* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New
Zealand)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #1656
Date: Sunday 13th February 2022
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================
1.
Editor's Message
2. Less Than 6 Months To Go Before FISM WCM 2022
3. Video Of Marvin's Magic And The Magic Circle
4. Masters of Magic World Tour 2022
5. Around The Lounge By Jeff Bibik #13
6. Magical Women With Connie Boyd
7. News From The Academy Of Illusions
8. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #48
9. The Milano Prediction - John Carey #150
10. My Chapter On Jimmy Grippo
11. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
12. E-zine Archives
13. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice
--------------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Dear Readers - Michele and I will be out
of town next week so the next issue of Magic New Zealand
will be published Friday 25th February.
If
you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in HTML
format
go to: https://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2022-Jan-to-Dec2022/1656-Feb13-2022.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
--------------------------------------------
2. Less Than 6 Months To Go Before FISM WCM 2022
--------------------------------------------
Québec
City!
FISM
Schedule go to:
https://en.fismquebec2021.com/programmation
We
are so proud to announce that Alexandra Duvivier, Paul Gertner,
Luc Langevin and Zabreki will be with us!
They
will join Dani DaOrtiz and R. Paul Wilson who were announced
previously!
Follow
us on Facebook and visit our web site on a regular basis
to discover all the artists that will be in Québec
City for FISM WCM 2022!
Renée-Claude
Auclair, Pierre Hamon and their team look forward to welcome
you in Québec City for the 28th FISM WCM!
--------------------------------------------
3. Video Showing Association Of Marvin's Magic And The Magic
Circle
--------------------------------------------
Message by Marvin Berglas (UK)
Pleased
to launch our new video showing the close association of
Marvin's Magic and The Magic Circle.
https://www.facebook.com/591471993/videos/344860270837739/
--------------------------------------------
4. Masters of Magic World Tour 2022
--------------------------------------------
Message by Angela
The
Masters of Magic World Tour 2022 will be back live, and
will be held in May, from 26 to 29, in the city center of
Turin.
For
more information, here below the website:
www.mastersofmagicconvention.com/en
--------------------------------------------
5. Around The Lounge By Jeff Bibik #13
--------------------------------------------
Message by Jeff Bibik (USA)
Chicago Magic Lounge
ChicagoMagicLounge.com
www.Bibik.com
Since
13 is my lucky number I thought I'd share some of the wacky
people that have come through the bar at the Chicago Magic
Lounge. Our bar is open to the public every night, no ticket
is required to come in and see bar magic. Naturally, lots
of strange things happen here.
We
are down the street from a cemetery and when about a week
after we opened a skeleton walked in and said "May
I have a beer and a mop?"
Our
bar actually is haunted though. The shelves are full of
spirits… That joke deserved some boooos.
We
do not serve snakes. They can't hold their beer.
One
of our regulars, William the Ox wandered in one night. He
was off the wagon again.
Once
an amoeba came in. I said "Make sure you pay your tab
before you split."
Once
a guy came running in saying "Help me help me, I swallowed
a boomerang!" We must have kicked him out 10 times.
A
guy came running in asking "Where's the restroom?"
and he dashed in - a couple of moments later we heard a
terrible scream and he came running out. I asked "What
happened?" He said "I'm not sure, I was sitting
there and when I tried to flush something came up and grabbed
my privates!" I said "You idiot, you sat on the
mop bucket."
Our
club is 21 and above, a one night a suspiciously young person
walked in. I asked "How old are you?" She said
"I don't know, it keeps changing by the minute."
I'll
admit it, I used to struggle with drugs and alcohol but
now I'm good at it.
I
didn't want to stop drinking but I wanted to cut down so
I joined A…
We
actually just remodeled our bar. We installed new drunks.
One
night two parallel lines came into the bar. Sadly, they
never met. Too bad too, they had so much in common.
Finally,
one night a Rabbi, a Priest and a Minister walked in. I
said "What is this, a joke?"
And this, gentle readers, are just some of the jokes that
have kept me out of the big time for over 30 years now!!!!
Next
week -- Artist in Residence Kayla Drescher
--------------------------------------------
6. Magical Women With Connie Boyd
--------------------------------------------
Message by Connie Boyd (USA)
Tina
Lenert & Mr. Mopman | Superb Magic & Mime | Television
Broadcast 1992 | Blast from the Past
Tina
Lenert's classic act, vintage video with "Mr Mopman"
in 1992 appearing on JuanTamariz's "Chantatachán"
television show in Spain. Chantatachán was a program
produced for Telemadrid in 1992-93.
