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* Magic New Zealand®
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Issue Number: #1780
Date: Sunday 20th 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
================================
1.
Editor's Message
2. The Conjuring Arts Research Center
3. It's Not Just FISM, It's A Family Holiday!
4. Michael Rangel On The Magic Word Podcast
5. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article 173
6. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 93
7. Mike Norden - Australian & New Zealand Lecture Tour
8. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #105
9. Thoughts On Leech - John Carey #249
10. Magic Indices
11. E-zine Archives
12. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
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1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT MESSAGE:
Announcement:
Closure of Magic New Zealand E-zine
3
more issues to go before we sign off for good!
However,
rest assured that Ask Alexander will be transferring all
the back issues to their site: https://conjuringarts.org/askalexander/
preserving all the valuable history.
--------------------------------------------
2. The Conjuring Arts Research Center
---------------------------------------------
Message by Olena (US)
The
Conjuring Arts Research Center is proud to be the future
home of the Magic New Zealand archive! We are a non-profit
organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation
of magic and its allied arts. Established in 2003 in New
York City, our collection focuses on rare books and materials,
including magicians' letters and documents. Our digital
database, Ask Alexander, allows us to share millions of
pages of magic books and materials with patrons all around
the world. We are also a publisher of magic books, including
our very own journal of magic history, the Gibecière.
Our collection is now housed in Nashua, New Hampshire, and
we maintain an office in New York City.
You
can send your questions and messages to librarian@conjuringarts.org.
As
a token of our appreciation, we would like offer Magic New
Zealand subscribers a 15% off coupon to our online store.
Add our publications to your collection, stock up on great
playing cards, and explore hundreds of downloadable magic
eBooks! Use coupon code MAGICNZ15 in the shopping cart for
15% off most items in the store. Some restrictions may apply.
Homepage:
https://conjuringarts.org/
Store: https://store.conjuringarts.org/
Ask Alexander: https://askalexander.org/
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3. It's Not Just FISM, It's A Family Holiday!
-------------------------------------
Message by Joan Caesar (Canada)
It's
not just FISM, it's a Family Holiday!
Give
your spouse or partner a summer to remember. Take them on
a trip to Italy beginning in Turino, the 10th most visited
Italian city in 2008.
Most
of the content below is from Wikipedia. It gives you a great
deal to read. I've extracted the things I'm most interested
in seeing. Go to Wikipedia for the rest.
Turino
is located in a beautiful area of Italy. Boarded by the
alps on the west and on the bank of the Po River, it's beautiful
and interesting historical architecture makes it an ideal
place to explore. The city is rich in culture, known for
its many art galleries, restaurants, churches, palaces,
opera houses, city squares, parks gardens, theatres and
museums. Many of the palaces and gardens were built the
16th and 18th century.
Highlights:
The Egyptian Museum of Turino is second largest after the
one in Cairo and specializes in the art of Egypt
The
Teatro Regio di Torino is the main opera house where Puccini
premiered his La Bohème in 1896.
Fun
Facts:
It was at Turino University that Galileo Ferraris discovered
the principle of the electric motor in the 19th Century.
It
was on the streets of Torino where Audrey Hepburn played
War and Peace and Michael Caine drove a Mini Couper in The
Italian Job. Many other movies have had their location in
Torino.
Cuisine
Turino is known for its chocolate. Every year Torino hosts
a chocolate festival.
It's also known for bicerin, a traditional hot drink made
of espresso, chocolate and whole milk.
I
read on the FISM 2025 website about a wonderful way to experience
the city of Torino. The following is a quote from them:
The
Gustotram offers an exclusive culinary experience, allowing
you to savor the rich flavours of Piedmontese cuisine as
you glide through the iconic sites and hidden gems of Turino.
You will be captivated by the breathtaking views of this
magical city!
Starting
from the historic centre, you'll travel through grand Baroque
palaces, monumental squares and streets steeped in history.
From the serene greenery of Valentino Park to the grand
arcades of Via Po, the Mole Antonelliana towering above
the skyline, every stop unveils new perspectives of Turino's
beauty.
But
it's more than just a journey of fine flavours: on board,
an expert guide will share fascinating stories and curiosities
about the city. They'll reveal tales of great historical
figures, captivating legends, and the secrets hidden within
Turino's neighbourhoods. The tram becomes a moving salon
where culture and cuisine blend, offering an unforgettable
experience of this iconic Italian city.
No
cost of this dinner was given on the site.
