* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #516 Date: Sunday 29th July 2007 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. Christopher Award Winners For 07 3. TAOM 2007 Schedule Correction 4. RateMyAct.com Launching 5. Las Vegas Magic - August, 2007 6. Remarkable Magic #15 - Nick Lewin 7. Don't Judge a Show by Its Cover - By Kyle Peron 8. Celebrating Blackpool's Entertainment Heritage 9. New Issue Of Magicana Is Now In The Mail To Subscribers 10. Midwest Magic Jubilee 2007 - Special Offer 11. David Ginn's Christmas Magic Down Under Tour 2007 12. Cometa Magico Awards For 2006 13. KIDabra International Conference August 14-18, 2007 14. The Magic Circle Elections Are Coming Up 15. Tony Wilson's Magical Adventures Number 4 16. Kevin James On America's Got Talent 17. Don Drake Fell From A Step Ladder 18. North Long Beach Using Dirty Tricks 19. Does The Name "Doc Rowe" Ring A Bell 20. The Amazing Orchante Saga 21. e-zine Archives 22. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Notice that a number of Magic New Zealand subscribers emailed each week are bouncing because they are installing software to control spam. Please make sure that you whitelist AW@Alan-Watson.com otherwise after the third time your email bounces your address will be removed from the Magic New Zealand mail list AUTOMATICALLY. ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com ----------------- 2. Christopher Award Winners For 07 ----------------- Message from Maurine Christopher (US) Five Milbourne Christopher Awards were presented at the Society Of American Magicians convention. His latest book- Religion, Magic And The Supernatural - won the 2007 Milbourne Christopher literary award for William V Rauscher. His plaque was presented July 7 at the closing night banquet of the Society of American Magicians annual convention in Dallas, Texas. Winners are chosen by the Milbourne Christopher Foundation judges panel headed by Robert L. Blumele. A member of that panel Rauscher did not vote on the literary category this year. He won a literary plaque in 1991 before being named to the judges panel. Besides Bluemle and Rauscher, the judges panel currently includes William E. Andrews and Richard Bloch. Winners in five categories were named this year. The others - Marvyn and Carol Roy, lifetime achievement (they won for illusions in 1990) ; Peter West, newcomer; Tony Chepak, illusionist and Chuck Hickok, mentalist. The awards memorialize Milbourne Christopher, who first put magicians from around the world into primetime TV with his Festival of Magic on NBC in 1957. He helped to revive SAM's monthly magazine MUM and edited it for five years. The heart of the Christopher Collection of books, paintings, posters and Houdini and Thurston letters remains in his home in New York. His widow Maurine Brooks Christopher, makes the collection available to serious writers and scholars whenever feasible. -------------------------------------------- 3. TAOM 2007 Schedule Correction -------------------------------------------- Message from Joe Douglas TAOM 2007 Entertainment Chairman douglasjp3@grandecom.net (361)991-2915 Home Could you correct the time for the Professional Close-up Show on Sunday, September 2nd to end at 11:00 a.m. instead of 11:00 p.m. -------------------------------------------- 4. RateMyAct.com Launching -------------------------------------------- Message from Chad Currin I have been working on a way to let people evaluate my act and then to use those evaluations for publicity. I used to send out evaluation cards but I decided to create a 21st century way to make this happen. First, I created the website www.RateMyAct.com and created a page for Mr. Twisty with all my contact info, photos, show description, links to video, etc. Then I added some links to my website so people could read my recommendations. http://www.mrtwisty.com/rec.html Then I added links to my sales and Thank You letters that I send out as part of the bookings/sales process to get people to leave recommendations for me. Lastly, I added the following link to emails I send out hoping to get as many recommendations as possible: http://ratemyact.com/site/details.php/listing/1 I spent a lot of time creating this system and now I would like to share it with you so you can use it too. Sign-up and EVERYTHING is ABSOLUTELY FREE!!! Getting set-up takes less than 5 minutes and you don't need any programming or HTML skills! -------------------------------------------- 5. Las Vegas Magic - August, 2007 -------------------------------------------- Compiled by David Neubauer www.dnmagic.com Production Shows: Amazing Johnathan 10 pm, (Dark Thurs.), Sahara. Reported to be the Final Year http://www.saharavegas.com/shows/amazingjohnathon.html Beacher's Madhouse Christopher Karpiak, Chuck Lane, Tyas Frantz 9 pm pre-show. Last Sat. each month. Hard Rock. Bite (Vampire Strip Revue) Antonio Restivo - 10:30 pm (dark Thurs.) Stratosphere. http://www.bitelasvegas.com Crazy Horse Paris Stephan Vanel 8 & 10:30 pm, (Dark Tues.), MGM Grand. http://www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/crazy-horse-show.aspx Criss Angel - Cirque du Soleil Luxor Hotel and Casino. (Scheduled to open February, 2008) David Copperfield Through July 25, Aug. 16 - Sept. 19, Oct. 4 - 17. 