* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment * www.Alan-Watson.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #782 Date: Sunday 29th August 2010 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. A BIG Thank You From Paul Daniels 3. FISM Champions Of Magic Agenda 4. FISM North America Championships Of Magic 5. Accident While Filming In China 6. Remarkable Magic #53 - Nick Lewin 7. Contracts for Birthday Parties - #177 - Kyle Peron 8. Tony Brook In Conversation With Tom Waldrop (Part 2) 9. Las Vegas Magic - September, 2010 10. People I Work With Are Both Deaf And Blind 11. Jay Scott Berry On The Road Again 12. Broken Wand - Gary Grayson 13. Premios Magia Argentina 14. Magic For Miracles Magic Show 15. Wonderland Fun Park Australia 16. Romhany's Upcoming Lectures And Workshops 17. Good News From Tom Mullica 18. Magic Night At Sea La Vie Dee Why 19. The Innovention Is Just Over 5 Weeks Away 20. Blaney's New Ungimmicked Levitation Hoop 21. e-zine Archives 22. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- The good news is that Magic New Zealand has gone through a major upgrade to cope with the ever increasing number of subscribers worldwide. But the bad news is that I lost some of this week's messages while making the changes! So if your messages didn't appear this week and are still current please re-send. Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. A BIG Thank You From Paul Daniels -------------------------------------------- Message by Paul Daniels (UK) May I say a BIG thank you to all those who sent donations towards 'the Terry fund' to help him and his wife in their hours of need. Hilda, Mrs. Seabrooke, was most grateful to get the cheque through the post. I waited a few days after the request and then added 'em up, added a bit from me and Debbie, and sent it on. I phoned Terry in the hospital because I heard he was being a bit of a grump and managed to gee him up a bit, mostly by bullying him into not being rude to the nurses. Let's all keep our fingers crossed for a better time for him. Again, thank you. Paul Daniels -------------------------------------------- 3. FISM Champions Of Magic Agenda -------------------------------------------- Message by Eric Eswin FISM International President FISM European Championships - 18-20 February 2011 - Blackpool, England http://www.blackpoolmagic.com/convention-2011 FISM Latin America Championships - 8-13 March 2011 - Guatemala, Central America http://www.flasomaguatemala.com/ FISM Oceania Championships - 9-10 July 2011 - Melbourne, Australia http://fismoceania.com/oceania-championships/ FISM North America Championships - 13-16 July 2011 - Pittsburgh, U.S.A. http://www.magicsam.com FISM Asia Championships - t.b.d. in 2010 - Japan (?) FISM World Championships - 9-14 July 2012 - Blackpool, England http://www.fismwcm2012.com/ -------------------------------------------- 4. FISM North America Championships Of Magic -------------------------------------------- Message by Eric Eswin FISM International President FISM North America Championships of Magic 2011 (13-16 July 2011) After 4 years of discussions with the member-societies of FISM North America, I take great pleasure in informing you that Bradley Jacobs, the representative of the Society of American Magicians (SAM), has officially reported to the Presidium that the SAM shall host and organize the 1st FISM North America Championships of Magic (NACM) The NACM is a part of the annual SAM convention, to be held in Pittsburgh from 13th till 16th July 2011 Current President of the S.A.M. is Mark Weidhaas. The aim of the NACM is to elect the North America Champion(s) of Magic and to select contestants for the FISM World Championships of Magic 2012 (FISM WCM2012) in Blackpool. The NACM is open to all members of the SAM, the IBM, the Canadian Association of Magicians and of the Academy of Magical Arts, provided that they are registered for the convention and follow the application procedures. Members of the mentioned societies can only apply for participation in the WCM2012 via the NACM. There may be up to 15 winners across six categories of magic. Importantly, 1st and 2nd prizewinners of all six performance categories not only have a guaranteed access to the 2012 FISM World Championship of Magic but they are exempt from paying the competition fee. Further details and Rules of Competition for NACM2011 will be available on the SAM website http://www.magicsam.com, shortly after the 6th September. With the competence and enthusiasm of the NA Executive Board and the leadership of SAM convention organizer, John Apperson and his team, the first FISM NACM can only be a stellar success. -------------------------------------------- 5. Accident While Filming In China -------------------------------------------- Message by Dean Gunnarson I thought I would send you an Update from my recent accident I had whilst filming a TV show in China escaping from the tracks of a speeding Roller Coaster. Thanks to everyone who emailed me with their well wishes. I have been unable to answer them all but it really meant a lot to me to get so many from old friends and new ones. My foot is still painful but I plan on returning to performing my shows starting August 28. I cracked a bone in my foot and had internal bleeding that they had to drain when the Roller Coaster hit my foot as I was leaping away to safety. A spilt second later and it would have been a lot worse. Here is a link to some of the photos that the Newspaper made into a video of the Roller Coaster escape and when I got hit. http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/winnipeg/2010/07/29/14867866.html#/news/manitoba/2010/07/30/pf-14881896.html As soon as the show airs in early Sept I will post it to YouTube. I return to China for more shows starting September 24. Thanks again to all. Dean Gunnarson www.alwaysescaping.com -------------------------------------------- 6. Remarkable Magic #53 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) This Comedy thing. Well, having given some thoughts about the comedy side of comedy magic in my last column, I thought I had better devote a line or two about the magic side. It is obviously just as important as the comedy issue so, speaking for myself, which I am uniquely qualified to do, here is what I think. Performing good Comedy Magic is walking a tightrope. If the show gets too funny then it tends to throw off the audience reaction to the magic you perform. Therefore what