* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand
* www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Issue Number: #537
Date: Sunday 30th September 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. James George Statements Are False Says Aaron Smith
3. Marcel Marceau's Life, And Death
4. British Ring Convention Eastbourne 2008
5. His Name is Spelt David Mamet!
6. Remarkable Magic #24 - Nick Lewin
7. Marketing Your Magic: Success Secrets #1 - Kyle Peron
8. Entertaining On The Ocean #3 - Paul Romhany
9. Private Eye - A Brand New Mystery Show
10. David Ginns Christmas Magic Workshops for 2007
11. Videos Of My Performances On My Website
12. 14th Annual Magic In The Rockies Convention
13. New Releases Out This Month
14. Message From Margaret Helen (Smith).
15. Otago Magic Circle Knocks Up A Half Century
16. The Amazing Orchante Saga
17. e-zine Archives
18. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice

--------------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------
The New Zealand Variety Club of New Zealand is holding their 
annual awards night at 6.30pm on the 16th October at the 
Sorrento, One Tree Hill, Auckland.

For tickets contact the Secretary Robyn Alexander

Phone: 09 410 5146
Email: robynalx@orcon.net.nz

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

--------------------------------------------
2. James George Statements Are False Says Aaron Smith
--------------------------------------------
Message from Aaron Smith

Hello folks! Aaron Smith here from The Magic Depot. I heard some 
disturbing news and would like to bring to your immediate 
attention.

James George of Sorcery Manufacturing recently issued a statement 
on the internet. In short, he claims a customer of The Magic 
Depot bought a Kevlar Boss Reel, but received a knock-off. "Aaron 
is blatantly baiting and switching his clients." He further 
claims that we use his registered trademark to promote the 
knock-off.

His statements are false.

We do not manufacture reels. We get them from a vendor that buys 
them from people like Sorcery Manufacturing and Yigal Mesika. In 
fact, our vendor started ordering from James George three years 
ago at my request.

The Magic Depot is an ethical company. Anyone can visit the web 
site, http://www.magic.org, and see that I only use the word 
"ITR" with reels from Sorcery Manufacturing. If a customer 
received the wrong reel, they should return it for the correct 
one.

James George hasn't contacted me directly, so I apologize if this 
was someone posting under his name. Should you have any 
questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Thank you very much for 
the business and support!

- Aaron Smith
http://www.magic.org

--------------------------------------------
3. Marcel Marceau's Life, And Death
--------------------------------------------
Message from Walter Blaney

AP news report, September 23: "Marcel Marceau, whose lithe 
gestures and pliant facial expressions revived the art of mime 
and brought poetry to silence, has died. He was 84."

Marcel Marceau's death today brought back a couple of great 
memories. I was an ardent fan. When I was working a trade show at 
the McCormick Center in Chicago in 1967 I saw that Marcel was 
appearing at a big theater that night just a few blocks away. 
After the trade show closed up for the day I rushed out to the 
theater. It was bitterly cold, snowy and windy. As I was entering 
the theater and opened the door to enter I was gallant enough to 
allow a lady behind me, also rushing to get out of the cold, to 
enter before me as I held open the door. She went to the box 
office, bought a ticket and went into the show. When I asked to 
buy a ticket the clerk said she was sorry, they had just sold the 
last ticket, the theater was full. I was heartbroken and had to 
leave and just go eat a hamburger by myself somewhere.

Then in 1973 I was appearing on the Mike Douglas Show. There was 
a man that walked into the dressing room who was also on the 
show, and we exchanged greetings and names. I was busy with my 
props and I didn't quite hear his name, but it didn't seem too 
important at the moment. But he asked what I was going to do on 
the show, and I said I would make a lady from audience float in 
the air. He said he also had a levitation in his program, but 
that it was a different form from a magician's illusion. I perked 
up and asked again what his name was. He said Marcel Marceau.

I was shocked, and I stammered trying to get out my great 
admiration for him, explaining I had not really heard his name a 
moment before, and what an honor it was to get to meet him. Then 
I told him my story of how I just missed seeing his show in 
Chicago. He was of course pleased that I did know who he was. He 
said the next time he appeared in Houston he wanted me to come 
sit in the front row as his guest. It was a thrill to meet this 
very kind gentleman, one of the really great artists of our time. 
As it turned out, he went on the Mike Douglas Show just ahead of 
me. It's my own private joke that I can say Marcel Marceau 
"opened for me".

When a reporter once asked Marcel why he was still performing at 
his age he replied, "If you stop at all when you are 70 or 80 you 
cannot go on." That made me think of our great friend in magic, 
John Calvert, still performing at age 96, and still doing it 
great.

Banquet Show Website: http://www.walterblaney.com
Illusion Website: http://www.walterblaney.com/illusions

--------------------------------------------
4. British Ring Convention Eastbourne 2008
--------------------------------------------
Message from Bob Hayden
PRO to the British Ring

Plans are already well advanced for next year's British Ring 
Convention in Eastbourne 24th-28th September for which 
Registrations are now being taken. If you book early you can 
enjoy the following benefits. The first hundred to register will 
not only be given the best seats at the Gala Show but will also 
receive a Souvenir DVD featuring all the highlights of another 
fabulous Convention - absolutely free!

