* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #468 Date: Sunday 17th December 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. Last Call For $100.00 In Your Pocket 3. My Free Book Giveaway 4. Happy Holidays And Happy New Year 5. Barnaby's Name! 6. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 39 - Nick Lewin 7. The Art of Audience Manipulation 8. X. Japan Cup 2007 / International Close Up Magic Convention 9. Don't Miss The Boat www.CreativityAtSea.com 10. Seeking Young Energetic Demonstrators For Toys R Us 11. Another One For The Magic Hall Of Fame! 12. HRH Queen Elizabeth - Her Majestys 80th Birthday Party 13. Fly Today To New Zealand For 2 Months 14. Blaney Sawing A Lady In Half 15. Kevin Spencer Spring 2007 Tour 16. SCAM - 2007 In Columbia 17. The Salon de Magie 18. The One Day Kidshows Magic Convention 19. Maurie's memorabilia (The Amazing Mr. Rooklyn) 20. The Amazing Orchante Saga 21. e-zine Archives 22. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Joint IBM / SAM 2008 - Louisville, Kentucky July 21-26, 2008 Early Bird registration rate of $295 US which closes off on December 31st 2006 14 days time. As from January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007 - $395 --------------------------------- The World Festival of Magic Tour - the New Zealand section of the tour has just ended today in Auckland and was a huge success. Our THANKS go to Tony Laffan and his three dancers from Australia, Shimada & Kiely and Jason Byrne from Las Vegas, USA. It's great having world class acts tour New Zealand through our big cities to small towns as it helps bring our art to the masses and of course inspires our younger up and coming magicians.  Our congratulations also go to International Entertainment (NZ) Ltd. (Aust) Pty Ltd. ------------------------------- Congratulations to Maria Ibanez who was honored by the City of Hialeah. The Mayor, Julio Robaina, proclaimed December 12th as Maria Ibanez Day in the city. It is a city of over 240,000 residents which is about an hour north of where Maria resides. The Proclamation was written in very old traditional Spanish. Translated Proclamation Whereas in the realm of the artistic and entertainment world which in essence emphasizes the human dimension of women capable with their abilities to sculpt the simple and noble image of their traditional values, Maria Ibanez stands out on this occasion and with particular relevance as a living example in the interesting and wonderful world of magic and illusion in which for three decades she has been able with her unblemished conduct to be the only re-elected President of the Florida Magicians Association and in the very near future the President of the Society of American Magicians, being only the third woman in a 105 year history to hold such a distinguished office. Mrs. Ibanez is also the founder and current President of the Magic City Conjurers. Whereas in recognizing her achievements we are just contributing another link to the chain of success. Future generations will remember her for her control of and successes on the stages on which she has performed. The unshakeable spirit of overcoming, her diaphanous execution and the personality of this great artist of illusion, Maria Ibanez, will serve as an example to future stars of the magical arts, her legacy to the future will be a clear picture of a conqueror. Therefore I, Julio Robaina, Mayor of the City of Hialeah, through these means and by the powers vested in me hereby proclaim Tuesday, December 12, 2006 as Maria Ibanez Day I urge the over 240,000 residents of our city to celebrate this event and I affix my signature and seal below in the City of Hialeah on Tuesday, December 12, 2006. Julio Robaina Mayor ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. Last Call For $100.00 In Your Pocket -------------------------------------------- Message from George Schindler - Dean - the Society of American Magicians This is a last call reminder. Register before December 31st for the $100 savings on registration for the IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention - the one spectacular event the magic world has been waiting for. Over 500 men, women, boys and girls have registered so far from 38 states and 13 countries. If you register before December 31, 2006, the fee for the 2008 convention is $295. You protect those savings by a small $25 cancellation fee as late as March 31, 2008. Starting January 1, 2007, the registration increases to $395. For registration information and downloadable registration forms, go to www.IBMSAM2008.com Or call the registrar, John Apperson, at 001-618-451-9749. -------------------------------------------- 3. My Free Book Giveaway -------------------------------------------- Message from Steve Johnson - Grand Illusions. While browsing the web recently I discovered something troubling. I saw an e-book being sold that contained several routines for an invisible thread reel. The names of the tricks were identical to the names of the routines that were published in my 1991 book, "Floating Freely in a Fine Fashion". This prompted me to dig my book out of the word processor archives and review it's contents. (It took some time as the book was written with software that doesn't exist anymore!) Sure enough, the titles of the routines were as I remembered them and almost precisely matched the titles of the routines in this advertised e-book. I was NOT happy. It looked very much like my copyright was being violated! I bought the book and waited patiently for them to e-mail my copy. After a few hours I received my e-book sent in Microsoft Word format. I opened the file and took a look. It was my book. Text had been added to the book, mostly self-serving propaganda, but all of the sections from my book were there. They hadn't even corrected the typos and grammatical errors that I made in '91. After seeing this proof, I was REALLY unhappy. With some more checking around, and a few phone calls to the right people, my beliefs were confirmed - My copyright is being infringed upon. After considering legal action to be a 'lose-lose' situation for everyone, I decided to do something far more satisfying (and effective). We don't live in the Wild West anymore. Clearly, you can't rob someone without there being reciprocal action. We are in a day and age where people are held responsible for their actions - especially with the use of the Internet. With this viral way of thinking, my decision is to now give every single person, interested in the art of magic, the authorized version of my manuscript - FOR FREE! After reviewing the old text, making some small revisions to bring the older manuscript up-to-date, and changing several typos - It's time to give away electronic copies, free, on the Grand Illusions website. All you have to do is just click the link below, and you will land on the download page. You can have it for no monetary charge. I ask only one small favor. Whether or not you choose to download the authorized version of my electronic book for free, please tell all your magic