7:30 & 10 pm, 4:30 Sat. & some Sun. MGM Grand. http://mgm.admission.com/cgi/guide.cgi?l=EN Dixie Dooley, Master Mystifier 7:30 & 9:30 pm (Dark Mon.), Weston Casuarina. http://www.houdiniexperience.com Gerry McCambridge - The Mentalist 8:00 PM nightly, Saturday at 6:00 PM - Hooters Casino Hotel. http://shop.vegas.com/shows/showtimes2.jsp?show=1056&lang=en Hans Klok - The Beauty of Magic Hans Klok (with Pamela Anderson) - Aladdin Theater - Planet Hollywood Resort. 7 pm & 10 pm, Thur. - Sat. Ends September 1. 2 for 1 Tickets: Enter code "FAM241" http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/81953?brand=planethollywoodlv Haunted Vegas Tour & Show Robert Allen, Jac Hayden & Zamora - Greek Isle. 9:00 pm tour and show (Dark Fri.) $10 off coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponhauntedvegas.html Jason Bird Miracle Mile Shops - Planet Hollywood Resort. Main stage, near the "V" Theater, Thursday - Monday Various times from 1:15 pm. to 8:15 pm. - Free. Lance Burton, Master Magician 7 pm Tues - Sat & 10 pm Tues. & Sat. Monte Carlo. http://www.montecarlo.com/entertainment/lance.aspx Mac King Comedy Magic Show 1 & 3 pm, (Dark Sun. & Mon.) Clint Holmes Theater - Harrah's. http://www.mackingshow.com Nathan Burton Comedy Magic Show 2 pm every day, 6 pm Fridays V Theater at the Miracle Mile Shops - Planet Hollywood Resort. 2-for-1: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponnathanburtoncomedymagic.html Penn & Teller 9 pm, (Dark Tues.), Rio. http://www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/rlv/entertainment/entertainment_detail_00.html Steve Wyrick 7 & 9 pm. Miracle Mile Shops, Planet Hollywood Resort. The Ultimate Variety Showcase Christopher Karpiak and "S". Roxy's Live - Sam's Town 8 pm - Midnight every Tuesday. Free. http://www.samstownlv.com/entertainment/event.cfm?EventID=332 V, The Ultimate Variety Show Jason Byrne (most Tues. - Sat.) or Nathan Burton (most Sun. - Mon.) 7:30 & 9 pm, Planet Hollywood Resort - www.vtheshow.com 2 for 1 coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/couponvshow.html World's Greatest Magic Show Kevin James, Kozak, Roy Shank, Losander, Shimshi. Billy Fergeson (pre-show). 6 pm Sat. - Thurs., 8:15 Fri., Greek Isle. http://www.greatestmagicshow.com Xtreme Magic Starring Dirk Arthur Tiffany Theatre, Tropicana 2 and 4 pm. (Dark Fri.) $10 off coupon: http://www.vegas4locals.com/Coupontropicana_dirk.html Other Vegas Magic Restaurants: Eric Allan, Outback Steakhouse (Green Valley), Fri. & Sat. Jayden LaCross, TGI Fridays, Wed. & Sun. Jamie Porter's Radio Side Show Sat @ 5 am, KLAV FM 1230. Las Vegas Magic Organizations I.B.M. #257: 7 pm 1st Monday. http://www.ring257.com Darwin's Magic Club meets every Wednesday. Both meet at: Boomers, 3200 Sirius Ave. Las Vegas Children's and Family Entertainers Association 7 pm every 3rd Monday, Amazing Clowns, 3525 E. Flamingo. YMS (Young Magicians Society) 7 pm every 2nd Monday, IHOP Boulevard Mall on Maryland Pkwy. News: Kevin James (World's Greatest Magic Show at the Greek Isle) is in the top twenty (as of July 20) on "America's Got Talent" on NBC, so far lasting longer than any magician. Clips of his first two performances: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlHLfznIlS4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chvsqMgPKhk Luxor headliner Criss Angel and Uri Geller will team up on an NBC reality competition series to find the "next great mentalist." The series will be titled "Phenomenon." Penn & Teller received two Emmy nominations for their Showtime series "Penn & Teller: Bullshit!" for Outstanding Reality Program and Outstanding Writing. August, 2007 August 19-22: MAGIC Live! - The Orleans. http://www.magicmagazine.com September, 2007 September 14-16: Master Class. McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger. http://www.magicalwisdom.com October, 2007 October 7-9: MINDvention - Palace Station. Scheduled: Patrick Redford (George Tait), Sean Taylor, John Archer, Joseph Atmore, Guy Bavli, Eugene Burger, Rick Maue, Jon Stetson. http://www.mindvention.com/ October 10-12: Master Class for Mentalists. McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger. http://www.magicalwisdom.com October 23-26: Magic & Meaning Conference; MAGIC AND THE ART OF STORYTELLING, McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride, Eugene Burger, George Parker, Special Guest: Robert Neale. http://www.magicalwisdom.com November, 2007 November 1-4: Magic for Medical Professionals, McBride's Magic & Mystery School with Jeff McBride and Eugene Burger. Please email any Las Vegas magic updates/news to David through this website: http://www.dnmagic.com -------------------------------------------- 6. Remarkable Magic #15 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) Remarkable Magic: Micro Macro a la the Uncanny One. One of the first really great pieces of card magic I ever learned came from the fertile brain of Alex Elmsley. It was his classic effect Micro Macro. I bought the trick at the Tottenham Court Road magic store after seeing it demonstrated by Jon Tremaine. I had been deeply impressed after seeing him perform it and had no idea how it could have been accomplished. When I arrived home I locked myself away in my bedroom and excitedly opened the package. