* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #91 Date: Sunday 7th October 2001 Editor: Alan Watson www.magician.co.nz www.alan-watson.com e-mail AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. 28th Australian International Magicians Convention - Sydney 3. Missing Some Magazines And Books For My Collection 4. Lost Four Of Magic's Greats 5. Norm Osborn Of The Magic Book House Passed Away 6. 7th Annual Magic On The Beach 7. Lance Burton: Master Magician' Offers For Nevadans 8. Las Vegas Magic Convention 9. The Magic Hands Range Of Props 10. Magic For Sale 11. Mind Over Magic 12. Fertility - John Teo 13. The Orchante Saga #46 14. Diarise these events 15. MagicNZ e-zine archives 16. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One MagicNZ e-zine now has 3,000+ subscribers world wide. ----------------------------------------------------- George Schindler tells me the SAM 2002 Centennial Convention is going ahead as planned in New York City - July 3rd to 6th, 2002. The Convention headquarters hotel will be the Hilton New York & Towers, 1335 Avenue of the Americas in New York City. Check the convention website for news updates and online registration go to: www.magicsam.com ----------------------------------------------------- Remember that the Jay Scott Berry Lecture Tour next week: Just a note to tell all your readers not to miss Jay Scott Berry's Lecture . It is one of the best lectures you will ever see. Also Abracadabra Magic Studio will be carrying a range of his products if any one misses out purchasing on the night cheers David - abracadabramagic.com.au@bigpond.com Auckland - Tuesday 9th October 2001 Contact: Alan Watson - AW@Alan-Watson.com Venue: Auckland College of Education 74 Epsom Ave, Epson, Auckland Gate 3, Room E18 Time: 7.30pm Wellington - Wednesday 10th October 2001 Contact: Michael Woolf - michaelw@ihug.co.nz Venue: 277 Horokiwi Rd, Horokiwi, Wellington Time: 7.30pm Christchurch - Thursday 11th October 2001 Contact: Greg Britt - elgregoe@inet.net.nz Venue: 23 Halswell Junction Rd (Halswell end) Christchurch 3 Time: 7.30pm ----------------------------------------------------- Bill Morgan is looking for someone to share accommodation expenses at Waipuna Lodge for the 26th New Zealand International Convention. Ph (09) 372-8332 ----------------------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. 28th Australian International Magicians Convention - Sydney ---------------------------------- Message from Kent Blackmore (Aust) The Sydney magical fraternity proudly announces the 28TH AUSTRALIAN CONVENTION OF MAGICIANS, to be held from Friday June 7, to Monday June 10, 2002. Of course the first thing you want to know is - who's coming? It gives us great pleasure to present Sweden's LENNART GREEN, recognised as one of the most original and amazing close-up performers of recent years, and the winner of the Academy of Magical Arts "Close-Up Magician Of The Year" award. You will be impressed by Lennart's warm and sociable personality, and dazzled by his virtuoso display of magic! As you read this, we are signing more international performers and announcements will be made throughout the next few months. There are some great names to come! Where will the convention be? The overwhelmingly positive response to the last Sydney convention in 1998 left us in no doubt that we should return to the wonderful facilities of the Riverside Theatres and the Carlton Hotel (formerly the Gazebo) in the historic city of Parramatta. Everything you need is close at hand, including 24-hour restaurants and eateries, transport, shopping, tourist attractions and information, plus great performance venues, accommodation, magic dealers and the very best lecturers and performers! There is so much to tell that we suggest you go straight to the convention website for all the news. It's at: http://come.to/sydneymagic But let's start with some really great news. The room rate for our official convention hotel, the Carlton Parramatta, is just AU$99-00 per night (GST inclusive) during the convention period. That's even less than in 1998! Registration forms will be mailed out next week and will be available from your local magic club or magic dealer. You can also find the form on the website. The 28th Convention is sponsored by IBM Ring 102 Inc. and Geniis Magical Society Inc. and supported by all the magicians of Sydney. We look forward to seeing you in Sydney in 2002 for another magical weekend. ---------------------------------- 3. Missing Some Magazines And Books For My Collection ---------------------------------- Message from Obie Obrien (US) Missing some Magazines and Books for my collection, can you help????? If yes it would be appreciated. Obie Obrien Contact me at rjobie@gisco.net I have lots of things to trade OR ?? Pallbearers Vol 1 # 1, Vol 5, # 6 Pabular Vol 3, # 3, Epoptica # 9,10,11,12 Arcanes all of them 1 to 14. New Tops: Aug. 1992 & Vol 3 # 1 The last issue of Hadegram (Mickey Hades) Some books I would like: By John Booth: Super Magical Miracles, Magical Mentalism, Psychic Paradoxes, Dramatic Magic & Conjurians Discoveries. Himber and his Magic, and Kanters