friends about it. Tell them that they can have the book for free too! When they ask you why Steve Johnson is giving away his material for free, tell them he was being ripped off and didn't want to let it happen anymore. He was sick and tired of it, and finally did something about it. I'd rather EVERYONE have the material at no charge than let some unethical magic dealer sell unauthorized copies at an outrageous price! Tell your friends this is my way of combating the copyright infringement, my stand against the increasingly popular trend of stealing intellectual property. When you've downloaded it, please save my electronic book to your hard drive, copy it to your PDA, or print it...it's yours to do with as you wish. The only thing you can't do is sell my free manuscript or use it as any part of any profit making offers or ventures like the unethical magic dealer who started all of this. But, why would you lower yourself to his standards anyway? That's not how you operate, nor I. If you see my electronic book for sale anywhere, please take a stance and remind the seller that their actions are both unethical and illegal. And certainly don't trust your credit card number or hard earned cash with someone like that. But enough of me talking; go download the authorized version of my electronic booklet on the invisible thread reel right now. http://www.grandillusions.com/floating_freely.html Click or paste this link now! Please enjoy it; it's my gift to you and the whole international community of magic. When you have a moment, drop me an email at webmaster@grandillusions.com and let me know if you agree with my stance on ethics, let me know your feelings about my execution of this grass roots action and obviously comment on the free e-booklet you've downloaded and shared with all your friends. Yours sincerely, Steve Johnson Grand Illusions December. 2006 -------------------------------------------- 4. Happy Holidays And Happy New Year -------------------------------------------- Message from Andy Dallas Society of American Magicians National President To all: Let me extend my greeting and hopes for a wonderful new year to our worldwide magic community. The Society of American Magicians is on the move. I would like to encourage all of you to join us and take advantage of all our benefits of membership. Join and review our poster collection offer, which continues through December. Consider it our holiday present to you just for giving us a try. Our convention will be in Dallas, Texas and it is going to be an outstanding time. The S.A.M. is a proud tradition that continues to shine a bright light as one of the premier magic organizations in the world. So on behalf of myself to our 7000 members in over 50 countries, happy holidays and Happy New Year as we all continue to escape into the magic. -------------------------------------------- 5. Barnaby's Name! -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) Thanks for all those who emailed me their answers as to the origin of Barnaby the Jugglers stage name. The correct answer was that: "The name Barnaby came from a story in French by Anatole France titled "Le Jongleur du Notre Dame," in English "The Juggler of Notre Dame," and re-told in various forms as "Our Lady's Juggler." The first correct response I received was from Carl Skenes in Orlando, Florida. Congratulations Carl your signed CD is on its way. -------------------------------------------- 6. Meetings With Remarkable Magicians # 39 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) Mark Kalin: pool shark to illusionist without loosing his identity. I was lucky enough to be involved in a very minor way with the very beginning of the Magic Castle junior magician program. I really don't remember what it was I did but it was an honor to be involved in Diana Zimmerman's really cool project. Although many talented young performers introduced into the 'Magic Castle' I was particularly fond of Mark Kalin and his pool shark act. It was a lot of fun watching Mark take his themed act and bring it to life onstage. As happens so often I lost track of Mark somewhat and what was happening with him and his act. The jigsaw pieces slotted together for me in a neat manner in the early 90's. My wife and I booked a Budweiser Comedy Concert series in Guam for nearly three years and one of the blessings (curses?) of the job included flying to Guam on a fairly frequent basis. The very first Concert found me in Guam with comedian Glenn Hirsch and juggler extraordinaire Daniel Rosen. We arrived at the Nikko Hotel a couple of days prior to our shows for press and our hosts from Budweiser asked us if we wanted to go to the Sandcastle Resort and see the magic show there. We jumped at the chance. We arrived at the very deluxe showroom and I discovered that the performer we were there to see was none other than Mark Kalin. As we sat in our booth front of house I had some qualms about how Mark could fill the showroom with such a tiny act. I needn't have worried. I was suffering from the all to common faulty syndrome of freezing someone's act in a time warp based on what they did in the 'Palace of Mystery" years before. Mark had blossomed into a very gifted illusionist complete with 'Big Cat' illusions, several monkeys and the most charismatic female partner I had ever seen in a magic show. The show was great but a little part of me felt something was missing. I leaned over to my colleagues at one point and whispered "He used to be a young kid who did tricks with billiard balls!" and no sooner had I said it when a single spotlight illuminated a stool onstage and there was Mark doing billiard ball manipulations and paying tribute to his roots. It was a moment that I found not only theatrically pleasing but also genuinely touching. We met with Mark and his new partner Jinger backstage and I marveled at the way his work had developed. And Mark keeps getting better and Jinger more charismatic than ever. They have made Reno their performing base for many years now and if you have a chance catch their show. Mark might even roll back the years and give you a glimpse of the boy who has grown up in magic: and Jinger.oh, don't get me started! Send any 'bricks or bouquets' to nicklewin@earthlink.net -------------------------------------------- 7. The Art of Audience Manipulation -------------------------------------------- Message from By Kyle Peron E-Mail: Magic4u02@aol.com Here is a topic many of you have experienced time and time again but may not have ever been aware of. It is something that we each experience but don't realize it when it is really happening to us. Is there such a way in which a magician can essentially, by definition, manipulate the audience's emotional and moral reactions to what they are viewing? Is there a way in which a magician can change the way the audience responds to what they are seeing on stage? This is the art of audience manipulation and the subject I would like to try and discuss a bit more. This all came about when I finished watching a movie and stopped to think that