* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd NZ
* www.magicnewzealand.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Date: Sunday 27th July 2014
Editor: Alan Watson
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
================================
Hi here is the latest news
================================
1.
Editor's Message
2. "Masters Of Illusion"
3. Article - Masters Of Illusion
4. Final Podcast In The Series From The Magic Castle
5. Ray Anderson - My Favorite Magician
6. Remarkable Magic #355 - Nick Lewin
7. Strolling at Festivals - #346 - By Kyle Peron
8. KIDabra Conference: The Year Of WOW!
9. Alan Alan Obituary
10. Atlanta Harvest Of Magic
11. Updates So Far This Week on VanishLive.com
12. 17th Annual Motor City Close-Up Convention
13. Magic by Barry Khoo Penang's Favourite Magician
14. Lee Earle's Upcoming Lecture Tour, March 2015
15. Australian Junior Championships Of Magic
16. The MagicFest Convention
17. Magicseen 57
18. Abbott's 80th Birthday
19. Daytona Beach Florida Convention
20. e-zine Archives
21. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
--------------------------------------------
1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------
The Shore City Magicians Club Inc. Auckland New Zealand
will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. They would love
to extend an invitation to all past members, associate members
and other local magicians to attend this very special occasion.
When:
Tuesday 5th August
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: The Shore City Magicians Club Inc. club rooms, Senior
Citizen Hall, back of the Takapuna Library, The Strand,
Takapuna, Auckland.
IMPORTANT
NOTICE:
To attend this FREE special event you must pre-register
RSVP's for the SCMC 40th event is event@scmc.co.nz
As part of the evening celebration Timon Krause the Dutch
Champion of Mentalism in 2014 will present a lecture.
----------------
For all those who would like to read the Magic New Zealand
e-zine in a HTML format go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2014-Jan-to-Dec-2014/1112-Jul27-2014.html
Remember
if you have any magic news drop me a line:
Editor@MagicNewZealand.com
--------------------------------------------
2. "Masters Of Illusion"
--------------------------------------------
Message by Karen Brown
Fridays
(8:00-8:30 p.m. ET) on The CW
Hosted by actor Dean Cain ("Lois & Clark: The New
Adventures of Superman"), Masters Of Illusion showcases
great escapes, fascinating sleight-of-hand and large scale
illusions - each episode more spectacular than the one before
- and all in front of a studio audience.
The series features amazing magic performed by cutting-edge
illusionists and escape artists, and performers in each
episode display skills ranging from perplexing interactive
mind magic to hilarious comedy routines. Live audience members
and viewers at home will be baffled by the astounding skills
of these modern illusionists.
Without special editing or computer tricks, women will turn
into tigers, birds will appear from nothing and quick changes
will happen in the blink of an eye. Flaming hoops, juggling
chainsaws, flying motorcycles and giant bubbles will thrill
and delight as legends of legerdemain put their lives on
the line whenever they step on stage.
--------------------------------------------
3. Article - Masters Of Illusion
--------------------------------------------
Article forwarded on by Mel Kientz (US)
Masters
Of Illusion
Series on THE CW
Starts Friday, August 1, 2014
By TV Scoop
How Did They Do That? - Hosted by Dean Cain, "Masters
of Illusion" features amazing magic performed by cutting-edge
illusionists, escape artists and performers displaying skills
ranging from perplexing interactive mind magic to hilarious
comedy routines - all in front of a studio audience.
Magicians featured in this episode include Jan Rouven, Jarret
and Raja, Michael Finney, Nathan Burton, Michael Grandinetti,
Jonathon Pendragon, Rob Lake and Spencer Horsman (#101).
Original airdate 8/1/14.
Hosted by actor Dean Cain ("Lois & Clark: The New
Adventures of Superman"), Masters Of Illusion premieres
Friday, August 1 (8:00-8:30 pm ET) with great escapes, fascinating
sleight-of-hand and large scale illusions, all in front
of a studio audience.
The 13-episode series features amazing magic performed by
cutting-edge illusionists and escape artists, and performers
in each episode display skills ranging from perplexing interactive
mind magic to hilarious comedy routines.
Live audience members and viewers at home will be baffled
by the astounding skills of these modern illusionists. Masters
Of Illusion is from Associated Television International
with executive producers David McKenzie ("The 38th
Annual Daytime Emmy Awards," "Marie"), Al
Schwartz ("The 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards,"
"The Golden Globe Awards" 2013 & 2014, "The
Gulf is Back"), Gay Blackstone ("The World Magic
Awards" 2007-2009) and David Martin ("Marie"),
along with co-executive producers Justin Pierce ("The
Rocky Saga: Going the Distance") and Jim Romanovich
("Inside Story: Ferris Bueller's Day Off").
--------------------------------------------
4. Final Podcast In The Series From The Magic Castle
--------------------------------------------
Message from Scott Wells, A.I.M.C. with Silver Star
In
this fifth and final podcast from My Week At The Magic Castle,
we donate blood during the first (and possibly annual) blood
drive that was helped along by Paul Green who benefitted
from the donors. He showed his appreciation by giving each
donor a deck of green playing cards. I chatted with him
and Irene Larsen at this event. Afterwards, I walked next
door to Milt Larsen's office where I chatted with Dale Hindman
about "It's Magic" shows and many other things.
That
evening I spoke with Timothy Smallwood about his work as
a President Bill Clinton magician impressionist. Ray Kosby
was in the Castle's junior magician club when he was a youth.
Now residing on the East Coast, Ray had returned to his
"roots" to visit with friends and spent a little
time chatting with us about his childhood experiences. Finally,
Jonathan Pendragon and his wife, West, talk about their
new direction in show business.
