*
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #1749
Date: Sunday 28th January 2024
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: Editor@magicnewzealand.com
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================
1.
Editor's Message
2. FISM - Fred Roby & Angela's Fund For Young Magicians
3. 2024 AMA (Academy of Magical Arts) Awards
4. MAGIC Live! - Just Three Days Left!
5. AGT Season 19 Virtual Auditions
6. Broken Award - Derek Lever
7. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #142
8. S.A.M. International Hall Of Fame And Museum
9. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 62
10. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #74
11. Triplexia - John Carey #223
12. E-zine Archives
13. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice
--------------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------
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
-------------------------------------
2. FISM - Fred Roby & Angela's Fund For Young Magicians
-------------------------------------
Message by Andrea Baioni
FISM International President
FISM Europe President
We recently announced the "Fred Roby & Angela's
Fund for Young Magicians" - a noteworthy initiative
aimed at nurturing young talent in the field of magic.
Thanks
to a generous donation of €30,000 from Angela Roby,
the fund will support young magicians competing in the FISM
World Championships of Magic for the years 2025, 2028, and
2031.
Enclosed
with this email is the FISM Newsletter (No. 136) detailing
this initiative. Additionally, I have attached a link to
the page on the FISM website for your reference:
https://fism.org/organization/fund-for-young-magicians/
-------------------------------------
3. 2024 AMA (Academy of Magical Arts) Awards
-------------------------------------
Masters
Fellowship
Teller
Lifetime
Achievement Award
The Davenport Family
Magician
of the Year
Piff the Magic Dragon
Performing
Fellowship
Steve Cohen for Parlor Magic
Performing
Fellowship
Jorge Blass for Stage Magic
Creative
Fellowship
Mario the Maker
Literary
& Media Fellowship
Paul Romhany
Special
Fellowship
Scott Wells
Mike Miller
Willie Kennedy
Outstanding
Junior Achievement
Day Mori
These
awards, as well as our yet-to be-voted-on Showroom Performance
Awards, will be presented at our next AMA Awards Show on
Friday evening, May 17, 2024, at The Theatre at Ace Hotel
in downtown Los Angeles.
-------------------------------------
4. MAGIC Live! - Just Three Days Left!
-------------------------------------
Message by Stan Allen
Just
Three Days Left!
This
Sunday, January 28th, 4:59 p.m. PST, is the last minute
you can register using our convenient five-month payment
plan, with each installment only $98.
As
always, should your plans change, your registration is 90%
refundable through June 3, 2024.
After
Sunday, we will only have the three-month plan available,
with $162 installments.
So,
take the first of five small steps today, and join your
friends in Las Vegas, August 4-7, 2024.
Stan
MagicConvention.com
-------------------------------------
5. AGT Season 19 Virtual Auditions
-------------------------------------
AGT
season 19 virtual auditions are now closed
https://americasgottalentauditions.com/
-------------------------------------
6. Broken Award - Derek Lever
-------------------------------------
Message by Anne Lever (UK)
It
is with deepest sadness that Derek passed away on Sunday
night in hospital.
He
is now free of the dreadful disease of Dementia with Lewy
bodies (means he saw people and things that were not real)
that he has battled with for more than three years.
He
is now at peace.
-------------------------------------
7. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #142
-------------------------------------
Message by Paul Stone (US)
Last
week I went to see a performance of Matilda the Musical
at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Theater in Los Angeles.
This
was community theatre, which encourages people who maybe
haven't ever appeared on stage before to participate in
their productions. And in this production, there was certainly
a huge cast of children of all ages.
Bolstered
by four local adult actors, more seasoned in these type
of shows, and who were all good enough to play in the West
End or on Broadway, it was an excellent production. The
lead role of Matilda was played by a 9 year old, and she
was terrific.
I've
always been a big proponent of a live band or orchestra
for any show, and once again it added much to this show.
I know musicians increase show costs, but they make such
a difference to the overall audience experience.
It
wouldn't be right to mention Matilda without praising the
work of Paul Kieve in the original stage production and
also I believe, the movie too. He has to be the best special
effects / magical illusion consultant in the world.
