Magic New Zealand® E-zine

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* Magic New Zealand®
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Issue Number: #1695
Date: Sunday 27th November 2022
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. Wanted Information On Magic Clubs Over 100 Years Old
3. Genii Magazine December 2022
4. Happy Thanksgiving From The Magic Word Podcast
5. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #87
6. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #20
7. Random Thoughts #1 - John Carey #180
8. News From The Academy Of Illusions
9. Jeff Mcbride's Magic And Mystery School
10. E-zine Archives
11. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice

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1. Editor's Message
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If you would like to read the Magic New Zealand e-zine in HTML format
go to: http://www.magicnewzealand.com/ezine-archive/2022-Jan-to-Dec2022/1695-Nov27-2022.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. Wanted Information On Magic Clubs Over 100 Years Old
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Message by Magic Christian (Austria)

I was invited to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Magic Club Prague in Prague, and it made me think of writing an article about Magic Clubs around the world which lasted 100 or more years permanently.

I know that many magic Clubs were founded over the years but did not last permanently and not many 100 years.

Maybe you can tell me something about the Australian Magic Club which I think was founded around 1904 but was not in work always.

If you have some sources it would be great.

Thank you in advance, Cordially
Christian
magicchristian@chello.at

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3. Genii Magazine December 2022
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Message by Richard Kaufman - Editor Genii Magazine

We're pleased to welcome our new office manager, Peggy Donmoyer, to Genii. She started just a few days ago, and is trying to both learn all of our systems and catch up as soon as possible. We know that you are eager to receive responses to your emails and phone messages that have come in over the past month, and Peggy will do her best in the coming weeks to get back to all of you. But it's a mammoth job, so please be patient with us just a little longer. Thank you.

Join us for as little as $35 a year at www.geniimagazine.com and get digital access to every issue of both Genii and MAGIC ever published.

The digital version of Genii's December 2022 issue goes live today. On our cover this month is magician, filmmaker, author, speaker, and more, Kenrick "Ice" McDonald. His story is told by Dr. Randi D. Ward. Carl Mercurio writes about Asi Wind's full close-up show, Inner Circle, in New York City.

We say farewell to two magicians this month: André Kole and Earl Nelson. Kole was an incredible illusionist, while Nelson lived on the other end of magic's spectrum as one of the greatest exponents of close-up sleight-of-hand magic. George Tovar pens Earl's and Errin Hogan, writes André's. Richard Kaufman, within "Genii Speaks," also talks about the sudden loss of our wonderful Office Manager, Donna Lucas, in early October. (The January issue will be devoted to Max Maven, who died on November 1.)

We welcome a new editor of "Magicana" this month, Chris Beason, who explains two clever tricks. Our outgoing "Magicana" editor, Jonathan Friedman starts a new column, "WWPD," in this issue with a card effect he calls "Middle Man." The "P" stands for Paul; see if you can figure out the rest.

John Bannon takes a whack at a modern classic, removing the gimmicks, in "Dealing With It." Jim Steinmeyer will not leave you short changed in this month's "Conjuring." Jon Racherbaumer digs deep in "Exhumations"; 1920 to be exact. In "Material Concessions," David Regal plays a game where "Every Card is a Winner" (don't bet on it).

As usual, Vanessa Armstrong finds the news that sometimes only Genii brings you in "The Eye". Krystyn Lambert looks at how the craft of acting and improv helps your magic in "Stage as Studio".

Shawn McMaster looks back at the AMA's Halloween festivities in "Knights at The Magic Castle". And wrapping up this issue, "Light from the Lamp" casts its glow on videos with Suzanne, tricks with Ryan Plunkett, and books with Nathan Coe Marsh.

It's all on the inside. In the meantime, have the happiest of holidays and we will see you in the New Year.

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4. Happy Thanksgiving From The Magic Word Podcast
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Message by Scott Wells M.I.M.C. with Gold Star (US)

Since the first of 2022 there have been 78 episodes posted of the Magic Word Podcast featuring reports from eight conventions with brief chats with a variety of magicians in every report, including about 50 episodes spotlighting a single person. With all of this content from just this year alone, it is time to reflect on the body of work and to give thanks to those who took time to talk on the podcast and to all the listeners around the world who enjoy hearing these stories and conversations.