This
wraps up an extended podcast with friends I visited with
while I was performing in Hollywood in early June 2014.
I broke it up into five more-easily-enjoyed podcasts that,
indeed, I do hope you have enjoyed. As a sneak peek only
for New Zealand eZine readers, I have one more interview
with a Hollywood writer, producer and director that will
be released in the near future. In that podcast, we will
talk about how he "made it" in Hollywood and a
few tips on what you should do that can apply to your life
even if you don't plan to pursue a career in the movies.
Anyway,
you can enjoy this podcast on The Magic Word at: http://themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/part-5-my-week-at-the-castle-2014
where you can listen online, download the MP3 file plus
view the photos and more. Of course you can download the
podcast from iTunes in the podcast store. Be sure to subscribe
so you don't miss an episode.
--------------------------------------------
5. Ray Anderson - My Favorite Magician
--------------------------------------------
Message by Scott Wells, A.I.M.C. with Silver Star
Those
who have seen Ray Anderson perform will agree with me. He
is fantastic. Unfortunately, for most of the world, many
will never see him because he only works in an Austin, Texas
nightclub three nights a week. But the world beats down
his door as the troupe has played to sold out audiences
twice nightly for decades. Just as the world came to Le
Grand David's show in Beverly, Massachusetts, many seek
out Esther's Follies (http://www.esthersfollies.com/) on
6th Street in Austin, Texas. Not only is his magic smooth,
elegant and funny, but the rest of the troupe is hilarious
as they poke satirical fun at all things political and newsworthy
in a topical fashion.
Much
like La Grand David's show, their 20' x 20' stage is more
than just intimate, but it is surprising what huge illusions
that Ray can perform on this tiny stage including Modern
Art, a Water Levitation, Bed of Death Spikes, and much,
much more. And the front row is just two feet from the stage.
It's amazing how they move scenery in and out with such
rapidity and without stumbling or running into each other.
Add
to this the fact that there is no curtain or backdrop. In
fact, it is an open picture window to the passers-by on
the busy street. Since it is a college town (and the state
capitol), this happens to be the "in" street where
all the clubs, bars and restaurants are located so people
are constantly walking up and down, back and forth. And
the performers take advantage of this an interact with those
on the street.
Last
weekend on July 19th I was fortunate to have compered (emceed)
a matinee that featured Ray Anderson. It was joy to watch
pure magic as he walked through his technical rehearsal
for the performance. I was in my own little world as he
rehearsed his show. He has what I believe to be the best
dancing cane act in the business today. Flawless. This week
on The Magic Word I sit down to talk with Ray Anderson about
his work with Esther's Follies, how it began, his magic
journey and why he stays here rather than pursuing what
could easily become a very successful career outside Austin.
Photos,
video, blog and podcast are all on The Magic Word at: http://themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/ray-anderson-esthers-follies
Of course you can get this podcast on iTunes through their
store.
Ads
you see on the website are not from paid sponsors but rather
put there as favors for friends I want to help and who have
helped me. If you would like to be a sponsor on The Magic
Word and be mentioned in the podcasts, then please contact
me. I haven't done that yet, so you could be the first.
If you wish to show your financial support the podcast,
then you may do so by sending your donations via PayPal
to scottwellsmagic@gmail.com Or if you would like something
tangible for your donation, then please visit the Shop and
purchase something. It all goes to the same guy
Scotty!
Thanks for listening.
--------------------------------------------
6. Remarkable Magic #355 - Nick Lewin
--------------------------------------------
Message by Nick Lewin (US)
Lemons,
Bills, Blogs and Flying Cards!
I
want to take this opportunity to bring you up to date with
some of the exciting things that have been happening in
my non-performing life as a magician. After over 45 years
as a full time performer I am really enjoying sharing some
of the things I have learned and I have been keeping very
busy recently.
As
many of you know I have been writing for Paul Romhany's
wonderful digital magic journal "Vanish Magazine"
since its very first issue. It is a really great magic resource
and damn the price is right, it is free! I get a chance
to write some extended articles and biographies. I recently
wrote cover stories on Mark Wilson, Daryl Bill Abbott and
have another cover story I am very happy about in the issue
published next month. If you haven't discovered "Vanish"
yet, then you should go to www.vanishmagazine.com and download
an issue or two! I am extremely proud to be a part of the
fabulous team of contributors that Paul has lined up for
his magazine.
I
have also been spending quite a bit of time and energy on
my online magic company www.lewinenterprises.net and I am
very pleased with the product line we have developed. I
have a wonderful team working with me on this particular
enterprise. My wife Susan runs all the business side of
things and is the best postage/packing person in the biz!
My props are hand crafted by Master manufacturer and builder
Rolando Medina, our graphics and design are handled by the
amazingly gifted Steve Mitchell. What a team---I am proud
to work with them.
Lewin
Enterprises has a really nice line of magic books, DVDs,
props and routines for the discerning magician. We are totally
focused and concentrating upon releasing top quality professional
items. We have been delighted at the enthusiasm and loyalty
that our clients have shown. It is our goal to create a
small and high quality magic business and I am modeling
it on the wonderful business that my first mentor Ken Brooke
presented to the magic community. I am determined that if
we can't do something right then we won't do it. I am rather
amazed and astounded how quickly our business has taken
off in the two years we have been developing it.
We
recently released two new items that are selling like the
proverbial "hotcakes," they are "Nick Lewin's
Ultimate Cards Across" and "Nick Lewin's Lemon
Aid." These are really commercial routines that will
be of great interest to any performing magician, and both
have been featured in my act for many years. In fact, "Lemon
Aid" is the heart and soul of my professional work.
