* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Magic New Zealand * Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment * www.Alan-Watson.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Issue Number: #726 Date: Sunday 7th February 2010 Editor: Alan Watson www.magicianz.com e-mail: AW@Alan-Watson.com ================================ Hi here is the latest news ================================ 1. Editor's Message 2. The Innovention Will Honour Hans Moretti 3. JazzMagic talk - Paul Gertner 4. Looking For Information On Okito And Bamberg Family 5. Finished Reading Beating A Dead Horse 6. Learn Your Audience #153 - Kyle Peron 7. Tony Brook In Conversation With Tobias Beckwith - Part 2 8. Broken Wand - Lawrence M. Parsons 9. KIDabra International - 2010 10. Magic Cruise 2010 Announced 11. Magic iPhone Apps at the Lybrary - No iTunes required 12. Quentin Reynolds' Show In Manchester 13. Paul Daniels New Zealand Masterclass 14. Broken Wand - Kent Olsson 15. Book Sale - Martin Gardner's Impromptu. 16. e-zine Archives 17. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice -------------------------------------------- 1. Editor's Message -------------------------------------------- Michele and I are looking forward to attending the 30th New Zealand International Magicians Convention June 5-7 2010 taking place at the Waipuna Conference Centre in Auckland, New Zealand. If you are planning to attend I suggest that you register now as a large contingent of Australians have already registered and registrations are limited to 180. Look forward to catching up with you there! Also there are only 12 places left in the NEW Paul Daniels MasterClass which is on presentation and showmanship. For information refer to item 13. Remember if you have any magic news drop me a line: AW@Alan-Watson.com -------------------------------------------- 2. The Innovention Will Honour Hans Moretti -------------------------------------------- Message by Paul Stone We are very close to releasing details of another major name to appear at The Innovention taking place from 4 -7 October 2010 at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. We are also delighted to announce that The Innovention this year will honour Master Illusionist Hans Moretti. Hans is now suffering from Alzheimers and is being cared for by his son Peter. We are hoping to have Peter and other members of the Moretti family with us in Las Vegas for The Innovention. It is also possible that subject to his health at that time, Hans himself might also be there. Hans & Helga Moretti were without doubt two of the greatest magical performers of all time. -------------------------------------------- 3. JazzMagic talk - Paul Gertner -------------------------------------------- Message by Paul Gertner (US) I can't remember if I sent you this link from my JazzMagic talk at a recent TED Conference that I thought everyone might enjoy. If not here it is. If you already used it in the newsletter thanks. I've been traveling and I might have missed a few issues. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyuzxVdXMTs -------------------------------------------- 4. Looking For Information On Okito And Bamberg Family -------------------------------------------- Message by George Schindler (US) A researcher is looking for information on Okito and Bamberg family. Are you aware of any people still alive who were present at the last performance of Okito at the 1947 SAM convention in Chicago. And if any traces of this performance and/or convention have somehow been preserved. Reply privately if you know anyone who can help? George Schindler - Showbiz10@aol.com -------------------------------------------- 5. Finished Reading Beating A Dead Horse -------------------------------------------- Message by Mike Easterbrook (NZ) I have just finished reading 'Beating a Dead Horse ' The Life and Times of Jay Marshall' by Alexander "Sandy" Marshall. It was a special pleasure for me because I once stayed with Jay for three days at Magic Inc the shop, way back in 1974. Jay and Frances treated me like an old friend although I had not ever met them. It was probably the most memorable time in magic that I have ever had. This book is exceptional. Sandy has written with love, honesty and passion about his dad. As Dick Cavett says on the back cover: "This is one of those rare, thoroughly satisfying books. Even if you didn't know of the wonderful Jay Marshall, it is a delight. For those who only knew his work, they can now know him. For all lucky enough to have met and known Jay, it is a must." Alan, something I had not been prepared for was the surprising photo(s) on page 368! As well as a rather revealing shot there is also a photo of the famous 'Billy McComb door' which led to a room named 