* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New Zealand)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #1546
Date: Sunday 1st December 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. Magician Dynamo Is Back In Action
3. Breaking S.A.M. Convention News
4. The Magic Word Podcast
5. Marco Pusterla - Ye Olde Magic Mag
6. Adelaide Council Fines Mother For Hiring Magician
7. Penn & Teller Shows In Brisbane And Sydney
8. KIDabra: The Conference of KIDshow and Family Performers
9. Poker With Dai - John Carey #62
10. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
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 HTML format
go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2019-Jan-to-Dec-2019/1546-Dec01-2019.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. Magician Dynamo Is Back In Action
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Article forward by James Cross (UK)

Metro

Magician Dynamo is back in action with a first look at new series, Beyond Belief. The 36-year-old illusionist, real name Steven Frayne, will be back for a three-part special in the new year for Sky. Part documentary and part magic show, the star will be taking on some of the most explosive and insane stunts and magic tricks from his career so far. (Which…if you've been keeping track of this guy's career, is saying something.) In the first look photos of the series, Dynamo is seen sending a car up in smoke as he stands in front of it.

But with every out of this world trick comes something fair more up close and personal as he captivates audiences around the world. It could also be a bit of a potential danger, considering he was seen asking for help on where to film a new series after coming out of hospital in August. The star was diagnosed with Crohn's disease as a teenager and had half of his stomach removed at the age of 17.

Dynamo previously suffered from a swollen face due to the disease and the treatment required, sharing a post on the pain he endures every day with the illness. In 2017 he confirmed that he would not let it affect his career, sharing with fans: 'The pain is different for everyone who has it, but it's excruciating for me. 'Still to this day I wake up every morning in pain, the first hour of my day is taken up, I'm usually on the toilet for a long time in pain, (with) stomach cramps, sometimes internal bleeding,' he said.

https://metro.co.uk/2019/11/28/dynamo-beyond-belief-sees-magician-attempt-extreme-illusions-ever-11236594/

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3. Breaking S.A.M. Convention News
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Message by Dal Sanders MIMC

Master Magician and Master Entertainer, Ice McDonald has been added to the BONUS All-Star Matinee for the 2020 SAM Convention in Las Vegas. This matinee will be dedicated to the memory of Johnny Thompson. Johnny had a vast magical background but was probably best known for his work with doves. That is why it is appropriate that Ice McDonald has been added to the show performing his own dove act, an act that even impressed Johnny when he first saw it.

As an international award-winning entertainer/master magician, The Gold Standard Performer, Ice McDonald gives stellar stage performances and has earned a reputation for his grand illusions. He has been nick named "The Magical Phenomenon". Ice has sold out performances, as well as broken audience and box office records around the globe. His sheer mastery of illusion has astonished audiences in London, Wales, India, Singapore, Jamaica, Canada, Bahamas, Japan, United Kingdom and throughout the United States of America. Ice astonishes audiences at casino showrooms, arenas, theatres, conventions, tradeshows, corporate events/seminars and churches.

Ice has been featured on several top-rated programs, such as NPR with host Steve Inskeep, Masters of Illusion (series on FOX TV), Masters of Illusion International (France) and the documentary The Art and Soul of Magic - The Story of America's Black Magician. Ice was also featured on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Roland Martin's News One Now. In addition to his appearances on several networks, he has been featured in articles in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times and many other publications. Ice has graced the cover of numerous national and international magic magazines including two of the world's largest magic publications; The Linking Ring and M.U.M. He has also been featured in Genii and Magic magazine along with the international magazines Vanish and Magicana in New Zealand.

On Sunday, July 22, 2018, Ice McDonald was voted as the newest member of The Society of American Magicians' National Magic Hall of Fame (with the Induction Ceremony held October 27, 2018). This puts him on a very exclusive list of magicians that include Harry Houdini, Howard Thurston, Richard Potter and Fetaque Sanders.

In 2014, Ice was inaugurated as National President of The Society of American Magicians' (S.A.M.).

Ice is the recipient of many honors and awards. He is a two-time "Entertainer of the Year" recipient and has been honored with three Presidential Citations from national and international magic organizations. Commander Lt. Colonel Trent R. Pickering from the United States Armed Forces, presented Ice with the "Commander's Medal for Excellence" after witnessing Ice's performance. Ice was also honored by the Minister of India with the "Performer's Trophy of Honor", where he was the only United States representative in their Festival of Global Magic, held in Kerala, India. Ice has earned his "Doctorate in the Art of Magic".

