* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * New Zealand's MagicNZ e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #114 Date: Sunday 24th March 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. Salute to Magic to Honor 100th Anniversary of the S.A.M. 3. THURSTON Era ends . . . . 4. The Best Of Petrick & Mia Show And New Lecture 5. The South Canterbury Society Of Magicians 6. Magi who plan to visit Las Vegas 7. Buy or sell your magic online 8. Johnny Ace Palmer - Lecture 9. "Catching A Speeding Bullet...In The Teeth" 10. Just Arrived Back In Australia 11. Michigan Magic Day 12. Daytona Magic Festival 13. Web Designing Company For Magicians 14. Tommy Orchard - Upcoming TV spot 15. The Orchante Saga #71 16. MagicNZ e-zine archives 17. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One I wish to purchase 6 small sponge rocks - if you can point me in the right direction please e-mail me at: alan@watson.co.nz ------------------------------------- New Zealand magican/inventor Wayne Rogers goes from strength to strength with his various props offered on the international market. Magazines such as The Linking Ring, MUM and Magic have been carrying ads for his creations for several years. Wayne's latest offering, Wands2Poles is currently being reviewed on The All Magic Guide. Check it out on: http://allmagicreviews.com/allmagicreview07.html ---------------------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. Salute to Magic to Honor 100th Anniversary of the S.A.M. ---------------------------------- Message from Richard J. Stuart (US) Chairman for this years show This years Salute to Magic honors the 100th Anniversary of the SAM with a special show honoring the long tradition of magic. Gay Blackstone, part of the oldest and most famous families of magic, will be hosting the show as well as demonstrating some of the tricks that established that long tradition in a special salute to the Parent Assembly's 100th Anniversary. Master Magician, Chuck Jones, will be performing his Illusions in a rare east coast appearance. Chuck is one of the legends of magic. His original creation, the MIS-MADE GIRL ILLUSION (a girl is divided into four parts and accidentally assembled wrong) won him an award from the Society of American Magicians and has been widely copied by virtually every illusionist in the world. Chuck and Jan Jones and Gay Blackstone are also winners of the very prestigious DRAGON Award. The Mortician Magician, Ted Lee - the current president of the Parent assembly, will demonstrate his unique brand of magic, along with noted magical scholar George Schindler and Nina. Magician of the Year, Bill Andrews, will also be performing some of the classic magic he is so well known for. Good seats are still available. Ticket prices are $35.00 each for adults and $25.00 each for seniors and Children. Tickets may be purchased by calling Isaac Rodriguez at718-651-7335 or by mail payable to the Society of American Magicians - 47-30 61st Street (10B) Woodside NY 11377. ---------------------------------- 3. THURSTON Era ends . . . . ---------------------------------- Message from Ken Stoker (US) It is with sadness that I notify you that IRIS BALTER, the surviving member of two little ladies from the "Golden Age of Magic" known as "The Thurston Twins," died last week on March 12th. She was 91years young. Her sister, BEA BAZELL, died December 17, 2000 at the age of 90. I became acquainted with "the twins" through the late Jane Thurston Shepard, the adopted daughter of magician HOWARD THURSTON. Following our introduction by Jane, I arranged for "the twins" to appear at my San Francisco Magic Symposium on January 25, 1987. They were the hit of the day! Fortunately, their on-stage segment (including their song and dance routine from the Thurston Show) was captured on video tape. A unique and historical document for magic history buffs. In the intervening years, Byron Walker, Dom DiMento, and "the twins" socialized at luncheons, dinners, book parties and theatrical events. They were always a pleasure to be around, delighting those with interest of their experiences with the Thurston Show in the late 20s. They were always evasive when asked what years, exactly, they were with the show (A lady never reveals her age). It was only when I purchased most of their magic memorabilia that I got confirmation of their touring show years (even though they had tried to erase or block out the actual dates on many of their souvenir, autographed photos). "The twins" are survived by their sister, Mildred Smitzer, who has lived with Iris for the past several years. At 94, her future residence is uncertain. With the passing of the "THURSTON TWINS," magic has lost another link to it's colorful, historical past. I treasure the time I was permitted to spend with them. Phil Temple