* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #499 Date: Sunday 13th May 2007 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. FISM Europe Strengthen FISM Organisation 3. U.S. Secret Service To Investigate Darin Carlos 4. The Changing Face Of Abra Magazine 5. 'Remarkable Magic' #6 - Nick Lewin 6. Undoing A Bad Reputation - By Kyle Peron 7. Docc Hilford's Lecture And Show In Auckland 8. "Stars Of Tomorrow Show" 9. A Tribute To Billy McComb 1922 - 2006 10. Midwest Magic Jubilee 11. Eddie Tullock Remembered - Michael Bailey (UK) 12. Eddie Tullock Remembered - Walter Zaney Blaney (US) 13. Eddie Tullock Remembered - Kenton Knepper (US) 14. Sad To Report - Morty Rudnick 15. Channel 9's The Shak 16. Terry Herbert At KIDabra Conference 17. 13th Annual Magic Auction - Eaton, Ohio 18. 2007 LVMI Schedule Of Events 19. The Amazing Orchante Saga 20. e-zine Archives 21. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Docc lecture Hilford's Lecture in Auckland, New Zealand can only be described in one word "Awesome". Refer Mike Easterbrook's review item 7. ------------------------------- Nick Lewin is proud to announce the publication of 'McComb on Performing: the secrets behind the secrets.' he truly believe there may be more information on the art of performing than ever before released in one package. Newcomers to magic and veteran magicians will find much to learn. This is a three and a half hour interview between the late great Billy McComb and Nick. The interview is an amazing storehouse of tips and information captured on a digitally recorded and specially packaged three CD set. Nick is offering the initial highly limited edition to readers of Magic New Zealand in advance of our promotion to the rest of the magic world. This is an amazing opportunity to learn from one of magic's legendary performers. Each set comes complete with a full color numbered 11x17 poster. The cost of the three CD package is $55 (US) plus shipping. For full details and to order 'McComb on Performing" please contact http://www.NickLewin.com ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. FISM Europe Strengthen FISM Organisation -------------------------------------------- London, 09 May 2007 - The International Federation of Magic SocietiesT (FISMT) has made a leap into the future with the launch of FISMT Europe. FISMT Europe brings together all European magic club and federation members of FISMT, which marks a major step forward for the international governing body of magic. The new entity will have closer ties to its European societies and will be better able to answer their preoccupations and needs, improving FISMT organisation and services. A committee of European clubs' representatives worked months on the implementation of FISMT Europe which was sanctioned by a vote with the go-ahead given by the large majority of all European magic societies member of FISMT. Prior to this vote the FISM General Assembly, last held in Stockholm at the World Championships of MagicT 2006, had approved and validated a change of FISMT statutes allowing the creation of continental divisions. Under the new organisation, all continental division presidents are automatically members of the FISMT Executive Board. In 2003, FISMT launched an ambitious 6-year-working-plan to pave the way to a more professional organisation. The plan was created in order to better answer the expectancies of new generations of magicians while enhancing its core values and missions: to lever the magic art worldwide, to strengthen services to its members and magicians and continuously improve the level of international magic competitions, such as the World Championships of MagicT. On the 27th of April 2007 the first European Executive Board of FISMT EUROPE was installed at FISM's head office in The Netherlands by the Presidium of the FISMT. After the official installation, in the absence of its President, Mr. Lamelot, the Vice-President of FISMT EUROPE, Mr. André Ciocca from Switzerland chaired the first meeting of the EEB. Further to the missions and goals shared with FISMT, one of the main missions of the newly formed European Executive Board (EEB) will be to organise the first FISMT European Championships of MagicT. According to the Rules of Conduct for FISMT EUROPE such a championship should take place during a national convention or during a significant convention of one of the member-societies. Three cities are already candidates and are set to bid for hosting the first ever FISMT European Championship of MagicT in 2008: Sofia in Bulgaria, Aix-les-Bains in France and Prague in the Czech Republic. André Ciocca, acting President of FISMT EUROPE commented: "FISMT Europe is now reality and we look forward