* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #381 Date: Sunday 22nd January 2006 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. Magicians In The News This Week Links 3. Making The Jump From Magician To Speaker 4. Las Vegas Magic - February, 2006 5. Additional Information On Grifter In Fort Worth, Texas 6. 20th Trip To The USA 7. Ron Spencer (1919-2006) 8. 25th "Ball der Magier 9. Auckland NZ International Buskers Festival 2006 10. Determining The Value Of These Books 11. Review Of Spencer's New DVD - Asia 12. Some Simple Guidelines To Make Your Company Xmas Party A Success! 13. Stacked Peek - Greg Chapman 14. The Amazing Orchante Saga 15. e-zine Archives 16. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice ------------------ 1. Editors Message ------------------- New Zealand and overseas magicians planning to attend the 28th New Zealand International Magicians Convention sponsored by the Palmerton North Magic Circle (Friday 20th to Monday 23rd) registration will be opening mid March. -------------------------------- Richard Webster has just released his 26th book for psychic entertainers. "King of the Small Towns: How to make a comfortable living as a psychic entertainer in a small town" was inspired by the many questions Richard received over the years from people trying to make a fulltime living in entertainment in a small market. Richard has spent most of his life doing exactly that. His new book covers how to make money from touring a one-man show to small towns, and how to make a living from mentalism if you live in a small market. Further information can be found at http://www.deceptionary.com In March Richard will be visiting South Africa and England to promote a new book for the general public. --------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. Magicians In The News This Week Links ----------------- Showtime continues its evolution http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/21/Artsandentertainment/Showtime_continues_it.shtml St. Petersburg Times - St. Petersburg,FL,USA ... It also will produce another collection of gruesome tales in the Masters of Horror film series, and is signing comedy team Penn & Teller to two more seasons of ... David Copperfield will work to convert State College audience http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/13667148.htm Centre Daily Times - Centre County,PA,USA A magical spell filled with mystery and suspense will be cast across Happy Valley when one of the world's most famous magicians, David Copperfield, hosts two ... Now you see them... http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/390288.html News & Observer - Raleigh,NC,USA ... 2002 "Street Magician" David Blaine stands atop a tiny platform on a 100-foot-high pole in New York City's Bryant park for 35 hours. ... KORN STAGE HALLOWEEN PARTY TO LAUNCH US TOUR http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/korn%20stage%20halloween%20party%20to%20launch%20us%20tour Contactmusic.com - Burley in Wharfdale,Ilkley,UK ... Illusionist CRISS ANGEL hosted the party, which also featured the likes of Korn fans JESSICA ALBA, MICHELLE BRANCH and members of the BLACK EYED PEAS and GOOD ... --------------------------------------------- 3. Making The Jump From Magician To Speaker -------------------------------------------- Message Quentin Reynolds I'm writing a series of articles aimed at magicians who are interested in making the jump from magician to professional speaker. The articles will also include resources from the speaking world that all magicians would find useful. Magicians can spend years developing their careers, networking, building contacts, edging their fees upwards only to discover an amazing fact. As a rule professional speakers earn more than professional magicians.usually far more. In the heyday of Chautauqua, Ed Reno became very friendly with a college professor speaker on the circuit until he discovered the difference in their fees. Reno stormed into the agent's office colourfully casting aspersions on the professor's inability to produce a rabbit from a hat. And so it is today. That is the perception in the mind of the public and the bookers. Now, besides the high fees there are many other advantages that have attracted magicians to speaking. Well, there's no props to carry for a start. You already have the skills to stand up in front of an audience. You understand eye contact and audience control - especially if you've done children's parties! Any competent magician is already half way there. Professional speaking should not be confused with training or giving workshops although they are all closely related. Training is teaching specific skills, usually in a workshop environment. Speaking is not just providing information but touching an audience on an emotional level while inspiring them to positive action. But really, when you boil it all down it's all theatre. That's it, all theatre. When you're