* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #446 Date: Sunday 17th September 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. 2006 Milbourne Christopher Award Winners 3. 2007 IBM Convention Reno 4. Re South African Magical Society Convention 2007 5. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 27 - Nick Lewin 6. Canadian Magic Stars In Hollywood--Sept.17 7. Giddyup Horsie.... 8. Steps To Your Success: Successful Minded Thinking - 2 9. Cruising 101 10. Updated Australian "Magic Show Tour" 2006 11. Wanted "Misers Dream" Manufactured By "A. Freed Novelty Inc. 12. Donation Received For Merrill Snyder Memorial Fund 13. CLEO magazine - Sam Powers 14. Festival Of Magic/ Florida State 15. The Age Melbourne Fringe Festival 2006 16. An Unusual Story 17. My New Book 'Brass Knuckles' 18. 28th New Zealand International Magicians Convention 19. The Amazing Orchante Saga 20. e-zine Archives 21. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Joint IBM / SAM 2008 - Louisville, Kentucky July 21-26, 2008 John Apperson tells me that the joint IBM / SAM 2008 registrationS are flooding into take advantage of the Early Bird registration rate. If you register before December 31st 2006 - Special rate $295 US As from January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007 - $395 January 1, 2008 - June 30, 2008 - $495 July 1, 2008 - to convention - $595 BOOK NOW for the special rate of only $295 Check out the conventions new website: http://www.ibmsam2008.com/ A 2008 Convention Registration form may be found on both the IBM and SAM web sites and by email to IBMSAM2008@appsmagic.com Michele and I have registered and also booked our accommodation. Convention Headquarters The Galt House Hotel & Suites Fourth Street at the River Louisville, KY, 40202 Hotel Reservations Toll Free in the USA: 800-THE-GALT (800-843-4258) Overseas call: 502-589-5200 Fax: 502-568-3498 Use Booking Code: 422497 IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention Rates Guaranteed for 2008 600 Traditional Rooms West Tower $99.00 single or double occupancy* $109.00 triple* $119.00 quad* 300 Executive Suites East Tower $124.00 single or double occupancy* $134.00 triple* $144.00 quad* ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. 2006 Milbourne Christopher Award Winners -------------------------------------------- Message from Maurine Christopher (US) Ryan Oakes - Newcomer David Charvet - Literary award Richard Osterlind - Mentalist Losander - Illusionist Lee Grabel - Lifetime Achievement Channing Pollock - Masters Award Society of American Magicians Banquet July 15 Louisville KY Pollock's award - his second was accepted by Norm Nielsen a 2001 winner for lifetime achievement. Mrs Pollock was unable to come to accept for her late husband. -------------------------------------------- 3. 2007 IBM Convention Reno -------------------------------------------- Message from Mel Kientz - IBM Convention Committee If you are ready to save some money by registering before January 1, 2007 just go to the below links to register online! Go to: https://www.magician.org/convention2007_registrationform-live.htm to register online Go to: http://www.magician.org/convention_pics_2007/registrationcard.pdf to view and print registration form ---------------o0o----------------- Mel Kientz IBM Convention Committee 2020 W Yucca Drive (928) 231-3848 ---------------o0o----------------- Want off of this info email list....? Just zap me a note > napamagic@aol.com and your name will magically disappear from the list.. -------------------------------------------- 4. Re South African Magical Society Convention 2007 -------------------------------------------- Message from David J O'Connor (South Africa) Fellow magicians, Regarding last weeks e-zine notice promoting the scheduled South African Magical Society Convention for 2007 - unfortunately there was an error in our website address. To learn more about this exciting event or to book online please go to www.sams.org.za Remember this is the African Magic Experience with David Ginn. Thank you to those that have already contacted us. David J O'Connor (AMA) eire@absamail.co.za -------------------------------------------- 5. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 27 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) A mind is a terrible thing to read. (Or how I met Ross Johnson.) I have always had a special love of mentalism and mind reading. I think it dates back to the sheer delight I experienced watching Maurice Fogel when I was a kid. I remember the reaction when he started his show by dramatically stating that he could tell you the winning number in the lottery and the name of the horse that would win the Kentucky Derby. You could almost feel the audience's disbelief of these claims. Fogel then deflated the moment and reassured the audience that if this were the case he would be a multi millionaire and happily retired. Instantly the audience relaxed and started to bond with this eccentric fellow. Maurice then explained that on certain occasions he could sometimes demonstrate some rather unusual abilities. The audience was in the palm of his hand by then and couldn't wait to see if this was going to be one of those occasions! I am a huge fan of Max Maven's contributions to the art of mind reading. I think Max is one of the great thinkers on the magic scene. Watching Max work is always a delight and to read his books is a sure fire way to stretch your mind and learn something really new. I perform a version of Max's 'Four Sided Triangle' and every time I do it I am grateful that Max has chosen to share so much great material with the rest of us in the magic community. Having enjoyed watching Mentalism for so many years I would like to share my first meeting with the man I consider the most convincing mind reader in the world. Please note that the word I used in the last sentence was convincing, not flashiest, dramatic or unique. If you want your mind reading to be convincing then you need to check out Chicago's own Ross Johnson. I first met Ross on a Monday night at the 'Catch a Rising Star' comedy club located in the Hiatt Regency in Oakbrook. I was scheduled to headline the club for the week but unknown to me the club had booked Ross to perform for a special audience. The manager asked me if I would mind opening the show for Johnson. I replied that it would be a pleasure to do so, however I pointed out that Ross had better be good if he was going to follow me. I wasn't being a big head, just honest; I needn't have worried! What makes Ross such an interesting performer is that he never looks like he is performing. Heck, he doesn't even look like a performer let alone a mind reader. Ross has an intense delivery that makes his blindfold Q & A act into a masterpiece of modern mind reading. When Ross is mulling over the details he reveals to his audience he has an edgy and slightly abstracted manner. He always looks like he is more upset by the information that he can't get than the stuff he does get. As an actor Johnson is world class and he sells his act in a way that is almost over the top in its simplicity. People ask questions and then Ross answers them. There is just something so real about the way he gets slightly petulant with some of his audience as he seems to be chasing some piece of information from the back of their mind. That night at 'Catch a Rising Star' I started a fine friendship with Ross that even included a séance performance at the 'Catch', which is still talked about. During the séance a grown men fainted and a bolt of lightning hit the window of the showroom and broke open a shuttered and bolted window. These things would have been great special effects if they had been planned but in fact they were total surprises to us. Some time I will have to write the full story of 'The Awful Goings On In Oakbrook' and tell you how crazy the evening really was! Please send any bricks or bouquets to nicklewin@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------- 6. Canadian Magic Stars In Hollywood--Sept.17 -------------------------------------------- Message from Clive Court (Canada) The Magic Of Hollywood Will Feature Two Canadian International Stars At The Kodak Theatre/Sept.17 Los Angeles, Ca. (Sept .12)--Two of Canada's international magic stars have been invited to celebrate The Magic of Hollywood, September 15-17. Vancouver's Juliana Chen, the World's First Lady of Magic, and Abbotsford's James Dimmare, will appear in the 50th anniversary of Hollywood's It's Magic! show at Hollywood's Kodak Theatre on Sunday, Sept.17. The show will be hosted by magic fan and TV star Jason Alexander. The all-star