My "Cards Across" is quite simply the cleanest
and most visible version of this classic effect you will
ever find.
My
"Lemon Aid" is a beautifully constructed routine
that takes a classic piece of magic and turns it inside
out, adding non-stop laughs and BIG surprises. This effect
is extremely dynamic and highly visible, comes with a 20-minute
performance video that contains over 30 years' worth of
jokes and laughs that are worth gold to any performing magician.
I am extremely proud of the details that have been incorporated
into this release and can recommend it from the heart.
I
just added three new "Trickformational" videos
to my website that you can see at http://www.lewinenterprises.net/whats-new.html
so if you have a chance to visit the site-check them out!
The website also includes some really cool magic videos
and interviews. While you are on the site why not sign up
for our newsletter that gives information on upcoming releases.
Special offers can also be found on our "Lewin Enterprises"
page on Facebook. We are currently offering a Summer Special
on my book "Cruise Magic 101."
If
you are interested in reading some of my backlog of writing
on magic then you may want to head over to my blog www.remarkablemagic.com
which has plenty of great articles and magic photos. I enjoy
my blog a great deal and it features many informative entries
about the construction, honing and performance of a commercial
magic show.
Well
that brings you up to date on what I have been doing and
why I am somewhat exhausted! I am also going to be lecturing
and performing Master Classes at several events in the upcoming
months, so if you see me around please do come up and chat!
Check
out my online store at www.lewinenterprises.net
You can reach me at nicklewin1@mac.com
--------------------------------------------
7. Strolling at Festivals - #346 - By Kyle Peron
--------------------------------------------
Message by Kyle Peron (US)
magic4u02@aol.com
http://www.facebook.com/perondesign
http://www.kpmagicproducts.com
I
have found over the years that festivals LOVE the strolling
magic idea. If you can offer strolling magic or some form
of strolling entertainment, they usually will go for it
and be glad they did. Strolling magic certainly is a feature
and a benefit for both you and the festival.
It
benefits the festival as they now have more entertainment
throughout the grounds and gives a reason for people to
want to stay around the festival longer rather than leaving.
It
also allows the festival to get a 2 for 1 value. This means
that they essentially get 1 person who can do the work of
2 entertainers they may have had to hire. This saves them
time and money.
It
is a way for their patrons to get entertainment and to disperse
it throughout the area. They also love it because they do
not take up a stage or a time slot to fit you into.
Strolling
magic becomes a solution for them and you solve the problem
of timing, set ups, staging etc. You also solve the problem
of getting people to stay at the festival.
Strolling
magic can also benefit both you and the festival in that
you can advertise your show times as well as other festival
events as you're doing your strolling magic. This increases
interest and gets your name out as well.
When
doing strolling magic at festivals, the festivals love it
if you can work key areas and hit as many different spots
as you can. You may want to ask them what areas are the
lines the longest as you can work the lines for them. Also
make sure to ask them what areas they would like you to
stay away from. Your strolling magic will draw a crowd and
you do not want to hinder traffic flow or be a distraction
to another show that is going on.
Keep
your strolling shows small and short. I do about 10 mins
in one spot and then move on. I also keep my magic to play
big and pack small. The more you have to carry with you,
the tougher it becomes. You want to be able to move easily
and take up little space.
Also,
keep in mind that while you're strolling around and performing,
you cannot be watching everybody and watching all your stuff.
This means the more stuff you bring with you, the more chances
you have of losing things from kids with sneaking hands
or people who just want something the magician has. Keep
your props simple and in front of you at all times to help
avoid this.
I
can tell you that festivals LOVE strolling magic. Every
time I have offered it, they have taken it 95% of the time.
If you can offer a strolling type of magic between your
2 larger shows, it works to get the name out for your show
times and also gets you more income for your day rate.
I
am happy to announce that my newest book, "FESTIVAL
MAGIC", is finished and is NOW available at http://www.kpmagicproducts.com
; This 112pg book is filled with the most up to date information
on how anyone can work and succeed in the festival and fair
markets.
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.
--------------------------------------------
8. KIDabra Conference: The Year Of WOW!
--------------------------------------------
Message by Mark Daniel (US)
August
11-15, 2014
The Music Road Hotels and Conference Center In the Resort
Town of Pigeon Forge, TN
I've
come to regard the annual gathering of KIDabra Conference
as a piece of living, ever-changing art. As the puzzle pieces
of this year have come together, I can't help but believe
this is one of the most incredible conferences of our 23
years of meeting! We hope you'll join us in Pigeon Forge
along with attendees from England, Italy, Australia, New
Zealand, Canada and from throughout the US, please remember,
we're never complete until you're there!
The
KIDabra Stars will Shine:
Paul Osborne, TX, Great Zuchinni, DC, Julian Mather, Australia
David Kaye, NY, Ken Kelly, UK, Michael Rosander, NC
Marcela Murad, FL, Tommy James, MA, Danny Orleans, IL
Stan Allen, Las Vegas, Rachel Cloumbini, FL, John Reid,
NY
Todd Neufeld, NY, Kevin Heller, IN, Joe Romano, VA
Terry Evanswood, TN, Ken Scott, GA, Barry Mitchell, TN
Steve Metzger, NY, Todd McKinney, TX, Barry Hinnant, FL
Jim Kleefeld, OH, Max Howard, GA, Chris Weed, AZ
Gary Shelton, NC, Tate Elliott, NC, John Bobik, PA
Skip Way, NC, Tim Gaines, LA, Bruce Amato, TN
and your hosts Mark and Tami Daniel, NC
Just
added:
Stan Allen joins us for an extraordinary visit. First he
hosts David Kaye's "Turn It Around Live," The
World Premiere Lecture, quite fitting as the original column
ran in Magic Magazine for ten years! Next, as Master Storyteller,
Stan open the vault of his incredible stories, many involving
a certain rabbit named Stew. Rumors are rampant that the
two will reunite Thursday night at KIDabra to see who wins
the battle of man against furry, cuddly, mischievous beast:)
Ken Scott hosts the proceedings with Stan and Co. Plus Stan
participates in KID Talks with Things to Think About!
