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* Magic New Zealand®
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Issue Number: #1778
Date: Sunday 6th October 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. Vanish Magic Magazine #123 - October Issue
3. Eric Dittelman On The Magic Word Podcast
4. Penn & Teller - The London Palladium in 2025
5. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article 171
6. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 91
7. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #103
8. Spectator Open Prediction - John Carey #247
9. Broken Wand - Remo Inzani
10. E-zine Archives
11. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
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1. Editor's Message
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IMPORTANT MESSAGE:
Announcement: Closure of Magic New Zealand E-zine
In early NOVEMBER this year after 25 years of magical service,
I have made the difficult decision to close the Magic New
Zealand E-zine. This marks the end of an era as we reflect
on the changing landscape of news distribution, significantly
influenced by the global reach and immediacy of social media.
Over the years, Magic New Zealand E-zine has been a trusted
source of information weekly for over 17,000 magicians worldwide,
keeping them informed of the latest events, lectures, conventions,
tours, and television shows in the magic community.
The e-zine has thrived on the contributions of our valued
subscribers, who have shared crucial updates with the broader
magic community all over the world.
I thank all the subscribers and regular columnists who
have contributed to this publication, particularly those
who have been the first to share breaking news, ensuring
that the magic world stays connected and informed.
The Magic New Zealand archives website: www.magicnewzealand.com
will remain accessible until March 31, 2025, after which
it will be taken down.
However, rest assured that Ask Alexander will be transferring
all the issues to their site: https://conjuringarts.org/askalexander/
preserving all the valuable history.
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Magic New Zealand 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)
Kind regards,
Alan
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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-2024/1777-Oct06-2024.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. Vanish Magic Magazine #123 - October Issue
---------------------------------------------
Message from Paul Romhany - Editor Vanish Magazine
www.digitalvanishmagazine.com
Printed & digital magazine now available on VR headsets.
- Featuring direct from America's Got Talent we have another
exclusive interview with Solange Kardinaly after her incredible
performances and views as one of the top all time viewed
artists on this show.
- We also get the exclusive on a paid internship at The
Magical Mystery Show! in Hawaii. This will give some lucky
people the chance to get paid to do an internship at this
amazing venue and be mentored by Shoot Ogawa. A once in
a lifetime opportunity. We have full details inside Vanish.
- The Magical Women Deck - another exclusive story on a
deck of cards everybody will want to own from performers
to collectors alike. We get the behind the scenes first
look at this deck with launched October 1st. Be in before
they all go on this kickstarter programme.
- The Pro Speaks - A first in a series of articles by Scott
Pepper, a working professional for over 30 years and he
shares his knowledge as a working pro.
- Magic Is Education - Jeff Christensen comes back with
his series talking about magic and education.
- Magic Conventions - a list of conventions for 2024-2025
- Nick's Tips - a video from Nick Lewin on the correct
way to handle a microphone
- Consultant's Corner - Andrew Gerard's new series on his
take on classics - a video performance and explanation
- The Breakthrough Wallet - Stephane Lacroix shares a way
to make your own peek wallet that totally fools magicians
and laymen.
- Coin- Sent - Louie Foxx shares a killer coin routine
from his show
- Mikey Hades Finger Chopper - a Product highlight
- Take A Seat - a great opener for a stage show for magician
or mentalist by Michel Huot
- The Process - video interview about creating magic
- Masters Of Illusion - Live Show - What adults feel when
they see magic for the first time
- Reviews -
www.vanishmagazine.com
www.digitalvanishmagazine.com
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3. Eric Dittelman On The Magic Word Podcast
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Message by Scott Well - M.I.M.C. with Gold Star
Welcome to the "Month of Boo" on The Magic Word
Podcast. All this month we intend to bring you conversations
with some people who are not going to necessarily be strictly
talking about magic. Some of the conversations will be on
the tangential outskirts of our art. In particular we will
chat with a couple people who conduct seances, another who
is a film actor who has developed a spooky magic show and
séance, and we will end the month with a talk about
what's new on the news front for Houdini.
But first off this month, we are featuring a chat with
Eric Dittelman, a mind reader who was groundbreaking with
his appearance as the first mentalist to get to the finals
of America's Got Talent. He also co-hosted a long running
podcast with a fellow college circuit entertainer (and winner
of AGT a few years ago), Mat Franco. This particular podcast
is about as close as you will get to hearing Eric give a
lecture, since he does not regularly perform nor lecture
at magic conventions. There are a lot of great stories and
advice in this week's episode.
You can listen wherever you get your podcasts. But to view
videos, see candid photos, read the blog, listen online,
and get more information, please visit https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/863-eric-dittelman
As we near the holidays, please remember that you can financially
help the Magic Word Podcast with your Amazon purchases through
their Affiliate program. Please visit the Magic Word Podcast
website and scroll down to the bottom of the page where
you will find a link the Amazon that will allow you to make
your purchase while seamlessly helping The Magic Word Podcast.
