* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment * www.magicnewzealand.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #795 Date: Sunday 7th November 2010 Editor: Alan Watson www.watson.co.nz e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================  1. Editor's Message  2. New Broadway Musical About Houdini 3. The S.A.M.'s Got Talent In Pittsburgh 4. Alan Watson’s 60th Birthday Party 5. The John Booth Reader 6. Rare Posters For Sale 7. Remarkable Magic #6 - Nick Lewin 8. "Reading" A Child - #187 - Kyle Peron 9. Tony Brook In Conversation With Lupe Nielsen - (Part 2)  10. Paul Stone's Innovention  11. Jonathan Levit - Lectures Mid-January 12. Joe Labero Show At Jupiters On The Gold Coast  13. Wanting Information On "Magic Hands" Of Germany 14. Paul Gertner JazzMagic Performance 15. MagiciansPlanet - Hyderabad, India 16. A Bewitching Night of Magic 17. e-zine Archives 18. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice   -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Our readership keeps climbing and we are very pleased to announce that as of today Magic New Zealand has 16,053 subscribers worldwide.    Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com    -------------------------------------------- 2. New Broadway Musical About Houdini -------------------------------------------- Message by Alan Sands (US)    Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network) is writing the book for the new Broadway musical about Houdini. Here is the story: http://www.collider.com/2010/11/02/aaron-sorkin-hugh-jackman-harry-houdini-musical/#more-57918--   Cheerz,   Alan Sands (800) 892-2287   My New Web Site www.comedyhypnotist.org 11/6/10 - Mobile, AL - doing hypnosis show and Key Note for a convention. 11/9/10 - Davenport, IA - Doing Magic Lecture   11/11-13 - Missoula, MT - Rocky Mountain Assoc. of Fairs Convention   11/13/10 - Libby, MT - Hypnosis and magic concert / show   11/29 - 12/1/10 - Las Vegas - Int'l Assoc. of Fairs & Exhibitions Convention   12/04/10 - Louisville, KY - Key Note and Hypnosis show (AM)   12/04/10 - Tupelo, MS - Hypnosis show (PM)   12/11/10 - San Mateo, CA - Corp Holiday Party - Hypnosis show   12/18/10 - Minot, ND - Corp Holiday Party - Hypnosis Show   12/31/10 - State College, PA - First Night Event - Three Hypnosis Shows    -------------------------------------------- 3. The S.A.M.'s Got Talent In Pittsburgh -------------------------------------------- Message from George Schindler (US)   America’s Got Talent star, Michael Grasso, has been booked as a headliner for the S.A.M National Convention in Pittsburgh. The first ever magician to reach the TOP 10 of AGT finalists and featured in MAGIC Magazine’s November issue, Michael will be taking a break from the AGT tour to appear on the Saturday night Gala Show in the Byham Theater. He will be joining other award-winning close-up and stage artists being booked for the “two conventions in one” taking place July 13-16, 2011.   The S.A.M. also will be hosting the first ever FISM sanctioned contest of magic, guaranteeing up to 15 finalists a slot to compete in the World Championship of Magic in 2012. Competing over three days of the convention, the North American stage and close-up Champion of Magic will be also crowned as the result of one final contest to select the best of the best.    Other stage and close-up galas, Stars of Tomorrow show, President’s reception, tribute to Hank Moorehouse, young magicians activities, dealer’s show, and sightseeing to popular venues are all part of the four day conference. Full contest details, convention schedule, stars of magic to appear, and registration information may be found at www.magicsam.com   -------------------------------------------- 4. Alan Watson’s 60th Birthday Party -------------------------------------------- Message by Richard Webster (NZ)   On November 1st, 100+ of New Zealand’s leading entertainers helped Alan Watson celebrate his 60th birthday. David Hartnell, a well-known local media personality, started the evening by interviewing Alan. Alan was surprised at some of the questions, but answered them well. Alan also invited his wife, Michele, up to the stage to publicly thank her for the major role she has played in his success.    After the interview, Guy Cater, New Zealand’s leading hypnotist and MC, took to the stage to host a fast-moving show featuring many of Alan’s friends. The magicians who performed were: Greg Britt, Jarred Fell, Mick Peck, Wayne Rogers, Paul Romhany, Bill and Marlene Seagraves, Malcolm Silverman, and Richard Webster. Adding variety to the evening were Michael Woolf, editor of “Magicana,” who performed his marionette act, and Gary Brown with his impersonation of Austin Powers.   Alan was surprised, and moved, when Guy Cater presented him with a Presidential Citation from The Society of American Magicians on behalf of Mark Weidhaas, The National President. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twR-TS10nkU   Thanks for putting on such a wonderful evening, Alan. Happy Birthday!   -------------------------------------------- 5. The John Booth Reader -------------------------------------------- Message by Ben Robinson (US)   In this compendium of all of Dr. John Nicholls Booth’s (1912 - 2009) books the reader is treated to find information on many topics of interest written between 1929 and 2009 – 80 years!   