* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand e-zine * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #155 Date: 19th January 2003 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. The Great Levante Commemorative Day 3. Hong Kong 2003 International Magic Convention 4. Thoughts And Prayers Are With Paul And Debbie Daniels 5. Invisible Lodge 6. Hazel Krock Passed Away 7. Lance Burton - "The Wedding Story" 8. Bits And Pieces From UK 9. The St. Louis Midwest Magic Jubilee 2003 10. "Mysterium" - Gold Coast Australia, Starring John Taylor 11. PCAM 2003 12. News From Paul Gordon & Natzler Enterprises 13. Tim Ellis And Sue Webster - Lecture In Burbank - FREE 14. Second Hand Books And Videos For Sale 15. Hello Guy And Cynthia 16. The Amazing ‘Orchante’ Saga - Page 144 17. Magic New Zealand e-zine archives 18. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Sean Taylor (Australia) tells me he’s had a terrific response for the Paul Daniels MasterClass on Saturday 8th February 10am - 5pm in Sydney. See you there! If you have not booked and you are planning to attend, I would suggest you contact Sean immediately as this is predicted to be a sell out event. Taylor's Magic Shop Tel. (02) 9411 6233 Fax. (02) 9419 8585 Shop 1, The Interchange, Chatswood 2067 taylorsmagicshop@aol.com ----------------------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. The Great Levante Commemorative Day ---------------------------------- Message from Steve Walker (Aust) Yes folks it's definitely on! The Great Levante Commemorative Day On Sunday next January 19th at Merlins Comedy Cellar in the Wentworthville Hotel, Station St, Wentworthville, Sydney, Australia. It starts at 10-30 AM and goes through to mid afternoon. You are the guest of the Geniis Magical Society who welcome you to a Magical start to the New Year to commemorate the 25 years that have past since the death of Australia's Premier Illusionist The Great (Les) Levante. The first 25 to arrive will receive a postcard Facsimile of The Great Levante "How's Tricks Poster" and a commemorative Stamp. Programmed events include: * An exclusive video interview with Levante by the late Peter Pitt when Les visited the Magic Castle * Hitherto unseen footage of Les "hanging out" with Vernon , Kuda Bux, Peter Pitt and Bill Larson * Personal Reminiscences and Memorabilia from Steve Walker's Collection including his Golf Shoes and the 70th Birthday present he received from the Australian Golf Club. Steve will also perform one of Les's Favourite Parlour Tricks * The Gramophone Record version of the Card Sword (if Alan Sullivan finds it amongst his large collection by then....come on Alan we know you have it) * Original Levante Posters on show * Brian McCullagh talks on Levante memorabilia * Levante Apparatus including his underwater escape handcuffs , his Ring in Nest of Boxes and his Burgandy Tail Suit * A door prize of a genuine (though not rare) Levante Poster plus an Autographed Photo * An audio visual presentation of the book "Levante: His Life No Illusion" by Kent Blackmore * Peter Rodgers will perform one of Levante's Favourite effects * Lunch of Pizza will be provided by the Geniis and drinks will be available at popular prices (well Bill Walsh likes them') Everyone is welcome so tell your friends and come along to share this magical get - together . Bring a trick, Close-up or Stand-up to perform and add to the fun See You There !!!!!! ------------------------------------ 3. Hong Kong 2003 International Magic Convention ------------------------------------- Message from Albert Tam (Hong Kong) The date of the Hong Kong 2003 International Magic Convention will be 28 - 30 March, 2003. The venue will be in Miramar Hotel and the gala show will perform in Sai Wan Ho Civic Center Theatre. We will have a website later and will send you more material by post. There maybe some friends from downunder  interested tour in Hong Kong and  also mainland China. ------------------------------------ 4. Thoughts And Prayers Are With Paul And Debbie Daniels ------------------------------------- Message from Tim Ellis & Sue-Anne Webster (Aust) Just a note to say our thoughts and prayers are with Paul and Debbie Daniels at this point. What a way to start the new year! We're good friends of Ali Bongo but have never "officially" met Paul & Debbie. We were looking forward to meeting up on his visit to Sydney but, unfortunately, we'll be lecturing throughout the USA in February. Hopefully all of the Aussies will ensure that Paul & Debbie have such a good