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* Magic New Zealand®
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Issue Number: #1753
Date: Sunday 17th March 2024
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. MAGIC Live 2024!
3. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #147
4. Broken Wand - Darwin Ortiz
5. Expert At The Card Table
6. The Magic Word Podcast
7. Estates Of Magic
8. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 66
9. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #78
10. Pin Up - John Carey #225
11. E-zine Archives
12. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice
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1. Editor's Message
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The Highlight for the week for Michele and I was catching
up with Paul Stone from Las Vegas and hearing all his captivating
stories of beloved magicians from the past.
If
you would like to read the Magic New Zealand E-zine in HTML
format go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2024-Jan-to-Dec-2024/1753-Mar17-2024.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. MAGIC Live 2024!
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Message by Stan Allen (US)
Surprise!
Research
has shown that the most important thing people look for
in a magic show is surprise. At MAGIC Live, we've always
known the power of surprise, which is why we do not announce
presenters or performers prior to the event.
When you check in at Registration, you will receive a guide
that lists who the speakers are, what they're speaking on
and when. That way, you'll be able to plan your days.
Your nights, however, are for shows! As with all magic shows,
these will strive to surprise you, not only with who's on,
but also what they're doing and the venue they're doing
it in.
Each year, we hear from attendees that MAGIC Live makes
them feel like they're a kid at their first convention.
I think that's largely due to the element of surprise.
Hopefully, you can join us in Las Vegas, August 4-7 - and
feel like a kid again.
Stan
MagicConvention.com
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3. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #147
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Message by Paul Stone (US)
A couple of weeks ago I was attending the world's largest
magic convention in Blackpool, fully expecting to be in
UK for a month. But life is full of surprises, and a couple
of days after Blackpool, I was flying half way round the
world to join a cruise from Tahiti to Auckland, New Zealand
to perform magic and present one of my talks.
Although
definitely not in my short term plans, I have always secretly
wanted to visit New Zealand, and it has been on my bucket
list for a considerable time. So, I wasn't going to miss
this opportunity!
It
also probably hasn't escaped your notice that this weekly
online ezine that you are reading, (or hopefully are reading!)
is owned and published by the multi award winning magician,
Alan Watson, and I really wanted to catch up and renew acquaintances
with him and his lovely wife Michele.
When
three years ago Alan asked me to write an article for Magic
New Zealand, I couldn't have imagined that I'd still be
at it 147 articles later! But that rather pales into insignificance
when compared to Alan's dedication to Magic Zealand that
he has published for 24 years and which goes out to at least
17,000 magicians every week. That's some achievement!
Needless
to say Alan and Michele very kindly hosted me for a couple
of days and took me on a tour of Auckland, which included
stopping off at their meticulously tidy house, whose walls
were adorned with numerous awards, citations and even a
royal honour from HM Queen Elizabeth - Queen Service Medal
(QSM) for service as a magician!
Alan
had also arranged for a few local professional magicians
to meet up for Dinner in my honour at an excellent Thai
Restaurant, accurately and appropriately named Thai Thai
Authentic Restaurant, and which is situated in the Auckland
suburb of Grey Lynn.
The
restaurant is co-owned by the chef Samboon Khansuk, originally
from Lampang in Thailand, and his mentor and Auckland born
TV personality and famous gossip columnist David Hartnell.
A make-up artist to the stars, David spent years living
in Los Angeles and rubbing shoulders with many Hollywood
legends including Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, and
his particular favourite, Phyllis Diller. In 2011, David
was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for services
to entertainment, also by HM Queen Elizabeth.
I
would be out of order not to mention the names of the magicians
and their partners who joined us for what was a most convivial
and enjoyable evening. So, a big thank you to David and
Samboon of course, Alan & Michele, Bill, Andy, Brent,
Stefan, Chris and Michelle (with two l's!).
They
were all great company, and the food was fantastic!
A
particular shout out to Andy (Kean), who although a resident
of Auckland since the early 2000's, was originally from
UK, living in Widnes, and who totally surprised me by telling
me that he had been a member of the Liverpool Mahatma Magic
Circle, one of the oldest magic societies in England, and
one that I have many fond memories of, having served as
President on no fewer than four occasions. I am now an honorary
member and proud to be so.
Andy
also brought with him several of the effects that I had
produced and marketed over the years, and seemed to know
more about me than I did! It was a little surreal, but very
flattering, and it was great to talk about the old days.
Speaking
of the old days, it was wonderful to chat and reminisce
with Alan & Michele about so many of the special and
legendary performers that we were all fortunate enough to
know, and in my own case, to book on a regular basis.