performing your magic, whether close-up at a table or on a stage - it's all theatre. But both require different disciplines. And that's all speaking is.a different discipline under the category of  "theatre". Over the next few weeks we'll look at a) the steps to go from magician to speaker and b) tips and tricks from the speaker's toolbox that magicians can use to improve their own performances. © Quentin Reynolds. Quentin Reynolds works as both magician and speaker. You can read about one of his programs at http://www.speakinschools.com --------------------------------------------- 4. Las Vegas Magic - February, 2006 -------------------------------------------- Message from David Neubauer (www.dnmagic.com) PRODUCTION SHOWS: Amazing Johnathan 10 pm, (Dark Thurs.), Sahara. Beacher's Madhouse Tyas Frantz & Chris Karpiak - 10 pm - Hard Rock. Check the website for dates: www.beachersmadhouse.com Buck Wild Nathan Burton (as a redneck magician) 7 pm covered shows Mon.-Wed. & Sat. 9 pm Topless shows (Over 18) - Sahara (Dark Fri.) www.saharavegas.com/shows/buckwild.html Collin Foster - Quicker than the Eye 4 & 6 pm (Dark Mon.), Comedy Zone, Plaza. $6.95 admission includes a drink coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponcollinfoster.html David Copperfield 7:30 & 10 pm, 4:30 Sat. & some Sun. MGM Grand. January 6-11, February 16-March 1. Haunted Vegas Tour & Show Robert Allen & Jac Hayden - Greek Isle. 9:00 pm tour and show (Dark Wed. -Thurs.) $10 off coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponhauntedvegas.html Illusionary Magic of Rick Thomas 2 & 4 pm, Stardust. (Dark Wed.) Jason Bird The Shops in Desert Passage - Aladdin. Main stage, near the "V" Theater, Thursday - Monday Various times from 1:15 pm. - 8:15 pm. - Free. La Femme Stephan Vanel 8 & 10:30 pm, (Dark Tues.), MGM Grand. Lance Burton, Master Magician 7 pm Tues-Sat & 10 pm Tues. & Sat. Monte Carlo. Mac King Comedy Magic Show 1 & 3 pm, (Dark Sun. & Mon.) Harrah's Clint Holmes Theater. www.mackingshow.com Penn & Teller 9 pm, (Dark Tues.), Rio. V, The Ultimate Variety Show Jeff Hobson, Nathan & Sarah -www.vtheshow.com 7 & 9 pm, Aladdin. 2 for 1 coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponvshow.html World's Greatest Magic Show Kevin James, Joseph Gabriel, The Majestix, Kozak. Derek Roberts, Billy Fergueson & Chris Randall (pre-show). 6 pm Sat. - Thurs., 8:15 Fri., Greek Isle. January Guest Stars: 23-29 Mr. Mysto; 30-31 Shimshi February Guest Stars: Thru the 9th Shimshi; 10-12 Roy Shank; 13-19 Erix Logan; 20-end Mr. Mysto March Guest Stars: 1-5 Mr. Mysto, 13-19 Garin Bader, 27-31 Ardan James. Xtreme Magic Starring Dirk Arthur Tiffany Theatre, Tropicana 2 and 4 pm. (Dark Fri.) $10 off coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/Coupontropicana_dirk.html Jamie Porter's Radio Side Show Sat @ 5 am, KLAV FM 1230. RESTAURANTS: Eric Allan Outback Steakhouse (Green Valley), Fri. & Sat. Jayden LaCross TGI Fridays, Wed. & Sun. JANUARY, 2006 January 23-29: Mr. Mysto - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. January 30-February 9: Shimshi - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. FEBRUARY, 2006 February 1-9: Shimshi - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. February 10-12: Roy Shank - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. February 13-19: Erix Logan - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. February 19-22: World Magic Seminar, Orleans. www.worldmagicseminar.com. Featuring Jeff Hobson, David Roth, Les Arnold and Dazzle, Ali Bongo, Dick Koornwinder, Geoff Latta, Mike Gallo, Michael Rubinstein, Jon Armstrong. February 20-28: Mr. Mysto - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. February 24-26: McBride Magic and Mystery School Master Class. Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. www.MagicalWisdom.com MARCH, 2006 March 1-5: Mr. Mysto - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. March 13-19: Garin Bader - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. March 27-31: Ardan James - Guest Star, World's Greatest Magic Show, Greek Isle. JUNE, 2006 June 11-June 13: Las Vegas Magic Invitational (LVMI) - Palace Station. Guest of Honor: J.C. Wagner. Featuring Lee Asher, Mark Mason, Bob Sheets, The J Team (John Born and Jason Dean), John Carney. www.lvmi.net June 14: CoinCon. Featuring: Rune Klan, John Born, Mickey Silver and Kainoa Harbottle. - Palace Station www.lvmi.net -------------------------------------------- 5. Additional Information On Grifter In Fort Worth, Texas -------------------------------------------- Message from Bruce Chadwick In the January number 375 edition of MAGIC NEW ZEALAND, Jack Straw reported that a con artist had been working in the Jacksonhole, Wyoming area (5. Magician Grifter May Have Stolen $100,000 Dollars). The name of the grifter was reported as Declan MacManus and that this grifter had lived for about a year in the Fort Worth, Texas area booking shows as a mentalist under