Spectacular '74'- tour Now it just so happens that Veronica had mentioned in the past that the door latch was getting sticky - difficult to open, and it chose this particular night to finally stick tight in the striking plate. With all the pushing and pulling, and the consequent foul language, the bloody thing still refused to open. By now I was fuming with the sheer frustration of John Cleese's portrayal as 'Mr Fawlty', in the TV series 'Fawlty Towers' so, when Veronica calmly produced a long screwdriver from out of a drawer, I attacked that goddamn door as if it was a living thing! Bloody door, it just 'laughed' in my face and stayed put! I defy anybody not to admit that they haven't sometime in their life, kicked an inanimate object in total frustration, as if the object in question had deliberately set out to test their mettle. A flat tyre in the middle of nowhere - without a repair kit, would be a pretty good example I would imagine. I was fuming as I dragged Veronica's table away from the door, got into the lounge then through to the kitchen and arrived at the other side of the kitchenette door. Once again I attacked the door with the screwdriver trying to force the door away from the latch but all I managed to do was to leave deep gouges in the doorjamb. I was beginning to hate that door with a deadly hate - storming back through the lounge and into the kitchenette - I again vented my pent up fury on that bloody door with the screwdriver, resulting in more 'decoration' on the doorjamb, with grooves and deep scratches; then suddenly, like a well oiled piece of machinery, the door on its own volition, slowly swung open! I stomped off to bed, expanding the vocabulary of my second language at a great rate of knots as I went! The next afternoon 'Tangles', the first of the band up out of bed after a late-night gig somewhere, came down to the kitchenette for coffee. Veronica said it to him, "Were you and the other boys in my workroom (the kitchenette) last night?" Tangles replied, "Sure, we came in for a coffee, why?" Deciding to 'PULL HIS LEG', Veronica said, "Tangles, did you notice or, did anything strange happen?" "Funny you should say that" said Tangles, "The door wouldn't open when we wanted to go to bed, but we noticed that your table had been moved so we went out that way - into the lounge and thro the kitchen". "The same thing happened to us," said Veronica, "Something' slammed the door shut" then, lying through her teeth added, "Something' wouldn't let us open it"! Tangles shivered. Pointing out the scratch marks that I had made the night before with the screwdriver, trying to get the door open, Veronica says to Tangles, "When I came down this morning, all these terrible marks were all over the door jam - on both sides of the door, and I thought you blokes might have had something to do with it". "No way" Tangles said indignantly, as he closely inspected the deep grooves and scratches in the wood "We didn't do that". Then his overactive imagination took hold, no doubt boosted by the GENUINE phenomena that we were all experiencing within the house, - "OH MY GOD" Tangles whispered, "THEY LOOK LIKE CLAW MARKS"! Poor Tangles, he was going to cop a lot more of the same, from all of us, before the up-coming extensive South Island stage tour was over! Looking around walls of our spare bedroom (which is where the computer etc. is set up), and where I spend several hours each week working on the weekly 'SAGA' (apart from flying around the world to various exotic destinations in my Learjet 45, via my Microsoft Flight simulator 2004 - Professional Edition. Which is, incidentally, good enough for Naval and commercial air pilots to practise with, at home), most of the available wall space is filled with several posters. The oldest is dated July/August 1960, the latest probably 5/ 6 years ago; about the time I was forced into retirement - God, how I hate that word! The largest - in full colour, measures a whopping 5ftx3ft! This, one of several, cost in excess of an equalling whopping - £125 each (N.Z. $375), glad I wasn't paying for them! Directly in front of me, up where the ceiling joins the wall, there is a red A2 size poster displaying six black-and-white photographs. The names - top row from L to R are: CRAIG SCOTT - N.Z's.No.1 Television & Recording Star, - The Sensational 'REFLECTIONS', Girl Duo, - ANGELA AYERS, Resident Star of TV's. 'Happen Inn' - bottom row: - BRENDAN DUGAN, Country and Western Personality, - The North Islands No.1 at group, 'PRENTICE' and, N.Z.'s Amazing International Star - 'ORCHANTÉ' (with his beautiful stage hostess, VERONICA). This then, was Eddie Brook's ('NOD' to his friends), latest venture - 'Galaxy Enterprises Ltd', Proudly Presents - FAMILY VARIETY SPECTACULAR '74! ---------------- 22. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives ------------------ Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/fezine.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) ------------------- 23. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice ------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E-zine at www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html. Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday. The opinions expressed therein are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Magic New Zealand®. Neither Magic New Zealand® nor Alan Watson 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 they will not hold Magic New Zealand® or Alan Watson, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed therein. Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct or disregard any articles submitted. Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news items which may be of interest to subscribers. By submitting articles to this e-zine, the authors grant Magic New Zealand® the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm their copyright of the material submitted. 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