* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #198 Date: Sunday 14th September 2003 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com www.alan-watson.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor’s Message 2. ALERT!!! ALERT!!! ALERT!!! 3. Charles Reynolds To Receive Parent Assembly Honor 4. Exposure or Not? - Scott Wells 5. It Was Not Exposure - Geoff Maltby 6. Wonder Workshop Berlin News 7. “Magic In Las Vegas" Update - September 2003 8. Comedy Knockout Comedy Club Presents 9. Dante Fund Update 10. SEAM Convention - September 18, 19, 20, 2003 11. MARTINKA.COM Auction Begins September 15th 12. Harakhan Products In Japan Address? 13. Carl Carlson, Noted Magician And Juggler Passed Away 14. "Lounge Wizard" - Melbourne 15. Aldo Colombini - South Africa September 21 to 28 16. Back From Vanuatu 17. Magic on the Beach IX 18. Texas Association Of Magicians (TAOM) 19. My New Books 20. David Blaine's Claims And His Starvation Stunt 21. 9th IBM Magic Fiesta 2003 22. The Miser's Giveaway - Peter Marucci 23. The Amazing ‘Orchante’ Saga - Vol. Two - The Australian Years 24. e-zine archives 25. Subscription Management ------------------------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Re:“Secrets of Magic” TV show. I would like to make some corrections to last weeks issue as follows: Etienne Pradier was not the host of “Secrets of Magic” - Nick Knowles (a non-magician) was the host. Also, Simone Bienne was another magician on the show who was not mentioned in the list of magicans last week. John Lenahan is an American and Etienne is French and not English. I received more than 700+ messages regarding the poll.  Most could not view the program because they did not have a high speed internet connection. A large number of these messages also stated that they wished to view the program before casting their vote. The results of the poll (which is now closed) is as follows: Does the "Secrets of Magic" TV program screened in England constitute exposure? (Yes 111 - 81.6%) (No 25 - 18.3%) Do you think the participants of the program should be shunned by the magic community? (Yes 79 - 68.1%) (No 37 - 31.9%) Has "Secrets of Magic" Harmed Magic In Any Way? (Yes 85 - 71.4%) (No 34 - 28.5%) I have published two messages “for” and “against”. “for” - Geoff Maltby,  executive editor and publisher since 1970 of 'Club 71 magazine - (refer item 5) who is willing to send a free copy of the September issue of his magazine to all subscribers of Magic New Zealand e-zine. “against” - Scott Wells, A.I.M.C. with Silver Star Vice-President - World Alliance of Magicians (W.A.M.) (refer item 4) -------------------------------- Australia and New Zealand Linking Ring Parade Message from Tony Wilson IBM International President-Elect (2003-2004) I would like to invite expressions of interest from magicians living in Australia and New Zealand that would like to contribute to a Linking Ring Parade to be published in the Linking Ring Magazine when I am President between July 2004 and July 2005. Thank you Alan for agreeing to co-ordinate this project as you made such a great job of a similar task with KIWI MAGIC published in the November 1998 Linking Ring. Would you mind asking any prospective contributors to contact you direct to obtain further details so they can start writing their respective items? Phil Wilmarth has agreed to publish a completed parade of up to 30 pages as long as he receives it three months ahead of publication date. Ideally I would like it to be in his hands by March 1st next year. -------------------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ---------------------------------- 2. ALERT!!! ALERT!!! ALERT!!! ---------------------------------- Message from Bob Bohm Everyone immediately contact Lynn Peters at the Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau in Appleton, Wisconsin (lpeters@foxcities.org)and let her know your displeasure with the historical museum's plans for the Houdini Exhibit. Let her know your plans of visiting Appleton will be indefinitely postponed if they are to support the museum's project. Now let me tell you what has prompted this urgent request. The Historical Museum in Appleton, Wisconsin, plans to build an exhibit that reveals the secret to the Metamorphosis. A meeting was held recently between the museum board, a group of local magicians and the Tourism bureau to discuss the museum's plans. The tourism board has pledged $200,000 towards the construction of the exhibit and may be awarding the money to them very soon. Without this money the museum will not have enough to go ahead with the project. The museum basically blew off the recommendation of substituting the Metamorphosis for the Strait Jacket as I had proposed and outlined to them several months ago. They are set in their plans to go ahead with the Metamorphosis. The tourism board has decided they will go ahead with their donation since they have not heard from very many people objecting to the plan. SO...We must let them know tourism to the city will be greatly jeopardized if they go ahead with their donation to the museum. Not only will we not visit Appleton but will discourage our friends and relatives to do so as well. We've tried to be nice, we've even made logical and well thought-out recommendations but the museum is not budging. It's time to go after the only thing they seem to listen to the money. Again, let Lynn Peters know you don't approve of the museum's plans and it will reflect in your vacation decisions in the future. However if the museum were to accept the suggestion of changing the exhibit to the Strait Jacket you may then want to come see this historical city. Now get to emailing Lynn Peters in Appleton. Please do it today! Sincerely, Bob Bohm ---------------------------------- 3. Charles Reynolds To Receive Parent Assembly Honor ---------------------------------- Message from George Schindler (US) September 10, 2003 At the last meeting of the Society of American Magicians, Parent Assembly #1 Mr. Charles Reynolds was voted 2004 "Magician of the Year". The award will be presented at the Assembly's annual "Salute to Magic" show on April 3, 004 in New York City. Mr. Reynolds has been a member of the Society for over 40 years and is known around the world as a magic consultant for Broadway and off Broadway shows, films and TV commercials. His work on Merlin with Doug Henning was widely acclaimed. Reynolds earned many award both here and abroad and with his wife Regina at his side has elevated the art of magic. More information to be