I'm looking forward to this experience.
I
strongly suggest you look at Viator tours on your computer.
I've used these tours several times in different countries
and never been disappointed. Their activities range from
a couple of hours to full day trips into the surrounding
area, and the price varies accordingly. There are so many
things listed, it will be hard not to find something you'll
enjoy.
FISM,
July 14-19, 2025 will be the event of the year. Don't miss
it. Register for the convention at: www.FISMItaly2025.com
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4. Michael Rangel On The Magic Word Podcast
-------------------------------------
Message by Scott Wells, M.I.M.C. with Gold Star
As we move into the middle of the "Month of Boo,"
we chat this week with a medium who conducts seances aboard
the Queen Mary. Michael Rangel has had a long fascination
with the paranormal and has been putting on these seances
for many years. It was originally started by Adian Sinclair
who has since moved on to be the medium at large for the
Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, which is the hotel
that inspired Stephen King to write "The Shining."
The
Queen Mary has been permanently docked at the harbor in
Long Beach, California, since 1967 and has a long history
of hauntings. In fact, there is a 2023 movie called "The
Haunting of the Queen Mary" that was filmed aboard
the ship. Michael's séance is entitled "57 Ghosts"
because of the many people who have died aboard the ship
over the decades during its transatlantic crossings.
In
this week's episode, Michael tells us how he got started
with being a medium, his association with Adain Sinclair,
and how he came to be the medium aboard such a grand old
ship. He also shares some of the spooky stories that he
talks about in more detail during his seances.
You
can listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts.
But to view videos, see photos, read the blog, listen online,
and more, please visit: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/865-michael-rangel
And while you are listening, please give us a five star
review and leave some nice comments. That will help our
podcast grow. It's been a while since anyone has posted
a review, so it will be helpful to know that you are enjoying
this podcast.
-------------------------------------
5. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article 173
-------------------------------------
Message by Paul Stone (US)
The
countdown has begun! Just four more weeks and Magic New
Zealand will sadly no longer bring the latest magic news
to several thousand magicians around the globe.
Sometimes
writing a weekly article can be easy, particularly if there
is some breaking news in the magic world, but on occasions
it can be a challenge.
As
we are nearing the end of Magic New Zealand's incredible
twenty five year run, and because I am unlikely to have
many other opportunities to do so, I wanted to bring up
a topic that might be controversial, but one that I feel
strongly needs to be addressed.
I
joined the IBM British Ring fifty years ago, and have attended
numerous IBM conventions both in UK and also in USA, and
I produced the British Ring convention for three years.
I have many treasured memories of the many magicians that
I met and worked with.
So
what, you might ask, is the controversial topic? The answer
is in the name …. The International Brotherhood of
Magicians. I completely understand and appreciate the history
of the IBM, but the world has moved on, and surely it is
now time to acknowledge, that the word 'brotherhood' is
both inappropriate and outdated.
Every
magic association, and club, including the Magic Circle,
the Magic Castle, and the Society of American Magicians,
have female members who excel and help considerably to elevate
the art of magic.
I
appreciate that changing the name would be a big decision,
but one that, in my opinion, would help to ensure the future
of an organisation, which let's be realistic, is struggling
to maintain and attract new members. Without doubt, a more
inclusive name change would dramatically increase marketing
and sponsorship opportunities.
The
choice of name is important, and something along the lines
of 'International Society Of Magicians' would promote a
much more welcoming invitation, whilst still maintaining
a high quality perception. And if it was deemed necessary
to satisfy members with more traditional views, there could
be a sub title 'formerly International Brotherhood of Magicians'.
So
there you have it! What do you think?
--------------------------------------------
6. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode 93
---------------------------------------------
Message by Wittus Witt (Germany)
The
farewell is approaching ... but it's great that all the
newsletters will remain available on Ask-Alexander. I believe
they are an important resource for the art of magic. Taken
together, all the issues document a special era in magic.
So much valuable information would be lost otherwise. So,
thanks to Bill Kalush and his team! It would be even more
wonderful if all the issues could be compiled into a big
book. What a magical history book that would be!
Speaking
of history, I've been digging into my own past. In October,
exactly 44 years ago, I registered with the tax office as
a full-time magician. Since then, since 1980, I've saved
almost all of my TV appearances and many other recordings
that friends and acquaintances made of my performances.
I've also archived most of my radio broadcasts. There are
well over 150 interviews, reports, and interactive programs.