you have to do is to make sure that the magic in your act is really, really strong. Obviously I am not talking about the 'Cod' magic acts of giants passed on like Carl Ballentine and Tommy Cooper, they are from a previous era. I'm sure with the cyclic nature of the entertainment business they will return, but now is NOW. Try talking to an agent or TV booker about a 'Cod' magic act and they will just look blankly at you. The two people who taught me about the importance of keeping the magic in your Comedy Magic act strong were Ken Brooke and Billy McComb. Pretty darn good teachers. Towards the end of his life Billy became very fond of what he called his 'Hokum' act, which was a series of gag tricks and items. I will be honest and say that I really missed some of the classical McComb pieces from earlier years such as his Whisky Egg Bag, Ring on Stick, and Coin in Bottle etc. If you are presenting a funny magic show, then the occasional real GASP from the audience is needed to keep you upright and balanced on your tightrope. I am not a great believer in the use of too many 'Gag' props or tricks. They tend to smell a little too strongly of mothballs! Worse than that (AHHHH!) they may seem like Vaudeville or Burlesque routines. If you think the use of the expression 'Cod' magic scares bookers, buyers and agents; just let them get a hint of the word Vaudevillian and watch them head for the hills! It doesn't matter how you dress it up with expressions like 'New-Vaudevillian', they won't bite. Along these lines, there are some tricks that sadly have become a liability to the performer who doesn't realize that they are quite rightly leading the way on the endangered species list. They might still get a laugh from the audience but that doesn't matter to 'The Powers That Be' and it's not the audience that can improve your career and increase your prestige and salary. Top of this list is tricks such as the 'Linking Rings', '20th Century Bra' and the 'Bandana routine'. Up until a few years ago the Bandana/Banana routine was a gem, sadly some idiot released it as a $30 trick and everybody put it into their act. All the performers now use the same tape, the same devils hank and have just devalued the trick as a viable effect. This was a killer routine way back when 'Allen & Rossi' were performing it in Vegas in the 60s but its day is done now. The real killing is the guy who started selling them for $30! The 'Baffling Bra' still gets laughs but is really quite unacceptable in today's climate. Rather a shame because the props for both tricks weigh nothing and pack flat. I could continue this list but it does more good if you look at your own act with a fresh eye in case it contains one. Comedy Magicians rightly or wrongly are considered creaky and unoriginal in today's marketplace and jugglers even more so, thank God! Now I'm not saying there is anything wrong with performing a classic effect if you bring something fresh to the table. Audiences revere classical musicians, they expect them to perform the classics -otherwise they would just be pianists or violinists. What their audience does expect is a different take on the classics in the way they are interpreted and presented. A classical magician must also think this way if they want to remain relevant. ..or to make my point with a Zen or Haiku (or Twitter) style of brevity, strong comedy+strong magic = strong performer with strong bookings. Please send any bricks or bouquets to nicklewin1@me.com -------------------------------------------- 7. Contracts for Birthday Parties - #177 - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message by Kyle Peron (US) magic4u02@aol.com http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com I always, always, always use a contract (of some degree) no matter what the show is. It is not a matter of how long it takes me to do it or the hassle involved. It is a matter of 1) protecting myself and 2) making myself look even more like the professional I want my client to see me as. Now when I send out a contract to a birthday party client, I simply do not call it a contract. I call it a Conformational Agreement. It is still a contract but in a shorter fashion. The goal is to have every detail of the event written out as well as the items I need for them to remember, to enable me to provide the best party experience I can. It gives me protection and gives them peace of mind. Working with clients is about relationship building. No better way to make yourself look great, than to have a confirmation agreement going out so that they can review. It is easy to do and to set up. The extra time spent is well worth it. It shows the client you care, you are thorough and gives them a chance to correct any information that is not accurate. Better to find this information out ahead of time, than to try and address it at the event. The contract/conformational agreement are there to protect me but to also ensure the show runs as smoothly as it can without any issues. This allows the client and myself to be at ease at the event knowing everything is set and agreed upon long before the event date itself. Now a contract or conformational agreement also protects you. In the rare case when a client gives you problems or states something you did not agree to, the contract is with me at every gig for me to refer to. You will be amazed at how differently they treat you when they know it is their signature that is on a contract or their name associated to a conformation agreement. In rare cases, I have had to use and show my contract to a client. It does not happen often. However, when situations occur like this, you want to feel assured that you are covered and can prove what was agreed upon by showing the contract/agreement that they clearly signed. You can show them the terms to which their group booked you under. No business these days would ever do work at your house or for you without a contract of some sort signed by you. As consumers, we are accustomed to this. We do it every day as a part of doing business. Well I am not sure about you, but I treat my magic as a business. After all, that is why they call is show business in the first place. If I treat my show as a business, then part of business is the usage of contracts. Consumers are used to this and should not be scared off simply by you using one. In the contrary, most clients really appreciate you using one and will often ask you for one if you do not bring it up first. Now contracts and agreements do not have to be hard to do. They do not have to take up so much of your time. Part of running a good magic business is creating systems that work for you to streamline processes. I have a contract and agreement templates set up for every show I offer to clients. These templates are then stored on my main system and are there when I need them. Now when I need to do a contract, I can bring up the template and just enter in the information that pertains to that event itself. It cuts back on the time devoted to the task and also helps me to 1) keep the contract branded and 2) make sure I never forget anything. Do not fear contracts or agreements. They are there to protect you and to ensure to the client that you deliver what you both have agreed upon. 