Magic New Zealand® E-zine

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* Magic New Zealand®
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Issue Number: #1718
Date: Sunday 4th June 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. Vanish Magic Magazine June 2023 #107
3. 2023 Academy Of Magical Arts Awards
4. Broken Wand - Milt Larsen, Magic Castle Co-Founder
5. RIP #MiltLarsen
6. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #110
7. The Magic Word Podcast
8. Estates Of Magic's June Catalog Now Available
9. New Hardbound Book Called John Carey And Friends
10. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #43
11. One Hand And One Card - John Carey #201
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/2023-Jan-to-Dec-2023/1718-Jun04-2023.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. Vanish Magic Magazine June 2023 #107
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Message by Paul Romhany - Editor Vanish Magazine

Join us on Instagram for up to the latest news and information - @vanishmagazineofficial

Our feature article is New Zealand legendary entertainer Guy Cater. Guy has influenced a generation of entertainers and is one of the most experienced all-round entertainers in the business. His work has taken him around the globe and Vanish gets the exclusive story as we celebrate a life-time of show business.

Milt Larsen Tribute: - Nick Lewin pays a heartfelt tribute to Milt Larsen. We have never seen before photos and a truly great tribute by Nick in this issue of Vanish.

Product Highlights include Thumper 2.0 by Illuminati-magic, Duality Pro App by Cobra Magic and Notarized by ThoughtCastMagic!

Magic Business by Daniel Chan - an essay on marketing for magicians

FFFF Review - Photos by Mike Maione and a review by David Corsaro. If you've ever wondered what happens at this invite only close-up convention now is your chance to find out.

Why You Need A Website - Cris Johnson looks at why you definitely need a website.

Discover Magic by our latest contributor Jordana Borensztajn. One of the most refreshing performers to come into magic and her articles will open your eyes to what magic is.

Jeanette Andrews - feature story about this incredible performer and is described as a sensory illusionist and magician. Performer who brings a real breath of fresh air to our industry.

Leap Of Faith - An extremely heart pumping story about an escape from a cruise ship by Dan Stapelton

Enhance Your Show by Nick Lewin - a must read if you want to make improvements to your act.

A Real-Word Insight In To Tom Stone's Conjuring. Alyx Hilshey shares her first workshop with Tom Stone - and this is life-changing!

Are Magic Clubs Dying Part 3 - Ryan Joyce continues his series on how to get your magic club going again.

Dropping A Deuce - for all the card fans a great little move by Louie Foxx.

Lucky Lottery Ticket - a practical and fun routine using a lottery ticket by Garnet Graven

The Mannequin Act - Hay Meyers (Dameon) share his process and ideas about creating an act with a mannequin as an assistant.

Dave Attwood - An audience of children.

Reviews
www.vanishmagazine.com

Paul Romhany
paulromhany@gmail.com

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3. 2023 Academy Of Magical Arts Awards
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Member Voted Winners
Lecturer of the Year - Shoot Ogawa
Close-Up Magician of the Year - Simon Coronel
Parlour Magician of the Year - Mike Pisciotta
Stage Magician of the Year - Lucy Darling

Fellowships
Literary Fellowship - J.K. Hartman
Creative Fellowship - Daniel Sylvester
Lifetime Achievement Award - William Rauscher
Performing Fellowship - Close Up Magic - Armando Lucero
Performing Fellowship - Stage Magic - Juliana Chen
Masters Fellowship - Gaetan Bloom
Magician of the Year - Asi Wind

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4. Broken Wand - Milt Larsen, Magic Castle Co-Founder
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Article forward on by Phillip Peterson

Variety

Milt Larsen, Magic Castle Co-Founder and TV Game Show Writer, Dies at 92
By William Earl

Milt Larsen, the magician and TV writer who co-founded Hollywood's famed Magic Castle night spot, died May 28 in Los Angeles. He was 92.

Larsen had deep roots in the world of magic and in Los Angeles. His father, William Larsen Sr., was a prominent local defense attorney and a performing magician. His mother, Geraldine, made early appearances on TV as "The Magic Lady." Milt Larsen worked as a writer for TV game shows including "Truth or Consequences" during 18 years of Bob Barker's tenure as host in the 1950s, '60s and early '70s.