It's Magic! line-up includes leading magicians from Las Vegas and other venues around the world. Chen will be flying in from Germany where she is currently appearing in Zauber Zauber at Stuttgart's Friedrichsbau Variety Theatre. Dimmare is a three time winner of America's Stage Magician of the Year Award. Chen and Dimmare will be joined by other leading magicians including Las Vegas stars Lance Burton, Rick Thomas, Mac King, Jeff McBride, and The Pendragons. The show's producers have also announced that Siegfried and, hopefully, Roy, of Siegfried and Roy will make a special appearance. (Roy Horn is still recovering from an accident with one of his tigers in 2003. The accident ended their spectacular long-running Las Vegas show). In 1997, Juliana Chen became the first woman to win a world title with a solo act in the 50-year history of the World Championships of Magic. Other reference sites: www.julianachen.com www.dimmare.com www.itsmagic.org www.friedrichsbau.de -------------------------------------------- 7. Giddyup Horsie.... -------------------------------------------- Message from Maria Ibáñez Society of American Magicians National President Elect Greetings...time to reminisce about the "good ole days" and our childhood riding on the range atop an old broom stick horsie. How many of us remember the days of playing pretend as we would ride high on the horse and played the part of the cowboy or cowgirl on that sometimes headless broomstick horse galloping around the yard feeling like Dale Evans or Roy Rogers, Gene Autrey or Calamity Jane? This year, let us become children again as we ride our horsies together in Dallas to enjoy the wonderment and merriment of magic. Let us gallop together towards a convention which promises to be, as it has every year past, the world's friendliest family convention. So, don't saw off your household broom, don't wait for Halloween to borrow the friendly witche's broomstick, come to Dallas and get your very own nostalgic stick horsie and gallop around the hotel and world's friendliest convention with me. Contact convention registrars John and Virginia Apperson today, before the herd of horses is gone sam@appsmagic.com or register on line at www.magicsam.com and be sure to have them write on your registration that you want your own horse in Dallas. See you there, pardner! -------------------------------------------- 8. Steps To Your Success: Taking Action - 2 -------------------------------------------- Message from Kyle Peron (US) E-Mail: Magic4u02@aol.com I learned a few years ago that if I wanted to increase my earnings by doing less shows, then there was something I was not doing that I needed to start doing. I had a good show. I provided a good service to my clients as well. I just could not figure out what it was. Then through some research and through some good friends I realized that I knew nothing about the business side of show business. I knew nothing on how to market myself efficiently in order to get the shows I wanted. I also was not taking direct action to achieve the success I wanted for my wife and I. Now this sentence is the key here. "TO GET THE SHOWS THAT I WANTED". I was saying that to myself but never listening to my own advice. I was simply NOT getting the shows that I wanted. Rather I was waiting, wishing and hoping the shows would come to me. I soon realized that if I wanted the shows I wanted to be doing, then my philosophy needed to change. I needed to stop waiting for action to come to me and instead take action upon myself to actively seek out those shows. Instead of me waiting for the phone to ring. I would call and make the phone ring on a potential lead I was working. Instead of waiting for an e-mail to come from a client, I sent the e-mail out first. I learned that I simply had to take action into my own hands and that through direct action could come wonderful results. This also led me to learning as much as I could about marketing. Here I was a graphic designer and artist for years. I designed many marketing pieces for others and still do yet I knew little to nothing about how marketing could work for me. Through a few great websites (like www.thedean.net), great friends etc. they lead me to discovering some key things that changed the way I do my magic and think about it in order to get the gigs I want to work. It really started changing my philosophy on magic and how I go about it. Instead of sitting on my butt dreaming of success, I knew there were things I could do to take success by the horns. I realized that I actually had CONTROL over the success I wanted for myself. I realized a few important things in my early research. Some of these were: 1) That if you want success then you have to think success and you have to surround yourself with successful minded people . 