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 would love to hear from you. - I would like to let everyone know that I just released a NEW book and E-Book to the magic community. "Blue and Gold! The Complete Guide to Working The Scout Market!" is now available as a soft cover printed book as well as an ebook download. http://www.magicenhancer.com/Blue/Gold.html - "Encore! Creativity in the Art of Magic" Ebook. Order online now at: http://www.magicenhancer.com/Encore.html - "Tips and Techniques on the Chair Suspension" Ebook. Order online now at: http://www.magicenhancer.com/ChairSuspension.html -------------------------------------------- 8. Tony Brook In Conversation With Tom Waldrop (Part 2) ------------------------------------------ Message by Anthony Darkstone Brook - Europe/USA TB: You also for many years have been very actively involved with the local SYM group and you teach a class on Saturdays??? TW: That's right, Tony, my involvement with the SYM began four years ago. Our Portland SYM Assembly was chartered in 1995 and has produced several top-notch magicians over the years. This group meets for 90 minutes on the first and third Saturdays of each month. At least half of each meeting is devoted to magic instruction. A little over a year ago, I felt that Oregon's capital city-Salem-could support an Assembly of its own. One of the favorite fun places for kids in Salem is the A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village. Mr. Gilbert was born in Salem and is the father of the Erector Set, Mysto Magic Sets, the American Flyer trains, and many other toys that were popular in the first half of the last century. I worked with the A.C. Gilbert staff to get permission to meet at no cost on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. I was also able to enlist several other S.A.M. members to qualify as Certified Leaders. We held our first meeting in February 2009, received our official Charter in July, and we have grown to 11 members to date. I prepare a newsletter twice a month for each group and help coordinate the few outside shows we do each year. Since I serve as Senior Mentor for both SYM groups, that pretty well takes care of my Saturday mornings. Most important, it gives me a chance to pay back.I was a member of a young magician club in my early teen years. TB: You also are quite busy each year with the 59 annual banquet; give us some insight into that. TW: Ah yes, the banquets. A lot of work but also a lot of fun. My personal involvement is fairly straight forward since we have a committee to handle the details. This event usually takes place in mid-January. The banquet serves as the activity where we introduce the new officers for the year, present our annual awards, and conduct our Stage Magic Contest. I usually send out the flyers to advertise the event and make up the name badges for folks to wear at the party. I shouldn't say "of course," but of course I compete in the contest each year. Magic is a performing art and I take every opportunity that comes along to perform. Even better, I actually won the First Place Trophy in 2005. TB: You have had well over 50 years of experience in matters related to the art of magic: learning, performing, teaching, and administering. Share some of that time-span with us. TW: Yes Tony, that's right, I started when I was 5. Just kidding, but when you put it like that it seems a long time but to me it just seems a couple of years. I actually waved my first magic wand when I was 10, helped start a youth magic club in Portland when I was 12, and was allowed to join the Portland Society of Magicians (PSM) when I was 14. The PSM was the only adult magic club in town at the time. Because of my "other" jobs, I am fairly well experienced in multiple disciplines that include Human Resources, Training, and Project Management. My college major was broadcasting and this gave rise to taking many courses in acting, speaking, script writing, stagecraft, journalism, and other related skills. Without any doubt these skills have helped me personally to continually become a better magician. They have also helped me in various other magic related areas including administration, organization, and planning. Useful things to have within reach when I often get involved with everything from Banquets to our Saturday sessions for Young Magicians. (Hidden in this article are deliberate grammatical & spelling mistakes. After much hard work, my proofreader & I have included these to please those who enjoy finding them.) Send comments & corrections to:- tbrook47@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 9. Las Vegas Magic - September, 2010 -------------------------------------------- Message by David Neubauer - www.dnmagic.com Magic Production Shows: Afternoon Magic Show starring Spike & Hammer 4 pm (Dark Mon. & Tue.) - Four Queens. www.spikeandhammer.com/afternoon.html Amazing Johnathan 9 pm (Dark Sun. & Mon.) - Planet Hollywood. Ariann Black's SECRETS 7 pm (Dark Wed.) - Westin. www.secretslv.com 2 for 1 Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/couponsecrets.html Criss Angel - Believe 7 & 10:00 pm (Dark Sun. - Mon.) - Luxor. www.cirquedusoleil.com/crissangel David Copperfield - An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion Through Nov. 3 7:30 & 10 pm (also 4:30 Sat.) - MGM Grand. www.mgm.admission.com/cgi/guide.cgi?l=EN Dixie Dooley - Master Mystifier 7:00 pm (Dark Sun. - Tue.) - Dixie Dooley's Theater of Magic, Royal Resort. www.houdiniexperience.com 2 for 1 Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/coupon_dixie_dooley.html Gerry McCambridge - The Mentalist 7:30 pm (Dark Wed.) - Planet Hollywood. www.mentalist.com Comp. Tickets: www.mentalist.com/_images/Ticket.pdf Jeff McBride's Wonderground 3rd Thurs. each month - The Olive Mediterranean (3850 E Sunset Rd). Hosted by Jeff McBride and featuring Guest Stars from around the World. www.vegaswonderground.com Streaming LIVE: www.streetofcards.tv Lance Burton, Master Magician 7 pm (Dark Sun. - Mon.) - Monte Carlo. Closing September 4, 2010 www.montecarlo.com/entertainment/lance.aspx Special Discount: Mention you want "The Special" at the box office to receive a 25% Discount. Mac King Comedy Magic Show 1 & 3 pm, (Dark Sun. & Mon.) - Harrah's. www.mackingshow.com Free tickets (buy 1 drink) are usually available at the concierge desk or handed out occasionally by showgirls. Magical Mix Christopher Karpiak 7-10 pm (Dark Tues. - Sat.) - Mix Lounge at Mandalay Bay. www.mandalaybay.com/dining/mixlounge.aspx Free to locals until 9 pm. Nathan Burton Comedy Magic Show 4 pm - Flamingo. www.nathanburton.com Special: Purchase show ticket and a Flamingo Paradise Garden Buffet meal for $29.95? from the Box Office. www.vegas4locals.com/couponnathanburtoncomedymagic.html Open Sesame Losander, Luna Shimada & Christian Diamond. 6:30 pm (Dark Wed. - Sat.) - Dixie Dooley's Theater of Magic, Royal Resort. www.OpenSesameTheShow.com 2 for 1 Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/couponopensesame.html Paul Vigil - Mentalist Extraordinaire 7-10 pm (Dark Sun. - Thurs.) King Ink - Mirage. Close-up and Parlour, with no cover. www.kinginklasvegas.com/events.html Paul Vigil - Mentalist Extraordinaire Wednesdays on the Patio 7-9 pm (Dark Thur. - Tues.) King Ink - Mirage. Paul's formal show. $20 Cover, RSVP www.kinginklasvegas.com/events.html Penn & Teller 9 pm, (Dark Thurs. - Fri.) - Rio. www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/rlv/entertainment/entertainment_detail_00.html Steve Dacri - In Your Face "The Up Close Magic Experience" 7:00 pm (Dark Tues. - Sat.) - Shimmer Showroom, Hilton. www.lvhilton.com/Play/Calendar/Ongoing-Entertainment/Steve-Dacri 2 for 1 Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/couponstevedacri.html Super Duper Show B-Rad & Bill Robinson. 4:00 pm., Sat. & Sun. - Dixie Dooley's Theater of Magic, Royal Resort. www.superdupershowlv.com Kids attend free: www.vegas4locals.com/couponsuperduperkidsshow.html Superstars of Magic 8:30 (Dark Tues.) Steven Best and Cassandra, Vegas Club. www.vegasclubcasino.net/entertainment/superstars_of_magic.php 2 for 1 Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/couponsuperstarsofmagic.html The Magic and Tigers of Rick Thomas 7 pm. (Dark Tues.) & 4 pm. Sun. & Mon. - Sahara. www.saharavegas.com/shows/magic-of-rick-thomas The Todd Paul Show 7 pm. (Dark Fri.) - Hooters. www.hooterscasinohotel.com/entertainment/the-todd-paul-show/ Zen Magic - Ai & YuKi vs. TENGU Opens June 30 4 pm - Saxe Theater, Planet Hollywood. www.saxetheater.com/saxe-thaeter-zen-magic.htm Kids free with paid adult. Magic In Production Shows: Bram Charles 2 sets between 10 pm - 2 am (Dark Mon. - Thurs.) The Can Can Room on Industrial. Crazy Girls Tony Douglas - 9:30 pm (Dark Tues.) - Riviera. www.rivierahotel.com/entertainment_crazygirls.asp 2 for 1 Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/couponcrazygirls.html Haunted Vegas Show and Tour Jac Hayden, Robert Allen. 9:30 pm, picks up at the Royal Resort. www.hauntedvegastours.com $10 off Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/couponhauntedvegas.html Matsuri TamBa provides magic between acts. 4:00 pm (Dark Tues.) & 8:00 pm Fri. - Imperial Palace. The Las Vegas Seance Robert Allen, Jac Hayden, Arian Black, Samina, Victora Wayne. 10:00 pm, picks up at the Royal Resort. www.LasVegasSeance.com Triumph LaRaf - Opening Oct 3rd. - Hilton. 4 pm (Dark Fri. - Sat., 2 pm Wed.) 7 pm & 9:30 pm Sun. www.lvhilton.com/Play/Entertainment/Hilton-Theater-Calendar/Triumph V, The Ultimate Variety Show Jason Byrne (most Tues. - Sat.) & various others. 7 & 8:30, Planet Hollywood - www.vtheshow.com Variety Showcase Christopher Karpiak & S. Frank Stringham. Tuesdays, 9 pm - FREE - Sam's Town. Other Vegas Magic: Craig Keith performs bar magic at various times - Dick's Last Resort, Excalibur. Jamie Porter's Radio Side Show Sat @ 5 am, KLAV FM 1230. Las Vegas Magic Organizations Fantasma I.B.M. Ring 257, 7 pm 1st Monday each month next meeting October, 2010. Clark County Library, 1401 E Flamingo Rd (1 block E of Maryland Parkway). Children's Classes at 5:45 www.ibm257.com Darwin's Magic Club, meets 10 pm Wednesdays. Boomers, 3200 Sirius Ave. KIDabra Las Vegas, 7 pm every 3rd Monday. Amazing Clowns, 3525 E. Flamingo. www.kidabralasvegas.com August, 2010 Aug. 23-29: Magic & Mystery School - Extended Master Class Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Tobias Beckwith. www.magicalwisdom.com September, 2010 Sept. 24-26: Magic & Mystery School - Sisters of Magic & Mystery - Abigail Aft McBride, Jeff McBride. www.magicalwisdom.com October, 2010 Oct. 4-7: The Innovention promises to offer a high quality event presented at a superb and intimate venue with world class performers, shows and workshops, and unrivalled access to all the performers and presenters. Johnny Thompson/The Great Tomsoni & Company, Kevin James, Joseph Gabriel, Gaetan Bloom, Lennart Green, Andy Nyman, Paul Stone, Jeff Hobson, Richard McDougall, Kris Kremo, Joanie Spina, Graham P. Jolley, Shep Hyken, Seth Kramer, Michael Close, Bob Kohler, Al Garber (Magic Al), Mel Mellors, a special 'Red Ball' lecture by Teller and a "Special Session" with Criss Angel. As part of the Night Before Reception will be a 'Comedy Classic' event featuring three of best Comedy Magicians in the world, Mac King, The Amazing Jonathon and Johnny Thompson. Limited to 375 attendees - Suncoast Hotel & Casino. www.innovention2010.com Oct. 9-10: Magic & Mystery School - Focus on Street Magic - Jeff McBride. www.magicalwisdom.com Oct. 12-14: Magic & Mystery School - Master Class for Mentalists - Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and Ross Johnson. www.magicalwisdom.com Oct. 17-19: Danny Archer and Robert Allen present: Mindvention 2010. Banachek, Bob Cassidy, Docc Hilford. Colin McLeod, Paul Stockman, Luke Jeremy & others www.Mindvention.net Oct. 20-23: Magic & Mystery School - The Magic and Meaning Conference - A distinctive small-group conference that focuses on creating meaningful magic routines, effective scripts, and new venues for performance. Featuring keynote addresses by Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Robert