In the U.S. we are celebrating Thanksgiving this week which is a time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for our blessings. It is traditionally a time of feasting and fellowship and football shared with family and friends. So, I am taking a one week break from posting an episode this week in order to give time to those who will be traveling and enjoying the holiday.

And I am giving thanks to all of you who have subscribed to our podletter, who have financially contributed to the podcast, and all who listen and share the Magic Word. But for those who need to hear an episode or two from The Magic Word this week while you are traveling, then please dig into our Archives and search for one you missed or someone you want to hear. You can do that by visiting the Archive page at: https://www.themagicwordpodcast.com/archives

We will be back again next week with a visit from old Saint Nicholas who will be giving suggestions for books that will be of interest to parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and…well, just about anyone who has a child or children in their lives. But in the meantime, travel safely, give thanks, and bring good cheer to everyone you meet. Happy Thanksgiving!

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5. No Stone Unturned - Paul Stone - Article #87
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Message by Paul Stone (US)

I'm now back in Las Vegas after a pretty hectic 10 day visit to UK which saw me visit the cities of Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, Blackpool, Wakefield and London.

That is one of the beautiful things about England, you can travel extensively on a generally reliable and affordable train system and get from one side of the country to the other in just a few hours.

It was good to meet up in Blackpool with old friends Russ Stevens, Russ Brown and Guy Barratt, who together comprise the organising team for the world's largest annual magic convention which takes place every February.

The facilities for the Blackpool convention are second to none, and that is one of reasons it is so successful. The others being the high quality and sheer variety of the talent on offer, and of course the largest International Dealers Hall of any magic convention in the world.

It is a huge undertaking and time commitment to organise a convention of this scale, and the Blackpool Magicians Club are fortunate to have three such dedicated members who deliver this outstanding magic event year after year.

I also had time whilst I was in Blackpool to call in and say hello to another old friend, Martin Scott Price, whose hotel seems to always be full, and whose puppet museum grows daily!

On my way back to London, I made a deliberate detour to Wakefield, a city in West Yorkshire, and the home of Merlin's Magic Shop. It is owned and run by Mark Lee and Phil Peters. Merlin's has been supplying both professional and hobbyist magicians for over 20 years. They have a thriving online service and run their own Annual One Day Convention. Next year's is scheduled for 14th May.

There is something very special and magical about an authentic brick and mortar magic shop, and no amount of online stores or DVD's can ever, in my opinion, replicate that sense of wonder and excitement that you experience walking into a real magic emporium.

Sadly, due to the ever increasing costs of running and staffing a shop, there are fewer and fewer surviving, but we should all do our utmost to support them or we'll lose them forever.

Merlin's carry an impressive range of magic from all around the world and you can't beat watching a 'live' dem of the latest miracle.

My own first memory of magic, and the reason I got hooked in the first place, was visiting my local magic shop in Liverpool, the 'Wizard's Den'. I still remember the first trick I bought, it was 'sucker silk.'

And I'll never forget going to London and walking into the original Davenports Magic Shop, located opposite the British Museum, with the one and only Pat Page 'demming' behind the counter. Great memories and special times!

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6. Tales From The Fantastic Magic Center - #20
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Message by Kent Cummins, Director (US)

The Fantastic Magic Camp

I was honored to have the new owners of the Kent Cummins Magic Camp change the official name to the Fantastic Magic Camp. I was not comfortable having my name on it anymore, but since I call myself, "The FANTASTIC Kent Cummins," I feel appropriately recognized for starting the camp back in 1993, the year that I turned fifty.

I am no longer the owner of the camp, nor am I on the Board of Directors, but the camp still hires me to perform at every session. (And they pay performers significantly more than I used to!) Peter the Adequate, the Camp Director, typically introduces me by telling the kids:
"If it were not for our next performer, you wouldn't be here…because he is the guy who started Magic Camp! Please welcome, the Fantastic Kent Cummins!"

I love performing at Magic Camp (pardon me, "Fantastic Magic Camp!), because it gives me an opportunity to experience how the camp is faring, twelve years after I stopped being the Camp Director.