Just look for starters at the terrific line-up of talent 
appearing Kalin and Jinger headline Stars of the Magic 
Underground in Reno appearing for the first time at an IBM 
British Ring Convention, our own Geoffrey Durham, Guy 
Hollingsworth, Nicholas Einhorn and Richard McDougall, Oscar 
Munoz, Michael Finney, Nick Lewin, Gene Anderson, Bill Herz, Tony 
Chapek, Raymond Crowe, Levent, Claudius Specht, Juan Tamariz and 
a return of Jeff Hobson. It's going to be another stupendous 
Convention!!!!

So do you want a best Gala Show seat and a freebie? Be in the 
first hundred by Registering on line by going to the Payment On 
Line page on this website or getting in touch with Neville 
Johnson on 01202 873234 or by e-mail nevillejohnson25@aol.com.

-----------------
5. His Name is Spelt David Mammet!
-----------------
Message from Matt Field (UK)

Re: As a huge fan of David Mammet's work

If someone is a big fan of someone, you'd think they'd know how 
to spell his name correctly.

It's David Mammet.

--------------------------------------------
6. Remarkable Magic #24 - Nick Lewin
--------------------------------------------
Message from Nick Lewin (US)

Remarkable Magic. Ricky Jay-the only magician I am jealous of.

When I arrived in Los Angeles in the mid 70s Ricky was already in 
full bloom. In fact before I left England Ken Brooke was already 
very vocal in his opinion that Ricky was the one person in magic 
to really watch!

The first time I met Ricky Jay I realized what a special person 
he was. When I saw his act I got an even clearer insight into 
what a rare and unique talent he had. I had never seen anything 
quite like it before; in fact I have never seen anything like it 
since unless it was Ricky performing it.

I saw Ricky perform at the 'Ice House' in Pasadena. His opening 
act was the brilliant comedian Gary Shandling before he had made 
any television appearances. Gary created so much laughter it made 
me wonder how any magic act could follow him. I needn't have 
worried.

Ricky had just published his book 'Cards as Weapons' and there 
was his splendidly bizarre demonstration of card scaling that 
highlighted his act. There was also some of the finest sleight of 
hand I had ever seen performed on stage. It was a curious act 
that created a mood of its own and took the audience along with 
it.

Watching Ricky perform was one of the moments that caused 
something to click in my mind and left me determined to follow my 
desire to perform sleight of hand to larger audiences than was 
considered normal. He was clever, funny, bizarre, and a real 
inspiration.

I always kept a very close track of what Ricky was doing and it 
was with surprise and delight that when he was featured in "House 
of Games" I realized he was also a formidable screen presence. By 
the time I had seen him in various other movies I realized he was 
a superb actor too. Never a shade of anything that was overstated 
or unnecessary.

One of my favorite quotes about acting is from screen great Gary 
Cooper who said: "Acting is a great profession just never get 
caught doing it." You never catch Ricky acting; he just plays the 
part.

As a huge fan of David Mamet' work as writer and director I was 
very excited to learn that Mamet would be directing Ricky Jay in 
a Broadway play. It was a spectacular breakthrough for a magician 
to take his art to this level. I wasn't jealous though-I just 
wanted to make sure I saw the play. For me this was not just a 
personal highlight for Ricky but a feather in the cap for all of 
magic.

Rick's career has continued in its fascinatingly quirky fashion. 
Whether it was his live performances or his side projects (good 
God the man has just released a CD of poker songs) he has 
remained an inspiration. I don't think I have spoken to Ricky 
more than a handful of times however his integrity and 
single-minded devotion to his highly personal vision has given me 
a great deal of hope for what can be achieved by a magician.

Oh, when was it I was reduced to green eyed envy when I watched 
Ricky? That is an easy one: it was when he played the 
cyber-villain in a James Bond movie. That spoke to my inner 007 
in an unmistakably loud voice, here was an achievement that would 
allow me to die a happy man!

As always send any bricks or bouquets to nicklewin@earthlink.net 
and check out my website at http://www.NickLewin.com

--------------------------------------------
7. Marketing Your Magic: Success Secrets #1 - Kyle Peron
--------------------------------------------
Message from Kyle Peron (US)
Magic4u02@aol.com

How many times have you told yourself "This is the year! This is 
the year I am going to find that success and build up my magic 
business to where I want it to be?" How many times have you said 
that to yourself? Now be honest here. How many times have you 
actually done anything about it? How many times have you thought 
of success or maybe even tried some things and just gave up 
altogether? My guess is a lot of you are nodding your head right 
now.

In is an inherent trait in all humans to want to be successful. 
We have this ambition and goal we want to have happen. We want 
our magic to bring in the income we are seeking and we want and 
crave the notion that our magic business has grown beyond our 
wildest dreams. So what happens to many of us? What causes a lot 
of us to fall very short of obtaining this success?