As for TV appearances, I've lost count, but I know it was
well over 200 shows in which I appeared in some way, including
my own series.
One
of my most beautiful performances was in 1993 in Nepal,
at the City Hall of Kathmandu. I was engaged for 10 evenings
to raise money for a leprosy station. Those were wonderful
shows. However, I was initially puzzled by one reaction
from the Nepalese audience: they laughed more than they
clapped. After the second night, I asked my Nepalese interpreter
why his compatriots laughed after a trick but only applauded
a little. His answer was surprising: the audience was delighted
by the magic, and when they're especially happy, they laugh.
What an experience!
Back
to the Bellachini Museum, which will soon celebrate its
second anniversary. I'm looking forward to the new exhibition
on the Cups and Balls and to the anniversary celebration
on December 18th.
That's
all for today.
Best
regards from the most beautiful city in Germany: Hamburg.
Wittus
P.S.
There's a TV appearance at the opening event in a hotel
for special guests. Maybe you'd like to watch a clip from
it:
https://youtu.be/k4QNXo7zj0M
--------------------------------------------
7. Mike Norden - Australian & New Zealand Lecture Tour
--------------------------------------------
Message by Mike Norden (Canada)
Auckland
- Oct 24th 7pm - Norden the Magician - Canada's #1 Kids
Magician - will be lecturing!
As
well as:
Melbourne
- October 28th 7pm
Sydney
- November 4th 8pm
"On
the Shoulders of Kid Show Giants!"
Ever
wondered what someone who has done over 6,000 shows for
kids, lectured a dozen times, won a record 15 titles as
Children's Magician of the Year, ran 6 conventions himself,
plus hosted over 100 lectures at his home - AND attended
and watched hundreds of other lectures and conventions has
learned from all this over the years?
Then
you don't want to miss this lecture as Norden will go over
what works and what doesn't work when performing for children.
If 10,000 hours makes you a master then Norden is way above
that.
He
will cover warm ups and pre-show - plus how to effectively
sell yourself and your brand with little to no cost!
With
2 upcoming books - you won't want to miss what he has to
say!
--------------------------------------------
8. Tales From the Fantastic Magic Center - #105
--------------------------------------------
Message by Kent Cummins (US)
"Still
more about Magic Wands
Did
I tell you that I LOVE magic wands? I have more than 1,000
of them at the Fantastic Magic Center. (They aren't all
different, of course, but there is an entire shelf section
devoted solely to magic wands.)
Last
week, I was telling you about those black plastic straws
that I have used to teach kids and adults about this particular
tool of the magician's trade. But here is my favorite trick
with those wands.
The
story starts at a military conference, where I was a guest
speaker. After my presentation, I went to the bar to get
a drink, and noticed a glass full of long, frilled toothpicks
on the bar. "What are those for?" I asked the
bartender. Bored with the question, he simply responded,
"Stick one in your drink."
I
did (Being retired Army, I know how to do what I'm told…even
if it doesn't make sense.)
But I kept the toothpick, with its multicolored streamers
on top, and started thinking about it. "I'll bet it
would fit inside a black straw," I said to myself.
And of course it did, although it was just a little bit
longer than the straw. At first I thought I would need to
cut it shorter, but then I realized that I needed about
an inch to stick out on the bottom so I could firmly hold
it before magically producing it.
It
was the same trick that I used to produce a small feather
flower bouquet in my assistant's hand after tapping it with
a magic wand. Yes, a hollow magic wand with a slim feather
flower bouquet.
Ta
Da!
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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9. Thoughts On Leech - John Carey #249
-------------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)
In
the book The Complete Al Leech, is a beautiful little card
mystery called 'The Spectator Does a Trick'. This version
has spawned some lovely variations down the years, in particular
the effect 'Untouched' by Daryl. I wanted to take out the
dealing aspect of this and give it a different feel. Using
the basic Leech idea, I put the following together which
is designed for working for couples.
Essentially
it's a mystery-card-meets-thought-of-card. Do not underestimate
the power of the very simple method. Throw some smoke around
the presentation and this thing plays. From the top of the
deck down have the following three cards set: Seven of Diamonds,
either black seven, any Diamond. Execute an in-the-hands
riffle shuffle retaining your set up and then table the
deck. Have the gentleman on your right cut off a fair sized
packet of cards. As you address his partner, casually place
the other packet on top, offset at an angle in readiness
for Max Holden's classic cross-cut card force. Do not mention
the death words, "mark the cut":-)
Mention
to the lady that you are going to attempt an experiment
in thoughts and connection with her and her partner. Lift
off the upper packet and place the top card of the balance
into the man's hand. Ask him to cover it with his other
hand. "This will be our mystery card." Pick up
the remaining cards and place them on top of the cards in
hand. Your black seven spot and Diamond cards are back on
top and the Seven of Diamonds is being held by the man.
