* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd NZ
* www.magicnewzealand.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #1078
Date: Sunday 2nd March 2014
Editor: Alan Watson
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================

1. Editor's Message
2. Stevens Magic Emporium Announces Two Awards
3. Celebration of Life Fundraising Page for Aldo Colombini
4. Magician Accused of Swindling Other Magicians Out Of Money
5. New Neal Scryer Book
6. Remarkable Magic #340 - Nick Lewin
7. Lack of Reaction #331 - Kyle Peron
8. Magic - Art, Craft or Neither - Part 1
9. Updates So Far This Week on VanishLive.com
10. 2014 March Magic Castle Schedule
11. Las Vegas Magic - March 2014
12. SAM Presidential Citation to Mandy Davis
13. 2014 Mind Summit Convention Update
14. The 2014 Lance Burton Young Magicians Seminar
15. Sol Stone Named "2014 Magician of the Year"
16. New Documentary About Silvan
17. An Ancient 'Indian' Rope Trick' Explained
18. PUPPETCOrN - Iowa's largest Puppet Convention
19. Update on the 2014 British Ring Convention
20. Taped Interview with Walter Blaney
21. e-zine Archives
22. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice

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1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Magic New Zealand will not be published next week as my wife and I will be flying to Sydney, Australia to attend my daughter Larissa's wedding. Next issue will be published around the Sunday 9th March.

-----------------------------
Confirming all your messages that you sent to me regarding looking for a lecturer / performer as a headliner for the IBM Ring 160 Day of Magic on Sunday 26th October 2014 these have been forwarded onto the Committee.

------------------
For all those who would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in a
HTML format go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2014-Jan-to-Dec-2014/1078-Mar02-2014.html


Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line:
Editor@MagicNewZealand.com

--------------------------------------------
2. Stevens Magic Emporium Announces Two Awards
--------------------------------------------
Message by Mark Stevens (US)

After selling the rights to the Desert Magic Seminar, and realizing that the industry was changing Joe Stevens looked for a way for SME to stay active and relevant in the world of magic. In this new digital age, starting a new seminar was not feasible so Joe envisioned something that while not new - was true to his heart - creating an award that would recognize individuals in the industry that have made a positive impact in both Magic and Mentalism.

The Award for Mentalism is titled: The Annemann Award. The Award for Magic is titled: The Robert Houdin Award. We named the awards after two individuals of whose legacies are of the highest order.

The initial inductees for 2013-2014 Annemann Award are: Docc Hilford, Jon Stetson, Ted Karmilovich, Neal Scryer, Richard Webster and Jerome Finley.

The initial inductee for the 2014 Robert Houdin Award is Paul Romhany
(The Hardest Working Man in Magic).

Joe has always believed that recognition from one's peers is one of the highest honors imaginable, and when you look at any one of these recipients there is a lot of support and substantiation for their recognition. These are the visionaries who continue to shape, mold and drive the art we love. We hope that they will be pleased with this award and that it might serve as an incentive for them to continue to create and be inspirational.

The next awards are scheduled for 2015. The initial recipients are a larger pool being this idea has been in the works for a few years and only recently came to fruition. Future awards will also be more interactive allowing peer's to have a vote from a list of possible candidates.

"We are very excited about having an interactive award whereby magicians from all over the world can cast a vote." Mark Stevens - Stevens MagicEmporium

--------------------------------------------
3. Celebration Of Life Fundraising Page For Aldo Colombini
--------------------------------------------
Message by Rachel Colombini (US)

There is a Celebration of Life Fundraising page for medical expenses for Aldo.

The page is www.giveforward.com (then type in the name Colombini to find
the fundraiser) or the link is:
https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/7404/aldo-colombini-s-celebration-
of-life?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fb_share_stream.share&utm_campaign
=receipt_t1&og_action=hug&t=3&fb_ref=1904603

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4. Magician Accused Of Swindling Other Magicians Out Of Money
--------------------------------------------
Link to firm clip sent by William Bowers (US)

: iTeam investigation: Magician accused of swindling other magicians out of money | WHAS11.com Louisville

http://www.whas11.com/news/iTeam-investigation-Magician-accused-of- swindling-other-magicians-out-of-money-247151741.html


--------------------------------------------
5. New Neal Scryer Book
--------------------------------------------
Message by Richard Webster (New Zealand)

Strictly Scryer by Richard Webster contains a selection of Neal Scryer's favorite effects. All are simple to perform, yet have a powerful effect on the audience. The book includes, "The Twelve Roses," which could be a complete act on its own.