Ice has been honored by his inclusion in the history book, "Magical Heroes: The Lives and Legends of Great African-American Magicians", a math book "Ethnoacademics, Fractions in Africa" and "The Twenty First Century Christian Illusionist".

Ice is also a sought-after lecturer, inspirational speaker and media entertainment consultant. He has crafted several inspirational and educational programs and has authored a top selling book entitled: "BORN FOR THIS - Destiny Authenticated". This book which speaks of Ice's journey to success, will inspire and education anyone who reads it.

Ice's talent has also led him to produce and direct several films and documentaries. His most recent project is a documentary entitled "Quiet Masters - The History and Relevance of the Black Magical Artist". Quiet Masters has been recently released on Amazon Prime Video Direct.

Ice astonishes audiences at casino showrooms, arenas, theatres, conventions, tradeshows, corporate events/seminars and churches.

We still have more surprises to announce, so follow us on Facebook or at
http://www.samconvention.com/

You know you're going, register now before the next price increase.
http://www.samconvention.com/las-vegas-2020/registration/

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

Mark C. Wilson and Greg Wilson on The Magic Word Podcast

Their last name's the same, but there is no relation between the two. Last week the Magic Word Podcast featured a conversation with Mark Connelly Wilson, a magician and storyteller who resides in the Austin, Texas area who performs at Renaissance festivals as "Merlin the Wise." Mark talks about character development and acting in last week's podcast. You can see videos and photos of Mark and listen to our podcast at https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/531-mark-connelly-wilson

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and we hear a fascinating conversation with the heir to the Mark Wilson and Nani Darnell magic dynasty, Greg Wilson. Greg has been aggressively trying to preserve the history of the long running television series, "The Magic Land of Allakazam." Greg shares many never heard before stories that shine some light behind the scenes on the filming of this beloved series. You can watch some videos, see photos, read the blog and listen to the podcast at https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/532-greg-wilson

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5. Marco Pusterla - Ye Olde Magic Mag
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Message by Marco Pusterla A.I.M.C.

The new issue of Ye Olde Magic Mag (Vol. 6 #1) is now available for download and purchase!

Go to:

https://yeoldemagicmag.com/downloads/vol-6-issue-1-don-alan-lecture-fred-black-magic-jap-box?utm_source=Ye+Olde+Magic+Mag&utm_campaign=d08da2a07c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_YOMM-05-04_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9d74281047-d08da2a07c-265557565&mc_cid=d08da2a07c&mc_eid=d9d8bf394f

In this issue:

The recording of the most controversial magic lecture in history: Don Alan on the ethics of magic! An audio CD is included in the print version!

Is the "Jap" box name a derogatory term, or are magicians just mis-interpreting it? Read the investigation of James Kleefeld on it

Michael Perovich lifts the veil on the mysterious Fred Black one of the magicians who impressed Dai Vernon.

James Smith reviews the recent 8th EMHC

How magic shows were advertised in the 19th century? By examining the records of Joseph Velle, our long-standing columnist, Pietro Micheli, explains it all (and reveals some hitherto-unknown posters!)

Important magic memorabilia sold at auction in the past three months

Magic history books from all around the world reviewed: Charles Morritt, George Rees, Ernest Sewell, and magic at the Chicago's fair of 1893

And much more!

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6. Adelaide Council Fines Mother For Hiring Magician
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Article forward by Peter Adams (Australia)

ABC News

An Adelaide council has fined a mother $187 for hiring a magician, without permission, to entertain a small group of children in a local park for her son's birthday party.

The City of Burnside Council in Adelaide's eastern suburbs fined the woman after she hired a magician to entertain 14 children in Tusmore Park.

The council's Jenny Barrett told ABC Radio Adelaide that members of the public needed to pay $185 for a permit if they were hiring a "third-party contractor".

"It's not because people are complaining, it's not even about the magician, it's about having exclusive use of a section of a very popular park," she said.

"If you are going to get a third-party contractor in, such as a magician or a bouncy castle or a face painter, they have to have public liability insurance to cover."

Ms Barrett said the permit also applies if someone is holding an event in the park where more than 60 people will be attending.