The
Max Howard Project this year is a once in a lifetime happening
and a very special gift from Max! Gary Shelton gleans from
Max his journey from school show to the mission of good
nutrition for kids, and the adventures along the way. This
culminates in the Gift, the auction of Max's original show
creation The Nutrition Magician (the props and performing
rights) going to a new caretaker. The proceeds of the sale
will go to The Joe Lefler Legacy Scholarship Fund.
Friday
Night finds us heading over to Wonderworks on the invitation
of Terry Evanswood for a Special Presentation of The Wonders
of Magic and our closing Gala. Wow!
The
Wows continue, for the full schedule, videos, hotel info,
and to register go to www.kidabra.org And Please Join us
on the very lively Facebook Group Page: KIDabra Members
and Friends
Can't
be with us? Don't Miss everything, the KIDabra Audio Album
on Flashdrive features many of the events recorded live.
However, don't wait they are only available now through
the conference, none sold afterwards. Info at www.kidabra.org
--------------------------------------------
9. Alan Alan Obituary
--------------------------------------------
Article forwarded on by Mel Kientz (US)
Escapologist
known as 'the British Houdini'
whose flaming rope act left audiences aghast
Staff
Report
Alan
Alan, who has died aged 87, was an escapologist famous for
his "burning rope routine" and known as "the
British Houdini".
Alan
devised his trademark burning-rope act in the early Fifties,
when he was just starting out in the escapology game. It
involved him being trussed up in a straitjacket, or cords,
or chains, and dangled on a petrol-soaked rope upside-down
from a crane - most famously high above the Thames. The
rope would then be lit.
Audiences
watched aghast as Alan wriggled and wormed his way out of
his shackles before the rope gave way to the flames. A section
of his rope was wrapped in thick wadding, the extra fibre
adding valuable time for him to get free.
"Alan
issues a challenge," declared a Pathé reporter
watching the act in London in 1950. "He undertakes
to free himself in less time than it takes to tie him. Just
to make it more interesting he does it 60ft in the air.
Easy as falling off a log, he says, but give us the log
to fall off any time."
The
act was a particularly perilous reinvention of a routine
pioneered by Houdini, and nearly got Alan killed on several
occasions. In 1950, for example, he came crashing down on
to the stage of the Pavilion Theatre in Liverpool when the
rope snapped. But as his fame spread across the world, he
only heightened the dangers. Before long his hands were
clasped in Darby cuffs and he was left hanging over cages
of lions or rows of pointed swords.
Alan Rabinowitz was born on November 30 1926. In boyhood
he was awestruck by the famous Danish showman, Dante the
Magician, and in his teenage years he developed a magic
and escape stage act. Alan was then taken on tour by the
promoter Reggie Dennis (who gave him the stage name Alan
Alan) and played alongside comedy and novelty acts including
Morecambe and Wise and a young Des O'Connor.
Alan began his career as a serious escapologist much as
he carried it through: by trying to upstage Houdini. In
1949, he staged "Houdini II Buried Alive". Performed
for Pathé News, Alan replicated a 1915 stunt in which
Houdini had been buried alive in a grave, leaving precious
little time to dig himself out. Houdini had lost consciousness
as his hands broke the surface. Alan did not even get that
far; his assistants had compacted the earth too tightly
and he had to be dug out only moments from death. The rolling
cameras and resulting column inches, however, helped to
make his name.
Throughout his career Alan refined, adapted and repeated
his flaming rope act, playing arenas, theatres and circuses.
He also staged open-air crowd-pleasers for the passing public:
in 1978 he swung and squirmed 100ft above the Thames as
amazed drivers passed over Tower Bridge.
In 1959, Alan entertained prisoners at London's Wormwood
Scrubs prison - demonstrating how to get out of a set of
handcuffs, slip a knot and wriggle free from chains. "It
all depends on applying the knowledge at the right time,"
he said. "When I do my work I have the right kind of
incentive - cash. I can stay cool. A prisoner would be too
emotional when it came to the point."
In the late Fifties he managed Tommy Cooper's magic shop
in London, where the comedian's wife Gwen was the driving
force. "Gwen, big woman, prone to picture hats,"
recalled Alan. "How she managed to keep Tommy under
control - after a few drinks he must have been a hell of
a handful."
In later life, Alan became the proprietor, with Joe Elman,
of his own shop - the Magic Spot in Southampton Row. A treasure
trove of tricks and props, its walls were stacked with row
upon row of wooden drawers, each one carrying its own curious
contents: stink bombs, jet-flying cigarettes, palming coins,
linking rings, flashing bow ties, glowing fangs, rocket
balloons and sneezing powder. It was a dusty palace of peculiarities
in which Alan, dapperly decked out in a three-piece suit,
and enjoyed entertaining his customers.
One visitor, in 1984, was Michael Palin. "I stopped
at Alan Alan's Magic Shop in Southampton Row, where I was
served by a small, neat, besuited gentleman with an arrow
through his head," wrote Palin. "Quickly and efficiently
he demonstrated an extraordinary variety of bangs, squirts,
farts and electric shocks as if he were selling nothing
more exciting than a coal scuttle. Little children watched
in awe as their fathers idly toyed with a pack of sexy playing
cards only to receive a sharp electric shock from the pack."
