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: #1570
Date: Sunday 17th May 2020
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. Roy Horn Of Siegfried & Roy Dies Of Coronavirus At 75 (Variety)
3. Las Vegas Magician Donates $250K Of Food To Families
4. John Stork On The Magic Word Podcast
5. Free Lance Burton Teen Seminar
6. Crazy Columbus Poker! - John Carey #81
7. Ongoing Adventures Of Romany! #9
8. Masters Of Illusion Returns For Seventh Anniversary Season
9 The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
10. E-zine Archives
11. 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/2020-Jan-to-Dec-2020/1570-May17-2020.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. Roy Horn Of Siegfried & Roy Dies Of Coronavirus At 75 (Variety)
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Article forwarded on by Rob Thomas

Variety

Roy Uwe Ludwig Horn, whose collaboration with Siegfried Fischbacher created the well-known animal training and magic duo Siegfried & Roy, died of complications from COVID-19 Friday in Las Vegas. He was 75.

Horn had revealed on April 28 that he had tested positive for coronavirus.

"Today, the world has lost one of the greats of magic, but I have lost my best friend," Siegfried said in a statement, "From the moment we met, I knew Roy and I, together, would change the world. There could be no Siegfried without Roy, and no Roy without Siegfried.

"Roy was a fighter his whole life including during these final days. I give my heartfelt appreciation to the team of doctors, nurses and staff at Mountain View Hospital who worked heroically against this insidious virus that ultimately took Roy's life."

Born in Nordenham, Germany, Horn had a lifelong love of animals and adopted a cheetah, Chico, at an early age.

He met magician Siegfried while working as a steward on a cruise ship. Horn asked Siegfried if he could make a cheetah disappear, not knowing that Horn had smuggled his pet cheetah on board. Siegfried said, "In magic, anything is possible," though they were then reportedly fired from the ship.

Siegfried and Roy started performing with tigers in Europe, and were discovered while performing in Paris, They started performing in Las Vegas in 1967 in revues such as "Hallelujah Hollywood" and "Lido de Paris."

Their lavish act at the Mirage started out in 1989 and ran for 14 years, selling out nightly in what was at the time the largest theater in Las Vegas. The Mirage hotel continues to host the Secret Garden of Siegfried & Roy animal attraction.

The act incorporated more than 55 white tigers, white lions, leopards, jaguars and an elephant that appeared and disappeared.

Horn was forced to stop performing in 2003 when his white tiger Mantecore bit his neck and dragged him off the stage. His spine was severed and he sustained severe injuries; he later said he thought the tiger was trying to save him after he suffered a stroke onstage.

He had to relearn how to talk and walk, and was eventually able to continue to travel and appear at events. The duo retired in 2010.

A 2004 animated TV show, "Father of the Pride," was based on their act, but was cancelled after one season.

"Roy's whole life was about defying the odds," added Siegfried. "He grew up with very little and became famous throughout the world for his showmanship, flair and his life-long commitment to animal conservation. He had a strength and will unlike anyone I have ever known."

He is survived by a brother, Werner.

https://variety.com/2020/scene/news/roy-horn-dead-dies-siegfried-roy-coronavirus-1234602573/

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3. Las Vegas Magician Donates $250K Of Food To Families
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Article forwarded by James Ross (US)

8 NewsNow
Las Vegas magician donates $250K of food to families dealing with childhood cancer.

Las Vegas (KLAS) - Las Vegas based magician Criss Angel knows all too well what it is like to have a child battling cancer. His 5-year-old son has leukemia.

Angel has partnered with the CORE Group to support 100 families being treated at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation which is the state's only pediatric cancer treatment center and where his own son has been treated.

Through his Johnny Crisstopher Children's Charitable Foundation, Angel will provide $250,000 worth of donated food to the families. He is also donating a custom-made train set for the lobby of the cancer treatment facility so young patients can escape their reality.

