* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment * www.magicnewzealand.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #861 Date: Sunday 11th September 2011 Editor: Alan Watson www.watson.co.nz E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. An Open Letter To The Magic Fraternity By Chip Romero 3. The October 8th Heller Project 4. Can I Remark On The Brotherhood Of Magicians 5. More Remarkable Magic # 50 - Nick Lewin 6. Tony Brook in Conversation with Ozlen Tuncer - Part 7 7. Sean Taylor At Richard Websters Special Night 8. Magical 1 Malaysis Festival 2012 - Starring Rafael Benatar! 9. New Zealand "World Festival Of Magic" Tour 2011 10. Magic At The Beach 2012 11. Tony Wilson's Magical Travels 12. Can I Remark On The Brotherhood Of Magicians 13. The Magic Pub - A New Forum 14. An Interview With Mr. Vanni Pule' 15. e-zine Archives 16. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- This highlight for me was seeing Sean Taylor from Australia perform his one hour show of comedy, magic and mentalism here in New Zealand for a private party. You know when you get someone like Bernard Reid who has been performing on cruise ships for the past 40 years get up and give a standing ovation you have nailed it. Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: Editor@MagicNewZealand.com -------------------------------------------- 2. An Open Letter To The Magic Fraternity By Chip Romero --------------------------------------------- Message by Chip Romero forwarded on by John R. Browne III An open letter to the magic fraternity: I would like publicly thank Jonathan Pendragon for all of his tireless efforts to acquire the illusions Charlotte sold me. There has been much speculation over the last two years, so I think a few details are in order. Here are the facts of my dealings with Charlotte and Jonathan. Several years ago Charlotte and Jonathan sold me Doug Henning's Pyramid illusion as well as their original Interlude. I sent payment and she was kind enough to drive the illusions all the way to San Francisco and deliver them to me while I was working aboard The Dawn Princess. Sometime later I spoke with Charlotte again and purchased their signature Metamorphosis trunk. I was very happy with my previous transactions with Charlotte and Jonathan. About two years ago I called Charlotte to ask her how she was doing. She immediately began trying to sell me some of their illusions. I told her I was calling to see how she was doing not trying to buy illusions. However, she was very persistent. I asked her about the Fire Cage and the Sword Suspension and she told me she would sell those to me. We agreed on a price. She said she would deliver the props on her way to the Daytona magic convention. She asked if I could send the check right away. I had no reason to doubt her, so I did. Sometime after she received the check, she stopped returning my calls. I continued calling to no avail. Just before the Daytona convention, I sent her a text saying I would see her in Daytona. The phone rang five minutes later. She told me she was unable to get the props but would send them to me as soon as she got home. The convention passed, I began calling her and once again with no response. In December 2009 my girlfriend Lis and I drove to Las Vegas and talked with her face to face. She told me the illusions were in Arroyo Grande and was unable to get them at this time. She told me she would get them and ship them to me. A few weeks later I began calling again and once again no response. Only now was I coming to the realization that Charlotte had no intention of sending me the props. Friends of mine knew how upset I was over this matter and told me to just let it go. Instead I hired an attorney to pursue matters. Letters were sent and we were moving forward with a lawsuit. A few months ago, I got a call from Jonathan asking me about the details of the sale. He told me Charlotte had sold quite a few of their illusions without his knowledge. He also told me that he was going to honor the sale. He told me the illusions were in Trinidad. This was the first time I had heard the illusions weren't in California. Some time passed and I got a call from Jack Browne. He was calling on behalf of Jonathan and Chin Chin. He told me Charlotte had sold their Origami to Chin Chin. He was having the same trouble I was. He told me he was now part of this and he and Jonathan were working together to resolve the matter. By now Jonathan was doing his lecture tour. During his tour he stayed with Lis and me. As many of you already know, his lecture was fantastic. Greg Gleason even flew down to witness it. After the lecture, with a few close friends in my living room, Jonathan gave us another lecture on Metamorphosis with his old trunk. That was an amazing night. Jonathan and I stayed in touch be phone and e-mails. He kept me posted in all he was doing to get the illusions. He went to Trinidad to perform and upon his return he had the props shipped back. He called me and told me the props were in California. A few weeks later the props were shipped to me in Lake Charles. He even refurbished the Fire Cage. Quite a bit of drama over the last two years. In closing, once again I would like to thank you, Mr. Pendragon for all of your efforts. You are an amazing man with a very big heart. I count myself very lucky for being able to be your friend. Much continued success and all best wishes, Chip Romero -------------------------------------------- 