experience downunder that they'll forget their troubles for a while. Hey! If you have to build a new house anyway... why not check out the real estate in Australia? *g* Anyway, all the best and thanks for sharing your story. Sounds like something for your next book! --------------------------------- 5. Invisible Lodge ---------------------------------- Message from John Miller (US) Members and prospective members of the Invisible Lodge will be interested in knowing that I/L meetings are being arranged for the coming events in 2003. The World Magic Seminar XXVI, Las Vegas, NV; 72nd Magic-Fest, Columbus, Ohio; 29th Winter Carnival of Magic, Gatlinburg, Tenn; IBM Convention, Kansas City, MO; SAM Convention, Las Vegas, NV; TAOM Convention, Lubbock, TX. For details on these meetings go to website www.invisiblelodge.org or invislodg@aol.com --------------------------------- 6. Hazel Krock Passed Away ---------------------------------- Message from Joe Gomez On Dec. 30th 2002 Mrs. Hazel Krock passed away in Fawcett Hospital, Port Charlotte, Florida. She had just turned 91 on the 3rd of December. Probably some of the older magicians may remember her. She was on the cover of the Linking Ring in May of 1957. That was the year that she retired as Executive Secretary and Treasurer of the I.B.M. She started as a personal secretary to W.W. Durbin who was the first elected President of the I.B.M. She then eventually became Executive Secretary to the I.B.M. in 1937. In 1940 she was also elected Executive Treasure for the organization. She worked for the I.B.M. for 25 years before retiring in 1957. All that knew her remembered her as a very pleasant and wonderful person to work with. Hopefully some of the older members will remember her. I have had the pleasure of knowing her for the last 20 years. --------------------------------- 7. Lance Burton - "The Wedding Story" ---------------------------------- Message from Wayne Bernath, Lance Burton’s Director of Publicity Lance Burton will appear on "The Wedding Story" on The Learning Channel at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22nd. (Check your local listings). His show "Lance Burton: Master Magician" is featured in the long-running afternoon TV show. ---------------------------------- 8. Bits And Pieces From UK ---------------------------------- Message from Peter Scarlett (UK) I am putting together a web site for The Magic Circle Centenary, which will give all the latest information together with a registration form. It will be on line from March 1st. The Magic Circle Christmas show ran from 27th to 30th December, 2 performances a day, and was a complete sell out for all eight performances. Close-up performances were given by Rajan, Mike Austin and Julian James - the stage show, produced by Peter Scarlett, featured Terry Seabrooke MC, Brian Sefton, Peter Wardell, Roy Davenport, Guy Barrett & Sarah. The British Ring of the IBM's annual Convention will be held in Southport from Thursday 25th September to Sunday 28th September. Full details will be given on as they become available. ---------------------------------- 9. The St. Louis Midwest Magic Jubilee 2003 ---------------------------------- Message from Terry Richison (US) Las Vegas Magic Comes to St. Louis!! The 39th Midwest Magic Jubilee will be hosted in St. Louis, Mo. on August 14 – 16, 2003. Never before has so many of America’s Greatest Magicians been assembled in one location. You’ve seen them on TV! Now you can see them live! Stars direct from Las Vegas, Atlantic City and all across the nation will be lecturing and performing their mystifying magic and side splitting comedy. The convention includes 11 different lectures, 3 Grand Stage Shows, 2 Close- up shows, stage and close-up contests. Included is a special Social Get-Together on Thursday so you can meet, talk with and pick the brains of Today’s Stars of Magic. A special mix of 15 dealers, by invite only, will be in attendance. Check out our website for more information or to register at www.mmjubilee.com or you can call us at 314-298-8300 or 1-800-899-8304 (outside Missouri). Spectacular Performances and Lectures by: Max Maven, Jay Sankey, Simon Lovell, Dan Garrett, Lee Asher, Mike Powers, Peter Marucci, Richard Hughes, Tony Miller, Terry Richison, Tom Jones and Rachel Wild, Jay Mattioli, Steve Bender, David Sandy Maria Schwietzer and some "Special Guests” Too! Registration: Early Bird Special -  $90 (before March 1, 2003)    $110 (until July 13, 2003)    $125 (after July 13, 2003) Register online or print the form from: