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* Magic New Zealand®
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Issue Number: #1765
Date: Sunday 9th June 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. Raymond Crowe Performing Arts Centre
3. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article 159
4. The Magic Word Podcast
5. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 78
6. Tales from The Fantastic Magic Center - #89
7. Jeff McBride's Magic & Mystery School
8. 2025 FISM - Italy
9. The MagicWeek Video Archive
10. Interlude - John Carey #235
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-2024/1765-Jun09-2024.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. Raymond Crowe Performing Arts Centre
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Message by Ray Crowe (Australia)
I
am overjoyed to share some truly heartwarming news with
all of you! My old high school, Valley View Secondary School,
has honoured me in the most incredible way imaginable. Previously
they named a home group after me, but now there's an entire
building carrying my name - the Raymond Building. This beautiful
facility includes the "Raymond Crowe Performing Arts
Centre," and I'm still in awe as I write this.
This
honour is a testament to the belief that students from public
schools can indeed achieve their dreams. Valley View Secondary
School is home to some of the most outstanding students
and staff, and their unwavering commitment to excellence
is truly inspiring. The new facility, which cost $14 million
in taxpayer money, stands as a state-of-the-art learning
centre for the performing arts. It also features various
classrooms, offices, and a library, all designed to nurture
creativity and learning.
A
huge congratulations to the leadership, staff, students,
and the entire school community for transforming Valley
View into such a proud institution. Hats off to the architects,
builders, and department staff for bringing these incredible
new facilities to life. The inclusive policies and practices
at Valley View are exemplary, and I'm incredibly proud to
be associated with such a forward-thinking school. To give
back, I'll be offering my skills and time a few times a
year to support the students. I can't wait to witness the
amazing things they'll achieve in this fantastic new space!
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3. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article 159
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Message by Paul Stone (US)
Earlier
this week we received the sad news that Jeanette Charles
had died. Although not a magician herself, she was a long-standing
member of the IBM British Ring.
Jeanette
was a very accomplished actress, and without doubt the most
authentic Queen Elizabeth lookalike. She appeared in numerous
films, including a few Hollywood blockbusters, and hundreds
of corporate events.
It
was back in 1977 that she was first seen in the world of
magic. It was H.M Queen Elizabeth's Silver Jubilee, and
I decided to enter the IBM British Ring Shield Competition.
I
wanted to put together a comedy act for the competition
that would in some way be related to the Queen. My good
friend, top TV Producer, John Fisher, suggested I should
contact Jeanette Charles, which I did, and we started working
on a spot for the competition.
We
were the first act on in the competition, certainly not
the best position. When I came on stage I told the audience
that I needed someone to help me in my act, and that I'd
asked a lady, who was waiting in the wings but was nervous
as she'd never been in front of so many people before, so
to please give her a special round of applause.
Cue
Jeanette Charles walking out in full royal regalia. There
was a definite gasp from the whole audience. We then did
a few topical, if fairly basic gags …
Paul 'Take a card' - Are you happy with that card?' - Jeanette
'No'.
Paul 'Take another card' - Are you happy with that one?
- Jeanette 'No'.
Paul 'Is there a problem?' - Jeanette 'No, we're always
changing cards at Buckingham Palace!'
The
act finished with a take off of Roy Roth's (RAR Magic) 'Grind
a Ring, but in our version it was 'Grind a Crown'. At which
Jeanette clapped her hands, shouted 'Take him away' and
two Beefeaters in full costume marched on and dragged me
off stage!
Definitely
not a FISM winning act but it got a huge reaction, and we
won both the Comedy & Originality prizes.
As
a result we were booked to appear at Ron McMillan's International
Convention in London. That crazy Frenchman Otto Wessely
was also on the bill and insisted on treating Jeanette as
if she were the real Queen Elizabeth!
That
actually suited Jeanette as she genuinely enjoyed being
treated like royalty, and that was why she was always so
convincing.
I
subsequently booked her for a big Charity Show that I produced
at the London Palladium Theatre. I'd also booked the Band
of the Scots Guards to close the show, and also their Fanfare
trumpeters to open the show.
The
lights went down, the Fanfare trumpeters marched out and
played their fanfare, after which a spotlight appeared on
the Royal Box, and Jeanette - Queen Elizabeth - walked into
view. Half the audience stood up believing that it was H.M.
Queen, until the Fanfare trumpeters broke into playing jazz,
and Jeanette started conducting them from the Royal Box!
You
had to be there, it was an unforgettable moment!
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4. Dr. Steffen Taut On The Magic Word Podcast
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Message by Scott Wells MIMC
While
at the Magic Collectors Expo in Long Beach, California,
we met with a learned colleague who specializes in antiquity
magic art. We sat down to record a scholarly talk about
Djede, the magician to Pharaoh Keops (c. 2500 B.C.) and
other ancient Egyptian magicians of the time. We also try
to decide if the hieroglyphics on Beni Hassan's tomb were
bakers or magicians performing the cups and balls…or
both! And finally, we spent an incredible amount of time
chatting about the 1502 A.D. painting by Hieronymus Bosch,
"The Juggler" or as we know it better today, "The
Conjurer." There is a lot of history and education
on our rich heritage discussed this week that I know you
will enjoy.