to be working with all the European magic societies. The organisation of the European Championships of MagicT will undoubtedly help to give leverage to the magic level and recognition and the three cities candidate to host this new European event prove the dynamism of magic on the "old continent". Eric Eswin, FISMT International President said: "The creation of the continental divisions is a major step forward to enhancing magic worldwide. I wish to congratulate the EEB-team for their great work which paves the way to implementing the other continental organisations: North and Latin-America as well as Asia, Africa and Oceania". After FISMT Europe, other continental divisions could potentially follow suit. In 2008 the North American championships will be organized with the combined convention IBM/SAM, both members of FISMT, as well as in Asia with the Asian Magic Association, also a member of FISMT. Further to the missions and goals shared with FISMT, one of the main missions of the newly formed European Executive Board (EEB) will be to organise the first FISMT European Championships of MagicT. According to the Rules of Conduct for FISMT EUROPE such a championship should take place during a national convention or during a significant convention of one of the member-societies. Three cities are already candidates and are set to bid for hosting the first ever FISMT European Championship of MagicT in 2008: Sofia in Bulgaria, Aix-les-Bains in France and Prague in the Czech Republic. André Ciocca, acting President of FISMT EUROPE commented: "FISMT Europe is now reality and we look forward to be working with all the European magic societies. The organisation of the European Championships of MagicT will undoubtedly help to give leverage to the magic level and recognition and the three cities candidate to host this new European event prove the dynamism of magic on the "old continent". Eric Eswin, FISMT International President said: "The creation of the continental divisions is a major step forward to enhancing magic worldwide. I wish to congratulate the EEB-team for their great work which paves the way to implementing the other continental organisations: North and Latin-America as well as Asia, Africa and Oceania". After FISMT Europe, other continental divisions could potentially follow suit. In 2008 the North American championships will be organized with the combined convention IBM/SAM, both members of FISMT, as well as in Asia with the Asian Magic Association, also a member of FISMT. FISMT Contact: Alexis Duvernoy Tel: +44.208.487.86.85 Email: press@fism.org FISMT Europe Contacts Mrs Priska Walther Phone: +41.4.13.10.01.70 E-mail: pw@renault-wild.ch Mr Cornelis Ros Phone: +31.31.86.24.161 E-mail: c.ros@chello.nl -------------------------------------------- 3. U.S. Secret Service To Investigate Darin Carlos -------------------------------------------- Message from Keith Garrett Update on my complaint about Darin Carlos ripping me off.. For those that don't know I sent Mr. Darin Carlos money to build me two illusions which he has never supplied! Department of Business and Industry Nevada Consumer Affairs Division Office of the Commissioner Re: Magic Illusions/Darin Carlos - File # 26486 Dear Mr. Garrett: A careful evaluation of your complaint has been made. The intake officer has determined that the proper agency that may be able to assist you in resolving the issues in your complaint is: U.S. Secret Service Att: Jeff Deluca 100W. Liberty St, Suite 850 Reno, NV 8950 Therefore, we are requesting they review your complaint in determine if they can assist you in resolving it. To facilitate that end, we are forwarding a copy of the information you sent the Division. I am sorry we could not assist you. Thank you for bringing your concerns to the attention of the Division. Sincerely, Signed Mike Hastings Deputy Chief Investigator -------------------------------------------- 4. The Changing Face Of Abra Magazine -------------------------------------------- Message from Mandy Davis (UK) Chairman YMC/Editor - Secrets Magazine It is only a few months since Walt Lees took over the job as editor of the world's only hard copy magic magazine Abracadabra but the changes have been immense. It is now the third week since Abra's face and middle pages became full colour, using a glossy texture throughout its pages which improves the entire quality of the look and feel as one reads the tricks, thoughts and news from fellow magicians throughout the world. The content has improved too with new contributors as well as the regular columnists sitting happily side by side in the new layout. Although there has been a small price increase it is well worth the extra and it hasn't changed its A5 size either - so it's still the magazine that fits in your pocket so you can carry it wherever you go! -------------------------------------------- 5. 