'The Jay Marshall Suite'. Just to the left of this white nameplate if you look very closely, you will see that there is a signature which says; 'Mike Easterbrook, the first kiwi to sleep here' Anyone who is the least bit interested in magic should get themselves a copy. I could not put it down. Mike PS: The postage to NZ was $44.00US!! -------------------------------------------- 6. Learn Your Audience #153 - Kyle Peron -------------------------------------------- Message by Kyle Peron (US) magic4u02@aol.com http://www.kyleandkellymagic.com I first want to thank my good friend S Patrick Toman for suggesting this topic and for also sharing with me his own personal story and how he learned from it. I really felt strongly that it is something we all have experienced before and something we can learn from. So thank you my friend for the topic suggestion. I think as a children's and family entertainer, we spend so much of our time making sure we know the technique, staging and presentation aspects of what we do. We work hard because we want our magic to go over well and we want to "wow" our audiences. We work out every little angle and rehearse every line. But do we ever stop to realize that in all this learning, do we take time out to learn our audience? Hmm weird question isn't it? Do we ever take time to learn and study the audience we perform for? So much of what we do is always a one way street. It is always about us and what WE need to do to get folks to like US and OUR show. But the real power is understanding how your audience thinks and how they want to be entertained. You need to learn the psychology involved behind that audience. Psychology is a wonderful thing if you really start to learn it. So many magicians do not give it a second thought. However, there is real power in understanding it, grasping it and utilizing it. There are reasons behind why people do the things they do. There are reasons why they may react a certain way under a certain set condition or situation. As a family entertainer, I spend a lot of time working with and performing around children. I think it is safe to say that many of us have or do on a regular basis. But do we really KNOW this audience. We may think we do, but a lot of focus starts and ends with how to make kids laugh. There is a LOT more to it than that. Have you ever made a child cry? Be honest with yourself. Be very honest. I can admit that I did and I have. But do you know WHY they did or do you shrug it off as just "one of those things"? You really should never shrug it off. If it happened, there is a reason why it happened and in many cases it is a child psychological thing. It gets back to learning your audience. Always train yourself to learn from every experience. If you made a child cry, then take a step back and try and figure out why that may have happened. What did you do that caused it and what can you do differently to change it so it may not happen again. It is an awareness that you need to have and start to develop. In some cases, a magician might use a child to get a laugh and continue to do so during a routine. The wand broke in the kid's hands or the box breaks apart and the card is not the right one inside. As magicians we can certainly use a child for a laugh and can learn to do it properly. However, we must also learn our audience enough to know what age of a child may be best for any routine we do. If a young child may react poorly to an effect, we need to be aware of that and to make part of the routine remembering to select a child of a certain age. It can also mean learning to test your audience by watching for reactions and how they react to you in the beginning of your show. A simple warm up routine can be structured to get them laughing and get them enjoying your show. It can tell them how to react during your show as well. However, it can also be a great time for you to learn the audience. As you do your warm ups, start to see how each kid responds. Are there those that are laughing and smiling? Are there some that are very shy and hiding behind others. Are there others that may be a bit overly anxious. If we can train ourselves into this learning process we can often times avoid bad situations. The other key about learning our audience is that you never stop learning. People change and as they do we must change also. We must be aware that every child is different and every person is different as well. We learn to take this information and utilize it. This way when a situation does occur, we know how best to handle it so that no audience member ever leaves the show anything less than totally entertained. 