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* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New Zealand)
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Issue Number: #1375
Date: Sunday 30th April 2017
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
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Hi here is the latest news
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1. Editor's Message
2. Happy 103rd Birthday Moi-Yo Miller - Dante's Assistant
3. IBM/SAM Youth Seminars
4. The Magic Secret! Adding Texture and Dynamics To Your Show
5. Robin Leach On The Magic Word Podcast
6. Scripts And Patter - #444 - Kyle Peron
7. The Exciting New KIDshow Voices At KIDabra
8. European Magic History Conference 2017
9. The Davenport Collection Website
10. Update - New Zealand Magic Convention - Wellington
11. e-zine Archives
12. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice

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1. Editor's Message
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If you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in a HTML format go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2017-Jan-to-Dec-2017/1375-Apr30-2017.html

If you would like to write a regular column for Magic New Zealand or have some magic news drop me a line:
Editor@MagicNewZealand.com

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2. Happy 103rd Birthday Moi-Yo Miller - Dante's Assistant
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Message by Bill Bowers (USA)

To one of the world's most beautiful women, star of the golden age of magic, and as a principal assistant to the stage magician Dante, we wish Moi-Yo a very Happy 103rd Birthday!!!

In 1981, Moi-Yo Miller was honored by the Magic Castle with a Special Fellowship Award and is also a recipient of the DRAGON Award.

Before returning to live in her homeland, Australia, she was invited by Jim Steinmeyer and Johnny Gaughan to attend 1997 History Conference and in her talk, she mentioned that during her years touring with Dante's "Sim-Sala-Bim" magic show she estimated being sawed-in-half 11,800 times!!!

Happy 103rd Birthday to a wonderful magical lady!!

Bill Bowers

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3. IBM/SAM Youth Seminars
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Message by George Schindler (US)

Our youth are the future of magic and the IBM/SAM Youth Seminars at our convention are designed to be the best magic experience for attending young magicians. Special events beginning on Monday July 10 and Tuesday July 11 have been arranged for young magicians ages 7- 19 with super star honorees Lance Burton and Mac King and a host of magic dignitaries offering their expertise in many categories of our art.

These are tailored to educate and excite the young people in attendance.

The Tuesday evening Red Carpet Event showing of the "Billy Topit" movie will be available free to all registrants.

For a preview of the special seminars and the celebrity presenters see the link at https://www.ibmsam2017.com/youth

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4. The Magic Secret! Adding Texture and Dynamics To Your Show
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Message by Nick Lewin (US)
www.lewinenterprises.com

Part Two

One common fault when watching comedy magicians, who haven't had a chance to perform enough to perfect their craft, is that the pacing and general tone of their act does not vary enough. It is not uncommon to see a performer find a pitch and pacing for an effect and then repeat it for every trick in their show. It is just as common to see a show where every trick runs about the same length. This kind of thing certainly achieves a kind of consistency but really can make for an uneventful show lacking in true theatrical impact.

While consistency in your performing persona is a sign of assurance it is just plain boring to be repetitive in what you do with your material. I have seen performers present several routines in a row that require bringing assistants onstage - this becomes a crutch. A little re-thinking and adjusting the running order might make the show a lot more interesting and less formulaic. Maybe for one of those effects that requires bringing assistants onstage the performer could go into the audience and perform a trick front of house. Breaking the fourth wall in this manner would be a surefire way to add texture and variety to the show.

In a well-balanced show you need to add texture and dynamics to paint a truly vibrant picture. Some effects need to be longer and some shorter in order to keep the mix interesting. Not every effect can be "killer;" you need to manipulate your running order to maximize the effect of each item. In a fancy dinner, they often serve a sorbet between main courses to cleanse and refresh the taste buds and you can do the same in your show. Variety is the spice of life, and this applies especially well to a variety act! Look at the tone and approach of each effect and make sure you are not falling into the trap of being repetitive in tone or content. Shaking things up visually, verbally and mentally quite simply make you a better and stronger performer. If you talk a great deal in your show it could benefit you greatly to perform an effect that is silent or backed just by music. If you perform wacky comedy then perhaps one more serious effect can create a contrast that will heighten the impact of the lighter material.