Larsen teamed with his older brother, William Larsen Jr., and William's wife, Irene, in the early 1960s to transform a Gothic renaissance mansion on Franklin Avenue in the heart of Hollywood into a clubhouse designed to cater to working magicians. The trio created the Academy of Magical Arts, but the venue became known as the Magic Castle. The club opened its doors in 1963 and has become a world-renowned destination, despite its ups and downs over the past 60 years. The Larsen family leased the property from owned Thomas Glover until last year, when the site was acquired by videogame magnate Randy Pitchford, founder of Gearbox Entertainment.

Balance of article go to:

https://variety.com/2023/film/news/milt-larsen-dead-magic-castle-truth-consequences-1235627721/?fbclid=IwAR1tSMMFGKm71YdTeyRmhnxPrVdbUCSViTtLXTsK-2Ar7mX7Jp7rRkzb1ms

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5. RIP #MiltLarsen
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Message by Steve Moyer (US)

RIP #MiltLarsen Your legacy lives on with #TheMagicCastle Your late dad, Bill Sr., and mom, Geraldine, will be welcoming you home, along with your Magic Castle co-founders, your late brother, Bill Jr., and his late wife, Princess Irene. All of you made your father's dream a reality, by creating The Magic Castle.

You have all inspired and created a world in which #magic is truly appreciated as an art form throughout the world, not only on stage, but in film and television as well. Thank you Milt Larsen for your life's work and for a job well done! Condolences to Arlene, Dante, Blaire, Erika, Jessica, Liberty and the countless magicians around the world whose lives and careers you have nurtured.

The magic wand is broken.

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6. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #110
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Message by Paul Stone (US)

Like many thousands of magicians across the world, I was extremely sorry to learn the sad news of Milt Larsen's passing. In short, Milt WAS the Magic Castle. There will be countless tributes from people a great deal closer to Milt than I was, but from a personal point of view, I vividly remember meeting Milt for the first time at the Magic Castle back in 1981.

I had brought Ken Brooke to Los Angeles to receive a Performing Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts at the Beverley Wiltshire Hotel, and all the award winners were invited to the Magic Castle.

The other recipients that year included Brother John Hamman, Peter Reveen and Harry Lorayne.
We were warmly greeted at the Magic Castle by Milt, his brother Bill and Princess Irene. Their hospitality was second to none.

Over the years I had the pleasure of meeting Milt on several occasions, both at the Magic Castle and here in Las Vegas at various events, and he was always interesting to talk to, often about the latest project or show he was working on.

Milt was a visionary, and every magician who has ever worked or visited the Magic Castle owe him a huge debt of gratitude. The Magic Castle has always been, and remains to this day, a unique venue, and that is due without doubt to Milt Larsen.

Milt enjoyed an amazing life, and his incredible legacy will live on.

Only a couple of days before his passing, Milt was at the Annual Academy of Magical Arts Awards, where he received a standing ovation.

I was delighted that my close, and long-time friend Gaetan Bloom, received the Masters Fellowship. It is so well deserved. Gaetan has been an innovator and performer for so many years, and he is one of the nicest men you could ever hope to meet.

I take great pride in the fact that I was the one who introduced Gaetan to the USA. It was also in 1981 when I brought Ken Brooke to the Las Vegas Desert Magic Seminar. I was the European Advisor for the convention, and I booked all the European talent.

Gaetan was a huge fan of Ken Brooke, who in turn loved Gaetan's creativity and talent, and after introducing Ken to the attendees, I then introduced Gaetan for his first American lecture.

It was a great convention, and I spent time with Gaetan and another good friend from France, the hugely successful Christian Fechner, who became France's premier movie film director.

Christian also put together a ground breaking illusion act for FISM, and worked closely with Siegfried & Roy on their spectacular show at the Mirage Hotel & Casino.

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

Terry Evanswood - Part One

While attending the Winter Carnival of Magic in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, this year, I had the delightful opportunity to visit the home of Terry Evanswood, which he calls "The Magic Mansion." Between his busy performing schedule each week, he conducts tours of his home with special haunted tours during Halloween and holiday tours during Christmas. The tours typically take a few hours and end with a 20 minute show in his private theater.

