* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #237 Date: Sunday 22nd February 2004 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. Paul Daniels Magical Adventures To Middle Earth   3. Florida Magicians Convention   4. Phil Cass is coming to Queenstown NZ   5. Xtreme Close-Up Magic Moves To The Strip   6. Australia - Wonderland Closing   7. Australian Convention Accommodation   8. Perfect Silk Flower Holder-By: Jamie-G   9. The 2004 Lone Star Magic Auction (LSMA)   10. 49th Austrian Magic Convention   11. Exciting News From The Magic Capital Of The World!   12. The Amazing Orchante Saga   13. e-zine Archives   14. Subscription Management ------------------ 1. Editor's Message ------------------- Message from Alan Watson - The Magic One Just a quick update on Barry Govan Australia: He's recovered fully now and wants everyone to know he's 100% and back in action after suffering from a problem with Gallstones. ---------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. Paul Daniels Magical Adventures To Middle Earth ----------------- Message from Paul Daniels (UK) Debbie and I set off for New Zealand from Heathrow Airport in London. Knowing the amount of security that exists nowadays, we went early. The baggage was all checked in OK but then it was 8 hours to take off! As we approached Heathrow we were surprised at the ferocity of a blizzard that hit us and this, apparently, was a pretty wide blizzard. New York was closed down; Paris was closed down; Heathrow had planes at the gates that could not take off to go to those places, so planes couldn’t come to the gates to load passengers and get away. Chaos reigned. Isn’t it good to know that the controllers don’t expect bad weather anywhere…especially in the winter? We read all the books we had bought for the flight. We bought some more. 15 minutes before re-scheduled take off we got a GREAT phone call to say that our local Council had granted AT LAST, our planning permission. Debbie cried. That was after she finished beating me up ‘cos I told her at first they had turned it down. Not a funny gag was the joint decision. We got on the plane. We sat for an hour. We got de-iced. We went to the end of the runway VERY slowly. We paused. We went back to the gate to get de-iced again because we had frozen up by the time we got to the runway. We went back to the end of the runway and managed to take off. Bangkok was next stop but only for 45 minutes. You never saw people unloaded and loaded and the plane refuelled so fast. Sydney Australia was where we had to change planes but guess what? We had missed our connection and so had about 40 other people. I don ’t know about them but after wandering around for half an hour a woman in a uniform grabbed us and commanded that we get on ‘This Plane NOW’. I have always been a sucker for women in uniform and we did what were told and FINALLY we were on the way to New Zealand. Thank the Great God Technology that we were able to warn Alan Watson, this e-zine’s guru, that we had been delayed. Of course, what the woman in the uniform did not tell us was that she wasn’t in charge of the luggage. Apparently neither was anyone else and it didn’t get put on the plane so we had to stand in a long queue and fill in the forms. Until we told him Alan thought we were wonderful for travelling so light. AT LAST New Zealand. We had been once before and this time we were just as impressed. The life style and the people are lovely. Everyone was so good to us and I don’t just mean those people who recognised us, I mean EVERYONE. The luggage did not arrive that day. The next morning I sent an email to the airline’s headquarters in the UK, listing everything and how much I was going to sue them for: loss of earnings, props, flight cases, private LV cases, and the biggest amount of all, Debbie’s shoes. By an amazing coincidence I got a phone call shortly afterwards saying the bags would be delivered very shortly. Good job too, because the next day I did a MasterClass and an evening show in a hotel near Auckland. Thanks to all those who turned out to support me. A note for future lecturers should be inserted here. The people of New Zealand don’t ask questions! They either know everything or they are too shy to ask. I believe it is the latter. That is not being rude in any way; I love these people; it is just a note so that you don’t get the surprise that I did. A note for those amateurs out there who want to turn pro: Are you SURE you want to fly half way round the world for 36 hours and then do 10.5 hours on stage the next day? I know. I am mad. Alan Watson and his family are great people. He is the editor and I am insisting he leaves that line in the magazine. The hospitality and the trouble they went to making sure we had a great time was incredible and greatly appreciated. We even got to a Magic Junior’s barbecue were we saw the kids having fun doing magic. Isn’t that great….having FUN? We also got to meet a brother Rat and his wife. If you don’t understand that phrase then have a look at http://www.gowr.net. When I was a boy Ronnie Ronalde was as big a star as anyone we have today. If you don’t believe