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: #1603
Date: Sunday 24th January 2021
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. February Genii Magazine
3. Broken Wand - Siegfried Fischbacher
4. Broken Wand - David Roth
5. George Schindler On The Magic Word Podcast
6. Broken Wand - Jeff Marcus
7. Spread Drop Prediction - John Carey #107
8. The Disillusionist™
9. Monday Night Magic
10. Estate Of Magic Sale
11. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
12. E-zine Archives
13. 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:

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. February Genii Magazine
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Message by Richard Kaufman - Editor Genii Magazine

Join us today at www.geniimagazine.com: we help you keep your sanity during the pandemic!
The February Genii cover is occupied by Mr. David Kovac, a big hit at our most recent Genii Convention, though it seems a million years ago now. David is an unusually multi-talented individual. Dustin Stinett forged the story at a safe COVID distance just for you.

In "Conjuring," Jim Steinmeyer explains an amazing virtual mental effect that's so strong I can't even whisper the name here.

* David Britland "Cardopolizes" a Spectator Cuts to the Aces.

* Roberto Mansilla "Splitz" his prediction card in "Artifices".

* John Gaughan gazes into a Spirit Clock in "Chamber of Secrets".

* Libby Ward explains the online virtual Friday Lunches arranged by John Kippen for Academy of Magical Arts members in "Knights at The Magic Castle".

* Jonathan Friedman shoves three good tricks right atcha in "Magicana".

* Jon Racherbaumer turns 81 and pulls another oldie out of the closet in "Exhumations".

* Chloe Olewitz surveys the world in "The Eye".

Three more friend have departed this month. We have obituaries for Al Cohen, George Goebel, and Bob Dorian (head of the Magic Castle Juniors for many years).

This month we welcome a new reviewer to our ranks, pro-magician Mark Phillips will review tricks, David Britland reviews books, and Joe M. Turner reviews videos.

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3. Broken Wand - Siegfried Fischbacher
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Article forwarded by Riley Matthews (US)

Siegfried Fischbacher of Siegfried and Roy dead at 81

Siegfried Fischbacher, one-half of the flamboyant big cat illusionist act Siegfried and Roy, died Wednesday at his home in Las Vegas. He was 81.

Fischbacher was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer and recently underwent an operation to remove a tumor, his reps told The Post. He was released from the hospital earlier this month and had been under hospice care at home.

The perpetually tanned magic man's death comes less than a year after the passing of his longtime stage partner, Roy Horn, due to complications from COVID-19.

The flashy German-American duo met aboard the TS Bremen cruise ship in 1957, where they bonded over Horn's pet cheetah, Chico, which he had smuggled on board.

Working as a steward and entertainer, Fischbacher recruited Horn, the captain's bellboy, to assist during his nightly magic act. After the show, Horn popped the question that changed both of their lives: "Siegfried, disappearing rabbits is ordinary - but can you make a cheetah disappear?"

Their eventual act - a hybrid of tiger-taming and David Copperfield-esque magic with a gaudy dose of Liberace glitz - launched in Sin City circa 1967. But it was their $30-million, 14-year run at the Mirage Hotel & Casino, beginning in 1989, that propelled them into global stardom amid the height of the era of excess.

"We did what we did out of love, not for success or money," Siegfried once said, according to his reps. "We had a deep respect for each other. We literally raised each other: I created Roy and Roy created Siegfried."

Pop culture's original tiger kings deflected persistent rumors that they were a down-low gay couple - but a mural on Fischbacher's bedroom wall reportedly depicted Horn in the nude with cheetahs. Still, when informed that he was a counterculture symbol of sorts, he played coy.

"Gay icons? For these people? Well, I am very honored," Fischbacher told Vanity Fair in 1999. "In my life I have a lot of friends who are gay, and I made a lot of friends in show business, and I found out that they are always interesting, intelligent, and good people, and fun to be with. They are very open-minded. They are not narrow-minded. If I am an icon to them, it is wonderful, because gay people are always very loyal … And, you know, when you go back in history, there are great names in the arts and in every field, so be my guest."

In 2003, Horn suffered a gory career-ending injury when Mantacore, a 400-pound Siberian tiger, sunk its teeth into his neck during a live performance - on his 59th birthday, no less - at the Mirage theater.

One of their animal handlers, Chris Lawrence, came forward in 2019 with high-profile allegations of a mysterious coverup surrounding the treatment of the tigers before the attack, which he claimed left him with longterm PTSD. However, in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America," Siegfried and Roy said they had made peace with the infamous mauling that killed their international tourist destination gig.

"I really don't miss it," Fischbacher said at the time. "We have been on stage in Vegas just by themselves for 40 years on stage, you know? And we had the most successful show in the history of Las Vegas anyway."

