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: #1505
Date: Sunday 21st April 2019
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. FISM North American Magic Championships
3. Anthony Owen Final Curtain
4. The Magic Word Podcast - Johnny Thompson
5. Smoke and Mirrors: The Psychology of Magic
6. Think & Synch Reloaded - John Carey #39
7. Pacific Coast Association Of Magicians 2019 (PCAM2019)
8. The European Magic History Conference
9. Magic Collectors Expo Magic History Event And Convention
10. The Assembly Convention 2019 - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
11. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
12. E-zine Archives

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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 HTML format
go to:

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. FISM North American Magic Championships
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Message by Joan Caesar (Canada)

FISM North American Magic Championships are just a year away. Quebec City, where it's being held, is a popular convention town and is already hosting other events at the same time as FISM-NACM so it's important to book your room EARLY. The host hotels are in a tourist area so they are more expensive than what we are used to paying for a magic convention. However, there are other options.

I looked at AirBnB rooms in the area of the convention, and there were several for around $50.00/night and several more for less than $100.00/night. Another option is Hotwire.com which provides the location and cost of the hotel but not the exact address or name before you book your room. I've used them on occasion and found the hotels quite satisfactory. It would be smart to look for alternative lodging fairly SOON, before the good ones are taken!

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3. Anthony Owen Final Curtain
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Article sent by Mel Kientz (US)

Camden New Journal

Dynamo leads tributes to award-winning Hampstead magician Anthony Owen.

Magic Circle pays tribute to father-of-three who died on Friday.

Dynamo was leading the tributes as the world of magic mourned the death of Hampstead magician Anthony Owen.

The father-of-three, who lived near Fitzjohns Primary School, where he was due to appear at a fund-raiser next term, died on Friday.

"Absolutely gutted to hear of the passing of a true pioneer in magic and television," tweeted Dynamo, the Magician Impossible star who also lives in Hampstead. "This is a sad day, his work inspired magicians all over the world including myself, he will be missed greatly. Sending love to his family at this time."

Mr Owen, 46, had appeared in and was executive producer of the Children's BBC programme Help! My Supply Teacher Is Magic, which had scenes filmed at Fitzjohns. More widely, he was known as an engaging performer who had devised material for other acts too, including Paul Daniels, David Copperfield and The Great Soprendo Geoffrey Durham. He served as a consultant on several big name shows, including some featuring the mentalist Derren Brown, and this year had been a judge on a young magicians' competition.

Scott Penrose, president of the Magic Circle, said: I'd like send our condolences to the family of Anthony Owen MIMC [Member of the Inner Magic Circle] who died on Friday. Anthony was respected throughout the magic and entertainment community for the creativity and support he offered so many."

He added: "For The Magic Circle, he served on Council, edited our magazine 'The Magic Circular', volunteered his time for The Young Magicians' Club and much more. He will be missed by many and our thoughts are with his children at this difficult time."

Comedian and magician John Archer said: "Really sad to hear of the passing of Anthony Owen. A great force in TV Magic and always fun to work with. He was kind and supportive. I will miss his random texts and bursts of laughter."

In a message posted online, his company Fab Media said: "It is with immense sadness that we can confirm that Anthony Owen, creator of magic and friend and inspiration to magicians everywhere, died on Friday April 12. He was a great director and producer, multiple BAFTA winner but also the kindest and most generous of men. He was a devoted father and our thoughts are with his family at this incredibly sad time."

http://camdennewjournal.com/article/dynamo-leads-tributes-to-award-winning-hampstead-magician-anthony-owen

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4. The Magic Word Podcast - Johnny Thompson
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Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star

Johnny Thompson, David Hira and Bernardo Sedlacek on The Magic Word Podcast

If you haven't subscribed to our newsletter or podcast, then there is a lot to catch up on that has transpired over the past two weeks. First of all, David Hira was featured as a guest on The Magic Word Podcast on April 13th. David was a guest on an earlier episode and generated a lot of interest and downloads. This time he returned for a brief visit (about a half hour) to talk about why he is retiring from full time performing. His perspective is valid not only for him, but also for others "of a certain age" who might wonder if it "might be time". You will get a lot out of our brief encounter by listening to the podcast at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/484-david-hira

Then less than a week later, I attended the memorial service in Las Vegas for the legendary performer, Johnny Thompson. This event was held in the Penn & Teller Theater and attended by an estimated 800 people. Magicians from all across the country (plus some from abroad) came to pay their respects. I spoke with just a few people both before and after the service as I did not feel that it would be appropriate to stick a microphone in everyone's face during the reception. You can hear the recollections and memories of a few famous magicians on the special edition podcast at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/memories-of-johnny-thompson You should also be aware that this episode contains some explicit language. This is not normal for The Magic Word Podcast though it was for Johnny.

