Magic New Zealand E-zine Issue Number: #1710

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* Magic New Zealand®
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Issue Number: #1738
Date: Sunday 22nd October 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. Broken Wand - Darwin Ortiz
3. Broken Wand - Dirk Arthur
4. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #130
5. Meadow Perry On The Magic Word Podcast
6. How To Apply For 'America's Got Talent' Audition 2024
7. 2023 PCAM Magic Convention
8. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 52
9. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #63
10. Stealth Cull - John Carey #214
11. Masters Of Illusion Live Announces East Coast Winter Mini-Tour
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-2023/1738-Oct22-2023.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. Broken Wand - Darwin Ortiz
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Article forward Jimmy Peterson (US)

The Hannah Times

As a result of Darwin Ortiz's passing, the magic community has lost one of its brightest thinkers. In the field of gambling and card tricks, Ortiz was dubbed the "G.O.A.T." (Greatest of All Time), and he made his mark on magic.

He was an accomplished card player, teacher, and writer of important theory books that contained concepts applicable to all branches of magic. He made a significant contribution to the field, and magicians all over the world continue to be inspired by him.

Darwin Ortiz was a magician with expertise in card tricks and gambling. Ortiz was raised in New York City, where he was born, and it was there that he first became interested in card tricks. In 1974, he left NYU Law School to pursue full-time study of card magic. He initially made a living by teaching at Harry Lorayne's memory school in New York City and playing blackjack.

Darwin Ortiz, a creative writer and one of the world's most amazing card manipulators, passed away on October 13, 2023. Darwin Ortiz's singular capacity for captivating crowds was what set him apart. Along with technical mastery, his performances featured excellent narrative and gripping presentations. He has the rare capacity to emotionally engage with his audience, leaving them speechless by his prowess and moved to tears by his enchantment.

Darwin Ortiz passed away on Friday after experiencing a long period of health decline. He had bravely battled Parkinson's illness for a very long period, overcoming the challenges and unpredictability it brings. Sadly, despite his fortitude, his health declined, and he eventually passed away. The magic community and all those who valued his extraordinary contributions to the art of magic are extremely saddened by his passing.

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3. Broken Wand - Dirk Arthur
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By: Rachel Zalucki

Las Vegas (KTNV) - Dirk Arthur, the last Las Vegas magician to perform with wild animals, passed away at the age of 63 on Monday.

Arthur and his big cats were remembered by friends and fellow employees at the Westgate, where the magician had a nearly 20-year run performing in the Las Vegas showrooms. "Dirk Arthur's Wild Illusions" would premiere at the Westgate after being put on hold at his former venue, the Riviera.

"Westgate Las Vegas is deeply saddened by the loss of Dirk Arthur," a spokesperson for the hotel said in a statement to Channel 13. "He was a special talent and will always be a cherished member of our Westgate family."

Additionally, Arthur's long-time publicist Laura Herlovich issued a long, heartfelt statement following his passing:

As for me, I worked with Dirk off and on for more than a quarter of a century, and he was a friend first and foremost and a client from time to time secondarily.

His positive attitude was always my favorite thing about Dirk and his never-ending love for his big cats. I was so blessed he allowed me to be there during the birth of a litter of cubs years ago and hold one less than a minute old - he would have me and our PR Plus team come and tiger sit the cubs when he got busy and feed them - there was no greater honor.

Dirk was one of a kind, and he will be greatly missed by all the communities he was such a beloved part of. He taught me so much about big cats and even how to communicate and bond with them - I always loved showing off and letting those we gave tours to his habitat see how the tigers would answer me back. I was so lucky to know Dirk and to be a part of his world.

May he Rest In Peace.

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4. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #130
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Message by Paul Stone (US)

I just saw a notification on Facebook that the IBM British Ring Convention next September is going to take place in Llandudno. For anyone not familiar with that name, and I suspect that there will be a fair few people to whom that applies, it is a town in North Wales!

Personally, I know Llandudno very well, as I attended boarding school for five years as a young boy in a small village only a stone's throw away (excuse the pun!) from there, called Penmaenmawr. Welsh is, at best, a very challenging language!

Llandudno is a seaside town and has held the British Ring Convention in the past, in fact I attended the last one quite a few years ago, and I remember spending a lot of time chatting with Ali Bongo who was one of the featured performers.

I have been to the majority of IBM British Ring Conventions over the past 50 years, and back in 1976 and 1977 I competed in the Shield Stage Competition. In 1976 I won the Tom Harris Comedy Trophy with an act all based entirely on an Irish theme. I'm not sure it would be allowed today!

1977 was probably the competition that I remember most though. It was the year of H.M. Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee, and I put together a comedy act with a distinct 'Royal' flavour.

With the help of my good friend and renowned TV Magic Producer John Fisher, who was able to secure me the help of actress Jeanette Charles, I went one better and won both the Comedy and Originality Trophies.