To me there is one word out there that is at the very soul of why 
many of us are not successful. That word is "procrastination." I 
feel each of us has the ability to be as successful as we want to 
be. Many of us have the tools to do it. We have a good show and 
we can provide the services that meet our client's needs. What 
many of us do not have is that drive that keeps us going and gets 
us up off the couch and working it.

I am not going to lie to any of you. Being successful is hard 
work. It is not something that is going to be just handed to you 
on a silver platter. If you want success then you have to be 
willing to get up and seek that success for yourself. The single 
best word that will gain you that success is an easy one. That 
word is "Action". If you can and are willing to take action, then 
you have the most powerful tool out there.

You can have the best show and the best marketing materials, but 
if you are not willing to take direction action for yourself, 
then none of it matters at all. In the realm of success, you are 
your best asset and your worst enemy. It is often you that you 
have to fight.

Anyone can be taught the best marketing secrets. Anyone can be 
taught how to do "active" style marketing or cold calling or list 
creation. But none of these great marketing tools will do you any 
good unless you have the simple ability to take action first. 
Success without action does not happen.

Yes, taking that action is going to be uncomfortable at first. It 
always is. But just like anything you want to learn to do, you 
learn first through the art of doing. The more you do the more of 
a habit it becomes. Make "taking action" a habit for you through 
the process of doing it a little every day.

I would be foolish to say that you will not run into challenges 
or roadblocks along the way. You simply will. It happens. You 
will even fail from time to time. But remember this about 
failure.

Failure is only failure if you fail to learn. If you even learn 
one thing, then failure really is a stepping stone towards your 
own success.

Remember that what gets done is what you decide to take action on 
NOW. "When I get around to it" or "eventually" are phrases that 
do nothing for you because they never come to fruition. Make the 
choice between either doing something or doing nothing. If you 
make this harsh choice, then it starts to force you in a more 
active direction towards action.

If you want to seek success with your magic... YOU CAN! We all 
have the direct ability to be successful with our magic. Let go 
of the procrastination and accept the ability to take direct 
action towards your own success. You will be amazed at what you 
will discover.

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 / Illusionist
Graphic Designer / Illustrator
http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com

--------------------------------------------
8. Entertaining On The Ocean #3 - Paul Romhany
--------------------------------------------
Message from Paul Romhany

Part Three

I will continue on from last week's theme with my own story this 
week. Last week Matthew said you never know who is in your 
audience, especially when you are on cruise ships. This story 
happened to me three years ago and one I will not forget. I had 
been working on ships for five years and the only television I 
was watching was CNN or the movies on board the cruise ships. 
Prior to that I was traveling a lot with corporate work and not 
watching much television, especially shows from the USA because 
the influence on television during that time in New Zealand was 
mostly British.

I was working on a Princess Cruise ship at the time and because 
it was a Grand Class ship, you had to do two shows one night, and 
a third show the following night. After my second show on the 
first night I made my way back to my cabin, it was late and not 
many people were around. As I left the theatre a passenger 
approached me and told me how much he enjoyed my show. After the 
show I'm a mess because I am sweating, still have Charlie Chaplin 
make-up on and just want to get back to my cabin to order room 
service and relax with a glass of port.

 However, on a ship you are always 'on', even when not on stage 
so need to be polite to guests. It's the closest thing to being a 
real 'celebrity' because people are always watching you and 
wanting to talk. So there I am, talking to this passenger who I 
didn't know but being polite, wanting to get back to my cabin.

The next night after my third show I am stopped again by the same 
man, so this time I thought if he came to see me work twice the 
least I can do is stop and give him my time. We must have talked 
for about half an hour, he was asking me questions, wanted to 
know if I ever worked at The Comedy Store in LA, asking me very 
specific questions about show business and my act. He knew the 
Magic Castle well and so I'm starting to think this man knows 
something about show business. I asked him what he does for a 
living and he told me he was a comedian. I asked him if he ever 
thought about working on cruise ships . he gave a little chuckle 
and told me he's working in Las Vegas next week. Finally I asked 
him his name and he said 'Howie Mandel'. Remember I had never 
watched US TV (North American magicians will know who he is . he 
now the host of the hit TV show "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" 
and a very well known comedy act.) He asked me if I had heard of 
various TV shows including Saturday Night Live, I told him I work 
on ships so only get to watch CNN!

The closest name I could match in my head to his name was famous 
sports announcer "Howard Cosell" - who I later found out died in 
1995. Once I got back to my cabin I phoned my wife in Canada and 
told her I had met somebody named Howie Mandel. She then told me 
how famous he was and what a great comedian he was. Needless to 
say I was so embarrassed I didn't know who he was I stayed in my 
cabin the rest of the cruise.
I flew home end of the cruise and was watching an early morning 
talk show out of the USA called "Regis and Kelly" and who should 
be the guest host that week . Howie Mandel!

