* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand
* www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #454
Date: Sunday 15th October 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. 20 years Of Magic At Barnaby's
3. Mr. Zodiac Retires From Office
4. News From Sydney
5. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 31 - Nick Lewin
6. Rooklyn Tablecloth
7. Houdini And Churchill Were In The Phone Book
8. Steps To Your Success: Online Printing Guidelines - 6
9. Escape Artist Convention, Ontario, CA September 29-Oct 1
10. Jason Alexander Performs At MINDvention
11. A Dice Stacking Retrospective, Part 22
12. Dunninger And His Camouflage Work In World War 2
13. Derren Brown A One Hour Series Of Shows
14. MITR 2006/Convnetion Report
15. Creating A Harry Kellar Museum?
16. Joel Howlet And Shimada
17. Greg Hudson Touring NZ
18. Upcoming Magic Events In PA/NJ
19. The Amazing Orchante Saga
20. e-zine Archives
21. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice

--------------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------
There will be **NO** New Zealand e-zine published this coming 
week as Michele and I will be attending the 28th New Zealand 
International Magicians Convention in Palmerston North.

The next issue will be published on Sunday 29th October.

-----------------------
Remember if you have any magic news drop me a
line: AW@Alan-Watson.com

--------------------------------------------
2. 20 years Of Magic At Barnaby's
--------------------------------------------
Message from Steve Walker (Aust)

We reached a milestone in close up magic in Sydney this week when 
I returned from a 3 month abroad to resume my weekly gig at 
Barnaby's Restaurant in Sydney. This makes it 20 years of Magic 
at Barnaby's and coincides with the owner Michael Fischer selling 
the business.

The indications are that the magic will continue under the new 
owners and the current roster is:
Monday - Joe Baynie
Tuesday - Allan Cullen
Wednesday - Steve Walker
Thursday - Alan Sullivan
Friday - Garabed

Peter Rodgers has decided to give away his regular spot but is 
available as a back up when we need him.

Here's to the next 20 years!

--------------------------------------------
3. Mr. Zodiac Retires From Office
--------------------------------------------
Message from Peter Pinner (UK)

Mr. Zodiac (Freddie Firth) has stepped down as Honorary Editor of 
The Zodiac Magical Society's magazine 'The Zodiac' after an 
amazing 40 years and from the council after serving on it for all 
sixty years of the society's life so far.

During that time Freddie served a record 34 years as President.

Freddie was presented with a memento and certificate to mark this 
remarkable achievement.

A surprise seven pages of tributes to him was added to his last 
edition of the magazine as Honorary Editor.

--------------------------------------------
4. News From Sydney
--------------------------------------------
Message from Steve Walker (Aust)

I have just got back from 3 months overseas with lots of magic.

Just a quick overview for you.

The Magic Castle, always great even with the recent "management 
changes" it continues to be the Mecca. We were looked after by 
the always genial Monte Smith and struck it lucky in that Whit 
Haydn and Chef Anton were running a "Soapy Smith" night in the WC 
Fields Bar area . Only $5 and you saw everyone in period costume 
and saw Chef's Trick pool shot act, plus magic and a mini auction 
all proceeds to the Dai Vernon fund (used to help magicians who 
have fallen on hard times). If you don't know the Legend of 
Skagway and Soapy Smith then you should.

We stayed for the change of program on the Monday night before 
catching the Red eye to Louisville for the SAM convention.

Great to catch up with old friends George and Nina Schindler (the 
Dean and his Dame), Mac King, Obie O'Bryan, Stephen Bargatze (we 
must get him down under soon) and Gene Anderson.

Also met up with Jay Sterling who I last saw 35 years ago when he 
came to Sydney and lectured to Ring 102.

I was surprised to see my old friend Geoff Ray with his son Paul 
and grandson Joe (who was on the "Stars of Tomorrow Show")

3 generations of magicians. The only thing wrong with the 
convention was the programming, at times there was nothing on and 
at other times events clashed so you couldn't see all. It was a 
thrill to see Mohammed Ali who was staying at the hotel. Geoff 
Ray even did a card trick for him. On to the UK where I caught up 
with Noel Britten and the Bizarre Bath Walk plus caught up with 
friends and Family before going to Stockholm for FISM.

A great week of magic. Surprised to see old mate Bob Sheets who 
was a late replacement for Tim Conover.

Rick Merrill was a clear winner in the close up Grand Prix but I 
didn't have the stage winner Pilou in my first three.

Caught up with Paul Daniels, Wayne Dobson, Lennert Green, Nik 
Nickolas, Magic Christian, Stan Allan, Mike Caveney and Guy 
Hollingworth who introduced me to Derren Brown.(..Name 
Dropper!!!!).

After Sweden I decided to stay on in England so I could visit 
with Prof Eddie and Amy Dawes to see their wonderful collection 
of Apparatus and books plus also attend the British Ring 
convention in Eastbourne.

I have to say it's a long while since I stayed up every night 
until well after 3-00am, the magic in the bar was incredible as 
was the talent , Mac King , Jeff Hobson, John Carney, Charlie 
Frye ,John Calvert, John Lenaham, Tim Conover, Seth Kramer, Shep 
Hyken, Wally Eastwood , vent Paul Zerdin, James Dimmare and 
Australia's own Soul Mystique.