the name Logan Divine. According to Fort Worth based US Postal Inspector G. C. Carter, Logan Divine and Declan MacManus are two is the stage name of Richard Glen Outhier. Unfortunately I have first-hand knowledge about Outhier. Inspector Carter visited our Illusion Warehouse retail store (www.illusionwarehouse.com) here in Fort Worth several months ago and notified us that Outhier had made two fraudulent credit card charges at our store for over $500 worth of merchandise. Meeting with the inspector, I went through a huge folder of paperwork and helped him identify a number of other magic stores and magicians across the country who also have been hit with Outhier's credit card fraud. Among others, a sizeable fraudulent transaction was done to Steven's Magic Emporium in Wichita, Kansas. While the Jacksonhole, Wyoming police may also be looking for Outhier, so is the federal government. We encourage everyone in magic to be on the lookout for Outhier. His floating spoon photo can be downloaded at www.magicofmcmanus.blogspot.com. Please post his photo on the net, in magic club newsletters, and in as many magic periodicals as possible. Like most of us in magic, Outhier is addicted to magic and will no doubt move in and out of magic circles. As magicians, we can be just as sly, devious, and cunning as Outhier. Let's catch this guy before he harms others. If you know the whereabouts of Outhier or know other information that may be useful to Postal Inspector Carter, please contact Carter via his cell phone. Local police should be asked to hold Outhier and contact Postal Inspector Carter for direction. G. C. Carter, U. S. Postal Inspection Service Fort Worth Division 14800 Trinity Boulevard, Ste 600 Fort Worth, TX 76155-2657 E-Mail: gccarter@uspis.gov Phone 817-359-2783 Cell Phone: 817-291-0393 -------------------------------------------- 6. 20th Trip To The USA -------------------------------------------- Message from Tony Griffith (UK) On Thursday 7th January I got up at 4 a.m. to travel to Gatwick airport for my flight to Raleigh, North Carolina. This visit to the USA was to be my 20th visit to the land of Uncle Sam. I was scheduled to present a lecture and perform in the Close Up Shows at the SCAM (South Carolina Association of Magicians) convention in Columbia, South Carolina. In recent years I have presented my day long AT HOMES (Creative Magic Lecture/Teach-In Day) at my home to groups of no larger than 10 people. I was booked to present these 'teach -ins' in Raleigh on Saturday 9th January. The SCAM Convention committee also booked the presentation as a pre convention attraction in Columbia on Thursday 12th January. Both events were advertised as a MASTERCLASS and lasted an hour longer than my UK presentation. The whole tour was organised by Steve Beam (of Semi Automatic Card Tricks fame) incidentally volumes 6 and 7 will be out later this year. I am most grateful to Steve and his wife Dawn for all their help and hospitality. The first teach-in held in Raleigh attracted the maximum number of 10 and included two past IBM Presidents, plus Phil Willmarth, who is the Editor of The Linking Ring and scheduled to be President of the IBM in 2008. The second teach-in (again a full number attended) was held in the plush surrounds of the Columbia Marriott Hotel, which was also the HQ for the SCAM convention. The advantage of restricting these teach-ins to 10 people is that so much more can be covered and discussed than in the normal lecture environment. It can also be tailored to suit the interests of the group. The convention itself was an intimate affair with about 200 or so attending. Those performing apart from myself, were Jade (who presented her IBM Gold Medal act), Gazzo (as only Gazzo can) Joshua Jay ( who is destined to be one of the future brightest stars in the magic world) Daniel Garcia ( a David Blane type of performer) Julian Franklin (who writes on presentation in the Linking Ring) , Jason Michaels (a very good illusion act) , the Fettucini Brothers (superb jugglers with an original style) Michael Genevie (one of the USA's top theatrical producers ) and Hiawatha (who MCd the Gala Show). It was great visiting the USA once more, and meeting many friends who I have made on previous trips. Among those were Dan Garrett, Steve Beam, Mike Gorman, Phil Willmarth and so many more. As I awaited my return flight in the departure lounge in Raleigh a group of US travellers were gathered around a TV monitor watching a top game of American Football. Whenever, a score was made they cheered and shouted very much like a UK soccer crowd. I cannot understand this American version of Rugby and probably never will. Each to their own I suppose. As I left I had many happy memories of the visit including the fact that petrol in the USA is about $2.35 per gallon at the moment. Despite being so much lower than the UK price, the US motorist still considers it to be dear. Now back at home it is back to reality