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. - I would like to let everyone know that I just released a NEW book and E-Book to the magic Community. "Blue and Gold! The Complete Guide to Working The Scout Market!" is now available as a soft cover printed book as well as an ebook download. - "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 -------------------------------------------- 7. Tony Brook In Conversation With Tobias Beckwith - Part 2 ------------------------------------------ Message by Anthony Darkstone Brook - Europe/USA TB1 : Your first book on Magic was entitled, "BEYOND DECEPTION - The Theory & Practice of Creating Original Magic." It elevated the Art and indeed took it beyond the usual barriers. Please share with us the motivation that spurred the inspiration & indeed, also a brief overview of its content ..... TB2 : "Beyond Deception" is the first book of a series dedicated to the idea that magic is more than deceiving people, and offering techniques and ideas that magicians can use to create magic that is unique to themselves, entertaining, and powerfully effective in moving their audiences emotionally. My motivation was initially to bring some of the really powerful techniques I had learned from my own teachers in acting, dance, and directing for the theatre to performing magicians. Many of us come to magic first because we want to know how the tricks are done. Later on we learn to love being able to entertain others by fooling them...but not that many of us move beyond that into the realm of what I think of real magic. That's the ability to give our audience real magical experiences, with the same kind of emotional and intellectual depth as Broadway theatre or the opera, or of great films and novels. I'm fortunate to work with a few magicians who DO understand this, and I'd really like to see more of them. The books and workshops are an effort to move more and more magicians into that direction. TB1: You were kind enough to share with me that you are now working on another book about Wizards. The word conjures up various interpretations. You and I discussed this at some length. It is not just semantics, fictional or Druidic is it? TB2: No Tony, it is not just semantics. My use of the word "Wizard." I suppose it's mostly a personal preference and chosen partly because in the popular culture of today, it has some meaning, due to not only the Merlin / Druidic stories, but also the more recent Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. I like it that it includes the word "wise," and so refers to wise men and women. However.it's intended to include quite a range of types: good & bad, sorcerers, seers, tricksters, priests, sages, many artists, inventors, etc. A kind of catch-all for those who use arcane knowledge and powers to be more effective in the world. I have, for want of a better word, "ulterior" motives for the book: I look at it as a way to pique the interests of many who may not have considered that a wizard could be a real life, flesh and blood person, rather than a fictional character. I strongly believe that our world today needs more of us to begin taking on the responsibilities of real wizards. And so, the work done by real wizards becomes more important every day. On a more personal level, I'd love the book to be the key to unlock certain aspects of my personality. I'd like to begin working as a speaker/ performer myself, both teaching and entertaining groups by performing my own (not yet created) Way of the Wizard talk/ show. It's the part of that process I find I can work on right now. An hour here, two hours there.with luck it will be roughly complete towards the end of March - all while I'm continuing to work to keep my clients busy and well-fed. TB1: I for one and I am quite certain, others too, eagerly look forward to its publication. I am honored and flattered that you referred to me recently as a true Wizard. You were kind enough to make me privy to some of your thinking. Yes, it will be in the book, but meanwhile , can I persuade you to publicly share a pre-view of some of your thoughts? TB2: Well ..sure, some of the things on my mind that I can share in a sort of stream of conscious way are as follows :- Although I defined it a few moments ago, my current definition of what is a wizard is somewhat in flux. It's one of those words that everyone seems to have their own definition for. Some ceremonial magicians are offended that I'd ever consider a trickster magician a wizard - they have their own narrower definition, and have worked very hard to make themselves fit that definition. My definition is a bit wider, and would include people like Paramahansa Yogananda, and as I have already mentioned, Steve Jobs, and Albert Einstein. The closest I can come now to anything succinct in the way of defining what a real wizard is would be something like this: "A wizard is someone who