Paul Stone had many of these acts plus other variety acts on 
stage at the Drury Lane Theatre Royal for a charity performance 
on the Sunday following the convention. The show was called WOW 
and WOW what a show.

Returned to Australia a week ago and am now ready for Sean Taylor's 
Superday.

It's true what they say, TOO MUCH MAGIC IS REALLY NOT ENOUGH !!!!!

--------------------------------------------
5. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 31 - Nick Lewin
--------------------------------------------
Message from Nick Lewin

Berri Lee: the boy wonder from Down Under.

As Ricky Jay walked down the staircase at the Magic Castle a 
small group of us took aim and scaled cards at him. Ricky's book 
'Cards as Weapons' had just been published and we thought it was 
a friendly thing to do. Due to a total lack of ability in the 
card-scaling department we didn't throw single cards but entire 
decks of Magic Castle playing cards. Ricky spotted what was 
happening and very sensibly turned on his heels and went back up 
the staircase. This was a fairly typical Berri Lee style prank. 
Our little group of card throwers piled into Berri's Rolls Royce 
and drove to the Pink's hot dog stand at the corner of Santa 
Monica Blvd. and La Brea for a late night snack.

When I arrived on the scene at the Castle in 1974, Berri Lee was 
already a legend. He had one of those movie 'rise to fame' 
stories that don't seem to happen much outside of the movies.

Born in Australia, Berri moved to Los Angeles and got a job at 
the Castle, not as a magician but as one of the parking valets. 
Needless to say the constant exposure to magicians rubbed off on 
him and it became inevitable that he would want to try his hand 
at performing. In those early days there was no 'Palace of 
Mysteries" in fact there wasn't even a downstairs to put the 
Palace into. That was never the kind of minor detail that would 
stop those early Castle pioneers so they just went right ahead 
and created the 'Hat & Hare' pub and the original 'Palace of 
Mysteries." Once the Palace was constructed Berri had a place to 
perform and his Cinderella story began.

One evening Cary Grant caught Lee's show and really enjoyed it, 
he told Berri that he would see if he could help him out a little 
by talking to some of his friends. Being Cary Grant he had some 
heavy-duty friends and Howard Hughes was one of them; Las Vegas 
was suddenly an open book for the lucky Mr. Lee. Within a very 
short time Berri was one of the busiest men in Vegas and 
performing several times a night at a string of casinos. Before 
you could make a balloon animal (even a non-suggestive one!) 
Berri was a not only a busy comedy magician but a very wealthy 
one.

When I first met him he had two Rolls Royce's, private plane and 
a boat docked in Marina Del Rey. It never seemed to change him 
much though and he remained the shy extrovert that he always was. 
He performed on the 'Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and a host 
of other television shows and created a special place for himself 
in the magic world. Berri remains one of the sweetest people in 
showbiz, always generous and ready to offer his help to anyone 
who needs it.

Las Vegas has changed and since that change there wasn't the same 
kind of work anymore and this year Berri left Las Vegas and moved 
to Florida. To many of us it seems impossible to imagine Vegas 
without him there. However who knows, with a bit of luck we will 
meet up with him again in the Sunshine state and I know we will 
pick up our friendship exactly where we left off. Sadly there is 
only one Pink's hot dog stand and that's in Los Angeles but I'm 
sure we will find a way to get into trouble even if we don't have 
Ricky Jay for target practice.

Please send any bricks or bouquets to nicklewin@earthlink.net

--------------------------------------------
6. Rooklyn Tablecloth
--------------------------------------------
Message from Steve Walker (Aust)

Earlier this year I purchased from the Rooklyn Collection a 
framed silk tablecloth which was presented to Maurice Rooklyn by 
the New Zealand Society of Magicians at the "Trocadero" Auckland 
on April 14th 1946.

The Silk cloth is about 1 metre Square and is beautifully 
embroidered with magical motifs plus signatures of the members at 
that time. I have removed it from the frame and will send this 
across to you as the Historian of the Society (which I believe is 
in permanent recess).

I understand that Konni Rooklyn is attending the Palmerston North 
convention and would think it appropriate if she could officially 
present it to you, on my behalf, as a gift to all my New Zealand 
magical friends.

--------------------------------------------
7. Houdini And Churchill Were In The Phone Book
--------------------------------------------
Message from Jill Taylor

ABCNEWS.com mail from:

Houdini And Churchill Were In The Phone Book
http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=2468271&page=1

--------------------------------------------
8. Steps To Your Success: Online Printing Guidelines - 6
--------------------------------------------
Message from Kyle Peron (US)

E-Mail: Magic4u02@aol.com

In this ever growing world of technology and the internet, there 
are even more ways of getting business cards and other materials 
printed for your promotional needs. With the advent of the world 
wide web, there has also been a huge growth in online printers 
who can print your materials at a fraction of the cost of offset 
printing.

However it is very important to know that not every online 
printing place is the same. This is why as a designer I cannot 
stress the importance of always doing your homework up front 
before going with any online printer.