On this week's episode, Terry takes us on an abbreviated, personalized tour, but it still took about an hour and a half. So, this week's episode will be the first of a two part series that will feature this tour. It is an audible experience where you can "see with your ears" as he describes what we are seeing as we walk through the Magic Mansion. This episode and the one next week are unique because there is no video accompanying the podcast so you have to use your imagination.

You can listen wherever you get your podcasts, but for photos, the blog, to listen online and more, please visit:
https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/763-evanswood-part-one

And be sure to visit the website this week and enter the contest for a chance to win an eBook from Michael Breggar, "Take Five."

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8. Estates Of Magic's June Catalog Now Available
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Message by Steve Varro (US)

Estates of Magic's June Catalog is now available and it's filled with over 80 pages of amazing magic. Most of the items are either new or gently used and have been priced at wholesale prices. To sweeten the deal, all items are also discounted by an additional 10%, 20%, or 30% off these already low prices.

You won't find these items in better condition or at lower prices anywhere else. Head over to estatesofmagic.com and click on the June Catalog button to take a look. It's definitely worth checking out!

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9. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 33
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Message by Wittus Witt (Germany)
Who still performs the card sword today? A trick which is very amazing and which can be a real miracle for the spectator?
The first person to perform this trick was the Italian magician Giuseppe Castelli in 1799. A little later, in 1840, the Austrian magician Ludwig Döbler performed it and in 1853 the French magician Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin showed this trick. In the 20th century it was Fred Kaps, Punx, Alexander Adrion and Fredo Raxon, among others.
I have several versions of the sword in my museum. The most famous is probably that of Harry Stanley. It's an elegant sword that uses a fairly simple mechanism to pull the playing card from the shaft to the point of the sword.
But particularly impressive is a version of the sword that probably dates from the 1930s. I could not make out a manufacturer. On the one hand, the epee looks like a "real" epee and on the other hand, it conceals a very complex mechanism. The card lies - of course - in a hidden part at the lower end of the handle. A firm nylon thread is pulled from the middle of the epee into the handle and arranged there. In the handle there is a kind of lever which first opens the covering of the handle and then releases the nylon string with the card on it.
I show the epee in my video:
https://youtu.be/me9B_PmigsU
Does anyone know this particular epee?
See you next week.
Wittus
www.hamburger-zaubermuseum.com
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10. New Hardbound Book Called John Carey And Friends
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Message by John Carey (UK)

Pre-order John Carey & Friends Today!

I am absolutely delighted to announce the forthcoming release of a brand new hardbound book called John Carey and Friends!!!

It's been 2 years since my last book was published and I'm so excited about the work contained in this new volume. It's absolutely packed out with over 80 items, 27 from me in both text and video format and the rest is devoted to some truly exceptional work from my very talented friends around the world!

It's an eclectic mixture of card, mental, coin and non-card material that I just know you will love. Here's a list of the contributors!

John Guastaferro, Cameron Francis, Gary Plants, Raj Madhok, Justin Higham, Jack Tighe, Wayne Goodman, Jack Goldstein, Scott Baird, Steve Reynolds, PigCake, Andrew Paul Smith, Sean Devine, Phill Smith, Nikola Arkane, George McBride, Mike Breggar, Myles Thornton, Rick Holcombe, Robert Costley.

There is a pre-publication order special where all pre order customers only will receive all of my 8 previous books as downloadable e-books absolutely free! Over 1400 pages of material
The preorder price is just £49.99 - once pre-order is over this price will rise to £60 and the preorder bonus items will no longer be included.

The books are expected to arrive the last week of June and will then be signed and shipped out promptly!

http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/?fbclid=IwAR2m_r3O-Hoixsyhne0OTbzGaM4S_xSlaBaZHN0L2EWuqtrSX52ZnLbre5w

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11. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #43
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Message by Kent Cummins, Director (US)

Down the Rabbit Hole with Saul Ravencraft

A man in a tuxedo, pulling a rabbit out of a top hat, is perhaps the most widely-seen emblem of the stage magician. And yet, very few magicians actually pull rabbits out of hats. (I talked about Magic with a Rabbit in Episode #34 in the April 2 issue of this publication.)

