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: #1681
Date: Sunday 21st August 2022
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. World Championship Of Magic Italy 2025
3. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #73
4. Magic Castle Performing Schedule August/September
5. Magic & Mystery School Events
6. Estates Of Magic For Sale
7. Tales from the Fantastic Magic Center - #6
8. A.M.R - John Carey #168
9. News From The Academy Of Illusions
10. Beneath The Trapdoor With Bronson Chadwick - #7
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: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2022-Jan-to-Dec2022/1681-Aug21-2022.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

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2. World Championship Of Magic Italy 2025
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Italy - Torino

14th To 19th July 2025

World Championship Of Magic Italy 2025

The most important magic competition in the world

* 150 competitors.
* More than 3000 magicians present from more than 50 countries.
* 100 handpicked merchants
* 6 days of unforgettable magic
* 1 banquet
* Exchanges between magicians (jam sessions)
* And more

https://fism.org/

https://www.fismitaly.com/

https://www.facebook.com/FISMeurope/

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3. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #73
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Message by Paul Stone (US)

This weekend the Magic Castle in Hollywood are holding a memorial service for Japanese magical icon Haruo Shimada. I remember seeing him perform when I first came to Las Vegas forty years ago, and his stage presence and the power of his performance was off the charts. Some performers just have that 'it' factor, and Shimada was definitely one of them.

Although obviously a very different type of performer to German illusionist Hans Moretti, they shared one common trait, they both had their own unique and distinct stage persona, making it almost impossible to look away at any time during their act.

My magic highlight this week was receiving a call out of the blue from Master Magician Lance Burton to join him and a few other close friends, Bill Smith, Fielding West, Gabrielle Lyster and her husband Chris, and Gabriella Versace for lunch.

Lance is back in the entertainment capital of the world where he performed so successfully for many years to be a judge in Criss Angel's new show 'Magic with the Stars'.

It's an interesting concept, featuring two different well known 'entertainment stars' with an interest in magic, in each show. They will learn one close-up trick, one parlour trick and one illusion, and then perform them for the panel of three judges, Criss, Lance and a comedian (whose name escapes me for the moment!).

It's a nice gig for Lance, he just gets to sit back and critique! I understand it airs sometime in October.

Another important date in the magic calendar is on October 4th. It is the unveiling of the memorial for Johnny & Pam Thompson - alias Tomsoni & Company, in Colon, Michigan. I know that a lot of magicians will be travelling to Colon to honor them. They join an illustrious list of magicians who are laid to rest there.

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4. Magic Castle Performing Schedule August/September
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August 29 - September 4, 2022

Close-Up Gallery
Cocktail Hour (Thursday - Sunday)
Cocktail: Micah Cover
Close-Up (Monday - Sunday)
Early: Greg Wilson
Late: Michael Rangel

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: John Archer
Late: Kevin Li

Palace of Mystery
Dan Birch
Bruce Gold

Saturday & Sunday
Palace Show
Dan Birch
Bruce Gold

Peller Theatre
Lauro Castillo
Tam Vo

The Hat and Hare
Nick Dopuch
Mike Pisciotta

Library Bar
Tim Wise

Friday Lunch
Greg Wilson

Saturday & Sunday
Parlour Kids Show
(Kids of All Ages)
Tim Wise

September 6 - September 11, 2022
Close-Up Gallery
Cocktail Hour (Thursday - Sunday)
Cocktail: Jeff Parmer
Close-Up (Monday - Sunday)
Early: Paul Green
Late: Johnny Ace Palmer

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: TBD
Late: Nick Paul

Palace of Mystery
Oscar Munoz
Dale Salwak

Saturday & Sunday
Palace Show
Oscar Munoz
Dale Salwak

Peller Theatre
Chuck Jones
Kerry Ross

The Hat and Hare
Nick Dopuch
Mike Pisciotta

Library Bar
Alfonso

Friday Lunch
Johnny Ace Palmer

Saturday & Sunday
Parlour Kids Show
(Kids of All Ages)
Funny Eddie

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5. Magic & Mystery School Events
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Message by Jeff McBride (US)

August 2022 - Magic & Mystery School Events
26-28 - The 2nd Annual Inclusivity & Diversity in Magic Conference - with Paul Draper and many guests - Live Online

September 2022 - Magic & Mystery School Events
6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30 - Show & Business - The Pro Class - with Tobias Beckwith & Jeff McBride - Live Online

October 2022 - Magic & Mystery School Events
4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 - Show & Business - The Pro Class - with Tobias Beckwith & Jeff McBride - Live Online

14-16 - Weekend of Wisdom - with Jeff McBride, Larry Hass & Tobias Beckwith - Live in Las Vegas

https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/event

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6. Estates Of Magic For Sale
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Message by Steve Varro
stevevarro007@gmail.com

EstatesOfMagic.com is having our August Price reduction sale.