Always ask for samples to be mailed to you. If they say they only 
have samples online, then move on elsewhere. You need to have 
real samples on the paper they print on. Seeing the product in 
your hands will be the only way for you to really understand the 
quality you will be getting and can expect from them. If they are 
a legit and professional business, they will have no problem with 
your request.

Another thing you will want to keep in mind is that you can and 
should ask for a proof. A proof is what they run off for you 
after they have set up your card for printing. This way you can 
see exactly what it will look like and it is your way of fixing 
any problems before you are stuck with thousands of cards that 
are not right. Spend the extra money to have a proof done.

Now sometimes they offer you online PDF proofing. This is OK ONLY 
if you want to proof the type and text and make sure the elements 
are where they need to be. However, a PDF proof is NOT an 
accurate display of actual color and quality of the color being 
printed. For this, you would need a live proof sent to you via 
mail. This is the best way to make sure the color is exactly what 
you want it to be.

Once you sign off on a proof, you are telling the printer you are 
OK with what they have. If there are any mistakes on the printing 
and you did not catch it on the proof, then you are stuck with 
them. Make sure to take your time examining the proof thoroughly 
before signing off.

If there is a mistake that was not on the proof, then this 
clearly means that they messed up. The proof then becomes your 
proof to them that what they printed is not what you approved. 
This is the value of a proof and why I always request them. Yes, 
they probably will charge you for a proof, but it is money well 
spent.

Another topic I would like to mention is to find out what exact 
process they use when they do their printing. There are so many 
types of digital printing these days and they all produce vastly 
different results. Find out ahead of time by reading their site 
or asking a question to them.

You will want to do this anyway because you will need to be sure 
to find out all the details on file submission. This is a key 
area. A lot of mistakes on cards coming out wrong can be from the 
customer uploading a file that is not set up properly. Find out 
exactly what size they need the cards to be. Find out if they 
need you to add room for bleed objects. Find out what format they 
need it in (CMYK or RGB). Find out what format they need it saved 
as (.JPG / .EPS) or others. All of this information is critical 
for you getting exactly the card you want as an end result.

I hope this information is of help to some of you. If anyone has 
any questions pertaining to anything I covered in this article, 
please let me know. It would be my pleasure to help you and give 
advice if I can.

PS: I encourage anyone to send me your thoughts, questions or 
feedback on any of my articles. It would be my pleasure to 
discuss them with you or help you out if I can. If anyone has any 
suggestions for future articles, please let me know.

Kyle Peron
Magician and Illusionist
Graphic Designer and Illustrator
(Specializing in Logo creation)
www.kyleandkellymagic.com

--------------------------------------------
9. Escape Artist Convention, Ontario, CA September 29-Oct 1
--------------------------------------------
Message from Margarette LeClaire

A synopsis of the Escape Artist Convention held in Ontario, 
California, September 29-October 1 written in first person by 
Margarette LeClaire

 A great time was had by all! The Thursday night get together at 
the restaurant was great. It was an informal get together for 
anyone who arrived early. A time of good food, good conversation, 
and good people...who could ask for anything more!

Friday night...how to describe it! Let's just say I hope the 
funny farm wasn't missing any inmates! They would have blended in 
very well! Imagine this...78 people, all in straitjackets! What a 
site to see! Later in the evening, Kristen Johnson performed her 
full-view water torture cell. As usual, she did a WONDERFUL job!! 
Joseph Fox also did a great job as the "Escaped" during the 
official kick off reception. I don't think I'll ever get tired of 
seeing either of them perform! Cinema Night with Bill Shirk was 
also entertaining.

Saturday...it gets even better! I decided to enter the padlock 
picking contest and came in a very close second to Mark Lundblad 
in round 1. Mark Lyons won round 2, so the finals had Mark and 
Mark competing. No surprise, Mark won! Mark Lundblad took first 
place in the padlock picking contest. The handcuff picking 
contest (handcuff of choice was the S&W 104s) saw me only as an 
observer. I had expected Joseph Fox to win this one, but another 
Joe (Marotta) won that contest. It was brought up to me the fact 
of picking vs shimming with this contest...was it unfair to shim 
the cuffs? If Mark didn't state that one could not shim the 
handcuffs, then anything except using the key was fair game. The 
lectures were very informative, although I still haven't gotten 
the hang of bumping.

Bill Shirk's lecture was also informative. I did notice that 
Saturday afternoon, there were a lot more attendees, mainly of 
the female persuasion, in attendance. Gee, you think that could 
have been because of Criss Angel? I wouldn't actually call what 
Criss Angel did a lecture or even an interview...it was more of a 
question and answer time. He also stuck around long enough for 
pictures and autographs. The Saturday evening show was excellent, 
I was backstage before Bill Shirk went onstage for his 
performance. I saw the problem with one of the boots, and Bill's 
decision to go ahead and perform with only one inversion 
boot...that's the mark of a true professional...dealing with the 
problem head-on and not letting it stop you! The show was 
great...I enjoyed it immensely! Of course, the after-party was 
good, too!

Sunday brought with it another contest...the "special escape" 
contest...handcuffs, padlock, blue box, and belly chain. Only 
with this contest, it was stated "NO SHIMMING OF HANDCUFFS" 
except for the youngest participant in the contest. Even though I 
knew I had not a chance in picking open the 104s, I entered the 
contest anyway. Let it be known that I opened my padlock first! 
If I had only been that quick in opening it the day before! I 
knew that as long as Joseph Fox didn't have his padlock opened, I 
might get lucky and get my cuffs opened.

