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* Magic New Zealand®
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Issue Number: #1688
Date: Sunday 9th October 2022
Editor: Alan Watson QSM
www.watson.co.nz
E-mail: editor@magicnewzealand.com
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Hi here is the latest news
================================
1.
Editor's Message
2. Teller - Heart Surgery
3. Vanish Magazine
4. The Magic Word Podcast - Ghost Tour
5. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode No. 5
6. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #80
7. Potter & Potter Auctions
8. Tales from the Fantastic Magic Center - #12
9. Sweet Simplicity - John Carey #174
10. News From The Academy Of Illusions
11. November 2022 - Magic & Mystery School Events
12. E-zine Archives
13. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice
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1. Editor's Message
--------------------------------------------
If
you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in HTML
format
go to: https://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2022-Jan-to-Dec2022/1688-Oct09-2022.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. Teller - Heart Surgery
--------------------------------------------
Article forward on by Peter Johnston (US)
Las
Vegas Review Journal
Teller is known as the silent partner in Penn & Teller's
hit stage show at the Rio. He's also one tough dude, and
his mettle is being tested again.
Penn
& Teller have temporarily taken down their long-running,
comedy-magic production, as Teller recovers from open-heart
surgery.
Teller
underwent bypass surgery last week, the duo's long-time
manager Glenn Alai said in a statement Monday morning:
"Teller
underwent bypass surgery on Thursday here in Las Vegas and
is resting and recovering well. Under doctor's orders, he
will be off stage over the next several weeks with an eye
towards returning to performances in late November or early
December."
The
duo most recently performed in Vegas on September 25 at
the Rio, and most recently on the road September 23 at Mystic
Lake Showroom in Prior, Minn.
Teller
has overcome several health challenges over the past four
years.
The
74-year-old illusionist underwent three back surgeries over
18 months covering 2018-2019, returning to the act in February
2020. Penn Jillette performed a "Penn & Friends"
show for three weeks ending January 4, 2020. Guest stars
Mac King, Piff The Magic Dragon and Matt Donnelly joined
the production.
Balance
of the article go to:
https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/entertainment-
columns/kats/heart-surgery-forces-penn-teller-to-postpone-
dates-2650561/?fbclid=IwAR0VMmNrnDMrHikjluH1rnnwp2L1lCzup
kqYJ2t0ROka4SsBgYGieU5DdV4
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3. Vanish Magazine - No. 99
---------------------------------------------
Message by Paul Romhany - Editor Vanish Magazine
October
2022 - 112 Pages
Digital
And Printed Magic Magazine
Exclusive
Stories you will only read about first in Vanish. We get
the scoop on things magic before they hit the main stream!!
Featuring
one of the modern day creators and producers of high-end
magic Hanson Chien. We get an exclusive look in Hanson's
creative mind and the process behind releasing magic.
- Return of the Ghost Show - John Bundy shares photos and
a story behind his recent Ghost Show - these are very rarely
seen today and John shares his with readers of Vanish.
-
Exclusive interview with the director, producer, writer,
magic consultant and actress in a New Magic Movie called
"Queen of Magic." We get the first behind the
scenes look at this film about to be released.
-
The Colditz Conjurer - An incredible story about using magic
to save a life in the war.
-
Hocus-Pocus Focus Magic Book - Amy Kimlat gives the readers
of Vanish the exclusive story on her new book that David
Copperfield said, "Every child interested in magic
should have and every girl intersted in magic needs!"
-
A Squib In The World by Felicity Fields. This month Felicity
looks at "Flavors Of Magic" conference
-
Illusion & Stand-Up Series - Nigel Harrison is an illusion
creator and designer and starts a new series with Full Plans
of stand-up magic and illusions.
-
Product Highlight - Micro Fogger - the world's smallest
and most practical smoke device that will fill a room. This
remote control is the most advanced smoke machine on the
market and at only $200 US for the professional version
this is something ALL magicians will want to get!
-
Product Highlight - Nothing Gen 3 - the perfect utility
for magicians who want to produce smoke via remote control
for close-up strolling performances.