There are two catalogs on the web site this month:

1. The August Catalog filled with all new (still packaged) discounted props be sure to read page one of this Catalog to see how big your discount could be.

2. Our make me an offer catalogue, has been re-visited and many of the larger props have been price reduced again, so be sure you take a look at these 64 pages of props, books and media items most of which are in like new condition.

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7. Tales from the Fantastic Magic Center - #6
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Chop and Charlene
by Kent Cummins, Director

The Origin Story!

Every magician is a super hero! We can make things appear, disappear, change, and so much more. We can destroy something and restore it, defy the laws of gravity. But that is not why I think we are super heroes.

A magician can also make the daily grind disappear for audiences all over the world, if only for an hour or two. We can use Magic With a Message to educate and inspire as well as to entertain. A magician can revive the sense of wonder and inspire hope. Today, the world needs MAGIC more than ever.

So how did you become a magician? Here is my story:

I was six years old in the summer of 1949, when my Grampa gave me a Magic Coin Box, often called the "Coin Slider" by magicians. He was manager of the Buckhorn, a popular tourist attraction in San Antonio, Texas, and they had a small magic counter in their gift shop.

My dad noticed how much I loved that trick, and gave me my first A.C. Gilbert Mysto Magic Set. I have told that part of the story in the past few issues of this publication.

But it took more than magic sets for me to become a magician. The Del Rio Public Library had a few magic books (Dewey Decimal Number 793.8), which I devoured. Skinners Raisin Bran and Skinners Raisin Wheat had magic Trick Slips in each box, and small books of tricks that I sent off for.

Del Rio did not have a magic store, but my grandparents lived in San Antonio, which had the Fun 'N Magic Shop. Many more stories are embedded in those experiences, and I will be sharing them in my podcast.

The Fantastic Magic Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the art of magic. Check out my free weekly podcast at:
www.FantasticMagicCenter.com

Sometimes, it takes a Magician!
kent@MagicHotline.com

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8. A.M.R - John Carey #168
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

Another Mental Reverse is my variant handling and approach to Ed Marlo's classic Mental Reverse from his book The Cardician. I wanted to eliminate any ATFUS or other top of the deck work and here is quite a lean and satisfying version.

Hand a participant a deck of cards for shuffling as you mention that we will be playing a game of Mental Poker. Ask your helper to deal a hand of five cards and table the rest of the deck. Then ask them to mix that packet and then spread it with the faces towards them like in a game of Poker. Next instruct them to think of one of those cards and then to cut it to the face in order to fully focus upon it. Once they've done that, have them turn the packet face-down.

"I've got a friend who's a gypsy and she has a most mysterious way of mixing cards during her fortune-telling readings. In fact, you will do this now." Walk and talk your participant through the venerable down/under deal, dealing a card down and placing the next card underneath the
packet. Have them repeat these actions and drop the last card on top. This automatically places their thought of card third from the top of the packet.

Take the packet from them. " So from a deck you shuffled you dealt a hand of Poker. Then you thought of a card and mixed this packet. You could be thinking of any one of these cards right?" As you say the above you push over two cards into your right hand, at the same time getting
a pinky break underneath their thought of card. Flip the right hands two cards face-up onto the packet and immediately pick up all the cards at the break from above with the palm-down right hand. Then use the left long edge of this packet to flip the left hand's cards face-up and then place the right hand packet on top and then turn the packet face-down. This is a simple small packet Braue reversal and their thought of card has secretly been reversed in the face-down packet.

Ask your helper to cut the deck into two halves. Then you set your packet on top of one of these halves and then place the remaining half on top centralizing the Poker hand. Build up the conditions and the moment and then ask your participant to call out their thought of card. Ribbon spread the deck widely to reveal their reversed thought of card and your mystery has reached a powerful and successful conclusion.

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

I'm often asked how I keep so calm and cool onstage. My short answer is that I've done enough shows that I've pretty much made every mistake, so why worry? We all know that Murphy's Law rules in Magic and that, sooner or later, everything that can go wrong will go wrong. And no matter how much we rehearse, there's always the unknown factors inherent in live performance. But the Catch 22 is that you can't learn those until you take a routine out for, at least, a few hundred shows.

It's one of the points that I'm always emphasizing to my students. As soon as I see they are ready, I encourage them to do some test runs with a new effect. The hardest part is overcoming the fear of making a mistake. But you can't get experience or gain confidence without facing that fear and taking the leap. You see, I used to think that being a pro meant that nothing would go wrong. Now I know that being a pro means keeping your cool when everything goes wrong!

