* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*  New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine
*  www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #47
Date: Sunday 12th November 2000
Editor: Alan Watson
www.magician.co.nz
e-mail alan@watson.co.nz
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================
1. Editors Message
2. Origins of Hallowe'en
3. Bar stool routine performed by my father Howard Bamman
4. Various articles concerning the "history" of the bar stool gag
5. Someone who knows all sides of the Fringe shows argument
6. UK Fringe 2000 - Peter McCahon PR Officer
7. Appearing at the Hilton Hotel, in Las Vegas
8. Richard Webster Ambassador for New Zealand magic
9. Bar stool gag - Chairman S.A.M. Ethics Committee
10. Victor and Diamond touring NZ
11. NZ Magician's Convention - Auckland 27 Dec 2001 to 1 Jan 2002
12. HELP! Can you help us write an issue of M-U-M?
13. "International Portraits" - Bernard Reid
14. New Convention "The Las Vegas Magic Invitational"
15. Making Shopping Simply Magic!!
16. When does it become a Rip Off??
17. Booed off the stage
18. Peter Reveen - standing ovation
19. A WILD WEEK! - Steve Dacri
20. The Orchante Sage - The Very Early Years #4
21. 27. Jornadas Cartomagicas
22. Magic on NZ TV - Edward Hall
23. Diarise these events
24. MagicNZ e-zine archives
25. Subscription Management

-------------------------------------
1. Editors Message
-------------------------------------
Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One

Our membership has grown considerably over the last few months and
contributors need to keep their postings to the Magic e-zine short and
to the point please. Like to aim to keep the e-zine under 35 k.

Had a large number of postings with regards to the bar stool and have
only included the ones with new information to offer.

Looking to purchase a replacement Ring Flite. The particular one I am
looking for is Power Ring Flite by Sterling Magic.

Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line:
alan@watson.co.nz

----------------------------------
2. Origins of Hallowe'en
----------------------------------
Message from Jack Poulter (Canada)

It appears than some in Kiwi-land are unaware of the origins of
Hallowe'en, as I am sure many others are. While I am no authority, I did
hear an account on a US radio network of the origin of the carved
pumpkins known as Jack-o-Lanterns. They evolved from turnips carved by
the Irish which they carried about on All Hallows Eve, which precedes
All Saints' Day. (Oct 31/Nov 1) The persons went from door to door
asking for "treats" (aka money) to ensure that the householder's
departed relatives would pass through purgatory more quickly than
others. The solicitations take various names in various countries, or
parts of one country.

Perhaps the local newspapers could do a bit of research and run an
article, about a week before the event, on the origins and the customs
associated with Hallowe'en (which also happens to be my birthday). This
might help eliminate some rude dismissals.

-------------------------------------
3. Bar stool routine performed by my father Howard Bamman
-------------------------------------
Message from Rick Bamman (US)

This concerns the many postings regarding the bar stool routine also
performed by my father Howard Bamman.

The routine does have a history.

My earliest recollection of my father's collapsing bar stool was in the
early 60's. Pretty sure Don Allan had a hand in it too. They were always
down in our basement making it look like a factory.

Once I climbed up on it, being the inquisitive child I was, to study
this shiny contraption that was "springy" when not set.

When asked how he came up with the idea I remember Dad giving credit to
another performer for the original premise, possibly from the vaudeville
era?

Dad performed the routine for the last time in November 1991 in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin at I believe the Houdini Club get-together.

Several IBM members at the Buffalo convention spoke to me after Mr.
Stoner's performance and related their displeasure of his use of "your
father's stool." I told them that it wasn't dad's stool. Dad had sold it
to Jeff Hobson complete with a video on how to assemble the thing. I
trust Jeff is keeping the fringe combed and warm.

Most people choose to forget the history and development of an idea. It
started with the vaudevillian, my father added his talent, and Mr
Ferrentino adds his and I presume Mr Hobson waits for his opportunity.

I can still hear Bob Lewis' laugh the first time he saw dad perform the
routine.

-------------------------------------
4. Various articles concerning the "history" of the bar stool gag
-------------------------------------
Message from Abb Dickson (US) International President of the World
Alliance of Magicians

YES, it WAS Howard Bamman who introduced the Bar Stool Gag to the 
United States, but ... alas... even HE was not the originator of the effect. If
I were you, I'd ask Jay Marshall who probably knows the origin better
than the version that I am familiar with, but I've heard from various
sources in England, AND WAS ONCE TOLD TO ME BY HOWARD, 
HIMSELF,  that the gag seemed to be that of some now unknown 
DRUMMER IN ENGLAND.