-
Hands of Time - Trick - Patrick Kuffs has a routine with
a borrowed watch.
-
The Mind Reading Magic of Halloween - Trick - Louie Foxx
offers the perfect routine for Halloween.
-
Unconscious - Dave Attwood looks at the stages of putting
a routine together.
-
Product Reviews include Nostalgia by Michel Huot, Magic
Box by George Iglesias, Caught on Tape by Tom Stone, Pro
Deck Switch by Pierre Velarde,
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4. The Magic Word Podcast - Ghost Tour
---------------------------------------------
Message by Scott Wells (USA)
As
we enter into the "Season of Spooky" and the month
of Halloween, we kick off the first episode of October with
a Ghost Tour presented by Vince Wilson in Baltimore, Maryland.
We recently attended Poe's Magic Conference, hosted by Vince
Wilson, where the first activity was a tour of the Lord
Baltimore Hotel, which hosted the story-telling event. After
this brief tour, we took a stroll down the street for a
few blocks to visit some catacombs under a church and pay
homage at the grave site of Edgar Allan Poe who is arguably
the creator of the detective fiction genre. Along the way,
Vince regaled us with several stories with a haunted twist
about the hotel and some of the inhabitants of the cemetery.
Next
we travel via Skype to chat with Paul Prater near Little
Rock, Arkansas, who gives us tips, ideas and suggestions
on how we can create a paranormal experience in our own
hometowns with Ghost Tours. If you want to view our chat,
then surf over to YouTube and watch us here: https://youtu.be/SXbHoSNk20g
But
for the complete podcast along with videos, photos, the
blog, links and more, please visit the website at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/scottwellsmagic/718-wilson-and-prater
Of
course you can always listen wherever you get your podcasts.
And if you use iTunes as your podcast provider, it would
greatly help if you would leave a five star rating along
with any nice comments on why you enjoy the podcast. Thank
you in advance for your help.
-------------------------------------
5. Magic Museum Bellachini - Episode No. 5
-------------------------------------
Message by Wittus Witt (Germany)
You
remember: Samuel Berlach, Bellachini, the first. Lucas Strack-Bellachini
the second and Franz Schweizer-Bellachini the third. In
between there were a few others who also called themselves
Bellachini, but they did not achieve any particular significance.
Only Theodor von Schledorn was able to match the fame of
his namesake.
Theodor
von Schledorn was born on 17 January 1896 in the house of
his father Heinrich Emil von Schledorn and his mother Maria
Anna in Heggen.
As
a child, he often visited his uncle during the holidays
and was so fascinated by his magic that, as an apprentice
baker, he was more interested in learning magic tricks than
baking buns. So it was only logical that after his apprenticeship
he set out to perfect his artistic talents, turn his hobby
into a profession and "conquer the big wide world".
In
no time at all, he had made a name for himself in artistic
circles. Artists need a catchy short name, and so he adopted
the stage name of his great role model Samuel Berlach, who
called himself "Bellachini". Soon "Bellachini
junior" shone in large letters from the posters and
advertising pillars of Europe's major cities.
In
a later television report on the occasion of his 70th birthday,
Theodor von Schledorn, who was called the "King of
the Magicians" in the programme, described how he had
already made it to Berlin as a young man. There he was also
allowed to demonstrate his magic skills in front of Kaiser
Wilhelm II. A pin presented by the Emperor with the imperial
crown and the imperial "W" with diamonds, as a
special award and commendation, bears witness to this performance.
After
the Emperor abdicated in 1918 and took up new residence
at Doorn Castle in Holland until 1941, he had Theodor von
Schledorn come there several times between 1920 and 1935
to be entertained and distracted by the latest "magical
skills" of his "court artist". The Emperor
seems to have had a soft spot for magic.
Theodor
von Schledorn, by now called "The Great Bellachini",
became a rich man in a very short time, owning several houses
in Düsseldorf. When Düsseldorf was bombed, his
houses fell to rubble.
He
survived the end of the war as an auxiliary police officer.