"It's taking up quite a lot of room and excluding other people from using the area," she said.
She said weekend rangers checked the parks to make sure people have the correct permits.
"This lady applied for a permit to have her party in Tusmore Park … she submitted it and then basically said to us 'I don't want to pay the $185, I'm just going to go ahead anyway'," Ms Barrett said……
Balance of article go:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-29/adelaide-council-fines-mother-for-hiring-magician/11749284

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7. Penn & Teller Shows In Brisbane And Sydney
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Message by John Phillips (Australia)

Legendary American magicians Penn & Teller will appear at Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC) Concert Hall Australia, from 22 to 26 January 2020, kicking off the pair's 45th year of working together when they tour Australia for the first time, stopping in Brisbane and Sydney (Sydney Opera House) Saturday 11th January to Sunday 19th January.

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8. KIDabra: The Conference of KIDshow and Family Performers
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Message by Mark Daniel

August 19-22, 2020, Atlanta
The Sonesta Hotel and Conference Center Gwinnett Place

After a fantastic first visit to Atlanta for KIDabra Conference we return again next August and we're Celebrating with BLACK FRIDAY SPECIALS

Register for KIDabra and Book your Hotel Room at The Sonesta between Now and December 2nd, Cyber Monday, and you're entered for a chance to win one of these fantastic prizes:
First Prize - Courtesy of Chris and Cesar a Showtime Magic Gift Certificate = $500
Second Prize - One Complementary Registration for ShowSkills Wednesday = $95 value.
Third Prize - Priority Seating during KIDabra Conference = Priceless!

The Fine Print:
Complete A Paid 2020 Primary Registration for KIDabra Conference and make your hotel reservation at the Sonesta between now and 5 PM EST on Monday, December 2nd. Send Tami an email once your hotel reservation is made at TamiDaniel@kidabra.org Prizes will be presented at KIDabra Conference 2020. You must be present to redeem. Non-transferable.

If there was ever a KIDshow Super Group it would have to be these three guys who made a record setting 147 lecture stops from 1995 -2002, plus mix in thousands of shows between them too!

Fast forward 25 Years and 15 years since the 3 have appeared together and how incredible would it be to catch up with them. The three have contributed so much to our industry, and continue to!

Come spend an amazing evening at KIDabra Conference with the gurus of Komedy KIDshow Klinic together on stage for their 25 Year reunion with David Ginn making his only Conference appearance of 2020, the Editor of the Linking Ring Magazine Sammy Smith, and theatre impresario Steve Taylor, in part interview, and part performance hosted by Christopher T. Magician. Only at KIDabra Atlanta 2020!

Plus, Making his first ever lecture and conference appearance - Jef Eaton who is Kandu Magic, and from England the fabulous KIMMO, John Kimmons. From Italy, lecturing for the first time at KIDabra, Gaia Germani, from New Zealand the fantastic Greg Britt, the creative Barry Mitchell, Atlanta's own KIDshow Superstar Ken Scott, the hilarious and thoughtful Lee Andrews, and The Live KIDshow with Chef Bananas, Chad Jacobs, along with your Hosts Mark and Tami Daniel. Plus, many more, including the Terrific KIDabra Foundational Team.

At KIDabra, there's seminars for you on Show Development, Hands on Workshops, Lectures, New Routines, Theming, The Business, Marketing and Branding, a Live KIDshow, Late Night Jams, The Saturday Night Gala, the informative KIDabra KID Talks, and the most Powerhouse Vendors room in years with tremendous resources for performing pros!

Atlanta, Georgia is served by one of the World's Best Airports and the area is easily drivable too.

The Sonesta Gwinnett Place has fabulous conference space, free parking, no resort fees, in-house restaurants and bar, a complimentary shuttle to surrounding restaurants and shopping, plus a great Special Lower 2020 Conference Room Rate, just tell them you're coming for KIDabra!

Hotel/Travelhttps://www.kidabra.org/hotel-travel-2020

Please mark your calendars and make plans to be with us. We can't wait to see you in Atlanta where the KIDshow World will gather to Learn, Network and Share!

Join us for KIDabra Atlanta, ?August 19-22 2020 https://www.kidabra.org/register-kidabra-atl

kidabra.org

Follow us on Facebook at KIDabra International Members and Friends

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9. Poker With Dai - John Carey #62
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Message by John Carey (UK)
https://carey-scene.com/jc-main
Shannon Clark

I love Vernon's beautiful routine Out of Sight, Out of Mind. It's a classic for good reason and I still use it to this day.