As background..... and for those who are not familiar with the drum set
apparatus normally used by professional drummers... most of them who
have a set of drums that must be "portable" or travel from job to job
use a folding stool on which they sit to play the drums.

In construction, the stand legs are unfolded, the height of the seat
pole is adjusted, and then the actual seat (which is somewhat like a
bicycle seat) is placed on top of the pole and held in place by a
thumbscrew. Some drummers, to increase their 'mobility' and ability to
swivel from side to side, will purposely not tighten the thumbscrew,
which would normally hold the seat solidly in position.

Now the "story"...According to the version of the story that Howard once
told to me, the Drummer while performing his solo gyrations stood
briefly to reach a distant cymbal, and while he was "in the air" the
seat dropped off of the stool. When he attempted to sit back down, he
was most assuredly SURPRISED, jumped back up... and then held up the
broken stool for the conductor and everyone in the band to see!

The newfound "gag" got such an audience reaction, he decided (as most
wise performers would do) to "keep it in the act!"

So, out of an "accident" came a wonderful gag. Word of this reached
Howard, and from the description was born Howard's version of the stool.

By the way, when I inquired to Howard's widow as to what became of the
stool... she told me that before Howard's death, he was approached by
JEFF HOBSON - and Howard sold his stool to Jeff and his "performance
routine."

Now, over the years and even before Howard's death, there WERE several
other people who built a similar type stool... one was even made as a
large "book" which was placed on top of a regular stool. The "spike"
popped out of the book! Most, like the book gag, were built by
individual performers who were using their device for their own personal
act.

I am currently working with American Comedian RIP TAYLOR, who also had
heard of the gag and wanted me to try to track one down for him. Knowing
the "trail of Howard's Stool (sounds dicey doesn't it? It's not.) I
contacted Jeff, who is a friend, and asked if I could arrange to borrow
or look at the stool because Rip wanted to use it in an upcoming show
that he and I were doing. He graciously offered to allow me to look at
his, but in the meantime I saw Dick Stoner perform the gag, and in
speaking with him found that he was manufacturing the stool as an item
to be released to the magical public. I bought one!

Now, I've spoken to our Friend BEV BERGERON since beginning to write
this "addition to the history found within your magazine", and Bev
recounts the same story of the Drummer, adding that Don Allen and Howard
were working on the same gag, and Howard built one for Don, but later
decided that he would build no more- the gag was simply too good, and
Howard wanted to keep it for himself. The whereabouts of Don Allen's
stool are unknown.

I'm afraid I am not that familiar with Mr. John J. Ferrentino, nor his
history of performing the gag. The claim of his "rights" are cloudy at
best, because of the various performers and history that I've given
above. I do not doubt his performance skill, or wish to cast shadows
from one performer toward another.

As International President of the World Alliance of Magicians, an
organization founded to prevent the exposure of magical effects and
unauthorized building/use of rip-off effects designed and developed by
serious inventors of magical effects, I must always "consider the
sources" and the various persons who appear "wounded" before the various
Courts of Ethics in Magic.

To my knowledge, Mr. Stoner is the FIRST to tool-up and go through the
mechanics of developing prototypes, going through the custom machining
process, and production of what is truly a well-machined and custom
designed and developed prop. He is a legitimate and well respected Magic
Dealer here in the United States, and himself an extremely busy
Professional Performer.

I'm sure if anyone "takes him to task before a Magical Society" that he
can provide proper documentation for his side of the story.

Everything he does is strictly professional, and I would feel that
instead of taking this "mud-fight" to the public platform of the
Internet, both Gentlemen in question should speak directly to each
other... and not involve us in their private battles.

-------------------------------------
5. Someone who knows all sides of the Fringe shows argument
-------------------------------------
Message from Mandy Davis (UK)

As someone who knows all sides of the Fringe shows argument, not just
one side, let me put things straight. The Fringe does not use acts which
are contracted to the IBM convention for that reason - they are
contracted to the IBM. The only acts that have been used (and not this
year) have been the competition winners. Usually, the comedy award
winner will do a little something at the Fringe.

The Fringe was not started as a thorn in anyone's side, just as an
alternative in the same way that originally, on the last night of the
convention there used to be a 'Cabbages' show which was an irreverent
look at the week that had just passed. The IBM committee were never
involved and were quite happy about this.

I am not going into politics of the IBM but suffice it to say that the
Fringe is not asking for a venue or money from the IBM. It is a
complementary event which is well patronised by conventioneers and is
not done for financial gain of any kind. In fact, it costs the
organisers thousands of pounds for hiring of the venue, staging,
lighting, sound etc.