Headliners
like Hans & Helga Moretti. Johnny & Pam Thompson
(Tomsoni & Company), Juan Tamariz, Richard Ross, and
Fred Kaps to name just a few.
I'm
an avid walker and I've walked an average of ten miles a
day since I've been in Auckland, a city I've very much enjoyed
visiting, And later today, I'm going out whale watching
on an Auckland whale & dolphin safari. That's not something
I can do in Las Vegas … sharks yes, whales … no!
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4. Broken Wand - Darwin Ortiz
-------------------------------------
Published in Facebook by Paul Gertner
Darwin
Ortiz
1948-2023
Friday
the Thirteenth true to its reputation packed a punch this
week. The news of the death of a good friend and legendary
magician and gambling expert Darwin Ortiz made the rounds
in the world of magic. It is so sad to hear Darwin has left
us.
Darwin
was one of my contemporaries and while a few years older
than myself and other magicians like David Roth, Michael
Ammar, John Carney, David Williamson, Tim Conover, Paul
Harris, and Max Maven we all seemed to stumble into the
fascinating world of magic conventions and lectures at a
similar time in our lives, each of us trying to find a way
to make a mark, make an impression or simply make a living
in the rather strange world of magical entertainment that
captured our attention.
Darwin
stood out in his approach to this challenge with a very
precise and low-key performance style that showcased his
love of difficult routines expertly constructed highlighting
his exceptional skill level with cards and his dedication
toward the ritual of practice. His magic was designed and
constructed to let the magic and the effect do the talking,
with a preference toward magic and demonstrations centered
around a gambling theme. One of my early meetings with Darwin
was probably in the mid-seventies when I was fortunate to
attend one of the Spaghetti Sessions in New York hosted
by Pat Cook for a group that included Darwin, David Roth,
Jim Swain, and myself at Pat's place in the city. A few
years later, he and his partner at the time Liz, hosted
my wife and I for a lovely dinner of shrimp primavera, a
recipe which was graciously shared with us. My wife Kathryn
who has mastered it still makes it to this day for special
occasions, especially when we have a magician for dinner.
It's always fun to casually mention the story of where we
discovered the recipe for the magical meal they are raving
about.
Around
the same time in the late seventies, it seemed Darwin and
I would often end up on the same magic convention bill usually
working both the close-up show and performing a lecture
for the attendees. Two conventions that stand out are the
Cuckoo's Nest Convention in Pittsburgh where Darwin, David
Roth and I were all on the bill together. Darwin had a great
sense of humor, and I recall he and I sat in the back of
the room as David Roth lectured to the entire convention.
During the lecture, Darwin and I would take turns asking
David absurd questions about a routine he just completed.
Questions
that were designed to sound semi-reasonable to someone new
to magic, but that challenged David to keep straight face
while trying to answer them in front of the large audience.
Of course, payback was in order and the next day when Darwin
was lecturing on the pinky count, I recall David and I enjoying
Darwin's attempt to give a serious answer to David's question:
"Would using a small rubber thumb tip on the end of
your little finger help make you more accurate when doing
the pinky count?" Without missing a beat Darwin handled
it with a respectful and professorial explanation. Classic
Darwin. In 1978 at one of Joe Steven's early Desert Magic
Seminars Joe invited Darwin and me to be the two young magicians
at the convention that was headlined by Dai Vernon and Tony
Slydini. Darwin and I were the young "up and coming"
magicians to compliment the two masters on the bill. Darwin's
performance and lecture, of course, was one of the highlights
of the convention, his skill level was way beyond his years.
But
I think the thing Darwin will be most remembered for is
his prolific output in terms of published material, something
the magic community will benefit from well into the future.
My favorite book was Strong Magic which was released in
1994. I was blown away when I read this book by the analytical
details he talked about when creating an effect. I have
always loved strong, impactful close-up magic, having come
of age watching and learning from performers like Al Goshman,
Don Alan, and Eddie Fechter but here Darwin was detailing
and breaking down why what they did… worked. I am currently
re-reading that book again right now just to be reminded
of his words and hear his voice one more time.
I
was even more blown away, and flattered when Darwin called
me in 1995, less than a year after Strong Magic came out
and asked me to write the Introduction to his next book
Cardshark. I remember saying: "How can you have another
book already, you just released Strong Magic?" The
level of his output was impressive, and it simply continued
year after year. I believe Darwin, a very private person,
enjoyed writing as much as he did performing, perhaps even
more and the magic community is the beneficiary of that.
I'm going to miss our phone calls and the ability to call
him about any card routine or question I have and hear him
say: "That's called the Tantalizer, it is in Royal
Road to Card Magic, I have a trick using that principle
in one of my books, I'll email you a copy."
