* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #108 Date: Sunday 10th February 2002 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. S.A.M. Convention - New York Update 3. Celebrating The S.A.M. 100th Centennial Year 4. Looking For Magic Conventions 5. WHAM Would Have A Secrecy Contract Readily Available 6. Attention Passers 7. Tommy Cooper Memorial 8. DONDRAKE'S Fantasy In Black 2002 9. "HuthochDrei" 10. Fifth Annual Tour of Florida 11. Ninth Magic Cruise Leaving Miami 12. William Andrews "2002 Magician of The Year" 13. The Orchante Saga #62 14. MagicNZ e-zine archives 15. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Steve Pradell (Alaska) will be touring New Zealand from Wednesday 20th February. ---------------------------------- Ho Jin (Lady magician from China) will performing at Sky City Casino Theatre in Auckland from February 11th until 17th for the Chinese New Year. ----------------------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. S.A.M. Convention - New York Reminder ---------------------------------- Message from George Schindler- Public Relations- S.A.M. John Apperson has announced that tickets for our two shows at the City Center Theater (July 5 and 6) will be released for sale to the general public soon. Our convention seats have been reserved but if you think you'd like seats for friends or family who are not registered, and would like be seated with you, please contact John early so that he can arrange this. Naturally the best seats are for our registrants. Early registrants get the better seats. If you are not registered, see our website www.magicsam.com To reach John Apperson click on the Apple on the site or e mail: hayraker@mindsprint.com ---------------------------------- 3. Celebrating The S.A.M. 100th Centennial Year ---------------------------------- Message from Warren J. Kaps - President of The Society of American Magicians We are excited to be celebrating the Society's 100th Centennial Year. At age 100 we are the oldest magical society in the world. During the forthcoming months we have great plans. On May 10, 2002 there will nationwide anniversary banquets and shows throughout the country. It is likely to be the biggest and best anniversary party you have ever seen. The celebration will culminate with our Centennial Convention in July 2002 in New York City where the Society was born. If you are not yet a member, we invite you to join. Our Society continues to promote the ideals of our founders by elevating the art of magic, encouraging harmony among magicians, opposing unnecessary public exposure of magical effects and preventing the theft on magical inventions. Why should you become a member of the Society? First, you have the prestige of being a member of the world's oldest magical group. Only S.A.M members receive the following benefits which include a subscription to the M-U-M monthly magazine, the right to join local assemblies, access to the Film & Tape Library (which presently contains over 1200 titles), access to our SAM Talk (chat room), access to SAM-Online (enjoy magic tricks and film clips) plus our insurance benefits program, special discounts when offered and lower member rates at our conventions. Use the Assembly Locator to find an assembly near you. Even if there is no group in your area you, Associate Membership is still available. You are cordially invited to our birthday celebration. I look forward to meeting you personally at our National Convention in New York City in July 2002. Please be sure to stop and say "hello." For more information go to: www.magicsam.com ---------------------------------- 4. Looking For Magic Conventions ---------------------------------- Yosi Notkowitz - (Israel) - notko@hotmail I am looking for magic conventions up to 31/12/02 in Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and Australasia. If you can help please e-mail me at the above address. ---------------------------------- 5. WHAM Would Have A Secrecy Contract Readily Available ---------------------------------- Message from Lee Jacobs (US) - LJacobs@frognet.net I would think that WHAM would have a secrecy contract readily available. That's the group that is out to stop exposure. I think Abb Dickson is the head of it. Please let me know how we can be of further help. ------------------------------------------------------- 6. Attention Passers ------------------------------------------------------- Message from Jon Racherbaumer (US) Greeting from the Big Easy: Attention Passers: Ian Baxter has a new and interesting booklet titled THE TURNSTILE PASS (23 pages) that features a fine introduction, the explanation of the variant Pass, and three applications (tricks). Ian is from Australia. Contact: IAN BAXTER - 63 Tate Avenue - Wantirna - South Victoria 3152 - Australia. (By the way, Ian did not ask me to write about his book. After reading it, I thought cardmen should be apprised