The food, which will feed a family for six to eight weeks, will start being given out Thursday.
Additionally, Caesars Entertainment, Criss Angel and BASE Entertainment together are donating 1,000 tickets to future performances of MINDFREAK® once it re-opens to families and frontline workers at Cure 4 The Kids Foundation and Summerlin Hospital, celebrating all their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Angel's son Johnny Crisstopher has spent many hours in the clinic where he continues to receive treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/las-vegas-magician-donates-250k-of-food-to-families-dealing-with-childhood-cancer/

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

Get to know a "new friend" in this week's podcast as we talk with a magician who is also an accomplished musician. John Stork is the host of the weekly Facebook chat show, "The Stoking Hour" but he is also the National Second Vice President of the Society of American Magicians. In this episode, John talks about performing street magic, the annual busking contest at Abbott's Get Together, playing music for improv shops around Chicago, the Chicago Magic Lounge, his work on the National Council (and local Assembly) for the S.A.M., and more.

You can get this episode wherever you get your podcasts. But for more content with videos, photos, internet links, and more, please visit the website at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/559-john-sturk

This week we recognize the two winners of our recent contest for a copy of "The Stranger" phone app. Plus we also present relief to a magician and brick-and-mortar magic shop in need for our third week of our ten week Magicians' Relief Project. Thank you to Betty and Gene Protas and another generous (an anonymous) benefactor for donating your finances to the Project. If you are interested in providing your financial help, then please send an email to scott@themagicwordpodcast.com for more information.

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5. Free Lance Burton Teen Seminar
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Message by Simone Marron (US)

The International Brotherhood of Magicians are excited to announce that the two-day Lance Burton Teen Seminar will still take place this summer, due to the generosity of Lance Burton, the McBride Magic & Mystery School, and the I.B.M. Endowment & Development Fund. The event will happen online, using the Zoom platform.

This two-day seminar will be available FREE to all I.B.M. Members and family member who are between the ages of 13 and 19 years old. However, as space is limited, you need to apply quickly, as it is expected that this event will be filled quickly. For more information and to sign up, go to www.bit.ly/2020LBTS and download the application form on that page, complete it, and email it back to Simone Marron as soon as possible at simone@marrons.us.

This seminar will take place on Tuesday, July 7th and Wednesday July 8th, 2020 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (PDT)

This two-day event will give I.B.M. teens the opportunity to learn from the very best - Lance Burton, Jeff McBride, Larry Hass and surprise guests.

We are so excited to still be able to offer you this unique experience this summer, and we hope to receive your application soon. Don't forget that spots are limited, so apply quickly!

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6. Crazy Columbus Poker! - John Carey #81
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

Crazy Columbus Poker is not a serious 'look how good I am' Poker effect! It is a funny, strong and commercial piece with the laymen in mind. But it is also very deceptive. There is a degree of fairness to the piece that makes it as much fun for you to do as well as for the people to watch!

Your only preparation is to take out a Royal Flush in Spades and place it face-down under the face up deck (pictured below). Pop the deck face-up inside its box and you're ready to roll. Bring up the subject of gambling and comment on how popular Poker has become again in recent years. Bring out the card box and remove the face up deck with your face down Royal Flush slug hidden underneath. We will now use an old but simply brilliant ruse called the Edwards hideout, published many moons ago in Rusduck's The Cardiste magazine. It retains the slug even though spectators shuffle the deck.

"OK Shannon and Lori. Which one of you is the best shuffler?" This will create some fun with your two helpers. Spread off about half the face up deck and hand it to the spectator on your left for shuffling. Hold the balance of the deck from above with your right hand. Take back the cards shuffled by the first spectator face down in your palm up left hand. Address the other spectator on your right as you casually drop the right hands cards on top of the lefts. A moment later spread off all the face up cards and hand them to that person for shuffling. This automatically holds back and hides out the Royal Flush on top of the left hands remaining cards. Compliment both spectators as you lift off about half your cards and have the second spectator drop their cards inside. Finally drop the right hands packet on top and table the deck for a few moments. The degree of fairness is very strong and yet you have full control of your Royal Flush, which is on top of the deck.

"So from this deck you guys shuffled so well, you are both going to play a form of Poker called crazy Columbus Poker!" Pick up the deck and deal ten cards into a face down packet. Discard the rest of the deck. Pick up the packet and casually spread it in the hands. Cut the packet at the halfway point and complete the cut, sending your Royal Flush to the top. "The reason this version is crazy is because we will mix the cards face up and face down!"