'Remarkable Magic' #6 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from - Nick Lewin (US) Remarkable Magic: The Linking Rings a la Ken Brooke. It is often said that the best way to judge the skill of any magician is by watching how they perform the Cups & Balls or the Linking Rings. Well, I have to admit that this seems like a pretty fair system to me. If you are a close up magician then I would suggest that a look at you double lift and card control might achieve the same goal. I was pretty darn convinced that I had the best Linking Ring routine in the world-when I was twelve! Then reality hits home. For me that moment of truth came when I saw Ken Brooke perform the Linking Rings for the first time. I was in sitting in Ken Brooke's magic studio on Wardour Street in London when Ken surprised me with a question. "What trick do you do the best, Nicky?' I didn't have to think long before I replied, "The Linking Rings." I may even have been smug when I said it. Ken handed me a set of rings from his display shelf and said, "OK, let me see it then." So I performed my version of this classic. Five minutes later I had completed my routine, complete with swinging seats and opening rose buds constructed from the eight rings. Ken looked me in the eyes and said, "That's very good son." Just as my pride was bubbling over Ken walked into his back room/office and returned with his own personal set of linking rings. The first thing I noticed before my jaw hit my chin was that there were only six rings. A few minutes later I watched the finale of the routine in awe mixed with the feeling that Ken had cheated me. "But Ken," I said, "That's a whole different trick. I only do the one where some of the rings are already linked together and there is a gap in one of the rings!" Ken smiled and said, "I think we had better start working on this routine next!" We did. Several months later I had mastered the basics of Ken's routine. It was a great deal longer before I realized that the routine he taught me was basically Dai Vernon's 'Symphony of the Rings." That was something that Ken never acknowledged to me. What took a lot longer for me to understand were the subtle but astoundingly effective changes Ken had made to the routine? Here was a lesson in magic waiting to be discovered. The biggest variation in the routine was the fact that in the Ken Brooke routine the rings really looked separate due to the Ken Brooke count. Even more important was the way Ken ended the trick. The Ken Brooke routine closes with the chain of rings becoming linked on one ring. That was it. Period. Ken's theory was that the lay audience's vision of the routine was that a magician takes separate rings and links them together. Ken felt that unlinking the rings and showing them separate again was an anti-climax. How right he was. Years later I became familiar with the comedians expression 'Burying The Punch Line' which pretty much says it all. By changing the opening and abbreviating the closing of the trick Ken redefined the greatest linking ring routine of them all. While it is very hard to improve on a Dai Vernon routine, Ken certainly managed to make it more commercial. That was the genius of Ken; he took something strong and effective and then stripped it down into something even better. Less rings, less time and more bang for the buck! Ken was the master of magical deconstruction. As always send any bricks or bouquets to nicklewin@earthlink.net and check out my website at http://www.NickLewin.com -------------------------------------------- 6. Undoing A Bad Reputation - By Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message from By Kyle Peron (US) E-Mail: Magic4u02@aol.com I have often times received the same type of question whenever I start talking about branding for the performer. They are all worded differently, but they all ask about the same thing. I thought this week I would take the opportunity to address this question in hopes to shine some light on it and to give you some ideas how best to confront the issue. The Question: Are there any ways to undo some of the bad reputation magicians are saddled with as a low form of entertainment? How can a performer get around this hurdle in their branding? A Possible Solution: I would begin answering this question by first stating that people are correct when they say we magicians already have to fight an uphill battle when we first start trying to create a brand or brand message for ourselves as performers. But the first key to overcoming this poor and misconceived notion is