accomplishes extraordinary things by unseen and often seeming unconnected actions." I don't think all wizards are good. I don't think all wizards are bad. Wizards are wizards. Good ones. Bad ones. Adolf Hitler was a wizard of sorts. On the other hand, so was Mohandas Gandhi. So I suspect I'll upset a few folks who think of Dumbledore as the quintessential wizard and representative of good. I see it more like the idea of a king (who often had their own wizards) - it defines a role and way of wielding power - not the ultimate value of how that power is used. TB1: Yes indeed. The power. The power to affect change, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Tobias, you are, with your remarkable ability, (i.e power) going beyond platitudes and the obvious, thus making people re-define their acceptance not only of perception but also the very process by which they perceive. TB2: Yes. That's it; exactly right. That is why the working title , which may well be its final title, is tentatively called "Wizards Ways." I realized that, as someone who has spent his entire career working in the performing arts and the past 20 years almost exclusively with magical performers, and as someone always fascinated by the link between performance, magic and the occult (which means "hidden"), I've learned a few things that may be of great use to people who are not primarily performers. The book is an attempt to create an entertaining way of getting some of this information across, and inspiring others to take it up and use it to transform the world in ways it needs to be transformed. TB1: You and I have talked about this before, I certainly empathize with your view. It is too easy for some to refer to us as iconoclastic but my contention is that by being iconoclastic, we can stimulate thought and hence creativity and ultimately - much needed change. TB2: Yes Tony. Everything has to be tested and to some extent pulled apart. The process so far has been a little humbling - I keep discovering I know less than I thought I did and that in itself is exciting. I discover that there are levels upon levels of depth to lots of subjects I thought I know all about. I've been fortunate to have many, many people share their own "wizard" stories with me, and a few friends who don't mind pulling apart everything I've written and questioning me on it -- which makes me think about it all, clarifying my thoughts more. TB1:Yes. Clarity of thought. This is the ultimate goal of The Wizard. You told me that your book does not just put forth theory but actually carries examples of how to be effective as a Wizard ... TB2: Yes. It contains Teaching Techniques. Part of my intention and purpose for writing this book is to provide readers with new tools they can use to transform themselves and their communities -- so once they've read a story where a wizard uses a particular power, I'll be teaching them how they can develop and use that power themselves. A simple example that magicians will understand is the use of mnemonics to aid our memory, and several examples of how this can be used to amazing effect. There are some amazing techniques out there that a wizard can use to influence others. Psychological levers like the use of reciprocity, priming and what we now call NLP are examples. There are many methods for inducing trance, or entering into meditative states that allow us to communicate with our inner selves in ways that achieve amazing results. I'll be exploring some of these in the book and telling stories of some practical uses for them. TB1: Stories. The telling of tales. Parables. What a great spell the power, cadence and very sound of words can have. Magical, real magic! TB2: I believe the best way to engage any kind of an audience is through stories. Dry prose explanations (like this one) are interesting if they spark a lively discussion - but it's hard to make them interesting for a reader, and easy for what they say to be misconstrued and not understood. Because of that, I'm trying to do as much of the book as possible as a series of stories. Some of the stories will be the stories of real people. I'm fortunate to have several friends I would consider to be real wizards, and the book will include some stories about them. In addition, I'll be pursuing some remarkable people I know of who are unquestionable real wizards. Steve Jobs, Dr. Hew Len are two that come to mind immediately. There will be other stories that are pure fiction, designed to demonstrate a particular wizard power or way of learning things. I'm having fun with these. TB1: Fun. That's another key word. I think you rather liked my phrase, "Wizards love the mischief of laughter". By that I mean a good thing ..spreading joyous and positive things. Creating fun & laughter