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: #1643
Date: Sunday 31st October 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. Milbourne Christopher Awards
3. FISM Quebec 2022
4. Magic Maxl - Youngest Penn And Teller Fooler
5. Around The Lounge By Jeff Bibik #4
6. Magical Women With Connie Boyd
7. News From The Academy Of Illusions
8. Pin Up - John Carey #139
9. Wes Iseli's Magiclife - Tom Ogden - S2E15
10. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #35
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: https://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2021-Jan-to-Dec-2021/1643-Oct31-2021.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. Milbourne Christopher Awards
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Message by David Haversat (USA)

To be held at 6:00 PM on October 30, 2021 at the Garde Arts Center - 325 State Street, New London, Connecticut. The evening begins with a reception featuring fine hors d'oeuvres, complimentary wine, cash bar - followed by the presentation of the 2021 Christopher Foundation Awards. Festivities continue with a performance by author, historian and noted magician Scott Alexander.

-2021 Award Winners -

Illusionist Award - Joe Devlin
Close - Up Award - Michael Ammar
Ambassador of Magic Award - David Sandy & Lance Rich
Literary Award - Darwin Ortiz
Masters Award - Rob & Carol Allen
Lifetime Achievement Award - Chris Capehart

If you have not done so, please RSVP with David Haversat - Haversat@gmail.com - Checks made to: The Milbourne Christopher Foundation

$20.00 Per Person.

Those registered for the Christopher Awards may attend Jim Spinnato's Comedy Magic & Hypnosis Shows live at Mohegan Sun Casino.

Friday - October 29, 2021 - 6pm - Performers are Jim Spinnato and Pete Haddad

Sunday - October 31 , 2021 - 4pm - Performers are Jim Spinnato and Mentalist Jon Stetson

Please notify David Haversat for free tickets to The Spinnato show. Courtesy of Jim Spinnato for those attending the Christopher Awards.

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3. FISM Quebec 2022
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9 months to go before FISM WCM in Québec City!

July 25 - 30 2022

The venue:

Québec City Convention Centre

Restaurants

The Québec City Convention Centre is just minutes away from dozens of restaurants of every kind and price range. Home to French restaurants, microbreweries, bistros, sidewalk cafés and much more, the city has earned an outstanding reputation for its innovative cuisine, fine regional products, and creative artisans and chefs.

Light meals are available at the Convention Centre at Le Lounge restaurant and the Petit Café.
The Centre is part of a complex that has two restaurants, Le Subtil and La Prep, and a convenience store.

Free WI-FI

Stay Connected

It's on Us!

The Québec City Convention Centre is the first in Canada to offer its clients free high speed Wi-Fi in all areas-just one of the ways in which we are anything but conventional! Convention Centre guests enjoy free wireless Internet throughout the complex, day and night. Just open your browser, enter your email address, and you're set! Visitors and attendees are kept connected at all times with 15 Mbps connection and unlimited data transfer. Coverage at the Centre extends through every hall and common area, to every corner of the building.

Green and Proud!

Located in the heart of a pedestrian friendly city, the Québec City Convention Centre is proud to be green. Every event held at the Convention Centre meets sustainable certification standards. Protecting the environment is important for us and for the health and wellbeing of your attendees, our community, and the planet. Our team is constantly coming up with new ways to improve our methods and takes tangible action to uphold high standards of environmental management-earning us a reputation for leadership in sustainable development in the process. Our many certifications, including LEED-CI (Gold), LEED-EB (Silver), BOMA BEST Level 3, and the AIPC's Gold Quality Standard, testify to our determination to help build a better, greener world.

Accessibility

The Québec City Convention Centre meets the standards of the National Building Code of Canada and the American Disability Act and is rated "accessible to persons with a physical impairment" by Kéroul. The Convention Centre has an action plan to meet the needs of the mobility impaired and is proud to be an inclusive and fully accessible facility.

