* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #587 Date: Sunday 15th June 2008 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. IBM/SAM Joint Convention Update 3. Response To Paul Daniels Remarks - British Got Talent #1 4. Response To Paul Daniels Remarks - British Got Talent #2 5. Response To Paul Daniels Remarks - British Got Talent #3 6. Response To Paul Daniels Remarks - British Got Talent #4 7. Remarkable Magic #54 - Nick Lewin 8. Helpers Times Two - Kyle Peron 9. Entertaining On The Ocean #31 - Paul Romhany 10. Broken Wand - Vonfred (Alias Alfred Camilleri) 11. IBM/SAM 2008 Convention Final Schedule Of Events 12. Report On Bergeron At Famous Unknowns 13. 71st Annual Abbott Get Together 14. Australian Fast Jimmy Performing At The Magic Castle 15. British Ring Convention 16. Special Guest Duck Cameron 17. Winners Of Magic Camp Scholarships 18. Australia's Got Talent 19. Update On Martin Nash And Roger Krause Heath Please 20. The Expert At The Card Table Liner Notes 21. e-zine Archives 22. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- The response from Paul Daniels remarks on British Got Talent last week was overwhelming from around the world. I have published four from different counties that reflected the majority of your opinions. --------------------------------- **Remember the Shoot Ogawa** New Zealand lecture tour starts in Auckland this coming Wednesday night. Auckland Lecture Date: Wednesday 18th June Time: 7.30pm Venue: The Shore City Magicians Club Inc. club rooms, Senior Citizen Hall, back of the Takapuna Library, The Stand, Takapuna, Auckland. Contact: Ross Harlick - rossco@quicksilver.net.nz Palmerston North Lecture Date: Thursday 19th June Time: 7.30pm Venue: The Tile Room in the Central Normal School Hall 201 Featherston St. Palmerston North. Contact: Peter Thomson - pbthomson@xtra.co.nz Christchurch Lecture Date: Friday 20th June Time: 7.30pm Venue: St Matthews Church Hall, 145 Cranford Street, Christchurch. Contact: Mike Hines - mike@themagicshop.co.nz Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. IBM/SAM Joint Convention Update -------------------------------------------- Message from Brad Jacobs (US) Louisville Accommodation With the Galt House and Marriott Courtyard filled, we have just received word that the Residence Inn at 333 East Market Street, approximately four blocks from the Galt House, has accommodations for the week at $129 per night, plus applicable taxes. In order to get this rate, you must contact Roger Fultz at or by calling 502-589-8998 and identify yourself with the I.B.M./S.A.M. Magician's Convention. -------------------------------------------- 3. Response To Paul Daniels Remarks - British Got Talent #1 -------------------------------------------- Message from Tony Brook - S.A.M International Deputy Portugal I totally agree. I first met Paul some 28 years ago. I was in the audience at his very first TV show way back at the BBC Studios in Shepherds Bush, London. I knew his Producer, Brian Penders. Clive Dunn was a guest star. Paul changed TV magic forever, he actually made it 100% entertainment for the audiences. Lay people actually used to look forward to his weekly TV shows. Anyone who has taken the time to learn about Paul's history and the years he spent learning the Art and developing his skills will know how and why he makes it look so effortless. I admire and respect him. He is more than qualified to have made the statements he made. Like him, I don't involve myself with chat rooms and long discussions. My views are well known via my articles, workshops, etc. Paul is absolutely RIGHT. All too many 'magicians' are unaware of the salient fact that we are a Theatrical Art. That statement does not apply to just a performance on stage. It is equally valid if you are doing nothing more than showing a simple effect to one person! This is absolutely irrefutable. One is either a magician with all that the word implies or a mere "person showing some tricks"! Like Paul, I think it is fine for anyone to do whatever she/he wants so as long it doesn't hurt anyone else. I am an Entertainer. I am in showbiz. I respect my audiences. If they give up their time and money to watch me perform, it is downright unethical to provide them with anything less than they expect and indeed deserve. I am all in favor of anyone pursuing our Art provided they understand that it carries obligations. I really don't have any time for the instant overnight self-made 'stars' and similar who think they know everything. I have seen more harm done to our ancient Art by incompetent and unqualified people than all the exposure ever perpetuated upon us. I am delighted that Paul wrote what he did. If only one aspiring magician takes heed of his words it will have been time well spent in writing them. -------------------------------------------- 4. Response To Paul Daniels Remarks - British Got Talent #2 -------------------------------------------- Message from Derek W. Hilton (UK) I find I have to agree with Paul Daniels and his comments on the Britain's Got Talent show. I have watched several of the shows including the final show and I must back-up every word that Paul has said. It looked to me that in the main very bad acts were picked so that the judges could have something to take the pee out of. This was not a showcase for the acts but for the so called judges, non of whom have any talent. There were a few good acts, after all they had to give the prize to someone. What bothers me more, and I've been in magic and theatre all my life, is that so many magic acts look like they bought their magic the day before the show and none of them have heard about something called entertainment and or presentation. For goodness sake Magicians, sort yourselves out and let's not give the Simon Cowell's of this world another chance to knock our art. -------------------------------------------- 5. Response To Paul Daniels Remarks - British Got Talent #3 -------------------------------------------- Message from Colin Bierton (Germany) They've already exported the format? In Germany they're searching for 'allied arts' performers to try out here, for a show, to be shown later this year. Someone's had an idea, a copy of a successful format (singing?), that's worked and reproduced it along 'magical' lines. Magic's equivalent of the modern trend of 'reality TV' (?). Fixed conditions, pre contracted by the production company? Just like these where you sing before a panel of experts or so called 'celebs' and face national embarrassment for having no talent!! Hopefully they will not show the people who haven't even made it to the final, like they're doing on German TV with the singers. The cancer grows! -------------------------------------------- 6. Response To Paul Daniels Remarks - British Got Talent #4 -------------------------------------------- Message from Mike Easterbrook (NZ) It was great to read the article by Paul on your magazine Alan. Thank god someone has the guts to say something there is really so much crap around at present magic has almost become a dirty word. Looking at it objectively..... 