and sharing it is a very "Wizardry" thing to do. The art of magic is in the entertainment, it can be fun it can be serious but whatever it is, it must convey meaning or the performance is dry, don't you agree? TB2: Yes Tony. I do. Jeff and others like him convey this in their performances. Stories are not just words. It is also movement. If you think about it, art is all about making choices. What story will I tell? What characters are in the story? What do they sound like? What will they wear? Will I mention the weather / setting / other characters in telling the story? Will my props be given characters? How fast or slow will I talk / move etc.? Will this be better with music in the background? If so, what music...the choices are endless. At the risk of repeating myself, Art is about making choices. Once you're aware of all the choices to be made, you can start making them and thus building your own unique creation. End of Part 2 - check in next week for more Tobias Beckwith (Hidden in this article are deliberate grammatical & spelling mistakes. After much hard work, my proofreader & I have included these to please those who enjoy finding them.) Send comments & corrections to:- tbrook47@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 8. Broken Wand - Lawrence M. Parsons -------------------------------------------- Message by Joe Lantiere Lawrence M. Parsons, age 65, of Buckingham Street, Waterbury, CT died Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Waterbury Hospital after a brief illness. Mr. Parsons was born April 11, 1944 in Waterbury, CT and is the son of Lois (Miner) Parsons and the late Lawrence R. Parson. He was a graduate of Watertown High School and attended broadcasting school in NYC. He was a career entertainer holding various positions in the entertainment industry. He enjoyed performing at many events, clubs, and parties as J.J. the Clown. He was a skilled magician and was President of the Society of American Magicians Assembly # 29 in Waterbury, CT. He was also an active member of the Masons Lodge serving as Past Master of Liberty-Continental Lodge # 76, 32nd Degree Scottish Rite and was a member of the First Congregational Church of Waterbury. Besides his mother, Lois of Terryville, CT, Lawrence is survived by his sister, Marcia Anderson of Benson, VT, his nephew Dean Acquaviva and his wife Danielle of Plainville, as well as several cousins and many friends. A memorial service will be held on Sunday February 7, 2010 at 2 pm at the Casey-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 1581 East Main Street, in Waterbury, CT, with the Rev. Kenneth Frazier officiating. There are no calling hours. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mr. Parsons can be made to the First Congregational Church of Waterbury, 222 West Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702. For additional information, visit the funeral home website at www.caseyodonnell.com -------------------------------------------- 9. KIDabra International - 2010 -------------------------------------------- Message by Mark Daniel KIDabra International- The Association of Family and KIDshow Performers The 19th Annual KIDabra Conference - The Year of Incredible! August 11-14, 2010 KIDabra Conference is gearing up for an amazing week in August in the resort town of Pigeon Forge, TN. As attendees and performers arrive from around the world, "Incredible," is the operative word. With a focus on routining, live shows and the study of performance we welcome Jimmy Carlo from the UK (the 2009 KIDabra International Family Performer of the Year) with a live show before an audience of children and his first KIDabra lecture. FISM Award Winner, Simo Alto joins us from Finland with a live show and lecture. The wildly creative Doug Scheer from the US presents his Diversity Circus School Show. Plus Dave Andrews performs (2009 KIDabra International Peoples Choice Award) and Kimmo (John Kimmons) returns from the UK. Watch The Max Howard Project unfold, an amazing study of routine development as Max works with 3 top pros- Ken Scott, Tim Sonefelt and Glenn Strange during the week as they develop performance pieces. Croatia's Jozo Bozo sponsors the cash prize for the Second KIDabra International Family Performer of the Year Pro/Am Invitational and Ken Scott hosts. Gary Shelton auctioneers the 16th annual KIDshow Magic Auction and much more to come in a year of Incredible! We hope you'll make plans to join us August 11-14. We can't wait to see you! Full details on the conference and association at kidabra.org -------------------------------------------- 10. Magic Cruise 2010 Announced -------------------------------------------- Message by David Sandy (US) It's the third Magic Cruise produced by David Sandy and it