The Allies also reinstated him as such after the end of
the war, until the auxiliary police were dismantled around
1948. In 1946 he acquired a plot of land above Rieflinghausen
from the farmer Bernhard Belke on a ground lease, on which
he built a log cabin.
Theodor
von Schledorn was very popular among the population there.
He helped needy people as best he could. Even during his
time as an auxiliary policeman, during the war and later,
he identified with the worries and needs of his fellow human
beings.
With
the currency reform in 1948, the "Bellachini"
had to start from scratch again. Although money was scarce,
it ventured a new beginning with smaller performances. ln
this time it also made several guest appearances in Heggen
at Albert Wilmes' hall, which was always filled to capacity.
But
the time for big performances by an ageing magician was
over, the peak had passed.
In
addition, over the years competitors had seized his well-known
stage name, for at the same time there were a large number
of magicians who performed under the name "Bellachini".
To
distinguish himself from the other "inauthentics",
he took a gamble and temporarily exchanged his well-known
name "Bellachini" for the unknown announcement:
"Magic Show Bosco".
In
1960 he decided to step down from the "Magic Stage".
Since
he had not made sufficient provision for his old age in
the "good times", he improved his livelihood after
the end of his artistic career, unrecognised by most, as
a cave guide in the Atta cave in Attendorn until 1968.
After
a short period of sick leave in Marsberg, he finally died
there at the age of 79 on 14 August 1975, ill in body and
mind.
The
"journey" continues
see you next week with
Bellachini No. 6.
Wittus
Witt
www.hamburger-zaubermuseum.com
-------------------------------------
6. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #80
-------------------------------------
Message by Paul Stone (US)
I
made a surprise trip to Los Angeles last week, it was very
much a last minute decision, and definitely not something
I'd planned.
I'd
been chatting to my good friend Bill Smith over lunch, and
he mentioned that he was going to attend the Academy of
Magical Arts Awards Show a couple of days later.
To
be honest, I didn't give it much more thought because, after
40 years as a Show Producer, I've been to, and actually
produced, enough Awards Events to last me for this and the
next lifetime!
However,
coincidentally that evening I was talking on the phone with
another close friend Diana Zimmerman, (yes, I do have more
than one good friend!) and she was very excited to tell
me that she had been asked to present a Special Fellowship
to Connie Boyd.
And
even though the Awards Show was completely sold out, before
I knew it, partly due to Diana doing what Diana does, and
partly due to the kindness of Erika Larsen (yet another
friend!), who conjured up a ticket for me, I was going to
L.A!
The
venue was the Avalon Theater, a really lovely old theater
that was perfect for this event. You instinctively knew
as soon as you walked in that it was going to be a great
evening.
In
my opinion, the key to the special atmosphere throughout
the evening was the fact that the guests were seated at
several small tables and not in regular theater seats. This
allowed for everyone to mix and mingle with friends.
The
array of magical talent present was incredible, and it was
great to meet up with so many of them, including several
people that I hadn't seen for quite a while.
Jeff
Hobson, together with his wife Yvonne, had made the trip
in from La Quinta, where Marvyn's Magic Theater (named after
the legendary Mr Electric, Marvyn Roy) is shortly to resume
shows. If you haven't visited there, it is a luxurious 130
seater featuring the very best magic and variety from across
the globe.
I
was fortunate to share a table for the Awards Show with
Les Arnold, Ron Anderson, Bill Smith and Diana Zimmerman.
Another
big plus for the evening was that before the Awards started
there was ample time to mingle and also enjoy the excellent
selection of food on offer, which was a nice bonus.
The
Awards Show itself was masterfully hosted by Michael Carbonara
who was the perfect choice for this role. He seamlessly
introduced the various awards presenters and acts, as well
as presenting a cod mental telepathy spot with Princess
Brunhilda (Liberty Larsen), which although as old as the
hills, was entertaining and fun, and performed in a way
that only a top pro can do. Michael is terrific.
I'm
not going to list all the performers or Awards Winners here
as they've been well documented elsewhere, but I will make
a couple of exceptions.
I
was delighted that Charlie & Sherry Frye won a Performing
Fellowship. They are the best, both on and off stage.