Since we are winding down with the New Zealand eZine, I
want to publicly thank Alan Watson for his many years of
service to the magic community by tirelessly editing this
long running newsletter. Thank you, Alan. Your service is
not going unnoticed nor unappreciated.
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4. Penn & Teller - The London Palladium in 2025
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Message by Kevin Phillips (UK)
Penn & Teller, the undisputed masters of modern magic,
announce a very special residency at The London Palladium
in 2025 to celebrate their incredible 50th Anniversary
https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/penn-teller/
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5. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article 171
-------------------------------------
Message by Paul Stone (US)
It is easy to forget just how much valuable information
you can find in magic magazines . I mention this because
this week I came across a copy of MUM, the monthly magazine
from the Society of American Magicians, dating back to February
2017.
The editor at the time was my good friend Michael Close
who, together with his lovely and talented wife Lisa, produced
a really excellent magazine. Michael had asked me in 2016
to write an article each month, which I did for two years
until he retired from the editorial seat. My article was
titled "Backstage - The Inside Stories of a Show Producer'.
I have, in my articles for Magic New Zealand, often stressed
the importance of remembering and celebrating the achievements
of those in our craft who have gone before us and never
forgetting the contribution they made.
This point was emphasised and perfectly articulated by
Michael Close himself in the 'Editors Desk' page at the
front of this copy of MUM, where he was extolling the virtues
of reading magic books, and I am sure he won't mind me taking
the liberty of quoting some of his words here, because they
are just as relevant today as they were back in 2017.
'Over the years I have heard many explanations why magicians
don't read. Here's a reason why magicians should read. Without
reading you will never become as good a magician as you
have the potential to be.
In any field that involves creativity (music, art, physics,
mathematics, law, drama, for example) knowledge of the history
of the subject is vital. You can't build on what has come
before if you don't know what came before. Remember George
Santayana's advice to magicians "Those who cannot remember
the past are condemned to buy something that they probably
could have found in Tarbell."
Conjuring is a theatrical art form, and mastery of stagecraft
and showmanship are two big parts of it. But the part of
conjuring that makes it magical is intellectual: if I am
going to provide spectators with moments of astonishment
(which if I bill myself as a magician, is my job), then
I have to fool them, and all of that deception is going
to take place in their brains. Providing a satisfying experience
of magic will require all the ingenuity I can muster. Reading
improves my ability to do this, because reading actively
stimulates imagination. This is not the case with videos.
Watching is a passive activity: someone else is doing the
imagining for you.
Acquiring books comes at a price, but happily many titles
have become available as ebooks, which reduces the cost
considerably. Books are a bargain compared to the tsunami
of twenty-to-forty-dollar one-trick DVD's. This was the
big reason that I went the book route when I was a kid.
For the same price as a prop, I could buy Harry Lorayne's
"Close-up Card Magic" and get sixty tricks. This
seemed like a good deal to me.
Let me give you one more big reason for magicians (especially
up-and-coming magicians) to read: reading will give you
humility. The history of magic is full of brilliant, eccentric,
hilarious, and prolific creators and performers whose accomplishments
should be studied and savoured. Sir Isaac Newton said "If
I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders
of giants". The only way to get that view is to read
your way to the top. If you haven't done so already, now
is the time to start.'
There are also many non-magic related reasons to read a
book: reading a book causes heightened connectivity in the
brain: reading can slow the progress of Alzheimer's: reading
can improve your memory: reading improves concentration:
reading lowers stress: reading gives you better analytical
skills: reading makes you more empathetic: reading may well
make you smarter.
Wise words indeed! Thank you, Michael.
--------------------------------------------
6. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 91
---------------------------------------------
Message by Wittus Witt (Germany)
Last week, parts of the Volker Huber Collection were finally
unveiled to the public. Although I couldn't attend the premiere,
I had the chance to be present at the press conference for
the opening two days earlier. I should probably mention
that the city of Cologne, where the collection is located,
is not just a 5-minute drive from Hamburg, but a 5-hour
one. Still, it was important to me to make the trip.
As I said, I was invited to the press conference. I was
curious to see how many members of the press would attend.
Well, besides me, there was only one other lady from the
local newspaper. Once again, this made me realize that magic,
even when presented in a well-established scientific context,
doesn't attract much public interest. There is still much
work to be done.
Nonetheless, I had the opportunity to thoroughly explore
the two exhibition rooms. I've posted my impressions on
YouTube. I've been told it's a very short but very good
film.
https://youtu.be/7EN1PW6cH5k
Now, the wonderful collection is more or less open to visitors
on a daily basis. With prior notice, it's also possible
to research parts of the collection that aren't on public
display.