announced. ---------------------------------- 4. Exposure or Not? - Scott Wells ---------------------------------- Message from by Scott Wells, A.I.M.C. with Silver Star Vice-President - World Alliance of Magicians (W.A.M.) The BBC recently televised “The Secrets of Magic” in the U.K. and true to the title, they did reveal secrets. I received a videotape of the show that was made available to me for private viewing and not for commercial use. Walter Blaney and I watched the tape together and came to the same conclusion…there was exposure on this TV show. I might as well say that up front so there is no surprise at the end of this review. A kind of exposure in and of itself, wouldn’t you say? Why wait until the end of the book to find out “whodunit”? Why not say right up front in the first chapter and save the reader the time of trying to figure out something on his own? But maybe I am getting ahead of myself. The concept of the program (I refuse to call it a "special" because there was nothing special about it) was that three U.K. celebrities were to guess methods employed by magicians in a series of tricks. After each trick was completed, the celebrities gave their guesses then the program game show host gave a multiple choice of four possible methods including “none of the above.” The guests made their selections again, this time based on the multiple choices, and then the audience was given a chance to make their guesses through individual touch pads. The tallies were registered and displayed then the magicians revealed the method(s) they used to fool them. This was the theme that continued throughout the hour broadcast as four magicians presented nearly a half dozen illusions both large and small. After the method(s) were revealed, the host came back to see how the celebrities and audience faired with their guesses. The magicians then presented the same trick, or one similar, employing a completely different method and again fooled everyone. The show opened with an overhead picture-in-picture of a cabinet that exposed the method as the host “magically” appeared. It was explained that only the home viewers could see this view so the audience was fooled, no…entertained, then it went downhill from there. In one illusion, two metal “tunnels” were placed on either side of a glass mirror as a woman walked “through” the mirror and out the other side with a signed handkerchief. The exposed method was the use of twins and thread that pulled the silk around the mirror. In another, coins vanished then appeared in a covered chalice. The method exposed a gimmicked glass, foil coins and a hidden assistant who made the noise. Then we were taken to a train station where a random card was selected, vanished then reappeared on the inside of a window of an arriving train. The convoluted method employed a stooge who snapped a picture of the card on her cell phone, then called the accomplice on the train who stuck a duplicate card on the window. The vanish was done with the help of the same stooge who was the last to feel the card under the hanky as she took the card. In another segment, a ring was borrowed, placed in a glass on the table, covered with a box, vanished then appeared inside a baby’s rattle on the other side of the table. This method employed a very complex system under the draped table employing cables, little cabbies, wires, magnets and…well, basically a “Rube Goldberg” contraption. The big illusion of the night was a guy who jumped off a four-story precipice in the studio and fell to the floor behind a curtain draped near the last ten feet. The drape was whisked away to show the guy getting up off the floor apparently unharmed. The method was a body-double switch then a leap through a trap door onto a soft cushion, the trap doors then shut, and the original guy laid on the floor as the curtains dropped. The program itself was slow and, as a magician, I felt it was devoid of entertainment except for the tricks that were left unexplained. At one point one of the celebrities was obviously getting bored, disgusted and embarrassed about being on the panel when he said. “Three years of drama school for this.” At another point when one of the multiple choices was “dummy duplicate” as a method employed as a possibility for an illusion, the same guest referred to it as a “celebrity” duplicate. To me, those adlibs were the two best lines in the whole show. I found it interesting that there was never any general consensus on how the tricks were done. Even when given a short list of possibilities, the people were apparently fooled…until the trick was revealed. Even the celebrities faired poorly with two of them getting one point each and the other not getting any correct answers. I guess the concept was that even armed with a little knowledge, a magician can still fool you. And perhaps that is the argument of those who would defend this show. But my position is that any method revealed will erode the mystery and forever after give the audience a method, regardless of how wrong it might be. They still have a method. They may not know how this or that magician did a particular trick, but 1) at least they now know one method so they could recreate it themselves, 2) it cheapens our art and brings it down to a lower level of a commonality, 3) it deflates the audience’s opinion of magician’s in general by describing simple methods and making them feel like simpletons for not figuring it out, and 3) they have forever lost their childlike wonder. That they can never get back. You can never renew someone’s faith in St. Nicholas once they are told of his non-existence. The Magic Circle’s motto is “Indocilis Privata Loqui” which loosely means “apt not to disclose secrets.” This recent assault on magic’s secrets must certainly be raising a storm within the organization since some of those intimately involved in this TV program are respected members of this prestigious organization. I guess my question is, “What degree of exposure is acceptable?” Can someone be a “little” pregnant? Certainly there are secrets available to the general public. Anyone can access them through the public library in books or the Internet, but it takes some research and desire. It’s not just “thrown” at them while they sit in front of the “telly” surfing among the channels. The secrets exposed on this show were, in part, some of the secrets employed in other tricks. It wouldn’t be much of a “leap” for a non-magician to think that one method can transfer to another trick (i.e. doubles in the case of the exposure