my emotions were changed drastically from the start of the movie to what I was feeling at that moment. It was a weird experience for me. Most of the time, and I am sure many can relate to this, we just watch a movie and do not think about how we react to it at all. For some reason that day I did stop and started thinking about this a lot. I realized that here was something so strong and powerful that it could be used as an ultimate tool in any magician or manipulators tool box. I realized that before the movie started I was feeling pretty stressed out and upset about issues from work. As the movie progressed I realized that my own emotions and attitudes were changing as I was watching what was happening on the screen. I laughed, I felt sadness, I was angry and all these things were happening directly to me without me ever really being aware that it was occurring in the first place. WOW! If a movie can manipulate how I felt, could this really be carried over to magical performance or manipulative acts? It got me really thinking. I then realized that this theory is nothing new but perhaps it is new when applied to the art of magic. I realized that this idea of audience manipulation occurs in literature and poetry all the time. You read a book and as you read it mental images appear in your mind. The words on the page create thought and images but they also create emotional responses to. We can have a book or word manipulate the way we are thinking at any given time. Poetry is based on this idea alone. Well if theater, movies and literature can directly apply this audience manipulation concept, why could it not be applied to the magical arts. I thought about this a lot and realized maybe that some are using this but a majority simply don't because they are not tuned into it or even aware of the fact that this can happen and be used to create full magical moments for their audiences. So why do we as manipulators of magic not use this wonderful device that is used so commonly in the areas I described above? Well maybe it is in part due to the nature of magic in general and how many of us come to find it. I think many magicians get so locked up into the object and trick part of what magic is. We get hung up on the mechanics and the techniques if you will and that is what fascinates us the most. If this is the case, then it can be safe to say that it transcends itself into our performances. We get hung up on the objects and moves that we end up performing mainly for ourselves. We do the moves to impress our inner ego that we can do these hard moves. We then go for the "wow" factor that our inner ego screams for. Perhaps also, it can be said that we do not utilize audience manipulation because we are also hung up on the fact that the audience is the audience and we are the magician. There is that idea and notion that you are on stage and they are in the seats and this invisible wall that exists should not be broken. We do not realize that we can reach out into the audience and directly manipulate them as well. It never crosses our minds because we are too busy concentrating on the manipulation of the objects of magic. whether they be cards, balls and so forth. I started thinking about this new device of audience manipulation and wondered what it could do for any performer if used properly and if added as another tool in our magic arsenal. What could we do if we stopped to realize that we can break down that wall between performer and audience and instead of just manipulating the objects in our hands, we also, through our actions, can cause the audience to be manipulated as well. Could the audience really become another object a magician could manipulate just as easily as a deck of playing cards? It is a fascinating thought if one stops to think about it. I think using this idea of audience manipulation can be such a powerful tool. Why wouldn't any magician want the ability to control the way an audience feels or thinks at any given moment in their act or show? Instead of the audience just watching the magic and applauding its skillful value, they could be directly involved in the magic actually taking place. They could be brought into the magic. They could be caused to directly experience an emotion or feeling based directly on what the magician is doing. In this way the magician really is manipulating how the audience should feel at any given moment in the act/show. Pretty powerful stuff if one starts to think about it and adapt it. But how do you apply this? Well once again I like to say that the answer lies in stepping away from magic. Look at what already does this well. Look at movies, theater, and books and poetry. Start to realize what is happening to you as you watch or read these things. What are you thinking and why are you thinking it? Are you starting to feel a different way at a certain point? Chances are the answer is yes and when you think about it you can often find out why. In a lot of cases it can be a combination of music, words being spoken or even the lighting or the movement. Cinema and theater does this all so well. When you see the Phantom of the Opera you are made to feel fear due in part to the music being played and the lighting changing. The posture of the character changes with it and the words spoken may be more harsh and drawn out. All of these elements start to cause the audience to be manipulated into feeling a certain way. So if this is the case, let us as magicians use these devices used in other art forms. Let us grab a hold of them and apply them to our magic. Let the audience be manipulated to be drawn into the magic you are presenting. If the audience can feel sadness when you want them to or feel joy or amazement when you create it for them, isn't that bringing your magic to an entirely new level? To me it brings it to a new art form entirely. It grows the art of magic. It changes it for the better. As always, I encourage you the readers to let me know your thoughts. So if you have any thoughts on my articles or suggestions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me directly at magic4u02@aol.com. I would love to hear from you. Kyle Peron Magician and Illusionist Graphic Designer and Illustrator (Specializing in Logo creation) www.kyleandkellymagic.com -------------------------------------------- 8. X. Japan Cup 2007 / International Close Up Magic Convention -------------------------------------------- Message from Dr. Tashiro Shigeru, President of JCMA 4-6-25 Ningyo Kohnosu-shi, Saitama-ken JAPAN, 365-0037 Japan Cup 2007 http://www.smilelife.biz/JapanCup2007-English.htm Japan Cup is the only international close up magic 2-day convention in Asia, with gala show, contest, lectures, and party. We will invite 2 of the FISM 2006 winners of the Close up category as well as many local Close Up magicians. Please join us and we'll help you in many ways in order to enjoy staying in the far East country, JAPAN. magic@kk.iij4u.or.jp -------------------------------------------- 9. Don't Miss The Boat www.CreativityAtSea.com -------------------------------------------- Message from Steve Varro Christian Illusionist Barry Mitchell and Tim Sonefelt are planning to drop anchor soon. The date is set September 22-27, 2007. The price is set, only $499. For magician (plus port taxes) And only $299. For spouse. (WHAT A DEAL!) Of course it includes everything, food, room, etc. 5 days of fun and learning. It's simply the best deal we've ever seen. MUST SIGN UP NOW to hold a spot. Go to www.creativityatsea.com for ALL details. -------------------------------------------- 10. Seeking Young Energetic Demonstrators For Toys R Us -------------------------------------------- Message from Jared Markowitz New York City, NY December, 2006 - January, 2007 Marvin's Magic currently seeks young energetic demonstrators for Toys R Us in Times Square. We seek demonstrators for magic tricks, D'Lites, and Marvin's Magic Drawing Board. Part time only; competitive wages. Applicants should e-mail Jared Markowitz: JWizardM@aol.com. Many excellent magicians, like Marc Paul, Guy Hollingsworth, and Anthony Owen, have started their careers as Marvin's Magic demonstrators. If you are interested, please e-mail Jared Markowitz with all your contact information and any pertinent information you would like us to know about you. -------------------------------------------- 11. Another One For The Magic Hall Of Fame! -------------------------------------------- Message from Barron Stringfellow Robert W. Klamm In Magic circles there are names everyone is familiar with. Some famous, some infamous! This notoriety may have been gained through Skill, Knowledge, or even Theft in some cases! In these circles, one name is well known due to the sheer number and range of Marketed items, Books, Honors and Time Shared (More than 60 Years) within the Magic Community. The "Firsts" and "Onlys" associated with one of the few blind magicians who make magic work.and work to make magic; Bob Klamm - The Magic Man - Humble unto himself.but a Living Legend for those of us he has touched! ~ Barron Stringfellow; Devoted Fan and Honored Friend -------------------------------------------- 12. HRH Queen Elizabeth - Her Majestys Personal 80th Birthday Party -------------------------------------------- Message from Fay Presto Greetings from London. Last Tuesday Romany, Richard McDougal, Peter Mehtab and myself were engaged to work for HRH Queen Elizabeth at Her Majestys personal 80th Birthday Party at the Ritz Hotel in Piccadilly, and on Wednesday I filmed a short segment for CNN for their Magic Special 'Quest for Magic due for transmission on Dec 24th They have been to L.A. to interview David Copperfield and Lance Burton, apparently they felt I could handle the close-up; elevated company! Airs the fourth weekend of the month. Next air dates: December 23/24 Saturday 0700, 1500, 2000 | Sunday 0700, 2000 (ALL TIMES GMT) 700, 2000 (ALL TIMES GMT) Richard mixes it up with conjurers, tricksters and illusionists on a quest for magic. From the glitz and glamour of David Copperfield in Las Vegas to the pastimes of an English country witch, he talks to skilled magicians who can alter our perception and seemingly shift the laws of nature before our very eyes. But will Richard have the magic touch? http://www.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/quest/' -------------------------------------------- 13. Fly Today To New Zealand For 2 Months -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany (NZ) Fly today to New Zealand to spend 2 months with family and friends. Next year is looking to be a very interesting year with bookings now on several top end cruise lines until December, plus my new magic producing business is going from strength to strength. I am producing magic for magicians and selling all over the world. Chances are when you see a magician they might actually be performing one of my tricks! Natalie and I have plans to buy a house next year, perhaps in Canada, we have yet to decide. Wishing you a very happy Xmas and a wonderful 2007. -------------------------------------------- 14. Blaney Sawing A Lady In Half -------------------------------------------- Message from Walter Blaney Dear friends in magic: In 1979 I built a new method for Sawing A Lady In Half. The method I invented occurred in 1948, during a boring chemistry class in college. I premiered my new illusion on NBC's Nashville Palace TV series, and have done it on various magic convention shows, many private banquets, and at trade shows with the audience just six feet away. The lady's feet are alive and barefoot. It has fooled not only lay audiences, but many magicians as well. Some of you have probably seen me present it at magic conventions, or perhaps have already seen the video. But if not, and you care to view it, do the following: Go to WWW.YOUTUBE.COM (you will currently see immediately a great piece with Dean Martin and Foster Brooks... by all means watch it and laugh). And after that, go to SEARCH and type in Sawing a Lady In Half. Then hit enter. You will see about a dozen versions listed. My illusion is the second one down from the top. Click on it and enjoy. Cheers from Texas, Walter Walter Blaney walter@walterblaney.com -------------------------------------------- 15. Kevin Spencer Spring 2007 Tour -------------------------------------------- Message from Kevin Spencer I wanted to let you know that the Spring 2007 tour has been posted on our website, www.SpencersMagic.com. We are leaving on December 17 for a tour in Hong Kong and Taipei. All performances in Hong Kong are completely sold out. There are a few tickets remaining for Taipei. I'll also be conducting two workshops on the Healing of Magic, one in each country. Happy Holidays, Kevin www.SpencersMagic.com www.MagicTherapy.com -------------------------------------------- 16. SCAM - 2007 In Columbia -------------------------------------------- Message from Henry Pettit President of IBM ring 105, Columbia, South Carolina, USA. Wanted to let you know about our convention that is coming up in January. The South Carolina Association of Magicians is holding SCAM - 2007 in Columbia on January 12 - 13, 2007 at the Columbia Marriott Hotel. This years talent includes: David Regal - Sylvester The Jester - Arthur Trace Luke Dancy - Jessica Reed -Tim Sonefelt - Marty Shaprio Daniel Ferst and Mick Ayers. More will be announced shortly. Check out the complete information on the wedsite: scamcon.org. Maybe some folks from your part of the world may be in the sunny south in January and would like to drop by Columbia for a very friendly and first class convention. Love to have you. Henry A Pettit 4716 Brenthaven Road Columbia, South Carolina 29206-2005 803-787-4027 -------------------------------------------- 17. The Salon de Magie -------------------------------------------- Message from Bill Palmer, M.I.M.C. Ken Klosterman has just released his magnum opus The Salon de Magie, a beautiful, imitation leather bound book which contains hundreds of photographs, most in color, of historically significant items in his massive collection. It comes with