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. When the props were laid out before me I was pretty darn sure that this wasn't the same method that had fooled me so badly a few hours before. What I saw on the table in front of me wouldn't fool anyone! I was in no position to throw away the pound that the trick had cost me so I decided to practice it anyhow. I kept on and on rehearsing it just in case I could make it look the way I remembered. However I couldn't even start to recreate the magic of that first exposure to the trick. Eventually I decided to show it to my long-suffering parents who had been my loyal 'card choosers' since I began my interest in magic. To my amazement they were astounded and really loved it. Hmm, I couldn't understand how they could be fooled by it. I featured that trick in my repertoire for a long time but then as with many a good trick before and since I got tired of performing it and it faded from my memory. When your most frequent audience is your immediate family sometimes variety is the key to success. About ten years after I put aside my first set of cards and fake to achieve the Elmsley effect I was in for a big shock. I was sitting in the close up gallery at the Magic Castle watching Ron Wilson perform and WHAM I was fooled all over again. This time I was even more fooled because I thought I knew how the trick was done. Not the way Ron performed it though. In an act that was as polished and smooth as anything I had ever seen the gem that dazzled at the center of the show was the way Ron performed this trick. What astounded me the most was the fact that at just the moment I would have been sitting uncomfortably in my chair wondering if I could remain sitting behind the table until my audience left-- Ron was up on his feet. Once again Hmm.. I had to think about this very carefully. I couldn't figure out the exact means that Ron used to fool me for a second time with Elmsley's masterpiece. The secret was finally elucidated when Ron gave me a copy of his lecture notes. He had taken an old (practically arcane) secret and used it to perfect the routine. Eventually Ron published his full handling of Micro Macro in his book 'The Uncanny Scot.' Ron gave me a copy of that book too and I prize it. There are routines in that book that are strong enough to create a great living for any magician. If you want my definition of perfection I would say, depending on my mood, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Bob Dylan playing harmonica or Ron Wilson performing Micro Macro. (In case you missed the subtle hint-if you love great magic then beg borrow or Toppit a copy of Ron Wilson's book!) As always send any bricks or bouquets to nicklewin@earthlink.net and check out my website at http://www.NickLewin.com -------------------------------------------- 7. Don't Judge a Show by Its Cover - By Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message from Kyle Peron (US) Magic4u02@aol.com How many of you reading this article has ever had this happen to you? You get a call and just by hearing the location of the event or the tone of the voice on the other end, you start to cringe? Your hands get sweaty, your mind starts racing and you immediately start dreading if you should book the show in the first place. Maybe it was the tone of voice on the other end or maybe it was a bad location of town that makes you start wondering. We probably have all had this happen to us from time to time and it is safe to assume that this is a normal reflex of the human mind. We tend to judge things based on what we hear or experiences we have had in the past. However, is this way of thinking good for you as an entertainer and as a person in show business? I want to explore this a bit more in this article in hopes that some of what I have come across might be helpful to you as well. It is a normal tendency of being human to make decisions based on things we hear, see or experience. It is even normal to make decisions based on what someone may have said to us somewhere down the road of life. We start to gather these thoughts and ideas in our head and we store them there until something spoken to us brings those memories and thoughts to the forefront. This is how we work and there is nothing wrong with it. The problem though lies in what I refer to as prejudgment. How many times have you turned down a show just because you heard it was in a bad part of town? How many times has a person's voice or tone of voice influenced you in regards to whether you book the event or not? If you are honest with yourself, then chances are a lot of you right now are saying yes. That is honesty and I have done it in the past as well. We all do it, but is this right? Is pre-judging a show based entirely on what you "think" may be true, really fair? Many times in the past when I have received a call from a bad part of the city, I would turn it down immediately without giving it a second thought. But then part of me started realizing that I am not being fair to myself and I am not being fair to the prospect. How can I know for sure that I am headed into a bad situation just because I "think" it might be bad? The answer is simple. I can't. I cannot possibly know whether a