of twins or the switching of stunt doubles). There was nothing here that hinted at educating the audience so they would not be fooled by con artists. There was no statement that magicians can fool you regardless what you know. There was only the promise that more of these programs are in the works and coming to the BBC soon. We can only hope that they received a poor ratings share and this ugly chapter in a big book will soon come to an end. ---------------------------------- 5. It Was Not Exposure - Geoff Maltby ---------------------------------- Message from Geoff Maltby (UK) I am executive editor and publisher since 1970 of 'Club 71 magazine for the Magician', which you receive every month. A copy of the current issue (September) is already half way between the mother country and Kiwi Land - on its way to you. It includes a review of the programme 'Secrets of Magic' by Editor Walt Lees. I agree entirely with his view expressed in the review that it was not exposure. I saw the show myself when it was broadcast and regarded it as a series of sucker effects - exposing the secret, but then immediately doing it again and fooling the audience by using a different and better method. In my view it was a well done programme. I have earned my living as a full time magic dealer ('Repro Magic' in England) for 34 years, and acted as magical consultant and advisor for trade shows, west end theatre and television and am not ashamed to admit that while I have a few guesses as to how the effects were pulled off, several fooled me completely. Exposure - I think not. If any Magic New Zealand subscriber would like a free copy of this issue the 84 page magazine with the review of the programme I will send them a copy on receipt of an email with a snail mail postal address if they mention 'Alan Watson' Kind regards Geoff geoff@repromagic.co.uk ---------------------------------- 6. Wonder Workshop Berlin News ---------------------------------- Message from Ted Lesley (Germany) One of the Grand Masters of Magic and performers in the last century was without any doubt PUNX His full evening shows were unforgettable masterpieces of theater. A lot of people are still talking about PUNX and his incredible magic. His finale trick was a piece of art and its real secret was revealed to a few of his friends only. The great Master finished his performance with soap bubbles, which he manipulated like his well known billiard-ball trick. The props for this act were hard to find, until we discovered the craftsman, whose father actually built the props for PUNX. We decided to make a strictly limited edition of 150 exact duplicates of the original Punx outfit for our customers. If you want to know more about these outstanding props, which will become "collector’s items" in a short while click this link to our webpage http://www.wonderworkshop.de/guest/cgibin/cgimap.cgi?cmd=shop&lan=ENG&show=1074 ---------------------------------- 7. “Magic In Las Vegas" Update - September 2003 ---------------------------------- Message from David Neubauer (US) “Magic In Las Vegas" (And Related Arts) Update For Sept 2003 Playing Until Further Notice: Afternoons: Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas - Tropicana. Mac King Comedy Magic Show - Harrah's. Ronn Lucas and Friends (Vent) - The Man Who Can Make Anything Talk - Rio. EVENINGS: Amazing Johnathan with various magician openers - Flamingo. (Dark Thurs) Andre-Phillipe Gagnon (Impressionist) - Paris Las Vegas. Danny Gans - (Impressionist) - The Mirage. Dr. Scott's Outrageous Comedy Hypnosis Show. Monday nights - Riviera. Greek Isles: That's Magic Show. Jayden LaCross - TGI Fridays (Wednesdays - Sundays). Jamie Porter's Radio Side Show - every Saturday @ 5 am, KLAV FM 1230. La Femme - Various magicians (see schedule below) - MGM Grand. Lance Burton, Master Magician - Lance Burton Theater - Monte Carlo. Larry G. Jones - Man of 1002 Voices (Free w/$3 drink) - Fitzgeralds (5 pm). Michael Close - Houdini's Lounge - Monte Carlo Tuesday - Thursday. Outback Steakhouse (Green Valley) - Erik Allan, Friday & Saturday. Penn & Teller - Rio Samba Theatre. Richard Muna & Co. - Fox City Show - Tropics Lounge, Tropicana. Scott Lewis (Hypnotist) "Mindblowers" - Riviera's Le Bistro Theatre 11:30p.m. Mondays. Showgirls of Magic - San Remo. Siegfried & Roy - Mirage. Simon Winthrop - Casino Royal. Steve Dacri - Xtreme Close-Up Magic - Sazio, Orleans V - The Ultimate Variety Show - Hobson is MC additional magic with Nathan Burton and Sarah - Venetian. NEWS: The World's Greatest Magic Show will open at the Sahara on October 15th with 7 to 8 World-Class Magicians doing their best 10 minutes each. Talent coordinator is Kevin James. Dirk Arthur is moving his "New Art of Magic" to the Plaza with a target opening day of September 24. He has been consumed with measuring the stage and wing space of the 1971 showroom to figure out how he's going to pack in the tigers, leopards, ducks, cars and helicopters used in his show. "Everything is going to seem so big," Arthur says of the "classy, vintage showroom" with a 30 foot-wide stage. The backstage logistics will be "kind of like a huge jigsaw puzzle, but the good thing is the illusions will appear to be absolutely gigantic." Steve Dacri has moved his show from Brendan's Pub in The Orleans. He has relocated literally next door, in a special functions room at Sazio. He reopens in the new spot as a dinner show on September 12. The price goes up in the process, to $50 (plus tax). "Mindblowers" is set for a limited run starting September 15, at the Riviera's Le Bistro Theatre 11:30 p.m. Mondays. Producer Scott Lewis is the hypnotist and hopes to cross-promote a show similar to "Shock," which he co-produces at Bourbon Street on weekends. Lewis describes "Mindblowers" as "a supernatural variety show," heavy on mentalism and stunts, such as Lewis standing on the stomach of a hypnotized female assistant lying across two chairs. Lance Burton, Clint Holmes, Mac King and Michael Goudeau will bring magic, song, juggling and comedy to the stage of Sam's Town Live! on Boulder Highway at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. Cocktails, dinner with pianist Michael Spadoni performing, the show, a silent auction and a raffle will benefit Boys & Girls Club of Henderson & Variety Club Tent #39. Tickets to the red carpet gala event are $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of 10, call 702-249-0341. Mirage headliner Danny Gans is paying tribute to Sept. 11 heroes with a free show Thursday for 1,200 local firefighters and