me that a singing, yodelling and whistling act can be a superstar just go to Google and any other search engine and type in his name! My mother couldn’t believe it that we had dinner in his home. NOW she thinks I am a star at last. We had to sail away on the QE2 and that was sad. Alan and his magical family saw us off in his brightly painted ‘Milky Way Magician’ van and went off to do his regular show in the theme park. Here is one magician who really works at the job of being an entertainer. Next year Alan, when you come over here, you are more than welcome. Can I also thank Michael Woolf the editor of Magicana who gave us the Grande Tour of his home town of Wellington and for letting us see his incredibly organised collection? He’ll laugh when he reads THAT…but one day, one far distant day, it will be organised. I know because he told me. Memories? Too many. Great country, great people, even those who wear the funny make-up and stick their tongues out when they attacked me in the museum. I look forward to going back. Finally, after cruising to Lyttleton and Christchurch, and Tasmania we got to Melbourne where we were able to have dinner with the still lovely Moi-yo Miller. If this gets to you we love you Moi-yo. Thank you also for sharing your memories of Malini with me and for confirming I have got the voice right. Thanks also to Gregory for showing us round the fantastic theatres in Melbourne. Now we are home. It was a much easier trip back….if you don’t count the radar breaking down on the plane and being grounded in Singapore well into the night. Do ANY planes fly on schedule any more……. ----------------- 3. Florida Magicians Convention ----------------- Message from Maria Ibanez - S.A.M. Regional Vice President, SA States Greetings everyone: The time is drawing near for the 39th Annual Florida Magicians Association Convention. The 2003 convention was a complete sell-out and at the rate we're going this one will be too -- don't be left wishing you were one of the ones who attended.. Florida Magicians Convention Memorial Day Weekend May 28, 29, 30 Friday - Saturday - Sunday Bonaventure Resort Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Talent coordination is under the direction of Rick del Vecchio who produces Magic on the Beach annually, produced a most successful Florida Magicians Convention - Magic in the Glades, and much more. The registration fees are $99 for magician, $50 for significant other and $49 for juniors (17 and under). There will be CASH prizes for the contests -- no gift certificates -- no prizes to be claimed elsewhere..contact the Contest Chairman, Jay at ibanez217@aol.com for details. Ask about the People's Choice awards. To register contact Maria Ibanez (merlina17@aol.com) or send in your information along with your check or money order. Are you a dealer who is interested in purchasing a booth? Contact Dealer Chairman, Oliver Codorniu at magic357@bellsouth.net for details. Visit the Florida Magicians website at www.floridamagic.org for more details LECTURES - WORKSHOPS - CONTEST- GALA SHOWS - DEALERS ROOM - SPOUSES EVENTS - JUNIORS EVENTS - MUCH, MUCH MORE! ----------------- 4. Phil Cass is coming to Queenstown NZ ----------------- Message from Phil Cass (Aust) Phil Cass is coming to Queenstown, New Zealand for a couple of corporate gigs. One on the 28th March (and Christchurch on 17th April) and I was hoping someone in Queenstown can supply me with a white dove and white duck. Even putting me on to a farm near Queenstown that has white Peking ducks running around would be greatly appreciated. Email me at: trustme@philcass.com ----------------- 5. Xtreme Close-Up Magic Moves To The Strip ----------------- Message from Jan Dacri, Show Manager (US) (February 18, 2004) Las Vegas only close-up magic show “Xtreme Close-up Magic”, now entering it’s 7th month starring the world’s greatest close-up magician, Steve Dacri and guest close-up magicians from around the world, is now located at O’Shea’s on the Strip. Additional shows have been added, including a daytime edition. Hailed by critics as “pure sleight of hand”, “hilarious magic that astounds” and “a real change of pace”, Steve Dacri and his family-friendly show has the town talking about his award-winning close-up magic. While at the Orleans since August 2003, the often sold-out show attracted many locals and International visitors, particularly from England and Ireland where Dacri has a large fan base among magicians. In its new home, the O’Shea’s Comedy Theater on the Las Vegas Strip, the show will now be able to accommodate a larger audience. The show features under your nose, in your face, mind-blowing magic. Many audience members are invited onto the stage throughout the show in an attempt to discover the secrets, but they never do! Dacri commented, “We loved performing at the Orleans and we are eternally grateful for the opportunity they provided us to showcase our new concept. Unfortunately, the room was so small that we could only fit about 40 people. At O’Shea’s, the showroom holds 180, small by Vegas standards, but perfect for my type of magic, especially with their large screen video