Magic New Zealand® E-zine

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* Magic New Zealand®
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Issue Number: #1713
Date: Sunday 30th April 2023
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. Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund Receives Donation
3. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #105
4. Magic Castle May Performing Schedule
5. The Secrets of the Magic Castle: Mike Pisciotta
6. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 28
7. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #38
8. Magic & Mystery School Events
9. 2023 S.A.M. Convention, July 23-26
10. John Carey #196
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:

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. Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund Receives Donation
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Message by Geno Munari (US)

Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund Receives Donation of Approximately $750,000 in Rare Houdini Memorabilia from Geno Munari Collection contains Houdini's handcuffs, straightjacket, posters, photos, props, and more.

Sacramento, California (April 3, 2023) - The Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization also known as ShareMagic, is pleased to announce that Geno Munari, the well-known magic historian and collector, donated a collection of rare Harry Houdini artifacts to the organization in December 2022. The donation has since been valued to be worth nearly $750,000 and will eventually be used to create a special exhibition.

The donated items include Houdini's personal letters, Houdini "challenge" leaflets, posters, and other one-of-a-kind memorabilia. One of the most noteworthy pieces are the remnants of Houdini's Water Torture Cell (which was nearly completely destroyed by a fire). This prop was used in one of the most iconic and dangerous stunts in magic history, in which Houdini would suspend himself upside down and escape from a locked cabinet filled with water before drowning.

Andi Gladwin and Joshua Jay, cofounders of Vanishing Inc. and the Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund expressed their excitement and gratitude for the donation. "We are thrilled to receive such a significant donation from Geno Munari. Houdini's legacy is an important part of magic history, and having access to these iconic props and photos will allow magicians everywhere to learn from them and appreciate them," said Gladwin.

Jay added, "As magicians and magic history enthusiasts ourselves, we are honored to be entrusted with these invaluable artifacts. Geno's generosity will eventually allow us to create an unparalleled exhibition that will bring Houdini's legacy to life for generations to come."

Started by Vanishing Inc., the world's largest magic shop, the Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of magic history and culture. The organization provides support and resources to magicians and magic enthusiasts around the world through its educational programs, publications, and exhibitions.

For more information on Vanishing Inc. Magic Fund or to learn how you can support its mission, visit www.sharemagic.org

Contact
Matt Szat
matt@vanishingincmagic.com
sharemagic.org

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3. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #105
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Message by Paul Stone (US)

After what has been an unusually long period of cold weather for Las Vegas, it has finally warmed up. This is the best time of year here, but we all know that very soon it will get really hot, so we are enjoying it while we can!

One of my long-time friends from England, Paul Zerdin is in town for a week with his lovely girlfriend Emma, who herself recently completed a season in 'Mary Poppins' in London's West End.

I've always admired ventriloquists, one of my favourites was Ray Alan and Lord Charles, who I was lucky enough to book on a few occasions.

Paul is a fantastic performer, and definitely one of the best technically, and he's also very funny.

I first booked Paul 25 years ago, and over the years he's appeared in several of my London Palladium Variety Shows and numerous corporate shows.

He's a very experienced performer, equally comfortable working TV, theatres, corporate dates, cruises, and comedy clubs, and he's appeared in no less than four Royal Variety Shows.

Paul is also a seasoned Pantomime star, having featured in the last seven spectacular London Palladium pantomimes, which must be a record.

And of course, Paul won Season 10 of AGT, which resulted in his own very successful show at the Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino.

He's managed to stay at the top by constantly introducing new material, and he's built up an enviable fan base for his UK touring shows.

Paul started out in the business doing magic, and still has a keen interest in it. Which is part of the reason he, Emma and I went to see Mike Hammer's Show at the 4 Queens Hotel & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas last night.

Mike was, as always, on top form, and everybody who saw him recently at the Blackpool Convention knows how good he is.

When I say 'everybody', I am referring to 98% of those who saw Mike work, the other 2% are, in my opinion, either jealous or need to complain just to bring attention to themselves. Enough said!

Paul loved Mike's show, as I knew he would. In many ways, Mike and Paul have much in common. They are both experienced, top professionals, who have carved out successful careers, through their talent, creativity and sheer hard work.

Later this week, Paul, Emma and I are going to see David Blaine's show at Resorts World Hotel & Casino, and I must admit I am really looking forward to seeing it.

I'll report back next week!