This concept of texture and dynamics is a somewhat more abstract idea than is generally discussed in articles on comedy magic, however, in my opinion it is a vital one to consider. There is a great deal of emphasis placed in magical theory on Robert-Houdin's quote, "A magician is an actor playing the part of a magician." While valid on a certain level I feel this statement needs very careful re-examining. I think it has lost something in the translation, and often seems to lead to an element of self-importance and preciousness entering into a performance.

It is more important to be a good magician with a strong act than a half assed actor. Let's balance Robert-Houdin's quote with a little Shakespeare; "The play is the thing!" It is no good working at being an actor unless you have a worthwhile vehicle to act in. Focusing on texture and dynamics is a splendid way to turn an act into a genuine performance and before you know it you end up with an arc and a subtle storyline to improve your show.

Check out my online store of really great comedy magic items and routines at
www.lewinenterprises.com

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5. Robin Leach On The Magic Word Podcast
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Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star (US)

Robin Leach, host of the long running "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" television show has been a Las Vegas resident for many years. He has seen the evolution of magic in "Sin City" and become friends of many of the "big time" magicians. In this week's podcast, we continue our Las Vegas Chronicles and talks with Robin about his love for magic (do you know that he even has a rather extensive library of magic?) and many of his "magic idols" like Bill Malone and Ricky Jay.

You can see some photos, read the blog, enter the new contest, listen to the podcast, and download the MP3 files at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/354-robin-leach Of course you can listen through iTunes, Stitcher, Tunein, and many other popular podcatchers.

Congratulations to the winners of last week's contest for a copy of "Nick Trost's Subtle Card Creations Volume 4" (compliments of H&R Magic Books): Tony Baronio and Wayne Taylor. Be sure to visit the blog today to enter the new contest for a chance to win one of two copies of Volume 5.

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6. Scripts And Patter - #444 - Kyle Peron
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Message by Kyle Peron (US)
magic4u02@aol.com
http://www.facebook.com/perondesign
http://www.kpmagicproducts.com

Often as magicians we can fall into the bad habit of rehearsing and scripting our routines so much that every little thing we say and do is planned in advance. Now some may say this is what a professional does. Some may state that this ensures a proper routine or act every time out. These may very well be true statements. However, there also runs the risk of you becoming so fixed on the script that you miss golden opportunities or become extremely stale.

When I state about missing opportunities, I am talking about the ability to improv off of situations that happen in every single performance. No audience is ever the same and certainly no helper ever reacts the same way. There are golden opportunities to go "off script" when moments present themselves. We have to see these moments and go with them. By doing so, it shows the audience how versatile you are. It also adds a level of personal fun to the entertainment experience. It is you customizing the script to the situation at hand.

Often times these improv moments can and often do get great reactions. When they happen this way, it is a wonderful opportunity to make that a part of the new script. To me a script for any routine is never done or set in stone. It is always evolving and I am always open to the opportunity to make it better. If something happened at a show that got a great reaction, I will seek to add that into my script going forward.

Having too rigid of a script can also lead to a stale performance. What tends to happen is that we get so used to the moves and the patter that we tend to end up in this "auto-pilot" mode. Things happen and are stated but they lack any substance. There is no pizzazz to what we are doing or saying simply because we are so used to doing the same thing the same way every time.

Audiences are not stupid and we should never lose our respect for them. An audience can sense when you are simply "dialing it in". If you are not in the now, they will know and they will let you know by their lack of response or interaction with you. We must always remember that every time out there, our script needs to come across as fresh as the very first time we created it.

So what one can do is to create a script that is more of an outline approach. It is like writing an essay or term paper. In order to get your thoughts in line, you often will write an outline first. This becomes your "roadmap" that guides you through the writing of the paper.

As magicians, we can take this outline approach to the scripting we create. Instead of trying to recite and recall every single word and every move to what we do, we can instead create an outline of the important key spots. These key spots are what is essential to the audience understanding and enjoying the routine. As a magician, it allows us to simply know where we need to be at a certain time.