For more information go to: https://www.fismquebec2021.com/

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4. Magic Maxl - Youngest Penn And Teller Fooler
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Message by Evelyn Strugnell (New Zealand)

Penn and Teller Fool Us - Magic Maxl - Youngest fooler ever! S08E02

The youngest Fooler in the history of the show! The 14 year old Magic Maxl from Germany amazes Penn & Teller and Alyson Hannigan in the 8th season of Penn & Teller Fool us with a floating egg!

https://youtu.be/oQVyW9ZDCog

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5. Around The Lounge By Jeff Bibik #4
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Message by Jeff Bibik (USA)
Chicago Magic Lounge
ChicagoMagicLounge.com

The 654 Club

Deluxe ticket holders at the Chicago Magic Lounge are invited to stay after the Signature Show for an extra performance in our 654 Club. The name comes from the Sam The Bellhop routine made famous in the 60's by Frank Everhart at the Ivanhoe Restaurant in Chicago. The routine uses an entire deck of cards to tell the story of Sam, who always runs down the street to the 654 Club to get change for a hotel guest. These days the routine is most associated with memorable performances by Bill Malone.

The 654 Club features 43 raked theater style seats. Like the Blackstone Cabaret every seat has a great view. There is a full lighting and sound system. A blackjack style table and some smaller side tables are available, and most performers work seated for a set that is scheduled to be 30 minutes. Some performers we've had could use a watch, as they go over time. This is not really a problem on Thursdays and Sundays, there is only one Signature show. It does become a problem on Fridays and Saturdays because there are 2 Signature shows a night and the rooms need to be turned to welcome the late show guests.

A recent 654 performer went well over an hour, causing headaches all around. That's this weeks, pro tip - stick to the time you are given. A true pro knows their timing and delivers. In some settings if you go over time you are throwing off the entire show. Think of the big picture, and don't be selfish because you're needy for attention. You are supposed to leave them wanting more, not wishing for less!

The main wall of the 654 Club is covered in memories of some the great Chicago magic bars and restaurants of the past. A club called A Little Bit of Magic went through several iterations, losing parts of its name along the way. It went to Little Bit of Magic until they lost the little sign then it became Bit O Magic.

The largest piece in the 654 Club is the actual street sign from Chicago's New York Lounge. It was a very famous magic bar just up Lincoln Avenue from Fran & Jay Marshall's Magic Inc. They were an old school neighborhood bar and the magicians were also the bartenders. It was said you could have any kind of beer there, as long as it was Budweiser. If you ordered something else they would pull out a Bud and a marker, cross out the name and write in your choice. Al James, Skeets and Heba Haba were regular performers. Others included Mr Ash, Jimmy Kryzak, Bill Weimer and Ken Mate. Bill Malone also spent time there.

Another section of the 654 Club is devoted to Schulien's, a magic bar with a long and well known history. Schulien's moved to the north side in the 1920s into what was then a German neighborhood. Matt Schulien was known worldwide for his bar and table magic, passing the torch to his son Charlie and then on to Grandson Bobby. The Schulien family finally sold out in 1999, after almost 100 years. The walls were full of photos of famous visitors and oddly, firemen's helmets. They were friends with many fire departments, and they would bring Charlie and Matt their retired helmets. Today we have 2 of those helmets on our wall, a gift from the Schulien family.

Last week I was wearing some cuff links with the Cadillac automobile logo. Someone at the bar said "Are you the Cadillac of Magicians?" I said "Yes, I'm overpriced and out of date!!"

Next week- The décor and historical artifacts of the Chicago Magic Lounge.

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6. Magical Women With Connie Boyd
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Message by Connie Boyd (USA)

Anchal Female Magician from INDIA and yes, A Monkey! on Penn & Teller Fool Us Season 8 Episode 4

Anchal Kumawat is a magician from India. When the @Penn And Teller Fool Us HD producers reached out to @Magical Women with Connie Boyd earlier this year, to help recruit more female magicians Anchal saw our posts on social media.