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4. Magic Castle May Performing Schedule - Hollywood
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May 1-7, 2023
Close-Up Gallery
Cocktail: Joshua Ng
Early: Martin Braessas
Late: Karl Hein

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: George Iglesias
Late: Uncle Geebo

Palace of Mystery
Lorenzo Clark
Rocco

Saturday & Sunday
Palace Show
Lorenzo Clark
Rocco

Peller Theatre
Dave Cox
Bill Chott

The Hat and Hare
Nick Dopuch
Mike Pisciotta
Bob Gebert

Library Bar
Adam Wylie

Friday Lunch
Martin Braessas

Saturday & Sunday
Parlour Kids Show
(Kids of All Ages)
George Iglesias

May 8-14, 2023
Close-Up Gallery
Cocktail: Mark Furey
Early: John Carney
Late: Fenik

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Jonathan Neal
Late: Rafael

Palace of Mystery
Blake Vogt
Nick & Kristen Paul

Saturday & Sunday
Palace Show
Blake Vogt
Nick & Kristen Paul

Peller Theatre
Greg Van Holsbeck
Mark A.Gibson

The Hat and Hare
Nick Dopuch
Mike Pisciotta
Bob Gebert

Library Bar
George Tovar

Friday Lunch
Fenik

Saturday
Parlour Kids Show
(Kids of All Ages)
Jonathan Neal

May 15-21, 2023
Close-Up Gallery
Cocktail: Phil Goodman
Early: Anna DeGuzman
Late: Franco Pascali

The Parlour of Prestidigitation
Early: Michael Ammar
Late: Trigg Watson

Palace of Mystery
Larry Wilson
Alexander Great
Mickey O'Connor

Saturday & Sunday
Palace Show
Larry Wilson
Alexander Great

Peller Theatre
The Raven & Migz Show

The Hat and Hare
Nick Dopuch
Mike Pisciotta
Bob Gebert

Library Bar
Danny Magic

Friday Lunch
Anna DeGuzman

Saturday & Sunday
Parlour Kids Show
(Kids of All Ages)
Gus Flamingo

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5. The Secrets of the Magic Castle: Mike Pisciotta
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Down the staircase in the Hat and Hare pub is one of the Magic Castle's best secrets. Find Mike Pisciotta Thursdays through Sundays, 6pm to 10pm. Presented by the Academy of Magical Arts.

https://youtu.be/yn5AjFtOPkw

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6. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 28
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Message by Wittus Witt (Germany)

At the end of the month two loans leave the museum: on the one hand the original magic box, which the poet Goethe gave to his grandchildren in 1830 and on the other hand the oil painting from 1460, which shows a juggler.

However, I was allowed to reproduce the oil painting exclusively once (the original is owned by Christina and Volker Huber). Today, the technology is so advanced that you can hardly distinguish a copy from the original. I.e., the "normal" viewer will hardly recognize the difference.

On the basis of illustrations, I have also reproduced a large part of the Goethe magic box. So I can also show this connection between the poet and the art of magic in the museum.

Both exhibits can be seen on the homepage of the museum.

All this makes me quite a bit proud and I am very happy that I can convey a piece of cultural history of the art of magic to the visitors.

Now I am still trying to repair the special dress with 100 light bulbs by the magician SINO.

By the way, last week I had guests who had signed up for a guided tour. I like such events almost better than magic shows.

Thank you for your interest

Wittus
www.hamburger zaubermuseum.com

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7. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #38
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Message by Kent Cummins, Director (US)

Secrets!

Magicians love their secrets, and we all howl with rage when someone exposes them. Remember the Masked Magician?

I have a book in my magic library called Big Secrets, by William Poundstone. Originally published for the general public in 1983, it has an entire chapter called, "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain." This chapter reveals some classic magic secrets, which it attributes to David Copperfield (Dancing Handkerchief in Bottle), Blackstone Junior, (Sawing a Woman in Half) Doug Henning (Vanishing Horse), and even Uri Geller (Blindfold Auto Drive).

Three years later, in 1986, Poundstone published Bigger Secrets, which also had a chapter on Illusions. The chapter starts by explaining the Indian Rope Trick, and ends exposing David Copperfield's Vanish of the Statue of liberty. So, there were some fairly significant secrets here.
And it isn't in my library yet, but apparently he published another book called Biggest Secrets. I wonder which of our precious secrets are in that one?

Camel Cigarettes was famous for their marketing campaign: "It's fun to be fooled. It's more fun to know!" In a 1933 booklet, they reproduced some of their ads that really did reveal some of the main secrets of some of the most famous magicians.