show is going to be bad just because of something I "think" may occur. I realized that if I want to be seen as a professional entertainer, then that comes with respect. It means I must show respect to a prospect if I want to gain that same respect back. In the past I may have turned down shows simply out of it being in a bad location. But I started to wonder if I was really being fair to myself and to them. If I want to be a professional, then I need to act like one. What I started to realize was that it was up to ME to not prejudge anyone. I also feel that part of the responsibility of knowing what you are getting into lies on you the performer. How many of us always put the blame for a bad show situation on that of the client? Is this always the case? Maybe sometimes. But I would like to think it is safe to say that if we are professional entertainers and want to be treated as so, then it is entirely up to us. This means it is up to me to develop systems and to ask the right questions ahead of time. This may mean asking a few more questions over the phone. It may mean sending out a contract agreement and getting it signed and returned. Being a professional means it is up to us to make sure that things run as smoothly as they can. You will be amazed at just how much you really can control at a show if you start taking a more proactive stance. You are the professional and they are hiring you based on what you can do for them and the services you provide to solve their problems and meet their needs. If this is the case, then prejudging any show right off the bat, is just wrong. With this new approach, I still find myself very much in control. I am not intimidated as much because I have the power of "asking". I can open my mouth and ask the questions I need answers to ensure the show runs as smooth as I can make it. Many times I have realized that my assumptions were all wrong. Many shows have been wonderful, even in bad neighborhoods. Many folks who I may have prejudged in the past, have become my best repeat clients. This is not to say that you should take every show that comes your way. It simply means do not prejudge a show based on information you do not even have yet. Ask the right questions and be a professional ahead of time. It can make a world of difference. You do have more control over situations then you may think. So don't judge a show by its cover only. 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 Chair Suspension Ebook Author http://www.magicenhancer.com/ChairSuspension.html -------------------------------------------- 8. Celebrating Blackpool's Entertainment Heritage -------------------------------------------- Message from Jon Marshall Cabinet of Curiosities - Sat & Sun 28th, 29th July, Winter Gardens, Blackpool. Featuring 2 original sideshow illusions from 1950s showman, magician and fire-eater, Jon Gresham - The Girl in the Goldfish Bowl and The Headless Lady. These will be presented by Jon Marshall's Sideshow Illusions Company who have worked with Eddie Dawes and Pat Gresham to restore these and other Sideshow illusions using the original show fronts, they have also built 8 modern Sideshow booths for contemporary performers to present their shows in. The Whoopee Agency of London have booked a huge number of Burlesque attractions for this weekend including Marisa Carnesky, Levitating Lovely (of the Ghost train fame, for which Paul Kieve devised some fabulous illusion effects), a Snake Lady, Tattooed lady, Red Sarah's fire show and Floss' Museum of Prodigies with his Man Made Monsters and many more acts. An exhibition on the history of the Winter Gardens will accompany the shows with additional features including an illustrated lecture by Dr Vanessa Toulmin `Freaks Geeks and Wild Women, A History of Sideshow Amusements' at the Studio Theatre at the Grand and also well known Blackpool magician and historian Cyril Critchlow will present a nostalgic look at Blackpool's Golden Mile on the Sunday afternoon. The original Girl in the Goldfish Bowl, Pat Gresham, "I never knew whether Jon (Gresham) would ask me to be Headless in Margate or Legless in Yarmouth!" will be there to talk about her involvement in the shows. For those that want to catch this event :- Sat and Sun 28th & 29th July - 12pm to 6pm for family admissions including entry to the afternoon performances and the side shows. Tickets: £5, with concessions. Tickets available at the Winter Gardens. Ring 01253 478222. Sat 28th 10pm to 2pm a cabaret and club night in the Spanish Hall and Baronial Suite. Winter Gardens Blackpool. Tickets: £10 Book online or ring 01253 478222. During the next year the thrilling heritage of fairground, music hall, circus and seaside entertainment will be brought to life in a series of events in Blackpool. From circus curiosities and side-shows to brilliant burlesque, the spectacular events will be curated by Director of the National Fairground Archive Dr Vanessa Toulmin and have been dubbed Admission All Classes. (www.admissionallclasses.com) Blackpool is of course internationally famous as the home of the World's Largest Magic Convention and for magic shows at the Pleasure Beach and this year, every Friday, catch the all new magic and illusion show, Abracadabra - Magic Around The