E. Neale, Lawrence Hass, and a number of short talks by experts on subjects relating to the themes of the conference. www.magicalwisdom.com November, 2010 Aug. 4-7: Magic & Mystery School - Magic & Medicine Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Tobias Beckwith. www.magicalwisdom.com February, 2011 Feb. 8-9: Magic & Mystery School - Focus on Quick Change Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Tobias Beckwith. www.magicalwisdom.com Magic & Medicien on Nov. 4 - 7 and Focus on Quick Change Feb. 8 & 9 - but there are several conventions I know of (MindVention, World Magic Seminar, etc) that occur in between there. May, 2011 May 23-25: IMX 2011 - 3 days of non-stop magic - Orleans Headliners include: Wayne Houchin - USA, Banachek - USA, Ellis & Webster - Australia, Boris Wild - France, Morgan Strebler - USA, Luke Jermay - England, Richard Sanders - Canada, Pit Hartling - Germany, Oz Pearlman - USA, Shoot Ogawa - Japan, Michael Ammar - USA, Juliana Chen - China, Ponta the Smith - Japan (making his US debut) plus more... www.imx2011.com -------------------------------------------- 10. The People I Work With Are Both Deaf And Blind -------------------------------------------- Message by Jonathan Lucia-Wright forwarded on by Dennis Schick (US) Dear Fellow Magicians I run a volunteer service enabling people with a dual sensory loss to access entertainment and popular culture (Don't panic, I'm not after your money!) The people who I work with are both deaf AND blind. There are over 4,000 deaf-blind people in the UK. My previous line of work was in the entertainment business -- for 13 years as a children's entertainer/comic -- so my approach to this line of work is somewhat unconventional! In 2003 I decided to put my talents to better use and changed my audience -- a decision which I am very proud of. I now use my comedy to help humour and stimulate the clients I work with using toys, puppets, magic, different tactile materials and objects of reference. My work has taken me all over the world including Texas, Holland, and Mexico. I was also invited to Russia with Patch Adams, clowning around in hospitals, psychiatric wards and orphanages. It was a life-changing experience and it's amazing what a difference laughter can make. My reason for this letter is, I have been asked to perform some magic live at the Sense Acquired Deaf Blindness Conference 2010 in Denmark. As far as I know this is the first time that this has ever been done. There will be an audience of 300 people, 250 of them will be hearing and sighted and 50 of them will be deaf-blind. I intend to perform the same small set of tricks three times, the first time will be for the people with hearing and sight, the second will be a hands-on, one-to-one with my assistant Jimmy, who is deaf and blind, and third I will go around to the deaf-blind people in the audience and perform various tricks to them on a one-to-one basis. Ninety percent of the people I work with cannot see OR hear. Their ages range from fifteen through mid-eighties. They will have lost their sight or hearing gradually with old age, or through various other reasons. As a result of their loss, they are unable to access information in the way we do -- through newspapers, television or radio -- so usually the most simple of things go undiscovered for years, or never at all. I have learned that many of them would have been brought up watching magic on television, but can no longer access it. Yet others may not have any recollection of magic at all. Although I am no Houdini, I find it an honour to be able to revive and introduce these people to the world of magic, and gaze at the amazement on their faces when they feel the magic happen in their hands. So this is where you come in. I am looking for any unused magic which I can adapt and recycle and use to introduce the fantastic world of magic to the people I work with. So if you have any old tricks that have been in a closet or garage for a few years or anything you can spare, I would be very grateful. Don't worry about suitability. I have a small team of professional magicians who help me adapt, and work on presentation so that the tricks can properly be appreciated without any problems. Here is a wish list of items which I am after. These are tried and tested and I know they work with a deaf-blind audience: Coin Nest Box (wooden of plastic -- the more boxes the better), Automatic Funnel, In the News, Change Bag, 20th Century Brazier, Needle Through Balloon, Magnetic Linking Rings, and the Ring-No Ring Bell. But we would be grateful for any magic at all, no matter how big or small. If you would like any more information, or even just a chat, please don't hesitate to contact me as I understand I could be any Tom, Dick or Harry. I am available via email: instantmash@hotmail.com or my mobile number is 07967 017 021. To find out more about my work, have a look at www.extremeclowning.piczo.com Many of you may have seen me and my friend Jimmy at the Blackpool Convention, researching and adapting tricks which we can use. We have been sponsored in the past by The David Berglas Foundation, Uri Geller, and Derren Brown. Jonathan Lucia-Wright (JJ) Clown Doctor Extreme Clowning c/o JJ Lucia-Wright 59 Dingley Court -------------------------------------------- 11. Jay Scott Berry On The Road Again ------------------------------------------ Message by Jay Scott Berry Well, howdy folks, Greetings from the beautiful Australia Hinterlands. As I write this, I'm packing my suitcase and guitar, once again, for another trip across the seas. It's always a bit sad to leave home and family behind. Spring is just peeking around the corner in these parts and, just yesterday, I was out flying a kite with Mikaela, who is 3 now. Speaking of which, in the whirlwind of magic and music this year, we were blessed with the arrival of a wee laddie, Tristan Daniel, born on May 12th. He's growing fast and should be out with us on tour by next year. Like me, I'm sure that he was born under a wandering star.. With that thought in mind, here's the latest news: On the Magic front, I'll be headlining the Houdini Convention next weekend in Wisconsin. http://www.houdiniclubofwisconsin.com/Houdini-Convention.html They've got a great lineup of performers, so if you're in the area, I hope to see you there. Over September, I'll be doing a handful of lectures. On the 14th, I'll be in Tulsa, OK. On the 18th, I'll head west to Ring 96 in Long