And yet, all of those magicians continued to entertain audiences with wonderful magic shows that even included some of those same tricks. As Jim Steinmeyer is famously quoted, "Magicians are guarding an empty safe." Anyone who wants to learn any secret at all can just type a question into their Smart Phone.

And yet…

We continue to entertain audiences with our favorite tricks. Apparently, it really is fun to be fooled.

The Fantastic Magic Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing the art of magic. But I can't do it without your help. My Patreon account is the same place as my free weekly podcast:
www.FantasticMagicCenter.com
kent@magichotline.com

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

May 2023 - Magic & Mystery School Events

19-21 Acting for Magicians - with Tobias Beckwith and special guest Jeff
McBride - Live in Las Vegas

26-28 Card Magic Mastery - Session 2 - with Jeff McBride (6 Students
Only) - Live in Las Vegas

June 2023 - Magic & Mystery School Events

2-4 McBride's Magic & Mystery School Festival Of Magic - with Jeff
McBride, Larry Hass, Ricardo Rosenkranz and Ross Johnson - Live in Chicago

7-11 Master Stage Hypnosis (Early Bird Pricing until April 1st) - with
Kevin Lepine (4 Students Only) - Live In Las Vegas

9-11 Card Magic Mastery - Session 1 (Sold Out) - with Jeff McBride (6
Students Only) - Live in Las Vegas (See session 2 in May)

https://www.magicalwisdom.com/

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9. 2023 S.A.M. Convention, July 23-26
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Registration for the S.A.M. convention is now open. Join us Sunday, July
23 through Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

https://www.samconvention.com/new-orleans-2023/registration/

The S.A.M. sponsors an annual convention held in a different city each
year. The multi-day event features performances by famous magicians from
around the world, with lots of stage shows, close-up shows, magic
lectures, and special events.

There are close-up and stage contests, exhibitors who offer information
and sale of magic props, books, tapes, publications, collectibles and
items related to magic and other variety arts. The convention features
events for young magicians and alternative events for non-magicians.
Gala stage shows are held every night for the conventioneers and tickets
to these exciting evening events are also sold to the public.

There is something for everyone at the S.A.M. National Convention. Each
show is a "never to be repeated" event and each year, the convention is
brand new. That's why so many attend this world-class event each year.

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10. Thoughts in a Box #2 John Carey #196
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

Here's a version of the previous effect I've used that uses a little bit of sleight of hand, but fear not, it isn't that difficult! In this version set up the matchboxes and the duplicate card as before. Place the Two of Hearts in your deck at the face of the deck. Execute exactly the same pocket switch of matchboxes as in version one as you remove the deck. Slip shuffle retaining your force card and then cut the deck and complete the cut, securing a left pinky break beneath your force card. Execute a dribble force to the break asking the spectator to put the thought of that card in their mind. Assemble the deck and table it for a moment.

"Using estimation I believe I can hone in on your card." Pick up the deck and turn it face-up. Start spreading through the deck and when you spot the Two of Hearts, separate the deck into two halves so that this card is third from the face of the left hand packet. Table the right hands face-up section. We will now execute a classic Biddle steal sequence to vanish their selection. I first saw Matthew Dowden use this great idea to vanish a duplicate card on his Party Animal DVDs. It's a lovely idea whenever you want a total vanish of a card.

Hold the packet from above in the right hand. The left thumb comes over the face of the deck and peels off a card into the left hand. Repeat this with the next card. The force card then comes into view and you peel that card onto the left hands two cards, but secure a left pinky break beneath it. Peel off another card but as the two hands meet you secretly steal the selection
under the right hand packet. Peel off one more card into the left hand and then place the right hands cards on top of the balance of the deck. Casually pocket the deck. You are now a mile ahead but the spectators should believe the trick hasn't even started. A great place to be...

Get confirmation that you did indeed estimate where their card is but state you have no idea exactly which one of the five cards it is. Place the packet onto the spectator's hand and get her to cover it with her other hand. Pick up the match and light it and use it to light the 'candle' match sticking out of the box. Wave the match in hand over their hands and then blow it out. Ask your helper to name her card. Then ask her to open her hands and look at the cards. She should be sufficiently shocked to discover her card has vanished. Allow this moment to resonate and then get her to pick up the matchbox and open it. She finds a folded card and opens it up to discover her selection.

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

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