World, starring Andrew Van Buren and his glamorous assistant Alison. For more info on that show visit www.blackpooltower.co.uk -------------------------------------------- 9. New Issue Of Magicana Is Now In The Mail To Subscribers -------------------------------------------- Message from Michael Woolf - Editor Magicana The new issue of Magicana is now in the mail to subscribers. This time we have a reduced reproduction of the famous Dante "Trunk Book" on the colour front cover. Contents include coverage of the recent Melbourne Convention, the 75th Anniversary celebrations in Timaru, and the funeral of Peter Evans, as well as the regular features from Bernard Reid, David Ginn, Terry Seabrooke, Ken Ring, Wayne Rogers, Richard Webster and Roderick Mulgan. Also included are Club Reports and two items from Bev Bergeron. A big issue packed with magic. To subscribe to Magicana go to www.magicana.co.nz for on-line PayPal subscription. -------------------------------------------- 10. Midwest Magic Jubilee 2007 - Special Offer -------------------------------------------- Message from Terry W. Richison The Midwest Magic Jubilee The Convention Where The Stars Meet! August 9-11, 2007 St. Louis, MO If you didn't get in on the Free Registration offer, all is not lost. It is not free but it is almost FREE. For a limited time, there is a special registration offer. With your registration, your spouses will receive a special registration offer of only $50 for full access to the convention and all evening shows! Don't miss out on this outstanding offer. It might just disappear before your very eyes at any minute. It is a limited time offer. This Jubilee is shaping up to be one of the best conventions in the nation! More lectures than 2 conventions combined! Check out who will be there: Michael Finney, Dave Solomon, Terry Richison, Ted Schnarre, Dan Sperry, Joe Young, Mark Mason, Les Arnold and Dazzle, Danny O'Day, Jason Dean, Julie Sobanski, Steve Bender, David Evangelista, Tony Noice, Graham Rogers, John Born, Dan Fleshman, Jimmy "Cards" Molinari, Tony Miller and Howie Schwarzman. This is the convention that all the stars show up just to have a good time. There is no telling who you might run into or possibly sitting next to in the shows! If you haven't experienced the Midwest Magic Jubilee, this is one year you definitely don't want to miss! See all the details at www.mmjubilee.com. Register online! Stay tuned for more important announcements. Hope to see you there. Steve Zuehlke Midwest Magic Jubilee -------------------------------------------- 11. David Ginn's Christmas Magic Down Under Tour 2007 -------------------------------------------- Message from David Ginn (US) Australia: Aug. 3 (Fri) Sydney, Hey Presto Magic Shop 7 pm Aug. 6 (Mon) Perth Aug. 7 (Tues) Adelaide Aug. 9 (Thurs) Melbourne Aug. 10 (Fri) Sydney, Sean Taylor Magic Shop 7 pm Aug. 11 (Sat) Brisbane New Zealand: Aug. 14 (Tues) Auckland Aug. 15 (Wed) Wellington, Michael Woolf home Aug. 16 (Thurs) Christchurch All lectures will run 2+ hours with both commercial and do it yourself Christmas theme magic and comedy. David's Christmas Magic Workbook will be on sale at each lecture for a low $10 AUD or NZD. This book is not sold via mail, only in person. You must SEE the lecture to fully understand it! That's all ... See you in a couple of weeks. -------------------------------------------- 12. Cometa Magico Awards For 2006 -------------------------------------------- Message from Maria Ibāńez Society of American Magicians National President 2007-2008 Just received the following release from "Cometa Magico" with the winners of the magic awards for the year 2006... Award winners are: Best magic congress: 10th Annual Pemar Convention Best magic lecturer: Marcius Best convention act: Marcius & Matias Prats Best MC: Daba Best newcomer: Hugo Valenzuela Best magic publication: Emagic - EMA - Editor: Alex Nebur Best website: www.mirkomagic.com International Award: FLASOMA 2006 -- Bogota, Colombia Creativity Award: Anton Corradin Antoninus Pius's Box Best children's entertainer: Daniel Garber Best performances in hotels, lounges, etc: Gaston Quieto Best magical production: Magic Show - Magic Theater - P de la Costa Best theater show: Emanuel's Magic -- Broadway Theater Best magic spot on TV - Rey Ben in Channel 9's Jugados por Amor Best magic ad: Bayaspirina C - Bayer "the magician" Best circus act: Senco - Circo del Sol Best Mentalist act: Michel Best in close up: Marcel Best in mime: Marcelo & Cirilo Best act on TV: Adrian Guerra Best theater act: Carlos Barragan Best stage act: Latko Magician of the year: Mirko Calacci Lifetime achievement: Enrique "Kartis" Carpinetti Special achievement awards Carlos Raggi - Buenos Aires -- Magic Alex Nebur - 30 Years Julio Bocca - Magic & Dance Mirtha Legrand - magic Eduardo Bergara Leumann - 40 years Congratulations to each of the winners of the awards. Keep a dream in the making -------------------------------------------- 13. KIDabra International Conference August 14-18, 2007 -------------------------------------------- Message from Mark The KIDshow World is preparing to gather. The KIDabra International Conference convenes August 14-18, 2007 in the mountain resort town of Pigeon Forge, TN. Featuring: Terry Herbert, Barry