Beach, CA. On the 25th, I'm doing a special lecture at Magic Galore and More and then wrapping up the month at Ring 313 in Irvine on the 28th. On the music front, I am very happy to announce that the details have been finalized for my upcoming recording session with the legendary Charlie Chalmers. The way this has all unfolded has been an amazing case of true serendipity. As part of my upcoming tour, I'll be performing in Branson, Missouri. It just worked out that I had a few days off between shows so I figured I'd look into recording a song or two while I was there. Little did I know the remarkable twists and turns of fate that were in store. While looking for a studio, I was surprised to learn that one of the true legends in our business had his private recording studio on the shores of Table Rock Lake, just outside of Branson. Over the past 50 years Charlie has worked with a veritable who's who in the recording industry. From the early days with Jerry Lee Lewis on to sessions with The Bee Gees, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Mel Tillis, Harry Chapin, Dusty Springfield and John Mellencamp, just to name a few. Seven of his songs are in the Grammy Hall of Fame. www.charliechalmers.com Well, needless to say, this was quite a surprise. Slowly a bold idea began to form in my imagination. I thought that it might just be possible to convince him to work with me to produce my entire next album. With fingers crossed, I picked up the phone and gave him a call. He was the picture of a true southern gentleman, carefully and politely listening to my proposal. He asked me to send him a few tracks from my current release and said he would consider it. Well, needless to say, it was with quite a bit of trepidation that I sent him the recordings. The very next day, I received an email from him stating that he was very impressed with my songs and had decided to accept my proposal. That was just two weeks ago. Since then, we've been in a whirlwind of discussions by phone and email to assemble a team of top musicians for this upcoming production. From Nashville, I called in Joel Atkins, a very talented drummer who I was fortunate enough to meet and work with this past June in Florida. Locally in Branson, I found two of the finest in the business, Dino Strunk on guitar and Buddy Lewis on Bass. When it came to a violin player, after careful consideration, I realized that there was no one who could match Australia's own Pixie Jenkins. This multi-Golden Guitar winner has recently joined the team for upcoming shows in Tamworth and beyond. His unique style lands somewhere between Country, Classical and Celtic; which is exactly what I am imagining as the spirit of this next album. I proposed the idea to him and he agreed wholeheartedly. So, I hastily arranged to fly Pixie to the US for a week just so he can be an integral part of this production. Finally, Charlie agreed to call in his award winning team of background singers. With that, as they say, the game is afoot. We begin recording in two weeks. The target date for release is November 12th (12/11/10) at the Canberra Country Music Festival. www.canberracountry.com A very special note of thanks to my good friend, Lex Pearson, in Branson; without his help, none of this would have come about. So, all that will certainly keep me out of trouble, for this month at least. All best wishes, Jay www.JayScottBerry.com www.JSBmusic.com -------------------------------------------- 12. Broken Wand - Gary Grayson -------------------------------------------- Message by Don McCoy, Magic Broadcasting Company Our dear friend Gary Grayson died August 3, 2010. Gary was Magic Castle Charter Life Member #45. Gary spent 16 years as the stage manager for Milt Larson's IT'S MAGIC show , he was stage manager at Milt's Mayfair Music Hall and was the manager for "Mr. Electric". Gary had just received his 60 year membership pin from the IBM in San Diego, California. Gary Allen Grayson was born Feb 16, 1934 in Muncie, Indiana. He graduated from Ball State University with a Masters degree in theatre arts and communications. Gary worked for 22 years as a recording engineer for the Matel Toy Company. Gary discovered magic at the age of 8 years old and began inventing new effects and entertaining audiences for the next 68 years. Gary spent the past few years teaching and lecturing on magic at the University of California Long Beach. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Myong Cha, daughter Diane and her husband Brian Warth, grandchildren Brick and Brianne and great grandchild Braylyn. Gary's final resting place is Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California. Gary will be remembered by anyone who ever met him. -------------------------------------------- 13. Premios Magia Argentina -------------------------------------------- Message by Ted White I am Ted White CEO of Cometa Magico and Director of the Premios Magia (Magic Awards) Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cometa Mágico -Magic Comet- was created in August 2000 to spread the magic art, creating friendship between magicians all over the world. In 2005, Cometa Mágico created the "Premios Magia" - Magic Awards in recognition of the 200° anniversary of Robert Houdin´birth -father of the modern magic. The "Premios Magia" was created in order to emphasize the high values of magic. These Awards have had the participation of all the magic societies of Argentina. These societies nominate candidates for each category and vote for their favorites. There are more than twenty categories. "Premios Magia" is held in Buenos Aires every year and is one of the most important awards of Argentina. The formal ceremony at which the awards are presented is one of the most prominent award ceremonies in Latin America. The Awards Ceremony was August 16th, in the big and famous Astral Theatre, in the world well-known Corrientes Avenue in Buenos Aires, Argentina where 1200 magicians came from the different parts of Argentina and Latin America. This year we went to present the best international magic show: Magic Girls, Carlos Barragan, Blactin, Monterrey, Sabrina Parets and her dancer, Gustavo Raley, Paola Miranda, , Rafael Baltresca, Michael Ammar y Mafias Race. The winners: Best Congress Congreso De Magia E Ilusionismo en Cordoba Best Lecture Rey Ben Creative Award Nestor Rotsen por Slice Man Best Ventriloquia Gustav y Wilfredo (Gustavo Seoane) Best Magic In Radio Mister Dany Revelación Mágica