And this week we hear from a young (21 year old) Brazilian close-up magician, Bernardo Sedlacek who was on a recent nationwide lecture tour leading up to the F.F.F.F. convention coming up next week in New York. His perspective on the "off-beat" and how to perform magic to achieve the optimum response is a masterclass in magic. You can visit that podcast at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/485-bernardo-sedlacek

Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you won't be left out on the latest podcasts.

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5. Smoke and Mirrors: The Psychology of Magic
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Message by Graham Dockrill (New Zealand)

If anyone is passing through London in the next month this could be of interest:

Smoke and Mirrors: The Psychology of Magic

11 April 2019 - 15 September 2019

You won't believe your eyes.

The Times

What can magic and conjuring tell us about the human mind? Our new exhibition brings together the worlds of psychology and entertainment in search of the truth about deception.
Explore how our biases affect our perception and whether our senses can be hacked. Discover spirit photography, magic props and psychology experiments to see how magic works on - and in - the mind of the spectator.

Artefacts on display from the world of magic include the head of the gorilla costume worn by Derren Brown, Harry Houdini's 'Bell Box', Tommy Cooper's fez, and Paul Daniels's sawing-in-half box.

https://wellcomecollection.org/exhibitions/W_vuwBQAACoA_SY2

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6. Think & Synch Reloaded - John Carey #39
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Message by John Carey (UK)
https://carey-scene.com/jc-main

In my book Crafted with Carey was a pretty solid and fooling mental piece with the cards called Thinking and Synching. It plays equally strongly to magicians as well as laymen. Here is my current 'fix' on this effect I think you will have a lot of fun with.

From a shuffled deck in use you tell your audience that for some peculiar reason, you just can't get the thought of a playing card out of your head. It's the same kind of feeling as when you can't get a song out of your mind after listening to it on the radio.

"Jack, in a moment I'm going to ask you to put a thought in your mind. A playing card is made up of a value and a suit. Just imagine for a moment that these cards are made up only of values. I will drop them in my hands until you say stop. Take a peek at that value and lock it in your mind. Now just think of any of the four suits and then combine that thought with your other thought to form a playing card. So, if you were thinking of three and Clubs the card would be the three of Clubs OK?

In a moment I will make a commitment and place the card I've been merely thinking about on the table. Be honest, you're not thinking of a red card are you. You are? Me too but it's not such a big deal as there are only a couple of colours. As I promised I will take out my thought of card and table it. Would you now take the card you are merely thinking of and place it on the table too? It's not there? Now that's strange. What card are you thinking of Jack? The seven of Hearts is a very special card. But not just for you sir. Turn my card over. Impossible!"

Method and strategy: After your opening monologue, dribble the deck for a spectator to call stop. Raise the face of the right-hand's cards and ask them to lock just the value of that card in their mind. Assemble the deck, getting a left little-finger break beneath the value card. Pause a beat and then casually double undercut to your break. Execute an in the hands riffle shuffle, glimpsing the value, say seven as you flex the cards prior to dropping off cards from your thumb and then riffle shuffling. Cut the deck and table it.

Continue by asking your helper to just think of any suit and combine that thought with their value to form just one card in their mind. Now we need to ascertain the colour of their thought of card. Here we will use a bit of verbal subterfuge I first saw the great Max Maven use. I just look at my helper and say, be honest, you're not thinking of a red card are you? Body language and a very open and liberated attitude are key here. If they say yes you say that your thought of card is red too. But if they say no you say that neither is your card. Act very loose and casual in this moment.

You now have all the information you need, having done hardly anything, to successfully conclude this effect. However, the effect can finish in two different ways, and that's what makes this piece fun to do.