1. too much crap on the market....? EG: What on earth is magical about a Jacobs ladder recently seen on David Ginn's website? It changes colour? So? 2. There is too much crap on You-Tube. Every man and his dog performs a trick on there. I've seen only a couple that could be called entertaining. Even those manipulators doing card productions. So they can back palm a card! Big deal. It's clever but it does not entertain. As for 'Britain's got Talent. Shooting a chosen card with a balloon gun? I'm ashamed to say I do magic if this is the sort of thing that is going on. It is terrible. It is more than obvious that they put these people on there for the judges to rubbish and see them off. I'm not sure where magic is going but at the moment it has not got a good look. Billy McComb, Bob Read and Jay Marshall would be disgusted. -------------------------------------------- 7. Remarkable Magic #54 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) The Man with the Golden Hands. When I visited Hank Lee's Cavalcade of Magic recently I saw an act that certainly fell into my category of Remarkable Magicians. His name is Andrew Goldenhirsh and to my mind he is going to be a performer with a very special future. From the moment Andrew walks onstage you know you are in for something a little different. As always send any bricks or bouquets to nicklewin1@mac.com -------------------------------------------- 8. Helpers Times Two - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message from Kyle Peron (US) magic4u02@aol.com http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com Your show is going great, the people love you and you are riding that natural high that only a show can give you. You ask for an assistant from the audience to help you out and they make their way to your stage area. You introduce yourself and ask their name. The child says his name is Billy and the audience suddenly starts laughing their heads off. You find it rather odd that an audience would laugh that much at a kid's name until you realize something. You turn to your left and discover that Billy's younger brother is tagging on your jacket and carrying his Boo Boo Bear with him. Suddenly you find yourself in a situation that I think we have all found ourselves in from time to time. So what do you do? How can you handle this properly and what tips and techniques are there for dealing with this situation? These situations can and do happen to the best of entertainers and are not limited to just the situation described above. In some cases you may also be selecting a helper from the audience when another helper stands up instead of who you really wanted. Or worse, you have several people standing up both thinking you asked for them. These are all scenarios that I find fall under the realm of helper management and the art of selecting a helper and the ability to do so effectively. No matter what situation comes about, I think the most important rule is to deal with the situation immediately. Too many magicians try and ignore the problem and that just is not an answer or solution. The audience sees the situation as clear as you do and they really want to know how you the entertainer will handle it. There is an uneasiness they feel if you do not deal with it. Trying to ignore the problem does not make it go away. Instead it causes a distraction that the audience focuses on. If you are a professional (as we all should be) then you need to learn to handle these situations when they arise. I will start by saying there is no one right way to handle these things. Many of you may have ways that work for you based on who you are and the character you play on stage. However, here are some tips and suggestions that may be of help to you. - If a single person stands up who is not the person I was really aiming for, then I usually just work with that person and invite him or her to the stage. I always keep in mind that the audience really has no idea what my intentions are or what will happen next unless I tell them. So in this instance, I do not draw attention to it and work the routine with this new person. If the routine is not appropriate for the person standing, then I can simply switch to a different effect. I always have a few effects set up in my table for just this type of a situation. - If more than one person stands up at the same time, I have a few options for me. Often times I will do a slight pause. This pause last no longer then 2 seconds but it often gives a chance to see if one of them may sit back down. Often times they do. If this does not happen, then I can still bring both of them up on stage and utilize them both in the routine I am presenting. If you know your routines well, then there are always ways in which to get both people involved. - The toughest situation is when a younger sibling comes up on stage to help with an older brother or sister. This has to be handled delicately and correctly before it snowballs out of control. There are several things that one can do in this situation. First and foremost is to not ignore the child. You need to be aware he or she is there and address it in a fun and lighthearted manner letting the audience know you are 1) aware of it and 2) OK with the situation and 3) address it and move on with the routine. Now this never means embarrassing the child. The child is just acting based upon what a young child does. First I may say something such as, "Oh hi there. I guess we have another fine helper who wants to be a star.". The idea is to address the child and let the audience know you are aware of it. This also gives the parents of the child the chance to react. In some cases you simply saying hello will be enough to alert the parents who may fix the problem for you. In the event you get a parent who cannot take a hint, then you need to try and utilize the child in some fashion with the routine. You may ask the older brother or sister if they would not mind working together as a team to make the magic happen. In this fashion you are asking the older sibling to assist you with the younger one. - The last tip I will leave you with is a simple one. However, it is a mistake many magicians commonly make. You can alleviate many problems like this by just being more specific when you select a helper. If you are on stage, then simply select the person by describing their location and perhaps what they are wearing. You can also always go into your audience and select a helper this way. This allows for fewer errors. 