a DVD that contains a tour through the museum, as well as some historical background on the collection. Every collector should have a copy of this book. For more information, visit his web site www.salondemagie.com -------------------------------------------- 18. The One Day Kidshows Magic Convention Hawaii -------------------------------------------- Message from Glen Bailey Monday - January 15, 2007 Pearl City Elementary School - Cafeteria 1090 Waimano Home Rd., Pearl City, HI Time: 9 AM to 6 PM Open to Magicians, Junior Magicians, Clowns, and Children Entertainers This One Day Magic Convention features four lectures and a stage show with well known children's entertainer/lecturer David Ginn, plus Marty & Brenda Hahne from DAZZLING MAGIC and other surprise guest entertainers. Schedule of events: 8:00 a.m. - Registration Check-in 9:00 a.m. - David Ginn Comedy Magic Warm Up and Musical Magic Lecture 11:00 a.m. - Marty and Brenda Hahne present their "Birthday Party Kids Show" 12:30 p.m. - Lunch 1:30 p.m. - Feature Variety Show 2:30 p.m. - David Ginn - Audience Participation Magic Lecture 4:00 p.m. - Marty Hahne - "Keys to a good show lecture" 5:15 p.m. - Wrap up Both David and Marty will have lots of magical effects for sale throughout the day. Registration Cost: Until December 31, 2006....... $55 for adult magicians and $35 for junior magicians (17 and below) After January 1, 2007............. $65 for adult magicians and $45 for junior magicians (17 and below) For a registration packet call Glen Bailey at 808 - 488-5162 or e-mail your name and address to baileyg001@hawaii.rr.com -------------------------------------------- 18. MARS 2006 - The Review -------------------------------------------- Message from Tony Brook International Deputy The Society of American Magicians This year The Magic at the Red Sea convention was held a few months later than last year. Nevertheless, the temperatures in Eilat were, as usual, just wonderful. Brilliant sunshine every day, a wonderful atmosphere and an excellent venue - The Isrotel King Solomon Hotel. Excellent hotel staff, excellent food, excellent magic and tons of fun and mischief to make this convention assured of an outstanding rating in my book. Although only in its second year, Roei Zaltsman worked hard to top his previous year's efforts. Without detracting one iota from the excellence of last year, this year attained, albeit in a different way, the same level - not always as easy feat in any endeavor! Apart from a special selection of Israeli magicians, the headliners saw the return of World Class magicians Anthony Darkstone and Menny Lindenfeld. Joining them this year was the quintessential Quentin Reyolds, the legendary Pavel and the ubiquitous Gregory Wilson. Those who are familiar with my articles on magic and magic conventions will know that I always do my utmost to remain objective. However, what good is a rule if one can't bend it once in a while. In order to do full justice to MARS 2006, I must, of necessity wax lyrical and be a touch subjective in parts. For that reason, this review will, at times, read as if I were writing a letter to a friend. The splendid King Solomon Hotel in Eilat is literally a two-minute walk to the shores of the Red Sea. In common with many of us, who travel Internationally, I have experienced all kinds of hotels and service. Therefore, I am not lavish with praise unless it is deserved. However, I must sing the praises of the staff of this hotel. Although, at magic conventions we are focused on the shows, the lectures and the celebrities, it is also important to have all of this in good and efficient surroundings. Without wishing to read like a colorful travel brochure, I can state that the King Solomon hotel excelled in service and cuisine. During a private conversation with the Manager, I complimented him on his staff and told him how it had taken a mere two minutes to meet my request of alterations to sound and lighting in one of the lecture halls. To my amazement, he apologized and assured me that any further requests would only take a minute next time. Moreover, he wasn't joking either. He meant every word. When you get that kind of response and that similar attitude is followed by every single staff member whose only aim was to please, you can bet it's going to be a great Convention. Although the Convention wasn't due to start until the 22nd November I arrived in Tel Aviv on the morning of the 19th. I was met by a very good friend who drove me thru the Negev desert to Eilat. The 5-hour drive was a deeply magical, mystical and soul awakening experience as I got to see many places in Israel that is not on any Tourist brochure. Exactly on the same level as the previous year when Menny Lindenfeld drove me to the Dead Sea through the Judean desert. That magical story is told elsewhere. The convention began on the 22nd with a Teach-In/Workshop by Anthony Darkstone. He discussed the principle of stacked decks, a card force based on a mathematical concept by Pythagoras, the theatrical nuances within a magical performance and the role that music has in the performance and presentation of magic. He was followed by a lecture by Amir Lustig. He lectured in Hebrew and I was told that he tipped the workings on some of his act and delivered a lecture that was rich in content. Amir, in common with everyone else, also spoke English. I had the opportunity to converse with him on several occasions, watch him perform live and also on an Israeli TV show after the convention. He is a most affable person and an excellent performer. I believe he has all the necessary ingredients to be a great magician in the making. Equally interesting lectures were delivered by the other Israeli magicians. To discuss each one in detail would not be necessary but suffice to say that the standard was of a very high quality. The very elegant and precise Quentin Reynolds delivered a flawless lecture that was extremely useful and insightful to any Children's Entertainer. Apart from the effects, he offered some excellent methodology regarding the routining of an act. He drew tons of applause when he demonstrated his signature effect, 'Five Minutes With A Pocket Handkerchief'. A highly experienced professional who generously shared his wealth of talent and experience. Incidentally, he is also a phenomenal Mentalist and author of a definitive book on Intuition entitled, 'Intuition - Your Secret Power'. I never tire of watching the legendary Pavel perform and lecture. I just love his sense of mischief. By his own admission, " I just love fooling magicians". It was a joy for me to spend time with him again. From the moment he spotted me in the lobby and rushed over to greet me until the end of the Convention we had loads of fun over dinners and generally just kidding around. His lecture elicited gasps, jaw-dropping and tons of admiration. Any detail that I go into regarding his effects would not do them justice. Yes, of course, ropes were involved but some ingenious card and balloon ideas had me intrigued and badly fooled. A true Master