* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment * www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #604 Date: Sunday 5th September 2008 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. Walter Zaney Blaney Tribute At TAOM 2008 3. Compars Herrmann Road In Vienna 4. Billy McComb Auction - Only 1 Day To Go! 5. Australian Tour Group to FISM 2009 6. Remarkable Magic #63 - Nick Lewin 7. At the Venue: A Simple Check List - #85 - Kyle Peron 8. Entertaining On The Ocean #36 - Paul Romhany 9. Broken Wand - Geoff Latta 10. British Ring Convention News 11. The Deception Of A Magician Review By Joel Moskowitz 12. 2008 Southeastern Association Of Magicians Convention 13. Magician Brouman In China 14. America's Got (No Magic) Talent 15. James Galea's 'Urban Magic' Available Now On iTunes 16. Awarded Best Magic Show 2008 17. Motor City Convention, Taylor, MI 18. Wonderground! 19. Did Roger Klause Ever Lecture On Linking Pins? 20. Disillusioned: Confessions Of A Serial Magician 21. 29th New Zealand International Magicians Convention 2008 22. e-zine Archives 23. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Bill Bowers e-mail link to excellent article on Web-Posted on the late Roger W. Klause. Go to: http://www.amarillo.com/stories/083108/obi_obit8.shtml Borger - Roger W. Klause, 70, died Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Bible Baptist Church with the Rev. Leonard Forsythe, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Westlawn Memorial Park by Minton-Chatwell Funeral Directors. Roger, beloved husband of Borger City Manager Wanda Klause, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, teacher and world-class entertainer, died Saturday after a long bout with cancer....... Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. Walter Zaney Blaney Tribute At TAOM 2008 -------------------------------------------- Message from Walter Zaney Blaney Dear friends, I have so many to thank for my special night appearance at TAOM 2008 in Austin, Texas for making me the honoree to commemorate my 80th birthday, and my 60 years in professional show business as a magician. It's been quite a ride, and I am a happy camper to have made so many good friends along the way. I thank Tony Brook of Portugal who worked long and hard to produce and host the hour long "talk show format" on Saturday night. My daughters Becky and Carol were there to make it special, along with daughter Shannon on screen in a cute video clip. I got to have Frances Willard as my "floatee" in my Ladder Levitation. It was great of David Copperfield to call and chat with me and the audience a few minutes on the show. Newly elected SAM International president Bruce Kalver had prepared a funny tribute for the big screen; Ralph MarcoM with some humorous anecdotes; Chuck Lehr presenting a few plaques; close friend Scott Wells made the presentations of various magic societies from around the world; Cherie Kay for assisting in my Great Escape Illusion. And thanks to my good friends Davis Hira and TAOM president Randy Keck for inviting me to appear. They produced a very successful TAOM convention which was enjoyed by all. To one who has had such a long and happy career in his chosen profession, It is I who am honored most of all by your friendship. Cheers from Texas, Walter Walter Zaney Blaney -------------------------------------------- 3. Compars Herrmann Road In Vienna -------------------------------------------- Message from Magic Christian The Vienna government has named a street after Compars Herrmann finally. We will arrange a little celebration. In Vienna there are now four streets names after famous magicians The Döblergasse  - Döbler Lane Hofzinsergasse  - Hofzinser Lane Kratky Baschik Weg  - Kratky Baschik Road (foot passage) Compars Herrmann Weg  - Compars Herrmann Road (foot passage) -------------------------------------------- 4. Billy McComb Auction - Only 1 Day To Go! -------------------------------------------- Message from Annabel Gray (US) The Billy McComb Legacy Auction, Sunday September 7 To be held at The Magic Castle, Inner Circle Registration: 8:00 a.m. PST Auction Start: 9:30 a.m. PST Previews: (At the Magic Castle, Inner Circle) Saturday, September 6 1:00 - 3:00 pm 6:00 - 8:00 pm Here are the final updates for the Billy McComb Auction Event at the Magic Castle this Sunday, September 7. Exciting News! At this late stage two more lots have been added that include one of two known Chung Ling Soo original hairpieces that Billy had in his possession, and 25 Soo five pound note props that would flood the stage during Soo's "Dream of Wealth" illusion. The live auction at the Magic Castle will also be available for live online bidding. Further details of these and all other lots can be found on the live auction catalog which is now online at: LiveAuctioneers: http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/16790 Ebay: http://www.liveauctions.ebay.com/catalogs/26238?from=R11 I am happy to report that terrific photos have been uploaded to the live auction site. Additional details have also been added to all large 'group' lots. Anyone who is planning to attend the live auction at The Magic Castle is urged to pre-register by fax. The registration forms can be found at www.themccomblegacy.com and faxed to 323-650-5908. This will be a great help on Sunday morning and also give you more time to preview before the auction starts at 9:30 a.m. All pre-registered participants will be swiftly escorted into the Inner Circle where the auction will be held. Absentee bids forms can also be found at www.themccomblegacy.com and any absentee bids should also be faxed to 323-650-5908 as soon as possible. The Magic Castle famous chili and hot dogs can be ordered in the Auction Room, the bar will also be open and coffee and water will be on hand. If you plan to stay at The Magic Castle Hotel, please mention you are in town for the auction and a special rate will apply. Please direct any questions to annabelgray@dslextreme.com or legacyauction@dslextreme.com. -------------------------------------------- 5. Australian Tour Group to FISM 2009 -------------------------------------------- Message from Tim Ellis & Sue-Anne Webster (Aust) We've just met with the President of FISM 2009 and it looks like Beijing is going to deliver an absolutely amazing event. Any Australians who would like to go to FISM next year, and travel as a group to get great airfares, advance hotel bookings, airport transfers and pre-registration, please email us at tim@magicunlimited.com for full details. After investigating a LOT of different airline options, it looks like we'll be flying 'Airline of the Year 2008' Singapore Airlines and this is our itinerary: * Friday July 24th you'll depart from your own capital city (Auckland 1.10am, Sydney 8.05am, Brisbane 10.05am, Melbourne 