C U next week,
Wittus
www.hamburger-zaubermuseum.com
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7. Tales From the Fantastic Magic Center - #103
--------------------------------------------
Message by Kent Cummins (US)
"Magic with Magic Wands"
Last week I told you about producing a silk scarf at the
tip of a magic wand. But there are many more tricks where
a magic wand is either the star of the trick or secretly
makes the trick work.
I immediately think of vintage tricks such as the Vanishing
Wand, where the wand that disappears is really a black paper
tube. A different magic wand gimmick makes a silk hanky
disappear by secretly pushing it into a hollow wand.
Or the Confetti Wand, which produces a cloud of colorful
confetti when you wave it. (I have sometimes used this in
conjunction with Confetti Cannons to create a magical moment
at the end of a big show.)
My most expensive wand was probably the Flash Wand that
I bought at Magie Moderne in Paris. The batteries inside
triggered a load of Flash Paper and gunpowder to create
a ball of fire!
I also have a wand with rechargeable batteries, a gift from
Joe Vitale, that lights up when a button is pressed. (Much
less dangerous!)
One of my most popular kid show routines was an elaborate
routine with a milk pitcher, lota, and jumbo magic wand
that unrolls to show a picture of a cute bunny, with a hole
for the kid's face to show through.
In a recent podcast episode about feather flowers, I described
how I tapped my assistant's hand to produce a feather flower
bouquet. (Yes, it was hidden inside the wand!)
If you perform primarily for kids, you probably have a
Breakaway Wand, Trixie's Pop Wand, or any of the various
comedy magic wands designed especially for kid shows.
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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8. Spectator Open Prediction - John Carey #247
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Message by John Carey (UK)
Here's an approach to an open prediction style effect,
where a spectator names any card, which ultimately proves
to be the card stopped at.
Position a Joker near the top of the deck and you are good
to go. Ask a spectator on your right to name any card. Let's
say they say Seven of Hearts. "That's interesting.
Do you know the one card that nobody ever thinks of? That
card is the Joker. Here, let's remove it." As you say
the above, start spreading the deck face-up. When you sight
the card they named, cull it under the spread, Hofzinser
fashion and continue spreading until you reach the Joker.
Up-jog the Joker and discard it. Square up the deck and
turn it face-down. Their card is on top and you are way
ahead of the game.
Swing cut about half the deck into your left hand and then
complete the cut, securing a little finger break above their
card. Commence dealing cards face-up into a tabled packet.
After you've dealt a few, ask your participant to call out
stop based purely on instinct. Once stopped, ask the spectator
to spread the face-up tabled packet. This affords you perfect
shade or misdirection for a classic pass, covertly sending
their named card to the top of your packet.
Ask your helper if they see the card they freely named.
They will reply in the negative of course. Deal the top
card of your packet face-down on top of the face-up tabled
spread. Then deal a few cards face-up on top of it, leaving
the face-down card exposed. Then turn the rest of your cards
face-up and drop them on top of the tabled cards and complete
the ribbon spread.
"At the very beginning I asked you to name a playing
card. I placed absolutely no restriction on you right? What
card did you name again please? And you could have stopped
anywhere as the cards were dealt, but for some reason, known
only to yourself, you stopped right here. Please take out
the face-down card and turn it over. Impossible!!!"
Conclude a la the above script and conclude your mystery.
If you've ever worried about using a pass, this piece and
the built in cover should allay your concerns ;-)
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9. Broken Wand - Remo Inzani
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Message by John Henley (UK)
I received the following from John Henley. He and I would
be grateful if you could put it in Magic New Zealand.
To those magicians who were friends of the late Remo Inzani
(Inzani-Henley Magic Company Ltd)
Times and arrangements for Remo Inzani's funeral on Thursday
October 10th are as follows:
1pm - The Mass at St Peter's Italian Catholic Church, Clerkenwell
- 136 Clerkenwell Rd, London EC1R 5DL
3pm - St Marylebone Crematorium, East End Rd, East Finchley
London N2 0SE
5pm - Wake at Stephens House and Gardens, 17 East End Rd,
London N3 3QE.
Representatives of The Magic Circle and the International
Brotherhood of Magicians (Ring 25) will be in attendance.
We hope that there will be a number of magician friends
in attendance to see Remo on his way.
Much of Remo's life was spent associated with magic and
it would be a fitting tribute if representatives from this
art were there to support the family at this event.
Remo had a stroke a few years ago and had been suffering
ever since with a more recent decline in his health. He
died on 14th August.
Many Thanks
Michael
Dr. C. M. Colley M.I.M.C.
---------------------------------------------
10. 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)
--------------------------------------------
11. 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
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Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct
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Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news
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authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this publication may be freely
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in its entirety, including the copyright notice below and
the above disclaimer.
©
Copyright 2024 Alan Watson QSM
www.magicnewzealand.com
http://twitter.com/#!/magicnewzealand
www.watson.co.nz
www.balloon-twister.co.nz