promises to be bigger and better than ever before! We're taking magic and some of the world's finest magicians back on the high seas! If you've ever attended any event produced by David Sandy, you have some idea of what you can expect with Magic Cruise 2010! Tons of great magic, the world's finest line-up of magical talent, lots of special surprises, games & contests, plus much more! You are invited to join many of the finest magicians in the world for an incredible, fun-filled magical getaway! It's Magic Cruise 2010 and the dates are November 6-14, 2010! You and your sweetie can enjoy fun on the Mexican Riviera aboard the Carnival world-class Splendor for an incredible 8-day/7-night cruise. This ship is one of Carnival's newest and most luxurious... and boasts some of the highest customer ratings in the industry! We kick things off with a pre-cruise party and reception at the world-famous MAGIC CASTLE in Hollywood, California on Saturday, November 6, 2010... where you'll enjoy some of the world's best performers in one of the most-famous magic venues on earth! The next day, we'll depart from Los Angeles (Long Beach) and head to the beautiful Mexican Riviera with visits to three incredible ports of call... Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas! But wait, there's more... this just isn't ANY cruise... this cruise features tons of magical fellowship... stage, cabaret and close-up shows... plus learning from many of the world's finest magicians. So far, we've booked Martin Lewis, Shoot Ogawa, Chipper Lowell, Stan Allen, Rich Bloch, Murray Sawchuck, Bob Sheets, Chad Long... with MANY more to come! The best part is this... this magical vacation package starts at only $699 per person (based on double occupancy, plus gov't taxes and port charges) if you book before April 1, 2010! After that date, the cost goes up $50 per person! This fee includes BOTH the cruise and the registration! You get the 8-day/7-night cruise, the stage shows, the close-up shows, the lectures, the receptions, the workshops, the camaraderie & fellowship, a night at the Magic Castle, and more! It's an incredible deal... but hurry, the cabins are already going fast! Interested? Just visit this website for more information: www.davidsandyproductions.com/magiccruise.htm -------------------------------------------- 11. Magic iPhone Apps at the Lybrary - No iTunes required -------------------------------------------- Message by Chris Wasshuber (US) After a decade of leadership in magic ebooks, instructional magic video downloads and magic audio recordings, Lybrary.com is going mobile - iPhone mobile that is. You can now get iPhone Apps, like the first ever ebook test, or an amazing Google card mindreading effect, at the Lybrary and you will not need an iTunes account. You simply purchase the App as you purchase any other product we offer, then login with your iPhone to your Lybrary.com account and there is your App waiting to be installed with a few clicks. (For a more detailed description of how the installation works please see http://www.lybrary.com/faq.php#10 ) For a detailed description of the Dracula Ebook Test please go here: http://www.lybrary.com/dracula-ebook-test-iphones-p-48538.html Force a page in the most subtle way possible, right there under the spectator's nose. For a detailed description of the Google effect please go here: http://www.lybrary.com/google-effect-iphones-p-48759.html Amazing, Google knows the card you are thinking of. There will be more clever magic apps at the Lybrary in the coming weeks and months. You can also use your iPhone to view any of our ~400 instructional magic videos or listen to any of the ~100 magic audio recordings. Here again you simply login with your iPhone to your Lybrary.com account and you will have all your videos and audios ready waiting for you. And even your PDF ebooks are accessible on the iPhone, even though I can't recommend reading a PDF on an iPhone - only for the most desperate of times. Best, Chris.... -- http://www.lybrary.com/ ebooks on magic, juggling, chess, bridge, ... -------------------------------------------- 12. Quentin Reynolds' Show In Manchester -------------------------------------------- Message by Quentin Reynold Quentin Reynolds presents his one-man show The Psychic Game Show at The Lass O'Gowrie, 36 Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB on Mondays, 15th and 22nd February at 8pm. All seats £5. Presented in game show format, Quentin and his audience will explore the psychic and the paranormal, using intuition, hunches, psychometry and telepathy. The show promises to have audiences both laughing and feeling amazed, and there's the chance to win prizes too! Reviewing Quentin's show in The Irish Independent, Nick Kelly wrote: "If you're the