3. The October 8th Heller Project -------------------------------------------- Message by George Schindler (US) Robert Heller the famed 19th Century Conjurer is buried in the Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia. His grave was found by Houdini in the 1920s and over the years the SAM has helped with its upkeep. The last time it was attended was in the 1940s. Today Mt. Moriah Cemetery is a disaster. The Friends of Mt. Moriah along with Magician Dean Carnegie is looking to gather volunteers among the magic community to help with the clean-up. Able bodied people willing to volunteer an afternoon of their time in what will amount to yard work on a grand scale are needed. Contact Dean at 703-404-8902 or email CarnegieMagic@me.com for time and exact location -------------------------------------------- 4. Sorcerers Safari Lip Dub Is Going Viral! -------------------------------------------- Message by Mike Segal Director of The Sorcerers Safari, Canada's Premier Magic Camp Just wanted to let you know that this summer at Sorcerers Safari was an amazing time. 100 campers, and staff had an excellent week. Sorcerers Safari is now in its 15th year, and to celebrate, we did a lip dub. It has now received over 4K hits, in less than 48 hours. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyfhCnZFNlM&sns=em A lip dub is basically; 1 song, 1 camera, 1 take. If you can spare 4 minutes, I would really appreciate you taking a look, and if you like it (as Penn & Teller, and others did) please send it out, and share it with the magic community. Thanks for being a part of this wonderful magic camp, and I hope we can have you even more involved in the future. -------------------------------------------- 5. More Remarkable Magic # 50 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message by Nick Lewin (US) The TAOM Magic Convention in San Antonio. The great Tex-Mex singer Doug Sahm wrote a song 'At the Crossroads' where he stated, "To live in Texas, you gotta' have a lot of soul...." Well, he sure got that one right! The TAOM Convention had soul and was a bunch of fun. I flew in from Istanbul and spent 36 hours at the convention and head a blast! Of course I only got about 5 hours sleep--but it didn't seem to matter. During my short/sweet visit, I appeared on the Gala show with David Kapner, Ivan Pecel, John Archer, Nathan Kepner and The incomparable Gaetan Bloom. It was a great show and beautifully MC'd by David Hira. Watching the genius blend of pantomime and cool magic presented by Gaetan was priceless and the comedy magic and ukulele (yes, ukulele!) playing of John Archer was a new and very pleasant surprise to me. I had never seen him perform before and he made me laugh a lot. However, it would be unfair to say that the show had any low points at all--it was superbly planned, executed and presented in a very classy theatre. Talent co-coordinator Alex Gutierrez must be commended for a first-rate job in putting the show together. Keeping things together on the tech side backstage were my fellow cohorts from 'Magic New Zealand' Kyle and Kelly Peron. Their attention to detail was extremely reassuring to all of us. We three had never met before in person and it was very nice to get together. My performance of the multiplying bottles was made possible by the kind loan of a table by Doug Gorman. I used a very historic set of bottles that belonged to Ken Brooke and were given to me by Ken when he retired. I hadn't used them in decades and it reminded me of how well made Ken's props used to be. After the show there was the usual fun of catching up with friends old and new in the bar at the Hilton Hotel nestled on the bank of San Antonio's unique Riverwalk. I caught up with friends old and new, got to say, "Hi" in person for the first time to Wayne Dodson, Bev Bergeron and Quentin Reynolds and reacquaint myself with Tim Glander who was one of the very first magicians I met in the US back in 1974. I had the pleasure of having brief conversations with old friends Amos Levkovitch and Losander, plus the huge pleasure of spending some time with Gaetan Bloom, whose acquaintance I have made all to briefly over the years! My lecture on the Monday morning was extremely well received and I was delighted to have so many flattering comments on not only the tricks I taught but also my philosophy behind the presentation of commercial magic. I am looking forward to my other upcoming conventions that my quasi-retirement is allowing me to introduce into my schedule. To make the occasion even more special Susan and I even got to make the occasional foray onto the Riverwalk and enjoy this very special attraction. I had a blast and want to thank TAOM President Justin Botter and everyone else involved in allowing me to take part in this highly enjoyable experience. Oh, I even got to visit the Alamo--but never made it into the basement (There is one for the Pee Wee Herman fans!) Drop me an email at nicklewin1@me.com -------------------------------------------- 6. Tony Brook In Conversation With Ozlen Tuncer - Part 7 -------------------------------------------- Message by Anthony Darkstone Brook - Europe/USA ADB: Competing or being sponsored for FISM is not that easy . OT: No ..as you have explained . However, since we cannot endorse an act, we need to spend enormous amounts of money. It is not so easy. I know that people work really hard on their acts. One of the most difficult situations is that there