The
Blackpool Magic Convention is now only a few short weeks
away. It is of course the world's largest magic convention
by some considerable distance with over 4,000 attendees.
It is fascinating to think why this convention draws such
vast numbers year after year.
Could
it be the freezing cold and windy weather that Blackpool
always serves up every February? More likely, it's the unrivalled
facilities, and the stellar line-up of talent that the convention
organisers, Russ Stevens, Russ Brown and Guy Barratt, produce
so successfully year on year. And having at least 150 Dealers
from all around the globe doesn't hurt either!
I've
been attending the Blackpool Convention for well over 50
years, and during that time I've been able to introduce
some wonderful performers to the convention, including Fred
Kaps, 'the Amusing & Confusing' Johnny Paul, Michael
Ammar, and Lance Burton, to name a few.
I'll
be there again next month, hosting a talk with a young rising
star from Los Angeles named Mat O'Neil. If you're going
to the convention, don't miss his show!
-------------------------------------
8. S.A.M. International Hall Of Fame And Museum
-------------------------------------
Message by Kerry Ross (US)
I'm
not sure if you all know about the S.A.M. International
Hall of Fame and Museum. After losing their (donated) Hollywood
location for many years, they're looking for a permanent
home (and donors to help make that happen).
On
January 27th, an exhibit of their displays and props will
debut at the Whittier Museum in Whittier, California, along
with an afternoon stage show.
Here's
a link with all of the info: https://whittiermuseum.org/events/magic-exhibit/
--------------------------------------------
9. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 62
---------------------------------------------
Message by Wittus Witt (Germany)
She's
ready. The old lady. That's what I call my magazine "Magische
Welt", which is 73 years old this year.
The
new issue can be viewed on the homepage of "MW":
www.magische-welt.com
If
anyone is interested in the "MW", they can buy
an annual subscription for just 55 euros: a pdf plus text
in English. The magazine is published 6 times a year together
with another magazine that only describes magic tricks,
called "Zaubersalz" / Magic Salt.
The
main character in this issue is the British magician Ashleigh
Goodwin, who has 133 thousand followers on her Instagram
account. I was able to conduct a very nice interview with
her.
There
is also a great report on the Ehrlich brothers, who have
been filling the big halls for several years now, and not
just in Germany. They are a mega-appearance. Few magicians
in Germany have become as internationally renowned as these
two young men. The last great magician from my country was
Kalanag (Helmut Schreiber), who also made a big name for
himself abroad.
I
am also particularly pleased about the French magician Alexandra
Duvivier, who has been writing a regular column for MW since
last year.
Speaking
of columns and speaking of France: the great comedy magician
Otto Wessely has been writing a regular column for over
10 years. The current one is number 85.
The
longest-running column is written by Dr. Andreas Michel-Andino,
who has already written 108 episodes. His fixed motto is:
What is (magic) art? It's hard to believe the areas Andino
keeps finding material on.
I
am also pleased to be able to publish James Hagy's book,
"Secrets magicians could tell", in several episodes.
James is a great thinker who gives many practical tips on
how to create magic shows.
Finally,
some very remarkable news: Houdini is alive! Yes, indeed.
Since November last year, there has been a great song by
the British-Albanian singer Dua Lipa with the title "Houdini":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmk7pyla-4Y
The
video has already been viewed almost 5 million times ...
those are numbers.
See you next time
Wittus
www.hamburger-zaubermuseum.com
--------------------------------------------
10. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #74
--------------------------------------------
Message by Kent Cummins, Director (US)
Circus
Magic!
The
Circus is a magic place, isn't it? As a kid, I remember
going to several circuses: the Shrine Circus, and even Barnum
and Bailey, The Greatest Show on Earth! (I can also remember
looking out the window of my grandparents' apartment, seeing
a circus parade going by.)
But
when I was a kid, I don't remember ever seeing a magician
performing in the Big Tent. (I do remember paying 25 cents
to look inside the Blade Box in a circus carnival.)
