*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #1745
Date: Sunday 10th December 2023
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: Editor@magicnewzealand.com
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================
1.
Editor's Message
2. December Issue Digital Vanish Magic Magazine
3. MAGIC Live 2024
4. Larry Becker's Service I Had A Strange Personal Moment
5. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #137
6. FISM Italy 2025
7. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 59
8. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #70
9. Rioboo Style - John Carey #219
10. Broken Wand Paul Gross
11. E-zine Archives
12. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice
--------------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT
NOTICE: The last Magic New Zealand e-zine for the year will
be next week and we will resume again in the second week
of January 2024.
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-2023/1745-Dec10-2023.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
-------------------------------------
2. December Issue Digital Vanish Magic Magazine
-------------------------------------
Message by Paul Romhany - Editor Vanish Magazine
(Available
as printed from www.vanishmagazine.com)
Our
feature artist is Brent Smith who has been working in restaurants
doing magic for decades. For the first time he reveals his
secrets to getting the booking and most importantly keeping
it. How to use restaurant gigs to get you higher paid private
work and so much more. Connie Boyd looks at the largest
internet craze in magic, Japanese girls performing magic.
There is a sub-culture in Japan in the arts and Connie looks
at the girls making an impact with their magic.
A
very heart-warming tribute by Ben Robinson to David Berglas
who recently passed away. Ben recalls some wonderful moments
and dinners with David.
Reflecting
on his time with Doug Henning - Ben Robinson reflects on
his time and what he learnt from Doug Henning
World
Record - Doug Hunt breaks the world record for the tallest
stilt walker. Covered by Graeme Reed and Nicole Lee
Successful
TV performances - as a TV consultant with numerous appearances
over decades Ben Kraatz shares the real inside secrets to
working on TV.
Product
Highlight - 13 Steps to Mentalism FULL KIT complete with
downloads and all necessary props.
Social
Media and Your Business - SEO expert Cris Johnson looks
at the advantages of using social media to promote your
work.
Roller
Coast Ride - Dan Stapleton finishes his series on stories
from his long career in show business.
Double
Lift Glass - Magic by Louie Foxx
Dameon's
Final Words - the final in the trick series by Hal Meyers
Reviews
- the latest products and highlights.
Click
here to go directly to the copy - https://digitalvanishmagazine.com/mag/0635288001701573335
Paul
Romhany
Vanish Magic Magazine
www.vanishmagazine.com
-------------------------------------
3. MAGIC Live 2024
-------------------------------------
Message by Stan Allen
The next MAGIC Live will be August 4-7, 2024.
Registration is $480 per person, with a convenient payment
plan available.
Each registration includes tickets to all performances,
access to all sessions, workshops, special events, parties,
and our dealer room, as well as all giveaway items.
Should you have to change your plans, your registration
is 90% refundable through June 3, 2024.
If you're not familiar with MAGIC Live and why it's like
no other convention in the world, I encourage you to visit
our website. Or better yet, ask a friend.
Please consider joining us in Las Vegas in 2024. Registration
is now open, and surprises await!
Stan
MagicConvention.com
-------------------------------------
4. Larry Becker's Service I Had A Strange Personal Moment
-------------------------------------
Message by Kenton Knepper
I
was looking down at the program for the service when it
dawned on me. It was amazing I was at this service now.
When
I was in my teens I insisted that the owners of the magic
shop I worked in buy copies of Larry Becker's "World
of Super Mentalism." I was in awe of that book, and
sold it as much as possible.
Years
later, I told Larry that I had sold his first book in Iowa
in that little shop for years. I loved that book, and really
pushed it.
Larry's
response?
"Oh,
YOU'RE the one!"
He
said almost no one bought that book in the beginning and
that it took a year or so for people to start to buy it
more.
And
there I was, having had similar experiences with my work,
and thinking of that kid who wanted to maybe one day get
to meet Larry Becker. I was right there. At his service
and send-off.