police. Melinda the First Lady of Magic is a first-time mommy. Baby boy Mason Ray Evensvold, at 6 pounds, 15 ounces, arrived Aug. 24 and "it's the best magic that's happened in my life," said Melinda, a Siegfried and Roy dancer before her 18-year run as the world's most beautiful magician. "He looks so much like my husband (Mark Evensvold) that's he's a mini-Mark." SEPTEMBER, 2003 September 11-18 Amazing Johnathan on vacation. September 12: Re-opening of Steve Dacri - Xtreme Close-Up Magic - Sazio, Orleans. September 12: Hypnotist show "Sex Strikes Back" opens in a 400-seat showroom - inside the Sapphire strip club. September 13-16: Las Vegas Magic Invitational IS SOLD OUT! - San Remo. Apollo Robbins, Armando Lucero, Bob Fitch, Bob Kohler, Chris Korn, Curtis Kam, Danny Archer, Daryl, David Neighbors, David Roth, Dean Dill, Eugene Burger, Garret Thomas, Geoff Latta, Geoff Williams, Jamy Ian Swiss, Jeff McBride, Joe Givan, Kainoa Harbottle, Martin Nash, Michael Rubenstein, Nathan Kranzo, Reed McClintock, Robert Allen, Shoot Ogawa, Simon Lovell and more. Info: http://www.LVMI.net - SOLD OUT! September 15: Hypnotist Scott Lewis "Mindblowers" - Riviera's Le Bistro Theatre 11:30 p.m. Mondays September 17: Coinvention - San Remo Dean Dill, Kainoa Harbottle, Curtis Kam, Bob Kohler, Reed McClintock, David Neighbors, Shoot Ogawa, David Roth, Michael Rubenstein and more. Info and registration: http://www.LVMI.net September 19-24: Jason Byrne opens for Amazing Johnathan - Flamingo. September 24: Dirk Arthur Show (formerly at Silverton) opens at the Plaza. September 25-October 8: David Copperfield - MGM Grand. September 26-October 1: TBA opens for Amazing Johnathan - Flamingo. OCTOBER, 2003 October: Gaetan Bloom and the Quiddlers - La Femme - MGM Grand. October 2-9: Amazing Johnathan on vacation. October 10-14: Christopher Hart opens for Amazing Johnathan - Flamingo. October 15: The World's Greatest Magic Show will open at the Sahara. October 17-31: Kevin James and Arturo open for Amazing Johnathan - Flamingo. October 26: Treasure Island or TI opens new show "Sirens of TI" to replace Pirate Battle show. The new show will involve female performers who will battle with a band of male pirates. (Don't tell anyone, but the girls will win over the male pirates.) Present pyrotechnics and ship - sinking sequence will remain. October 29 - Nov. 2: Las Vegas Comedy Festival - Stardust: http://www.lasvegascomedyfestival.com/htmls/lvcf.html NOVEMBER, 2003 November: Kevin James and the Quiddlers - La Femme - MGM Grand. November 1-12: John Cassidy opens for Amazing Johnathan - Flamingo. November 13-20: Amazing Johnathan on vacation - Flamingo. DECEMBER, 2003 December: Kevin James and the Quiddlers - La Femme - MGM Grand. December 17: Amazing Johnathan's final show at the Flamingo. January 2004 January: The Quiddlers and Stephan Vanel - La Femme - MGM Grand. APRIL, 2004 April 2004: New Cirque du Soleil show opening in the old EFX Theater – MGM Grand. ---------------------------------- 8. Comedy Knockout Comedy Club Presents ---------------------------------- Message from Melissa McCullagh (Aust) AUDITIONS Comedy Knockout Comedy Club presents Search For a Funny Bone…. Calling for stand-up comedians, variety acts, magicians anyone as long as it’s FUNNY!!!! Register at www.comedyknockout.com cash prize $500 and more to be announced Or email Melissa McCullagh comedy@comedyknockout.com ---------------------------------- 9. Dante Fund Update ---------------------------------- Message from Phil Temple – Chairman The Dante Memorial Fund Channing Pollock and P.C. Sorcar, Jr. of India are the latest superstars of magic to donate to the Dante Memorial Fund. Prior to his appearance in the San Francisco Bay Area on August 30th, Sorcar, Jr. visited the San Francisco Columbarium where he taped a news segment for broadcast on TV. in Calcutta, India. Since the Fund began on June 1st of this year, more than $9,000 in donations have been received. The projected Fund goal is $13,000. ---------------------------------- 10. SEAM Convention - September 18, 19, 20, 2003 ---------------------------------- Message from Charlie Fenn If you are in the area, don't forget the great SEAM Convention on September 18, 19, 20 2003 at the fabulous Chattannooga Choo Choo Hotel in (guess where) Chattannooga, Tennessee. For more details, please go to www.seam2000.org for details. Hope to see you there! ---------------------------------- 11. MARTINKA.COM Auction Begins September 15th ---------------------------------- Message from Ted Bogusta The next martinka.com auction will be online from September 15th - 21st. The Auction will include a wide range of material which will be of interest to both collectors and performing magicians. There will be posters, tokens, apparatus and ephemera in all price ranges. Some rare items include Doug Henning's Card Sword, a Great Lafayette artifact and the manuscript for Thurston's autobiography. There's vintage apparatus from P&L, Thayer, Martinka, Merv Taylor and Taytelbaum to name a few. Also dozens of vintage and modern books. And finally old and new videos and DVDs at bargain prices. Many items will be sold without reserve. The items will be available for viewing and bidding beginning Monday September 15th by visiting: www.martinka.com/auction. To bid and receive updates, please register if you have not already by visiting: www.martinka.com/auction . Martinka & Co., Inc. has been buying and selling vintage magic for over 100 years and was once owned by Houdini. They are now accepting consignments for the November magic auction, if you have items that you would like included, please contact Ted at magic@martinka.com or (212) 279-6079. Ted Bogusta www.martinka.com Martinka & Co., Inc ---------------------------------- 12. Harakhan Products In Japan Address? ---------------------------------- Message from Dick Barry Hopefully someone out there can give me the current address or telephone number of Harakhan Products in Japan. Harakhan is the maker of many excellent magic props, such as the vanishing and appearing canes, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dick Barry e-mail: dickbarrymagic@aol.com ---------------------------------- 13. Carl Carlson, Noted Magician And Juggler Passed Away ---------------------------------- Message from Milt Larsen (US) Just got word that Carl Carlson, noted magician and juggler passed away yesterday due to injuries sustained in a fall in his home. He was a lifetime member of the Academy of Magical Arts (Magic Castle). This year's It's Magic! shows