* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * www.watson.co.nz/ezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #538 Date: Sunday 7th October 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 Apologizes To Aaron Smith 3. Jonathan & Charlotte Pendragon Metamorphosis 4. Vegas Inside Tips - New Issue 5. National Magic Week Proclaimed 6. Remarkable Magic #25 - Nick Lewin 7. Marketing Your Magic: Success Secrets #2 - Kyle Peron 8. Entertaining On The Ocean #4 - Paul Romhany 9. Jerry Andrus - A Personal Tribute 10. I Would Like To Thank Kyle Peron 11. Problem With Manufacturer!! 12. Golden Age of Magic 13. The Daytona Beach Festival 14. The 4th Asian Magic Association Convention 15. His Birth Name: David Alan Mamet 16. "The Late Show" With David Letterman 17. Tom Craven Lecturing In Cleveland 18. Ellis & Webster: In Their Words 19. The Amazing Orchante Saga 20. e-zine Archives 21. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Are you planning to attend the joint IBM / SAM Convention in Louisville, Kentucky -July 21-26, 2008? If you have not yet registered I would suggest that you do it soon as this convention will be a SELLOUT. Michele and I have already booked and will see you there. Competition prize money and performance contracts are substantial. $20,000US in cash. $30,000US in performing contracts The producers of the following conventions have agreed to give performing contracts to the finalists of the IBM/SAM 2008 Combined Convention. FISM World Championships of Magic, Beijing, China World Festival of Magic New Zealand Tour Blackpool Magic Convention, Blackpool, England Club Magico Italiano, Abano Terme, Italy Japanese S.A.M. Convention, Tokyo, Japan Festival of Illusion, Sindelfingen, Germany Mac Millan International Magic Convention, London International Brotherhood of Magicians Annual Convention Society of American Magicians Annual Convention Canadian Association of Magicians, Kitchener, Ontario Abbott's Magic Get Together, Colon, Michigan Columbus Magi Fest, Columbus, Ohio FFFF Convention, Batavia, New York Ei Duco's Magic Weekend, Sweden These prizes shall be presented at the final awards ceremony on Saturday night, June 26. For more information on the convention go to: http://www.ibmsam2008.com/ ----------------------- Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. James George Apologizes To Aaron Smith -------------------------------------------- Message from James George CEO Sorcery Manufacturing - Home of the ITR tm Aaron, This was a complete screw up from one of your customers, he did mail the reel to me but I think what confused him is that it was one of our early model reels, and it was not Kevlar as he had ordered Kevlar Thread. He misled me into thinking it was a knock-off reel and it was not. We retract all negative statements towards your company and I apologize for jumping the gun on this. With so many pirates of our product out there it is easy to get confused on our end, thanks again for your continued support. I hope this clears it up for everyone. Sincerely, James George CEO Sorcery Manufacturing - Home of the ITR tm -------------------------------------------- 3. Jonathan & Charlotte Pendragon Metamorphosis -------------------------------------------- Message from Jonathan Pendragon Charlotte and I will be featured in a promotional for My Space video. Our metamorphosis will be performed. Could you be so kind as to immediately post a notice to magicians to tune in to watch this. It will be on the My Space home page for 24 hours Oct. 5 to the 6th. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=19423518 -------------------------------------------- 4. Vegas Inside Tips - New Issue -------------------------------------------- Message from Steve Dacri www.VegasInsideTips.com Digital Magazine Hey There! I've been asked to write for this fabulous new Digital Magazine, www.VegasInsideTips.com which is quickly becoming a regular visit for anyone who is coming to Las Vegas as well as those who live here. The town is already buzzing about this fantastic site. It's a great read, has exclusive stuff you can't get anywhere else, and unlike those old-fashioned magazines, our Digital Magazine won't get your fingers dirty. Advertisers will reach millions, give us a try. (Call about special rate packages). And if you have any news about Las Vegas or the magic scene, drop me a note. Interesting articles or photos always welcome, too. In this latest issue, you can check out Bobbie Katz' exclusive interview with Elton John, her chat with the late Lucianno Pavarotti, my weekly column "Vegas Magic" and many other cool articles. There's lots to see, from our weekly "Best Bets" to celebrity interviews and spotlights on food, shows and retail therapy advice, each issue is full of places to go and people to see... I'd love to hear your comments on this new Digital Magazine, and invite you to subscribe (it's completely optional, of course, and free). See why more and more people check us out every week. ----------------- 5. National Magic Week Proclaimed ----------------- Message from Maria Ibâńez President of the Society of American Magicians Greetings, National Magic Week is just around the corner;. Celebrated each year from October 25th through October 31, magic week is held in honor of the death of The Society of American Magicians past President Harry Houdini, who passed away on October 31, 1926. As President of the Society of American