projection system which enables everyone to experience the magic.” Veteran producer John Stuart, who is also the manager of hypnotist Justin Tranz (his popular, long-running show at the O’Shea’s Comedy Theater continues in the 10:30 pm slot), signed Dacri to an open-ended deal, and said he expects the show to become a permanent part of the Las Vegas entertainment scene. Dacri and Stuart, with the support of numerous celebrity magicians, are working on ambitious plans to transform the theater and the space around it into a magical, interactive environment. Dacri stated that he will continue with his concept of including guest magicians as part of the shows. During the previous six months, International magic stars from England, Ireland and Portugal have performed in the show, as well as a number of Vegas-based close-up artists. The show plays Tuesday through Saturday at 2 pm and 4 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm, 4 pm and 7 pm. The show is dark Mondays. Jan Dacri, Show Manager (702) 253-9392 (office) (702) 376-4727 (cell) ----------------- 6. Wonderland Closing ----------------- Message from Tim Ellis (Aust) Kent Blackmore sent in this report: The lights go out at Wonderland, where millions got their thrills By Alexandra Smith Sydney Morning Herald - February 17, 2004 Wonderland Sydney, the Eastern Creek amusement park that has attracted millions of thrill-seekers for 19 years, will close its gates for the final time in April. Management says September 11, the Bali bombings, the collapse of insurance giant HIH, the SARS virus, and now the Asian bird flu "have simply taken their toll" on business. Stephen Galbraith, chief executive of the Leisure Theme Parks Sunway Group, also blames "consistent losses" on the Asian financial crisis, the collapse of Ansett, the Iraq war and last year's bushfires. The Malaysian company Sunway Group, which has part-owned the theme park since 1997, blames Wonderland's demise on everything except poor management. Wonderland, home to the infamous Bush Beast rollercoaster and the stomach-churning Space Probe, will operate for the final time on April 26. "When we took over eight years ago, the park's future was uncertain," Mr Galbraith said. "Since then, we have lifted the overall performance of the park, completely rebuilt its image and brand awareness." The park, which opened in December 1985 with three themed areas - Hanna Barbera Land, Medieval Fare and Goldrush - expanded to include The Beach, a themed water park, a wildlife park and the Outback Woolshed, a tribute to Australians living on the land. ----------------- 7. Australian Convention Accommodation ----------------- Message from Tim Ellis (Aust) The Jika have made one last standard room available so first in best dressed! Call them now on (03) 9481 2822. They also have three spa suites at $175 and one Super Deluxe Spa Suite at $215 for those who really want to convention in style. http://www.jika.com.au Otherwise, there are three more Alphington Apartments left at $150 (not including breakfast) with two bedrooms sleeping up to four people. Call (03) 9488 1188 to grab one! www.questapartments.com.au/property/fs_display_property.asp?property id=36 Our extended accommodation, the Hotel William on Bell, is offering double rooms for $110 including breakfast (no single rooms) and SOMEHOW we will organise a bus shuttle service between the Hotel William and The Centre Ivanhoe as well. So if you do book into the Hotel William and you need transport, please email me and let me know. To book at The Hotel William (they have 50 or so rooms like the Jika, and they sold out between the first 100 registrants, so be quick!) call 1800 006 494. One bonus about the Hotel William is that the Airport Shuttle stops right at the door (make sure you catch the CORRECT Airport Shuttle though!) www.thehotelwilliam.com.au/ All information about hotels and shuttles can be found here www.magicunlimited.com/magic_convention.htm#accommodation We only have 170 or so spaces left for the convention - once we reach 300 - it is SOLD OUT! So, if you have friends who still haven't registered, tell them now is the time, before it's too late. ----------------- 8. Perfect Silk Flower Holder-By: Jamie-G ----------------- Message from Jamie-G (Canada) EFFECT: Magician is holding a red rose. The magician then plucks the top of the red rose (the bud) and it unfolds into a 24 inch red silk. NOTE: If you take your time to make this prop it will look great. You first must find the perfect fake red roses. I just found these plastic red roses at the dollar store. The store that I go to just came out with them they are about 18 inch's long and are just perfect for these type of magic effects. You might have to shop around until you find them. The one at this dollar store they sell 6 of them and they are together in a bundle for a dollar. (Great deal) PROPS: One plastic fake red rose, one roll of green flower tape and a bunch of garbage ties. NOTE: The garbage tie's are the ones with that come with garbage bags to tie the garbage bags closed. SET-UP# 1.First you have to take the red leaves off the rose these just pull off and