have now been set. For information regarding locations, performers and dates check www.itsmagic.org This year is a record with different Southern California venues. Milt Larsen has been producing the show annually since 1956. ---------------------------------- 14. "Lounge Wizard" - Melbourne ---------------------------------- Message from Ross Skiffington (Aust) Just a note to say that I am just back from interstate where I was making a new model car appear "by magic" at the very exclusive Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast. Quite an elaborate set up with the appearance of the car getting audible gasps, then cheers, and throughout our main illusion show, spontaneous rounds of applause. A considerable team effort and the client were thrilled to pieces. Accolades and bouquets all round. I am currently rehearsing for my show "Lounge Wizard" at the Clocktower Centre, Moonee Ponds in Melbourne for 2 performances only on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th September at 8 pm. It's 2 hours of magic, characters and chaos and since writing it for Capers Dinner Theatre here in Melbourne we have played it in Sydney, Orange and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival where we were declared one of the hits! Really looking forward to doing it again as we have re-staged the show for the theatre and the venue is a great example of regional investment in the Arts. The local council have transformed their ancient town hall into a very handsome, versatile, functional performing arts centre. I believe it is also good for magic that our show is included in their subscription season alongside opera, drama and companies like The Bell Shakespeare Company. It puts "magic" into the "arts" arena and hopefully elevates the perception of magic. I am also pleased to inform interested readers that I will be re-joining The Bell Shakespeare Company next year for 6 months performing in "The Comedy of Errors." I have incorporated magic into this production of the Shakespeare classic and play a couple of characters including Dr Pinch, referred to in the play as "a conjurer". It broke all box office records for the Company and we are touring Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Hobart. Dates for New Zealand are not yet confirmed but I will let readers know. ---------------------------------- 15. Aldo Colombini - South Africa September 21 to 28 ---------------------------------- Message from Aldo Colombini Magical (US) I'll be going for the first time in South Africa September 21 to 28 for two lectures and two shows and then in October I have 24 lectures in 27 days in the east coast of USA. ---------------------------------- 16. Back From Vanuatu ---------------------------------- Message from Ken Bates (NZ) Alan I have just got back from Vanuatu where we had a smashing time. Paul came over for the last ten days we had a lot of fun doing what you and I did last year - doing shows at the village schools, in the market place and making balloons for everyone. This year we went to the local Port Villa hospital and spent a lot of time in the children's ward and in A+E where there was always a queue of 30 to 40 people waiting. We made everyone a balloon hat or a animal of some sort. We in NZ don’t know how lucky we are with the medical care we get. If you are in the Port Villa hospital your family have to feed you and help with keeping the place clean. Anyway we brought a little happiness to the children of Vanuatu thanks to Don and Donna at the Waterfront they wished to be remembered to all their magic friends in NZ and said they will be over for the convention next year. ---------------------------------- 17. Magic on the Beach IX ---------------------------------- Message from Rick Del Vecchio - Chairman The Syd Bergson, IBM Ring 45, Miami, Florida will present their 9th annual convention; Magic on the Beach, November 14, 15 & 16, 2003. Booked, (2002 Las Vegas Magician of the Year) Ayala & Tanya, Sylvester the Jester, Rich Bloch, Guy Bavli, Docc Hilford & Jahn Gallo. Complete details and online registration at: www.ring45.com or email rickydee@aol.com ---------------------------------- 18. Texas Association Of Magicians (TAOM) ---------------------------------- Message from Chun Texas Association of Magicians (TAOM) 2003 Lubbock Convention News: 2003 TAOM CONTEST WINNERS! Senior Stage: Kelvin Y. S. Chun from Honolulu, HI Senior Comedy: Jim Wicker from Arlington, TX Senior Close-up: Dave Elliott from Carrollton, TX Junior Close-up: Evan O'Quinn from San Antonio, TX Upcoming Conventions: 2004 Houston, Texas 2005 San Antonio, Texas ----------------------------------  19. My New Books ---------------------------------- Message from Tony Binarelli (Italy) I have 3 books in English to sell a) my Lecture Notes Las Vegas World Magic Seminar Las Vegas 2000 pag. 30 for 5 new effects: - Read The Pen - The Dream - Card Across - X Files - The Signature And two all with original effects with ANGLO CARDS, there new deck of cards, format half normal Jumbo. USA Dollars 25.= Plus Air Mail Postage B) The Is No Trick ! Pag. 26 With 11new Effects: Latin Lover Opener 2002- The Pen And The Sword- Super X Files Deck - Pollicino - Double X - Single X - Brain X - Esp 2003 - Card Across - Super Mind Deck - A La David Toyland, As Gift, 3 Special Cards. USA Dollars 30.= Plus Air Mail Postage C) The New Card Magic Pag.38 - Picture 48 - With 13 Effects: The Angry Card - The Four Aces - Three Faults...To Reach A Success! - The Wandering Card - After Max Maven Style - A Card Caught By A Sword On The Spot - The Triple Card In Wallet (Without Palming) The Spectators Telepathy - The Self Sufficient Cards - The Immaginary Card Or Psychic Power - ...And The Card Restores Itself ! - The Vanishing - The Book Test - And With 3 Special Cards And One Anglo Cards Deck (52 Cards And 2 Jokers) The Price Is USA Dollars 45.=Air Mail Postage All 3 Books ($30 + 30 + 45 = $105.00 = Plus Air Mail Postage) For Yours Readers Special Price USA Dollars 95.= Plus Air Mail Expenses $10.