www.mmjubilee.com . PayPal is accepted or mail checks to: Midwest Magic Jubilee c/o EME Steel 182 Northwest Industrial Ct. Bridgeton, MO 63044 ---------------------------------- 10. "Mysterium" - Gold Coast Australia, Starring John Taylor ---------------------------------- Message from Sam Powers (Aust) Being the magic junkie that I am, I couldn't resist flying up to the Gold Coast to see John Taylor's new show, "Mysterium" at the Mercure Resort. You can't miss it, with a huge illuminated bill board on the main road advertising "Mysterium" starring International Illusionist John Taylor. Not a bad crowd for a Monday night, with approximately 120 people, filling an auditorium with an intimate feel. The show commenced with a modern and up beat dance number with wicked looking costumes followed by the opening illusion, "Evolution". This is a slick looking shadow box type effect for the 21st century, designed by Chris Murphy at OZ Illusions. No time wasted, with the show progressing straight into the "Light Spiker" illusion. Now time to breathe, and absorb some of John's personality with card stab. I really enjoyed seeing how John is relaxing more into his persona, giving him a much more likeable and friendly feel on stage. Fast was the pace, whilst still allowing time to absorb the material, which reads like a show direct from Vegas; "Bow Staff" illusion, then the "Gilded Cage" followed by the "Twister" illusion. John's dancer's returned for a new number which moved into "Modern Art", the Himber rings, "Sidekick", "Pole Levitation", and a neat bit with a floating champagne glass, followed by a champagne effect from hand to hand. John Taylor closed the show with his original creation, "Suspended Animation" currently being sold worldwide by Bill Smith Magic Ventures Las Vegas. You really have to see it live to understand why it is one of the best versions of metamorphosis today. The audience reaction really kicked arse on this one, and it proved to be the perfect showstopper. Everything ran very smoothly and was flawlessly executed by John and his team. This is the first time I had seen John work in an environment with a decent percentage of children, and he really had them captivated til the very end. Full credit must be given to John and his company Mysterium Global Productions who produced and promoted the whole show, assisted by his gorgeous wife Margie. "Mysterium" is showing in the Sandpiper showroom from December 27 th rough to January 25, 2003. Adult $19.95. Children (4 -14 yrs) $9.95. Family (2 Ad & 2 Ch) $54.00. Bookings: 075 579 4442. If you want to see strong magic, laced with originality and featuring hot dancers, this is show is highly recommended. ---------------------------------- 11. PCAM 2003 ---------------------------------- Message from Shawn Farquhar - PCAM President As the President of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians I am looking for a few good acts to compete in the Pacific Rim Professional Magic Challenge. This is a people's choice award in stage magic and includes a beautiful gold medal and cash award of $1000.00 US. Second and third prizes are also awarded with Silver and Bronze medals along with cash awards of $600.00 and $400.00 respectively. The competition will take place during the PCAM 2003 convention in Coquitlam, BC Canada from July 31st until August 3rd. We have an incredible line up of talent including Oscar Munoz, Aldo Colombini, Diamond Jim Tyler, Jeff Mcleod, Sean Bogunia, John Shyrock and many more of my friends. In the Dealers room we will have folks like Showplace Magic from Utah, Daytona Magic from Florida, Kelvin Chun from Hawaii and a whole lot more. This is the 70th anniversary of the PCAM and I promise it will be an event to remember. Check out the website for more details on the contest and the convention www.magiChampion.com On a more personal note I read and was saddened by the news of my friend Richard Levin's health (my thoughts and prayers are with you) and of Paul and Debbie's flood. In 1984 I lost all that I owned in a devastating flood and learned the only thing I had left was my friends. Thank heavens for those friends who pulled me through that disaster and the next in 1988 when all that we had rebuilt was then lost in a fire. Floods, Fire....I sit often in my house awaiting the arrival of pestilence! Keep humor in your life and all will be well. ---------------------------------- 12. News From Paul Gordon & Natzler Enterprises ---------------------------------- Message from Paul Gordon (UK) Natzler Enterprises