your with the little bowl piece of the top part of the stem you need this. Now you need to go to the garbage ties you must strip off the paper that is on them once this is done your ready for the next step. You are going to make 4 of wire pieces as they are going to be the part that holds your bud (silk) in place. I have twisted these ties together after folding them in half. After you have done this you will wrap it up with the floral tape. Twist all four of the ties together at one end then spread the ties out to make it look like a claw. Tape it down to your stem with the floral tape and make sure that it is secure. Now you are ready to add you’ re silk. I know that these silk holders are like $25.00 each at the magic stores now you can make them for a couple of dollars and they look just as good or better. Give it a try I make a lot of my own flower magic....................JAMIE-G ----------------- 9. The 2004 Lone Star Magic Auction (LSMA) ----------------- Message from Bruce Chadwick (US) The 2004 Lone Star Magic Auction (LSMA) will be held on Saturday, 28 February 2004. This is one of the largest magic auctions held each year. Registration starts at 8:00 am and the live auction starts at 9:00 am. Typically the auction is over late Saturday night. For more information, go to www.fortworthmagicclub.com the website also has the auction catalog on-lone for anyone that would like to see some of the items that will be auctioned through the live auction. There are many more items that will be sold through the silent auction held simultaneously during the event. ----------------- 10. 49th Austrian Magic Convention ----------------- Message from Hanno Rhomberg (Austria) Here are some details of one of the most exciting magic convention in history in Austria Already 750 magicians from 22 countries have registered to this outstanding convention. The place is in the middle of the Tyrolian Mountains in a small village. It is also great to spend some holidays after the convention. Only few places left. 49. Austrian Magic Convention 20. - 21. May 2004 Mayrhofen / Tyrol / Austria next airports: Salzburg, Innsbruck or Munich This list not astonishing as the booked performers read like the who is who in magic. Guests of honour: Paul Daniels - GB Silvan - Italy Irene Larsen - USA Paul Potassy - Austria/Hungary International Top performers: Magic Christian - Austria Patrick Page - GB Tony Binarelli - Italy Jean Merlin - France The FISM Stars: World Champion 2003 stage: Norbert Ferre World Champion 2003 close-up: Jason Latimer Pure Magic: Armando Lucero And many more top acts like: David - Hungary Brando & Silvana - Argentina Manuel Muerte - GErmany Reed Mc Clintock - USA Chris Joker & Andy Mc Joy - Germany Wittus Witt - Germany See a mixture of top acts, in a very personal convention in the middle of the mountains. Great galas but also time to relax and to have a lot of fun. Informations: web page or mail: mayrhofen@zaubern.at For details please contact: Hanno Rhomberg Baernstetten 19 A-6380 St. Johann in Tirol Austria Phone/fax: +43 5352 65661 Email: mayrhofen@zaubern.at ----------------- 11. Exciting News From The Magic Capital Of The World! ----------------- Register for our all day lecture day starring; Troy Hooser (close-up magic), Eric Paul (stage and children’s magic) Jania Taylor (manipulation and business side of magic) Saturday April 17th from 10 am -???? Only $30 for the entire day! Lots of crazy auctions and sales. We have now introduced for the very first time the MAGIC OF PERCY ABBOTT on DVD -12 minutes of the master himself performing in sound and in color effects such as Chinese Rice Bowls, Clippo, Square Circle, Find the lady Cards, Life like rabbit, crystal casket routine, Acrobatic cane, paper hat tear - a rare glimpse into magic history! $12.50 post paid and available only from FAB Magic in Colon, Michigan. www.fabmagic.com ----------------- 12. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 57 Noumea - The 'Royal Touch' - Champagne above the clouds Following ‘The Perfect Storm’ calamity in Tahiti, my contract with Hubert Wayliff should have finished on December 22nd - leaving Tahiti on the 23rd and returning via a U.T.A. direct flight (French airlines) back home to New Zealand. According to the stamps in my passport, which doesn't lie, I actually left on Friday the 26th of December and landed at Nadi international airport, Fiji, on Saturday the 27th at 12:40pm, then transferred to a Flight that took me to New Caledonia, arriving there at 2:15pm - staying for four days before leaving on January 1st for home - New Zealand. I had forgotten that Hubert had slotted in three shows at the last minute to make up for the three that he had cancelled after 'The Perfect Storm' nightmare. He had also arranged, with GILBERT THONG, famous local entrepreneur in New Caledonia, for me to work two or three nights at Gilbert's nightclub, the ‘Tahiti Cabaret’ in Noumea, and one performance on New Year's Eve at the Chateau Royal, the finest hotel in New Caledonia. This came about partly because the story of the near-disastrous fishing fiasco in Tahiti had also hit the newspapers in New