Ben Robinson and Dr. Booth worked on four books together from 1985 to 2009. Robinson indexed the first twenty-five years of Booth’s celebrated Memoirs (the index published in 1990). The John Booth Reader gives a wonderful insight into Booth’s multifaceted life of Unitarianism, preaching, stage and close-up magic, mountaineering, adventuring, filmmaking and travel to one hundred and forty six countries.    The personalities involved from Sir Edmund Hillary to Gandhi’s assassin make appearances at some pivotal times in history. Booth was an international correspondent for The Chicago Sun-Times and The Boston Globe. The information contained in his twenty books, and this guide to his books, are drawn from five one-hour interviews conducted on tape by Ben Robinson and over one hundred and eighty letters written over twenty five years.   The John Booth Reader is a book about books. Not just dry pedantry, this is an insightful look into one of the most intriguing personalities of the 20th century who died peacefully in California at the age of ninety-seven on November 11, 2009. The John Booth Reader is being released one year to the day of Dr. Booth’s passing to honor the man who has been described as “writing more about the art of magic than any other writer”.   Published by Lybrary.com, 2010. The book will make its debut at the New England Magic Collector’s Association meeting in Massachusetts on November 11 –13.   -------------------------------------------- 6. Rare Posters For Sale  -------------------------------------------- Message by Jeff Ezell (US)   I have been holding on to these for years and after many inquiries have decided to sell some of these fine prints.   There are 8 total posters.  The 'ALDINES' are very colorful and beautiful posters. They were originally book covers that were printed in about 1894 and / or 1895. The originals have sold at Sotheby's auction in London. Once in 1979 and again in 1993.   The complete set of 'ALDINES' originals are in the magic library of Burton S Sperber.   Professor Ellis Stanyon listed 'ALDINES' as scarce in 1899. To have a complete set of all eight 'ALDINES' today....over 100 years later....is quite a feat.   I am selling a limited amount of sets of these fine imaged copies of the originals. Maximum of 200 per year. They will sell for $250 for the whole set. I will not sell them as individual pieces.   I have been using them as backdrops in my own shows. They look great!   Check them out at http://jeffezell.webs.com/products.htm   Magically,   Jeff Ezell 248-345-0802   -------------------------------------------- 7. Remarkable Magic #6 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message by Nick Lewin (US)   Let’s talk travel. I am always amazed at how some magicians approach the business of travel. Whether it’s a 20-minute drive in your Toyota to the other side of town, or 36 hours of intricately engineered flights to Ho Chi Min City, remember it’s the travel you’re really being paid for. The show is the cherry on the Sundae.    One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was from Roy Johnson. He pointed out that it doesn’t matter how long you spend setting up or preparing props/tricks at home but always have them ready to go at zero time when you arrive at your gig. That way you are best prepared for the unexpected delays that are hidden in that deceptively simple word -travel.    Any real pro will tell you that you should always allow way more time than you think it will take to arrive at your gig. The worst that can happen is you get to enjoy a cup of coffee when you arrive at the gig. At best you might well pick up useful tips about the upcoming show. It makes your client feel good too when they know you have arrived.    In this day and age, if you are a jobbing magician, there is no excuse for not having a smart phone (OK, I really mean an iPhone) to give you a GPS system, house your contract, and allow you to keep in touch. When you are flying that iPhone is even more essential.    With all the international travel I do, I have got a list of Apps that I would never travel without. My personal treasure trove of travel-aids includes; Flight Tracker, Airport Maps, Airport Codes, Country Maps, Currency Translator, World Clock, Free Wi-Fi Finder and Call A Cab. These Apps have saved my ass on many occasions and probably cost less than 15 bucks between them.    I always arrive way early for any flight, that way I have the ability to know about any delays at the earliest point and can take action accordingly. If a flight is cancelled you can use your iPhone to find an alternative flight and then make a reservation on it, while the masses are lining up at flight desk, maybe trying to get that same reservation you just locked in on your phone.   Other vital tips, for the traveling magician is making sure you have the actual necessities for travel. These including; a pen---  easy to forget, spare cash for unexpected expenses like departure taxes that can’t be charged, all the visas you need and last but not least a show.    I am always shocked by how many performers do not carry a full show in their hand baggage. Luggage gets lost and delayed all the time. Even if you perform a ‘Big’ show take the time to sit down and work out what tricks you can fit in your hand baggage and still present a full show. Let me start this list with:   6 Card Repeat, Torn & Restored Newspaper, Cards Across, Coin in Bottle, A rope routine etc. etc. You could fit that list in the pockets of your travel suit. Oh, did I forget to mention traveling in a suit in which you can work in if it is needed.   