You
never know if you will meet your heroes, or if you will
like them when you do. I loved Larry, and was fortunate
to call him a friend, not just a mentor. And I still think
more people ought to learn more of his work. I also understand
how your best teaching can be missed by most people...until
much, much later.
-------------------------------------
5. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #137
-------------------------------------
Message by Paul Stone (US)
I
was invited earlier this week by my friends Les Arnold and
Ron Anderson to join them at the Magic Castle. They are
both seasoned performers who have been around the business,
and Les's act with Dazzle has long been one of my favourite
magic acts.
On
my many previous visits to the Magic Castle, I've never
watched more than two shows, partly because my attention
span isn't great, and partly because, being completely honest,
some of the talent on show hasn't really appealed to me.
Having
said that, being the talent booker for the Magic Castle,
is no easy task. To find new performers for all the different
rooms every week, and at the same time try to maintain a
high standard, is a monumental challenge. Jack Goldfinger,
who has that unenviable role, does a wonderful job, but
inevitably some weeks the performers are better than others.
When
I tell you that this week I saw four shows, it will give
you an idea of how strong I thought the line-up was!
The
first show we went to was in the Parlour of Prestidigitation.
The featured performer was Shoot Ogawa. Shoot has won every
conceivable award in magic. His skill levels are off the
charts, but what always impresses me the most about watching
him, is his warm personality and relaxed style, which not
only puts his audience at ease, but which he cleverly uses
as an added tool for his misdirection. He now has it down
to a fine art, and he is an exceptional magician.
We
also managed to catch Jonathan Levit's show in the Close-up
Gallery, which I was happy about as I'd never seen him work.
Jonathan is another experienced performer, whose style is
very laid back but once again extremely powerful and original.
Then
it was onto the Palace of Mystery, where the full 45 minute
show was in the hands of David Goldrake. These days it is
increasingly rare to see large scale illusions in a show,
unless of course you are in Las Vegas, and go to watch David
Copperfield or Criss Angel.
Anyone
who has either performed or seen shows in the Palace of
Mystery, knows that the stage is small, and whilst it is
fine for most magicians, for an illusionist, it presents
a huge challenge. But that doesn't stop David! He reels
off several large scale illusions, all presented expertly.
You
can instantly spot a real pro, and after years of performing,
including two years headlining at the Tropicana Hotel &
Casino in Las Vegas, David oozes class.
And
in between the illusions, David's 'front cloth' effects
were also strong, and I especially liked his version of
Kevin James's Floating Rose.
Unexpectedly,
Les and Ron then whisked me back into the Parlour of Prestidigitation,
to see a performer making his Magic Castle debut. It turns
out that it was his very first show at the Magic Castle.
And with the same surname as yours truly, I was interested
to see his act. His name was Cody Stone, and he was from
Germany.
He
certainly made a striking entrance, walking out wearing
a turquoise suit, and his magic was different from any of
the other performers, and even included the production of
a drone, which flew into the audience! He had obviously
carefully thought out his act for this show and, similar
in some ways to Shoot Ogawa, he also had a relaxed style
and used humour to connect to his audience.
We
tend to take it for granted that overseas performers like
Shoot or Cody speak English, and it got me to wonder how
many English or American magicians could travel to a foreign
country and perform their acts in that language, and in
such an impressive and relaxed manner. Not many I suspect.
-------------------------------------
6. FISM Italy 2025
-------------------------------------
14
to 19 July 2025
FISM
2025
https://www.fismitaly2025.com
FISM
Italy 2025. Book now!
--------------------------------------------
7. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 59
---------------------------------------------
Message by Wittus Witt (Germany)
Today
I'm reporting on the trouble I'm having with the Office
for Culture in Hamburg. For many years, the Office for Culture
has published a free information leaflet listing museums,
galleries and other exhibition facilities. There are a total
of five categories in the leaflet.