Lesson learnt was that you just NEVER know who is in the 
audience, during the many years of working on ships I have been 
fortunate to meet many other well known celebrities and they have 
all been very approachable and they have always enjoyed meeting 
the guest entertainers. Howie was such a nice guy and I later 
found out through a mutual friend that he realized I didn't know 
who he was and he enjoyed talking to me and did enjoy my show.

--------------------------------------------
9. Private Eye - A Brand New Mystery Show
--------------------------------------------
Message from Tim Ellis (Aust)

World Premiere At The Melbourne Fringe Festival September 28

This show, created in Melbourne by magician Sue-Anne Webster, is 
totally unique.

It stars four of Australia's best magicians and integrates all of 
their talents into a Raymond Chandler style detective story.

Sue-Anne Webster plays the killer blonde Karilla Bond.
Anthony Demasi plays Private Eye Tony Tobleroni.
Enzo Ficco plays gangster Al Cappuccino.
Lee Cohen plays his moll Trixy.,

But is everyone really who they appear to be?

Details In A Flash

Show - Private Eye
Season - Sep 28 - Oct 5
Show Times - 6.30pm nightly
Venue - North Melbourne Town Hall
Tickets - www.MelbourneFringe.com.au or 03 8412 8777
Prices - $15 and $18 (Half price on Opening Night Sep 28)

--------------------------------------------
10. David Ginns Christmas Magic Workshops for 2007
--------------------------------------------
Message from David Ginn (US)

Here are our last four Christmas Magic Workshops for 2007. Please 
come if you can and forward this to anyone living in the areas of 
Salt Lake City, Denver, Portland, or Seattle USA. We've still 
having a lot of fun with these! -- David Ginn

West Coast Use Fall 2007 - One Time Only! - Here It Comes!
Christmas Magic Workshop
Starring Author/Magician
David Ginn
With Special Guest Steve Harmer

October 20 Saturday: 9 am - 4 pm
Leonard & Thalia Swinyer Residence . 4970 Waimea Way . SLC UT
See www.utahmagic.org for directions map to house.
Contact: IBM Ring 193: Bob Bowden 801-808-3893

October 21 Sunday: 1:00 - 7:30 pm
Children's Haven . 2600 S. Sheridan Blvd . Denver CO 80227
Contact: Mile High Magicans: Richard Nakata 303-779-4676

November 3 Saturday: 9 am - 4 pm
Portland Habilitation Center . 5312 NE 148th Ave, Portland OR.
Off the 205 Airport Way exit, go east on Airport Way, left on 148 
Ave, building on right.
Contact: Steve Taylor 360-687-7891

November 4 Sunday: 2:00 - 8:00 pm
Christ Lutheran Church . 8812 - 112th Street SW . Lakewood WA 
98498
I-5 North exit #124 Gravelly Lake Dr, turn left over fwy, stay in 
left lane, fork left, go 1 mile on Washington Blvd, then left at 
light onto Wash Blvd, take 2nd RT onto 83rd. Follow to 112 Str 
(1/4 mi) on Right.
Contact: Cheryl Evans at 253-847-7237
$35 advance / $45 at the door. Spouse free with paid performer. 
Junior Magicians/Clowns $35 with one parent free. TEN CHILDREN 
ages 6-12 will be allowed FREE with paid parents, if they are 
well-behaved and willing to assist on stage. Advance registration 
can be with local sponsor or send checks directly to:
David Ginn, 370 Bay Grove Road, Loganville GA 30052.
Email registrations with credit card: ginnorders@comcast.net
Credit Card PHONE Registrations: 770-466-8421 Line #1


Free Book! Free look at link below!
Each registrant gets a free copy of David Ginn's NEW Christmas 
Magic Workbook, filled with over 50 pages of routines, ideas, and 
ways to work Christmas Party Shows. This book is NOT FOR SALE! 
Christmas magic props, books & DVDs will be on sale at special 
prices.

Checks, cash, credit cards accepted.

Check It Out: 
http://www.gulfcoastmagicians.com/davidginnchristmasworkshop.htm

--------------------------------------------
11. Videos Of My Performances On My Website
--------------------------------------------
Message from Don Drake (US)

'I'd just like you all to know that I've finally got the videos 
of my performances on my website. I wish to thank all of you who 
have supported me in the troubles Sharon and I have had. It was 
pretty dark for a while, but thanks to having so many compeers, 
brother & sister magi and good friends, we are now (almost) 
completely back to normal whatever that is -:) Please do check 
out the videos. Black art has to be seen to be believed.

Also there are absolutely no camera tricks used in these videos. 
It's for real, this time.

Happy Halloween Haunting to all of you. I am working on the 
biography of a little known, and badly treated magician. Perhaps 
you may have heard of him? The Great Sardini; who became the 
first and ONLY magician to escape from a sealed tin can -:) When 
I first heard of him, I thought his story was rather fishy, but I 
finally learned that not only was his act for real, but it was 
absolutely 'uncanny'! If you can read this without throwing up 
<sick grin>please send me your best tin can joke. Many thanks and 
now: Back to lurking! DD "May all of your blackgrounds be 
invisible."