2) That sitting on your butt does nothing more then make your butt sore. If you want success then you have to go out there and take ACTION. 3) That instead of just using passive styles of marketing, I needed to also strive to use active styles and use them efficiently and make active marketing a habit. 4) I needed to become organized and manage my clients, suspects and prospects. Only when you are organized, can you develop systems to remind yourself when to send out thank you e-mails, when to call etc. Organization was critical. 5) That building relationships with prospects and clients meant everything. I learned that by staying in touch with people after the gig was important. That these people should not be forgotten, but that relationship should be nurtured because those folks know my show, what I provide and they can be the word of mouth and referral system I can set into action. These are just a few of the many things that I discovered and still use to this day to get more shows, the shows that I want to perform and so less shows while making more income for myself and enjoying every minute of it. They are lessons learned that helped me to start taking action for myself. I learned that anyone can achieve success. Success was not for those with master's degrees or those who were rich and had income. Success could happen to anyone at anytime as long as that person realized that he or she had direct control. You can achieve success. It is within everyone's grasp. I hope this helps you and that you get some tips and suggestions that might help. If I can go into details on any of this, or if you have opinions on any of it, please let me know. I would be happy to discuss it further with you or anyone else. It would be my pleasure. Kyle Peron Magician and Illusionist Graphic Designer and Illustrator (Specializing in Logo creation) www.kyleandkellymagic.com -------------------------------------------- 9. Cruising 101 -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany (NZ) Today's lesson is for the magician who is heading out to work on ships, or actually ANY where in the world. Without a doubt the worst part of this job is the travel, and now with tighter security it has made traveling that less enjoyable. Here is a current example. Today I am flying from Istanbul to Frankfurt then back to Vancouver. However, I needed to get to the airport two and a half hours early in Istanbul (that would be 3.30am in the morning for a 6am flight). Now they don't only x-ray your hand luggage, but also your check-in luggage. Anything that resembles any type of 'dangerous' object will definitely be removed. I was stuck in Istabul with my card sword, my floating broom and had to really argue the point that they weren't dangerous. I spent about 30 minutes going through my luggage with the security people. My advice to any magician who is traveling is to 're-think' your act. Any trick that you think could be seen as 'dangerous' then leave it at home. I'd hate to think of what would happen to magicians who perform any trick with any type of firearm. The hassle just would not be worth it these days if you want a hassle free flight. Fortunately I have a 5 hour wait over in Frankfut because any flights heading to North America are being screened at least twice now, and the security line goes on forever. When Carol Roy used to write in the Genii magazine with the heading 'it ain't all glamour' she hit the nail on the head. Cruising today has changed so much, even in the past six years that many entertainers I know on ships are now looking at getting back on land. I've discussed this before, if you're an act that wants to stay on a ship for several months then the hassle is probably worth it. But if, like me, you are a fly on act, that is each week you fly to a different country then you have to now consider seriously whether you are up