Losing
Darwin is like losing Johnny Thompson and Max Maven who
all were all like fountains of magical information and knowledge
that many of us drank from again and again. We will all
miss that too. Fortunately, Darwin spent time with several
young card experts like Jason Ladayne and Ed Kwon, and I
can see his influence when I see them pick up a deck of
cards. Teaching was another way that Darwin was willing
to generously pass his knowledge on to the next generation.
He was simply a kind and genuine person who you could tell
was always thinking, I liked that about him.
And
just as much as I will miss hanging out with Darwin at magic
conventions, hearing his unique voice explaining a card
effect, smiling at his dry sense of humor and marveling
at his precise technique with a deck of cards, there is
one thing I think I will miss most of all. I will miss those
times when I called him, and he did not answer the phone.
Because when that happened, I had the privilege of hearing
his voice on his answering machine inform me that: "I'm
sorry I cannot answer the phone right now, because I am
busy practicing."
And
in that moment, I would always envision Darwin sitting alone
in a room, at a small table, light jazz playing in the background
gently shuffling a pack of cards, holding the deck in his
right-hand, dealing seconds or bottoms or perhaps simply
fine tuning a strip-out shuffle for the 10,000th time. Yes,
I think that is how I will remember my friend Darwin. Practicing.
Keep
on practicing my friend. You have earned it.
-------------------------------------
5. Expert At The Card Table
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Message sent by Peter Wallace (US)
A
documentary on the book The Expert at the Card Table by
S. W. Erdnase, the mystery that has surrounded it's authorship
and the impact it has had on the magic and gambling community
since its first publication in 1902.
https://youtu.be/KTVpY3ZPoIk?si=Ftth7pgQ0p9BgzG8
-------------------------------------
6. The Magic Word Podcast
-------------------------------------
Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star
Arthur
Benjamin and Pat Fallon
Last
week we featured a chat with "mathemagician" Arthur
Benjamin. He has an amazing act that is rarely seen at magic
conventions as his full time job is as a professor at Harvey
Mudd College in California. His lightening quick calculations
are figured in his head and his answers are correctly given
faster than you can input the numbers in the calculator
and hit "equals".
It
may sound boring to some, but trust me when I say that he
makes math fun and exciting. Just listen to our chat to
get a sense of what I'm talking about. You can listen to
our conversation wherever you get your podcasts. But to
view videos of some of his TED Talks (which have been seen
by over 50 million people), see some candid photos, and
listen online, please visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/821-arthur-benjamin
This
week's conversation is with Pat Fallon, from Dublin, Ireland.
Pat and I have been friends for decades and I was so glad
to catch up with him at the recent convention in Blackpool.
Come join us this week for a fun chat as we prepare to celebrate
St. Patrick's Day. You can listen to this episode in the
usual places, like iTunes, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and more.
Or you can visit https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/822-pat-fallon
to listen online and get additional information.
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7. Estates Of Magic
-------------------------------------
Message by Steve Varro (US)
Estates
of Magic now has 5 Magic catalogs available
Stage
Magic Catalog
Close-Up Magic Catalog
Books Catalog (Magic & Comedy)
Media Magic Catalog (DVDs & CDs)
Memorabilia Catalog (Pins, Coins, Posters, Programs)
These catalogs with be updated every month.
Just
go to estatesofmagic.com and enjoy
--------------------------------------------
8. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 66
---------------------------------------------
Message by Wittus Witt (Germany)
One
of the most important magic dealers in Germany was Werner
Geissler (1925-2000), who attracted worldwide attention
under the name Werry. He founded his company around 1948.
Four years later he founded the magazine Magische Welt,
which I have been running for 23 years now after his death.
However,
he earned his living from the tricks he produced. He started
making tricks out of plastic at an early age. His appearing
and disappearing canes were particularly well known. The
candles he made from plastic were also a particular achievement
of his.
But
he also invented a wealth of new tricks. In the book I published
about him shortly after his death, I list around 500 of
his own creations. For me at least, this makes Werry one
of the most ingenious trick inventors of the 20th century.
Not all of his inventions have survived to this day, but
there are a number of effects that are still relevant today.
Now
I've come to the actual topic for today: Wonder Cocktail,
Clear Cocktail. In German: "Blitz Cocktail".
The
name describes a trick that really does look like magic:
Two transparent glasses are shown clearly empty. To prove
that there is nothing in them, the glasses are turned upside
down. They are then placed with their openings on top of
each other and shaken, just like a bartender mixing a cocktail.
Suddenly, the glasses fill with a colored liquid, which
can then be poured out.
