Magic New Zealand® E-zine

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* Magic New Zealand®
* Proudly sponsored by International Entertainment Ltd (New Zealand)
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Issue Number: #1619
Date: Sunday 16th May 2021
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
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Hi here is the latest news
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1. Editor's Message
2. 2021 I.B.M. Convention Online
3. Magical Women With Connie Boyd
4. Magicquest
5. Upcoming Magic Sale
6. A Time And A Place - John Carey #118
7. Save The Date! Masters Of Magic Is Back!
8. To View Bernard Reid's Online Service
9. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #11
10. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
11. E-zine Archives
12. Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice

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1. Editor's Message
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IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL READERS:

Unfortunately the ISP that I have been using will no longer be supporting Domain Names and Mail Lists. Therefore next week I will be trialing two different services.

Please whitelist the two following email addresses so you can receive the weekly Magic New Zealand ezine:

editor@magicnewzealand.com

awmc87@kinect.co.nz

You can always receive at link to Magic New Zealand ezine from the Web via a Twitter account:
http://twitter.com/#!/magicnewzealand

and the link is also posted to a number of Facebook groups.
Members of the Magic Circle
Academy of Magical Arts
Magic New Zealand
IBM Ring 160
Official S.A.M. Members Group
Vancouver Magicians Network
Daily Global Magic News
Magicians Around the World
S.A.M. Compeers Group

It hard to believe that Magic New Zealand ezine is its 21st year of publication.

If you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in HTML format
go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2021-Jan-to-Dec-2021/1618-May09-2021.html

If you would like to write a regular column for Magic New Zealand or have some magic news drop me a line:
Editor@MagicNewZealand.com

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2. 2021 I.B.M. Convention Online
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Message by Shawn Farquhar (Canada)

July 8 - 10, 2021

The I.B.M. will be offering a three-day online interactive experience from July 8th-10th 2021. This magic experience is being directed by Ken Scott and Oscar Munoz and will be filled with international stars of magic, and it is certain to be a highlight of the year. We are also proud to announce all Youth and Life Members will be able to attend for FREE. If you were already registered for 2021 you are also being invited to attend for FREE.

If you have yet to sign up for this incredible event we have a deal for you as well. Registration is less than $100 and will include a full years membership to the I.B.M., including the digital edition of The Linking Ring! So if you're already a member of the I.B.M. or you were thinking about joining, now is the time. We are limited to 1000 screens and have reached the half way mark already!

We have already confirmed the following artists will be participating:

Justin Willman - Full virtual show of Magic for Humans at Home
Ben Seidman - Full virtual show of Camera Tricks
Lucy Darling - Full virtual show
Rune Carlsen - Full virtual show of Magic Show Off
Dani DaOrtiz - Lecture
Boris Wild - Lecture
Henry Harrius - Lecture
Stephen Bargatze
Nate Bargatze
Mac King
Shin Lim
Casey Thomas
Ken Scott
Nikolas Arkane
Rachel Wax
ICE McDonald
Paige Thompson
Jay the Juggling Magician
Elliott Hunter
Christopher T Magician
Joe Romano
Meadow Perry
Aspen Ortiz
Alex Zander
Sanjeev Vinodh
Louie Foxx

The event will be recorded and for a limited period of time following the convention it will be available to view for those that registered. As you can see we have a huge list of artists, some you know and some you may not, which was the intention of the Talent Director, Shawn Farquhar.

You can visit www.IBMCONVENTION.com to learn more and reserve your spot for the I.B.M.'s first and hopefully only online convention.

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3. Magical Women With Connie Boyd
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Message by Connie Boyd (USA)

Julie Eng's 3rd Sequel Talk delves into her publishing and photography experiences and her discovery of magic history and why it inspires her. Listen to her reveal fun facts about magic legend Johnny Thompson and her important contributions to his two volume book, published by Magicana. Julie was born into a family where magic was a mainstream existence.

She appeared on stage, magically, before she could walk. Her father a very respected magician, Tony Eng, mentored and cherished Julie's passion for magic. He taught her everything he could and then "pushed her out of the nest" and into a new exciting world working for David Ben and then Magicana where she is now the Executive Director and continues to work closely with David.