Siegfried Fischbacher of Siegfried and Roy dead at 81 (nypost.com)

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4. Broken Wand - David Roth
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Published in Facebook by Eric DeCamps

David Roth passed away. He was a master magician, magic historian, and an incredible innovator in our community. His memory will live on in our hearts, minds, and every time we pick up a coin to make it disappear. Rest in Peace my friend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpBgDffoCqA

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5. George Schindler On The Magic Word Podcast
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Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star

What a treat we have this week with the Dean of the Society of American Magicians, George Schindler, joining us in conversation. George is a treasure himself with a treasure trove of memories and stories of magic and magicians current and from days gone by. George is a performer, comedy writer, ventriloquist, creator, author, publisher, and much more. This week on The Magic Word Podcast, George shares many stories that are sure to amaze and amuse you.

You can listen wherever you get your podcasts. But for more information, videos, photos and more, please visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/595-george-schindler And be sure to sign up for our weekly podletter so you don't miss any upcoming episodes as we near the 600 mark!

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6. Broken Wand - Jeff Marcus
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Message by Gary D. Salisbury

For those who don't know it yet, we lost a dear friend today. May you rest in peace Jeff Marcus.

https://vimeo.com/344412673?fbclid=IwAR0fP_Yqx_bQqkyY
71g8V2Qm15whZThJs95rVKm4VLngzKLNc_ai8wLK5p0

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7. Spread Drop Prediction - John Carey #107
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

The following piece was put together while experimenting with my great friend, Mick Wilson's Spread Drop Placement technique.

For this effect you will require two decks and a willing subject.

Bring both decks out and let your spectator take either one and shuffle as you shuffle the other deck. Table your deck and take theirs from them. We will now set the effect up right under their noses. Spread five cards off from the top and drop them face up in a messy packet onto the table. Repeat this, spreading and dropping five more cards face up onto the first packet.

Next spread off three more cards and drop those onto the tabled cards. Remember the face card of this packet - say Four of Hearts and then haphazardly continue spread dropping random packets of cards onto the tabled cards until the deck is exhausted. As you carry out the above
actions you comment on how well they mixed the cards. Square up the deck and turn it face down. Execute a Jay Ose False Cut or even let your helper do it on themselves.

Reach over to your deck and lift away some cards. Look at the face card and then replace the cut. You actually ignore the card you look at. Take a business card and write Four of Hearts on the back. Set it writing side down on the table. "Mick, numbers play an important role in our lives.
House numbers, PIN numbers, the list is endless. Some numbers, like seven are considered lucky, whereas others are considered unlucky for some, such as? Yes indeed, thirteen!"

Ask your helper to pick up his shuffled deck and deal and count face down to thirteen. Turn your business card over revealing your prediction. Have him turn over the thirteenth card to reveal that very card!

Notes:

This is just one of a few effects with this spread drop peek. Card at any number and myriad other effects can use the peek to full advantage.

Have fun!

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8. The Disillusionist™
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Message by Erix Logan
I would like to invite every reader of Magic New Zealand to participate to the first episode in English of "The Disillusionist ™ Live" on January 31st 5:00pm PST - 8:00pm EST
Special guest will be Kevin James - The streaming is free for everyone on those links: www.facebook.com/ErixLoganOfficial and www.youtube.com/ErixLoganOfficialchannel
It's gonna be a dynamic hour full of visual illusion, magic talks, tricks and your interaction through your post.
Look forward to meet you online!
(if you have any questions info@erixlogan.com)

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9. Monday Night Magic
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Message by Peter Samelson (US)

Join us this Monday when we go live with two revolutionary and jaw-dropping magicians: Karl Koppertop and Adrian Lacroix.

We'll kick the evening off with the Entertainment Artist, otherwise known as Karl Koppertop. This red-headed trickster has been delivering laughter and amazement for 25 years as an entertainer, creator, author and teacher of magic, and he's done this in over 30 countries. Karl doesn't judge himself based on his awards and accolades, though. What matters to him are the magical moments-to-remember he gives to everyone who sees him perform.

Closing the show will be Adrian Lacroix, the magician who revolutionized virtual magic. Adrian is an illusionist and inventor from Buenos Aires, Argentina, who, before lockdown, performed for prestigious politicians, celebrities, CEOs and, most notably, the president of Argentina. Now, in this virtual world, Adrian has invented and marketed four best-selling routines for magicians to use on video chat, one of which was featured by Penn & Teller on national television. During his interactive virtual show, you'll experience magic through the screen in a way you never imagined possible.

And, of course, our superstar host, David Corsaro, will be at the ready to add his very special touch of magic and humor to certainly make this an episode you won't want to miss!

As always, you can watch Monday Night Magic: Live Online on any streaming device in your home (PC, laptop, iPad, Fire Stick, Apple TV, Roku, or Smart TV).

Regular tickets are $20 per household.

Live Stream & Video On Demand Combo tickets* are $25 per household.

Front Row Experience tickets* are $70 per household.

Live Stream & Video On Demand Combo tickets will allow you to watch the show tonight, then view it again with a friend or significant other later this week, or at a future date and time (within 14 days) of your choosing. Video replay will be viewable for two weeks following the show's broadcast.

*Viewers who purchase Front Row Experience tickets will be part of our show, interacting as audience volunteers with our performers, and asking questions during a one-of-a-kind Q & A segment.