--------------------------------------------
12. 14th Annual Magic In The Rockies Convention
--------------------------------------------
Message from Lindsay Smith

How would you categorize Magic in the Rockies?

Is it a regional convention? Yes, definitely. The convention 
convenes in Fort Collins, Colorado, hosted by the 
Presto-Digitators Ring 250 of the International Brotherhood of 
Magicians.

A national convention? Yes again, with registrants, performers, 
and dealers coming from coast to coast and border to border.

An international convention? Absolutely. Every year, Magic in the 
Rockies attracts world-class lecturing and performing talent from 
around the world. This year Canada, England, Scotland, and 
Michigan were represented. Michigan? Yep. I'm including Michigan 
because if you consider FISM an international event (and I do), 
then we can add Stockholm, Sweden, because last year's FISM 
winner Rick Merrill from Michigan was here. It doesn't get any 
more international than that. What can I say? Home schooling pays 
off.

So Magic in the Rockies is regional, national, and international. 
That's just one of the reasons for its well-deserved reputation 
as one of the premiere conventions in the country.

On September 6, 7, 8 and 9, some 264 registrants gathered at the 
Fort Collins Marriott for the 14th annual convention. Let's look 
at how this year's convention unfolded.

A pre-convention special the evening before started the four-day 
event with a splash as Sir Mark Logsdon duplicated Houdini's 
famous Milk Can Escape for the crowd gathered in Old Town Square. 
The exciting, dramatic event was taped and later shown to the 
attendees at the Saturday Night public show.

We hit the ground running Thursday afternoon with a three-hour 
Comedy Magic workshop by Aldo Colombini. Previously presented 
only in Italy (go figure!) and Spain, this was his inaugural U.S. 
presentation. The cost for the workshop is $50, but as a show of 
appreciation for past support, Magic in the Rockies waived the 
fee. Anyone registered for the convention got in for free! How's 
that for value received on the standard $149 registration fee? 
Extra money to spend with the dealers. Ka-ching!

Aldo's workshop flew by with laughs, gags, ad-libs, and 
one-liners (and, believe me, he has no end of these). He filled 
his time with dozens of entertaining examples. Bottom line: Yes, 
you can be a comedian. You don't have to be "born funny."

Thursday evening we were treated to two excellent back-to-back 
lectures: Craig Dickson and Bruce Bernstein. Craig offered 
Memorized Deck miracles and other card effects, a wristband 
magnet, a No Palm Wallet, and other items from Wizard Craft 
Magic. Bruce entertained with a diverse array of tricks, some 
mentalism-based but others (like Bernstein's Bet and the Linking 
Pins) definitely not. He concluded with Psych-Out, his signature 
10-card poker deal.

Then it's our first peek at the Dealers' Room; as always, filled 
with almost two dozen dealers with everything we always wanted 
and some other things we didn't know we had to have. We'll be 
back here again for sure.

We're up early Friday morning to make sure we get to the 
beautiful Lincoln Center theater for the 10 a.m. Junior Showcase 
Show, always one of the highlights. The theater seats 1,180. 
Inside we find about 1,000 (it only seemed like more) loud, 
talkative, restless kids waiting for the show to start. They have 
been collected from various Poudre School District elementary 
schools and bussed in for the show, courtesy of a number of local 
sponsors. They're happy to be out of school, and they let us know 
it.

Just when you think they'll settle down, the house lights dim, 
the curtain rises and the screaming begins. We are now fully 
awake.

Our high-energy emcee this morning is Steve Spangler who has 
three of his own boys in this show. He does nothing to settle the 
audience down, and even manages to crank them up a notch or two. 
Thanks, Steve!

Yes, it's an enthusiastic crowd and there's good reason. This is 
a great show, featuring a dozen young performers, ages five to 18 
years. Judging by this group, we realize the future of magic is 
in good hands. Two veteran performers add their talents to the 
show: Becky Blaney, introduced by her father, Walter "Zaney" 
Blaney, and Chris Capehart.

Following the show, we walk into a huge dining hall where a 
delightful, hot, catered lunch is being served. Wait a minute! 
There's no charge? It's part of the registration fee? Ka-ching!

Back at the hotel, our afternoon begins in first-rate fashion 
with Jeff McBride's two-hour lecture. Jeff was here last year 
too, loved the convention and wanted to come back. This year he 
introduces us to his Commando Show, his core act that might be 
the ultimate in "packs small, plays big."

Then the dealers' room opens again, followed by a cash bar and 
dinner at the Outdoor Pavilion. What's this? No charge for 
dinner? Again, it's part of our registration fee. And the dealers' 
room is right across the hall. Ka-ching!

After dinner, the dealers are open again, then we adjourn to our 
regular meeting room, where Past National I.B.M. President Bill 
Pitts and his wife, Ruth, present their act with Linking Rings, 
billiard balls and a wonderful Mis-Made Flag.