Alas, it wasn't to be...Joseph got his lock opened, and soon 
thereafter, had his handcuffs opened. Upon winning the big prize, 
he made the announcement that he was donating half of his 
winnings to the Ronald McDonald House. Mark's lecture on Harry 
Cooke was a great way to end the convention. Shortly thereafter, 
I caught a ride to the airport, and headed back to reality!

Mega-kudos to Mark and Sheila Cannon for another excellent 
convention!

I can't wait till next year!!

--------------------------------------------
10. Jason Alexander Performs At MINDvention
--------------------------------------------
Message from Danny Archer (US)

Here is the latest from MINDvention headquarters ...

Two performers had to cancel, Greg Arce and John Riggs ... they 
have both expressed their regrets ... we will miss their energy 
and enthusiasm and I hope they can join us in the future, but 
MINDvention rolls on.

To replace Greg is the multi-talented Francis Menotti ... Francis 
was already scheduled to do his Off Color Mentalism show and now 
he will present his lecture on creativity as well (lecture 
details below) ... Francis is a wonderful performer (as you will 
remember from his turn in last year's attendee show) and since 
one of our discussions this year is on creativity, I thought this 
was the perfect match.

To replace John (who many feel is irreplaceable), I am thrilled 
to announce that Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame, will be 
presenting his full show that made for record-setting attendance 
at the Magic Castle earlier this year.  In addition Jason will 
talk about mixing magic and mentalism, presentation, and his own 
personal journey that led him to his act.

The line-up for the dealer's room is solid with several familiar 
faces and a few new ones as well:
Alakazam (UK), Bill Pearce, Jheff, Sean Taylor (Australia), Lee 
Earle, Mark Strivings, Patrick Redford & Anton Zellman

I am fine tuning the schedule and will post it soon ... I am 
never happy having to announce schedule changes, but with the 
stellar performers filling in (and maybe a surprise act or two), 
I am really looking forward to three excellent days of 
performing, learning and sharing ...There is still plenty of time 
to make your plans to join us in Las Vegas ...

Danny Archer

MINDvention Nov 5th - 7th, 2006
MINDvention.com

----------------
Francis Menott's Creativity Lecture

Are you a creative performer? Do you truly feel that your 
audience will watch you and get something different from your 
performance that they will from any other magician? That's a 
pretty tall order, but one that I am completely confident that 
anyone can fill, with a little work.

This lecture is intended to inspire the magician (professional 
and hobbiest alike) to look at their performances with a fresh 
set of eyes: to look beyond the separation of the effect from the 
presentation, or the separation of the old and the new.

In this session, I hope to join my lecture-audience on a journey 
through discovering (and sometimes rediscovering) tools of 
inspiration taught and used by some of the top actors, writers, 
visual artists and magicians ever. My hope is not to preach, but 
to convey these useful practices that I have acquired from some 
true legends of the various arts and to help other magicians put 
them to use on some level in their own progression as a lover and 
performer of magic.

The average person (and certainly the average magician) seems to 
think that he or she is not very creative, nor capable of being 
creative. Together, we address this and many other fallacies 
about creativity through examining:

 * "Rules" to create by
 * Sources of inspiration (literature, movies, music, artists...)
 * Games and exercises to strengthen the creative mind
 * Creating new methods
 * Creating new plots
 * The POSITIVE aspects of independent creation

--------------------------------------------
11. A Dice Stacking Retrospective, Part 22
--------------------------------------------
Message from Tony L. Lewis (US)

My Magic Castle debut, etc.

The prior article in this series ended with my anticipating my 
first gig at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California.

In August of 1981, I performed three shows a night for six 
consecutive evenings in the closeup parlour of The Magic Castle. 
Since I was not a well known magician, my performances were 
judged by representatives of a Castle committee to see if I was 
making the grade. I regret to report that the feedback was not 
encouraging. One
committee member in particular found much fault with my act. His 
name has mercifully been erased from my memory.

I do recall that a member of The Castle's board named Danny 
thought that my act definitely had potential. I later found out 
that his enthusiastic defense of me was the crucial factor in my 
being given the chance to make a second appearance. I also 
believe that my excellent dice stacking routine did much to save 
the day for me.

Here are a couple of amusing incidents that occurred during my 
week long appearance at The Castle. As I mentioned in a previous 
article, the famous closeup artist, Al Goshman, had not even 
given me a nod up to that time. When he saw that I was appearing 
at The Castle, his treatment of me changed radically. From then 
on he acted in a quite friendly manner towards me.

A couple of years before I appeared at The Castle, I attended a 
party where the excellent comedy magician, Rich Marotta, had been 
hired to perform. During the socializing that followed, I 
introduced myself and said that I also was a magician. I had 
brought a few items with me including my dice stacking equipment. 
I asked Rich if he would like to see a couple of my pet effects. 
He politely agreed. I felt that he was rather surprised to see an 
unknown audience member perform a polished dice stacking routine. 
He gave me what I felt was a sincere compliment when I finished.

