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: #1615
Date: Sunday 18th April 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. Magical Women - Renée-Claude Auclair
3. Milt Larsen Doc Trailer
4. The Magic Word Podcast
5. Broken Wand - Yuji Yasuda
6. Jeff McBride's Online Learning
7. Remember Yuji Yasuda
8. Centimental - John Carey #115
9. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #7
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: https://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2021-Jan-to-Dec-2021/1615-Apr18-2021.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. Magical Women - Renée-Claude Auclair
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Message by Connie Boyd

Renée-Claude Auclair-President FISM Quebec, Canada 2022 | Winning the Bid to Host | Magical Women #41

Renée-Claude Auclair is the Canadian Association of Magic (CAM) current President, she is also the current President of the Quebec 2022 FISM World Championships and the Co-Organiser of FISM which will be held in Canada July 25-30, 2022.

This will be the first time, ever, that FISM (Federation International Society of Magicians) also known as "the World Championships of Magic" will be held in North America.

In this talk Renée reveals her story and the strategy to win the bid for FISM and how her determination and the work-ethic she developed as a Canadian world-class diving team member served her well in the quest to secure the prestigious event in Canada.

We hope you will enjoy Renée's talk as much as we did.

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3. Milt Larsen Doc Trailer
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Message by Phillip Peterson (US)

A look into the journey of Magic Castle founder, Milton Page Larsen.

Directed by Johnny Cannizzaro

https://vimeo.com/showcase/8347822/video/533207690

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

Al the Only and Allan Kronzek on The Magic Word Podcast

Last week we had a lengthy but informative conversation with Al the Only. Al moved from Detroit, Michigan to Hawaii where he now goes by "Al Loha" where he regularly performs magic. His forte and roots are in restaurant performances in Michigan but also performing at trade shows and for corporate groups. He gave us a lot of valuable advice on booking shows and retaining clients. He is also the tour guide of the Colon, Michigan, cemetery and the author of "The Magic Graveyard" where many noted magicians are interred. You can listen to that episode wherever you get your podcasts, but for content and to enter the contest for a chance to win a copy of his book, please visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/606-al-the-only

This week we go in an entirely different direction in a conversation with Allan Kronzek, an author, performer and teacher of magic. Allan talks about publishing, preparing to teach a youth magic class, performing in Long Island, New York, and his various publications. He also offers us a chance to win a copy of his new book for the general public, "Grandpa Magic." You can listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts, but you can also enter the contest at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/607-allan-kronzek

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5. Jeff McBride's Online Learning
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Message by Jeff McBride (US)

Detailed instruction of professional routines

High-quality video demonstrations

Dozens of lessons available 24/7

In addition to live learning at the Magic & Mystery School in Las Vegas, we also provide several online resources for magicians, to keep you connected with us and to supply you with teachings and supplies that will support your magical growth.

https://www.magicalwisdom.com/

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6. Broken Wand - Yuji Yasuda
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Message by Serge Odin

I learn at the moment the death of Yuji Yasuda Korean magician who has greatly participated in the development of Korean magic.

Having met him several times, I will remember his great availability, his kindness and his determination to promote and reunify Korean magic.

Her tears and her great sadness at not being able to receive the North Korean delegation during the last FISM in Busan will remain in the memories of all those who were present in the room.
My condolences go not only to his family and loved ones but also to the entire magical Korean community.

RIP my friend.

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7. Remember Yuji Yasuda
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Message by Donghae

Born in Japan in 1959, fell into magic with his first circus performance at the age of 5. When his brother died in an accident in the second grade of middle school, he decided that he will do magic as nobody knows when one's life will end. At the age of 18, his first show ended successfully with the help of his Korean-Japanese friends.

After marriage, he wore Hanbok and did magic under the name of An Sung U, but no matter how hard he tried, he was rarely accepted in Japanese society at the time, and the worries about his livelihood deepened with the birth of his first son.

At the Hawaii competition where he competed instead of his student, he overwhelmed his prominent competitors at the time and reached the final 6, which was broadcasted and watched from North Korea. At that time, he met Kim Taek-sung, a leading magician in North Korea, and taught magic to his sons.

After winning the U.S. competition, he received many invitations from overseas presenters, but couldn't proceed due to visa issues, so he changed his performing name to Yuji Yasuda at the recommendation of a Japanese agency, and had a lot of performances and events. At that time, he tried harder without being conceited, and he was in his prime as a performer.