for the huge amount of stress in just travelling. The actual show itself is such a small part of cruising now. In the next few weeks I fly from Vancouver to Cape Town, to Athens, to Rome and Gibralter. I will be revising my entire show due to the hassle of travel. Happy Cruising Paul Romhany www.paulromhany.com www.chaplinmagic.com -------------------------------------------- 10. Updated Australian "Magic Show Tour" 2006 -------------------------------------------- Message from Gene McCarthy (NZ) Dates & Venue - Town - Show Times Thursday 14th September 2006 - Cairns - 5:00pm & 7:30pm Friday 15th September - Cairns - 5:00pm & 7:30pm Cairns Civic Theatre Saturday 16th September - Travel Day Sunday 17th September - Townsville - 1:30pm & 4:00pm Upper Ross Community PCYC Monday 18th September - Mackay - 7:00pm Mackay Entertainment Centre Tuesday 19th September - Day Off Wednesday 20th September - Rockhampton - 1:00pm & 4:00pm & 7:00pm Pilbeam Theatre Thursday 21st September - Day Off Friday 22nd September - Day Off Saturday 23rd September - Travel Day Sunday 24th September - Bundaberg - 7:00pm Moncrieff Theatre Monday 25th September - Day Off Tuesday 26th September - Nambour - 1:00pm & 4:00pm & 7:00pm Nambour Civic Centre Wednesday 27th September Day Off Thursday 28th September - Toowoomba 6:00 USQ Clive Berghoser Recreation Centre Friday 29th September - Gold Coast - 1:00pm & 4:00pm Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre Saturday 30th September - Brisbane - 12:00pm & 6:30pm Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre Sunday 1st October - Lismore - 2:00pm & 5:00pm Lismore District Workers Club Monday 2nd October - Drive Day Tuesday 3rd October Newcastle - 1:30pm & 5:00pm & 7:30pm University of Newcastle Wednesday 4th October - Gosford - 1:00pm & 4:00pm & 7:00pm Central Coast Leagues Club Thursday 5th October Penrith 12:30pm - 4:30pm & 7:00pm Panthers World of Entertainment Friday 6th October - Hurstville - 11:00am & 2:00pm & 5:00pm Sutherland Entertainment Centre Saturday 7th October - Bondi - 11am & 1:30pm & 4:30pm Sunday 8th October - Bondi - 11am & 1:30pm & 4:30pm Luna Park Big Top Monday 9th October - Wollongong - 1:30pm & 4:30pm & 7:00pm Woonona Bulli R S L Tuesday 10th October - Day Off Wednesday 11th October - Day Off Thursday 12th October - Canberra - 12:30pm & 5:00pm & 7:30pm Llewellyn Hall Friday 13th October - Travel Saturday 14th October - Albury - 1:30pm & 5:00pm & 7:30pm Albury Performing Arts Centre Sunday 15th October - Travel Monday 16th October - Wagga Wagga 12:00pm, 4:30pm & 7:00pm Civic Theatre Wednesday 18th October - Off Tuesday 17th October - Day - Off Thursday 19th October - Ballarat - 12:00pm & 7:00pm Friday 20th October - Ballarat - 12:00pm & 7:00pm 1870 Founders Theatre (University of Ballarat) Saturday 21st October - Bendigo - 1:00pm & 4:00pm & 7:00pm Sunday 22nd October - Bendigo - 1:00pm Eaglehawk School Monday 23rd October - Melbourne - 1:00pm & 4:00pm & 7:00pm Tuesday 24th October - Melbourne - 11:00am & 1:30pm & 7:00pm Melbourne Town Hall Wednesday 25th October - Geelong - 4:30pm & 7:00pm The Arena Thursday 26th October - Ferry Friday 27th October - Burnie - 4:30pm & 7:00pm Burnie Civic Centre Saturday 28th October - Devonport - 1:00pm & 5:30pm Devonport Entertainment & Convention Centre Sunday 29th October - Launceston - 2:00pm & 5:30pm Princess Theatre Monday 30th October - Hobart - 1:30pm & 5:00pm Wrest Point Hotel Casino Tuesday 31st October Ferry Wednesday 1st November - Mildura - 5:00pm & 7:30pm Chaffey College Hall Thursday 2nd November - Drive Day Friday 3rd November Adelaide - 12:00pm & 7:00pm Saturday 4th November - Adelaide - 1:00pm & 4:00pm Thebarton Theatre Sunday 5th November - Travel Monday 6th November - Travel Tuesday 7th November - Kalgoorlie - 4:30pm & 7:00pm Town Hall Wednesday 8th November - Travel Thursday 9th November - Off Friday 10th November - Perth - 7:00pm Saturday 11th November - Perth - 1:00pm & 4:30pm & 7:00pm Perth Convention and Entertainment Centre End of Australian Tour -------------------------------------------- 11. Wanted "Misers Dream" Manufactured By "A. Freed Novelty Inc. -------------------------------------------- Message from Larry Cambell Would it be possible that you would run this info on an item that I have been looking for a very long time. Need it for my close-up act. Wanted: "Misers Dream" it was manufactured by "A. Freed Novelty Inc. New York, N.Y. Copyrighted 1974" It goes over your wallet - fits any size wallet. It is about 2" X 2" chrome plated with elastic band that will go over any wallet. There is a black plastic tumbler on it with the sound of "click - click - click - ect. Ect." when you turn the tumbler. When I used to sell them in my store - it sold for $2.95. But will pay more just get one or more for my act. I can be reached at czeezo@hotmail.Com -------------------------------------------- 12. Donation Received For Merrill Snyder Memorial Fund -------------------------------------------- Message from George Schindler - Dean - the Society of American Magician An empty seat at the MAES convention in PA was left to honor the memory of Merrill Snyder who passed away this year,. Generous magicians left money on the seat, to be donated to the Merrill Snyder Fund of the S.A.M Magic Endowment Fund. More than $2000 was collected and according to Merrill's wishes will be used "to provide encouragement for young people in the art of magic" -------------------------------------------- 13. CLEO magazine - Sam Powers -------------------------------------------- Message from Kellee Cruse (Aust) Sam Powers joins the CLEO magazine Bachelor club and performs live at this iconic event. CLEO magazine, one of Australia's largest selling women's magazines presents the annual "CLEO Bachelor of the Year event." This 'iconic' Australian competition sees Australia's hottest and most talented men fight or "pose" it out for the title of Australia's most wanted Bachelor. Sam Powers is up against 49 other Bachelors this Thursday night and will headline festivities by showcasing his spectacular talents and illusion show in front of an A-list crowd at the black tie event dinner at Melbourne's prestigious Crown Promenade Hotel. -------------------------------------------- 14. Festival Of Magic/ Florida State -------------------------------------------- Message from Harry Allen (US) We are getting it together for the final prep. for the Festival Of Magic/ Florida State first time combined convention. November 3-4-5 2006 www.daytonamagic.com for details Franz Harary promised 4 new illusions never seen. Johnny Thompson is in great form as always. (Optional special teach-in limited seating extra charge) Seabrooke is MCing Fukai and his eye popping full show Boris Wild - Close-up Fism winner Carl Andrews - Close-up un real Ron Conley - Best childrens lecture Don Townsend - Corp. Illusionist Dave Kaplan - IBM 1st Place Peoples choice -------------------------------------------- 15. The Age Melbourne Fringe Festival 2006 -------------------------------------------- Message from Cath Jamison (Aust) Cath Jamison in "Secret Life of a Woman" After a sell-out season in 2005, this multi-award winning female "Star of Magic", returns with her exciting new show. In the haunting surrounds of the Wesley Anne, the internationally acclaimed, Cath Jamison, invites you to witness her paranormal powers of women's intuition, her bizarre concept of Magic, her romantic, yet sadistic view on Dating, and her unhealthy dangerous fixation of swallowing Razorblades... all with a comical, sassy twist! Special Guest, the quirky, sexy, dancing twins..."Perfect Nonsense" "How did she do that...Awesome!" - Tim Burton , USA Film Director "...Ingredients for a winning combination" - The Age " A fantastic response from the audience" - World Famous Spiegeltent Australians Leading Female Magician winner of " Best Professional Stage Magic" Australian Convention of magician cathjamison@hotmail.com 6 , 7 , 8 Oct......7pm Wesley Anne 250 High St, Northcote , Melbourne. Australia Tix: $20...Full $16...Con $15...Group (10 people) Book At Melbourne Fringe (03) 8412 8777 melbournefringe.com.au -------------------------------------------- 16. An Unusual Story -------------------------------------------- Message from Don Drake (US) I haven't told many of you yet, but I guess I'd better let everyone know what has happened to Sharon and me over the last two months. It's a very unusual story, more like an odyssey than anything else, but to me it's been like a nightmare. To begin with; we moved to Lompoc California (at a cost of about $2,000) because this old 'nursing-school friend' of Sharon's invited us to come and