Scryer uses this for ladies' groups. "Crematory Journey" has a past-life theme and uses a method that you've known since you started in magic. "Sneaky Si Stebbins" is a beautiful effect that can be done with any set-up deck. Scryer includes a number of effects using the PATEO force. One of these, "Murder Mask," has the mentalist find a murderer, and "Anything Called Out" can be done for large groups, and involves up to fifty people. "The World's Greatest and Easiest Q&A" and "Hundred Dollar Bank Nite" are priceless effects in the hands of a good entertainer.

98 pages, 6x9, hardback, $99.00. Available from Stevens Magic Emporium
(www.stevensmagic.com) and www.deceptionary.com

--------------------------------------------
6. Remarkable Magic #340 - Nick Lewin
--------------------------------------------
Message by Nick Lewin (US)

Focus.

focus |?f?k?s|
noun (pl. focuses or foci |'fo?si, -?ki| )
1 the center of interest or activity
* an act of concentrating interest or activity on something
* Linguistics the part of a sentence given prominence, usually for emphasis or contrast
2 the state or quality of having or producing clear visual definition

verb (focuses, focusing, focused or focusses, focusing, focused
1 (focus on) pay particular attention to
* (with obj.) concentrate

Actually there were about three times as many words used in the dictionary description of the word focus. However I chose to edit them and focus the description to make my meaning clearer in the context that I am using it.

We usually think very hard, for rather a long time about what we want to express and display in our magic shows. It is easy to forget that most people have only one 'real time' chance to watch and understand what we are doing in our shows. To maximize their experience we need to help them as much as possible.

Sometimes we need to clear away some of the peripheral elements to enable our audiences to clearly follow what we are doing, and appreciate it more fully. Comedians are very careful to prune the words they use to achieve maximum impact. Unless it is a very specific facet of their style, one unnecessary word is one too many, because it distracts from the overall effect.

The much quoted and perfect example is Henny Youngman's classic joke, "Take my wife. Please." There is the ultimate four word joke, three short words to set it up followed by a one word punch line. It is impossible to make this joke any funnier by adding a word. It is already perfectly focused.

While this kind of discipline is vital to the spoken words in a show, it is also interesting to observe how important it is to the visual elements that form the true basis of a magic show. The strongest magic effects are the ones that can be summed up in a few words. These are the tricks that people remember because the effect can be distilled to the fewest words. "He sawed a woman in half!" "She pulled a rabbit out of a hat!" "He floated her in the air!"

None of these timeless examples described mention how the effect was achieved or the actions that achieved the results. Audiences don't remember the choreography that accompanied the 'sawing' illusion but only that the girl was dissected and restored. The audience is only truly aware of the magic that is the central focus of the effect.

On a less abstract and very practical level, I was fascinated to witness the way that legendary magician Ken Brooke discarded one of his strongest routines and replaced it with something much simpler in order to make the trick easier for his audience to appreciate.

Ken used to perform a wonderful version of Dai Vernon's 'Cups and Balls' but streamlined the effect by replacing it with the 'Chop Cup.' He did this because he was a great believer in paying close attention to his audience's Focal Point. He eliminated two cups, a bunch of small balls but still ended up with a double production at the finale of the trick.

Part of Ken's theory was that his audience members only had two eyes and could only focus on one thing at a time. He certainly had a point. The entire effect of a classic 'Cups and Balls' routine is retained but simplified to a lay audience. He felt, correctly in my opinion, that too much 'foreplay' with the cups and balls was confusing and less interesting to an audience of non-magicians than it was to other conjurers.

Ron Wilson took this approach to the effect a stage further and replaced the fancy metal cup with a paper cup, did two opening gambits and then produced the two final loads. If you were lucky enough to have seen Ron perform live, then you don't need to be told how unbelievably effective his manner of focusing attention on the central action in his show was. Focus. It is a really good thing to do.

My blog is at www.remarkablemagic.com
My web site/online store is www.nicklewin.com

--------------------------------------------
7. Lack of Reaction #331 - Kyle Peron
--------------------------------------------
Message by Kyle Peron (US)
magic4u02@aol.com
http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com
http://www.kpmagicproducts.com
http://www.Facebook.com/perondesign

Have you ever done a show that you have done many times before and for some reason it just doesn't feel right? Have you thought to yourself what is going on? I do not get this? Why is this not playing as it always does?

I think many of us have faced this form time to time and maybe even the thought process of what I stated above. We are used to our show and we are used to it playing a certain way and feed off the interaction and reactions from the audience. But for some reason, that one show, it just isn't the way it should be even though you feel you have done it all correct. No flub ups and no flaws.

So what is happening? What is it that might be the cause of this? What is it that may make you question your show and yourself?