Since
I opened the Museum Bellachini on December 18, 2022, it
was natural for me to inform the editors of the flyer. The
museum was also included, but not under the heading Museum,
but under the heading "Other exhibition venues".
I was initially puzzled by this and politely asked the editors
why the Bellachini was not listed under "Museum".
The answer was laconic: "We have decided to do this."
There were no further arguments. I then asked again and
was once again told, albeit in more detail, that the editorial
team had made this decision. But again I was not given a
solid argument.
This
reminded me of the art gallery I had run before the museum.
Here, too, the gallery was not initially listed under the
Galleries section, but under "Other exhibition venues".
At the time (2015), I was told that magic had nothing to
do with fine art. Well, anyone who knows me knows that I'm
a "fighter". So I sent the editors lots of pictures
from the world of art to refute this argument. First and
foremost, of course, was the famous painting by Hieronymus
Bosch, The Juggler.
But
it still took another year before my gallery was actually
listed under the "Galleries" section.
Now I'm obviously having the same trouble with the museum.
To
explain: it's not about me personally! But I am concerned
with the ART, and here with the ART of magic. There are
some people who presume not to regard this art as such.
That always makes me very sad. But fortunately, other publications
list the Bellachini under "Museums". I was also
invited to take part in the Long Night of Museums again.
Finally
- I have now written to the editors of the Flyer that if
they negate the museum as a museum, then I don't want to
be listed under any other heading. Full stop.
Let's see what happens next.
Here
is my YouTube contribution:
https://youtu.be/14AARViD8SI
Wittus
www.hamburger-zaubermsuem.com
See
you next week.
Wittus Witt
--------------------------------------------
8. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #70
--------------------------------------------
Message by Kent Cummins, Director (US)
Wild
About Harry!
"I'm
Harry…but aren't we all?"
That
was an opening line from Harry Anderson when he was just
getting started in Austin, Texas…long before he became
Judge Harry Stone on the popular "Night Court"
television show.
I met Harry at Jim and Ginger's Kwik Kopy when we were both
struggling to make a living as magicians. He went to Los
Angeles and became famous; I remained mostly a "40
miler," making a living in Central Texas.
"Harry"
was the first name of the first magician I saw: Harry Blackstone
Senior. I never actually met him, but I did run up the aisle
and put my hands on the birdcage before it disappeared.
Later, I became friends with his son, Harry Blackstone Junior.
We collaborated on a promotional video for the Society of
Young Magicians (SYM).
I
have read about Harry Kellar, and have one of his posters.
And
of course, there was Erich Weisz, better known as Harry
Houdini.
If
you want to know more about Harry Anderson, check out my
recent podcast episode. Among other things, I share the
story of Harry's 24-Hour Card Trick Marathon, plus his photo
session doing card tricks for a naked girl centerfold model.
If
you are going to be in the Austin, Texas area, let me know
and I can show you scrapbooks with his earliest advertising
(printed at Kwik Kopy), plus that "Texas Girl"
magazine. I even have an autographed playing card from his
Card Trick Marathon.
These
souvenirs and memorabilia are on display at my Fantastic
Magic Center in Georgetown, just north of Austin. There
is no admission charge, but it is open by appointment only.
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
-------------------------------------------
9. Rioboo Style - John Carey #219
-------------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/
Ramon
Rioboo from Spain is a master of devious and brilliant card
construction. Often just using subtlety and theatrical smoke,
this man will fool you badly. The piece I'm about to teach
was inspired by a piece Señor Rioboo had called in
the bluff, in his book Thinking the impossible.
Hand the deck out to a spectator for shuffling and take
it back and hold it face-down in left hand dealers grip.
"Shannon, I just want you to put the thought of a card
in your mind. Please say stop as I let the cards drop off
my thumb." Riffle down the outer left corner of the
deck with your thumb as you ask your spectator to stop you.
Take
all the cards at the point stopped at with your palm down
right hand held from above. Raise the face of this packet
to your spectator and ask him to remember the face card.