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. PRODUCTS: - I am very proud to release my newest E-Book "Encore! Creativity in the Art of Magic!". It is a 21 page E-book based off my full lecture by the same title. This E-Book is about learning how to be creative, think creatively and how to apply direct exercises and techniques to allow your own creativity to grow with the magic that you perform. Every single person possesses the ability to be creative. These notes teach you direct techniques and exercises that you can use to unlock the doors to your own creativity. I discuss the reasoning behind why creativity is so important, why people have a hard time being creative and how to break down those barriers. I then go on to show you a few brainstorming techniques (derived from also being an artist) and walk you through how these techniques can be used as creativity tools. A wealth of information is shared that anyone can freely apply immediately to the magic that you do. You can order directly by going to the "Encore!" page at: http://www.magicenhancer.com/Encore.html - I am also still excited to be offering my first E-Book, "Tips and Techniques on the Chair Suspension". This has been doing very well and remains one of the only books that really covers off on so much information, tips, techniques and safety tips on the presentation of this fine illusion. You can order this e-book directly by going to: http://www.magicenhancer.com/ChairSuspension.html. -------------------------------------------- 9. Entertaining On The Ocean #31 - Paul Romhany -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany Cruising around the world Wow, it seems only yesterday that I wrote my last article. The cruises we are on at the moment are very short, only four and five days around Europe and mixed nationalities. A real example of how over 30 different countries can get on - a good lesson for the UN! Short cruises means a little more work for me, which is a good thing because it is very easy to get lazy and bored on a ship when you have nothing to do. At least the ports of call are different each cruise, adds a bit of variety for the month. Last week I think I might have put us on the wrong ship. I wrote the article having just flown over 20 hours and realised when I read last week's Magic New Zealand ezine that I said we were on the Voyager. I actually looked at the ship yesterday and realised we are on the Navigator. Traveling from one ship to another like we do I often have no idea of the ship or sometimes what country we are in! I can find myself walking in to a shop and speaking Italian then realise we are in France. This week's article is on LOST LUGGAGE. With so many magicians heading over to the combined SAM and IBM convention I thought I would offer a little bit advice from somebody who has experience in this area ... ME! Something I know A LOT about as I hold some type of world record with the airlines losing my luggage over 14 times in the last year. In most cases the luggage is returned, sometimes it's within a few weeks, sometimes it can take a month. There have been times when it has never shown up and I've lost my show completely. This happened in February with both Natalies and my luggage!! Actually we had a very odd story about that one. We had the worst connection in the USA and knew our luggage wouldn't make it. We managed to get it on the belt and ran like the wind to get our flight. Of course our luggage never made it, however two days later I get a phone call from a passenger at the airport asking if we lost our bags. I said yes, and his reply was he thought he had them and would take them back to the airport. We never heard from him again or ever saw our luggage. It was the oddest thing and we tried to explain that to the airlines but when you speak to somebody in India, yes, pretty much all the answer services for lost luggage is now based out of India, who doesn't speak English it makes life even harder. There are a few things you can do to help make sure your luggage eventually gets to you and here are a few pointers. 1) Do not travel with anything expensive. If you take your camcorder, computer or prescription drugs then take them with you as carry on. 2) Keep a list of items you have in your bags and make sure you know exactly what your bags look like. I now have a photo of my bags with me and the contents. If your bags are lost the airlines will need a detailed description of contents plus color, make, style and size of your bag. Also, when you discover your bag is lost you should immediately go to the lost luggage at the airport. There you will fill in a form with all your details, make sure you get a tracking number so you can keep an eye on the progress on the internet. 3) Your carry on should double as your emergency bag. I always take enough magic in my backpack so I can still put on a 45 mintue show. It's not my Chaplin show but at least it's a show that works well. 4) Name tags. Always take off old airline destination tags - the check in will do this anyway but make sure they aren't on there otherwise your bag might end up at your last destination. I now have my bags well marked with my name, phone number and email. I have my own tags on each bag PLUS the airline tag that you get for free when you check in. I now have tags INSIDE my bag. If they do get lost they can open them up to get my address etc as soon as they open the case. Outside tags can and often DO come off bags. 5) I ALWAYS check to make sure when they tag my bag at check in that the tag is on properly AND it's going to the correct destination. I left Vancouver once for a three week cruise. My bags never showed up and they couldn't even trace them. Upon my return I decided to trace my own bags and started with where I last saw the bag - check in. After making a phone call I discovered the tags had come off and the bags were still sitting at Vancouver airport!!! I hope these little hints will help you all have a hassle free trip to where ever you may be heading over the summer. Remember, to see photos of our current travels be sure to check out my weekly BLOG at http://romhanyreport.blogspot.com Paul Romhany paul@chaplinmagic.com www.paulromhany.com www.chaplinmagic.com BLOG - http://romhanyreport.blogspot.com -------------------------------------------- 10. Broken Wand - Vonfred (Alias Alfred Camilleri) -------------------------------------------- Message from Vanni Pule` (Malta) Vonfred 1938 - 2008 Maltese veteran magician Vonfred (alias Alfred Camilleri) passed away peacefully after a long illness on the 6th of June 2008 at the age of 70. He was an established name in magic especially in the 60s and early 70s when he used to appear in hotels and nightclubs quite regularly. He started out as an actor in the 50s with popular Maltese theatre companies that were directed mostly by popular stage and radio comedians. He started performing magic and was included as a guest in these shows, through which he became a household name and was the first magician to appear on the Maltese Television station when it made its earliest 'live' broadcasts. He was always inclined towards visual magic without too much verbal explanation and later introduced doves in his show which then became a regular feature of his performance. He appealed to young and old and while his night club work continued, he became a popular performer for children. In the meantime, he also helped and advised youngsters who wanted to embark on the intriguing interest of conjuring. He was a frequent visitor to London where he became a regular customer of the more popular magic dealers and a friend with many British magicians. Unfortunately, the onset of his illness coincided with the 50th anniversary of his first magic performance. Yet, he continued entertaining children, and, even when he was not feeling very well, he still presented his show for the