Tina
refers to her Mr. Mopman act in her Magical Women Guest-Star
talk.
Here
is the Playlist to watch those talks and other Magical Women
talks:
https://youtu.be/9f6vXEi-o8A
--------------------------------------------
7. News From The Academy Of Illusions
--------------------------------------------
Message by Jay Scott Berry (Australia)
Magic
is one of the oldest artforms, with roots stretching back
into the mists of time. Like music, it's a universal language,
appealing to all ages, regardless of country, colour or
creed. It's also the only artform that exists solely to
create wonder. And wonder, like imagination, has no limitation.
These basic concepts are cornerstone principles of the Academy
of Illusions and Abra.tv. We serve, first and foremost,
The Art of Wonder.
With
that in mind, what a week it has been! The 2nd "Spotlight
On" program featured International Superstar and Vegas
Headliner, David Goldrake. Over the one hour Livestream,
he and I discussed, in-depth, his early life, growing up
in Luxembourg, his inspirations and aspirations, triumphs
and tragedies. From being inspired by Copperfield, Richard
Ross, Tommy Wonder and Jonathan Pendragon to when I began
working with him, 25 years ago. He starred in two of my
Festivals in Scotland, which were the springboard for his
European Tours leading on to his Imaginarium Show on the
Las Vegas Strip. The full interview is up to watch on the
Abra.tv FB Page, only through Tuesday.
Franz
Harary's interview has been removed and will be re-released
in April on the Abra.tv Website, with the full Season of
"Spotlight On" shows. Just today, we were pleased
to announce that all nine upcoming episodes, through March,
are fully booked with Superstars and Grandmasters. Next
week's show will feature the one and only, Eric DeCamps!
You catch the Livestream on Feb 15th @ 1pm LA, 4pm NY and
9pm UK at: www.facebook.com/AbratvMagicNetwork
The
6th Weekly Edition of Abra.tv News included the Supermagic
Show in Rome and The Magic Castle Founders Day Celebration
preview, each with accompanying videos. From there, we were
off to Jolly Old England for Romany's reports on Ben Hart's
Tour, Steve Price in Liverpool, Paul Aitchison's "Could
it Be Magic" at the Wilton's Music Hall and the "Curious
Cabaret" in Nottingham, starring Marc Oberon, Chris
Wilder & James Phelan. Finally, she had an exclusive
interview with FISM World Champion and Star of this month's
Blackpool Convention, Marc Oberon. She will be attending
the Event as our official Correspondent, taking pix, videos
and conducting interviews. So, if you are going to Blackpool,
make sure to track her down. You might just be part of our
convention news story!
Without
waiting for the dust to settle, I'm working on Saturday's
News Program which will feature the Grand Opening of the
Magical Mystery Show in Hawaii. Earlier today, I conducted
an exclusive interview with Stars, Nathan Coe Marsh and
Curtis Kam. As an unexpected surprise, Jonathan Todd, the
Producer, joined the interview, giving his incredible backstory,
which has led to the development of these shows. Other headline
stories in development are The Sparta Avenue Stage, a full
report on the Magical Founders Day Celebrations, The Magic
Inn Online Convention, Paul Draper's "Navigating the
New Normal" plus another visit with Romany! Also on
the Schedule for next week are the 6th Illuminations program,
streaming on Wednesday and the 19th GenoMania, on Thursday.
As
many around the world are already noting, this year's alliance
with the Academy and Abra.tv is producing extraordinary
results, setting a whole new standard in magic news programming.
Stay
tuned...the best is yet to come!
--------------------------------------------
8. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #48
--------------------------------------------
Message by Paul Stone (US)
In
my article a couple of weeks ago I celebrated the 100th
Birthday of my good friend and 'National Treasure' Mark
Raffles.
Over
this past weekend I heard about the passing of another stalwart
of British magic, David Hemingway, at the age of 86.
David
was a true Yorkshireman, he didn't mince his words and always
spoke his mind, and he didn't take any prisoners! Unsurprisingly,
this divided opinion within the world of magic. He had very
strong views on how magic should be performed and staged,
and that often brought him into conflict with the magic
establishment. Invariably though, he was right!