As
you do this, the left thumb pushes over the top card of
its packet and secures a left pinky break beneath that card.
We
will now execute a beautiful and very deceptive control
of the selection, using a Harvey Rosenthal move. Lower the
right hand and place its packet back on top of the left
hands cards for just a fraction of a second.
Secretly
steal the card beneath your break and move the right hand
packet away.
"I
want you to take a mental snapshot of your card down there
in the middle of the deck." As you say this the left
fingertips slide out the bottom card of the right hand packet
a couple of inches. Hold this card at its left long edge
with the left thumb above and fingers underneath. The right
hand descends to the table and ribbon spreads its packet.
This hand then goes back to the side-jogged card and takes
it and drops it on top of the spread in an up-jogged condition.
Finally
take the left hand packet from above into the palm down
right hand and place it on
top of the tabled ribbon spread and completes the ribbon
spread.
The
selection has been controlled to the bottom of the deck
and you have a decoy card sticking out of the spread. Have
your helper push this card into the spread. Slowly square
up the tabled spread. This control is a thing of beauty.
"Now we need you to get a random number into your mind
Shannon." Ask him to cut off a small packet from the
top. Then ask him to count the
packet
silently as he turns away. As he does this pick up the balance
of the deck and peek the selection on the bottom with an
all-around square up. Let's say he secretly counts eight
cards. When your helper turns back ask him to shuffle his
packet. Demonstrate this by shuffling your cards and running
his selection to the top. Have the spectator drop his packet
on top. "So now you are thinking of both a card and
a number. Lock that information into your mind."
We
will now lose the top card of the deck during a shuffle
and automatically set the spectator's card at his number
for the climax. Hold the deck in right hand overhand shuffle
grip. The left thumb draws he top card into the left hand.
Next a packet of about twelve cards is taken off on top
of it. We will now execute the lift shuffle. Bring the right
hand packet over the left hands cards and steal those cards
behind the right hands stock, keeping a separation between
both packets with the right thumb and fingers. Shuffle off
to the gap and throw the remaining cards on top.
Hand
the deck to your helper and ask him to hold it between his
palms. To finish the effect I like to do a divination of
their card. Then a moment later I ask them to reveal the
number they are thinking of? They deal and count to their
number and then turn over the last card dealt. It's their
selection and everyone goes home happy.
---------------------------------------------
10. Broken Wand Paul Gross
---------------------------------------------
Message by Steve Dick (US)
Dear
Friends and Family of Paul Gross,
It
is with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce the passing
of our beloved husband and father, Paul. We know Paul had
such a huge impact on so many people, and his larger than
life personality will be missed by all who knew him.
Our
family is very thankful for the many telephone calls, emails,
donations, flowers, cards, food, and visits that have helped
us in celebrating the life of Paul. While these days have
been difficult, we have been constantly amazed at how through
the sharing of loving memories our hearts have been lifted
and we are filled with gratitude for having shared a life
well lived.
We
would love for you to share your stories and pictures of
Paul from over the years in honor of his memory.
"The
world of magic has lost one of its most ardent supporters
and a man who single-handedly elevated the business of conjuring
to unprecedented heights."
Paul
Michael Gross, 68, died peacefully on November 29, 2023.
He was the guiding force of Hocus-Pocus Magic in Fresno,
California for most of his adult life. And at a time when
brick-and-mortar magic shops were waning, Paul and his family-maintained
Hocus-Pocus as a vibrant, cutting-edge company which developed
into one of the largest internet magic businesses in the
world.
Although
Paul has left us, his business continues to thrive, thanks
to his family and employees who learned the ins and outs
of the magic business from Paul, who grew up with a love
of magic that never diminished.
A
Fresno native, Paul witnessed his first live performance
of magic at the age of 8 at an old vaudeville theatre in
his hometown. He was hooked. And when Mark Wilson's "Magic
Land of Allakazam" aired in the 1960's, Paul was glued
to the family television set.