I could go on for a while with simple but oft neglected things. However, maybe you should book my lecture on ‘Making Money With Magic’ where I can really get into it!   Email me at nicklewin1@me.com -------------------------------------------- 8. "Reading" A Child - #187 - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message by Kyle Peron (US) magic4u02@aol.com http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com   As much as we would like to believe, we do not always pick the most perfect child helper. Maybe your track record is pretty good, but as good as you are at reading a child, you can never be sure how that child will react once on stage with you. That once polite and cute kid can instantly turn into "cujo" or the "devil's spawn." once they arrive on stage to assist you.    We all have experienced this and I hope each time you learn to deal with it in the best and most proper way. As a professional, I must learn to handle situation like this and I must learn to be bigger than the problem at hand. Simply enough that means if I am a professional, then I should have the ability to handle situations and problems in such a way that I remain in character and still continue to do my job.....entertain the audience.   In many cases a child's attitude and personality can change so drastic enough that it is quite obvious to you. You know instantly that you had made a bad choice and it is obvious to you that you may need to switch gears a little in order to get through the routine you have planned.   However, too often performers do not see the warning signs that kids can and do give to you. Not always does a child change so drastic that you easily see it. In many cases a child's attitude and emotions can change gradually in the process of a routine. You may not always see it if you are not accustomed to learning to "read the child."   Because I am a deaf entertainer, I read lips all the time. I must do so if I am able to hear people and communicate with them. Because of this, I am constantly looking at and scanning my helpers. Learning to read a child is an important skill but it requires first the ability to see and to notice small things before they become bigger problems.    Make sure to pay attention to a child and pay attention to what they do, say and how they act. Sometimes little signs show up that you can easily start to notice.   For example, a bad situation is when you have a helper on stage and the helper becomes shy or, worse yet, starts to cry on stage. There are warnings signs you can easily start to pick up the minute you select a child. The first thing you must realize is that a child in their seat can be vastly different then the child on stage with you. In their seat they are comfortable, relaxed and among friends.   When a child in on stage with you, they are in the spotlight, standing next to a big adult with all of their friends staring at them. They may not have any idea what you are going to do and they may fear being embarrassed. This can easily change a child's personality or mood and you must be tuned to seeing the change if it happens.   So what are some of the signs that a child may be shy, nervous or heading down the road to shutting off on you?   - the head starts to come down towards the chin instead of being held up high   - the shoulders come in and they hunch over   - they usually will try and avoid eye contact with you   - the voice becomes softer and the responses are shorter   - the hands may go into the pockets or they may hold their hands together close to their waist   - they may also back up close to your table or a prop as a way of "hiding" or "protecting" themselves"   - if you approach them, they may back away slowly or avoid approaching you   Now these may seem obvious. However, many times these signs are subtle. In many ways you may be so focused on your routine that you simply fail to see any of these happening before it is too late. Learn to study these signs and others. Pay attention to your helper and start to read them the minute they are selected.   The key is to notice these signs before it becomes a bigger issue. In the above instance, the signs tell me the child may be scared, nervous or unsure of the situation. If I let it go, the child could shut off and not interact or could start to cry on stage. It does happen.   If I see a warning sign, I can immediately change my routine or how I go about it. A professional should be one who knows how to adapt to any situation. If I see one of the signs above, I might do one of the following:   - empower the child by allowing the audience to applaud just for him or her. I build their confidence up and the clapping makes them the star of the moment and the applause shows that the audience is on their side.   - instead of doing a patter line (or part of the routine that gets me a laugh from something the child does) I may change it around so the laugh is totally on me. For example, a breakaway wand would not be given to this child but instead he gets it right every time while I am the one that it breaks on.   - get the child to laugh. Laughter is indeed the best medicine and it is a great way to get a child to open up.   - allow them to do the magic. Instead of you being the magician, allow the child to be the one that makes the magic work. You act amazed at their magical ability and all the credit goes to them.   