However, this also gives one the amazing flexibility to be a bit more open and relaxed in the script. It is not so rigid any longer. The patter and the moves can change and adapt as long as you know where you need to go. In a way it is like a map. As long as you know what your key stops are, you can get to these stops in numerous ways. They may not always be the same route. This allows one to be a bit more fresh each time out.

Sometimes the road less travels can be quite a fun journey for not only your audience, but for you as well.

As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your thoughts. 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.

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7. The Exciting New KIDshow Voices At KIDabra
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Message by Mark Daniel (US)

Three of the hottest New Names in KIDshows are Christopher T. Magician, LA, Mario the Magician, NY, and Scott Green, from Chicago. You'll find all 3 at KIDabra this year!

"Just for Fun" is the brand new book from Christopher T. which is winning World Wide Raves! At KIDabra, the very creative Chris presents a brand new lecture for us called "A Show for All Seasons."

Mario makes his first appearance with us lecturing and performing. He has a unique approach: part retro, a little Steampunk, a little Street, and beautifully intertwined in the Maker movement that simultaneously embraces technology and tradition. He is garnering praise for his work and TV appearances at the highest levels and you'll be beyond inspired by him for your own work!

Scott Green is a busy KIDshow Magician, and Game Show enthusiast in The Windy City. Scott is a brilliant writer, and creator whose fresh thinking breaths life into old props, just for you! All three build on the foundations of the powerhouse creatives around them, as they propel the art-form of entertaining kids and families forward!

This Wonderful Trilogy of New KIDshow Voices converges in one place this Summer!
You're Invited to Spend Quality Time at KIDabra with Christopher T. Magician, Mario the Magician, Scott Green, plus Jay Johnson, Ken Scott, Niels Duinker, Barry Mitchell, Hiawatha, Max Howard, Gary Shelton, Carisa, Chris Weed, Jim Kleefeld, Hiawatha, Jeff Wawrzaszek, Dave Risley, John Bobik, Tate Elliott, your hosts Mark and Tami Daniel and a Host of Extraordinary People at The Amazing KIDabra!

KIDabra Conference is August 7-10, (The dates also allow folks to travel from Abbotts or to Magic Live) in one of the World's Top Family Entertainment destinations: Pigeon Forge, home of Dollywood, Terry Evanswood, Barry Mitchell, and Darren Romeo. A popular show/tourist area, Pigeon Forge/Sevierville, Gatlinburg, and The Great Smoky Mountain National Park, are a family performers study arena whose "magic" settles on you like a warm comforter.

KIDabra is The Global Epicenter for KIDshow and Family Performers! It is the go to gathering place, and resource center for the KIDshow and Family entertainment world. Performers arrive from all over the world to share in this important week of the KIDshow community and industry! Make your plans to join us today!
We are never complete until you're there!

Register Here http://www.kidabra.org/register-kidabra-tn-b
Schedule http://www.kidabra.org/2017-schedule
Hotel/Travel http://www.kidabra.org/hoteltravel
Full info www.kidabra.org

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8. European Magic History Conference 2017
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7th European Magic History Conference, Torino, Italy, 24-26 August 2017

We are pleased to announce the first Guest of Honour at EMHC: Arturo Brachetti, the world's greatest quick change Artist will be honoured at EMHC and will give an exclusive talk about the history of the art of Quick Change, from Fregoli to the modern scene.

Brachetti started to perform magic and quick change professionally in 1978, touring all Europe (France, UK, Germany) and quickly became a major international star. With a long career in theatre, as a performer and a director, Brachetti still tours his own brand of magic and quick change, attracting thousands of spectators to his shows: his production The Man with a Thousand Faces was presented more than 1000 times and sold more than 1.5 million tickets.

EMHC will be a unique occasion to learn about the history of quick change from somebody who has been doing it professionally at the highest possible levels for a lifetime! Don't miss this opportunity and Register Now!

More Speakers

Two more speakers have been added to this event, two historians who will present the results of their research and expand our knowledge of the history of magic.