of its existence.) Check it out. Speaking of new books, I just finished an update of the Marlo-Osborn book Unlimited, which is now twice its original size. I plan to sell a hard-goods version; however, it is also an e-book on my Website. Members of the Premium Section can download this and others (in the future), this saving lots of money in the process. Speaking of my Website, here are the latest additions: The latest FREEBIE (which costs surfers nothing) is an odd effect titled "Hummer's Dream Scheme," a variation of Bob Hummer's "The Magic Separation." Hummer's trick incorporates an interesting principle, revealed by the following dynamics: If you cut a deck into two 26-card portions, turn one of them face up, riffle shuffle the halves together, cut off exactly twenty-six cards, and then turn them over, the number of face-down cards in each half will be the same. My twisted variation tries to integrate the Gilbreath Principle into the proceedings. The latest effect in the TRICK section is by Dave Solomon and is called "Pure Vice-Versa." It is a strong variation of Jim Ryan's bar trick called "Vice-Versa," where two cards are selected, shuffled into the deck, and both are found. But there is a mix-up. He has found the right cards but has identified them with the wrong spectators. He then causes the cards to change places, bringing the effect to a successful and magical completion. Dave's "fix," among other attractive things, eliminates the duplicate card. The ESSAY section features "Cutting to Aces and Chases, With and Without Spectators: A Quest for Hunky-Dory Outcomes," which involves an omitted attribution, three cardmen-Randy Wakeman, Bill Malone, and Jim Swain-and applied methods for the "Spectator Cuts to the Aces" that use the Riser Subtlety and similar mechanics. By examining the many methods, perhaps students will more fully understand differences and similarities of the methods using the so-called Riser Subtlety? As stated earlier, Premium Members can now access the 48-page Unlimited 3.0. This Marlo-Osborn manuscript from 1953 has been updated, revised, and annotated. We also substituted digital photographs for the original drawings and added material not include in the initial two editions. We believe that magic manuscripts and books should be continually revised and not as finished products. Books should be protean, modifiable, and mutable entities like software programs. And like applications, they can then evolve, expand, and have greater power and applicability over time. Here is what the manuscript includes: Dedication Prologue Introduction to the Second Edition THE CARD GOES HOME (Norm Osborn) IMPROVED DOUBLE COUNT (Edward Marlo) EFFECT ONE EFFECT TWO EFFECT THREE EFFECT FOUR EFFECT FIVE EFFECT SIX EFFECT SEVEN FALSE FAN GROUP COUNT THE GROUP COUNT FOR MORE IMPROVED DOUBLE COUNT DOUBLE COUNT HANDLING FOR MORE INJOG DOUBLE COUNT (Simon Aronson) TIME-OUT DOUBLE COUNT (Gary Plants) RED AND BLUE ROUTINE 1 RED AND BLUE ROUTINE 2 RED AND BLUE ROUTINE 3 During the coming year I plan to post as PDF files such items as MO (Modus OPerandi), Avatar, and other hard-to-get manuscripts in this section. Prime Moves will be included, plus a reworking of GOOD TURNS and the history of TWISTING THE ACES. Onward. www.JonRacherbaumer.com ---------------------------------- 7. Tommy Cooper Memorial ---------------------------------- Message from Jacqui Sparks (UK) At long last we are able to announce the official launch of the Tommy Cooper Memorial. The Press launch is scheduled to be held at the Equity Offices in London on the 11th March at approx. 12noon. Final details are being processed as we speak. It has taken a long time to get to this point. The legalities of erecting a statue are a lot more than we first expected. We have however formed a Committee of Trustees and are currently applying for Registered Charity Status. You can't just put up a statue!! Red tape cannot just be "Cut and Restored" We do however need to raise the funds of approximately £30,000. The statue will be life size, cast in bronze, of Tommy Cooper in a classic pose and will be placed outside one of Eastbourne's Theatres. The proposed site is outside the Devonshire Park Theatre, which is a listed building and therefore cannot be redeveloped. With the IBM (British Ring) convention held in Eastbourne every other year, it is a fitting tribute that the only statue dedicated to a magician on public view in Britain (as far as we are aware) be sited in Eastbourne. Tommy Cooper had a home here and was well known throughout the town. If magicians were to donate just a £1 a $1 or whatever they could afford we would reach the figure in no time. Donations can be made by Cheque or Money Order and addressed to The Tommy Cooper Memorial Fund PO Box 509 Eastbourne East Sussex BN22 0BX United Kingdom. No cash please. We are proposing to have a web site which will monitor the progress of