P.S. If you'd like to send a card of condolence to Iris Balter's daughter Diane, or her sister Mildred, you may do so by addressing to: Mrs. Diane Balter and/or Mrs. Mildred Smitzer, 696 Towle St., #25, Palo Alto, CA 94306. I know they would appreciate your gesture of sympathy. Family and friends will gather at the Balter home this Sunday afternoon in rememberance of Iris. ---------------------------------- 4. The Best Of Petrick & Mia Show And New Lecture ---------------------------------- Message from Petrick & Mia (US) We have a special offer for your magic club. Get show and lecture for the price of one. The first hour we will present a show. During this presentation you will see Stage, Comedy, Parlour and Close-up magic. We have included something for everyone. Because there is no explanation in this first hour, you can invite friends and family members to see it. You can easily charge $10 for this show to help cover the expenses for the lecture. Petrick & Mia can present this show for audiences of 20 to 120 in any size venue from a magic store to a regular meeting place. After the intermission we will present a new lecture, for magicians only. This years LECTURE will feature the latest original ideas from Petrick. If your magic club is interested in hosting Petrick & Mia's new lecture for your members, please contact us as soon as possible. Dates are still available, but time is limited. Don't allow your Magic Club to miss the opportunity to see this special event by waiting too long. Thank you very much and we are looking forward to hearing from you soon and we wish you all the best. Magically Petrick & Mia PM MAGIC 8701 Castle Hill Ave. Las Vegas NV.89129 Ph: (702) 341-5843 fax: (702) 254-8026 www.pmmagic.com ---------------------------------- 5. The South Canterbury Society Of Magicians ---------------------------------- Message from Russell Hendry (NZ) The South Canterbury Society Of Magicians is celebrating 70 years of continuous operation. A programme is being put together for a one-day birthday party to be held at Ashburton on 15th September 2002. Anyone who is interested in attending should contact the secretary, Russell Hendry at 21 Stirling Place, Timaru, telephone 03 686-0201 or e-mail him at: r.hendry@xtra.co.nz More information will be sent out later. ------------------------------------------------------- 6. Magi who plan to visit Las Vegas ------------------------------------------------------- Message from Peter J. Shield (US) If I can be of service to any visiting Magi who plan to visit Las Vegas - please post my radio show web site link and I would be happy to help in any way I can. They can actually listen to my weekly show via the web on their computers (3-4 pm Pacific time here) www.worldofunexplainedmysteries.com ---------------------------------- 7. Buy or sell your magic online ---------------------------------- Subject: Buy or sell your magic online at the best prices. Rare items as well News Update. Over 1000 items and growing. Sniper protection extended. http://MagicUSAAuctions.com Sniper protection extended by request for 24 hours. Best prices in the world for books, videos, props, etc. Check here first and last! Features categorized magic for quick searches. Features for magicians not even found on ebay. FREE to list for sellers. Sellers only pay if they sell, unlike ebay and others. Ebay wastes your time trying to find what you want. Now a way to trade your old magic for cash and buy new ones! Clear out your den, cellar, closets! More than in most magic shops. Constantly changing. Over 5,000 items ready to be put up in the near future by various sellers. 10,000 items expected by the end of the year! Others on ebay can track what you are bidding on, and many do. Not here. We feel this is disclosing information about you. Your bids can only be seen by you. We can even give you your own page. Give the URL to others to learn about you, and see all the items you have on sale listed automatically by our computer. Ever had trouble finding your way from place to place on auction sites. On our site you can get to everywhere on the site from every page. Makes this the fastest auction site anywhere, built for magicians. Everyone in magic has things to sell, but it can be time consuming listing and relisting auction items. Not here. Automatic relisting for items that do not sell, if you wish 100 times a year!!! Not a fixed price auction for sellers like other magic auction sites. You get all everything it sells for less our commission of 10% only charged after item sells. DEALER, WHOLESALER, MANUFACTURER? Open a FREE on-line store at our site with either auction or fixed price items. Once you list items, relisting is simple or even automatic. Go to special secret Dealers Only area for more information. http://MagicUSAAuctions.com/dealers.shtml