Juan David Alvarez Best Partenaire Sabrina Parets (Mago Gustavo Raley) International Award FISM Organización por FISM 2009 - China Best Perform To Childrens Mago Nino Best Mentalism Tony Montana Best Close Up Latko Best Stage Blacktin Best Program TV Manos Mágicas - Canal 7 Best Perform TV Gustavo Raley Best Production In Theatre "Homenaje a Houdini" - Parque de la Costa Best Show In Theatre Disney Live! La magia de Mickey - Teatro Gran Rex Best Perform In Theatre Gastón Quieto - Dubái Magician Of The Year Gastón Quieto. -------------------------------------------- 14. Magic For Miracles Magic Show -------------------------------------------- Message from Kelly Peron Time: September 19, 2010 from 2pm to 4pm Location: M L Lausch Elementary School Street: 200 Elm St City/Town: Reading PA 100% of the money raised goes directly to Alex's Lemonade Stand for childhood cancer research in memory of Shelli Lafferty For Ticket information contact Ryan Parsons (610) 779-5880 - ryanparsons@comcast.net or to make a donation please visit...www.magicformiracles.com -------------------------------------------- 15. Wonderland Fun Park Australia -------------------------------------------- Message by Melissa Head (Australia) Wonderland Fun Park presents MYSTIQUE Illusion Spectacular Harbourtown Shopping Centre Docklands Bring the family to Wonderland Fun Park this September School Holidays see Mystique Illusion Spectacular featuring world class Illusionist Michael Boyd, his cast of spectacular dancers and Thurston The Duck appearing and disappearing daily. An entertainment extravaganza unlike any other with amazing Illusions such as Levitations, Transportations and new to Australia from Las Vegas, the Chamber of Doom, plus hilarious antics the whole family will love. Wonderland Fun Park will bring side show alley to Harbour Town shopping centre Docklands with the latest Showbags on sale, family favourite amusement rides including Dodgem Cars, Bungee Jump trampoline, Grand Carousel, The Dragon Flyer, Giant Slide, Tea Cups and NEW for September The Worm Roller Coaster. All the fun of the fair and with FREE entry. Unlimited Ride Passes include entry to Mystique Illusion Spectacular. Watch the show then ride all day with your Unlimited Ride Pass. Unlimited Ride Passes $29.50 or book a family of 4 fun pass $80 (Save $38). Book on line: ticketek.com or 132 849 or www.wonderlandfunpark.com.au Wonderland Fun Park 120 Pearl River Road, Harbourtown Docklands (Melway Ref 2E C3) Car parking in Harbourtown Shopping Centre $5 all day. For more details go to www.wonderlandfunpark.com.au Media enquiries Contact Melissa 9602 1311 or 0419 571 704 fun@wonderlandfunpark.com.au -------------------------------------------- 16. Romhany's Upcoming Lectures and Workshops -------------------------------------------- Message by Paul Romhany (NZ) For those who are in Sydney, Australia on 11th-12th September be sure to contact Sean Taylor for his convention. I will be lecturing, performing and doing a hands on workshop giving inside scoop on how to get cruise ship gigs and more importantly KEEP THEM! Other headliners include the one and only Banachek, Kostya Kimlat, John Armstrong plus many more surprises. Sean has also lined up special workshops with Kostya which will be an incredible opportunity for magicians down under to learn some card skills from one of the best in the business. Banachek's workshop is one definitely not to be missed. USA Lecture - 18th October I will be in Fresno, California doing a very special one night only lecture for Hocus-Pocus Magic. For more information visit www.hocus-pocus.com or contact Paul Gross at sales@hocus-pocus.com We are already planning lecture tours for next year in North America for July so email me if you would like me to appear at your club or convention. email: info@paulromhany.com -------------------------------------------- 17. Good News From Tom Mullica -------------------------------------------- Message by Tim Grant forwarded on by Dennis Schick (US) Message from Tom Mullica It was a long wait but I have *FANTASTIC NEWS*. Briefly, I started a journey down a road of uncertainty 8 months ago. After being told I had leukemia at the beginning of January of this year, Stephen and I checked into the Springfield, MO COX Hospital and started chemotheropy that very day. They bombarded me with bag after bag for 8 weeks. Then after a week or so, they discovered it hadn't done the job as well as they had expected so they gave me more. Things looked better so we were released from the hospital and went home. I was in remission for 4 months while my doctor searched the national registery for a stem-cell donor for me, he wanted me to be transplanted with new stem-cells, the only real cure. One day he called and said they had found a 10 out of 10 match for me and that I should immediately check into the St. Louis Barnes Hospital where they specialize in this transplant procedure. I was in remission feeling just fine but they needed to destroy all my stem-cells before the transplant. I had a 2 week chemo treatment which was stronger and more powerful than what I had received before. A 51 year old man was given growth hormones for a week or so to enhance his stem-cells then they were withdrawn from his body and flown to St. Louis. When the plane landed they were rushed to the hospital at which time I had my transplant, it was on the 14th July. I then was watched very carefully and given rejection medicine so my new stem-cells wouldn't reject my body. It was a very tough time. On the 28th July we were released from the hospital but were told to stay in the St. Louis area for periodic visits/check-ups/blood work. We checked into a furnished apartment and have been there ever since. We go to the hospital every 5-6 days for dressing changes, cathetor flushing and blood draws. About 2 weeks ago they gave me a bone marrow biopsy which is the BEST test to see what is going on in my body. The results showed no leukemia in my blood which was the best news we had heard in a long time. Then, the better news came, one day after my birthday on August 19th. My doctor called us to say we could go back to Branson on August 25th and make trips back and forth to St. Louis instead of staying here and paying for this apartment. Then he gave us the ULTIMATE GOOD NEWS. He said, "Your donor's stem cells have grafted perfectly and 100% of your stem-cells are now from your donor!" Which means I don't have any infected leukemia