My goal has always been to be bombproof, under any and all conditions. And, after 10,000 or so shows, I thought I'd seen it all. However, last weekend, I was the Gala Emcee for an outdoor Circus Arts Festival. On paper, it looked like a cakewalk. In reality, it was far more challenging. Leading up to the show, everything was going wrong. It had been raining all day. The backstage area was enclosed but the stage was laid out on a muddy, wet field. Now, I've done hundreds of Emcee spots and have learned from the best. It's one thing when all you have to do is focus on your own show. It's a whole different matter when you have to be the calm in the storm, in this case, quite literally. As we counted down to showtime, I was like the captain on the ship, reassuring everyone that, one way or another, we were not going to sink.

It was a cold winter evening, in a light drizzle. Over 250 people showed up and, as they say, the show must go on! All the best laid plans went out the window and everything was an elaborate improvisation. I had a dozen routines ready, just in case, and chose the ones best suited to the conditions. But, let's be honest, how many of us rehearse with wet props? And the same was true for the jugglers, dancers and acrobats. Each faced their own challenges on a slippery, rain soaked, stage. Under such extreme conditions, the whole show could have easily been a disaster.

The reason that it wasn't was due to the professionalism of the cast and tech crew. In short, everyone kept their cool. From the moment I walked onstage at the beginning, to the final ovations, the audience was behind us 100%, understanding the challenges we faced and appreciating our efforts all the more. I often say that one of the greatest feelings is accomplishment. But we don't get that unless we accomplish something. And the quality and quantity of that feeling is directly relative to the challenge that's been faced, and overcome. So, by the end of that amazing show, everyone was filled with an indelible sense of well-earned accomplishment.

Coming down to earth after the weekend festival, I'm back teaching my students and planning the next ZoomStorming. To celebrate the One Year Anniversary of the Academy, we are very pleased to present a brand new Masterclass, focusing on three of my latest creations: "Wandering"- Ring & Wand, "Ovatio" - Card & Ball and "Framed"- Coins & Purse Frame. These are Powerful, Visual Routines that apply from Close-up to Stage and from Kids to Corporate. Plus, all are designed for Maximum Wonder from Minimum Props. Imagine, with less than $40 in supplies, having all the pieces for a world-class show!

The Innovations ZoomStorming will be presented on August 27th at 12pm LA, 3pm NY, 8pm UK, 5am SYD (on the 28th) and 7am AUK. As always, the $20 admission price includes the HD Digital Download, which you get even if you can't attend the Live Session. Head over to the Magic Ladder to Reserve your spot: www.MagicLadder.net

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10. Beneath The Trapdoor With Bronson Chadwick - #7
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Message by Bronson Chadwick, Illusionist
BronsonChadwick.com
2022 President - Texas Association of Magicians

Making the Most of a Magic Convention Experience

There was a time when magicians were so secretive about their ways and means that to learn magic you would have to try extremely hard to make the right connections. Magic shops were extremely rare and magic secrets were seldom published in print. Before video, the explosion of magic books and eventually the internet, you had to seek out other working professionals and work as a student under that master.

Today magical training is more readily available. One of the best ways to advance your magic career or hobby is to regularly attend magic conventions. These strange gatherings are amazing places to learn new magic, refine your skills and study under the modern "greats." In the late 90s there was an explosion of magic conventions in the US and abroad. It seemed like every week there was another magic convention happening somewhere in the world. The frequency of these magic conventions has slowed some due the pandemic and economic factors, but I suspect another rise in conventions in the future. One quick Google search however will reveal that there are numerous magic conventions happening all year long.

Magic conventions are not always cheap. Pricing to attend these events is all over the board. Registration goes anywhere from $100 to $1,000 (USD). Furthermore, you need to account for the cost of travel, lodging, food and of course the dealer's room!

Getting your maximum value out of these conventions is very important. Below are a few tips to make a magic convention experience the best it can be. For the past sixteen months I have been planning and designing the 2022 Texas Association of Magicians convention: the annual gathering for magicians in Texas and surrounding areas. Since the TAOM convention is fresh on my mind, I find it necessary to give these tips on maximizing your convention experience.

1. Register Early - The sooner you register for a convention, the better. Waiting to register for a convention at the door can be a huge mistake. Assuming there are registrations even left, latecomers often get the worst seats to the evening shows and large events. Priority seating is often given to those who register far in advance.

2. Choose Your Lectures And Events - at some magic conventions you simply can't do it all! While at the 2022 TAOM convention there are no simultaneously scheduled events, many magic conventions will have multiple shows and lectures running at the same time. Do your research on the acts and speakers that you think may be of interest to you and plan your schedule accordingly.