the fund and the statue's construction. The sculptress has already finished the head and hands. There is a lot of goodwill involved with this project as the sculptress is taking it in good faith that the money will be raised and has not billed for the work that has been done up to this point. The fund was very kindly started by a donation of £200 from the Magic Circle. Please remember that by the erection of a statue of this kind a rejuvenation of public interest in our art is inevitable, without which in this day and age of computer technology and special effects we cannot ensure our future as magicians into the new millennium. Jacqui Sparks e- mail jacqui@jsents.freeonline.co.uk J.S.E. PO Box 509 Eastbourne BN22 0BX Tel/Fax (+44) 01323 509622 ---------------------------------- 8. DONDRAKE'S Fantasy In Black 2002 ---------------------------------- Message from Don Drake (US) DONDRAKE'S Fantasy In Black 2002 I will be travelling up the West coast, from California, Oregon, Washington and even into Vancouver BC and Calgary, AB, during the month of April. I tried out my new lecture Fantasy in Black 2002 at the World Magic Seminar, and got pretty good reviews. If your club is anywhere near these states, and you are interested in a lecture that is completely different (tired of card tricks)? Please contact me, and I will be glad to send you a lecture package. There is a complete description of the lecture in the package, but let me just say that there's a spook show right in the lecture, as well as comedy and a lot of fun. This is not a "dealer demo!" I will actually teach you how to use a new type of black art that is practical, and easy for you to build for yourself. There's stage, parlor, platform and even close up black art, that you can use to astound your audiences, no matter where you perform! I'm also looking at a cross country tour for the months of June and July (I'll be attending SAM 100 in NYC) DONDRAKE is A.K.A. Don Drake 1412-A Santa Margarita St. Las Vegas, NV 89146 Phone (702) 880-5370 http://members.aol.com/dondrake ---------------------------------- 9. "HuthochDrei" ---------------------------------- Message from Gernot & Wolfram (Junge, Junge!)(Germany) In addition to your announcement of performers for the SAM NY we may inform you that we'll be part of the opening-Gala-Show on Wednesday with our act "An Englishman in New York" as well as with "HuthochDrei" our quite successful new Comedy-Chapeaugraphy. Please visit our Website www.huthochdrei.d for some pictures as well as some references like the one from our last year performance at the All-Star-Show at the Magi-Fest Columbus. ---------------------------------- 10. Fifth Annual Tour of Florida ---------------------------------- Message from Vince Carmen (US) Vince Carmen and "America's First Family Of Magic" are currently on their Fifth Annual tour of Florida, which travels from Key West to the Northern Border. This Summer season Vince, Yvonne, Candice and Erika will be appearing in their own theatre at 6 Flags Park in Atlanta, Georgia. ---------------------------------- 11. Ninth Magic Cruise Leaving Miami ---------------------------------- Message from Trevor Lewis (Wales) Geoff Maltby of Repro Magic E-mail Address geoff@geoffm.demon.co.uk has lined up his ninth Magic Cruise leaving Miami on 7th November, cruising around the Islands and returning to Fort Lauderdale on 19th November. This year will be the first magic cruise that will not be held on the Q.E.2. In the past, guest lecturers, performers and celebrities have included Alicadabra, Janet Claire, Paul Daniels, Franklin, Peter Kane, Mel Moore, Bob Ostin, Pat Page and Terry Seabrooke. Trevor Lewis will once again be hosting this ninth cruise and amongst the talent already engaged will be Bob Swadling. All previous magic cruises have been a sell-out, so if you are interested contact Geoff at the above e-mail address. ---------------------------------- 12. William Andrews "2002 Magician of The Year" ---------------------------------- Message from George Schindler (US) Parent Assembly #1 of The Society of American Magicians Names William Andrews "2002 Magician of The Year". Mr. Andrews is a Past National President of the Society of American Magicians, and a well known member of the New York Parent Assembly. He will receive the award as well as appearing on the Annual SALUTE TO MAGIC show April 27, 2002 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York City (199 Chambers St.) Also appearing on the show are the Illusions of Chuck Jones and Jan, Gay Blackstone, Mortician Magician Ted Lee, George Schindler and Nina and William Andrews. Ticket prices are $35.00 each for adults and $25.00 each for Seniors and Children. Tickets may be purchased by calling Isaac Rodriguez at 718-651-7335 or by mail payable to the Society of American Magicians - 47-30 61st Street (10B) Woodside NY 11377. ---------------------------------- 