Jeanette Charles was a 'lookalike' and one of a number of 'doubles' for H.M Queen Elizabeth. But Jeanette was without doubt the best of them all, and she enjoyed a wonderful career for many years appearing in major movies, TV shows and in hundreds of promotional videos.

She only retired a few years ago, and is still at the ripe old age of 96 living happily, probably with her corgis!

I booked Jeanette for a number of appearances, and one that stands out for me was when I was producing a big Charity Gala at the world famous London Palladium Theatre.

There was a full house of 2500 people and to start the show I had 8 Fanfare Trumpeters from the Regiment of the Scots Guards march onto the stage in front of the main curtain, and play a short fanfare salute.

As they started playing, spotlights lit up the Royal Box (historically only used by the reigning monarch) and Jeanette Charles slowly appeared wearing full Royal regalia.

At this point more than half the audience stood up actually believing her to be H.M. Queen Elizabeth!

Then after playing a few more bars of the Fanfare, the trumpeters launched into a fast moving song with Jeanette furiously waving both her arms conducting them!

Cue much laughter and applause! It was the perfect audience con!

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5. Meadow Perry On The Magic Word Podcast
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Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star

This week we chat with a very unique variety act, Meadow Perry. Meadow has a "bubble act" that hasn't been seen at magic conventions (at least in the U.S.) in decades since Tom Noddy performed his incredible act on the convention circuit. She takes her act to another level with a "bubble window" that I haven't seen before and is very unique.

Typically, we think of jugglers or ventriloquists as the variety act at magic conventions. Meadow's bubble act is one that has registrants talking about for years to come. Not only is she performing at magic conventions, but also Renaissance Festivals, corporate events, and even on television (Masters of Illusion). In our chat, she gives tribute to others who have inspired her like Tom Noddy, Richard Faverty, and Carisa Hendrix (Lucy Darling).

You can hear our chat wherever you get your podcast. But to view videos, see photos, read the blog, listen online and more, please visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/797-meadow-perry

This episode is also our pledge drive wherein we appeal for your financial support. Please consider making a financial contribution in the form of a monthly pledge or a donation using Patreon or PayPal. Your support helps keep this podcast going and free for our community. If you cannot make a financial commitment at this time, then you can help us by giving us five stars and a nice review on iTunes and/or Google Play.

If that takes too much of your time, then please make your Amazon purchases by using our Affiliate link at the bottom of each page of the website (above). One click takes you to your Amazon account where your purchases help The Magic Word Podcast. Thank you in advance for your support.

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6. How To Apply For 'America's Got Talent' Audition 2024
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How to Apply For 'America's Got Talent' Audition 2024 - Audition Dates, Casting Calls:-America Got Talent is an American television show that is broadcast on the television network NBC. The show is an American popular TV show featuring singers, magicians, dancers, comedians, and other types of performers of all age groups competing for an advertised top
prize of $1 million.

The auditions for the upcoming season of the show 'America's Got Talent' (AGT) are going to start soon. It is a golden opportunity for those who want to do something through this show. Those who want to take part in its audition have to register for it first but before that, they need to check the details of the audition like the registration date, registration process, etc. In this article, we have listed the 'America's Got Talent' Audition 2024 full details have been provided.

https://hindirusk.in/america-got-talent-audition-2024/

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7. 2023 PCAM Magic Convention
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Pacific Coast Association Of Magicians
90th Anniversary
November 9th - 12th 2023 Carlsbad, California

We are excited to announce that Magic Shop San Diego will be coordinating alongside Frank Padilla Jr. at this year's PCAM 2023 Convention! Their goal is to bring the same wonderful traditions from previous conventions that you all love while enhancing this convention
to be a whole new experience, aiming to make it one of the most memorable conventions you will ever attend. Space is limited, so don't wait! This is something you don't want to miss!

Featuring...
Your Main Host:
Shawn Farquhar
The man who amazed Ellen and fooled Penn & Teller, Twice!
Kyle Marlett
David Regal
Doc Docherty
Gregory Wilson
Jon Allen
Erik Tait
Katrina Kroetch
Doc Eason
Paul Draper

https://magicshopsandiego.com/

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8. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 52
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Message by Wittus Witt (Germany)

I am writing this episode even though it has not yet taken place. BUT ... next week it will be too late ;-)

What is it about? A few days ago I got a spontaneous call from Richard Hatch, the US magic historian, collector and author. I'm sure you all know him. He was in Germany several times as a child because his father was in the army here. During one of his visits, Richard met the two great German magicians Alexander Adrion and Fredo Raxon. Both of them later influenced him a lot.

Since that time Richard has been a guest in Germany from time to time. Most recently, I invited him to the 65th anniversary of my magazine "Magische Welt".

Now Richard surprised me - as I said - a few days ago with the announcement of another visit. He really wanted to visit the Bellachini Museum. Of course I was very happy about that and immediately had the idea to get him to give a lecture to which I would invite some magicians. And this has now also happened - very probably very well.