He participated in the Yokohama FISM, Japan, combining the tools he received from North Korea's Kim Taek-sung and his actions, and won the third place in the Illusion category.

In 2001, he met Jung Sung-mo in the U.S., and he visited Korea as it was meant to be. At this time, he watched Lee Eun-gyeol's performance and felt awkward, but he saw the possibility. It was the day when Incheon Airport began his first flight, and he always remembered his first "Korean snow" at the moment.

Since 2007, Professor Ryu Kyung-hwa and Dongbusan college created Magic Entertainment department, raised numerous students who love and care about magic, and stayed in classrooms and laboratories for most of their work until 2016 when the department disappeared.

He joined BIMF, which began in 2006 as judges, performers, and others and has held the MUK International Magic Seminar since 2009. He worked the hardest on the globalization of Korean magic by participating as a judge of FISM in 2009, the chairman of the organizing committee of FISM ACM in 2014, and the artistic director of FISM WCM in 2018.

He spent 15 years to make the nation one through magic, going back and forth between the South and the North. In particular, from 2007 to 2018, magicians from the South and the North continued to make efforts to stand on one stage and interact with each other, and believed that the last mission was the South and the North, united by magic.

Born as the son of a Korean-Japanese from Jeju Island, he met his wife at a Korean school and had three sons. He was always grateful that the children grew up and had grandchildren after marriage, were able to go to children's entrance ceremonies before they were small, and was thankful that he could cook for his own family and have time with his wife until his last moment came upon.

https://www.rememberyasuda.com/life

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8. Centimental - John Carey #115
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

Centimental was inspired by John Wilson's beautiful version of the classic Poker Players Picnic, available as a download on the Art of Magic website. The use of the cards cut to and then doing a reading of those cards for your spectator was a real eye opener for me. Not a mere card trick, a real performance piece with meaning and power! For this piece you will require a deck of cards, a small change purse with 29 cents (or whatever your currency) inside. On top of the deck place 4 cards of mixed suits that total 29 in value. Bring out the deck and purse. Set the purse in front of your helper without fanfare. False shuffle the deck and table it face down. Ask your spectator to cut the deck into 4 approximately equal packets.

Then execute any of the various spectator cuts the Aces methods in print to get those target cards into play. Segue into a reading of those cards, interpreting the suits and values; Diamonds indicates money, Hearts relationships and family, Spades work and Clubs health. Please don't make this too heavy and keep it light and moving! Then comment on how the cards sometimes have a habit of telling us things that are not immediately apparent... Comment on how numbers are important to all of us.

Then ask your helper to add up the values of the cards she cut to totaling 29. Further comment on how the total could have been anything as she cut the cards. Pick up the purse from the table and tip out the coins into your spectators hands. Have her table the coins one at a time as you add up the values out loud concluding with 29 cents and a strong, meaningful and engaging mystery.

Notes:

An additional touch can be added by placing a folded business card inside the purse with the following message: "Thank you for helping me today. Remember to always stay true and be positive. Have a nice day!" After the coins revelation you ask the spectator to unfold the message and read it out. Give it to them as a souvenir and maybe the coins as well.

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9. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #7
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Message by Paul Stone (US)

It's definitely been a magical few days for me.

Last Saturday I was invited by my good friend Diana Zimmerman to Milt Larsen's 90th Birthday Bash at the Magic Castle. Milt Larsen is of course the man responsible for the Magic Castle. It was his brainchild and he literally built much of this wonderful building, and has been at its helm ever since it opened.

The event was for around one hundred of Milt's close friends and actually took place in the Magic Castle car park which was dressed up with hundreds of fairy lights, with the attractively lit Magic Castle providing an impressive backdrop.

All the guests were given a Milt's Birthday gift bag and a hand fan adorned with Milt's face. The Castle did an excellent job too with the catering, not an easy task in these trying times.

Milt looked very smart with a large red rose buttonhole and together with his lovely wife Arlene arrived to a very warm ovation and a loud rendition of 'Happy Birthday'.

It was a fun evening with strolling magicians visiting all the tables and a few sincere, but thankfully short, speeches.

It was great to catch up with many old friends including Les Arnold, Bill Smith, Gay Blackstone and Jeff Hobson, who had driven in specially from Palm Springs.