10.15am) and meet up in Singapore and take the 4.55pm flight to Beijing, arriving in Beijing on July 24th at 11pm. After customs we are escorted to our FISM Hotel by an official FISM tour guide and receiving our FISM registration packs as we check in to the hotel. * Saturday July 25th is free for sightseeing and shopping. (We may offer some tours you can prebook from Australia if interest is there). * Sunday July 26th FISM begins in the morning with an Opening Ceremony and Show highlighting Chinese Artists and a Grand Welcome Banquet featuring Chinese music, dance and acrobatics. * Monday July 27th is a day filled with competitions, lectures, and a Stage Gala Show. * Tuesday July 28th is more competitions, lectures and a Close Up Gala Show. * Wednesday July 29th and there are more lectures (ten all up), competitions and a second Stage Gala Show. * Thursday July 30th is the last of the competition (100 stage acts and 50 close up acts) followed by a seated Banquet in the evening with even more entertainment. * Friday July 31st is the final day and features the Stage and Close Up finalists, a Stage Gala Show and the Awarding of the Prizes. * Saturday August 1 is a day set aside for shopping and sightseeing. * Sunday August 2 is your last chance to shop before we take a 4pm flight out of Beijing. * Monday August 3 we arrive back in Australia around 8 in the morning. Flights should cost around $1750 Australian. Hotels will be priced from $70 a night for a three star apartment style hotel 15 minutes walk from the venue, to $150 a night for the four star Grand Hotel on site at the Convention Centre, to $220 a night for the top of the range five star luxury hotel. Prices will be released in October and we will be booking immediately Please contact us ASAP if you'd like to join us on this amazing tour  - and make sure you go HERE www.fism2009.org and register for the FISM Convention immediately! Oh, and you don't have to be a magician to take this magical tour, if you have friends of family who'd like to join you to explore China, see the Olympic sights, and enjoy a week of world class magic shows, they are just as welcome to join our group! -------------------------------------------- 6. Remarkable Magic #63 - Nick Lewin -------------------------------------------- Message from Nick Lewin (US) The one of a kind magic of Fielding West. I can't remember quite when I first met Fielding but it seems like a couple of lifetimes ago! I got a call from Ron Wilson that there was a very funny magician playing the Castle and I should check him out, as I would really enjoy his show. I did and I did. The first time I met Fielding was in Lake Tahoe a couple of years later. I was appearing in a review at Harrah's and Fielding was playing at the Casino across the street (Harvey's, I believe) in another review. It was a showroom such as I'd never seen before in that it was an open working space located right behind the bar. I took one look at the performing area and decided it was one of the toughest I'd ever seen. Fielding performed his show with an enthusiasm and vigor that kept every bit of focus on him in spite of the various distractions. It was impressive. I have seen Fielding work many times since and he has never lost those endearing qualities. He can always win over an audience instantly with his charm and good-natured humor. However what you don't always spot at first glance is how well thought out and executed his magic is. The other secret to Fielding's success is the way he always adds originality to the mix when he devises his routines. Whether he is battling an unseen tiger, avoiding bricks from a ceiling he has apparently destroyed or changing magically exchanging clothing instead of places with his assistant; chances are that if you see Fielding doing it you won't see anyone else doing it. His visual comedy and magical sight gags are always original and 'off the wall.' Like all my favorite comedy magicians Fielding West also includes some really first-rate magic into his comedy mix. You won't find anything sloppy in his show or in his thinking. Recently Fielding has joined the list of pros that are sharing their knowledge with the magic world by lecturing and via DVDs. There is much to learn by studying his techniques. I recently watched a video where he shared his handling of the torn and restored newspaper (OK the Enquirer!) and was impressed not only with his attention to detail but in particular with the way he set up the reason for having a newspaper in the first place. Quietly he placed the entire effect into a naturalistic setting by the way he introduced the newspaper in the first place, much as Robert Harbin did in his classic handling of the trick, of course being Fielding the set up was funny as well as being logical. I recently watched Fielding's latest DVD; 'How to be the life and soul of the party' and it was great. There is no chance of being accused of unfair advertising here. It contains a very cool collection of tricks, gags, stunts, and bits that arm a performer to be able to entertain and amuse at a moments notice. There are hundreds of DVDs that just teach tricks but just doing a 4 ace routine certainly won't make you the 'L & S' of the party; in fact some of them might speed up the demise of the occasion. Here is a collection of items that are fast, fun and will leave the party guests aware they have been in the presence of a true entertainer. Check out this video because it is stunts and bits like this that result in bookings! Fielding works non-stop and is one of the most commercial performers on the scene. Next time you have a chance to watch him perform take the chance to look under the surface of the laughs and analyze the thought and attention to detail that is the heart and soul of his work. As always send any bricks or bouquets to nicklewin1@mac.com and check out my website at http://www.NickLewin.com -------------------------------------------- 7. Learn From Every Performance - #85 - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message from Kyle Peron (US) magic4u02@aol.com http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com Do you ever stop learning? I mean as a magician, do you work towards getting to a certain level that you no longer have to learn or learn as much? It is an interesting question and one in which carries with it differences of opinion. I feel we as magicians work and strive hard at first to learn everything we can to reach a certain level or to achieve a certain outcome. An act has to be developed and learned. A new kid show routine has to be learned and created. But once you create it and have it down, does the learning die off or stop? I seem to think in many ways that it does. I feel as magicians we strive to learn to achieve or to get somewhere but once we get