This routine was originally an attempt to remove some of my least favourite elements from Vernon's routine as well as adding a few (I think) nice touches of its own.

In the Professor's original routine there were a couple of drawbacks I wanted to overcome:

1. Turning the deck face-up and asking if they have seen their thought of card (sometimes having to ask multiple times).

2. In the original, the number of cards which can be potentially thought of is limited to 9; While 9 cards is a damn shot better than most of the attempted 'fixes' you see to Vernon's original, I still couldn't help but think there was a way to sell the possibility of thinking of just about any card in the deck.

Oddly enough, my solution restricts the number of actual possibilities which can be thought of to 5 cards, while giving the appearance that there is no limit to the number of possibilities.

This solution never requires the deck be turned face-up at anytime. From an audience perspective the faces of the cards are never looked at by the performer and no questions are asked.

Preparation:

The only preparation is to make the Ace of Spades into a bottom-cutting breather. This card must also occupy the 5th position from the top of the deck. You are ready to begin. (I typically use the Martin Nash "Infinity Crimp" to do so when necessary to put the crimp in on the fly.)

Effect:

Give the deck you best blind shuffle as you state the following.

"Travis, not many people seem to know this, but there was a tremendously successful gambler in the early 1900's who in fact won so much money that he became a bit of an underground legend. He was known as Titanic Thompson. I'll not go into too much detail here, but sufficed to say he was one of the most interesting personalities I've ever studied.

Ty won millions of dollars hustling pro golfers, Billiards, and especially at the card table, in a time where that sort of money was simply unheard of. He actually kept a set of right and left-handed Clubs in his trunk. He'd scope out his competition and would offer to play them "left-handed" if they wanted - little did they know he was an expert with either hand.

His skill at the card table was so uncanny that, believe it or not, there are still to this day heated arguments as to whether or not Ty actually had some sort of psychic capabilities. He seemed to know exactly when to fold, when to go all in, he just never seemed to lose an important game in his life. He somehow seemed to know exactly what the opposing man's hole card was.

Well I was lucky enough to meet some of the old hustlers who were close friends with Thomson, unfortunately they have all passed away now, and while what they taught me I won't claim as mind-reading, it certainly will make you think…." Hand the deck to someone to hold.

"Travis, if I cut the pack you might suspect I have some sort of influence over the outcome. So please, cut off about half the deck or so and hand them to me. We need enough cards for 5 or 6 hands of Poker."

Allow him to cut off about half the deck into your hand in preparation to use a beautiful touch on the old Hofzinser Spread Force titled "Hands Hoff". This finesse if the brainchild of John Carey and it the best touch I've seen on this force of any type.

As the cut packet is handed to you, you will simply bring more attention the size, or number, of the packet rather than the identity of any cards just yet.

"Thank you sir, you seem to have cut off about half the deck. Did you cut to any specific place, or just wherever felt right to you?"

While he answers you, spread the first few cards (the top for 4 to be precise) from hand to hand while apparently displaying the size of the packet. As you reach the 5th card, the breather, simply cull it to the bottom of the packet and square up. "Travis you could have cut any number of cards, as well as to any point in the deck that you wanted. We'll hand out a few poker hands directly from the place that you cut to."

Spread the cards from hand to hand and distribute 5 card poker hands to each person, beginning at the bottom of the facedown packet (supposedly exactly where they cut to).

Mentally note who gets the first 5 card packet which contains the breather; I usually hand out as many 5 card hands as the cut has allowed me. Most times I get around 5 or 6 five-card poker hands to various people standing in the group. (Of course, you could just as easily deal the poker hands out as well, making sure the breather is in a known (to you) hand as the cards are dealt out in groups of 5, which is a very easy thing to manage. I use the procedure outlined above because
of its ease of execution and it allows me to approach this routine with ease even when I have no table, which is most of the time for me.) "Now many of you guys have your own poker hand, please shuffle the cards as much as you'd like but don't allow me to see the faces."


Reacquire the remainder of the deck and use five random cards to demonstrate what you will now have each person do with their cards.

"I'm going to turn my back, I'd like for all of you to look at the hands Travis dealt you (use the cards you hold to show them exactly how you want them to handle their cards so there's no confusion)."

Explain the audience that one of them will think of any card they would like in their poker hand. But since you can only handle focusing on one person's thoughts at a time, you have a way they can silently figure out who will do so.