Well for me I have often wondered about this and studied it a bit. Trying to understand the psychology behind why this happens. I have come down to the fact it is based on a lack of reactions or the proper reactions we feed off.

Any good entertainer feeds off a crowd. The more into they are, the more into you become. The more the laugh, the more confidence grows in you and the more you become alive and the better the show is. We all do it and we all crave it and I think we all need it.

So what is it that can cause a lack of reaction? I have tried to examine a bit of why a show might get a lack of reaction in different circumstances.

Weather: If you ever perform outside for any event, you know weather alone can cause reactions to vary. If it is hot or humid outside, people tend to react less. The sun may be in their eyes and the heat or humidity might make them drained. Likewise if it is cold people do and have suffered from cabin fever. Too much cold and bad weather can cause folks to not feel peppy or like themselves.

Audience Distance: Sometimes the distance from you to the audience can have a great impact on how an audience reacts. If the audience is too far away from you, trying to break down that wall or barrier becomes that much harder. If you bring them closer to you, it is much easier for them to feel a connection and then react and feed off of that.

Pauses: A lack of pause or proper pauses in a show can certainly create a lack of reaction. Many of us tend to speed up when we talk and go too quickly in our shows. We forget that we should add pauses scripted into the show. We should allow time for the audience to catch their breathe. If you are going too quickly along, you are not giving the audience any chance to react even if they wanted to.

Teaching: Many of us forget that an audience does need to be taught how to applaud and react and when to applaud and react. It sounds silly, but it is very true and I have tested this many times. Many folks simply do not know when to do it or when it is proper. That is why you can teach them with an applause cue that may even be as simple as a bow. Even certain simple stances suggest applause or reaction. Standing and having the hand come up and out as you slightly bow can even suggest time for the audience to do something.

The single best thing for this is the rule of 3. It was told to me from many mentors to simply pause at times and hold that pose for a 3 count. You say it in your head and you stay in that pose for 3 seconds before moving on. It forces you to slow down and allows the audience to react to what they are seeing.

Distractions: Many times at different venues there are distractions that can cause a lack of reaction. If you are at a Birthday party, any food or objects in a child's hand can cause a distraction and that simple distraction can be a domino effect for lack of reaction.

If you are at a larger venue and they cannot hear you due to too much noise or you not being properly mic'ed can certainly cause this lack of reaction due to distraction. If they cannot hear you, they tend to tune out and do so quickly.

There are certainly more, but I will leave it at this for now. It is my hopes that you sees these happen and that you can learn from each one. By knowing about them, one can work up ways to address each of them. When you do it is like instantly having a backup plan and that is always a step in the right direction of success.

As always I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to contact me at magic4u02@aol.com. I look forward to it.

--------------------------------------------
8. Magic - Art, Craft or Neither - Part 1
--------------------------------------------
Message by Anthony Darkstone USA/Europe

(An ongoing series with Special Guests)

At the beginning of this series, I mentioned that I would be including thoughts and musings from various guests who have kindly shared their perspectives. In recent months, due to personal commitments and a very busy travel schedule I have not been able to submit to my column on a regular basis. Nevertheless, I am back and to start things in a wonderful fashion I have some interesting comments from Paul Hallas. For the few who may need to know, Paul is a superb International Mentalist with a unique performing style.

I met Paul a while back when he asked me to contribute to `Mindful Mentalism II´ We had a lot of fun with that and I was honored to be included alongside several leading names. In the course of discussion a few months ago, I asked him his views on Magic - Art, Craft or Neither. I was pleasantly surprised when he came up with the following article. Although it doesn't specifically address the point, it makes a better one and it provides a wonderful perspective that very few are able to discuss without his benefit of empirical experience. Of necessity, I have divided his article into 3 sections.

FaceBook: Paul Hallas
http://www.paulhallas.com/

Here and There by Paul Hallas - Part 1

I would like to write something about the differences between working in England where I spent most of my life and in the USA where I've resided for the past nine years. Two countries divided by a common language someone once said. Are there really differences? Yes there are, but not so much difference, as say, experienced by Juliana Chen who moved from China to the USA. Juliana discusses how things were in China in her lecture and THAT is interesting. I feel blessed I didn't have to work in a different language, although some of my U.S. friends were perplexed by some of the words I used on one of my DVD's ("feeling peckish" for example).

I suppose the 'type' of act one does also makes a difference and so experiences for one are not typical for another. A silent manipulation act or big illusion show with more illusions and dance than spoken word can play worldwide with very little change if any, as anyone who has attended any major magic convention would verify. My experiences are with mentalism and close up magic/restaurant magic.