Chris Capehart follows with his lecture. Chris is a veteran 
street-magic performer, and he talks at length about what works 
and what doesn't. He also entertains us with two of his signature 
pieces - the Linking Rings and the Miser's Dream.

Now it's 10 p.m. But since we've only been going for 12 straight 
hours, there's one more event to take in before we turn in. That 
would be Bar Magic, hosted by Doc Eason in the Falls Bar in the 
Marriott. Since the bar is packed with wall-to-wall magicians, 
this event is sent closed circuit to the meeting room we just 
left and presented on the big screen. It's quieter here, with no 
elbows to the ribs and craning our necks to see.

Regardless of where we watched the bar magic, Doc and his friends 
entertained us mightily. The highlight had to be Bob Sheets, one 
of the funniest people on the planet, performing the 20th Century 
Brassiere trick. It was absolute non-stop hilarity. And here's a 
name you wouldn't expect to find in a bar magic line-up: Jeff 
McBride. Yep, wide-awake and still full of energy, he engaged the 
entire room with a routine involving knives and rhythm.

We feel our energy returning at 9:30 a.m., sparked by the R. Paul 
Wilson lecture, who entertained us with cards, coins, silks, and 
more. He was followed by Richard Sanders who delighted us with 
(among other things) Super Cards, his knock-you-down Fiber Optics 
rope routine, and the Ring on Shoelace. It was a fun, informative 
morning.

Now it's lunchtime, and we're gathering again at the Outdoor 
Pavilion. Get outta here! Another freebie? Okay, you know what's 
coming next. Ka-ching!

At 2:15 p.m. we divide ourselves into three groups in three rooms 
for the Headliner Close-up Show. This year, it's another great 
line-up of rotating performers: Daniel Garcia, Paul Wilson, 
Richard Sanders, and Mark Mason. We are amazed, amused, and 
entertained. Four different approaches, four fine acts.

We conclude the afternoon with Daniel Garcia's lecture.

Dinner is on our own tonight so we can enjoy one of the many fine 
restaurants in Fort Collins, some of which are sponsors of the 
weekend. Then it's back to the Performance Hall at the Lincoln 
Center for the Saturday evening Public Show. The theater is 
almost filled with magicians and the good folks of Fort Collins.

Pre-curtain, a movie screen lowers, and we see Mark Logsdon's 
exciting Milk Can Escape, followed by the hilarious four-minute 
movie, "Loaded," starring Denver's John T. Sheets, written by 
Boulder's Bob LaRue and directed by Bob's son, Joe. It's a 
"magicians only" scenario of everything that can go wrong in one 
brief moment in time.

Aldo Colombini, who has years of experience in keeping shows on 
track and engaging the audience, is our emcee for the evening. He 
delights, as always.

Bob Sheets opens the show with the humor that has marked his 
performance every time we've seen him this weekend. This is one 
funny guy. He's followed by Jeff McBride, who knocks us down with 
the kind of performance only Jeff can deliver. He's rewarded with 
a standing ovation. Aldo teams up with new wife Rachel in a most 
entertaining comedy mind-reading act. Chris Capehart is next, 
delighting the kids (and adults) with his brand of magic and his 
signature Miser's Dream effect. It's a classic. The show 
concludes with the professional Las Vegas magic of Greg and 
Kristi Gleason. From their opening with a version of the Boa 
(Broom) Suspension, using a chair, to his closing where he sits 
on the floor, downstage center, with a young girl from the 
audience, he enchants us with his story and performance of the 
Gypsy Thread. We know we are seeing first-rate magic, 
professionally presented.

At the conclusion of the show, the audience is invited to come to 
the hotel for the Saturday Night Soirée. (I'm not sure what 
"Soirée" means, but I think it's that anything can happen and 
usually does.) Tonight's Soirée does not disappoint. It's emceed 
by Doc Eason and Eric Mead and features more entertaining magic 
from those we've come to know well this convention: Barrie 
Richardson, Richard Sanders, Walter and Becky Blaney, Bruce 
Bernstein, Doc Eason, Paul Wilson, and Bob Sheets. At some point 
past midnight, we realize that tomorrow is another day, and it's 
already upon us.

You might expect that things would start to wind down on the 
convention's last day, but that's definitely not the case.

Bob Sammons and daughter, Merritt, begin Sunday morning with his 
Junior Lecture, a teach-in for all the young magicians in 
attendance. It's an integral part of the weekend that they've 
done for years. Over the years, it would be hard to find a more 
enthusiastic, generous supporter than Bob Sammons.

Now comes the act that many of us have been waiting to see (or 
see again): Rick Merrill. What a thrill to see his eight-minute, 
award-winning FISM act, followed by his lecture. His humor 
absolutely destroys us, and it takes a minute or two to realize 
that he's also fooling us badly.

The final lecture is Mark Mason from England. Here's more 
cleverness, British humor, and great magic from "the other side 
of the pond." In the dealers' room, no one had bigger crowds at 
their booth than Mark. He's that good.