We will now utilize a superb idea of Shigeo Takagi's from a routine he had called the wild blanks. It's a great idea and in the context of this routine hides the faces of the Royal Flush as you mix the packet face up and face down. Deal the top card face down to the table and immediately flip the packet face up from right to left. Deal the face up card in view on top of the face down card and once more flip the packet over and this time deal a face down card on top of the tabled cards. Continue this flipping and dealing action, dealing a face up card, flipping the packet over and dealing a face down card and continue until all the cards have been dealt. Performed at a nice brisk rhythm, this is extremely deceptive and for some weird reason gives the illusion of far more faces being shown than there actually are!

Pick up the packet and give it a brisk overhand shuffle or two. Then ribbon spread these cards on the table. "Lori, you get ladies privilege here. Do you want the face down cards or the face up cards?" Let's say she wants the face down cards. Slide them out of the spread without exposing the faces and place them in front of the lady. "Shannon that leaves you with the face up cards. What kind of hand do you have?" Now he might have quite a good hand or a lousy hand! It matters not. Have some fun with this moment. To conclude the effect ask the lady if she feels lucky? After she responds have her deal her hand face up onto the table revealing the Royal Flush!

Notes:
Of course if the lady wanted the face up cards give those to her. This way the guy would win.

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7. Ongoing Adventures Of Romany! #9
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Message by Romany Romany (UK)

Adventures of Romany
www.romanymagic.com

Last week, we sadly lost Roy Horn, a friend to many of you and an inspiring figure to most of us.

I have a Siegfied and Roy story I thought I'd share with you.

Since it spills over the strict word count limit that Alan gives me, I'm starting with a taster and if you want to hear the end, click on the link.

All is well in the gardens here in the monastery, the only truly exciting thing to report this week was getting caught by a nun last night baking bread in a kitchen I shouldn't have been in! Where was my Mac King invisibility cloak when I needed it?

Love to you all and I hope you enjoy the story.
Romany

From Where Nothing is Impossible, Nothing is Wonderful, Ch 40. Go to: https://www.romanymagic.com/post/copy-of-where-nothing-is-impossible-nothing-is-wonderful to read the whole chapter with stories and photos of your favourite magic legends!

Now what? I'd won two major magic competitions and I had gigs coming in, but I still didn't have a world-class act that international variety show producers were banging on my door to book. How would I find the key? I had a little think. And when I'd had a little think, I remembered Siegfried and Roy. Siegfried and Roy had been heroes of mine since I saw the movie of their transformation from two young German boys in post-war Germany to mega stars of Vegas with their own spectacular show featuring lions, elephants and amazing theatrical illusions. In the last show that they would ever do, Roy's tiger dragged him off-stage by the neck, severing an artery, causing Roy to have a massive stroke. Their show was cancelled that night and never re-opened.

I'd always had the feeling that if I could only meet them, some of their magic would rub off on me. But how?

Every year in Vegas, Siegfried and Roy held a competition called the World Magic Seminar. Each year, one magician won the highly respected Golden Lion Award and a cheque for five thousand dollars. If I entered the competition, I would be sure to meet them backstage. I wrote to the organiser asking whether there was still time to enter.

"You can have the last of seven places and we'll give you $500 travel expenses," the organiser replied. What? Seven places? Travel expenses? I'd assumed that there would be at least thirty entrants. I Googled the list of competitors. Each one was a hotshot magic technician and top award winner of his country. Technically, I was a British award winner too, but I felt I'd won my titles with comedy, not magic...

GO TO: https://www.romanymagic.com/post/copy-of-where-nothing-is-impossible-nothing-is-wonderful to read the whole chapter with stories and photos of your favourite magic legends! You can read more about Romany's magical adventures in her inspiring memoir Spun Into Gold - The Secret Life of a Female Magician. Suitable for all ages from 14 yrs. Now with over 300 5 star reviews on Amazon worldwide.