=) The Payment With Post International Money Order To Antonio Binarelli Via Giuseppe Valmarana 40 - 00139 Roma - Italy ---------------------------------- 20. David Blaine's Claims And His Starvation Stunt ---------------------------------- Message from Tim Quinlan Jesus fasted for forty days in the desert following his baptism in the river Jordan. (MT 4:1-2; LK 4:1-2; MK 1:12-14). David Blaine aims to outdo Jesus by four days above the River Thames. It is hard to write a negative column about a magician on a webpage that decided long ago to always be positive and supportive of magic and magicians. But I feel compelled, for a lot of reasons, to at least discuss the Blaine Fasting Fiesta here. Inside Magic does include information about religious magic (of all faiths) and certainly has covered Mr. Blaine extensively in the past. Inside Magic was a tremendous supporter of Mr. Blaine’s Mysterious Stranger book and urged readers to get a copy as soon as possible. The following is a very critical column. I am not a pure, good person. But I have very strong objections to David Blaine's recent statements equating himself with Jesus Christ and to his latest demonstration -- starvation. Starvation is not a proper subject for a magic act. Claiming to be a magician just like Jesus Christ, is too much. Now the disclaimer: I am not holier than thou or even holier than Mr. Blaine. I am not good or sinless. I am not beyond the need for God’s grace in my life and I am well-aware that but for that grace, I would get exactly what I deserve. Fortunately, though, God has promised that grace to me and secured his love for me and us by the cross of Christ. Now, we get heavy. I’m Irish-Catholic and was therefore interested in the hunger strike of the famous H-Block prisoners in Belfast. On the average, these men lasted about 50 days without food or water as they protested their imprisonment and their political belief that England should leave Northern Ireland. Saying that I am Irish-Catholic and that I was interested did not and does not mean I support the IRA. I didn’t and don’t, and when I was in Northern Ireland I had a chance to meet a gunrunner and told him just that. (I wasn’t that smart a guy back then but I escaped unharmed). There was one prisoner on H-Block that garnered much attention here in the states named Bobby Sands. He lasted 66 days without food or water. He did not slip into a coma 17 days before that as Mr. Blaine claims (perhaps to enhance the putative danger of his own publicity stunt) but was fully conscious, blind and in tremendous pain when he passed from this life. One of my family members suffered from Leukemia and during the bone marrow transplant phase of her treatment, was unable to take food for many days. There were many other victims of cancer in the same hospital that had been with out food for more than 44 days. They did not choose this course, the circumstances of their illness chose it for them and they endured. Their motivation was to survive or to fight for survival. Mr. Blaine will have an I.V. tube to provide liquid to him during the Fasting Fiesta and there was enough doubt about what would actually be fed to him through that I.V. tube to cause the gambling houses to refuse betting on the chances of Mr. Blaine’s success. Now, we get really heavy. Why this stunt, Why England, Why over the River Thames and Why Now? After receiving his baptism in the river Jordan, Jesus went out into the desert and fasted there for forty days. At the end of the fast, he was hungry and tempted by Satan. The devil suggested he turn the stones into bread and thereby provide an instant solution to his hunger. Jesus resisted this first of the three temptations he would face in the encounter. His ability to resist temptation – even in his hungry state – remained strong. Man does not, after all, live by bread alone but “by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” MT 4:4. This echoed Deuteronomy 8:3. So we have the setting correct. We have the rivers: Jordan and Thames. We have the isolation: the desert and a plastic box hoisted high in the air. We have the timing: forty days for Jesus and forty-four for Mr. Blaine. Now, I am not suggesting that Mr. Blaine selected forty-four days to outdo Jesus or that he selected England – a country well-familiar with hunger fasts with the H-Block prisoners and, when still within the Empire, Gandhi. It could just be coincidence. There seems, however to be very little coincidence in Mr. Blaine’s world, however. If there is one thing he does well – and he does many, many things well – he plans with great detail what he will do next. Mr. Blaine commented, ironically, to the Irish Press that his stunt will be “the most extreme exercise in isolation and physical deprivation ever attempted.” Even if you take away the H-Block prisoners, Mahatma Gandhi, cancer patients, trapped victims in mine accidents or avalanches, the statement still amounts to hyperbole. Maybe I’m going to far with the notion that Mr. Blaine is attempting at least a subtle comparison with Jesus. He has commented favorably on Jesus, in his own manner of speaking, “I think what Jesus did was the ultimate magic," he has said. "He would appear out of nowhere and show people things that would make them re-evaluate their lives." And like Jesus, Mr. Blaine noted in an interview given as he prepared for the Fast Fiesta, “Jesus was a magician, and so am I.” Mr. Blaine has placed Jesus in the pantheon of great magicians. He told Uri Gellar in a newspaper article, “He told me he was desperate to meet me, that he had three heroes in his life, and they were Jesus Christ, Orson Welles and Uri Geller.” I am the first to admit that Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane was incredibly ahead of its time and its use of the hand-held camera mounted to a boom, gave a sweeping perspective not previously seen. His magic act was equally intriguing although often depending more on his presentation to dress-up effects previously seen. I will grudgingly admit that Uri Gellar is a pretty decent showman and, until he met up with Johnny Carson, had a bunch of people thinking he could really do amazing things. As good as they are, though, I don’t link them up with Jesus Christ. Oh, that’s because you’re a Christian so of course you wouldn’t see them on the same level. Nope. If the comparison had been made between Orson Welles, Uri Gellar and the Prophet Mohammed, I’d say the same thing. If you compared the methods of Orson Welles, Uri Gellar and the Buddha towards life, I’d still have to say there would be a qualitative difference between the great film director, a magician that bends things and Buddha. You may not be followers of the Buddha or the Prophet Mohammed, but you can’t deny they must be seen differently in purpose and effect than a 20th century film director and someone stumped by a talk show host. So, where are we? We’re above the River Thames with an I.V. tube dripping something into Mr. Blaine? And why are we there? I don’t know. If it is not for Mr. Blaine’s