is seldom opportunity to perform in English and to record it - if it is a verbalized act like mine. We try to overcome this handicap individually. But what can a single individual do ? We are seeking help. You told me if a Club would be interested in sponsoring me or other Turkish Magicians for FISM then we would need to reciprocate by giving free lectures. Naturally, speaking for myself I would be more than willing. I am not alone, if the other candidates would be asked to do something they will not decline I guess. A free show, a lecture or similar will be a way of saying "thank you". As you know I am always prepared for every occasion of magic. I have several topics already prepared. The last one I had your help in formulating.. As you may recall; it was about a situation where a Magician loses his luggage/props . a show to do and no Magic stores around. The performance is the next day. So how do you prepare a show with everyday objects. I have put together a lecture on this topic. ADB: Yes indeed, an interesting concept. It has happened to me and a few others .. I recall, on one occasion in Vegas, when a group of us were sitting around discussing this topic and my dear friend Steve Daly commented, "You are not really a Magician unless your luggage has gone in the opposite direction to which you are traveling !!!!". We all have our ways of coping with that but nevertheless, I can well imagine a lecture on this topic could well prove to be interesting. As you have stated, you are keen to advance the Art in many ways. Imagine you had a room full of young eager Magicians. What general advice and tips would you give them? OT: Wow! the former questions were like "midterm" and this is like the "final". Tony, you already know that I have more than several rooms full of those students. My first advice is - luckily enough if they can read this, it is done! Learn a good standard of English. Because the majority of the sources of this art are in English. Yes, you know what is coming next. Read as much as you can about magic. Prefer books instead of videos. Never copy anybody but be and become yourself. If anything seems hard for you and you are still willing to do it, then work at it! Never give up! Practice, practice and finally practice some more! Magic is the most delicate and forgetful art. If you leave it for a period of time it forgets you totally. You will need to know each other again. Try to watch as many magicians as you can. You will learn the stage management from the good ones but learn what to avoid from the bad ones. Learn from both. Both are gains! Try to personalize anything you learn. Never do anything as it is written in the ones. Instructions tell you how to do tricks not how to present them. Be yourself, have a unique stage persona! Never try to be someone you are not! I repeat this because I believe that this is very important. Try to blend other performing arts in your performance. Such as Mime, Theater, Ballet, dance, whatever you can. But never try to imitate. If you imitate for example a mime act and you did not study mime before, you will end up being ridiculous and clumsy. Just be yourself and please DO consult master magicians: You will see most of them are willing to help a successor. I have done this many times. As you did for me Tony, as the late Ted Lesley did for me, as my mentor late Dr. Morgan did for me. and many more. I still learn many things. I know that when I say it is enough, I do not need to learn anything, that is another way of saying "I am finished". I hope that day will never come. One last thing I am very glad that you have invited me to this conversation, and I am really open to start friendships with those who share my eternal love: MAGIC! My thanks to you and to those who read this as well. ADB: Well thank you Dr.Tora it has been very interesting and you have put a spin on some of the things that others take for granted. Your dedication to The Art is commendable. Until we meet again. OT: Very welcome. The pleasure is all mine. -------------------------------------------- 7. Sean Taylor At Richard Websters Special Night -------------------------------------------- Message by Mike Easterbrook (NZ) Last evening I trotted off to Auckland to attend Sean Taylor's magic show for Richard Webster's friends and family. I count myself lucky to have been invited, as I have the past, the wine is good, so are the nibbles and the magic is not bad either. We've seen Michael Finney, Nick Lewin, TC Tahoe, and Paul Romhany to name a few so when Richard rang and said I should come down (100 odd miles) I wondered about how he would compare...not that you should, because everyone has their unique style.....I decided to go anyhow and see him. He's a very friendly dude in any case. An Englishman living in Australia.. That tells you something! I have to admit the last time I saw Sean was at the New Zealand Magic Convention and he was doing some long-winded mental thing with torn newspaper I kind of lost what it was all about but he did get applause. Might have been because he finished the trick! Anyhow his show last night was a far cry from that showing. He did stuff he's done hundreds of times by the look of it and with bugger all props. I think there was one pack of cards, some hat tears, a note in lemon actually an orange... and that was about it. He played to the crowd and they really enjoyed it. He was nice to his helpers with the hat tear. Those kids deserve a medal. It