Caledonia because ‘The Amazing Orchanté’ was a well-known, regular visitor to New Caledonia during those years, working various club and theatre engagements etc for Gilbert (see pages 24/25). Previous arrangements had been made for me to stay at the Chateau Royal Hotel for the night of the 31st December/1st January, but someone had made a monumental cock-up. The entire hotel was completely booked out for that night's festivities. For the rich and famous of New Caledonia, ‘The Chateau’ was most definitely the place to be, and be seen in all your finery, on New Year’s Eve! The management was highly embarrassed - their international 'star' entertainer was without a room and bed. The ‘powers that be’ huddled together in a corner and after much loud whispering in French, and a fair amount of arm and hand waving, the manager came up to me and said "we have a rather special room for you, please follow me". We walked out of the hotel foyer, along a path, until we came to another building a short distance from the hotel proper. The first thing that struck me was the front door - it was magnificent - must have cost a fortune - but it was nothing compared to what met my eyes when we got inside. The manager said, “This, Mr Orchard, is the Royal Suite, it is reserved for Royal Personages and visiting dignitaries such as the President of France - it is the only accommodation we have available to offer you, please enjoy the facilities, and please except my apologies”. Enjoy he had said! WOW! Everything that was metallic was - Gold! The doorknobs, cupboard handles, anything that had a handle, were Gold. In the bathroom the taps on the washbasins (there were two), and bath, were gold, as were all the fittings in the shower. The toilet roll holder, the handle of the toilet brush, even the Holder for the toilet brush was gold. The toilet/lavatory was also gold! You have absolutely no idea how difficult it was to do ‘The Necessary’, into such opulence! The luxurious furnishings were richly comfortable, armchairs sumptuous beyond belief, as was the enormous four-poster bed. (The Chateau Royal was bought-out some years later by the ‘Club Med’ group, which, in my opinion, greatly lowered the tone of this once beautiful, elegant hotel of supreme excellence.). Later that evening after my show had the finished, I headed for the bar and, as usual, my Close-up Magic started - the ‘show after the show’. I wound-up with the U.T.A. flight crew, including the pilot and co-pilot (all French) of the aircraft that was flying out to New Zealand the following day; they had come down to see the New Year in. It wasn't long before someone asked me if I was staying in the hotel and when I said "well actually, I'm in the Royal Suite", it kind of stopped the conversation – there was stunned silence until somebody said, “BULLSHIT, let’s take a look then”! Now, I'm well aware of the rules and regulations in regards to alcohol and flight crews, particularly pilots, but this was 1969/1st January 1970 - 31 years ago. Perhaps things were a bit more relaxed then, I wouldn't know, but the full complement of that U.T.A. flight finished up in my suite that night, along with God knows whom else. The party finished sometime after five in the morning! I was at the airport at 10 o'clock in the morning, checking in for my flight back home, take-off 11 am. When I got on board you wouldn't think that six hours earlier those air hostesses had been whooping it up, big-time, in my suite. They were all smiles, charm and grace with “hi Tommy, How's Tricks” in their delightful French accents, they sure looked a hell of a lot better than I felt. Page 58 About 30 minutes into the flight, one of the flight hostesses came up to me and said that the pilots wanted to know if I would like to join them on the flight deck – “yes please!” When I got up there, it was handshakes all round with a “loved ‘your’ room, great party - what are you drinking – does champagne sound OK to you?” I've performed magic in some strange places, but spending the entire flight in the cockpit of a French Caravelle Airliner, the whole way from New Caledonia to New Zealand, sipping champagne and entertaining the pilots with close-up magic, and the flight crew who took turns to ‘pop in’ onto the flight deck, takes some beating. One of the most beautiful sights that I have seen in my lifetime was from the cockpit of that French airliner - as we approached the North Cape, top end of the north island of New Zealand. It was the most incredibly beautiful, intense velvety green as far as you could see. That view, as seen from the cockpit of an aeroplane at 20,000 ft up, really is something: - Quite Magical! -Postscript - After coming perilously close to drowning at sea only two weeks previously, from which I was still recovering, the ‘Royal Touch’ and ‘Mile High’ Champagne (unfortunately, I didn’t get to join ‘The Club ’), was just what a suffering soul needed – perhaps there really is an Omnipotent Being, after all! ------------------ 13. 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) ------------------- 14. 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 2004 Alan Watson