Richard will present the results of his research on Günther Dammann. Günther Dammann (1910-1942) was a Jewish magician who wrote three important books on the art of magic between 1933 and 1937. He was killed by the Nazis on 8 September 1942. A detailed article will be published by Richard Hatch later this year in Bill Kalush's periodical, Gebecière.

That's all for today.

Wittus

www.hamburger-zaubermuseum.com

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9. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #63
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Message by Kent Cummins, Director (US)

The Benefits of Barter

Tricks of the Trade: Barter!

Last week I explained the concept of the Self-Eating Watermelon, in which you help prospective clients find the funds that they need in order to pay your full fee. Three techniques that I have used throughout my career are: (1) barter, (2) sponsorship, and (3) fundraising.

This week I want to talk about barter. You know what barter is: trading something that you have for something that someone else has.

So, if a prospective client calls you with an event that you want to be a part of, and you quote a fair price, and the client does not have the money to pay you…..

Be creative and find something to trade!

I wanted to accept an opportunity to present the keynote speech for a printing association, but they did not have the budget to hire me. So, we negotiated cash plus printing. For me, getting my next book printed free was as good as cash. And for the printers, giving me $1,000 worth of printing probably only cost them about $500, depending on their cost of goods sold. Win-win.
I once got a call from Dell Computers, a previous client, wanting me to facilitate a top-level meeting. But my fee was not in their budget. (They offered me about what I would have charged to do a birthday party magic show!)

But I needed a new computer. Win-win.

If the client does not have anything that you want, maybe a member of their board does. Or maybe you can have them provide professional photography, video, and testimonials.
Next week I'll tell you the secrets of successful sponsorship.

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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10. Stealth Cull - John Carey #214
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

The Stealth Cull is a very simple technique that enables you to get a freely thought-of card under control in a very sly and deceptive manner. Just have a Joker on top of the deck and you are ready to roll.

Riffle shuffle the deck retaining the Joker on top. Casually flip the deck face-up. "Shannon, if I was to ask you to think of and call out any playing card, what would it be?" Let's say they call out the Four of Hearts. "That's interesting sir. Do you know the one card that nobody thinks of? It's the Joker! I guess that's because it can be any card. Let's remove it." After you complete the sentence start spreading through the face-up deck with the faces tilted out of view. When you locate their Four of Hearts both hands separate from each other, the Four of Hearts being the rear card of the right hand packet which is loosely squared.

The left hand flips its packet face-down by curling its fingers inwards. Flip the right hand packet face-down on top of the left hand packet, but leave it in-jogged a few inches. Bring the palm down right hand over the deck and push the top card of the lower packet forward with the
right fingertips as the two halves of the deck are squared. Take out the protruding card and toss it face-up onto the table. It will be the Joker. The freely thought of card has been stealthily controlled to the top.

Now go and mess with their minds...

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11. Masters Of Illusion Live Announces East Coast Winter Mini-Tour
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Message by Steve Moyer (US)

Masters of Illusion Live Announces East Coast Winter Mini-Tour November 2 - 13, 2023 Starring Master Illusionists Naathan Phan, Jason Bishop and Ben Blaque

Masters Of Illusion Live! is a huge stage phenomenon born from the multi-award winning television series, Masters Of Illusion, which is currently celebrating its 10th Anniversary Season airing on The CW Network in 2023.

The stage show, Masters Of Illusion has been presented live in front of tens of thousands of people across the U.S.A. and around the world. It has been seen by over 100 million viewers on The CW Network and in 126 countries around the world. Masters Of Illusion tours American cities annually, and has had residencies in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Atlantic City.

Learn more at: www.mastersofillusionlive.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MastersofIllusion
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mastersofillus

Performances of Masters Of Illusion Live! will be presented in seven venues, including:

Thursday, November 2nd at 8:00 p.m. : Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving Street, Radway, NJ 07065, Box Office: 732-499-8226; www.ucpac.org

Saturday, November 4th at 8:00 p.m.: Turning Stone Resort Casino, The Showroom, 5218 Patrick Road, Verona, NY 13478, Front Desk: 800.771.7711, www.turningstone.com

Sunday, November 5th at 5:00 p.m.: The Palace Theatre, 21 West Otterman Street, Greensburg, PA 15601, Box Office: 724-836-8000; www.thepalacetheatre.org

Thursday, November 9th at 8:00 p.m.: The Playhouse on Rodney Square, 1017 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801; Box Office: 302.888.0200, www.thegrandwilmington.org

Friday, November 10th at 8:00 p.m.: NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, NY 11590; Box Office: 516.247.5200, www.livenation.com

Saturday, November 11th at 8:00 p.m.: Garde Arts Centre, 325 State Street, New London, CT 06320; Box Office: 860.444.7373, ext. 1; www.gardearts.org

Sunday, November 12th at 5:00 p.m.: Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge Road, Ridgefield, CT 06877; Box Office: 203.438.5795; www.www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org

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

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