Magicians, it is my pleasure and privilege to proclaim the week of October 25-31, 2007 as National Magic Week, and to that end, I have issued an official proclamation. Attached please find a copy in .pdf format which may be printed and used in your publicity or quest for proclamation requests from your local Mayors and other officers. Thank you for your support of The Society of American Magicians and your support of National Magic Week. As always, do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of any assistance. Keep a dream in the making, -------------------------------------------- 6. Remarkable Magic #25 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) Remarkable Magic. Max Maven: the smartest guy in the room. I really love to read good magic routines and more especially mentalism effects. I love the ideas and the thinking behind the ideas. Sure it is nice if you get a trick to perform as well along the way, but I get enormous satisfaction just following along an unusual and carefully researched pathway. Max Maven and his alto-ego Phil have given me many hours of pure enjoyment. When Max writes something it is worth reading and well worth re-reading until you fully grasp the finer points of what he is saying. He also writes sparingly and gets his ideas across in the fewest words possible. I like that. Max created an effect in one of his colored book's called 'The Four Sided Triangle' that intrigued me the moment I read it. It was simple, direct and totally impossible. Best of all the heart of the effect lay in his careful and measured use of the right words at the right time. I read the effect through and did what I usually do; I watched it play out in the showroom just an inch or two behind my eyes. Getting on for twenty years after I first discovered the effect it has become one of the most treasured items in my repertoire. By now of course I have changed and 'tweaked' it a little but only to make it fit my needs a little better. The effect was very thoroughly developed from the get go; in fact I would have to say touched with genius. Recently Max's videocassette and DVD releases have given me equal pleasure and rewarded me with some truly superb additions to my show. His handling of the 'Tossed Deck' is in itself an amazing excursion into the brilliant mind of the man in black. It exemplifies his ability to allow just enough pumping and fishing to make an effect look genuine without it merely looking hit or miss. The recent 2 DVD set Max released 'Nothing' is in my opinion really 'something.' The basic premise of stopping at a 5 and dime store and picking up the necessary items to present a strong 50-minute show was a really spellbinding idea to me. I am sure I'm not the only magician to wake up in a cold sweat from a bad dream about lost luggage! Once again the tricks were in many ways the icing on the cake and the thinking along the way was well worth the price of admission. I haven't even got to discuss Max the performer in this brief article but I have equal respect for that side to him too. However it is rare for someone to share quite as much rare and useful information with his fellow performers and I wanted to concentrate on that aspect of Max. It truly makes you wonder about how much more great insights are inside that carefully presented visage! In closing let me just tell you what it is that makes me wish every magician had taken the time and trouble to read Max's work. My innards curl into a tight fist every time I watch a performer huff and puff away doing a painful 'Magician's Choice.' For God's sake when someone has taken the time to write a definitive booklet on how to do it right, take the time to read it! It is called 'Verbal Control: a treatise on the under-explored art of equivoque; technique and application.' It will help you discover the true art and science of the process. 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 #2 - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message from Kyle Peron (US) Magic4u02@aol.com So you have thought long and hard and have determined that the key to success is one of taking direct action to obtain the success you are after. You have also realized that this action cannot happen if you procrastinate. Success takes action and action takes you getting up and physically doing something about it. This revelation can and will change your life if you let it. It is the single most important aspect of marketing your magic. Without it, nothing else I tell you will make any difference. This week I want to take the time to address another aspect of success that I find is absolutely critical to successful marketing. It is another single word and that word is "professionalism". What does the term mean and why is this so important to your own success and the success of your magic business? Some of you are thinking right now, "Sure, I know what it is to be a professional and I act professional in all my shows." That is fine to think that but really think hard now. How professional are you really? You may realize that your definition of professionalism may not be exactly what it should be. Being a professional does not start when the curtains open and stop when they close. Being a professional is a characteristic and a mannerism that is taught and should become a habit. To make it a habit, you must be willing to practice it and use it every day. How many magicians or entertainers have you seen that are or act