there, we think we are finished. I feel personally that this is a bad flaw for many of us. I feel as a professional one should never stop learning. The learning process should continue long after you feel you have achieved a goal. The best way for me to continue to learn is in the one area many folks overlook.... the performance itself. I think a lot of us develop a show and once that show is formed, that is the show we do. We perform it, get paid and move on. But the show itself can be the best learning tool you have. Instead of performing the show and forgetting about it, make it a habit to learn from every outing. Learn to take a few moments in your car after a gig to allow yourself to write down and record notes about the event. What went right, what went wrong, what unexpectedly happened that was really funny. Record these as it helps you to evolve the act and the show and constantly improve it. Every show I do I go through this process. I find ways in which to talk about the performance and write down key things. I want to know what I performed (the routines). I want to know what went over very well and define why I feel it did. I want to know what I feel went wrong or did not play and try and decipher possibilities as to why? I mark down areas in which I need to slow down or allow the audience to applaud. I also key in on those funny and great moments that unexpectedly happen that just really go over great. These I make a habit of always recording. I then go home and try and find a way to make that happen in every performance then on. This is how we continue to learn and evolve. I will share with you one really great tool that has been so beneficial to me in keep track of these notes after performances. Certainly you may use a paper or journal or whatever system works best for you. However, in some cases I just do not have paper around me to record the thoughts I want to record. In this case I use my cell phone and a free service called www.jott.com. Jott.com is a great free service on the web that allows you to set up an account. When you do so, you can call the Jott number and send a message to anyone you like including yourself. The beauty in it is that it will take whatever you say and convert that into a text format and send it to your email. When you get home, you will have an email waiting of whatever you stated. It will also keep your voice message as well so you can save that also. This is a wonderful free and powerful tool I use to record my thoughts after performances. So always make sure that the performances you do are not just performances but a golden opportunity to continue to learn and grow in the magical arts. 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. - "Encore! Creativity in the Art of Magic" Ebook. Order online now at: http://www.magicenhancer.com/Encore.html - "Tips and Techniques on the Chair Suspension" Ebook. Order online now at: http://www.magicenhancer.com/ChairSuspension.html -------------------------------------------- 8. Entertaining On The Ocean #36 - Paul Romhany -------------------------------------------- Message from Paul Romhany (NZ) Here is the second part of my interview with TC Tahoe. I plan on doing some more interviews for the ezine so stay tuned. I have also started to book one or two magic conventions next year - working on fine details but want to start trying to attend conventions around the world. In the past I get three or four offers a year to work conventions but due my hectic performance schedule I've always turned them down. We are being more selective on ships we work on now so am happy to look at bringing my Chaplin Show and lecture to various conventions. Be sure to check out this week's BLOG for the latest reviews of magic tricks on the market. BLOG: http://romhanyreport.blogspot.com and now ... over to the interview. Paul - Is your show tightly scripted? TC - I work with a script, mostly. I script out the show/act, even a lot of the ad-libs, to a degree. To what degree depends on the type of show I am doing. I do not believe in 'locking' myself into script. My act depends so much on the audience's energy, their reaction (sometimes their lack of these things). Each show is and should be very personal. I want the audience to feel a part of something special, something that doesn't happen all the time. If you know exactly how each and every member of your audience is going to respond, every time, you are either doing something very wrong, or very right. You need to be flexible, so that you can respond to the way they respond. Especially in mentalism. Sure you want to come across like you know what you're doing, but you are dealing with forces of nature that nobody really understands, some things are bound to 'get away from' or 'surprise' you. Sometimes when I use humor in my mentalism, or bizarre shows, I am almost apologetic about it. Again, I like to stress, subtly, to the audience that this is fun/surprising for me also. Yes, humor in mentalism can be a very good thing, just understand why you are using it. Paul - I know you have worked pretty much all types of venues and gigs. Any tips for magicians wanting to get in to the restaurant scene? TC - I don't know if there are necessarily any Golden Rules that apply to all restaurants. Things I do when working restaurants. Always share your tips with the waiters. You want these people on your side. They don't just have the ear of the customers, but also the management. Do not stay at the Tables too long. I like to do a couple of fast passed effects and leave. Right before I leave I say something like "Remember I will be here all night.so if you want to see more tell your waiter, or throw something at me and I would be happy to come back." Leave them wanting more and they will ask you to come back. It looks good when you are talking to the manager and one or even two of the waiters comes over and says, "Table so and so wants you to come back". Depending on the type of restaurant, I sometimes involve separate tables with each other. Just simple, fun stuff, but it starts to create more of a party atmosphere. The most important thing to remember is that you are an Ambassador for the restaurant. You are there to make sure that they want to come back. Also, don't forget that table-hopping is a wonderful way to build up a mailing list. More important than handing out your business cards, get theirs! Paul - what sparks your creativity? Any ideas on how a magician might go about creating something 'new' and different for their act? TC - Music is a big inspiration to me. Sometime just a line or phrase in a song will set the wheels Turning. Sometimes it's a "hit ya right in the face" idea. I was working on a salt pour and listening to an oldies station when the song Sugar Sugar by the Archie's came on. I looked at the salt