kind of person who thinks that people like Uri Geller should be beaten with a sharp spoon, Quentin Reynolds show will have you reaching for the cutlery only so that you can eat humble pie." Experience a fun and amazing evening. More details and directions: www.psychicgameshow.com -------------------------------------------- 13. Paul Daniels New Zealand Masterclass -------------------------------------------- Message by - Mick Peck (NZ) President Shore City Magicians Club Inc Important News Update: New Zealand Convention - Paul Daniels Masterclass, June 2010 We have received a number of enquiries about the special Masterclass Paul Daniels is presenting on Friday 4th of June. We need to make it crystal clear that the material Paul will be covering in the upcoming Masterclass is ALL NEW and has NEVER BEEN SHARED BEFORE. Six years ago Paul offered a Masterclass about the business side of magic. The upcoming Masterclass is all about technique, presentation and showmanship. Anyone can learn tricks. Masterclass registrants will learn how to make their magic ENGAGING and ENTERTAINING to their audience. These are the REAL SECRETS that catapulted Paul Daniels to the top of the magic world and made him a household name. Paul will also be sharing techniques and routines for pieces direct out of his own act - the Chop Cup, Linking Rings, Professor's Nightmare etc. These are proven routines that took Paul to the top of the magic world. These are routines Paul performed on his top-rating BBC series in front of 15 million people in the UK - as well as 43 other countries! You now have an opportunity to learn these routines. You will also have a chance to ask about YOUR magic and YOUR routines, and have the Paul Daniels Touch added to your material. The wisdom and knowledge Paul is sharing is priceless. "In my opinion Mr Paul Daniels is one of the finest magicians and entertainers of the past century. Or two centuries, or three centuries. He's a brilliant magician and comedian and entertainer, and I just love the guy." - Lance Burton "He's a fount of knowledge, and even a fount of wisdom. And he is a wonderful soul." - Eugene Burger "I consider Paul Daniels one of my teachers. I learned a lot from him. Not only the television aspect, watching him work in front of the camera, watching him work live audiences, closeup, watching him being a master of public relations at magic conventions, and up close in person. There's a lot to learn from Paul Daniels." - Jeff McBride At the time of writing there are *TWELVE SPACES LEFT* for Paul's Masterclass. If you wish to reserve your space contact us as soon as possible because this Masterclass is definitely going to sell out. Full details can be found at : http://www.scmc.co.nz/masterclass.html Full details about the New Zealand Convention can be found at : http://www.scmc.co.nz/convention.html Due to the interest being shown in New Zealand and the unprecedented numbers of Australians registering, this convention is going to SELL OUT. To be sent details about how to register from overseas email mick@mickpeckmagic.com The Incredible 30th New Zealand International Magicians Convention Saturday June 5th - Monday June 7th 2010 http://www.scmc.co.nz/convention.html -------------------------------------------- 14. Broken Wand - Kent Olsson -------------------------------------------- Message by Mikael Vanheden (Sweden) Kent Olsson, 65 years, Malmö has suddenly died. Kent Olsson was one of Malmö's largest Doldis. He might as well have been a celebrity, then mourned and missed by many more people today, but he chose himself after a careful consideration at a young age to use his talent and his broad knowledge inwards instead of outwards. We who were his friends can now say that Malmö has lost one of its most original and interesting people. Kent was more than a professor skilled in their major subject - that is a very real magic professor, probably the best in the world of theoretical magic. Kent was the magician who never stood on a stage. Edet bitter about his death, reminiscent of the Swedish poet Paul Andersson, legend who was one of Metarmofosgroup founding in Paris in the 1950s. In a lair in the south of Stockholm, he explained to me that the greatest poet or writer in the world never comes out with a book, because such a masterpiece is never finished. It must be revised and improved as long as the author lives, and then burned the script as a last expression of the deceased ... The same applies to a thinker and sages as Kent Olsson. He took an early stage name Clay Adams (there are decks of cards with the name of) and work on a variety act, which would become world class. He studied everything from Konstantin Stanislavsky, "An actor's work with himself" for almost all books Ionomer the