I
first met David nearly 50 years ago when he was a magic
dealer whose company was called 'Designer Magic' based in
Preston, Lancashire, where he lived with his wife Marjorie,
who was his rock, and who sadly and unexpectedly predeceased
him several years ago. He never truly recovered from this
loss.
David
was hugely influenced by Ken Brooke, and even sounded like
him when he spoke. David understood the importance of commercial
magic and his props were always practical and built with
pros in mind.
He
was the magic adviser on a number of successful TV Shows
including 'Lost Empires',
An
entertaining performer with a dry wit and an impish sense
of humour, David was also an accomplished writer and lecturer,
and it was always a pleasure to hear his words of wisdom.
Over
the last ten years, David had become somewhat of a recluse,
and rarely ventured out to many magic events.
I
kept in touch with him by phone and whenever I was back
in UK, I tried to meet up with him for lunch and a chat.
He was always great company, and we shared many laughs.
David
Hemingway was 'old school' and a real gentleman, and I'll
really miss our get togethers. RIP.
The
Blackpool Magic Convention is now only a handful of days
away, and I'm really looking forward to meeting up with
many old friends.
I'm
excited to be bringing Lynette Chappell over with me, she
is an amazing lady with a performing career that is second
to none, and I'm delighted that she is being featured at
the convention, as her story with Siegfried & Roy is
incredible. If you are attending the convention, don't miss
Lynette Chappell's presentation,
'My life with Siegfried & Roy' at 1pm on Sunday in Opera
House Theatre.
If
you will be at the Convention on Friday afternoon, do also
please check out my workshop. See you there!
-------------------------------------------
9. The Milano Prediction - John Carey #150
-------------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/
The
Milano Prediction was conceived whilst on holiday in that
beautiful city. It makes use of George Sands brilliant prime
number force. Take a stranger/odd backed card, say Five
of Hearts and pop it inside a small pay envelope. Next take
out the same card from your working deck
and secretly mark its back with a dot for easy, covert identification.
Set that card on top of the deck and you are ready to perform
an incredibly powerful prediction effect.
Bring
out your deck and the sealed envelope. Hand the envelope
to a participant and request that they place it inside a
pocket. Remove the deck from its box and casually display
the different faces and then table the deck face-down. Execute
a riffle shuffle, retaining your force card on top and then
hand the deck to your helper. Ask them to cut off around
a quarter of the deck and table it face-down to your left.
Then have them shuffle the balance and cut off another quarter
and table that portion to the right of the first packet.
Have them shuffle what remains some more and once more cut
off a small packet and table it next to and to the right
of the second packet. Finally, ask them to shuffle the cards
they have left and table them at the right end of the tabled
row. The conviction of mixing is a great one, and yet our
force card is still under our control on top of the packet
at the far left end of the tabled row of packets.
"So
you are going to do everything here today, Shannon. You've
just shuffled the deck. Let's make two groups from those
packets you've made on the table." Imagine the packets
are numbered one to four from left to right. Turn packets
two and four face-up. "We've got face-up cards now
and face-down cards, but we don't need them all. Shall I
take out the face-up cards or the face-down cards?"
We will use Equivoque to force the far left end packet.
If they say take out the face-up cards, we do just that
and discard them to one side. But if they say take out the
face-down cards we pull both of those packets forward from
the tabled row and then casually discard the face-up cards
without fuss.
"Two
packets remain, but we only need one. Please pick up either
packet." If they pick up the non-target packet simply
direct them to discard it. But if they pick up the target
packet, you discard the other packet without fuss or any
words. "They do say that the number seven is a lucky
one and has mystical connotations. Please deal seven cards
face-down from that packet." So they deal seven cards
into a packet and you take the rest and discard them. Ask
your participant to shuffle the packet, that contains the
Five of Hearts.
We
will now segue into the truly brilliant Sands' Prime Number
force. I love this thing! Take the packet of seven cards
back from your helper and deal it into a face-down circle
configuration on the table, or let the participant do this.
Covertly track your marked Five of Hearts as this is done.
Bring out an old coin or maybe a lucky charm and hand it
to the spectator. Ask them to drop it onto a card. If they
drop it on top of your marked card it's Miller time! Show
the faces of the cards they could have dropped it onto and
discard. Then have them turn over the Five of Hearts and
a few moments later reveal your prediction card in the envelope.