in my pouring out of my hand and realized the only reason they [the audience] knows this is salt is because magicians tell them or start with a saltshaker. What if I start with a sugar packet? Now my salt pour has taken on a life of its own because of a cartoon band from the sixties. I get inspired by all kinds of different things. I think one thing magicians need to do is get away from looking to magic for inspiration. Look to other art forms, look to nature. Inspiration is all around us, we just need to open ourselves up to it. Wow, I sounded very zen-like there.ok, if you can snatch this people from my hand.you will find inspiration.. Paul Romhany paul@chaplinmagic.com www.paulromhany.com www.chaplinmagic.com BLOG - http://romhanyreport.blogspot.com -------------------------------------------- 9. Broken Wand - Geoff Latta -------------------------------------------- Message from Peter Samelson & Hal Meyers We are very sad to report to the world wide magic community that on August 19, 2008 Geoffrey K. Latta passed away at the very young age of 51. Serious sleight of hand aficionados knew of Geoff's remarkable work with coins and cards. Geoff had a touch, where every move was mechanically perfect and seemed without effort. On Geoff, every knuckle busting sleight seemed to have come without work, practice or rehearsal. Not true. Geoff was relentless. He would work and rework a routine, tearing apart the construction and the handlings, looking for the transitions and tempos that would make it as natural and powerful as possible. And then he would perform it. Not in the pressure of paid gigs, but for friends, select magicos and in bars. Never in a "here, let me show you how great I am" way but soft and almost reticent. He was at once self-deprecating and supremely confident of his greatness. However, Geoff was so much more than a "magician". He was passionate about any subject he embraced, whether it be magic, film, art . not many people in the Magic community know that Geoff was an artist. Geoff had the same commitment to mastering design on the Mac that he did in mastering magic. Geoff created beautiful layouts, he was a type face fanatic, he had a superb eye for design, and he experimented in 3D. Geoff was constantly working with new/cutting edge programs and of course was able to combine his passion of magic with digital imagery. He had drawn the cover for Peter Samelson's book, "Theatrical Close-Up," and created several images for Peter, including the promotional images he still uses. Geoff was forever designing pictures with cups and balls, cards, coins, close-up pads, with such detail that it was staggering to behold; images that (at that time) would take an entire weekend or longer to come to life on the computer screen, only to have Geoff spot some tiny flaw that only he could see, and that only he could fix and re-render for another three or more days. I don't remember having ever seen a final version. I am sure Geoff will be remembered for his magical brilliance and he will live on in the few books and DVD's that were fortunate enough to capture a rare appearance, and with Stephen Minch's upcoming book on Geoff's creations he will receive a more prominent recognition beyond the inner circle. Yes, his legacy will live on, not only through his magical creations, but his greatest miracle to date, his daughter Vivica whom he loved more than magic. -------------------------------------------- 10. British Ring Convention News -------------------------------------------- Message from Bob Hayden PRO to the British Ring At noon, three weeks time from now will herald the start of the British Ring's 72nd Convention. And what a Convention it is going to be! If it were possible to solicit an opinion of this year's Convention from those 92 pioneering magicians who gathered at Charlton Kings Cheltenham in1931 inaugurating the First British Ring Convention we would predict it to be one word.. unbelievable! Since reporting last week that the International President Joan Caesar and her husband George were to be our guests, we now learn that the President of FISM Eric Eswin will also be attending. Eric's presence gives a great boost to the prestige of the British Ring and in particular it's Convention and indicates the esteem it is held in the world. In addition the Organising Committee of next year's FISM in Beijing are sending two representatives Zou Yuhua and Ma Jie. We suspect they are coming to hear the vocal talents of John Styles leading the singing in the musical interlude at the Banquet. We are always pleased to welcome back the large contingent of Dutch magicians who regularly join us in Eastbourne. Many ex-pat magicians from other European counties are returning for this year's Convention and bringing fellow magicians from their adopted country with them. From further afield Allan Sullivan, Steve Walker and Co makes the journey from Australia and it will be good to have The Great Notso (Bill Seagraves) and Marlene from New Zealand back to these shores for a visit. Important Announcements. The Registration Desk will be situated in the foyer of the Congress Theatre and not in the foyer of the Winter Garden as in previous years and as stated on your Registration receipt, the change being made after the receipts were printed. So go to the Congress Theatre foyer after 10.30am on Wednesday 24th September to pick up your registration pack, and then with your Registration Badge displayed you can be in the Theatre for the Opening Ceremony and Show at noon and later move to the Floral Hall for the lectures via the Congress Suite or Winter Gardens entrance. There will be members of the Security team on duty at both entrances. When you study the convention programme you will notice that this year none of the lectures are being repeated but in certain instances the timing of lectures coincide. It is the view of Paul Stone, Executive Convention Director that it is better to have more lectures and offer a choice than have fewer lectures and hope everyone will like them. Having to make a choice only happens once each day. On Wednesday you can go to Oscar Munoz's lecture 'It's all about the Entertainment' that starts at 15.00 hours in the Congress Suite or Nick Einhorn's 'Very Practical Stuff You Probably Want To Do' at 15.30 hours in the Floral Hall. Thursday morning you have Bill Herz's lecture 'The Business of Magic' with the emphasis being on Corporate Magic at 11.00 hours followed by at 12.00 hours with a workshop 'Magic in the Corporate World' by Bill Herz, Michael Weber and Jeff Hobson in the Congress Theatre. It is expected that those of you who are Children's Entertainers will be more interested to hear Mike Bent lecturing on Children's Magic at 11.45 hours in the Floral Hall. We know for certain where the Conventioneers will be going