----------------------------------
6. UK Fringe 2000 - Peter McCahon PR Officer
----------------------------------
Peter McCahon (UK) Fringe 2000 PR Officer

First off the IBM committee has not been 'forced' into acknowledging the
Fringe shows in fact as of this moment no mention has ever appeared in
any IBM programme etc of the existence of the Fringe. However write ups
have occasionally appeared after the event in the Budget due to the
large numbers of folk attending. To ignore the existence of the Fringe
would seem churlish and make those ignoring it look foolish.

The Fringe took part in some major publicity events at this years
convention, even going to the extent of organising an outdoor stunt
which was covered by local papers, local and regional radio and BBC
television. This publicity reflected ALL activities happening that week
and gave equal mention to the convention and it's events. At no time was
any one individual given an opportunity for 'self promotion' as
scurriously described!

The reality is that the Fringe is not seeking financial support from the
IBM merely a closer and more harmonious working relationship. Our
working rules are very clear and simple:

* All fringe events occur only after all IBM activities have finished
for the day.

* No charge is made to anyone attending a Fringe event

* We make no use of IBM property, space or finances

* No performer booked by the IBM is allowed to perform on the Fringe

The only breaking of these rules occurred when the IBM unexpectedly
programmed in some late night videos after the programme was arranged.
In fact both the IBM videos and the Fringe that night was packed.

Let me finally make one very clear and unequivocal statement: At no time
whatsoever did anyone on the programme team of the Fringe approach any
performer who was booked as a IBM guest to perform at the Fringe 2000.
Several were asked if they might like to pop over and enjoy the event
but as spectators only.

In fact several folk who wished to perform were turned away for exactly
that reason, to describe us as 'leeches' is outrageous and completely
unfair. I suggest that instead of shouting about issues they are neither
involved with in any capacity or understand, such slanderers would do
better to come along and relax enjoying quality magic and a good night
out! Perhaps then they could get a sense of proportion and rediscover
the 'Brotherhood of Magic'.

----------------------------------
7. Appearing at the Hilton Hotel, in Las Vegas
----------------------------------
Message from Dan Birch (US)

I will be appearing at the Hilton Hotel, in Las Vegas, NV from December
18-30 in the show, "A Really Big Shew", which is a tribute to the Ed
Sullivan Show. I will be presenting my Dove Act entitled, "Dan Birch,
the Master of Enchantment"!

-------------------------------------
8. Richard Webster Ambassador for New Zealand magic
-------------------------------------
Message from Paul Romhany (NZ)

While surfing the net I came across a new CD by my friend Richard
Webster on Hank Lee's website. Without a doubt, Richard is perhaps the
most well travelled Ambassador for New Zealand magic. No matter what
country I'm in, it seems that once you tell a magician you're from NZ,
their first question is, "Oh, do you know Richard Webster"?

I'm proud to tell them yes and that he inspired me with my writing. My
first book, "Walk-about Ventriloquism" has just gone in to it's fourth
reprint in the USA and is on sale at Mayhers Ventriloquist Studio. I
have another two I will finish while I'm here in Singapore for
ventriloquists out there:-)

----------------------------------
9. Bar stool gag - Chairman S.A.M. Ethics Committee
----------------------------------
Message from Marc DeSouza - Chairman S.A.M. Ethics Committee

So much has been said about this issue on a number of the boards. Just
to update everyone, I spoke to John Ferrentino a couple of times last
week. He had already spoken to Dick Stoner and was waiting to speak to
him again. Dick seems to want to "do the right thing" concerning the
matter. It's only a matter of both parties deciding what that is. Both
gentlemen seem to be want to be very cooperative.

----------------------------------
10. Victor and Diamond touring NZ
----------------------------------
Message from Paul Critelli (US)

Hello Alan and other Kiwis and readers of THE e-zine! Just got some
great news for you folks in NZ -- no, all your politicians are NOT
moving away, so it's not THAT great -- but I did hear that Victor and
Diamond will be touring for a month in your fantastic country doing some
fabulous Magic! I don't have all the details, but I think they will be
touring with other Magicians, and Victor (a good friend and one of the
most giving and talented people I know) says that the Magi there will be
hearing about it.

So, if you have not enjoyed them before, you are in for a treat you'll
talk about for a long, LONG time. If you have experienced them before,
you are probably not even bothering to read the rest of this, as I
expect you are finding out exactly where and when they will be in an
area near you!