Most
of the time this won't happen however. When they drop the
coin/charm on top of any other card we will go into the
Sands force. State that in a moment you'd like them to think
of a number between one and seven and that thought will
be used to eliminate all the cards but one. As you say this,
and by way of demonstration, pick up the coin and tap the
cards in a clockwise direction and casually drop it on top
of the card after your marked card. Then have them call
out a number between one and seven. Believe it or not, any
number in that range will force your marked card!
Let's
say for example they call out four. Using the coin as a
counter, start counting and tapping the cards one at a time
in a clockwise direction, starting on the card the coin
was dropped onto earlier. Turn the card you arrive at face-up.
Repeat this, starting the count to four with the next card
and turn the card arrived at face-up like before. Repeat
these actions until just one face-down card remains. Discard
the eliminated cards. Turn the last card standing face-up
revealing the Five of Hearts. Comment on how they shuffled
the deck, they eliminated the cards and everything was under
their control. Request that they open the envelope they
have in their pocket and remove the contents and show a
miraculous match. Do not perform anything else.
Yes
it's that strong...
--------------------------------------------
10. My Chapter On Jimmy Grippo
--------------------------------------------
Message by Geno Munari (US)
I
wrote a book about the Dunes Hotel & Country Club, wherein
there is a very detailed chapter about the legendary Jimmy
Grippo. Jimmy was a unique individual in magic, boxing,
hypnosis and had a close association with infamous Mob characters.
He operated casinos, owned professional boxers and was the
Magician in Residence at Caesars Palace for 25 years. I
have documented his association with Jimmy Hoffa, Willie
Moretti, and many other stories never before told. There
is a ton of material about Jimmy in the book.
"Chapter
43
Jimmy
Grippo,
Magician And Hypnotist
Jimmy
Grippo was the resident magician at Caesars Palace from
the beginning, and spent the twilight of his 25 years there
performing and hosting customers and friends. Prior to going
to Caesars Palace at the request of the Mob, he worked at
the Desert Inn, having been hired by Sam Tucker. Not only
did he hold the secrets of a magician, he also held the
secrets of the Mob.
Jimmy
lost his right eye from playing with a firecracker when
a small child. Such a disability was difficult for a young
man to deal with through his formative years, and it surely
garnered remarks that made him feel inadequate. Young Jimmy
certainly must have experienced teasing, ribbing, and name
calling, yet the prejudice and handicap helped forged the
great individual into which Jimmy evolved.
Jimmy
lived in Beacon, New York, which was within minutes of the
heart of the gambling, drinking, and boxing action in New
York City and New Jersey. He hung out at Lindy's in New
York City and stayed at the Edison Hotel during overnight
trips. Lindy's, which opened in 1921 at 1626 Broadway, was
a popular haunt for aspiring Broadway stars, the fight crowd,
and Mobsters, and was made famous by the movie Guys and
Dolls. U.S. Prohibition began in 1920 and lasted until 1933.
Dances, nightclubs, vaudeville, movies, pool halls, illegal
casinos, speakeasies, bootleg fights, and boxing events
were the entertainment venues of the day.
Boxing
gyms were a place for young men to go and meet up with their
friends. The Great Depression waylaid the country, and survival
often meant fighting in one way or another. The Grippo brothers
were young, smart, energetic, handsome, tough, unique, and
looking for a piece of the action. Jimmy saw magicians and
crafted card mechanics in the area and learned some of their
magic tricks. His fascination with this mysterious and secret
art became a passion, and he quickly mastered magic and
what he became more known for, hypnotism. Jimmy did not
get into serious magic, though, until he moved to New York
City permanently in the late 1920s."
Here
is a link to the book on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Dunes-Hotel-Casino-connections-stories/dp/1634243846/
ref=asc_df_1634243846/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=532827134322&hvpo
s=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13318144158800994891&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvde
v=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9030754&hvtargid=pla-1395323137600&psc=1
I
think the magicians around the world will enjoy the book.