Alan also mentored a number of aspiring magicians, including
a young Michael Vincent, who would later become a Magic
Circle Magician of the Year. "There really hasn't been
an escapologist who had a flair for the dramatics like Houdini
other than Alan. In some cases I think Alan had the edge,"
stated Vincent.
----------------------------------------------
Genii Magazine - July 2009 - Alan Alan
In addition to his great escapes, Alan also invented a number
of clever close-up tricks, including the "Decimated
Coin" - in which a coin appears to shatter into pieces
- and the "Sharpshooter" card effect, in which
a gunshot appears to hit a chosen card from a pack. In the
late 1970s he returned to the rope, guest-starring on The
David Copperfield Show. Copperfield described him as "someone
I've idolised since I was a boy".
By this stage Alan was a small, wiry man with a frenetic
"cheeky chappy" stage persona that reminded many
of the actor Norman Wisdom. While the burly American security
guards on Copperfield's stage towered over him, winding
chains around his frame, Alan joked, hopped and spun around
them.
In 1983 he played Houdini in the television film Parade
of Stars, a re-creation of the vaudeville circuit of the
early 20th century.
Magic's modern visage - with its slick television personalities
and camera tricks - sometimes baffled him. When David Blaine
staged his own Tower Bridge stunt in 2003 - hanging 30ft
in the air in a Plexiglas box for 44 days without food or
water, Alan was sceptical. "I give him 10 days,"
said Alan. "The box will mysteriously fall into the
river and it will appear that Blaine has been swept away
with the tide. He will turn up triumphantly half an hour
later in Hyde Park." In a rather more prosaic climax,
a weakened and thin Blaine simply emerged from his stretch
and was driven off to hospital.
The Magic Spot closed in 1996. In 2006 Alan was awarded
the Maskelyn Award by the Magic Circle for services to British
magic.
Alan Alan never married. He is survived by a brother.
Alan Alan, born November 30 1926, died July 4 2014
----------------------------------------
The Independent
'British Houdini': Farewell to Alan Alan, who lived for
magic and great escapes
By
Adam Lusher
He pioneered art of escaping from straitjacket
while suspended from burning rope
The "British Houdini" - who pioneered the art
of escaping from a straitjacket while suspended from a burning
rope high above the ground - has died aged 87.
Described by the Magic Circle as "a legend in the world
of magic and circus", Alan Alan - born Alan Rabinowitz
- was one of the leading stunt magicians of his day, before
stepping away from the limelight to run a London magic shop.
In the early 1950s, audiences would watch enthralled as
he was tied up in chains or strapped into a straitjacket,
before being dangled upside down high above the ground by
means of a crane and a petrol-soaked rope, which was set
alight.
He had three minutes to escape - which he usually did. In
1950, however, at the Pavilion Theatre, Liverpool, the rope
snapped and he came crashing down to the stage.
He was undeterred by the setback, refining his act to include
dangling over rows of swords or cages of lions. In 1978,
at the age of 52, he dangled in chains from a burning rope
100ft above the River Thames near Tower Bridge.
Alan had first made headlines years earlier with a deliberate
attempt to upstage the great Harry Houdini, whose 1915 attempt
to dig himself out after being buried alive had ended with
the American escapologist losing consciousness as his hands
broke the surface.
In 1949, the 23-year-old Alan hoped a Briton would show
the world how it should be done, with his "Houdini
II, Buried Alive" stunt.
It did not go well.
With the cameras rolling, and no sign of Alan emerging triumphant
from his shallow grave, it was realised his assistants had
packed the earth above him too tightly. By the time they
dug him out, he was moments from death.
Small in stature, with a cheeky chappy persona that led
to comparisons with Norman Wisdom, he once entertained prisoners
in Wormwood Scrubs with a demonstration of how to escape
from a pair of handcuffs.
In later years, Alan ran a magic shop in Southampton Row,
London. The Magic Spot became a meeting place for visiting
magicians from all over the world and a delight for curious
children.
Describing a visit in 1984, the Monty Python star Michael
Palin wrote: "I was served by a small, neat, besuited
gentleman with an arrow through his head.
He
demonstrated an extraordinary variety of bangs, squirts,
farts and electric shocks as if he were selling nothing
more exciting than a coal scuttle. Little children watched
in awe."
Alan mentored many young British magicians, and his fame
was such that he also influenced young hopefuls across the
Atlantic - most notably David Copperfield, who described
him as "someone I've idolised since I was a boy".
Alan opened the Magic Circle's new headquarters near Euston
station in London in 1998, and in 2006 the organisation
presented him with the Maskelyne Award "for services
to British magic".
Jack Delvin, the president of the Magic Circle, said: "Alan
was a legend in the world of magic and circus.
"He
touched the lives of many through his shop, The Magic Spot,
where his words of wisdom inspired generations of eager
young magicians to begin their journey into the world of
magic."
--------------------------------------------
10. Atlanta Harvest Of Magic
--------------------------------------------
Message by Ken Scott (US)
Ken
Scott is hosting the Atlanta Harvest of Magic Sept. 11 13th.
www.atlantaharvestofmagic.com
The
talent is strong and unique with Rob Zabrecky, Harry Anderson,
Jay Johnson and Bob (ventriloquist) from the hit TV show
SOAP, Ice McDonald, Jon Armstrong, Lee Asher, Steve Kline
productions, Nathan Kranzo, Charles Pecor, Christopher Hart,
Ken Scott, Jon Racherbaumer, and Mark Mason.
There
will be 10 lectures, close-up shows, close-up/parlour contest,
Amazing Dealers, Gala show. The Crowne plaza is literally
1 mile from the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport.