to understand what these perceptions are in the first place. A performer could benefit a lot from researching this and finding out just what the target audience in his/her area really thinks about magicians and magic as a whole. Once this information is gathered, it can be better understood and therefore you are better informed on how best to tackle it. Once you know what people's perception of magic is, you can create your brand statement so that it best answers these questions and confronts them head on. For example, if people perceive magic to be childish and amateur, then part of your brand message to the public must let them know that this is not the case and that your performance is professional in every way. Perhaps your tag line on an ad or postcard reads, "Award winning magic from the areas premiere illusionist." Your body copy could then highlight some of the awards you have won for your magic and point out your professionalism with quotes from satisfied clients. Once you know what the perception of your target audience is, whether right or wrong, you can then direct your branding materials to change this perception around to your advantage. We often call this a version of target marketing. You first figure out what questions your customers most often have, and you "target" your promotional ads and materials to answer these questions in a positive manner. This then helps you to start building brand equity (The positive responses a person gets when they think or see a particular brand). By confronting the misconceived perceptions that most customers have regarding magic, you start to change this perception to benefit you as a performer. The customer then starts to think positively about your brand and will then start to recognize it more often in his/her own marketplace. This means greater bookings for you and better returns. I hope this helps answer this question and shine some light on just one of the many ways to confront this problem that all us magicians are often faced with. As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your thoughts. So if you have any thoughts on my articles or suggestions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me directly at magic4u02@aol.com. I would love to hear from you. Kyle Peron Magician and Illusionist Graphic Designer and Illustrator (Specializing in Logo creation) www.kyleandkellymagic.com Chair Suspension Ebook Author http://www.magicenhancer.com/ChairSuspension.html ----------------- 7. Docc Hilford's Lecture And Show In Auckland ----------------- Message from Mike Easterbrook (NZ) Last Friday I attended the Docc Hilford lecture in Auckland, which for me is about a 200 mile round trip. The last time I did this was for a lecture by Nick Lewin and as I said in the review of his lecture, for this magazine, I do not undertake this journey unless I feel that it is worth my while. I thought it was great. Docc is a very engaging fellow. The act was very entertaining and as a friend said to me. Docc could talk his way out of wet cement (Thanks the Aussies!) For someone to give you his act as is, I thought was very generous. I do not believe this lecture has been done in the USA. We are very lucky to have had Docc come all this way to perform his current professional act for us. It was a good solid evening's entertainment. I am not a mentalist and have not seen anyone else other than Docc do a lecture of this nature. He came out with nothing much. A magazine and an ice bucket. He held an audience of 'probably' skeptical magicians spellbound, if that is the right word. His approach was charming and his humour and clever handling of his audience assistants was evident throughout the performance. I consider myself fortunate to be a friend of Richard Webster who arranged Docc's visit. Richard also had arranged for Docc to perform a small show for some of Richard and Margaret's close friends. I was invited to that the following evening and to witness Docc in front of a lay audience was indeed a privilege. It was a great night. The audience was with him all the way and he got a lot of fun with a husband and wife team out of the audience who joined him on stage for a bit of 'telepathy' I suppose you would call it. I sat with Alan Watson and Ken Ring and we enjoyed seeing the reactions to Docc's skilful handling of his volunteers. Having seen him do the stuff for magicians, it was doubly effective for the Saturday night audience. I would like to say a big thank you to Richard for organising this lecture the second time around, as Docc was suppose to be here last year but had an accident and could not make it. I would like to thank Margaret and her team for providing such a convivial atmosphere for the