-------------------------------------
11. NZ Magician's Convention - Auckland 27 Dec 2001 to 1 Jan 2002
-------------------------------------
Message from Stan Goudge (NZ)

The next New Zealand Magician's Convention will be held in Auckland 27
December 2001 to 1 January 2002, organised by: IBM, Ring 160, Aotearoa

The 26th New Zealand Magician's Convention will not follow the
traditional pattern of New Zealand Conventions, with a multitude of
classes and competitions.Instead the organising committee plans to
emphasise lectures, workshops, and hands on experiences.

There will also be the usual things you can expect of a quality
convention. Gala Shows, Overseas Lecturers and Performers, Dealers,
Competitions with generous prizes, great meals, reasonable fees, and a
great New Year's Eve function.

Put me on the mailing list for the 26th New Zealand Magician's
Convention

I enclose NZ $10.00 towards my Convention Fee. (Optional).
NAME.....................................................
ADDRESS..................................................
.........................................................
TEL..................
EMAIL...............................................

TONY WILSON , SECRETARY RING 160, 14 ROADLEY AVE, 
PAKURANGA AUCKLAND
TEL (09) 576 9581 FAX (09) 572 0504 e-mail: twilson@xtra.co.nz

-------------------------------------
12. HELP! Can you help us write an issue of M-U-M?
-------------------------------------
Message from Larry White (US) Magic Editor M-U-M Society of American
Magicians

Early next year we plan to do an issue that will feature "Magic In The
USO." This will include a number of short "rememberings" - stories,
anecdotes, jokes... anything... that will bring back the memory of those
wonderful magicians who trod the boards and trenches to entertain troops
in the military. Any military, any "war."

Do you, or any magician you know, have a remembrance of "those days"
that you will share with our readers? If you were a performer will you
share your precious memories with us? If you were not a magician in
those days will you share your memory of one you saw? Sad or wonderful,
we are looking for all. Can you bring a tear or a smile to our readers?

It won't take you long. We only want short remembrances so we can
include lots of them. I will be happy to e-mail you the particulars,
even if you just want to "think about it."

And, of course, we are also VERY anxious to have photos to reproduce
(all will be returned). And if you have a USO trick that you used, or
one you remember seeing, that we can include that will be wonderful too.

So, what do you say? Will you share your favorite USO magician story
with our 7,000 plus members of the SAM? If you will, and you are not a
member, I promise to send you a copy of this USO M-U-M that includes
your contribution.

Please do NOT post your response here. E-mail me DIRECTLY ---
MagicLw@aol.com

I look forward to hearing from you. This is going to be a GREAT issue.
With your help!

-------------------------------------
13. "International Portraits" - Bernard Reid
-------------------------------------
Message from Bernard Reid (US) ex-pat Kiwi

Over the years I have acquired a knack of tracking down magicians in
obscure countries to interview for my on-going series of articles
"International Portraits". I have at the moment a stockpile for the next
five issues, but over the next couple of months am visiting some
countries where I have pulled a complete blank.

I had one address of a magician in Morocco but he has no e-mail address
and does not respond to mail Victor Suissa.

Through contacts, the IBM checked their lists and have no active members
in the countries I am visiting so if there are any recipients of E-Zine
who can help, I am looking for magicians or magic club addresses, phone
#'s, e-mail addresses in the following countries:
Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Uruguay, and Trinidad.

Any help or leads would be very much appreciated.
Please send any correspondence to:
thaumaturge2@yahoo.com

-------------------------------------
14. New Convention "The Las Vegas Magic Invitational"
-------------------------------------
Message from Danny Archer & Robert Allen (US)

Robert Allen and Danny Archer are pleased to announce a brand new
convention the Las Vegas Magic Invitational to be held September
13 -15th, 2001 at the San Remo Hotel. In the tradition of the FFFF
convention, the LVMI will feature close-up and cabaret magic and the
attendees must be invited to attend and asked to perform during the
convention. This is the inaugural convention of what will be an annual
event. Las Vegas is the Magic capital of the world, and we couldn't
think of a better location to hold this exciting new event.

There will be lectures (we have them selected already for 2001),
workshops, dealers and other fun events, but what will make the
convention memorable is the people who attend. That is why we wanted to
let you know about the LVMI before we started the invitation process. We
that with your busy schedule, it may be difficult to predict your
availability for next year, so if you can please let us know one of
three responses:

A) No I don't plan to attend.
B) Yes I want to attend. Then go to our web site for more info on
registration http://mymajik.freeyellow.com/newfile.html
C) Maybe, which means we will hold a registration for you once
registration reaches a certain point.