Contents:

00:00 - 0:14 Introduction Julie Eng Sequel #3
0:14 -1:45 - the Importance of Magic History
1:45 - 1:56 - Call to Action please subscribe
1:56 - 3:50 - Magic History Learning through Posters
3:50 - 6:40 - Julie discusses her duties as Executive Director at Magicana
6:40 - 7:22 - Lessons learned from her Parents
7:22 - 12:07 - Publishing & Photography at Magicana
12:07 - 12:26 - Call to Action Please Subscribe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeSriEAZKvs

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4. MagicQuest
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Message by Jeff McBride (US)

We'll explore everything from the supernatural to sleight-of-hand to new mysteries I've been working on … and I'll reveal the stories behind the secret artifacts I've sought out and collected while touring the world.

There are eight new performance times:

Friday, May 21, 6:00 pm PT (Las Vegas)
Saturday, May 22, 12:00 pm PT (Las Vegas)
Saturday, May 22, 5:00 pm PT (Las Vegas)
Sunday, May 23, 2:00 pm PT (Las Vegas)
Friday, May 28, 6:00 pm PT (Las Vegas)
Saturday, May 29, 12:00 pm PT (Las Vegas)
Saturday, May 29, 5:00 pm PT (Las Vegas)
Sunday, May 30, 2:00 pm PT (Las Vegas)

If you live in the Eastern time zone you might find our performances on Saturday, May 22 and Saturday, May 29th more convenient.

Our friends in Europe can enjoy an evening performance in their local time zones with our performances scheduled at 12 pm PT Saturday, May 22 and Saturday, May 29th.

Our friends in Singapore, Malaysia and Australia can enjoy a Saturday morning performance in their local time zones by purchasing the Friday, May 21 or Friday, May 28th performances.

The Reviews Have Been Fabulous!

"Fantastic Virtual Experience!!
Superb!"
- Mat Franco

"The most beautiful magic show that I've seen in a long time."
- Adrian Lacroix

"What an experience and a privilege to dive into the life of the Grand-Master!"

Must See !2weeks only! I've created a zoom theatrical!..the show is opening. Time to have some mysterious fun ... MAGICQUEST You can view it here:

https://vimeo.com/534581008/3db2a7a102 "Grand Master of Magic Jeff McBride takes you along on his lifelong quest to discover real magic. Only 8 performances of this Show, Tour, and

VIP Afterparty!" Here's a link to the page:
https://mcbride.wellattended.com/events/jeff-mcbride-magicquest

MAGICQUEST Main 720 24fps v04vimeo.com

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5. Upcoming Magic Sale
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Message by Steve Varro (US)

Estates of Magic has a new listing of products every month, but on May 14th they will be listing a OBRO sale (Or Best Reasonable Offer)

Here's how this one time only sale is going to work: If you feel my listed price is fair, buy it now. If you think my price is a little higher than you'd like to pay, make an offer. If your offer is deemed reasonable, the price will be noted for one week, if no one else bids higher than you, the item(s) are sold to you.

If you are interested in receiving their E-Catalog, Go to estatesofmagic.com then scroll down and add your name and email address. See you on the 14th. Thank you Steve Varro

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6. A Time And A Place - John Carey #118
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

A time and a place is simply my presentation for the classic clock trick. I've always loved the effect but was never totally happy with my presentation. I won't go into method here as you should know it. Read Royal Road to Card Magic or one of the other classic texts.

"Monica, did you know that some people get so wrapped up in their work they actually dream about it? Well the other night I had a card trick dream and someone just like you was in it! Firstly I had you shuffle the deck and showed you how well mixed they were. I turned away and asked you to cut away a small packet and count them and form a random number in your mind. Would you do that now please? Then pop them away in the card box.

Then I mentioned how a deck of cards has much in common with the calendar and time. There's four suits, representing the seasons, twelve picture cards that represent the months of the year and if you add up all the cards and include a Joker as one, you get 365, the number of days in
the year. Interesting yes? Next I took off 12 cards to act like the hands of a clock. I will show you each card and I'd like you to think of the card at the number in your mind. Got one? Get one? Good.

I then asked you to shuffle the deck. I was just about to try and read your mind when that moment with you and that deck of cards in that lovely bar just seemed to fade away and I suddenly woke up. I wondered just what might have happened and then got up and put the kettle on. I looked at my clock and it was only 7 O'clock. What hour are you thinking of? That's
uncanny! As I sipped my coffee I noticed a playing card on the floor. I picked it up and it was a red card. What colour is your card? Really? The card was a Heart. Yours too?! In fact it was a Jack, a Jack of Hearts. You're thinking of that as well? That's impossible, but I just guess it proves that dreams really can come true!"