own ego or publicity, I don’t see another reason. He allegedly had a concentration camp prisoner number tattooed onto his arm to recall the horrible conditions they involuntarily suffered at the hands of God-less men and he claims to have read about IRA member Bobby Sands in preparation for this event. But these two facts do not fit either together or with the publicity stunt he seeks to complete. No prisoner in any of Hitler’s concentration camps chose to be there or chose to starve to death while they awaited their likely execution and watched the brutal murder of their families, friends and fellow captives. Not one. In Bobby Sands’ diary, there is no sense that he was attempting to set an endurance record – he realized his death was the likely result of his actions. Jeremy Ward, professor of respiratory cell Jeremy Ward, professor of respiratory cell physiology at Kings College, London, is quoted as saying: “I think he is a complete idiot. There are enough starving people in the world. For someone to starve themself as a publicity stunt - I don't think morally it is something which you should do for glamour or glory or money.” So there we have it. Pretty heavy column. I’m not trying to be negative but I do think it is important that someone point out that Jesus Christ was not a magician, is not equivalent to Orson Welles, Uri Geller or David Blaine. Jesus’ fast was in reflection and prayer after baptism and although Mr. Blaine says he is performing this feat as “art,” his invocation of a two tragic occasions of starvation (Bobby Sands and the Concentration Camps) shows either a gross lack of sensitivity to those who truly starved, or that a complete misunderstanding of the impact his statements and actions can have. On May 5, 1981, Bobby Sands passed away with his family at his side. His emaciated body was resting upon a waterbed to prevent his bones from shattering. Mr. Blaine claims that he “read up” on Bobby Sands to prepare for his publicity stunt. When the U.S. Troops entered the concentration camps to liberate the prisoners, they found many so weak that they could not maintain consciousness. Mr. Blaine claims he had the concentration camp tattoo placed on his arm because part of preparation was to study how the Jews dealt with starvation. Everyday, men and women pass away after months of starvation in hospitals, Red Cross camps, desert compounds, refugee camps and on streets around the world. Although mocking Jesus Christ may get great press, following the teaching of a person you consider one of your top three heroes to help eliminate starvation may be a better use of the $5,000,000.00 you have received for this stunt, David. That would be real magic. ---------------------------------- 21. 9th IBM Magic Fiesta 2003 ---------------------------------- Message from Solyl Kundu (India) 9th IBM Magic Fiesta 2003 will be held on October 18 (Saturday) and 19 (Sunday) at Banquet Hall of Hotel Nahar Nilgiris at Ootacamund South India. The Fiesta is open to all valid IBM members as well as Non IBM members with their spouse and children. The activities include Lectures, Competitions, Workshops and Public Shows etc. The place of Fiesta Udagamandalam or Ootacamund, popularly called Ooty by the English is famous as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’ and as the ‘little Switzerland of India’ too. Located at 2268 meters above MSI with a population of around 90,000 the climate varies here 0c to 25c. For further details of Fiesta interested person should contact IBM India Ring # 261 at dayamini@md4.vsnl.net.in without delay as the registration is limited and will be accepted on a first come first serve basis * Reported by Solyl Kundu, EX-President IBM India Ring # 261 on the basis of details provide by the Secretary IBM India Ring No. #261. ---------------------------------- 22. The Miser's Giveaway - Peter Marucci ---------------------------------- Message from Peter Marucci (Canada) One of the truly great routines in magic is the Miser's Dream. Some magicians of the past made their reputations on this one trick alone, yet it is seldom seen today among high-profile performers. Dai Vernon described it as the greatest trick in magic -- after all, what member of your audience wouldn't want to be able to pull money out of the air? And there are literally dozens of versions, from the Visible Miser's Dream (using a gimmicked glass to catch the coins), to ones using simple coin droppers, all the way up to astronomically expensive coin ladders. The Miser's Dream lends itself to almost every approach -- from a serious silent act to comedy -- and the possibilities for subtleties are as varied as the number of performers who do it. There is one small bit that I have been using for many, many years and it never fails to get a gasp from the audience -- especially, for some reasons, adults at children's shows. THE MISER'S GIVEAWAY Effect: The magician pulls a number of coins out of the air and tosses them into a bucket. At the end, he shows the coins to be real and gives one to a member of the audience. (Sounds pretty flat, doesn't it? Yet I have used this to open my children's and seniors' shows for years and it has never failed to grab the audience right from the start. It can keep screaming kids quiet and get staid adults to sit up and take notice. And there are NO gimmicks!) Method and Presentation: You'll need six or seven coins (in Canada, I use one-dollar coins; in the U.S., half-dollars would be the right size.) And you'll need a container -- I use a tin can, about four inches in diameter and seven inches high. (It's a standard size coffee can and it must be metal, to create the sound.) You can buy fancy and gimmicked champagne buckets from dealers, but why bother? The idea is that you are pulling coins out of the air with your bare hands, so the receptacle should be as commonplace as possible. The coins are ribbon-spread in the left hand, which also holds the can. This is a standard method, explained in Bobo's Modern Coin Magic and many other basic magic books. (Or, get someone at your Ring to show you how to do it -- that's what the I.B.M. is all about!) Holding the coins and the can in the left hand, you walk out to your audience: "Hi there, did you know there's magic in the air today? And there's something else in the air, too -- money!" Look around in the air as if you are watching a fly -- or a flying coin -- then reach out with your right hand and grab the imaginary coin and, in one continuing motion, drop the coin (?) into the can in your