goes to show... the packs flat plays big works with a big friendly persona and good presentation. The sleights probably whizzed by most people because they were laughing a lot. His timing of the gags was spot on and he was 'on' was for nearly an hour of jolly good entertainment. It was nice to catch up with Bernard too after such a long time, and a few other magic notables. I think I was the only one I'd never heard of. Well done Richard and Margaret and your helpers. I hope I get to the next one! -------------------------------------------- 8. Magical 1 Malaysis Festival 2012 - Starring Rafael Benatar! -------------------------------------------- Message by Jay Scott Berry (Australia) The advance planning for the Magical 1 Malaysia Festival is moving ahead at full speed. From March 23rd through 25th, 2012, over a dozen of the world's finest magicians will appear in Kuala Lumpur for a magic event unlike any other. I am very happy to announce the addition of the multi-talented, Rafael Benatar to our ever-growing, all-star cast. Widely recognized as one of the world's master card workers, Rafael's elegant style will amaze and mystify magicians and lay public alike. But, that's not all! Did you know that Rafael is also a master musician who plays the lute and other plucked-string instruments? As one of the many surprises in store at the Festival, Rafael will not only astound with his Artistic Magic but also delight with his Musical Artistry! Rafael will join Losander and Michael Ammar for what promises to be the largest Magic Festival ever held in Malaysia! The Magical 1 Malaysia Festival will take place at the KLCC, a world-class convention centre located at the foot of the Iconic Petronas Twin Towers. All shows will take place in the Plenary Hall, which is a 4500 seat, state-of-the-art, theatre. The audiences will be treated to 3 gala shows per day. There will also be an extensive dealer's area showcasing magic effects from around the globe. This special event is produced in partnership with Mahdi Moammer (Moudini) and the International Event Production Company, ARS Network. For more information, please visit www.Magical1Malaysia.com Mark the dates - I hope to see you there! -------------------------------------------- 9. New Zealand "World Festival Of Magic" Tour 2011 -------------------------------------------- Message by Rosemarie McCarthy (New Zealand) Monday 14 November - Hamilton - 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm Founders Theatre Tuesday 15 November - Tauranga - 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm Bethlehem College (Performing Arts Centre) Wednesday 16 November - Taupo - 4:30 pm and 7:30 pm Great Lake Centre Thursday 17 November - Rotorua - 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm Civic Theatre Friday 18 November - Napier - 6:00 pm Hawkes Bay Opera House Saturday 19 November - Gisborne - 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm War Memorial Theatre Monday 21 November - Palmerston North - 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm College of Education Friday 25 November - Christchurch - Venue TBA Sunday 27 November - Timaru - 5:00 pm Theatre Royal Monday 28 November - Dunedin - 2:30 pm and 7-00 pm Regent Theatre Wednesday 30 November - Invercargill - 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm Civic Theatre Sunday 4 December - Wellington - 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm TSB Arena Monday 5 December Wanganui - 5:30 pm Wanganui Collegiate High School (Prince Edward Auditorium) Tuesday 6 December - New Plymouth - 5:00 pm TSB Show Place Saturday 10 December - Auckland - 11 - 2 - 5 Logan Campbell Centre Sunday 11 December - Auckland - 11 - 2 - 5 Logan Campbell Centre Monday 12 December - Whangarei - 2.00 pm and 5:00 pm Founders Theatre -------------------------------------------- 10. Magic At The Beach 2012 -------------------------------------------- Message by Mike Heidtman (US) It just wouldn't be Magic At The Beach unless we had at least one FISM winner. Well, as it turns out, the Thursday night headliner is one!! Each year Magic At The Beach starts out the convention with a bang with a lavish welcome reception. This year's theme is the "Magic of Hollywood" and each attendee is going to feel like a star stepping onto the Magic At The Beach red carpet. So to kick things off we have decided to bring in one of Hollywood's greatest magicians performing his NEW one-man comedy show for us Thursday night .We are pleased to announce that to dazzle us that night is none other than Hollywood magician, Gregory Wilson. Gregory Wilson is a two-time FISM award-winner with a number of best-selling instructional DVD's on the market. In 1998, Greg was also awarded the "Most Creative Magician of the Year" by the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He has contributed scores of original effects to MAGIC, Genii, Linking Ring, M.U.M., Arcane, Penumbra, Magic Menu and other magazines, as well as a full chapter in Paul Harris' The Art of Astonishment, a chapter in Harry Lorayne's Best of Friends 3, a chapter in John Lovick's Switch, and a chapter in the wildly popular Magic for Dummies. Just don't hold that last one against him! Gregory will be Headlining the banquet show Thursday night, performing his FISM winning close-up magic in the all-star close-up show, and he will also be appearing in the champions of magic show Saturday night. So join Gregory along with Jeff McBride, Jade, Tina