During my week at The Castle I bumped into Rich again. He told me 
that he loved to tell his fellow magicians the story about how he 
had reluctantly agreed to watch some jerk perform a couple of 
tricks for him at a party where he was appearing . He went on to 
say that he never got over the completely unexpected performance 
of an excellent
dice stack that ensued.

Well, I managed to get through that week at The Castle OK, in 
spite of the apprehension I was experiencing due to the adverse 
criticism that I was receiving. For the year after that I worked 
harder than ever to improve my act. In August of '82 I was booked 
into the Castle again. This time everything went extremely well. 
My hours of practicing had definitely paid off. I was lucky enough 
to get a couple of mildly famous actors in my audiences who 
complimented me on my show. It was during this week that I 
experienced the high point of my magic career.

As I was performing one night I was somewhat surprised to see The 
Professor, Dai Vernon, in the audience. That inspired me to give 
the very best show that I could. The whole act came off 
flawlessly.

On my next break I wandered over to watch The Professor holding 
court, as usual, amidst a group of his numerous admirers. He 
spotted me in the bunch and turned to me as he said "I caught 
your last show. I really like the way that you treat your 
audience as adults, not children."

After that welcome compliment, he added the following in his 
inimitable clipped delivery "You know that paddle trick that you 
have. What is that doing in your act? That's a child's toy. Throw 
it away!"

He was referring to a very beautiful paddle made by the great 
Eddie Teitelbum (Sp?). This is a stop light effect with three 
cork lined plastic sleeves. I felt I had developed a rather 
amusing routine for this clever device; it was obvious that The 
Professor did not agree.

At the end of the week I has received nothing but positive 
feedback. That felt very good. I made sure to thank Danny for 
sticking up for me when things were not going so favorably.

I would like to inform those of you who are unaware of the fact 
that although a gig at The Magic Castle looks good on your magic 
resume, it doesn't do much for your pocketbook. The stipend at 
that time was $500. If I were not loaned a friend's condo for 
that week, I would have lost money on the deal. I did receive a 
meal every night at The Castle, but the other ones were out of my 
pocket. Additionally, I had to purchase gas for an 800 mile round 
trip from Northern California. However, it was nevertheless a 
great experience, particularly the second time.

Now that I had performed with honor, I didn't try to get another 
booking at The Castle. During the next twenty years I performed 
my dice stacking routine whenever I got the chance. Those of you 
who read the first few articles in the series were informed of my 
recent activities in the world of magic.

In conclusion I would like to heartily recommend that you acquire 
the ability to stack dice. It is really a lot of fun and 
impresses the hell out of laymen. You can get started for about 
$20 US. You can purchase a set of casino dice and a plastic 
stacking cup from Todd Strong for $10 at WWW.ToddStrong.com. The 
Dice Stacking Book by Todd sells for an additional $10. If you 
want to go first class, you can purchase his Dice Stacking Video 
(DVD) for $20. I recommend that you do not buy both the book and 
video as they contain the same material.

Finally, I would like to say the following. I have received 
almost no feedback on this series of articles. However, Alan 
Watson does tell me that he gets informed that they have been 
well received. If you would like to hear more from me in this 
ezine I would really appreciate it if you let me know about it.

Happy stacking!

Regards,

Tony L. Lewis Tonylew1@SBCglobal.net

--------------------------------------------
12. Dunninger And His Camouflage Work In World War 2
--------------------------------------------
Message from Tim Dill-Russell

I thought the following might be of interest to you and your 
readers.

Reading ltem 11 in No.451 with reference to Dunninger and his 
camouflage work in World War 2, one should not forget the 
tremendous contribution Jasper Maskelyne made in the North 
African desert against Rommel. Amongst other effects he created a 
fake harbour and "vanished" the Suez Canal.

Magician's interested can read the whole story in The War 
Magician by David Fisher and published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson 
in the UK in 2004. There is an earlier book telling the same 
story written in 1949 by Jasper Maskelyne himself and published 
by Stanley Paul and titled MAGIC Top Secret.

--------------------------------------------
13. Derren Brown A One Hour Series Of Shows
--------------------------------------------
Message from John Barrand

Derren Brown has a one hour series of shows starting Sunday 15th 
October at 10.30pm Eastern Standard Time on UKTV.

--------------------------------------------
14. MITR 2006/Convnetion Report
--------------------------------------------
Message from Edward W. Hurtubis

Jeff McBride in Peak Form at "Magic in the Rockies"

My wife and I just got home from the lucky-13th edition of "Magic 
in the Rockies" (MITR). We finally figured out the secret of its 
growing reputation.

The Effect: a pleasant weekend get-together gets visibly 
transformed into an exemplary four-day magic convention, attracts 
world-class talent, and delights its fanatically loyal following.

The Method: MITR's secret and the "real work" are tipped below, 
but first. A single gifted performer dominated this MITR. It 
belonged to an ebullient pixie who was everywhere and "on" 24/7, 
Jeff McBride. People were raving so enthusiastically about 
McBride's pre-convention five-hour "Secret Session" workshop that 
it had to be repeated after the convention. I've gone to a lot of 
workshops in more than sixty years in magic, and IMHO this one 
was the very best of all.