left hand, releasing one of the coins your left is holding at the same time. Shake the can, look into it, and take out the coin. "Money," you say, as you pretend to drop the coin back in the can. Actually you thumb palm it in the right hand and release another coin with the left; the illusion is perfect -- it looks and sounds as if you dropped the coin from your right hand into the can. Look around at the audience and say something like, "And there's more money here," as you take a coin from behind the ear of an audience member. (Don't leave this bit out; kids -- and adults -- expect you to pull a coin out of somebody's ear and they LOVE it! (For years I pulled a coin OUT OF someone's ear, until a fellow magician mentioned that he always pulled the coin from BEHIND the child's ear, because he didn't want them trying this at home and injuring themselves by jamming a coin in their ear. (A word of warning to the wise!) Pretend to drop the coin in the can, palming it in the right as the left actually drops a coin. Continue working the audience, pulling coins from here and there (do your own routine here -- everyone has a different style for this) until your stash of coins is exhausted. You now have one coin still thumb-palmed. Produce it (from wherever) and toss it in the can. The left hand then turns the can upside down and pours all the coins into the right hand; the right hand then pours ALL BUT ONE of the coins back into the can. NOTE: This is what this whole routine is about: Examine the coin you are left holding and then hand it to someone in the front row (preferably the birthday child or some special person). "Is that a real (loonie, half-dollar, whatever)?" you ask. When they say "yes" -- and it may take a little prompting to get them to say anything -- you turn and walk away from them, leaving them with the coin. Then, as an afterthought, you turn back to them and say: "You can keep that one -- I can make lots more." Put the can away and continue with the rest of your show. Second thoughts: Sure, it's going to cost you a buck (or a half a buck) every time you do this -- but, believe me, you'll reap hundreds of dollars in publicity. Adults and kids alike are impressed with he fact that you gave away the coin; it's that sort of thing that plants the tiny seed of doubt in their minds: "Gee, what if it wasn't a trick, after all. What if he really could . ." And if you don't think there are top-flight magicians out there who would kill to get that kind of reaction from their audience, then you are definitely in the wrong business. Once again, the KISS principle is at work (Keep It Simple, Stupid): No fancy palming coins, no chrome champagne buckets, no suspicious gimmicks -- just a plain, ordinary, unadorned tin can, a bunch of legitimate coins -- and a hint of real magic at work. This is as close to the real thing as you will probably ever get -- and your audiences will love you for it. This is a strong piece and I only use it as an opening trick; it's fast, flashy and magical and gets the audience's attention right from the start. Put simply, you have shown them right of the bat that you are magical. Using this routine elsewhere in the show probably wouldn't garner the same response. If you do this, first of all, PLEASE rehearse it carefully -- and it doesn’t mean practice palming the coin; I mean REHEARSE the whole routine until it becomes second nature. After all, you are supposed to be a magician and you should be able to pull money out of the air without even thinking about it. Secondly, never, ever pass over the bit where you pull a coin out of a child's ear; you will have an adoring fan for life! And, finally, don't worry about the trick costing you a buck or a half-dollar; if it bothers you, don't give the coin away. But, again PLEASE, if you do give the coin to an audience member DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES take it back. That would be cheap, chintzy, and most definitely un-magical. And that's certainly NOT what it's all about! Peter Marucci 270 St. Andrew St. East Fergus, Ontario, Canada N1M 1R1 e-mail: showtimecol@aol.com ---------------------------------- 23. The Amazing ‘Orchante’ Saga - Vol. Two - The Australian Years ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) The Amazing ‘Orchanté’ Saga - page 18 - Special edition - Dateline Saturday 13th September 2003 Have you ever noticed that from the day you are born your birthday is ‘celebrated’ each year until you reach a ‘certain age’; fifteen is a special year because that is when you can legally apply for a driving licence (in New Zealand at least) and you could leave school if you wished, although sixteen was the norm unless you were going on to sixth form, a prelude to university. The next big ‘special’ birthday year was when you turned ‘twenty one ’, and you got ‘the key of the door’ and you could legally go for a ‘drink’ down at the pub (I’ve been told that is eighteen now). From there on the years slowly drift past, birthday parties aren’t such a big deal; suddenly, you are ‘thirty years old’ how the hell did that happen? Abruptly, you are ‘thirty five’, then of out of the blue, you hit - ‘forty! From then on you seem to count the years in tens then, oh damn, you have hit ‘fifty’! For many, that’s ‘big party time’. I remember mine, although by all accounts, I have no right to! My mate martin threw the ‘wing ding’ out at his farm – gallons of Bacardi and ‘Coke ’ plus other various drinks and concoctions; a very, very happy time was had by all! Little did I know that in the space of four short years, tragedy was to strike! Ten years have flown past! So much has happened and changed in what seems to me, a very short space of time. I fell ill and was diagnosed with an incurable disease – emphysema, and was forced to retire from show business and give up my beloved life long hobby and profession! That sure hit me hard but, you ‘just get on with it’, and learn to really enjoy what you do have, and I have quite a lot - my wife, my friends, my family, my computer, my Saga, my flight simulators, the garden… Today is Saturday, the 13th of September 2003. Whoopee! It’s my birthday! I’m sixty years ‘young’! ------------------------------------ 24. 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) ------------------------------------- 25. Subscription Management ------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. To subscribe or unsubscribe from the 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. 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