Mitchell, Jozo Bozo, David Kaye, Chris Capehart, Trixie Bond, Ken Scott, Aye Jaye, Steve Taylor, Magic Al, Dave Risley, Mike Bent, Terry Evanswood, Julian Franklin, Tim Sonefelt, John Kaplan, Bruce Amato, Dave Hill, Ron Conley, Jim Kleefeld, Gary Shelton, Scott Francis, Rick Hubbard, and more! Don't Miss the World's Largest KIDshow Magic Auction, the Funniest Dealer's Show Around, the only conference appearance in the US this year by Terry Herbert, the World Premiere of Chris Capehart's New KIDshow Lecture, the World Premiere of Magic Al's New Lecture, The KIDabra Library Sessions Night, the performance of Dave Risley's All New Live KIDshow before the most descerning audience- a group of kids, A visit with the one and only Aye Jaye and so much more it makes our head spin. Online and phone registration is open until Sunday August 12th, and after that Optional Marketing and Regular Conference Registration is available at the door. Please join us for the Only Place on Earth Where the KIDshow World Gathers Annually! Complete info at kidabra.org -------------------------------------------- 14. The Magic Circle Elections Are Coming Up -------------------------------------------- Message from Steve Dacri (US) The Magic Circle elections are coming up and as a service to all members of this great organization, we have once again provided a special section of www.magicwebchannel.com for all candidates and members to post information about the candidates and the issues. Candidates post pictures and information to better inform the membership of their goals for the Society, and members can post their thoughts and views (for free, of course) on the election and even ask questions of the candidates. Because so many of the members of The Magic Circle reside outside of London, they tend to have little information to rely on, except for the very limited 100 word statements that are printed in the election papers. Our website gives members a chance to learn more about the candidates and the issues at hand. The Magic Circle election area of our web site is password protected, so it is only accessible to members of The Magic Circle. We urge all members to check this out before voting. Cheers to all, and may the best candidates get elected. -------------------------------------------- 15. Tony Wilson's Magical Adventures Number 4 -------------------------------------------- Message from Tony Wilson (NZ) When Mary and I knew we would be in Sarasota, Florida for 8 days before we went on to Europe I emailed the IBM International Executive Secretary, Sindie Richardson and obtained contact numbers for Ring 81. We also planned to visit some old friends who had moved to Florida 9 years ago whom we had originally met at an IBM convention in Oakland in 1995. Our friends who live south of Sarasota had also joined Ring 81 and we were not only able to visit them in their home but they also joined us and approximately 12 Ring 81 members for a meal and magic session at a nearby tavern. This was a fun night which occurs on a weekly basis with the emphasis on sharing and supporting each other to learn new tricks and improve existing ones. The following morning we drove approximately 3 hours northeast of Sarasota to spend the day with the new Executive Editor of our IBM Linking Ring magazine, Samuel Patrick Smith. This was most enjoyable as we had the opportunity to sit and talk and meet his lovely wife, Laurel and their two boys Wesley and Austin. The day flew by and we needed to leave Eustis to brave the thunderstorms and lightning as we drove back to our accommodation in Sarasota. ----------------- 16. Kevin James On America's Got Talent ----------------- Message from Robert Clarkson Hi Alan, Thought you may like to know... I was shocked when I saw the blatant mistreatment and lack of professional conduct displayed on national television this last week. --------------------------- This summer the well-known illusionist magic innovator Kevin James has been selected as the only magician to become a finalist on the U.S. NBC Television version of Simon Cowell's British Reality Amateur Talent Search. James first presented his Charlie Chaplin Doll Illusion, then on the next round his madcap visible sawing in half, and on the July 17th semi-final program he presented his famous disembodied hand re-animation effect. Unfortunately the broadcast television time constraints, staging camera angles, and lighting all combined to hint at the method being employed by Mr. James on his last appearance and this fact was rudely blurted out by Judge Piers Wilson, who unprofessionally revealed what he believed was the technical method being employed by Mr James, in the same manner as a 8 or 9 year-old boy wrongly blurts out a magician's secrets at a children's birthday party show just to appear self-important! The disembodied hand effect is a commercial trademarked comedy effect that Mr. James has been marketing for over a decade. The re-animation effect also did not appeal to the other judge as well as earlier effects, however they were both polite enough to not say what they believed was going on behind the scenes. All the effects presented this far have been recognizable selections from Kevin James' acclaimed full evening stage performances in