Magic New Zealand® E-zine

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* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New Zealand)
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Issue Number: #1403
Date: Sunday 1st October 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. The Doug Henning Project
3. The Magic Word Podcast - Armando Lucero
4. Paul A. Lelekis - How Do I Control My Spectators?
5. The Art of "Outward Thinking" - #463 - Kyle Peron
6. Catalog Now Online - Blackstone Magic Auction
7. Magic Week Proclaimed (Oct 25 thru to 31 2017)
8. Correction Devin Knight's Mentalism Show and Lecture
9. Paul Gertner Returns to Penn & Teller: Fool Us
10. Masters of Illusion - Friday, October 6, 2017
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-2017/1403-Oct01-2017.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. The Doug Henning Project
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Message by Peter Phillips (US)

Check out this interesting website devoted to the life and work of Doug Henning.

https://doughenningproject.com/

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3. The Magic Word Podcast - Armando Lucero
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Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.M. with Gold Star

This week we have a rare treat: a conversation with Armando Lucero. While performing at the Magic Castle this past June, I was working in the Close-up Gallery doing the early shows and Armando was performing in the late shows. During the week, we spoke quite often in the dressing room and became quite good friends. At first, Armando was a little reluctant to record anything but after a little coaxing, he joined me for some quiet time one afternoon behind the microphones. As he said at the end of our conversation, he usually does not like to do this sort of thing but he enjoyed our time and conversation.

Armando gives private lessons but is very selective about whom he chooses as students. This week, all of us are students of Armando Lucero as he shares his philosophy on entertainment and treating our art with the respect it deserves. There is much to learn from this gifted magician and I'm not talking about just his "mad skills" as a sleight-of-hand artist. Armando runs deep and he shares the tip of his iceberg in this exclusive conversation.

You can watch a video, see some candid photos, read the blog, hear some product reviews, listen to the podcast online and download the MP3 at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/386-armando-lucero

This week we also welcome Andrew Falk as our newest member of The Friends of The Magic Word. Thank you, Andrew, for your support and patronage. And thank you to everyone who tunes in to listen each week. Please consider how much you might be able to afford each month to help support our podcast.

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4. Paul A. Lelekis - How Do I Control My Spectators?
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Message by Paul Lelekis (US)

How Do I Control My Spectators?
(Part 1)
Paul A. Lelekis

When I speak of "control" I'm referring to not only "putting your spectators at ease" but also avoiding "problems" and passively discouraging poor spectator behavior. But this is being overly simplistic.

I think performers may tire of hearing, "…this is how you do 'so and so' but you will only learn from experience!"

Overall this is true, but there are things that a performer can do at the very beginning of his/her career that can make his/her learning experience (and performances) more professional.

People can "sense" apprehension" - but you can "fake" confidence enough to make yourself and your spectators feel comfortable. No matter how far-fetched your patter, you must stand behind the "claims" of your patter.

Be emphatic and dress your presentations up with colorful prose - or even use patter that may or may not be "above their heads".

I'd like to give an example. My friend, Jon Racherbaumer, will say or write things that sometimes, go right over my head. When you first meet, Jon, he appears to be a big, tough, intimidating biker - and he often dresses the part!

But when, Jon performs, you realize that he is a very intelligent, soft-spoken and educated man, and a gifted performer. He will draw you in with his "flowery prose" and imaginative scenarios!

Jon keeps total control of his spectators! I know this, because I've been one. In fact, I've seen a room of professional magicians entranced with his magic! Why? Because of his confidence, his ability to "draw" people into his "world" and his love of the art!

I have all kinds of patter that I use…and I know most of it seems ridiculous, but I know that spectators also know this! I never act sheepish or apprehensive around my spectators - always confident! They want to "escape" from reality!

You have to realize that your spectators are there to be "taken away" from reality - even if only for a very short time. True…this isn't always the case!

There are many exceptions, but you must remain firm! Do not try adjusting your patter or your persona for any reason! Always stay in character! Remember that no one can "throw you off of your game" - except for you!

I've learned many things over the years, and, don't get me wrong, I still encounter "hecklers" every now and then, however, not nearly as much as I used to.