It
really doesn't matter what Lance Burton performs, it is
always such a treat to see him on stage. And even in this
short cameo spot, his timing and superb stage presence shone
through.
The main reason of course that Lance was at the Awards Show,
and performed one of Max Maven's card miracles, was in honor
of his long time friend, and 'Uncle Max', who was to receive
the Masters Fellowship from the Academy.
The
presentation of the Masters Fellowship to Max was made by
Mac King in a heartfelt and at times emotional speech, which
was followed by a richly-deserved standing ovation from
the packed audience of Max's peers, for this world class
performer, author, mentor, and all round magical personality.
Gary
Stockdale and the EccenTricks did a fantastic job playing
both background music and accompanying the Awards presentations.
They were first class, and added greatly to the enjoyment
of the evening.
And
finally, huge congratulations to Chuck Martinez and Erika
Larsen for producing a wonderful evening. As someone who
has specialized in producing one-off events and shows with
very limited rehearsal time, I know exactly how much of
a challenge it is. But they pulled it off brilliantly and
should be very proud.
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7. Potter & Potter Auctions
-------------------------------------
Message by Rebekah Kaufman
I
am excited to announce Potter & Potter Auctions' upcoming
Salon De Magie - The Klosterman Collection Part III Sale,
to be held on Saturday, October 29th, 2022.
This
outstanding event features important materials related to
spirits, ghosts, and seances - just in time for Halloween!
Please
see the attached press release and highlight photos for
more information.
Gabe
Fajuri, President of Potter & Potter Auctions, is happy
to speak with you in greater detail about this sale. He
can be reached at gabe@potterauctions.com or 773-472-1442.
--------------------------------------------
8. Tales from the Fantastic Magic Center - #13
--------------------------------------------
Message by Kent Cummins, Director (USA)
My
Guillotine love Affair!
I
got my first Guillotine in 1965, the same year I got married
although
there is no real relationship between those two events!
I
was a Senior at Louisiana State University, and one of my
part-time jobs was doing promotional work for the Gordon
Theatre in Baton Rouge. Warner Brothers sent a large promotional
package for a new movie starring Connie Stevens, Cesar Romero
and Dean Jones. It was called, "Two on a Guillotine".
The
Gordon Theatre didn't get the movie, but the manager helped
me book my magic show into other South Louisiana theatres.
I bought a bright red "French Guillotine" illusion
by U.F. Grant, and the love affair began.
When
the Army assigned me to Germany, I took my magic stuff (marked
"TOYS" in my household goods) and I painted the
guillotine olive drab to match Army colors. But when the
Army sent me to Vietnam, I sold my precious prop.
After
we settled down in Austin, I purchased a Delben Guillotine
which was just like the U.F. Grant model, but a little bigger
and better built. I added a bumper sticker: "Lose Weight
Now - Ask me How!" and purchased camouflage fabric
to drape over the guillotine before revealing it to the
victim from the audience.
While
traveling with the Mighty Thomas Shows Carnival in the summer
of 1986, I included a large guillotine that was similar
to Abbott's Giant Guillotine, but built by a local craftsman.
On
my 50th birthday in 1993, my wife Margot arranged a surprise
party in which members of the magic club performed my own
show for me. Peter the Adequate sawed me in half with my
own saw, and Chris Walden chopped off my head in my own
guillotine!
The
Fantastic Magic Center is dedicated to preserving and sharing
the art of magic. Check out my free weekly podcast at:
www.FantasticMagicCenter.com
kent@magichotline.com
-------------------------------------------
9. Sweet Simplicity - John Carey #174
-------------------------------------------
Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/
I
put the following approach of the Card-At-Any-Number plot
together for a friend who wanted a direct and simple approach.
Don't waste this on magicians. Save it for the laymen and
see, despite the very easy method, how strongly this plays!
You will require a deck of cards, three dice and an odd
back stranger card, say Jack of Clubs. Place this card inside
a small pay envelope. In your deck position the Jack of
Clubs which has a bottom cutting breather crimp in it at
21st from the top.
Bring
out the envelope and casually set it aside without fuss.