Most
sincerely,
Geno
Munari
-------------------------------------
11. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
-------------------------------------
Written by the late Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)
Let
me tell you about 'Little Bird'! He was a Corella. There
are two variations of the species - the 'Little Corella'
and, the 'Long Billed Corella'; 'Little Bird' was a 'Little
Corella', also known as the 'Bared Eyed' cockatoo, the 'Blood-Stained'
cockatoo, and the 'Short-Billed' cockatoo. About 15inches
in length (38cm), their general plumage is white; with diffuse
yellow bands under wings and tail. Unlike most cockatoos,
they don't have a distinct crest, but they can raise the
feathers on top of head in alarm or aggression. They have
small red feathers between eye and bill. Bare blue skin
around the eye, extending in an oval below the eye, varies
in shape with age and possibly sex. Their eyes are a dark
brown, and their bill is horn coloured legs are grey.
Little
Corella's are excellent birds to keep as a pet, becoming
docile and affectionate towards their owners, and are good
talkers; Little Bird was no exception although we did have
a big advantage. We bought him from a most reputable bird
dealer/breeder 'The Ace Colony' (which is, was? if memory
serves me correctly, out North Parramatta - Wentworthville
way) when he
was only a few weeks old - just a cute, tiny bundle of soft
down and fluff. I have some wonderful video footage of Veronica
hand feeding him with a special mushy mix for young birds.
The beauty of hand rearing a cockatoo, or any bird for that
matter, is that they grow up as part of the family; to them,
you are their parents! In addition, your other pets - dogs,
cats, etc accept and protect them. It is quite something
to watch a cat and bird, traditionally sworn enemies, playing
together and having fun!
Although
the bulk of our work was appearing/performing in R S L clubs
etc. around Sydney (RSL - Returned Ex-Services Leagues),
we were on tour quite a lot as well. Many times, we were
on the road with Judy Stone (among others), one of the Top
Country and Western singing stars in Australia at the time;
perhaps she still is? Consequently, we took Little Bird
with us, as he was far too young to leave with Doug at his
pet shop, as we did with our other birds; besides, Veronica
was still hand feeding him. It was during one of Judy's
tours that Little Bird took his first flight around the
motel room we were staying in. That caused quite a bit of
excitement - everybody had to come and see Little Bird 'doing
his thing' and, he was only too happy to oblige!
The
'Judy Stone Show(s)' was always a lot of fun - Judy was
a 'True Star', and you knew she was the boss but, she had
none of the 'off-handedness', that seems to be the wont
of many of those who have made it 'big'. Judy had a great
team around her, and she had her own backing band which
included two female backing singers. All of them were absolutely
ACE! I can't remember all their names now, but the leader
(and drummer) was John Clinton - he had his own business/shop
in Crown St. East Sydney - 'Live Music Systems'; a hire,
sales and service of Top Quality sound equipment - very
expensive gear for professionals.
I
would drool all over the place whenever I was in his shop.
Then there was Lance - he was the pianist in the group.
The reason I remember Lance is that he lived just down the
road from us, and we often got together after tours. Lance
was a brilliant pianist - a very unassuming, easy-going
man; he went through hell and an awful lot of pain battling
early baldness with very expensive 'invisible' transplants.
Why does fate play such cruel tricks on those who least
deserve it? It ain't fair!
A
little aside. One of the great things about typing on a
computer is that you can play a CD on it at the same time.
I have a very good speaker set-up that sounds fantastic,
and right this minute, as I'm typing this, I'm listening
to my all-time favourite singer - Neil Diamond. He is singing
a song called 'Morningside'. It is one of his songs - one
of many, that really moves' me to tears. God, I really am
such a softie at heart. In a recent interview, Neil Diamond
divulged that most of his songs related to his life and
incidents therein.
What
really gets to me is; the words of most of his songs strongly
relate to my own life and the 'Incidents', as well! Another
of his songs, called - 'I AM.I SAID', has a 'particular
effect' on me. He sings about being '.lost between two shores.'
That's me, lost - between the shores of New Zealand and
England! Changing the names of the cities/countries in Neil's
song - .'I'm New Zealand born and raised; England is fine
but it ain't home; New Zealand's home but it's not mine
anymore...!' Guess you will just have to listen to the words
of the songs to really understand - 'If You Know What I
Mean', the title of another ND Song.
I
seem to have slipped away from the cockatoos somewhat. What's
that? Did I just detect a collective sigh of relief? Tut,
tut! There is a little more to relate about Judy Stone,
the gang and us. In those days, Veronica and I were mad
on 'Backgammon', and we got everybody who knew us involved
as well. Judy and the gang were no exception!
Continues
next week.
--------------------------------------------
12. E-zine Archives
---------------------------------------------
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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--------------------------------------------
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