Why? Again, because of my confidence and (here's another big secret!) my ability to avoid the wrong type of spectators! Yes! I do avoid certain people!

Avoiding certain people isn't always possible - but you can certainly reduce this number to its bare minimum.

Whenever I perform at a restaurant, I first "scout out" the spectators present. This lets them see me, but I avoid eye contact or acknowledgement of them. I have a countenance that implies that I have something important on my mind.

I am scoping out the room to find the children, to see whose drinking liquor, to see if the patrons are discussing something important, to find the tourists, and to find out which people are having a good time!

If you use these first few minutes to scope the room, you will be surprised how easily it is to see the "possible problems" and the "good" spectators! At the very least, try getting a basic "read" of the patrons.

See next week's Part 2 of
"How Do I Control My Spectators?"

Paul A. Lelekis

Note: Paul has written 45 e-books at Lybrary.com with some of the most insightful and provocative magic imaginable. Click on link below to check them all out!

http://lybrary.com/paul-a-lelekis-m-163788.html

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5. The Art of "Outward Thinking" - #463 - Kyle Peron
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Message by Kyle Peron (US)
magic4u02@aol.com
Kylekellymagic@gmail.com
KPmagicproducts.com

I wanted to share with you what I hope may be a series of articles all on the concept of creativity in magic. How can we become more creative with the magic that we do and how can we all learn to open our minds up to not only think creatively but allow ourselves to make it a habit? It is my intention in these articles to only provoke thought and if I can even get you thinking just a bit differently about how you do your magic, then I think that is only better for the magical arts.

I have created a term I that I often call "Outward Thinking". Now this term may not be new at all and I may not even be the first one to use it in context to the magical arts. But when I started thinking about writing this article, part of me started wondering what was the one biggest problem that hinders magicians from thinking and being more creative with their magic? What happens to us inside that prevents us from opening our minds to different ways of presenting our magic?

As I started to think more about it I realized that we come at our magic from the wrong direction. It sounds strange but allow me to indulge in this for a little bit. When we start to work on a magic routine or act we tend to start thinking in an "inward" fashion. What usually happens is that you find yourself looking at props and apparatus with the intention of somehow combining these in some way to create an interesting piece of magic. This happens a lot and I must admit I have done this to in the past. To me this is inward thinking. You are forcing yourself to start at a particular place by narrowing your creative options.

But what I learned was that this only tends to hinder our creative thinking instead of allowing us to think fresh. If I start with certain props and apparatus first am I not already limiting my creativity by forcing it down a certain path? I would say yes it does. If I truly want to be creative with my magic I should learn to expand my thoughts and ideas and not allow the apparatus or props to dictate what I am going to present to my audience. But how many of us go about creating magic in this fashion? If you are honest with yourself, probably a lot of you reading this article will admit that you tend to create in this exact manner.

But if we are not to inwardly think, then what is a different approach we can take? This is where the term "outward thinking' came to me. I think to start thinking creatively with your magic you need to not limit yourself or your ideas. To many of us fall in the realm of looking inwards towards magic for our ideas and creative concepts instead of looking outwards away from magic. When you constantly are looking inward at magic for ideas, then it already starts limiting your imagination. Instead of being and allowing yourself to be truly creative, you are forcing yourself to recreate what has already been done before. In a sense inward thinking leads to magic clones.

So what about outward thinking? How can we take this approach and apply it to magic and to the new way we can think about the magic we create? Well for starters when you are working on a new routine or act, withstand the urge to go immediately to your magic books and magic videos. Get away from your props and apparatus in your magic den. Get away from it all and allow yourself to think.

Instead of taking a prop and wondering what to do with it, go the opposite direction. Allow yourself to first come up with the entertainment idea first and build the routine or act around that. What I mean is creative thinking should not be limited by what props you own or what videos you have or any of that. True creativity has no boundaries. Imagine how creative your magic can be if you stop limiting yourself from the start.