evening and for the supper. I spoke to several of the audience after the show and they all thought it was outstanding. Come again Docc and... safe travels. It was extremely worth the distance I travelled! -------------------------------------------- 8. "Stars Of Tomorrow Show" -------------------------------------------- Message from George Schindler - Dean - the Society of American Magicians Five Youngsters Have Been Selected To Appear On The "Stars Of Tomorrow Show" Five young magicians from all over the globe will appear in the seventeenth annual Stars of Tomorrow Show at the Society of American Magicians convention in Dallas, Texas, July 4-7. Hope Anderson, the show's Executive Producer, has announced the lineup, which will include seventeen-year-old Trigg Burrage, from New Orleans, Louisiana, as emcee. In addition to magic, Trigg performs mime and juggling. David Boyd, age 17, from New York City, will present a dove act. Nicholas Chow, from Vancouver, Canada, will perform a lively act with a variety of effects that demonstrate how skillful he is for only seven years old. Sixteen-year-old Eric Giliam, from Anchorage, Alaska, will present a quick change act. Ben Farrar, age 16, from Winchester, England, will close the show with a manipulation routine. Ben is a member of the Magic Circle's Young Magicians Club. -------------------------------------------- 9. A Tribute To Billy McComb 1922 - 2006 -------------------------------------------- Message from Mandy Davis (UK) This was a poignant evening filled with archived film clips and a plethora of names who shared their private memories of one of the greatest magical personalities of our time - the world's largest leprechaun, Billy McComb. John Wade told us of meeting the great man for the first time at Lime Grove TV studios. He also displayed an example of Billy's candle making - a large Buddha which still exists to this day as Billy had forgotten to add a wick! Alan Shaxon told of looking up to Billy and his greatest friend, Robert Harbin. He was indebted to them for their advice on cruise work - the three of them often followed each other on the larger boats. On one occasion Billy arrived on board a few days early and greeted Alan each morning in his cabin with 'another trick you can do in your act!' We saw many clips of tributes paid by American magicians during the Magic Castle's McComb tribute. Brian Lee, stage manager of the Castle theatre and husband of Mystina, Milt Larson Penn and Teller, the Amazing Jonathan and Lance Burton all told anecdotes of great interest. Harry Reeve described the time that Billy was magical advisor to David Nixon. Harry had invented a trick, Treasury Transpo, which utilised two Perspex sheets and a bank note. Billy instructed the prop builder at the BBC to make up David's version of it but his instructions were not clear enough and the result was measured in feet rather than inches! However to spare Harry's feelings, Billy never told him the story for twenty-five years. A Pathe film was shown featuring Billy at his home in Edgware in the early 60s. This was a personal moment as I knew that house very well indeed - Billy had sold it to a couple who became family friends and I had taken Billy back there for an unforgettable visit around seven years ago. J.J., a past member of The Magic Circle and editor of Opus magazine, told of how he was booked to perform at the society's annual banquet and assumed it was similar to a club night, only to discover, on arrival, that everyone was in evening dress whilst he was not only improperly dressed but under-rehearsed - causing him to die on stage! He would never forget the phone call of support he received from McComb the following day - a mark of professional understanding. Patrick Page was unable to be present but, in a video tribute, told how he shared a room with Billy and wasn't allowed back into it late one night unless he performed a trick. Mac King, likewise, explained how Billy was responsible for the signature appearance of Fig Newton biscuits in Mac's act. Johnny Thomson stated that Billy always started a conversation with a date 'Did you know in 19.!' Billy had also spoken of how Al Koran's ashes, when ritually scattered by Billy, had blown back at him in the wind; he declared this 'disgusting - but my mentalism improved!' We saw several clips of Billy performing: his match trick, Gypsy Thread, Coin in Bottle, some silent magic and a kind of screen test which showed Billy as a personality rather than a magician. Noel Brittan, who organised the entire evening, spoke humbly about being in audiences of small groups when Billy talked incessantly, jumping from one subject to another with seamless enthusiasm. Edgar Benyon