For the mentalist I feel there is no problem either, between the U.K and U.S.A. although if you include humor it might be worth checking your funny lines out. For close up, because of my accent I found I had to talk slower. I also found myself being more careful with humor as people seem to be more easily offended, and might mistake comment on a humorous situation as poking fun at them. Don't forget that this is the country that at one time was plagued by duelists for the slightest hint of poking fun at someone, it was considered a dishonor. Basically they don't make fun of each other down at the pub.

End of Part 1

--------------------------------------------
10. 2014 March Magic Castle Schedule
--------------------------------------------
Message by Jack Goldfinger
Director Of Entertainment
Academy of Magical Arts, Inc.

March 3-9th

Close-Up Gallery
Early-Early: Tim Issac
Early: Alba
Late: Armando Lucero

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Helder Guimaraes
Late: Jon Armstrong

Palace of Mystery
Tina Lenert
Mike Caveney
John Gaughan & Lady Mystina

Peller Theatre
J. Neal
Bob Dorian

W. C. Fields Bar
Nathan Gibson

Friday Luncheon - CUG
Armando Lucero

Saturday & Sunday Brunch - Kids Show
Howard Jay

Lecturer - Sunday 9th
Mike Caveney

March 10-16th

Close-Up Gallery
Early-early: Jason Tong
Early: George Millward
Late: Shimpei Kasturagawa

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Stan Gerson
Late: Jon Stetson

Palace of Mystery
Mark Haslam
Toshiko Inoh
Dan Sperry

Peller Theatre
Brent Arthur James Geris
Tony Clark

W. C. Fields Bar
David Gabbay

Friday Luncheon - CUG
Shimpei Kasturagawa


Saturday & Sunday Brunch - Kids Show
Dennis Forel

Lecturer - Sunday 16th
No Lecture - AMA Annual Membership Meeting Day

March 17-23rd

Close-Up Gallery
Early-Early: Jeff Bornstein
Early: Mark Matsumoto
Late: Danny Magic

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Shoot Ogawa
Late: Stoil Stoilov

Palace of Mystery
David Charvet
Bill Smith
Skilldini

Peller Theatre
Lou Serrano
Mark Furey

W. C. Fields Bar
Masahiro Yanagida

Friday Luncheon - CUG
Danny Magic

Saturday & Sunday Brunch - Kids Show
Greg Wilson

Lecturer - Sunday 23rd
David Charvet

March 24-30th
Close-Up Gallery
Early-Early: Woody Aragon
Early: Christian Cagigal
Late: Tim Shoesmith

Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Sebastian Walton
Late: Paul Draper

Palace of Mystery
Erix Logan and Sara Maya

Peller Theatre
Bill Chott
Dave Cox

W. C. Fields Bar
Terry Lunceford
Friday Luncheon - CUG
Tim Shoesmith

Saturday & Sunday Brunch - Kids Show
William Perron

Lecturer - Sunday 30th
Woody Aragon

Performers are subject to change due to circumstances and availability

--------------------------------------------
11. Las Vegas Magic - March 2014
--------------------------------------------
Message by David Neubauer - www.dnmagic.com

Criss Angel - MAGICjam Through March
7 pm (except Wed. & Thurs.) & 9:30 pm (Dark Sun. - Mon.) - Luxor.
Hosted by Criss Angel. Starring: Krystyn Lambert, Nathan Burton,
Banachek, Jason Byrne, Tony Clarke, Russ Merlin, Armando Vera.
luxor.com/entertainment/entertainment_believe.aspx

David Copperfield - An Intimate Evening of Grand Illusion
7 & 9:30 pm & also 4 pm Sat. - MGM Grand.
www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/david-copperfield.aspx

Gerry McCambridge - The Mentalist
7:30 pm (Dark Wed.) - Planet Hollywood.
www.vtheaterboxoffice.com/Vegas_Show_Tickets.cfm?showID=10005
2 for 1 Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/couponthementalist.html

Illusions - Jan Rouven
7 pm (Dark Wed.) - Starlite Theater - Riviera.
Through Feb. 24: Guest Star Spenser Horsman
www.illusionsvegas.com

Jeff McBride's Wonderground
3rd Thurs. each month 7:30 to midnight - The Olive (3850 E Sunset Dr.)
Non-stop Magic & Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

LaughterNoon - Adam London
4 pm, (Daily) - The D.
tickets.thed.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=7
Discount Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/couponlaughternoon.html

Mac King Comedy Magic Show
1 & 3 pm, (Dark Sun. & Mon.) - Harrah's.
www.harrahslasvegas.com/casinos/harrahs-las-vegas/casino-entertainment/mac-king-detail.html
Free tickets (buy 1 drink) usually available at the concierge desk or
handed out by showgirls.