And it is running quite well! Peter was helping me run the camp from the very first day, and he continues to run the camp with off-the-wall enthusiasm and creativity. It remains a fully-inclusive day camp, which means that regardless of label or special needs, EVERY child can succeed when they come to Fantastic Magic Camp.

And since all of the counselors and junior staff are required to be former campers, we have counselors and staff with a variety of so-called "special needs," and they do a marvelous job of keeping the camp running effectively for all children.

I could not be prouder of this legacy.

You can check out the latest information at www.MagicCamp.com.

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

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7. Random Thoughts #1 - John Carey #180
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Message by John Carey (UK)
http://www.johncareymagic.co.uk/

As I get older I've found that I enjoy performing material that is more about the experience the people will get, rather than doing stuff that overtly shows manipulation or dexterity. Effects that apparently empower a spectator and make them the star are what I'm referring to. Of course
in loud venues, a few visual pieces are a must, but if I've got the time, the space and the people, I love putting the focus on them so the reactions are not so much "look at me" but "look at you!".

So instead of you finding a thought of card, have them find your thought of card. Or maybe have them tell you how much change you are holding or empower them to find the Aces etc etc. To experienced magicians, this should be food and drink but I thought I would just pen a few words to new people in magic and hope they find them useful.

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8. News From The Academy Of Illusions
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Message by Jay Scott Berry (Australia)

Twenty five years ago, I made my first attempt at producing a Magic Festival. The setting was perfect, around the lovely Broadway Tower in the Cotswold Forest, west of London. The plan was for a three day, family-friendly celebration of wonder. Besides a cast of top magicians, I even had Alan Parsons onboard, with his band, as the surprise musical stars. Alas, in all my careful planning, I overlooked one important thing. In Britain, towns often have "Parish Councils" that, unbeknownst to me, have the power to veto any event of this nature. And that they did, for reasons ranging from seeing Magic as "evil" to imagining that their sleepy town of Broadway would be overrun with "hippies and undesirables".

Fast forward five years and that dream finally became a reality, with the Palace of Magic Festivals in Scotland. They were set in and around the Royal Palace of Falkland, Hayes Castle and Stirling Castle. On any given weekend, we were entertaining over 10,000 avid attendees, young and old alike.

These annual events presented world-class stars such as Ali Bongo, Pat Page, Pavel, Flip, Piet Forton and Anthony Darkstone. From the outset, I focused on bringing in young talent as well. Two unknowns at the time, David Goldrake and Paul Dabek, have now achieved international stardom and acclaim.

With the experience gained from these, I launched the Weekend of Wonder Festivals, coast to coast, across the USA. Each had a world-class team of headliners, such as Jeff McBride, Michael Ammar, Losander, Daryl, Fielding West, Arianne Black, Wayne Houchin, Christopher Hart and many others. Again, I brought in young talent as well, like Eric Stevens and Sean Rader.

Part of the experience they gained was learning all aspects of the production, on and off stage. We had close-up, strolling, street and stage shows, lectures, workshops and even a "Stars of Tomorrow" gala that they were in charge of producing. My thinking was, instead of a competition, that pitted them against each other, the challenge I gave them was to work together on a full show.

I've kept in touch with some of these young magi, mentoring them from a distance. Following in my footsteps, Sean Rader made his way to Hollywood and joined the Junior Group at The Magic Castle. And just last week, he began his first long term contract at Disneyland in Hong Kong.

This is how the Art has ever been passed down: We stand upon the shoulders of giants, then we become the giants, upon whose shoulders the next generation stands. For those of us who faithfully serve the Art, it's an inevitable responsibility.

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10. Jeff Mcbride's Magic And Mystery School
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Message by Jeff McBride (US)

January 2023 - Magic & Mystery School Events

7, 14, 21 - Immersive Magic Theater with Jeff McBride - Live Online

April 2023 - Magic & Mystery School Events

24-30 - 7- Day Masterclass - with Jeff McBride, Larry Hass, and Tobias
Beckwith - Live In Las Vegas

https://shop.magicalwisdom.com/events

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11. 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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12. Privacy Policy And Copyright Notice
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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 QSM vouch for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, message, statement, or other information reported via Magic New Zealand® E-zine.

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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.

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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.