Catalog # 11 ------------------------------------- 4. Lost Four Of Magic's Greats ------------------------------------- Message from Maria Ibanez (US) Sad to report we have lost four of magic's greats. Don't know how many of you have heard but over this weekend and through last night Magic has lost some great ones.....the following compeers have passed away... George Kirkendall -- Irv Tannen -- Earl Ray Wilcox -- Eddie Fields A moment of silent meditation and a prayer for each of them. Respectfully, Maria Ibanez SAM RVP South Atlantic States President, Florida Magicians Association ---------------------------------- 5. Norm Osborn Of The Magic Book House Passed Away ---------------------------------- Message from Norm (US) We regret to inform you that Norm Osborn of the Magic Book House passed away suddenly on Thursday, September 20, 2001. Please be advised that as of this date the Magic Book House is no longer operating. ------------------------------------- 6. 7th Annual Magic On The Beach ------------------------------------- Message from Rick Del Vecchio (US) Hosted by IBM Ring 45 November 2,3 & 4, 2001 Ramada Plaza Marco Polo Beach Resort 19201 Collins Ave. North Miami Beach, Florida 33160 USA Featuring: Michel & Greco, Argentina Jay Scott Berry, USA Greg Frewin, Canada Ali Bongo, England Stephan Bargatze, USA Pat-trick, Ireland Darwin Ortiz, USA Peter White, USA Magic on the Beach features a Friday evening welcome party, close-up show, lectures, international dealers room, contest, Saturday evening Stage Show, and Sunday afternoon Variety Show. Registration is: $70.00 Magician (Adult), $50.00 Spouse and Junior (17 & under) To register go to www.Ring45.com then click on Magic on the Beach link. For more info email me at rickydee@aol.com Ocean Front hotel. Rooms start at $85.00 per night. To reserve a room call: 305.932.2233 (Mention Magic on the Beach for special rate). ---------------------------------- 7. Lance Burton: Master Magician' Offers For Nevadans ---------------------------------- Message from Wayne Bernath - Director of Publicity "Lance Burton: Master Magician" is running a 2 - for - 1 show offer to Nevada residents only! This offer is good now thru Oct. 31. For reservations call 730-7160. The Monte Carlo Resort & Casino is limiting four tickets per Nevada ID (2 paid, 2 free). For further information please call Wayne Bernath 435-7636 or 497-3622 ---------------------------------- 8. Las Vegas Magic Convention ---------------------------------- Message from Danny Archer (US) Great Photos from The first Las Vegas Magic Convention! The first Las Vegas Magic Convention took place as scheduled only two days after the World Trade Center attack. In spite of the horrible tragedy, all of the performers arrived on time and in the best show business tradition the show did go on. Some of the attendees were prevented from attending but those that did had a great time. We were very fortunate to have the Professor (a professional photographer who normally shoots events for Look, Sports Illustrated, Playboy and the like) record the events from the three days of fun and magic. Along with the booked lectures a number of luminaries stopped by including: Mike Michaels, Stan Allen, Arianne, Milt Larsen, Billy McComb, Kevin James and more. To see the photo and find out about the 2002 convention, please visit www.lvmi.net ---------------------------------- 9. The Magic Hands Range Of Props ---------------------------------- Message from Peter J. Levins I am now handling The Magic Hands range of props as well as the Mephisto range and have recently introduced two new lines, one is greeting cards, these are hand crafted greeting cards with a magical connotation can be made to your requirements and the second is Waistcoats (vests) for magicians just let us have your measurements and requirements i.e. what pockets and where etc. Please contact me at: PLevins@aol.com ---------------------------------- 10. Magic For Sale ---------------------------------- Message from Sefton Pryce (NZ) Could you please advertise these item for sale on MagicNZ e-zine? They are all in excellent condition. Contact SPryce@xtra.co.nz or Ph (06 ) 7587841 All stock must go! Try and better these prices especially the way the exchange rate is at present. All prices in NZ dolloars. Effects D' Ring by Rocco $30 2x D' Lite 's Red / Green $80 . 00 Having a Ball by Steve Brooks $10 Mysterious Mirror (Doug Henning) $45 Camera Bug $15 Finger Flame (Theatre effects) $45 Self Floating , Folding Bill $25 Secret marked cards $10 Diminishing Cards arrange of different types $20 Appearing Wand (Metal) $40 I . T . R ( Pen Reel ) $89 Milk pitcher $25 Omega Candle Rainho product $85 Vanishing CD $55 Zombie flash climax gimmick (glo - plug theatre effects) $60 Insomnia $47 Stealth retractor (John Kennedy) $110 Zombie Ball (Metal Polish aluminum ) + gimmick $75 Motorized reel (John Kennedy) $100 ---------------------------------- 11. Mind Over Magic ---------------------------------- Message from Jeff Ezell Just a quick note to let everyone know that Mind Over Magic will not open on Saturday, Oct.6th until 4:30 pm. Instead, I