Magical Mix - Christopher Karpiak
7-10 pm (Dark Tues. - Wed.) - Mix Lounge, Mandalay Bay.
www.mandalaybay.com/dining/mixlounge.aspx
Free to locals until 10 pm.

Mike Hammer Comedy Magic Show
7 pm (Dark Sun. & Mon.) - Four Queens.
tickets.fourqueens.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=35
$14.95 discounted tix + free drink:
www.vegas4locals.com/couponmikehammercomedymagic.html

Murray - Celebrity Magician with Douglas "Lefty" Leferovich.
Guest Act: Chris Randall
4 pm - Laugh Factory at the Tropicana.
www.troplv.com/entertainment/events/murray-sawchuck
Two for One Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/couponmurray.html

Nathan Burton Comedy Magic Show
4 pm, (Dark Mon.) - Saxe Theater - Planet Hollywood.
Current Guest Star: Russ Merlin.
Armando Vera's Up-Close "VIP Experience" is performed pre-show @ 3:00 pm
www.nathanburton.com/Tickets.php
$40 Off: www.vegas4locals.com/couponnathanburtoncomedymagic.html

Penn & Teller
9 pm, (Dark Thurs. - Fri.) - Rio.
www.riolasvegas.com/casinos/rio/casino-entertainment/penn--teller-detail.html

Tommy Wind - A Unique Magic and Music Experience
7:00 pm. (Dark Tues.-Wed.) - The Tommy Wind Theater
(Vegas Blvd between the MGM and Planet Hollywood).
www.tommywindmagic.com/vegas-magic-show-2013/

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/las-vegas-entertainment/crazy-girls/

Haunted Vegas Show and Tour - Jac Hayden, Robert Allen.
9:30 pm, picks up at the Royal Resort.
www.hauntedvegastours.com

Sapphire Las Vegas Comedy Hour
Comedians, Burlesque, Magicians, Variety Acts
Magicians: Mondre with guests: Chris Randall
8 pm, (Dark Sun.- Thurs,) - Sapphire Gentleman's Club, 3025 Industrial Rd.
www.sapphirelasvegas.com/las_vegas_vip_services/sapphire_comedy_hour

V The Ultimate Variety Show
Featuring Melinda - First Lady of Magic
7 & 8:30, V Theater, Planet Hollywood
www.vtheshow.com/home.htm
2 for 1 Tickets: www.vegas4locals.com/couponvtheultimatevarietyshow.html

Zombie Burlesque
Featuring Steve "Tiny" Daly as "Tiny Bubbles".
8:30, (Dark Sun.) - V Theater, Planet Hollywood
www.vtheaterboxoffice.com/Vegas_Show_Tickets.cfm?showID=10032

Vegas Public Close-Up Magic
Shimshi - Resident Magician - Wynn/Encore.
Ben Seidman - Resident Magician - Mandalay Bay.
Cameron Shadow - Resident Magician - Pure Nightclub, Caesars Palace.
Craig Keith performs bar magic, various times - Dick's Last Resort, Excalibur.
JungleJosh - House Magician - Señor Frogs at Treasure Island (Dark
Mon.), 5 pm to 1 am. Table-hopping and Comedy Magic on the stages. No Cover, No Min.
Smoothini - Wed. to Sun. 8 pm-10:30 at Hard Rock Café (2nd Floor Bar);
11 pm to 2 am at Zingers, 3743 Las Vegas Blvd. and after 2 am at New York New York's Pour 24.

Jamie Porter's Radio Side Show Sat @ 5 am, KLAV FM 1230.

Las Vegas Magic Organizations|
Fantasma I.B.M. Ring 257, 7 pm - 8:45, 1st Monday each month at Denny & Lee's Magic Shop, 5115 Dean Martin Dr. #102. Free Children's Classes at 5:45. No meeting if the 1st Monday is a major Holiday. ($24 a year to be a member). Current President and contact: John McClenahan, doctormagiclv@embarqmail.com or 702-395-3856. www.ibm257.com
Darwin's Magic Club 9 pm each Wed. at Boomers, 3200 Sirius Ave.