If a magician is all about entertaining his or her audience, then let us start being creative by first teaching ourselves to think of the creative and entertainment idea first. Ask yourself what would you like to see on that stage? What would be entertaining to an audience? Is there a character on stage doing something? If so who is this character and what would he do? If you start to ask yourself these questions then you start thinking in an outward motion. You are coming at your magic from a totally different angle. You will find yourself starting with the entertainment value of the routine and then building the rest of the routine around that. To me this is a much more creative way of thinking about magic. It allows you to open your mind up and to know that what you work on from that point on has to reflect back on the initial entertainment idea.

I think starting with the entertainment concept of the act is a much better way to be creative then forcing yourself to figure out what to do with these 4 props you have in your drawer. You start opening your mind up and start creating interesting ideas.

A perfect example of this type of thinking is from a show I saw Topas do at the SAM National Convention a few years ago. I got a chance to talk with him briefly after his lecture and he really opened my eyes. Here is a magician whose entire show is made up of routines that are so different and so creative that they appear fresh and fascinating. His thinking does not derive from an inward motion. It derives from looking away from magic for ideas.

If you have ever seen his "Time in a Bottle" routine you will know what I am talking about. Now I cannot be 100% sure on this, but I can almost guarantee that the idea and creativity for the routine did not come from magic itself. Instead it came from an outward source. That source was a simply song he had heard. By hearing the song, this creative and entertainment idea comes into your head. In a way the song creates the entertainment and dictates what can be done with it. But now you have a creative idea that comes from an outward source and to me that is a much more powerful way to think about your magic. It makes it fresh and new and inspires us to think in different ways we may not have been ready to think before.

So I will leave you with these few thoughts. Next time you start working on a new routine or a new act, put away the magic books and lock the videos away in a drawer. Force yourself not to go to them. Instead put on music, take a walk in nature or watch a good movie. This is the essence of what I refer to as outward thinking. Allow outside sources to inspire you and your magic. I think if you do, you will be shocked at what creative ideas will come from it.

As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your thoughts. So if you have any thoughts on my articles or suggestions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me directly at kylekellymagic@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.

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6. Catalog Now Online - Blackstone Magic Auction
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Message by Potter & Potter Auctions

Blackstone Magic Auction

Catalog Now Online

Potter & Potter Auctions info@potterauctions.com

Our October 28th sale features nearly 500 lots of vintage magic memorabilia, including posters, props, costumes and more from the storied career of Harry Blackstone, Sr. Highlights of the auction include personal documents from Blackstone's own files and show, many unseen for nearly half-a-century.

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7. Magic Week Proclaimed (Oct 25 thru to 31 2017)
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Message by George Schindler

Magic Week Proclaimed October 25- October 31, 2017, Richard Bowman National President of the Society of American Magicians, proclaimed the week of October 25 to October 31 2017 as National Magic Week throughout the United States and Canada.

For more than forty years the Society has recognized the anniversary of the death of Harry Houdini with a special "week" of events to highlight the charitable work of the Society throughout the year. During the year the members of the Society donate performances for senior citizens in nursing homes, in VA Hospitals, for schools and libraries, and for children who cannot afford the luxury of live entertainment.

The free shows are part of service programs sponsored by the S.A.M. and follow the example set by Harry Houdini, a past National President of the Society. Magic Week is when the magicians celebrate this service. Public magic events and exhibits will be taking place all over the country.

Each year governors, mayors and other governing bodies throughout North America are requested to issue proclamations declaring the last week in October as National Magic Week, encouraging magicians to participate in the activities. Details www.magicam.com

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8. Correction Devin Knight's Mentalism Show and Lecture
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Show and Lecture moved to Wednesday October 4th.

Correction Devin Knight's Mentalism Show and Lecture moved to Oct 4 Wednesday.
It is Devin Knight's PA, NJ. Final Lecture + His Mentalism show-at The Houdini Museum.
This change is due to a conflict with a local magic club meeting.

October 4, 2017, Wednesday will be Devin Knight's only Pennsylvania or New Jersey and is his Final Lecture, plus as an added attraction, his Mentalism Show at The Houdini Museum, 1433 N. Main Ave, Scranton, PA.

The show is 7pm to 7:45pm, admission $10, and the public is welcome to attend.