Display your five card hand face-up as you tell them that when you turn your back, you want each of them to move the highest value card they have in their hand to the face of their packet. You do so with your hand, again, showing them what they will do later.

Once you have done this, square your mock poker hand so that only the face card is visible. Turn the card so that each of them can see it.

"I don't want you guys to say anything out loud, so there's no way I can know who will think of a card, much less what card they will think of. Turn your high cards to each other so you each can see. Who ever happens to have the highest card in their hand…please, this person thinks of any card in your poker hand. It can be any card at all. When you have done so, everyone square your cards and hold them facedown in your hands. "

Also explain to each person that if there happens to be a 'tie', for instance two people have a Jack as their high card, the Spade trumps everything. If you don't want to deal with this element of the instructions, simply make sure the other three Aces are in the lower half of the deck to start the routine. - personally I don't bother.

Turn your back as you allow them to carry out the direction. I usually reiterate what I've told them up to this point. Now before you turn back around repeat that each person turn their poker hands facedown and hold onto them.

Dribble through the facedown cards you have, hand to hand, until you are at the midpoint of the packet. Tell them you will have the packets placed back in the deck in any order they want. The left hand, with its cards, turns palm up so people can begin to toss their packets onto your left-hand packet. Dribble the rest of the right-hand cards on top of all. Follow up with a quick blind shuffle if you'd like, as you say:

"Great! Don't say anything out loud, so you don't give me any hints about the card in your mind, or even who has the card in mind. Someone is simply thinking of one card, out of all these cards…"

As you say this casually cut the breather to the bottom of the deck. Turn the pack up on its left long end, being careful not to display the face cards, in preparation for a jog shuffle. Throw off about half the deck and continue shuffling clumps of cards into the waiting left hand. Once you come to the last 6 or 8 cards take great care to run these cards singly until the cards are exhausted.

Your situation is now the AS is the top card of the deck; the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th cards from the top are the remainders of the thought of possibilities. "There's no way I can know who is thinking of a card, much less what card is actually locked inside someone's mind. This is much the same situation that Ty must have found himself in over the years in so many big money games…no pressure…"

As you say this (or whatever your presentation necessitates) you will begin another quick jog shuffle. Toss roughly half the deck into the waiting left hand, continuing with the left thumb, you will run five cards, singly, onto the Left-Hand packet (on top of the AS), in-jog the next card (the 6th in the run) and then shuffle off. Now all you need do is square the deck while picking up on the in-jog. Situation check: in the middle of the pack you hold a pinky break. Below the
break there's five arbitrary cards followed by the AS and the remaining four cards of the thought of poker hand.

You will end in almost the exact same fashion as the original, genius, OOSOOM ending…with one very small change which isn't necessary to adopt. If you have a table, place the deck on top of a tall glass (if available). If you are in a group with no table, simply have someone hold their hand out and push it up to about their chest level, to keep everything "fair."

Either way, as you deposit the deck onto the surface, you simply lift up at the break and take the top half of the cards in your left-hand dealer's grip. You want to sell this cut as if it is all by feel, belabour the point a bit and you apparently think about what you've done.

Explain you'll have to rely on intuition to try and get a feeling for the card someone is thinking of. Now you will begin to remove one card at a time, without looking at its identity, from the top of the spectator's packet to the top of yours. Count each card until you reach the 6thcard, this card will be the Ace of Spades. Keep in mind as you count the first 5 cards that you are doing so slowly and deliberately as if contemplating each card as they are moved from packet to packet. Right around the 4th card is when I say:

"I'm getting a strange feeling that we are getting closer and closer to the card someone is thinking of. As a matter of fact I feel stronger about you, Lori (assuming her name is Lori) than anyone else at this moment.

(gesture toward Lori, who is indeed thinking of a card. Don't just toss away this moment, it's quite strong for the laity as they have no clue how you could know who thought of a card.)

Take the next card, the second card in the run of five, from the top of their packet as well, just like card before it. But you will slightly tilt the front short edge of the card up so you can secretly catch a glimpse of its identity. Commit this card to memory and place it on top of your packet while keeping a little-finger break beneath it.

Follow this exact procedure, again, memorizing the third card's identity as you
place it on top of your packet as well.

You will now do this exact procedure one last time.