We expect the LVMI to sell out and since it's a close-up convention
seating will be limited. Robert and I sincerely hope you can make it
this year, and if not we hope to see you there in the future as either a
lecturer, performer or attendee. If you have any questions you can
contact either

Danny Archer LVMI Danny@aol.com 303-321-6267 or
Robert Allen raprod@juno.com 1-702-434-2210

-------------------------------------
15. Making Shopping Simply Magic!!
-------------------------------------
Message from Greg Britt (NZ) Elgregoe The Magician

I will be appearing at Dressmart over Christchurch's Show Weekend
performing strolling magic (and of course drawing the customers
attention to the crazy low magic prices) between the hours of 11.30 &
2.30 Fri 17th, Sat 18th, Sun 19th November.

Then returning to capture the magic of Christmas (will have to dig up
that Christmas hat)
December 20th to 23rd.

Rocky Racoon is really well received and doing the Zig Zag racoon gets
the crowd going. I find sometimes it takes 2 to 3 adults to bring 1 child to
see the magic, who said magic was just for children!!

-------------------------------------
16. When does it become a Rip Off??
-------------------------------------
Message from David Boyd (Aust)

This brings up a problem that has concerned me for many years. What can
you do about a Rip Off of some thing you have "invented" yourself only
to find it advertised for sale by some one else? And when does it become
a Rip Off? If you look through many of the old books you find magic
there that has similarities to magic in the shops today, sure it has
been updated or modified in some way or other and the originator is
probably long dead, so if another magician comes up with another slant
on the same lines is he ripping off the magician of a hundred years ago
or the one who came up with a new version of the trick? Possibly he has
never heard of or seen the updated version but has come up with a
similar variation to the old item.

I myself have been using a knife through coat idea I came up with for
over 10 years at magic mountain. A couple of years ago an exact "copy"
of my knife came on the market, was it a rip off? Or had some one
thousands of miles away come up with the same idea?

There was nothing I could do about it except put mine out for sale, but
assuming he had come up with idea himself and not copied mine. Then he
would be complaining I had ripped him off. Now another item I have been
using for several years at the mountain an electronic gimmick for mind
reading is now on the market in America for several thousand dollars,
and I read again in a recent issue of MagicNZ e-zine, that Malcolm
Silverman of NZ has made a similar item. I know Malcolm very well. He
has a very inventive mind and works in electronics, and I know for sure
he would in no way rip off anything from anybody. Again is it three
people all coming to the same conclusion, completely separate from each
other? If so, and I have no reason to believe other wise, who has the
marketing rights? No one has copied or even heard of the other magicians
or their products.

Apart from taking out world patents on the item, this costs thousands of
dollars and probably would not stop it being ripped off in many
countries. What else can you do? And if you find some one is selling a
product that you "invented" yourself, so you put it on the market, it is
a bit hard to wear when every one starts saying that you have stolen the
idea when you have been performing it for many years.

That's the problem with magic. It is mostly all a variation on a theme.
So at what stage does a variation become a new item that you call sell
without treading on some ones toes?

As for magic that comes from very old books and in many cases has been
long forgotten, when is right to manufacture it, to bring it back, and
introduce it to today's magicians. Or should it remain lost for ever?
That seems a terrible waste to me.

I would be interested in the thoughts of others on these difficult
questions ether through MagicNZ e-zine or directly by email on:
boyddp@hotmail.com

-------------------------------------
17. Booed off the stage
-------------------------------------
Message from Bernard Reid (US) ex-pat Kiwi

I was very pleased to see that you had the integrity to give credit
where it was indeed due for the stool gag. Your wording was concise and
accurate.

This whole issue opens up a Pandora's box. It appears that if a
performer is the first to do something in his location he sort of claims
a right to it.

I read a piece about someone at F.I.S.M. being literally booed off the
stage because he included in his act a multi-legged effect a la Rudy
Coby. All the magicians incorrectly assumed the piece to be Coby's.

For those of us who have lived in Australia and New Zealand, back in the
1960's and 70's a big star in Australia and subsequently Britain, was
Rolf Harris. The feature of his act was the multi-legged routine which
he performed to an original song he wrote called "Jake the Peg". In my
naivette, I assumed that HE had originated the routine until last summer
when I was in Scandinavia. A close friend of mine there and one of the
biggest show promoters in Scandinavia is Jorgen Borsch. He has an
amazing library of acts on videotape as acts are being submitted to him
in the hundreds every week. At his home we were going through some tapes
of old films of Russian circus dating back to the 40's and 50's and
there in its entirety was the multi-legged routine. I commented and
Jorgen laughed and said that it had been a staple of clowns in Russian
circus for a century.