was Billy's mentor and we were advised to read his tribute to Edgar and advised that these words were just as relevant to Noel's view of Billy. Magic Circle member Timothy Dill Russell had come over from Spain to tell how, owing to his late night conversations, Billy had missed a plane one morning - and escaped a fatal crash. We heard emailed messages from Simon Lovell and from Robert Child who is currently writing a definitive McComb biography. John Fisher talked about Billy's TV shows. He recommended two books: 'McComb's Magic' and 'The Professional Touch'. Members of the audience included Len Lowe representing the Water Rats together with Pat Sharp, widow of Joe Church. Billy's lady of twenty-two years, Annabelle, spoke of the sea lion with whiskers, which over-saw the scattering of the McComb ashes, making all those present believe it was the man himself reincarnated. She presented the museum with some memorabilia. The final tribute came from Terry Seabrooke, Billy's lifelong friend, and the evening ended with Billy's last TV appearance, on the Keith Barry TV show in Ireland, a 2005 performance of the vanishing bird cage. -------------------------------------------- 10. Midwest Magic Jubilee -------------------------------------------- Message from Terry Richison (US) The 51st Midwest Magic Jubilee The Convention Where The Stars Meet! August 9-11, 2007 St. Louis, MO It's going to be hard to top our 50th anniversary of the Midwest Magic Jubilee but this year is going to prove that it can be done. For a limited time, we have extended our registration special offer. When you register, you will receive a FREE registration for your spouse. This Jubilee is shaping up to be one of the biggest conventions in the nation! This year we will feature 12 different lectures, 3 evening shows, close up contest, stage contest and over 15 dealers from all over the world. Besides all the people listed on the web site, there is no telling who you might run into or possibly sitting next to in the shows! If you haven't experienced the Midwest Magic Jubilee, this is one year you definitely don't want to miss! See all the details at www.mmjubilee.com. Register online! Stay tune for more important announcements. Hope to see you there. -------------------------------------------- 11. Eddie Tullock Remembered - Michael Bailey (UK) -------------------------------------------- Message from Michael Bailey (UK) Nearly forty years ago I strolled down the aisle at a big London trade show. There was very little activity at most of the booths until I came across one exhibit with a large crowd intently watching, listening and enjoying something. I peered over the heads and saw the man who started the trade show business. Eddie Tullock was at work with his own special magic. Eddie performed almost without a break during the opening hours of an exhibition. He never used amplification, yet his gravelly voice was always clear and fresh at every show. He understood exactly what clients required of him. By pulling and holding crowds with his entertaining magic, and at the same time giving enough product information to whet their buying appetites, Eddie gave real value for money. That magic skill, business understanding, and dedication paid off handsomely. Eddie quickly built up a fine reputation working for some of the biggest corporate names in America, often returning year after year for the same clients. He was in great demand and went non-stop from trade show to trade show earning big money, allowing himself just four weeks annual holiday. He was a kind and generous man who was happy to give me much valuable advice, and was the inspiration that set me on the road to trade show work in the U.K. Like so many of us, his interest in magic was sparked by a box of tricks. He developed into a stage and close-up worker who was good enough to make some useful dollars performing whilst he was at the University of Minnesota before leaving with a degree in mechanical engineering. It was when a friend asked for his help in a selling presentation that Eddie thought up a routine using relevant business magic. When he landed his first trade show (for Westinghouse) he immediately realised the opportunities in this new field, and before he packed away his decks of cards for good and retired to live quietly at his home near Phoenix, Arizona, Eddie had presented his 'stand-up close-up' show over 300,000 times. A few years after Eddie had established himself there were at least four magicians performing in the same hall at a major U.S exhibition. Karrell Fox met Eddie there and said to him: "I can remember when there were only two of us working trade shows." Eddie replied: "I can remember when there was only