A couple of days later I was back in Las Vegas where I filmed an interview for ITV who are producing a documentary on Roy Horn (Siegfried & Roy). I understand it will be airing later in the year in USA on Hulu.

Then, out of the blue I received a message inviting me for lunch with another good friend and Vegas superstar, Master Magician Lance Burton who was back in Las Vegas for a couple of days for the first time in six months. Lance is now a gentleman farmer permanently domiciled in Kentucky, about one hundred miles from Louisville.

Before Lance had moved out of town last year a group of us used to meet up regularly for lunch. It had originally started out as the Peter Reveen lunch club, and we'd take Peter out most weeks.

It was a multi-talented group, I think I was the only one I'd never heard of! It included Norm and Lupe Nielsen, Fielding West, Bill Smith, and often Johnny and Pam Thompson and Charlie and Sherry Frye.

So it was nice to resurrect an old tradition, even if it was only for one time. Joining Lance and I were Bill Smith, Keith West, Gabrielle Lyster, Darrin Race and Alexandra Lafarge.

Lance Burton hasn't actually completely given up performing, not by a long way. He's still planning to take his 'Lance Burton and Friends' stage show to venues across USA. The show also features the inimitable Fielding West, illusionist Keith West and comedy juggler Michael Goudeau (who was Lance's guest star in his record-breaking run at the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino).

Lance has also fulfilled another ambition. Because he had been performing nonstop for so many years on the Las Vegas Strip, he hadn't ever been in a touring show. This was something he'd always wanted to do, so he's bought a huge and luxurious touring bus and, as soon as everything opens up again, the Lance Burton and Friends show will be on the road in it. You can't keep a good man down! Watch this space for details.

Later this week I'm due to visit Pam Thompson, the 'and Company' in 'The Great Tomsoni and Company'. I'm greatly looking forward to seeing her again, she's a very special lady. I'll tell you all about it next week.

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

Amusing Incidents and, Some That Weren't!

Scattered throughout the Saga, are many incidents, and I thought that it would be a good idea to put them into one chapter, plus a few others that haven't been included yet. They will be in no
particular order, I'll simply write them as they come to mind. So, sit back and enjoy these various, sometimes funny, sometimes bizarre, episodes that invaded my Show Biz' life!

Like the show in the Kawerau Hotel lounge room, with no dressing or changing room facilities. We borrowed some screens from the local hospital and voila - we had a makeshift dressing room. At one point when we were changing, a female voice loudly inquired: "HEY, YOU
FELLA'S IN THERE, IS IT A BOY OR GIRL?" The crowd roared! The screens had come from the - MATERNITY WARD!

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Then there was the night of the party, way back in the early sixties, when the party host who, on hearing that I could swallow swords, roared "Bullshit" and produced a large butchers sheath full
of knives. He worked at the Westfield freezing works. "Let's see you swallow this," he said, brandishing a very large, very lethal knife. I declined, explaining that it wasn't possible to swallow an object with razor sharp edges. "How about this then" he snarled, as he pulled out a very long sharpening steel. "No worries" I said, taking it from him, and gulping it down. That was no problem, but pulling it out again was - the damn thing nearly turned my esophagus inside out! I had forgotten about the raised spiral edging, which is sharp. Mind you, I was pretty drunk at the time. Never again!

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During the hypnotism show one night, a beautifully attired young lady toppled out of her chair when she 'went to sleep', landing on the floor with her legs facing the audience. Unfortunately, her dress had ridden up and, for all to see, were her panties - sporting a very large hole in the most inappropriate position!

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Or the young lad who, dressed in his Scout uniform, 'surreptitiously' went around, under his own volition - picking the other 'subjects' pockets after they had (by hypnotic suggestion), apparently 'won a bundle' at the races! His mother and father (the Scout Captain) were very red faced!

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The things one does to prove a point! Like the time in a coffee lounge one night, following a show at the Rotorua Sound Shell. I swallowed a long handled teaspoon - because a sceptic, who had been to the show, recognized me and said that my swords folded up. The handle of the spoon went down alright, but I didn't figure on the whole thing disappearing down my gullet! The bowl of the spoon shot out of my fingers like a pip; It was covered in cream. I had nearly pulled it out again when some good 'Samaritan' decided to help? - By giving me a hefty slap on the back! The spoon shot back down again!