at work. I had never met Gregory Wilson before but his exploits and background preceded him and he did not disappoint. Anyone who stars in a Tony Clark Production and writes his biography as follows, "my parents were professional gamblers and they lost me in a crap game when I was four. By the time I was nine I won myself back " is going to be a fun person to be with. Throw in the fact he is a FISM winner, several other awards plus the fact that it is easier to list the countries where he hasn't performed and you can bet that you are going to know when he is in the room. And yeah, he is also good-looking and over six feet tall. And no.he did not pay me to write this .I ASKED HIM BUT HE HAD ALREADY RUN OUT Of cash!!!!!! Seriously, his magical skills are finely honed, his sense of timing finely tuned and his mis-direction so precise that even during his lecture when he was explaining the "how to" he had to do it over and over as he was fooling everyone badly. I watched him lecture, I watched him perform, I watched him entertain the hotel staff, people in the lobby and he just kept on WOWing everywhere he went. He has tons of charisma and knows how to use it. Nobody gets this good by accident. I viewed it from a different perspective and could see the painstaking hard work and sheer discipline that went into making Gregory Wilson the Entertainer. In more tranquil moments when I had an opportunity to converse with him, I found him to be an extremely erudite man. I was asked to MC the Close-Up show and apart from some juggling with mikes and a bit of over enthusiasm by three or four people who should have known better, the show went down very well and was also attended by Galina and Sonny Hayes who were still headlining in the WOW show next door. It was good to see them again after last year. Later that evening on in their apartment over a glass of wine they shared with me their views of the Close -Up show. We agreed that in parts the show lacked pace. Each individual artist was indeed excellent but we agreed that the order could have been better and that some elements in the audience may have not understood that when fellow magicians are performing in this type of setting it is just not good manners to act as if it was a free for all at a magic club night. On reflection, I think it may have been the layout of the room and the fact that there were some problems with mikes that may have contributed to the reactions. Fortunately, when I pointed out that we had some World Class acts to follow, everyone obliged and settled down. Menny Lindenfeld, Quentin Reynolds and Pavel delivered outstanding performances as befits their status in Magic. The show closed with Gregory Wilson whose high-energy and excellent skill got him a standing 'O'. Following on from the successful Talk Show last year entitled " Tony Brook In Conversation With Max Maven", both Roei Zaltsman and I decided that we would vary the format somewhat and we gave the show a more TV chat show feel and created a studio type set. This year, my guests were Pavel and Quentin Reynolds. The show focused on the careers of each guest and how they got started and more importantly, what it took to keep going in the competitive world of show business. Quentin was especially forthcoming with many excellent examples of lessons he had learned in his career. Pavel, likewise offered many useful insights into various aspects of magic and both of them spoke at length on the art of creativity in magic. I was especially pleased that we spent some time on this topic as, sadly, it is not on the priority list of many performers. I am happy to state that via the show and my guests we kindled a spark and most certainly stimulated much discussion. This was observed during the Q and A session that followed and also after the show and indeed throughout the rest of the Convention I received a number of complimentary comments. One item that is certainly noteworthy, is an effect that Pavel performed during our Talk Show. Although Quentin and I were sitting mere inches on either side of him, he fooled us both badly with a brand new rope effect that he had created. Later that evening, over dinner, Pavel could not conceal his Pixie like delight that he had fooled us both.....and badly!!!! Being the gentleman that he is he did eventually tip us the method and in so doing, increased my admiration for him. Not because he tipped the method but because of the skill in which he managed to fool us. Anyone who truly appreciates excellent magic and has seen Pavel work will agree with me when I refer to him as a genius. The gala show as held at mid-day as it was also open to lay people and guests at the other Isrotel hotels in Eilat. In addition, it was a Friday and nightfall was earlier and Shabbat needed to be observed. The show was held at the same theater that Galina and Sonny Hayes were starring in the WOW show. Shay Nassi opened with fast paced illusions and doves. A personable young man who with the right amount of coaching and real training could develop into a good act. The first half saw Menny Lindenfeld duplicate a drawing on an A2 easel that an audience member had drawn on a A4 pad on the other side of the stage. It was a very complex image of a man playing a guitar but Menny brought huge gasps of amazement at the revelation. Members of the S.A.M will recall that Dan Garrett and I featured him in World Class Magic twice. A very talented inventor and accomplished International performer. Pavel was the master of impeccable timing and stagecraft. In a silent act set to music and sound effects involving thunder and rain he delighted the audience with superb magic involving confetti and of course ropes....but the usage of ropes and an umbrella to create rain and snow. A thrilling performance. I was backstage and watched his act from the wings. I had to resist the urge on more than one occasion to burst into spontaneous applause. Gregory Wilson performed in front of the drapes and as I was backstage helping out I didn't catch his gala act but the level of cheering and applause was a good indication of the caliber of his performance. He came off beaming and I guess he must have had a great performance. The second half saw the Israeli magicians who turned in some good performances. Unfortunately, some of them didn't quite understand how to work in a theater and there was some difficulty in organizing their props. Striking off at times, was more demanding than need be.asking for a mike one minute prior to going on ...forgetting that loud gestures in the wings didn't help the on-stage performer ....all good and likable guys but sadly lacking in theater etiquette and experience. The audience loved him and he did an outstanding job as MC. Despite fighting a sore throat and having to speak in English, Quentin Reynolds had the audience right there in the palm of his hand. Watching him work was a Master Class in the art of Emceeing. Despite unnecessary backstage incidents brought about mostly by inexperienced performers, he stoically held the show together and dealt