Notes:

Just an example of how framing a piece can amplify it for the people. It's all about effect and affect.

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7. Save The Date! Masters Of Magic Is Back!
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Save The Date
June, 19 - 20

We want to create the first live event with you, to get back to thrilling together
with the great magic live.

We look forward to seeing for you in Turin for two unforgettable days.

Stay tuned for all details to participate!

Let's go back to get emotional together!

The best hugs must come again!

United Magicians for the world

100 hours of magic live streaming

June, 17 - 18 - 19 - 20

The second edition returns via live streaming for four days of extraordinary magic!

Masters of magic convention 2019

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8. To View Bernard Reid's Online Service
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Message by Godfrey Reid (New Zealand)

You are invited to view the service of Bernard Reid

Held on 20th May from 10.45am to 12.15pm (NZ time)

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/

Alternatively, access the service at OneRoom and enter the details shown below:

https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/family-and-friends

Mail: stateofgraceltd@xtra.co.nz

Password: UAFAAS

At the conclusion of the service these details let you view the recording anytime for 90 days.

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9. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #11
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Message by Paul Stone (US)

Before this week reintroducing you to another legendary Las Vegas magician from the past, I wanted to once again talk about two irreplaceable headliners from the Las Vegas Strip.

A couple of months ago I launched a Limited Edition Siegfried & Roy Collectors Box Set. This was inspired by the Tribute to Siegfried & Roy at the London Palladium Theatre that I produced in 2008.

This Collectors Set includes memorabilia from the show, a full colour program, fliers, two superb posters, reviews, magazine articles, letters from Siegfried & Roy and Andrew Lloyd Weber the owner of the London Palladium.

More impressive still is an engraved gold flash drive with over 250 fantastic photos from the event, the rehearsals, the show itself and the after show party, and some priceless, never before released video footage of the show shot by French TV, interviews with Siegfried & Roy before and after the show, and the full acts of both Johnny Thompson and Norm Nielsen and interviews with them, and other performers from the show.

I'm mentioning all this again because the Siegfried & Roy Collectors Box Set is limited to just 175 sets in total, each with their own Certificate of Authenticity, and only 37 remain unsold.

So, if you were considering ordering this very unique and special piece of magical history, you should do so before they are all sold. Full details are on the website: www.sandrpalladiumtribute.com

The Las Vegas legend that I'm going to talk about this week is The Amusing & Confusing Johnny Paul.

I first met Johnny Paul in 1981 when I brought Ken Brooke over to the United States to receive his Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts in Hollywood. Ken had always told me what a great entertainer Johnny Paul was and that he was arguably the man responsible for pioneering hospitality magic in America.

Ken and I travelled from Hollywood to Las Vegas to attend the Desert Magic Seminar. Johnny, together with his lovely wife Winnie, threw a party for Ken at their home; he also invited Dai Vernon, Tony Slydini, Daniel Cros, Ricky Jay, Gaetan Bloom, and Roger Klause. At the party, Ken Brooke pulled off one of the funniest stunts that I've ever seen. I'll tell you all about it in a future article on Ken Brooke. I still laugh about it to this day!

I must admit to being a little apprehensive about meeting one of magic's greats, but I needn't have worried; I was greeted by both Johnny and his lovely wife Winnie as if I had known them for years.

This was one of Johnny's special gifts: his ability to make everyone, no matter who they were, feel important and welcome. His generosity knew no bounds and he genuinely loved people. I was privileged to visit and stay at Johnny and Winnie's home on several occasions over the following ten years, and I always received the same warm and enthusiastic welcome.

Johnny Paul was born on January 15, 1912, in Chicago. As a young man he worked as a bar boy at a Chicago tavern, practicing juggling and tap dancing on the side. One day he walked into a suite at the famed Chicago Palmer House Hotel that was rented by the National Magic House, a school for budding young magicians. He announced that he was there to enroll and learn the trade.

Johnny had already made a local name for himself in the bar that employed him by juggling glasses, beer bottles, and cubes of ice. His reputation won him a job at the Sherman Hotel; and when the resort opened the Dome, a night spot with a stage, Johnny got his chance to perform in front of a large audience.

One night he saw a professional magician perform on this same stage. He was so impressed by the audience's reaction that he decided then and there that magic would be his life's calling. Johnny opened up his own bar in Cicero, Illinois, called the Magic Lounge and further built his reputation as the magic bartender.