children of his seaside town as he had done for so many years especially during the Christmas period. About five years ago, the Malta Ring of the International Brotherhood of Magicians made him an honorary life member for his service to magic. He is survived by his wife, Carmen and his son Mel and daughter-in-law Angele whose son, Nicholas is his first nephew. -------------------------------------------- 11. IBM/SAM 2008 Convention Final Schedule Of Events -------------------------------------------- Message from Brad Jacobs (US) The convention schedule we are releasing today to the printer is as follows: Monday 21 July July 21 8.00am Registration Opens Suite Tower - 2nd Floor 9.00am Dealer Room Opens Archibald/Cochran Rivue Tower - 3rd Floor 10.00am S.A.M. Magic Endowment Fund Brown - 2nd Floor - Suite Tower 12.30pm Welcome & Opening Show Kentucky Center - Whitney Theater Starring - David Garrard Mac King Marty Pollio Voronin ...and several surprises (Reserved seating tickets) 2.30pm Jim Steinmeyer "The Secret No One Tells You" Grand Ballroom - Suite Tower 4.00pm I.B.M. Board Meeting Nunn - 2nd Floor - Suite Tower 5.00pm Dealer Room Closes 7.30pm Close-up Competition Kentucky Center - Whitney Theater (No reserved seating) 8.00pm Dealer Room Open until 10pm Archibald/Cochran Rivue Tower - 3rd Floor Tuesday July 22 8.00am Registration opens 9.00am Dealer Room Opens I.B.M. Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers Carroll/Ford - 2nd Floor - Suite Tower 10.30am Just For Spouses "The Magic of Louisville" All to see and do around town Segell Room - 3nd Floor - Suite Tower 12.00pm Stage Competition Kentucky Center - Whitney Theater (No reserved seating) 3.30pm David Ben & Jon Racherbaumer "Vernon and Marlo -The All-Time Greats of Card Magic" Grand Ballroom - Suite Tower 5.00pm S.A.M. Magic Center Open House Willis - 2nd Floor - Suite Tower Dealer Room Closes North American Gala Show Kentucky Center - Whitney Theater Starring - Stan Allen James Brandon Danny Cole Michael Finney Arden James Kohl & Co. Dale Salwak (Reserved seating tickets) 10.30pm Awards & Recognition Event Grand Ballroom - Suite Tower Wednesday July 23 8.00am Registration Opens S.A.M. Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers Carrol/Ford - 2nd Floor - Suite Tower 9.00am Dealer Room Opens 11.00am "The Business Of Being Funny" Starring - Michael Finney, Mac King, & David Williamson - with Stan Allen, Host Grand Ballroom - Suite Tower 1.00pm Stage Competition Kentucky Center - Whitney Theater (No reserved seating) 4.30pm I.B.M. Board Meeting Nunn - 2nd Floor - Suite Tower 6.00pm Dealer Room closes "East Meets West" Close Up Gala For RED Badges only Kentucky Center - Bomhard Theater (Reserved seating tickets) 6.30pm Southern Hospitality Cocktail Party, Gala Banquet and Cabaret Grand Ballroom Foyer & Ballroom For GREEN & YELLOW Badges only 9.00pm "East Meets West" Close Up Gala For BLUE Badges only Kentucky Center - Bomhard Theater (Reserved seating tickets) 11.30pm Invisible Lodge Meeting Nunn - 2nd Floor - Suite Tower Thursday July 24 8.00am I.B.M. Order of Merlin Breakfast Fountain Room - 2nd Floor - Rivue Tower 9.00am Registration Opens Dealer Room Opens 10.00am David Williamson "Organic Magic - The Art of Impromptu Performance" Grand Ballroom - Suite Tower 12.00pm Stage Competition Kentucky Center - Whitney Theater (No reserved seating) 6.00pm Dealer Room Closes "East Meets West" Close Up Gala For YELLOW Badges only Kentucky Center - Bomhard Theater (Reserved seating tickets) 6.30pm Southern Hospitality Cocktail Party, Gala Banquet and Cabaret Grand Ballroom Foyer & Ballroom For RED & BLUE Badges only 9.00pm "East Meets West" Close-Up Gala For GREEN Badges only Kentucky Center - Bomhard Theater (Reserved seating tickets) Friday July 25 9.00am Registration opens Dealer Room Opens Close-Up Competition Kentucky Theater - Whitney Theater (No Reserved Seating) 1.30pm Derek Lever "The World's Greatest Magic Inventors" Grand Ballroom - Suite Tower 3.30pm David Kaye "The First Century of Children's Magic" Grand Ballroom - Suite Tower 4.00pm Just For Teens International Gala Show Rehearsal Kentucky Center - Whitney Theater (Meet in theater lobby) 6.00pm Dealer Room Closes 8.00pm International Gala Show Starring - John Archer Wayne Dobson Jerome Helfenstein Sos & Victoria Tigran & Sos, Jr. Petrosyan Topas & Roxanne Takamitsu Uchida Huang Zheng (Reserved ticket tickets) 10.00pm Louisville Magic Club Performs magic around the hotel 10.30pm "Harry Willard - The Untold Story" Mike Caveney and Frances Willard Grand Ballroom - Suite Tower Saturday July 26 9.00am Registration Opens Dealer Room Opens Wayne Dobson "A Little More Than A Lecture of Tricks" Grand Ballroom - Suite Tower 11.00am Close-Up Competition Finals and People's Choice Voting Kentucky Center - Whitney Theater (Reserved seating tickets) 2.00pm Eberhard Riese "The Evolution of an Act" Grand Ballroom - Suite Tower 4.00pm FISM Update Willis - 2nd Floor - Suite Tower 5.00pm Dealer Room closes for the last time 8.00pm Stage Competition Finals and People's Choice Voting Kentucky Center - Whitney Theater (Reserved seating tickets) 9.15pm Intermission 9.45pm International Champions of Magic Awards Presentations Kentucky Center - Whitney Theater 10.30pm I.B.M. and S.A.M. Farewell Party Grand Ballroom - Suite Tower -------------------------------------------- 12. Report On Bergeron At Famous Unknowns -------------------------------------------- Message from Charles Zuis Mr. Bev Bergeron was honored at the annual Hall of Fame of Famous Unknown Magicians and Clowns Parlour Foray Held on Saturday, June 7, 2008 Upstate NY and New England Magicians and friends enjoyed the magic and clowning of Mr. Bev Bergeron renowned magician, clown, writer and world traveler from Orlando Florida at the annual Parlour Magic Foray NY on Saturday June 7th, held in Schuyler Lake, NY. The affair was billed as "A day with Bev Bergeron", in which he presented a lecture on magic, theatre and entertainment. Later he presented segments from his close up Parlour repertoire and was the main attraction at the evening magic show featuring his long admired cigarette act, the world famous "Egg Bag" Routine and the six card repeat, along with many other magical illusions. He provided tips and insights into the performance of magic and how to entertain the folks. His "down to earth" approach to magic as it appeals to the public is his secret to a long career of performing throughout the world in all sorts of venues such as theatres, clubs, trade shows and intimate parlour magic. His wife and partner of many years Alouise assisted him throughout the day. Bergeron was later presented with a special plaque and membership in the Hall of Fame. Mr Bergeron was a television star in The Magic of Alakazam, headliner for Diamond Horseshoe in Disneyworld and in Sea World, Past President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and member of the renowned Magic Castle where he was awarded their life achievement award. Bergeron has published a number of books including the life story of Willard the Wizard and writes a monthly article for the Linking Ring, a publication