one!" Eddie Tullock was the first - the father of trade show magic - and almost certainly the most successful. And with the minimum of props and the maximum of personality, he was also the best. -------------------------------------------- 12. Eddie Tullock Remembered - Walter Zaney Blaney (US) -------------------------------------------- Message from Walter Zaney Blaney (US) Eddie Tullock was a very long time friend in the trade show field. It seems he was always there working hard in his client's booth whenever I was in my client's booth down the hall. We met in many cities all over the country over a twenty year period or so. It gave us a chance to chat over a quick lunch over the several days of each trade show. There was an ongoing ritual in our goodbyes at the end of each show. Eddie as everyone knows was spectacular with nothing but a deck of cards. On the other hand I used quite a few props to entertain and tie my magic in with my client's sales message. And I always closed with one big stage illusion.... maybe my Ladder Levitation, or my Sawing a Lady in Half, or Light bulbs Through a Girl. At the end of the show when everyone was tearing down and packing up I would be sitting on the floor of my booth with all my props scattered in pieces around me, unscrewing all the parts. I would hear a gravelly voice say, "Hi Walter, I'm all packed up." I'd look up and see Eddie standing there wagging his deck of cards in his hand and smiling. I would begin picking up trash, paper, rags, whatever I could find, and start throwing them at Eddie. He'd duck and run off saying, "See you down the road, Walter". It was always a cherished moment for both of us. I will miss Eddie Tullock and his gravelly voice. All I can say now is, "See you down the road, Eddie". Aloha old friend. ----------------- 13. Eddie Tullock Remembered - Kenton Knepper (US) ----------------- Message from Kenton Knepper (US) Eddie was a true character. He could classic force well-informed magicians dozens of times in a row. I am speaking from experience. Tullock was the one who finally got me to do the classic force full time. Ask Paul Gertner. He'll tell you how great Eddie's influence was for so many of us, as well as pioneering Trade Show magic as we know it. One night before a show, when Gene Urban and I were working on writing Eddie's book, Tullock came in and dared me to rip a deck of cards in half. It was one of his legendary bits. He'd get the deck down to tiny pieces and still being tearing the deck to shreds. He gave me his "inside tip". I kept practicing that day until I needed to ready myself for a performance. On stage that night I picked up a piece of silverware to bend. It hit my hand as usual, but I could have jumped ten feet in the air. My attempts to do as Tullock suggested had given me severe muscle cramps and thrown my body so out of joint I had to end the act bending metal nearly in tears. I couldn't move my neck or arms for days after I got off stage. When I told Eddie about this a week or so later he laughed boisterously. "You mean you fell for it? Of course I didn't teach you the real dope. I may never teach that!" Eddie was a unique personality and gave much to the art that we take for granted. Thanks Eddie for hanging through the tough times, and giving us all a boost when we needed it. Your legacy goes on each night I have some "freely" select a card. You will be missed. ----------------- 14. Sad To Report - Morty Rudnick ----------------- Message from Maria Ibáñez Society of American Magicians President Elect It is with a deep and sad heart that I report the passing of Morty Rudnick. Just received word from his daughter through his personal friend Manny Riskin that Morty succumbed to cancer this morning, Thursday, May 10. Funeral services was, Friday, May 11th at 2 P.M. ( at the La Rue Furniture shopping center) Beth Israel Memorial Chapel 5808 Atlantic Avenue Delray Beach A broken wand ceremony was performed by Manny Riskin who was not just a close personal friend of Morty and the family but also considered Morty his mentor. Deepest condolences to Morty's family and numerous friends worldwide. The magic world is the loser at the passing of this great creator, writer and teacher of magic. Respectfully, Maria Ibáñez ----------------- 15. Channel 9's The Shak ----------------- Message from Matt Hollywood (Aust) Things here in Australia have been great with magic. I'm now the resident magician for Channel 9's The Shak with TV appearances almost every week on Australian TV for other shows too. Trying to get new material has proven a challenge - but getting there slowly! ----------------- 16. Terry Herbert At KIDabra Conference ----------------- Message from Mark