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What is not such a good idea, utterly stupid in fact, is spending the whole day sunbathing on a beach and, finishing up looking like a freshly cooked lobster - as I did in Gisborne, way back in the 'Dark Ages'; Then having to do a show later that night, which entailed among other things, laying on a bed of nails. It was okay during my performance - I was using self - hypnosis, but afterwards? OUCH!

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Vanishing a lit, full length king size cigarette (You know - by the usual method) in a ladies rather expensive evening gown, which has a metallic thread running through it is, most definitely, not a good idea. The heat tends to make 'things' melt somewhat. Most embarrassing, even if there is No Evidence, as to where the 'body' is buried!

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Doing a show for the 'Homai Institute For The Blind' was interesting. Everything was visual, performed to music - no patter, and you couldn't cheat, as every single move was being described to the letter so, no mistakes allowed either! Glad I didn't pass wind. How would they have described that? Then again, they wouldn't really have needed to, would they! I've just heard the 'Seekers' on the radio singing 'Blowing in The Wind', and the thought just kinda popped into my head!

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Many years ago, I came up with the bright idea of getting a member of the audience to pull the sword out after I had swallowed it - to dispel any ideas that it folded up. Standing on a chair beside me, they would be instructed to pull the sword straight up and out, at a given signal. Well that was the plan. HA! To be fair, it worked great for a couple of shows then 'Murphy' stuck his oar in! We were performing at a Hotel that catered for an international clientele, and a Japanese tourist volunteered!

We will never know if he simply misunderstood the instructions, or whether he actually thought that Sword Swallowing was faked, and therefore would not cause me any harm. When Veronica gave him the OKAY, to pull the sword OUT, he instead whacked the top of it, HARD - which drove it even further down my throat! Luckily, because I my head was bent back, I saw his hand go up and instinctively 'knew' what was about to happen and bent my knees to lower my
height. When you've got 22 inches of SOLID STEEL inside of you, which has actually entered your stomach, you cannot bend over or twist, well you can, if you want to die! It was fortunate that my eyes were open - otherwise several inches of the sword would have protruded from my rear end! I could then have been employed to pick up papers and rubbish in Parks, with my 'built-in - rubbish stick/spike'! What a bum job that would be!
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When working on a cruise ship, it's not a bad idea to check out the weather before starting a Close-Up magic session, especially if you intend to perform the 'Cups and Balls'! All was well when I started my afternoon session to a packed lounge bar audience. I was part way through my cups and balls routine when the ship started rolling in a heavy swell, even with the stabilizers out.

An intricate cups and balls routine is difficult enough under normal circumstances, but when the balls are rolling all over the place - it sure does test your skills somewhat! The crowd kindly applauded the magician at the finish. I applauded the juggler! It just so happens that on that fateful day, Veronica decided to video the proceedings, so I have a permanent record of that rather difficult cups and balls magic/juggling session - I almost get seasick, whenever I watch it!

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Walking along a street in Madang, Papua New Guinea, we came across a long line of natives, all with red teeth, including the kids - from the beetle nuts they constantly chewed. They were seated along the footpath, plying their wares for the tourists. It was the usual sort of stuff: shell necklaces, bangles, colourful skirts and trousers, sharks teeth and various carved wooden objects like dolphins etc. One chap was selling wooden salt and peppershakers of various sizes and lengths BUT, they were all in the unmistakable shape of a man's penis! Now me being me, I just couldn't help myself. Squatting down in front of the vendor, I reached down to the base of the biggest set that he had on display and said: "Very nice, but there's something missing", and produced two, red sponge balls! His eyes nearly fell out of his head, especially when I apparently pocketed them and then 'produced' two more, from another set of those rather rude objects. He asked if he could look at one, and gingerly examined it.

When I started doing some vanishes and transpositions with them, all the other natives within the vicinity began yelling with excitement at this 'MAGIC'! To them, what they were witnessing was the REAL THING! The chap with the shakers made it quite plain that he wished
to bargain with me. He wanted my sponge balls. It was they, not me, that had the 'MAGIC POWER'! Of course I wouldn't part with them so, he reached into a large bag and pulled out what was, quite obviously, the pride and joy of his collection - I mean - they were
two of the biggest salt and pepper shakers I've ever seen, again in the shape of a Male…! It would have taken 'kilograms', to have filled those massive beasts up. He almost cried when I said NO and, to add insult to injury, we didn't buy anything from him! Well C'mon, he and his nearby stallholder friends had, after all, been right royally entertained, FOR FREE!

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E-zine Archives
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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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Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
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