Book Depository Free Shipping bit.ly/2ONMFvB
Amazon UK bit.ly/2kqB4G6
Amazon USA amzn.to/2m3XT2J
Audiobook on Audible adbl.co/2qROlu5 narrated by Romany

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8. Masters Of Illusion Returns For Seventh Anniversary Season
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Message by Steve Moyer (US)

Masters of Illusion returns for seventh anniversary season on the CW Network hosted by Dean Cain, the series returns Friday, may15th with two 30-minute episodes airing back to back, starting at 8/7c

8:00 - 8:30 p.m.: "Quick Changes, The Bird King, and Very Sharp Objects"
Starring Jekie Yoo & Ellie, Dan Sperry, Trigg Watson, Josephine Lee, Håkan Berg and Hans Klok
And
8:30 - 9:00 p.m.: "The Sphere of Fog, Crossbows, and More Ed Alonzo"
Starring Tommy Wind, Louie Foxx, Alexandra Duvivier, Ben Blaque, Ed Alonzo and Jason Bishop

Hollywood, CA (May 7, 2020) - Masters Of Illusion, produced by Associated Television International and hosted by Dean Cain, will return for a seventh anniversary season on The CW with two 30-minute episodes airing back to back on Friday, May 15, 2020 at 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central. Masters Of Illusion features amazing magic performed by 45 acts, including 46 diverse national and international cutting-edge illusionists, escape artists and performers, 10 of which are women. To view a Sizzle Reel of Season Seven of Masters Of Illusion on The CW, please visit: https://vimeo.com/user4830612/review/412409400/879b91277d

In addition, Masters Of Illusion - Impossible Escapes will be airing on Friday, May 8, 2020 at 8:00 p.m./7:00 p.m. Central on The CW, and following the Season Seven Premiere episodes of MASTERS OF ILLUSION on Friday night, May 15th, an Encore Performance of MASTERS OF ILLUSION 21st Anniversary Show will air at 9:00 p.m./8:00 p.m. Central on The CW.

This week's episodes will include:
Season Premiere:
Masters Of Illusion
"Quick Changes, The Bird King, and Very Sharp Objects" - (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET)
(Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)
All Tied Up - 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: Jeki Yoo & Ellie (Quick Change Artists), Dan Sperry (Card Stab), Trigg Watson (Cleaning Cell Phone), Josephine Lee (Tied Up), Håkan Berg (The King of Birds) and Hans Klok (Flaming Spiker). (#701) Original airdate 5/15/20.

To view performance highlights of the May 15th episode from 8:00 - 8:30 p.m., please visit:
https://vimeo.com/user4830612/review/405650869/8eb61c89d1 and https://vimeo.com/user4830612/review/405659238/23696a6fed

Masters Of Illusion
"The Sphere of Fog, Crossbows, and More Ed Alonzo" - (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET) (Content Rating TBD) (HDTV)
Thor's Hammer - 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: Tommy Wind (Helicopter Appearance), Louie Foxx (Animal Bag), Alexandra Duvivier (Safety Pins), Ben Blaque (Crossbow Medley - Balloon), Ed Alonzo (Thor's Hammer) and Jason Bishop (Fog Sphere). (#702). Original Airdate 5/15/20.

To view performance highlights of the May 15th episode from 8:30 - 9:00 p.m., please visit:
https://vimeo.com/user4830612/review/410416459/d488328e1d and https://vimeo.com/user4830612/review/410416374/1ecae84cd5

Masters Of Illusion is produced by Associated Television International (ATI) with returning Executive Producers David McKenzie, Gay Blackstone, David Martin and Al Schwartz, along with Co-Executive Producer Jim Romanovich. For more information about ATI, please visit www.associatedtelevision.com

For more information on Masters Of Illusion, please visit:
Website: http://www.cwtv.com/shows/masters-of-illusion/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwmastersofillusion and https://www.facebook.com/MastersofIllusion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cw_illusion and https://twitter.com/Mastersofillus
.@cw_illusion
#MastersOfIllusion

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

Murphy's Law - if you're feeling good, don't worry, you'll get over it!