in Friday's clash. The Finger Flickers will be heading en masse to the Floral Hall to listen to Derek DelGaudio and Jason England conduct a lecture/workshop in a 'Hard Core Card Session' while the remainder make for the Congress Theatre to learn from illusionists Kalin & Jinger. Both sessions are at 16.30 hours. As happens every year Convention Saturday afternoon you have to decide whether to learn a little more about 'The History of Mystery' at Eddie Dawes Collector's Seminar or gain knowledge from a Star Lecturer. This year in particular you may have difficulty in choosing since the lecturer is Juan Tamariz. He starts at 14.00 hours in the Floral Hall to be followed by Guy Hollingworth at 16.00 hours. The seminar is at 15.00 hours in the Gold Room. There is another alternative. If neither of the options takes your fancy, you can always pay a visit to the Dealers Exhibition Hall where throughout the day the Dealers will be giving demonstrations of the latest miracles they have to offer. For your information the subject matter of the other lectures are Levent - 'Stage Magic Manipulation' Michael Finney - 'Secrets of a Professional Comedy Magician' Jeff Hobson - Egg Bag Workshop. Those who have seen Jeff's presentation of this classic effect rate it as one of the finest ever given. If you feature the Egg Bag in your act it would be advisable to have your egg bag with you. Geoffrey Durham - 'Finding the Magic Ingredient'. Exploring the techniques, which raise magic from one of someone showing off some tricks to a performing skill. This is a lecture that Geoffrey has prepared for this Convention. Gene Anderson - 'The Part-time Pro's Personal Favourites'. Expect magic with newspaper. We have already given you details of Friday night's special Midnight audience with Juan Tamariz in the Jevington Room of the Lansdowne Hotel. At the same hour in the adjoining Alfriston Room of the Hotel Paul Wilson will be holding a special session. This event has to be limited to 40 people and if you want to attend tickets at £10 each will be available from the registration from 10.00am Thursday morning onwards. Paul Wilson is a world renowned expert on cons, scams and cheating methods, as well as one of the finest sleight-of-hand experts. As a con man Paul is unique having pulled more scams on real people than anyone in history  - without taking a penny from his victims. Unlike professional thieves and swindlers, Paul cheats people to expose scams and protect the public. He is the star of the BBC show 'The Real Hustle' with "partners in crime", Alexis Conran and Jessica Jane Clement. Our Registration Officer Neville Johnson is finding that he has to spend so much time each day processing your registration applications that he has had to abandon watching his passion for cricket on television. Even if England's success in the One Day series against South Africa persists you must not take pity on Neville by stopping sending your registrations in. We don't want him getting square eyes! Neville can be contacted by phone on 01202 873234 or by e.mail at nevillejohnson25@aol.com There is also the facility to register on line by going to the Payments Page on this website. Contact our PRO Bob Hayden on 023 8032 0277 or by e-mail at bobring25@aol.com if you have any queries or want further information. -------------------------------------------- 11. The Deception Of A Magician Review By Joel Moskowitz -------------------------------------------- Message from Review by Joel A. Moskowitz M.D It has been but only eight years since the magician who is attributed with having given a face lift to magic; stimulating renewed interest in conjuring and whose fame soured to heights exceeding prior levitations, vanished. The name Doug Henning is seldom mentioned these days. What happened? This Canadian illusionist rejected the stereotype of the top hatted tuxedo wearing mystifier. His hair was long, smile effervescent, clothes casual and flamboyant and he flitted about the stage like a butterfly creating wonder and receiving awards. Martin Gardner science genius and enthusiastic magic hobbyist addresses the self deception and ultimate disappearance of Henning in a chapter of his "Weird Water and Fuzzy Logic" 260pp published by Prometheus Books, Amherst, New York. Among extraordinary subjects e.g. Eyeless Vision and God and Klingon and other Artificial Languages, sixteen essays originally published in Skeptical Inquirer, is "Doug Henning and the Giggling Guru". Gardner while listing Henning's triumphs e.g. a magic show which ran on Broadway for four years, and numerous television spectaculars and multiple other appearances writes, "Then something happened to Doug on his way to a magic shop. He discovered TM (Transcendental Meditation) and became a pal of the founder". By repeating the 'mantra' and forking over thousands of dollars, TM promises that you will develop the ability to become invisible, see hidden things, to walk through walls, and fly through the air. Real magic - not stage stuff. Henning swallowed this. He is said to have asserted: 'thinking so' - would allow you to 'levitate'. You, having achieved a high state of consciousness, would be able to become invisible because your body "just stops reflecting light." Henning was so imbued with the potential of TM that he abandoned his career, sold his effects to David Copperfield and others. He planned a center where the marvels would be demonstrated. This billion dollar extravaganza would utilize extreme technology to astound visitors. He intended to include many of his magic illusion secrets. The paradox of his belief that Transcendental Meditation was valid yet his willingness to present trickery in the service of advertising TM is notable. No source, that this reviewer has consulted, implies that Henning was a charlatan. He was a believer. Sadly the health benefits attributed to TM didn't work for him - he died at age 52, in 2000 of liver cancer. This may be a testimony to the mystery of self deception. It is generally thought that the hyper-educated such as university professors are prone to be deceived. How is it that a master of deception, such as Doug Henning, fell prey to the false promise of TM? Martin Gardner is a lucid author whose topics describe world-wide irrationality. He provides the antidote: informed writing. This book is highly recommended for thinking magicians and other life forms. -------------------------------------------- 12. 