When
my dad had his first dance recital in Del Rio, Texas, where
I was born, he called it the "Cummins Colossal Circus!"
It was 1952, and it was the first public show for Mysto
the Magician, performing two tricks in front of the curtain
while tumbling mats were moved and the stage was set for
the next act.
So,
I guess my whole family loved the circus.
When
I was in the Fourth Grade, I created my first Backyard Circus,
literally in my backyard in Del Rio. We had a swing set,
so I became a daredevil aerialist (mostly just hanging by
my knees from the swing,, but hey…I was in the 4th
grade.)
We
had a pet bulldog, Cleo, who became the wild animal act.
I dressed my little brother in a clown costume.
I
figured out how to use a curtain rod to become a sword swallower.
I followed Mom's admonition to not become a fire eater.
And
Mysto the Magician performed some magic!
I
have since learned that there are books about how to put
on a backyard circus, but I didn't have any of those books
back then.
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
-------------------------------------------
11. Triplexia - John Carey #223
-------------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/
Triplexia
is my fix on the classical triple prediction premise, using
the time honored Equivoque to drive the method engine. Properly
understood and used sparingly verbal control, as Max Maven
has commented, can be most deceptive and profound. It's
all about being confident, relaxed and zero hesitation when
responding to your participants decisions. Go and grab two
dice - one red and one white, a Seven of Diamonds and Jack
of Clubs, silver and copper coins and three business cards
or scraps of paper and let's have some fun.
On
the back of one of the business cards write "Silver".
On another write "Seven of Diamonds" and finally
on the remaining card write "White". Set these
cards predictions side down in silver,
Seven of Diamonds, white order from the top down. Bring
out the predictions and set them down sight unseen to one
side. I don't actually refer to them as anything in particular.
I just do it casually. Take out your props and set them
down in pairs from left to right in coins, cards, dice order.
"Peter,
a selection of items related to the gambling world: cards,
money and dice. But fear not, nothing will be won or lost
this evening! Firstly, please focus on the two coins. One
is silver, the other copper, but we don't need them both,
so please hand me either one." So now we start the
equivocation process. I extend my left hand and my participant
hands me either coin. Note I do NOT say pick, choose or
select. These words should be avoided. If Peter hands me
the silver coin I simply place it in front of him and put
the other coin aside out of play. Then I take the top business
card and place it with the silver coin. If however he hands
me the copper coin I just calmly set it aside and ask him
to pick up the coin he decided to keep and place it in front
of himself. Then I place the business card with it.
For
phase two I need to force the Seven of Diamonds, but I can't
use the same Equivoque again. So this time I use a different
gambit: "Peter, two playing cards, one red and one
black. I'm going to take one of those cards out. Shall I
take out the red card or the black card?" The phrase
"take out" is beautiful because it can mean take
out to use or to remove. If he says take out the red card
I place it in front of him and then set the next business
card down with it. If he says take out the black card I
do just that and discard it as I say "fine, it's gone."
Then I set the red card and the business card in front of
my helper.
"Finally
Peter, two dice, sometimes known as The Devil's bones! Would
you pick up one in each hand? I will snap my fingers and
I want you to drop either dice." Once again we will
use a different Equivoque strategy for this final phase.
If he drops the white dice I pick it up and set it in front
of him as in the two previous phases and then place the
final business card with it. But if he drops the red dice
I calmly ask him to set the white dice he decided to keep
onto the table and the business card is set down next to
it. The red dice is discarded.
"Does
anyone here tonight believe it's possible to actually predict
the future? Well earlier today I had three thoughts and
wrote them down on each of my business cards. Peter, you
made all the decisions and had complete free will. In front
of you are a silver coin, the Seven of Diamonds
and a white dice. Please turn over each prediction and read
them out aloud. Impossible!"
So
all I've done here essentially is to take three different
one-from two-items Equivoque strategies and wrapped a neat
parcel around them. Rehearse the steps thoroughly and you
will have a nice solid and deceptive routine that you can
perform regularly. Of course, you can use
any everyday items if you wish.
Have
fun!
---------------------------------------------
12. 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)
--------------------------------------------
13. 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