Just like the in-person version of our popular stage show, this event will be live, leaving lots of room for surprises, magical and otherwise. Book your seats early for a truly magical evening. (Front Row Experience tickets are now limited to 5 per show.)

We hope you can join us!

With kind regards,

Michael Chaut
(On behalf of Peter Samelson, Todd Robbins & Jamy Ian Swiss)
Producers

For more information: email admin@magicalnights.com or call (212) 615-6432

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10. Estate Of Magic Sale
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Message by Steve Varro (US)

Dear Supporters of Estates of Magic

I am in the process of switching to Mail Chimp, but I wanted to get this month's sales catalog to you first.

This month we are focusing on books. 21 pages of books. The first 15 pages are regular magic books, the last 6 pages are Gospel magic books.

I'll be eating all the postage within the USA as long as we send them media mail.

Just click on the following link to be taken to the catalog

https://secureservercdn.net/198.71.233.106/cv4.dd9.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/January-Sale.pdf

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

Trevor King QSM, a Living Legend - the story continues.

Way back in 1925, in the city of Christchurch, which is, more or less, halfway down the East coast of the South Island of New Zealand; a certain Mrs King gave birth to her son, whom they (his mother and father), endowed with the name of Trevor! He probably made more noise at the moment of birth - yelling and screaming in righteous indignation when he had his backside slapped, that he has done for the rest to his life - he is the most quiet and unassuming man you could ever meet, which certainly belies his 'Power with the Press' (newspapers) and his astonishing ability to get things done - Fast!

Trevor retired some years ago, and although he turned 77 this year (2002), he is still doing 'stuff'. He sends me a constant stream of information about various show folk from all facets of 'Showbiz' (including the 'inside bits' that doesn't appear in print), leaflets, posters etc and various newspaper write - ups; keeping me right up to date with Who's Who and, what's happening on New Zealand's entertainment scene.

One of Trevor's best mates is Burns Scandrett - better known as 'DeLarno' - Christchurch's foremost magician - now HE has a life story worth telling some time, but I can tell you that Burns is one of the few Australasian magicians to appear in the prestigious 'Who's Who In Magic' a U.S.A. publication of 'The Worldwide Biographical Guide Of Magicians From Past To Present!' Over the years Burns has bought out or absorbed, nine Magic Shops, as well as running his own shop 'DeLarnos' in Christchurch for 40 years, which he closed just over five years ago in order to retire but - He still works like a demon!

Every week Burns picks Trevor up from his home and they meet up with John Sullivan (also retired), for a drinking session and have, I understand, great discussions about entertainers and Showbiz in general. Wouldn't I just love that! John was also a Kerridge - Odeon cinema theatre manager in Christchurch, at the Tivoli and Embassy theatres when Trevor was at the Regent and Avon theatres; also worked stage shows with Trevor. Both John and Burns have known and been associated with Trevor, one way or another, for over 45 years! You get less than that for murder! Just kidding fella's! (Information kindly supplied by Burns ('De Larno') Scandrett.

Burns graciously prints off a copy of my 'Saga' from his computer each week for Trevor - which reminds me: Hey 'Uncle' Trev, how about asking 'Harry Fagin' to brush the cobwebs off - shake the moths out his wallet and, spend some of his 'millions', Ha - C'mon old friend, put your amazing talents to use, pull some strings and, get my Saga published! I'm just kidding! 'No he's not'! Shuddup!

'And just who is this Harry Fagin', do I hear you ask? Why, it was Trevor's 'Nom De Plume' - 'Harry Fagin Presents.' (Not a lot of people know that! Thanks, Michael Caine), which he used in his very early days when he was working fulltime for the Kerridge - Odeon organisation and, wanted to run various promotions for himself. His extracurricular 'activities' would have been very seriously frowned upon by the 'Big Guns' at K.O. - in fact it would have had drastic implications in regard to his continued employment if they'd known about his 'extramural actions' at that time! By the way, everything I write about Trevor, including this 'juicy bit of 'Ancient' information, has been OK'd by the 'Great' Man himself!

I said that - I may have bitten off a lot more than I can chew! Although I do have quite a bit of information about Trevor (most of which he supplied himself in various letters over the years), I have asked Burns if he could also help in chronicling Trevor's life history; the stories and anecdotes that will be 'Lost Forever', if they're not recorded! I'm pleased to announce that Burns, and John, who is a big bonus, have both consented to help in this endeavour, which is beginning to show all the signs of becoming a monumental task! Burns said to me, Between John and I, we can provide you with enough material to fill 'dozens' of books! Dear God, I wonder if computer keyboards can get writer's cramp! This I can promise you, it will be most informative and, knowing Burns and Trevor as I do 'Hilariously Entertaining'! I 'luv' you guys THANKYOU!

- Continues -

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12. 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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13. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
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Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy.

You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E- zine at: www.magicnewzealand.com

Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday.

The opinions and statements expressed therein are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Magic New Zealand®. Neither Magic New Zealand® nor Alan Watson QSM vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand® E-zine.

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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.