13. The Orchante Saga #62 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi Timaru, 'Galaxy Enterprises' and a 'Spook'! After finishing our contract working the hotel circuit with the band 'Noazark' around Auckland city and beyond for David McKee, we then toured the north of the North Island with the hypnotism show (this also was arranged by David, see pages 44 &56). From there we somehow arrived in the South Island of New Zealand - I have used the word 'somehow' because, as I have stated on previous occasions, my diaries for the years of 73/74 have vanished, and gone with them are the bookings that would have told the story. I can only assume that we were again touring the extensive hotel circuit that I had established throughout the South Island, as we did quite regularly. I think it was when we were performing for a few nights at a hotel in Timaru, that we first became acquainted with entrepreneur EDDIE BROOKS. He was nicknamed/known by his friends and acquaintances as - 'NOD', I never had the foggiest idea why, nor how exactly he got into 'show-business' itself. He was/is (?) a farmer who had a few months previously, put a show together with one or two big names, then, having financed the entire venture himself, toured the South Island -and MADE A KILLING! Not a bad trick, for a farmer, in the fickle world of 'show-business'. Needless to say he was running hot and firing on all cylinders when he offered us personal management with his new company 'Galaxy Enterprises Ltd', with a guaranteed wage per week, including housekeeping money (Another Angel), - whether we worked or not, with full accommodation provided - in Timaru. Our 'temporary home' that Eddie provided as with was a huge two-storey nine roomed X boarding house that was situated on the corner of Stafford and King George St's. The front door was on Stafford Street and next door to the right, was the St John Ambulance station. The Theatre Royal was just a few doors further up and further on still up the hill was the Hibernian hotel, which was where we performed our show whenever we were in Timaru. It now became my drinking hole and, a great place to perform my close-up magic into the wee small hours. It was no problem to 'stagger', ever so slightly inebriated, the short distance home - it was all down hill! THE BLOODY HOUSE WAS HAUNTED! Before I explain how, I'll try to give you some idea of the layout of the House. It had three entrances - there was a side door from King George St. that led straight into the massive lounge room. The back door opened out onto a large concrete car parking space that was shared by the St John Ambulance next door and as I mentioned previously, the front door was on Stafford Street. Entering via the front door brought you straight into the foyer where you could hang up your coats and hats etc. Turning immediate right led into the kitchen, which had two doors on the left back wall - the first led into a small kitchenette which had a door that led into the lounge room, and the second door led directly into the lounge room from the kitchen. To your immediate left from the foyer, was a wide stairway that curved up to the right to a landing, from there it carried on up to a long, wide corridor. Standing in the corridor at the top of the stairs, the first door on the left was the toilet, next was the bathroom and next to that was the main bedroom - it was enormous. On the right the first door led into another small bedroom, next to that another bedroom which had another door on the left-hand wall that led into a long sunroom/bedroom, which would have been more or less above the lounge room below - facing out on to King George St. At the top of the stairway, as well as at the bottom, were two-way light switches. In other words you could turn the stairway lights on or off from either end of the stairs. Therefore, it was rather disconcerting on reaching the landing - TO HAVE ALL THE LIGHTS SUDDENLY TURN THEMSELVES OFF - plunging you into pitch blackness, as you felt the rest of your way up - or down, the stairs. The first time this happened I assumed that a fuse or the light bulbs had blown but, on reaching one of the switches and flipping it, the lights immediately blazed on, bathing you and the surroundings in all their comforting glory. STRANGE! Even more unsettling, to say the least, was the overwhelming feeling that 'something', most definitely not of our plane of existence, was right behind you! Your skin - the nerves on your back literally jumped and crawled with anticipation of.? It was not a feeling of something diabolically evil or ungodly, more of a 'ghostly soul' playing silly buggers, because - 'YOU were invading ITS territory'! - Continues - ------------------------------------- 14. 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 ------------------------------------- 15. 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 2002 Alan Watson