and I am looking forward to my next AT HOME on Sunday 5th March. -------------------------------------------- 7. Ron Spencer (1919-2006) -------------------------------------------- Message from Peter Zenner (UK) After almost 50 years in magic, I have obviously met many other performers and got to know quite a few of them. Ron Spencer, however, is the only one of them to whom I can date our actual initial meeting. He was organising a Mentalists' Seminar for the Northern Magic Circle's convention in Harrogate and, although I couldn't attend the full convention, I wanted to go to this seminar. So I rang Ron and he suggested that I should go up and help him put a few chairs out. He would say that I was his assistant and Hey Presto -- I attended that seminar. Nancy was poorly and so I took a box of chocolates for her. Hey Presto -- an instant friendship which has lasted 29 years. That seminar was on Easter Monday, April 11th, 1977. Every time I think of Ron and Nancy, the first impression I get is of their beaming smiles. They were a happy couple and they spread that happiness around everybody they met. Their publicity photograph, which now adorns the dust jacket of Ron's lasting memorial, 'Telepathy Personified', caught those smiles perfectly. We were at his dinner when Ron was President of the York Society of Magicians and we were at his dinner when he was Master of his Lodge -- the Spencers made sure of it. The last 'big' event was the spread laid on for their Golden Wedding Anniversary in 1996. More happy memories of a happy couple. Specific memories? Walking back to the hotel in the pouring rain from an evening show on the pier at Great Yarmouth, during a particularly wet IBM convention there, and discussing the mysteries of life. Ron is the only person I have met who had been astral travelling. He believed it, so I have to believe it. Strange but true..... Punx and and his wife, Daggy, came over to the IBM convention at Hastings in September,1982. They came home with us and we arranged a dinner party one night to which we invited Ron and Nancy. Ron knew that I had one of the 'Mentalist Dream' dictionaries and cued me to fetch that one when he asked if I had a dictionary. They had learned all of the words on the two force pages and took great delight in baffling Punx by allowing him to choose any of the words from the 'freely selected' pages for Nancy to 'divine'. She did so -- divinely of course! As you probably know, Ron has survived many medical problems during the last few years. He seemed to be indestructible and I would have bet good money that he would survive this last illness. He told me at the last IBM convention I attended that he had had a long and happy life and that he was ready to go when his time was up. His last ambition was to see 'the book' published before he went and by gosh he achieved that ambition. I am only one of those who will never forget Ron Spencer. May he rest in peace until that day when we all meet up again for a great big party in the sky. Peter Zenner Visit my web-site 'Zenigmas' at http://www.zenigmas.fsnet.co.uk -------------------------------------------- 8. 25th "Ball der Magier -------------------------------------------- Message from Kurt Freitag (Vienna) In Vienna, 4th March 2006, is the 25th "Ball der Magier". (Ball of magicians) Tony Rei is the chairman. In 25 years has worked many prominent magicians. 130 world famous magicians in all this years. This time will work Tina Lenert, Doc Eason and other magicians. You can read it in www.balldermagier.at -------------------------------------------- 9. Auckland NZ International Buskers Festival 2006 -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Nickolas 1st - 6th Feb 2006 138 Shows in 6 days including 1st/2nd Classic Comedy Club and Massive night group shows 4th/5th outside Ohagens Irish Pub at the Viaduct, 3 street Magicians Patrick McCullough (Ire), Kenneth Lightfoot (USA), Nick Nickolas (UK/NZ).. Day Sites Include, Aotea Sq, Vulcan Lane, Atrium on Elliot, In front BNZ Tower, QE2 Sq,2 Sites Viaduct Harbour, Princess Wharf For more details contact Contact Philip Crouch Crackerjack Promotions Ph. (09) 377 6192 Mob. (021) 639 378 Fax. (09) 3774593 pcrouch@crackerjackpromotions.co.nz www.crackerjackpromotions.co.nz Don't miss out on this massive line up of World Class Acts... See Ya there Nick p.s. Phone OHagens 09-363-2106 to reserve seats/dining for the night shows or sit on the ground! Rob Torres (USA) Very, Very Funny Silent Comedy www.funeeestuff.com Duo (AUS) a synergy of strength, agility and balance acrobatics? Denis Lock and Hamish McCann Patrick McCullough (IRE) Magician/Escapes Bartel Meyer (DEN) Squirting Statue www.lebende-statuen.de/Seitendt./brunnen.html Nick Nickolas (ENG) Award winning Cups An Balls routine www.nicknickolas.com Samora Squid (AUS) Contortionist/Sword Swallower Shep Huntly (AUS) The Happy Sideshow Bed of Nails & bowling balls www.thehappysideshow.com Ulla Taylor (AUS) Pavement artist www.users.bigpond.com/ullart Jenny McCracken (AUS) Former Chalk Circle, pavement artist Motley Two (Christchurch, NZ) Circus and Glam Rock synergise impudent, infectious, high voltage entertainment. Mulletman and David Ladderman Shamus (Whangarei, NZ) Chainsaw juggling and more www.shamus.co.nz Kid Dynamite (Whangarei, NZ) young skilled and very charismatic www.littlered.co.nz Sam Wills (Auckland, NZ) Comedy Circus Freak www.samwills.com Comrade Rivalland (Chistchurch, NZ) Comedy Escapes Mr Spin (Australia) phenomenal juggling and originality www.mrspin.net Pandora (England) quirky funny and juggly www.pandorapink.com Kenneth Lightfoot (USA) 20yr+ Street Magic experience -------------------------------------------- 1O. Determining The Value Of These Books -------------------------------------------- Message from Larry Baldwin My wife and I have three old hard bound books in excellent condition: "Memoirs Robert-Houdin, Written by Himself", Third Edition, 1860, Chapman & Hall, 193, Piccadilly; The Philosophy of Magic by Anthony Todd Thomson, M.D., Volume 1 as well as Volume 2, XLVI, Richard Bentley, New Burlington St., London. These belonged to my wife's late father, E.V. Yingst, an amateur magician from E. St. Louis, Illinois, USA. We are school teachers in Chester, Illinois. Would you be so kind as to direct us as to how to proceed in determining the possible value of said books? Thank you for your attention. Please contact us at: larrybaldwin@yahoo.com -------------------------------------------- 11. Review Of Spencer's New DVD - Asia -------------------------------------------- Message from Tim Quinlan Kevin and Cindy Spencer's DVD Theatre of Illusion - A Review By: Tim Quinlan (http://www.insidemagic.com) Performers work hard to keep separate their lives on stage from the real world. There is risk associated with allowing the public to see past the well-rehearsed and expertly choreographed perfection of the show. But the risk is not only for the performer. The fan may find his hero to be profoundly human in the real world. We were concerned Kevin and Cindy Spencers' new DVD Theatre of Illusion - Asia might show too much of the human-side of these two wonderful people. It purported to document all aspects of their very successful 2004 Asia tour. Our concerns were unfounded. The DVD follows The Spencers through preparation for, performance of, and return from logistically challenging but professionally rewarding shows in Taipei and Hong Kong. Thanks to the ever-present camera we see their real-time reactions to the unanticipated twists and turns during the trip. We are happy to report the footage did not shatter our image of Kevin and Cindy Spencer. It affirmed or even boosted our esteem for the couple. There are not many who could endure the 30 hours of travel from Lynchburg, VA, to Taipei so well -- with or without every move, gesture, comment, and reaction documented on film. Logistics captivate us. We enjoy watching the loading and unloading, setting-up and breaking-down of a magic show almost as much as the show itself. Fitting everything needed for a full-evening show into the smallest possible space within the time allotted by a pre-determined travel schedule is a skill-set few magicians need to acquire. The documentary allows us to listen in as the logistical challenges are considered, tackled, or avoided. We begin with news of The Spencers' upcoming Asia tour. Great news for the performers, but a daunting challenge for those responsible for props, scenery, music, lighting, and translators for the tour. David Copperfield likely pays people to worry about the logistics while he prepares for 550-plus performances each year. But Kevin and Cindy Spencer are more intimately involved with the thousands of needed tasks to move the show half-way around the world. Cindy began a very detailed inventory of all tricks, props, and accoutrement to ensure there would be no problems with customs officials at any stage of the travel. She then worked to bring their current show into the smallest number of crates for secure shipment and easy access. The documentary allows us to feel their anxiety as they said good-bye to the props, their entire show and livelihood. They hoped to see the props again -- in the same condition -- in China. The props apparently had a better journey than the performers and team. Kevin, Cindy and their two or three member team are caught in a traveler's hell. The camera documents each of their many plane changes, their endless waiting (in one case they sit for about five-hours on the uncarpeted floor), and their very limited meal options. Through it all -- including Cindy's illness for which she is seen taking antibiotics -- they never lose their composure. At the end of the 30-hour ordeal, Kevin is scheduled to give two very important and well-attended press conferences in Taipei. How he manages lucidity after his trip from the States is almost as