Now there are more warning signs and certainly more ways you can handle it. However, I hope that these few listed here get you thinking more. We need to learn to read a helper and to see signs early on. We must be willing to adapt our routine if we see a helper headed down the wrong path and apply some of these methods to make that child feel special.   If I am a professional, then I must treat every helper as a guest in my own home. i never want a guest to feel uncomfortable and I always want them leaving knowing they had a great time.   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.   - 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   -------------------------------------------- 9. Tony Brook In Conversation With Lupe Nielsen - (Part 2) ------------------------------------------  Message by Anthony Darkstone Brook - Europe/USA TB: Amazing! Just goes to show us all what can be done with a lot of charm & determination. Your show schedule …that was some tough schedule, even for a seasoned Pro….. and there you were a teenager doing that … what kind of shows were you doing?    LN: Everything...Mostly worked at children’s birthday parties, I did some stage for company parties, and a little close-up.   TB: You are best known for your close-up skills. Tell us a little about that. LN: That question requires an elaborate answer, because I started doing close-up magic as a necessity, in my later years when I came to the United States.   During my teenage years, I was also interested in theater. There were about five live theaters in Panama at the time, and I went to see every single play I could see at the time. After my regular school, I enrolled in the National School of Theater, where I hung out in the afternoons. When I went to College in the States, I dropped magic and went to study Theater.   During my last year of College, I was offered several jobs as a stage carpenter, and even in stage-managing. The problem with these is that I did not have a car, and the initial jobs did not pay enough to get me out of Blacksburg, Virginia, where I was studying. Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia, was auditioning at the time for close-up magicians, and I figured I could give that a try. I practiced four tricks and I was booked on the spot! So that is how I started doing close-up.   As far as my magic skills are concerned, I am a poor judge of them. Because of time constraints, I cannot practice as much as I would like. The way I approach learning is by determining what effect I want to do and practice that particular trick to accomplish that specific goal. I am not good at memorizing too many moves if these don’t get me to reach the latter goal. End of Part 2 (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 -------------------------------------------- 10. Paul Stone's Innovention -------------------------------------------- Message by Mandy Davis (UK)   Around 300 people attended an exciting yet select convention in Las Vegas at the beginning of the month. From the Monday night welcoming party and comedy magic Q & A session, to the appearances of Siegfried and Roy, Chriss Angel and Teller, this whole event was full of super surprises. Mac King, Amazing Jonathan and Johnny Thompson, interviewed by Alan Bursky, as the opening panel? Sounds wonderful! But then you find that Tom Mullica is walking through the audience to join the others on stage and it is a definite dream team! The UK was well represented in the gala shows - with Richard McDougall and his silent and compelling disappearing cigarette routine, Graham P Jolley, the funniest Mentalist you will ever see, with his own brand of cutting humour, and Mel Mellors who takes insult gags to new levels and yet continues to entertain and to make new friends wherever he goes. Arron Sparks was a young British juggler that even the Brits hadn't seen before and was a real treat!   With lectures from Johnny Thomson, Seth Kramer, Shep Hyken, Rich McDougall and a masterclass from Joanie Spina you would think there was plenty of star material. Several attended workshops on various subjects too. Yet there was even more to come - with the personal appearance and interview of Chriss Angel and Teller's morning lecture which inspired and had the audience in awe at the tiny details covered in putting together a two minute routine with a red ball. In spite of prior warnings that photographs were not to be taken, both Chriss and Teller were happy to stand and sign and pose for almost an hour after their events which was a real 'cherry on the cake' of an already momentous 24 hours! With Gaetan Bloom to lecture and perform in the final show alongside some top entertainment, the convention delegates were already begging Paul Stone to eat his words and produce another equally exciting Innovention for 2011!   Congratulations and thanks Paul! -------------------------------------------- 11. Jonathan Levit - Lectures Mid-January ------------------------------------------ Message by Tom Craven (US)   I have Jonathan Levit, the star of TV's X-Files, Celebracadabra, and many other TV features, available for lectures in mid-January to late February 2011. Midwest, East Coast down to Florida. Any clubs interested, email me at vipmagic@aol.com. -------------------------------------------- 12. Joe Labero Show At Jupiters On The Gold Coast  ------------------------------------------ Message by Dave Boyd (Aust) Just a correction regarding the Joe Labero show at Jupiters on the Gold Coast, Australia. In last week’s Magic New Zealand the opening date is stated as 16 Nov. I phoned to make a booking and was told the opening night was not until 19 Nov. As a result I extended my stay in the area by a few days. Sounds like a great show. I'll send you a report after seeing it.   -------------------------------------------- 13. Wanting Information On "Magic Hands" Of Germany -------------------------------------------- Message by Everett Andrews (Canada) I am wanting information on "Magic Hands" Magic Mfg., of Germany. Manfred and Vicki Thumm. Do they still exist? I have been trying to locate them. Has anyone taken over their magic manufacturing business?   Is anyone producing their Bottle items? They Produced Items "Champaign 1" and "Champaign 3" 1) A bottle from silks, with a silk Fountain, that I am wanting to replace, and 3) an appearing and vanishing Bottle with a silk streamer climax. Very realistic, quality Plastic Bottles. Please contact me with any information: Thank you!   Everett Andrews magic_1@telus.net -------------------------------------------- 14. Paul Gertner JazzMagic Performance -------------------------------------------- Message by Paul Gertner (US) Here is a link to a short video of my JazzMagic performance at the Magic Castle that readers of the newsletter might enjoy.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2CsSCDKiaY -------------------------------------------- 15. MagiciansPlanet - Hyderabad, India -------------------------------------------- Message by Solyl Kundu (India) Some young devotees of the Art of Magic have formed Magic Group under the name of MagiciansPlanet. They are all from Hyderabad, India. They have launched a new web portal (www.magiciansplanet.com) about magic on October 4th, 2010 at Rabindra Bharati Auditorium, Hyderabad, which brings all the events and updates, related to magic worldwide at one common place. Of course still they are in a process of making it as a common platform which can be accessed by all magicians and Magic lovers throughout India and abroad. Some salient features in the portal (www.magiciansplanet.com) which exclusively focusing on is interviews, inventors and inventions, biographies etc.; they feel like making it to be the best magic online magic-magazine. They had invited Salil Kumar “Solyl” Kundu, TVP of IBM (USA) for India as ‘Special Guest’, and Dr. B.V Pattabhi Ram as Chief Guest for the Portal Launching. All veteran magicians in and around Hyderabad namely Manohar, Ramesh C. V. Ramana, and Chand Pasha along with the magic lovers were present on this historic event. After the event, there was a surprise for Solyl. He was felicitated by the AP State magicians and the team of MagiciansPlanet group for his outstanding contribution to the Art of Magic world-wide and specifically in India. It was emphatically and joyously mentioned that he is An Ace Indian Magician to perform in the Magic Castle, Hollywood, and also lecture for the members of the Academy of Performing Arts, Hollywood. Moreover, he is the only magician from India to lecture /demonstrates his creations in several magic societies of United States of America. Moved by these words Dr. B.V Pattabhi Ram personally honored Salil Kumar “Solyl” Kundu in a distinctive Hyderabad style by wrapping a shawl around him, and also gracing him with sweet scented flower garland. After an instructive and very interesting speech by the special guest the function was ended with vote of thanks to the chair.   -------------------------------------------- 16. A Bewitching Night of Magic -------------------------------------------- Message by Larry Seymore (US)   I am writing with news of our very successful benefit show in Portland Oregon on Friday October 29th. We are SAM Assembly 59.   We have been fortunate to enjoy the hospitality of the Friendship Masonic Lodge for two years now. They have not asked for any rent. We felt we owed them for their kindness. Sooooo Friday we presented "A Bewitching Night of Magic". The proceeds will go to the Lodge and their youth programs. The seating allowance for the building was set at 150 seats max. We had 163 show up. There were 7 performers. Larry Seymore, Randy Stumman, David Ashton, Mel Anderson, Tom Cramer, Bob Eaton, and Tim Woods. We were fortunate to be able to have a two camera video shoot. In post production it will look very good. Mel Anderson has over 50 Years in the Sam. Randy Stumman is a two time graduate of Mcbride's School of Magic and Mystery. Bob Eaton has performed for 30 years for the libraries in the Portland area. David Ashton has worked in LA for the Magic Castle. I was the producer, director and performer. I've learned how important it is to believe in the people you ask to help you. All of the aforementioned folks were the real magic that made this event so special for the audience. If any of your subscribers are interested in our part of the world drop me a line at lsixburger@msn.com or got to our website www.sam59portland.org.   -------------------------------------------- 17. e-zine Archives  -------------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html   When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. E.g. 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999)   -------------------------------------------- 18. 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