* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #22 Date: Sunday 21st May 2000 Editor: Alan Watson www.alan-watson.com ================================ Contents ================================ 1. Editors Message 2. Update on Harvey Berg - lecture 3. Harvey Berg - description of lecture 4. Harvey Berg - credits 5. The Battle of the Magicians 6. Kiwis and Aussies at FISM 7. Richard Webster - books for sale 8. Magic on TV this coming week - by Ed Hall 9. IBM 2000 Official Election Ballot 10. Jerry Schnepp (IBM President) visit downunder 11. Graham Rogers - props for sale 12. Fly out to Singapore for corporate work 13. The date of Pat Sweeney admission into hospital 14. Update on Magicana 15. Paul and Priscilla Romhany wedding photos 16. School shows 17. Future source for invisible thread 18. Felicity Rogers 21 tomorrow 19. Diarise these events 20. News Items 21. MagicNZ e-zine archives 22. Benefit of subscribing to the MagicNZ e-zine 23. Subscription Management 24. Contact Information. ------------------------------------- 1. Editors Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One On Ebay this week they are currently auctioning the Domain name and the reserve price is US$255,000! Gee I would sell one of my domains for that any takers? It's hard to believe that both Tiffany and Aleshia (my granddaughters) are one year old. Aleshia celebrated her 1st birthday on Saturday. Just finalising the arrangements for the Danny Archer lecture tour in October and will keep you posted on this. The Castle of Magic has now registered the following Domain name: and expects to be fully operational by the end of June: www.castleofmagic.com Robs e-mail: magic@castleofmagic.com If you are not on Rob's mailing list I am sure he will post you a copy of his latest catalogue, which came out this week. Postal address: 706A Colombo Street, Christchurch, Ph (03) 379 4468, Fax (03) 377 5835 ------------------------------------- 2. Update on Harvey Berg - lecture ---------------------------------- Auckland Sunday 25th June Contact: Alan Watson - alan@watson.co.nz Start time: 7.30pm Venue: Kd Car Park Training Room, Mercury Lane, Auckland (Opposite the Mercury Theatre) Phone 493 9274 Mobile 025 95 7070 Wellington Tuesday 27th June Contact: Michael Woolf - michaelw@ihug.co.nz Start time: 7.30pm Venue: 277 Horokiwi Road, Horokiwi, Wellington Phone 64 4 587 0045 mobile 25 577774 Christchurch Thursday 29th June Contact: Greg Britt - elgregoe@inet.net.nz Start time: 7.30pm Venue, 23 Halswell Junction Road, Christchurch ---------------------------------- 3. Harvey Berg - description of lecture ---------------------------------- The lecture consists of all original effects, which I started to put together in 1995. They are mostly with playing cards, and are all mental effects. As such, they only deal with the most rudimentary of sleights, so that anybody will be able to do them. This is very much of a "sharing" kind of magic, with a high degree of audience participation. The effects range from close-up through stage, where members of the audience either come up front, or participate directly from their seats. There are times when I leave the room, and instructions are given via a recording. Since I started lecturing in 1998, they have been very successful, judging from the feedback I receive, and the large amount of lecture notes that are sold. I have recently made arrangements for the notes to be sold through dealers, and initial sales are doing very well. I have five sets of professionally printed notes with more than forty original effects, and a series of false shuffles, cuts, etc that can be done by magicians with "sleightophobia". I have also recently received an invitation to Fechters, through recommendations from Lennert Green and Marc DeSouza. Other people who are familiar with my work include Bob Elliott, Ken Krenzell, Dennis Haney, Ed White, Barrie Richardson, Jarle Leirpol (who arranged a lecture tour for me through Sweden and Norway), and Bill Nagler. Other magicians who I have "baffled" with my work include Eugene Berger, Simon Lovell, Guy Bavli and God knows how many others. ---------------------------------- 4. Harvey Berg - credits ---------------------------------- Kudos to Harvey Berg for an outstanding lecture at the recent Workshop. It was described as unusual and unique. One person drove 200 miles to see it, and says it was well worth the trip. Harvey Berg, busy on the lecture circuit, has just returned from Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Allentown. He says judging from the feedback and sales of his lecture notes; it's been a most successful tour. At the end of May, Harvey begins a lecture tour of Norway and Sweden. His lecture notes are being published and will be available at Tannen's and other dealers. If you haven't caught Harvey's lecture, be sure to pick up his notes. Those who have seen his lecture gave him rave reviews. The next lecture of the New Year was on February 17th by magician/ mentalist Harvey Berg, from New York, a relative newcomer to magic who presented an unusual assortment of original magic and mental effects in which he used stacked and memorised decks, subtle psychology, and linguistics to create absolute miracles, which looked like real mind reading. The lecture had to be experienced to be believed. To quote one attendee, who accurately reflected the sentiment of all who attended: "It just blew me away. This stuff is incredible." Keep and eye out for this unusual performer, as I predict that you will be seeing him at conventions and other magic events in the coming years. Lecture notes are available, while they last, from White Magic. ------------------------------------- 5. The Battle of the Magicians ------------------------------------- Message