out tons of Irish charm that kept the audience enthralled and pulled off a successful gala show. Ori Livney. I have saved his name for last but he was most certainly not the least. This multi-talented young man created all the balloon sculptures at the convention. Huge balloon creations filled the lobby at the hotel and the centrepiece was a giant rabbit some 15 feet tall pulling a magician out of a hat. Conceptually brilliant and technically superb. I have seen some of the best balloon artists and he certainly ranks right up there with them. I was fortunate to spend quality time with him and his fiancée Michal Betito at the Convention and afterwards in Tel Aviv. Michal is a very talented Balloon artist in her own right and she helped create the balloon sculptures at the Convention. Ori's lecture was the talk of the Convention as it didn't just involve creating balloon designs and sculptures - it actually involved new ideas of magic with balloons. The balloons actually became the props and the effect. Things like revealing the chosen card not inside a balloon but actually have the balloon alter its shape into the chosen card .the number and suit!!! A wand that disappears and then is found inside a balloon dog. I found out that he is also a talented magician, an Israeli darts champion who has won International trophies, a great percussionist ( drums, congas and a strange spaceship like melodic instrument) and the Host of an American TV series called ' Bobby's Balloon House'. Ori's hands are well known on Israeli Television as he is seen creating complex balloon sculptures in a TV commercial for Orange, a well-known cell-phone company in Europe. He also took all the official photographs at every lecture and performance. Prior to closing, I must publicly thank S.A.M compeer Doron Levinson and his family for their special friendship and for making my stay at the Convention and afterwards in Tel Aviv very meaningful. It was in every aspect a good convention and I enjoyed it tremendously. It was a very real pleasure to meet up again with folk I had met last year, meet new people and spend quality time with kindred spirits. MARS 2006 Addendum One item that was a major talking point during the Convention was the fact that a current TV Show on Channel 2 in Israel was currently featuring many of the Israeli headliners at MARS 2006 and also the MARS Producer, Roei Zaltsman. Loosely translated, the show entitled, 'The Heir To Uri Geller' was a competition involving various Mentalists before a studio panel consisting of Uri Geller and three Israeli celebrities. Although, the show has nothing directly to do with the MARS convention, it is nevertheless closely connected and I feel that for me not to comment on it would be somewhat negligent in my duty to the International Magic Community. My principal reason for including this narrative within the context of the MARS review is because of the buzz at the Convention relating to this show and that the fact that many of the participants were on the MARS bill as well. Another reason is to help clear up any misconceptions arrived at by those who only saw the show on their TV sets. The basic concept was the usual Television format of competing, having people call in and vote for the one they like best. However, this show was slightly different, as the competitors were not allowed to state they were magicians. The Producer and station wanted to create the idea of psychic phenomenon in the minds of the audience. There are various views on this as professed by various magicians. I have participated in similar TV performances but I have never made any claims of super powers. As I have already stated, in several places and on many occasions, I never claim to be anything other than an Entertainer and tell my audiences they must believe whatever they choose to believe. Whilst I personally don't subscribe to the format of the above-mentioned TV show I can, as someone closely associated with TV, understand the need for ratings. The first show took place on Saturday 18th November and involved performances by Roei Zaltsman, Menny Lindenfeld, Shimon Nahmani and others. At the end of the show depending on the phone votes and Uri Geller's decision some stay on and are asked to compete once again and the rest are dismissed. The idea is that after a series of shows, the one remaining will be given the title of Uri Geller's Heir. As I have stated before, agreeing or disagreeing with this type of show is a matter personal opinion and of necessity involves some excellent spin. However, as we all know, TV is about ratings. Ratings mean advertisers lining up to buy air-time. Those who read my MARS 2006 preview article will know I wasn't at the first show as I was literally 35,000 feet in the air on my way to Israel at the time. After MARS 2006 was over Roei invited me to join him on the flight back to Tel Aviv and soon after we landed at 3 PM we headed straight for the studio. Roei had been invited to participate again. The show went out live at 9 PM. At this point, I must express my personal admiration for Roei Zaltsman. He had put a convention together, ran it almost single-handed and no sooner it was over he was participating in this show. In a lesser vein, but also demanding, the same could be said of Amir Lustig. I was graciously allowed into the dressing rooms and Green Room. I ran into Uri Geller in the corridor and we chatted about the time we had met many years ago in London. Later on, I was introduced to the Producer and the Co-Host of the show and we exchanged views on TV shows. Amir Lustig and Roei Zaltsman were busy in wardrobe and from I was standing, it would be remiss of me not to mention the excellent help and advice that the wardrobe lady gave them. During the course of my stay behind the scenes, I was interviewed and befriended by one of the TV crews and Studio Manager and they graciously invited me to join them on the studio floor in a special location. I explained I had already been given a seat in the studio audience but they kindly insisted I join them. Having been around TV studios I can safely say that everyone involved with the show was of the highest professional standard. I will not comment too much on the show but apart from Shimi Atias, Roei Zaltsman and Amir Lustig there wasn't very much to write home about. Shimi Atais gave a very dramatic and convincing performance of stopping his heartbeat/pulse.. complete with monitor and ambulance standing by ..excellent theatrics and even better TV drama! I had met him earlier in day and found him a very likeable and appealing performer. A name to watch. Remember you read it here first. Amir Lustig had told me earlier what he intended to do. He was going to change the taste of a chewing gum that he had given to one of the celebrities. Although it was in Hebrew and because I knew what to expect I joined in the applause when the celebrity spat the gum out. I lost some of the nuance in the translation but it was a good performance. This was followed by some mediocre performances, which frankly, had