This
trick really does sound like real magic. Werry created this
trick back in 1959 and marketed it very successfully. However,
this trick has already been stolen from him. The English
dealer Max Andrews brought out the trick under the name
"Wonder Cocktail". Davenports produced it under
the title "Clear Cocktail" and the German magic
dealer Joe Wildon called it "Wunder Cocktail".
Why
am I writing all this?
A
few days ago I saw a young Japanese magician performing
this trick on Instagram, and not at all badly. She certainly
doesn't know the inventor. I'm sure many others don't know
the inventor either. But I think he should not be forgotten.
The inventor of this wonderful trick is Werner Geissler-Werry
who of course has a place of honor in my museum along with
several other tricks.
Here
is a link to view the "Wonder Cocktail".
https://youtu.be/1f1UWwDPoH4
See
you next week
Wittus
www.hamburger-zaubermuseum.com
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9. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #78
--------------------------------------------
Message by Kent Cummins, Director (US)
Mysto's
Conjuring Crime!
Last
week I told you that there were actually two magic books
in my fourth-grade classroom in Del Rio, Texas. If I remember
correctly (which is not a sure thing after all these years),
one of them was a Buster Brown magic book promoting shoes.
I don't have any memory of the other one.
I
was horrified that there were two magic books so readily
available for anyone in my classroom. Weren't we supposed
to protect the secrets of magic from non-magicians?
I
was Mysto the Magician! I had already been paid to perform
a magic show in San Antonio. It was only $3.00 ($35 in 2024
dollars), but I needed to protect those magic secrets.
So,
I "borrowed" those two books, but without letting
the teacher know I was doing it. (I didn't think of it as
stealing. I was accomplishing something important for the
greater good.) Shortly after that, we moved from Del Rio
to New Orleans, and I took the books with me.
But
my conscience started bothering me, and I threw away the
books. (I know…not a good move…but I was by then
only starting the fifth grade.) That strategy didn't ease
my conscience, and I finally confessed to my dad what I
had done.
Dad
took money out of my allowance for several weeks, and helped
me get a money order to send back to the school, with a
letter of apology. (I wish I had made a copy of that letter,
but this was before the days of Xerox and Kwik Kopy.)
It
was not the perfect crime, but I did not have to learn a
jail escape!
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
-------------------------------------------
10. Pin Up - John Carey #225
-------------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)
No,
not me! Here's a further exploration of the first part of
the 1089 concept we discussed in the previous piece, this
time used as a PIN revelation. Materials-wise, all we need
are a couple of business cards, a pen, and a willing participant.
"Michael,
today we are going to attempt something rather interesting
using numbers. They're everywhere we go so let's have some
fun." After this light hearted introduction I ask my
participant to take out their phone and open up the calculator.
Request that they make sure the screen is clear before you
proceed. "If I asked you to type in your PIN number
right now it might intrigue you, but I wouldn't be comfortable
trying to work with your personal information. So instead,
make up a four digit pin for me now, making each digit different.
Is
there any way I could know that pin? Fine now I want you
to flip those numbers on their head. Press the minus key
and type in the reverse of those digits. So if you typed
in 1234, you would type in 4321, ok? Press the equals key
and you will now have a random total that quite simply nobody
but you know, yes? Finally, and just in your mind, add up
those digits to form a two digit number, then turn your
phone off. Pick up a business card and on the back write
those digits down."
So,
as in the proceeding effect this will force 18 upon them.
We will now utilize my dear friend, Michael Murray's brilliant
Springboard concept which will enable us to bring home a
little miracle.
"Michael,
we will now play a little game known as higher and lower.
Focus on that first digit on the card please. You're going
to make a third digit with it by going higher. Do you wish
to go one, two a couple higher or maybe three or four? Three
higher? Ok based on your answer write that new digit next
to your first two please. Finally, focus on the second digit.
Now
you will go lower. How many lower, do the math? Two lower?
Fine. Based on that please write that digit in your mind
next to the other three, thus forming a PIN number that
you and only you know."
So
let's discuss the above. Because you know the first digit
is a one, if they say three higher the third digit they
write down will be four. Likewise because you know the second
digit is eight, if they say two lower, their fourth digit
they write down will be six. It's a simple but beautiful
idea.
"Now I want you to send me your thoughts, one number
at a time." Pick up the other business card and act
out the moment, feigning concentration and eventually, in
this example writing down the PIN number 1846. Ask your
participant to show their PIN number and then dramatically
reveal a perfect meeting of the minds as you display your
PIN number matches
perfectly.
This
effect is perfect for relaxed social situations. Just don't
attempt it on someone three sheets to the wind on beer!
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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
--------------------------------------------
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or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your
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Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday.
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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