Likewise, in the same series of videotapes was a lightening change act
that is currently being presented around the States and at a convention
recently. The performers currently doing the act claim it is their
origination but it is move for move and trick for trick identical to a
famous Russian circus act. Interesting that one of the current
performers is Russian?? One could go on indefinately on this topic which
all comes back to "There is Nothing New Under the Sun - only how it is
presented and sold."

-------------------------------------
18. Peter Reveen - standing ovation
-------------------------------------
Message from Bill Walsh (Aust)

Just returned from the east coast of Canada where I spent two and a half
weeks touring with Peter Reveen`s show. The show was extremely
successful. Peter performed 10 three hour shows in St John`s
Newfoundland, 5 shows in Moncton New Brunswick and 5 shows in St John
New Brunswick, the average attendance for each show was 1000 people. It
was the first time I had seen Peter perform his Hypnotic show, I had
only seen him perform his magic shows previously, and I was very
impressed with his professionalism.

Peter opens with a Jim Steinmeyer illusion, then depending which one of
his three different shows he is doing spends fifteen minutes doing large
mental effects e.g. The Nights Tour, then he invites the audience up on
his stage, always gets a least a 100 takers spend the next half hour
testing then and trying to hypnotise them (Although he never mentions
the word hypnotize once in the entire show). At an average he ends up
with about 25 to 30 people under his control. Just when he has achieved
this result he takes a huge gamble he has an interval of 20 minutes and
hopes the suggestion is strong enough to bring the volunteers back on
stage.

After interval when they returned he always lost two or three people but
for the next hour and a half he treats the rest of the audience to a
hilarious fun filled show using only his control and suggestions to his
volunteer`s minds.

Peter got an UNSOLICITED standing ovation from every audience at every
show.

Peter is doing another tour to a different part of Canada next April (he
started his first tour of Canada in 1965), he wants me to come over and
help him again, depending on whether my wife lets me go(she has to run
the Hotel on her own when I am away).

Peter had his 65th birthday whilst we were on tour, One of his friends
(who just happens to own 25 Radio Stations in Canada) took Peter. Coral,
Carol & Ralph Craig (Peter`s road manager and his wife) and myself out
to a restaurant voted number one in Canada. What a meal! What a night!

-------------------------------------
19. A WILD WEEK! - Steve Dacri
-------------------------------------
Message from Jan & Steve Dacri (US)

First day back from a whirlwind trip to the East Coast. The trip began
in Boston, where I was appearing at the opening of a new
Magic/Variety/Comedy club opening in downtown Boston called BEANTOWN
MADNESS by my dear friend, Dick Doherty. I have been consulting with
Dick on this new "vaudeville-type" club for quite some time, and the
opening was finally here.

The great element of this club is the need for magicians, jugglers,
comics, vents, and other variety performers. Every week they need new
performers, so it means work for the local guys and I will be booking
magicians from around the U.S. that can work the club into their
travels. (Be sure and contact me if you would like to grab a night or
two at the club when you know you may be in the Boston area. It's
located in the Holiday Inn, at Government Center, in downtown Boston. A
great room, terrific sound and lights, just big enough to accommodate 90
people, so platform or parlour type stuff works well. Dick will also be
using strolling tableside magic as well.

The club opens Thursday, Friday and Saturday every week. For the opening
week, the club opened on Wednesday, Nov. 1 for press and invited guests
only. This amounted to the "dress rehearsal" with live audience. The
show ran long, almost 2 hours, and some of the acts should've stayed
home.

They did on Thursday. We evaluated the show, trimmed some things, cut
some people, and refined the show for the next 3 nights, which ran
smooth as silk. Great crowds, they came to be entertained, and the show
was top notch. It opens with the host, Dick Doherty himself. Dick is a
bit of a comedy legend in New England. He's known as the "Godfather" of
Boston comedy. He owns several comedy clubs in the area, and this one is
his first, and I believe, his most successful venue to date. Dick
reminds me of the old school comics, many of whom I have worked with.
Guys like Milton Berle, Bob Hope, Red Buttons, Henny Youngman. All stars
that I opened for many, many times. I would always do my act, go back to
my dressing room, change, then sit backstage on a stool and watch their
acts from the wings. Over and over. The same show, the same jokes, and I
always laughed. They were so good, and their personality and delivery
and charms it was a masters degree in comedy, believe me. Well, Dick
Doherty has that same charisma, the same ability to mesmerize an
audience.