simply miserable or unprofessional before or after the show and suddenly "turn it on" when the show begins? I ask a simple question, "Why should you have to turn it on at all?" There is power in being a professional and having a professional demeanor. It carries over into how you conduct yourself and how you interact with people you come in contact with. When you are marketing your magic, you are constantly in the art of meeting people and engaging with people. People read each other all the time. Because of this we all know that first impressions are everything. However, I would like to carry this one step further by saying that first impressions should become lasting impressions. It should be a feeling the prospect or client has with you at all times. Simply put, it means that I go above and beyond from the moment I first make contact with a prospect to the time they turn into a client and long after the event is over. By being a true professional, it means I am really building a relationship with the customer. I do not want to be seen as product A, B or C. I want to be remembered far greater than just a mere product to be used and discarded. If I learn to be a true professional, then I can literally change the way my prospect or client sees and views me. It is literally that strong. Being a professional can change the perceived value the client sees in you. If I am a true professional then I realize that I am not there to just perform a show. Anyone can do that. Every single client has needs, wants and problems they are looking for answers to. The problem is that we as magicians forget this aspect of performance and marketing. There is a reason why they call it "Show BUSINESS" after all. If I know that the above statement is true, I can train myself into learning to listen more to my clients and prospects instead of always selling to them only. I listen to what problems they may be telling me. I listen to their needs and wants. The more of these problems I can directly solve for them, the greater my perceived value becomes in their mind. Now I am not simply just magician A, I am Kyle and Kelly and in that lies a big difference. As a professional I am not just interested in what they can do for me. I am more interested in what I can do and provide to them. You can be a professional often times by doing the little things. It is these little details that can make a difference. Maybe you are very polite when you get to a show and you call them by name. You smile at them and show interest with what they have to say instead of just asking where is the staging area. Maybe you ask permission to do something before just doing it. Maybe you send or give them a nice thank you note after your performance is over. In these examples you can already see that often times simple things like this makes a difference in the consumer's mind. You will start to see that these little things do add up to a lot of great value. The single most important thing many magicians forget about being a professional is that the gig is not over after you leave the event. It never should be. That is such a mistake magicians make. They forget their past clients. Why forget a client who you already performed for? Think about it. If you did your job well, if you were professional, then that person can and should be a walking advertisement for you and what you do. Do NOT forget about these people. Encourage them to spread the word. Grow your perceived value in your customer's mind through professionalism and I guarantee they will remember you for it. 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. Entertaining On The Ocean #4 - Paul Romhany -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany Bobby Dennis As I write this Natalie and I are sitting in an airport waiting to catch a flight to Munich then Rome. The connection between Munich and Rome is only 30 minutes which means we'll have to run to try and make the flight. When we checked in Air Canada refused to book us on the flight and our luggage would only be sent to Munich. Having just seen Luthfansa they told us we would make the flight and so we had to listen to an argument between airlines about our bags, our connection etc. Finally they let us through so at this stage we hope we make the connection with our bags. I don't want this to be the eleventh time my bag gets lost! This week I will introduce one of my favorite comedians. The great thing about working on cruise ships is that you get to meet a variety of other entertainers from all over the world. Most ships employ comedians and they are either from the USA or the UK - at least the ships I work on. The comedian is Englishman Bobby Dennis, who I first met about eight years ago on the Royal Princess. He and his wife were very kind to me and took me under their wings and showed me the ropes on ships and cruising. Since then Natalie and I have kept in touch with Bobby and worked with him many times. Bobby is now in his 70th year in Show Business and watching him onstage is a lesson in what show business is all about. Bobby is a ball of energy from the minute the cruise director announces his name until he gets offstage. He was brought up in English variety and his act consists of rapid fire jokes, piano playing, dancing and singing. He show is still as strong as ever and he is booked out a year ahead with work. A true all round entertainer who knows show business inside and out. After 70 years as