McBride is a brilliant master teacher. He is entirely in command 
of his complex theoretical schema, and of his rich illustrative 
material. He manages to shape all this vast amount of content 
on-the-fly to meet the expressed needs of individual students. 
"Magic in the Rockies" brings joy to some 260 mostly-repeat 
supporters. (The real fanatics are the 25 registrants who have 
gone to all thirteen MITR's.) It is produced by I.B.M. Ring 250, 
The Presto-Digitators of Fort Collins, Colorado, at the local 
Fort Collins Marriott.

Here's the secret. Everyone feels like an especially welcome 
guest (not just a registrant or a number). Everyone basks in an 
unusually pleasant ambiance. Well, that's nice. But what's the 
real work? It's the consistency with which the members of Ring 
250 show genuine courtesy and beyond that, real consideration to 
their guests - the convention's four "publics": performers, 
dealers, registrants, and youth.

1) Performers receive detailed contracts. Guest performers 
usually are met by an I.B.M. member at the Denver airport (and 
later returned there). When the Headliners arrive at the front 
desk of the Marriott, they are immediately handed a room key. 
That's when they find out that registration is hassle-free 
because they have been thoughtfully preregistered. When they get 
to their rooms, they discover a welcoming basket of fruit and 
other goodies.

2) Dealers are delighted to find their dealers' room open only 
limited hours, almost none of which are opposite any convention 
events. With scant program competition, they have a good crowd 
when they are open. This considerate schedule leaves the dealers 
plenty of free time to take a break or to go to as much of the 
convention as they wish.

3) Registrants are welcomed with ample and helpful 
badge-and-registration packet info, plus another thoughtful 
gesture: everyone gets a randomly-assigned ticket for a reserved 
seat in the first two rows of one of the lectures. Two catered 
lunches and a festive dinner are included. They save time and 
effort, and further camaraderie by keeping everyone (including 
performers) on site and mingling together. The program rooms are 
conveniently near each other. Two of the meals are served on a 
tented outdoor pavilion, directly across the hall. Generous 
souvenir placemats picture the main performers and list credits. 
The Marriott staff likes having MITR there, and has learned how 
to keep "the magicians" happy.

4) Youth have their own "Junior Lecture" instructional program 
and get their own souvenirs, all courtesy of Dr. Bob Sammons and 
his cheerful daughter Merritt (whom we have enjoyed watching come 
up through this MITR youth program herself).

There's actually a fifth "public" - a thousand local elementary 
school children. They are bused to the Fort Collins Lincoln 
Center's theater to see other children (and a few pros) perform 
for them on the big stage in a show known as "Kids Performing for 
Kids." We greatly enjoy going to this show every year. Talk about 
enthusiasm! TV's Steve Spangler (Channel 9KUSA's Science Guy) 
M.C.'d.

The pros were perfection: the funny pantomime of Ardan James, and 
Jeff McBride's lovely Miser's Dream routine climaxed by a boy 
being presented with a wand as a potential magician. Local 
businesses and individuals support this "Junior Showcase" 
financially. It is a gift to the schoolchildren (and the school 
system). The teachers get follow-up packets with which they can 
help their students write thank-you notes to be delivered to the 
sponsors, who get a real kick out of them.

MITR really began with a publicity stunt a couple days earlier. 
Michael Schroeder was hoisted up 75 feet to do an upside-down 
straightjacket escape. He drew a big crowd, made the TV news, and 
got a lot of space on the local paper's front page.

Turning now to this year's talent, the lecturers were Bob 
Cassidy, Aldo Colombini, Charlie Frye, 23-year-old cards whiz 
Kostya Kimlat, Jeff McBride, Eric Mead, Barrie Richardson, and 
John Rogers. MITR's traditional "Rocky Mountain Bar Magic" was by 
Doc Eason, Eric Mead, Bob Sheets, and some "friends." The 
"Headliner Close-up Show" rotated Aldo Colombini, Kostya Kimlat, 
and Jeff McBride.

The Public Show, also at the Lincoln Center was a smash. Aldo 
Colombini MC'd. Charlie Frye and Company opened with comedy 
juggling. Their novelty opening act brought l,200 people to their 
feet in a standing ovation. (Colombini made a quip that the real 
reason Money magazine chose Fort Collins as the best place to 
live in the U.S. was because its people love magic.) Ardan James 
was up next with his physical comedy. Another big standing O. 
Garry Carson and Kelsey Kara provided an illusion act, complete 
with a black leopard. Charlie Frye came back for a second set, 
all classic magic; a third big standing O. The incredible closing 
act was "The Masks and Magic of Jeff McBride," who got a 
well-deserved fourth standing ovation.

The public was invited back to the Marriott for a "Saturday Night 
Soirée, with Eason, Mead and Friends." Its acts included Doc 
Eason, Jeff Edmonds, Mitch Harwood, Jeff Lee, and Barrie 
Richardson (who killed). The closer was a hilarious skit by Bob 
Sheets. His young woman "volunteer" (suggested earlier by Mimi 
Hurtubis) was a delighted exchange student, about to fly home. 
She was partying on her very last evening in the United States.