HAVE A WEB SITE? FREE listings, FREE web wide Banner Exchange, FREE web wide WebRing, FREE web wide BoxAd Exchange, etc. Some of these categories will be limited in size so get in while you can. Contact us to trade banners as well. You will see us promoted on Robinson's All Magic and All Magic Guide, Meir Yedid's Magic Times as well as other sites and magic publications. We now come up on top on many search engines. This will insure new items being listed on a regular basis. NEW, NEW NEW. SAVE, SAVE, SAVE. Revisit regularly. Over hundreds of items added each week. ---------------------------------- 8. Johnny Ace Palmer - Lecture ---------------------------------- Message from Jeff Ezell (US) Just a quick reminder that World Champion Magician, Johnny Ace Palmer, will be lecturing on Wednesday, March 27th @ 7pm.The lecture will not be held at the store. Instead, I have secured a banquet room at the Ramada Inn Burbank. The increased fee for this lecture has nothing to do with the hotel because I was able to get the room competing exchange, I offered to do magic at their bar or restaurant for a day or two. Please call us at Mind Over Magic soon to reserve your seat because I believe this will fill up pretty fast! The phone # here is 818 562 1921. Johnny Ace Palmer's achievements in the world of magic are legendary. When Johnny earned the title of World Champion Magician in 1988, he was the first close-up magician in history to receive that award, called the Grand Prix. Johnny Ace Palmer was voted best close-up magician 2 years in a row as well as lecturer twice from the Magic Castle. For more info on Johnny, please visit his website@ www.johnnyacepalmer.com Seats for this lecture are $35 each and seating is unlimited...well the room will seat about 140.We will also have a drawing the night of the lecture to offer a refund to 3 people. Amazing!! The address for the Ramada Inn Burbank is as follows: RAMADA INN-BURBANK 2900 North San Fernando Blvd Burbank, CA 91504 818 843 5955 Please call the Ramada for directions or simply go to www.mapquest.com and click on driving directions. Just as a reference, the hotel is only about a mile from Mind Over Magic. It is off the 5 freeway at Buena Vista and San Fernando Blvd. Do not call them for reservations. Call us. Thanks and I'm looking forward to a great turn out for this lecture since Johnny does not lecture very often. ---------------------------------- 9. "Catching A Speeding Bullet...In The Teeth" ---------------------------------- Message from Pat-Trick (Aust) Dont Miss It!!!! Melbourne International Comedy Festival What A Malarkey IRISH Funnyman Pat-Trick Athenaeum Theatre MAR 28 TO APR20 Dark Mondays $22/18 188 Collins Street Melbourne BOOKINGS 9650 1500 or www.ticketmaster7.com Special Previews Tickets 28-31 March $16 Dangerously Funny! The Most Dangerous Stunt Performed for the 1st time in Australia in almost a century..."Catching A Speeding Bullet...In The Teeth" Fired From A 357 Calibre Magnum Revolver M Rated Comedy Magic for Mature Audiences Only www.pat-trick.com.au/comedyfestival2002.htm ---------------------------------- 10. Just Arrived Back In Australia ---------------------------------- Message from Duck Cameron (Aust) Just arrived back in Australia for a minute after 7 months working Hong Kong, Bali, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore performing for Hyatt International (close up & stage) and aboard two Star Cruises vessels (Taurus & Gemini) as the feature floorshow act. Fell in love with the lead dancer (as we magicians always seem to!) Miss Veronika Mishenko (principal Ukrainian ballet dancer), Proposed.... she said yes...(Yay!!!) and now back in Melbourne rehearsing a new show together for the next overseas adventure! Hope everyone I know but have not spoken to recently is well. A special thank- you to David Robinson (USA), Ricky Ozimo and Paul & Leanne Bowen (Aust) for all your help! ---------------------------------- 11. Michigan Magic Day ---------------------------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) Linking Ring columnist Peter Marucci and former SAM President Dan Garrett are on the program at Michigan Magic Day, in Lansing, Michigan, on Saturday, April 6. Marucci will be giving his newest lecture, Bizarre Magic, as well as performing in the close-up and evening shows. For information, contact: Chris Harper, AllHarpers@a1access.net ---------------------------------- 12. Daytona Magic Festival ---------------------------------- At the Daytona Magic Festival we've just booked some added talent. They are; Michael Ammar Michael Finney Harry Allen Dan Garrett Jay Mattiolli Mehdi Talbi Marty and Brenda Hahne Check daytonamagic.com for all details. ---------------------------------- 13. Web Designing Company For Magicians ---------------------------------- Message