magical literature. He was so explosive lessons in the subject Showbusiness that he could live large to participate in only in the European and American television channels quiz shows. In Kent's apartment on Baltzarsgatan took the small miracle, that only the innermost circle of friends, a handful of people, experienced. His collection of books on magic, enchantment, illusion, mind reading, telekinesis, mesmerism and hypnotism weighed on the shelves in Prussian perfection. They were not borrowed, but I just read by the master himself. Same thing with Kent's (read: Clay Adams) lavish, glittering magic props, starved of spotlights, and his elegant tuxedo, with room for parrots, pigeons, decks and rabbits. All the scene numbers were built by the world's leading, sworn precision engineer and Carving - all were the master craftsmen, as Carl Owen, Thayer, Okito and Conradi Horster, to name a few. None of them are alive today. Kent Olsson became mountainous account when he saw Hector el Neco Castles in the school auditorium as a boy. He became the first bag carrier, eventually advanced to the sorcerer's apprentice and was soon as a child in the house. Now Kent knew what he would be, but to support himself, he took employment at the then Telecommunications Authority, Kent shared the first out telephone books and was responsible for maintenance in the future vandalized telephone booths. Constantly re-educated himself. With some exaggeration one can say that he read instead of sleeping. He studied law at Lund University in the evenings after a hard day's work. Next time we see him because of Telia's legal department, where he was representing the enterprise is in trials with great success. Sometime in the 40s was Kent Olsson suddenly SKILLED. It was as if he had been told "Your mailbox is full", perhaps in the form of a lidnersk crazy? He became sages overnight. The book he was reading the night before was in German and was called "Vollständiger Lehrkursus des Hypnotismus in aller seinen Phasen" by psychologist Hans Ertl. It was printed in fracture style in Leipzig in the 1890s. Could it be a clue? When National Encyclopedia was appointed to the living encyclopaedia Kent Olsson NE's expert on witchcraft, magic and other entertainment from A to Z, a task he handled with great ease and elegance. He was also advisor and consultant in many other contexts. Now he conjured to circle of friends, and he could answer the questions any time as long as they were by enchantment, magic, circus (he was a member of the Swedish Circus Academy), film, opera and theater do. The big pros turned to him with questions in the higher magic, it could be Swedish celebrities as Joe Labero or Carl-Einar Häckner or even more famous quantities from the outside world and in particular theaters. On the evening before he fell asleep for good, he had a history of clots in the lungs, I had a few short lines on the computer: "I have listened to Luciano Pavarotti all evening and compared him with our own Jussi. What great artists! My eyes were full of tears, so moved was I. But one cannot help it: Jussi Bjorling had more ore in the Meeting! There are no strikes Jussi, he had barely breathe with the diafragma! Nighty, Night! " The most tragic is that perhaps Kent Olsson takes with him the secrets of the grave. I am thinking mainly of the notes which he brought a lifetime. There you have it again: the book never comes out. Text composed by: Ulf Mörling Translated from Swedish to English by: Mikael Vanheden Magician Mikael Vanheden Tredje Kvillangsvagen 14 S-422 43 Hisings Backa Sweden Tel: +4631-761 27 00 Mobile: +46708-80 13 00 -------------------------------------------- 15. Book Sale - Martin Gardner's Impromptu -------------------------------------------- Message by Todd Carr Now you can save $50 off our forthcoming book, Martin Gardner's Impromptu, if you order this week! Normal price is $150 but you can save $50 if you pre-order now for only $100...but it's for one week only, so order now. Martin Gardner's Impromptu is finally arriving later in 2010 and will be worth the long wait. You'll get the thousands of original items in Gardner's original book...instant effects with scores of everyday objects. Plus, Martin's granted us access to his files of new material, and we've added new period illustrations as well as Michael Weber's commentaries throughout the book. An endless source of great magic, ideas, and fun! (Note: This is our beautiful regular edition. The limited edition is sold out.) Visit http://www.miraclefactory.net/gardner.htm to order! -------------------------------------------- 16. 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) -------------------------------------------- 17. 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