impressive as his handling of Gene Anderson's Torn and Restored Newspaper. He looked fresh, ready, and able to answer any question thrown at him in any language. His ability to perform so well and to endear himself so completely to the print and broadcast media is impressive; but even more so in light of his day-and-a-half of travel to arrive at the conferences. Kevin and Cindy move on to join up with their small team in Hong Kong for the first of four sold-out shows. There is no down-time for the performers. They encounter small theaters without wings, broken freight elevators, damaged illusions, and even a request for a personal meeting at intermission during one of their shows. We have not done justice to the first leg of the tour and are certain we would only take away from your excitement if we tried to describe the remaining challenges and triumphs recorded on the DVD. The DVD shows us the less-glamorous side of being an international magic act. But it does not show anything to take away from The Spencers' reputations for professionalism, compassion, and kindness. The cynic would say the darker-side of Kevin and Cindy Spencer was either not filmed or edited from the final version. We think the documentary does not show the darker-side because it does not exist. The DVD moves from behind the curtain to in front of the audience in its next-to-final segment. We have a chance to see Kevin and Cindy perform their illusions and watch the activity leading up to and following the tricks. This is great stuff. Somehow, the camera never comes close to exposing a secret or a gimmick and yet seems to give us full access to all aspects of the show. In addition to the main program, you will also see the very funny out-takes, a presentation on Kevin and Cindy's very successful "Healing of Magic" program, a film clip from Kevin's appearance on Fox News in which he handles himself wonderfully despite the unrealistic time constraints and the ego-driven interruptions by one of the hosts. There is also a photo gallery of The Spencers and team throughout the tour. The DVD itself is professionally produced, easy to navigate, without errors or glitches, and was a pleasure to play and replay. One of the most memorable portions of the documentary is also the most revealing about the Spencers. As they leave Hong Kong, Kevin and Cindy say good-bye to Kit, a Chinese woman who helped during their short four-show stint in the area. Kit cries as her new-found friends leave and Kevin and Cindy become emotional because of the situation and possibly Kit's tears. Within 72 hours, the three people developed an incredibly close relationship and their separation deeply affected all involved. Kevin and Cindy have performed all around the world and have no doubt worked with many locals during their show's run in a particular city. What a testament to their genuine and open spirits to have such a profound effect on those they meet. But even more impressive is that they too were deeply moved. Despite the many venues and thousands of people they've met, The Spencers remain emotionally vulnerable to true friendship. The Spencers' Theatre of Illusion - Asia is a must-see for any magician. You do not have to be a fan of Kevin and Cindy Spencer to enjoy documentary but we predict you will be a devotee after your first viewing. You can order a copy of the DVD directly from The Spencers' always impressive web site. The price is $20.00. Quinlan's Inside Magic Rating: Five out of Five -- Our Highest! Tim Quinlan tim@insidemagic.com www.insidemagic.com -------------------------------------------- 12. Some Simple Guidelines To Make Your Company Xmas Party A Success! -------------------------------------------- Message from Steve Walker (Aust) I also subscribe to UKMagic which is similar to your NZ-E-zine except for UK magicians only. A posting from David Lang before Christmas really made me laugh so I got his permission to send it to you for distribution. Regards Steve Walker Some Simple Guidelines To Make Your Company Xmas Party A Success! 1.. Book the venue 6 months ahead, but leave the booking of the magician till the last minute. 2.. Make sure you book a venue that does not appear on any road map! 3.. If this is not possible, seek out a venue at the edge of a page or under a staple in the map book. 4.. Make sure there are absolutely NO parking facilities for at least a ten-mile radius around the venue! 5.. Have the close up magician arrive at least an hour before any guests arrive. If the venue is inside London's congestion charge zone, request that he arrive there no later than 18.30. 6.. As a rule of thumb, one close up magician can be expected to entertain at least 450 guests. 7.. Don't worry if you only have a small party, close up magicians have enough tricks to entertain eight people for two hours. 