of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. The setting for the magical get-together was the Historic Herkimer Home on Route 28 in Schuyler Lake, The front part of the house was originally built in the 1770's around the time of the Revolutionary war. The Barn was used as a bunk and cook house for Hop Pickers in the 19th and early 20th Century. Hops are used for the making of Beer. The farm built by Hendrick Herkimer, brother of General Nicholas Herkimer is sometimes referred to as the second Herkimer Home. The General's house is located in Little Falls. The owner and magician curator is Charles Zuis, also known as Chazoo and performs for institutions, families, clubs and organizations in the local and regional area. Originally from Herkimer and Rome, he settled on Schuyler Lake and purchased the Old Herkimer Home in 1988 and converted the old Hop barn into a magic Theatre and Hall of Fame of famous Unknown Magicians and Clowns. In recent years he has expanded into the old house and created a museum for magical and clowning artifacts of old time magicians and clowns from all over the country. The Hall of Fame is open by appointment only. For more information on membership and tours call Zuis at 315-858-2576. Magicians from Utica, Rome, Syracuse, Buffalo and Maine performed for the magicians and guests during the day. Some of the magicians performing were as follows: Mark Alford, John Bart, Wes Booth, Glenn Brooks, Ray and Jordon Cerio, Carroll Chapman, Gene Doane, Dave Gubbins, Mike Hilburger, Karl Norman, Jim Maloney, Andy Wallace, John Wolfson, Master of Ceremonies for the day were, Charles Zuis, Alan Drew and Phil Messina. A Friday evening program of close-up and restaurant magic was also held at the Tally-Ho restaurant in Richfield Springs. The Hall of Fame of Famous Unknowns is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the many magicians and clowns who never made it "big-time" but who performed shows for their friends and neighbors and non-profit clubs and organizations for modest fees or in many cases for free or for the fun of it. They did it for the love of the business and the fun and mystery they brought into the hearts and faces of their audiences. They did it for the love of the art of Magic and entertaining. -------------------------------------------- 13. 71st Annual Abbott Get Together -------------------------------------------- Message from Hank Moorehouse (US) HI, Alan, here's the rundown on the 71st annual get together. But first, Greg Bordner, President, has been in the Hospital with heart problems. But, the Get together is moving along on track. The dates are Aug 6, 7, 8, 9, 2008. Registration cost have not changed $140. www.abbottmagic.com, greg@abbottmagic.com,phone 269 432 3235. Abbott Magic, Colon, MI 49040 5 Stage Shows,6 Lecturers, Close Up Gala, 2 Vent-o-rama's, Best in Dealers. Contest with $1,100 in cash prize money, Magic Ministers session. Come see a small village double in size! Magic in the Street, Craft and Art fair. Fireworks Friday after the Show and Lakeside Park. No Politics, Just Fun. Wed. Show. Bill Watson, Brad Lancaster, Andost, Truly Remarkable Loon and David Seebach. Lecture Bruce Kalver Thurs. Show. Steve Walker (Australia),Kyoko (Japan), Bruce Kalver, Christian & Katalina and David Oliver. Lecturers, Tom Burgoon, Johnny Thompson. Fri. Show. Jay Sterling, Pavel (Switzerland), George Schindler, Howard Mincone and Devlin. Lecture, David Ginn. Close Up Brad Lancaster, David Oliver, Pavel and Johnny Thompson Sat. Matinee. Kevin Heller, David Ginn, Matthew David Stanley and contest winner. Sat. Show. Hank Moorehouse, Yumi (Japan), Rick Walker, Tom Burgoon and the Great Tomsoni. Lectures David Oliver, Pavel. Hope To See You There -------------------------------------------- 14. Australian Fast Jimmy Performing At The Magic Castle -------------------------------------------- Message from Jim (Fast Jimmy) (Aust) Australian magician Fast Jimmy is performing in the Close-Up gallery at the Magic Castle in Hollywood California nightly from Monday the 23rd of June 2008 through to Sunday 29th June 2008. To check nightly performance times please go the Magic Castle website: www.magiccastle.com To view Fast Jimmy's show reel on YouTube click on the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4xIuYHp6lM -------------------------------------------- 15. British Ring Convention -------------------------------------------- Message from Bob Hayden (UK) PRO to the British Ring Convention News 11th June As well as including a wide range of magical brilliance from around the world some of the very best of top British talent has not been overlooked. One is Geoffrey Durham who is still enjoying a most successful career in the world of entertainment. And what is more he has done everything, not only as an actor, presenter, director, celebrity, broadcaster, after dinner speaker, magician but initially as a stagehand and busker. It is fitting he will be delivering the annual Jeffery Atkins Memorial Lecture as Jeffery was a great admirer of Geoffrey's work and was hugely impressed by his one man show, 'One Man's Intrepid Journey Up His Own Sleeve' after seeing it launched at the Kings Head Islington. Geoffrey is entitling his lecture 'Finding the Magic Ingredient'. It is an entirely brand new lecture that he has created exclusively for the Eastbourne Convention. In it he will be exploring the techniques, which raise magic from "someone showing off some tricks" to a performance skill, which can launch an entire career spent in the public gaze. Drawing on his thirty-five years experience as a professional magician, Geoffrey will be demonstrating and explaining material from every stage of his development as an entertainer - none of it having been featured in his lectures before- and will show how he succeeded in making these great routines his own. And there is a rumour that, for one day only there may be even a guest appearance of The Great Soprendo! He has recently published 'Geoffrey Durham's Professional Secrets -A Life in Magic' a 250 page book, a book that not only details on how to make a living from magic but how to entertain. Everybody who wants to be a magician should have this book in his or her magical library. More important it should not just linger on the shelf collecting dust. It should be constantly read and re-read, the advice absorbed and acted upon. Make sure you are present when Geoffrey Durham gives what is bound to be a spellbinding and engrossing lecture. As well as presenting the 'Safire Magic Light Puppet Show' in the Children's Showtime, Safire the illusionists will appear in one of the six stage shows. Stuart and Jayne are to be congratulated on the constant updating of their act and devising novel and entertaining twists to several of the well-established illusions. This has been witnessed in the recent 60-date tour of the 'Chuckle Brothers Indiana Chuckle and the Kingdom of the Mythical Silk' show. This extensive tour will be followed with a number of dates with the Jimmy Tarbuck Show prior to a lengthy summer season in Bridlington and Blackpool. What a pleasure it is to report to the success of this engaging couple, who