Next up was a comic bit, a juggler, and a singer. Then I went on, with a
card routine, a sucker egg routine, borrowed $100 bill burn, self
levitation from a bar stool, (from FISM, worth ever penny of the
$4,000.), a pickpocket bit (watches and wallets) and the bill from a
borrowed cigarette. Nothing earth shattering, but enough to collect an
outrageously large fee and tremendous applause every night.

Next a comedy team, Dick does his routine, another singer, and a guest
comedian, Boston's top comic, Steve Sweeney. A delightful show, and
judging from the reviews, this concept will play for a long time in the
Boston area, so I look forward to returning to this club, Beantown
Madness. I think I will be there for New Year's Eve stopped working New
Year's several years ago, but if Dick is serious, I can't say no to the
kind of money he is offering!

The entire weekend gig was great, the audiences were large and
appreciative and I had a ball playing with some new stuff I wanted to
try on the victims. I was getting ready for Vegas coming up, so I was
trying out some new stuff for my Caesars gig.

The opening of the club was Nov. 1, which happens to be the birthday of
my son, Jesse, who was turning TEN. He requested that I visit his class
(4th grade) that day and do some magic. I packed an act into my pockets
and spent a couple of hours at his school, in an intimate setting,
allowing the kids to ask questions (favorite question: "), and then
showing them some tricks that were in my pockets. They loved it, almost
as much as I did!

Next stop - Las Vegas. I open in a few days at Caesars Magical Empire
(going on year #5). I'll keep you posted Jan is making me keep a journal
for this engagement so I may share the experience with all of you.

If you will be in Vegas, contact me and say "hi". And as I said before,
if New England is on your itinerary, let me know. Beantown Madness is a
magic friendly night club that would love to have many of you grace
their stage.

Thank you to all of the supporters who have been e-mailing us with your
positive comments on the hatsandrabbits.com site. All I can tell you is,
"you ain't seen nothing yet". Free lifetime memberships are over, but if
you are a subscriber of Alan's wonderful e-magazine, or if you are a
member of the Magic Circle, drop me an e-mail right away and we will
grant you a free membership, but only if you do so before Thanksgiving.
The site is growing, we have many surprises planned in the very near
future. Remember, we are not only destined to be the largest magic web
spot, but the very best. And all of us in the magic world will benefit
from it. Eventually every magic web site that is important in magic will
be affiliated with us. Remember we are not just another web site, we are
a magic portal. A vertical magic portal. (if you do not know what that
is, drop me a note and I will gladly explain it to you!)

By the way, want to see something really cool? Log on to the site
(www.hatsandRabbits.com) and on the home page, scroll down to the bottom
and click on the "Magic Web Channel" link. This is a work in progress,
and I would love to hear your feedback on it.

And thanks for all the emails regarding my lost address book hard drive
episode. I still haven't been able to replace all of my entries, so if
you haven't done so already, send me an email and I'll add you to our
cool list.

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20. The Orchante Sage - The Very Early Years #4
-------------------------------------
Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi)

Chapter Four:
Raupunga, Hawkes Bay, NewZealand 14th June 1954 to June 1958

I am 10 years old, brand new home (built courtesy of the Police
department) no electricity - Mum went into shock (excuse the pun). Wood
stove - old fashioned telephone (you know the sort - wind the handle
like mad to make the connection to the exchange). My God - from
Auckland, a major city, to going 'bush', totally primitive -Mum was
distraught. I loved it! Actually, there was a big diesel generator in
the garage which Dad started up at certain hours, so we did have 240
volts, more or less. I do remember the light bulbs flickering from
yellow, to sort of bright, then back to yellow.........

Every weekend Dad would hitch up the trailer and we'd head out into the
bush to chop and saw down Manuka trees - load up the trailer and back
home - a full day's work. My job was spending most of the week, after
school sawing the logs into size, splitting them with the axe, and
filling up the woodshed. I still have scars where the bow-saw would
'jump' off the wood and rip across my fingers, and I have more than a
few holes in my shins where I missed the log with the axe!!!!!!!!!!! As
you can imagine I was a very strong and fit young lad in those days. How
the hell I became a sleight of hand magician after that lot is beyond
me - dogged determination and a love of the craft, I guess.

I learned to use a trout rod, practising on the long grass frontage of
the house, anchoring a small piece of paper by a twig, at the far end of
the lawn, and then, standing at the other end, spent hours learning to
cast, back and forwards, without touching the ground, until finally the
trout fly would land on the paper, as gently as a butterfly. Hot Damn -
I was good!