As
the years passed, Paul began performing whenever and wherever
he could with props that he cobbled together from items
he found around his boyhood home. Once in a while, he would
acquire a piece of apparatus with which he would rehearse
incessantly until he felt it was "show ready."
In
high school, he developed a stage act with a classmate as
his lovely assistant.
And
since Fresno didn't have a magic shop, Paul's parents would
treat him to occasional trips to San Francisco to patronize
The House of Magic ... a legendary establishment operated
by Marvin "Buma" Burger.
At
age 18, Paul decided to roll the dice and opened Wizard's
Magic (Now Hocus-Pocus Magic) in a small, non-descript store
in Fresno. Business was good, but not great. He knew the
power of advertising and took out ads in magic magazines
and area newspapers. Slowly but surely, the business grew.
In fact, over the years, the business actually outgrew its
leased retail and warehouse space. Hocus-Pocus Magic was
relocated several times until it arrived at its present
home at 1927 S Van Ness Avenue.
The
growth of the business was largely due to Paul embracing
the internet and on-line marketing. To this day, Hocus-Pocus
regularly ships, on a daily basis, mountains of boxes and
gigantic bags of mail to customers throughout the world.
As
if he wasn't busy enough, Paul also held lectures, swap
meets and magic club meetings at his business. And his massive
dealer booths at magic conventions were things that dreams
are made of he displayed, and sold, everything from thumb
tips to major stage illusions.
Paul
was an "apparatus guy". He loved the boxes, tubes,
silks, flowers and doves that he'd seen his idols use. And
on occasion, he would mount a full-stage act using only
the finest apparatus made by such renowned craftsmen as
Owen Magic Supreme, Norm Nielsen, Richard Hughes, Abbott
Magic and others. He would always close his act with his
favorite illusion ... The Hindu Basket.
Paul
was a straight-shooter who was never afraid to express his
opinion - sometimes in very loud tones peppered with expletives.
Yet, underneath his sometimes-gruff exterior there was a
heart of gold.
He
regularly donated countless books to the Magic Castle Library.
He supplied, free of charge, props and apparatus to the
Castle's Magic University when it was run by his idol and
close friend, Mark Wilson.
And
on more than one occasion, when a budding youngster longed
for prop or book, Paul would simply hand it to the youth
with his compliments.
He
considered some of magic's all - time greats as personal
friends, including Mark and Nani Wilson, Marvyn Roy, Norm
Nielsen and Carl Ballantine, among others.
And
through most of his adult life, Paul was aided and abetted
by his loving, caring and amazingly patient wife, Betty.
When
Paul wasn't in "business mode", he loved gardening
and spending quality time with his grandchildren. His personal
"addiction" was collecting ventriloquist figures
and vintage battery-operated toys.
Paul
Gross was a self-made man. He was a renaissance man. And
he was a vast fountain of knowledge when it came to anything
even remotely related to magic and the allied arts. He knew
the value of a buck and that honesty and hard work are the
cornerstones of any successful business.
And
although he may no longer be with us in person, his legacy
continues, thanks primarily to his devoted family members,
especially his wife, Betty; sons Max and Cole; and daughters
Aimee and Renee.
Goodbye
for now, Mr. Gross. Thank you for everything. Rest in peace."
---------------------------------------------
11. 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)
--------------------------------------------
12. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice
--------------------------------------------
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.
Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news
items which may be of interest to subscribers. By submitting
articles to this e- zine, the authors grant Magic New Zealand®
the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm
their copyright of the material submitted.
All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected
by international copyright legislation and articles must
not be published for profit by anyone other than the individual
authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this publication may be freely
redistributed, but not sold, to other magicians if copied
in its entirety, including the copyright notice below and
the above disclaimer.
© Copyright 2023 Alan Watson QSM
www.magicnewzealand.com
http://twitter.com/#!/magicnewzealand
www.watson.co.nz
www.balloon-twister.co.nz