over the years have been such staunch supporters of the British Ring. By the way those of you who were knocked over by their Magic Light Puppet Show in Southport in 2005 will be more than impressed by their latest presentation as were the audience, both young and old that packed the Kings Theatre Southsea on this Spring Bank Holiday Monday. Whenever and whenever he has performed over the past 70 years Mark Raffles has always been a joy to watch whether it be with doves, chicks, dogs, or manipulating cards, billiard balls, cigarettes, or pick pocketing. To think that this all started with, as Mark reveals in his book 'Diamond Jubilee Memoirs', with an act consisting of Card in Sand Frame, Die Box, Egg-bag, ropes through the coat, coil streamers from opera crush hat, Goldfish Bowl Production and concluding with a Goodnight Banner in a talent show that he won and received 10/- at the Grand Theatre Failsworth Manchester. His first professional engagement in 1938 was at the Queens Park Hippodrome Manchester as Ray St Clair with a silent manipulative act and spent the following years with this act touring the Variety Theatres throughout the United Kingdom. When during WWII he was working for ENSA he had to perform two spots. Inspired and influenced by Giovanni, who he had seen pre-war, he developed a pick-pocketing act for which he had to speak. In doing so it helped him to overcome his stammer and evolve a delivery that has become his trademark. With his act he changed his name to Mark Raffles and instead of finding himself down among 'the wines and spirits' on the bill he was headlining it. With the closing of the majority of the Variety Theatres, Mark adapted his act, just as successfully to suit a cabaret audience. Mark still wows audiences that can only come from seven decades of experience in the business. He will be wowing you in Eastbourne. In 2000 at Eastbourne a smart confident young man gave a lecture that many considered to be the best at that Convention. In the main his magic was his own presentation of standard effects but each had a touch of originality in presentation and method that only comes from frequent performance. And who was that young man? Nicholas Einhorn He's back again this year with another lecture having spent the intervening years becoming one of the most sought after magicians for private parties, corporate events and trade shows. So how has this success come about? Not only having great technical Skill and a radiant personality but also making his magic visual that takes his audience by surprise and having every effect very clear so as to be clearly understood. In magical competitions Nicholas has been outstanding. In 1996 and 2002 he was 'The Magic Circle Close-up Magician of the Year' and in 2003 came second in the Micro Magic category at F.I.S.M. the World Championships of Magic. Additionally in 2005 he was voted 'The Magic Circle Centenary Close-up Magician' as part of this prestigious magical society's centenary event. Nicholas is the author of two very successful books 'The Art of Magic' and 'Magical Illusions' selling 500,000 copies. He is constantly marketing new concepts and magical effects for the magical fraternity. His 'Haunted Deck' is a best seller for the close-up worker and his 'In Flight', a self-levitation has been used by Paul Daniels in one of his TV programmes. For the mentalist he offers 'Word in a Million'. If it is your ambition to be a sought after close-up magician or to enter the world of corporate engagements be at Eastbourne where you will learn from a master of his craft Nicholas Einhorn. Besides lecturing Nicholas will also be part of the International Close-up Gala team so you will be able to see at first hand that he practices what he preaches. These are just four of the headliners that will be making Eastbourne 2008 the Quality Magical Convention of the year. Others are Mark Kalin & Jinger, Derek DelGaudio, Raymond Crowe, Bob Kohler, Denny Haney, Michael Finney, Tony Chapek, Levent, Mark Mitton, Mike Close, Paul Wilson, Jason England, Oscar Munoz, Bill Herz, Richard MacDougall, Terry Herbert, Mike Bent, Gene Anderson, Jon Armstrong, Glenn Farrington, Jason Byrne, and Claudius Specht. With six stage shows, an International Close-up gala, fourteen lectures/workshops, Late Night Close-up Sessions, two competitions, seminars and a giant Dealers Exhibition at £125 per person (£100 for British Ring Members and their Partners) this really is value for money. There is still time to enter this year's Close-up Competition for the Zina Bennett Cup plus a Cash Award of £1000 as 1st prize, £500 cash for second prize and £250 cash for third prize. In addition the Rovi Trophy may also be presented to the competitor exhibiting a high level of skill with playing cards in an entertaining manner. There is no entrance fee but each contestant must be a paid up member of the British Ring and have registered for the whole Convention. Application forms to enter can be obtained from Steve Evans 22 Old Fallings Lane Wolverhampton WV10 8BH mobile number 079001 191958 E.mail: stevemagicbloke@aol.com Application forms must be returned BEFORE 23rd July. You haven't got much time left to apply so if you decide to enter apply NOW. The Registration desk is open and Neville Johnson is waiting to take your call either by telephone on 01202 873234 or by e.mail at nevillejohnson@aol.com. You can also book on line and pay by Paypal. Go to our website britishring.org.uk for details. -------------------------------------------- 16. Special Guest Duck Cameron -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Bowen (Aust) This Monday at The Magic Circle of Victoria we have a special guest Mr Duck Cameron. Duck has just returned to Melbourne after 7 months working on board one of Norwegian Stars latest cruise liners. Come along & spend the evening with Duck Cameron. Monday June 16 8:00pm, upstairs at Bells Hotel, cnr Moray & Coventry Sts South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. We hope to see you there. Get the name you always wanted with the new y7mail email address. www.yahoo7.com.au/mail -------------------------------------------- 17. Winners Of Magic Camp Scholarships -------------------------------------------- Message from Warren J. Kaps For Further Information Contact: Warren J. Kaps 15 Warren Street Hackensack, NJ 07601 Tel. (201) 489-5277 Fax (201) 489-0477 The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund is proud to announce the winners of five additional magic camp scholarships making a total of six camp scholarships for the year 2008. We previously announced the first scholarship to Megan Knowles-Bacon of London England, as the winner of a scholarship to Sorcerers Safari of Toronto, Canada. We are pleased to announce the following five new winners of full tuition plus travel expense camp scholarships: Rosemary Reid, age 19, of Brampton, Ontario, Canada is a winner of a full tuition plus travel expense camp scholarship to Sorcerers Safari Summer Camp in Ontario, Canada. Rosemary became interested in magic when she was about 12 years old. She took many trips to the library and began reading about basic card sleights