no business being on TV. Roei Zaltsman was up again for the second time. This time he asked one of the celebrities to think back to an incident in her childhood that had influenced her life. Roei had told me what he was going to do. In addition, one of the young ladies in the studio crew was sitting next to me and kindly simultaneously translated. Roei's performance brought lots of audible gasps when he began to narrate the incident from her childhood. The show ended with a choice of two contestants. Roei Zaltsman and someone called Asif Nassim (apologies if I have his name spelt wrong) who had asked for a favorite song to be written on a pad which was placed on the back of his guitar as a rest whilst the song title was written. He then played the song. My only comment is that he needs to rehearse his act a bit more in order to make it less obvious. Nevertheless, for reasons best known to the Gods of Television he was selected and Roei Zaltsman was eliminated. During the show, Uri Geller also removed a drawing of a fish from a prediction envelope. It matched the drawing that he had asked an El Al pilot to make in the air. In conversation with many of the station staff during and after the show plus lay people during the following days I found that they almost unanimously agreed that whilst the concept was interesting, they may have enjoyed it a lot more if it was presented as magical Entertainment. Incidentally, the show is still running. During my last night in Israel, in Tel Aviv, after a sumptuous meal, a group of us were chilling at a café next to Roei's home and discussing the past Convention and future plans. Roei informed me that he has some great ideas for MARS 2007. All I am allowed to say at this point is that MARS 2007 will involve a Peace theme. Depending on timing and logistics, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Headliners included a high profile lady magician from the USA. I'll bring you more information in the New Year. Shalom. ----------------- 19. Maurie's memorabilia (The Amazing Mr. Rooklyn) ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) I have just received our Xmas card from Konni Rooklyn. She tells us that Maurie's memorabilia (The Amazing Mr. Rooklyn) is now in the Jewish Museum in Sydney. ----------------- 20. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 131 Close Miss And A 'Hypnotic' Command The expense that I go to, verifying incidents from my distant murky past, knows no bounds. Case in point - I telephoned my brother in law Robert (better known as Bob around Whakatane - he is Veronica's [my wife] brother), in New Zealand the other day! I'm going to wander off course a bit now, but what follows is relevant, sort of, to the: 'INCIDENT AT WHAKATANE'! Sounds like one of those old matinee 'Yippee' cowboy and Indian westerns, which we all used to watch on Saturday afternoon down at the local cinema/ 'flea house'! Picture this. A young, good looking chap about 5ft 8in, stocky build and as strong as an ox - make that two, who went through all the horrors of the Vietnam war, luckily coming out of it unscathed (although many of his mates didn't), whose idea to settle an argument was to simply knock you out with a single punch, no matter if you were ten feet tall and built like a brick shithouse! That's Robert! Veronica and I tied the knot on Tue. 1st June 1976. That afternoon, at our home in Whakatane, a small gathering of friends and relatives got together for drinks etc and as usual, Magic, the 'Sleight of Hand' sort, started - well I am a magician! My dad took umbrage to this and an almighty argument ensued. Dear me, it was our wedding day, is nothing sacred! Apparently, my mouth and tongue were in high gear, as was my father's, so - Robert decided it was time to 'Settle the Argument'! Now I'm not sure if it was out of respect for an older man, (my father), or not, but Robert unleashed his infamous one punch 'Knockout Drop' straight for MY jaw. According to Veronica, I, without missing a beat, or a word, shifted my head fractionally to one side and Robert's missile laden fist, loaded with a 'deadly warhead', streaked harmlessly past my ear. Veronica says she will never forget the look on Robert's face, as he gazed disbelievingly at the offending fist, and muttered to himself 'I missed - I can't believe it - I missed'! Now that was a digression, but it does demonstrate Robert's idea of - 'Keeping the Peace'. It is Christmas Eve - 1972/3, Robert is not sure which. Sometime after midnight, Robert decided that we should take a 'cruise' around the town and have a 'nosey', as you do, or did, in those days. The town was quiet so Robert drove back up the main street heading for the family home (Veronica and I were, naturally, staying there for Xmas). About half way up we saw that a police car had pulled in and two police officers were trying to get two Maori 'fella's' into the back of the police car - without much luck, they were putting up a hell of a struggle (Unlike the Australian and American police, the N Z police are unarmed, as in the UK as well). Without hesitation, Robert pulls in behind the police car - deciding whether to give them a hand or not. He had many friends in the Whakatane police force - he went to school with many of them. His mind was made up for him! One second the street was empty, the next, a whole tribe of Maoris - well that's what it seemed like, suddenly 'appeared' from out of nowhere. It was amazing. They must have come out of the woodwork! I'm guessing, but I would estimate that there was 20 or 30 of them. They attacked the two 'coppers'. Without hesitation, Robert leaped out to give them a hand. Within seconds, Robert's in the middle of them, dropping Maoris left, right and centre -Robert just 'loved' a good scrap! I sat in the car, 'Crapping' myself. I knew that if I was to jump in there, I would not last a second - besides, Veronica and I had a hypnotism show coming up on Boxing night, two nights away. Imagine the scenario: "I want you to look into my eye, you can't miss it - it's on the back of my head, all swollen up, just below the other deformed one"! "You are getting sleeeepy"etc. To my horror, I saw an arm go up, with a beer bottle clutched in the hand; it smashed, full force, down on Robert's head. He dropped like a stone! To this day, I cannot remember getting out of the car, or what was going on in my head, I just found myself standing on the footpath, and then I heard myself say - actually, it was more of a 'command'; "HOLD IT"! Instantly, the Maori boys, the police, the entire tableau - froze! It was as if time itself had stopped, and the only thing that was moving, was me. CONTINUES NEXT WEEK! -------------------------------------------- 21. 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) -------------------------------------------- 22. 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. You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E-zine at www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html. 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