The convention coordinators were Ed "Mr. Magic" Hurtubis, Tim 
"TimFoolery" Pendergast, and Lew "The Great Loudini" Wymisner. 
The other members of the convention crew were Bob Blea, Doc 
Eason, Jason Evenson, Mark Grant, Cody Landstrom, Mark Logsdon, 
Eric Mead, Andy Poulsen, Bob Sammons, and Geoff Thompson.

Next year, you can follow MITR (as did Past International 
President Bill Pitts and his cruise-magician wife Ruth this year) 
by a scenic drive into nearby Rocky Mountain National Park. There 
you can see and hear huge bull elk screaming their haunting and 
primeval "bugle." You can watch from close by as the bulls round 
up their harems, and spar with other bulls to keep them. How's 
that for a convention bonus?

Please join me in saving September 6 through 9, 2007, to enjoy 
the 14th annual MITR

Ronald P. Dutton, Ed.D.

--------------------------------------------
15. Creating A Harry Kellar Museum?
--------------------------------------------
Message from Thomas McLaren

I pose the question to you. Would you and other friends of the 
magic community be willing to endorse and support the concept of 
creating a Harry Kellar Museum and Magic Hall of Fame in Erie, 
Pennsyslvania, Harry Kellar's birth place?

I am NOT asking for any financial donations. Just an expressed 
interest at seeing this come to pass. If you would endorse this 
idea, please email me privately. I am trying to compile a large 
list of those in the magic community that are in favor of this 
idea.

If I can get a large number of magicians supporting the concept 
over the next couple of months, I will take their names to the 
project organizer. He will then present it to the govenor, county 
executive and mayor. They will then know there is a genuine 
interest in having this come about. If they know that, then they 
will begin to seriously consider giving seed money to make this 
project a reality.

If you are in favor of this idea please email me back so I can 
add your name to the list of current supporters.

Thomas McLaren
Capt. Magic Enterprises
Erie, Pennsylavania
capt_magic@yahoo.com

--------------------------------------------
16. Joel Howlet And Shimada
--------------------------------------------
Message from Joel Howlet forwarded on by Gene McCathy

I have to type this email as soon as I could while it is still 
fresh in my mind! I had a blast yesterday and it was a great 
honour and privilege to be part of the WFOM show. Thank you!

We got to the venue and saw the "Hertz" truck at the side so we 
parked our little van next to it. Dad and I snuck in through the 
back door with our gear! We saw people running around screwing 
together illusions testing microphones/lights etc. Jeton came 
over and introduced himself and talked to me for a while and 
asked me about what I have done, the sort of magic I like to do 
etc. He was a really friendly and likeable sort of person.

Shimada is truly wonderful and I am so glad I was able to meet 
him.

I opened the second half and I did watch Jeton from the wings. I 
was not going to miss his act especially since Jim had already 
given him such a big wrap! His act was just great. I especially 
liked his top hat juggling. Mum said she felt that the audience 
really responded well to him and his routine was very, very 
popular.

Between the first and second show Keiley came and took me to 
Shamada's dressing room. He could not have been nicer to me! He 
did not rush me away, he told me stories about his career and how 
he lived in Sydney for three years & was friends with Konni and 
Maurice Rooklyn. I told him that that I have his tape on dove 
magic and I showed him my "Shimada style" dove bag with loops on 
the inside and snaps. He must have been curious because he went 
round the front to watch my act on the second show. It was lucky 
I didn't know he was out there till AFTER my act or I would have 
been nervous as hell! I went to see him and he had a smile across 
his face and he said "good act -very clean" and his wife said 
that I had a nice personality on stage!

He gave me a signed postcard with a picture of himself holding 
the eight balls between his fingers. I also took a big hard cover 
book called "The Book of Magic By Edwin A Dawes and Arthur 
Setterington" that has a section on Shimada and a short biography 
on him and he signed it for me. I was just thrilled so thank you,
Gene........................

As you can tell I am on a real high at the moment. Sorry this is 
so long but wanted to relate the whole days happenings to you.

Now I have my rehearsals for NZ and the Convention that is only a 
few weeks away.
GOD LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joel
www.jd4magic.com

--------------------------------------------
17. Greg Hudson Touring NZ
--------------------------------------------
Message from Greg Hudson (Aust)

Just thought I'd let you know I'm touring NZ for 6 weeks.

Going through Wellington, New Plymouth, Auckland, Whangarei, 
Tauranga, Napier and Christchurch.

If anyone wants to catch up I can be contacted at 
greg@greghudson.com

--------------------------------------------
18. Upcoming Magic Events In PA/NJ
--------------------------------------------
Message from Kelly Peron

October

Oct 15 - Andre Kole performing in Burlington, NJ 
(www.andrekole.org) for more info.
Oct 28 - Philadelphia SYM Show in Coatesville, PA
Oct 29 - Annual Philadelphia SYM show in Warminster, PA