We were feeling very, very good as we left Wanganui and started up what is now called Highway 4, on our way to Tauranga. I understand that the stretch of road from Wanganui to Raetihi is now tar sealed, and has been for some years; 30 years ago it wasn't exactly the 'road from hell' but it sure wasn't anybody's idea of a pleasant sightseeing jaunt either.

It's around 1 o'clock in the morning, we are about 30 or 40 miles from Wanganui - in the middle of nowhere, slight drizzle and the road is as greasy as hell - 'Murphy' decides to strike! The car goes into a slide and the right front side slams into a post on the side of the road. Muttering profanities, as you do, I clambered out to see what the damage was. The right front mudguard was bent in - jammed hard up against the tyre. No problem, I wrestled the post from the ground, pulled the fencing wire from it and used it to wrench the mudguard out and away from the tyre - thankful that no real damage had occurred, started up the car and carried on.

Too easy - a few more miles up the road and 'Murphy' struck again (strike two). There was a hell of a clatter from underneath the bonnet - more profanities as I lifted the bonnet and discovered that the generator had fallen off - bloody hell! My voice rose in volume as I said*/***/& ##%/?#**" #??- or words to that effect as my eyes surveyed the problem/damage. It has been said that, with a combination of good old kiwi ingenuity and a length of Barb Wire, a New Zealander can fix anything! I'm sure there is some truth in this statement, but I didn't have any Barb Wire - however, in my trunk of equipment I had various audio leads that interconnected to amplifiers, speakers and a tape deck. I tied the damned generator back on and heaved a sigh of relief as the car started and we cautiously continued on our journey.

'Murphy' must have been screaming with unmitigated delight - he hadn't even got started. A few more miles up the road - it fell off again - vibrations? (strike three). This went on until we had reached strike seven. Approximately 7.30 a.m. - Sunday morning - we have been on the road for seven hours - we are on the outskirts of Taupo, the Kinleith Forest is on our left, (by now we should have been on the outskirts of Tauranga) and the bloody generator falls off yet again (strike eight). Pieces of all my audio leads are strewn from one end of Highway 4/47- up to the beginnings of Highway One! Terribly hung over, Veronica and I must have looked the way we felt - crap - my mouth, and I guess Veronica's as well, felt and tasted like the bottom of a bird -cage, before it has been cleaned! I guess by now, 'Murphy' was splitting his sides with uncontrollable hysterics!

We had noticed a farmhouse a hundred odd yards or so back - the pair of us, looking like something the cat had dragged in, walked back to ask if we could use their telephone, to find a garage and get some help. When we knocked on the door it was opened by an elderly lady with a very kindly face, who, upon taking one look at Veronica, and with typical New Zealand hospitality said, "oh, you poor dear, come on in." After a making us a cup of tea she and her husband listened to our unbelievable tale of woe.

She then insisted that Veronica 'have a nice hot bath' while her husband drove me into Taupo. Finding a mechanic at a garage on a Sunday, who would repair the car, would not be easy. It's the old story - it's not what you know, it's who you know, 'our' farmer being a local, knew them all. So, I jumped into the tow truck with the mechanic to pick up our car. While he was hooking it on I walked up to the farmhouse to collect Veronica and to thank our unbelievable 'hosts', who would not accept a penny for their help and hospitality - that's New Zealanders for you.

Chatting away with the mechanic as he fixed the car, he asked me what I did for a living. When I told him that I was a professional magician, who also ate fire, lay on beds of nails and swallowed swords, he laughed. "Sword swallowing, that's just another one of your magic tricks, there's a special button that you press that makes it fold up". No amount of argument would convince him otherwise. Finally, he said to me "look mate, if you can swallow a sword in front of me, right here-and-now, and let me examine it before and after, I'll do all this work, including the parts, for free!" I said "will you shake hands on that" to which he replied "no problem" - we shook hands as gentlemen do. Within five minutes I'd gotten my 22inch sword from out of the trunk, taken off the removable handle - had let him examine it - wipe it clean and- swallowed it! I then threw it high into the air and let it clatter and bounce as it hit the garage floor. He was gobsmacked!

Continues next week - 'Murphy' aren't finished with us yet!

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E-zine Archives
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