Magic New Zealand E-zine Issue Number: #1710

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* Magic New Zealand®
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Issue Number: #1759
Date: Sunday 28th April 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. May Issue Genii Magazine
3. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #153
4. The Magic Word Podcast - Raymond Crowe
5. The 2024 Melbourne Magic Festival Is Now On Sale!
6. This Week In www.magicweek.co.uk
7. The MagicWeek Video Archive
8. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 72
9. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #84
10. Mentalist V Magician - John Carey #230
11. E-zine Archives
12. 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: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2024-Jan-to-Dec-2024/1759-Apr28-2024.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. May Issue Genii Magazine
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Message by Richard Kaufman - Editor Genii Magazine

Our latest issue! Join us for as little as $35 a year at www.geniimagazine.com.

Genii Magazine May with Paul Vigil on the cover. One of the best investments you can make if you are a magician is to be subscribed to this magazine, plus the price is very affordable.

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3. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #153
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Message by Paul Stone (US)

I have been asked to lecture later this year at a magic convention organised by my good friend Charles Bach. Charles has successfully built his own show, 'Charles Bach Wonders Magic & Illusion Show' at a theatre in Myrtle Beach.

I'll actually be presenting two lectures, one on that unforgettable British performer, and magic dealer, Ken Brooke, and the other titled 'Beyond Belief' about the incredible life and careers of Las Vegas Superstars, Siegfried & Roy.

I have also been asked to emcee the Close-Up Show, which is fine, and to perform a few tricks in that show. Sounds simple, right? … wrong! And I'll tell you why.

From an early age I was taught, and in Ken Brooke's case, harangued (big word - look it up!), to entertain and never to try to fool magicians. Fortunately, Ken wasn't around to see Penn & Teller's 'FOOL US' TV Show, It would have been very interesting to hear his thoughts. I for one, certainly won't ever forget it, it's still something of a sore point with me as my close friends in magic will attest to!

I was very fortunate to have Ken as a mentor, and also Bud Dietrich who introduced me to Tradeshows. The magic I perform is strong, let's face it, it had to be to withstand literally hundreds of shows at a Tradeshow booth, but it is geared entirely towards a lay audience.

My Close-Up / Parlour style is heavily self-deprecating (another big word!) and includes lots of comedy lines. The effects I feature are the Chop Cup, Card in Wallet, Memorised Deck, and my version of the Invisible Deck, none of which would excite a magic convention audience.

Of course, there are a few incredible magicians who can, and do, fool both the public and magicians too, and more power to their elbows, but I am not one of them. And I have no desire to do so either. Magic for me has always been a wonderful way to open doors to much larger opportunities, mainly in my case, in the corporate world.

The master of this was Karrell Fox, who for many years was one of the most successful and commercially aware magicians working. And his books contain so much great material employing the simplest methods possible, allowing him to concentrate on the most important aspect, the presentation.

One of his effects which he called 'Let's cut out all of the phoney baloney and do something normal and natural for a change prediction' is a classic case in point! Brilliant commercial thinking at its very best. I recommend you check it out!

By coincidence, I did actually perform table magic last weekend at a company Awards event produced by another close friend of mine, Diana Zimmerman. Incidentally Diana is celebrating a special Birthday this week - Happy Birthday Diana!

I mention it because not only was it a rare occurrence for me these days as I am now concentrating on my career as a speaker but, wearing my own show producer's hat, I witnessed what I can only describe as a complete lack of professionalism (third big word!) shown by two caricaturists who had also been booked for the event, which so happened to be on a Dinner cruise in Newport Beach.

To cut a long story short, the caricaturists were booked to work for two hours, but because as often happens, the awards overran a little, they were only required to work for an hour, so it was a very easy and well paid gig for them. And Dinner was also provided for them.

But nevertheless (fourth big word!), as soon as the ship docked, they were off like a flash, without so much as a thank you or goodbye to the client! In my book, that's a cardinal sin. It is bad manners, pure and simple, and is totally inexcusable. It was an object lesson to any magician.

Performing the show is only half the story, It goes without saying that you have to be good at what you do, but you also need to be as professional off stage as you are on it. The way you present yourself and interact with a client is so important, and is often how you get re-booked.

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4. The Magic Word Podcast - Raymond Crowe
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Message by Scott Wells (US)

From Adelaide, Australia, Raymond Crowe bills himself as the "Unusualist." An apt title, indeed, as his act is hard to describe and one of a kind. More than a magician and mime, he is a shadow artist as well. His on-stage character can be seen and "felt" by audiences regardless of the size of the theater. He can emote feelings and emotions with a mere gesture, tilt of his head, or movement of his eyes, plus his magic is original and amazing.

He has performed around the world including a command performance for the Queen of England! He toured with The Illusionists as they traveled around the world from the Sydney Opera House to Broadway in New York City. He has had appearances on David Letterman's Late Show, Australia's Got Talent and even on America's Got Talent. He has competed at FISM and lectured/performed at MAGIC Live! and Blackpool.

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/827-raymond-crowe-what-a-wonderful-life/id635943641?i=1000652867569

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5. The 2024 Melbourne Magic Festival Is Now On Sale!
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Message by Tim Ellis (Australia)

Featuring almost 50 magicians including special guest Hector Mancha (Spain), Gabriel Gascon (Chile), Dom Chambers (America's Got Talent), Lawrence Leung (star of ABC TV), and FISM Grand Prix Champion Simon Coronel, we have two jam packed weeks of incredible shows.