Room
rates are crazy low at 87.00 per. Registration for this
great little/BIG convention is only 126.99.
Come
be a part of the fun. Atlanta is known for its southern
hospitality. Stan Allen says, "The Atlanta conventions
are so fun with so much hospitality, family feel, and party
atmosphere!" That is what is being planned for at this
year's Atlanta Harvest.
--------------------------------------------
11. Updates So Far This Week on VanishLive.com
--------------------------------------------
Message by - Mick Peck
Online Content Editor
www.VanishLive.com
Latest
updates on VanishLive.com include:
Grandma,
Me and Charlie Miller
Nick Lewin Mad World by David Cushing Broken Wand
Alan Alan A Better Performance Checklist
Ken Dyne International Magicians Join Local Talent For Melbourne
Magic Festival
Magician Ben Hart Never Afraid To Ice With Death Monkey
Masked Magician Turns Bungling Burglar Broadway
Conjures Magic With 'The Illusionists'
Teen To Spend Two Weeks In StraightJacket
Scott Thomson's Aurora The MC Business
Timothy Hyde
Video
of the Week
Penn
and Teller's Invisible Thread - a rarely-seen TV movie from
1987.
Daily
magic news, articles from around the world and reviews from
working professional magicians.
Visit
us today at:
http://www.VanishLive.com
-
Mick Peck
Online Content Editor
www.VanishLive.com
--------------------------------------------
12. 17th Annual Motor City Close-Up Convention
--------------------------------------------
Message by John Luka (US)
John
Luka's 17th Annual Motor City Close-Up Convention takes
place the weekend of November 14-16, 2014. This year's event
is being co-produced by The Wunderground Magic Shop.
The
line-up for this year's event is AWESOME. It features Shoot
Ogawa, Tony Cabral, David Gabbay, and Curtis Kam. You will
see some terrific magic and attend four great lectures.
There will be other surprises.
It
is very easy to register for the convention. http://www.johnlukamagic.com/conventionsections/convention_register.html
All
events take place at the Best Western Woodhaven Inn
(http://www.bestwestern.com/woodhaveninn) located at 21700
West Road, Woodhaven, MI 48183. (Metro Detroit Area) Phone
(734) 676-8000 Call the hotel for room reservations or hotel
information. There is a special room rate of $73 plus tax
per diem for the convention. To qualify, when you make your
reservations request the Motor City Magic rate.
Those
who have attended the convention in the past know that the
line-up of performers has always been outstanding. You can
view a list of past performers by clicking HERE. I am very
proud of that list. I am also very happy that performers
for this year's Motor City Close-Up Convention number among
the very best I have had.
The
dealers will include: Wunderground Magic, ABC Magic, Benz
Magic, Pattrick's Mats, Mercy Magic, Roy Kueppers Magic,
and Gordon Miller Magic.
Mark
your calendars and plan on attending this year's event.
I look forward to seeing you there. -- John Luka
Three
Close-Up Shows, Four Lectures, Optional Workshops, Dealers,
and a lot of good magic and fun.
For
more information go to: www.johnlukamagic.com
--------------------------------------------
13. Magic by Barry Khoo Penang's Favourite Magician
--------------------------------------------
Message by Barry Khoo
Asia
Café
Pitt Street
2nd August 2014, Sat @ 8pm
Hock
Poh Lye
Penang Street / China Street
15th August 2014, Fri @ 8pm
Hwa
Pin
Church Street
29th August 2014, Fri @ 8pm
Friends
Of Artistes Liaison
10
mini-concerts in 10 notable coffee-shops in the heritage
core zone of George Town, Penang, Malaysia
These
mini-concerts will take place on Friday and Saturday evenings,
from 6 - 8pm over the five weekends of August 2014. The
concert will feature an eclectic blend of singers, musicians,
poets, storytellers, dancers, comedians and magicians! Confirmed
performers include talented Country & Western band The
Rozells, poet Anwar Fazal and the fabulous magician, The
Great Barrini!
The
duration of each presentation will be between 90 - 120 minutes
and comprise of 3 or 4 different artistes each evening.
Popular music will be an integral part of each session with
a poet, storyteller, magician or dancer thrown in for good
measure.
Dates
& Venues
2
August/ 6 - 8pm @ Asia Café, Jalan Masjid Kapitan
Keling
8
August/ 6 - 8pm @ Hock Leong Yen (Sun Kee) Coffeeshop, Junction
of King St./ China St.
15
August/ 6 - 8pm @ Hock Poh Lye, Junction of China St./ Penang
St.
22
August/ 6 - 8pm @ Eng Loh Café, Junction of Penang
St./ Church St.
29
August/ 6 - 8pm @ Hwa Pin, Church St. (fronting The Phoenix
Press)
For
more information, please contact:
Friends
of Artistes Liaison, more details or contacts:
http://georgetownfestival.com/programmes/konsert-kopitiam/
--------------------------------------------
14. Lee Earle's Upcoming Lecture Tour, March 2015
--------------------------------------------
Message by Lee Earle (US)
Here's
the list o' groups my booker (Scott Wells) will be pitching.
The promo piece he will be using is attached.
If
you can influence one of these local outfits in favor of
hosting my lecture, I would appreciate it.
Mind
you, None Of These Are Booked Yet; this is just the list
that gets 'first bite at the apple'. All other possibilities
will receive serious consideration. I'll be fortunate to
book half of them, actually. If all of 'em came through
it would be a rugged month. ;-)
I'll
be in Tampa in January and am angling for NYC (I have a
standing invitation at Tannen's) sometime before then. Friends
in Greenville, SC and Myrtle Beach have also inquired, so...