She bravely submitted an act for Season Eight and her magic act as selected to appear on the show. Watch Anchal's charismatic performance from beautiful INDIA !

https://youtu.be/rgaXFiPP0Yk

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7. News From The Academy Of Illusions
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Message by Jay Scott Berry (Australia)

With my students, I first emphasise building a strong foundation of sleight-of-hand skills. I then focus on originality, striving to create signature routines with distinctive presentation and character. That's been my personal formula all along and is derived from Maskelyne's writings on "The High Art of Magic". Originality has taken the spotlight this week at the Academy with both headline stories.

First is the launch of the OMC - The Original Magic Competition. Geno DeVille dropped all the details on the 6th GenoMania Episode. The basic rules are simple: Submit a trick or effect, no longer than 2.5 mins, to the DeVille Magic FB page, before 20th December 2021. It's FREE to enter with a trove of prizes to the winner. The main focus will be on, you guessed it, Originality! As Geno says, "This is all about pushing the Art forward". Find all the details at www.DeVilleMagic.net

Second is that Rod Chow just won the PCAM Gold Medal and the People's Choice Award! Rod is a longtime friend and one of my top students. His commitment to excellence and attention to detail is truly exemplary. He was the closing act on last month's Excelsior Gala and was featured on the Darkstone Dossiers Mentoring Mini Series. On behalf of the Academy I give him a virtual standing ovation. Rod Chow's original Astrology Act is winning the hearts of magicians and muggles alike! You can watch it on the Academy FB Page.

The premiere release in our Series of Digital Downloads is an instant hit. "Get Reel" is being called "The definitive work on Silk & Reel Magic!". Aussie Pro, Daz Buckley, wrote, "I cannot recommend this highly enough. I thought I knew about reels for magic. Boy, did I learn a thing or ten! The techniques taught on this will revolutionise reel magic, and that is not hyperbole. That is a stone cold fact. If you want to learn how to use reels to perform incredible magic, then this is your last stop. Incredible!"

This week's ZoomStorming Sessions were intensive Masterclasses on the Topit. Spanning 100 years of evolution, from the original 'Poachers Pouch' to the many designs and creative contributors: Salvano, Cloutier, Ammar, Fitch and Cellini. Demonstrating many different designs, I asked the proverbial question, "Which is the best?". I then busted the myth that a Topit requires a jacket by showing my Shirt Topit and explaining its use in Vests, Tails and Hoodies. After demonstrating my designs and applications, I finished by showing how to make a working Wraparound Topit in just 5 minutes from a square of cloth. In the end, the proverbial question was easily answered, with no ambiguity, "The one that works best for you."

In this week's Illusioneering, I talked, in detail, about the "Get Reel" project, teaching some of the bonus material. I also set the Way Back Machine to 1985, Vienna, reminiscing about the most amazing run of shows I've ever done. My co-Stars in this trip down memory lane were The Pendragons, Finn Jonn, Vito Lupo, Salvano, Terry Herbert and Phillipe Socrate. Finally, I taught how to make a Sparkling Magic Wand, as a keepsake giveaway, using only 2 Pipe Cleaners.

Finally...we just dropped the 3rd episode of Alan Watson's "Seven Secrets" Series to the Academy Page and The Art of Wonder Group. There is such a wealth of information in these presentations! We are grateful that Alan has allowed us to add these into our Curriculum.

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8. Pin Up - John Carey #139
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

No, not me! Here's a further exploration of the first part of the 1089 concept we discussed in the previous piece, this time used as a PIN revelation. Materials-wise, all we need are a couple of business cards, a pen, and a willing participant.

"Michael, today we are going to attempt something rather interesting using numbers. They're everywhere we go so let's have some fun." After this light hearted introduction I ask my participant to take out their phone and open up the calculator. Request that they make sure the screen is clear before you proceed. "If I asked you to type in your PIN number right now it might intrigue you, but I wouldn't be comfortable trying to work with your personal information.

So instead, make up a four digit pin for me now, making each digit different. Is there any way I could know that pin? Fine now I want you to flip those numbers on their head. Press the
minus key and type in the reverse of those digits. So if you typed in 1234, you would type in 4321, ok? Press the equals key and you will now have a random total that quite simply nobody but you know, yes? Finally, and just in your mind, add up those digits to form a two digit number, then turn your phone off. Pick up a business card and on the back write those digits down."