stem-cells in my bone marrow to produce bad cells down the line. Isn't that unbelievable? How they could destroy my stem-cells and replace them with someone elses? Three people saved my life, Dr. John Dipersio, my donor and my dear Stephen who has been at my side 24 hours a day for the past 8 months. I'm not allowed to know who my donor is until a year after my transplant but when I do find out, I'm going to find him and thank him personally for saving my life. What a gift to give someone...the gift of life itself. So, we'll be back in Branson soon. I've been told it may take over a year to recover completely but the worst is behind me. Just wanted YOU to know. One lucky guy, Tom -------------------------------------------- 18. Magic Night At Sea La Vie Dee Why -------------------------------------------- Message by Jim Gray Sea La Vie (Shop 3, 4-6 The Strand Dee Why) is hosting a magic night on Wednesday the 1st September 2010. Come and enjoy a delicious 3 course meal and show for only $50.00. Featured acts are: Nick Chappel, resident magician at Star City Casino for several years and one of Australia's top corporate entertainers. Fast Jimmy, magician who performs both all over Australia and overseas including Princess Cruises and the Magic Castle in Hollywood California. To view Fast Jimmy's show reel go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4xIuYHp6lM This is a night showcasing: standup comedy, magic, mentalism (mindreading), escapology (the art of escape) and much more. Your family and friends are guaranteed to enjoy this amazing one of a kind show in Sydney. Booking are essential, just call ph: 99848644. -------------------------------------------- 19. The Innovention Is Just Over 5 Weeks Away -------------------------------------------- Message by Paul Stone The Innovention is now just over 5 weeks away, and the line-up of talent gets stronger and stronger! Just added to an incredible list of Performers and Lecturers which already includes Teller, Criss Angel, Mac, King, The Amazing Jonathon, The Great Tomsoni & Company, Jeff Hobson, Kevin James, Lennart Green, Johnny Thompson, Gaetan Bloom, Shep Hyken, Seth Kramer, Joanie Spina, Richard McDougall, Mark Raffles, Graham P. Jolley, Mel Mellers, Magic Al, Bob Kohler, and Mark Mason, are Eric Jones who completes the Close-up workers, and Gene Anderson who, together with Paul Stone will, for the first time ever, be presenting a one-off 'Hands On' Workshop featuring probably the greatest Jumbo Rising Card Trick ever marketed, Jim Hooper's 'Nemo Jumbo Rising Cards'. Don't forget that the 'Special Registration Offer' of $295 runs out on 31st August, and the special guaranteed accommodation rate of $52 plus Tax per night at the excellent Suncoast Hotel and Casino also runs out on 31st August. There are a few spaces left but not many, so if you are intending being at this unique one-time only event, you need to move fast and Register Now at www.innovention2010.com/specialoffer . To get the guaranteed Innovention rate at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino, go to www.suncoastcasino.com/groups and type in the special code which is INNOVEN. -------------------------------------------- 20. Blaney's New Ungimmicked Levitation Hoop -------------------------------------------- Message by Walter Blaney (US) If anyone owns one of my Zaney Blaney Miracle Levitation Hoops, you might want to look at a companion hoop I have just made available on my illusions website. It looks exactly like my trick hoop but is completely ungimmicked and can be examined by anyone. Here's the interesting story of why this hoop was made. Back in 1965 when I first premiered my Ladder Levitation, it for years fooled everyone who saw it. Here is part of the story as to why, which I did not include in the "The History Of The Zaney Blaney Ladder Levitation" which appeared last week in Magic New Zealand e-zine. When I told my story at the Magic Collectors convention last May, I did tell the crowd this additional anecdote, and they seemed to get a big kick out of it. Maybe you will also. One of the early shows for magicians where I presented my Ladder Levitation was at magic dealer Lou Tannen's annual Barbizon Plaza hotel theater show by Central Park in New York City. My levitation that night again had everyone fooled. Backstage after the show, when the acts were packing up their props, emcee Don Alan ran over to me in the wings and told me a couple of teenage kids were playing with my hoop, which was still on stage hanging on its stand. I thanked him for telling me, but told him luckily I had switched my trick hoop for an ungimmicked one which I carried in the same case as the trick hoop. Don was of course relieved, as was I as well. Together we watched the kids pull and tug on the hoop till they were satisfied that it was just a solid ungimmicked hoop. Then I surprised them and chased them offstage, telling them that if they were young magicians "the first thing you must learn is to never touch another performer's props". They apologized and slunk away. John Moehring, who was also on the show, told me "the rest of the story". He dropped by Tannen's Magic Shop the next morning to visit and was quickly grabbed by the two teenagers who told him that, although they had gotten caught, they were able to examine my levitation hoop thoroughly, and that is was not gimmicked in any way. John then stayed a couple of hours watching the lads tell the story to every magician who came in the door that morning. Of course the word soon spread far and wide that the hoop I used was not gimmicked, and obviously not a part of my levitation secret. This assumption went on for many years until I finally put my trick hoop on the market along with my levitation in 1986, twenty years later. The first thing I do is to switch the hoops after a show, and ever so many times there have been people backstage who managed to "sneak a peek" at my hoop when they think I am not watching. I figure all's fair in love and war, and in fooling the magic world with the aid of a couple of teenage magicians who didn't play by the rules. Now a number have asked that I make the solid hoop available for them. The full details and price can be seen on my illusions website. http://www.walterblaney.com/illusions -------------------------------------------- 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.Alan-Watson.com 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 2010 Alan Watson