You can listen wherever you get your podcasts, but to watch
some videos, see some photos, read the blog, and listen
online, please visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/837-steffen-taut
If you haven't yet done so, please leave us a five star
review along with nice comments. It will help this podcast
to grow. Thank you!
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5. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 78
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Message by Wittus Witt (Germany)
An
unusually large number of visitors came to the Bellachini
Museum last week. And what I am always particularly pleased
about is the fact that they are mainly "normal"
people. I don't (generally) have to explain to the magicians
how old the art of magic is and what history is associated
with it. But the "laymen" are always amazed at
how old the history of magic is. But that also shows me
how little the art of magic is recognised as an art form.
Painting, concerts and many other areas of art don't have
to put so much effort into proving themselves. Will it ever
be possible for the art of magic to receive the same respect
as the other arts? Or is it different in "your"
country? My question to all readers of this newsletter.
I think the newsletter is sent to many different countries.
I would be very interested to know how it is accepted in
"your" country. How is the art of magic perceived
in "your" country? Is it taken just as seriously
as ANY other art or where do you categorise the art of magic?
Whenever
I welcome guests from another country, I ask about their
experiences with magic and I always hear the same answer:
magic is for children's birthday parties - and yes, there
is also Copperfield ... oops, I don't want to write any
more about him now ...
So,
dear reader of these lines, let me know what the reputation
is like in your country. I am curious.
You
are also welcome to write directly to me: abc@wittuswitt.de
See
you next week
Wittus
Witt
www.hamburger-zaubermuseum.com
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6. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #89
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Message by Kent Cummins (US)
Fired-Up
Magician
Magicians
love playing with fire! As a kid magician, I opened my show
by producing the U.F. Grant Super-Jet Fire Bowl from my
cape, and then producing paper streamers from the flames.
One of my early stage illusions was the Head Cremation,
in which I inserted a flaming torch into a cannister placed
over a girl's head, which turned into a skull!
Later,
I started opening my show by entering with a flaming torch
that changed into a cane. Most of my fire magic used lighter
fluid, and I knew that stage managers were worried about
the use of fire. So, I painted the lighter fluid can gold,
and explained to stage managers that it was "Magic
Fire," that it would not harm anything.
To
prove that the "Magic Fire" was not dangerous,
I would squirt some lighter fluid on my pants leg and set
it aflame with a match. After a few seconds, I would brush
off the flame, which quickly went out. Sometimes, I would
do the same stunt pouring the fluid into my hand. Since
it is initially the fumes that are burning, and not your
hand or pants leg, this demonstration rarely caused any
damage.
And
of course, there is Flash Paper, which generally burns so
quickly that nothing is harmed. Unless it is old flash paper,
and it settles on the living room carpet before going out.
(Don't ask me how I know!)
I
love the Hot Book, which is great for Magic With a Message.
And I have had a lot of fun with the Fire Wallet. And candles
must be lighted, right?
More
burning issues next week!
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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7. Jeff McBride's Magic & Mystery School
--------------------------------------------
Explore
Magic with Master Teachers
*
Comfortable small group settings
* Detailed performance techniques
* Magic theory and philosophy
* Instruction from the legends of magic!
The
Faculty of the Magic & Mystery School know that nothing
improves
your magic more, and brings more lasting change, than live
learning-that
is, hands-on, face-to-face, in the same room learning experiences
with
master teachers. Some things never change.
https://www.magicalwisdom.com/
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8. 2025 FISM - Italy
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The
most important magic competition in the world.
*
150 competitors.
* More than 3,000 magicians present from more than 50 countries.
* 100 handpicked merchants
* 6 days of unforgettable magic
* 1 banquet
* Exchanges between magicians (jam sessions)
* And more
https://fism.org/
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9. 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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10. Interlude - John Carey #235
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Message by John Carey (UK)
Interlude
is just that kind of effect. A minor, but strong mystery
you can perform socially at the drop of a hat or when somebody
puts you on the spot. The effect is a 'Which Hand' style
piece, but with your participant playing the role of the
mind reader.
Borrow
a fairly large coin for visibility. "Today, Peter,
we are going to play a game of role reversal, where I will
be the spectator and you will be the mind reader. I will
place both my hands behind my back and place the coin inside
one of my hands. I will then bring both of my hands out
as fists and then the stage is yours!"
As
above, take both hands behind your back and a few moments
later bring both hands back out in fists, with the coin
held inside your left fist. "Numbers are truly all
around us. PINs, lottery, doors and so on. I would like
you to execute your intuition and call out a number say
from five to
ten?"
Naturally
they will freely name either an odd number or an even number.
Let's deal with the odds first. Let's say they called out
nine. "Let's count down to that number!" You will
then gesture outwards with your left hand as you count one,
bring that hand back towards the body as your right hand
moves out and gestures as you say two. Bring that hand back
in towards your body as the left hand gestures outwards
as you count three.
Continue
the gesture count up to nine. You will automatically land
on your left hand. Comment on how they had a free choice,
pause a beat and then slowly open that hand to reveal the
coin. Congratulate them on their success and then immediately
segue into another effect... Of course if they call out
an even number, simply start your gesture count with the
right fist, thus automatically landing on your left hand.
And that is Interlude!
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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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© Copyright 2024 Alan Watson QSM
www.magicnewzealand.com
http://twitter.com/#!/magicnewzealand
www.watson.co.nz
www.balloon-twister.co.nz