His lecture begins at 8pm and will run till 10pm or later and will consist of totally different material than the show. $15, and for magicians only. The lecture will include at least 12 new effects he has never demonstrated or shown before. These are not dealer demos and all the material you will be able to put together yourself, with no expensive supplies.

Call the Houdini Museum at 570 342-5555 to reserve. Limited seating.

Several years ago when he appeared here the lecture was sold out.

Watch him unlock the secret mysteries of the mind. Will you be chosen? This will a special one time only show. This is the same act he does for major corporate events. $10. Doors open at 6:30, with free refreshments. This will be his corporate show, that he presents at major events to rave reviews. The general public is invited to attend this event.

A full time performer, Devin Knight is regarded as one of the arts most prolific inventors delving into the possibilities of the mind. He is also a highly sought after lecturer. Most of his creations are run-away best sellers and you'll get to experience several of his unique creations. In addition to over 50 marketed items, Devin is the author of three books on the subject.

Ticket holders will get a rare sneak peek at the wonderful Houdini Museum collection

The Houdini Museum is The Only Building in the World Dedicated to Houdini. Call 570 342-5555 for further information or to reserve. The Houdini Museum is located at 1433 N. Main Ave, in Scranton, PA. The Houdini Museum is a 501 C-3 non-profit Organization.

Devin Knight presents a lecture with all new and different material. This is billed as his Final Lecture Tour, and will never be repeated. It will not include material performed earlier. Admission for this separate event is $15. Many new and exciting effects from Devin will be featured with all new items in his lecture. Several tricks for kids, and this is NOT a dealer demo! Magicians attending will be able to make and perform all the effects taught at the lecture. This will be his only appearance in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Free refreshments will also be served.

Do not get closed out as we have limited seating. 570 342-5555

At least 12 new effects will be taught including 3 tricks that will also work for kids, 5 mentalism effects, an impossible bill in lemon, an over the radio trick, a double climax jigsaw puzzle effect, etc.

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9. Paul Gertner Returns to Penn & Teller: Fool Us
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Message by Paul Gertner

Here is a link to my second appearance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us.

The Cups and Steel Balls… with a twist

https://youtu.be/gx3spZi1FjM

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10. Masters of Illusion - Friday, October 6, 2017
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Message by Steve Moyer (US)

Encore episodes of Masters of Illusion season four hosted by Dean Cain to be presented on the CW Network on September 29, 2017 for two hours starting at 8/7C and on Friday, October 6, 2017 for one hour, starting at 8/7C

Hollywood, CA - Encore Episodes of Masters of Illusion Season Four, produced by Associated Television International and hosted by Dean Cain, will air on The CW Network for two hours on Friday, September 29, 2017 with four 30-minute episodes airing back to back starting 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central. Then on Friday, October 6, 2017, Encore Presentations of Masters of Illusion Season Four will air on The CW Network with two 30-minute episodes airing back to back starting at 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central.

Encore Episodes Airing on Friday, September 29, 2017 include:
"Masters of Illusion" - (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET)
"Manipulation, Transformation and Two" (TV-PG) (HDTV)
Magicians featured in this episode include: Barry and Stuart (Cowboy Impalement), Eric Jones (Card Memory Manipulation), Murray SawChuck (Egg), Jonathan Pendragon (Zen Archer), Chris Randall (Wine Glasses to Aces), and Neil Croswell (Dove Act) (#403). (Encore Performance)

"Masters of Illusion" - (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET)
"Maximum Separation and Chipper's Chipper" (TV-PG) (HDTV)
Magicians featured in this episode include: Xavier Mortimer (Ironing Board), Chipper Lowell (Wallet Roulette), Billy Kidd (Invisible), Bill Cook (Salt Cups), Matt Marcy (Name a Card), and Greg Gleason and Farrell Dillon (Double Sawing) (#404). (Encore Performance)

"Masters of Illusion" - (9:00-9:30 p.m. ET)
"Technological Beverages and Rapid-Fire Cards" (TV-PG) (HDTV)
Magicians featured in this episode include: R.J. Cantu (Digital Suspension), Bill Cook (Silhouette Card Trick), Tommy Wind (Jet Ski), Jarrett & Raja (Through the Mirror), Jibrizy (Cupid), Scott Pepper (Hospitality), Chris Randall (Balls to Mouth) and
Jeff McBride (Card Sailing) (#405). (Encore Performance)