We get one final hour to make our last-minute "panic" purchases 
in the dealers' room, and then we realize another Magic in the 
Rockies has come to its inevitable conclusion.

For a fortunate number of registrants, however, another optional 
highlight awaits: Those who signed up for Jeff McBride's "Master 
Class" workshop join him for a four-hour session. Although he 
offered this last year, this is all new material. Post-workshop 
comments were overwhelmingly positive.

So is Magic in the Rockies regional, national, or international? 
Or is it all of those and more? I've got to go with all of those 
and more.

See you in Fort Collins next year. Ka-ching!

--------------------------------------------
13. New Releases Out This Month
--------------------------------------------
Message from Paul Romhany (NZ)

Just wanted to drop ezine members a line of new releases out this 
month.

I am proud to announce the release of my new and improved Comedy 
Five Card Repeat routine. This is along the lines of the famous 
Bandanna routine where you explain to the audience that you learn 
your magic via a CD. It is put in the player and you follow along 
with the voice over. This is the routine I have been using for 
the past ten years in corporate shows and cruise ships. I have 
re-designed a set of gimmick cards using Bicycle playing cards so 
you can perform it almost straight away. This is a comedy routine 
that makes you look like you have incredible sleight of hand plus 
getting laughs at the same time. You get the gimmick cards, the 
audio CD and a DVD in which I explain the performance and how to 
make your own cards, even use jumbo cards.

This routine is available only through www.hocus-pocus.com.

My other new release which has just come out is a unique version 
of Multiplying Bottles. This routine has been a favourite of mine 
in my Charlie Chaplin Act for some time and this is based on Reg 
Donnelly's routine. Reg is a professional magician from Canada 
who has been featuring his unique routine and style of bottles 
for the past 25 years. As soon as I saw Reg perform his routine I 
knew I wanted it in my Chaplin Act. After years of negotiations 
Reg finally allowed me to release his routine and my own routine. 
This comes complete with a DVD that explains Reg's routine and my 
own routine, an audio CD for my routine, labels plus a CDROM with 
label graphics so you never have to buy labels again plus the 
amazing Reg Donnelly Bottles. These include the Ketchup Bottle, 
the Starbucks Bottle and the Rum bottle. Again, you produce nine 
bottles including the special different colored bottles. This 
routine is available only through www.hocus-pocus.com

ALSO very proud to announce some Ebooks now available through:
http://www.lybrary.com/

Just go to the site and see what amazing ebooks you can buy, some 
real classics of magic. Go through the list of names under MAGIC 
and you'll see my ebooks including ventriloquist books and magic 
books PLUS my cruise book.

--------------------------------------------
14. Message From Margaret Helen (Smith)
--------------------------------------------
Message from Theo De Leeuw (NZ)

Margaret Helen (Smith) just informed me that Paddy her second 
husband had just died during the night at about half past one.

Please inform the NZ Magicians as everyone at our age know of 
Colin Smith who died now about twenty years ago.

The funeral will probably be on Wednesday.

--------------------------------------------
15. Otago Magic Circle Knocks Up A Half Century
--------------------------------------------
Message from Richard Walls (NZ)

Richard Walls Remembers!

Fifty years ago, yet the meeting that led to the formation of the 
Otago Magic Circle is as clear in my mind as if it was 
 "yesterday".

After several months of making contacts, the group that would 
become foundation members met in an office in the Commerce 
Building on the corner of Dowling and Burlington Streets in 
Dunedin.

I cannot recall any magic being performed that evening. There 
would be plenty of that in the years to follow, although one of 
enduring mysteries is that one or two members were never actually 
known to perform. Not that they did not have a few tricks up 
their sleeves!

Initially we met monthly in the 2nd NZEF Rooms, further up 
Dowling Street, a door or two up from where Les Mills is now. 
Later in 1957 we would move to the YWCA Building in Moray Place, 
which was in front of their hall, now part of Moray Motel.

That became our home for many years. It was there we welcomed 
Sorcar in 1958 and four years later the complex would host the 
9th New Zealand Magicians' Convention in 1962, then the best 
attended of any held until that time.

We would repeat that with the "lucky" 13th in 1971 when our base 
was the hall at Kaikorai College. This would prove to be a 
watershed in the staging of New Zealand Conventions as we turned 
away from the established format of "just getting together" for 
competitions etc and charging a nominal registration fee. That 
set a direction that has been built on ever since.

The memories of the two conventions are vivid but the one in 1962 
has two: David Berglas turning up unannounced and giving a 
lecture; and a packed Concert Chamber (now the Glenroy) for the 
headliner show on Easter Monday with hundreds turned away and all 
after only 25 seats had been pre-booked!

In between our start and the 1962 convention, we would, of 
course, produce three major stage productions in His Majesty's 
Theatre - in 1958, 1969, and 1961 - for which the admission price 
was a princely 5/-! And half price for kids!

Oh we were enterprising souls! Brought together from different 
walks of life, different backgrounds. Different occupations. The 
common interest - magic! It is quite unique. It does forge the 
most remarkable and enduring friendships.