a professional entertainer I asked Bobby for a show biz story and he wrote back saying after all this time his biggest thrill is going home back to his 350 year old home in the UK where he can go down to his local pub and enjoy fish and chips and mushy peas. Typical of Bobby, that is his biggest thrill. One of my favorite Bobby Dennis stories happened in Ireland. While in Dublin I found the most amazing 'local' pub. When I walked in the whole place stopped and the locals just looked at me. I sat down, enjoyed a pint of Guinness while they continued on singing and playing music. It was a real 'Irish' experience. After a while they started talking to me and before you knew it I too was singing, doing some magic and really having the most amazing time with the locals. The next week the ship was back in Dublin so I took Bobby with me for a pint and told him they did lunch. When we got there Bobby asked if they did a good English Lunch with Yorkshire pudding. The reaction this got from the server behind the bar was unprintable for this e-zine needless to say we got kicked out of the pub. The last place you want to order a real English Yorkshire pudding lunch is in an Irish pub in Ireland! Lesson learnt! Needless to say we were banned from that pub. I always make a point of watching the other acts on ships and Bobby is one of the best. He has done it all, theatre, TV shows, Casinos yet he remains down to earth, has a real love for show business and some truly amazing stories. A real pro that I always learn a lot from. -------------------------------------------- 9. Jerry Andrus - A Personal Tribute -------------------------------------------- By Tony Brook SAM International Deputy Now that his mortal remains have been laid to rest and the magic media have paid their tributes it is time for me to share my recent meeting with Jerry. It took place at his home in May 2007. Thanks to my good friend Michael Roth, President of SAM Assembly 59, I was invited to Oregon to perform and to lecture there and in Canada. Prior to my performance Michael had asked me if I would like to meet and visit with some living legends of magic, namely Stan Greer, Duane Duvall, Jose Zialcita and Jerry Andrus. Naturally, I accepted their individual invitations. Michael kindly drove me over to Jerry's home. I knew that Jerry had been ill for some time and during the drive, Michael explained the nature of Jerry's illnesses. Although I am now at an age when I have learnt to accept the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" that Life tends to offer, I still have a singular lack of understanding as to why such great minds have to endure such great hardship. Michael had visited Jerry before and knew the route to his home. We arrived and Michael parked the car. Together we walked up a small drive, climbed two steps and knocked on the door. I was expecting a small, wizened and frail old man that that gone a few hundred rounds with Life but to my amazement the man that greeted us and invited us in was an erect, tall, bright and alert - Jerry Andrus. The face had aged somewhat but the distinct features were still there including a full head of hair. Age whitened but full and lustrous nevertheless. The front door led immediately into a room some four by six feet. I could tell it was at one time larger but years of clutter and strange looking objects had shrunk its size. It housed, in a manner of speaking, a cacophony of objects that had seen better days and it was cluttered, quite literally, from floor to ceiling with a collection of some very odd and strange looking contraptions that created further dissonance. It exuded an ambience of antique shop meets Heath Robinson in a garage sale next to a junk yard. I am not being in the slightest disrespectful, but merely trying to describe and convey in the best way possible the sight that greeted us. Those who knew Jerry and have visited him will know exactly what I mean and to those who did not it doesn't matter. I have, over the years been very fortunate to meet and spend quality time with some of the greatest magicians of the world, real old-timers (I use this word with respect and admiration) who had earned their accolades the hard way. All true gentlemen and ladies of the Art. Walter Blaney, Mark Wilson, Nani Darnell, Bill Palmer, Jerry Grey, MarcoM, Bob Blau, Celeste Evans, Jon Racherbaumer, Ali Bongo, Pat Page are just some of the names that spring to mind. How fortunate that the fates decreed that I was able to include Jerry Andrus to the list. I had, in common with those of us who value and respect our Art, spent some time studying the life and work of this remarkable magician. Despite his illness, his mind was sharp and he conducted himself with great dignity. I was overwhelmed by his courtesy and gentleness. There was, and I'm sure those who knew him will also testify to this, an aura about Jerry that made him instantly likable. There was very definitely something of the William Blake's Ancient of Days like image about him. Kind, benevolent, humorous and all-knowing are adjectives that spring to mind. Of course, it is totally and completely ironic that those words spring to mind because Jerry was a confirmed atheist. Nevertheless, we had a wonderful and delightful debate about the existence of God. I felt totally honored and privileged to have the opportunity to discuss so vast and controversial topic with so great a mind. Although he would stop occasionally