November

Nov 5 - Metro Magic 2 (more of a close up convention) -NJ - 
www.metro-magic.com
Nov 11 - Kutztown Magic Convention - Featuring Gregory Wilson - 
$35.00 (for more information contact Wayne Shifflet 
MAGICWAYNE@VERIZON.NET 610-603-0499 )
Nov 18 - Magic and Illusion Show starring Fabian Tocco - Commerce 
Bank Perf. Arts Ctr in NJ (http://www.sjlivearts.com)
Nov 19 - Bob Little's - Not to me missed! Featuring Arthur Trace, 
Duane Laflin, Joe Lefler and Jason Bishop. Lecture by Arthur 
Trace! All this for $30.00 (www.boblittlessupersunday.com)

Magically,

Kelly Peron
www.kyleandkellymagic.com

-----------------
19. The Amazing Orchante Saga
-----------------
Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi)

Page 129

'The 'Voodoo Girls'

At various times in the Saga I have mentioned the name David 
McKee, a promoter and record producer from Auckland. I don't know 
what David is doing these days or even if he is still around, but 
I would sure like to get in touch and have a chat about the 'Good 
Old Days'! What a character, about 5ft 8in - long fair hair and a 
face that reminded me of an impish pixie. He looked like he had 
never seen the light of day, and I always imagined that if he 
ever tried to sunbathe, he would vanish in a puff of smoke - he 
was also an inveterate chain smoker!

He came up with some great ideas at times - well, HE thought so. 
One of the 'classics' that I 'fondly' recall was when he decided 
that my 'Yogi Act' needed some 'spicing up'! This entailed 
getting me not just One, but TWO - 'Make The Men Drool All Over 
The Place', very attractive, Very Naked stage assistants, 
courtesy of Rainton Haistie, the infamous owner of the two 
equally infamous strip joints on Karangahape road, the 'Pink 
Pussy' and the 'Pink Panther' clubs!

During this 'moment of madness', Dave also came up with a 'New 
Title' for my act: 'THE HELLFIRE SHOW' with the Psychic 
Witchdoctor ORCHANTÉ and His - 'VOODOO GIRLS'! To make absolutely 
sure that every body knew what they were getting, in this 
'Unprecedented Presentation', he 'tastefully' had large black 
dots inserted in the middle of the 'O's of the word - 'VOODOO', 
in all the publicity posters and leaflets - It was most, 
TIT-illating. 'Psychic Witchdoctor? - I ASK YOU!' "Bloody hell 
Dave, what were you thinking of, even worse, why did I let you 
get away with it! Perhaps it had something to do with us both 
being - 'NUTTERS"!

I'm not quite sure, even to this day, just exactly how these two 
'strippers' were supposed to 'assist' me, all they had to do was 
bump, grind and gyrate their voluptuous bodies in time to my 
music; Now if they were to have done this during my magic show - 
I mean, just think about the 'misdirection' possibilities, I 
could have created miracles!

The first show that David organised, that incorporated 'The Girls', 
was at the 'Great Northern Hotel', which was situated down the 
bottom of Queen St. just up from, and on the opposite side of the 
road from the main Post Office. With all the rebuilding that has 
gone on in downtown Auckland City since 'I left home', I wouldn't 
be surprised if it has long since been torn down. Now I had 
worked that hotel on many occasions in the past - and it was also 
where I used to meet my old friend Al Horobin (now deceased), for 
drinks. With two characters like Al and I, it didn't take long 
for the Manager to get to know us and vice versa, especially with 
my close - up magic sessions in the bar, that just seemed to 
'kinda' happen, apart from my shows in the main lounge room.

The thing is, the 'Great Northern' was a very nice hotel, with a 
very respectable clientele, which included various International 
guests staying in the house. It wasn't until an hour or so before 
'Show Time', that the Manager (whose name I can't recall) became 
aware that TWO STRIPPERS were in the show as well. He nearly had 
a fit! He grabbed hold of Dave and told him there was: "No way 
was the show going on, with those 'Two Birds' In It' "Orchanté 
can do HIS show, but NOT with those 'Slappers', in it!" OOPS, 
PANIC STATIONS!

'What ya gonna do! 'Call 'Ghostbusters?' 'NO, call Sally 
Phillips!' I have mentioned elsewhere in my saga that, back in 
the sixties, Sally occasionally stepped in as an 'emergency' 
assistant for a few select artists/magicians when the need arose. 
Following a frantic telephone call, Sally arrived at the 
'Northern' in record time, dressed to kill and looking every bit 
the Lady she is. After a very quick rehearsal - of sorts, the 
show went on. No problems - well what do you expect, when you've 
got two Pros' on hand! I MUST relate Sally's story one day, and 
that of her husband Derek Metzger, a very well known N.Z. singer. 
Sally and Derek now reside in Sydney.

Page 130

Delving into the depths of my 'bottomless' aluminium trunk, 
(which holds over 35 years worth of magazines, newspaper 
clippings, posters, leaflets and God only what else), a poster 
'floated' up, advertising The 'Hellfire' Show - complete with the 
'Naked Voodoo Girls', at the Thunderbird Valley Inn, together 
with the 'Impressions' Show Band. I guess the Girl's, and their 
'knockers', finally got to - 'knock the punters socks off' - I 
don't think anybody really noticed me, even though I did try to 
keep 'abreast' of things! Think I'll finish this now, before I 
make any more - 'boobs'!

--------------------------------------------
20. 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)

--------------------------------------------
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--------------------------------------------
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© Copyright 2006 Alan Watson