Monday,
March 2, 2015 Jacksonville, FL
Tuesday, March 3, 2015 Atlanta, GA
Wednesday, March 4, 2015 Huntsville or Birmingham, AL
Thursday, March 5, 2015 Nashville, Murfreesboro, Memphis
or Knoxville, TN
Saturday,
March 7, 2015 New Orleans
Monday,
March 9, 2015 Louisville, KY
Tuesday, March 10, 2015 Shreveport, LA, Jackson, MS or Longview,
TX
Wednesday, March 11, 2015 Tulsa or Oklahoma City, OK or
Little Rock, AR
Thursday, March 12, 2015 Wichita, KS or Kansas City, MO
Saturday,
March 14, 2015 Branson, MO
Monday,
March 16, 2015 St. Louis, MO
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 Springfield or Peoria, IL
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 Chicago - Midwest Magic
Thursday, March 19, 2015 Chicago - Tinley Park
Friday, March 20, 2015 Pewaukee, WI
Sunday,
March 22, 2015 Dallas/Ft. Worth
Monday, March 23, 2015 Tyler, TX
Tuesday, March 24, 2015 Houston
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 San Antonio
Thursday, March 26, 2015 Austin
Friday, March 27, 2015 McAllen, TX
Saturday, March 28, 2015 Albuquerque, NM
Monday,
March 30, 2015 Tucson, AZ
Tuesday, March 31, 2015 Phoenix, AZ
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Las Vegas, NV
Thursday, April 2, 2015 Long Beach, CA
Friday, April 3, 2015 Studio City, CA
Sunday,
April 5, 2015 Los Angeles, Magic Castle
Finally,
I have some special product offers coming up soon - y'all
will be the first to know.
Cheers,
Lee Earle
--------------------------------------------
15. Australian Junior Championships Of Magic
--------------------------------------------
Message by Adam Mada (Australia)
I'm
proud to let you know that the boys, Lukas & Ash from
"Cardistry" have won the Australian Junior Championships
of Magic at the 2014 Melbourne Magic Festival. I've been
coaching the boys for about 6 months. They were interviewed
on the Today Show, where they also perform a snippet from
their winning performance.
http://www.adammada.com/news/coached-by-adam-mada-cardistry-win-australian-junior-championships/
--------------------------------------------
16. The MagicFest Convention
--------------------------------------------
Message by Ken Spanola, Convention Chairman
Unbelievable?
The MagicFest Convention is only three weeks away.
Saturday August 9th, 2014
Avoid the registration lines. Register Online at www.TampaMagicClub.com
Click
on the "Registration" tab and then the "MagicFest"
hyperlink.
For additional Convention information, click on the "Convention"
tab.
What Is MagicFest? Simply The Best One Day Convention In
Florida.
Here's
what's scheduled:
3 Fantastic Lectures!
John Bannon will be our feature lecturer. This will be no
ordinary lecture. First, John rarely lectures and this will
be his only Florida lecture. He's flying back to Illinois
after the workshop on Sunday. Second, this will be a 2 hour
lecture by one of the best magicians in the country.
Ryan
Schlutz is an exciting young performer who has released
several highly acclaimed DVDs. Ryan has some very clever
self-working magic that are "workers" that will
go right into a working professional's repertoire. Don't
miss this lecture by one of magic's rising stars.
Terry
Ward is one of the best entertainers in magic today. He
has performed for the most prestigious audiences, such as
Coke-a-Cola, Nestle Carnation, GE, AT&T and Walt Disney
World. Using his dynamic personality, Terry brings the artistry
of magic to a new dimension. By combining magic, comedy,
and audience participation, Terry will keep everyone laughing
and well entertained throughout his lecture.
Don't
miss this rare opportunity to learn from a real entertainment
master.
Close-Up
Show
What a lineup - John Bannon, Ryan Schlutz and Terry Ward
will all perform in the show. If that wasn't enough, the
very talented Cameron Francis has been added to the show.
We
will have a jumbo screen and projector for all lectures
and the Close-Up show, so everyone can see the magic.
Our
very special MC for the day will be Geoff Williams. Geoff
is an outstanding magician in his own right and he is sure
to keep the day moving right along with his comedic talents.
Dealers
Room and Flea Market Tables
Good News & Bad News! The Bad News is -- there are no
more Dealers or Flea Market tables available - we've sold
out. The Good News is we've sold out -- so the Dealers Room
will be the place to hang out as we've lined up some wonderful
Dealers as well as 10 Flea Market tables where you are sure
to find some magical treasures!
Convention Location
We
are having the convention at the same hotel as last year
-- the beautiful Embassy Suites, 3705 Spectrum Blvd. (off
Fowler Ave.) in Tampa, FL.
Hotel
rooms are available at $129 per night. Just be sure to say
that you are attending the "MagicFest" convention
to get that rate.
Cost
The registration fee is STILL ONLY $35 (same price as last
year)!
Unbelievable
- 3 Fantastic Lectures, a Close-Up Show with 4 Outstanding
Magicians and a jam packed Dealers Room with Flea Market
tables. All for ONLY $35.
You can pay online at www.TampaMagicClub.com and pay with
Pay Pal or call Melissa Spanola at 813-885-2449 to pay by
credit card.
Schedule
Registration opens at 8:30am.
Dealers
Room Opens at 9:00 am and our first lecture (Ryan Schlutz)
is at 9:30 AM.
The convention ends at 6:00pm. So this is a FULL day of
FUN and MAGIC that you don't want to miss.
Check
online for the full schedule.
If
you have any questions, give me a call.
Magically,
Ken
Spanola, Convention Chairman
813-885-2449
Bonus
- Extra Charge Workshop
The Magic Emporium is hosting an extra charge event on Sunday,
August 10th - a John Bannon Workshop.