8.. Have a free bar for at least an hour before dinner. Extend this to an hour and a half. 9.. Make sure the bar area is 'cosy'. As a guide, 10 people per square yard is about right. Make sure there is nowhere to put drinks down. 10.. Delay dinner by another half an hour. 11.. Have a strict seating plan. Friends can easily talk to each other by wandering aimlessly about the restaurant between courses. 12.. Cram as many people on each table as possible. Weld the chairs together to make this easier. On no account should any space be left on the table. 13.. The temperature in the restaurant should be at least 95 degrees centigrade. 14.. The lighting should be so low that it is impossible to see anything. 15.. Make sure the restaurant only employs waiting staff with no grasp of English. 16.. Have a disco playing background music during the meal. A Military aircraft at take-off is 140 decibels. Aim for a little above that. 17.. Get the boss to make a 25-minute speech just before the main course is served. 18.. Organise raffles or games to keep people occupied throughout the meal. 19.. Have plenty of party poppers on the tables. Failing that, small hard bread rolls make a dual-purpose substitute. They can be eaten or thrown. 20.. Forget to bring the magicians cheque, he won't mind waiting until after Christmas. -------------------------------------------- 13. Stacked Peek - Greg Chapman -------------------------------------------- Message from Greg Chapman (NZ) When great artists are struck with new ideas they often draw their thumbnail sketches and leave them for a while before coming back to them to paint. During this time their ideas were vulnerable to theft by other artists. A participant is asked to create a piece of artwork on the back of a business card. The artwork is hidden amongst some "blank canvases". Our performer posing as an art thief attempts to recreate the artwork.by seeing the picture in the artists mind. This is a basic drawing duplication effect combining the "Out to Lunch" principle with a window stack with to create a devious peeking device using little more than some of your own business cards. Diagrams that illustrate the construction and the peek are available for those who are interested by emailing me at breakthroughz@gmail.com. The basic description of the construction and handling are as follows. A stack of approximately 25-30 business cards is used. Prepare 12 of the cards by cutting a square window in the same half of each card, so that when they are stacked together, a square well goes through the stack. With all of the cards face down and facing the same way, place the remainder of the cards above the "window" stack. Cut a single card approximately in half across its width, large enough to cover the window. Using a strip of thin plastic or card, make a band that fits snugly around the whole stack. This should look similar to a wide rubber band but will slide smoothly on and off the stack without gripping like a rubber band would. Fix the half card inside the band with double sided tape so and slide the gimmick over the stack. In performance hold the cards face down, slide a card from the top of the stack and draw a square (frame) on the blank side with a marker. The frame should be in the same approximate position as the window. Then write your artists name below it. Have them draw a picture in the frame as you turn away. Ask them to draw something simple. Take the face down card, riffle down the normal end of the stack (blank canvases) and insert the card in the bottom half. Have them push their card flush. Now put everything down (with the blank side showing) and pause for a moment. This is when you should be reading their mind, not fiddling with your cards. Take your time and begin describing some basic shapes to them. After it appears you are "seeing" more details, only then pick up the stack turning it face down, slide down the band (uncovering the window, and revealing their drawing on the underside) and remove the top card on which to draw your impressions. Removing the top card provides a reason to slide down the band. Casually put the stack in your shirt pocket or inside jacket pocket. When putting objects into these pockets it is entirely natural to look at what you are doing. This is when you take your peek. Draw a frame and using your best acting abilities "receive" the drawing and draw it in the frame. With an artist's flair sign your name and give them the card as a souvenir. It is stronger if you can do this without them seeing exactly what you are drawing. Only when you are finished, hand them the card and enjoy their reaction. Words or numbers can be easier to recognize with such a short time to take your peek, so you may choose to use this basic methodology with a different presentation involving a word or number. ----------------- 14. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 83 MORE MISHAPS! An awful lot of years ago, I went to at a party somewhere in Auckland. As the night, and my alcohol intake progressed, my common sense and judgment became somewhat impaired, to say the least. The relevance of my happy, self-induced 'brain box' deficiency will become clear shortly. It turns out that the party host was a butcher who plied his trade at the Westfield freezing works. Somebody mentioned to him that I was a Magician and a Sword Swallower to which he, with typical New Zealand down-to-earth, straight to the point, bluntness said - "BULLSHIT!" Rather appropriate I thought, considering where he worked. Disappearing for a moment, he returned with a large black sheath. You can see the same type sheath strapped around your butcher's waist when you go to his shop, it's filled with the various knives of his trade including a 'steel' for sharpening. Anyhow, my party host reached into his holster and with a flourish whipped out a gleaming, very sharp, very lethal knife saying - "let's see you swallow this bugger"! Instead of explaining to him that I couldn't swallow anything with razor-sharp edges as it would slice open the oesophagus as you pushed it down (a needle sharp point is okay so long as you don't pierce the lining of your stomach), I stupidly/drunkenly said "don't you have anything bigger"! Grinning like a Cheshire cat he again reached into his 'bag of tricks' and, like a magician, produced an enormous steel, that was far bigger and thicker than the one most have at home. From a sword swallower's point of view, the size was not a problem so I quite happily took it from him and pushed it down my throat. He was gob smacked! I on the other hand, was becoming aware, through my alcoholic haze, that my throat wasn't - didn't feel at all like it should. Rough would be a good description. Then I started to pull it out. BLOODY HELL! I had forgotten that although a butcher's steel doesn't have sharp straight edges like a knife, it does have a sharp raised edge that spirals from the top of the steel to the very tip. I very slowly, gingerly, eased it up, revolving the steel as I did so. It didn't help. I was raw for a month! Served me bloody well right. I never did that again! Another incident happened (this also was many, many moons ago, during the Christmas/New year beach resort circuit) after a show at the Rotorua Sound Shell. At the conclusion of the concert the various artists myself included headed off to a coffee lounge for midnight snacks - the usual entertainers healthy fare - toasted sandwiches, hamburgers, coffee of course and any other junk that was on offer. We were all sitting at various tables, minding our own business, when a small group of people came into the coffee lounge. It became obvious that they had been at the open - air concert when one of them singled me out, loudly proclaimed to one of all that I was a fake because -'everybody knows that the swords fold-up when you press the secret button'. Well, I wasn't about to take that sitting down so I stood up - and headed for the counter. I had noticed earlier whilst dishing out cream for my coffee that the spoon had quite a long handle. Just the thing to prove a point! Holding the bowl of the spoon with the tips of my fingers, I flung my head back and slowly pushed the handle down my throat - no problem, it was like a small entree compared to the 22-inch sword that normally followed the same path. For a moment all was well, the loudmouth sceptic, in stunned disbelief was silent while others 'Ooohed and Aaahed' then, it happened. My fingers holding the bowl of the spoon, which was covered in cream, squeezed a little bit too tight with the result that the spoon shot out of my fingers like a pip, with lightning speed! The handle finished up halfway down my oesophagus and the bowl was lodged somewhere behind my adams apple. It took the best part of half-an-hour to get that spoon out - forcing two fingers down my throat to get a grip on the bowl. Bent over double, a large pool of blood was developing on the floor as my fingernails ripped, tore and lacerated the tender skin down my throat. At one point I just managed to got a grip on it when some body slapped me on the back, obviously thinking that it might help to dislodge the spoon - it did, out of my fingers and straight back down my throat again! The worst part about it was trying to stay calm, so that I could breathe - it wasn't easy. It took an awful lot of mental pain control to carry on performing night after night, swallowing swords, eating fire etc - thank God my sleight of hand magic act worked to music, no patter. I never did that again either! Isn't amazing; the trials, tribulations and pain we go through, for the sake of our art! ---------------- 15. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives ------------------ Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/fezine.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) ------------------- 16. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice ------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. 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