Upcoming Special Events
February, 2014
Feb. 20: Jeff McBride's Wonderground 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive
(3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

Feb. 26: Fantasma I.B.M. Ring 257 presents a lecture by Marc Salem. 7
pm. Denny and Lee Magic Studio, 5115 Dean Martin Dr. #102, Non Fantasma Ring members $20. Members free, Children free with paid adult.
www.ibm257.com

Feb. 27-Mar. 2: Medicine and Magic CME Seminar presented by McBride's
Magic & Mystery School. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, Larry Hass and special guest Ricardo Rosencranz.
www.magicalwisdom.com

March, 2014
Mar. 3: Fantasma I.B.M. Ring 257 presents a lecture by Dan Sperry. 7 pm.
Denny and Lee Magic Studio, 5115 Dean Martin Dr. #102, Non Fantasma Ring members $20. Members free, Children free with paid adult.
www.ibm257.com

Mar. 12-13: Introduction to the Art of Magic presented by McBride's
Magic & Mystery School. Jeff McBride.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Mar. 14-16: Magic for Speakers and Presenters presented by McBride's
Magic & Mystery School. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and the full faculty.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Mar. 17-19: 3-Day Master Class presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery
School. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and the full faculty.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Mar. 20: Jeff McBride's Wonderground 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive
(3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new
show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

APRIL, 2014
Apr. 15: Fantasma I.B.M. Ring 257 presents a lecture by Joshua Jay. 7pm. Denny and Lee Magic Studio, 5115 Dean Martin Dr. #102, Non Fantasma Ring members $20. Members free, Children free with paid adult.
www.ibm257.com

April 17: Jeff McBride's Wonderground 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive
(3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

May, 2014
May 5: Fantasma I.B.M. Ring 257 presents a lecture by Kevin James. 7 pm.
Denny and Lee Magic Studio, 5115 Dean Martin Dr. #102, Non Fantasma Ring members $20. Members free, Children free with paid adult.
www.ibm257.com

May 15: Jeff McBride's Wonderground 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive
(3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new
show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

June, 2014
June 19: Jeff McBride's Wonderground 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive
(3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new
show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

June. 20-22: 3-Day Master Class presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery
School. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and the full faculty.
www.magicalwisdom.com

July, 2014
July 17: Jeff McBride's Wonderground 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive
(3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new
show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

August, 2014
Aug. 17-23: 7-Day Master Class presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery
School. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and the full faculty.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Aug. 21: Jeff McBride's Wonderground 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive
(3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new
show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

September, 2014
Sept. 16-23: Career Enhancement Seminar presented by McBride's Magic &
Mystery School. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and the full faculty.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Sept. 18: Jeff McBride's Wonderground 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive
(3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

October, 2014
Oct. 4-5: Focus on Street Magic presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery
School. Jeff McBride, and special guest Mario Morris.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Oct. 9-11: Master Class for Mentalism presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and special guest Ross Johnson.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Oct. 15-18: Magic and Meaning 2014 presented by McBride's Magic & Mystery School. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger and the full faculty with special guest Kenton Knepper.
www.magicalwisdom.com

Oct. 16: Jeff McBride's Wonderground 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive
(3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new
show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

November, 2014
Nov. 20: Jeff McBride's Wonderground 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive
(3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

December, 2014
Dec. 18: Jeff McBride's Wonderground 7:30 pm to midnight - The Olive
(3850 E Sunset Dr.) Non-stop Magic and Variety Performance Art. A new
show each month. $10 cover.
www.vegaswonderground.com watch live: www.McBrideMagic.com

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12. SAM Presidential Citation To Mandy Davis
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Message by Mandy Davis MIMC (UK)

The President of The Society of American Magicians, Dal Sanders, stopped by The Magic Circle on his way home after Blackpool and invited magician Mandy Davis MIMC to the stage before the club's weekly event. He told the gathered audience:

'One of the great privileges of being The President of The Society of American Magicians is to recognize deserving colleagues and to award them with a Presidential Citation. Mandy Davis certainly deserves recognition. She is the S.A.M. International Deputy for the United Kingdom, Liaison to The Magic Circle and a National Council Member. She has also helped out our Society of Young Magicians by working with the kids on their W.O.W. Weekend (Weekend of Wonder). I thank Mandy for all of the great work she does and congratulate her for receiving this Presidential Citation...the highest award offered by the S.A.M.'

Mandy was totally surprised and amazed by this and is very proud to have been honoured in this way.

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13. 2014 Mind Summit Convention Update
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Message by Danny Archer (US)

(More info can be found at www.mind-summit.net)

Richard Osterlind Master Class Announced!

Richard Osterlind has been a professional mentalist for over 40 years. He has worked in every conceivable performing situation. This workshop will be devoted to in depth teaching of some of Richard's top effects with an emphasis as to why they work and are so appealing to discriminating audiences. Some of the topic's covered will be:

* Richard's newest thoughts on the use of billets in mentalism including the center tear and billet switching. This contains new thoughts on Annemann, Reese, etc.