So, as in the proceeding effect this will force 18 upon them. We will now utilize my dear friend, Michael Murray's brilliant Springboard concept which will enable us to bring home a little miracle.

"Michael, we will now play a little game known as higher and lower. Focus on that first digit on the card please. You're going to make a third digit with it by going higher. Do you wish to go one, two a couple higher or maybe three or four? Three higher? Ok based on your answer write that new digit next to your first two please. Finally, focus on the second digit.

Now you will go lower. How many lower, do the math? Two lower? Fine. Based on that please write that digit in your mind next to the other three, thus forming a PIN number that you and only you know." So let's discuss the above. Because you know the first digit is a one, if
they say three higher the third digit they write down will be four. Likewise because you know the second digit is eight, if they say two lower, their fourth digit they write down will be six. It's a simple but beautiful idea. "Now I want you to send me your thoughts, one number at a time." Pick up the other business card and act out the moment, feigning concentration and eventually, in this example writing down the PIN number 1846. Ask your participant to show their PIN number and then dramatically reveal a perfect meeting of the minds as you display your PIN number matches perfectly.

This effect is perfect for relaxed social situations. Just don't attempt it on someone three sheets to the wind on beer!

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9. Wes Iseli's Magiclife - Tom Ogden - S2E15
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Message by Phillip Peterson (US)
Wes Iseli is a full time professional Magician and Illusionist who performs all over the US with his family. This podcast will include magic stories, road stories, family stories & more.

Tom Ogden - S2E15

In this episode we talk to comedy magician Tom Ogden. We talk about his appearance on World's Greatest Magic and his days as a cruise magician. We talk about his move to Hollywood, the Magic Castle, and much more.

https://anchor.fm/wesiselismagiclife/episodes/Tom-Ogden---S2E15-e19681f

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10. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #35
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Message by Paul Stone (US)

A question that I, and I'm sure every magician, is regularly asked is 'so how did you get into magic?'

In my case, I was at a boarding school in North Wales and they hired a magician for their Christmas Party. I was ten years old and although I didn't know it at the time it was the start of what was to become a lifelong passion.

Whenever you see an interview with the world's greatest magicians, they often talk about who their mentors were and how much they owe to them for introducing them to this amazing art form.

Magic is much more 'out there' and accessible today but, when I first showed an interest, it wasn't so easy to discover where to go to learn. Mind you, it was before Noah built his ark!

In many ways it was a better situation then because if you wanted to find out more you either went to the library or bought a book.

Sadly, in the impatient world we live in nowadays, where everybody wants instant results, less and less people read books and instead watch DVD's or downloads.

I was lucky because in my home city of Liverpool there was a small magic shop called the 'Wizard's Den'. It was there that I bought my first Svengali Deck and then Sucker Silks - which I still think is a really strong and entertaining effect.

I was also allowed to become a member of the Liverpool Mahatma Magic Circle, one of the oldest magic societies in England, which celebrated its Centenary in 2015. It was there that several of their more senior members, including a name that many older magicians will know, Bob Ostin, took me under their wings and taught me so much.

I was honoured to become President of the Mahatma on four separate occasions, and I have so many happy memories. Magic clubs are the heartbeat of all who share this wonderful hobby of ours.

But, as I reached my early teens, I wanted to expand my repertoire and the local magic shop didn't have a huge range of tricks.

However, I met someone in the shop who told me about the magic shops in London, and that was my introduction to Ken Brooke's Magic Place in Wardour Street in the heart of Soho, and Davenports which, at that time, occupied a prime position directly across the road from the British Museum on Great Russell Street in London's West End.

Ken Brooke became my mentor and I spent hundreds of hours in his studio learning the business from this master demonstrator. I also spent many hours in Davenports watching and listening to the one and only Patrick Page.

Pat was not only a fine performer, he was also a walking encyclopedia of magic. Standing behind the counter of this large oldy-worldy shop, he would hold court, and pro's and hobbyists alike would listen to his words of wisdom.