Then take out your cards and the dice. Set the dice down
and casually spread the deck face-up before flipping it
face-down and tabling it. Pick up the three dice and hand
them to a spectator. Ask her to roll them, commenting on
the random numbers rolled. Then ask her to roll them as
many times as she wants until she's happy. Ask her to mentally
total the values rolled. We will now force the number twenty
one using the age old 'Seven' force. Request that she adds
up the values of the opposite number on each dice to her
original total and put the thought of that total in her
mind. Put the dice away.
"Let's
get these cards mixed up." Pick up the deck and cut
directly to your breather crimp and table that packet in
front of you. Cut the remainder of the deck into two packets
and hand one to the lady and the other to another helper.
Request that they shuffle their cards. You shuffle your
packet but retain the Jack of Clubs at the bottom with the
standard slip shuffle, retaining it there by pressure of
the fingertips. Have your two helpers assemble their packets
and you casually drop your packet on top. Execute a quick
Ose false cut or any false cut of your choice and table
the deck.
"So,
Jenny, you are merely thinking of a number arrived at purely
at random and remember, you guys shuffled these cards. What
number are you thinking of? Twenty one? But it could have
been sixteen, twenty four or nineteen. Any number is possible."
Direct Jenny to pick up the deck and deal and count out
loud to twenty one. Ask her to turn over the twenty first
card, revealing the Jack of Clubs. Pick up the envelope
set aside at the beginning and remove the contents. Bring
the trick home showing that the odd back card is also the
Jack of Clubs!
Notes
Disguising
the old Seven force with three dice really adds some smoke
to the procedure. Getting the dice part of the effect out
of the way up front I think is better. That way the deck
can be mixed as above and full focus on just the cards can
be directed.
--------------------------------------------
10. News From The Academy Of Illusions
---------------------------------------------
Message by Jay Scott Berry (Australia)
Robert
Houdin famously said, "The magician is an actor, playing
the part of a magician." But, we tend to focus on the
nouns and forget the verb: To 'play'. It's noteworthy that
in French, and other languages, the correct verb is not
to "do' magic, but to 'play' magic. Like, in English,
we say to 'play' music.
It's
an important distinction, because it frames a performance
of magic like a game. And I reckon the game we play is "Fox
& Hounds". Naturally, as magicians, we are the
Fox. So, whether we like it or not, the Hounds will always
be chasing. That's the game! But it doesn't have to be adversarial.
It's not Fox vs Hounds. If we set up an adversarial relationship
with the audience, we are inviting them to respond in kind.
Ideally, this game we play isn't against them, but with
them. As with any game, it should be fun for all. Our role
is to outwit, outsmart and outfox, while we amaze, amuse
and inspire.
A
question I'm often asked is whether Magic is an Art or a
Craft. My simple answer is, "It's both." The Craft
can be considered the sum total of the methods, rehearsals
and secrets. Like with music, the first requirement is to
master the basic scales and techniques. It's the same with
magic.
One
may then ask, "At what point does the Craft of Magic
become an Art?" Here's what I tell my students: Make
a personal commitment to excellence. Build a solid foundation
in Sleight-of-Hand Skills. Don't waste time or energy worrying
about others. The only competition you will ever have is
yourself. You only become an Artist when you lose the fear
of being yourself. And therein lies the answer. Magic only
becomes an Art in the hands of an Artist.
--------------------------------------------
11. November 2022 - Magic & Mystery School Events
---------------------------------------------
Message by Jeff McBride (US)
1
- Show & Business - The Pro Class - with Tobias Beckwith
& Jeff McBride - LIVE ONLINE
November
10-13 - Master Class for Mentalism - with Jeff McBride,
Larry Hass & Ross Johnson - LIVE in Las Vegas (SOLD
OUT for waiting list email abbimcb@gmail.com
https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/events
--------------------------------------------
12. E-zine Archives
---------------------------------------------
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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Copyright 2022 Alan Watson QSM
www.magicnewzealand.com
http://twitter.com/#!/magicnewzealand
www.watson.co.nz
www.balloon-twister.co.nz