* A hands-on discussion of the use of the swami gimmick both for close-up and stage

* Metal bending including spoon bending, key bending and coin bending. No one does this better than Richard!

* The use of playing cards in mentalism including the Breakthrough Card System and other Osterlind creations.

* An in depth look at the Q&A act

* The art of contact mind reading

* Hypnosis

* Cold Reading

There will be great emphasis placed on professional attitude and what is necessary to leave a lasting impression. All subjects will be "hands on" and no one is too experienced or inexperienced to learn! All necessary materials will be supplied to the group. Included in this presentation, every attendee will receive a copy of The Perfected Center Tear and the Breakthrough Card System. ($60 value)

Richard is also in the process of writing a new book (as yet untitled) outlining his experience and advice in this field. A free copy will be given to every attendee.

This is your golden opportunity to see attend a workshop by a world professional and learn what he has over the course of 45 years!

================================
Looch added to 2014 Mind Summit Line-up!

Simply put, Looch is one of the busiest and most respected Mentalists in the UK. He has performed for Celebrity's, Sports Stars and Politicians at a vast array of Corporate and Private events all over the country. Recently endorsed by Dragons Den star Theo Paphitis, Looch continues to inspire his audiences with his innovative and real performances.

Having been invited to lecture all over the world (GEM, BSME, The Magic Circle & Penguin LIVE) Looch is respected for his Simple & Direct approach to Mentalism. He has released a wide range of creative products, including the L.P.I (Looch Pocket Index) and the AREA Book Test. Looch has introduced several new principles to the art, and continues to inspire his peers all over the world.

Praise:

"Looch has one of the most creative minds in the new generation of mentalists who have taken the art into the 21st Century. I like the way he thinks, as proven by the fact that I regularly use his creations in my own repertoire." - Bob Cassidy

"Looch is one of the best creative forces in the field of mentalism. All of his ideas are clever, innovative and above all practical" - Marc Paul

"Looch has that special sort of mind that can devise sly, ingenious routines that will fool even the wise ones. He lays his traps with care, and knows how to be one step ahead of even the sharpest spectator. If you like your mentalism to be practical yet deliciously baffling, he's your man." - Ian Rowland


"I love Looch! His material is practical, any place, any time. Solid tried and tested miracles that leave your audience with their brain spilling out of their head. My advice? Grab anything with his name on it, I predict it just might be the best products you get your hands on".
- Pete Turner

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14. The 2014 Lance Burton Young Magicians Seminar
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Message by Becki Wells (US)

Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger And Guests Present The 2014 Lance Burton Young Magicians Seminar

Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger will be facilitating the Lance Burton Young Magicians Seminar at the 2014 Combined Convention in St. Louis, MO on June 29-30. Jeff and Eugene have been facilitating Lance Burton's young magician's events since its inception in 2003. Along with Jeff and Eugene we are expecting participation from Kenrick "Ice" McDonald, David Oliver, Dr. Larry Hass, Kayla Drescher, Bryce Kuhlman and other surprise guests. If you haven't registered yet - don't wait any longer - register today!

To register go to http://ibmsam.com/registration/ TODAY! See you in St. Louis, where it is All About the Magic.

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15. Sol Stone Named "2014 Magician Of The Year"
--------------------------------------------
Message by George Schindler (US)

The Parent Assembly #1 of The Society of American Magicians voted New York's "Underground" magician Sol Stone their "Magician of the Year." For more than 50 years Mr. Stone has been referred to as the "Magician's Magician." While not a professional performer, Sol Stone has been teaching and developing the secrets behind the scenes. His specialty in "coin" magic sets him apart from the average.

Presentation will be made on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at the 105th ANNUAL Salute To Magic at Queens Theater in the Park * - 14 United Nations Avenue South in Flushing Meadows , Corona Park NY.

Tickets $ 45.00 plus $ 2 fee- Phone 718-760-0064 or
http://queenstheatre.org/buy-tickets

This year's Salute to Magic not only maintains the world record as the "Longest Running Annual Magic Show in History" but commemorates the 50th and 75th anniversaries of the '64 and '39 World's Fairs. The Society of American Magicians played vital roles in both fairs.

Jeff McBride will headline this show with emcee Jay Scott Berry. Other acts will be announced shortly.