2008 Southeastern Association Of Magicians Convention -------------------------------------------- Message from Scott Alcalay (US) SEAM Convention in Atlanta was a huge success. Hard to believe that with about 400 participants all the events went exactly on time. With 10 lectures, Extra sold out Workshops by Max Maven, Stage and Close Up Competitions, an evening with Jonathan Levit & Celebracadabra, and an incredible talent line up of the Gala Show, this was one of the best conventions I have ever attended. The Gala show was flawlessly MC'd by Ken Scott who was also the organizer of the convention. Performing in the Gala Show were: Tony Chapek with his wonderful TV interaction act, Harry Anderson's presentation of the "Lifetime Achievement Award" to Ricky Boone which was hilarious, David Acer and David Kaye, aka Silly Billy, presented the funniest card trick ever, Max Maven received a very strong reaction for his routine that was tight, funny, and had a great climax, Amos Levkovitch closed the show and received a Standing Ovation for his one of a kind Dove Act, ending with the "vanished" doves flying to his hands from the back of the audience. What a way to end an incredible convention. -------------------------------------------- 13. Magician Brouman In China -------------------------------------------- Message from Eric Brouman Entertainer Eric Brouman aids in China earthquake disaster. Chongqing, China  - (September 1, 2008).  - Magician and comedian Eric Brouman left Sunday May 18, 2008 for China to help in the relief of the massive earthquake. Eric has donated hundreds of hours and performance time to the many families and victims devastated by this tragedy. Brouman also helped in building new shelters for families, re-build fallen schools, and donated his own money for food and clothing to many families. Eric visited Beijing, Chongqing, Xinhua, Mianyang and the surrounding areas hit by the disaster. In Chongqing China, a town of approx. 32 million people, they have never seen magic in person and very few never have seen it on television. His shows became an overnight success, and over two months later he is still in China performing. Brouman's visa was to expire July 18, and things were looking difficult to renew. Eric signed with one of the largest entertainment agents in Asia, and was able to renew his visa a few days later. Eric performed at the 2008 Beijing Olympic opening ceremony. His performance was for just over 1,500 people, which began at 12-midnight as the torch was lit on live television. Eric and ten dancers appeared through the smoke and were holding a torch of fire, resembling the Olympic torch that was just shown on television. This private performance was for the Beijing Expatriate community, dignitaries from the Chinese and US consulates and government offices and other local benefactors. Brouman just finished negotiations for a two month contract at an entertainment venue called The Times Club, located in Chongqing China. Eric's award winning performance opens on September 3, seven nights a week in the lavish Vegas style 2,000 seat theatre. Eric also met with CCTV Chinese Television and will be filming a series of hidden camera shows, street magic and his show at the Times Club Theater. This program will air daily across most of Asia soon. Brouman is well-known to his corporate clients and to his television audiences. He performs over 300 shows each year including performances for Disney, Sony, Microsoft, IBM, Philip Morris, Nestle and Ford; just to name a few. He has performed three world tours and worked with such notables as Jerry Seinfeld, Gloria Estefan, Rosie O'Donnell, Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, Barry Manilow, Ellen Degeneres, and Howard Stern. In addition to his NBC specials that frequently air, he has a few local fundraisers scheduled in Miami and Cleveland, and is scheduled to leave for a cruise when he returns from China . When he is not performing, he also volunteering his time to "Project Magic", a nationwide hospital program that helps patients regain their dexterity through slight of hand magic. "Who says magicians never reveal their secrets"? For print and television interviews or magic lectures please contact: Stephan Rich at 1-888-BROUMAN, (216) 324-4634 cell or China: 00-86-13668074855. Email: Stephan@ericbrouman.com Visit www.ericbrouman.com for videos and photos. -------------------------------------------- 14. America's Got (No Magic) Talent -------------------------------------------- Message from Dan Stapleton Actually we here in the USA have much talent as evident from its magic history past and present. But you would never guess it by watching the wildly popular television show America's Got Talent. Unfortunately, there are no more magicians to display as the last of the bunch was "let go" last night. Only a few weeks ago there were three magicians (OK....two and a geek) left. The sneaky thing was that with all nearly 100 acts that made it through to the second round in as Vegas, after they arrived, 1/3 of them were told to "go home"!?!? And to throw it in their faces, were told to "leave the theatre now"! Imagine the excitement to learn that you made it to the next round, then abruptly told to leave after you arrive to the destination (Las Vegas) expecting to show your second act! What a stab in the back! This was done, apparently, because too many acts were sent to the second round to begin with. First of the last three to go was George The Giant who performed an upside down straight jacket escape while little children hit on him with baseball bats thinking he was a large pinata. Personally I thought the idea was hysterically funny but the timing was all wrong. So...XXXed he went. Next to go was Shimshi, who performed in his first round, a wonderful cutting in thirds illusion. Unfortunately, for this round, he chose to do a great (appreciated) trick for magicians but fell flat from the judges perspective. He did a body-flip catching a preselected jumbo card in the air (card sword/shoe). This would have been a great stunt during a longer show but to go from a nice illusion to, as the judges put it, a "card trick"...didn't work. Very impressive though I thought. Finally, Bruce Block performed an appearing horse illusion (formerly owned and performed by Lance Burton). Like George the Giant, it probably looked very funny on paper but didn't come across as high competition for the other acts on the tube. Some of the magic blogs ask why Bruce was on at all? After working with Bruce on a few cruise ships, I can attest to his entertainment value. He has a lot of material, most of it original. He's one of the funniest guys I know. Two months before his AGT appearance we spoke about what he would be doing as each "level" passes. He spent thousands of dollars on his final AGT stint and wanted to do something spectacular. And all those "small people" who helped him??? To Bruce and my astonishment, one of the judges said, "Bruce...you did the oldest trick in the book"! Did Mr. Morgan actually read Steinmeyer's book? I doubt it. Another mystery: AGT never showed the second round. This was Bruces third round, and others I suspect. His