and some magic history. In school Rosemary is a model student, consistently maintaining an honor average. She is active in extra-curricular activities, participating in programs such as the school newspaper, the mock trial team, student council and is a member of the school band as a French horn player. Rosemary has held jobs doing restaurant magic at various locations, as well as performing close-up magic before and after many Murray Hatfield shows. She also has performed on stage for fundraisers and Christmas parties throughout the Greater Toronto Area. She will participate in a government run program called Summer Company. Rosemary wants to learn how to improve her technique in magic and her speaking and presentation skills, and this scholarship will allow her the opportunity. Our next scholarship winner is Matthew Olive Ross, age 13, of Cape Town, South Africa. He is the recipient of a tuition free scholarship to Sorcerers Safari Summer Camp provided by the generosity of Mike Segal. The Endowment Fund is providing his transportation expense from South Africa. Matthew attends classes on magic and takes theater production courses. Matthew joined the College of Magic at the age of 10 years. He is a conscientious and enthusiastic student. At the end of 2007, Matthew graduated with his Junior Magicians Diploma (3 years) and won the prestigious Junior Student of The Year Award. He has a keen sense of humor and shows perseverance, goal orientation and energy in his work. Matthew enjoys entertaining all crowds of all age groups and does juggling, mime and clowning whenever he can and performs at charity shows for the college. Matthew believes that magic is the way to express himself and see the outside world. Our next winners of camp scholarships are Jennifer Antonio, age 13, and her brother Zachary Antonio, age 11, of Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada, who have each been awarded a scholarship plus travel expense to Sorcerers Safari Summer Camp in Ontario, Canada. Jennifer belongs to the Society of Young Magicians, the Dean Gunnarson Assembly #46 and performs mostly with her brother Zachary. They have performed at various charities such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Children=s Make a Wish Foundation, the Winnipeg Harvest Food Bank, the Humane Society, the Cancer Society and many more. They also perform magic at birthday parties, Christmas parties, picnics, malls, anniversaries, weddings, schools and festivals. Jennifer plays piano, guitar, trumpet and also is involved in a variety of sports. Zachary joined The Society of Young Magicians, Assembly #46, when he turned 7 years old. He enters most of the local SYM stage and close-up competitions and won all levels of awards from bronze, silver and gold. He likes playing guitar and piano and sports such as basketball, soccer and skateboarding. He would like to be a professional magician when he gets older. We are very pleased to announce that Ozan Baris Kendirci of Istanbul, Turkey, age 15, has been awarded a scholarship, including travel expenses, to attend Tannens Magic Camp near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ozan can speak and understand English very well and is interested in contacting people from different cultures. He is an active, outgoing and hard-working student, and has a positive attitude and pleasant personality. The Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund is proud of our achievement and growth and the expansion of our scholarship program that enables deserving youngsters from all over the world to attend magic camps and increase the interest of magic. It demonstrates that the Society of American Magicians is truly a worldwide organization. Contributions to the Society of American Magicians Magic Endowment Fund are appreciated and allow us to further expand our programs which not only provides scholarships to magic camp, but also provides: a. Help to any magician affected by natural disasters; b. Help to any magician who is ill through the Houdini Hospital Fund; c. Magic lecturers provided free to local magic groups; d. Support for the publication of magic books. Contributions should be sent to Bradley Jacobs, Chairman, Board of Trustees Society of American Magicians-Magic Endowment Fund 234 Towyn Court Lower Gwynedd, PA 19002 All contributions are tax deductible pursuant to I.R.S. 3501(c) (3) -------------------------------------------- 18. Australia's Got Talent -------------------------------------------- Message from Scott Davis (Aust) Thought your readers in Australia might be interested to know that my wife and I will be appearing in the semi finals of AGT on channel 7 on the 17th of June at 7.30pm, it would be great to get the support of the Australian magic community (getting through to the next round is decided by viewers votes). Our first performance has been posted on YouTube and people can go to http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2008/06/08/12203_more-gold-coast-gig-guide.html to read a story the Gold Coast Bulletin did on us. Cheers Scott and Panitra www.scottdaviesmagic.com.au -------------------------------------------- 19. Update On Martin Nash And Roger Krause Heath Please -------------------------------------------- Message from Carl Williams On a previous issue of your great little news letter you mentioned that Martin Nash was quite ill with cancer as was Roger Krause. I think many of us out here in the magic community would appreciate additional information regarding the progress both of these great performers are making. I have known both of them as casual friends over the years through my contact with them at conventions, parties, not to mention their appearances at the Hollywood Magic Castle. As a magic builder I have even done some special work for Roger. Anyway, I think it safe to say all of us would like a progress report on these two super dudes. Now for the information part. Without any personal gain to be made I would like to notify everyone that the latest and final book on Okito apparatus being offered by the great collector and historian Dr. Robert Albo is now available. Like all of his other books this is a limited edition and I doubt seriously after they are gone that there will ever be any more available. Let me be quick to point out this book like all of his others will quickly increase in value monetarily but even more importantly like all of his other books will be rich in information of a collectors nature. As reference books none of the Albo publications has disappointed anyone who has invested in them. I well remember his Volume No. 1 that featured the Bamberg (Okito) family. At the time it sold for $75 but today $500 to $1,000 is not unheard of for a pristine copy of this volume. In closing let me mention I think it is good advice to any person having an interest in magic to purchase to purchase the latest and finest Albo book on Okito while the price is still very affordable. That's all I have but at age 85 I think all of you young whippersnappers out there would do well to take the above advice of the old magic builder Carl Williams. -------------------------------------------- 