during our conversation and tell me that he had a stroke, and that his mind was ageing. Nevertheless, there was no evidence that it had affected him in the slightest. We talked about Magic briefly and the topic of my forthcoming show in Oregon, came up. He told me that I was taking on way too much to give a 90 minute show on Mentalism. Some twenty minutes later after we had waxed lyrical on the topic he made some very complimentary remarks and then announced that he would like to attend my show. I happily told him it would be a great honor for me. Michael quickly intervened and said he would arrange all the logistics of transportation to & from Jerry's home. To the best of my knowledge, it was, most likely the last full live magic show he saw. Tom Waldrop and Bill Beach opened. Robert Neary kindly videoed. Right then, the door opened and a very elderly gentleman walked in carrying an egg. The conversation stopped momentarily. The elderly gentleman nodded in our direction and said, "You want the egg?" Jerry looked up from his chair, "Not right now". The elderly gentleman nodded again, " Ok, I'll come back; but I'll leave the egg". I felt that I was part of a rehearsed surreal comedy sketch. "That was my brother George" volunteered Jerry, "he takes care of me." I have no idea why but the humor of the situation got the better of me and I did my best to suppress a huge laugh and just grinned. To maintain a sense of decorum, more for my sake than Jerry's, I quickly changed the subject, pointed to a box that was mounted on a strange looking table that housed an electric cooking ring and wires going in and out of it. Expecting some great explanation about one of his inventions, I asked , "Tell me Jerry, what is that?" "It's a microwave" replied Jerry. "What do you use it for?" I asked. Without missing a beat, he answered, " Mostly for heating food" !!!! Michael and I laughed. Out loud. Jerry smiled joyously. Fortunately, for us Jerry did show us many of his 'contraptions' and illusions, graciously explaining how each one worked. He shared with us his poetry and his book of made up words. I sincerely hope that someone publishes both his poetry and book of made up words. I loved them both. The wonderful thing about the made up words was that each one seemed plausible and somehow made me feel that they did indeed belong in the English vocabulary. Each time we would attempt to leave for fear that we were overtiring him, he would politely tell us to stay and show us something else. I will never be able to do his wonderful personality justice with my mere words, expect to say that I am old enough and smart enough to know that I was honored and privileged to be touched by his greatness. SAM Assembly 59 in Oregon and The Portland Society of Magicians had a commemorative coin struck in Jerry's honor several months prior to his demise. I proudly own one, which I was presented. A few days ago, a public memorial service was held for Jerry. Here is an extract from my friend Michael's email exactly as he sent it to me: .........................................the Andrus Memorial went well, lots of people from all over, magicians, skeptics, writers, movie makers, many stories...most awesome...about Jerry's honesty, willingness to teach, debate and wonder with almost anyone...quotes included Dai Vernon's "he's the most creative magician of the 20th century, and the best close-up magician I've ever seen" or "he probably wouldn't buy an effect if it killed him"...one of the kindest gentlest people I've ever met"...etc His brother George read some poetry he'd written. Barry Brilliant (web site developer of www.jerryandrus.org) shared insights into Jerry's engaging him (Barry) to share his (Jerry's) accomplishments with the world so that his memory, and what he was trying to teach and communicate, will live on...several of those closest to Jerry confided in me that the best article written after Jerry's passing, to date, was in Magic magazine...lots of displays...Bob Neary, filmmaker talked about the documentary he's now finishing and played a sample 15-20 minutes or so, Steve Norris, who the article in OMNI magazine in 1981 and met Jerry talked about the tremendous impact that had on his own life and how unique Jerry was...the current President of the Corvallis Secular Society spoke, Ray Hyman, long-time friend and associate (he and Jerry were among the original founders of the Mysticians society out of Eugene) spoke about Jerry's research into cognitive and pre-cognitive development (Ray is now retired but was Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon and one of the top experts in his field in the US) and said Jerry was probably 10 years ahead of most of the experts in the field, Jerry lectured to his classes on a regular basis, magicians from New York, Las Vegas, California, several locals from Albany, magicians and skeptics spoke about Jerry's awe at the wonder of life and his living in the present and savoring every single moment...Dwight Vance represented IBM and I represented SAM in performing a modified broken wand ceremony that Jerry had preapproved...through a little miscommunication I broke the wand a little early so I had to do a "restored wand" prior to breaking it at the appointed time to good-natured laughter. All-in-all a fun, interesting, educational and very memorable time. There were about 8-10 members of SAM 59 and another 6-8 from Portland at the event. I drove and