second round was doing a hilarious straightjacket escape. Ok, perhaps because George The Giant did one also but what about all the others whose "round two" vanished? What happened to The Pendragons? Yes, I know they did the "pole" levitation and did not make it to the next level....but no explanation!?!? Two other great magicians didn't even make it to the second level, Joseph Gabriel and (my favorite female magician) Sheri Lucas. AGT never even showed their act at all, and we know how good they are. So...go figure. Some good magic acts not appreciated. I'll even bet Cardini himself wouldn't make it in the auditions. Sad isn't it? In the July issue of MAGIC three of us who appeared on this season of AGT explained much of the "behind the scenes" working of the show and how the editing can display one in any light they wish. With all the magic talent out there it's pretty clear that the producers don't care much for magic. I'm not making excuses for any of our shortcomings from doing the show. I think nearly all magicians who have performed on the show over the last three years can all give similar stories. Both Bruce and myself got a few nice gigs out of it in the end, as did some other non magic acts. I am actually looking forward to next year to see what becomes of "our family" members. And is it my imagination that when reading the credits at the shows end, it states that the $1,000,000 prize is to be distributed over 20 years? America's Got Taken! -------------------------------------------- 15. James Galea's 'Urban Magic' Available Now On iTunes -------------------------------------------- Message from Christopher Pratt (Aust) James Galea's television series filmed for the Nine Network Australia has finally been released through iTunes (Australia) and is available now. The series titled 'URBAN MAGIC' follows the 25 year old magician around the streets of Australia and features both hidden camera magic as well as some never before seen magic on television. (Episode 1 and 2 seem to be the best of the series) Some previews of the show can be seen here http://youtube.com/watch?v=fFeny92Hboo&feature=related and http://youtube.com/watch?v=KvGZY95l5kk (In order for international subscribers to download the show on iTunes, they will need to change their country to 'Australia' to do so) -------------------------------------------- 16. Awarded Best Magic Show 2008 -------------------------------------------- Message from Jeff McBride (US) "It's one of the most stunning and incredible illusions you can imagine. Acclaimed magician Jeff McBride rolls up his sleeves to his shoulders to prove there is absolutely nothing there at all. Then hundreds of playing cards individually appear from his fingertips, pour from his mouth and race from his arms and elbows. He then flicks them at Guinness Book of World Records speed so fast they actually bounce off the floor and land perfectly in a pile 30 feet away. It's not just mind-boggling --  it's mind-numbing." -- Robin Leach on Magic at the Edge Greetings friends, All is well in Las Vegas. McBride Magic at the Edge is up and running. The dream has become a reality. After 21 years of performing in other people's shows, we finally have opened our own room. Please join us for the fun and magical adventure! (details below) The press night of the show we had 2 standing ovations...I guess the show is a big hit! People are asking me about our show schedule... We have shows each night at 7:30pm, and if you come Friday and Saturday, just stay on for our after-party at the Wonderground. Awarded Best Magic Show 2008 This Wednesday we had a pre-show awards ceremony. Our friend Tony Hassini presented our show with the award. I would also like to thank all the Mystery School magicians and local magicians who are showing up to contribute to the magical extravaganza that is the Wonderground. Yours in magic, Jeff McBride: Magic at the Edge August 21 through Thanksgiving Nightly at 7:30pm (except Tuesdays) Sound Trax Showroom at Palace Station For tickets, call (702) 221-6756 or visit http://www.palacestation.com/entertainment/trax/ Wonderground: A Magical Club Experience Every Friday and Saturday, 10pm until 2am Sound Trax Showroom at Palace Station Visit http://www.VegasWonderground.com for more information -------------------------------------------- 17. Motor City Convention, Taylor, MI -------------------------------------------- Message from John Luka The 12th annual Motor City Close-Up Convention features Kozmo, John Guastaferro, Eric Jones, and Geoff Williams. Plus a special guest performance by Brad Lancaster. This year the guest of honor is Karl Norman. Events include four lectures, two optional workshops and three close-up shows. The convention takes place at the Ramada Inn of Taylor, 20777 Eureka Road, Taylor, Michigan, four miles east of the Detroit Metropolitan Airport at I-75 and Eureka Road. Phone 734-283-2200 for hotel information and room reservations. There is a special room rate for the convention reservations made by October 15th. Mention John Luka Magic. Further details can be found at www.johnlukamagic.com. November 14-16, 2008 -------------------------------------------- 18. Wonderground! -------------------------------------------- Message from Jeff McBride Greetings Friends, Lance Burton, Criss Angel, Johnny Thompson, Eugene Burger, Chris Kenner, Jason England, and many other top magic names attended the Magic At The Edge show, and Wonderground last weekend! Anyone who was with us last week witnessed amazing card manipulation by Spanish National Champion Eduardo, the high weirdness of Zamora The Torture King, the surreal magic of Jordan Wright and many others! Every Week We Will Present New Talent And International Stars Of Magic And Variety! Comedy magic, Stage magic, Close-up, Street/ Strolling Magic, Variety, Art, Sculpture, Film and Video, Dance, Performance Art For all info go to http://www.vegaswonderground.com/ Just look at the amazing line up we have for you this weekend my friends! Jeff McBride - Presenting New Parlor Magic creations Chris Randall - performing his competition stage act Nancy Roth: The Psychic Ventriloquist The Dyamonds - Las Vegas Lounge Magic Scott Hitchcock - International Stand Up Magic Paul Draper - Mind-bending Mentalist Don Hahn - Up close- magic creations Midnight Magic - The return of Zamora with an entirely new act! (You've been warned!) Avante guard films and video art by Jordan Wright Many other surprises await you at The Wonderground Street and strolling magic with Tommy Wind, George Millward,, and more! DJ Master Leo Diaz- spins early evening smooth down tempo & ambient chill ...after midnight house and techno mash ups. Dance animation by THE MOJO-A-GO-GO GIRLS Plus: Live Art Installations By Areeya, Katlyn,and other Las Vegas artists Psychic sideshow! by Morganne and Danita Twisted Sculpture by B. A. Lunatic and Roger Godin "Magicians only " private sessioning Table (show your "pass" to get in) Coming up in the next weeks Sept: 13, 14 Jeff's 48 hour Birthday Bash! The New World Rhyhmatism Ensemble - On Sat the 13th Middle Eastern Dance with Joshua Levin and Deborah Nervig and special guests. Sept 19,20th Magic And The Martial Arts! students of martial arts will converge on the Wonderground to mix magic and the skills of the Asian masters! FISM winner in mental magic Aaron Crow, Sensei Strange, Kinetic Shiva, Tom Meseroll the author of: Magus, Master of Martial Magic, Bryce Kuhlman and a possible demonstration by the Chinese Shao-lin Center. Upcoming: Sept/Oct Kubilay Tuncer: TV star and magic celebrity from Istanbul Berk! First Place Winner of the Turkish TV show PHENOMENA with Uri Geller God's Favorite Mind Reader!