Dad and I would 'go bush' - pig shooting and deer stalking. Dad had a
'303, while I had to make do with a .22 rifle. I was sure no 'city' kid.
Then there was the trout fishing up at the Putere Lakes. I would guess
that these days you would need a pack mule and camels to get up to those
lakes and the bush, because even way back then the 'road' was more of a
track, and bloody rough, but oh, the adventures, and what a life for a
growing lad. Clean air, healthy countryside, away from the crap and
noise of a big city. It was magic and salad days (Tom Brown never had it
so good).

At one side of the back yard was the jail - a solid timber
construction - I'm guessing, but around 15' x 20'. It was my spare
bedroom when the house was full with visiting friends/relations. It had
two doors - both opened inwards. Both doors were around 6" thick, and
had huge bolts to lock them - no keyholes. The first opened into a
cubicle 5' x 15'. The second door opened into the jail-room proper - 15'
x 15'. From the inside all you saw were 4 solid walls, with one barred
window., a bolted down bunk bed, toilet and hand-basin. Why all the
details? Well, for all you escape artists out there, I spent many
frustrated hours locked in (at my request) trying to figure a way out -
never did, though. Not even Houdini could have escaped from this one.
All the lock-picks in the world would have been useless, because quite
simply there was no access to the outside of the door(s), and remember
they only opened inwards, so you couldn't even SMASH your way out! A
drunk that Dad had put in for the night, set fire to the mattress trying
to burn his way out. The inside of the door was only slightly scorched -
he nearly died of smoke inhalation.

Dad informed me a few years ago that 'person or persons unknown' had
finally succeeded, they burned down everything - house, jail, the lot!!

Behind the jail was a line of Pine trees, which ran the length of the
section. Behind them was a small orchard, which belonged to the folks
who ran the only 'one stop shop'. They weren't too happy that little
Tommy Orchard was constantly robbing their orchard of apples, pears and
peaches, or that their daughter and he played (as you do) Doctor and
Nurse there - hey, it was a great education!

At the back of the section was an expanse of Gorse which was constantly
encroaching, and Dad was forever cutting it down and burning it - quite
dangerous really because just a few feet further on there was a drop of
several hundred feet, straight down to the Mohaka river. Raupunga's only
claim to fame is that the highest railway viaduct (which straddles the
Mohaka river) in Australasia is there.

Next week, more of Raupunga and the Wairoa Carnival - the White Yogi and
the Canadian Magician.

-------------------------------------
21. 27. Jornadas Cartomagicas
-------------------------------------
Message from Reinhard (Germany)

I just returned from Madrid. I took part in the 27. Jornadas
Cartomagicas (card magic days) which were put on by the Escuela Magica
de Madrid (Madrid Magic School) under Juan Tamariz' direction. The
subject of this years meeting was "Deck Switches" and "The Card Magic of
Hilliard's Greater Magic" which were treated by a series of most
noteworthy lectures of various "Escolares". About 30-40 participants
were present.

Besides the card magicians of Spain, as there were Tamariz, Camilo,
Cachadina, Riobóo, Mago Migel and others, there were present Carlos
Vaquera from Belgium, Aurelio Paviato (Italy), Piet Forton
(Switzerland), R.Paul Wilson (Scotland), David Solomon, Simon Aronson,
Ron Wohl (all from the USA), Joerg Weber, Stephan Kirschbaum and I (all
from Germany).

-------------------------------------
22. Magic on NZ TV - Edward Hall
-------------------------------------
Message from Edward Hall (NZ)

Thursday 16th November, TV2, 1:55am
World's Greatest Magic IV.
Has been previously shown, includes Carl Cloutier, Lennart Green,
Hamners, Tabary, and Raymond Crowe.

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~edhall/magic/

-------------------------------------
23. Diarise these events
-------------------------------------
New Zealand National Magicians Convention - 27th 2001 to January 1st
2002

-------------------------------------
24. MagicNZ e-zine archives
-------------------------------------
Back issues of the MagicNZ e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html

Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain
access.
User Name: ezine
Password: newzealand

When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are
coded. Eg 001nov0699.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number,
then the date (nov06) and the last next two numbers the year (99)

If you want to print copies of MagicNZ e-zine go to:
www.watson.co.nz/ezine-archive

-------------------------------------
25. 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

MagicNZ e-zine is published weekly, late on Sunday night.

The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual
contributors.

Neither MagicNZ or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or
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reported via MagicNZ e-zine.

We reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions as we see fit.

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(c) Copyright 2000 Alan Watson