More on that when we meet in Dunedin to celebrate the 50th at 
Labour Weekend 20th-22nd October.

Any enquiries to Dave Harris at: davidharris@actrix.gen.nz

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

Page 18

"Who's a 'Naughty Boy' Then?"

Well after my little (little?) detour I'm now back on the 'Cocky' 
trail again. For those of you who are wondering, "what the hell 
does he mean by 'Cocky", it is slang Down Under for a Sulphur 
Crested Cockatoo, often Parrots as well. For those of you who are 
now trying to figure out what I mean by 'Down Under', it is a 
term of expression for those of us who hail from, or live in New 
Zealand and Australia; rather obvious if you look at a globe of 
the world. And for those of you wondering why I have bothered to 
explain these slang words which are common to us; they mean 
nothing to those readers of my Saga who reside in many other 
regions of the world. Now they do! 'Choice, eh boy'!

Carrying on from the first paragraph on the preceding page, we 
got our first and newly acquired cockatoo home from the market 
and, full of excitement, opened the cage door - we didn't want 
him to feel trapped. We sat, saying things like 'Hello, Hello', 
'Pretty Boy.' and other inane mutterings. He perched, beadily 
eyeing us with what seemed like great disdain. Tired of waiting 
for something to happen, I finally got up and cautiously 
approached the cage. Attached to the sides of the cage were two 
large containers - water in one and sunflower seeds in the other, 
which are staple diet for cockatoos. Also wedged between the 
wires of the cage were a few pieces of cuttlefish bone.

Trying to be clever, I wriggled a piece of cuttlefish, thinking 
that I would distract him while I got some seed from out of the 
dish. Think again! As my fingers groped in the dish he screamed 
and lunged at my hand - I jumped backwards in fright, a 'Not Nice' 
aroma wafted around the room as I hastily counted my fingers, 
fully expecting to see one or two twitching on the floor. All I 
wanted was to show him that I was nice, friendly kind of chap, 
and offer him some seeds from my hand; all he wanted was my 
finger(s) or at least a chunk out of my hand! Bloody Bird!

A week went by and he wouldn't let us near him. He would wander 
around the floor and sort of fly around the room (with a partly 
clipped wing he couldn't get far or gain much height), but he 
didn't want a bar of us. A month or so goes by and nothing has 
changed, he hasn't tamed down in the slightest he is still a 
wild, nasty piece of works. We could usually usher him into his 
cage if we wanted to go out - it was a place of refuge and food 
for him, and we could close the door of the cage.

One day when we decided to go shopping, the little sod refused to 
get into his cage; finally we just gave up and left him to it, 
closed the front door and took off. We returned around three or 
four hours later. All was quiet and he was sitting in his cage - 
well and good, then we noticed the television, it had collapsed 
down onto one corner. It was one of those old fashioned types 
that were supported by four wooden legs that screwed into the 
base of the TV, if you can remember back that far. Cockatoos are 
renowned for their destructive chewing abilities - they can munch 
their way through cage perches in no time at all - the television 
leg had no chance! Well that was the last straw. The bird had to 
go!

Naively, we had gone to a huge open-air market stall to buy a 
cockatoo at 'The Right Price' - that in all probability had been 
illegally trapped, along with many others, from out of the 
Australian bush (unfortunately, a commonplace practice in 
Australia) by people who are after a 'Quick Buck' with little 
regard, if any, towards wildlife. The birds are roughly handled 
and badly treated from the time of their capture to the day they 
are sold to unsuspecting 'innocents' like ourselves - it is 
little wonder that they remain wild and have absolutely no trust 
in humans.

While on the subject of untamed birds, a few months later we 
heard about a chap who was known as 'The Bird Man' who had 'a way' 
with birds (the feathered kind - maybe the un-feathered as well, 
who knows) much like a 'Horse Whisperer'. He worked at a huge pet 
shop out at Parramatta (a suburb of Sydney) - we just had to see 
this man work his particular 'Magic'. It's been many years now 
but I remember a long corridor with a massive indoor aviary at 
one end that was full of cockatoos. Wearing gloves, he got one 
out and put it on the floor; its yellow crest was up and it was 
screaming and hissing in rage. He took the long gloves off and 
using a long stick managed to coax the bird to climb onto it. Don't 
ask me how, but in a matter of minutes that wild, screaming, 'I'll 
bite the hand off of any bugger who comes near me' cockatoo, was 
sitting on his arm and letting him scratch it - in obvious 
pleasure and complete trust. When I asked him how he did it, he 
said he didn't know that he'd always had the 'knack'! Whatever it 
was, he sure had it! It was a wonderful demonstration of - Pure, 
Natural Magic!

--------------------------------------------
17. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives
--------------------------------------------
Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to:
www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html

Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to
gain access.

User Name: magic
Password: kiwi

When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are
coded. Eg 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote
issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year
(1999)

--------------------------------------------
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--------------------------------------------
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© Copyright 2007 Alan Watson