In 1960, Johnny moved to Las Vegas and became the host magician at the Showboat Hotel & Casino where he eventually became their entertainment director.

When large conventions came into town, Johnny personally hosted all the major cocktail parties and entertained these VIP clients in his own inimitable and unique style. He would perform seated at a long table with up to a hundred people watching, some sitting around the table and some standing behind and around him. He wowed them every time with his comedy and impressive and very commercial style of magic.

Johnny also travelled extensively across the USA, appearing in numerous hospitality suites for several important clients. He worked for Caterpillar for nearly thirty years; he was always billed as "The Amusing and Confusing Johnny Paul direct from the Showboat Hotel in Las Vegas." They even designed and built a special Showboat backdrop for him to perform in front of.

Johnny was a personable and likeable performer, a "teddy bear" of a man. He had huge hands and his magic was always strong, fun, and entertaining.

I was fortunate enough to take him over to England on a couple of occasions, including once to perform at the seventy-fifth anniversary celebrations of the Liverpool Mahatma Magic Circle (of which I've been a member for nearly fifty years), along with Juan Tamariz, The Morettis, and Michael Ammar.

Johnny was also invited by Executive Producer John Fisher to appear as the final guest on Paul Daniels's This Is Your Life TV show, and Johnny also performed at the after-show reception.

Sadly, Johnny died unexpectedly in 1991 from complications following a routine operation. He was one of the most generous people I've ever met. He was an outstanding entertainer with a terrific personality and was a wonderful friend. Johnny Paul was truly one of magic's greats, and one of the nicest men you could ever hope to meet.

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10. The Orchante Saga - Beginnings
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Written by the late Tommy Orchard (The Amazing Orchante)

New Zealand's One And Only Eddie Low

As told by Maria Cowin (nee Low)

Eddie Low never knew his birth mother. Her name was Rangi Ratana, and her brief, poverty-stricken life ended a little more than one month after she gave birth to Eddie - her second child. The then 18 year-old beautiful Maori maiden from Rotorua, New Zealand, had developed tuberculosis shortly before Eddie was conceived. In those days tuberculosis was generally fatal, but as if that wasn't enough, the young woman was dealt another blow when, during her pregnancy with Eddie, she contracted German measles (Rubella). The rubella infected her unborn child and so it was that the baby was born blind on 14th May, 1943. The tuberculosis claimed Rangi's life soon after, and on 19th June of that same year, Mrs Rangi Ratana McRoy quietly passed away.

Just a few years earlier, towards the end of the 1930s, young Robert McRoy from Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, Scotland, sailed into New Zealand waters as a chef in the Scottish navy. He became enamoured with the country and the people of New Zealand, and it wasn't too long before he began a new profession as a soldier in the New Zealand Army. Robert was fond of country and western music, and from all accounts, he was a pretty good yodeller, trickster and storyteller as well.

Robert McRoy was 28 when he fell in love with Rangi Ratana. Rangi, the youngest child in a large family, soon married this man with the 'funny' accent. She was barely 16 when, on the third of January 1942, she gave birth to her first child, a son named David Robert. After her death in 1943, the young father found it impossible to care for two little boys, and when it seemed that all hope was lost for this family, fate finally smiled and Mrs Maria Low came into their lives. Maria was already raising a family of her own, and even though baby Eddie was blind Maria adopted both boys - without hesitation - and David and Eddie grew up with a loving family and the only mother they ever knew. Several years later, after Eddie had achieved international success, he wrote two songs in Maria's memory: 'I Remember Mama' and 'Look At Me Now'.

As a toddler Eddie loved music and was playing the ukulele at the age of 4. He was sent to Sunrise Home, a boarding kindergarten for blind children in Remuera, Auckland. When he reached school age, he moved to the New Zealand Foundation for the Blind (NZFB) in Parnell. Eddie was not an outstanding scholar - to say the least - but he performed well on the sporting field and he enjoyed learning and playing musical instruments. His older brother Bob Low recalls, "Each time Eddie came home for school holidays he could play another instrument, even though he didn't, and still can't, read a note of music".

When he was 12 years old a series of three operations were performed on Eddie's left eye. His right eye was dead and could not be saved. Eddie did not expect the operations to be successful and prepared himself for a lifetime of darkness. However, fate smiled once again on Eddie and limited sight was gained in his left eye. I asked him once what it was like to suddenly be able to see and he simply said, "I just didn't bang into things anymore". He can see only partially
and his eyesight is deteriorating, but every day he counts his blessings.