"Masters of Illusion" - (9:30-10:00 p.m. ET)
"Warped, Wacky and Weird" (TV-PG) (HDTV)
Magicians featured in this episode include: Jason Bishop (Op Art), Barry and Stuart (Jelly Bean in Eye), Ed Alonzo (Umbrella Head), Nathan Burton (Audience Card Trick), Farrell Dillon (Slingshot), Shawn Farquhar (Deck in Balloon) and Les Arnold & Dazzle (Duck) (#406). (Encore Presentation)

Encore Episode Airing on Friday, October 6, 2017 include:
"Masters of Illusion" - (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET)
"The Things You Can Do with Umbrellas" (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)
Hosted by Dean Cain, "Masters of Illusion" features amazing magic performed by cutting-edge illusionists, escape artists and performers displaying skills ranging from perplexing interactive mind magic to hilarious comedy routines - all in front of a studio audience. Magicians featured in this episode include: Ed Alonzo (Piercing Glass with an Umbrella), Scott Pepper (Small Trunk Metamorphosis), Jason Bishop (Goldfish Image to Real), Tommy Wind (Rat A Tat-Tat), Jarrett and Raja (Musical Card Trick), Murray SawChuck (Cabaret Classic), Adam Wylie (Ever Changing Card Deck) and Jonathan Pendragon (Group Magic 360). (#412) (Encore Presentation)

"Masters of Illusion" - (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET)
"Of Mice, Men and Kidd" (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)
Hosted by Dean Cain, "Masters of Illusion" features amazing magic performed by cutting-edge illusionists, escape artists and performers displaying skills ranging from perplexing interactive mind magic to hilarious comedy routines - all in front of a studio audience. Magicians featured in this episode include: Michael Gradinetti (The Mouse Magician), Nathaan Phan (Exploding Soda Can), Billy Kidd (Just A Little Needling), Chris Randall (Fastest Hands in the West), Eric Jones (Coins), Ed Alonzo (The Ultimate Rubik's Challenge) and Jonathan Pendragon (The Metamorphosis). (#413) (Encore Presentation)

Dean Cain, host of Masters of Illusion, is an actor, producer and writer. Cain also appears in the hit CW series, "Supergirl," in which he plays the role of Supergirl's adoptive father, Jeremiah Danvers. Other upcoming projects include the films, "Baby Bulldog," "The Incantation," "A Parent's Worst Nightmare" and "Gosnell: America's Biggest Serial Killer." His breakthrough performance as an actor was in the dual roles of Superman/Clark Kent in the television series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman."

Masters of Illusion is produced by Associated Television International with returning Executive Producers David McKenzie ("The 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards," "Marie"), Gay Blackstone ("The World Magic Awards" 2007-2009), David Martin ("The World Magic Awards" 2007-2009, "Marie"), and Al Schwartz ("The 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards," "The Golden Globe Awards" 2013 and 2014), along with Co-Executive Producers Justin Pierce ("The Rocky Saga: Going The Distance") and Jim Romanovich ("From Rocky To Creed," "The 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards").

Associated Television International (ATI) is an Emmy Award-winning company that has been the world's largest producer of magic for both stage and screen for over three decades. ATI's television series, specials and feature films have aired on all U.S. broadcast networks, major cable channels and with television partners all over the world. Current series in production include: "The Hollywood Christmas Parade," "Masters of Illusion," "Robert Earl's Be My Guest," and the Emmy Awardâ-nominated "Laura McKenzie's Traveler." ATI has also been Emmy Award-nominated for its various television specials and series. For more information, please visit www.associatedtelevision.com.

To learn more about Masters of Illusion, please visit http://www.cwtv.com/shows/masters-of-illusion/
Network with us at https://www.facebook.com/cwmastersofillusion
https://twitter.com/cw_illusion
https://www.facebook.com/MastersofIllusion
https://twitter.com/Mastersofillus
@cw_illusion
#MastersOfIllusion

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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.

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