is ten today! See www.natzler.com/ten for info! Most of the UK press have noted this landmark; after all - Natzler Enterprises (owned by Paul Gordon) is the UK's most prolific 'complete magic services' company. Ten years of top magic supplies & services. Paul Gordon has a new blockbuster book (selling like hot-cakes) available (see www.natzler.com/pcmm), a new easy-to-do trick (see www.natzler.com/dazzler) and a whole bunch of NEW magic stuff at www.natzler.com. You can order from Australia/New Zealand/USA/UK/Anywhere; all at www.natzlermagic.com/acatalog. ---------------------------------- 13. Tim Ellis And Sue Webster - Lecture In Burbank - FREE ---------------------------------- Message from Jeff Ezell (US0 The Tim Ellis lecture date will be on Sunday January 26th 2003 @ 7pm. This will be the last lecture that I personally sponsor. It has been a lot of fun, but time to move on. So, I will be offering this lecture for FREE. (so tell everyone you know because there will not be a postcard for this one). It will be held at: Ramada INN-Burbank 2900 N San Fernando Blvd Burbank, CA 91504 Sunday Night @ 7pm (normally held on Mondays) For you sports fans...the Super Bowl should be over in time for you to make it. Don't forget that I said it will be a FREE lecture. The lecture will cover a large mass of effects to include: • Razorblade Eating • Cash to Credit Card • Credit Card Fax • Deckstress • Name Deckstress • Deathslates • Bill to Anything • Jazz Cards • Candle Tips • Thumbtip tips • Cellular Thinking • Seven Keys to Paradise • Shakespearean patter for the 3 Card Monte • The full rules and games of MagicSports • Essays on Strolling Magic and Floorshows • Three comedy pieces to amuse 'Magicians Only' and much more. Also, The mindblowing Soda Can Resurrection (Tim's authorized version of Anders Moden's 'Healed & Sealed') is available for your learning. This was done on Blaines last TV special. A visual miracle. Tim is coming from Australia to do this tour, so let's kick it off with the best crowd ever!!! Come one, come all!!! (you can visit his website @ www.MagicUnlimited.com) I look forward to seeing you there!!! FREE. No reservations needed. ---------------------------------- 14. Second Hand Books And Videos For Sale ---------------------------------- Message from Sefton Price (NZ) I'm selling dramatically below orginal purchase price. Interested parties contact: SPryce@xtra.co.nz for a complete list of Items Eg Books, Videos and Effects. ---------------------------------- 15. Hello Guy And Cynthia ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your well written article: ‘New Years Eve In Dubai’, in the Magic e –Zine last week. For the first time in my life, on a New Years Eve, I just had a quiet night here at home with Veronica, and watched the ‘Fun and Games’ (and crap), on TV. Although I haven’t worked for six years now, it still feels very strange not performing somewhere, for at least double fees, on the night! Enjoy and live your life to the full, savouring every moment, because sometime down the road, you too will find yourselves, for some reason or another, also sitting quietly at home on a New Years Eve, reminiscing about all those wonderful times and adventures, like those of Dubai that you have just experienced and written about. Take very good care of each other, --------------------------------- 16. The Amazing ‘Orchante’ Saga – Page 144 ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) A Nostalgic Walk Down Memory Lane The heading on page 143 should have stated: ‘We Prepare To Leave New Zealand…’ , as it was actually seven months later (after Eric asked us to join him), before we left for Fiji, although it didn’t seem like it as the time just flew by, because of the amount of work that kept us travelling to various hotels all over New Zealand, constantly voyaging back and forth between the North and South Islands, and relishing the beautiful, ever changing scenery of our country! The New Zealand segment of my Saga is drawing to a close, not that I won’t be revisiting from time to time, as I keep remembering stories and things that I have been meaning to write about, and didn’t get around to. I have decided, as the above title suggests, to go on a ‘Reminiscent, Nostalgic Memory Trip’, which will do great things for my heart and soul and will perhaps, be of interest to you. Browsing through my 1976 Diary, I find that the ‘Last Ever’ shows we performed in New Zealand was at the ‘Tudor Towers’ in Rotorua, from Monday 5th to Sat 10th of July 1976, and that we