On the 1st April 1965, when Eddie was 21 years old, Maria Low passed away. Eddie was just carving out a career in Australia. In his music and in his life Eddie often wonders if Maria can see him now - or if Rangi and Robert somehow know that the little blind boy they brought into the world has surpassed all expectations against overwhelming odds. Eddie may never know the answer to his questions, but it is a dream he has long had, to bring together the music of the land of his father, and the land of his mother, into the compilation of songs that he has recorded on his recent CD. It is the best way he knows, to pay tribute to his father Robert, his birth mother Rangi, and his adopted mother Maria. I know Eddie's quest to fulfil this dream has been exciting for him, and at times a little frightening, How do I know this? Because I don't usually call him Eddie - I call him Dad. I am the eldest of three children. We never knew our grandparents Rangi or Robert, and Maria died two years before I was born; I am in no position too say they somehow
know what Dad has done with his life, but one thing I am sure of - if they do know, they are most certainly very, very proud.

No one could have written this cover story better than Eddie's daughter, Maria. It is a wonderful discourse on how things were in New Zealand in the 1900's, and how the Maori integrated with the white (pakeha) settlers through marriage. My own family history runs along more or less similar lines, as do hundreds, possibly thousands of others, I warrant.

I make mention of the 2 CD that Eddie recorded. There is one particular track on disc 1, entitled 'Songs of Home', that every New Zealander who lives overseas should listen to, I wrote about another Maori singer, the late 'Prince' Tui Teka, and how he and Eddie had played 'IL SILENZIO' as a duet on their trumpets at a Sydney club concert. I also told how Eddie, with his guitar, came around to our home in Sydney and sang 'Songs of Home', wanting to know what we thought of it. The tears running down my face gave him my answer. I recorded that little session on my reel-to-reel tape recorder. It is a most valuable treasure, and I don't mean that in a monetary sense. If you are an ex pat Kiwi, I implore you to seek this CD out; I can promise you that your heart strings will be mightily plucked, and more than likely you, like me, will sob your heart out!

Eddie loves magic, and we have a 'deal'. I teach him some simple tricks to fool his friends with - and in return, he gives me his latest recordings. In a recent email from Burns Scandrett, he said
that whenever Eddie was in Christchurch performing, he and his wife always made a point of popping into his, Burn's magic shop, for a chat and to buy yet another thumbtip. Burns says he doesn't know what the hell he did with them all, but over the years he bought a hell of a lot of them! Well I guess that being partly blind, he just lost them - now, about my commission Burns…!

In New Zealand, fish and shellfish are pretty much a staple food for us kiwis, especially if you are a Maori. I'm an exception when it comes to oysters, a particular delicacy in New Zealand. Late one night, Eddie and I decided to 'raid' the kitchen fridge of some hotel that we were staying in, somewhere in the South Island. Perhaps I should mention that we were very drunk at the time. Eddie whooped with joy on discovering a very large jar filled to the brim with oysters. Being totally smashed probably explains why, after protesting my utter dislike for oysters, that I let Eddie, who was howling with laughter, hand feed me the dreaded things. I was so drunk it didn't matter - we both were. That was the last time I ate oysters.

Although Eddie is blind he does have partial vision in his left eye, and he took full advantage of that fact. Back in those wonderful, heady days, most of our work was in hotels, touring all over in New Zealand., and now and again, Eddie and I would be booked together. It just so happens that I was a reasonably good pools player - well when you have spent years in hotels, and have time on your hands, the pool table and a few beers was just the ticket.

Eddie was also one hellava good pools player as well, far better than I. When we walked into the local bar and put our money down for a game, the quiet sniggers became louder when Eddie approached the table and then announced: "Hey Tommy, where's the white ball". Of
course, he could see it, as well as all the other balls. We had it well worked out. After a few 'pathetic' misses from Eddie and myself, with me advising this 'blind' man in which direction the red balls lay. Talk about pulling the suckers in. Suddenly the room would go quiet as Eddie started to faultlessly pot red ball after red ball until finally - "How many are there left". "Just the black ball Eddie", and he sunk that as well! God we had some fun.

There are a 'million' stories that can be told about Eddie but, I have to finish this sometime, Like Now!

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E-zine Archives
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Back issues of the Magic New Zealand e- zine go to:
www.magicnewzealand.com

Click on the red button centre 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)

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Privacy Policy and Copyright Notice
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