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16. New Documentary About Silvan
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Message by William Bowers

I loved this 15-minute documentary about the Italian magician Silvan. He is very charismatic as he tells his story. His room is filled with beautiful magic memorabilia. (Is that Minecraft music playing in the background?)

http://boingboing.net/2014/02/24/new-documentary-about-silvan.html

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17. An Ancient 'Indian' Rope Trick' Explained
--------------------------------------------
Message by Jamie Bentley

Jim McKeague of Queensland, Australia, has found two English translations of a performance of an 'Indian' Rope Trick, seen in Batavia (Java) between 1660 and 1677. (One old, another modern) Last year he had another translation made of the ancient Dutch description, at his own expense. This classic version was seen by an Englishman with the Dutch East India Company (VOC) when in Indonesia. (With major turn-round ports for the VOC retourschippes). It was performed by a troupe of travelling Chinese magicians, jugglers and acrobats. His book was published in ancient Dutch in 1681. (With an illustration of other props familiar to
all magicians.) In much later centuries it got the present name when British travelers claimed they saw it in India, but it passed into myth and legend as the Indian Rope Trick.

Jim analyses each of the earliest translations, and also the latest translation by South African-born, Linda Klok, (now living in New Zealand) and allows him to explain how the classic version - recounted by the various later travelers - was most likely performed. Many magicians will probably agree that Jim's given us the best explanation yet of the myths and legends of the Indian Rope Trick handed on to us. His WEB site can be found on:
http://theindianropetrick.com/translating-melton

--------------------------------------------
18. PUPPETCOrN - Iowa's largest Puppet Convention
--------------------------------------------
Message by Steve Daly

PUPPETCOrN - Iowa's largest Puppet Convention! May 15 - 17, 2014 - Des Moines, Iowa

Three days of workshops, contests, lectures, shows, slams, Huge Dealers Room, free Pizza & Pop Party, Flea Market, Raffles, Free gifts, Spectacular Gala Show, and so much more! All for LESS than $45 a day!

Add $25 to your registration and get "The Convention Hopper Pass" - which allows you to also attend Iowa's LARGEST Magic Convention held at the same time in the same resort hotel!

AbraCORNdabra ~ Iowa's largest magic convention ~ May 16 - 18, 2014 - Des Moines, Iowa.

Lectures, Flea Market, Silent Auction, Raffles, Shows, Unique Events, Magimasters 2014 Seniors Magic Tournament (for magi aged 50 or older only!), Spectacular Gala Show, Close-up Shows, And so much more!

Register for one convention or the other convention for just $125 (Through March 15th, 2014) and add $25 to your Registration Form to get "The Convention Hopper Pass" allowing you to pick and choose which event, lecture, show, etc. you want to attend over the four days!!! That's less than $40 a DAY!!!!

ALL conventions are limited to only 200 attendees - allowing everyone plenty of room and one-on-one time with the Magic & Puppet Super Stars! Who will be at AbraCORNdabra and PUPPETCOrN? Check out the websites to see!

www.AbraCORNdabra.com

www.PUPPETCOrN.com

Reserve YOUR spot today!

Special For Magic New Zealand Ezine Readers Only!

Register for AbraCORNdabra or PUPPETCOrN for the $125 price - good until
April 15th! Add the Hopper Pass for an additional $25!

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19. Update On The 2014 British Ring Convention
--------------------------------------------
Message by Geoffrey Newton PRO

The IBM British Ring is delighted to announce that Shawn Farquhar will be attending the Bournemouth Convention (24th - 28th September) in his capacity as International President, appearing in the International Close Up Gala and also presenting his new lecture. Two other lecturers will be Scott Penrose with his "Making Magic Magical" and Ian Barradell with "Tenyo Magic". This makes a fine start to the lecture line up. The Gala of Youth to date this year will feature The Amazing Morgan, Magic Nick, Elizabeth Rogan and Sebastian Walton.

Please keep in touch with us for further announcements as they come available. Convention details are on www.magicconvention.co.uk where you can also register on line. The lovely seaside town of Bournemouth awaits your company for a great few days of magic so why not come along and enjoy it.

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20. Taped Interview With Walter Blaney
--------------------------------------------
Message by Scott Wells, A.I.M.C. with Silver Star

I came across a taped interview with Walter Blaney that I recorded in 1996. We talked about the development of his Ladder Levitation, his hoop and several anecdotes along his rather circuitous path.

At last year's I.B.M. convention In Phoenix, Walter shared a very funny (and risqué) story that involved David Hoy in 1965. It was perhaps the first incident of a magician being "punked" on the "radio". I also found the original recording of that "broadcast" that I know you will enjoy, too.

Hear it all plus see some photos and a video at:
http://themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/walter-blaney-david-hoy

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21. 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)

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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.magicnewzealand.com

Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday.

The opinions and statements 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 or statements contained 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 2013 Alan Watson
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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 © 2014 Alan Watson.


Magic New Zealand® E-zine