In our example the spectator is thinking of a red seven. We genuinely don't know which one, but we don't care! I pick up the deck and with the faces towards me I remove the first red seven I come to and place it face-down on the table. In our example I removed the seven of Hearts. I hand the deck to my helper and ask him to take out the card he is merely thinking of. If he doesn't find it we conclude by showing an amazing coincidence and turning over your card to prove that great minds really do think alike.

However, if he does take out a card have him table it face down. Now we would comment on how in every deck there are cards that are called mates or twins. Cards of the same colour and value. Give a couple of examples before slowly turning over both tabled cards to reveal the matching red sevens.

Of course the first outcome is the stronger of the two but don't underestimate the second finish. If it's built up and sold well it plays very strong.

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7. Pacific Coast Association Of Magicians 2019 (PCAM2019)
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Message by Raul Fernandez

Philippines International Magic Convention (PIMC) / Pacific Coast Association of Magicians 2019 (PCAM2019)

For the third time in its over 80 years of existence, the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians (PCAM) will leave the shores of North America and travel to the Philippines to join forces with the first Philippines International Magic Convention (PIMC).

PCAM 2019 will be held from April 24 - 26 in the SMX Convention Center in Taguig City, Philippines.

Performing and lecturing will feature Jeff McBride and Dale Salwak from North America.

For Convention & Competition Registration visit www.pimcphp.com

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8. The European Magic History Conference
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Message by Magic Christian, Vienna

The European Magic History Conference will take place in August 2019.

Date is August 22nd to 25th 2019.

Please make your reservation and transfer the registration fee of 250Euro

News will be published from time to time on https://emhc2019.com/

Convention Hotel: Hotel Stefanie, Taborstrasse 12, 1060 Vienna.

Contact with Mrs. Nemeth.

There are several other hotels nearby too.

Hotel City-Central, Taborstrasse 8, 1020 Vienna.
https://www.schick-hotels.com/hotel-city-central/index.html

Hotel Capricorn: Schwedenplatz 3-4, 1010 Wien,
https://www.schick-hotels.com/hotel-capricorno/index.html

Please register as soon as possible as we are limited to 100 persons.

There is a Dinner included at the famous Marchfelderhof
https://www.marchfelderhof.at/
and a Reception at the City Hall with the representatives of the Vienna
Government. https://www.wien.gv.at/english/cityhall/

A wine degustation, 15 speakers, and some other surprises!

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9. Magic Collectors Expo Magic History Event And Convention
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Message by Lance Rich (US)

I have a few updates regarding the Magic Collectors Expo magic history event and convention this June in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA. Check out The Magic Collectors Expo this year from June 20-22.
www.magiccollectorsexpo.com

Because registrants in 2019 have a guaranteed first chance at registration for the 2020 Expo in Las Vegas (which includes the exclusive tour of David Copperfield's International Museum and Library for the Conjuring Arts), we've received a lot of interest and even a few registrations of people who have obligations in 2019, but don't want to miss out on the 2020 Expo.

Also, the host hotel (The Double Tree Park Place) is approaching Limited Remaining Availability. So, if you have registered but haven't completed the hotel registration, do that soon!

The Magic Collectors Expo is being produced by David Sandy and Bill Smith. It will feature fascinating presentations about magic's history, an expanded dealers' room, several surprise events...and the event ends in a recreation of a supper club show...dinner and magic as you might
have seen it in the 1940's and 1950's. The event is limited to 200 registrants.

Again, check out www.magiccollectorsexpo.com for more info and to register. Also, David Sandy has released a video which highlights so many things about the Expo (including a few of the topics):
http://magiccollectorsexpo.com/index.php/magic-collectors-expo-video/

If you don't think you're a magic collector - but you enjoy hearing about magic and magicians of the past - I feel like there's something for you in Minneapolis.

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10. The Assembly Convention 2019 - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Message by Sean Piper (Australia)

Less than 30x spots remaining to attend the biggest weekend of magic in Australia this year... The Assembly 2019

Lectures and workshops from some of the biggest names in the business:

Dan Harlan
Jason Ladanye
John Carey
& guest of honour Phil Cass!

Plus, a Saturday night stage show with an all-star lineup. Don't miss out!!

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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 centre 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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