It is with great pleasure that I welcome to the European Magic History Conference two German magic historians:

Dr. Steffen Taut from Dresden, Germany, is a professional researcher and has carried out scholarly research on the art of magic, from antiquity to more modern times. For EMHC, Dr. Taut will present a new, exclusive talk on "Deception and Tricks in Ancient Religion and Belief Systems", that will reveal hitherto unknown facts on the history of magic.

Wittus Witt is the publisher of the longest-running German magic magazine, Magische Welt. Wittus is a well-known and highly respected magic historian, and organized one of the recent editions of EMHC. In Torino, Wittus will present his latest research on Fredo Marvelli, in a long-awaited second lecture on this influential European magician.

Don't miss the opportunity to listen to these exclusive talks (and many more) and Register Here.

Magic Shows

Magic is a performing art and we cannot miss the opportunity to show you some. A slight re-arrangement of the program is allowing us to host not two, but three different magic shows, one each evening.

In the next newsletter we will give you more information, but just to tease you we will have:
Thursday night: Italian Close-Up Magic Gala with some of the best Italian close-up magicians, well-known stars and multiple prize winners.

Friday night: Pinetti Unmasked, a full-evening show about the life and magic of Giuseppe Pinetti by a star of Spanish television.

Saturday night: Caffè Concerto Magico, or "Magic Music Hall", a stage magic gala modelled on the "Café Chantant" or "Music Hall" from the end of the 19th century, with some great acts that will take us from old continental performers to the magic of the future.

The names of the performers will be announced in the next newsletters and on the website. All these shows are included in the registration price, still only €250. Don't miss some of the best magic of the year, seen live and Register Here.

Where to Register?

For more information about the Conference, an idea of what the programme will offer and other details, please visit
www.emhc2017.com

See you in Torino!

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9. The Davenport Collection Website
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Message by John Davenport (UK)

The Davenport Collection website - a growing resource on magic and entertainment history www.davenportcollection.co.uk

The Davenports have been accumulating magic, puzzles, jokes, novelties and related ephemera ever since Lewis Davenport founded his magic business in 1898. This website is the latest venture in making material from the collection more accessible. The website is curated by John Davenport. Phase 1 is now up and running, and includes 300 posters which are searchable for acts, dates, theatres and towns.

Another section of the website makes available specialist talks which, once given, are often lost. Already we have seven illustrated talks in PDF format:

* Roy Field - The first of 80 British Ring conventions, Cheltenham 1931
* Paul Freeman - Noms de Theatre - stage names for magicians
* Anne Goulden - Wyn Davenport's autograph albums
* Anne Goulden - Intermittently on the halls
* Peter Lane - Magicians' programmes
* David Price - Booksellers, collectors and rogues
* Fergus Roy - Will Goldston - the man and the legend.

We hope that other speakers will contribute their own illustrated talks - contact the curator via the website if you are interested.

Phase 2 will go live later this year with seven new sections, including magic, puzzles, catalogues, programmes and other paper ephemera. We are happy to exchange links with relevant magic or entertainment history websites.

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10. Update - New Zealand Magic Convention - Wellington
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Message by Nopera Whitley (New Zealand)

20- 23 October 2017

Taking place in Wellington, the Capital of New Zealand, join us for the 33rd International New Zealand Magic Convention.

Despite its somewhat impetuous weather Wellington is loaded with more bars, cafes and restaurants per capita than New York. You'll also find arts, festivals and cultural events to pull your attention and a booming film and performing arts industry thanks in large part to the success of Wellingtonian Sir Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings.

You can fly direct into Wellington from all New Zealand airports and most major Australian airports including Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Canberra and Brisbane.

There are less than 75 available registrations for the convention so avoid disappointment and register before it's too late!

Registration online at www.magicconvention.co.nz

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11. E- zine Archives
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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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12. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
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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 QSM 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 QSM, 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 2017 Alan Watson QSM
www.magicnewzealand.com
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www.watson.co.nz
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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 QSMvouch 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 QSM, 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 © 2017 Alan Watson QSM.


Magic New Zealand® E-zine