- Luke Jermay Buster Balloon -Twisted Variety Abraca-drag with Mona Lott Matt Black- The New Card Act! The Wonderground is a co-creation of so many talented artists. It is an honor and a pleasure to share my showroom with all of you! Spread the word... it is happening at Wonderground! See you there! Jeff -------------------------------------------- 19. Did Roger Klause Ever Lecture On Linking Pins? -------------------------------------------- Message from Larry Campbell I would like to know if Roger Klause ever lectured on Linking Pins? Saw him do his routine and it was just wonderful. As I too do linking pins - would love to buy a copy of him doing a lecture on the subject. Or even if someone has lecture notes on his linking pin routine - I would like to buy a copy. Roger was one of the world's best with the pins! One other thing that I'm looking for is a gag item that I use in magic act. It is Misers Dream - it attaches to a wallet and simulates opening a safe. It was put out by A. Freed Novelty Inc. New Your, N.Y. around 1974. I know that there are a few out there - found one at the Magic in the Rockies 3 years ago. Thanks for the help, ZEEZO Larry "ZEEZO" Campbell 16150 Mariner Drive Huntington Beach, Calif. 92649 Email: czeezo@hotmail.com Phone: (562) 592-4127 -------------------------------------------- 20. Disillusioned: Confessions Of A Serial Magician -------------------------------------------- Message from Matt Marcy As you may have heard, for the last several years I've been working on a brand new theatrical magic show. Well, after a half-decade of writing and creating, it's finally ready to debut. Titled Disillusioned: Confessions of a Serial Magician, the show will have its inaugural Los Angeles performances in October. Based on a true story, Disillusioned follows one magician's search for respect in an artform that doesn't get any. Combining magic, comedy, video projection, storytelling, and audience interaction, the show is entirely different than any other theatrical show or magic show ever produced. Instead, it is a hybrid that creates an entirely new type of theatrical experience. Disillusioned will open at [Inside] the Ford at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood for four performances only - October 16-19 - and I'd really appreciate it if you would come out and support this new piece of theater. More information about the show is available on the show's official website at www.disillusionedshow.com. Tickets are now available! To order tickets, Go to: http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?organ_val=1007&event_val=MATT&schedule=list or call (323) 461-3673. -------------------------------------------- 21. 29th New Zealand International Magicians Convention 2008 -------------------------------------------- The 29th New Zealand International Magicians Convention will be held in Auckland, New Zealand from the night of December 27th 2008 to January 1st 2009, 1.00am. The venue will be the Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre in Mount Wellington where we last ran a successful Convention in 2001-2002. Bookings can be made for convention accommodation by contacting: Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre, 58 Waipuna Road, Mt.Wellington, PO Box 14 164, Panmure, Auckland, New Zealand. Phone: +64 9 526 3000 Fax: +64 9 527 1937 Toll Free Reservations (NZ): 0800 924 786. http://www.waipunahotel.co.nz/ We have been able to secure a very attractive room rate of $NZ110 per night (Incl GST) for single or double rooms with registrants being able to book direct with the hotel. *************************** PLEASE NOTE that 89% of the ALLOCATED rooms have already been booked by conventioneers. If you are planning to attend best to book NOW! This convention will be a SELL OUT! *************************** Six Confirmed Headliners John Shryock (USA), Marty and Brenda Hahne (USA), Ross Skiffington (Aust), George Schindler (USA) and Steve Walker (Aust). The official registration form for the convention can be downloaded from: http://www.ibmring160.com/ If you don't have internet web access contact Ross Harlick, Secretary, 91 Panapa Drive, Meadowbank, Auckland 1072, New Zealand Or by: Phone: +64 (09) 521 3327 Fax: +64 (09) 521 3327 -------------------------------------------- 22. 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) -------------------------------------------- 23. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your privacy. You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand® E-zine at www.watson.co.nz/fezine.html. Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday. The opinions expressed therein are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily those of Magic New Zealand®. Neither Magic New Zealand® nor Alan Watson vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand® E-zine. Subscribers to this publication and authors who contribute to it by doing so agree they will not hold Magic New Zealand® or Alan Watson, jointly or individually liable or responsible in any way for the opinions expressed therein. Magic New Zealand® reserves the right to alter, correct or disregard any articles submitted. Readers are encouraged to submit timely articles or news items which may be of interest to subscribers. By submitting articles to this e-zine, the authors grant Magic New Zealand® the right to publish such articles and such authors confirm their copyright of the material submitted. All works published by Magic New Zealand® are protected by international copyright legislation and articles must not be published for profit by anyone other than the individual authors without the written permission of Magic New Zealand®. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this publication may be freely redistributed, but not sold, to other magicians if copied in its entirety, including the copyright notice below and the above disclaimer. © Copyright 2008 Alan Watson