But my friend Chris Walden, whom I met decades ago when he was an enthusiastic young magician, says that he has journeyed "down the rabbit hole." (Lewis Carroll introduced the phrase as the title for chapter one of his 1865 novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, after which the term slowly entered the English vernacular.)

And now, Chris has created his own fascinating Wonderland by becoming, "Saul Ravencraft, Wizard for Hire." (https://saulravencraft.com/)

Chris (now Saul) explains that he started studying parapsychology to prove that it was all trickery…what he calls, "The James Randi approach." But the more he explored, the more he discovered things that he couldn't explain.

Saul still uses theatrical techniques and special effects when he performs, but he doesn't call himself a Mentalist in the traditions of Dunninger, Kreskin, or Darren Brown. His performances leave open the possibilities for people to discover things that might be personally meaningful.
I had an opportunity to interview Saul Ravencraft in the research library of my Fantastic Magic Center in Georgetown, Texas, last month, and you can listen to the interview in four separate episodes of my podcast, "Tales from the Fantastic Magic Center." (The podcast is available on most of the podcast platforms, but I recommend going to www.FantasticMagicCenter.com, where nearly a full year's worth of stories are available.

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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12. One Hand And One Card - John Carey #201
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

Years ago I heard on the grapevine about an effect that Max Maven performed at a convention where he kept one hand in his pocket, had a card looked at in the deck which subsequently vanished. The finale was bringing his hand from the pocket with the selection in view. I loved
the premise and to the best of my knowledge his method has never been published.

I have a few methods for replicating this kind of effect with the following probably being my favorite. It's quite bold but a road test will prove its deception to you. You will require two picture cards the same. I use the Jack of Hearts. Take a small square of double stick tape and fix it to the face of one of the Jacks. Place this card on the bottom of your deck. Take the duplicate card and put it on top. Place the deck in its box and you are ready for work.

Bring out the deck and execute an in the hands riffle shuffle, retaining the position of the top and bottom cards. "Today I would like to conduct an experiment with the cards using just one hand. This should hopefully make it harder for me and in turn more mysterious for you. Raj, would you first of all take out the contents of my right jacket pocket and set them to one side please?" As he does this you have ample cover to palm the top card with your right hand as he sets your keys, phone or whatever onto the table. Then place your right hand into your pocket and release the card but keep the hand inside.

We will now use a sneaky force of the bottom card of the deck I came up with while working on my friend John Bannon's Double Dutch false cut. An air of casualness makes it quite disarming. Ask your helper to cut off around a quarter of the deck and table it face-down. Then have them cut off another quarter and set that to the right (yours) of the first packet. Then have them cut off another packet and set that to the right of the two tabled packets and finally set the remaining packet to the right of all.

Pause a few moments as you compliment them on their cutting prowess and then give them further instruction. Imagine the packets are numbered 1-4 from left to right. Ask the spectator to pick up packet 1 and place it on top of packet 3. Then direct them to place packet 2 on top of packet 4. Then, almost as a casual afterthought ask them to pick up packet 2/4 and take a peek at the bottom card of that combined packet (JH) and then set that packet on top of the other packet and square up.

Pick up the deck with your palm up left hand and apply a downward pressure with the thumb, causing the force card to adhere to the card beneath it. From a method point of view the work is over, but from the audience's perspective the effect hasn't even started. Flip the deck faceup
in your left hand and ask your helper to mentally visualize their card, colour, suit and value. Sometimes at this point I do a piece by piece divination of their card, sometimes I don't. "I will deal the cards to the table face-up and something amazing will happen." Start dealing cards face-up into a somewhat messy pile. You will feel when the double thickness card is dealt. Continue dealing through the entire deck. Did you see your card?

Well sometimes mysterious forces are at work. Maybe you thought you saw a card that really wasn't there?!" Ask for the name of the selection and then dramatically bring out your right hand displaying the Jack of Hearts to conclude this single handed mystery.

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13. 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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14. 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.

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