Here is your situation:

You have three known cards on the top of your packet with a little-finger break secured beneath them. The card directly beneath the break is the Ace of Spades. "I have an overwhelming urge to stop right here Lori...I can't even explain why..."I use a touch from Master Roberto Giobbi and make a sort of 'Karate Chop' motion.

This gives them a feeling for what you are claiming, while keeping the statement relatively ambiguous at the same time.

"Lori, for the very first time, will you please name the card that you have been merely thinking of this entire time?"

Lori will now name one of five possibilities. I'll outline how each will be handled:

1. She names the top card of your packet. Immediately drop your break and slowly turn over the card to show her you somehow stopped at the thought of card.

2. She names the second card form the top. Drop your break and execute a double turnover.

3. She names the third card from the top - Use the natural break you are holding to execute a triple turnover.

4. She names the Ace of Spades. While one can execute a quadruple turnover, instead I usually move my break to under the Ace of Spades while addressing what she said. I then use the standard side steal mechanics, with your Right hand moving directly forward with the card instead of off and to the right as is typical. In one continuous movement I move the AS directly over the spectator's packet and tap the top of their packet saying:

We could have stopped here…but luckily we went just one card farther…." Immediately the AS is drawn back to the top of your packet and deposited, jogged forward for more than half its length, as if this is where it originated. When all attention is on it, turn it over to show the thought of card.

5. She names a card you do not recognize - If she names a card you have not seen, she is thinking of the card which still resides on top of the spectator's packet. Simply build the ending and have her flip the card up that she holds as if this was the card you meant to stop at all along.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind appeared in Dai Vernon's More Inner Secrets of Card Magic.

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10. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
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Written by the late Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)

Memories

Sometimes, when writing my Saga, I get stuck - I believe it's called writer's block,. I have found that a great source of inspiration is looking through old Diaries at past bookings - 1964 was a very good year, which included my first overseas engagement.

From the dozens, hundreds, thousands, of various shows, a few trigger a flood of memories - December 31st - New Year's Eve., 64/65 was one. A booking from Fuller's Entertainment Bureau - Thames Memorial Hall - a Mr Peter Taylor, a juggler from Auckland City would pick me up 3.30pm, from my home town, Manurewa, which was on the way to Thames (which is on the Coromandel Peninsula, south of Auckland). Makes sense, use one car, and share the petrol. I knew all the Auckland acts who were around at the time, but didn't know Peter (stage name 'Delmere'), as he was then just starting out in Show 'biz'.

We hit it off, straight away. Peter, an Englishman, made his living as a Painter/Decorator, working as a Performer on a semi-pro basis. Later he became a full time professional, but would still do the odd painting job, when things got a bit tight. Anyhow, the job in Thames was done and dusted by 11pm - we had a choice of hanging round for New Year's Eve celebrations, or heading back to Auckland - a good 4-hour trip in those days.

We decided to head back: ten minutes to midnight, in the middle of nowhere, and I'm saying 'Christ, Peter, you'd think there'd be a pub around here somewhere. We've got to have a drink to bring '65 in' NOTHING! Then I spot some lights way off the road - it was a farmhouse. 'C'mon, Peter', I'm yelling 'It's bloody near WHOOPEE time. Let's get up there'.

'We can't just bowl up there like that', says Peter, being your typical reserved Englishman. 'Bullshit - this is Kiwi country. It's bloody New Year's Eve' I said. Five minutes later, I'm hammering on the door.

***** I N T E R L U D E *****

Yesterday morning, Monday April 9th 2001, around 9.30am, or so, we - Veronica and I - lost a member of our family. SHAZAAM was my beautiful seal-point Siamese cat - she was my surprise birthday present from Veronica 13 years ago. Unfortunately, she became ill with a liver/kidney infection - treatment did not help. I spent the entire 'last night' nursing and comforting her, finally coming to terms in the morning that the only 'cure' for her suffering was Euthanasia.

IT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT AND HEARTBREAKING DECISION TO MAKE - AND SHE KNEW!

If, as you read this, are thinking 'What in the hell is he going on about, it was only a 'bloody cat'", well, you had better go and get a heart, Tin man! Those of you who, like us, are animal lovers, know, don't you, what we are going through. For 13 years she brought us love, joy, and affection. She was 'MAGIC'.- hence her name.

I hope that all of you will understand that I'm in mourning. I'll finish this episode of my saga, later. - TOMMY ORCHARD

'REST IN PEACE, SHAZAAM

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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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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 © 2019 Alan Watson QSM.


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