live with her in her beautiful 3 bedroom, two bath house. She told us she would not only share her house with us, but would leave it to Sharon in her will, and/or make Sharon an owner 'in trust' as it were. So we decided to come, thinking we could finally get a house. However this is not what occurred. After a month of living with this lady (her name is Geraldine Wagner) we suddenly discovered that she was a raving psychotic!. She thinks that everyone is 'plotting against her' like all her neighbours and the police, etc. Also she doesn't ask favors, she gives commands and if we didn't follow them we were 'against her', etc. I don't want to bore you with the details. The long and short of it is this, she threw us out of the house, almost penniless (as I had invested the rest of my savings in the move, and in Sharon's medical (Sharon is on dialysis three times a week) bills. So here we are. We are trying to get into an apartment here in beautiful downtown Lompoc, and as the weeks progress we have been able to raise enough money to rent one, and to move into it. I had to borrow money from my friends (which I hate to do, I'm very embarrassed) for this and I'm still trying to get enough money to eat for the next two weeks. Like I said, this isn't a plea for money, somehow I'll survive and so will Sharon, it's just to let everyone know the situation, and why some of the orders are a little slower getting out than usual. It will be at least two weeks before I can start sewing black art curtains, and such, but I do have books and some DVD's to mail out if ordered. So if you have placed an order with me and it's a little slow, I hope you will understand. Like I said, it's been a nightmare for me. If anyone wants to order any of my stuff, now would be a good time to do it, in 50 years I have never defaulted on an order and I don't intend to start now. I AM OFFERING 10% OFF ON ANYTHING ON MY WEBSITE, and I'll refund the 10% if there is an order through paypal, the same day I get it. So if you are interested in my black art and wish to order anything, please let me know that you read this message, and want the discount. Thanks to all of you who have supported me in the past, BTW Lompoc California is a fabulous town with a small population and NO other magicians. So if anyone wants to move here I highly recommend the town, the people, and the beautiful weather. It is only 8 miles from the ocean and the people here are friendly, and very charitable. I had a flat tire, went to Big O tires and they fixed the flat, re-balanced the tire and would NOT charge me anything. The guy simply said, "Welcome to Lompoc!" I'll bet you won't find that in LA -:) Yours in black art magic, DONDRAKE P.O. Box 246 Lompoc, CA 93438 Cell: 805-234-6189 "May all of your blackgrounds be invisible." dondrake@blackartsecrets.com -------------------------------------------- 17. My New Book 'Brass Knuckles' -------------------------------------------- Message from Doug Edwards Could you please make mention of the release of my new hardcover book 'Brass Knuckles' by Doug Edwards to the magic fraternity. It contains mostly close up effects/ sleights and some bonus non card stage items. There are 62 items in total. Available from Viking Mfg./Collector's Workshop for $49.00 plus $8.00 postage. For details, visit their website at www.vikingmagiccompany.com. -------------------------------------------- 18. 28th New Zealand International Magicians Convention -------------------------------------------- Hosted by Palmerston North Magic Circle (Inc) Palmerston North, New Zealand. 20th to 23rd October 2006 For the registration html form to print off Go to: http://www.joel.co.nz/convention/reg_form.htm Information on the convention Go to: http://www.watson.co.nz/convention.html The Schedule of events Go to: http://www.joel.co.nz/convention/timetable.htm Convention headliners: David Williamson (USA) Lisa Menna (USA) Duane and Mary Laflin (USA) Joel Howlett (Aus) Alan Martell (UK) If you are planning to attend and have not booked - BOOK NOW - as seats are NOW VERY limited. ----------------- 19. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 120 One day Henri Roland (Jack Doyle) said: "Trev', It's time to head off to Australia!" but Trevor told him that they didn't have a show that was good enough, yet, to compete with the 'BIG INTERNATIONAL STAGE PRODUCTIONS' that were showing in Australia. While having a drink in a hotel bar somewhere, Henri met up with some carnival/sideshow promoters who told Henri that they could take him to Australia - they filled him up with booze - he believed them - and gave notice to Trevor to quit! Trevor was most upset, apart from all the hard work that he had put into the venture with Henri Roland, for the best part of one year (actually 10 months), he and Jack had shared hotel rooms/motels and had become good friends. Terribly hurt by Henri's abuse of their friendship and lack of judgement, Trevor sadly said goodbye to Jack Doyle. He then headed back home to Christchurch and rejoined Amalgamated Theatres Ltd. as the manager in four Cinemas. Henri's deal with the carnival folk fell through - HE NEVER GOT TO AUSTRALIA, so he went up to Christchurch to ask Trevor to rejoin with him - but Trevor was happy to stay in the cinema business. "Jack rang me many, many times Tommy," Trevor told me, "Wanting me to return to him but I declined his offer - his walking out on me really caused an upset to my health." Jack went back to Auckland City and purchased a 'War Assets Shop' in Queen Street (the main street in Auckland city central) and gave away the hypnotist act. 'HENRI ROLAND, HYPNOTIC MARVEL AND MASTER MENTALIST' quietly vanished, as have so many others over the years, never to be seen or heard of again - that is, until somebody, such as myself (with the aid of Trevor King), reminds the world of their momentary 'fame'! Three years later, Jack Doyle rang Trevor from Auckland to say, "Trev', I am coming down to the South Island for a holiday and I would love to meet up with you - take you out for drinks and a meal.." -- etc, etc. " I waited to meet up with him" said Trevor, "but tragedy struck poor Jack - he had a fast 'Million Dollar Car' - and loved to speed! He had been down south and was on his way up north to Christchurch to meet me - then somewhere near Timaru, he apparently became frustrated from being stuck behind a milk tanker truck - he recklessly pulled out and passed him and, smashed head on into a tourist bus!" "It was a shocking accident Tommy - the police contacted me to visit the morgue to identify Jack's body - I was 'not myself' for months after the accident. Jack and I had not been just Promoter/ Artiste; Even though we had parted company, WE WERE STILL, GOOD MATES!" Getting back to (the late) JACK SHANNON (The best publicity man in show business), he had made 'FRANQUIN' a household name with his fantastic publicity. - he rang Trevor to tell him that he had found another 'hypnotist' - he was called 'THE MIRACLE PRIEST', it turns out that he was actually a dry-cleaner who came from New Plymouth. According to Jack, he was very good as a dry-cleaner but no good as a hypnotist. They opened his show at Invercargill and closed in Gore! He was so bad as a hypnotist that Jack said that HE had put the subjects to sleep! Obviously Jack had learnt a thing or two after all his years with 'The Fabulous Franquin'. Jack had always wanted to join Trevor in a partnership (they never did) - he just loved promoting hypnotists and spending money on publicity - 'Somebody Else's Money'!!! Harry Wren, International entrepreneur, gave him his next job in Australia - $1000 a week! Jack handled the publicity for all the big Japanese shows/productions from Tokyo that toured 'Down Under' as well as major Australian variety shows for several years then, Jack then went back to N.Z. and worked for Kerridge - Odeon Theatres, doing the publicity for Big Movies like "Laurence Of Arabia" and "Ben Hur" etc. With his health failing, he returned to Australia, and worked on the Stage Door of the Sydney Opera House as a security guard. One night Jack's wife phoned Trevor: "Jack died last night backstage during a Rolf Harris concert.." In a letter to me "Trevor said: TOMMY, WE HAVE LOST A GREAT SHOWMAN!" 'DORMIA', THE WORLDS FIRST LADY HYPNOTIST, is how she was advertised! From Auckland, N.Z., her real name - Rhona Robson, was taught by WALTER BRAEMAR, the man who taught Tex Morton Van Loewe and, who claimed to have also taught FRANQUIN, although Pat Quinn vehemently denies this! CONTINUES NEXT WEEK -------------------------------------------- 20. 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