from Dan Garrett In Issue 21 Lee Jacobs writes: >I spent last weekend with my author, Barry Govan, and three of his >Aussie cohorts at The Battle of the Magicians in Canton, Ohio. I'm >really sorry that I don't remember their names, especially as they >are all valued customers. In addition to Barry Govan, the others would be Steve Walker, Peter Rodgers and Bill Walsh. They were over in the USA for the FFFF convention, and for other events around the U.S. I just returned from the 12th Annual East Coast Magic Spectacular (in the greater Philadelphia area), where I had the honour to lecture, open the Close-Up Gala on Sunday evening, and MC the Saturday night show. It was a great convention (I only wish it had better local support through registrations, this was one of the "sleeper" conventions of the year) and I thank the convention producers Marc de Sousa, along with Ron Jeffries and Mike Miller. The Gala show featured The Gamesters, Eric Buss, Jean Merlin, John Bundy and Morgan (illusions), Loren Christopher Michaels and Junge! Junge! (A great closing act, a spectacular duo from Germany but with no white tigers!). Other lecturers and close-up performers included Anthony Brahams (from England), Paul Cummins (from Florida), Ken Kurita and Shigeo Futagawa (from Japan). These talented persons were also invited attendees at FFFF. ------------------------------------ 6. Kiwis and Aussies at FISM ------------------------------------- Message from Dan Garrett PS: I will look forward to seeing many of my friends (Kiwis and Aussies) at FISM in Lisbon this July. I will also be working a magic convention in Finland at the end of July (last weekend). PPS: If you are looking for the best paddle trick routine to carry around in your pocket, may I suggest the hottest selling item for me this year. It's called the Amazing Jumping Arrow available from Meir Yedid. (I sell them also.) It was invited by a long-time magical co-hort of mine, Mark K. Young. (Mark and I did a 2-person "Martian" act at a couple of conventions back in the 70's, where we both fit into a single large costume, wore green makeup, using my right hand and his left hand we performed magic consisting of coin routines with Han Pan Chien moves and palming, card tricks with Elmsley counts, string figures, 3-ball juggling, Chinese sticks, vent routine -- Mark was the vent, and the puppet was a frog-like creature which appeared out of the Martian's "belly" -- and finished with a musical duet on two recorders -- the old style "flute-like" instrument.) Anyway, this paddle trick is very visual and funny, moves quickly, can be performed with one hand (!), has no moving parts so it is always ready to perform, and can be handed to the spectator immediately at the finish. It is very well made in a black aluminium rod (anodized). The arrow appears on the blank rod, visually moves up and down along the entire length of the stick, and multiplies into 3 arrows. Great routine, so check with your dealer. (Did I mention I have these in stock, too? (:}D) I've overrun my allotted space in the MagicNZ Digest. So, 'til next time... ------------------------------------- 7. Richard Webster - books for sale - esp@psychic.co.nz ------------------------------------- This is the last lot for a while, as I'll be overseas until the middle of July. Thank you all very much for decreasing the size of my library. My wife is extremely grateful! OPEN SESAME by Eric C. Lewis and Wilfred Tyler (First edition, average condition) $30.00 CARD TRICKS WITHOUT SKILL by Paul Clive (second edition, hardback) $10.00 TRICKS OF THE MASTERS by Will Goldston (second impression, hardback, average condition) $10.00 FIND THE STUFF THAT'S YOU by Chris Carey (hardback, good condition) $10.00 MAGICAL WAYS AND MEANS by Al Baker, 60 tricks. (hardback, second edition, good condition) $20.00 ------------------------------------- 8. Magic on TV this coming week - by Ed Hall ------------------------------------- Sunday 28 May, 3pm, TV4. The weekly series 'Masters of Illusion'. email: edhall@ihug.co.nz http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~edhall/magic/ ------------------------------------- 9. IBM 2000 Official Election Ballot ------------------------------------- Message from Tony Wilson - twilson@xtra.co.nz If you are a financial member of the IBM and wish to exercise your democratic right to vote in the current 2000 Official Election Ballot I would be happy to forward the completed votes in one registered packet if members wish to forward them to me before June 1st.This offer is available to all IBM members and not just to Ring 160 Members. 14 Roadley Avenue, Pakuranga, Auckland. I would also like to point out that the May issue of the "Linking Ring" magazine has the official notification of dues increases that will take effect from October 1st 2000. ------------------------------------- 10. Jerry Schnepp (current IBM President) visit downunder ------------------------------------- Message from Tony Wilson Recent contact with Jerry Schnepp (current IBM President) indicates he will be in Belgium with his wife Donna this month and will run out of time (and money?) to visit Australia and New Zealand during his last few weeks months in office. We are happy for you to come "down under" Jerry as ex President at any time. Jerry also tells me that James Ceilen has been booked for the Buffalo Convention July 5-8 to join an impressive array of talent already booked and advertised. ------------------------------------- 11. Graham Rogers - props for sale ------------------------------------- Thin Model sawing in 1/2 Illusion made to Osborne plans but with a couple of improvements stunning blue paintwork Backstage with the Magician Illusion also from Osborne plans great stage size sucker illusion as performed by David Copperfield Jig Saw thru with a member from the audience great item for any entertainer with many comedy possibilities I have duplicates of these items back in USA so are selling at great prices here in New Zealand before I head back For more details please contact me either via e-mail: magicgraham@hotmail.com or Mobile: 025 453 174 ------------------------------------- 12. Fly out to Singapore for corporate work ------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany 22nd May - fly out to Singapore for corporate work 30th May - Back in NZ to work at a three-day conference in Christchurch. 