Run the top two cards to the bottom of the deck with an
overhand shuffle and shuffle off the rest of the deck normally.
"Mary, a playing card is made up of two main components.
A value and a suit. I want you to put the thought of a card
in your mind in a moment but first let's divide the deck
into two portions."
Suiting
actions to words, slip shuffle holding back the bottom card
of the deck and shuffle off about half the deck and table
it. Slip shuffle once more with the remaining cards, asking
your helper to call out stop. Table this packet to the right
of the first packet. Your value and suit force cards are
nicely set on the face of each packet. Ask the lady to pick
up either packet. If she picks up the packet with the black
seven on the face, ask her to take a peek at the bottom
card and lock just the value of that card in her mind. Get
her to place that packet on the table and then pick up the
other packet and peek at its bottom card and focus on and
remember just the suit. Ask her to combine those two thoughts
to form the thought of a card in her mind.
This
successfully forces her to 'think' of the Seven of Diamonds.
However, if she picks up the suit packet first, you simply
reverse the above instructions, having her think of the
suit then the value with each packet. Have the deck gathered
up and request she shuffles the deck. "So, Mary, right
now you are merely thinking of a card that not a soul in
the world could know. Keep saying the name of that card
over and over in your mind as you visualize the colour and
value of that card that exists purely in your mind. Wouldn't
it be great if you could make it appear on top? It's not
there? How about the bottom? No joy there either.
Bob,
you've been holding a card since the beginning. Before Mary
even thought about thinking of a card. There was something
special that first brought you two together. Fate, chance
or simply some kind of mystical connection. Mary, tell all
of us what card are you thinking of please. Bob take out
your card and turn it over. Impossible!" Follow the
outline of the above presentational smoke and bring the
piece home, revealing a perfect mental and physical connection
:-)
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10. Magic Indices
-------------------------------------------
Message by Dr. Michael Colley (UK)
Dr.
Michael Colley is pleased to announce two new additions
to his Indices to Magic Magazines.
The first is to Derek Lever's Magic Mag (1979-1983) with
699 entries with 328 different categories plus 1686 Name
entries, 69 Picture entries and 80 Advert entries. The other
is to TRIXY, published by the Boy's Magical Service in the
late 1940s early 1950s and which was the start of an interest
in Magic for many well-known individuals. This has 495 entries
with 176 different categories plus 81 Name or Picture entries
and 34 Advert entries. The price of the Trixy Index is £5
and the Magic Mag Index £10.
These become the latest members of the family which already
includes Abracadabra, Club 71, Demon Telegraph, The Gen,
Goodliffe's Magic Monthly, Jinx, Magic Circular (photos
only), Magic Magazine (Max Andrews), Magic Wand, Magigram,
Mind & Magic (Ted Lesley), New Pentagram, Pentagram,
Stanyon's "Magic" and The Wizard (George Armstrong).
P.T. Selbit's "Wizard" is in process of being
indexed.
Bearing in mind that Trixy was aimed at children and young
people, it is an interesting sign of the times that there
are 12 items in the magazine involving cigarettes, including
"The Shower of Cigarettes" which proved so popular
that additional cigarette tricks were added in a later issue.
The Indices can be supplied in a number of forms. In the
Access versions entries can be searched by any of Author,
Title, Categories, Volume/Issue. Also it is possible to
exclude names, so that, for example, searching for "Houdin"
does not produce numerous entries for "Houdini".
They are also available as .pdf documents and Excel files,
though these do not provide the extensive search facilities.
They can be provided as .csv files for importation into
other databases.
There are subtle distinctions between, for example Card
Cases (CCS) and Card Boxes - Roterberg etc. (CDB). In fact
there are 80 different categories including the word "Card"
in the title.
For further information on any of the indices, please contact
me on cmcolley@tiscali.co.uk
Finally, I would like to thank Alan for the massive of amount
of work he has put into Magic New Zealand over the past
25 years. It has been much appreciated and will be greatly
missed.
---------------------------------------------
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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E- zine at: www.magicnewzealand.com
Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday.
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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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All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected
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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