20. The Expert At The Card Table Liner Notes -------------------------------------------- Message from Geno Munari Allan Ackerman and I spoke about the idea of filming The Expert at the Card Table almost eight years ago. The thought of actually being able to see the correct way to perform the various card sleights and the correct way to perform the magic effects seemed at first thought a simple project, but as time went on it became an ongoing work in progress. Allan is one of the few people in the world that can perform all of the items described in S.W. Erdnase's tome. Allan does just that and more, since his gracious teaching style is clear and concise. I believe his work will be long remembered and studied by magicians, laymen and the curious. He is not just super capable but has extolled the virtue of patience in the studio and the shooting schedule. Published originally in 1902 by the author, the enigmatic S. W. Erdnase. Ever since the book publication, the identity of Erdnase has been the topic of much debate and conjecture. At the time the book was written there existed a con man by the name of Milton Franklin Andrews. Some say that S. W. Erdnase was a name created by reversing the name Andrews and adding the "se" to round it out. Others argue that Andrews couldn't be the author because examples of his writing did not meet the high standards of the prose depicted in The Expert at the Card Table. Regardless of who Erdnase is, his book is the epitome of the art of conjuring. Each day I trenched into the book, The Man Who Was Erdnase written by Bart Whaley, Martin Gardner and Jeff Busby. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an interest in The Expert at the Card Table. The book is very detailed leaving a strong case that Milton Franklin Andrews was the author. Their extensive research on this illusive character intrigued me to the point I was almost obsessive into finding as much as possible about Andrews. Each day I discovered more information about this mysterious writer and it became clear that my mission in making this project is to keep their ideas and theories alive for future researchers. I decided that historical data must be added to the project therefore additional interviews and data is offered to the viewer. Bart Whaley is one of the most interesting persons I have ever met. I was introduced to him in the early '90s and was familiar with his book Who's Who In Magic, but little more did I know about him until I completely read The Man Who Was Erdnase. I was impressed by the amount of research that was presented in the work with supporting footnotes and chapter notes. Simply well done. If I was so interested in this evidence directing one to the conclusion that Milton Franklin Andrews was Erdnase, perhaps Bart Whaley should be interviewed. I am pleased to be able to present this question and answer style of dialogue explaining some of his theory from the Whaley-Gardner-Busby book. Mr. Whaley also led me to the pre Erdnase publication, How Gamblers Win. It is almost certain that Erdnase read this tome. In the limited edition version of this set, I have provided a reproduction of the book and an in depth analysis of the content. Bart Whaley's methodology in analyzing a problem turned on a light in my cranium that I hope will never dim. It was indeed a learning opportunity for me that I will never forget. I think I have captured Whaley's methodology and curiosity. Martin Gardner's interview was indeed another highpoint in my life. The options of interviewing him on film or by telephone had obvious good and better points, however I decided by recording a telephone conversation with him would be less stressful on Martin than the rigors of a film crew invading his habitat. I think he could then simply talk to me in a more personal way without having to worry about anything else. After I weighed in all of the evidence on the theory of Milton Franklin Andrews being Erdnase, Martin Gardner's words hammered home to me the conclusion; it was so. The voice over interview gave me a chance to discover so much about Martin Gardner's colorful and interesting career and accomplishments. I must thank Dana Richards for sending me rare footage of Martin Gardner. This is a real treat. Richard Hatch is a walking encyclopedia on the topic Erdnase and The Expert at the Card Table. Richard has provided a detailed history of the book and many more extras. He has graciously let us include the Erdnase research timeline for the book and the publishing timeline for the book. He also has allowed the inclusion of the Gardner-Smith Correspondence. Thank you so much Richard. During Richard Hatch's interview I found myself not paying attention to the technical part of filming but more to Richard's interesting and meticulously accurate facts. As the project was being pieced together I continued discovering more information and historical data. I didn't want this to be a "one day wonder" style of production. I wanted to offer something other than just the sleights and tricks. I deemed more and more data should be included in the project which brought more delays to release date. I felt that one more thing was necessary to tie the project together and that would be a film characterization of the story of Milton Franklin Andrews. Calico, California is the setting for this stroll back into the year 1900. This small western mining town had all the facets that could have attracted Milton Franklin Andrews; money, gambling and suckers. So this small vignette was filmed in a place where Andrews may have visited. The first day I scouted Calico I stumbled on an old piece of cement. I looked down and saw the initials SW scrolled in the cement. If I were walking the other direction the letters would be M S. (The initials for Marshall Smith, the illustrator for The Expert at the Card Table.) I could feel goose bumps on my neck. This is a very strange coincidence. I knew at that moment Calico was the place to complete this segment of the project. The specially crafted vignette is narrated by legendary actor, Ernest Borgnine. Ernest Borgnine is an Academy Award winner, multiple Golden Globe winner, multiple Emmy winner and the recipient of many other awards and honors. I am honored for Mr. Borgnine to assist us in our story. I will never forget the day working with him in the studio. Imagine, Mr. Borgnine being directed by Christie Wessling, (Director of Production) and myself. Mr. Borgnine is a big a star, yet he was gracious and most humble. He taught us a few tricks of his own about show business. I will never forget them and I am sorry I cannot reveal them to you because, just like magic tricks, you can't reveal them to the public. Haha. -------------------------------------------- 21. 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) -------------------------------------------- 22. 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. All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected by international copyright legislation and articles must not be published for profit by anyone other than the individual authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 2008 Alan Watson