John
will hold a very rare hands-on workshop for a limited number
of magicians. This unbelievable workshop will start at 1:00pm
at The Magic Emporium.
The
cost is only $50 and seating is limited. Don't be turned
away!
Call
Gary Barker at 813-265-WAND to reserve your spot before
this event is sold out.
--------------------------------------------
17. Magicseen 57
--------------------------------------------
Message by Chris Wasshuber
Vol.
10, No. 3, no date (July 2014); 60 pages
Cover: Sean Alexander
Welcome - editor's letter
John Carey: From Hot Sales to Hot Soup! - interview - Graham
Hey
Readers' Letters
In The News
Comedy Time - Graham Hey
The Kids' Show Minefield - How to avoid some of the worst
problems - Mark Leveridge
Masterclass
It's All in the Name - John Carey
Partly Right or Partly Wrong! - Arun Bonerjee
Pros & Cons - It's All a Matter of Opinion - Mark Leveridge
Books v DVDs - Follow Up - Nick Jones
The Secret Agent - re: Trevor George - Jay Fortune
Dealer Shout Outs - Special 'extra' announcements from a
few regular advertisers
In the Phonebox with: Ali Cook - Graham Hey
Sean Alexander: On the Up, and Down Under! - cover article/interview
- Graham Hey
In The News
Dani DaOrtiz: The Spanish Sensation! - interview - Graham
Hey
Smoke & Mirrors Bar, Bristol - Live Reviews
Jon Allen
Danny Buckler
Things I Wish I'd Known When I Started - compiled by Mark
Leveridge
Product Reviews
The Magic of Celebrating Illusion - book - Robert E. Neale
Legion - e-book - Andreu
Essentials in Magic - Master Course in Sponge Balls, Volumes
1-4 - 4 DVDs - Daryl
Lives of the Conjurer's - Volume 1 - e-book - Professor
Solomon
In2ition - trick - Brian Schwenger
The Mentalists Cookbook Package - Jonathan Royle
Shazam - e-book - Liam Montier
Bound - DVD - SansMinds
Infamous - DVD - Daniel Meadows & James Anthony
Starstruck - DVD - Sean Goodman
noitpecreP - advice -Jez Rose
Celebrity Bit With Dick Van Dyke
Next Issue!
Listings
Back Issues
To
subscribe go to: http://www.lybrary.com/magicseen-no-57-p-503557.html
--------------------------------------------
18. Abbott's 80th Birthday
--------------------------------------------
Message by Chuck/Webmaster
Abbott's
will be combining its 80th birthday with the 77th Get Together
into a great big celebration August 6-9. 4 big evening shows,
A Closeup Show, 10 Lectures, Saturday Matinee, 10 different
scheduled street performances, Talent contest, Friday firework
show, The Colon Craft Fair for the entire family. This is
magic week and Colon and there is nothing like it on the
entire planet.
Whether
you are a magician, amateur, or just someone who loves good
magic this is the event for you and your family this summer.
Many of the biggest names in magic will be participating
including Jeff Hobson, Joshua Jay, Losander, Outerbridge,
Chris Mitchell, Shoot Ogawa, Pat Davison, Chris Blackmore,
John Shryock, George Schindler, and Fred Becker just to
mention a few. In addition, some of the best magicians and
entertainers under 25 years old will be performing at Tuesday's
evening show including Matt Schick, Bill Cook, Timothy Cripe,
Mabelle, and Trigg Watson!
On
Friday morning magicians will get a chance to perform in
front of a real stage audience at our Talent Contest. They
will work with our professional stage crew, the absolute
best in the business, and compete for cash prizes in the
same event where Franz Harary, Lance Burton, and Mac King
participated as teens. Everyone is a winner because the
experience you gain from performing in a magic competition
is priceless!
In
addition, all paid registrations (full, youth, or daily)
will receive a copy of Abbott's new book - Decades!
The
online schedule can be found at
http://www.magicgettogether.com/schedule.html
The
Performers and their Bios can be found at
http://www.magicgettogether.com/performers.html
The
many special events for that week can be found at
http://www.magicgettogether.com/specialevents.html
Registration
and Show Tickets can be found at
http://www.magicgettogether.com/tickets.html
--------------------------------------------
19. Daytona Beach Florida Convention
--------------------------------------------
Message by Harry Allen (US)
Very
exciting news!!!! November 7,8,9 2014 Daytona Beach Florida
www.daytonamagic.com click on "convention"
Daytona
Festival of Magic just got better if that is possible.
Just
added to an unbelievable line up:
Dan
Sperry
He
will join:
Rudy Coby
Gregory Wilson
Rich Bloch
Fielding West
Eric Jones
Harry Allen
Silly Billy
Suzanne
Don Baggett
Erik Olson
Scott Humston
David Ferman (Juggler) Act
Lectures,
stage and close-up shows, dealers, auction, (full sit down
dinner Friday night dinner show)
--------------------------------------------
20. e-zine Archives
--------------------------------------------
Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e-zine go to:
www.magicnewzealand.com click on the red button center right
"Archives"
When you enter the archive the e-zines are in issue order
in folders for each year and are Coded, e.g. 001 Nov06 1999.txt
first three numbers (001) denote issue number, then the
date (Nov06) and the last figures the year (1999)
---------------------------------------------
21. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
--------------------------------------------
Our subscriber list is NOT made available to any other companies
or individuals. We value every subscriber and respect your
privacy.
You can subscribe to or unsubscribe from the Magic New Zealand®
E-zine at: www.magicnewzealand.com
Magic New Zealand® E-zine is published each Sunday.
The opinions and statements 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 or statements contained 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.