will have 6 tables at the Magic Castle Swapmeet to offer everyone standard deals of 20% off any purchase made at my tables. I will be in the Inner Circle (near the library) wheeling and dealing!!! So do not forget to check me out down there before you buy anywhere else. 20% off, no minimum purchase and I have a few new items that landed at the shop a couple of days ago that you should come by and check out!! I will see you there!!! ps..yes, non members are welcome ...doors open @9am and usually close around 2 or 3. Early bird gets the worm ---------------------------------- 12. Fertility - John Teo ---------------------------------- Message from John Teo (Singapore) Introduction It was such an honour to be able to meet up with the creator of MagicNZ e-zine when Alan Watson agreed to meet me during his recent brief stopover in Singapore. We could only afford to talk for about an hour at the airport before he had to board his airplane back to New Zealand. It was also a joyous coincidence that Australian magician Alfred Hayes and his friend Patrick Yap happened to be in Singapore at that time and they went along with me to greet Alan at the Singapore airport. Alan had kindly presented me with a designer deck of playing cards depicting spectacular sport photographs of New Zealand, and a plastic TIKI, which I was told, is an icon of New Zealand and is a fertility idol. I wanted to do a trick with these items, and worked out the following effect. Effect Magician brings out a plastic TIKI and says that this was a gift from his New Zealand magician friend. This special TIKI is able to perform magic, in particular, it is able to find a chosen card. Magician then brings out the designer deck of playing cards and shows that each card has a different photograph. A spectator is asked to shuffle the cards to mix them, and then chooses a card by cutting the shuffled deck. He cuts to the Five of Diamonds. Magician claims that TIKI already knows the card, and picks up and turns over TIKI. On the back of TIKI is glued a miniature Ace of Diamonds. Spectator remarks that this is not his chosen card. Magician insists that at least the suit (Diamonds) is correct, and that all that is needed are 4 more Diamonds. Stating that TIKI is a "fertility" specialist, "producing" 4 more Diamonds is no problem. With this saying, 4 cut-out Diamonds strung on a thread suddenly drop out and hung from the single Diamond, making the total the Five of Diamonds indeed, proving that TIKI is correct after all! The display is both surprising and eye-catching. Secret The Five of Diamonds is forced onto the unsuspecting spectator. A specially constructed envelope miniature card glued on the back of TIKI allows the Ace of Diamonds to become Five of Diamonds. Requirements A deck of playing cards - use the designer deck if you have it, as it ties up with TIKI as gifts from New Zealand. An extra Ace of Diamonds and Eight of Diamonds (from another deck of cards). Another card (from another deck) of any value and suit. Thin thread. Sticky tape (eg. Scotch brand). Construction Of The Special Envelope Card Using the extra Ace of Diamonds, cut out a rectangle 0.75" x 1.75" with the single Diamond in the middle, as shown in Fig. 1. Using the extra Eight of Diamonds, cut out the 8 individual Diamonds. Glue 2 Diamonds back to back with a length of thread passing between (ie sandwiched) them. This gives a Diamond stuck on a thread that is visible from both sides. Glue the other 6 Diamonds similarly so that you obtain a string of 4 Diamonds stuck on a thread. Refer to Fig 1. Leave a tiny length of thread between each Diamond. The thread ends with the last Diamond. The starting length of thread is sufficiently long so that the 4 Diamonds will show up nicely below the envelope (the free end of the thread is glued inside the envelope). See Fig 1. Using the third extra card, cut another rectangle similar to the first one except that the width is 1/16" shorter (ie 0.75" - 1/16"). Using sticky tapes (Scotch brand or other), tape this piece to the Ace of Diamonds piece on 3 sides, leaving one narrow side open. The tapes are inside of the envelope. The reason for the slightly smaller piece is to cause the open end of the envelope to remain open when the slightly larger front piece is taped onto it. See figures 2 and 3. Before you complete taping the 2 pieces together, stick (tape) the starting length of the thread onto the back piece at the top near the end hinge. See Fig. 2. To pack the 4 Diamonds inside the envelope, do not stack them on top of each other, as the package will be too thick. Instead, stack them 2 Diamonds high each on 2 stacks (see Fig 2) - stack the Diamonds by folding on the thread between the Diamonds. Glue the entire envelope package onto the back of the TIKI (see Fig 3). The envelope can be of a smaller size than the 0.75" x 1.75", depending on the size and thickness of the Diamonds. Ensure that the envelope does not show outside the TIKI. My envelope covers up the 2 small openings in the arms (not the 2 larger openings at the legs) of the TIKI, but this does not matter. Set-Up Of Deck From the top of the