took my brother Tom, also a friend of Jerry's, and Duane Duvall (Duane remembered when Jerry joined SAM 59 in 1950). I took some pictures. ................. However, the story does not end there. In the penultimate weekend in September 2007, I was on the bill with Ali Bongo and Pat Page at Stirling Castle in Scotland at The Castle of Magic Event. We three had some excellent conversations over breakfast each morning. One morning, the conversation got around to Jerry. This is what Pat told me, " You know he never lied. He never ever said there was nothing in his hand when it contained something and he never said it contained something when it was empty. All his magic and sleights were conducted in pure truth." For me, there can be no better tribute about such a great man than from another. Any further words of mine would be superfluous. Aloha Mr. Andrus. -------------------------------------------- 10. I Would Like To Thank Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message from Geoff Williams I would like to thank Kyle Peron for posting in Issue # 537 what might just be the single most important advice for anyone who desires to achieve more in the art of magic (or any other venture, actually): overcoming procrastination. Nothing groundbreaking here. No earth-shattering revelation. It's just the most straightforward advice anyone could ask for. It's the secret to success. We should all archive his article - post it on the walls of our offices, inside of our show briefcases and on our bathroom mirrors. Refer to it often. Read it on a regular basis. Share it at our monthly magic meetings. Memorize it. Dwell on it. Understand it. Then get off our backsides and put it into action. Thank you, Mr. Peron, for your insightful article. Beautiful in its simplicity and simply beautiful. The bottom line is its 99% perspiration, folks. 99% perspiration. Start now, or years down the road you'll wonder what could have been. Don't let yourself be one of the many who say "If only I had done..." Because of your article, Mr. Peron, I'm working harder on a new routine to do at the Magic Castle this November. Because of your article, I'm organizing and streamlining my corporate show. Now, probably because of you, I'm forced to clean my house. Okay, now I'm not so crazy about you. -------------------------------------------- 11. Problem With Manufacturer!! -------------------------------------------- Message from Peter Baffles Just wondered if you or any of your friends and colleagues can help me with a problem? I purchased a psychic clipboard about 10 months ago, it worked well up until 2 months ago. I contacted the manufacturer who asked me to return it for repair. This I did and received a message to say it was "fixed" but would I like to upgrade free of charge to the "new version" clipboard. I declined the offer and asked for my repaired prop to be returned. As of now it has still not been returned. I cannot get through to the manufacturer either by phone or email, he has promised on 2 occasions to dispatch the prop back to me but now I have drawn a blank. Can you recommend any advice or do you know of any other Magician who is or has experience of the same problem. I welcome your comments on this matter, hope you can help. -------------------------------------------- 12. Golden Age of Magic -------------------------------------------- Message from James Hamilton Direct from Muhlenberg College "The Art and Theory of Magic" Margaret Steele & James Hamilton Magic Of The Golden Age Rhinebeck Center for the Performing Arts Rhinebeck, New York October 4-6, 2007 . 8:00:00 PM Sunday October 7, 2007 2:00 PM Special Children's Show . Saturday October 6, 2007 2:00 PM Alexander Herrmann (1844-1896) was one of the greatest magicians of all time. Upon his sudden death, his widow, Adelaide Herrmann (1853-1932), continued on with the show, performing in Vaudeville for nearly thirty years as The Queen of Magic. Master magicians James Hamilton and Margaret Steele explore the lives and times of the Herrmanns in an evening filled with history, mystery and dazzling magic. A fantastic, original show! Tickets $20 adults, $18 children and seniors Route 308, Rhinebeck, NY (845) 876-3080. "Absolutely entertaining" ... Eugene Burger "An evening well spent" ... Herb and Phyllis Zarrow "Delightful!" ... Larry Haas, Muhlenberg College -------------------------------------------- 13. The Daytona Beach Festival -------------------------------------------- Message from Harry Allen The Daytona Beach Festival combined Florida State Convention is around the corner.(November 2,3,4 2007) Update: John Mendosa has dropped out and is replaced by the great "Doc Eason." All other talent is coming as advertised. Not Many Spots Left To Register!! Don't Be Shut Out!!! For all details www.daytonamagic.com and click on "FESTIVAL OF MAGIC 2007". See you there!!!! Harry Allen 386-252-6767 -------------------------------------------- 14. The 4th Asian Magic Association Convention -------------------------------------------- Message from Albert Tam (Hong Kong) The 4th Asian Magic Association Convention will be in Hong Kong., the date will be 2nd - 4th. Nov. and takeS place in Riverside Regal Hotel. The Asian Magic Association was established in 2003 which is an organization in Asia with member societies of different countries. There are now 11 member societies which represent different Asia Magic cultures. The Asian Convention was started