Lenert, Mike Caveney, Asi Wind, Xavier Mortimer, and more, all at Magic At The Beach 2012. Being held 12 - 14 January 2012 in Myrtle Beach, SC, USA. Ocean Dunes Resort. All rooms are ocean-front and are $59/night USD. Information for the Ocean Dunes Resort & Conference Center is available on our website. Be sure to mention Magic At The Beach to get the special rate. Can it get any better? I do believe that it could ... but why wait? Registration is limited. Register Today - www.MagicAtTheBeach.org -------------------------------------------- 11. Tony Wilson's Magical Travels -------------------------------------------- Message by Tony Wilson (NZ) Mary and I have just returned from another 101 night World Cruise on the Dawn Princess from Sydney Australia back to Auckland New Zealand. Magicians who were engaged by Princess Line to appear on board this long cruise were Phil Cass and Phillipa from Australia with comedy magic. Mell Mellers from the UK also with comedy Magic as well as James Freedman from the UK with comedy pickpocketing and magic. From the USA came Wayne Hoffman with Mentalism and Roy Shank with comedy magic and magic squares to finish his 45 minute spot. Last year on the same cruise for the same duration (101 nights) seven magicians were employed and this year, five. As a point of interest Phil Cass was on both world cruises as well as Mell Mellers and Wayne Hoffman. Next year our travel plans include four weeks in Queensland, Australia in March/April 2012 and over two months travelling to the IBM International Convention at Norfolk, Virginia USA, FISM in Blackpool, UK, as well as travelling around Ireland, UK and Europe and possibly Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia on the way home to New Zealand. -------------------------------------------- 12. Can I Remark On The Brotherhood Of Magicians -------------------------------------------- Message by Dave Boyd (Aust) The sale of my magic books as I have retired from performing is going very well, the first orders that came in, I in my rush to post off their order, instead of going to the post office to check the postage, I weighed them on my bathroom scales. The result being they were way off, when I went to the post office to post them, the price for postage was nearly double what I had quoted. I still posted them. I emailed both magicians explaining that the postage was much higher than my quote. but that it was my mistake and I would honour the quote, but that should they order anything else. Don't be too surprised that it would cost more than this order. A day later they both insisted on paying the extra postage, and sent the difference right away. These two magicians were Mike Kmiec & David Brown of Presto's Magic Works. I am still working on my list of props I will be selling. All magicians who responded to the book sale will automatically be send a list of props when it is ready any other magicians interested in the remaining books can email me at boyddp@hotmail.com or to be put on the props mailing list can also email me at that address. Again a big thank you to the above magicians. -------------------------------------------- 13. The Magic Pub - A New Forum -------------------------------------------- Message Ron Dylan The Magic Pub is a new forum for Magicians, Mentalists and Bizarrists, catering for the beginner and hobbyist, to the full-time working professional. This forum has a very strong vision, and that is to be at the very cutting edge of online learning for any performer of the magical arts. Action, reflection, study and consultation. These are the 4 key areas that will make for a constantly improving entertainer. The Magic Pub offers an arena for all these critical components to be explored in a friendly and dynamic setting enabling all members to be at the spearhead of their development and progressing their chosen art in and ever-advancing direction. With an atmosphere of encouragement, the friendly staff at the Magic Pub literally aim to reproduce a "pub-like" environment enabling all participants to relax, instilling the confidence for maximum learning and effective consultation and discussion on matters that are of interest to all involved. So pull up a stool and have a seat, enjoy the friendly atmosphere, chat with your peers, laugh with them, learn from them, share your thoughts with them and contribute toward the betterment of the art which you love so much. There's a stool waiting on you at the Pub. -------------------------------------------- 14. An Interview With Mr. Vanni Pule' -------------------------------------------- Message by Chris Gove' This is an interview with Mr. Vanni Pule', the new IBM President, as published in the Sunday Times. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110828/interview/Smooth-manipulator.382084 -------------------------------------------- 15. e-zine Archives -------------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.magicnewzealand.com click on the red button center right "Archives" When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order in folders for each year 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) -------------------------------------------- 16. 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.magicnewzealand.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 2011 Alan Watson www.magicnewzealand.com www.watson.co.nz www.corporatemagic.co.nz www.magician.co.nz www.magicianz.com www.balloon-twister.co.nz