Daniel kidabra.org The 16th Annual KIDabra International Conference: The Association of KIDshow and Family Performers August 15-18 in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee welcomes the incomparable Terry Herbert for his only 2007 Convention appearance in the US. Well known for his 2 DVD releases Magic the Hebert Way and Magic for the Under 5's, Terry will be interviewed Thursday night at KIDabra by David Kaye, then lecture Saturday afternoon and MC the Saturday Night Gala. Don't miss this charming master off KIDshows in his first KIDabra appearance! For more info on Terry's appearance, the KIDabra Conference featured line-up and schedule and the KIDabra International Association go to kidabra.org ----------------- 17. 13th Annual Magic Auction ----------------- Message from Larry McMechan 13th Annual 2-Day Magic Auction Preview May 25, 2007 Auction May 26-27, 2007 Starts 10:00 A.M. Each Day Stage-Cabaret-Illusions-Close-Up Books-Tapes Contents from Estate of John Powell and other Estates and Lifetime Collections Already Consigned Now Accepting Consignments Call and consign your unwanted items now or Plan to attend this large Auction and add to your repertoire Auctioneers Larry McMechan - Lysle McMechan 210 Nation Ave. Eaton, Ohio 45320 (937)456-7136 mcmechan@infinet.com Food Available All Day ----------------- 18. 2007 LVMI Schedule Of Events ----------------- Message from Danny Archer (US) Here is a revised schedule for LVMI... more info at lvmi.net Sunday 10th Noon - Registration Opens/Dealers Open 2:00 PM - Attendee Jam Show 3:00 PM - Break / Dealers 4:00 PM - Lecture 1 - Jason England 5:30 PM - Dinner Break/Dealers 7:00 PM - Lecture 2 - Wayne Dobson 9:30 PM - Surprise Event???? Monday 11th 11:00 AM - Panel Discussion Close-up Magic in the 21st Century 12:30PM - Lunch/Dealers 2:00 PM - Attendee Jam Show 3:00 PM - Break/ Dealers 4:00 PM - Lecture 3 - Gregory Wilson 5:30 PM - Dinner Break/ Dealers 7:30 PM - Lecture 4 - Jon Armstrong 9:30 PM - Quick Tricks Tuesday 12th 11:00 AM - Lecture 5 - Gaston Quieto 12:30 PM - Lunch/Dealers 2:00 PM - Attendee Jam Show 3:00PM - Break/Dealers 4:00 PM - Lecture 6 - Jeff McBride 5:30 PM - Dinner Break 8:00 PM - All Star Show Schedule subject to change Danny Archer Magic / Magicians Lecture Network 1911 Yosemite St. Denver, CO 80220-2254 303.321.6267 fax 303.355-2013 e-mail : lecturenet@aol.com ----------------- 19.The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page - 156 I'm feeling extremely homesick right now and when I'm in that sort of mood, I tend to play a particular track off a CD that was recorded by my friend and mate, Eddie Low. I wrote up Eddie's story, starting back on page 136, and on page 138, last paragraph, I made mention of the number that I listen to when I'm feeling 'down'. Eddie wrote the song which is entitled: 'SONGS OF HOME'. Here are the words, and perhaps when you read them, you may understand why they mean so much to me; I've seen a table full of tough kiwi lads at a RSL (Returned Services League) in Sydney, Australia, brought to tears while listening to Eddie singing this song, myself included! There's a land far across the ocean And I hear it calling me home It's my homeland, my own land, New Zealand And I miss her wherever I roam And the songs that I love remind me Of the places and people I know Till the day I return to my Loveland You'll hear me singing wherever I go Chorus: And I'll sing MEHE MANURERE, E WHITU NGA WAKA HOKI MAI and POKAREKARE ANA And I'll sing HAERE RA E HINE and WAIKAREMOANA Mean home sweet home to me I can see silver streams and rivers Quiet forests that stand proud and tall And I remember the home folk being The friendliest people of all And the green grass, the lakes, and mountains They seem to be calling out loud To come home to the land I was born in To the land of the long white cloud (Chorus) x 2 Thank you Eddie, for a great song; it means much to a kiwi who is lost between two shores! The words in the chorus are the titles of very famous, well known Maori songs that you will hear sung at just about every party you go to in New Zealand, especially if somebody has a guitar, and it would be a pretty rare thing if there was not at least one guitarist hanging around. You just ain't been to a party, until you've been to a - Good Old Kiwi-Style 'Bash', where the booze, food, music and friendliness flow, in great abundance! 'HAERE RA AOTEAROA'  (Farewell New Zealand) 'Màku e ringiringi ki aku roimata nga ara e ahu ana ke te kâinga' (I will water with my tears the trails that lead to home) -------------------------------------------- 20. 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. 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