3. Get Out Of Your Shell - Don't be afraid to attend events that do not necessarily line up with your own interests. If you're a card magician, then don't be afraid to attend an event on children's magic. If you're a stage illusion performer, then don't be afraid to attend a lecture on up-close mental magic. You never know what knowledge or bit of wisdom may be helpful to your magic career by visiting these events that vary from your up-front interests.

4. Pack Accordingly - it's wise to have a pack of cards, some large coins, pen, and paper handy on you at all times. Many lecturers and presenters will teach invaluable moves and information and so it's helpful to have these common magic mediums on you so you can try out these moves there in person. Having pen and paper handy for notetaking will help you recall information after the convention is over.

5. Support Your Lecturers - most lecturers do sales after the lecture is over. Many will provide lecture notes and original products available for purchase. Magicians are often surprised to learn that most magic lecturers are not paid to present their lecture. Many lecturers are only given a convention registration or a nominal fee to cover lodging during the convention. By purchasing products from the lecturer, you are showing your appreciation for that speaker, and you are also adding to your collection.

6. Network In The Hallways - Don't be afraid to meet other magicians after hours or in the corridor between events. These "jam sessions" are useful opportunities to networking. You never know who you will bump into!

7. Keep Your Eyes Open To Secret Events - some conventions will have special events that don't show up on the convention schedule. These are the "who you know" events. Keep your eyes and ears open to hidden parties, late-night shows, etc. that may be a great deal of fun but don't appear anywhere in print!

8. Stay At The Convention Hotel - Very often people will register for the convention and spend the day at the hotel where the convention is taking place but at night go across the street (or even across town) to more affordable accommodations. Doing this is actually more stressful than simply forking over a little extra money and staying at the same hotel as everyone else. It's also important to the hosting organization of the convention that you stay at the venue. The team that produces the convention has to promise the hotel a certain amount of hotel rooms to be sold in order for the convention to be solvent. By not staying at the convention hotel location, you are putting the convention team at risk of paying extremely high fees for unsold rooms after the convention is over; not to mention that you miss out on all kinds of fun late-night jam sessions that happen after-hours during the convention.

9. Don't Let Money Be A Problem - are you broke? Don't let that stop you from coming to a magic convention! There are workarounds for those wanting to attend a magic convention on a budget. All of these are techniques I've used to cut down on magic convention costs. First, consider volunteering at the convention! Volunteers may do tasks such as setup, A/V technical crew work, registration desk help, etc. These volunteers are often given a free convention registration for their efforts. Next, consider getting a roommate for the convention. Look on social media and email newsletters for those needing a roommate for the convention.

If you don't see a posting for roommates, then make a post yourself. While it's a bit odd to have a roommate at a convention the first time you do it, very often you end up making a lifelong friend this way. You can also save money by bringing some of your own food. Dining at the restaurants in and around the convention venue can get expensive so I sometimes bring in my own food to store in the hotel room refrigerator. You would be surprised at how many magicians do this! Finally, consider working for another magician during the convention. You could help a magic dealer in their booth in demonstrating the latest and greatest magic. Some magic dealers will even pay you cash on location for your work!

10. Take Lots Of Photo And Video - It's important to document everything you experience at a magic convention. The best way of doing this, apart from taking notes, is to take lots of photo and video! Keep in mind that it is taboo or even prohibited to record video or take pictures at some events during a magic convention. It's never a good idea to record video during a magic lecture. You also may not be allowed to video certain performances, but pictures may still be an option. Anytime photo or video are allowed, take lots of it! Taking pictures and video of your journey will help you remember key events years down the road and share with others in the future how much fun you had! Who knows, the small-time magicians you meet in the hallway may be the big-time acts of tomorrow. There have been many times when I would meet some no-name acts that within a year or two make it to the Las Vegas stage!

11. Bonus Tip - Join The Hosting Organization - If you are attending a magic convention that is organized by a major magic organization such as the Texas Association of Magicians or the Society of American Magicians then consider joining the organization as a member. Most countries have their own magic societies that offer annual membership. These memberships include perks such as discounted convention pricing, local magic club gatherings during the year, access to online video libraries or a monthly print publication to keep you in the loop on the latest and greatest in the magic world. Staying plugged in with other magicians is important!

And just in case you don't know what you're doing during September 2-5, 2022, be sure to sign up for the TAOM convention! Visit www.taominfo.online and register now!

What are your thoughts?

Send me an email at bronsonchadwick@gmail.com or visit online at www.bronsonchadwick.com/trapdoor

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11. 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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12. 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.

Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree they will not hold Magic New Zealand® or Alan Watson QSM, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions or statements contained therein.

Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct or disregard any articles submitted.

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