deck of playing cards face downwards: top card is the Joker, second card is the Five of Diamonds, another Joker is placed somewhere in the middle of the deck. Presentation Bring out the TIKI and placed it on the table face upwards so that the envelope is hidden underneath it. Place it near to you so that the spectator may not be tempted to pick it up himself. Say that this was a gift from your magician friend in New Zealand. TIKI is associated with New Zealand, and this is a special one that can even perform magic. To demonstrate, bring out a deck of playing cards. Tell your spectators that a deck of cards consists of 52 different cards. Take out the cards and spread face upwards, to show that each card is different, up to near the middle of the deck. Do not show the Joker there. If you need to show the entire deck, bunch up the middle portion so that the Joker there is not seen, and spread further, finally bunching up the top few cards so that the other Joker at the top is not exposed. If you have the designer New Zealand deck, show how nice the different photographs are on each card. Close up the fan and offer the deck face downwards to a spectator to shuffle, in order to "mix up" the cards. Exclaim that you do not need the 2 Jokers in the deck. Take the shuffled deck from the spectator and spread face upwards. Look for the 2 Jokers and take them out. Next to one of the Jokers is the Five of Diamonds. The shuffle is unlikely to separate the Joker next to the Five of Diamonds. Separate the deck at this Joker and complete the cut such that the Five of Diamonds is now the top card, unknown to the spectator. Even if the Five of Diamonds got separated from the Joker during the shuffling, it will not be separated too far away. Cut and complete the deck such that the top card is the Five of Diamonds. The strategic placing of the 2 Jokers is to enable you to spread the shuffled deck in order to locate and cut at the Five of Diamonds so that it becomes the top card. If you have another method of placing a particular card on top of a shuffled deck, use it. You are now ready to force the Five of Diamonds. Say to the spectator that he has mixed up the cards and nobody knows of the position of any card in the deck. Place the deck face downwards on the palm of your left hand and extend it to the spectator and ask him to cut anywhere in the deck. When he cuts off a portion of the deck, extend your right palm upwards and get him to place the cut off portion face downwards onto your right palm. Left hand brings the remaining portion of the deck and placed it cross-wise to the cut-off portion on the right palm. In your right palm are 2 portions of the deck, one placed at right angles to the other, and with the Five of Diamonds the top card of the bottom portion. Point to the TIKI on the table and say that TIKI can tell what card has been chosen. This is the necessary momentary diversion from the cut-deck that is essential for the CRISS-CROSS FORCE employed here. Bring the attention back to the criss-cross deck on your right palm. The spectator has forgotten which portion is the top portion of the cut deck. Summarise what has taken place so far: the deck of cards was shuffled and cut freely at this location. Left hand lifts up the upper portion of the deck and offers the top card of the bottom portion to the spectator. This is the Five of Diamonds and the spectator believes this is his freely cut to card. Tell him that TIKI knows this card. Turn TIKI over to display the miniature Ace of Diamonds on its back. Hold TIKI almost horizontally and with the open end of the envelope towards you. Held this way, the string of Diamonds inside will not fall out prematurely. Act excited that TIKI has revealed his card as the Ace of Diamonds. The spectator will quickly tell you that this is not his card. Have him turn over his chosen card. Look at it and say that at least you have the Diamonds part corrected predicted. You will get a funny look from the spectator. Say that what is lacking are 4 more Diamonds. Quickly add that if more Diamonds are needed from this one, there is no problem at all for TIKI, which is New Zealand's fertility idol. At this statement, turn TIKI vertically so that the open end of the envelope is facing downwards. Jerk TIKI several times and the string of 4 Diamonds will drop down, making a nice display, and causing gasps and laughter from the spectators. Point to each Diamond and say, "There we have it: one, two three, four and five Diamonds - the Five of Diamonds!" Addendum You can, of course, make your prediction card as the Three or Eight of Diamonds. Too many Diamonds may make the envelope package too bulky, while too few Diamonds will not make a nice display. I feel 4 Diamonds on a string in just nice. You can also use a different suit than Diamonds. However, other suits are "one-way", and you have to display the single suit initially "upside down". Refer drawings: www.watson.co.nz/ teo.html ---------------------------------- 13. The Orchante Saga #46 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Murphy's Law - if everything seems to be going well, you obviously don't know what the hell is going on. Certainly, everything seemed to be going well for a change, our car had been repaired - for free, well not exactly free - I had to swallow my sword to prove a point (unintentional pun) but that was a small price to pay and in the process another sceptic, the mechanic, had been converted. The time is now around 2:30pm in the afternoon - as we once again headed off to reach Tauranga - we should have been there in the early morning and sound asleep in a motel by this time; neither of us have had any sleep and we're feeling pretty rugged as we left Taupo and once again hit Highway One. 