Las Vegas, the Magic Castle, and at Magician's Conventions. So who is this rude crass judge from England anyway? Piers Wilson is a close friend of the show's producer, Simon Cowell. Cowell is quite famous in England for creating controversial programs and also received much attention for being rude and crude in public. Mr. Wilson is the former managing editor for the London Mirror who was fired earlier this year by the Mirror's Board of Directors for allowing unverified images of British Soldiers allegedly abusing Iraq Prisoners of War to be published by his paper and also redistributed to other publications. These photos later were proved to be a cruel hoax deliberately intended to undermine British military morale and homeland support. Other judges on the American Version of the scripted reality program are Sharon Osborne, wife of Ozzy Osborne and co-star of the MTV Reality Program "The Osbornes," and television actor David Hasslehof of "Baywatch." ----------------- 17. Don Drake Fell From A Step Ladder ----------------- Message from Don Drake (US) I am very sorry that I didn't get the chance to meet a lot of you at the IBM convention in Reno. The reason for this is; I fell from a step ladder and couldn't make the trip. I am just getting back to being able to walk again. I hope I didn't disappoint any one. Please feel free to call me anytime 805-234-6189. Let me just say a quick word about ProCraft Illusions. Not only are they great craftsmen and builders, but they are also some of the nicest people in magic. They produce Walter Blaney's 3001 Suspension Illusion, and from now on they will be making all of my black art collection. If anyone needs advice on black art on stage or off, please feel free to call me or e-mail me and I will try and help you. Thanks for your time, Dondrake ----------------- 18. North Long Beach Using Dirty Tricks ----------------- Message from Fredric Broder After 30 years of building my magic shop, PRESTO MAGIC, into one of the largest magic stores on the West Coast of America, the city of Long Beach, California, decided to redevelop (a fancy term for Eminent Domain) the blocks of around the store and literally forced us to move out of our store in North Long Beach by using dirty tricks such as not allowing street parking from March through the middle of November, last year, and not collecting our trash for over five weeks. To date, NO plans have been announced by the city on what they will do with the empty stores along our double double-street. Though we were given a minimal price for the building, nothing was available for the thirty-year collection of great magic I had accumulated. I was forced to sell off as much as I could (at 25% to 50% off my normal price). Nor was I able to find a suitable relocation building for the price I had been forced to accept for my store. Even the rental prices have soared upward in California. Finally, through the assistance of the mother of one of my young magic students, I was able to find a new location for my store that bodes well for the continuance of PRESTO MAGIC for a few more years. To give your readers some idea of my collection of the latest magic items and classic, collectable pieces, it is taking a crew of seven professional movers over a week just to pack and move my collection. Numerous local magicians and friends are helping me to set up and arrange my new store , which I plan to open on the FIRST DAY OF AUGUST, 2007. Unfortunately, my new location is still in Long Beach, which I no longer trust, but is in a better shopping area (at a much higher rental price, of course). I would be delighted to re-connect with all my customers, former customers, and future customers, at my NEW ADDRESS: 4195 VIKING WAY (in the Parkview Village, on the diagonal street connecting Carson Street and Bellflower Blvd.), LONG BEACH, CA 90808, and by phone at my new number: (562) 425-4318. I would be happy to hear from magic-lovers at my E-mail address: presto1@earthlink.net [but please use the code: MAGIC 4U in the SUBJECT LINE-- to avoid wiping out as SPAM]. At the vintage age of 75, I have gone through a lot of magic in my time: I became a professional magician in 1970, also joined the famous Hollywood Magic Castle in 1970. I estimate that I have performed for over two million people during my magic career, and in over 30 countries. I was also a speech professor for 32 years, until retirement (to concentrate on magic henceforth). So I am hoping for some encouragement from the magic fraternity. ----------------- 19. Does The Name "Doc Rowe" Ring A Bell ----------------- Message from Hudson Grotzinger I was rummaging through some old magic instructions last night when I came upon the attached yellowed papers. It appears that I may have purchased the item sometime in 1941. Thought they might be of interest to you. Does the name "Doc Rowe" ring a bell with you. Perhaps one of your older acquaintances will still recall the name. (Never did take up smoking.) It didn't say who the author was. He apparently was from Toorak, Melbourne, Australia. It just occured to me that the closest I ever got to Australia was Anguar / Pelleliu / Babelthuap. Was on a troop ship in the atoll there when a typhoon hit. Later I think I met Bill Baird on a U.S.O