left just four days later, Wed.14th - for Fiji. Here then is a little of the history of Rotorua, and the Tudor Towers. Rotorua is situated about 50 miles west, inland from Whakatane, which is on the east coast of the Bay of Plenty of the north Island. Whakatane is where Veronica was brought up and, where we lived prior to departing for Fiji. Rotorua is affectionately known by the nickname of ‘Rotten -rua’ , because of the rather whiffy, to put it mildly, ‘rotten eggs’ smell that pervades your nostrils in and around the city. This is due to the sulphurous geothermal activity of the region; you get used to it, and it doesn’ t seem to bother the hordes of tourists. This unique thermal phenomena can most easily be observed in the Maori village of Whakarewarewa (pronounced/sounds like – ‘FAR CAR REWA REWA’) which is about a mile and a half south of Rotorua; it has numerous springs and three impressive geysers within a small area. In the Maori language, WH is pronounced as ‘F’ and A, is pronounced as ‘FAR’! Whakatane, for instance, is pronounced/sounds like: FAR CAR TAR KNEE. It is rather shameful just how many New Zealanders mispronounce Maori place names; it really is an insult! The majority of the town’s biggest hotels, and a large number of motels are located on, or just off Fenton Street, running north - south across the city. East of the northern end of Fenton Street is the magnificent Government Gardens (it lies directly on the shores of Lake Rotorua), which include a park and sports grounds. The most eye catching feature in Government Gardens is the – ‘Tudor Towers’. Built in 1908, the old half - timbered bathhouse of Rotorua, was styled after the bathhouse of ‘Bad Nauheim’ in Germany. Half - timbered construction was cheaper than a stone building, which is more liable to damage in an earthquake, and there are plenty of those in the whole region. A new spa establishment opened in the1960s, called the ‘Polynesian Pools’, which are situated behind and to the right of the Tudor Towers. It’s particular attraction is the ‘Three Pools’, which are supplied with water from three different springs, each with it’s own special thermal content and varying temperatures. Although the sulphurous waters of the pools are still regarded as useful in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatism, most visitors and locals enjoy them as a pleasant form of relaxation – guaranteed to soothe frayed nerves, relax the body and ensure a good night’s sleep! Also a great place to take a ‘Bird’, to get her into a nice, relaxed and amorous mood, as many a kiwi bloke, or woman for that matter, will tell you! The former bathhouse (The Tudor Towers) now contains the ‘Natural History Museum of Rotorua’, and the City Art Gallery, including Maori Art. Upstairs is a large function room, which is where I used to entertain quite regularly. It gives me quite a strong sense of pride to think that we used to perform our show(s) amongst all that history; gives me a nice sort of a warm glow, now, thinking about it. Next, I’m going to list a string of hotels (that may ‘ring a bell’ for many ‘Kiwi’s), that we worked prior to leaving our home, New Zealand, for many - far, far too many, years. As I said at the beginning, this is a ‘Nostalgic Memory Kick’ for me, before I start on the Fiji / Australia segment of my sag ------------------------------------- 17. Magic New Zealand e-zine archives ------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand 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: magic Password: kiwi When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999) Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. ------------------------------------- 18. 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 Magic New Zealand e-zine: www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html Magic New Zealand e-zine is published weekly, on Sunday. The opinions expressed in this e-zine are those of the individual contributors and not those of Magic New Zealand. Neither Magic New Zealand or Alan Watson can vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand e-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree that they will not hold Magic New Zealand 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 Magic New Zealand for potential publication. Magic New Zealand 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 Magic New Zealand 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 Magic New Zealand. >>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 2003 Alan Watson