from Ken Reedy I have an offer that I think that you will like. I am a professional magician and I also run a web designing company. From time to time we run a special on giving away a free web page for a whole year. Well for magicians we are giving away 2 free web pages for 1 year. So if you are in need of a page or two to promote your magical talents then please go to my web site and see for yourself if this is for you. Now this is for a limited time so hurry. Thanks Ken Reedy webdesignersco.net webdesigners@kc.rr.com ---------------------------------- 14. Tommy Orchard - Upcoming TV spot ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi Wee bit of news. I received a phone call last week from Channel 4 television, here in the UK. They're putting a programme together, to be shown here in the UK some time in May (and throughout the world), which is titled 'WORLD'S 50 GREATEST MAGIC TRICKS'! - And they wish to include my version of the 'PSYCHIC SURGERY' (I call it the 'STRING THING'), which, according to some so-called 'experts' in magic, IS CONSIDERED - A 'CLASSIC'! Where in the hell do they find these aforementioned, SO-CALLED 'EXPERTS'! The production manager informed me that they have already been to the States and interviewed some of the 'TOP BOYS' over there - Lance Burton, Siegfried and Roy and quite a few others he rattled off whom I can't recall, so I am in good company. The nice part about it is, I do not have to perform (and they are going to pay me royalties - which at Equity rates, amounts to 'A BAG OF - PEANUTS'), they are going to use a clip from a live television show we did on Channel 4 back in 1987 (which put the Amazing ORCHANTÉ and Kim (Veronica) on the map here in the UK), from a New Show (at the time) called - 'THE LAST RESORT'~ series I show I I - hosted by a chap called Jonathan Ross. He came close to redecorating the studio floor when I got him to pull the string out! The entire studio audience was screaming, hysterically; it was the first time the 'psychic surgery' - 'string thing', had been seen on British television; created quite a sensation, it did, and caused some adverse comments from several UK magicians, making comments such as - ".. HE HAS TAKEN THE CAUSE OF MAGIC BACK A HUNDRED YEARS", as was published in the 'ABRACADABRA' magazine! What a pack of sad, ignorant bastards they are!!! Arrragh!! I am quite convinced that it was statements such as these that were the cause for my being snubbed by various magic conventions here in the U.K., as an International guest artist. I know that my late friend Ken Ward pushed several times to have me included at several conventions - Blackpool, Eastbourne etc. as one of New Zealand's professional variety/sight act entertainers. At the 18th Australian Convention of Magicians, held in Sydney 9th to 12th April, 1982, Dick and Diana Zimmerman, along with myself, were the only two International guest artists. Our performance (Veronica and I) received a standing ovation at its conclusion, led by my dear friend (Who was more like a Father to me), the late Maurie Rooklyn, (The Amazing Mr Rooklyn), which to me, speaks volumes. Oh, well, CE LA VIE, THEIR LOSS! .Take care, TOMMY Apples, Na -Pears, Na -- ORCHARD, Yep! MAD? - PROBABLY!!! ---------------------------------- 15. The Orchante Saga #71 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi Timaru - Big Stereo Sound, and a Top Country Singing Star! Driving on to Timaru In the Humber Super Snipe - with its long bonnet stretched out in front, was an absolute pleasure. It sat on the road as if it was glued to it and, it had a 'magic' switch called 'overdrive', which essentially was a 5th gear - when you flicked the switch 'on', the motor dropped by several revs and the car just rolled silently along. We, or rather the car, got many admiring glances! When I was describing the haunted house in Timaru (page 62, (now 86) 4th paragraph), I also mentioned that we shared the large parking space out the back with the St John's Ambulance station, which was next door. It didn't take long before they noticed the 'new?' car, with the 'Spick-and-Span, Showroom Gleam', in the yard. Now as you might imagine, their mechanics were top-notch - they had to be, keeping the ambulances mechanically sound and in perfect running order, so when it came to - "Open up the bonnet and lets have a look at it then", they were suitably impressed with all the chrome, saying - "It sure looks 'SNAZZY', but what does the engine sound like?" I said, "let me put it to you this way, the only way you can tell if the engine is running, or not - is to either stick your hand into the radiator fan or wrap your mouth around the exhaust pipe!" They stopped laughing when I fired it up. "Sounds like a Rolls Royce engine" they whispered, "you can't hear anything!" From then on, we were forever getting knocks on the back door with requests to, 'start up the engine' so that - 'so and so' could inspect the mechanical wonder and 'listen' to how an engine should really sound! 