show at Ulithi. Oddly enough, he was the first live magician I had seen in my home town of Warren, Pennsylvania, way back when I was 11 or 12. His billiard ball routine inspired me to work with them, and just before I shipped out overseas I hitch-hiked on a weekend pass from McClelland Field, California, to the Los Angeles area, where I purchased my treasured first set of Thayer Billiard Balls. Unfortunately, the heat of the tropics softened the lacquer on a couple of them and they stuck together. Still have them, though, even after all these years. When I got to Pasadena Eddie Bracken, an old time movie personality here in the U.S., picked me up and very considerately drove me right to Thayer's Studio. ----------------- 20. The Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 7 Of Booking Agents, Variety Artistes and Other Things One would have to say that the Variety Artists in Sydney were spoilt by choice considering the vast number of venues they could work in, and the scores of agents who booked the acts into them. The 'Encore-Showcast Variety Directory of 1978 lists 97 Agents and 369 Registered Clubs in and around Sydney alone, and that's just the registered ones. I know that at least ten years earlier, there was a hell of a lot more clubs than that! Of the 97 Agents, 63 booked 'Sight' Acts. All these Agents had several types of acts under 'Management and Exclusive Representation' in their stable; and many of the Top Agencies also had exclusive booking rights to International 'NAMES', who came into Australia quite regularly for a season. Our Agent Brian Fogarty represented 14 acts (including ourselves) that ranged from Vocal and Instrumental Duos, Trios and Groups, Male and Female singers, Comedians, Instrumental Specialists and Hawaiian Instrumental/Dancers/Vocalists. He also had the sole booking rights for Winifred Atwell - 'Queen of the Keyboard' (until her death many years ago), and Buddy Loren, an American Impressionist/Comedian/Vocalist. We were the only 'Sight Act', on Brian's books. Each agent had exclusive booking rights with several clubs, and the only way an agent could get his acts booked into another agents clubs was to strike up a deal, where they would trade acts to work in the others venues. It was great system because it kept all the entertainers in solid work. Where it did fall down was when different agents didn't like each other; no matter how great a certain act was, if they were being managed by a 'detested' agency, Tough - they didn't get booked, and that meant a loss of potential income to the particular artist, in fact, all of the artists on the 'detested one's' books! I know that we lost work because of this petty jealousy between various agents - all artists did. The only solution to the problem was to drop your agency and their management, and go Independent. It was a big gamble because unless you had a 'Name', you would go downhill, big time, fast! You just had to be well known by all agents, even those who had never booked you previously, mainly for the reason I stated above. Going 'DIRECT' obviously meant that you took over all the responsibilities that your agency had done for you, looking after your book, chasing jobs, negotiating fees etc. You learnt to live with a telephone that seemed to be permanently attached to your ear but Hey, if you wanted to eat.? It became a lot easier when some 'Bright Spark' came up with the brilliant idea of a central booking centre. With one phone call an agent, anybody, could find out if a particular act or acts - any type of artist, was available on particular dates. For a yearly fee, any artist could register with: 'THE ARTISTES ANSWERING CENTRE' (AAC). All you had to do was keep the Centre informed of all your bookings, times, availabilities etc. There was no favouritism; they could, of course, offer advice to a potential booker of the suitability of acts to particular venues, which was to your benefit. There is nothing worse than working for the 'Wrong Audience', NOT because your show was - 'what's a four letter word for - CRAP'? It just wasn't right for that particular venue or audience. I haven't got a clue right now who ran the AAC, not without taking a dive into the bottomless, murky depths of my 'famed?' aluminium trunk, searching for the answers that are floating somewhere within it's swirling mists of times past. Yes, yes, I know, its non-poetic - unromantic. (Another four letter word?) But, I like it! What I do know is that the Principals of the AAC took the time to view every act that registered with them, so that they knew what they were talking about when describing and advising bookers in regards to a particular artist(s). They also advised the acts of any feedback they received, good or bad, which again was to your benefit - any problems that you weren't aware of; you could rectify, and improve your performance. Agents loved the AAC because in the past, if they had rung you for a booking, and you weren't available, they had to telephone the next on their list ad infinitum, until they got someone. Now one phone call did the job, and their telephone bills were dramatically reduced, as were the artists. -------------------------------------------- 21. 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