from 2004 and is now a major annual magic event in Asia which is hosted by different AMA member societies in different cities. The host of this year will be Hong Kong and is organized by the Magicians' Association of Hong Kong. There are International Magic Masters Fantasy Gala International Close-up Magic Gala The 4th Asian Stage Magic Contest The 4th Asian Close-up Magic Contest Master Magic Lectures, Magic Sports By Tim Ellis, Late Night All Stars Magic Jam, Farewell Banquet with Surprise Farewell Strolling Magic Contest, and International Magic Dealers pack in the three days. The Gala Show will be performed in theatre which will open to the public in order to make the event not only for magicians but promote the art to the general public. The guests line up will be Shimada, Dale Salwak, Amos Levkovitch, Ellis & Webster, Danny Cole, Simon Lovell, Aaron Fisher, Magic Fukai, Katami Maki, Michiaki Kishimoto, Yuji Yamamoto, Mahka Tendo, Alex Tan, Kenneth Chan, Liao Xiao Run, Harry Wong & Albert Tam. The convention registration will be US$200 and Early Bird registration will be US$180 before 15th Sept. The convention chairman is Albert Tam, who is an experienced magician and convention organizer in Hong Kong. For any enquiries please email to convention@magic.org.hk The website of M.A.H.K. is www.magic.org.hk -------------------------------------------- 15. His Birth Name: David Alan Mamet -------------------------------------------- Message from Gary Michaels I didn't understand item #5 below: >----------------- >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. Presuming this item refers to the Chicago-born playwright/screenwriter/director, his name is in fact spelled Mamet (as spelled in Nick Lewin's fine piece re: Ricky Jay). Birth Name: David Alan Mamet Not that it matters, but Matt's message was a bit confusing. ~Gary -------------------------------- Message from Matt Field Subject: David Mamet Did I write that it was Mammet, as in David? It's Mamet. Sorry. Matt Field ---------------- 16. "The Late Show" With David Letterman ----------------- Message from Dal Sanders This just in.Eric's newest and most spectacular comedy creation, the "Spring Snake Symphony" will be on "The Late Show" with David Letterman airing Friday, October 12th on CBS! Witness the insanity as this award-winning comedy magician produces 375 yellow spring snakes to the classic tune of "The Blue Danube" waltz. It's been called "Pure Art, Pure Madness" and "Cirque Du Soleil on crack." I saw this at Magic Live.Don't miss it! ---------------- 17. Tom Craven Lecturing In Cleveland ----------------- Message from Tom Craven I am lecturing in Cleveland, Ohio on Oct. 10th Contact Neil Rozum- neilrozum@sbcglobal.net Then lecturing in Kansas City, Mo on Oct, 27 Pekin, IL on Oct 29 Milwaukee, Wi on Oct 31 I hope to see many of you at one of those venues. ---------------- 18. Ellis & Webster: In Their Words ----------------- Message from Tim Ellis Reproduced with the courtesy of Magic Magazine, September 2007 http://www.magicunlimited.com/pubintheirwords.htm ---------------- 19. The - Amazing Orchante Saga ----------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)(UK ex-pat Kiwi) Page 19 Just for the record, I would like to explain to those who are perhaps thinking -'Why doesn't he write and talk about magic and the allied arts instead of going on about cockatoo's and other unrelated things.' Well, 'The Amazing Orchanté Saga' (perhaps I should have titled it -'The Personal Diary Of...') is about MY life and everything that has touched it - memories that I (and friends) can recall; the people, the incidents, bits and pieces - in a more or less chronological order. It is about long forgotten episodes, some sad, others amusing - that perhaps didn't mean much at the time, that come flooding back years later from a 'chance' word, another's memory, a song or piece of music, a reverie, anything. It is about the events, some not of my doing or design - 'Fate?' that played a significant part in the shaping of my destiny, that has at times played a small (or large) role in the course of things for others as well. I'm writing about it all, good and bad; the episodes and events that have, on one hand, had me 'Yahooing' with joy, thanking my good luck and, on the other, cursing the unbelievable misfortune that fate decided to chuck in my path! But, as Frank Sinatra sang, '.through it all, I did it my way '! My old mate Murray Hobson summed it up thus, after reading my early writings (He and I 'found' each other after more than thirty years), "I wish that I had a dollar for every time someone has said 'I wish someone would write about the experiences', well my good friend, you have and are.!" Having got that out of my system, it's back to 'birdie land'. After our disastrous experience with the cockatoo that hated human beings, whose idea of a good feed was munching through the wooden leg of a television, we decided to try for something a little bit more genteel. This time we went to a bona fide Pet Shop. Talking about fate, destiny and coincidences, and how they seem to play a part in everyone's life - here's a cracker! Was it more than just coincidence that led us to the West Ryde Pet Shop? It was owned and run by a chap called Doug, whose surname I have utterly forgotten; he was an Englishman and, chit-chatting with him as you do, I mentioned that we were professional entertainers from New Zealand, now living in Sydney - performing on the club circuit etc throughout the country. It turns out that Doug was an original member of the famous (English) Sixties Pop Band - 'Freddie and the Dreamers' (who are by the way, still busy performing and touring here in England)! That was the first coincidence, a showbiz connection. The second was that Freddie and the Dreamers were due to arrive in Australia the following week and Doug, who had kept in touch with his old mates, was going to see them at their opening three night performances at the Rooty Hill RSL. Now here's the real kicker - WE WERE AT THEIR SUPPORT ACT FOR THE THREE NIGHTS! SPOOKY! Doug's pet shop wasn't very big and he didn't have dozens of every damn thing as the 'big boys' do, but what he had was - Quality. His pets were well cared for and everything was clean. Here was a man who loved all fauna - be they fish, fowl or animal. He had a cockatoo, not just any cockatoo; this one was special. It was a 'Pink Cockatoo' (Cacatua Leadbeateri)! It is also known as the 'Major Mitchell', named after the famous explorer Sir Thomas Mitchell (1772-1855). It is also called 'Leadbeateri cockatoo' (which commemorates Benjamin Leadbeater, a London taxidermist - 1831),'Wee Juggler', 'Desert Cockatoo' and 'Chockalott'. Considered the most beautiful and unique cockatoo in Australia, it is amongst the most stunning in the world and is rather rare and strictly protected. Although popular as aviary birds they may only be kept by recognised aviculturists and even then very much according to local Fisheries and Wildlife Department requirements and the birds must be aviary bred. We bought the cockatoo! We became a lot poorer; Doug became a lot richer - it was worth it! After dipping my hands into the 'swirling mists of time' that pervades my seemingly bottomless aluminium trunk, a white piece of paper came floating up from the depths. I'm holding it in my hand now as I write; it is the original Purchasers Copy of, Form 32 - from the National Parks and Wildlife act, 1974 - Regulation 5c (3) No. 10906 (N S W) showing that on the 28th January 1978, Orchanté, of Flat 2, 7 Wentworth Rd, Eastwood, became the legal and authorised owner of 1 Major Mitchell Cockatoo! Don't go writing to that address, we have been residing in England for eighteen years now. Ye Gods, it's been that long? Kinda scary considering that all our friends in Australia gave us three months tops before we came back to the beautiful, tropical climes of the Gold Coast, which is where we were living before coming to England, but that is another story for Vol. Three. ---------------------------------- Message from Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchanté) ex pat New Zealander Hi everyone, Wednesday 3rd/ Thursday 4th Oct. - What a wonderful, special day and night and day it was/ has been. Our very special friend and mate, Richard Webster (the famous N.Z. author), arrived to spend the night with Veronica and I.  Marc Oberon (he was recently in Auckland giving his highly successful lecture), at my invitation, arrived with his beautiful lady in tow, to join us in a most interesting evening - a little of which was very 'mental', if you get my drift.  I put on an old video I had of Marc's UV show, from 1998 - his girlfriend quietly warbled, ' Dear God', I was only five years old then...!' Excluding Marc, that really made three of us left, feeling decidedly ancient! Thursday afternoon, on the way to the railway station, Richard and I go into Doncaster to 'Waterstones', a well known bookshop chain here in the U.K., as Richard was looking for a particular book to buy. Me, being me, asked the assistant behind the counter if they had anything by 'Richard Webster'. She delves into the computer and announces that they indeed have two books by said author, upstairs in the so and so department. We trot up and Richard finds them on the shelf. I have a nosey then, while placing them back on the shelf, dropped one, which instantly vanished, like magic! Somehow it had dropped down to the bottom of the shelves and was trapped on the floor. Feeling like a total idiot, I go up to an assistant and explain what has happened. He manages to retrieve it; I show him Richards photo inside then point at Richard - bottom line - an impromptu book signing; then it was a quick cappuccino, the railway station and with a heavy heart, wave goodbye to a wonderful friend; till the next time... Afterthought What makes things special for me, is that like most Pros, we didn't spend our entire time together talking just 'MAGIC' etc. Rugby, and many other things just as important, like drinking fine wine, were on the agenda. Take note, all you young magicians out there - the above is a message in how NOT to become known as an extremely boring person... Cheers, Tom -------------------------------------------- 20. Magic New Zealand e-zine Archives -------------------------------------------- Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to: www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html Both the User Name and Password MUST be entered in lower case to gain access. User Name: magic Password: kiwi When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order and are coded. Eg 001 Nov06 1999.txt first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999) -------------------------------------------- 21. 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. 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