Occasionally Betty Davenport would appear from the back of the shop too. The Davenport family, and Betty and Fergus Roy in particular, have given so much to the world of magic. It's wonderful to know that they are still very much with us and healthy.

Fergus is once again organizing his renowned Collectors Conference in London in 2022. He always puts on a first class event with an impressive line-up, and I'm very much looking forward to being a part of it next year.

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

Of Booking Agents, Variety Artistes and Other Things

One would have to say that the Variety Artists in Sydney were spoilt by choice considering the vast number of venues they could work in, and the scores of agents who booked the acts into them. The 'Encore-Showcast Variety Directory of 1978 lists 97 Agents and 369 Registered Clubs in and around Sydney alone, and that's just the registered ones. I know that at least ten years earlier, there was a hell of a lot more clubs than that! Of the 97 Agents, 63 booked 'Sight' Acts.

All these Agents had several types of acts under 'Management and Exclusive Representation' in their stable; and many of the Top Agencies also had exclusive booking rights to International
'NAMES', who came into Australia quite regularly for a season. Our Agent Brian Fogarty represented 14 acts (including ourselves) that ranged from Vocal and Instrumental Duos, Trios and Groups, Male and Female singers, Comedians, Instrumental Specialists and Hawaiian Instrumental/Dancers/Vocalists. He also had the sole booking rights for Winifred Atwell - 'Queen of the Keyboard' (until her death many years ago), and Buddy Loren, an American
Impressionist/Comedian/Vocalist. We were the only 'Sight Act', on Brian's books.

Each agent had exclusive booking rights with several clubs, and the only way an agent could get his acts booked into another agents clubs was to strike up a deal, where they would trade acts
to work in the others venues. It was great system because it kept all the entertainers in solid work. Where it did fall down was when different agents didn't like each other; no matter how great a certain act was, if they were being managed by a 'detested' agency, Tough - they didn't get booked, and that meant a loss of potential income to the particular artist, in fact, all of the
artists on the 'detested one's' books! I know that we lost work because of this petty jealousy between various agents - all artists did.

The only solution to the problem was to drop your agency and their management, and go Independent. It was a big gamble because unless you had a 'Name', you would go downhill, big time, fast! You just had to be well known by all agents, even those who had never booked you previously, mainly for the reason I stated above. Going 'DIRECT' obviously meant that you took over all the responsibilities that your agency had done for you, looking after your book, chasing jobs, negotiating fees etc. You learnt to live with a telephone that seemed to be permanently attached to your ear but Hey, if you wanted to eat?

It became a lot easier when some 'Bright Spark' came up with the brilliant idea of a central booking centre. With one phone call an agent, anybody, could find out if a particular act or acts -
any type of artist, was available on particular dates. For a yearly fee, any artist could register with: 'THE ARTISTES ANSWERING CENTRE' (AAC). All you had to do was keep the Centre
informed of all your bookings, times, availabilities etc. There was no favouritism; they could, of course, offer advice to a potential booker of the suitability of acts to particular venues, which was to your benefit. There is nothing worse than working for the 'Wrong Audience', NOT because your show was - 'what's a four letter word for - CRAP'? It just wasn't right for that particular venue or audience.

I haven't got a clue right now who ran the AAC, not without taking a dive into the bottomless, murky depths of my 'famed?' aluminium trunk, searching for the answers that are floating somewhere within its swirling mists of times past. Yes, yes, I know, its non-poetic - unromantic. (Another four letter word?) But, I like it! What I do know is that the Principals of the AAC took the time to view every act that registered with them, so that they knew what they were talking about when describing and advising bookers in regards to a particular artist(s). They also
advised the acts of any feedback they received, good or bad, which again was to your benefit - any problems that you weren't aware of; you could rectify, and improve your performance. Agents loved the AAC because in the past, if they had rung you for a booking, and you weren't available, they had to telephone the next on their list ad infinitum, until they got someone. Now one phone call did the job, and their telephone bills were dramatically reduced, as were the artists.

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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.

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