Plus, if you book before May 8 and use the discount code word AMAZING, you get 20% off all tickets !

www.MelbourneMagicFestival.com

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6. This Week In www.magicweek.co.uk
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Message published in Facebook by Duncan Trillo (UK)

"Harry Merlin Piper is The Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year 2024"

"The Wizards Weekend Magic Convention"

"Britain's Got Talent returns"

"Harry Merlin Piper has just been added to The Magic Circle Convention lineup"

"Michael J Fitch and Lee Hathaway on Talk Magic"

"Dave Forrest Lecture"

"From Peterhead to Hollywood - how a north-east magician became Netflix star"

and more... www.magicweek.co.uk

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7. The MagicWeek Video Archive
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Featuring magic, magicians and illusionists as seen on terrestrial British television during the past 45 years. These recordings are all from my personal magic collection, made at the time of transmission.

Updated every Saturday by MagicWeek. See https://www.magicweek.co.uk

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8. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 72
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Message by Wittus Witt (Germany)

The coming week is full of magical events in Hamburg. On April 27, the popular "Long Night of Museums" will take place here. You can visit 53 museums for a single and fairly low entrance fee. Each museum is open from 6 pm until 1 am. I have asked two magician friends to help me look after the guests, as I can only receive about 30 people at a time in the rooms. There are also various program items on offer. One of the guests of honor is Joannis von dem Borne, who will talk about the magic philosopher Alexander Adrion and, of course, perform magic. Joannis was a student of Adrion. He grew up together with Alexander Adrion's children and learned a lot from their father.

I will then have about 3 days to dismantle the Adrion exhibition and set up the new one: Magic in Women's Hands. I've already framed around 20 posters for it. But there's still a lot to be done.
Belinda Sinclair (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JshfxsYjhE&t=48s) lands in Hamburg on April 29. I have already been able to arrange an interview for her with Hamburg's biggest daily newspaper.

On May 1, there will be a big event in a theater in Hamburg with three more magicians

Michelle Spillner (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BREnFE6i0yw&t=95s)

and Alana (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARYNtMECkB0).

The program will be hosted by Stefan Alexander Rautenberg

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHny0Xdtvhw).

The next day we will continue with performances by Belinda in my magic salon. Three evenings. Finally, the opening of the exhibition is on May 5. So a full week.

I met Belinda in London in 2005 at the centenary celebrations. She made a great impression on me as a person and as an artist and I'm looking forward to this reunion.

I will also be showing some other women in the video at the museum. You can see an excerpt here:

https://youtu.be/5UkwvNAr4Qk

That's all for today.

Wittus
www.hamburger-zaubermuseum.com

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9. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #84
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Message by Kent Cummins (US)

The Magic of Austin - Part 2

The Texas Association of Magicians (TAOM) began in 1944 as a Labor Day picnic hosted by Herman Yerger in Austin, and Austin still hosts the TAOM Convention every five years or so.
Austin has active chapters of the International Brotherhood of Magicians (Ring 60), the Society of American Magicians (Assembly 206), the Fellowship of Christian Magicians, and the university of Texas Magic Club.

The Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas holds one of the most important collections of memorabilia from the Golden Age of Magic, including an incredible quantity of unique Houdini items.

Austin was home to Richard Garriott when he performed magic in space and sent us postcards from the International Space Station!

Austin was the long-time home of Ramon Galindo, known throughout the world as "The Birdman of Austin."

Austin was also the long-time home of Fred Scott Donaldson; "The Great Scott and Judy," dominated the magic scene in Texas for decades, and will be featured in this year's "The Yankee Magic Collector" magazine.

Austin was the home of Ron Cartlidge, who wrote "Houdini's Texas Tours"

Austin was the birthplace of T. Myers Magic, the world's largest purveyor of books, videos, and props for balloon twisters, magicians and clowns.

Today, Austin is home to Nick Lewin, Ray Anderson, Cody Fisher, CJ Johnson, Brian Brushwood, Brad Henderson, Steve Farmer ("The Blue Saint"), Bertil Fredstrom ("Black Bert") "Magical Mystical Michael" Kaufman, Dylan Love, Trixie Bond, "Peter the Adequate" Hinrichs, Bobby Cordell, Adam Dunraven, Lou Hornung, "The Amazing Robert" Castillo, John Maverick, Saul Ravencraft…and "The Fantastic Kent Cummins!"

Austin, Texas, is the Live Music AND MAGIC Capital of the World!

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. Mentalist V Magician - John Carey #230
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Message by John Carey (UK)

The 'Which Hand?' plot popularized by Derren Brown is extremely popular with both Mentalists and Magicians. Here's my entry to this plot which combines a 100% certain 'Which Hand' phase with a magical transformation.

Bring out a deck of cards and a Sharpie. Contrive to get a number card to the top of the deck after a spectator shuffle and peek it secretly. Let's say it's the Seven of Diamonds. Of course you can simply pre-set this if you wish. "Today I would like to show you two tricks. Firstly please take a card and sign it as I look away."

Force the Seven of Diamonds on your participant. After they've signed it, turn back around and have it returned and secretly control it to the top. I use a shift/pass. Execute a double turnover showing an x card. Turn the double down and take the top card (selection) into the right hand as you discard the deck. Fold it face-down into quarters and hand it to your helper so that they take it into their left hand.

"First of all we will attempt something my Uncle George showed me. Please close both of your hands and put them behind your back. Now the card you selected had a value or number right? I'd like you to swap the folded card you are holding back and forth between your hands that
number of times please. So if you're thinking three you would switch it three times. I will look away as you do that." As you've forced a seven spot on them earlier the folded card will end up in their right hand.

Turn back to face your spectator and ask them to bring both fists out in front of them. Then go into Mr Psychic mode and eventually ask them to open their right hand, successfully revealing the folded card. Pause a beat and then remind your audience that you did say you'd perform two tricks. Make a magical gesture over the folded card they are holding and then request that they unfold it, revealing a most surprising transformation!

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11. 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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12. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice
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