'Sailing' daily along, we're just a few miles further on from where we last broke down - you wouldn't believe it, Bloody 'Murphy' struck yet again! (strike nine) the radiator blew! My vocabulary dramatically expanded as I found new words to add to my second language - the atmosphere - the very air around my immediate vicinity turned, as I ranted and raved, a distinct shade of blue, - spreading as far as the distant horizon! If there had been a broken branch handy I would have done a 'Basil Fawlty' (a la 'Faulty Towers') and given the car a good beating - it wasn't really the cars fault. Thankfully, at this time of the day there was plenty of traffic on the road; we locked the car and thumbed a ride back into Taupo. Incidentally, the Kinleith Forest was still on our left, when the car's radiator had blown up - in a great imitation of a Rotorua geyser - and stopped, - the relevance of this statement will become clear shortly. Arriving in Taupo we went directly to the garage - the mechanic took one at us and said "oh no, not again". When we explained that the radiator had 'gone' he said "well, there' s no way I can fix that today but I'll tow your car back here and fix it tomorrow ". When we got back to the car we discovered that -'Murphy' had struck again (strike 10). One of the Forest Pine trees, that line the road as far as you can see, had fallen down - this time,' Murphy' had misjudged - the tree had missed our car by inches. The mechanic couldn't believe his eyes "are you sure" he said "that someone hasn't put a hex on you?" I was starting to wonder! By now the time was around at 4 p m. - we were due on stage in Tauranga at 8.45 - 9:00pm. Taupo is around 100 miles (165 kilometres) from Tauranga, driving time approximately two-and-a-half hours - a five hour round trip. I put a frantic call through to David McKee (the promoter) and explained the misfortunes that 'Murphy' had wrought upon us". Don't worry " he said, "I'll send a car right now to pick you up". As you can imagine, Veronica and I were absolutely shattered, with a two and a half hour trip still facing us and a 90 minute hypnotism show to perform when we got there - and 'they' say that show biz folk have an easy life of it - BUGGER OFF !!! Eventually, the car picked us up and we finally arrived in Tauranga at 8:45pm - we had 15 minutes to get ready and be on stage for a 9:00pm start. In that time I had a shave, a sponge bath from out of a hand basin, got dressed, made sure that the carpet had been placed on the stage and with 50 or so chairs set up in a semi-circle. With a big introduction the curtains open up and as usual the stage filled up with people when I called for volunteers. The hypnotic show got underway - I've got my subjects sitting in the chairs - they are right on the verge of going to sleep (I was green with envy) and then bloody 'Murphy', struck again!!! (Strike 11). The last pop band that had played in the first half of the show had shoved all their equipment into the wings of the stage; Bunny Walters, one of New Zealand's major pop stars of the time, had parked himself on the drummer's stool to watch the fun. He was the first to - 'go under'! When he toppled over he fell into the drummers cymbals - the almighty discordant clashing and crashing, woke the entire stage full subjects - dear God, I had to start all over! Is it any wonder then, that over the years, whenever I've met 'a Murphy' during our various tours of Ireland - and there's a lot of them - Murphy's that is, I got a glazed look in my eyes as I inquired if they had ever visited New Zealand during the early-Seventies. Not one has admitted, to this day, to having visited my home country ------- 'Bloody Murphy!' ------------------------------------- 14. Diarise these events ------------------------------------- Jay Scott Berry Lecture Tour Auckland 9th October 2001 Wellington 10th October Christchurch 11th October ------------------------------------- The 26th NZ Magician's Convention Auckland Friday 28th to Monday 31st December 2001. For The registration form, Convention programme & The Official Competition Form go to: www.magician.co.nz/convention2.html ------------------------------------- 15. 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 ------------------------------------- 16. 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, on Sunday. The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors. Neither MagicNZ or 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 << © Copyright 2001 Alan Watson