'Mechanics' !!! Back on page 36 (now p 50), headed -'A Perfect Storm Is Brewing In Paradise', I spoke about how I was a bit of a 'NUTTER', in regards to exotic, rather expensive stereo hi-fi systems. I had such a system, set up in the massive lounge room in Timaru. NOBODY, on 'Pain Of Death ', was allowed near it! If anybody wanted a particular record played, they had to get me to put it on for them. My 'record-player' wasn't your normal - 'stack 10 records and push the 'ON' button' type, it was a 'State Of The Art', 'Technics' direct drive turntable, with a separate 'Shure' S M E precision pick up arm (rated as the best in the world) fitted with a Broadcast Quality 'Stanton' phono magnetic cartridge (alternating with a 'Shure' V 15, type three); delicate, precision equipment, definitely not for the heavy - handed! The speakers were professional 'J B L' studio monitors; the bass speakers were 15 inch, and that is massive - it took two strong men to pick up just one of the speakers cabinets -they weighed a 'ton', it was a BIG sound! The professional 'Sansui' separate amplifier and pre-amplifier - rated at 110 Watt's r m s per channel, actually tested out at 150 watts a Ch.! Most people are happy with a 'normal' home stereo system of around 10/20 watts. I've always considered myself as normal - most people seem to disagree! One night, during a music session with some friends, there was a knock on the door - it was THE POLICE! No, it wasn't the neighbours complaining, THEY WERE, and demanded that I turn the volume down - THEY COULD HEAR MY MUSIC AT THE POLICE STATION, which was - oops, A BLOCK AWAY, on North Street! We were on King George St. I lowered the volume - FAST!!! Suzanne Prentice - A most attractive young lady and, one of New Zealand's Top Country Stars! Endowed with a Strong, Distinctive Voice, she had a huge recording hit called -'SNOWBIRD', which put her well and truly on the road to stardom. We haven't seen or heard of Suzanne for many years; in fact the last time was back in Australia when she appeared at the famous 'Tamworth International Country Music Festival' and caused quite a sensation there! We can't remember how we met Suzanne, more than likely on some show in the South Island; I think she lived in Invercargill. She used to drive - accompanied by her mother, up to Timaru - where I was giving her some therapeutic treatment, using hypnosis; can't remember why now, but even if I could, I wouldn't say, that's strictly confidential. One of my favourite songs from yesteryear is - 'The Wayward Wind', and I was always asking Veronica, who just happens have a nice singing voice herself, to sing it for me, along with 'High Noon', and 'The Man From Laramie', both from the films of the same name. I asked Suzanne if she knew 'The Wayward Wind' as I thought it would be a great song for her to cover, especially with HER powerful voice. She didn't, so I persuaded Veronica to sing it and teach her the words. I don't know if Suzanne ever got around to actually recording it commercially, but I did record (on reel to reel tape and cassette) Suzanne and Veronica singing together - playing their guitars for accompaniment, in our lounge room in Timaru. Fantastic! Wish I knew where Suzanne is now, I' d love to send her a copy - I think she would be 'tickled pink'! What 'magical memories' those old recordings bring back. ------------------------------------- 16. 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 ------------------------------------- 17. 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 and not those of MagicNZ. 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. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree that they will not hold MagicNZ and/or Alan Watson liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed herein. We reserve the right to edit, correct or, in our discretion, choose not to publish any submissions provided to MagicNZ for potential publication. MagicNZ welcomes readers to submit timely articles or news items which appear to be of interest to our readers. Those submitting to this e-zine agree that we have permission to publish their submissions and that they have the full copyright to the material submitted. All works published by MagicNZ are fully protected by international copyright as provided by law, and articles cannot be published for profit by anyone other than the individual author without the written permission of MagicNZ. >> This publication may be freely redistributed (but not sold) to other magicians if copied in its ENTIRETY including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer.<< © Copyright 2002 Alan Watson