3-5th June - Celebration of Performing Arts, Aotea Centre, Auckland. ------------------------------------- 13. The date of Pat Sweeney admission into hospital ------------------------------------- Message from Burns Scandrett The date of Pat's admission into hospital has been put back until 29 May, the operation the following day. ------------------------------------- 14. Update on Magicana ------------------------------------- Message from Michael Woolf - michaelw@ihug.co.nz "Amongst the "Magicana" files passed to me by Jim Reilly are some really great photographs of magicians, past and present, New Zealand and overseas, some of which have never before seen the light of day. I've been poring over these to the point where it's distracted me from the main task of getting out the June/July issue! Some will be featured later, in a published portrait gallery. Another new item is to be a competition - one of our advertisers has offered to provide worthwhile prizes. More later! ------------------------------------- 15. Paul and Priscilla Romhany wedding photos ------------------------------------- Message from Paul and Priscilla Romhany If you would like to view some of our wedding photos, then they can go to: www.comic.co.nz/weddingphotos.html ------------------------------------- 16. School shows ------------------------------------- Message from Greg Hudson I'm now on the North Island in New Plymouth for half the week and will be in Auckland beginning of next week. ------------------------------------- 17. Future source for invisible thread ------------------------------------- Message from Greg Hudson Just came across this news item, maybe this is where the future is heading as a source for invisible thread: CANADA - Bio technicians have created a new genetic miracle by implanting spider genes into goats. The result? Goats who produce milk with silky fibbers fine enough and strong enough to be utilized as surgical sutures. Jeffrey Turner, the scientist who perfected the procedure, reported, "We have combined the old and the new. The old is represented by the goats and their milk...the new is genetic engineering." Other potential uses for the stringy lactose could be as a replacement for Kevlar, to cover dome stadiums or even applications in the aerospace industry. ------------------------------------- 18. Felicity Rogers 21 tomorrow ------------------------------------- Message from Wayne Rogers Felicity Rogers, the girl with the magic toadstool, butterfly etc turns 21 tomorrow, Monday 22nd May. e-mail: felicity_rogers@hotmail.com Felicity is currently on a Digital 3-D Animation course in Auckland. See her "magic" surreal images on: www.nzmagic.com/felicity/photohomepg.html ------------------------------------- 19. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- Sunday 25th June Auckland - Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture Tuesday 27th June Wellington - Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture Thursday 29th June Christchurch - Harvey Berg (USA) - lecture Sunday 22nd October- IBM Ring 160 Day of magic Thursday 12th - 16th April (Easter) 2001 - 26th New Zealand Magicians' Convention If you require more information about the above events go to www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive to research for more information. ------------------------------------- 20. News Items ------------------------------------- If you have any news items that you feel the majority of our subscribers would be interested in please e-mail me so I can include them in the next e-zine. The magician who e-mails me a particular news item FIRST will receive full credit at the top of that item. If the news is of major importance I will send them out immediately as a Newsflash. ------------------------------------- 21. MagicNZ e-zine archives ------------------------------------- Back issues of the MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: ezine Password: magicnz When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001nov6.txt first three numbers denote issue number then the date. ------------------------------------- 22. Benefit of subscribing to the MagicNZ e-zine ------------------------------------- You will now be informed well in advance of coming events and kept right up to date with the latest news. MagicNZ e-zine is published weekly, late on Sunday night. ------------------------------------- 23. Subscription Management ------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the MagicNZ e-zine: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors. Neither MagicNZ nor Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via MagicNZ e-zine. We reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions as we see fit. >> This publication may be freely redistributed to other magicians if copied in its ENTIRETY << (c) Copyright 2000 Alan Watson ------------------------------------- 24. Contact Information ------------------------------------- Alan Watson Ph. (9) 483-9274 Fax. (09) 483-9274 Mobile 025 95-7070 e-mail alan@watson.co.nz www.magician.co.nz www.magicianz.com